Business Decision Making: Collecting Data

Business Decision Making
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
I am using this opportunity to express my gratitude to everyone who supported me
throughout the assignment. I am thankful for their aspiring guidance, invaluably constructive
criticism and friendly advice during the assignment work. I express my warm thanks to Mrs.
Pabasar her support and guidance. Thank you so much for your support maam. You inspired
me greatly to work in this assignment. I would also like to thank many individuals and
organizations; it would not have been possible without their kind support and help. I would
also like to thank all the people who provided me with facilities being required and
conductive condition for my assignment.
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EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
In business, making good decisions requires the effective use of information. Business
Decision Making provides the opportunity of learning a variety of sources and develops
techniques in four aspects of information: data gathering, data storage, tools available to
create useful information and presenting.
Moreover, using appropriate IT software and spreadsheets for data analysis and the
preparation of information provides the advantages of using information systems which is
currently used at all levels in every organization.
In this assignment discuss about type of data, a methodology of gathering data from various
sources, arranging them according to a system to get useful information which leads to take
better decisions. Analyzing data and information is very important to take efficient and
effective business decisions.
This will help the management to understand the industry status, can be a value addition tool
and introduce new processors, rules and regulation to increase quality, quantity and
productivity. Now a days organizations use technology to arrange data and to get
information according to their requirement.
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
Introduction .............................................................................. Error! Bookmark not defined.
Task 1 ....................................................................................... Error! Bookmark not defined.
Taking the above scenario in to consideration, create an effective plan as to collect primary
and secondary data ............................................................... Error! Bookmark not defined.
1.2. Present the survey methodology and sampling frame usedError! Bookmark not
defined.
1.3. Design a questionnaire for a given business problem ... Error! Bookmark not defined.
Task 02 ..................................................................................... Error! Bookmark not defined.
2.1. Create information for decision making by summarising data using representative
values .................................................................................... Error! Bookmark not defined.
2.2. Analyze the results to draw valid conclusions in a business contextError! Bookmark
not defined.
2.3. Analyze data using measures of dispersion to inform a given business scenario ......... 21
2.4. Explain how quartiles, percentiles and the correlation coefficient are used to draw
useful conclusions in a business context .............................. Error! Bookmark not defined.
3.1. Produce graphs using spreadsheets and draw valid conclusions based on the
information derived. ............................................................................................................. 26
3.2. Create trend lines in spreadsheet graphs to assist in forecasting for specified business
information ........................................................................... Error! Bookmark not defined.
3.3. Prepare a business presentation using suitable software and techniques to disseminate
information effectively ......................................................... Error! Bookmark not defined.
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3.4. Produce a formal business report .................................. Error! Bookmark not defined.
4.1. Use appropriate information processing tools ............................................................... 34
4.2. Prepare a project plan for an activity and determine the critical pathError! Bookmark
not defined.
4.3. Use financial tools for decision making ........................................................................ 32
Reference ................................................................................................................................. 48
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INTRODUCTION
Unico is very prominent super market chain where they have major super markets in
capitals of major countries. Their main intention now a day is to touch in the emerging
markets like India and China. While trying to capture India, they plan to capture the Sri
Lankan market as well.
If we brief about Unico, it has been established by Mr. Howard in 1969 in United Kingdom
as a very small grocery shop and then he had expanded it as a large super market chain. More
than 400 super markets are there and more than 200,000 workers are with them.
This study is being performed by management consultancy (me) as measurement of the

Business Decision making Assignment.
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TASK - 01
1. Create a plan for collect primary and secondary data
Data may be described as facts, figures, information and measurements (BPP, 2013). That
data may be used in a statistical survey in either primary or secondary data.
This method is only necessary when a researcher cannot find the data needed in secondary
sources or when data extracted from the secondary sources are not reliable or correct. In this
task, a business problem of Unico is established to assist in planning for the collection of
primary and secondary data.
At the moment lots of organization used gets these several data collection methods to
different purpose. I chose the organization which is the Unico in the world. They are also
maintaining a best data collection method to get their customer taste, and the customer
opinion. They are using several specific methods because of its benefits. They are,
Observation is a technical tool and a method of data collection for the researcher, if it helps a
framed study purpose is planned analytical and recorded and is subject to forms and controls
on performance and reliability. In the observation information by means of investigators
required their direct observation without asking respondents. Unico also using this method to
get some information about the customer awareness of their services. But they are using this
method rarely.
Advantages
The method removes subjective favoritism.
The information gained below this method tells to what is current situation.
This approach is particularly appropriate in studies that deal with topics that are not
generous oral reports of their sense for one reason or another are achieved.
Disadvantages
Its s an expensive method.
We can only get limited information about the certain topic.
From time to time unexpected issues may affect with the observational process.
A questionnaire is a tool of data collection contains a number of questions and further

instructions for the purpose of collecting information from respondents. This type of data
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collection method is a good opportunity to gain information and this kind of data collection
method is one of the cheap ways to gain information. Most of the information collected from
cooperative and highly educated people such as graduates or those in vocational fields.
Many times questionnaires are used by service providers to obtain needed information Unico
is giving questionnaire to customers to get some info about their services employee
commitments and etc. and they are providing some questionnaire to employees to get
their work satisfaction and to motivate them.
Advantages
Can cover a large number of people or organizations.

