What is Required and Some Guidelines:

1. Select a company of your choice and provide some background information
   • Create a fictional company or base it on an existing company
   • The type of products/services it provides (skilled or semi-skilled workers etc.)
   • Why is the business expanding (new product development, major new client, increase in demand, etc)? 50 words
2. Analyze the employee requirements by applying the Human Resource Planning process
   • Stocktaking
   • Forecasting
   • Determine the gap – estimated surplus/deficits based on data gathered
   • Propose a plan of action (brief details regarding job analysis, job spec) 500 words
3. Discuss an appropriate recruitment campaign.
   • What type of candidates do you want to attract (skills, qualifications, experience, etc)?
   • How will you advertise the post (Social Media, jobs.ie, company website, local newspapers/radio, recruitment fairs, etc)
   • How will candidates apply for the position (LinkedIn, company portal, CV, application form, post, email, etc) 500 words
4. Selection techniques
   • Shortlisting (how will this be done, what criteria will you use)
   • What selection techniques will be used
   • Justify your selection technique/s (advantages, relevance to the job, etc) 500 words
5. Induction
   • Consider the survival curve (is high employee turnover an issue in this industry hospitality, retail, etc or is it more stable)
   • Onboarding techniques
   • How you will socialize new staff and minimize the risk of them leaving. 500 words
6. Equality and Diversity
   • Apply the employment equality act where you think it’s relevant during the human resource planning process (recruitment and selection for example – how will you avoid discriminating against an individual: personal specification details, types of interview questions you propose to ask, etc)
   • Demonstrate how the employer values diversity (does it already exist within the company, gender ratio, level of ethnic minority employees, etc). If not what plans are you putting in place to address this (positive discrimination measure, a quota system, etc.) 450 words

Structure of Report

1. Title page (name, student number, and class)
2. Plagiarism Disclaimer.
3. Introduction, Main body (with subsections), and conclusion.
4. Bibliography

ASSESSMENT BRIEF

Learning Outcomes

On completion of this module a successful student will be able to:

1. Recognize and analyze the structure of the music business, and appraise importantly contemporary issues in the discipline.
2. Interpret and evaluate key terms in music business contracts and agreements.
3. Discuss issues and communicate effectively with industry professionals and advisors.
4. Demonstrate a critical understanding of career planning, business planning, and self-management issues.

Assignment Questions:

1. Define and discuss the structure of the contemporary music business?
2. Identify recording, publishing, and live music income streams?
3. Identify and evaluate key issues in the contemporary music industry?
4. Define and discuss key terms in management contracts, recording agreements, publishing contracts, and other relevant industry agreements?
5. Interpret and evaluate these terms using real-world examples?

Business Case Study (2,500 words)

• Present a critical case study analysis of a current music company, commenting on some or all of the following aspects where these are relevant.

These topics are suggested ideas, and you may find that you want to revise them or add other areas for discussion as you see fit:

1. The business plan of the company
2. The vision and ethos of the business
3. The ownership of the business
4. The history of the company
5. Their sector of operations (manufacturing/services/technology/etc.)
6. The management and staffing structure
7. The production and/or operation procedures
8. The public profile and marketing
9. The company’s USP
10. The company’s competitors
11. The artist roster and A&R policy (where relevant)
12. Legal and copyright issues relevant to the company
13. The company’s use of technology and new media
14. How the company is positioned in relation to current developments in the industry
15. The company’s international profile

• Comment critically on the relative strengths and/or weaknesses of the company, in these and other areas. Use appropriate reading and secondary research, including a fully referenced bibliography.