Why we should encourage our students to start a business at university

The Year 13s of summer 2010 are long gone (well - most of them).  So what were your final words to them as they picked up their A Level results or said farewell at the Sixth Form prom?  Perhaps it should have been “enjoy Uni, and make sure you start that business there...”

Posted to BUSINESS THEMES - •Enterprise and Startups - •EXAM BOARD SUPPORT - •AS & A2 Business - •AQA BUSS1 - •GCSE Business - •AQA GCSE Business - •Edexcel GCSE Business -
Tags: entrepreneur, enterprise, start-up
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The Social Network - the Facebook Business Story

Coming to cinemas later this year - The Social Network - tells the story of Facebook and the challenges faced by Mark Zuckerberg along the way.

The trailer below gives you some idea about the style of the film.  Looks like it could be helpful for teaching protection of intellectual property at the very least!

Posted to BUSINESS THEMES - •Business & Technology - •Enterprise and Startups - •Leadership & Culture - •Political & Legal Environment - •TEACHING BUSINESS -
Tags: facebook
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The most successful Dragons’ Den pitch so far?

There have been several notable moments in Dragons’ Den over the years, many of which have caught the eye of Business students and teachers.  This one is exciting simply because of the amount of financial interest it has generated....

Posted to BUSINESS THEMES - •Business & Technology - •Enterprise and Startups - •Marketing - •Retailing - •Small Businesses -
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Lesson Worksheet - Enterprise & Entrepreneurs

This new lesson worksheet allows students to test their understanding of the role of the entrepreneur.

Download lesson worksheet on enterprise & entrepreneurs

Posted to BUSINESS THEMES - •Enterprise and Startups - •EXAM BOARD SUPPORT - •AS & A2 Business - •AQA BUSS1 - •Edexcel Unit 1 - •OCR F291 - •GCSE Business - •AQA GCSE Business - •Edexcel GCSE Business - •OCR GCSE Business - •BTEC Level 2 Diploma in Business - •TEACHING BUSINESS - •Lesson Worksheets -
Tags: risk, entrepreneur, enterprise, startup, government support, reward
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Essential business reading for the summer!

Rachel Bridge (Enterprise Editor of the Sunday Times) has long been regarded as one of the UK’s best writers on business & enterprise.  Her weekly columns (now sadly hidden behind Rupert’s paywall) provide detailed and realistic insights into the challenges and frustrations, as well as the upsides, of starting and growing a business.

However, Rachel’s new book - How to make a Million Before Lunch - has really raised the bar in terms of providing a blueprint for budding entrepreneurs.  It is perhaps the most insightful and useful book yet written on how to start and build a business.  It should be compulsory reading not only for entrepreneurs, but also for everyone concerned with teaching and studying business startups.

Posted to BUSINESS THEMES - •Business Strategy - •Enterprise and Startups - •Finance & Accounting - •Marketing - •Small Businesses - •EXAM BOARD SUPPORT - •AS & A2 Business - •AQA BUSS1 - •Edexcel Unit 1 - •OCR F291 - •GCSE Business - •TEACHING BUSINESS -
Tags: tutor2u, entrepreneur, strategy, startup, rachel bridge, niche market, growing a business, enteprise
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Entrepreneurs LIVE! 2010 - THE Enterprise Event for Students in 2010

I’m delighted to announce the initial details of our student enrichment event for Autumn 2010 - Entrepreneurs LIVE! 2010.

The event is being held at two of our favourite venues:
London Westfield (Vue Cinema) - Monday 15 November 2010
Salford Lowry Mall (Vue Cinema) - Ruesday 16 November 2010

Entrepreneurs LIVE! 2010 will be a fantastic student enrichment day for students taking part in Global Entrepreneurship Week 2010.  It will also be invaluable for ALL BUSINESS STUDENTS who need to develop their underdstanding of how successful businesses are started and grown. The programme will provide your students with the insights, ideas and inspirations from some of the UK’s top entrepreneurs...and also give them the chance to compete for spot prizes by taking our business challenge quizzes and pitching business ideas to the audience.

