Elements and Performance Criteria

Methods include:
written and verbal communication
planning
Budgets and targets may be for:
finances
sales
stock throughput
work won
Financial information may include:
hourly rate components
expenditure on jobs, at hourly rate
income from jobs, at hourly rate
supplier invoices
stock documents
Unplanned costs may include:
accident
burglary/loss
damage
Business or department income may be sourced from:
retail labour sales
component sales
accessories and other items
margins on sublet jobs
government employment incentives
Business costs and margins may include:
general expenses
fixed expenses
on costs
rework component
profit margins
Corrective action in response to budget discrepancies may include:
reassessing budget
reducing costs
changing procedures
Business promotions may relate to:
regular advertising
special campaigns
Displays may include:
stock and other merchandise
enterprise signage
promotional and advertising material

This unit of competence applies to the following and should be contextualised to the qualification to which it is being applied:
RS&R

Enterprise operating procedures
Product manufacturer/component supplier specifications
Customer requirements
Industry/workplace codes of practice

State/Territory OH&S legislation
Award provisions

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

It is essential that competence is fully observed and there is ability to transfer competence to changing circumstances and to respond to unusual situations in the critical aspects of:

contributing to the budget process, managing expenses in order to maintain levels of profitability within the specific area of responsibility, and contributing to the planning of business promotions

Underpinning knowledge
Accounting principles
How to set a budget
Hourly rate components, based on general industry models/formulas
Responses to a range of budget and target situations in the workplace
Marketing concepts and principles

Specific key competencies, underpinning and employability skills required to achieve the performance criteria
These include a number of processes learned throughout work and life, which are required in most jobs. Some of these are covered by the national key competencies, although others may be added. The details below highlight how these competencies are applied in the attainment of this unit.

Application of the key competencies in this unit are to satisfy the nominated level in which:

Level 1 - relates to working effectively within set conditions and processes;
Level 2 - relates to management or facilitation of conditions or processes; and
Level 3 - relates to design, development and evaluation of conditions or process.
How will the candidate apply the following key competency in this unit? The candidate will need to:

Collect, analyse and organise information
Collect, organise and understand information related to contributing to business improvement
(Level 2)

Communicate ideas and information
Communicate ideas and information to customers and supervisors related to contributing to business improvement
(Level 2)

Plan and organise activities
Plan and organise activities related to contributing to business improvement
(Level 2)

Work with others and in a team
Work with others and in a team by seeing and conveying information related to the planning, sequencing and completion of the task
(Level 2)

Use mathematical ideas and techniques
Use mathematical ideas and techniques to count and measure
(Level 3)

Solve problems
Establish diagnostic processes which identify methods related to contributing to business improvement
(Level 2)

Use technology
Use the workplace technology related to contributing to business improvement
(Level 2)

Context of, and specific resources for assessment
Underpinning knowledge and skills may be assessed on or off the job
Assessment of practical skills must take place only after a period of supervised practice and repetitive experience. If workplace conditions are not available, assessment in simulated workplace conditions is acceptable
Prescribed outcome must be able to be achieved without direct supervision

Method of assessment

Practical assessments:

calculate and review hourly rate, based on supplied business costs and margins
discuss current budget status, based on provided data
achieve department budgets
discuss strategy for treatment of debtors and bad debts
prepare analysis of current enterprise/department promotional strategies and recommendations for adjustments

Specific resource requirements for this unit

The following should be made available:

enterprise stationery, telephone, forms/business documents