HOW TO WRITE THE PERFECT GBC REPORT David Harris FCMA, CGMA
Management Consultant and Lecturer
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1. How the GBC works 2. Stage one the report 3. Why a business
report? 4. The purpose(s) of a business report 5. The structure of
a business report (in detail) 6. Common problems/mistakes 7. What
should you do now? Overview
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Stage one the report (covered by this presentation) Stage two
country final The four shortlisted teams are required to: write a
two page synopsis of their report prepare a team introduction video
based on a given brief give an oral presentation participate in a
question and answer session with the judges. Stage three global
final The winning team from each country will be required to:
resubmit their two page synopsis and video submit a team and
university profile present to an audience, which includes a panel
of high profile international judges participate in a question and
answer session with the judges. How the GBC works
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Stage one the report Teams prepare a 3000 word report based on
the GBC challenge material The challenge material includes: case
study scenario tips and techniques document.
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Commonly used in business Suitable for a large volume of data
Can deal with complex issues Has a recognisable structure Effective
communication tool Why a business report?
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To communicate your views To persuade the reader to agree with
you (To win the GBC!) The purpose(s) of a business report
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Cover Contents page Introduction Key issues analysis Ethical
issue(s) identification Strategic options/choices evaluation
Recommendations Appendices The structure of a business report
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Format: all reports must be submitted electronically in MS Word
2007 or PDF format Layout: left aligned, 1.5pt spacing, 1 inch
margin on all sides Font: all reports must be written in Arial,
12pt Word count: 3000 words (cover page, contents page and
appendices do not contribute to the word count) The rules of the
game
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Team name Names of participants Contact IDs Name of
university/institution Report title Cover page
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Enough detail so the reader can see your thought process Not so
much detail that the reader does not bother to read it! Contents
page
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Sets the scene Explains the scope of the report Puts the
organisation into context Introduction
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Summarise the strategic and financial position of the
organisation Identify the key issues Look for the issue(s) behind
any proposals Prioritise the key issues (most important first)
Explain why each is an issue (impact, risk, threat) Use strategic
models to help Key issues
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CIMA ethical code Governance Social responsibility Ethical
issue(s)
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For each key issue: identify strategic options evaluate each
option. Use strategic models to help Include do nothing as an
option Strategic options/choices
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Be very clear DO NOT recommend: that you have insufficient
information to decide that the organisation should decide. DO NOT
set the company objectives Tell them: what who how when why.
Recommendations
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SWOT analysis Calculations supporting your: analysis of
position analysis of issues evaluation of strategic options. Other
models applied Appendices
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Missing a killer issue (or making it low priority) Not adding
enough value to the scenario data Poor (or few) calculations Not
recommending Recommending something unethical Poor communication
Common problems/mistakes
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Analyse the material Divide up tasks Meet and discuss Write
(and improve) your report What should you do now?
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The CIMA GBC is a challenge The GBC is an opportunity to apply
everything you have learned The GBC is a simulation of what really
happens in business Good luck! Conclusions
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THANK YOU! Any questions? Please type your questions into the
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