Can obtain more information.
Inexpensive data collection method.
Previous arrangements are not necessary.
Avoids discomfiture on the part of the respondent.
Disadvantages
It doesnt have a format

Questions have to be relatively simple.
Several reminders may be required.
Assumes no learning problems.
No control over who completes it.
Problems with incomplete questionnaires.
Replies not spontaneous and independent of each other.
Interviewing is one of the most important methods of data collection. It could be a two-way
discussion between organized an investigator and an informant, for gaining importance as a
special study to define start. It includes not only discussed but also the learning of the
respondents gestures, facial expressions and pauses, and the environment. Unico is using this
method mostly to get information. They are using several interview methods like,
Advantages
More information and that too in greater depth can be obtained
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Interviewer by his own skill can overcome the resistance, if any, of the respondent.
The interviewer can usually control the person who is answering
This method is more flexible.
Disadvantage
It is very expensive and time consuming,

Interviewing at times may also present regular error.
Under Interview method the organization required selecting, training of interviewer.
A meeting is to present a gathering of people or information exchange, joint activities are

planning to make decisions or the implementation of measures already agreed. Almost every
group activity or project requires a meeting or meetings, to know of some kind, such as
efficient and effective meetings can help to keep projects successfully.
In a good session, participants will include ideas, decisions are made through group
discussions and with reasonable speed and activities are focused on desired results. Good
meetings help generate enthusiasm for a project to build skills for future projects and the
participants techniques that they can come later in their careers benefit.
Unico also taking into account of the meeting they gather vital information from this method.
And they are specifically with the "round table" to gain important data.
Advantages
Brainstorming: free exchange with a view to generating new ideas and approaches.
Coordinating the efforts of a large number of people representing departments or
interest groups.
Formal recommendations: A meeting may be responsible for a final decision on a
matter of great importance. It may be a requirement that certain formalities should
recommend a course of action is gone.
Disadvantages
Would turn ineffective if the organizer failed to properly facilitate the session
Lack of supervision may result on conflicts are bound to happen
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Participants may uncertain whether the focus is on how to discuss the agenda items or
what key points to discuss.
If there are multiple agenda items discussed There is possibility of information
overload in a meeting especially
Some meeting participants resort to problem avoidance in a meeting where the
common notion is that everything is fine (general negativity.)
These are the main methods that organization can use to collect their datas. And Unico also
follows these elements to collect the dates.
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2. Present your methodology by defining below elements with regards to

your study.
Company Background:
Unico is a company engaged in packaging and distribution of beauty products. The
company has been operating since 1990 and it has been performing well in the early
stages of the business. However it was noted that the performance of the company has
been declining over the past few years.
Problem Statement:
Unico is one of the famous supermarket in Sri Lanka and the company has decided to
introduce a new imported cosmetic product to the market. This survey is about the
possibility of introducing the new product to the market and what are techniques
should be used when introducing the product to the market.
Sales distribution and activities are not functioning properly, area managers have been
complaining about high employee turnover among sales representatives, hence not
having enough staff to carry out operations. According to them, retention of workers
has become the greatest challenge. Currently there are only 100 representatives in
total as opposed to 500 representatives employed 5 years back.
Data obtained from exit interviews have revealed that the workers were not happy
with the salary levels and the disparity of salary distribution among workers. It was
suggested to find out if the level of satisfaction of current workforce could also be
affected by the salary levels.
Objectives
The objectives of the study are;
To identify the employee turnover
Find the behavior and process to increase service excellence.
Population:
Population is the process of using a small number of items or parts of a larger

population to make conclusions about the whole population. The population of this
learning is 50 response forms from Employees
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Sample:
The sampling design used for this research is simple random sampling. From this
population a specific number of respondents (which is proposed to be around 50) will
be obtained from the population.
Sample of the study is Employees of Unico. For this study using expediency sampling
because it is speedy, simple and low-cost. Sample outline is an inventory of the
people of awareness from which the sample in a survey is drawn. For this study
sampling outline will be the Employees of Unico Company.
Shareholders:
The information is very essential for stakeholder who is interested in company

especially the investors. From the financial information, they can understand the
company financial condition. When believe about the company, the related main
shareholders are customers, employees, government, competitors, etc.
Time Schedule:
A main function in this study is time schedule. Time has been one of the very
important fundamentals. In order to have a prepared plan the appropriate work has
been separated based on the weeks.
June August
June July August
Task /years 1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4 1 2
Selecting
Topic & presenting
the proposal
Getting the
approval
Preparing
questionnaire
Distributing
questionnaire to
customers
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Technical analysis
and calculation on
questions
Writing the report

Submitting the
report
Table 1 Time Schedule
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3. Prepare a questionnaire which can be used for the above survey
Dear Valued Customer,
We Unico group as the leader in cycles retailing market always looking forward to give more
that our client expects. To enhance more customer oriented service we would like to ask few
questions.
Many thanks in advance for your precious time taken to fill the below questionnaire
Looking forward to provide better service in future
Best regards,
Manager,
Unico
Name : - Address: -.
Age :-.. Gender: - Male Female
Q1. Is the Unico providing quality services to their customer?
.....................................................................................................................................
Q2. Are the customers satisfied with Unico present services and product quality?
.....................................................................................................................................
Q3. If you are not satisfied with present service whats should change to improve the services
according to you?
.....................................................................................................................................
Q4. Is the company fulfilling their corporate social responsibilities?
.....................................................................................................................................
Q5. Is the company providing more importance on your choices?
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.....................................................................................................................................
Q6. Is Unico carrying a satisfactory value in the competitive market?
.....................................................................................................................................
Q7. Do you think that the marketing procedures are good of Unico Company?
.....................................................................................................................................
Q8. Are you satisfied with the current pricing condition of this organization?
.....................................................................................................................................
Q9. Do you agree with the company's good publicity?
.....................................................................................................................................
Q10. How do you feel about the company's providing services?
.....................................................................................................................................
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TASK - 02
2.1. Create information for decision making by summarizing data

using representative values.
I am a Human Resource Manager at a UNICO Super Market in Colombo, the company has
witnessed poor performance in the last few quarters and top management of the company
thinks the high employee turnover rate and employee inefficiency as the main reasons behind
it.
Hence as the HR manager of the organization to find out if there is actually an employee
turnover issue in company and assess employee efficiency, find out reasons employee
turnover is they expect more salary and suggest a solution for the problem.
The representative values includes mean, median and mode, it can be calculated by using the
measure of location. By using formula in Excel, we have this histogram:
Expected salary per year:

Mean 48,6997
Median 40,000
Mode 40,000
First quartile 30,000
Third quartile 50,000
Skewness 8.862355137
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With this variable, the median and the mode are the same but different with the mean.
The mean is 48.6997992
The average salary that the employee at UNICO Super Market expect each year is
48,700 per year.
The median is 40,000

It means that there are 50% employees expect their salary each year above 40,000
and 50% of staffs expect their salary per year below 40,000.
The mode is 40,000

40,000 is the salary that has the highest choice for the expected salary of employee at
the company of UNICO.
The first quartile is 30,000

25% staffs at the company expect their salary equal or less than 30,000/year.
The second quartile is the median.
The third quartile is 50,000

75% employees at the UNICO Super Market expect their salary equal or less than
50,000 per year.
Mean 22.48394
Median 21
Mode 22
First quartile 20
Third quartile 24
Skewness 6.565967484
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Age Distribution of UNICO Super Market
With this variable, the mean, mode and median are nearly the same.
The mean is 22.48394

The average age of the employees at the UNICO Super Market is 22, 5.
The median is 21
In the company there are 50% of staffs have the age above 21 and 50% of employee
have the age below 21.
The mode is 22
The number of employee aged 22 is the most popular in the Company.
The first quartile is 20

25% Employee aged equal or less than 20.
The third quartile is 24

75% employee aged equal or less than 24.
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When there are extreme values in a set of data, we prefer to use mode or median,
because the mean will be affected by the extreme values so it makes the result
inappropriate.
With the data of culture back-ground, because its qualitative data so we cannot find
the mean or median. We just find out that SL is the culture back-ground that occur the
most in the data.
From this given business problems, high employee turnover has been identified and also
some guide line prepared from this research for taking correct decision by the company'
specific findings as follow,
UNICO Super Market has specific frame with the current competitive market about
the customer services and their behaviour towards products and services.
The company has callousness to provide after sale services.
Present marketing strategy is not so satisfactory for UNICO Super Market to sustain
in the competitive marker.
Normal people think that company is not conscious about the good relation with the
customers and company don't provide more importance on customer choices.
For satisfying customer company should care about these problems and improve their
marketing strategies to influence customer.
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2.2. Analyze the results to draw valid conclusions in the above context.
To calculate the skewness of data distribution, we use the Coefficient of Skewness formula.
If C of S is nearly +1 or -1, the distribution is highly skewed.
In this case, we can see that both C of V of age and expected salary are positive
The distribution is skew to the right.

Because the skewness of expected salary is higher than the skewness of age so the expected
salary is more spread out.
We can see the histograms which are drew below to check the data distribution that we have
commented.
Salary Frequency Cumulative %

100,000-200,000 9 99.20%
>200,000-800,000 4 100.00%
>800,000 0 100.00%
A suitable survey methodology in terms of population, sample and sampling methods that
could be used to collect the UNICO Super Market employee salary, wages about their
opinions on the different range available on the market is the different types of sampling
methods, which are used to gathering information about employees. The alternative would be
to test, measure or question every member of the employee, this might be impractical because
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It could take too long, difficult to access all items in employee such as their national
insurance and tax contribution, its too expensive and total employee size may be unknown.
Advantages of sampling; is that it saves time and money, and sometimes can be the only
option.
Disadvantages are that sampling error; this is when sample is not representative of total
Companys expenditure, this bias can be computed and analysed. Non sampling errors, this is
when missing data, defective questionnaires etc, these cannot be computed and analysed so
sampling must be planned and carried out well.
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2.3. Analyze your data using measures of dispersion to inform in

this business context.
The root-cause analysis helped Unico Super market to identify key factors that tend to
lengthen decision cycles. They included inadequate training in the clear communications of
alternatives, lack of a good model of teamwork, and a control-oriented management
philosophy.
Decision-making increasingly happens at all levels of a business. The Board of Directors may
make the grand strategic decisions about investment and direction of future growth, and
managers may make the more tactical decisions about how their own department may
contribute most effectively to the overall business objectives.
But quite ordinary employees are increasingly expected to make decisions about the conduct
of their own tasks, responses to customers and improvements to business practice. This needs
careful recruitment and selection, good training, and enlightened management.
Types of Business Decisions
Programmed Decisions can be written down into a series of fixed steps which anyone
can follow. They could even be written as computer program
Non-Programmed Decisions. These are non-standard and non-routine. Each decision

