Lesson Plan – Business Reporting
Course Title: Business Information Management II
Session Title: Business Reporting
Performance Objective:
 Upon completion of this lesson, students will understand the importance of using a
variety of reports in business as well as their appropriate use in business.
Specific Objectives:
 Students will compare and contrast reports used in school and reports used in
business.
 Students will examine the different types of reports used by businesses.
 Students will collaborate with each other in preparing business reports.
Preparation
TEKS:
 130.115.c.2.A-D – employ verbal skills when obtaining and conveying
information; demonstrate use of content, technical concepts, and vocabulary
when analyzing information and following directions; record information needed
to present a report on a given topic or problem; write internal and external
business correspondence that conveys information effectively using correct
grammar, spelling, punctuation, and capitalization
 130.115.c.3.B – organize information to use in written and oral communication
 130.115.c.4.A-B – use informational texts, Internet websites, and technical
materials to review and apply information sources for occupational tasks;
evaluate the reliability of information from informational texts, Internet websites,
and technical materials and resources
 130.115.c.7.B;E – employ verbal skills when obtaining and conveying
information; use academic skills to facilitate effective written and oral
communication
English:
110.33.b.1.A – determine the meaning of grade-level technical academic English words
in multiple content areas (e.g., science, mathematics, social studies, the arts) derived
from Latin, Greek or other linguistic roots and affixes.
110.33(b)(1)(C) – infer word meanings through the identification and analysis of
analogies and other word relationships.
110.33(b)(12)(B) – Reading/Media Literacy
…evaluate the interactions of different techniques (e.g., layout, pictures, typeface in
print media, images, text, sound in electronic journalism) used in multi-layered media.
110.33.b.12.C – evaluate the objectivity of coverage of the same event in various types
of media.
110.33.b.12.D – evaluate changes in formality and tone across various media for
different audiences and purposes.
110.31.b.15.B – organized and accurately conveyed information, and reader-friendly
formatting techniques.
Accommodations for Learning Differences:
It is important that lessons accommodate the needs of every learner. These lessons
may be modified to accommodate your students with learning differences by referring to
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the files found on the Special Populations page of this website.
Teacher Preparation:
References:
1. http://www.ehow.com/list_7577612_types-business-reports.html
2. http://www.websukat.com/.../Business-Communication/13.Internal-and-ExternalBusiness-Communication–Writing-Business-Reports.pdf
3. http://www.freeppts.net/powerpoint/powerpoint-presentation-907002.html
4. http://wikipedia.org
5. http://inventors.about.com/od/licensingmarketing/f/Marketing_eleme.htm
6. http://www.purplefly.co.za/feasibility-study.html
7. http://sampleproposal.net/category/sample-feasibility-study/
8. http://www.iowacentral.edu/business/BCD/contests/MarketingPlan.doc
9. Business Computer Information Systems II, Prentice Hall
10. http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/726/1/
Instructional Aids:
1. “Business Reporting” PowerPoint presentation
2. “Marketing Plan” Assignment #1
3. “Marketing Plan” Rubric
4. “Computer Proposal” Assignment #2
5. “Computer Proposal” Rubric
6. “Feasibility Study” Assignment #3
7. “Feasibility Study” Rubric
Materials Needed:
1. Poster board and tape for exercise where students match up parts of reports.
Equipment Needed:
1. Computers for students to complete assignments.
2. Projector for PowerPoint.
Learner Preparation:
1. Draw columns on a board or document camera with the words type, audience, and
purpose as the headings. Ask students about the different reports that have had to
prepare in high school. List the type on the board. Ask for whom the report was
prepared (subject or teacher). Have students volunteer what the purpose was for
each of the reports.
2. Then ask students the same questions but about different reports used in business.
Again, record their responses.
Lesson Plan
Introduction (LSI Quadrant I)
1. Print or obtain (from the Internet) a variety of sample business reports. They can
include memos, business plans, sales proposals, etc. Divide the students into pairs
and distribute the sample reports.
