New to AS Business ( BUSS1/BUSS2) | Step Up to A2 Business (BUSS3 / BUSS4)
Strategy, Change & Culture: Moya Greene Seems to be Delivering!
“Our strategy is delivering. The transformation of Royal Mail is well underway”.
That’s the view of Moya Greene, CEO of Royal Mail, as she announced the full year results for Royal Mail to 31 March 2013 today.
As students who attended our BUSS4 Exam Coaching Workshops will recall, I think that Royal Mail is one of the very best research case studies to use for both Section A (organisational culture) and Section B essays in the BUSS4 exam.
The latest financial results of Royal Mail Group are packed full with useful insights and data which could be used effectively to support paragraph points in a BUSS4 essay.
Here are just a few examples:
read more...»AQA AS Business (BUSS2) - Exam Topic Tracker
As each sitting of BUSS2 is completed, it is possible to build up a useful picture of the way in which the BUSS2 specification is examined. Which topics have been examined more than once? Are there key topics which have not yet been addressed in the BUSS2 exam? Where are the calculation marks earned?
Our AQA AS Business (BUSS2) Exam Topic Tracker is a free download which can help you keep track of the exams. The link is below. We’ll update the file (the link stays the same) after each exam sitting. The latest version includes all BUSS2 sittings up to and including January 2013.
Download AQA AS Business (BUSS2) Exam Topic Tracker
Students may find it helpful to test their BUSS2 subject knowledge and understanding by trying our BUSS2 revision quizzes. We also have a full collection of BUSS2 revision questions available for our mobile app via Zondle.
We also recommend students getting hold of a copy of our BUSS2 Revision Guide.
AQA A2 Business (BUSS4) - Exam Topic Tracker
There have been seven sittings of the BUSS4 exam now, based on the first four research briefings (Emerging Markets, UK Recession, Corporate Social Responsibility, Takeovers and Mergers).
Here is our AQA BUSS4 Exam Paper Topic Tracker which allows colleagues to see how the BUSS4 topics have been examined so far.
Download AQA GCE Business BUSS4 Topic Tracker
We also recommend that BUSS4 students make use of the following resources:
Ultimate Guide to BUSS4 Essay Writing
Our BUSS4 Organisational Culture Blog Channel
BUSS4 Online Research Clinic Organisational Culture - June 2013
Online Clinic to Provide Support for BUSS4 Section A Research on Organisational Culture
Wednesday 22 May 2013 9.00 pm
We're holding a free online research clinic to support students completing their research on the BUSS4 Section A research theme of Organisational Culture.
This one hour session will just focus on Section A - not the other topics in Section B which we will cover in a later session in June.
Students - in order to participate (i.e. ask a question; comment on discussion threads) you will need to be logged in using your Facebook or Twitter account when the online revision clinic goes live at 9.00 p.m. on Wednesday 22 May 2013 - here on this blog entry.
Please note:
- We cannot guarantee to answer all questions submitted
- Only submit one question at a time: multiple submissions of the same question will lead to you being blocked!
- Check whether the question you want to ask has already been answered - particularly if you join us mid-way during the clinic
- A full transcript of the clinic will be available on this blog URL as soon as the clinic has ended
Ultimate Guide to BUSS4 Essay Writing
Our BUSS4 Organisational Culture Blog Channel
read more...»Business response to the economic environment: zero hours contracts
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Help with the OCR F297 decision tree
We covered the topic of the decision tree in the F297 case study (Cavendish Cycles Ltd) in some detail in the toolkit supporting the exam, and some of you may be having a go at another example I prepared for an F297 mock exam that I posted earlier this week. Here's how to work out the answers...
Strategy & Leadership - Harriet Green at Thomas Cook Outlines Her Strategy
We've previously highlighted the arrival of Harriet Green as the new CEO of Thomas Cook as a great research example for business students. New CEOs - particularly those recruited externally - tend to dive straight into "strategic reviews" which then result in changes in strategic direction, disposal of non-core businesses etc. Harriet Green is no exception. And in this YouTube clip, she outlines her proposed strategy for the ailing travel industry business.
