http://www.tutor2u.net/blog/index.php/business-studies/ en tutor2u.net Copyright 2009 2009-11-20T07:03:00-06:00 http://www.tutor2u.net/blog/index.php/business-studies/comments/the-biz-quiz-20-november-2009/ http://www.tutor2u.net/blog/index.php/business-studies/comments/the-biz-quiz-20-november-2009/#When:07:03:00Z The latest version of the Biz Quiz is now available Launch interactive version of the Biz Quiz Download printable version (pdf) Download VLE Import file TEACHING BUSINESS, Biz Quiz 2009-11-20T07:03:00-06:00 http://www.tutor2u.net/blog/index.php/business-studies/comments/3-2-1-lesson-lift-off/ http://www.tutor2u.net/blog/index.php/business-studies/comments/3-2-1-lesson-lift-off/#When:21:00:00Z Just put this on TES and thought I would share it with everyone. I did it today with my Year 10’s. 3 2 1 Lesson Lift Off is a great bellwork activity to get the students working as soon as they walk through the door… EXAM BOARD SUPPORT, AS & A2 Business, GCSE Business, TEACHING BUSINESS, Starters & Plenaries 2009-11-19T21:00:00-06:00 http://www.tutor2u.net/blog/index.php/business-studies/comments/whats-behind-the-ba-and-iberia-merger/ http://www.tutor2u.net/blog/index.php/business-studies/comments/whats-behind-the-ba-and-iberia-merger/#When:16:32:00Z There are lots of resources available (and a video clip to follow) for an interesting business merger case study.  What factors have encouraged BA and Iberia to merge?  What will it mean for the firm and for its customers? BUSINESS THEMES, Business Strategy, Economic Environment, Leisure, Travel & Tourism, Human Resource Management, Operations Management 2009-11-19T16:32:00-06:00 http://www.tutor2u.net/blog/index.php/business-studies/comments/hr-professionals-stock-up-on-free-pens-and-debate-their-future/ http://www.tutor2u.net/blog/index.php/business-studies/comments/hr-professionals-stock-up-on-free-pens-and-debate-their-future/#When:09:58:00Z Today is the final day of this year’s annual HR Conference and general knees-up, held for the first time in Manchester, having relocated there from its former home in Harrogate. The CIPD Conference is the opportunity for HR professionals to keep in touch with current developments and trends in HR best practice as well as stock up on free pens, paper-clip dispensers and other marketing freebies. So what’s been exercising the minds of the nation’s HR Managers this week? 2009-11-19T09:58:00-06:00 http://www.tutor2u.net/blog/index.php/business-studies/comments/15-word-challenge/ http://www.tutor2u.net/blog/index.php/business-studies/comments/15-word-challenge/#When:21:21:00Z Ask any pupil to read something, chances are that when they do they do so passively, thinking about what time the lesson finishes or what tonights bush tucker trial will be. Will they read it properly or critically? I saw this activity done whilst observing another teacher and I did it today with great results… EXAM BOARD SUPPORT, AS & A2 Business, GCSE Business, TEACHING BUSINESS, Starters & Plenaries 2009-11-18T21:21:00-06:00 http://www.tutor2u.net/blog/index.php/business-studies/comments/bogof-becomes-bogofl-or-bnfnt/ http://www.tutor2u.net/blog/index.php/business-studies/comments/bogof-becomes-bogofl-or-bnfnt/#When:17:23:00Z BOGOFL hasn’t quite got the same ring to it has it - but it’s a development that is being used in the latest round of supermarket wars. BOGOFL stands for “Buy One Get One Free Later”, and involves the customer receiving a voucher at the till which entitles them to a second product free at a later date.  It is also referred to as BNFNT (Buy Now Free Next Time) The idea was first announced by Tesco in October as a response to criticism that BOGOF offers created waste as many of the foodstuffs were going off before customers could use the free product.  However, today Tesco’s arch rival Sainsburys, which has seen some positive signs lately, were able to implement the idea before Tesco and launched the offer on two products. BUSINESS THEMES, Marketing, Retailing, EXAM BOARD SUPPORT, GCSE Business, Edexcel GCSE Business 2009-11-18T17:23:00-06:00 http://www.tutor2u.net/blog/index.php/business-studies/comments/advertising-coming-to-a-windows-7-desktop-near-you/ http://www.tutor2u.net/blog/index.php/business-studies/comments/advertising-coming-to-a-windows-7-desktop-near-you/#When:11:39:00Z In an interesting move, Microsoft has announced the launch of a pilot program that involves selling advertising space on Windows 7 desktops. A number of high profile brands, including Coca-Cola and Porsche, are participating in the pilot scheme.  Advertising will appear in the Windows 7 interface itself as well as add-ons to the Internet Explorer browser, according to Microsoft.  