ASSESSMENT BRIEF 2023-2024

Programme: HSEM, FM, FSE. FSM, WE, CPM

Module Code/Module Title: OM 2094 – Professional Development & Entrepreneurship

Module Tutor: Dr. Don Anton /Ms Saada Al Habsi

Assessment Title/ Number: CW2- Business Portfolio

Date of Issue: 3 March 2024 (Business Portfolio)

Date of Submission: CW2 (14 April 2024)

Feedback: 9 May 2024

Learning Outcomes

1. Produce quality written work that manifests proficiency and good command of English.

2. Conduct research in the field of specialization, social issues and relevant industries
through formulated recommendations;
3. Develop a business plan which consolidates the concepts of entrepreneurship and
innovation; and
4. Create a CV that shows knowledge and understanding of the employment process and
individual career path.

Assessment 2 – Individual Business Portfolio (70%)

Create a simplified business portfolio to secure funding from the SME Directorate Oman for
your newly proposed SME venture. This document should convince the Directorate of your
idea's feasibility, potential for growth, and contribution to the Omani economy.

REQUIRED (Note: Each content carry a specific mark)

1. Cover Page:
o Feature your captivating business name and logo prominently.
o Address the cover letter to the SME Directorate Oman Director.
o Briefly highlight your funding request and value proposition.
2. Table of Contents:
o Provide a clear overview of the portfolio's sections.
3. Executive Summary:
o Summarize your business idea in a concise and compelling way.

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 o Briefly describe your target market, products/services, and competitive
advantage.
o Highlight your funding request and expected return on investment for the
Directorate.
4. Mission & Vision:
o Define your business's core purpose and long-term aspirations.
o Showcase your commitment to addressing a specific market need or problem.
5. Market Research & Supporting Evidence:
o Demonstrate the viability and demand for your business through data, case
studies, or customer testimonials.
o Analyze your target market and competitors to demonstrate your
understanding of the landscape.
6. Branding & Design:
o Present your visual identity, including logo, color scheme, and typography.
o Explain how your branding reflects your mission, values, and target audience.
7. Products & Services:
o Detail your core offerings in a clear and concise manner.
o Explain how your products/services solve a specific problem or fulfill a
need for your target market.
o Highlight any unique selling propositions that differentiate you from
competitors.
8. Target Market:
o Clearly define your ideal customers, including demographics, interests, and
purchasing habits.
o Explain the size and potential of your target market to demonstrate growth
potential.
9. Management Team:
o Introduce your core team members and their relevant skills and experience.
o Emphasize their qualifications and expertise in managing and growing a
successful SME.
10. Financial Projections:
o Present realistic and well-researched financial forecasts for your business.
o Include detailed budget breakdowns for capital expenditures, operational
costs, and revenue projections.
o Clearly highlight the funding requested from the SME Directorate and how it
will be utilized.
11. Risk Assessment & Mitigation Strategies:
o Identify potential challenges and risks your business may face.
o Outline your strategies for mitigating these risks and ensuring business
continuity.
12. CV:
o Include a concise curriculum vitae that highlights your relevant skills,
experience, and qualifications.

Marking Rubric

Category Points Criteria

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Content &
Organization (40
points)
Includes contact info, sounds professional, and clearly
Cover Letter 10 states funding needs and business value.
Table of Contents 5 Easy-to-follow layout.
Executive Summary 10 Accurate and brief overview of your plan.
States your business purpose, goals, and connection to
Mission & Vision 10 customer/community needs.
Data-based analysis, shows understanding of
Market Research 10 competitors and customer desires.
Consistent visuals that align with your mission and
Branding & Design 10 appeal to the right audience.
Clear descriptions of offerings, highlights unique
Products & Services 10 benefits, and links to customer needs.
Target Market 5 Identifies ideal clients (individuals, businesses, etc.).
Management Team 5 Lists key people and their job titles.
Financial Projections 5 Estimated income and expenses.
Risk Assessment 10 Identifies potential problems and outlines solutions.
CV 10 Your professional resume.

Guidelines:

1. Do not include your name in the assignment as it will be submitted on Blackboard.

2. Include a title page with the title of the assignment.
3. The work must be written in sentences and paragraphs, in formal English, in third
person with appropriate references as it will be published in an academic journal.
4. Materials should be obtained from the UCLan library and other academic sources.
5. Harvard style should be followed for Referencing and citations throughout the
assignment.
6. Use your judgment regarding headings. Be guided by the articles found in the UCLan
library. Do not include content lists, charts, photographs, page borders in your work.
7. The report should normally contain an introduction, 4 body paragraphs and a
conclusion with appropriate sections explaining the details.
8. Use Microsoft Word for word processing.
9. Page setup margins normal. Use A4 paper size settings and use 1" margins all
around, Leave the Gutter at 0 cm.
10. Body text
11. Font: Times New Roman
12. Font size: 12
13. Space: 1.5
14. Paragraph: Justified. Leave one blank line between paragraphs.