The clip is almost two hours in length. However, it is the first section (from about 3 minutes 30 in) which is particularly interesting and relevant for business students. You get a strong sense of Harriet Green's personality from the presentation and a clear statement of her strategic objectives for the business.
read more...»BUSS1 Online Revision Clinic May 2013
Online Revision Clinic - Thursday 16 May 2013 9.00 pm (BST)
As part of our support for students preparing for BUSS1 in May 2013 we are once again running a one-hour online revision clinic. The clinic enables students to pose questions to our teacher panel, leaving a few days to act on the advice before the exam. The online revision clinic will be hosted here on this blog entry - so please save this URL to your favourites if you would like to participate.
Students - in order to participate (i.e. ask a question; comment on discussion threads) you will need to be logged in using your Facebook or Twitter account when the online revision clinic goes live at 9.00 p.m. GMT.
Prior to joining in with the revision clinic, students may find it helpful to test their BUSS1 subject knowledge and understanding by trying our BUSS1 revision quizzes.
We also recommend students getting hold of a copy of our BUSS1 Revision Guide.
Before submitting your question or comment, please take a few seconds to scroll through the transcript to see if someone has already answered your point.
Also, we cannot guarantee that every comment or question will get a response - hopefully most will. So please patient.
A full, permanent transcript of this revision clinic will be available a few minutes after the revision clinic ends here on this blog URL.
Don't forget that you can follow the panelists on Twitter for further support (and for other AQA AS/A2 units) - a great place to start is the BUSS1 hashtag
read more...»
Leadership & Culture: The Depends On Factors that will Determine Apple’s Future?
Can Apple's CEO Tim Cook provide the right leadership to sustain the firm's reputation for innovation?
That's the question posed in this short Businessweek article which looks at three key factors which may determine whether Apple's innovative culture can be sustained and nurtured.
It's a good piece and well worth reading not just as an example of analysis and evaluation!
read more...»Business Studies Exam Technique Coaching & Revision Workshops in 2014
The proposed dates and locations for our popular programme of exam technique coaching & revision workshops for AS/A2 and GCSE Business Studies is now available. The details are listed below together with important information about changes in way that bookings are processed.
read more...»New to AQA AS Business Studies - CPD & Resource Booster Course
The Essential Resource-Boosting CPD Course for AQA BUSS1 & BUSS2: Tuesday 18 June 2013
Venue: Holiday Inn, Kensington Forum, London
Address: 97 Cromwell Road, London , SW7 4DN
Presenters: Graham Prior and Michelle Stephenson
We've put this new CPD course together to provide a boost for teaching colleagues who are new to teaching the AQA BUSS1 & BUSS2 units or who would like to refresh their teaching approach and resources.
New to AQA AS Business Studies 2013 is packed with teaching ideas, approaches and resources which can be used with immediate effect when BUSS1 and BUSS2 teaching resumes in September 2013.
Delegate places are priced at £190 (+VAT) to include all refreshments, lunch and a bumper pack of teaching materials!
We've also got a special rate for NQTs (up to 2 years post qualification) - at just £100 (+VAT) for the day
To book your place, please complete this online form
You can also order places directly from our online store
or email Janet Cahill in the tutor2u office with our requirements
3 Businesses That Have Thrived during the Economic Downturn
It is now six years since the global financial crisis triggered a prolonged downturn in economic activity. The UK economy, like other developed economies, has struggled to escape from a period of stagnant economic growth.
However, despite the weak economy, many UK firms have succeeded in significantly growing their revenues and profits.
Here are three examples of such businesses. Their strategies for success are different – but there are also some similarities.
Can you compare and contrast these three – and also identify some other businesses that have enjoyed similar success despite the tough economic environment?
You might also consider:
- What factors have driven revenue growth at each of the three
businesses?
- Has their growth strategy been based on organic or external
development?
- To what extent has their growth been driven by international
expansion?