I’m delighted that two of our speakers (for both London and Manchester) have already been confirmed....

Posted to BUSINESS THEMES - •Enterprise and Startups - •Small Businesses - •Social Enterprise - •EXAM BOARD SUPPORT - •AS & A2 Business - •AQA BUSS1 - •OCR F291 - •GCSE Business - •AQA GCSE Business - •Edexcel GCSE Business - •OCR GCSE Business - •BTEC Level 2 Diploma in Business - •BTEC Level 3 Diploma in Business - •TEACHING BUSINESS -
Tags: entrepreneur, enterprise, startups, rachel bridge, king & allen, global entrepreneurship week
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New BBC Resource: Start Up Stories

This looks really promising.  On 28 June 2010, the BBC website is launching a new video resource named Start Up Stories - interviews with ten successful entrepreneurs describing their experiences of setting up in business.  Includes several US-based and online businesses too - which makes a welcome alternative. 

Here is the introductory video

Posted to BUSINESS THEMES - •E-Business & E-Commerce - •Enterprise and Startups - •EXAM BOARD SUPPORT - •AS & A2 Business - •AQA BUSS1 - •GCSE Business - •AQA GCSE Business - •Edexcel GCSE Business - •TEACHING BUSINESS - •Video Case Studies -
Tags: risk, entrepreneur, enterprise, startup
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Entrepreneur Case Study - Brompton Bicycles

A neat interview with the CEO of Brompton Bicycles in The Sunday Times today - excellent for teacher / student research on managing & growing a business.  Worth saving / printing a copy before the dreaded News International paywall descends shortly.

Here is the link

Posted to BUSINESS THEMES - •Business Strategy - •Enterprise and Startups - •Marketing -
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Flexible Working More Popular than Bonuses as a Source of Staff Motivation

An interesting survey from my ex-colleagues at PwC provides some useful insights into the balance between financial and non-financial motivation at work. 

The recession was a painful period for employees who managed to hang onto their jobs and there remain some fundamental issues for employers as they emerge from the downturn - not the least being the continued challenge of funding long-term pension liabilities.  So enlightened employers might welcome the results of PwC’s survey which suggest that employees are increasingly looking for non-financial “rewards” in their package.  The attraction of flexible working options is particularly strong.

Note too the high proportion of employees interviewed who would prefer to work for themselves. Around half of those surveyed would prefer to be self-employed - a significant pool of would-be entrepreneurs.  But how many will forsake the comfort & security of a well-paid job (woth flexible working too) for the risks and uncertainties of working for themselves?

Posted to BUSINESS THEMES - •Enterprise and Startups - •Human Resource Management -
Tags: enterprise, motivation, flexible working, bonuses, pwc, non-financial methods of motivation, pricewaterhousecoopers
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British vodka beats the world!

Chase vodka is made on a farm in Herefordshire, and has been voted the best vodka in the world at the World Spirits Competition in San Francisco. It is a brand born from the entrepreneurial spirit of Will Chase, the founder of Tyrrells Chips, who was looking for something to do with the potatoes grown on his farms that were too small to be used to make crisps. Vodka is usually made from grains, and the premium brands from Russia and Poland retail at up to £35 a bottle, but while looking for something else to do after he had sold most of Tyrrells to a private equity group, Mr Chase came across a potato vodka distillery in the US and spotted an opportunity. 

Posted to BUSINESS THEMES - •Enterprise and Startups - •Leadership & Culture - •Marketing - •Retailing - •Small Businesses - •EXAM BOARD SUPPORT - •AS & A2 Business - •AQA BUSS2 -
Tags: entrepreneur, production, enterprise, branding, expansion
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Airlines founder plans a shareholder revolt

The airline industry has hardly been out of the news recently – whether the story is BA trying to gain legal decisions to outlaw the strikes being called by Unite, the continuing effects of the ash cloud, or major mergers between airlines like Continental and United in the US or BA and Iberia and BA in Europe. Another story over the weekend concerned the difficulty that can arise when the entrepreneurial founder of a business becomes a board member who has to share control with others. 

