*** ACCA Paper SBL December 2019 Exam was.. Instant Poll and comments ***

@adityasoin said:
guys I had forgot BCG matrix components…so for 1(a) I used SWOT for each product line and in the end explained in which product line to invest….will I be able to score any marks despite of not using BCG?

absolutely, there’s no one definitive model for any question, in fact you don’t even have to use any model at all, as long as your answer makes the relevant points, you’ll score marks

Yes, I spoke about potential raw material supply issues (Cobalt in special which is relatively scarce) and battery life (battery will gradually deteriorate over time).

Friend, Corded Vacuum Cleaner had a lower market share with declining demand. Do you think these are OK for assessing the product as being “cash caw”?

Corded Vacuum Cleaner (low share and declining demand)= Cash Cow???

@caspian087 said:
Friend, Corded Vacuum Cleaner had a lower market share with declining demand. Do you think these are OK for assessing the product as being “cash caw”?

Corded Vacuum Cleaner (low share and declining demand)= Cash Cow???

I thought that the corded and cordless both had 20% market share, with their nearest competitor being 18% – 17.5% respectively or something to a similar effect. With only the robot vacuum cleaner not being a market leader.

@kachun19 said:
In Q3, I compared and contrasted each PESTEL elements in Westland and Amutland one by one.

However, after the exam, I just found that the most suitable model for Q3 was Porter’s Diamond, but I didn’t use Porter’s Diamond on Q3 in the exam.

Why I was not smart enough at the exam hall?

I also just compared them one by one. I don’t think it’s necc a problem to not do it within a model so long as you make relevant points including similar points to one’s you would have made under the model. Like mentioning more buyer power regarding the fact that one of the countries supplied more steal etc.

@saeedbostan said:
Pretty much echo what everyone is saying about the questions. What struck me was how little of the overall syllabus was testing. No governance, internal control, financial analysis or risk. Would have thought atleast one of these major topics would come up and I’m sure people would have spent a lot of time on preparing for these.

Looks like we should have mentioned something about risks in q 2a

I agree – the theories and frameworks are only there to help you generate points… once the points are relevant and sensible I think you will get marks regardless of whether a model was used or not

Summarisations from my answer..

the first vacuum i wrote dog and closing down the production line and there is no clear statements to say that the production line will become a supplier to Cash Cow and Stars.

Cordless cash cow i wrote stars and the investment needed for improvement in its innovative and technology of it as it will reach maturity level and effect to decline in LT.

This is because the robotic seems like to be the substitute product that can bring greater benefit where the product specifications stated already it is better and convenient for the consumer.

So, i consider this robot as a cash cow where the income of it will be transferred to Stars for further investment and potential of robot to become main production has been forecasted to be expected to improve in 10 years time!

Which means no need to worry on robot as its potential to become a market production line leader! Thus it is important to focus on Stars which is cordless to ensure the prodcution line will not cease!

I had not used any models just wrote depending on the case and it was difficult . Can anyone tell me using models is necessary ?. Will i loose marks for that.

Might be the odd one here!! BCG matrix i completely mixed up and said its an Ansoff matrix. Add to that, my mapping was as follows: Corded – Dog. In decline and recommended discontinue. Cordless – Cash cow. Minimum investment needed to maintain market share. Robotic Cordless – star.

I think a key issue in this question that some might have missed is the idea of “replacement purchases!” and a vacuum life cycle of 4-7 years. Now, if this makes sense to you, you might notice that if the Corded is in decline, its users will likely move to Robotic/Cordeless. Which ever way you look at it. I suggested they are to move to robotic and that would easily cover 750k customers that were short of them becoming market leader. So in a few years, this robotic would become cash cow. A lot of the money would then be used to subsidise the increasing costs of electric car R &D.

For me, i’ve been as weak with slides as one can be. That was my most difficult, and i left about five minutes to waffle. Don’t think i will get much on it.

External change drivers – i thought the government and market (customer uptake) would pose the greatest hurdle. Government subsidies, and customer demands like extended warranty being met would make for a successful product.

Q3 i used porters diamond. There were for me positives and negatives in both countries. I’ld like to suggest however, my conclusion was that the increase from 0.25 cars to 1 per head which was forecast is a good indication, but not sure how reliable this is. So i suggest it would be the developing country if this idea materialises, but then as it stands, i would suggest going with the safer established confirmed statistics of 0.5 in the developed country

Lastly, i’ld like to say something about the q4 that required an email. It came across to me as one that needed general staff movitation – i approached it this way “As you might all be aware, we’ve successfully concluded our first phase, are are excited to be moving to phase two. I’ve already had one to walk meetings with most of you to clarify your roles and responsibilities, but thought it better to send out a team email to let you know about org culture etc….”

There was absolutely no need for a calculator..

Sbl paper was very practical and interesting to read the scenario,the paper was fair but very practical and l had to think practically using professional judgement on applying the professional skills,l did answer according to the requirements.l believe above 50+1 pass because l finished.