- Do you think their recent success can be sustained?
- What factors might that continued success depend on?
OCR A2 F297 Mock Exam Paper
If you've been working through the F297 toolkit you'll have seen some of our 'best guesses' on the topics you might want to pay especially close attention to in your preparation for the exam, which is based on the CCL case study.
I've put together another set of exam questions (including a decision tree exercise) if you want some more practice.
The greatest living Briton?
That may be over-stating it a bit, but it's not often that the BBC's Political Editor calls a football manager "...the mastermind of one of Britain's greatest brands." Nick Robinson is clearly somewhat biased, as a self-confessed Man United fan, but the piece he wrote on Thursday to justify his off-the-cuff comment, in which he did jokingly suggest that Sir Alex Ferguson was 'the greatest living Briton', suggests that students of leadership, management and business culture should reflect on what led to his success.
AQA BUSS1 Thinking Skills Bingo
Fresh out of the tutor2u Learning Laboratory! Graham Prior and Jon Clark have produced this brand new version of Thinking Skills Bingo which is specifically designed to support student revision for AQA BUSS1 (Planning & Starting a Business)
You can order AQA BUSS1 Thinking Skills Bingo right now from our online store.
The network licence for this resource is just £15!
This engaging lesson activity is ready-to-use. Just add students!
read more...»Business Studies Revision Quizzes - Master Listing
[Updated 10 May 2013]
We're updating, upgrading and extending our collection of business studies revision quizzes here on tutor2u. Set out below is a list of the existing revision quizzes which we've grouped into some broad topic categories. Each time we add a new quiz, it will appear below on this list. Have fun, revise hard, and don't forget to save the revision quizzes you like to your favourites and share links to them on Facebook and Twitter.
Where relevant, we have indicated the qualification level for which the questions are particularly intended (e.g. "GCSE")
read more...»BUSS3 Online Revision Clinic - June 2013
Online Revision Clinic - Thursday 6 June 2013 9.00 pm (BST)
As part of our support for students preparing for BUSS3 in June 2013 we are once again running an online revision clinic. The clinic enables students to pose questions to our teacher panel, leaving enough time to act on the advice before the exam. The online revision clinic will be hosted here on this blog entry - so please save this URL to your favorites if you would like to participate.
Students - in order to participate (i.e. ask a question; comment on discussion threads) you will need to be logged in using your Facebook or Twitter account when the online revision clinic goes live at 9.00 p.m. on Thursday 6 June 2013.
Please note:
- We cannot guarantee to answer all questions submitted
- Only submit one question at a time: multiple submissions of the same question will lead to you being blocked!
- Check whether the question you want to ask has already been answered - particularly if you join us mid-way during the clinic
- DO NOT ask our panelists what is going to come up in the exam - they don't know!
- A full transcript of the clinic will be available on this blog URL as soon as the clinic has ended
BUSS2 Online Revision Clinic May 2013
Online Revision Clinic - Thursday 30 May 2013 9.00 pm (BST)
With many thousands of students busy preparing for the challenging BUSS2 exam in May 2013, it is important to focus on core exam technique to make the most of the time remaining. The tutor2u BUSS2 team are once again running an online revision clinic which enables students to get last minute advice to sharpen their exam performance. The online revision clinic will be hosted here on this blog entry - so please save this URL to your favourites if you would like to participate.
Students - in order to participate (i.e. ask a question; comment on discussion threads) you will need to be logged in using your Facebook or Twitter account when the online revision clinic goes live at 9.00 p.m. GMT.
Prior to joining in with the revision clinic, students may find it helpful to test their BUSS2 subject knowledge and understanding by trying our BUSS2 revision quizzes.
We also recommend students getting hold of a copy of our BUSS2 Revision Guide.
Before submitting your question or comment, please take a few seconds to scroll through the transcript to see if someone has already answered your point.
Also, we cannot guarantee that every comment or question will get a response - hopefully most will. So please patient.
A full, permanent transcript of this revision clinic will be available a few minutes after the revision clinic ends here on this blog URL.
