SBL exam in general

It depends a little on the requirements but: (a) If you are asked to give advice eg choose between alternative strategies, try a structure like: 1 Summarise the evidence from the exhibits. However, do not simply copy data from question to answer (no marks for copying!), move it forward eg by working our % sales increases, or changes in % market share, or the size of competitors. Always move things forward 2 Draw Inferences from this data eg that the strength and size of competition makes it unlikely that the company would be able to compete on costs. This is where models can sometimes help. 3 Come to a conclusion/recommendation. This might all be dressed up as a report. (b) If you are asked to brief the board eg by producing PowerPoint slides, go from summarising the situation, perhaps briefly describing an approach/model, then reach a conclusion if required. Don't worry too much at the start about finding a model that fits. Concentrate on a common-sense, logical approach and use models only if they help you to make sense of the situation and suggest possible responses to the problem.

Hi Ken, my tutor strongly advised that if conclusions are not asked for then not to bother because of time constraints. Will we lose marks if we dont include conclusions? Appreciate its a professional paper and a report without a conclusion even if not asked does not seem like a real life situation.

I agree. My opening sentence for approach (a) did say 'If asked to give advice...'. Your advice would be the conclusion/recommentation.

thats a good point, for some reason I assumed the question would explicity say give a conclusion. Thanks very much, I will keep an eye out for if the questions is specifcally asking for advice