APMFinally I can understand what Alex Watt want in P5, i passed p5 at 75 marks.

Hi Minh, Which school you attend and what is the lecturer name for P5? Thanks

Congrats and thanks for your comment. I'm having a challenge passing this exam and is about to give up. But I guess what I really need to do is practice, practice, practice...

Hi Guys, I just need to know is there any changes in the syllabus for december 2014 for P5 bcuz this time i failed in p5 and it was my third attemp and im probably going for self study.so plz guide me the changes in the syllabus in detail if there are any.can i use my previous notes for this december 2014 attempt?Plz guide me how to answer.I know the core material but i dont know what happend in exam that i failed 3 times. Please help me guys.

Minh....What does Alex want? I think he is a sadist whose work is to make us fail all the more. I wonder what pride is it to him when his subject lags behind with the lowest pass rates all the time? June sitting was too much of English testing than P5 principles. Am devastated. For me my failure is thanks to the examiner. I love P5, when i study it i understand it, and actually can even apply it at my work place, but whenever i go to the exam room, i find nothing related to what i studied, and even whats related, its just too twisted for me to understand what the examiner wants. And to the ACCA, we are your clients? we spend our hard earned money on this course, and personally i am dissatisfied with P5 examiner.

Hello, First of all lots of congratulations. I'm Suman Neupane from Kathmandu, Nepal. It was my first attempt on June 2014. I thought I had done well and hoped 65+ marks but I failed on 47. Now am afraid to appear P5 again on Dec session. If you have any materials for P5 preparation please do mail me, It would be a great favour. Email- [email protected] Thanks in advance.

Hi Minh Congrats for passing P5 with 75% score! Tell me please, what is Dr Watt really looking for? What technique did you apply in your studies and exams? please be kind enough to all of us who are suffering from the "P5 DISEASES" I really love this paper and I think it will help me when I start my MBA studies. You can contact me and share your study materials with me, email: [email protected]

Congratulation! i failed at 43 in P5 ,first attempt and P7 46, second attempt. I will appreciate if you can sens me any materials for P5 preparation also at [email protected] Thank you

Hi can u share the views abt how to past n I going to take p5 again which is my 3rd attemp by own study is that possible.tq

Congratulations for passing well, this was my 2nd attempt, I thought I did well but unfortunately I missed the boat. Which material did you use except BPP,Kaplan and OT?I need to decide on ACCA Provider to use for December.Thanks.

Hi Minh, Congratulation on completing this paper. I have been struggling with this paper failing it two times before. If you have any recent P5 study materials I would be so grateful if you can email them to me at [email protected]. Thanks a million

Congratulations ,i had 49 in my last P5 exam and been giving me shivers ,please send me materials at [email protected]