2. Have a student in each pair type the following headings into a table (if done in
Word), or Spreadsheet (if done in Excel): report type, purpose, audience, and
frequency. As a pair, the students should determine the information to be typed
under their column headings in the table.
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Important Terms for this Lesson:
 Report – a written document containing information regarding business matters; can
take on many forms
 Memo – a short document used to communicate within a company
 Proposal – a written offer from a seller to a prospective buyer (or someone who is
acting as an agent to a seller)
 Feasibility Study – an evaluation of a proposal designed to determine the difficulty in
carrying out a designated task
 Marketing plan – a plan for a company’s marketing activities which contains analysis
of target market, competitors, product/service description, pricing strategies, and
promotional (advertising) activities.
Outline
Outline (LSI Quadrant II)
Instructors can use the PowerPoint presentation, slides, handouts, and the Internet in
conjunction with the following outline.
MI
Outline
Notes to Instructor
I. Purpose of Reports in
Discuss the concept of
Business
reports with students and
A. Provide information
that there is much more to
B. Analyze data
reports than the ones they
C. Persuade an audience
prepare in school.
Businesses can review
information and make
decisions based on
information that employees
include in reports.
II. Types of Reports
A. Informational
1. provide factual
information
2. usually no
recommendations
B. Analytical
1. presents statistical data
2. includes
recommendations
III. Informational Reports
A. Memos
1. usually shorter length
2. informs internally
B. Annual Report
Show students examples of
different types of reports
using the referenced web
sites or other sites and
mention that reports do not
have to be tedious 20-page
monotonous reports. Many
business reports are also
completed collaboratively
as well as opposed to one
person.
These types of reports
provide data and are meant
to inform. The teacher
should print different
reports and cut up into
different sections (look for
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1. provides data
2. informs investors
C. Expense Report
1. informs internally
2. employee expenses
D. Marketing Plan
1. informs internally
2. marketing details
IV. Analytical Reports
A. Feasibility Study
1. analyzes potential
2. makes
recommendations
B. Sales Proposal
1. requests funding
2. makes
recommendations
V. Checking Source Reliability
A. Is information current?
B. Is author biased?
C. Is information credible?
D. Is information comparable
to
other sources?
samples with section or
paragraph headings). After
showing examples and
explaining the differences
between several reports,
divide students into groups
and distribute the cut up
reports to each group.
Have them piece the
reports back together and
affix (tape) in the correct
order on the correct report.
This will not only teach the
kinds of reports but also
how to organize them.
When writing business
reports, the most current
information may be
business journals or the
Internet. Select a web site
and answer the reliability
questions with students so
they can determine if a
source is reliable. Then
have them choose their
own site and do the same.
Copy and Paste Multiple Intelligences Graphic in appropriate place in left column.
Application
Guided Practice (LSI Quadrant III):
 Using the PowerPoint presentation, the teacher will explain the impact that reports
can have on a business.
 The teacher should show students how to search effectively on the Internet for
samples of reports that students can use as examples. Then have students respond
with web sites that they think provide good examples for high school students to
follow. Put these sites on the board for students to refer back to as needed.
Independent Practice (LSI Quadrant III):
 Marketing Plan Assignment #1:
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

Students will use a product or service of their choosing, or create one of their
own, and prepare a Marketing Plan for that product or service. Use the following
sections:
1) target market – who is your buyer?
2) competitors – who is your competition?
3) description of your product or service
4) pricing strategy – how much will you charge?
5) where and how will you sell – Internet, store location
6) promotional strategy(advertising) – radio, TV, Internet ads, billboards
The plan should be in proper report form with appropriate section or paragraph
headings. A cover page can be created from scratch or one can be obtained
from using the Insert tab (Office 2007 or higher). A Table of Contents should
also be included using the References tab (Office 2007 or higher). Use the web
site above as an example. Include graphics where appropriate.
Computer Proposal Assignment #2
You work at a company which uses outdated computer equipment and you feel
your department could benefit from new technology. You write a proposal to
your supervisor including your rationale (reasons for this request) as your
opening paragraph, a section describing what you would like to purchase, the
potential benefits to the employees, as well as to the company and its customers,
of this purchase, and the costs. Include a SmartArt graphic and a table if
appropriate to enhance your proposal.
