The portfolio assignment is based on your own primary research of an SME that employs between 1- 50 people. We have provided a set of questions that you will need to explore with the owner or manager of your case business. You will use the responses to the research questions as a basis for in-class discussions for each theme. Your notes from the in class discussions for each theme will have to be signed off by your tutor and submitted as an appendix with your 1500 summary. Each theme is 10%

The case will enable students to develop their understanding of the three themes of the module in a real life case study.

Component B

This element will assess your ability to conduct primary research on an organisation focusing on the business growth issues of the business. From your in-class discuss of your primary data, you will be able to identify the key growth issue(s) facing the business. You will use the concepts/theories from your lecture to analyse the growth issues. Each report will have the analysis of the growth issue of the business and one of the three areas of: innovation; leadership; (2000 – 3000 words maximum).

• The report should be more like a consultancy report
  • Include name and address of the business on front cover
• Overview of the business/background
• Context for the report – from learning commentary
• Key business issues on growth
  • Underpinned by meaning of growth in the business context – use literature for interpretation and analysis
• Strategies for growth – (can include use or adoption of innovation)- use literature for analysis
• Implications
  • Survival
  • Leadership etc – (use literature for analysis)
• conclusions