Bridging the Gap: Tackling Food Waste and Food Insecurity in the UK through Sustainable Business Practices

Component 1 100% Entrepreneurial Group Report and Group Oral Assessment and Presentation Project Output 1000 words + 10-minute oral presentation supported by appropriate slides and speaker notes (10-15) Detailed Description of the Assessment In the business world and entrepreneurship, addressing societal challenges and developing innovative ideas are key to creating impactful solutions. This project challenges you to identify a real-world problem within your local community, local businesses, or even your country of origin, and propose a creative solution that leverages either a conventional business model or a social enterprise model. Your solution must not only address the identified problem but also align with broader sustainability issues and consider the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDGs). This alignment is essential, as the UN SDGs represent a global agenda that every country is striving to achieve, including responsible business practices, environmental sustainability, and social equity. You are expected to work in a group of no less than 3 members and no more than 5 members to research, assess, and find issues within your community, businesses, or any context that you have encountered or experienced. After identifying the problem, your group needs to propose a viable solution that can be implemented through either a conventional business or a social enterprise model. The final output will consist of a detailed business plan (report) and a 10 minute PowerPoint presentation that summarizes your proposed solution. The group size cannot be less than 3 or more than 5 participants. Assignment Structure 1. Group Report (70%) Your group report should be structured as a comprehensive business plan that covers the following sections: 1.1. Introduction (Importance of Professional Development and Context Setting) • Start by explaining the importance of professional development for entrepreneurs and how it relates to solving real-world problems. • Set the context for your business or social enterprise by highlighting why identifying market gaps and addressing societal issues is critical for entrepreneurship. 1.2. Problem Identification and Analysis • Clearly describe a problem or gap that exists within your chosen context (community, local business, or country). • Use data, evidence, and real-world observations to support your findings. • Explain the implications of this problem, who it affects, and why it needs to be resolved. 1.3. Solution Development and Business Model • Propose a creative solution to the identified problem, highlighting its unique elements. • Explain whether your solution is a product, service, or a combination of both. • Choose between a conventional business model or a social enterprise model to implement your solution. Justify your choice. • Evaluate the use of the UN SDGs and outline how your business addresses at least two SDGs to support sustainable development. 1.4. Market Research and Feasibility • Conduct market research to validate your solution. Identify target customers, their needs, and willingness to pay for your solution. • Include an analysis of the market gap and how your solution bridges this gap. 1.5. Business Model Development and Innovation • Present your business model using frameworks like the Business Model Canvas. • Explain your value proposition and competitive advantage. • Highlight innovative elements of your solution that differentiate it from existing offerings in the market. 1.6. Social Impact and Environmental Considerations • Discuss the social impact of your solution, including how it benefits the community, promotes inclusivity, or enhances quality of life. • Address any environmental considerations, such as sustainable sourcing, waste reduction, and eco-friendly practices. • Show how your solution adheres to responsible business practices. 1.7. Financial Projections and Feasibility Analysis • Provide a detailed breakdown of start-up costs, operational expenses, and projected revenue. • Include profitability forecasts and Return on Investment (ROI) expectations. • Analyse potential financial risks and explain how you will ensure the business remains sustainable and profitable. 1.8. Project Management and Entrepreneurial Skills • Reflect on the project management skills you and your group have learned and applied throughout this project. • Include details on team collaboration, time management, and decision-making processes used to complete this project. 1.9. Risk Assessment and Entrepreneurial Challenges • Identify potential business risks and entrepreneurial hurdles, such as resource limitations, competition, or legal challenges. • Discuss strategies to mitigate these risks and ensure the venture’s long-term success. 1.10. Conclusion • Summarize the problem, solution, and key business strategies. • Conclude with a statement on why your proposed business is viable, innovative, and impactful. 1.11. References and Appendix • Include a comprehensive list of references used in the report. • Provide supporting materials such as frameworks, diagrams, and evidence in the Appendix. 