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
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