Government support for apprenticeships
Offering apprenticeships is one way that businesses can go about training new employees in practical skills. However they are also often criticised as simply a cheap way of hiring labour for a couple of years, with no guarantee of employment for the apprentice at the end of the training period. The government is trying to increase the number of apprenticeships on offer as one way of tackling youth unemployment and the skills gap that we have in the UK economy, by offering grants to small businesses who take on an apprentice. This video report looks at the history of apprenticeships, with some lovely footage from the sixties, and the benefits that the scheme could bring, along with the fact that there is still no guarantee of a full-time job at the end of it, and so could be useful for students of both unit 2, looking at recruitment and training, and unit 4 looking at the relationship between business and government.
read more...»Masking the product life cycle
Forgot about this unusual way of delivering the theory of the product life cycle. Thanks Darth for reminding me.
A while ago, I made myself a number of ‘masks’ to illustrate the various stages, swapping them to describe each different stage.
I have a mask of a baby (introduction); a one of a toddler (growth); a one of a mature male (no mask needed but I have one anyway) and one of the grim reaper.
When I discuss the different stages I just slip on the mask.
Makes delivering the theory a ‘tad’ more lively and it sticks in the kids minds.
Isn’t that what ‘learning’ is all about?
Product, pricing and profitability in a changing market
In an article in the Business Section of the Sunday Times, Rachel Bridge looked at the vital importance of getting the marketing mix right for businesses struggling to survive the downturn in demand during the recession. The focus is on product, pricing and profitability in the changing market place. One point, that tends to get forgotten in market research, is the value of talking to those who are not currently customers as well as those who are. There are some excellent examples in the article, from a jeweller who introduced a new, cheaper range in order to allow customers attracted into her shop to find something affordable rather than leave empty-handed, to a couple running a pet and house minding business which has launched a “business in a box” to enable people to set up on their own just like they had. For a one-off fee of £6,995 plus VAT they supply a manual, a website, two days of training and the right to set up a similar business in a specified region.
The article concludes with some key lessons for reviewing the marketing mix:
- Consider introducing a cheaper range to appeal to more cost-conscious customers but make sure it does not damage the image of your business.
- Be wary of marking down prices of existing products to attract customers. Once lowered, prices are very difficult to put back up.
- Don’t continue to sell products or services purely for sentimental reasons. If they are not in demand, or they don’t make a profit, ditch them.
- Get a clean sheet of paper and write down the ideal product range for the market you are serving. Then work out how to adjust your range to mirror this.
- Don’t make decisions in isolation — ask your customers what they think of your product range and what they would like to see more of.
- Work out the profitability of your products. It may no longer be enough to justify stocking them.
- Review the way you sell your products and services. Can they be ordered or delivered online? Is selling them wholesale still the best way, for example, or should you be trying to build a brand of your own?
Teaching Motivation - Classic Video(s)
I used these two videos (well one split into two) last year when I taught BUSS2 motivation.
Jumping for the Jelly Beans is Herzbergs explanation of his two factor theory and the video has been conveniently split into two parts. Part one covers the basics of the two factor theory whereas part two covers his explanation of job enrichment therefore allowing these two videos to be used over two lessons. Part two also has an amazing summary of the importance of hygiene factors.
What makes these videos really cool is their grainy 70’s look.
Amazing, amazing, amazing….......
read more...»On the road for BUSS1 & BUSS3
We’re on the road with visits this week to Fulham Broadway, Birmingham and Salford Quays as part tutor2u’s revision workshop programme for AQA Business Studies. Two packed screens today at Fulham where the students worked incredibly hard during 5 hours of intensive exam coaching for the BUSS1 and BUSS3 exams in January 2010. We return to the same venues in the last week of April 2010 + a day at Cribbs Causeway Bristol for one-day exam preparation on BUSS2 and BUSS4 (2010 pre-release).
How small businesses can compete - attack is the best form of defence
I like this article, published today on the excellent SMEWeb…
read more...»Starter Video Clip for Motivation
This is an amazing, amazing clip to introduce the topic of motivation….
read more...»A six minute tour round the Dell Factory
We used this video on our AQA AS Unit 2 resource day a few months ago. A super little video of a guided tour around a Dell factory, that also explains key aspects of the supply chain.
read more...»AQA AS Business Unit 1 - Possible Evaluation Questions
The following list is not intended as an exhaustive list of all the possible evaluative questions that might be set on BUSS1 – merely an indication of the key specification areas which lend themselves to longer, evaluative questions.
read more...»AQA AS BUSS2 - Aproaching Evaluation
Here is a brief guide for students taking AQA AS Business (BUSS”) who would appreciate some extra help on evaluation.
read more...»AQA AS Business (Managing a Business) - Revision Checklist
Here is a checklist of the key topics in BUSS2 - which might be helpful as an addition to revision notes.
