Analysis of Study and Communication Skills in Business Report

This report provides a comprehensive analysis of study and communication skills within a business context. It begins with an introduction highlighting the importance of effective communication in organizations and then delves into a case study involving Marks & Spencer and the Employment Equality Act. The report summarizes news stories, conducts a comparative analysis of facts and opinions, and evaluates key arguments from various sources. It further analyzes recorded business materials, provides summary notes of a lecture on oil price fluctuations, and offers a comprehensive analysis of these notes. The report also examines a business case study, develops written arguments, describes cause-and-effect relationships, and addresses academic hedging and referencing using the Harvard system. Finally, it discusses the importance of proofreading and concludes with a summary of the findings and references.

Study and Communication Skills
1

Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION ...............................................................................................................................3
TASK 1.................................................................................................................................................3
1 Summarize report from the sources .............................................................................................3
2 Comparative analysis of the facts and opinions raised in stories ................................................4
3 Evaluation of the key arguments put forward in those two sources and other external sources. .4
TASK 2 ................................................................................................................................................5
4. Analysis the content of the different types of recorded business materials ................................5
5. Accurate summary notes of the lecture .......................................................................................6
6) Comprehensive analysis of the notes..........................................................................................7
TASK 3 ................................................................................................................................................8
3.1 Analysis of Business case study in terms of its genre and focus...............................................8
3.2 Developing written arguments for non-routine business problem. ...........................................8
3.3 Describe cause and effect relationships.....................................................................................8
3.4 Academic hedging and caution..................................................................................................8
3.5 Referencing according to Harvard system.................................................................................9
3.6 Why proof reading of report is important..................................................................................9
TASK 4.................................................................................................................................................9
CONCLUSION....................................................................................................................................9
References..........................................................................................................................................10
2

INTRODUCTION
Communication skills are more essential part of every types of organization. For performing
the daily operations and business activities as well as face numerous challenges, the good
communication has important. The following research has based on study and communication skills
in business. The following case has based on the breaching of Employability Equality Act by Marks
and Spencer. In this context, a detail study has conducted as well as presenting the different views
of the researchers and economists by using various source of information.
TASK 1
1 Summarize report from the sources
Business news story from The Times
Due to the breaches of Employment Equality Act, Marks and Spencer has paid € 40,000 to
its ex-employee Bernie Clavin. The former employee of company has filed the case against M&S
regarding the discrimination. In 2011, she has got an injury outside of work and diagnosed with
severe tendonitis. In June 2011, she has submitted her medical certificates and given the
information about her situation to the firm (Rogan, 2015). Ms Clavin has referred to the company
occupational health adviser and then sent to the specialists due to the complications and for the
surgery purpose. When the Ms Clavin was return to the work, she was not being paid the salary
while she was not able to work. The number of meeting were conducting between Ms Clavin and
company higher authorities (Rogan, 2015). In January 2012, she was receiving a letter about
dismissed on ill-health grounds. She also did not get her payment of holidays of injury till 2012.
When Ms Clavin was contact with M&S for funds then firm was refusing the request of her. In this
context, the company was fail to pay the complainant statutory entitlements to ex-employee in the
responds of the complainant. Therefore, M&S has awarded to Ms Clavin € 40,000 which is equal to
the 18 month salary because of breaches of Employment Equality Act (Rogan, 2015).
Business news story from The McDOWELL PURCELL
M&S has awarded € 40,000 to its former employee which is equal to the 18 month wages
because Ms Clavin was dismissed on the basis of her disability. While working outside, she was
injure and diagnosed with severe tendonitis (Purcell, 2015). As per the company policy, she was
referring to the M&S occupational health advisor and the report was not stated that the employee is
able to work or not. With the meeting of HR manager of company, it was deciding that if Ms Clavin
provide the conformation that she is now fit and able to do work then her job would be kept safe for
more 4 to 6 weeks. In this context, she requested to HR manager to get the medical opinion from
3

