Course Title: Determine ecommerce planning processes

Part B: Course Detail

Teaching Period: Term1 2021

Course Code: MKTG8045

Course Title: Determine ecommerce planning processes

School: 650T Vocational Business Education

Campus: City Campus

Program: C6166 - Advanced Diploma of International Business

Course Contact: Sam Menai

Course Contact Phone: +61 3 9925 8805

Course Contact Email: sam.menai@rmit.edu.au


Name and Contact Details of All Other Relevant Staff

Nominal Hours: 70

Regardless of the mode of delivery, represent a guide to the relative teaching time and student effort required to successfully achieve a particular competency/module. This may include not only scheduled classes or workplace visits but also the amount of effort required to undertake, evaluate and complete all assessment requirements, including any non-classroom activities.

Pre-requisites and Co-requisites

None

Course Description

This course describes the skills and knowledge required to analyse business practices to determine ecommerce planning processes. It includes examining the international business environment and ecommerce trends


National Codes, Titles, Elements and Performance Criteria

National Element Code & Title:

VU22801 Determine ecommerce planning processes

Element:

1. Research international business environment

Performance Criteria:

1.1 Determine organisational objectives and priorities for international business environment. 1.2 Analyse internal and external operating environment, including competitive landscape. 1.3 Consider how ecommerce strategies can meet organisational objectives and priorities. 1.4 Consider ecommerce risk factors that may impact upon the organisation and strategies to mitigate risks. 1.5 Determine supply demand and consider logistics and reverse logistics.

Element:

2. Research trends in ecommerce

Performance Criteria:

2.1 Review past ecommerce performance data to inform planning. 2.2 Research trends in ecommerce and buyer behaviour and use findings to inform planning. 2.3 Research and analyse current ecommerce technologies and solutions that meet organisational objectives. 2.4 Integrate social media with ecommerce strategy.

Element:

3. Determine ecommerce requirements

Performance Criteria:

3.1 Determine organisational objectives and priorities for ecommerce operations. 3.2 Determine ecommerce resourcing and budget availability. 3.3 Review past ecommerce performance data to inform planning. 3.4 Ensure planning incorporates scenario and contingency planning. 3.5 Determine ecommerce security strategies to address organisational risk

Element:

4. Report on the ecommerce findings

Performance Criteria:

4.1 Present research to nominated stakeholders in accordance with the required format. 4.2 Discuss ecommerce scenarios with relevant personnel. 4.3 Document ecommerce findings, incorporating the views of others in accordance with organisational procedures.

Learning Outcomes


On completion of this course students will be able equipped with the skills and knowledge required to analyse business practices to determine e-commerce planning processes. It include examining the international business environment and e-commerce trends.


Details of Learning Activities

A range of learning activities are planned for this course including self-paced and collaborative classroom based activities.

The collaborative classroom based activities will include group discussion, group problem solving activities and opportunities to practice your skills in a simulated/real workplace environment.

We expect you to participate and contribute in all scheduled learning activities.

 


Teaching Schedule

Course Schedule

Week

Topic

Learning Materials and Activities

Assessment Remarks

1

 

Introduction to course schedule and discuss research trends in ecommerce and buyer behaviour  

 

 Course requirements and support documents / resources 

  • Course Canvas access 
  • Accuracy of enrolment 
  • Assessment requirements / Cover sheets 
  • Reminder re Plagiarism / Appeals 
  • Extensions / Resubmissions 
  • Feedback in this course 
  • Getting help 

This week we will explore ecommerce trends Internationally.  

Activity:  

  • Explore key trends in the international market and map to popular ecommerce businesses internationally.  

 

2

 

Determine organisational objectives and priorities for the International business environment 

 

This week we identify business goals and objectives in planning for ecommerce.   

Activity:  

  • Create SMART goals for ecommerce  

 

3

 

Analyse internal and external operating environment, including competitive landscape.   

 

This week we research background information of selected leading ecommerce businesses including SWOT analysis and gain an understanding of competitors.  

Activity: Discussion topics 

  • SWOT Analysis 
  • Competitor Analysis  

 

 

4

 

Understand how ecommerce strategies can meet organisational objectives and priorities  

 

This week we investigate creating a content marketing strategy including social media, blogging, enewsletters and video. Market positioning and target markets are explored.  

Activity: Discussion topics 

  • Target market creation and creating content for this audience 

 

 

5

 

Identifying ecommerce risk factors relative to the business  

 

This week we investigate a range of ecommerce risk factors including: supply chain issues, customer cancellations and returns, delivery timelines to customers, stock control and exchange rates.  

We explore types of ecommerce platforms and solutions and key legal and ethical consideration related to an ecommerce strategy.  

 

Activity: Discussion topics 

  • Ordering volumes  

 

 

6

 

Understand supply, demand and logistics and past ecommerce performance data to inform planning  

 

This week we discuss the process of reordering stock and managing the delivery schedule to timelines.  Data analytics, including web traffic and Google Analytics are discussed.   Sustainable practices are explored.  

