The aim of this unit is to show learners that the collection and management of business information, and the successful communication of that information throughout a business, is critical for the future prosperity of the organisation.
Learning Outcomes
- 1 Understand different types of business information
- 2 Be able to present business information effectively
- 3 Understand the issues and constraints in relation to the use of business information in organisations
- 4 Know how to communicate business information using appropriate methods
| Criteria | Detail | Resources | Assessment |
| P1. explain different types of business information, their sources and purposes |
For P1, learners need to investigate a business organisation in order to explain the different types of information that are being used, where this information originates and its purpose. M1 requires learners to analyse different types of information and their sources. Again this can be based on the information obtained from the business organisation that they have chosen to research and builds on the work undertaken for P1. For D1, the learner has to evaluate the appropriateness of information used to make important strategic decisions. They could look at marketing decisions made in an organisation and evaluate whether the information used to make these decisions was appropriate. Similarly, financial performance of the company can lead to strategic decisions being made. The learner should evaluate at least two sets of information which have been used to make strategic decisions.
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BTEC Command Verbs | |
| M1. analyse different types of business information and their sources | |||
| D1. evaluate the appropriateness of business information used to make strategic decisions | |||
| P2. present complex internal business information using three different methods appropriate to the user’s needs |
For P2, learners need to present information using three different methods. This could be a verbal presentation combined with a report on the information they obtained. The information could be a financial report from a business which the learner could manipulate into a spreadsheet or chart. Alternative methods could include a web page and a leaflet. Learners can then submit the information, indicating the nature of its intended audience and its likely purpose. The information could be from the business organisation used for P1. D2 requires learners to evaluate the effectiveness of business information and its communication as key contributors to the success of a business organisation. Learners need to use illustrative examples as part of their evaluation and should be encouraged to investigate organisations who have excellent communication and information management systems. Comparisons can then be made with the situation in the organisation that they have studied. |
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| D2. evaluate the effectiveness of business information and its communication as key contributors to the success of an organisation, using examples to illustrate your points. |
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| P3. produce corporate communications | For P3, learners need to produce a corporate communication for a business organisation which could be an advert for a poster or a leaflet communicating information about the business or one of its products or services.
The communication could be the information to be incorporated on a product’s packaging or a design for the livery on delivery vehicles. The same business organisation used for P1 and P2 can be used. |
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| P4. evaluate the external corporate communications of an existing product or service | For P4, learners will evaluate existing corporate communications for a product or service. |
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| P5. explain the legal and ethical isues in relation to the use of business information |
For P5, learners need to explain the legal and ethical issues relating to the use of business information. Learners can use the same business, organisation or any other organisation, especially if it is difficult to obtain the necessary information. Learners need to try and obtain the business organisation’s policies on ethical issues in relation to business information and explain how that organisation complies with their legal obligations. M2 requires learners to analyse the legal, ethical and operational issues in relation to the use of information. Again, learners will need to obtain information from a local organisation and build on the work for P5 and P6. |
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| M2. analyse the legal, ethical and operational issues in relation to the use of business information, using appropriate examples. | |||
| P6. explain the operational issues in relation to the use of business information | For P6, for the same or any other business organisation, the learner needs to explain the operational issues in relation to business information. This would include how the organisation ensures their information is secure.
In addition, learners need to explain the health and safety issues associated with information management and also the development of new systems to manage information, the possible need for more complex software and staff training.
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| P7. outline electronic and non-electronic methods for communicating business information, using examples for different types of audience. |
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