Hello guys, I passed at 74 too in my 4th attempt. My score was 47, 38, 48 and then 74! The question is how?? Let me ask you a simple question- how many of you know exactly what’s going on with Sony, Twitter, Nokia, Tesco's, Rio Tinto , Unilever in terms of their financial performance and strategy?? Most of you don’t, most of you can’t define what’s happening in real world and thats why you are here.as you are not fit to be a qualified ACCA and neither did I because I never cared enough about developing myself as a business professional. Senior managers and qualified accountants read business newspapers every day and if you ask them then they will be able to give you answers to my questions. I have full sympathy for those who don’t have guidance. Because best training providers fail to train candidates on most important aspects of P5. Well guys let’s think this way.. Tesco is doing really bad - which it is at the very moment. CEO wants you as an advisor to evaluate how the business can turn around with an aim to maintain market share, profitability and customer satisfaction. (8 marks) I use to answer and I know most of you guys would answer along the lines of 4 points mentioned below. I have then mentioned in brackets what examiner would want to see in your answer and why you don’t get 50%! - Reduce cost. This will improve profitability.------ (But how? Where? What impact will this have?) -Better marketing. This will improve market awareness amongst consumers and brand loyalty.-----(To target what/whom? What about cost implication? Is it necessary?) -Improved stocks on shelves. To maintain customer satisfaction.----(How? Do we have systems to do this? Will it improve customer satisfaction and if so why?? - Improve pricing, perhaps reduce the price. (What about margins? DO we have a plan to reduce costs too? What models can be used to close the gap? Should we source better cheaper supplier? If so will it reduce quality) If you answer all those questions in brackets above then you will be scoring at least 12-13 marks if questioned wasn’t capped at 8 marks. But instead majority of students give basic answers without a solution or further analysis into other things that affect businesses. The 4 points mentioned above will hardly fetch me 3 marks because all I have done is identified a strategy or solution to the problem. I haven’t analysed it . I haven’t provided how we can achieve it , neither have I given an example in relation to the company !!! Now look at the model answer below( its brief but mentions all the points required to score full marks. Answer: - Reduce Cost [What]-Focus on cutting costs in areas not adding enough value in supply chain (0.5 mark). Example can be suppliers, logistics , staff , systems.(0.5 marks) [How] There might be a need for an organisational restructure in reducing costs (0.5marks). Perhaps bring restructuring consultants specialised in the area (0.5marks) [Risks/implications] Staff morale might reduce due to panic. Exercise to reduce cost might be costly in itself. (0.5marks) Perhaps involve staff in change management to avoid any demotivation.(0.5 marks) - Improved Marketing [What] Target loyal customer in order to maintain market share. [0.5marks].Advertise more on loyalty cards and current offers through right channels of communication or maintain current client base. Advertise should be focused on comparisons of prices if new customers are to be attracted in order to improve or maintain market share.(0.5-1 mark). [How]- We need to ensure that we have budgets for it or savings within other budgets of overall marketing budget.(0.5-1mark) [Implication] There is always a risk that marketing might not be effective and might fail to win customers. To forecast check previous results and effectiveness of similar marketing campaigns.(1mark) - Improved stocks [What] Improve stock positioning to push improved volumes. 0.5 mark [How]. Improve stock positioning of items that are easy to sell (consumable like chocolates and drinks). Stop stocking slow moving brands as they might be a burden on supply chain. Use better stocking systems or models that gives detailed analysis to purchasing manager.(1 mark) [Implication] purchase items from better suppliers who provide good value for money. Stop stocking lower margin products. Improve the MI systems that give detailed view of stock and ensure that costs of this process improvement don’t exceed the benefits. 1 mark Guys I have only spoken about 3 main points and applied simple elaboration rules (How, What, Why, Implications, Example) and I am already scoring 9-10 marks or more. Sometimes students go blank during answering questions and can’t think of any ideas. The best thing to do is think of Mckinseys 7s( Systems , strategy , structure, staff , skills and style) They are all inter related. Changing one will have impact on all other S’s. For example change in systems means 1) u need to train staff for “skills”2) You might need a “restructure” and employ more people. 3) “Staff” will be worried of change etc. You will notice that similarly I have used many “S” in my answer on Tesco. Final advise, please do enough questions 20-30 and just use your basic business sense but write slightly more sophisticated business language to explain simple points. Don’t get too nervous. Nervousness is a killer! Use proper noise cancellation ear buds(not cotton buds!). It should be available online or pharmacy. Spend enough time reading questions and not giving an answer to different question. When you start your exam just try to forget theory of every topic you learned instead try to plan answer in a way as if you own that business. Then think of models or techniques to apply , if you cant then its fine , just apply your common sense and you will notice that even without thinking of a model you actually applied a model unknowingly in your answer. Best of Luck guys. Rohan

Rohan, Thank you very much!

I have further elaborated my advise with an example :- Question: There is an issue around systems not being adequate for the company. CEO is thinking of implementing new system . Evaluate the situation and impact on organisation if decision is pursued (12 marks) Technique for answering would be to apply Mckinseys 7s model to identify an point/issue and then elaborate by answering – [ How, why, impact, solution, example…whichever is more easily justified in case study and depending on marks allocated) Answer Change of systems will affect: 1) Strategy- This will affect long term- short term strategy. [Point identified] (0.5 mark) [How}- Implementation will take 3- 4 years therefore cost must embedded in budget . (1 mark) [Solution] - Communicate to ensure all budget holders are aware of this strategy change. (1 mark) 2) Staff- Morale might be affected [Point identified] 0.5mark [Why] - pressure to learn. Panic of change. 1 mark [solution]- involve staff in change management by communicating effectively 1mark [solution] - provide non financial reward for participation. Example – recognition , awards , prizes. 3) Skills- Training will be required. [How] -Bring consultants. Arrange training programs. [Impact] -Costly……… [Solution]….. 4) Structure- Need to suit new systems [what / why] - [Solution] - Bring restructuring consultants 5) Style- Does business have right attitude and culture that will benefit overall business? [what/why]………. [Solution/example] Survey staff, assess current controls and processes. By using the 2 techniques I have scored 12 full marks!!! Most of the students don’t answer this way . Use can replace Mckinseys model with other relevant model for example PEST or Pyramid or Building Blocks depending on question and case study(industry)! then elaborate it with [How,why,impact,risks , solution,example]. Alex wants you to interpret and analyse like a real business man! Write like one and you will soon find out that you have passed your exam with score of 70-75.