Posted to BUSINESS THEMES - •Aims and Objectives - •Business Strategy - •Enterprise and Startups - •EXAM BOARD SUPPORT - •AS & A2 Business - •AQA BUSS4 -
Tags: stakeholders, entrepreneurs
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25 Ways to Get The Startup Right

An interesting list of recommendations (modestly titled “commandments") here in a new piece on Smarta.com.  It is a good list, and there is plenty in there that is useful in the follow-up explanations for students building their understanding of what makes a successful start-up. 

I like the focus on getting to market quickly rather than trying to perfect a business idea, and also the need to maximise cash and minimise costs in the early days.Those are good business disciplines that serve a start-up well and last for as long as the business wants to be successful.

I also agree strongly with the recommendation to reinvest profits made. Starting and growing a new business is rarely about paying dividends.  Retained profit is the lifeblood of a start-up and is the most effective way of maintaining control.

Posted to BUSINESS THEMES - •Enterprise and Startups - •Small Businesses - •EXAM BOARD SUPPORT - •AS & A2 Business - •AQA BUSS1 - •GCSE Business - •AQA GCSE Business - •Edexcel GCSE Business -
Tags: cash flow, start-up, buss1, usp, cost minimisation, retained profits, business idea
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Revision Quiz - Sources of Finance for a Startup

Here is an updated ten-question revision quiz on sources of finance for a startup.

Access interactive version

Download printable (pdf) version - answers on the back page

Posted to BUSINESS THEMES - •Enterprise and Startups - •Finance & Accounting - •EXAM BOARD SUPPORT - •AS & A2 Business - •AQA BUSS1 - •TEACHING BUSINESS - •Business Quizzes - •Starters & Plenaries -
Tags: entrepreneur, enterprise, startups, sources of finance, bank overdraft, bank loan, share capital, trade credit, leasing, personal assets
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Recession Survival Strategies Cost UK SMEs £16bn

A fascinating research report came out this morning which is really useful for students researching the UK recession and for teachers who want to top up their understanding of what really goes on inside small and medium-sized businesses in the UK…

Posted to BUSINESS THEMES - •Business Strategy - •Credit Crunch - •Enterprise and Startups - •Leadership & Culture - •Small Businesses - •BUSS4 RESEARCH - •Recent UK Recession (June 2010) -
Tags: recession, investment, entrepreneur, cash flow, cost minimisation, smes, personal savings
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The 40 Schoolboy Errors Made by Startups

This article is 100% gold dust for teachers and students covering the business startup process (AQA BUSS1 in particular)…

Posted to BUSINESS THEMES - •Enterprise and Startups - •Small Businesses - •EXAM BOARD SUPPORT - •AS & A2 Business - •AQA BUSS1 - •Edexcel Unit 1 - •GCSE Business - •AQA GCSE Business - •Edexcel GCSE Business -
Tags: sources of finance, startup, business plan
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Source of finance - SMEs turn to the private alternatives to banks

A fascinating piece of research on the sources of finance used by small businesses has hit my desk this morning.  Great materials for Edexcel/AQA GCSE Unit and for AQA BUSS2 - the textbooks look even more outdated now!

Rated: (5/5), based on 1 review

Posted to BUSINESS THEMES - •Enterprise and Startups - •Finance & Accounting - •Small Businesses - •EXAM BOARD SUPPORT - •AS & A2 Business - •AQA BUSS1 - •GCSE Business - •AQA GCSE Business - •Edexcel GCSE Business -
Tags: cash flow, sources of finance, bank overdraft, bank loan, share capital, smes, personal assets, equity stake
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Insights from an Entrepreneur - Will King (CEO King of Shaves)

Another excellent video from Smarta - this time with a good friend of tutor2u - Will King.  You may have heard Will give a superb presentation at tutor2u’s Economics teacher conference in 2009.  King of Shaves is a terrific growth story and Will has quickly become one of the most celebrated entrepreneurs in the UK

Rated: (5/5), based on 1 review

Posted to BUSINESS THEMES - •Business Strategy - •Enterprise and Startups - •International Business - •Marketing - •TEACHING BUSINESS - •Video Case Studies -
Tags: king of shaves, will king
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Revision Presentation - New Businesses and Competition

Every business faces competition for its customers and markets - and new businesses in particular find the competitive environment very challenging.  What are the benefits of a new business analysing the competition?  What kind of competitive intelligence is useful?  Does competition benefit consumers?