  Activity: Discussion topics 

  • Web traffic report 
  • Process in placing reorders  

 

 

7

 

Analyse social media platforms and integrating relevant channels in line with an organisations strategy. 

 

 

This week we explore social media platforms. The focus is on integrating the relevant platform to meet the organisations strategy.  

  Activity: Discussion topics 

  • Developing a social media campaign 
  • AND student consultation on assessment 2 

 

8

 

Identify current ecommerce technologies and solutions to meet objectives. 

 

This week we investigate and explore a range of ecommerce technologies and solutions to meet an organisations objectives.  

  Activity: Discussion topics 

  • Key ecommerce technologies  

 

 

 

Break

 

9

Determine an organisations objectives and priorities for ecommerce operations and reviews past performance data to inform planning 

 

This week we explore operational roles in ecommerce and further analysis on performance data to inform planning.   

Activity 

  • Customer feedback forms  
  • Organisational structure planning for ecommerce  

 

10

 

Identify ecommerce resourcing and budget availability 

 

This week we will learn about the budget planning for ecommerce  

Activity 

  • Budget creation  

 

Assessment 1 

Due 

Assessment 1 Group Activity 

11

 

Understand ecommerce contingency planning 

This week we develop an understanding of ecommerce contingency planning if an activity does not go to plan.  

Ecommerce security strategies are addressed to minimise risk.  

Activity: 

  •  Discussion scenario and contingency planning  

 

12

 

Determine ecommerce security strategies to address organisational risk  

 

 This week we develop an understanding of ecommerce security including technology failure. Fraud, security encryption &SSL, and privacy.  

The testing and maintenance of ecommerce is explored to minimise risk.  

Activity 

  • Testing a variety of website speed and errors and security. 

 

13

 

Report on ecommerce findings 

 

This week we discuss further reporting on ecommerce international markets. The method of reporting and documenting research to nominated stakeholders is explored.  

Activity 

  • Prepare for Assessment task 2  

 

14

 

Course revision 

 

 

This week we will go through the entire course learning objectives as a general revision 

 

 

15

 

Assessments feedback and support 

 

 

This week will be dedicated to assessment feedback and support for students with needs 

Assessment 2 

Due 

16

 

Resit and Resubmit 

 

This week will be dedicated to re-submission of assessments if needed 

 

 
        17

 

Resit and Resubmit 

This week will be the final week for re-submission of assessments if needed 

 

  


Learning Resources

Prescribed Texts


References


Other Resources


Overview of Assessment

A range of assessment methods should be used to assess practical skills and knowledge. The following assessment methods are appropriate for this unit:

  • Project work
  • Written reports supported by practical assignments or tasks for individual assessment
  • Observation of workplace practice supported by personal interviews
  • Practical display with personal interview, presentations or documentation
  • Case studies.

Holistic assessment with other units relevant to the industry sector, workplace and job role is recommended.

Required Skills

You must demonstrate competency in this unit by providing evidence of the ability to:

  • analytical and information gathering skills to:
    • research and analyse ecommerce strategies 
    • conduct comparative analysis
    • conduct scenario and contingency planning
  • communication skills to:
    • relate to people from difference cultures
    • clarify issues
    • report on findings and processes
  • risk management skills to:
    • identify
    • assess
    • monitor
    • mitigate the impact of risk to international business

Required Knowledge 

Further, you must provide evidence of knowledge for the following:

  • ecommerce strategies
  • international business environment
  • basic economic concepts including:
    • supply/ demand
    • market/ planned/ mixed economy
    • how the market works
    • market forces
  • security requirements
  • organisational social media usage 
  • politico-economic trends
  • sources of finance

Evidence Guide

Critical aspects for assessment and evidence you are required to demonstrate competency in this unit are as follows:

  • researching the international business environment and the appropriateness of ecommerce strategies
  • researching the trends in ecommerce and buyer behaviour
  • analysing the organisational readiness for ecommerce strategies, the benefits and risks associated with it
  • knowledge of basic economic concepts and sources of finance

Feedback

Feedback will be provided throughout the semester in class and/or online discussions. You are encouraged to ask and answer questions during class time and online sessions so that you can obtain feedback on your understanding of the concepts and issues being discussed. Finally, you can email or arrange an appointment with your teacher to gain more feedback on your progress.

You should take note of all feedback received and use this information to improve your learning outcomes and final performance in the course.


Assessment Tasks

Summary and Purpose of Assessment

There are a total of two (2) assessment tasks students need to complete for this unit.

All assessment tasks need to be completed satisfactorily to be deemed competent in this course.

Assessment Task 1

You are required to analyse a case study and prepare a business plan for expansion.

This task is split into two parts – Part A and B as followed:

· Part A – Research report based on a case study

· Part B – In class discussion based on research findings

Assessment Task 2

This task you will be creating the implementation plan of Assignment 1

Complete the questions (and relevant documentation) to get the final approval on the Australian expansion project of Assignment 1


Assessment Matrix

The competency assessment map that maps all the assessment tasks is available on CANVAS unit mapping 

Course Overview: Access Course Overview