Feasibility Study Assignment #3
In pairs, students will prepare a Feasibility Study to determine the best location to
open a new business. This can be any type of appropriate business such as a
restaurant, a hotel, an electronics store, a retail store for your favorite product, or
any other idea approved by your teacher. The study should include:
1) an introduction justifying the need
2) a survey created using the Developer tab (Office 2007 or higher)
3) a section explaining staffing needs at the new location
4) a section detailing equipment and materials needed for the new store
5) an estimate of costs, and benefits of the new location
6) traffic flow patterns
The study should contain a Table of Contents, paragraph headings, and at least
one table displaying appropriate information. Students will use the Review tab
and email their sections to each other for comments (suggestions for
improvement and formatting). Use the above web site for examples. Students
may use Google tools to create a task list and calendar so they can pace the
progress of their work.
Summary
Review (LSI Quadrants I and IV):
Q: Why are reports in business important?
A: They provide information that is essential to a business’ success.
Q: What type of report is a Marketing Plan?
A: A Marketing Plan is an informational report which is a guideline on how to proceed
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with promotional strategies of a product or service.
Q: What type of report is a Feasibility Study?
A: A Feasibility Study is an analytical report because it provides data and makes a
recommendation.
Evaluation
Informal Assessment (LSI Quadrant III):
1. Instructor will observe students during Independent Practice.
2. Instructor will assist students as needed.
Formal Assessment (LSI Quadrants III and IV):
Use the assigned rubrics to evaluate the four Independent Practice Assignments.
Extension/Enrichment (LSI Quadrant IV):
1. Students will interview a business member in their local community about the
various types of business reports his/her company prepares. The students will
create a table listing these reports and the purpose for each.
2. Students can approach a local business (not a chain) and tell them they are
creating either a feasibility study for an additional location for their business or a
marketing plan for their product or service. They should ask appropriate
questions which will help them with their reports. When they have completed
their report, they should submit it to that business and ask for their comments.
Return the report to class and present the comments to the class.
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Copyright © Texas Education Agency, 2011. All rights reserved.
Business Information Management II - Business Reporting
Independent Practice Assignments:
Marketing Plan Assignment #1
Students will use a product or service of their choosing, or create one of their
own, and prepare a Marketing Plan for that product or service. Use the following
sections:
1) target market – who is your buyer?
2) competitors – who is your competition
3) description of your product or service
4) pricing strategy – how much will you charge?
5) where and how will you sell – Internet, store location
6) promotional strategy (advertising) – radio, TV, Internet ads, billboards
The plan should be in proper report form with appropriate section or paragraph
headings. A cover page can be created from scratch or one can be obtained
from using the Insert tab (Office 2007 or higher). A Table of Contents should
also be included using the References tab (Office 2007 or higher). Use the web
site above as an example. Include graphics where appropriate.
Computer Proposal Assignment #2
You work at a company which has outdated computer equipment and you feel
your department could benefit from new technology. You write a proposal to
your supervisor including your rationale (reasons for this request) as your
opening paragraph, a section describing what you would like to purchase
(possibly with a table comparing different brands of equipment), the potential
benefits to the employees, as well as to the company and its customers, of this
purchase, and the costs. Include a SmartArt and a table where appropriate to
enhance your proposal.
Feasibility Study Assignment #3
In pairs, students will prepare a Feasibility Study to determine the best location to
open a new business. This can be any type of appropriate business such as a
restaurant, a hotel, an electronics store, a retail store for your favorite product, or
any other idea approved by your teacher. The study should include:
1) an introduction justifying the need
2) a survey of potential demand for the business created using the Developer
tab (Office 2007 or higher)
3) a section explaining staffing needs at the new location
4) a section detailing equipment and materials needed for the new store
5) an estimate of costs, and benefits of the new location
6) traffic flow patterns
The study should contain a Table of Contents, paragraph headings, and at least
one table displaying appropriate information. Students will use the Review tab
and email their sections to each other for comments (suggestions for
improvement and formatting). Use the above web site for examples. Students
may use Google tools to create a task list and calendar so they can pace the
progress of their work.
