CIMA Global Business Challenge

Report writing

David Harris FCMA, CGMA

Management Consultant and Lecturer

Overview

• How the GBC works

• Stage one – the report

• Why a business report?

• The purpose(s) of a business report

• The structure of a business report (in detail)

• Common problems/mistakes

• What should you do now?

How the GBC works

• Stage one – the report (covered by this presentation)

• Stage two – country finalThe four shortlisted teams are required to:

• write a two page synopsis of their report

• prepare a team introduction video based on a given brief

• give an oral presentation

• participate in a question and answer session with the judges.

• Stage three – global finalThe winning team from each country will be required to:

• resubmit their two page synopsis and video

• present to an audience, which includes a panel of high profile international judges

• participate in a question and answer session with the judges

Stage one – the report

• Teams prepare a 3000 word report based on the

GBC challenge material

• The challenge material includes:

• case study

• scenario

• tips and techniques document.

Why a business report?

• Commonly used in business

• Suitable for a large volume of data

• Can deal with complex issues

• Has a recognisable structure

• Effective communication tool

The purpose(s) of a

business report

• To communicate your views

• To persuade the reader to agree with you

• (To win the GBC!)

The structure of a

business report

• Cover

• Contents page

• Introduction

• Key issues analysis

• Ethical issue(s) identification

• Strategic options/choices evaluation

• Recommendations

• Appendices

The rules of the game

• Format: all reports must be submitted electronically in MS Word

2007 or PDF format

• Layout: left aligned, 1.5pt spacing, 1 inch margin on all sides

• Font: all reports must be written in Arial, 12pt

• Word count: 3000 words (cover page, contents page and

appendices do not contribute to the word count)

• Cover page: team name, names of participants, contact IDs, name

of university and report title must be clearly written on the cover page

Cover page

• Team name

• Names of participants

• Contact IDs

• Name of university/institution

• Report title

Contents page

• Enough detail so the reader can see your

thought process

• Not so much detail that the reader does not

bother to read it!

Introduction

• Sets the scene

• Explains the scope of the report

• Puts the organisation into context

Key issues

• Summarise the strategic and financial position of the

organisation

• Identify the key issues

• Look for the issue(s) behind any proposals

• Prioritise the key issues (‘most important’ first)

• Explain why each is an issue (impact, risk, threat…)

• Use strategic models to help

Ethical issue(s)

• CIMA ethical code

• Governance

• Social responsibility

Strategic options/choices

• For each key issue:

• identify strategic options

• evaluate each option.

• Use strategic models to help

• Include ‘do nothing’

Recommendations

• Be very clear

• DO NOT recommend:• that you have insufficient information to decide

• that the organisation should decide.

• DO NOT set the company objectives

• Tell them:• what

• who

• how

• when

• why.

Appendices

• SWOT analysis

• Calculations supporting your:

• analysis of position

• analysis of issues

• evaluation of strategic options.

• Other models applied

Common

problems/mistakes

• Missing a ‘killer’ issue (or making it low priority)

• Not adding enough value to the scenario data

• Poor (or few) calculations

• Not recommending

• Recommending something unethical

• Poor communication

What should you do now?

• Analyse the material

• Divide up tasks

• Meet and discuss

• Write (and improve) your report

Conclusions

• The CIMA GBC is a ‘challenge’

• The GBC is an opportunity to apply everything you

have learned

• The GBC is a simulation of what really happens in

business

• Good luck!

Any questions?

Please type your questions into the

‘chat’ section of the WebEx

CIMA Global Business Challenge

Report Writing

David Harris FCMA, CGMA

Management Consultant and Lecturer