View revision presentation on new businesses & competition

Posted to BUSINESS THEMES - •Business Strategy - •Enterprise and Startups - •Marketing - •REVISION PRESENTATIONS -
Tags: competition, competitive intelligence
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Revision Presentation - Thinking Creatively to Generate Business Ideas

What makes a good business idea? And how does an entrepreneur use creative thinking to develop and launch a viable new business idea?  This revision presentation considers that question

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Posted to BUSINESS THEMES - •Enterprise and Startups - •REVISION PRESENTATIONS -
Tags: usp, business idea, blue skies thinking, gap in the market, lateral thinking, mind-mapping, de bonos six hats, personal experience
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Revision Presentation - Innovation & Invention for New Businesses

This revision deck outlines the distinction between innovation and invention in the context of a new business looking to develop a distinctive product or service

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Posted to BUSINESS THEMES - •Enterprise and Startups - •REVISION PRESENTATIONS -
Tags: innovation, invention
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Revision Presentation - the Startup Cash Flow Forecast

Every startup should consider the likely future cash flows of the enterprise in the first few weeks and months of trading.  This revision presentation takes students through the basics of the cash flow forecast.

View revision presentation on the cash flow forecast

Rated: (5/5), based on 1 review

Posted to BUSINESS THEMES - •Enterprise and Startups - •Finance & Accounting - •REVISION PRESENTATIONS -
Tags: cash flow forecast, startup
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Revision Presentation - Recruitment for a New Business

Many new businesses or start-don’t recruit people until the enterprise has become reasonably well established.  Others need to recruit people before trading can begin.  This presentation looks at the basic employment options for a new business and some of the employment challenges facing an entrepreneur.

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Posted to BUSINESS THEMES - •Enterprise and Startups - •Human Resource Management - •REVISION PRESENTATIONS -
Tags: recruitment, flexible working, part-time, full-time, advisers, employees, consultants
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Revision Presentation - Cost Basics

This revision presentation looks at the key concepts of business costs.  What are the main types of business cost and how can they be categorised?  Why is the distinction between variable and fixed costs so important?  Why do new businesses often find it hard to estimate the costs of the business - particularly in the startup business plan?

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Posted to BUSINESS THEMES - •Enterprise and Startups - •Finance & Accounting -
Tags: costs, breakeven, fixed costs, variable costs, contribution, semi-fixed costs
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Revision Presentation - the Basics of Profit

In this revision presentation we explain the basic meaning of profit - what it is and how it is measured.

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Posted to BUSINESS THEMES - •Enterprise and Startups - •Finance & Accounting - •REVISION PRESENTATIONS -
Tags: profit, fixed costs, variable costs, net profit margin, improving profit, gross profit, loss
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Revision Presentation - Revenues and Demand

In this revision presentation we look at the concept of revenue (sales) and customer demand. We look at the key factors affecting demand and provide some illustrations of how revenue is measured and calculated.
View revision presentation on revenues and demand

Posted to BUSINESS THEMES - •Enterprise and Startups - •Finance & Accounting - •REVISION PRESENTATIONS -
Tags: demand, prices, price, revenue, elasticity of demand, demand curve
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Revision Presentation - Raising Finance for a New Business

This revision presentation looks at the options and issues for a new business looking to raise finance.

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Posted to BUSINESS THEMES - •Enterprise and Startups - •Finance & Accounting - •REVISION PRESENTATIONS -
Tags: bank overdraft, venture capital, bank loan, share capital, business angel, retained profits, sweat equity
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Revision Presentation - Understanding Customer Needs

A new business needs to have an effective understanding of the needs and wants of customers in its target market segment.  This revision presentation outlines the main methods of market research that a startup can use to identify those customer needs.