Thank you for sharing your views and advises.

Superb!!! Thank roro for your detailed explanation!

Thanks Rohan

dear rohan bundle of thankssss...

thanks~~

i am lucky i stumbled upon this thread on the eve of exam. if i haven seen roro post i probably would write short answers and definitely will fail again. i will learn the technique u teach and apply tomorrow! thanks roro.

Your suggestion is really helpful, brief and succinct. Thank you very much

No better explanation than this....Rohan thanx for the tips.

Rohan, Did you start with question 1 followed by the section 2 question in sequence?

Hi, Is there any publication or magazine that you can recommend? I noticed that Rohan quoted a lot of practical examples in his advice and was wondering how one can follow real life stories of business cases, in preparation for a P5 exam

Steven, Yes all markers/tutors I have heard from have recommended starting from Question 1, however optional questions you can be done in any order once you have attempted the first question. Best of luck R

llmage, I would recommend reading 25 mins any business news paper daily, instead of reading sports or celebrity news. If you want to take further interest into commercial companies, then log into "Google Finance" with your Google account and add 10 of your favourite listed companies in virtual portfolio . Then over time track their share performance, ratios and relevant news of those companies. All this tools are readily available on Google Finance, it will take you less than 2-3 hours how to use the site and choose those company's that differ in industry . Let me know if you struggle understanding Google Finance. R

My sense is that some case studies are derived from real companies, this would probably have been a story which made the headlines and would have been running for a while. If I choose specific companies, I might miss the big stories. Would Google Finance carry detailed general company news?

Roro, Under Google Finance , I was able to select the UK company news. Thanks

Hi All, sorry for not sharing with you more details about my experience in P5 after my previous posting. I just got STA in another country right after completing ACCA subjects and it took me time to catch up new things in new job. But today, ACCA Jun exam is coming, I recall my pressure before exam and search google for Alex Watt... then I see all your questions and answers. I believe that all of you already passed P5 in Dec 2014 exam, thank to precious advices of roro on 10 Nov 2014. I can't tell you more than that. However, I still want to tell you and send my gratefulness to my P5 lecturer, Mr. Tze Kang Chan at FTMS Hanoi. Until now, I still remember some of his lecture about performance measurement and management. Among all subjects of ACCA, I keep best memory about P5, not only because it's the last subject but also due to its applicability in my current job. P5 is all about performance of Organization and people in that org. But you have to define: 1. what are performances of org? (it depends on org's strategy, vision => its critial success factors) and those performance must include things in pairs: financial - non financial; long term - short term, internal - external ==> to get sustained development of Org. Be careful with performance measurement as it always goes with problems (gamings, tunnel vision, mispresentation, measure-fixation....) 2. In P5 questions, there are always organizations facing problems or considering changes (because changes in PESTEL, 5 forces....) you have to find out what are their problems? How to change? what model should be applied? Be careful! It's not always new model better than traditional model. One doesn't fil all. 3. Once the org decides to change =>7s is applied, see good things and bad things. Recommend how to deal with bad things 4. Alex Watt is brilliant. He does his own business and has wide knowledge about various business industry from manufacturing, service (hospital, education) and IT. He can mention Lean process, ERP,... you should prepare knowledge for this. Try to spend time on Financial times, The economist to catch up what's going on in economies and big groups. You can ask yourself what is the source of wealth for some famous company like Google, Apple, ABB, what are their critical success factors? their KPIs? why KPIs may change time to time? 5. Practice as many as you can, discuss your thinking, opinions about 1 question and how you plan to answer with your friend (better with your lecturer) to see if you get right direction. When you are clear what is asked and know how to answer, just keep your sentence short and simple but illustrate it with specific proof, don't just state your opinion without evidence. P5 is hard but fruitful when you take it, understand it and pass it. Good luck!

Big TNX to u Rohan Very useful tips Rohan