COM203: You are Starting up a Freelance or Consulting Business and are Applying for Start-up Funding Through a Private Investment Firm: Consulting and Freelancing Assignment, MU, Singapore

Assessment 1: Concept test

Students will complete this test online during the usual workshop time in week 7. It is designed to test students’ understanding and application of key unit concepts and terminology. All the questions will be based on material covered in the readings, podcasts and classwork in Part 1, topics 1–6.

You will be assessed on the following criterion, which carries equal weighting:

• A clear understanding of the concept and how it applies to consulting and freelancing
• Appropriateness and application of a relevant example/s
• Criticality and analysis of the topic area
• Evidence of additional reading and research
• The appropriateness, effectiveness, logical structure and accuracy of the writing

Assignment 2: Short business plan

You are starting up a freelance or consulting business and are applying for start-up funding through a private investment firm. They have asked for you to provide a short business plan for the initial 12-month period as part of the application process.

You are required to develop a document to include the following:
1. Business plan summary
2. About your business
3. About your market
4. About your future
5. About your finances

You will be given sample templates for review but you are required to create a plan based on the above headings. Note: you will be penalised for using the example templates supplied.

More information on how to undertake this assignment and present your report will be provided in weekly workshops and on MyUnits.

Assignment 2 will be assessed on the following criteria, which carry equal weighting:

• Appropriately and adequately addressing the task;
• Level of detail given to services offered and proposed structure of the proposed business
• Level of research carried out current market and identification of competitors and potential clients.
• Level of critical and realistic thinking given to the future direction of the company
• Breakdown of perceived and forecasted expenses for the first 12 months.
• Level of professionalism in overall presentation including appropriate written
  expression, use of language spelling, grammar and editing, layout and format.

Assignment 3: Pitch for a new client

For this assignment, your task is to plan and present a pitch for a real-life client in the form of
a written proposal. A detailed client brief and information on how to present your proposal will be supplied during the trimester.

Your pitch to the client must include the following as a minimum:

• A company profile/background
• The price for each service you propose
• A proposed schedule indicating milestones or delivery dates
• Whether services are periodic or recurrent
• GST and other taxes
• Applicable insurances
• Intellectual property rights were relevant

Assignment 3 will be assessed on the following criteria, which carry equal weighting:

• Appropriately and adequately addressing the task;
• Demonstrated critical understanding of relevant unit references;
• Clearly demonstrated understanding of the structure and considerations of a small business
• Proposal of realistic service offerings in response to the brief
• Level of professionalism in presentation including use of the recommended report structure, appropriate use and accuracy of language, spelling, grammar and editing, layout and format