Analyse the key considerations SMEs should consider when evaluating growth opportunities.

Assignment - Investing in the future & Developing an exit plan

Learning Outcome 1: Analyse the key considerations SMEs should consider when evaluating growth opportunities.

Learning Outcome 2: Assess the various methods through which organisations access funding and when to use different types of funding.

Learning Outcome 3: Develop a business plan (including financials) and communicate how you intend scaling up a business.

Learning Outcome 4: Assess the various ways a small business owner can exit the business and the implications of each option.

Assignment Brief

You are to work on a simulated business or social enterprise of your choice. This need not be complex and could be a small business, such as a local service (e.g. a new coffee shop or an online product sales business). You should choose something that interests you personally or where you may have some existing knowledge or access to resources and skills through personal networks.
You will prepare a business plan for the growth of your simulated small business or social enterprise and submit a written report. This will include:

An explanation of the basis of competitive advantage for the business.

An assessment of the opportunities available to the business.

An assessment of the options for growth, applying Ansoff`s growth vector matrix with an assessment of the risk of each option.

An assessment of the options for financing growth.

A recommendation for the business.