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Copyright © Texas Education Agency, 2011. All rights reserved.
Business Information Management II – Business Reporting
Marketing Plan Rubric
Assignment #1
Student Name: __________________________________
CATEGORY
Required
Elements
20
All sections
thoroughly
included as well
as cover page
and table of
contents
15
1 marketing
section
missing but
cover page
and table of
contents
included
10
2 marketing
sections
missing and
either cover
page or table
of contents
missing as well
Formatting
Formatting is
exceptional and
professional, all
sections have
headings
No grammar or
punctuation
errors
Formatting is
neat, 1-2
sections are
missing
headings
1-2 grammar
or punctuation
errors
Formatting is
adequate, but
section
headings
missing
3-4 grammar
or punctuation
errors
Adequate
amount of
information
provided in the
marketing
sections
Plan shows
adequate
grasp of the
topic
Little
information
provided in
each section
Mechanics
Sufficiency of
Information
Excellent
amount of
information
provided in each
section of the
plan
Examples related Plan shows
to project
excellent grasp
of the topic
Plan shows
little
understanding
of concepts.
Total Score ________
Maximum 100 Point
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5 or less
Cover page,
table of
contents
missing as
well as more
than 2
marketing
sections
Paper appears
unprofessional
and
disorganized
More than 4
grammar or
punctuation
errors
The sections
are sketchy at
best
Plan shows no
understanding
of topic.
Business Information Management II – Business Reporting
Computer Proposal Rubric
Assignment #2
Student Name: __________________________________
CATEGORY
Required
Elements
20
Proposal
includes all
sections of
report, SmartArt,
and table
Appearance
Proposal looks
exceptionally
professional,
SmartArt and
table contain
appropriate
information
No grammar or
punctuation
errors
Mechanics
ContentCompleteness
ContentRelevance
Excellent
amount of
information
provided in each
section of
proposal
All sections are
clearly related to
the topic
15
Proposal
includes most
sections of
report,
SmartArt, and
table
Proposal
appears neat,
adequate use
of SmartArt
and table
10
Proposal
includes most
report sections
but missing
SmartArt or
table
Proposal
appears
ordinary,
SmartArt or
table also
ordinary
5 or less
Proposal has
missing report
sections as
well as no
SmartArt and
table
Proposal
appears neat
with
inadequate
formatting
1-2 grammar
or punctuation
errors
3-4 grammar
or punctuation
errors
Adequate
amount of
information
provided in
each section of
proposal
1 section not
related to the
topic
Little
information
provided in
each section of
proposal
More than 4
grammar or
punctuation
errors
Information
provided is
sketchy
2 sections not
related to topic
Total Score ________
Maximum 100 Points
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More than 2
sections not
related to topic
Business Information Management II – Business Reporting
Feasibility Study Rubric
Assignment #3
Student Name: __________________________________
CATEGORY
Required
Elements
Appearance
Collaborative
Efforts
Mechanics
Relevance to
topic
20
All required
elements are
present in the
study
The study
appeared
extremely
professional and
was formatting
exceptionally
well
The pair worked
extremely well
together to
produce an
exceptional
study
No grammar or
punctuation
errors
15
1 element
missing from
study
10
Study missing
2-3 sections
The study
appeared neat
and formatted
adequately
The study
contains
occasional
formatting but
not throughout
the report
The pair
worked
adequately
together
The pair
struggled to
work together
The pair did
not collaborate
on project
1-2 grammar
or punctuation
errors
3-4 grammar
or punctuation
errors
All parts clearly
relate to the
project
1 part vague in
relating to
topic
2 parts
irrelevant to
topic
More than 4
grammar or
punctuation
errors
More than 2
parts do not
relate to the
topic
Total Score ________
Maximum 100 Points
10
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5 or less
More than 3
sections
missing from
study
The study did
not contain
any formatting
at all