From: Tracy Cruickshank, Mergers & Acquisitions Department To: Jeffrey Salary, CEO Subject: Product report Date:

6 May 2013 Purpose The aim of this report is to assess the possibility of cooperation with a German manufacturer of mobile telephones. Lenz AG has contacted us and asked about a possibility of an agreement. We would adapt our business software for use in their products. Tests show that their products are very high quality and popular with our target market. Introduction This report will look at: the hardware manufacturer and their equipment the advantages of working together recommendations for action Findings 1. Lenz has been developing cheap, small-scale electronic devices for thirty-five years. In the last five years they have focused on more expensive mobile phones for businesspeople. These have been very successful. One in four mobile phones for the business market is a Lenz. 2. Our new Executive Organiser software has a lot of attractive features for the travelling businessperson. 3. Market research shows that there is a big interest in our products being used on smartphones. Conclusion The two companies have products which fit well together. There is a potential for synergy in terms of product development innovations as well as manufacturing and marketing costs. Recommendation We should have a meeting with representatives from Lenz as soon as possible to discuss a joint venture between our companies, with the aim of putting our software onto their mobile phones.

From: Tracy Cruickshank, Mergers & Acquisitions Department To: Jeffrey Salary, CEO Subject: Product report Date: 6 May 2013 Purpose The aim of this report is to assess the possibility of cooperation with a German manufacturer of mobile telephones. Lenz AG has contacted us and asked about a possibility of an agreement. We would adapt our business software for use in their products. Tests show that their products are very high quality and popular with our target market. Introduction This report will look at: the hardware manufacturer and their equipment the advantages of working together recommendations for action Findings 4. Lenz has been developing cheap, small-scale electronic devices for thirty-five years. In the last five years they have focused on more expensive mobile phones for businesspeople. These have been very successful. One in four mobile phones for the business market is a Lenz. 5. Our new Executive Organiser software has a lot of attractive features for the travelling businessperson. 6. Market research shows that there is a big interest in our products being used on smartphones. Conclusion The two companies have products which fit well together. There is a potential for synergy in terms of product development innovations as well as manufacturing and marketing costs. Recommendation We should have a meeting with representatives from Lenz as soon as possible to discuss a joint venture between our companies, with the aim of putting our software onto their mobile phones.

From: James Jameson, Product Development Department To: Martin Martinson, CEO Subject: Report on Sunny Side Range of Products Date: 5 May 2013

______________: The aim of this report is to present the findings of a survey carried out to determine consumer opinion on the Sunny Side range of swim gear products. 3000 men and women responded to a questionnaire in June. ________________: A large number of respondents reported that they knew at least one of our products, as they have been advertised on television and in magazines. However, some of them were unaware of the whole product range. Consumer awareness is less than a half, which suggests that our advertising campaign has failed to attract the target group. ______________: Most participants were of the opinion that the colours are unattractive compared to competitors products with more eyecatching design. They prefer competitors products in vivid packaging. _____________: Most customers would like to repurchase the product and are looking for other products in the range. This indicates that most consumers are satisfied with quality and price. They recommend the product to their friends as value-for-money items. _____________: To conclude, it seems that although the quality and retail prices of Sunny Side products are competitive, the colours might not be sufficiently attractive. Furthermore, a large percentage of customers are not aware of the product range. Our recommendation, therefore, is to launch a new advertising campaign as well as to redesign the packaging to make the products more appealing to consumers.

From: James Jameson, Product Development Department To: Martin Martinson, CEO Subject: Report on Sunny Side Range of Products Date: 5 May 2013 ______________: The aim of this report is to present the findings of a survey carried out to determine consumer opinion on the Sunny Side range of swim gear products. 3000 men and women responded to a questionnaire in June. ________________: A large number of respondents reported that they knew at least one of our products, as they have been advertised on television and in magazines. However, some of them were unaware of the whole product range. Consumer awareness is less than a half, which suggests that our advertising campaign has failed to attract the target group. ______________: Most participants were of the opinion that the colours are unattractive compared to competitors products with more eye catching design. They prefer competitors products in vivid packaging. _____________: Most customers would like to repurchase the product and are looking for other products in the range. This indicates that most consumers are satisfied with quality and price. They recommend the product to their friends as value-for-money items. _____________: To conclude, it seems that although the quality and retail prices of Sunny Side products are competitive, the colours might not be sufficiently attractive. Furthermore, a large percentage of customers are not aware of the product range. Our recommendation, therefore, is to launch a new advertising campaign as well as to redesign the packaging to make the products more appealing to consumers.