the organization consultant. But due to the Christmas break she was not able to provide the
conformation about her fitness. Due to this, she was dismissed on January 2012 on ground of ill
health. When this case was reach in front of the Equality Officer then after the investigation it was
found that M&S was fail to follow the best practices and not followed Employment Equality Act
(Purcell, 2015).
2 Comparative analysis of the facts and opinions raised in stories
Facts are define as an information which shows the existence of the information in the
reality. On the other hand, opinion has refers to the perception of the individual person on the
particular issue or a subject. There are various facts and opinions that were presented and they
collectively give detailed information regarding M&S which are as follows.
Facts
 The facts of The Times shows that the M&S has not given the priorities of the employee
problem and does not taken it very seriously (Holland, 2015).
 From the analysis of the different sources, it has explored that the limited role played by
Occupational Health Consultant during communicating with Ms Clavin.
 The facts is that very short notice was providing to Ms Clavin regrading the meetings and
other formalities.
 From the other external sources, it has found that M&S Occupational Health Consultant was
refuse to provide an updated medical report Ms Clavin (Leogue, 2015).
Opinions
 As per my point of view, the major reason of breaching of Employment Equality Act by
M&S is miscommunication and misunderstanding between the employee and the
Occupational Health Consultant (Rogan, 2015).
 One more reason of breaching of Employment Equality Act by M&S is poor response from
the Health Consultant to Ms Clavin because the role of health occupational in the company
is limited.
3 Evaluation of the key arguments put forward in those two sources and other external sources
By evaluating the key arguments of the same subject by different sources of information, the
data which have been collected are as follows.
 From the analysis of the different journals, M&S has not able to meet the requirements and
needs of the staff members. This is the fact that it has criticized by its self-company that they
have not committed in these types of work and not performing the roles and responsibilities
in more appropriate form (Purcell, 2015).
4

 Other than this issue, M&S has refused to cut hospital shop prices and charges more on
popular hospital items. The reason has given by the firm on high prices is longer opening
hours and high rents of the places. This unethical behaviour of the organization has raise as
issue in parliament (Bow, 2015).
 From the different sources of information, it has been found that the stockbrokers have
criticized the cloths of M&S which has fallen down the sales of the company. It has wiped
off the firm shares which has valued about € 180 million in the market in the present time
(Campbell, 2015).
TASK 2
4. Analysis the content of the different types of recorded business materials
After seen the video, it has been analysed that there are some reasonable factors which leads
to decrease the pricing of the oil. European Zone is area of 19 to 28 states which are commonly
adopting the Euro currency and single legal trader. Rather than this, the other 9 states of European
Zone are following their own currencies (Drop in oil prices could reshape world economy -
Channel 4 News. 2015). The inflation rate has affected the economic scale of European Zone
sometimes positively and sometime negatively. The interest rate has set by European Central Bank
which has varied according to the economic conditions of the zone. In the present time, the
European Zone has fight for managed own key economic because it has directly affected the growth
of the different zones. Beside this, Japan has went to the worst recession conditions in 2009 and it
has slow down the economy of country. As per the report of the researchers and journalists, the
prices of oil has broken down to over 40% which is the main issue in the present time (Drop in oil
prices could reshape world economy - Channel 4 News. 2015).
There are various reasons behind falling the prices of oil and these are decrease in demand
because of weak economic conditions of China as well as other nations, political conflicts in Libya
and Iraq and the Saudis are not ready to decrease their market share. Therefore, these are the major
reasons of falling in prices of oil (Drop in oil prices could reshape world economy - Channel 4
News. 2015). This situation has beneficial for the developing nations such as India and Japan. As
per the news reports and economists, it has been observed that decrease in the prices of oil may
raise the deflation situation in the present market which will be not good for the economic state of
European Zone. It has directly affected the growth perspective of the country. Therefore, to come
out from such type of conditions, Saudi Arabia and Gulf nations have taken the actions in this
direction. By increase the rat of supply of oil it can be possible to bring the prices of oil in stable
situations. This activity will reduce the profit margin of the suppliers and vendors quickly but it will
5