is not quite the same as any previous decision.
Strategic Decisions. These affect whether to take over Company A or Company B
Tactical Decisions. These are medium-term decisions about what kind of marketing to
have, or how many extra staff to recruit
Operational Decisions. These are short-term decisions, about which firm to use to
make deliveries.
Range
The range is the difference between the largest and smallest observation in the set of data.
Suppose highest value is 56 and lowest value is 5 then range.
Range = (20-5)
Mean Deviation
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The sample standard deviation is the square root of sum of the squires differences around the
arithmetic mean divided by the sample size minus one.
A measure of the dispersion of a set of data from its mean. The more spread apart the data,
the higher the deviation. Standard deviation is calculated as the square root of variance.
Standard deviation for Cargills
SN=[(1-6.2) ^2+(1-6.2)^2+(2-6.2)+(3-6.2)^2+(3-6.2)^2+(4-6.2)^2+(4-6.2)^2+(5-6.2)^2+(5-
6.2)^2
+(5-6.2)^2+(6-6.2)^2+(7-6.2)^2+(8-6.2)^2+(11-6.2)^2+(12-6.2)^2+(14-6.2)^2+(16-
6.2)^2]
17
= 256.84
17
= 15.10
= 3.8
Standard deviation for Unico
SN= [(1-8.3)^2+(2-8.3)^2+(3-8.3)^2+(4-8.3)^2+(5-8.3)^2+(6-8.3)^2+(10-8.3)^2+(12-
8.3)^2+
(12-8.3)^2+ (16-8.3) ^2+ (17-8.3)^2]
12
= 328.28
12
= 27.35
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= 5.2
Standard deviation for Keels
SN= [(2-7.5)^2+(3-7.5)^2+(4-7.5)^2+(5-7.5)^2+(7-7.5)^2+(8-7.5)^2+(9-7.5)^2+(10-
7.5)^2+
(10-7.5)^2+ (11-7.5) ^2+ (14-7.5) ^2]
11
=138.75
11
= 12.6
= 3.5
Mean absolute deviation tells about the standard value of the divergences among the absolute
value and the values of particular individuals which are come from the data array.
Actually there is dispersion method from which can be measured accurate result for the given
business problem but its somehow help to take decision.
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2.4. Explain how quartiles, percentiles & the correlation coefficient

are used to draw useful conclusions
According to Anderson et al (2012), quartile use to separate data in two quarters. Percentiles
are where the observed data are similar or larger than the percentile outline. The correlation
coefficient is the tool that uses to interpret the linear relationship between two variables.
A proper description of a set of data should include both of these characteristics. There are
various methods that can be used to measure the dispersion of a dataset, each with its own set
of advantages and disadvantages.
These statistics describe how the data varies or is dispersed (spread out). The two most
commonly used measures of dispersion are the range and the standard deviation. Rather than
showing how data are similar, they show how data differs (its variation, spread, or
dispersion).
The study of dispersion is very important in statistical data. If in a certain car Manufacturer
Company like RH there is consistence in the wages of workers, the workers will be satisfied.
But if some workers have high wages and some have low wages, there will be unrest among
the low paid workers and they might go on strikes and arrange demonstrations.
It is reasonable to expect greater dispersion of wage increases to be associated with higher

monetary incentives, but also with increased perceptions of unfairness. The results are robust
across industries and categories of firm size, but are mainly driven by white-collar rather than
blue-collar workers.
Quartiles
Percentiles
Correlation coefficient
Quartile
Quartile represents the middle value between two quarters of a distribution (Dransfield,
2003). The lower quartile is the value between the first and second quarter of the distribution.
The upper quartile is the value between the third and fourth quarter of the distribution. The
middle quarter is called median.
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Percentile
Percentiles are values that divide a sample of data into one hundred groups containing equal
numbers of observations. For example, 30% of the data values lie below the 30th percentile
(Easton and McColl, 2010).
Coefficient
The coefficient of variation measures the spread of a set of data as a proportion of its mean. It
is the ratio of the sample standard deviation to the sample mean. It is often expressed as a
percentage (Easton and McColl, 2010).
According to the 50% employees expect their salary each year above 40,000 and 50% of
employees expect their salary per year below 40,000. The items are first put into order of
increasing magnitude.
The correlation coefficient a concept from statistics is a measure of how well trends in the
predicted values follow trends in past actual values. It is a measure of how well the predicted
values from a forecast model "fit" with the real-life data. The correlation coefficient of the
given data is 0.747524
The least square line
The link between time of study and the marks has a direct relationship gained because the
correlation coefficient value shows the positive value. Those who spent more time on
studying accounting are obtaining more ranks and marks.
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TASK - 03
3.1. Produce graphs using spreadsheets and draw valid conclusions
The facts testing represented graphically gives the recognition and connection of the data
simply. Different range of graphical illustration such as bar graph, pie chart, histogram,
column graph and line graph present the data in a graphic form and data can be analyzed to
make the occurrence distributions (veal 2006). Graph represents the pectoral presentation of
the facts whereas spreadsheets explore data with the assist of statically or arithmetic ways.
Q1: Company open doors to customers complaint on service delivery
FREQUENCY PERCENTAGE
Strongly Disagree 0 0
Disagree 0 0
Undecided 0 0
Agree 26 53.1
Strongly Agree 21 42.9
Total 42 100
From the above table 0 (0%) Strongly disagree 0 (0%) Disagree, 2 (4.1%) were Undecided,
26 (53.1) agrees while 21 (42.9%) strongly agree.
Q2: Company has a good pricing system and service change
Disagree 2 4.1
Undecided 3 6.1
Agree 33 67.3
Total 49 100
From the above table 0 (0%) Strongly disagree 2 (4.1%) Disagree, 3 (6.1%) were Undecided,
33 (67.3%) agree while 11 (22.4%) strongly agree.
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Q3: Company shows concern towards customer problem
Strongly Disagree 1 2.0
Disagree 1 2.0
Undecided 6 12.2
Agree 11 22.4
Total 49 100
The table above shows 1 (2%) Strongly disagree, Disagree 1 (2%), 6 (12.2%) were
Undecided, 11 (22.4%) agree while 30 (61.2%) strongly agree.
Q4: Company focuses to meet customers expectation
Disagree 1 2.0
Undecided 3 6.1
Agree 23 46.9
Total 49 100
From the above table 1 (2%) Strongly disagree, 1 (2%) Disagree, 3 (6.1%) undecided, 23
(46.9%), Agree 21 (42.9%) strongly agree.
Q5: Company service performance is satisfactory
Disagree 0 0
Undecided 8 16.3
Agree 15 30.6
Total 49 100
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The table above show 0 (0%), strongly disagree, 0 (0%), disagree 8 (16.3%) are undecided,
15 (30.6%) agree, 26 (53.1%) strongly agree.
Q6: I got to know about company and its products and services through media
advertisement
Disagree 5 2.0
Undecided 1 10.2
Agree 19 38.8
Total 49 100
From the above table 2 (4.1%) strongly disagree, 1 (2.0%) Disagree, 5 (10.2%) undecided, 19
(38.8%) Agree, 22 (44.9%) strongly agree.
Q8: Am attracted to company by friends and superior
Disagree 1 2.0
Undecided 4 8.2
Agree 25 51.0
Total 49 100
From the above table 0 (0%) strongly disagree from the respondent, 1 (2%) Disagree, 4
(8.2%) undecided, 25 (51%) Agree, 19 (38.8%) strongly agree.
Q9: Ive been doing business with the organization because of their track record.
Disagree 1 2.0
Undecided 3 6.1
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Agree 22 44.9
Total 49 100
From the above table 0 (0%) are strongly disagree from the respondent, 1 (2%) Disagree, 3
(6.1%) are undecided, 22 (44.9%) Agree, 23 (46.9%) strongly agree.
Q10: I have a couple of friends and acquaintances.
Disagree 1 2.0
Undecided 2 4.1
Agree 28 57.1
Total 49 100
The table above shows 1 (2%) strongly disagree, 1 (2%) Disagree, 2 (4.1%) undecided, 28
(57.1%) Agree, 17 (34.7%) strongly agree.
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3.2. Create trend lines in spreadsheet graphs to assist in