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Posted to BUSINESS THEMES - •Enterprise and Startups - •Marketing - •REVISION PRESENTATIONS -
Tags: market research, primary research, secondary research
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Revision Presentation - Risks and Rewards to Enterprise

Entrepreneurs taking calculated risks expect to enjoy suitable rewards for their endeavour.  But what are these risks and rewards?  And how can an entrepreneur minimise risk?

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Posted to BUSINESS THEMES - •Enterprise and Startups - •REVISION PRESENTATIONS -
Tags: risk, entrepreneur, profit, reward
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Revision Presentation - Market Mapping

To improve its chances of success, a new business needs to take care positioning its product in the market.  That involves market research, segmentation and a process some call “market mapping”

View revision presentation in market mapping

Posted to BUSINESS THEMES - •Enterprise and Startups - •Marketing - •REVISION PRESENTATIONS -
Tags: market segmentation, usp, market mapping, positioning
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Revision Presentation - Limited Liability

The important concept of limited liability is explained in this revision presentation

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Posted to BUSINESS THEMES - •Business Organisation - •Enterprise and Startups - •REVISION PRESENTATIONS -
Tags: shareholders, limited liability, sole trader, limited company
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Revision Presentation - Startup Business Structures

This revision presentation examines the choices of potential business structure for a startup

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Posted to BUSINESS THEMES - •Business Organisation - •Enterprise and Startups - •REVISION PRESENTATIONS -
Tags: shareholders, partnership, social enterprise, limited liability, sole trader, not-for-profit, limited company, partners
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Revision Presentation - Enterprise Skills

In this revision presentation, we outline the key skills demonstrated by successful entrepreneurs.

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Posted to BUSINESS THEMES - •Enterprise and Startups - •Small Businesses - •REVISION PRESENTATIONS -
Tags: entrepreneur, enterprise, passion, persistence, experience, luck
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Revision Presentation - Objectives of New Businesses

This streamed revision presentation looks at the different objectives that might be set by the entrepreneurs behind new businesses
Launch interactive presentation on objectives of business start-ups

Posted to BUSINESS THEMES - •Aims and Objectives - •Enterprise and Startups - •REVISION PRESENTATIONS -
Tags: startups, startup, social enterprise, objectives, not-for-profit, aims, profit maximisation, lifestyle businesses, survival
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Some good reasons why startup business plans are a waste of time

I’m not a big fan of business plans.  Ok, the authors of GCSE & A`Level textbooks all fall for the myth that writing a business plan is a compulsory part of setting up and then running a small business.

But there are thousands of successful entrepreneurs out there for whom writing a business plan would simply get in the way of building a good business. 

So its nice to come across a well-argued alternative perspective on start-up business plans - here.

At tutor2u we’ve never produced a business plan - and I can’t imagine a scenario where we would need one, even if we were trying to raise finance or sell a stake.  Life is simply too short, and the business world too changeable, to bother!  Market research, competitor analysis, cash flow forecasts & financial projections - fine (in fact vital).  But putting it all together into a formal business plan - a total waste of time.

Posted to BUSINESS THEMES - •Enterprise and Startups - •Finance & Accounting - •EXAM BOARD SUPPORT - •AS & A2 Business - •AQA BUSS1 - •Edexcel Unit 1 -
Tags: startups, business plan, business planning
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Video Case Study - Yorkshire Wine

Chris & Gillian are looking to find an alternative source of income to their milkround.  So a few years ago they invested in establishing a vineyard. Will the new fruits of their efforts turn into a viable business?

Download student worksheet

Video link

Posted to BUSINESS THEMES - •Enterprise and Startups - •TEACHING BUSINESS - •Video Case Studies -
Tags: yorkshire wine
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Primary v Secondary Market Research for a Startup

A very useful article on Startup Donut today examines the differences between primary and secondary market research for a start-up.  Ideal for everyone preparing for BUSS1 and similar exams in Jan + great for Edexcel & AQA GCSE Unit 1. Well worth a read - here