Don't forget that you can follow the panelists on Twitter for further support (and for other AQA AS/A2 units) - a great place to start is the BUSS2 hashtag
read more...»Investing in Workforce Skills and Culture - the University of John Lewis
I've become increasingly convinced from recent discussions with major accountancy firms and other major employers that workplace learning is going to challenge the preeminence of universities and colleges when it comes to obtaining higher level qualifications. The emergence of some industrial-strength Higher Apprenticeship programmes recently is a sign of that. And so to is the news that John Lewis Partnership is to extend its programme of workplace learning to offer Level 6 (university degree level) qualifications for some of its management.
This story would provide the basis for some excellent analysis by students exploring how and why John Lewis Partnership has decided to extend its internal training programmes.
Some clues can be found in extracts from the JLP press release: for example;
The so-called "University of John Lewis" will also offer a number of other development initiatives through its ‘skills programme’, which will include training in product knowledge, line management and leadership. read more...»"Our partners give us our competitive edge, and if we want them to stay with us for the long term, we need to make sure that they have the right skills to meet the challenges we face in an evolving retail environment."
Exam Countdown Timer for A & AS Level Business Studies
Here's a very simple, but totally unsubtle reminder for your students on the upcoming dates and times of the AS and A level exams in Business Studies for the AQA, Edexcel and OCR awarding bodies.
Follow this link to download the 'Exam Countdown' file. There you will find a small and easy to use Powerpoint file called 'Exam Countdown'.
Follow this link for a quick tutorial on how to use the resource.
Open and run the slideshow (ensuring that you have 'enabled macros'). The screen will change to a setup slide after a couple of seconds. Click on the exam that you wish to remind your student about and the countdown timer will start. The timer shows how many days, hours, minutes and seconds remain before their exam starts. There's nothing like instilling a sense of urgency!
Please note this file is fully functional. If you would like an editable version (where you can edit the times, dates and 'event') you will find one as part of the 'Super Teacher Utility Belt' resource available from our PowerPoint games-based learning site.
Ethics, supply chains and consumer responsibility
The horrific Bangladesh factory disaster has highlighted a number of business issues and proved a stark reminder of the global effects our purchasing decisions may or may not have on people halfway around the world. Tom White has already put up a blog with some initial thoughts; I thought I’d pose some further questions and examine some of the issues raised in that post.
A great starting point would be to listen to the ever-reliable Business Daily, from the BBC World Service. Their programme In the Balance invites guests to debate a topical business issue, and this week, the Rana Plaza disaster was under discussion.
One of the first questions to ask is to examine the extent to which firms which are supplied by such factories are responsible. There were more immediate causes, of course, such as the owner’s actions and the culpability of local regulation and enforcement (or lack of). But this is not the first time there have been such disasters, nor are the poor conditions in such factories surprising. So is it right that chains such as Primark continue to use such suppliers? Isn’t it their fault, with their demands for low prices and increased flexibility to meet the needs of the fast fashion market? Do they have a responsibility to ensure fair and safe working practices in factories they don’t own and which they are merely customers of? A lot of people would argue that yes, they do. But isn’t that the same as arguing we as consumers should audit the supply chains of the shops which we buy from? Primark is as much a customer as we are.
Step Up to AQA A2 Business Studies - CPD Course
Step up to AQA A2 Business Studies is a resource-packed CPD course aimed specifically at providing a huge boost for colleagues and departments delivering BUSS3 and BUSS4 from the UK’s most popular A level specification.
This CPD course focuses exclusively on BUSS3 and BUSS4 and brings together a whole host of resources, techniques and teaching and learning strategies to enable you to deliver A2 with renewed confidence and vigour whether you are new to delivering BUSS3 and BUSS4 or an experienced practitioner.
