Units of Competency:
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BSBREL401 Establish networks
BSBWRT401 Write complex documents
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PY Topic:
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Topic 4 – Networking
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Assessment Task:
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Task 4.2 – Networking Events Report
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Assessment Submission Checklist
(Student must submit all of these documents)
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Networking Report
Short Answer Questions
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Assessment Instructions to Student:
· Attempt all questions in the assessment.
· All answers to be typed using Microsoft Word
Resources permitted during assessment:
· Dictionaries: Standard, Bilingual, Digital
· Electronic devices: Laptops, Computers, Internet
Additional Assessment Instructions to Assessor:
Reasonable adjustment: Trainers may make reasonable allowances for learners in accordance with the C&I Learner Support Policy contained in the Participant Handbook. This may relate to the timeframe for undertaking this assessment task in class or relate to an extension to the due date. Consult with the Curriculum & Learning Manager prior to administering this assessment to ensure Learner Support needs are met.
BSBREL401 Assessment Requirements
Performance Evidence
Evidence of the ability to:
· identify and use networking opportunities
· maintain records of relevant contacts
· use written and verbal communication skills to establish, cultivate and promote professional business relationships
· use feedback to improve promotional activities.
· Note: If a specific volume or frequency is not stated, then evidence must be provided at least once.
Knowledge Evidence
To complete the unit requirements safely and effectively, the individual must:
· list and describe strategies for establishing and maintaining business relationships
· identify relevant networks, organisations, agencies, associations or individuals
· describe the principles and techniques needed to negotiate positive outcomes
· explain client or organisational policies, plans and procedures relevant to business relationships
· outline methods for obtaining feedback on promotional activities.
Assessment Conditions
Assessment must be conducted in a safe environment where evidence gathered demonstrates consistent performance of typical activities experienced in the stakeholder relations – relationship management field of work and include access to:
o relevant workplace documentation and resources
o case studies and, where possible, real situations
o interaction with others.
BSBWRT401 – Write Complex Documents
Performance Evidence
Evidence of the ability to:
- plan, draft and finalise complex documents that require review and analysis of a range of information sources
- use business technology to apply formatting, and incorporate graphics
- edit the draft text to ensure accuracy and clarity of information, obtain feedback on the draft and revise the draft
- apply the enterprise style guide/house style.
- Note: If a specific volume or frequency is not stated, then evidence must be provided at least once.
Knowledge Evidence
To complete the unit requirements safely and effectively, the individual must:
- identify the enterprise style guide/house style
- outline formatting styles and their impact on formatting, readability and appearance of documents
- explain rules and conventions for written English, as defined by general and specialist sources.
Assessment Conditions
Assessment must be conducted in a safe environment where evidence gathered demonstrates consistent performance of typical activities experienced in the communication – writing field of work and include access to:
· office equipment and resources
· organisational policies and procedures
· organisational style guides.
· Assessors must satisfy NVR/AQTF assessor requirements.
PART ONE: Networking Events Report
Instructions:
You are required to attend
two
(2)
professionally organised networking events related to your professional field. These
may
be hosted through
CPA, CA, EA or ACS.
Refer to “
Useful Networking Information
” below.
At these events you need to introduce yourself to
two (2)
people who are
currently working
in or associated with your field of expertise. Ask each of these individuals for
a business card
and
advice
on how to get started in the industry. You must provide
photographic
evidence
of attending. This should include a photo of the
signage
and of you at the event. You do
not
need to take a photo of other attendees. Once you have attended this event, answer the following questions using Microsoft Word in a
r
eport format
ensuring you use the
style guide
provided.
1.
Describe
each event or situation.
2.
When
and
where
was it held?
3. What was your ‘
introductory pitch'
? What did you say when introducing yourself and outlining your background?
4. Insert below the contact details. You can type them or scan in the
business card
of one of the people you met at the event.
5. Describe the professional behaviours you
demonstrated
at this event that ensured that you were projecting a professional and business ready image. Give one example each of how you met the following standards:
·
Business
standards
·
Ethical
standards
·
Social
standards
·
Cultural
standards
6. How did you ensure that the people you met felt
comfortable
in your presence? Give examples that are both
non-verbal
and
verbal
.
7. What
advice
did the person provide you, whose details you obtained, on how to get a start in the industry and
feedback
given on your introductory pitch?
8.
Obtain
from the contact information related to a
speciality
area within your chosen field e.g.
forensic
accounting
or
civil engineering
.
Include any additional advice your second contact gave you on this
speciality
area.
