Tracker Pixel for Entry

BUSS4 Revision Workshops 2012 - Programme Outline

Wednesday, February 01, 2012

Print Email Tweet This!Save to Favorites
Recommend on Google+

The session-by-session programme for our AQA BUSS4 revision workshops in March & April 2012 is now available. Details below. Bookings for these workshops can be made here. We’re visiting Portsmouth, Hull, London (Fulham), Bristol, Birmingham, Manchester, Newcastle, Leeds and then finishing off with a visit to the Olympic area at London Stratford City.

BUSS4 Workshop 2012 Programme Outline

Our BUSS4 revision workshop for 2012 is packed full with relevant & accessible research evidence for both Section A and Section B essays. The focus of the day is supporting students in using evidence to help write two convincing and well-structured essays that reach the very top levels of the AQA mark scheme.

Specific BUSS4 exam technique is introduced and developed throughout the day. Each session features student exercises and writing frames designed to practice key skills including:

- Structuring an essay
- Building an argument
- Developing key points to the required depth
- Integrating research examples into the answer, including appropriate use of data
- Comparing and contrasting
- Evaluating the evidence and arguments to produce a justified conclusion

These techniques, together with the case studies we use during the workshop, will be of significant benefit to students as they prepare for BUSS4. However, it is vital that they are reinforced and practised (either in the classroom or as homework) after the workshop itself.

The first two sessions focus on the 2012 research theme – Takeovers and Mergers. The other three sessions look at several of the remaining BUSS4 topics, with the emphasis on making connections between them (e.g. leadership and managing change; the impact of technological change on competitive strategy; how the economic environment impacts decision-making).

Session 1: Takeovers: Who, Why and How?

This session uses a real-life case study approach to consider the strategic motivations behind takeovers and mergers. It also looks at the practical challenges facing the acquiring business with a focus on stakeholder relations (particularly employees, customers & local communities) and the change management implications of integrating an acquisition.

Session 2: Takeovers: Winners and Losers

The second session on the Section A research theme provides students with an opportunity to use evidence to evaluate the success or failure of takeovers. They look at how this can be done using financial data as well as other, qualitative measures. The reasons for, and lessons from several high profile takeover failures are examined as is the potential role for government intervention.

Session 3: Economic Environment & Strategic Decision-Making

Here we take a look at some key economic trends in the UK & international economy and consider how they affect strategic decision-making. The effects of recession and the Euro Zone crisis are considered as well as the implications of faster economic growth in emerging markets.

Session 4: How Technological Change is Disrupting Strategy

A key session here on a topic which has not yet been fully examined in BUSS4 but which is superb choice for students to focus on as a Section B possibility for June 2012. We look at examples of “disruptive technology” and how these have changed fundamentally the competitive environment in many markets and industries. Lots of examples used here with which students will be very familiar!

Session 5: Leadership and Change

Perhaps the most fundamental topic in BUSS4 and relevant to almost any essay in both Section A and Section B. We finish with a look at the connection between effective leadership and the factors that are required to achieve successful change in an organisation.

We wrap the BUSS4 workshop up with 5-10 minutes of guidanace on “next steps” – advice on what students can do in the remaining 8-10 weeks of their studies to prepare themselves well for the challenge of BUSS4.

Tags: buss4

blog comments powered by Disqus

BUSINESS TEACHER RESOURCE NEWSLETTER
Get first news of business teaching resources, ideas and other materials from tutor2u. Over 9,400 business teachers from the UK and around the world receive our regular teacher email newsletters. Sign up for free here!

* Your Email Address:
* Preferred Format:
Full Name:
* Country:
Job / Position:
Postcode:
School / College:
Town / City:
AS/A2 Applied Business Board:
AS/A2 Business Studies Board:
BTEC First:	Offered Not Offered
BTEC National in Business:	Offered Not offered
GCSE Applied Business Board:
GCSE Business Board:
* Enter the security code shown:

BUSS4 Revision Workshops 2012 - Programme Outline

Latest entries

Categories