A business that really takes acquisitions and disposals seriously
The investor presentations section of most quoted company websites is usually the best source of information for teachers and students looking to get a more detailed understanding of a company’s strategy and activities. Unilever plc is no different - and there are some terrific presentations from 2009 and 2008 which are a rich source of insight for students wanting to use Unilever as their research topic for AQA BUSS4. I came across this fascinating graphic in this presentation, which illustrates just how active some businesses are in their acquisition and disposal of businesses and brands.
read more...»Global technology giants are hoarding their cash
I came across a fascinating graphic which illustrates just how strong the cash flows are of the world’s leading technology businesses like Apple, Google, Cisco and Microsoft…
read more...»Ireland asks for your help on St Patrick’s Day
It’s hard to take this one seriously, but perhaps you should give it a try. The Irish president, Mary McAleese, has launched a website asking for your views and ideas that could be developed into new businesses with the aim of creating jobs and “bringing back the feel-good factor” to the struggling country.
Maybe it’s worth a few minutes of business studies time to consider both the nature of Ireland’s problems and to take a strategic view of possible ways forwards. And there is €100,000 for the best ideas…..
Entrepreneurial success - Cath Kidston bucks the recession
A neat entrepreneurial success story that will appeal to the female business students who are fans of specialist retailer Cath Kidston. An initial investment of £15,000 has turned into a stake worth around £25 million. Not a bad ROI. Lots of good stuff in this interview article for students wanting an example of niche business which has grown strongly despite the recession - and still lots of growth opportunities to exploit.
Cultural diversity – a tough issue for international business
I was reminded of research I’d done into some of the problems businesses can face when they expand overseas after reading In Paris, the customer is not always right. What’s considered good customer service in the London might be hopeless in Lisbon. I’ve jotted down a couple of examples of cross cultural cock-ups that have plagued international retailers.
read more...»AQA BUSS4 Section B Practice Question - Dyson
During 2002 and 2003, entrepreneur Sir James Dyson transferred all of his business’ manufacturing activities to factories located close to hsi firm’s main suppliers in Malaysia. The decision resulted in the loss of over 800 jobs in the UK. However, the research & development activities of the business remained in the UK along with sales and marketing functions supporting the growing global brand. The decision seems to have paid off for Sir James. He controls the bulk of shares in his main holding company, which is unquoted and highly profitable and his net worth is valued at more than £500m by rich list compilers.
To what extent should strategic decision-making be mainly determined by the interests of shareholders rather than the broader range of stakeholders. Justify your answer with reference to Dyson or other businesses that you know. (40 marks).
read more...»Quality at Toyota and the huge cost of a product recall
More tough times for Japan’s flagship corporate giant, Toyota. This is the firm that gave the world lean production, an approach that was so revolutionary in its time that it prompted a five year study by MIT academics resulting in the famous book ‘Machine that Changed the World’. Just as famous was the revolutionary concept of Total Quality Management (TQM), which is also closely associated with Toyota. What has gone wrong? Toyota Motors says its massive vehicle recall due to an inbuilt fault could cost it up to $2bn (£1.25bn) in lost output and sales. And that may be looking on the bright side.
read more...»Strategic Planning and the World Economy – two great (free) data sources from The Economist
The thought provoking Economist World in 2010 magazine that you will have seen on the newsstands has two sections I always take a close interest in. They are world in figures: industries and world in figures: countries.
Very helpful if you’re looking into the strategic fortunes of a particular industry, or researching global markets in both the rich world and emerging economies.
Video case study - New Balance quality in a successful UK factory
This has to be one of the best short business videos ever produced by the BBC. Absolutely perfect for some great business studies lessons…
read more...»Will outsourcing slow as the pound falls in value?
A good BBC video clip here, which poses an interesting question – how should firms respond to the falling value of sterling? One firm, Clippasafe in Nottingham, has reacted by shifting some of its production back to the UK from China.
read more...»Teaching strategy - Starbucks revisited
A great interview with the CEO of Starbucks in the Guardian this week highlights how useful Starbucks is for colleagues looking for relevant lesson-based case studies in business strategy.
read more...»BRICS - Economic Growth in the Emerging Markets (Interactive Guide)
This would look great on the IWB as a stimulus piece for interaction and discussion. A terrific interactive guide to the economic profiles of the BRICs here (Brazil, Russia, India & China).. Compare the progress of the Bric states’ gross domestic product over time alongside the major global economies and the “next 11” developing nations in the graphic provided.
Q&A - What methods can a business can use to expand into international markets?