forecasting for specified business information
Unico Sales distribution and activities are not functioning properly, area managers have been
complaining about high employee turnover among sales representatives, hence not having
enough staff to carry out operations. According to them, retention of workers has become the
greatest challenge.
Currently there are only 100 representatives in total as opposed to 500 representatives
employed 5 years back. Data obtained from exit interviews have open that the workers were
not happy with the salary levels and the disparity of salary distribution among workers. It was
optional to find out if the level of satisfaction of current workforce could also be affected by
the salary levels.
The consumers are extremely fulfilled about the overall value of the product although it is
significant to develop product fulfillment and after sales services.
Sales Linear (Sales)
600
500
400
Axis Title
300
200
100
0
2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014
Axis Title
Chart 2 sales Representative
The line chart demonstrates the development which took situate in sales of Unico
marketplace through the ten-year period from 2002-2014. As we can see in the diagram, the
developments of two markets were incongruous.
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Sales and distribution activities are not functioning properly. Area Managers have been
complaining about high employee turnover among sales representatives, hence not having
enough staff to carry out operations. According to them, retention of workers has become the
greatest challenge.
This chart demonstrates the development which took situate in sales of domestic and
worldwide marketplace through the ten-year period from 2004-2013. As we can see in the
diagram, the developments of two markets were incongruous. Initially, in 2012 there was a
large different among the sales revenue of domestic and advertising expenses because the
advertising expenses was 10 times superior to the sales and revenue correspondingly.
It can be said that Unico has establish the permanence in domestic marketplace however they
were behind their place in the worldwide markets though they used to be flourishing before
with the elevated sales. Therefore its essential that the company require connecting more
particular significance to the worldwide marketplace by several flourish approach and
planning in marketing or in the excellence of product in order to confirmed the companys
trademark and draw more overseas partner.
The forecasting predicament is fundamental to successful activity such as Unico However,