resolved the deflation condition in the countries (Drop in oil prices could reshape world economy -
Channel 4 News. 2015).
5. Accurate summary notes of the lecture
The given video has used an important references material for the present topic in which
many of the information has been the important value for given the answer the different questions in
the right manner. After listening and go through the video, the essential points derived from the
source of information are as follows.
 The European Zone are having 19 to 28 nations which are having their own single currency.
The members of this zone are mostly developed nations and enjoyed the stable economic of
scale with the time. But from the last few years, these countries are facing the economic
unstable situation because of decreasing in the pricing of crude oil (Plumer, 2015).
 The crude oil is the major and important sources of income of European Zone. All the
economic stability has depended on it and due to fallen in the prices of oil, it has directly
made the impact on the market share of European Zone in negative way.
 There are increase rate of fall in the prices of oil as well as petroleum has created the various
issues in the market. The proportion of decrease in the cost of crude oil is 40% which is not
good for the economic scale of European Zone (Srinivasan, 2015).
 Another reasons is decreasing the demand of the oil and petroleum because many of the
nations are facing weak economic conditions at present time.
 The various political issues and conflicts between the countries are also be the reason of
decrease the prices of oil in the international market.
 The increase risk of financial stability and the increase pressure of doing the business in
Euro currency has also decreased the demand of the oil in oil exporting nations such as
Russia, Venezuela etc (Shaji, 2015).
 Tighten monetary and fiscal policies are also be the reasons of falling the prices of oil and
increase the risk of deflation.
 The increase pressure on the adding Greek in European Zone has raised the changes of
Eurozone debt crisis. This thing has also be the major reason of decreasing in the price of oil
and petroleum.
 The major reason of falling the prices of oil at the bottom in the market are the financial
breakdowns in Europe and Japan because these countries are completely depending on the
oil for the manufacturing of the products and services. Due to this reason, the demand of the
oil these areas becomes decreased (Plumer, 2015).
6

6) Comprehensive analysis of the notes
The purpose of the following video is understand the changes in the economic conditions
and their impact on its related and supportive factors. The oil is an essential part of every
manufacturing and non-manufacturing organization. The cheaper oil has well for international
economy as well as energy sensitive nations because they are importing the oil from the other
countries (Plumer, 2015). The 40% falling in the pricing of crude oil has the biggest fall in the stock
market from the last 5 and half year. The major reason behind falling in the prices of oil is
decreasing in the demand. But the reality is interplay of the various internal and external factors
which has also contained the lower demand. The OPEC (Organisation of Petroleum Exporting
Countries) are more scare due to the fall in the prices of the oil at the international level. They have
feared of losing the market share while decrease the total production of oil (Srinivasan, 2015). The
most dominating player in this area is Saudi Arabia and this nation is having the highest market
share at global level.
The major impact of falling in the prices of oil has faced by European Zone in terms of
unstable economic of scale. Along with this, the countries which are having the financial crisis at
present, are not able to buy the required amount of oil. This has reduced the demand of oil in those
nations such as Japan, China, and Brazil etc. The pricing of oil have declines to a massive level and
it is good for the customers and other nations whom economy is starting to grow very fast (Shaji,
2015).
As per the point view of the various economists, there are several reasons playing an
important role in decreasing the prices of oil faster. Saudi Arabia has tried to cut down its
production volume to support up the prices of oil. But due to the loss of the market share and stay
remain in the competition, they have thrown away the idea of cut down the production volume of
oil. According to Oil traders, the prices of oil would be increase in the future which will good for
the major players of Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (Plumer, 2015).
The increase use of natural resources will provide the short term benefits to the community
but in the near future, it would be important to determine the new sources of energy which will non-
renewable and available for the long time (Srinivasan, 2015). The same thing has happened with the
oil because there are many nations whom are extracting the oil from the Earth from the long time. If
the same thing followed in the future then the crude oil will scare in amount. Therefore, to avoid
this issue in the future, it is needed to make the control over the prices and extraction of oil from the
ground. Along with this, there would be some actions take which will control deflation and save the
environment from the harm (Shaji, 2015).
7