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 15. The pages should be numbered consecutively, starting from the introduction page;
however, the title page should not be numbered.
16. All symbols and abbreviations must be defined and used only when absolutely
necessary.
17. The number of words must be shown at the end of the work submitted. The title page
and contents page will not count; neither will the list of references at the end of the
work.
18. As an indication, word count should not exceed the specified number.
19. Do not forget to reference your work properly; otherwise, you will put yourself at the
risk of “PLAGIARISM”.
20. You are advised to use different references to complete this assignment, some of
which need to be books.
21. Remember that the style of your work, and its language accuracy, are indicators of
how much care you have given to the assignment, and how capable you are in
expressing your thoughts in a presentable and professional way.
22. The piece of coursework should be submitted using Turnitin UK in UCLan
blackboard.
23. The module tutor would take decision to evaluate your work based on the similarity
index from the Turnitin submissions, however there is no acceptable limit and it’s
based on the judgement.
24. There are nominal marks allotted for the document structure and format of the report
and it’s important to follow all the assessment instructions while preparing.
25. There is no possible extension allowed beyond the due date for submissions in the
blackboard Turnitin.
Accepted Similarity Index

1. The College uses an online Assessment Tool called Turnitin. Students are required to
self-submit their own assignment on Turnitin and will be given access to the
Originality Reports arising from each submission.
2. The accepted similarity percentage for an assessment is about 10%. However, the case
may still be reported for investigation if the similarity percentage is below 10%
subject to the Module Tutor’s academic judgment.
3. Similarity percentages above 10 % will be reported to the Unfair Means to Enhance
Performance Committee subject to the discussion with the Module Tutor/justification
from the Module Tutor. The case may or may not be formally investigated.
Penalties of Academic Misconduct

All instances or allegations of the use of unfair means within summative assessment will
be investigated in line with the college UMEP policy. If an allegation is found to be proven,
then the appropriate penalty will be implemented:
 For the first time: the penalty will be 0% for the element of assessment, the
plagiarized element of assessment must be resubmitted to the required standard and
the mark for the module following resubmission will be restricted to the minimum
pass mark (i.e. 40%).
 In the event of a repeat offence of cheating, plagiarism, collusion or re-

presentation on the same or any other module within the course; the appropriate

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 penalty will be 0% for the module with no opportunity for reassessment and you
being able to retake the module in a subsequent year.

Penalties for Over-length Assignments

 Assignment briefs will include clear instructions about word counts. Students are
expected to adhere to the word count requirements for each assessment. If students
exceed these word count limits, they may receive a reduction in marks as follows.
 For written assignments that exceed a word count limit by
 0-10% - no penalty
 +>10.1% - 20% : 2.5% reduction in mark
 +>20.1% - 30% : 5% reduction in mark
 +>30.1% - 40% : 7.5% reduction in mark
 +>40.1% - 50% : 10% reduction in mark
 +>50.1% - 60% : 12.5% reduction in mark
 +>60.1% - 70% : 15% reduction in mark
 +>70.1% - 80% : 17.5% reduction in mark
 +>80.1% - 90% : 20% reduction in mark
 +>90.1% - 100% : 22.5% reduction in mark
 >100%: 25% reduction in mark but no student will fail an assessment because
of a penalty for exceeding the word limit.

Academic Misconduct

Unfair means (which includes cheating, plagiarism, collusion, re- presentation or using
Artificial Intelligence to prepare assignments).
1. Cheating is any deliberate attempt to deceive and covers a range of offences described
in the ICEM Policy on Unfair Means to Enhance Performance. Cheating may include
any technique intentionally misused by students in the submitted reports such as
intended misuse of quotation marks, using hidden quotes, hidden characters and
replaced characters.
2. Plagiarism describes copying from the works of another person without suitably
attributing the published or unpublished works of others.
3. Collusion is an attempt to deceive the examiners by concealing the true authorship of
the student’s work by copying or imitating another student’s work in detail. This
includes copying other student’s consent with his/her consent. It also includes when 2
or more students divide the elements of an assignment amongst themselves and copy
one another’s answers.
4. Using technological aids and Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools, without specific
authorization is considered academic misconduct.
5. Re-presentation is an attempt to gain credit twice for the same piece of work.
6. Fabrication is making up research data or results and reporting the same.
7. Falsification is manipulating the research data or results such that inaccurate
information is reported.

Academic penalty:

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 1. For the first time: the penalty will be 0% for the element of assessment, the plagiarized
element of assessment must be resubmitted to the required standard and the mark for
the module following resubmission will be restricted to the minimum pass mark (i.e.
40%).
2. In the event of a repeat offence of cheating, plagiarism, collusion or re-presentation on
the same or any other module within the course; the appropriate penalty will be 0% for
the module with no opportunity for reassessment and you will have to retake the module
in a subsequent year.

Artificial Intelligence Guidance

Artificial Intelligence (AI) will breach the academic regulations when: “Using technological
aids and AI, including translation software, paraphrasing tools, text generating software (essay
bots), and tools to generate graphics or artworks, without specific authorisation.” (Source QAA
April)

Initial Key Principles for Students on the use of Artificial Intelligence

 Using AI under the tutor’s guidance will be acceptable in certain situations but students
need to ensure that they comply with the academic regulations on Academic Integrity.
 Ensure the use of the AI tool is in line with the assessment brief and any further advice
from the tutor setting the assignment.
 Do not rely solely on AI tools to complete assignments. Use AI tools to enhance your
work, not as a replacement for it.
 Acknowledge the extent to which AI has been used as part of referencing their sources,
clarifying the contribution of AI to make clear what their own work is. Students have
to cite AI tool they used (such as ChatGPT) and describe how they used it.
 Avoid assuming that AI responses are always accurate. AI-generated information may
sometimes be inaccurate or misleading.
 Keep drafts to evidence the thinking and development of the work if requested.
 Students may be asked to respond to questions to test their knowledge of their
assessed work.
 Failure to follow this advice may lead to allegations of academic misconduct and will
impact students’ ability to defend themselves.

End