Download revision checklist for AQA AS Business Unit 2
AQA AS Business Revision Quiz Bank
Launched on 5 May 2009, the AQA AS Business Revision Quiz Bank is a great way for students to test their knowledge and understanding of all the key AQA Unit 1 and Unit 2 topics in the run-up to the AS`exams.
read more...»Exam Board resources
Exam board specific materials will be added to the relevant subject blog categories
CelebAir - Price Elasticity of Demand Exercise
Peter & Jordan have abandoned their celebrity makeover business and have decided to move into a much less risky industry. So they have launched their own private airline - CelebAir. Can an understanding of price elasticity of demand help them make the right business decisions?
read more...»More flak for the banks from business customers - what have they done with bail-out cash?
In File on 4 this week, there is more criticism of the banks. The programme investigates the ‘lending squeeze’, meaning that banks who have received huge amounts of bail-out cash from the government are not handing it on as loans to help small businesses. This was intended to be a condition of the help that the government extended to the banks, in order to help keep the wheels of the economy moving. Small businesses often need cash to help them through periods when they forecast negative cash flow – there is a clear pattern that businesses are finding it ever tougher to borrow, even if they are well established and have a good record and working relationship with their bank.
read more...»Zavvi joins the casualty list
Retailer Zavvi (formerly Virgin Megstores) finally went into administration yesterday afternoon after prolonged speculation that it was in financial difficults. The statement made on Zavvi’s website says much about the reasons why this business failed. This is a good example to use for centres preparing for the new AQA AS Unit 2 (working with suppliers, managing cash flow etc)
On 27 November 2008 Entertainment UK Limited (EUK), the Zavvi UK’s main supplier, went into Administration. Since this time, the Group has been unable to source stock in the usual way and has been forced to enter into new trading arrangements. The Directors understand it is unlikely that EUK will be sold as a going concern and the Group has continued to experience significant difficulty in obtaining stock on favourable credit terms. In addition, the Group has recently experienced a material fall in revenues due to the abrupt downturn in consumer spending. As a result of the above factors the Group began to experience significant cash flow pressure and ultimately became unable to pay its debts as they fell due.
More available here from the BBC web site and also from the Guardian
Teaching cash flow management with Cash Flow Clue-Doh!
A few weeks ago, we introduced a new tutor2u resource designed for delegates at our AQA AS Business Unit 2 Teacher Workshops. Cash Flow Clue-Doh! is a cash flow-based murder mystery game which encourages students to discover the clues that help solve the question “why did Peston Plastics go bust”...
read more...»Revealed - the Secrets of a Retailer’s Christmas Logistics
An absolutely fantastic video has just arrived on the BBC website - ideal material to demonstrate the use of technology in operations, business planning and a host of other curriculum topics. A huge hat tip to the BBC for producing resources like this - absolutely invaluable.
Headhunter - Suggestions for other ways to use the resource in teaching
Delegates to our AQA AS Business Unit 2 teacher workshops got the chance to try out our new Headhunter resource, and then to take the whole thing away with them to use in their teaching.
During the workshops we explored alternative uses of Headhunter and ways in which it could be embedded into effective business teaching. Here, as promised for the delegates, are those great teacher suggestions…
read more...»What happens inside the Amazon warehouse at Christmas
A terrific 2-minute video here that takes us inside the Amazon distribution centre at the busiest time of the year - the weeks before Christmas. Perfect for illustrating technology in operations!
I’m a Small Business - Get Me Out of Here!
Over the next few months, the BBC website is tracking the fortunes of a selection of small businesses who are aiming to survive the economic downturn. No videos yet (I’m sure they’ll come), but this resource could prove to be really useful. Many thanks to Penny Brooks for recommending the link:
BBC - Small Firms Fighting the Downturn
Revision Quiz - Recruitment, Selection & Training
This revision quiz covers the core topics on recruitment, selection and training.
Click here to launch interactive quiz on recruitment, selection and training
Revision Quiz - Motivation
Here is a revision quiz which provides 10 question selected at random from our database of questions on motivation -in theory and practice.
Click here to launch interactive quiz on motivation
Revision Quiz - Customer Service
This revision quiz provides 10 questions on customer service topics.
Click here to launch interactive quiz on customer service
Revision Quiz - Quality
This revision quiz provides 10 mcq’s on the topic of quality management.
Launch interactive quiz on quality management
Revision Quiz - Organisational Structures
This ten-question revision quiz focuses on organisational structure. The questions look at topics such as organisational hierarchy, spans of control, delegation etc.
Click here to launch interactive quiz on organisation structures
Revision Quiz - Operational Decisions
This revision quiz is on operational decisions. Each time you take the quiz, you get a selection of 10 mcq’s on topics such as capacity utilisation, unit costs and stock control.
Click here to launch interactive quiz on operational decisions
Revision Quiz - Using Technology in Operations
This revision quiz looks at some applications of technology to support production and operations.
Revision quiz - Working with Suppliers
The importance of a business working effectively with suppliers is now featured in several business studies specifications. Here is a quick revision quiz that covers the key points.
Launch interactive quiz on working with suppliers
Revision quiz - Measuring & Improving Profit
This revision quiz focuses on measuring and interpreting the net profit margin and return on capital. Each time you take the quiz, 10 questions are drawn at random from our database.
