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MODULE NAME:
MODULE CODE:
BUSINESS MANAGEMENT 2A
BMNG6221/p/w
ASSESSMENT TYPE: POE (PAPER ONLY)
TOTAL MARK ALLOCATION: 250 MARKS
TOTAL HOURS: A MINIMUM OF 60 HOURS IS SUGGESTED TO COMPLETE THIS ASSESSMENT
By submitting this assignment, you acknowledge that you have read and understood all the rules as
per the terms in the registration contract, in particular the assignment and assessment rules in The
IIE Assessment Strategy and Policy (IIE009), the intellectual integrity and plagiarism rules in the
Intellectual Integrity and Property Rights Policy (IIE023), as well as any rules and regulations
published in the student portal.
INSTRUCTIONS:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
No material may be copied from original sources, even if referenced correctly, unless it is a
direct quote indicated with quotation marks. No more than 10% of the assignment may
consist of direct quotes.
Please ensure that you submit your POE through Turnitin. Please make sure you attach a
similar report to your POE if you are required to submit a hard copy of your POE.
Make a copy of your POE before handing it in.
Assignments must be typed unless otherwise specified.
Begin each section on a new page.
Follow all instructions on the PoE cover sheet.
This is an individual assignment.
© The Independent Institute of Education (Pty) Ltd 2025
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Referencing Rubric
Providing evidence based on valid and referenced academic sources is a
fundamental educational principle and the cornerstone of high-quality
academic work. Part of achieving this quality is referencing in a way that is
consistent and congruent with the requirements of the referencing style being
used.
Markers are required to provide feedback to students by
circling/underlining the information in the table below that best describes
the student’s work and by adding constructive commentary where
appropriate. The examples provided are not exhaustive but illustrate the
errors.
Therefore, inconsistent and/or incongruent referencing will result in a penalty
of a maximum of ten percent being deducted from the overall percentage
awarded to your assessment submission.
Deductions
• Where the student’s work contains five or more errors aligned to the
minor errors column below, deduct 5% from the overall percentage.
Please note that evidence of plagiarism in the form of copied or unreferenced
work, absent reference lists, or exceptionally poor referencing may result in
action being taken in accordance with The IIE’s Intellectual Integrity and
Property Rights Policy (IIE023). Similarly, evidence of excessive AI usage may
result in action being taken in accordance with The IIE’s Student Conduct,
Discipline and Safety Policy (IIE015).
• Where the student’s work contains five or more errors aligned to the
major errors column below, deduct 10% from the overall percentage.
Required:
Consistent and congruent
referencing
Consistency
• The correct referencing style
for the discipline – i.e., either
Harvard, OR APA (for
Psychology), OR Law, OR IEEE
(for ICT/Engineering) – has
been used consistently for all
in-text references and in the
bibliography/reference list.
•
•
Concepts and ideas that are
quoted and/or paraphrased
are referenced consistently
throughout.
Position of the in-text
reference: an in-text
reference is positioned
consistently where
appropriate for every quote
and paraphrase.
• Where both minor and major errors (e.g. two minor and three major,
etc.) are present, deduct 10% only (and not 5% or 15%) from the overall
percentage.
Minor errors
Deduct 5% from overall percentage.
Example: if the response receives 70%, deduct 5%. The
final mark is 65%.
Minor inconsistencies:
• The referencing style used is generally consistent with
what is required, but there are one or two
changes/errors in the format of in-text referencing
and/or in the bibliography/reference list.
• For example, page numbers for direct quotes in-text
have been provided for one source, but not in another.
Or, two book chapters in the bibliography/reference
list have been referenced in two different formats. Or,
the publication year has been placed after the author
name in one bibliography/reference list entry, and
after the source title in another, etc.
• Concepts and ideas in quotes and/or paraphrases are
typically referenced, but a full in-text reference is
missing or incomplete from one or two small sections
of the work.
• Position of the references: in-text references are only
given at the beginning and/or end of every paragraph.
Major errors
Deduct 10% from the overall percentage.
Example: if the response receives 70%, deduct 10%.
The final mark is 60%.
Major inconsistencies:
• Poor and wholly inconsistent referencing style used
in-text and/or in the bibliography/reference list.
• Multiple referencing styles for the same source
types have been used.
• For example, the format for direct quotes in-text
and/or book chapters in the bibliography/reference
list and/or year of publication in the
bibliography/reference list is different across
multiple instances.
• Concepts and ideas in quotes and/or paraphrases
are haphazardly referenced in-text.
• Position of the references: in-text references are
only given at the beginning or end of large sections
of work.
Feedback on referencing consistency:
Congruency
• Each source reflected within
in-text references is included
accurately in the
bibliography/reference list.
• All bibliography/reference list
entries are in the required
order for the referencing style
used (e.g. alphabetical,
alphabetical under
subheadings, numerical).
