The document outlines an assignment briefing by Maxwell Ranasinghe, a senior lecturer and corporate trainer, focusing on the module 'Responding to the Changing Business Environment.' It details the necessary qualifications, suggested readings, assignment instructions, and specific tasks, including analyzing macro and micro environments, evaluating management roles, and understanding relationships between business and government. The document emphasizes the importance of structured writing, plagiarism avoidance, and the inclusion of relevant theories and real-world examples.

1. Maxwell Ranasinge - Senior lecturer and Corporate Trainer
Assignment Briefing
Maxwell Ranasinghe

2. Maxwell Ranasinge - Senior lecturer and Corporate Trainer
• Qualification Qualifi Level 5 Diploma in Business
Management
• Qualification No (RQF) 601/6049/4
• Unit Name: Responding to the Changing Business
Environment
• Unit Reference BUS 2.1
• No of Credits 20 Credits

3. Maxwell Ranasinge - Senior lecturer and Corporate Trainer
Suggested Reading
• Worthington, I., Britton, C., (2009) The Business Environment, Chapter 1,2,3, 5, 6, 13
Pearson 7/E
• Needle, 2010, Business in Context, Chapter 4 p 98 – 122, Fifth Edition, Cengage.
• Burnes, B., (2015) Managing Change, Chapter 2, 4 and 7, 6th Edition, Person.
• Whetton, 2011, Developing Management Skills, Pearson Education, Chapter4, 5 and 10
• Anderson A., Anderson D., (2010). The Change Leader’s Roadmap: How to Navigate Your
Organization’s Transformation, 2 edition, Wiley
• Bremer, M., Lamers, M., (2012). Organizational Culture Change: Unleashing your
Organization’s Potential in Circles of 10
• Bui, H., & Baruch, Y. (2010). Creating learning organizations: a systems perspective. The
Learning Organization, 17(3), 208–227.

4. Maxwell Ranasinge - Senior lecturer and Corporate Trainer
Be mindful of the important elements of the assignment as to
• Plagiarism
• Referencing
• Word count
• Appendices
• Confidentiality of information that you gather

5. Maxwell Ranasinge - Senior lecturer and Corporate Trainer
Instructions for the assignment
• If you are employed, use your own employment context to write
an assignment based on assessment tasks.
• (Write a piece to investigate your organisation (including its functions and at least 1 managerial
role) and describe how do managers Plan,
• Organise, Lead and Control while performing their duties and achieve organisational goals.)
• If you are not employed, please use the scenario given in the
assignment.

6. Maxwell Ranasinge - Senior lecturer and Corporate Trainer
• If you are not associated with any employment, then consider you are working an
Operational Manager of Nike PLC which is global leader to sell sports and fitness
equipment to its individual and corporate clients.
• Your job roles and responsibilities including examining the socio-economic
environment, the way in which markets operate and the relationship between business
and governments.
• As a part of your job, you are managing and leading various teams within the company
to achieve specific tasks such as sales, promotional, and staff development.
• Therefore, you have been asked to write a report based on identification, examining,
analysing and evaluating the organisation and its impact to the business performance
and overall improvement for competitive advantages.
• Your suggestions and recommendation will help the company to improve its operations.

7. Maxwell Ranasinge - Senior lecturer and Corporate Trainer
Task 1 – 650 words
• 1.1: Describe the differences between the macro and micro environments
and explain the various approaches used by business
• managers/analysts to understand them (e.g. - PESTEL and SWOT analysis).
• 1.2: Using a case example or scenario, identify where business
performance could be positively or negatively affected by external factors
and trends.
• 1.3: Recommend responses to external factors and trends.

8. Maxwell Ranasinge - Senior lecturer and Corporate Trainer
Task 2 – 650 words
• 2.1: Using a case example, evaluate the role played by
management in responding to a changing business environment.
• 2.2: Using your case example, Identify and prioritise organisational
changes that would exploit positive or counteract negative
business environmental factors and trends.
• 2.3: Explain the potential impact of responding to business
environmental factors and trends.