To: St. Saviours College Dean From: Charles Charleston, Education Improvement Committee Topic: Continuous Assessment Report Date: 13 February 2012 Purpose: The aim of this report is to supply feedback on the experiment in continuous assessment that was carried out at St. Saviours College last year and to make recommendations for the future. The findings are based on a questionnaire that was sent to all the students who took part at the end of the experiment. Introduction This report will provide the following data: Background Details of the scheme Benefits of the scheme Drawbacks Conclusion and recommendations Background The decision to conduct an experiment in continuous assessment was taken at the end of the fourth year. Participation in the scheme was strictly voluntary, and as a consequence of this, a parallel class was set up for students who did not wish to take part. Details of the scheme The scheme involved weekly test in all five subjects, the results of which counted towards the final grade. In addition to these, there were three projects per term for each subject, and these involved some external research. Findings: Benefits of the scheme In general, most students were in favour of the new method of assessment. It was felt that continuous assessment was better than taking final exams because it gave students a good indication of how well they were doing. Students also appreciated the fact that, if they were awarded a low grade, they still had the opportunity to make up for this later on. Drawbacks Some students felt that there was too much testing, and in particular that doing three projects per term for each subject resulted in an excessive workload. In addition, there was some criticism of the projects which stemmed from the fact that they were largely carried out away from the classroom with no supervision. It was felt that some students might seek outside help to complete their projects so as not to lose marks, and that this would mean they would have an unfair advantage.

Conclusion and recommendations In general, students felt that continuous assessment was a fairer and less stressful method of testing and therefore recommended that it should be implemented more widely. However, the system could be improved by having fewer projects and introducing some safeguards to ensure that the projects genuinely reflected each students individual work.

To: Devika Chowdry, CEO From: Naseem Bakhtiar, marketing manager Subject: Proposal Report on Adding to Our Product Range Date: 31 October 2011 Purpose: The aim of this proposal is to suggest new products we could add to our existing product range and to identify ways in which the products could be developed. Procedures: I have conducted consumer satisfaction research on our current product range as well as a wide-spread market research to investigate if there is a niche for possible other products. Questionnaires and interviews provided us with a complete picture of the market situation. Research was also carried out on our competitors product portfolios to reveal opportunities for product line extensions. Introduction: This report will analyze the following issues: Our current product range The need for new products Resources Other costs Recommendations for action Our current product range At the moment, our company produces accounting software for small retail outlets, the purpose of which is to take managers of small businesses through the process of producing legally acceptable accounts step-by-step while at the same time producing VAT returns and where necessary the payroll. The need for new products While we know from the feedback that we are achieving high levels of customer satisfaction with our existing products, we have to recognize that we operate in a dynamic and swiftly changing market. Furthermore, more extensive market research among our clients has uncovered a demand for compatible software to perform stock-control and ordering functions. Resources Our programming department currently employs six systems engineers and produces regular updates for existing products, while tailoring them to suit individual clients. Althouth two engineers could be assigned to the development of the new programs, it would probably be necessary to recruit two further engineers for new project team. This, in turn, would give rise to higher overheads and other costs, particularly for salaries and equipment. I envisage that the initial project will take 18 months, but at the end of that period will generate profits which will justify the outlay. Other costs: Apart from the recruitment requirements mentioned above, the only extra cost I have identified in connection with this project is a requirement for extra office space to accommodate the project team. Since the new products are being developed in response to demand from our existing clients. I do not foresee extra marketing costs at this stage. Recommendation: I therefore recommend that we proceed with this project as soon as is convenient.

To: Mr Gerard Grand, CEO From: Jeremy Jeremson, Office Management Department Subject: Report on poor attendance during meetings Date: 13 October 2011
Terms of reference: Office Management Department has been requested by the CEO, Mr Gerard Grand, to submit an analysis of possible reasons for poor attendance at company meetings as well as solutions to solve the ongoing problem. For the last 2 years managers have been complaining for about staffs reluctance to attend meetings and lack of attention if they do. Due to worsening communication and a serious slowdown in information flow a solution should be found as soon as possible. Therefore, we have conducted research on 333 employees from all departments to find out the underlying problems behind the above behavior. We have also prepared a list of improvements that could restore communication channels in our company.

Introduction: This report will deal with:

overview of the situation possible reasons solution proposals and recommendations

Overview of the situation: Employees confirm the managers observations and admit they are not interested in company meetings. 303 employees representing all company departments would rather provide and an excuse than arrive at a meeting. Possible reasons: The underlying problems behind the misconduct may be: cold conference room with uncomfortable furniture (reported by 323 employees) long, fruitless, repetitive meetings covering the same topics (313 employees) long working hours, heavy workload (312 employees) lack of refreshments (302 employees) meetings called for no apparent reason (293 employees) meetings called to deal with problems which could be handled otherwise (emails, intranet, phone)

Solution proposals and recommendations: In order to restore efficient communication in the company we would recommend: redecorating the conference room holding meetings in other, less formal places (offices, cafeteria) holding meetings only when absolutely necessary and as short as possible providing mineral water and crackers for participants improving other information channels (intranet, email). Arranging training for older employees.

Conclusion and Recommendation: To sum up, the situation requires serious consideration and fast action. Redecoration of the conference room, providing refreshments as well as instructions for managers could produce a significant change. I also suggest increasing Office Department budget, as all the above mentioned activities are expensive.