Selling into international markets is increasingly attractive for UK businesses. For example because of:
• Stronger economic growth in emerging economies such as China, India, Brazil and Russia
• Market saturation and maturity (slow or declining sales) in domestic markets
• Easier to reach international customers using e-commerce
• Greater government support for businesses wishing to expand overseas
The four main methods of investing in international markets are summarised briefly below:
read more...»Emerging Markets - How NOT to set up a business in China
This is hilarious - but also packed full with great insights for AQA (BUSS4) students or others wanting to learn more about the potential downsides and risks of setting up a business in China. The article describes the painful experiences of a UK entrepreneur who set out to make his fortune in China - making and then exporting scooters. Well worth a read, and a great source of discussion with students. Lots of scope for follow-up activities too - what could have been done differently?
A successful family business strategy - go to Specsavers
A terrific interview in The Sunday Times today with the CEO of Specsavers, the hugely successful and family-controlled retail optician. I can see this business appearing in business exams in the next couple of years.
read more...»Video case study - competition drives down prices in India
A great video here describing the effect on prices of intensive competition in the Indian mobile phone market. With over 500 million mobile phone users in India, there are now at least twelve mobile network operators, including UK-based multinationals like Vodafone. However, the effect of excess capacity and price wars in the market has been to drive down industry revenues, despite the growth in subscriber numbers. Only the strong will survive - but who will they be?
Watch BBC video on Indian Mobile Phone network.
Video Case Study - Twinings Offshores Tea Production
A classic and timely video case study in the implications of offshoring here (ideal for BUSS3). Twinings is moving production & packaging for most of its tea brands to China & Poland leading to many job losses in the UK. Just 90 seconds long, but the clip is packed with great busness studies materials, including the need to be closer export markets + the impact of job losses on UK stakeholders
Emerging Markets Case Study - Mothercare International Expansion
Its sometimes quite tricky finding well-resourced examples of international expansion - but this is a good one. Mothercare has quietly adopted a strategy of repositioning its group by focusing on expansion into emerging markets like India, Russia and China using its two “global brands” (Mothercare and Early Learning Centre). It has set itself an objective of opening at least 100 international stores every year, using the franchise model of operation.
This streamed revision presentation provides a collection of stimulus materials which students could use to discuss Mothercare’s strategy. I have brought together some materials from a variety of sources, including press cuttings, annual reports and analyst presentations.
Launch streamed presentation on Mothercare’s International Expansion Strategy
Emerging Markets - Strategies for Doing Business in China
The UKTI service is a superb support for businesses looking to expand into international markets, and they’ve just released a detailed guide to Doing Business in China. Its quite a detailed, 45+ page document, but it includes some expert guidance on factors for businesses to consider - particularly if they are looking to invest in China for the first time…
read more...»Emerging Markets - 10 Tips on Successful Market Entry Strategy
PA Consulting’s head of emerging markets Dean White has contributed a recent article to The Times Business Section on how to expand into emerging markets. The article gives a ten point guide on how to overcome the risks that come with trying to expand overseas…
read more...»Tesco in Korea - a classic case study in international expansion
A great article in The Sunday Times today examines the strategy behind the success of Tesco’s expansion in South Korea…
read more...»Video case study - EU legislation impact on business
An excellent short video which highlights some of the business activities that have been affected by legislation from the European Union…
read more...»International trade in action - on board the container ship
This is a super video clip from the BBC’s Adam Mynott gets us onboard one of the world’s largest shipping containers. So much of what we buy as consumers in the UK arrives via these enormous container ships. As the video explains, the container shipping market is a “bloodbath” at the moment. It is suffering from signficant excess capacity as the volume of goods shipped between international economies has contracted sharply.
Innocent turns to Coca-Cola to finance international expansion
Plenty of coverage in the press today about the announcement that the darling of Business Studies textbooks, Innocent Drinks, has sold a minority stake to Coca-Cola for £30million…
read more...»Video Case Study - Export Success for Mining Tools Manufacturer
You might think that a UK manufacturing business that specialises in the mining industry would be struggling to survive. But here is an uplifting profile of a business that has successfully exploited export markets to both survive and now prosper. An excellent example of how investing in export markets and specialising in a niche can be a profitable business strategy.
Download student worksheet (pdf) and video link
Video Case Study - Exporters Benefit from a Weaker Pound
This super video clip is an excellent example of how the recent weakness in the Pound can generate sales opportunities for exporters. With a price advantage of around 25-30%, exporters with the right product and a suitable promotional mix can win significant new business during 2009 (we need them to!). A great video too for explaining in simple terms how an exporter can hedge the risk foreign exchange fluctuations. Certainly worth showing to the A2 students…
Download student worksheet (pdf) and video link
Beijing Bound for the Black Cabs
A great example in the news today of the potential for joint ventures to provide substantial growth opportunities for a business operating in a mature domestic market.
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