SAQA All qualifications and part qualifications registered on the National Qualifications Framework are public property. Thus the only payment that can be made for them is for service and reproduction. It is illegal to sell this material for profit. If the material is reproduced or quoted, the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) should be acknowledged as the source.
SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY 
REGISTERED UNIT STANDARD THAT HAS PASSED THE END DATE: 

Create and build an optimum advice environment 
SAQA US ID UNIT STANDARD TITLE
115819  Create and build an optimum advice environment 
ORIGINATOR
SGB Generic Management 
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY
-  
FIELD SUBFIELD
Field 03 - Business, Commerce and Management Studies Generic Management 
ABET BAND UNIT STANDARD TYPE PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL CREDITS
Undefined  Regular-Fundamental  Level 5  Level TBA: Pre-2009 was L5  5 
REGISTRATION STATUS REGISTRATION START DATE REGISTRATION END DATE SAQA DECISION NUMBER
Passed the End Date -
Status was "Reregistered" 		 2018-07-01  2023-06-30  SAQA 06120/18 
LAST DATE FOR ENROLMENT LAST DATE FOR ACHIEVEMENT
2024-06-30   2027-06-30  

In all of the tables in this document, both the pre-2009 NQF Level and the NQF Level is shown. In the text (purpose statements, qualification rules, etc), any references to NQF Levels are to the pre-2009 levels unless specifically stated otherwise.  

This unit standard does not replace any other unit standard and is not replaced by any other unit standard. 

PURPOSE OF THE UNIT STANDARD 
This Unit Standard is designed for learners who provide a business advising service, particularly to SMMEs. It will provide the skills and knowledge necessary for the business adviser to develop and maintain positive contacts with clients. It will also help the learner to create an enabling and positive climate in which a business advising service be offered.

The qualifying learner will be capable of:
  • Monitoring own activities in dealings with clients
  • Maintaining capability in specialist areas
  • Developing professional practices to adapt to technical and environmental changes
  • Developing and maintaining information and support networks and contacts 
    		•

    LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
    It is assumed that learners accessing this Unit Standard are competent in Computer Literacy, Mathematical Literacy and Communications at NQF Level 4 or equivalent. 

    UNIT STANDARD RANGE 
  • Business advising locations: at clients business premises, at client intended business premises, on business advisors premises, on premises supplied by business support organisation
  • Monitoring system: own, organisations, via peer groups and client contact
  • Sharing information opportunities: participating in conferences, seminars and workshops, respond to information from representative interested parties, disseminating views formally
  • Technical changes: statutory requirements affecting client business operations
  • Environmental changes: arising form political and funding change, social and economic pressures
  • Target achievement: time, cost, outcomes, process, impact on performance 
    		•

    Specific Outcomes and Assessment Criteria: 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 1 
    Monitor own activity in dealing with clients. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The professional and ethical codes of conduct applicable to the business adviser are known and explained with examples of ethical and unethical conduct in the industry. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Ways of greeting customers and handling queries and complaints are identified and applied in practical situations. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Meetings with clients are arranged according to standard practice in the industry. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    Client confidentiality is maintained throughout, and is not compromised by monitoring review and supervisory procedures. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    A review of the business advice given during the meeting is performed afterwards to ensure that the advice meets with the agreed outcomes of the assignment. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 6 
    Personal performance is evaluated to ensure consistent, professional and ethical practices and to identify any areas for improvement. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 2 
    Maintain capability in specialist areas. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Formal mechanisms for maintaining specialist competence and keeping abreast with latest knowledge are identified and adopted wherever possible. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Changes in the sector in which the client operates are identified from media reports and other sources so that the advice given to the client is relevant and up to date. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Opportunities are taken to share appropriate information, options and trends with peer specialists. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    Appropriate input and accreditation mechanisms are assessed to improve and accredit continuing personal competence. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 3 
    Develop professional practice to adapt to technical and environmental changes. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    A personal action plan is produced which identifies appropriate ways to maintain and develop personal professional practice. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Personal action plans identify needs and options, costs of options, and targets for achievement are developed to meet objectives. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    The personal plan is periodically updated to recognise areas of achievement and to introduce revised objectives in the light of personal improvement. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    Professional practice is adapted to respond to the changing environment of the business operation. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    Opportunities are taken to share knowledge and experience with significant others. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 6 
    Information regarding technical and environmental change is accessed and evaluated critically to determine its impact on client business. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 4 
    Develop and maintain information and support networks and contacts. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Sources of information outside own organisation are identified who can help the SMME to achieve its objectives. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Levels and frequency of contact is established and maintained which is appropriate to building an optimum advice environment. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Contacts are communicated in a manner which will promote mutual understanding, goodwill and co-operation for the business. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    Information requests from SMMEs are responded to promptly and constructively in order to build an advice environment. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    Contacts and networks are used to provide opportunities for SMMEs without compromising confidentiality. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 6 
    Owners/managers are encouraged to develop and use networks and contacts to increase the available business opportunities. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 7 
    The effectiveness of networks and contacts are monitored and developed on a regular basis in line business requirements and standards. 