Posted to BUSINESS THEMES - •Enterprise and Startups - •Marketing - •Small Businesses - •EXAM BOARD SUPPORT - •AS & A2 Business - •AQA BUSS1 - •Edexcel Unit 1 - •OCR F291 - •GCSE Business - •AQA GCSE Business - •Edexcel GCSE Business -
Tags: startups, focus groups, sampling, primary research, questionnaires, online research, secondard research
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How small businesses can compete - attack is the best form of defence

I like this article, published today on the excellent SMEWeb…

Posted to BUSINESS THEMES - •Business Strategy - •Enterprise and Startups - •Small Businesses - •EXAM BOARD SUPPORT - •AS & A2 Business - •AQA BUSS2 - •Edexcel Unit 1 - •OCR F292 -
Tags: competitive advantage, sme
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The Decline of the Pub

If you’re a bit older, you reflect more on big (but slow) changes that have taken place in your lifetime.  One huge transformation is the British High Street – a topic under much discussion during the current recession.  Yes, small independent retailers have been hurt and much is said about the decline of the Post Office.  But one huge change is the steep decline of the local pub.  Sounds like a good opportunity to use SWOT and PEST analysis to try and understand some of the reasons behind this trend.

Rated: (5/5), based on 1 review

Posted to BUSINESS THEMES - •Change Management - •Enterprise and Startups - •Economic Environment - •Marketing - •Retailing - •Small Businesses -
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Entrepreneur takes advantage of the postal strike

As the turkeys at the Royal Mail officially vote for Christmas, entrepreneurs are quick off the mark spotting opportunities to build a business from the Royal Mail’s dissatisfied customers.  Here is a terrific video which is packed full of full with key business studies terms - even though it only lasts just over a minute!

Rated: (5/5), based on 2 reviews

Posted to BUSINESS THEMES - •Enterprise and Startups - •Small Businesses -
Tags: entrepreneur, profit, capacity, profits, royal mail, postal strike
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4 minutes with Stelios - insights into entrepreneurship

A lovely four minute interview by the excellent Working Lunch team with Sir Stelios Haji-Ioannou provides loads of useful insights for business students. This would make an ideal lesson starter for any lesson on risk-taking and the factors that drive entrepreneurs to act the way they do.

Posted to BUSINESS THEMES - •Enterprise and Startups -
Tags: risk, entrepreneur, easyjet, stelios haji-ioannou
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Meet a social enterprise with low-priced USP

This business has almost everything for a great business lesson.  The business model?  It buys second-hand books from charities that cant find customers, and sells them on for as little as £0.01 each.  It is yet to make a profit.  But read on…

Rated: (5/5), based on 1 review

Posted to BUSINESS THEMES - •Business & Technology - •Business Strategy - •Enterprise and Startups - •Social Enterprise -
Tags: social enterprise, technology, business model, usp, competitive advantage, unique selling point
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Startups and Small Businesses in Numbers

Some fantastic statistics on the UK’s small business sector has been made available by the Federation of Small Businesses…

Posted to BUSINESS THEMES - •Enterprise and Startups - •Small Businesses -
Tags: startups, fsb, smes
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Teaching Activity on Startups - Mini Briefs

This teaching resource went down a storm when we introduced it to our colleagues offering AQA BUSS1 and at the Business Booster CPD days this month!  So we thought we’d share it with the wider tutor2u business teacher community…

Posted to BUSINESS THEMES - •Enterprise and Startups - •Small Businesses - •TEACHING BUSINESS - •Starters & Plenaries -
Tags: tutor2u, aqa, startups, case studies, mini-briefs
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The Decline of Newspapers Creates a Surge in Local Startups

Here is a great way to allow students to consider two often separate elements of the business curriculum - the product life cycle and business startups…

Posted to BUSINESS THEMES - •Business & Technology - •E-Business & E-Commerce - •Enterprise and Startups - •Marketing -
Tags: costs, profit, startups, newspapers, hyperlocals
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V-Water - from start up to exit

The market space for enhanced water is getting crowded! Sales of ‘smoothies’ are down by more than fifty per cent this year but the volume of enhanced water bottles being bought is proving more resilient to the recession. And the growing amount of shelf space in the supermarket aisles given over to the likes of Firefly, Vitamin-Water, Just-Juice, Vitsmart and V-Water is testimony to the high margins these products generate. Chris Coleridge, co-Founder of V-Water gave a relaxed, entertaining and thoughtful presentation on the growth of his business to the Eton College Entrepreneurship Society on Thursday night. A large audience - fortified by a generous sample of the six flavoured drinks on offer - grilled Mr Coleridge on his business after he had taken time out to explode five myths about start-ups.