During the day, we will be looking at some of the following key areas:
• Strategies for improving student’s exam technique, a major challenge for many students when they move from AS to A2
• Teaching tough topics. We will be looking at teaching and learning strategies which focus on some of the more challenging areas of A2 such as Critical Path Analysis, Balance Sheets, Investment Appraisal and the Economic Environment among others
• Taking an integrated approach to managing the BUSS4 Section A research theme and covering core remaining topics for Section B
As with all of our CPD events, you will be provided with a range of teaching and learning resources which can be taken back to the classroom and used immediately with your students as well as detailed schemes of work for both A2 units.
Next date for this course: London 19 June 2013
To book a place on this course, please complete this online formor contact Janet Cahill in the tutor2u office with your requirements
Strategy: Kazou Hirai and the Forgone Bonuses
For Sony's CEO Kazou Hirai - a promise is a promise.
Back in April 2012, when Kazou Hirai took over as CEO from Sir Howard Stringer, he pledged to restore Sony's troubled Consumer Electronics division to profitability within one year.
In a significant programme of retrenchment, Sony has shed over 10,000 jobs (about 6% of the workforce), sold off major property assets and substantially cut production at the heavily loss-making Sony Television business (which is a significant part of the Consumer Electronics division). The result is expected to be Sony's first corporate profit for five years when it reports final result for the year to 31 March 2013 in May. However, the Consumer Electronics division remains unprofitable - Sony has not met its objective.
The reaction by Hirai? It is reported that forty of Sony’s top executives, including Hirai, are to give up bonuses worth between 30 and 50 per cent of their pay. The decision will save Sony around $10m, which is not particularly significant in financial terms.
read more...»Strategy: Profiting from the Smartphone Revolution
Consumers around the world are falling in love with mobile devices, notably smartphones and tablets. However, as this excellent short FT video explains, many businesses (including leading brands) are struggling to adapt to the migration of consumers from desktops and laptops to mobile devices.
read more...»BUSS4 - Want Good Analysis? Think How & Why?
How & Why. These are the two important words for students preparing for BUSS4 and as they practice their essay technique.
So, why is that? And how can they be used?
The source of their importance lies in the skill of analysis…
read more...»Strategy: Organic Growth Powers Whitbread’s Success
Expect lots of coverage this week about the growth strategy being pursued by Whitbread plc.
Whitbread used to have a pretty diverse product portfolio including the brewing of beer and the operation of David Lloyd health clubs. However, in recent years Whitbread had rationalised its portfolio of businesses to focus on two markets where it believes it can achieve sustainable and high sales and profit growth. And it has backed that strategic focus with heavy investment. If only other UK firms would do that!
read more...»BUSS4 Revision: Economic Environment for UK Businesses
Here is an updated revision presentation on aspects of the economic environment for UK businesses in the late spring of 2013.
read more...»10 Tips to Think of When Writing a BUSS4 Essay Answer
Many thanks to Joe Corcoran from Greenhead College for this superb advice on BUSS4 essay writing. Well worth putting these tips into practice!
Don't forget that Mark Mitchell, Joe's teaching colleague at Greenhead, has recently written a comprehensive guide to BUSS4 essay writing - which is now also available in a full-colour printed edition from the tutor2u online store! We have a couple of boxes left, so order one soon if you would like a copy in good time for the BUSS4 exam.
read more...»Organisational Culture: The Frugal Billionaire who Founded Ikea
It is often claimed that the organisational culture of a business is formed and developed in the "shadow of the leader". And perhaps nowhere is this more true than the organisational culture of Ikea which was founded by Ingvar Kamprad.
Here is a some evidence which helps explain the concept and also tells us more about the core values that have been used to build the Ikea business.
read more...»Strategy: Ikea Diversifies into Hotels
Let's face it. Nearly all of us associate Ikea with flatpack, affordable furniture. The Ikea brand has become a global success and, as we reported on the business blog recently, the Ikea format is well-positioned to achieve further success in key emerging markets.
However, Ikea's business portfolio is not just about furniture retailing.