There will also be downloadable Windows 7 Themes designed by the brands. Why are Microsoft making such a move, and will it be effective? BUSINESS THEMES, Marketing, EXAM BOARD SUPPORT, GCSE Business, Edexcel GCSE Business 2009-11-18T11:39:00-06:00 http://www.tutor2u.net/blog/index.php/business-studies/comments/starter-video-clip-for-motivation/ http://www.tutor2u.net/blog/index.php/business-studies/comments/starter-video-clip-for-motivation/#When:21:00:00Z This is an amazing, amazing clip to introduce the topic of motivation.... BUSINESS THEMES, Human Resource Management, EXAM BOARD SUPPORT, AS & A2 Business, AQA BUSS2 2009-11-17T21:00:00-06:00 http://www.tutor2u.net/blog/index.php/business-studies/comments/a-tale-of-two-bakers/ http://www.tutor2u.net/blog/index.php/business-studies/comments/a-tale-of-two-bakers/#When:20:38:01Z Tom White’s excellent piece on the rapid growth and success of Greggs could be used to compare and contrast with a piece of bad news for those of us here in Yorkshire used to getting our lunchtime nibbles from Ainsley’s… BUSINESS THEMES, Credit Crunch, Economic Environment, Finance & Accounting, Retailing 2009-11-16T20:38:01-06:00 http://www.tutor2u.net/blog/index.php/business-studies/comments/emerging-markets-drive-demand-for-oil/ http://www.tutor2u.net/blog/index.php/business-studies/comments/emerging-markets-drive-demand-for-oil/#When:20:26:00Z A neat graphic on The Economist website this week helps illustrate the rapid economic growth of emerging markets such as India & China.  It breaks down the historical demand for oil from the key economies, highlighting the changes between 1980 and the latest forecasts for 2030 by the International Energy Agency.  The oil market is a good example to use when illustrating the dynamics of changing supply and demand on market prices.  And there is a good discussion to have with students about why an emerging economy such as China, Malaysia or India would experience such a significant increase in demand for oil (rapid industrialisation; wider car ownership etc) BUSINESS THEMES, Emerging Markets, Economic Environment, BUSS4 RESEARCH, Emerging Markets - India, Emerging Markets - China, EXAM BOARD SUPPORT, AS & A2 Business, Edexcel Unit 1 2009-11-16T20:26:00-06:00 http://www.tutor2u.net/blog/index.php/business-studies/comments/beating-the-import-threat-luxury-furniture/ http://www.tutor2u.net/blog/index.php/business-studies/comments/beating-the-import-threat-luxury-furniture/#When:17:25:00Z I came across this super short case study in the FT (Oct 09) which is a great example to use to illustrate one strategy of dealing with cheap imports.... BUSINESS THEMES, Business Strategy, Emerging Markets, Small Businesses, BUSS4 RESEARCH, Emerging Markets - China 2009-11-16T17:25:00-06:00 http://www.tutor2u.net/blog/index.php/business-studies/comments/the-biz-quiz-13-november-2009/ http://www.tutor2u.net/blog/index.php/business-studies/comments/the-biz-quiz-13-november-2009/#When:16:52:00Z Here is this weel’s edition of The Biz Quiz Launch interactive version of The Biz Quiz - 13 November 2009 Download printable handout version Download SCORM-VLE import file TEACHING BUSINESS, Biz Quiz 2009-11-15T16:52:00-06:00 http://www.tutor2u.net/blog/index.php/business-studies/comments/business-resource-update-13-november-2009/ http://www.tutor2u.net/blog/index.php/business-studies/comments/business-resource-update-13-november-2009/#When:11:49:00Z More resources added to the Business Studies blog which you might want to look at… TEACHING BUSINESS 2009-11-13T11:49:00-06:00 http://www.tutor2u.net/blog/index.php/business-studies/comments/eurostars-competitive-forces/ http://www.tutor2u.net/blog/index.php/business-studies/comments/eurostars-competitive-forces/#When:06:59:01Z Eurostar has been transporting passengers through the Channel Tunnel from London to Paris and Brussels for 15 years now, and is deemed a success. The company say that they have had over 100 million passenger, with 10 million expected to do so this year. Eurostar now accounts for 80% of all rail or air passengers travelling directly between London and Paris, while London’s airports share the remaining 20% between them – while it is little value to passengers travelling to or from other UK regions, it is clearly much more convenient for passengers in the London area to travel from the centre of one city to the centre of the other, avoiding the need to travel to the airport at each end of the journey. BUSINESS THEMES, Business Strategy, Marketing 2009-11-13T06:59:01-06:00 http://www.tutor2u.net/blog/index.php/business-studies/comments/office-of-national-statistics-publishes-annual-survey-of-hours-and-earnings/ http://www.tutor2u.net/blog/index.php/business-studies/comments/office-of-national-statistics-publishes-annual-survey-of-hours-and-earnings/#When:14:03:00Z As reported in the press today, the latest annual survey of hours and earnings is just out and it provides an amazing insight into wages across the UK.  2009-11-12T14:03:00-06:00 http://www.tutor2u.net/blog/index.php/business-studies/comments/cash-flow-clue-doh-the-mystery-is-revealed/ http://www.tutor2u.net/blog/index.php/business-studies/comments/cash-flow-clue-doh-the-mystery-is-revealed/#When:13:08:00Z Over 1,500 colleagues have now