• All direct quotes and
paraphrases have been
integrated appropriately into
the text using introductory
phrases, accurate grammar,
etc.
Minor incongruences:
• There is largely a match between the sources
presented in-text and those in the
bibliography/reference list, but one or two sources
that appear in-text do not appear in the
bibliography/reference list, or vice versa. Or key source
information is missing from one or two in-text
references or bibliography/reference list entries only
(e.g. publication year, city of publication, URL date
accessed, etc.).
• There is a clear and largely accurate ordering of
sources in the bibliography/reference list as required
by the referencing style used, but with one or two
references out of order.
•
An attempt has been made for source integration into
the text using appropriate introductory phrases and
grammar, but one or two quotes or paraphrases do
not flow as clearly or logically within the sentence
structure as they could.
Major incongruences:
• No relationship/several incongruencies between
the in-text referencing and the
bibliography/reference list.
• For example, multiple sources are included in-text,
but not in the bibliography, and/or vice versa. Key
source information is missing from multiple in-text
references and/or reference list entries. A URL link,
rather than the actual reference, is provided in the
bibliography. Sources are repeated in the reference
list, etc.
• Most sources are listed in a haphazard order
throughout the bibliography/reference list.
• Few to no appropriate introductory phrases or
rules of grammar have been applied, and many
direct quotes and/or paraphrases feel disconnected
from the flow of the text.
Feedback on referencing congruency:
Overall feedback on referencing, with suggested improvements:
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The POE is intended to awaken your inner creativity! You will walk the journey of an entrepreneur.
At the end of this assessment, the student will have an entrepreneurial idea to solve the problem
and a business plan that you can present to potential investors to kick-start your business.
South Africa has made remarkable progress in the transition from apartheid to democracy. This
transition has been peaceful despite the country's history of violent conflict and dispossession. In
nearly every facet of life, advances are being made in building an inclusive society, rolling back the
shadow of history, and broadening opportunities for all. South Africa has been able to build the
institutions necessary for a democratic and transformative state. The Constitution enshrines a
rights-based approach and envisions a prosperous, non-racial, non-sexist democracy that belongs
to all its people. Healing the wounds of the past and redressing the inequities caused by centuries
of racial exclusion are constitutional imperatives. Access to services has been broadened, the
economy has been stabilised, and a non-racial society has begun to emerge. Millions who were
previously excluded have access to education, water, electricity, health care, housing and social
security. About 3 million more people are working today than in 1994, the poverty rate has declined,
and average incomes have grown steadily in real terms.
Thirty years into democracy, South Africa remains a highly unequal society where too many people
live in poverty and too few works. The quality of school education for most black learners is poor.
The apartheid spatial divide continues to dominate the landscape. A large proportion of young
people feel that the odds are stacked against them. And the legacy of apartheid continues to
determine the life opportunities for the vast majority. These immense challenges can only be
addressed through a step change in the country's performance. To accelerate progress, deepen
democracy, and build a more inclusive society, South Africa must translate political emancipation
into economic well-being for all. It is up to all South Africans to fix the future, and build a better
country. This plan envisions a South Africa where everyone feels free yet bounded to others; where
everyone embraces their full potential, a country where opportunity is determined not by birth, but
by ability, education and hard work. Realising such a society will require transformation of the
economy and focused efforts to build the country's capabilities. To eliminate poverty and reduce
inequality, the economy must grow faster and in ways that benefit all South Africans. In particular,
young people deserve better educational and economic opportunities, and focused efforts are
required to eliminate gender inequality. Promoting gender equality and greater opportunities for
young people are integrated themes that run throughout this plan.
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Extracted from: National Development Plan 2023: Our future, make it work. 2012. Available :
https://www.gov.za/sites/default/files/gcis_document/201409/ndp-2030-our-future-make-itworkr.pdf ( Accessed 03 August 2024)
Think carefully about the theme, chat to your lecturer for guidance if you are unsure about the
angle you’re taking. It is important that your entrepreneurial idea/ venture is linked to one of the
areas/ themes identified below. It would be ideal to select an area/theme that relates to something
you have passion for, or you are knowledgeable about. When thinking of possible solutions, do
research and speak to people, use all possible textbooks, and write in an academic form. In most
cases, asking questions is a great source of new ideas. In addition to asking questions, consider
alternatives to current/ existing solutions.
Remember, an idea can come from anywhere. Try to always keep a notebook with you and write
down all possible solutions. In the end, you should be able to identify the best feasible and realistic
solution.
All the best, be creative, and have fun.
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Background
In view of the above extract from the National Development Plan, there is a need for and
importance of entrepreneurship as a source to solve societal challenges. As an innovative
entrepreneurship student, you have been approached by the National Planning Commission to
consider any one of the following areas/ themes, with the view of coming up with a creative,
realistic and innovative idea to help address a problem associated with your chosen area/ theme.