2. Oral Presentation (30%) Prepare a 10 minute PowerPoint presentation to deliver the key elements of your business proposal. The presentation should include: • Slide 1: Title Slide – Include the project title, group members’ names, and date. • Slide 2: Introduction – Present the context and the problem identified. • Slide 3: Problem Analysis – Use data and evidence to explain the significance of the problem. • Slide 4: Proposed Solution – Summarise the solution, highlighting its unique and innovative features. • Slide 5: Business Model – Explain the chosen business model and how it aligns with your goals. • Slide 6: Market Research – Present findings from your research, including target customers and market needs. • Slide 7: Social Impact and UN SDGs – Explain how your solution aligns with the UN SDGs and creates a positive social impact. • Slide 8: Financial Projections – Highlight key financial metrics, including revenue, profit, and ROI. • Slide 9: Risks and Challenges – Discuss potential risks and strategies to overcome them. • Slide 10: Conclusion – Summarise why your business is viable and impactful. Submission Details • The group report should be submitted as a Word or PDF document and include the PowerPoint slides as part of the final submission. • The PowerPoint slides should be merged with the report as one document and uploaded on Canvas by the submission deadline. • The oral presentation will be delivered either in class or via Microsoft Teams, depending on the group’s preference and with approval from your lecturer. All presentations will be recorded. • The presentations will be scheduled before the submission deadline, and the timing will depend on the number of groups in your class. Presentations will be conducted during weeks 25 to 28. Your lecturer will divide the available presentation slots among the groups, ensuring each group has adequate time to present. • Please ensure you are available during these weeks for your group’s assigned presentation slot. • You will submit at the end of term 3 by the abovementioned deadline. Key Considerations: • Your solution should be innovative and sustainable. • Consider market trends and consumer behaviour when defining your business model. • Ensure your business aligns with at least two UN SDGs. • Collaborate effectively and make use of each team member’s strengths to produce a comprehensive and engaging project. Marking Scheme and Criteria 1. Group Report (70%) o Problem Analysis and Creative Solution (20%) o Business Model and Market Research (15%) o Social Impact and Alignment with SDGs (10%) o Financial Feasibility and Risk Management (10%) o Clarity, Structure, and Presentation of Report (5%) 2. Oral Presentation (30%) o Clarity and Visual Appeal (10%) o Creative Solution and Business Model (10%) o Market Research and Financial Projections (10%) Assessment Criteria CRITERIA LEARNING OUTCOME Knowledge of: Business theories and business planning LO1 – Explore and illustrate the range of venture types that can be considered entrepreneurial. Understanding through application of: Use of research skills, problem solving through ideas generation techniques and explanation of solutions Application of appropriate business theories to develop a business plan LO2 – Determine and assess the key characteristics and aspects of an entrepreneurial mindset. Technical professional and applied skills: Presentation of appropriately designed slides, that support the oral presentation of the business idea. Reflection on the decisions made within the project that contributed to final outcomes. LO3 – Examine the different environments that foster or hinder entrepreneurship. Submission and Assignment Instructions • You must submit your Word Document by 5:00pm on Sunday June 7th, 2025 on CANVAS. The submission link will be opened at least (2) two weeks before the deadline date. • This assignment is a group assignment where you will reflect on your decisions, actions, thoughts and professional development, throughout your group work within this module. • This assignment is designed for you to reflect as you progress through the module. You should be prepared to demonstrate your progression by completing the weekly reflective journal template for your tutors to assess during your weekly seminar sessions. • You must complete and submit a GROUP Report of 1,000 words on the development of your professional skills throughout the project/module. The source material for this will be your Reflective Journal, which you will complete periodically in seminar sessions throughout the module. Addition Instructions • You must use Microsoft Word to complete the weekly reflective journal to be included in the GROUP report. • The group report should have a cover page, that has the title of the module, and Component 1 and the names and ID numbers of the respective group members. • After the cover page, you should have a table of content that reflect your numbered headings throughout. • For the main body of the report all text (excluding headings) should be black Calibri or Arial font style, size 12 with 1.5 line spacing. Headings should be larger and may be black or blue. • Short references (author, date) should be included in the text of your report for specific pieces of information or arguments. Direct citations need to be placed in quotation marks. The full details of your references should be listed on the last page of your report, using Harvard referencing style. You should endeavour to avoid plagiarism (see the information about avoiding plagiarism at the end of this brief). • Your MUST have an Appendix with evidence of your activities throughout the module, where you have developed your professional skills, including evidence of your Reflective Journal.