Posted to BUSINESS THEMES - •Business Strategy - •Enterprise and Startups - •Small Businesses -
Tags: recession, price, entrepreneur, profit, startups
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March towards incorporation gathers pace

The UK Office of National Statistics has published the latest set of figures on the stock of businesses in the UK and has found that, between March 2008 and March 2009 there was a continued move towards incorporation, and a reduction in the number of sole proprietors and partnerships. The data here also provides useful background on the size distribution of businesses. One business in seven in the UK is involved in the building / construction industry although this sector only contributes between 7-8% of GDP annually - can students explain why?

Posted to BUSINESS THEMES - •Business Organisation - •Enterprise and Startups -
Tags: gdp, government, non-profit making bodies, sole proprietors, partnerships, corporate businesses
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Ever tried milking a camel?

For a different story of a new business start-up try this radio interview with Europe’s first camel farmer in Holland. The milk is already widely used in Africa and India, and is believed to have curative properties for diabetes and possibly for a wide range of bowel conditions, and apparently tastes little different to cows’ milk. If you use this in the classroom you might want to use the following questions for discussion:

Why are camels much harder to keep than cows?

What benefits do the farmer and the dutch government hope that the milk may have as a USP?

What hurdles did the farmer have to overcome in setting up the business?

What markets should the farmer target and why?

Posted to BUSINESS THEMES - •Enterprise and Startups - •Marketing - •Small Businesses -
Tags: usp, target market, camels milk
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Meet the Young Entrepreneur of the Year 2009

Terrific news from the O2 X Awards last night.  Rajeeb Dey was named as the winner of the O2 X Young Entrepreneur of the Year in the prestigious annual national small business competition, the O2 X Awards. The award recognises the new generation of young entrepreneurs who are making an impact in today’s challenging economic climate.

A good friend and supporter of tutor2u, Raj is a fantastic entrepreneurial role model with a bright future.  And you can meet Raj in person at the Business Teacher National Conference in London on 18 June 2010 when he provides us with insights into his business strategy and style.

Posted to BUSINESS THEMES - •Enterprise and Startups -
Tags: tutor2u, competition, entrepreneur, rajeeb dey, enternships, o2 x awards
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Are you one of the growing number of “5-9ers”?

Homeworking guru Emma Jones is writing ‘Working 5 to 9 - how to start a business in your spare time’ - the book will cover the rising trend of people working a day job and building a business at nights and weekends. There’ll be 50 stories of successful 5 to 9’ers and Emma would be delighted to include a tutor2u user!. If you have a day job and are tutoring in your spare time, please let us know if you’d be interested in the profile opportunity.

Posted to BUSINESS THEMES - •Enterprise and Startups - •Small Businesses -
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George Davies and fashion retailing Part 4

George Davies specialises in breaking new ground in the fashion business. In the 1980’s he set up Next, and made a huge success of a new concept in fashion retailing with coordinated ranges for young professional women who wanted smart clothes with a bit of fashion edge to wear for work. In the 1990’s he moved to Asda, and introduced the George fast-fashion range of great value clothing which followed the cat walk styles and were written up in Vogue and the other fashion bibles – and remains cutting-edge with the introduction of a specialist range of Asian fashion clothing reported on the blog here last week. In the 2000’s he moved on again to bring Per Una to Marks and Spencer, which was the first time M&S sold any goods under a different brand name and rejuvenated the store’s reputation for fashion clothing. 

Posted to BUSINESS THEMES - •Business Ethics & CSR - •Business Strategy - •E-Business & E-Commerce - •Enterprise and Startups - •Retailing -
Tags: sources of finance, usp, corporate social responsibility, online retailing
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