Project: Fall 2015 Business Operations Research

Step Description Expected Student Results
1 Student will be finalizing their choices for target
business to conduct the market research study. A
detailed analysis of the potential target market must be
evaluated as this project is concerned with generational
markets.
II.INTRODUCTION
A.Description of the business or organization
* what is the type of business (manufacturer, wholesaler,
retailer, service provider)
* What products/services do they sell?
* Who are the owners?
* What size is the business? How long in business?
*How is their market segmented: (demographics,
geographics,
and psychographics)?
* Do they have a promotional budget? If so, how much?
B.Description of the community (economic, geographic,
demographic and socioeconomic factors)
*After determining the geographic boundaries of the
business's market, a thorough analysis of that community
must be researched and developed.
C. Overview of the business or organization’s current culture and employee engagement strategies
target market		 II. Introduction, will include researching the
information
listed and typing it in a written report using the
outline
format. Students will conduct secondary research as well
as
primary research to gather the needed data. Students are
encouraged to but not required to use surveys, focus
groups,
interviews for the data collection. Most secondary data
will
be collected using the Internet provided in class.

The student will submit a rough draft to the mentor. The
mentor will review, edit and provide effective feedback
for
the student work, the student incorporates the feedback
and
submits a second draft for review, mentor reviews that
draft. Students will make corrections and finally submit
to
teacher for teacher to grade.
2 Students will be preparing their method of research,
whether it be a survey, interview questions, observation,
focus group, etc. A draft survey will be developed		 Students will decide upon their method of research, and
submit a rough draft to the mentor in order to make sure
that all pertinent questions are asked. The students may
need assistance in asking the correct questions in order to
get the information they are looking for.
3 III. Research Methods used in the Study
A. Steps taken to design the study and the instrument
PRIMARY DATA: in conducting a SWOT analysis, the best
way to gather information about the business is a face to
face interview (survey). Therefore, the method of
collection will be to design a set of questions in order
to conduct the face to face interview (survey) well as
the development of an online study.

o What information did you need to know in order to
design
your instrument?

o What types of questions did you need to ask about the
business or organization? (For the manager or owner)?
(Include these questions in section III.)


SECONDARY DATA: (information already researched; Prepare
a competitors grid to analyze the competition as well as
a SWOT analysis of the business.


B.Steps taken to conduct the study. (Completed after data
is collected!)

How did you collect the Primary Data? What method did you
utilize? This section should be a detailed explanation of
what you are doing/or planning to do to get the needed
data.
After we conduct the Study you can add to this section if
need be.



III. Research Methods used in the Study
This section develops the reasoning and process of
developing the survey instrument.
Also in this section the students will have prepared
interview (survey) questions and analyze the process of
actually accumulating the data. This is a objective
narrative.
4 IV FINDING AND CONCLUSIONS OF THE STUDY
A. Finding of the research study-This section is the
statisitic report based on the data. There is no analysis
of the data in this section, just an unbiased development
of the customer profile and other data relevant to the
project.
B. Conclusions based on findings-This is section where real
analysis happens. Deep analysis of the existing data which
will then be a basis for the new marketing efforts
 The student will submit a rough draft to the mentor. The
mentor will review, edit and provide effective feedback for
the student work, the student incorporates the feedback and
submits a second draft for review, mentor reviews that
draft. Students will make corrections and finally submit to
teacher for teacher to grade.
5 V. PROPOSED STRATEGIC PLAN
A. Objectives and rationale of the proposed plan-Very
Specific Goals and metrics
B. Proposed activities and timelines-Advertisements and
promotions
C. Proposed metrics or key performance indicators to
measure plan effectiveness (ROI)		 V. Proposed Strategic Plan and Cost Analysis
Students will set a budget and come up with means of measuring the results (ROI).
The most difficult part of this section is the
determination of the Return on
Investment (ROI) as a result of the proposed marketing
activities.

Since we do not actually implement the project at a place
of business, it is hard for the students to understand
how to get the information. They will probably need a
little more help in this section.

The student will submit a rough draft to the mentor. The
mentor will review, edit and provide effective feedback
for the student work, the student incorporates the
feedback and submits a second draft for review, mentor
reviews that draft. Students will make corrections and
finally submit to teacher for teacher to grade.

6 VI. Proposed Budget
A.Costs associated with proposed strategies

 This section will force the students to
consider all costs associated with the
proposed changes. Costs for each
suggestion must be researched and
referenced in the budget.
7 I. Executive Summary
One page description of the project		 Students will outline their project in a one page report
for
the executive summary. This is a very important part of
the
project; in some cases, this is the only part that the
judge
will be able to read.

The student will submit a rough draft to the mentor. The
mentor will review, edit and provide effetive feedback
for the
student work, the student incorporates the feedback and
submits a second draft for review, mentor reviews that
draft.
Students will make corretions and finally submit to
teacher
for teacher to grade.
8 Oral Presentation Students are expected to present their information in an oral
presentation/ PowerPoint presentation. The students will
compete at a District Level in February and the top two
winners from each category will move on to the State level.

Mentor role: any feedback that will help the student succeed
in the presentation will be appreciated. Make sure slides are
professional, not cluttered, that the presentation