Introducing the tutor2u Twelve for 2012
After a relatively successful series of picks last year, we’ve now come up with our suggestions for twelve firms to follow for A2 business students wanting to deepen their understanding of real businesses as they prepare for their final exam papers this summer.
read more...»Investment in People - Google and Human Capital
Here is a link to a recent article on Google’s approach to investment in people. Written from a Google perspective inevitably there are none of the criticisms that others have made of human resource management in the Googleplexes around the world.
However, the article is useful in explaining the huge emphasis that Google places on being transparent with their workforce and in giving employees freedom, autonomy and purposes in their jobs. I am sure A2 students will be able to draw some useful insights from reading through it.
read more...»Edexcel A2 Business Unit 4a - Toyota Case Study Toolkit
Many Edexcel centres use Mark Tottman’s brilliant analysis of the pre-released case study for Unit 4a each year, and they’ll be pleased to hear that Mark’s toolkit for the Toyota Case Study (2012 exams) is now available for immediate delivery from tutor2u. Details further below. The order form below also includes details of the pre-released toolkits which can now be pre-ordered for other exam board units.
read more...»Olaf takes the knife to management hierarchy
A great example of delayering a top-heavy organisational structure. Olaf Swantee is a name with which I guess very few of us are familiar. But he might find himself being referred to in several A* business essays in the next few exam sittings if students use the case study of Everything Everywhere…
read more...»Skype CEO on Aims, Growth, Risks and Motivation
A very useful interview here with Tony Bates, the UK-born CEO of Skype which is in the process of being acquired by Microsoft. Technology firms and brands continue to be a superb source of business lesson case studies and examples. There is much in the interview which students ought to add to their notes - particularly A2 students wanting some research-based evidence for their exam essays.
read more...»A2 Business: Six key global trends that are shaping business strategy
Students who can point to some overriding trends which help shape strategic direction and choices are much more likely to write interesting, persuasive and evaluative essays. This new report by consultants Ernst & Young is a pinch of gold dust for such students, as it examines in a reasonably accessible way six broad, long-term developments which shape business around the globe.
read more...»Edexcel A2 Business Unit 4a - Specification Resource Map
The key topics on the Edexcel A2 Business Unit 4a (Making Business Decisions) have been mapped to all the content on the tutor2u business studies blog in a new specification resource map. You can download the resource map from the link below. As new resources are added to the blog, the Edexcel Unit 4a resource map will update automatically.
Download Edexcel A2 Business Studies Unit 4a (Making Business Decisions) Specification Resource Map
Culture & Change - The Challenge Facing Nokia
This has to be one of the best newspaper articles for a Year 13 business student in many a long year…
read more...»Strategy in Action: “Buying Growth is Not a Strategy”
Here’s a slightly different but certainly topical example of business strategy for the teacher and/or student that wants an example of an external (inorganic) growth strategy that can go seriously wrong. This article on TechCrunch will not suit every student, but the more confident will find plenty of rich business studies material in the analysis and evaluation of Intel’s M&A strategy. Some good examples in there about how takeovers destroy shareholder value more often than they they add to value.
Edexcel GCE Unit 4a - Strategic Analysis of Morrisons
Many thanks to Mark Tottman who has, once again, produced a superb strategic analysis to support the latest pre-released case study for Edexcel GCE Business Unit 4a. For exams in 2011, the case study is supermarket chain WM Morrisons. Mark’s analysis, which is ideal for all Edexcel Unit 4a centres, is now available from our online store.
Business strategies as we emerge from the recession
A quick heads up on a five-part, daily series in the FT this coming week which examines the strategic options for UK businesses as they emerge from the recession.
It starts with a look at how business and marketing planning has been made harder for B2C firms by the increasingly unpredictable nature of UK consumers.
“In a series of investigations over the next five days, the Financial Times will examine the dilemmas companies face – from how to get finance to what to do about supply chains and opportunities for green business”
People without a subscription to FT.com will probably hit the FT’s paywall with this link, but here it is anyway. Might be worth getting the FT print edition this week for this series though.
http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/54ac38da-1406-11df-8847-00144feab49a,s01=1.html
Brompton Bicycles - Guardian Profile
Terrific news for Edexcel Unit 4a students - the Guardian has a feature article today looking at the growth and strategy of Brompton Bicycles. Its a really useful article which focuses on the added value that Brompton provide to its growing customer base. Some great examples in too there on the role and benefits of staff training, the challenges of retail distribution and on production capacity.
There’s a great quote too from the Managing Director:
“Our patent ran out nine years ago, and if we were making this bike in Taiwan, staff turnover would mean that knowledge would be lost. Years of love have gone into our staff,”
Edexcel A2 Business Unit 4a - Brompton Bicycles
Our teacher and student revision toolkit for the Edexcel Unit 4a Pre-Release Case Study on Brompton Bicycles is now available.
Mark Tottman has provided a comprehensive analysis of the Brompton case, following the highly successful format of his previous tutor2u toolkits for the Edexcel A2 Business exams.
Some sample pages from the resource can be downloaded here:
The toolkit may not be ordered online for immediate delivery here:
Exam Board resources
Exam board specific materials will be added to the relevant subject blog categories
