Merit criteria - exemplar
The following example demonstrates an analytically approach – by breaking (Task 1.2) down into its component parts - to achieving an overall Merit grade.
Specifically, the methodology, first examines and the nature of the task and subsequently, contrasts different associated concepts, This juxtaposition create an interesting effect by distinguishing dissimilarities.
Lastly, the analytical method also support the drawing of conclusions i.e., information that is implied or inferred.
Author: David Hilton
RUC, Room: 310
Content adapted from Pearson BTEC National in Business – Student Book 1 – Specification: July 2016
Innovation is a staged approach and involves a set of distinct process
For example product or service development require both innovation and logical steps to the process.
While refining a current product or service might appear to take a less formal approach, there are theoretical models for new product development (NPD) developed by Booz, Allen and Hamilton.
However, any business needs to establish a strategy for development to avoid compromising the existing business.
The benefits associated with innovation and enterprise:
Processes
Processes can be too cumbersome or bureaucratic to be efficient and you may be able to think of an example where you have found a process that has ‘got in the way’.
Overly bureaucratic processes are often blamed in the public sector leading to a duplication of work or delayed results.
Ultimately, such processes cost money to implement and so finding other ways to achieve the same result could benefit the business and its customers.
Services and customer experience
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Conversely, innovation and enterprise can greatly improve services and the customer experience.
For example, developments which will provide less painful dental treatment could revolutionise patients’ experience.
Similarly, when Virgin Atlantic first introduced flat beds in 1998 to their business class cabins, passengers could arrive feeling much more rested after long flights.
Enterprise identifies opportunities to develop business activities
Processes
For example, lateral thinking is a concept originally created by Edward de Bono to encourage creativity. You might know this approach as the currently popular term of ‘thinking outside the box’.
De Bono also introduced his ‘Six Hats’ concept which means considering an idea from the perspective of how others might view it.
His metaphor of wearing someone else’s hat is deemed to be extremely powerful i.e. bringing different perspectives to Processes.
Services and customer experience
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On the other hand, ‘Blue sky’ thinking represents a no holds barred approach to thinking creatively.
Consider it as giving permission for anything to be possible – the sky’s the limit to expand individual and group ideas beyond any constraints which may appear to exist.
For example, the possibility of online shopping and home delivery would have been unworkable 20 years ago –due to the technology of the period.
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The Risks associated with innovation and enterprise:
Processes
Services and customer experience
Failing to meet operational and commercial requirements, for example legislative requirements such as health and safety.
Businesses have to comply with commercial requirements; these could be variable depending on the type of business. For example the construction industry (such as plumbing) will have to comply with specific legislation when working with gas.
Therefore a business could not extend its services by providing gas installations without relevantly skilled and qualified gas engineers.
Equally, failing to achieve a return on investment is a massive risk associated with innovation and enterprise.
Consider the research and development team working on a project for many years at significant cost which, at its outset, is cutting edge and innovative.
However, by the time it is refined, tested and comes to market, the demand may have been met by a competitor or an alternative product or service.
Conclusion
The analysis of – Task 1.2: How successful the use of innovation and enterprise has been for the business - was achieved by contrasting the following:
The juxtaposition - of process verses services and customer experience - generated the interesting - implications or inferences - effect of distinguishing between the dis-similarities of the benefits and risks associated with innovation and enterprise.