9. Write an email to one of the contacts you made
thanking
them for speaking with you at the event and explain how you have followed up on their advice (attach a copy of the email to your report).
10. Following these events, what was the most
valuable
thing you learnt about getting a
start
in the industry?
11. Why do you believe this is the most
valuable
thing for you?
12. What would you do
differently
at your next networking opportunity? Please list actions and reasons.
13.
Scenario:
At your organisation, you are advising a new member of your team about networking. Using your own experience
write a list
of
key
steps on how to
network effectively
at a professional networking event. What
advice
could you offer them to help them
establish
and
develop
their networking skills?
USEFUL NETWORKING INFORMATION
Below are some examples of situations and methods suitable for business networking, including specially organised business networking events, meetings, activities and systems.
Many of these are not organised networking activities. Some of these networking situations are simply opportunities to meet people relevant to your aims, when your initiative and creativity can turn vague potential into worthwhile networking.
For all networking opportunities, your success is dependent on the relevance of the situation and the quality and energy of your involvement.
Event
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Suggestions
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Conferences
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Conferences are full of people with common interests. Coffee breaks are an ideal time to make introductions.
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Exhibitions
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Exhibitions are obviously full of business people with a common interest. Most exhibitions rightly do not like visitors to canvass the exhibitors, but there are plenty of other situations to meet people and network.
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Seminars
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Seminars attract business people of all sorts. Again there are usually coffee breaks which are ideal for making introductions and getting to know people.
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Training courses
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Open training courses are excellent for meeting other business people. Many will encourage informal networking among delegates because this adds value to the quality of the event; certain types of training bring people together in work teams, making it extremely easy to get to know all attendees very well.
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Breakfast networking clubs
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Several companies run regular breakfast networking clubs as their primary business. Other companies will run one-off events to connect with the local business community. These purpose-designed events obviously provide a good opportunity to engage with other business people.
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Business networking websites
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Since the development of interactive website technology in the late 1990s there are increasing numbers of online business networking organisations. Each has its own culture and systems. Some are vast, covering all types of business imaginable, for example linkedin.com. Others are industry or trade specific, and some are geographically focused. All can be found quickly and easily by searching the web.
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Website forums
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Website forums exist for every subject you can think of. Each offers a networking opportunity for the subject matter concerned.
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Community social websites
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Facebook is the obvious example. There are many others. Some of these websites and memberships are vast. Bigger than countries. This is because of the social aspect, which might initially be appealing, but making a business impact can be very challenging due to the scale of these operations.
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Online/mobile communications applications
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Twitter is the obvious example. Internet platforms like these can grow from nothing to be hugely popular social connection systems in just a few months. Business people can use them to good effect if approached in a very dedicated and technically informed way. Otherwise they can become big time-wasters, so beware.
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Societies and associations
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Every specialist subject has its own society or association. These organisations offer various ways to meet their members.
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Institutes for industries
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Every industry has its own institute or similar. Various events and methods generally exist by which outsiders can engage with the institute's membership.
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Public meetings
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Public meetings are held for all sorts of reasons, for example local planning consultations; presentation of local development plans. These events attract business people. At meetings like these, most attendees sit and listen for quite a while, and consequently are ready for conversation during breaks and at the close of the meeting.
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PART TWO: SHORT ANSWER QUESTIONS (BSBWRT401)
- Why do organisations use a
Style Guide?
- What formatting techniques can be used to
enhance
readability of your completed document?
- Provide detail on the
process
you would follow when designing and planning a
new business document
. Be sure to consider what information you would gather to
clarify
the purpose and inclusions of the document.
- Explain the
rules of English
to be applied when
writing business documents
(e.g.: correct grammar and spelling) and please explain
two
(2) additional rules to follow in business writing
STYLE GUIDE
Structure of reports should be flexible but generally follow:
• Title
• Introduction
• Body
• Conclusion/Recommendations
• Appendices
• References
Introduction should do the following:
• present an overview of the subject matter
• describe the research methods
• identify the findings (can use bullet points)
• list recommendations (can use bullet points)
• use language appropriate to audience and purpose.
Body text
Body text should be ordered into clear sections with sub-sections if required. Text should contain analysis of findings and should be written using paragraphs.
Language uses plain English as follows:
• active verbs
• present tense
• accurate language with any jargon explained
• formal English tone
• no contractions
General presentation
• use consistent format including fonts and styles
• use font size 10-12 for body text
• use 1.5 spacing
• one line between paragraphs
• justify text
• use same font style for all headings
• use section headings
• your name and date in footer
• include page numbers
• use correct citation for all references used.