*** March 2023 ACCA SBL exam – Instant Poll and comments ***

Bazakke question ( Book seller)

Role of senior management consultant.

I did 100% paper that’s the best thing.
There were some good parts , some average parts.
Let’s see what the result day will offer!

I had bazake co too but there was no question about responsible leadership!

The same goes for me
the fact that I used no model and no calculations were involved makes me nervous:\

I dropped every now and then some words like – aquiring competitor business could only have apparent synergies and be a value trap if that operating profit is not reviewed to make sure the assumptions were relevant.
There was value chain- i feel i could have wrotten better there!
I think the paper was more about using technologies to improve competitive advantage… but yeah; i feel I waffled a bit in some parts- like part of risks and internal controls/ mitigations was very vague information in text.

It seemed to easy but I think I waffled alot. I used SFA test and swot analysis that’s it. No other model came to mind to use.

What was the other exam like if there were two additions?

The one I sat had the financial and non-financial benefits and issues for the two proposals on question 1.

Question 2 was benefits of AI technology in the bookshop and warehouse

Question 3 was on corporate governance and changes needed to convince the executive director to comply with the code ahead of looking to become listed.

Question 4 was internal control weaknesses and recommendations and four lines of defence.

Question 5 was the qualities required for effective leadership to motivate staff which was a presentation.

Cant wait to review the exam answers when released as I feel like I waffled or didn’t write enough in some areas

Fingers crossed everyone!

Yes that was it, it did say to critically comment on their discussion.

Before reading your comment I was sure I would get good marks on that question, now I feel I ignored the requirement I just critically commented the opinions.

Yikes, am I the only that didn’t finish??

Missed the first 22 marks question on x2 strategic choices as thought I’d have time to go back to it 🙁

Felt the rest were answered ok but what do you think the chances are of passing having not finished the exam?

Does anyone write the four working days a week or work from home can effectively improve the staff motivation in question 5?

The online book sales can be used more than the physical sales, so the working day can suggest to be reduced.

Technical article has also mentioned this point.

Did anyone receive assurance mapping about 4 lines of defence question? I’m writing for all 4 lines of defence with empoyee, manager, internal audit & external audit based on technical article..not sure correct or not..

I also get the question on AI about how to use in bookshop and warehouse. The question mention do not write about online selling, so I just wrote how AI could help customers to find their books and staff will be more motivated in bookshop, help in inventory management in warehouse etc.

The first question I didn’t calculate much, just mention all the financial and non financial with pros and cons for evaluation skill..this part total 24marks..

Q5 I got the leadership quality to provide in presentation slides..

Overall I feel I think this paper quite need some common sense answer, will see how when the result out.

Yes same here.

In the proposals just need to talk about the financial and non-financial benefits/problems.

Not much to calculate no numbers given except sales price and some profits and margins.
Still should be good.

Q5 was the slides on leadership. I just made a slide with a title and bullet-pointed qualities a leader needs and explained as to how it can help in the notes section