This assessment follows on from Assessment 1. In this task you will take on a more strategic role for Zucchero Pty. Ltd. The purpose is for you to demonstrate skills in analysing
and forecasting future sales trends utilising an Excel spreadsheet. You will also be expected to demonstrate research and written skills in responding to specific queries raised
by the General Manager and finally, you will be asked to make recommendations combining an analysis of your spreadsheet and your research.
Assessment details
This assessment is based on the following case study:
Zucchero Pty. Ltd.
Zucchero Pty. Ltd. was founded in 1959 in Grafton, New South Wales by Luigi Dolce, a former sugar cane farmer. He moved away from
farming when he started a mill and refinery to process the sugar from local sugar cane farmers. His business flourished over the years and
has grown into a multi-million dollar company with a strong penetration in the Australian market, and a developing export business. Not
only does Zucchero produce a large range of sugar products such as raw sugar, white sugar, brown sugar, icing sugar etc, but also golden
syrup and treacle.
The operational information required to run the company, such as sales trends, distributor information, promotional information and so on,
are not always documented well with some key information known only to a few senior employees. Although the company has a website it
only includes basic information such as contact details and product types so it is unclear whether this website generates any new business.
In fact, Zucchero uses very little marketing and the new General Manager, Franka Spencer, believes more can be done in this area.
Business report and structure
In order to maintain a competitive edge and see Zucchero flourish, Franka needs to make strategic decisions based on future projections. She has asked you to provide the
following information in the form of a business report (with academic references):
An executive summary [not included in word count].
A table of contents [not included in word count].
Introduction.
Body comprising of
responses to queries which investigates contemporary issues in technology and business (refer to Part A below)
three (3) forecast graphs created in Microsoft Excel (one must be a Pivot chart/graph) that show future projections and growth/loss for 2015 and 2016 (refer to
B below).
Conclusions and overall recommendations.
Reference list, using Swinburne Harvard style [not included in word count].