In March, three parts of the final business plan - idea proposal, market analysis and financials - were drafted using process writing. The three processes are (1) individual writing guided by GenAI feedback, (2) reviewing by peers and combining the work of our whole group and finally (3) receiving comments from our instructor. Below are some samples from our writing process, showcasing the usefulness of different stages, which can be beneficial for future compositions.
Benefits
GenAI was an invaluable tool for brainstorming and fostering creativity. Often, our thinking could be constrained by our own cognitive limitations. However, GenAI allowed us to transcend these barriers, providing fresh perspectives and unique insights that we might not have considered. For instance, as we lacked firsthand experience in the catering industry, our understanding of it was inherently limited. GenAI broadened our horizons by suggesting potential resources necessary for launching a business venture in this field, thus saving us significant time spent on extensive internet research or consultations with industry professionals.
Additionally, GenAI served as a reliable checklist, ensuring all aspects of a project were covered. It could adeptly identify the fulfilled requirements of our work, as well as areas that were lacking or required further elaboration. This functionality enhanced the comprehensiveness and accuracy of our work.
Cautions
Despite these benefits, it was important to approach GenAI with a sense of caution. As the database it relied on might have contained outdated information, it might not always have provided the most current data that aligned with recent business environments or market trends. Its understanding of specific regional markets, such as Hong Kong, was also limited. For instance, when inquiring about our competitors, it might inadvertently have listed businesses that had ceased operations.
Moreover, it was crucial to recognize that the information provided by GenAI might not always have been accurate. Some details could have been misleading, necessitating a thorough fact-check on our part.
Finally, to maximize the utility of GenAI, we needed to precisely construct our prompts including the background information of our social enterprise and the goal we wished to achieve. This could help the AI grasp our exact meaning and provide the most relevant and useful information in return.
The process of working independently before engaging in a group discussion allowed us to bring diverse perspectives to the table. Through peer review, we were able to incorporate these unique insights into a comprehensive document for our instructor’s review.
Receiving feedback from peers
The peer feedback process was instrumental in helping me identify areas of improvement. It allowed me to see which aspects of the writing I may have overlooked or not delved deep enough into. For instance, thanks to my peers’ feedback, I realized that my research on competitors was insufficient. I was also introduced to fresh perspectives and innovative ideas such as workshops that I hadn’t previously considered, consequently broadening my thinking and enhancing my creativity.
Offering feedback to peers
Providing feedback to my peers served as a learning opportunity for me. It allowed me to appreciate their strengths, identify components they might have missed, and add value to their work. For instance, I encountered my peers’ ingenious solutions and intriguing ideas such as organizing a “challenge”. I was able to contribute by proposing suggestions that enhanced their concepts, making them more comprehensive, balanced and robust.
Rubric Evaluation
The rubrics in the first process writing task (business idea proposal) provided clear and quantitative insights into which aspects of our proposal were successful, as well as those areas where we fell short. For instance, we demonstrated the feasibility of our project, but it lacked a sense of urgency in addressing pressing social or environmental issues. Additionally, we didn’t clearly explain our revenue stream and establish that our operations could sustain us financially over the long term. These challenges prompted us to delve more deeply into the problem we were attempting to solve and to devise an innovative and profitable solution that could effectively address the issue at hand.
Detailed Comments
Our instructor highlighted some areas where our project could be improved.
In the second process writing task (market analysis), there is an inconsistency in our formatting. To enhance readability, we should utilize bullet points and other formatting tools more effectively.
Besides, our instructor showed her confusion with our target group, which was too broad. To ensure our solution meets the needs of our audience and aligns with our goal of addressing social problems, we need to refine our target demographic.
Moreover, our unique strengths such as more affordable pricing and higher quality of services need to be more clearly defined against our competitors. To stand out, we should highlight our strengths rather than only focusing on the weaknesses of others.
Our instructor’s feedback has been essential in identifying areas of ambiguity and potential confusion that we overlooked. This constructive and personalized feedback has empowered us to elevate the quality of our work significantly.