For this task, I am to research on three different small businesses. The businesses I have chosen are Quokka, where my mum works part-time. Squidgeys, which is a fish and chip shop in Mt Pleasant and the café that my mum’s cousin works at, being a café means that it is Service.

To begin the task I will be writing up three different questionnaires, one per business. The questionnaires will relate in some form, but will still be different, being specific to the business it will be handed to.

In researching the businesses I have chosen, I will need to find out the general information about them, i.e. name, service/product provided, location etc and also need to investigate the following information into the businesses:

• Role and function of each of the businesses to the economy
• Business structure (advantages/disadvantages)
• Legal requirements faced by the businesses
• Financial information – How the businesses began
• Health and Safety policies
• Human resource management policies and issues
• Staffing, roles, qualities, skills (employees and owner)
• Technology used in the business (past, present, future)
• Future of the (your opinion)
• And any other relevant information

To complete the task I have made up a time plan that outlines what parts of the task I will have to complete by each week. If I follow this time plan effectively I will be able to complete the task easily and efficiently.

I will write up questionnaires to each of the three businesses to begin my research on them. After that, if possible I will collect any other information, from the Internet, pamphlets etc. With this information I will draft out a detailed report and finalise it in the last couple of weeks, making sure I have kept all drafts and a bibliography.