Thinking about a feasible business idea that will address the problem/ Challenge identified from
your chosen area/theme. These areas/themes relate to Chapter 1 -12 of the National Development
Plan. We encourage you to explore these chapters in more detail as it may assist you to identify a
potential challenge and subsequent business idea.
1.
South African High unemployment rate.
2.
To improve the quality of school education in rural areas.
3.
Infrastructure is poorly located, inadequate and under-maintained
4.
The economy is unsustainably resource intensive
5.
The public health system cannot meet demand or sustain quality
6.
Public services are uneven and often of poor quality
7.
Corruption levels are high
8.
South Africa remains a divided society.
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Introduction
After identifying your one challenge, complete the following tasks. Remember to answer these
questions in the context of your business. Most importantly, take note that the business you choose
will be part of a business plan on your POE. Be creative and innovative.
Part 1
(Marks: 50)
Van Aardt et al. (2019: 11) stated that to bake the perfect cake, you need a complete recipe. More
than that, you need to understand the measurements that the recipe indicates and follow it to the
letter. All the ingredients must be readily available, and the oven temperature must be perfect. As
such, an entrepreneur must follow a certain process to find, evaluate, and develop a business
opportunity. They refer to this as the entrepreneurial process.
(a)
Briefly describe the problem you intend to solve.
(6)
(b)
In relation to your chosen idea, Identify and discuss the six steps in the entrepreneurial (12)
process. Explain how you applied these steps in your chosen problem that will assist
you in your new venture, as every venture begins with an idea, finding a niche, and
applying innovation.
(c)
The Macro - environment encompasses South Africa with regards to the industry in (12)
which you operate or what you sell. Conduct an external environmental analysis
focusing on macro-environmental factors relating to your chosen problem that will
assist you in your new venture.
(d)
The fundamentals of an entrepreneurial mindset include keeping your dreams on the (10)
wish list and dreaming big, beyond imagination. Scholars agree that we can understand
entrepreneurial mindset through different characteristics. To develop and run a
successful business, you will need to adopt this mindset. Identify and discuss any five
characteristics of the entrepreneurial mindset you possess.
(e)
Your business will require you to always be creative. Outline any five barriers to (10)
creativity and discuss how you will overcome these barriers.
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Part 2
(Marks: 50)
For many entrepreneurs, the evaluation stage of creativity will be the most difficult. This is
because, during this stage opportunities will be tested against economic and other realities, which
sometimes results in letting go of a dream. Opportunities must be perceived as both desirable and
feasible so that entrepreneurs can be motivated to act and mobilise resources to pursue them.
(a)
When evaluating business opportunities, the entrepreneurs must commonly use
(8)
significant criteria. In order of frequency describe the four criteria and advise how
you will use these criteria to evaluate your business.
(b)
Analyse any four categories that will assist you to test your business marketability
(8)
and analyse three questions any three questions that you may ask to assess the
viability.
(c)
With the use of examples, evaluate any five business resources that you will need
(6)
for your business to start operating.
(d)
Discuss the four strategic management phases that you will need to evaluate for
(8)
your business.
(e)
Business location plays a significant role in any business. Making an informed and
(10)
calculated choice of location is of extreme. Discuss any five factors that you will need
to consider for your business.
(f)
Define and discuss the type of business ownership that your business will enter.
(5)
(g)
The reasons for failure are extremely varied, although there appears to be one
(5)
common theme. Discuss any five sources of support that will be at your disposal.
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Part 3
(Marks: 50)
When an entrepreneur wants to start a new business by buying a franchise or wants to start a new
business by buying or developing his or her business into an effective franchise, it is essential that he
or she understands the concept from the outset and applies it with skill, care, and consistency.
Franchising has been compared to be a set of precision tools that can deliver the expected
performance in the hands of a skilled craftsman, (Van Aardt et al: 2019).
(a)
Using your own words, define the term franchising.
(3)
(b)
Identify the type and the model of the franchise that your business could potentially
(4)
enter. Justify each selection.
(c)
There are various reasons for entrepreneurs entering into franchise contracts. Discuss
(8)
two advantages and disadvantages of franchising in the context of your business
(d)
The ethical issues confronting any business might differ from industry to industry and
(5)
from business to business. Describe with justification any five specific issues that will
reflect your company’s values.
(e)
Entrepreneurs play a major role in establishing the initial code of ethics that must be
(5)
implemented within the venture. The integrity or human character of the entrepreneur
often has a lasting impact on the character and reputation of the business. An
entrepreneur is trusted and regarded as someone with integrity. They adhere to all sets
of ethical standards and use these standards as a basis for making decisions.