In March 2013, Ikea announced that it is to partner with Marriott International to open a chain of three-star hotels. The chosen brand name for this joint venture between Marriott and Ikea is Moxy Hotels.
read more...»Strategy: Ikea’s Global Brand & Local Knowledge Drives Expansion into Emerging Markets
A superb article here from Reuters which examines the challenges facing Ikea as it accelerates its expansion into key emerging markets, notably China and India.
On the one hand, Ikea aims to exploit its global brand by applying the core retailing concept (epitomized by the store racetrack layout, flatpack goods etc) and core values that have enabled to it to become the world's largest furniture retailer.
However, Ikea also needs to be sensitive to the specific customer needs and wants in each national market if it is to meet customer expectations and compete effectively.
read more...»Strategy: Kazou Hirai’s First Year as CEO of Sony
Kazou Hirai took over as CEO of Sony on 1 April 2012 replacing Howard Stringer. Hirai inherited a business with many problems and experiencing heavy losses. What has he done in his first year?
read more...»Starbucks - Up Close and Personal with Howard Schultz
Lots of great information from Schultz here and insights into his business strategy. Many insights too into Schultz's personal background and his views on what it takes to be a successful entrepreneur.
Put simply, this interview has everything! Organisational culture; entrepreneurship; CSR; emerging markets; retrenchment; ethics.
read more...»Strategy: eBay bets on Mobile Payments and PayPal
Another fascinating interview with a tech CEO here. Some great insights into how technological change is providing opportunities for his business.
read more...»Luxury Cars and Emerging Markets = a Winning Product
A simply stunning video here from the FT which is perfect for students wishing to gather some evidence on industries, firms and brands that have thrived despite the prolonged economic downturn in developed economies.
read more...»Nokia: Has Elop Found Himself with a Problem Child and Dog?
Has Nokia got a problem with its product portfolio? The market seems to think so. Nokia's shares down 13% today on news of disappointing sales for the first three months of 2013.
Nokia has enjoyed some recent success with its Lumia smartphone range. However, sales of its traditional more basic feature phones are very weak and facing intense competition in emerging markets against low-cost competitors.
So, Nokia's smartphones are doing well, but Nokia has only a small market share in a fast-growing market. If we were applying this to the Boston Matrix, Nokia's smartphones would probably be considered to be "problem children" or "question marks".
What about Nokia's feature phones. A falling market share (once the market leader) but in a low-growth market. That looks like a "Dog" in the Boston Matrix - or at least on the way to becoming a dog (maybe a puppy?).
read more...»
Organisational Culture: The Business of Business is People - Says Herb
Here is one of my all-time favourite video clips for business studies, featuring one of my business heroes - Herb Kelleher.
Herb who?
You might not have heard of Herb Kelleher. However, I highly recommend that you take a little time to find out more about him and the business he founded - Southwest Airlines. It is a fantastic example of a business which has identified organisational culture as a source of sustainable competitive advantage.
Kelleher identified the need for an employee-centered culture at Southwest as the way in which his airline could deliver outstanding customer service. Put simply, Herb believes that the "business of business is people".
In this short, five minute video, Herb explains why putting employees at the centre of Southwest's culture is so important to him.
About a minute into the video, Herb demonstrates a superb example of "analysis" using a logical chain of argument. The argument goes something like this:
...If the employees come first, then they’re happy…. A motivated employee treats the customer well. The customer is happy so they keep coming back, which pleases the shareholders.
A simply stunning video, that stands the test of time.
read more...»Organisational Culture: How Partnership Works at John Lewis Partnership
The organisational structure and organisational culture at John Lewis Partnership, based around employee ownership, is distinctive and highly successful. But why? What is it about the "partnership" model at JLP which drives sales and customer service so high?
In these JLP videos, the partners themselves explain their perspectives on the business benefits of partnership in a highly competitive retail environment. The business benefits of the model are examined in more detail in the second video.
