ASSIGNMENT TASK:
Much research has been undertaken into the challenges facing Small and Medium Sized Enterprises (SMEs) in
2022. Design a digital infographic outlining an innovative solution to ONE of the challenges facing SMEs in a
sector of your choice.

Select ONE challenge from those listed on the next page and propose an innovative solution to address the
impact of the challenge on the SME business within a sector of your choice.

 Supply chain issues
 Technology adaption
 Green transition
 Recruitment and Retention
 Cyber Attacks
 Customer channel complexity
Focus on attention to detail, quality of work and overall academic standards.
For additional guidance on this assignment, please access the assignment vodcast available on Canvas.
MARKING CRITERIA:
In addition to the Generic Grading Criteria for HE work at Level 6, the following content must be included:
 The Challenge: Use compelling and convincing data/evidence to outline the specific challenge facing
SMEs within your chosen sector and the impacts it has on their business (25 marks)
 Your Innovative Solution: What does your solution comprise of? How will it work? Will there be any
challenges for the SME in implementing it? (35 marks)
 Impact: Be specific. What sort of positive impact will the proposed solution have on your chosen SME
sector? (20 marks)
 Infographic Design: Design your proposal by using effective visual presentation tools (icons, symbols,
colours, images, words, fonts etc.) (20 marks)
The infographic should be professionally laid out and make good use of space

This assignment will require you to become familiar with and use online software called Canva. Please
follow this online guide for Canva and contact the DICE team on [email protected] if you need any
further support.

LEARNING OUTCOMES:
1. To evaluate the contemporary challenges evident within the global business environment and the
impact on the SME sector.
2. To critically assess the concepts of entrepreneurship, innovation and creativity and their role in the
development and growth of SMEs

SKILLS OUTCOMES:
Vocabulary knowledge

 Can clearly understand key concepts and principles and express them accurately
 Can use subject-specific language and terminology accurately

Use of sources

 Can use a range of sources both from reading lists as well as wider reading
 Can use sources to support/refute points being made
 Can apply models and theories to offer explanations and reasons
 Can quote and paraphrase proficiently, although sometimes not always effectively

Critical writing

 Can write in a confident academic style
 Can analyse and evaluate, as well as compare and contrast, ideas from sources
 Can evaluate sources for their quality/reliability
 Writing is beginning to use a ‘They say/I say’ approach and the student can offer
commentary on what the literature is saying

Critical reading

 Additional sources are chosen based on their relevance and quality
 Information used from the sources is relevant
 Wide and varied range of sources

GENERAL ASSIGNMENT GUIDANCE:
Teamwork and ITS
Assessment

Should this assignment require you to work as part of a team, you will
receive an individual grade based upon your performance as well as

personalised feedback. The module leader will explain how your individual
grade and feedback will be determined.

Importance of Word Count
and Presentation Timings

Assignment word counts and presentation timings should always be
observed. Ignoring a word count increases significantly the risk of your work
losing marks because it lacked focus and clarity. Students will be required to
state their word count on all submissions. A 10% leeway will be allowed – so
the maximum a student should submit will be the word count + 10%.
The word count will exclude:
o The title page
o The contents page
o Models, graphs, data tables and other exhibited figures or
images
o Lists of references
o Appendices (these should be kept to a minimum)
In addition, timings must be observed for assessed presentations for the
same reasons.

E-submission http://www.ucb.ac.uk/handbook/academic-matters/assessment-issues.aspx
Cut-off date for late work http://www.ucb.ac.uk/handbook/academic-matters/assessment-issues.aspx
Grading criteria http://www.ucb.ac.uk/handbook/academic-matters/assessments-fairness-

and-marking.aspx

Plagiarism http://www.ucb.ac.uk/handbook/academic-matters/plagiarism.aspx
Extenuating Circumstances http://www.ucb.ac.uk/handbook/academic-matters/assessments-if-things-

go-wrong.aspx

UCB Referencing Guide https://portal.ucb.ac.uk/download/referencing/referencing-guide.pdf
Access the Assignment Life
Cycle https://ucbirmingham.instructure.com/courses/26756