TASK 3
3.1 Analysis of Business case study in terms of its genre and focus
The following study had provided the important information regarding the strategies adopted
by the company for create the unique marketing position in the market and achieve economic of
state (Goetsch and Davis, 2014). Genre can be defined as the set of features that are a part of case
study and help in reader to develop the important information for the organization. The selected
case study is on “Creating value through marketing mix” which has an effective measurement of
analysing the different kinds of strategies to obtain the success in the international market. The
genre is of descriptive case study where focus is given on obtaining information about marketing
mix of Aldi (Guffey and Loewy, 2010). The focus of case study is on marketing strategies that have
been used by Aldi by which it has been able to increase its market share and made a loyal base of
consumers. A discussion has also been made on marketing mix of ALDI. AIDA (Awareness,
Interest, Desire and Action) model has also been explained so as to assess the promotional activities
of the company.
3.2 Developing written arguments for non-routine business problem.
Non routine business problem can be defined as that sort of issue that does not happen
generally (Jacobson, 2009). These include recession, floods, and earthquake, fire etc. Such
problems lead to a drastic impact on overall sales and may put a question mark on survival. ALDI
had faced many non-routine busies problems during the course if its business venture. One such was
recession that affected almost all companies in which Aldi was also one of them. The given business
case has mentioned the situation where the organization has emphasized on increase the sales of the
products in the market to achieve the business objectives (Locker and Kienzler, 2012).
3.3 Describe cause and effect relationships
Cause can be defined as the reason that has led to creating an event. Effect is defined as
situation that arises due to the event. Cause and effect relationships can be defined as a relationship
in which one event being the cause leads to happening of another event known as effect. One cause
can led to creation of several effects. In case of ALDI, recession faced by company is the cause that
has led ALDI to bring in discount offers for the consumers. Hence discount offers are the effect
(Negash and Gray, 2008).
3.4 Academic hedging and caution
Academic hedging can be defined as the cautious use of language used in academic writing.
Hedging is a cautious use of language which is used in academic writing. It is often used to convey
8

facts and information in specific writing. It also helps in comparing work of different authors. By
hedging authors reduce the risk of opposition from readers. In this regard, the researcher has been
very cautious while preparing the case study on Aldi (Credé and Kuncel, 2008).
3.5 Referencing according to Harvard system
Referencing is a vital part of academic writing. It is also known as citing. It is helpful in
Acknowledging the idea of other authors while using in an individual’s work. It also helps in
Avoiding plagiarism. In addition to this it also helps in providing authority of statements by having
a Sound knowledge of relevant literature which is used in the assignment (Goetsch and Davis,
2014).The format of Harvard Referencing is as follows:
Author's name, year, title of the book, publisher.
3.6 Why proof reading of report is important
Proof whitening can be defined as an art of checking down an academic report for different
errors such as spelling mistakes, punctuation flaws, formulas, facts, etc. And rectify them before
submission to final authorities. It is very essential to proof read the report with a view of improving
the quality of the academic writing. It further aids to rectify errors so as to make sense in the
document reading (Guffey and Loewy, 2010).
TASK 4
Attached in PPT
CONCLUSION
From the above study, it has been concluded that communication skills and study both have
played an important role in developed the business report for a new venture. In this aspect, the
M&S has breached the Employment Equality Act which has taken into the consideration as an
example. In order to develop and enhance the communication skills, the given case study has been
taken to prepare the presentation.
9

