This work is undertaken by individuals who operate a small business.

The unit is suitable for existing micro and small businesses or a department in a larger organisation.

ELEMENT

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA

1. Develop OPERATIONAL STRATEGIES AND PROCEDURES

1.1. Develop an action plan to provide a clear and coherent direction, in accordance with the business goals and objectives

1.2. Identify occupational health and safety (OHS) and environmental issues and implement strategies to minimise risk factors

1.3. Develop a quality system for the business in line with industry standards, compliance requirements and cultural criteria

1.4. Develop performance measures and operational targets to conform with the business plan

1.5. Develop strategies for innovation, including the utilisation of existing, new or emerging technologies, where practicable, to optimise business performance

2. Implement operational strategies and procedures

2.1. Implement systems and key performance indicators/targets to monitor business performance and customer satisfaction

2.2. Implement systems to control stock, expenditure/cost, wastage/shrinkage and risks to health and safety in accordance with the business plan

2.3. Maintain staffing requirements, where applicable, within budget to maximise productivity

2.4. Carry out the provision of goods/services in accordance with established legal, ethical cultural and technical standards

2.5. Provide goods/services in accordance with time, cost and quality specifications, and customer requirements

2.6. Apply quality procedures to address product/service and customer requirements

3. Monitor business performance

3.1. Regularly monitor/review the achievement of operational targets to ensure optimum business performance, in accordance with the business plan goals and objectives

3.2. Review systems and structures, with a view to more effectively supporting business performance

3.3. Investigate and analyse operating problems to establish causes and implement changes as required as part of the business quality system

3.4. Amend operational policies and procedures to incorporate corrective action

4. Review business operations

4.1. Review and adjust business plan, as required, to maintain business viability, in accordance with business goals and objectives

4.2. Clearly record proposed changes to aid future planning and evaluation

4.3. Undertake ongoing research into new business opportunities and adjust business goals and objectives as new business opportunities arise

Required skills

analytical skills to develop criteria and targets for the business plan

communication skills to question, clarify and report

literacy skills to interpret legal requirements, company policies and procedures

numeracy skills to manage performance information and to control the finances

technology skills to use relevant business equipment.

Required knowledge

methods for developing and maintaining networks

methods for implementing operation and revenue control systems

methods for monitoring performance and implementing improvements

OHS responsibilities and procedures for managing hazards

principles of risk management relevant to the business, including risk assessment

quality system principles and methods

relevant industry codes of practice

relevant marketing, sales and financial concepts

relevant performance measures

role of innovation

systems to manage staff, stock, expenditure, services and customer service

technical or specialist skills relevant to the business operation.

The Evidence Guide provides advice on assessment and must be read in conjunction with the performance criteria, required skills and knowledge, range statement and the Assessment Guidelines for the Training Package.

Overview of assessment

Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit

Evidence of the following is essential:

developing strategies and procedures to successfully manage the operation of the business

making appropriate adjustments to the business operations as required

knowledge of quality system principles and methods.

Context of and specific resources for assessment

Assessment must ensure:

access to relevant documentation

candidate's individual circumstances and work in the context of running a small business, are the basis for assessment.

Method of assessment

A range of assessment methods should be used to assess practical skills and knowledge. The following examples are appropriate for this unit:

portfolio of evidence including operational strategies and procedures

oral or written questioning to assess knowledge of principles of risk management relevant to the business, including risk assessment

review of analysis of operating problems (establishing causes and implementing changes as required as part of the business quality system)

review of records proposing changes to the business operations.

Guidance information for assessment

Holistic assessment with other units relevant to the industry sector, workplace and job role is recommended, for example:

BSBSMB406A Manage small business finances

BSBSMB407A Manage a small team.

The range statement relates to the unit of competency as a whole. It allows for different work environments and situations that may affect performance. Bold italicised wording, if used in the performance criteria, is detailed below. Essential operating conditions that may be present with training and assessment (depending on the work situation, needs of the candidate, accessibility of the item, and local industry and regional contexts) may also be included.

Operational strategies and procedures may be determined by:

business premises (size, location, layout)

financial control systems and procedures

management and administrative systems and procedures

methods/techniques/technology

physical and natural resources

plant and equipment , including OHS requirements

premises, plant and equipment, which may be new or previously owned

purchase (sole or shared ownership) or leasing

raw materials

requirements, which may be one-off requirements or recurrent requirements (such as equipment maintenance) specific to the nature of the business

technology

use of existing, new and emerging technologies including e-commerce

Business goals and objectives may include:

customer needs/marketing projections

family or community benefits

financial projections

goals, objectives, plans, systems and processes

lifestyle issues

proposed size and scale of the business, market focus of the business

short-, medium- or long-term goals

social responsibility

Occupational health and safety and environmental issues must include:

controls, which may include instructions to workplace personnel concerning site hazards and controls, material safety data sheets, use of personal protective equipment, vehicle access, signs and barricades, traffic control, outside contractors

establishment and maintenance of procedures for assessing and controlling risks

establishment and maintenance of procedures for identifying risks to health and safety

waste and by-products

Quality system may include:

manual or computer quality control systems

quality assurance/management approaches

random inspections and assessments of goods and services against predetermined standards

random inspections and assessments of processes against predetermined standards

random sampling and follow-up of customers

Operational targets may include:

external targets, which may relate to market share and positioning and may involve exploring new markets, building national or international trade links

internal targets, which may relate to size, quality, quantity and diversity, wages to sales, sales to area/stock levels/stock turnover/average debtor payment periods and levels

staffing level and skills mix

targets, which may be short-, medium- or long-term

Technical standards may include:

current and generally agreed descriptions of what the product/service is, how it should be produced/delivered and the quality, safety, efficiency or other measures to determine the activity is done effectively

Unit sector

Management and Leadership - Small and Micro Business

This unit contains employability skills.