MBAF 501

Assignment 5
Assignment 6 (Business Proposal)
Length: 1500 – 1800 words
Format: APA
Value: 20%
Book chapters: Chapters 10 and 11

The Task:

Prepare a 1500 – 1800 word proposal for a project based on research.

Proposals can be fun to write, as long as you have a topic that truly engages your interest and
you can locate materials for research. The psychology is like this: you propose a solution(s) to a
problem (in your work place) based on research you’ve conducted. Even though this is a
proposal you are confident in your request because you have done enough research already to
know you can do the job.

A research PROPOSAL is phase 1. It convinces readers a problem exists (PERSUASIVE),

explains the general solutions that can be implemented to solve the problem, and then propose
the best solution(s) for your context, supporting with evidence and a clear plan for
implementation. This will be based on researched recommendations and/or other organisations
who have implemented the same, and what the expected results are.

Getting Started:

Your first step will be to locate a topic that will form the research proposal. The topic
should be researchable, problem based, and directed toward workable (fact-based) solutions to
issues and concerns in the workplace.  You will need a problem statement (like a thesis
statement for an essay).

Suggested topics might include but are not restricted to:

a)      Harassment, sexual discrimination, ageism, or racism at work (descriptions of situations, definitions
of terms and problems, and ways to deal with and prevent occurrences);
b)      Shrinkage in retail outlets (definitions, examples, systems to track it, ways to prevent it)
c)      Motivating employees in challenging workplaces (ways to handle potential downsizing, closures,
firings, unfair promotions, negative attitudes, and depression/discouragement in workers)
d)      Supporting mental health of employees during COVID-19 (anxiety, depression, working
relationships)
e)      Community violence as it impacts workplace (for example, employees being attacked en route to
places of employment)
f)      Secrets of the best customer service (is this a lost cause? Have businesses forgotten the need for
courtesy?)
g)     Marketing and catering to millennials (recruitment or clientele)
h)      Overcoming conflict/differences/problems with colleagues or management
MBAF 501
Assignment 5
i) Company initiatives for sustainability in the workplace (food waste/composting, community
engagement/energy saving).

Please remember some of these topics are quite large, so you need to narrow the
scope/focus.

As with any research task, you will need to start with a few basic research questions relating to
the topic and then search for information that will help you to answer these questions. Describing
situations and then analyzing problems will be your focus in this task.  Make best use of both
academic and practical research skills. Your own experience is also relevant.

Understanding the Need for Research for the Proposal:

1. You are choosing a topic and trying to persuade your reader that you have the
qualifications and abilities to begin and complete the research task.
2. Imagine that you are doing on site research (looking around in your workplace, talking to
friends and associates, asking your boss questions, googling, using data bases in the
university library, and watching current events as reported in newspapers, television,
Facebook, and Twitter, and other social media.) Imagined scenarios (problems) are fine
for this assignment also, but the EVIDENCE needs to be factual and real.
3. Unless you have some facts at hand – to prove there is a problem and to show there are
possible solutions to be looked at- you will not be able to persuade a reader to let you do
the work.
4. Unless you show enthusiasm and a realistic plan for completing tasks in a timely fashion,
the proposal will not gain attention.

Format:

1. Proposal title page
2. Introduction - with background or description of situation and problem question or
statement; briefly review what you imagine to be a potential reader’s situation, establish
a need for action (rationale), and explain how things could be better.
3. Scope - what will be the boundaries of the research, what you will and will not do. Explain
how your report will be structured/organized.
4. Possible Solutions and Proposed Solution(s) - Discuss with some evidence the
potential benefits of the key solution(s) for your audience or reader. *These possible
solutions are based on research.
5. Work and timeline - explain the steps you’ll take, the time frame (when the work will
begin and how it will be broken into stages, and when it will be completed) once your
proposal has been approved.
6. Costs - projected/as appropriate.
7. Conclusion - that summarizes the key points in the report, reviews the benefits of the
project for readers, and ends with a call to action.
MBAF 501
Assignment 5
8. Summary/Statement of qualifications - your own experience and/or your organization’s
experience and facilities to do this work. Review argument, benefits for reader, why
solution will be effective. Ask for decision from the reader.
9. Visuals - charts, graphs, etc. used throughout the proposal,
10. List of references (minimum six sources combined) of research to date and research
planned.

*Please note that for the proposal you do not need a letter of transmittal, a table of contents, a
separate outline or an abstract/summary in the beginning.

IMPORTANT DATES:
-SUBMIT YOUR FIRST DRAFT (Week 8) = 5%
-SUBMIT THE FINAL DRAFT (Week 9) = 15%