This document provides guidance on how to analyze a business to identify ways to increase profits. It instructs the reader to: 1) Use primary research to outline the business's current profit methods. 2) Use primary and secondary research to identify 2-3 additional profit increase methods. 3) Present data to support the analysis. 4) Analyze different profit increase methods. 5) Make recommendations on the most appropriate method supported by the analysis.

1. investigate a business which provides a good or a service:
• use primary research to briefly outline the current methods
this business uses to ensure it is profitable
• use primary and/or secondary research to identify 2–3 other
appropriate methods this business could use to increase its
profits
• present useful information/data to support the points you are
making
• analyse these different methods this business could use to
increase its profit
• make supported recommendations for how this business
might increase its profit
• using your analysis, arrive at a supported judgement that
states the most appropriate method by which this business
can increase its profits.

2. present useful information/data to support the
points you are making

3.  Data is presented in a range of appropriate
methods with high levels of attention to detail.
 What data do you have?
 What ways can this data be presented?
◦ A line graph to show the company's profit trend over time
(last 5 years)?
◦ A pie chart or a stacked bar to show the cost components
that take away from the revenue to end up as the profit?
◦ A table to show how this firm's profit (or profit margin)
compares with rivals?
◦ calling revenue 100, what % is gross profit and what % is
net profit?
◦ Of the fixed overheads (the difference between gross and
net profit) what % is staff cost?
◦ What % is advertising and marketing?
◦ How have these percentages changed over time?

4.  Title: The task
 Define the question: specifically the keywords
 Overview of the Business, including:
 Location – include a map, description of area and transport
 Products – explain which product we will analyse
 Prices – what are the costs. (variable and fixed)
 Findings / Analysis: Including the USP.
 Recommendations / Judgement:
 There are several ways the business could increase profit.
 A............
 B............
 C............
 However, the best way this business could increase profits would be....
 Evaluation / Limitations: This assessment could have been done
better if.....
 Bibliography / References: Where did my information come from?
 Glossary / Keywords: What key words were used?
 Page numbers: Make sure each page and any diagrams are
labelled