various superior executives, managers, and supervisor have complexity understanding the
import of a given time-series anticipate based on methods unaccompanied in the company
information. We have used the forecasts produce by every technique are quite changed from
each other.
Furthermore, the processes represented above show only an undersized sampling of the most
ordinary time-series forecasting methods in use nowadays. Other forecasting techniques
contain such performance as autoregressive moving averages, comprehensive autoregressive
qualified heteroskedastic processes, multivariate forecasting methods, and an extensive list of
other higher methods in common use by companies.
A.Janani Page 31
3.3
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3.4. Produce a formal business report
Subject: The customer satisfaction and UNICO Super Market awareness survey
To: The Management
From: The Market Research Team
Date: 23 th Feb 2016
This is about the awareness and a satisfaction survey about our products and services. In
addition to that verify the new outlet chain status. As per the management request our team
conducted a questionnaire survey and interview to collect the required data. We have got 225
feedback forms from customers.
According to the collected data after sampling and analysing them, we recognise that the
males are using our product greater than the females. Overall the customers are happy to deal
with our establishment. 185 customers out of 225 were aware about the UNICO Super
Market. 70% of clients are pleased with our product prices. As per the information our
products quality and services satisfies customers where the company has built a very good
reputation.
Therefore we have a 93% of word of mouth promotion via the satisfied customers.
Conferring as per the data gathered the organisation performs incredibly well than the
industry competitors.
We recommend that the after sales service should improve. Most of the feedback has rated
very well, but the organisational goal should be to give an extravagantly personalised service
to get more rates on exceeding expectation.
The customer service manager is responsible to introduce customer oriented training. It is the
human resource manager's duty to implement appreciation programme and reward the
employees as a motivation factor.
Production has to innovate appropriate cycle designs for females. Advertising team should
attract market and promote UNICO Super Market stores as well as plastic products.
Product excellence through leadership in fuel economy, innovation, quality, safety, and
leading edge comfort and convenience technology; Substantial and continuous
improvement in engineering and investment efficiency facilitated by leveraging the global
A.Janani Page 34
assets of UNICO Super Market and a reduction in the Toys, Furniture, Plastic, Bags and
PVC fittings transmissions, and customer offered complexity; and Significant improvement
in the profitability.
Balanced Portfolio they are leveraging our global product strengths to deliver six new world-
class small and medium sized products over the next four years. This will enable our Plastic
product company and crossover product segment mix to increase from 48% to 60% and result
in volume and share growth. They are targeting sales leadership in people movers and
crossovers through addition of new products.
A.Janani Page 35
TASK - 04
4.1. Use appropriate information processing tools
As interpreted by Bajic and Wee (2005), information processing tools are the processors and
tangible and non-tangible equipment that use to arrange data, such as database, servers,
computers, transmitters, ATMs as well as softwares, methodologies, internet, networks,
websites and etc.
By using the correct methods and equipment the organisation can be benefited. The output
will be accurate to take effective and efficient decisions. In an organisation, budgets, project
plans, cash flow statements, investment appraisals are used as information tools.
Success in life often depends on the choices we make. So business success mostly depends on
using appropriate information processing tools. It normally refers to the information
technology industry which involves in Information processing or data processing including
audios and videos graphics and texts. There are discussed below the tools used by the
researchers in the given business problem.
Management information tools
The information processing tools used by dell are:
Computers
Internet
Maps
Spreadsheets
Models
Databases
The tools used at different levels of management are:
Operational Level
The tool used for information processing at operational level is maps. Maps can determine
which country or place would the information be acquired from. It can also analyse the
demographics of the relevant area, analyze sales & gather information. Maps can be in the
form of charts for critical analysis.
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Thus the information gathered by the use of maps can help in strategy for operational level.
Since sell its products directly to customers generally via internet thus different forms of
payment on internet can be considered as the platforms transaction processing system
(automated transaction support)
Tactical Level
The tool used for information processing at the tactical level is the databases. The databases
can be used to analyze the information from operational level & thus evaluate the strengths &
weaknesses of the organization. This helps in planning for economical productivity &
improving sales.
Strategic Level
At the strategic level the tool used is the internet & the databases. The market trends &
strategies of other companies can be known via the internet whereas databases help in
analysis of both the internal environment & the external environment. Thus helping the
organization to formulate its strategy.
Inventory Control System
The inventory control system is a big reason for its success. Strategy is to keep the inventory
levels as low as possible, due to the high pace of technological advancements resulting in
computer related hardware & software is becoming obsolete at a rapid pace.
Hence takes orders from customers knowing exactly what the customer wants & then using
its supply chain to get the components & assemble them & thus doesn't need to keep much
inventory as the products are made to order rather than ready made. Thus it avoids having
inventory that goes obsolete or outdated.
Inference & Suggestions
Benefits a lot by the use of management information systems. It analyses the sales, the
consumer buying trends, the internal environment, the operational environment & the
external environment using the information processed by the information systems.
Thus makes intelligent well informed decisions based on its information systems technology.
A.Janani Page 37
This can further explore the opportunities in the M-commerce & E-commerce zones since it
has to have direct contact with customers. Since it delivers goods to customers directly the
model-driven decision support system (DSS) of Dell should be of highest quality.
Also uses cloud computing provided by Salesforce.com which I will discuss later in the cloud
computing section.
Database
A database is a basic tool used to process information and to manage and store data
efficiently. A database management system is software popularly used to store product
inventory and customer information. The companies have & any dissimilar classes on which
data are amassed according to the customers name and rank.
Server
Servers are computer systems in networks. Different computers within a network can share
the files on a server. A PC can act as a server, and it can be an IBM & mainframe. Server
may refer to the PC.
Search Engine
A search engine retrieves information from & a collection of data like in a library catalogue.
Today, the term more popularly refers to information processing tool that retrieves queried
data from & the Internets databases.
Accounting information Systems

Accounting information systems is a subset of a management information system. AIS play a
vital role in internal management decision & making by providing precise financial accounts
and appropriate statistical reports.
Enterprise Systems
Enterprise systems use common identifiers such as ANU and affiliate ID in their applications
to integrate data stored in any enterprise system with those stored in other enterprise systems.
And other
Business Process Mapping, Process server, Process serving software, Computer software
Tools, Process Management system, Business Process Mapping, Process server Process
serving software etc are also important now a days.
A.Janani Page 38
4.2. Prepare a project plan for an activity and dete rmine the
critical path
This section shall contain, either directly or by reference, plans for the supporting functions
of the software project. Supporting functions include (but may not be limited to):
Software quality assurance,

