FY021: Introduction to Business Studies CW1 Assignment Brief 2024-2025

Assignment Task

Unilever is a well-known multinational consumer goods company. Established in 1929 as a result of themerge between British soap maker Lever Brothers and Dutch margarine producer Margarine Unie, it has grown into one of the leading global consumer goods companies. Unilever is known for its diverse portfolio of food, beverages, cleaning agents, and personal care products. It boasts a range of more than 60 popular brands such as Dove, Ben & Jerry’s, Lipton, Magnum and Axe. The company operates on a global scaleand is renowned for its strong emphasis on sustainability and social responsibility. 

This assignment is a portfolio composed of three separate tasks, each specifically designed to evaluate different areas of your comprehension of business ideas as they relate to Unilever. These tasks will be completed throughout the module, and although a mark will not be awarded until the end of the module,detailed formative feedback will be provided together with the opportunity for the student to submit work until the final deadline providing formative developmental opportunities. The assessment will include:

Task 1  – A 10 min in class Group PowerPoint Presentation.

This will relate to the internal and external factors which impact on Unilever business. You will need to demonstrate your ability to work effectively ina team and communicate business concepts clearly and concisely (LO 2 and LO 3).Formative feedback from your lecturers may be obtained in week 5 or after the presentation delivery in class. The presentations will be delivered in class in week 6.

Guidelines for Task 1 - Group PowerPoint Presentation 

Form a group of 2-4 students and confirm the group members' names with your lecturer. Your group will prepare and deliver in class 10-minute PowerPoint presentation on Unilever. Through this task, you will demonstrate your knowledge, understanding and ability to identify, discuss, and explain how specific internal and external factors influence Unilever operations and business strategies. 

Please note that oral presentations in class will be recorded for quality assurance purposes.

Your presentation should follow the structure below:

1. Cover page
2. Introduction
3. Company Background
4.  SWOT Analysis of Unilever
5. Analysis of one internal factor and one external factor affecting Unilever
6. Recommendations
7. Conclusion
8. References
9. Group Log
10. Q & A

Task 2  – An Academic Poster (individual task). 

Create an academic poster related to one element of Unilever’s Marketing Mix, either Product, Price, Place or Promotion. This individual task assesses yourgrasp of marketing principles and your ability to present information in a clear, engaging format (LO 1).This component of the portfolio must be completed by the end of week 8 to remain on schedule.Formative feedback from your lecturers may be obtained in week 7.

Guidelines for Task 2 – Individual Academic Poster

For this task, you will create a single-page academic poster analys in gone element of the Marketing Mix for a Unilever product of your choice. Begin by selecting a specific Unilever product, then choose oneaspect of the Marketing Mix (product, price, place, or promotion) to focus on.

Your poster must include the following:

• A clear heading stating the chosen product and Marketing Mix element
• Your student’ ID
• A definition of the Marketing Mix, supported by appropriate citations
• A discussion of your chosen Marketing Mix element as it applies to the Unilever product
• Discuss the strengths and potential drawbacks of the selected Marketing Mix element
• Relevant images of the chosen product
• Reference list - Use the Harvard referencing style for any sources cited on the poster
• Ensure your poster is visually appealing and easy to read, balancing text and images effectively

Task 3  – Individual Written Report

Write a report examining Unilever's HR strategies,financial management practices and the role of reporting. This task requires you to conduct research on various elements of Unilever's operations, integrate the material you obtain, and discuss the strategies thathave the most impact on the company's success (LO1, LO2, LO4).Formative feedback for this component may be obtained in week 10.

Guidelines for Task 3 – Individual Report

Task 3 requires you to write an individual report of 1500 words focusing on Unilever's Human Resources and Financial Management strategies. Your report should explore how these crucial functions operate within the company and contribute to its success.