REFERENCES
Books and Journals
Butler, R. D., 2015. So You Need to Write a Business Plan!. Journal of Small Business Strategy.
14(1). pp.103-104.
Chen, X. and Latham, G. P., 2014. The effect of priming learning vs. performance goals on a
complex task. Organizational Behavior and Human Decision Processes. 125(2). pp.88-97.
Credé, M. and Kuncel, N. R., 2008. Study habits, skills, and attitudes: The third pillar supporting
collegiate academic performance. Perspectives on Psychological Science. 3(6). pp.425-453.
Gillis, A. E., Morris, M. C. and Ridgway, P. F., 2015. Communication skills assessment in the final
postgraduate years to established practice: a systematic review. Postgraduate medical
journal. 91(1071). pp.13-21.
Goetsch, D. L. and Davis, S. B., 2014. Quality management for organizational excellence. pearson.
Goetsch, D. L. and Davis, S. B., 2014. Quality management for organizational excellence. Pearson.
Guffey, M. E. and Loewy, D., 2010. Business communication: Process and product. Cengage
Learning.
Jacobson, S. K., 2009. Communication skills for conservation professionals. Island Press.
Locker, K. and Kienzler, D., 2012. Business and administrative communication. McGraw-Hill.
Negash, S. and Gray, P., 2008. Business intelligence. Springer Berlin Heidelberg.
Perrichon, A., 2015. Colloquia, seminars & talks. Science. 14.
Silverman, J. and et. al., 2005.Skills for communicating with patients. Oxford, UK: Radcliffe Pub..
Swathi, T. V. S. S., 2015. The Importance of Effective Presentation for Organizational Success. IUP
Journal of Soft Skills. 9(2). 7.
Online
Bannerman, L., 2015. M&S refuses to cut hospital shop prices. [Online] Available through:
<http://www.thetimes.co.uk/tto/money/consumeraffairs/article4587229.ece> [Accessed on:
9th December 2015].
Bow, M., 2015. Marks and Spencer criticised for refusing to cut hospital shop prices. [Online]
Available through: <http://www.independent.co.uk/news/business/news/marks-and-spencer-
criticised-for-refusing-to-cut-hospital-shop-prices-a6694406.html> [Accessed on: 9th
December 2015].
Campbell, P., 2015. £180m wiped off M&S shares after clothes are criticised by stockbrokers:
Attack piles pressure on chief executive as sales continue to fall. [Online] Available through:
<http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3265785/180m-wiped-M-S-shares-clothes-
10

criticised.html> [Accessed on: 9th December 2015].
Drop in oil prices could reshape world economy - Channel 4 News. 2015. [Online] Available
through: <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hddujHLG98Y>. [Accessed on: 9th December
2015].
Holland, K., 2015. M&S to pay €40,000 to ex-employee for discrimination. [Online] Available
through: <http://www.irishtimes.com/news/social-affairs/m-s-to-pay-40-000-to-ex-
employee-for-discrimination-1.2325843> [Accessed on: 9th December 2015].
Leogue, J., 2015. Woman fired over disability to get €40k. [Online] Available through:
<http://www.irishexaminer.com/ireland/woman-fired-over-disability-to-get-40k-
349678.html> [Accessed on: 9th December 2015].
Plumer, B., 2015. Why oil prices are still dropping — in one simple chart. [Online] Available
through: <http://www.vox.com/2015/1/5/7493799/oil-prices-chart> [Accessed on: 9th
December 2015].
Purcell, M., 2015. €40,000 awarded to former employee of M&S for discriminatory dismissal.
[Online] Available through: <http://www.mcdowellpurcell.ie/employment-benefits/e40000-
awarded-to-former-employee-of-ms-for-discriminatory-dismissal/> [Accessed on: 9th
December 2015].
Rogan, A., 2015. M&S ordered to pay €40,000 in disability discrimination case. [Online] Available
through: <http://www.thetimes.co.uk/tto/irishnews/article4536227.ece> [Accessed on: 9th
December 2015].
Shaji, C., 2015. What are the reasons why oil prices are getting lower day by day in the
international market?. [Online] Available through: <https://www.quora.com/What-are-the-
reasons-why-oil-prices-are-getting-lower-day-by-day-in-the-international-market>
[Accessed on: 9th December 2015].
Srinivasan, R., 2015. Decoding the oil price fall. [Online] Available through:
<http://www.thehindu.com/business/Economy/decoding-the-oil-price-fall/
article6775625.ece> [Accessed on: 9th December 2015].
11

12