Verification and validation plans,
Production support and operational support functions.
Work Packages, Schedules, and Budget the Gantt chart shows the project plan analysis
dateline.
Table 2 Gantt chart
This section of the Project Management Plan will specify the work packages, identify the
dependency relationships among them, state the project resource requirements, provide the
allocation of budget and resources to work packages, and establish a project schedule.
This subsection will define the work packages (work breakdown structure (WBS)) for the
activities and tasks that must be completed in order to satisfy the project agreement. Each
work package must be uniquely identified; identification may be based on a numbering
scheme and descriptive title. A diagram depicting the breakdown of activities (Gantt chart)
may be used to depict a hierarchical relationship among work packages.
This section will state the ordering relations among work packages to account for
interdependencies among them and dependencies on external events. Techniques such as
dependency lists, activity networks, and the critical path method may be used to depict
dependencies among work packages.
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Identifies, as a function of time, is estimated of total resources required to complete the

project. Numbers and types of personnel, computer time, hardware, software, office facilities,
travel, training, and maintenance requirements are typical resources that should be specified.
Encryption is the conversion of information into a form, called a cipher text that cannot be
easily understood by unauthorized people. Decryption is the process of converting encrypted
information back into its original form, so it can be understood. Encryption/decryption is
especially important in wireless communications. This is because wireless circuits are easier
to tap than their hard-wired counterparts. Nevertheless, encryption/decryption is a good idea
when carrying out any kind of sensitive transaction, such as a credit-card purchase online, or
the discussion of a company secret between different departments in the organization.
Virus Guard is actually two programs and is available at no additional cost to you as a
Verizon Broadband customer. Active Shield runs in background to protect your computer
from viruses that can arrive in email or through other file transfer methods (For example,
floppy disk, CD, instant messaging). It helps to prevent a virus, worm, or spyware from
infecting your computer.
Virus Scan is used to scan a drive, folder, or file for viruses, worms, and spyware. You
configure the scan location, the options used while doing the scan, and what actions are taken
if viruses, worms, or spyware are found. Virus Scan removes viruses, worms, and spyware
that have infected your computer.
A.Janani Page 40
4.3. Use financial tools for decision making
Net Present Value (NPV)
NPV would evaluate a project by comparing present value of all cash inflows and outflows.
NPV calculation of all three investment options of Mr. Suresh is calculated for his initial
investment of Rs 1,000,000. NPV is calculated as follows.
NPV= PV of Net cash inflows Initial Cash Investment
Scrap value of the project 01 is 5% of the initial investment. That is
Scar value (SV) = 1,000,000 * 5%
= 50,000
Project 01
Years Cash flows PV

PV = (1+) r = 12% n= 4
1 500,000 500,000 446,428.5

PV = (1+0.12)1
2 500,000 500,000 398,596.9

PV = (1+0.12)2
3 400,000 400,000 284,712

PV = (1+0.12)3
4 600,000 600,000+50,000 () 413,086.7

PV = (1+0.12)4
TOTAL 1,542,824.1
Project 02
Year Cash flows Present value PV
A.Janani Page 41
1 200,000 200,000 178,571.4

PV = (1+0.12)1
2 500,000 500,000 398,96.9

PV = (1+0.12)2
3 800,000 800,000 569,424.1

PV = (1+0.12)3
4 700,000 700,000 595,646.5

PV = (1+0.12)4
TOTAL 1,742,38.9
Project 03
Year Cash flow Present value PV
1 350,000 350,000 312,500

PV = (1+0.12)1
2 700,000 700,000 558,035.7

PV = (1+0.12)2
3 110,000 110,000 78,295.8

PV = (1+0.12)3
4 600,000 600,000 510,554.1

PV = (1+0.12)4
TOTAL 1,459,385.6
NPV Calculations
Project 01 Project 02 Project 03
NPV=1,542,824.11,000,000 NPV= 1,742,238.9-1,000,000 NPV= 1,459,385.6-1,000,000
= 542,824.1 = 742,238.9 = 459,385.6
A.Janani Page 42
The highest NPV is in the project 02, that is according to the NPV of all three projects
investing in building a research and development center will bring more gain to Mr. Bob than
investing in other two projects.
Payback Period
It is the time period taken by the project to recover the initial investment. It is usually
expressed in years.
Year Project 01 Project 02 Project 03
Cash flow Cumulative Cash flow Cumulative Cash flow Cumulative

cash flow cash flow cash flow
0 (1,000,000) (1,000,000) (1,000,000) (1,000,000) (1,000,000) (1,000,000)
(initial
investment)
1 500,000 (500,000) 200,000 (800,000) 350,000 (650,000)
2 500,000 0 500,000 (300,000) 700,000 50,000
3 400,000 400,000 800,000 500,000 110,000 160,000
4 600,000 600,000 700,000 1,200,000 600,000 760,000
Payback period of project 01
Payback period of project 01 is exactly two years. That is Mr. Bob can recover his initial
investment by the end of 2 years.
A.Janani Page 43
300,000
Payback period = 800,000 12 4.5 months
This project will bring the return on investment to Mr. Bob in 2 years and 4 and half months.
650,000
Payback period = 700,000 12 11 months
Project 03 will recoup the investment for Mr. Bob in 1 year and 11 months of time.
So according to the payback period of all the investment options, project 03 will be more
effective for Mr. Bob to invest Because, when comparing the three projects payback period
project 03 is having the shortest period.
It is recommended for Mr. Bob to invest in project 03 which will bring the return on
investment within a shorter period of time.
Accounting Rate of Return (ARR)
ARR represent the return achieved from an investment in percentage terms. ARR is
calculated using the following formula
Avereage profit after depreciation and tax