Some fantastic insights into culture here as well as the motivational impact of employee ownership.
read more...»An Organisational Culture of Trust - Insights from John Lewis Partnership
Terrific insights here from Andy Street, the CEO of John Lewis Partnership, about how the concept of trust is so important in business success. Some short, sharp points here which help identify elements of the organisational culture at John Lewis Partnership and perhaps point to some of the reasons why JLP has been so successful in recent years despite the economic downturn. Essentially Andy Street sees trust as a source of competitive advantage. But it is hard won, and easily lost! Businesses - take note!
read more...»Strategy in a time of austerity & poverty - three retailers tell their story
The effect of the economic downturn on small retailers, and how they are adapting, is explored in the powerful video below from the FT.
First up is a bespoke tailor trying to survive in a poor area that has been significantly affected by government spending cuts to welfare payments.
In the same location is a retailer of sporting goods. His business has changed dramatically in recent years, with demand much less predictable. Cash flow management has become much harder, so he has responded by cutting stocks and repositioning his retail product range. Can he survive against the likes of Sports Direct?
Finally, we see the effect on a furniture retailer of the emergence of pawnbrokers and other loan shops.
For these retailers, costs are rising but sales are falling. The future for these high street retailers looks bleak. Can they survive? And if so, how?
read more...»AQA BUSS4 - the Ultimate Guide to BUSS4 Essay Writing - Student Print Edition
Our digital resource providing advice and guidance on effective essay writing for AQA BUSS4 has proved very popular with schools and colleges. Hundreds have bought a network licence which allows the resource to be distributed and /or printed to all students this year and beyond.
However, we've also had many requests from students to make printed, individual copies available. So now we have! The printer has just delivered 1,000 copies - which I suspect won;t last very long!
So we've had 1,000 copies printed - and they look great!
OCR A2 Business Studies Unit F297 Case Study Toolkit for Summer 2013
Our OCR A2 Business expert Tom White and his team are hard at work preparing our popular teacher and student revision toolkit to support the pre-release case study for OCR A2 Unit F297 in June 2013.
This summer's exam is based on the Cavendish Cycles Ltd (CCL) case study and our revision toolkit provides everything you need to prepare effectively and perform well in the exam.
The toolkit includes:
· Guided revision questions covering all the key case study issues
· Analysis and evaluation of every key case study points, issue and full analysis of the data
· Exam-style questions & suggested answers
· Specification mapping against Cavendish Cycles Ltd (CCL) case
The OCR F297 Cavendish Cycles Ltd (CCL) case study toolkit can be ordered directly online here or by downloading this printable order form.
We're aiming to complete the toolkit by the second week of April and we'll send it out first class post as soon as the resource is ready.
Don't forget that you can also order our OCR AS Business Unit F292 Case Study Toolkit for May 2013 as well as the Unit F297 Rapid Revision Guide.AQA AS Applied Business BS03 Mercia Thatching Ltd (MT Ltd) “The Last Straw”
Hot on the heels of completing his superb guide to BUSS4 Essay Writing, Mark Mitchell and his team at Greenhead College are now working flat out on their ever-popular revision toolkit for AQA AS Applied Business BS03. For the summer 2013 exam, the case study to prepare is entitled "The Last Straw" and concerns Mercia Thatching Ltd (MT Ltd).
Students are required to undertake the following pre-examination research tasks:
(a) Research the possible actions that Jem might take to improve the cash flow position of MT Ltd (b) Investigate the issues that the owner of a business would consider before deciding on a major investment in an established business.
The Mercia Thatching Ltd (MT Ltd) Case Study Toolkit for 2013 can be ordered directly from our on-line store here or by downloading and sending us this printable order form.
OCR A2 Business Unit F297 Cavendish Cycles Ltd (CCL) June 2013
We're up and running (or should that be - the wheels are spinning) in preparation of our OCR A2 Business Studies Unit F297 case study toolkit on Cavendish Cycles Ltd (CCL). Once again, we'll be producing a comprehensive guide to the pre-released case study information to support teachers and students as they get ready for the final, synoptic unit of their OCR A Level Business Studies course.
The toolkit will be completed over the Easter break and we'll send it out first class post as soon as the resource is signed off.
