BUS0001
The Structure of Business
End of Module Report
Assignment Brief
As part of the formal assessment for the programme you are required to submit a Structure of Business enviro audit report. Please refer to your Student Handbook for full details of the programme assessment scheme and general information on preparing and submitting assignments.
Learning Outcomes:
After completing the module you should be able to:
- Identify the differences between the various business sectors that contribute to the economy.
- Identify and evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of various legal frameworks in relation to business start-ups.
- Identify and evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of various finance generating alternatives a new business may look to.
- Undertake an environmental audit identifying factors impacting upon a given organisation.
- Identify and explain the importance of key ‘Humans Resource’ policies within a given organisation.
- Apply basic academic skills in the creation of sound arguments and conclusions.
Assignment Task
This assignment is worth 100% of the total marks for the module. Case Study
Business ideas for plant-based foods
Vegetarianism and veganism are just a few examples of diets that incorporate plant-based foods. While gaining more widespread popularity lately, plant-based foods have been around for thousands of years. Plant-based food as the name suggests is food that comes from plant origins. This includes fruit and vegetables, as well as beans, cereals, grains and legumes.
While plant-based diets themselves aren’t new, what is interesting is how mainstream they’re becoming, and that more men are looking at plant-based protein too providing potentially profitable business ventures for entrepreneurs.
Why plant-based foods is a good business idea
As people are becoming more and more interested in the food they eat including where it comes from, how it’s made, and what the effects of eating it are, plant-based foods are being increasingly recognised for their possible health benefits and eco-friendly footprint.
As the plant-based protein market becomes more widely touted, it’s no longer just young women leading the vegan charge. 2019 will see a shift towards ‘masculine plant power’, offering a significant opportunity for businesses to capitalise on this less-exploited segment of the market. Aspiring start-up founders looking to launch a business could consider plant-based foods, whether that’s as takeaways from a food truck, or as more formal meals in a sit- down restaurant.
One option could be to start an entirely plant-based or vegan supermarket whether as an online-only retailer, a brick-and-mortar shop, or both. For example, GreenBay is a London- based vegan supermarket with an online store that also delivers across the UK.
Other business opportunities could exist in creating plant-based versions of international cuisines, whether to eat in a restaurant or at home. With many plant protein start-ups based in America, there could be a gap in the market for British would-be business owners to create similarly realistic meat substitutes.
There could also be opportunities for businesses to position themselves within the masculine plant protein sector too. As the trend for plant-based foods that accurately mimics its meat counterparts continues to grow, there could also be demand for plant protein powders to build muscle and fuel workouts, as part of a wider shift towards the rise of masculine plant protein.
Question One: Create a detailed PESTLE analysis based on the case study provided. What factors may impact a potential start-up of a plant-based food business in in the UK?
Question Two: There a range of legal frameworks available to an individual starting their own business for example the new GDPR framework, Consumer Right framework or any other legal framework of your choice, identifying the relative strengths and weaknesses of the various frameworks relevant to a potential plant-based food start-up. In addition, comment on how an individual might seek financing for a business such a start-up.
Question Three: Identify which sector the new plant based food start-up may operate in addition to two other sectors within the UK and then comment on their value to the UK economy.
In addition, identify at least two HR policies and comment on their importance to the modern workplace (for example Health & Safety policies and equality and Diversity policies). Finally, write a brief reflective statement comprising no more than 250 words on your experience in the module and in writing the assignment. This should form part of the appendices.