ARR = 100
Average investment
Initial capital+residual value

Average investment = 2
Project 01
Initial investmentscrap value

Depreciation = no.of years
1,000,00050,000
= 4
= 237,500
Year Cash flow - Depreciation = Profit
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1 500,000 237,500 262,500
2 500,000 237,500 262,500
3 400,000 237,500 162,500
4 600,000 237,500 362,500
Total profit 1,050,000
1,050,000 1,000,000+50,000
Average profit = Average investment =
4 2
= 262,500 = 525,000
262,500
ARR = 100
525,000
= 50%
Project 02 Project 03
Year Cash flow / profit Year Cash flow/ profit
1 200,000 1 350,000
2 500,000 2 700,000
3 800,000 3 110,000
4 700,000 4 600,000
Total profit 2,200,000 Total profit 1,760,000
2,200,000 1,760,000
Average profit = Average profit =
4 4
= 550,000 = 440,000
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550,000 440,000
ARR = 100 ARR = 100
1,000,000 1,000,000
= 55% = 44%
Since there is no scrap value and depreciation the cash flows are considered as profit.
According to ARR, project 02 has a higher percentage than the other two projects. So it is
much recommended for Mr. Bob to invest in this project where it is more profitable for him
for his investment.
When we compare all the investment appraisal techniques of all three projects, I recommend
Mr. Bob to invest in project 02 because NPV and ARR are higher in this project which shows
that investing in this project is more profitable for him. Even though the payback period of
this project is high I would recommend investing in this project, because payback period does
not address which investment is more profitable.
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CONCLUSION
This assignment is about sources of collection of data. In this assignment I thought myself as
a research officer business development to do the study and make the recommendation for a
company to decide on the expansion of the Unico of the people and got their ideas about the
supermarket. And explain about the questions which I have used here for my questionnaires
and gave some examples for the questionnaires as example.
A.Janani Page 47
REFERENCES
Abrahamson, E. (1996). "Managerial fashion." Academy of Management Review.
21(1):254-285. http://www.jstor.org/pss/258636
Atre.S., Structured techniques for design, performance, and management, New York,
2000
Ansi., American National Standards institute: Information Resource Dictionary
Systems, 1999
A.G.Monks and Minow, corporate governance, Cambridge,M: Blackwell Business,
1995, pp.8 32.
A.Demb, and F.F.Neubauer, The corporate board: confronting the paradoxes, long
range planning, June 1992, p.13.
Cagan, M. (2008). Inspired: How To Create Products Customers Love. SVPG Press;
1st edition
E.L.Biggs, CEO Succession planning: an emerging challenge for board of directors,
Academy of Management executives,2004, pp. 80-82.
Hahn, G. J., Hill, W. J., Hoerl, R. W. and Zinkgraf, S. A. (1999) The Impact of Six
Sigma Improvement-A Glimpse into the Future of Statistics, The American
Statistician, Vol. 53, No. 3, pp. 208-215. Haines, S (2008). The Product Manager's
Desk Reference. McGraw-Hill; 1 edition
Turban, Efraim (2002), Electronic Commerce: A Managerial Perspective, Prentice
Hall . Pp. 56-62
Peppers, D. and Rogers, M. Ph.D. (2008), Rules to Break and Laws to Follow, Wiley.
Pp. 23-29
A.Janani Page 48

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Business Decision Making

Task 1 ....................................................................................... Error! Bookmark not defined.

and secondary data ............................................................... Error! Bookmark not defined.

Task 02 ..................................................................................... Error! Bookmark not defined.

values .................................................................................... Error! Bookmark not defined.

useful conclusions in a business context .............................. Error! Bookmark not defined.

Task 03 ..................................................................................... Error! Bookmark not defined.

information derived. ............................................................................................................. 26

information ........................................................................... Error! Bookmark not defined.

information effectively ......................................................... Error! Bookmark not defined.

Task 04 ..................................................................................... Error! Bookmark not defined.

4.1. Use appropriate information processing tools ............................................................... 34

4.3. Use financial tools for decision making ........................................................................ 32

This study is being performed by management consultancy (me) as measurement of the

A questionnaire is a tool of data collection contains a number of questions and further

Can cover a large number of people or organizations.

It doesnt have a format

More information and that too in greater depth can be obtained

It is very expensive and time consuming,

A meeting is to present a gathering of people or information exchange, joint activities are

2. Present your methodology by defining below elements with regards to

Population is the process of using a small number of items or parts of a larger

The information is very essential for stakeholder who is interested in company

Writing the report

Table 1 Time Schedule

3. Prepare a questionnaire which can be used for the above survey

Dear Valued Customer,

Looking forward to provide better service in future

Age :-.. Gender: - Male Female

Q1. Is the Unico providing quality services to their customer?

2.1. Create information for decision making by summarizing data

Expected salary per year:

The median is 40,000

The mode is 40,000

The first quartile is 30,000

The second quartile is the median.

The third quartile is 50,000

Age Distribution of UNICO Super Market

The mean is 22.48394

The first quartile is 20

The third quartile is 24

The company has callousness to provide after sale services.

If C of S is nearly +1 or -1, the distribution is highly skewed.

The distribution is skew to the right.

Salary Frequency Cumulative %

2.3. Analyze your data using measures of dispersion to inform in

Types of Business Decisions

Non-Programmed Decisions. These are non-standard and non-routine. Each decision

Strategic Decisions. These affect whether to take over Company A or Company B

Standard deviation for Cargills

Standard deviation for Unico

(12-8.3)^2+ (16-8.3) ^2+ (17-8.3)^2]

Standard deviation for Keels

(10-7.5)^2+ (11-7.5) ^2+ (14-7.5) ^2]

2.4. Explain how quartiles, percentiles & the correlation coefficient

It is reasonable to expect greater dispersion of wage increases to be associated with higher

The least square line

3.1. Produce graphs using spreadsheets and draw valid conclusions

Q1: Company open doors to customers complaint on service delivery

Q2: Company has a good pricing system and service change

Q3: Company shows concern towards customer problem

Q4: Company focuses to meet customers expectation

Q5: Company service performance is satisfactory