Higher Nationals - Assignment Brief -
Part1
Unit Number and Title Unit 1: Business and the Business Environment
Unit Code: T/618/5032
Type: Core
Level: 4
Credit Value: 15
Academic Year 2023/2024
Unit Assessors Hengameh Ridha
Assignment Title Industry Analysis Factsheets
Issue Date 15/01/2024
Formative Feedback 22/02/2023
Submission Date 13/03/2024
Submission Instruction Submission in Turnitin
Learner Declaration:
I certify that the work submitted for this assignment is my own and research sources are fully
acknowledged.
Student signature:
Date:
Submission Format
The submission is in the form of a portfolio of factsheets and an organisational flow chart document. The
factsheets should be written concisely to summarise and highlight key information and data. You are
required to make use of headings, paragraphs, and sub-sections as appropriate. All work must be
supported with research and referenced correctly using the Harvard referencing system (or an alternative
referencing system). You will also need to provide a bibliography using the Harvard referencing system (or
an alternative referencing system). Inaccurate use of referencing may lead to issues of plagiarism if not
applied correctly.
The recommended word limit for the factsheets is 1,000–2,000 words, although you will not be penalised
for going under or exceeding the total word limit.
Part one
Unit Learning Outcomes
LO1 Explain the different types, size and scope of organisations.
LO2 Demonstrate the interrelationship of the various functions within an organisation and
how they link to organisational structure
Transferable skills and competencies developed
• Analytical skills to conduct own analysis to draw conclusions.
• The ability to provide information based on collation, analysis and interpretation of
data.
• Creative thinking for presenting information and data in a simplified and informative
manner.
• Digital skills, using different software applications to visually present information and
data concisely.
• Communicating effectively in all forms, written, visual and oral, for operating efficiently
in the international business environment.
Vocational Scenario
Barclays Bank is actively involved in banking, investment, and global financial services; by the
year 2020, Barclays Bank boasted a workforce exceeding 87,400 employees worldwide, with
the brand alone valued at over $12.4 billion, establishing itself as a preeminent brand within
the financial sector. The Strategic Planning teams within Barclays Bank play a crucial role in
steering the institution in the right direction. They lead the strategic business planning process
and spearhead transformative projects across various banking and financial service sectors
operating globally. Integrated into teams throughout the organisation, strategy professionals
tackle intricate business challenges by conducting analyses of consumer behaviour,
competitive landscapes, and market trends. They also create financial models and formulate
strategic action plans, collectively shaping the future of financial services by strategically
navigating Barclays Bank's trajectory. In your capacity as a junior corporate manager with an
Insight to strategist, you are a valuable member of the Strategic Planning team at Barclays
Bank. This team serves as a pivotal partner to senior leaders, the executive team, and the
CEO, providing thought leadership and an external perspective on the institution's most critical
strategic initiatives and challenges. Your key roles encompass Supporting data and business
analyses to develop comprehensive business plans for Barclays Bank. Measuring the
institution's performance by comparing actual data to forecasted values. Executing market
research projects and gathering intelligence on the financial sector's current industry,
technology, and consumer trends. Supporting data and business analyses to formulate
comprehensive strategic plans for Barclays Bank.
• Evaluating the institution's performance by comparing actual data with forecasted
values.
• Executing market research projects and gathering intelligence on current trends within
the financial industry.
Assignment Activity and guidance
You will present this industry analysis as a portfolio of Barclays Bank factsheets, to include:
1. an introduction to sub-sectors and the different types of organisations in the industry, the market
size, and the growth of the international business environment
2. a factsheet for a selected sub-sector organisation, with explanation, including background details
of the organisation; the products and services they supply; the size and scope of the organisation;
their vision, mission, and business objectives; the organisational and legal structure and information
about their stakeholders.
For business modelling purposes, you will also need to examine the various business functions in
one organisation and create an organisational chart to explore the interrelationships between the
different functions.
In addition to the ‘Barclays bank factsheets, you will present an organisational flow chart that shows:
3. an analysis for one of the chosen organisations, using visual mapping to show how internal
departments, for example. finance, marketing, work together to meet business objectives and how
interrelationships are defined by the structure of the organisation; present the advantages and
disadvantages.
4. conclusions based on critical impact analysis of different business structures and the
interrelationships between internal departments in successfully fulfilling overall business objectives.
Recommended Resources
Please note that the resources listed are examples for you to use as a starting point in your research – the
list is not definitive.
www.sportsdirect.com
Weblinks
Allied Market Research (2020) Sports Apparel Market by End User. Available at:
https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/sports-apparel-market
Xtensio (2021) How to Create a Fact Sheet. Available at:
https://xtensio.com/how-to-create-a-fact-sheet
The Sportswear Industry: An Analysis of the Apparel Market. Available at:
https://creatitive.com/sports-industry-analysis-2019/
HubSpot (2021) 9 Types of Organizational Structure Every Company Should Consider. Available
at
https://blog.hubspot.com/marketing/team-structure-diagrams
HN Global
HN Global (2021) Reading Lists. Available at: https://hnglobal.highernationals.com/learning-
zone/reading-lists
HN Global (2021) Student Resource Library. Available at:
https://hnglobal.highernationals.com/subjects/resource-libraries
HN Global (2021) Textbooks. Available at: https://hnglobal.highernationals.com/textbooks
Textbooks
Burns, J. and Needle, D. (2019) Business in Context: An Introduction to Business and its
Environment. 7th Ed. Cengage Learning
Worthington, I. and Britton. C. (2018) The Business Environment. 8th Ed. Harlow: Pearson