Describe with justification any five of your ethical values as an entrepreneur.
(f)
Outline any five levels of functional areas for your business.
(5)
(g)
In South Africa, we have 11 official languages and 13 main cultural groups. We have one
(5)
central African management principle, which is Ubuntu. ‘’What hurts you, hurts me’’ .
Describe any five principles that are part of effective leadership in the African business.
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(h)
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To manage a new venture effectively, the entrepreneur must perform certain managerial
(6)
tasks such as planning, decision-making, organising, leading and controlling. These
functions can then be divided into three main phases, discuss the three main phases in
the context of your business.
(i)
Discuss any four importance of leadership for the entrepreneur.
(4)
(j)
As a new venture, after establishing the organisational structure, the next step is to
(5)
identify the resources required. Describe any five business resources that you have
identified after establishing the organisational structure of your business.
POE
(Marks: 100)
It is important that you are able to draw a business plan. It is further important that your business plan
considers Part 1. For example, Part 1 includes an external environment analysis that shows there is
too much red tape and government regulations that will affect your business. Your product description
in the business plan should show investors how you intend to navigate around the red tape. In
addition, your business plan must include all aspects covered in Part 1.
Before you start with this task, create an attractive business logo for your business, you may use the
templates from Microsoft Word, PowerPoint or Publisher or any other Software / Application of your
choice. Your final logo must be in a picture format (e.g., JPEG, PNG, TIF, IMG, JPEG). No links or moving
images (GIFs) should be attached to the POE.
Your business plan should follow the format below and should have a minimum of 5000 words to a
maximum of 7500 words. Please DO NOT exceed the word count.
You will be marked according to the following rubric:
Item
1.
Cover page
•
Description
Mark
Neat, professional and must provide the name of the
(4)
business and the picture of the business logo. It must be
dated and provide the business address as well as the
contact numbers.
2.
Executive
summary
•
It must be an Informative summary of the key areas
(5)
discussed in the business plan. It is Ideal to touch on key
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things that should intrigue potential investors to read
more about your business plan.
NB: This part of the business plan should be completed
last, after all other areas have been addressed. Discussion
on why the business plan will be feasible and why
financing should be provided.
3.
Table of
•
contents
4.
Business and
(6)
A clear and well numbered table of contents directing the
reader where more information is provided about a topic.
•
(15)
Must provide a brief description of the business itself and
product
a description of products or services that your business
description
will be offering. Remember to relate your product
description to the problem you will be filling with your
product or service. Discussion of patents, trademarks, or
copyrights to be included (other legal requirements).
5.
Marketing
•
Plan
(20)
The 4Ps of marketing to be addressed. Location and
market description provided; your potential market share,
target market, and competitors identified; product pricing
strategies, advertising, and promotional strategies well
outlined and how you plan to grow the business from a
marketing perspective. Product distribution and
distribution means provided.
6.
Financial Plan
•
Provided that you have received start-up funding of
(15)
R250 000, prepare a forecast where costs associated with
required business resources are outlined and create a
budget for the first two months of the business. Calculate
the break-even point.
NB: Higher amounts will be accepted if you show and justify
contributions. Remember to stick to figures you will understand
and be able to work with when calculating your break-even
point. The cyclical nature of specific industries must be
considered when preparing the figures. To calculate the
breakeven point, you need to prepare a statement of profit and
loss/ income statement.
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7.
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Operational
•
Plan
(15)
Your operational plan should include key processes,
structures, and strategies involved in the transformation
of inputs into outputs. Where possible, a transformation
model may be used to demonstrate this process. The
business approach to planning and management of
produce and services may also be included.
•
Description of key personnel and the organisational
structure, employment agreements, etc.
8.
Conclusion
•
(5)
Concluding remarks providing a comprehensive overview
of key aspects discussed in the business plan.
9.
Business plan
•
Correct structure.
structure and
•
Logical and coherent flow.
clarity of
•
Academic tone, well-referenced and clear written report.
•
An attractive business logo presented with the business
(3)
writing
10.
Business logo
(2)
slogan.
11.
Creativity
•
Idea is creative, innovative and realistic.
•
Products or services bring about something new in the
(3)
market and stand a good chance of solving the problem
identified. The business plan presented demonstrates how
the business idea can be operationalised.
12.
Substantiation,
•
overall
(4)
Knowledge of the subject acquired through research,
analysis, and application.
argument and
•
Substantiation of points in relation to the business idea.
synthesis
•
Answers provided are comprehensive and give a clear
indication that a student is aware of the various aspects of
the business plan.
13.
Use of sources
•
Balance of breadth and depth of arguments.
•
Ability to build a coherent business plan.
•
Student has provided a list of all consulted sources, in-text
(3)
and list of references provided. There is evidence of wider
reading and quality sources were used.
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