9. Maxwell Ranasinge - Senior lecturer and Corporate Trainer
Task 3 – 700 words
• 3.1: Explain changes in the relationship between business, government
and the public sector.
• 3.2: Use scenarios and models to illustrate changes in relationships.
• 3.3: Identify opportunities that may arise due to changes in relationships.

10. Maxwell Ranasinge - Senior lecturer and Corporate Trainer
Task 1
1. Introduction: Briefly outline the importance of understanding
business environments.
• (Understanding the business environment is crucial for organizations
as it influences strategic decisions, competitiveness, and
adaptability. A dynamic business environment, shaped by economic,
social, and technological factors, demands continuous analysis for
sustainability and growth (Barney & Hesterly, 2015). Awareness helps
businesses anticipate challenges and seize opportunities effectively.
• Reference: Barney, J. B., & Hesterly, W. S. (2015). Strategic
Management and Competitive Advantage: Concepts. Pearson.)

11. Maxwell Ranasinge - Senior lecturer and Corporate Trainer
2.Main Body:
• a. Define and differentiate between macro and micro environments.
• b. Explain PESTEL and SWOT analysis, their uses and limitations.
• c. Choose a case example (e.g., Nike PLC) and identify specific external factors
affecting it.
• d. Analyze how these factors could positively or negatively impact business
performance.
• e. Recommend strategic responses to these external factors, justifying your suggestions.
• 3. Conclusion: Summarize key points and reiterate the importance of environmental
analysis in business.

12. Task 2
• 1. Introduction: Highlight the significance of integrated decision-making in
responding to business changes.
• (Integrated decision-making allows businesses to holistically address changes by
aligning strategic, operational, and financial aspects. It enhances adaptability,
ensuring informed responses to market dynamics and uncertainty (Freeman &
Liedtka, 1997). This comprehensive approach fosters resilience and sustainable
growth in an increasingly complex business environment.
• Reference:
• Freeman, R. E., & Liedtka, J. (1997). *Stakeholder Capitalism and the Value of
Business Strategy*.)
Maxwell Ranasinge - Senior lecturer and Corporate Trainer

13. Maxwell Ranasinge - Senior lecturer and Corporate Trainer
• 2. Main Body:
a. Using the same case example (e.g., Nike PLC), evaluate management's role
in adapting to changing environments.
b. Identify and prioritize potential organizational changes to address
environmental factors.
c. Explain the potential impacts of these changes on the business.
d. Use relevant management theories or models to support your analysis.
• 3. Conclusion: Summarize the key role of management in navigating changing
business environments.

14. Maxwell Ranasinge - Senior lecturer and Corporate Trainer
Task 3
• 1. Introduction: Introduce the concept of changing relationships
between private and public sectors.
• (The relationship between the private and public sectors is
evolving from traditional government oversight to collaborative
partnerships. Increasing privatization, public-private partnerships
(PPPs), and shared governance in infrastructure and services signify
this shift, fostering efficiency while balancing regulatory control
(Rosenau, 2000).
• Reference: Rosenau, P. V. (2000). Public-Private Policy Partnerships.
MIT Press.)

15. Maxwell Ranasinge - Senior lecturer and Corporate Trainer
• 2. Main Body:
• a. Explain historical and current changes in relationships between business,
government, and public sector.
• b. Use scenarios or models (e.g., Public-Private Partnerships) to illustrate these
changes.
• c. Identify potential opportunities arising from these changing relationships.
• d. Analyze how these changes might affect the case example (e.g., Nike PLC).
• 3. Conclusion: Summarize the key trends in public-private relationships and their
implications for businesses.

16. Maxwell Ranasinge - Senior lecturer and Corporate Trainer
Remember to use
- Subheadings to clearly structure your assignment.
- Incorporate relevant academic theories and models throughout.
- Use real-world examples.
- Logical flow of ideas within and between paragraphs.
- Proofread carefully for grammar, spelling, and clarity.
- Include a comprehensive reference list at the end of the assignment
- Good luck with your assignment!