The OCR A2 Business Studies Unit F297 case study toolkit on Cavendish Cycles Ltd (CCL) can be ordered directly from our online store here or by downloading and sending us this printable order form.
Don't forget that you can also buy Richard Young's excellent Unit F297 Rapid Revision Q&A Guide - which is extra support for students who need to reinforce their subject knowledge before working through the Cavendish Cycles Ltd (CCL) case study.
OCR AS Business Studies Unit F292 Case Study Toolkit for Summer 2013
Our OCR AS Business expert Tom White and his team are hard at work preparing our popular teacher and student revision toolkit to support the pre-release case study for OCR AS Unit F292 in June 2013.
This summer's exam is based on the Moffett Steel & Designworks Ltd (MSDL) case study and our revision toolkit provides everything you need to prepare effectively and perform well in the exam.
The toolkit includes:
- Guided revision questions covering all the key case study issues
- Analysis and evaluation of every key case study points, issue and full analysis of the data
- Mock exam-style questions
- Specification mapping against the pre-release
The OCR F292 Moffett Steel & Designworks Ltd (MSDL) case study toolkit can be ordered directly online here or by downloading this printable order form.
We're aiming to complete the toolkit by Tuesday 26 March 2013 and we'll send it out first class post as soon as the resource is ready.
Don't forget that you can also get hold of our OCR AS F292 Q&A Rapid Revision Guide and OCR AS F292 Course Companion - two great resources to help your students maximise their performance in the F292 exam.
WOW examples for BUSS4 - CSR at Unilever
Teachers who remember CSR as the research theme for Section A will remember Unilever's Project Shakhti as one of the key examples for that research. At the current round of tutor2u BUSS4 Revision Workshops, one suggestion for Section B is that students might research Unilever again to get some WOW examples for essays about CSR.
Students may not be familiar with the Unilever name at first, but will soon find that they are very familiar with many of the vast range of brands in the Unilever portfolio. They will also find that a Sustainable Living Plan is a core part of the Unilever culture, and applies to every stage of their supply chain; I know from one of my former students who is currently on an industrial placement with Unilever during his Business degree, that this starts at the heart of the business by establishing processes and habits in their offices and factories which reduce environmental impact, getting all staff to focus on reducing waste and recycling as much as possible.
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AQA BUSS4 - the Ultimate Guide to BUSS4 Essay Writing
Now available from tutor2u - the home of BUSS4! Author Mark Mitchell (Greenhead College) and Editor Jim Riley (tutor2u) provide students with a step-by-step guide to writing high-scoring essays in Section A and Section B of AQA A2 Business Studies BUSS4.
This guide is provided as a 38 page printable pdf document which may be photocopied and distributed by schools and colleges with a network licence.
Order online here or by downloading this printable order form
Practising BUSS4 Exam Technique - Colour Your Way to Success!
During our recent CPD days on AQA BUSS4 Section A several teaching colleagues were able to share approaches and techniques that have worked well for them. In this blog entry, David Rees from Oldham Hulme Grammar School explains a colourful way to improve exam skills...
read more...»The role of Business culture in business turnarounds
This week's edition of The Bottom Line, hosted by Evan Davis on Radio 4, is about business turnarounds. The three guests this week have all been involved in rescuing companies and they share
their experiences, in which the culture of the organisation feature heavily. For those who are picking up on the tutor2u 10 companies to study, it is particularly useful as the first of these is Adam Crozier, Chief Executive of ITV
(and former CEO of Royal Mail). Different scale is offered by James Eden, Chief Executive and owner of
clothing brand Private White VC, and Nick Sanders, Head of Portfolio at
private equity firm Better Capital. Well worth getting students to listen and to write some compare-and-contrast notes.
AQA BUSS2 Revision Presentations
We have a series of streamed revision presentations on tutor2u which are intended to support students preparing for AQA BUSS2. Follow the links below to view each individual presentation.
You can also test your understanding of the BUSS2 topics covered by these presentations by trying these BUSS2 Revision Quizzes.
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