    UNIT STANDARD ACCREDITATION AND MODERATION OPTIONS 
  • An individual wishing to be assessed (including through RPL) against this Unit Standard may apply to an assessment agency, assessor or provider institution accredited by the relevant ETQA.
  • Anyone assessing a learner against this Unit Standard must be registered as an assessor with the relevant ETQA.
  • Any institution offering learning that will enable achievement of this Unit Standard or assessing this Unit Standard must be accredited as a provider with the relevant ETQA.
  • Moderation of assessment will be conducted by the relevant ETQA at its discretion. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD ESSENTIAL EMBEDDED KNOWLEDGE 
  • Ethical and professional considerations
  • People and organisations who have potential to benefit the SMME 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD DEVELOPMENTAL OUTCOME 
    N/A 

    UNIT STANDARD LINKAGES 
    N/A 


    Critical Cross-field Outcomes (CCFO): 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO IDENTIFYING 
    Identifying and solving problems directly related to own business and professional behaviours with the intent to grow and develop themselves. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO WORKING 
    Working effectively with others to elicit and extract vital information pertaining to their own business behaviours. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO ORGANISING 
    Organising and managing oneself and one's activities responsibly and effectively in order to recognise poor business behaviours. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO COLLECTING 
    Collecting, analysing, organising and critically evaluating information which will impact on their own behaviours and future potential, and that of the owner/manager of the SMME. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO COMMUNICATING 
    Communicating effectively with all stakeholders in the pursuit of information pertaining to the creation of an optimum advice environment. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO SCIENCE 
    Using science and technology effectively in the gathering, recording and analysing of information, which can build an optimum relationship. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO DEMONSTRATING 
    Demonstrating an understanding of the world as a set of related systems by recognising that problem-solving contexts do not exist in isolation and that problems in one area of a business can affect the eventual financial viability of the organization. 

    UNIT STANDARD ASSESSOR CRITERIA 
    N/A 

    REREGISTRATION HISTORY 
    As per the SAQA Board decision/s at that time, this unit standard was Reregistered in 2012; 2015. 

    UNIT STANDARD NOTES 
    N/A 

    QUALIFICATIONS UTILISING THIS UNIT STANDARD: 
      ID QUALIFICATION TITLE PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL STATUS END DATE PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QA FUNCTIONARY
    Core  48886   National Certificate: Business Advising  Level 5  Level TBA: Pre-2009 was L5  Passed the End Date -
    Status was "Reregistered"     		 2010-11-11  Was SERVICES until Last Date for Achievement 
    Elective  79886   National Certificate: Business Advising  Level 5  NQF Level 05  Passed the End Date -
    Status was "Reregistered"     		 2023-06-30  SERVICES 


    PROVIDERS CURRENTLY ACCREDITED TO OFFER THIS UNIT STANDARD: 
    This information shows the current accreditations (i.e. those not past their accreditation end dates), and is the most complete record available to SAQA as of today. Some Primary or Delegated Quality Assurance Functionaries have a lag in their recording systems for provider accreditation, in turn leading to a lag in notifying SAQA of all the providers that they have accredited to offer qualifications and unit standards, as well as any extensions to accreditation end dates. The relevant Primary or Delegated Quality Assurance Functionary should be notified if a record appears to be missing from here.
     
    NONE 


    All qualifications and part qualifications registered on the National Qualifications Framework are public property. Thus the only payment that can be made for them is for service and reproduction. It is illegal to sell this material for profit. If the material is reproduced or quoted, the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) should be acknowledged as the source.