downloaded our cash-flow murder mystery activity - Cash Flow Clue-doh! And we’re getting an increasing number of enquiries asking what the solution is! BUSINESS THEMES, Credit Crunch, Finance & Accounting, EXAM BOARD SUPPORT, AS & A2 Business, AQA BUSS2, Edexcel Unit 2a, OCR F292, BTEC National in Business, TEACHING BUSINESS, Starters & Plenaries 2009-11-12T13:08:00-06:00 http://www.tutor2u.net/blog/index.php/business-studies/comments/bbc-releases-details-of-top-managers-superb-online-resource/ http://www.tutor2u.net/blog/index.php/business-studies/comments/bbc-releases-details-of-top-managers-superb-online-resource/#When:11:24:00Z For an inside view of the organisational structure and salaries of the top 100 managers in the BBC, look no further than this superb online chart published today. 2009-11-12T11:24:00-06:00 http://www.tutor2u.net/blog/index.php/business-studies/comments/spot-the-difference/ http://www.tutor2u.net/blog/index.php/business-studies/comments/spot-the-difference/#When:10:34:00Z My two daughters love playing spot the difference. Come to think of it, so do I. If I love it, and my daughters love it, then maybe my students will love it. So, thinking of a different way to deliver Hard and Soft HRM, I came up with this very, very simple idea. Spot the difference. On a sheet of paper I had two stories of two different businesses. One who adopted a hard approach and one who adopted a soft approach. Wrote the stories myself I did. Both stories contained the key features of both approaches (temp contracts, autocratic management etc for hard and the opposite for soft) and lots of data (increasing labour turnover and absenteeism for hard, declining for soft etc etc etc). Then, my students had to play spot the difference. The results, well, each student had built up a complete picture of the difference between both approaches along with the key features and the pros and cons of each approach. It worked a treat. Didn’t feel as though they were being taught at all. Far better than running through the differences on the board. We then analysed the issues and did some evaluation. Job done.  BUSINESS THEMES, Human Resource Management, EXAM BOARD SUPPORT, AS & A2 Business, AQA BUSS3, TEACHING BUSINESS 2009-11-12T10:34:00-06:00 http://www.tutor2u.net/blog/index.php/business-studies/comments/coffee-and-sausage-rolls-still-a-huge-hit-on-the-high-street/ http://www.tutor2u.net/blog/index.php/business-studies/comments/coffee-and-sausage-rolls-still-a-huge-hit-on-the-high-street/#When:16:37:00Z A nice case study that we’re all familiar with, just by checking out our local high street.  One isn’t a surprise in the current climate: the booming business of Greggs the baker.  But I am surprised by the other trend.  I was convinced that the froth on the coffee bubble would be blown away by the recession, but so far I’m wrong.  Coffee shops continue to spring up across the land. BUSINESS THEMES, Credit Crunch, Marketing, Retailing, Small Businesses 2009-11-11T16:37:00-06:00 http://www.tutor2u.net/blog/index.php/business-studies/comments/stock-control-in-toy-shops-and-the-run-up-to-christmas/ http://www.tutor2u.net/blog/index.php/business-studies/comments/stock-control-in-toy-shops-and-the-run-up-to-christmas/#When:10:19:01Z Am I allowed to talk about Christmas yet?  You might think it comes earlier each year, but pity the toy retailers who have to start their planning months in advance.  Half of all the toys sold during a year are purchased in the run up to Christmas. BUSINESS THEMES, Operations Management, Retailing 2009-11-11T10:19:01-06:00 http://www.tutor2u.net/blog/index.php/business-studies/comments/aqa-as-business-buss1-key-topic-revision-checklist/ http://www.tutor2u.net/blog/index.php/business-studies/comments/aqa-as-business-buss1-key-topic-revision-checklist/#When:17:13:00Z Here is a key topic revision checklist which students preparing for BUSS1 might find helpful for their revision note files: EXAM BOARD SUPPORT, AS & A2 Business, AQA BUSS1 2009-11-10T17:13:00-06:00 http://www.tutor2u.net/blog/index.php/business-studies/comments/aqa-as-business-buss1-exam-topic-tracker/ http://www.tutor2u.net/blog/index.php/business-studies/comments/aqa-as-business-buss1-exam-topic-tracker/#When:16:58:00Z This might be helpful for centres who are getting students ready for BUSS1 in January 2010. As each exam sitting of a new specification passes, it is a useful exercise to track which parts of the specification have been tested and in what way. Of course some topics soon become examiner favourites - tested again and again if students consistently perform poorly. So beware question-spotting. The questions set in the first two sittings of AQA AS Business Studies (BUSS1) are summarised in our BUSS1 Topic Tracker, which you can download here: EXAM BOARD SUPPORT, AS & A2 Business, AQA BUSS1 2009-11-10T16:58:00-06:00 http://www.tutor2u.net/blog/index.php/business-studies/comments/the-uk-a-nation-of-accidental-managers/ http://www.tutor2u.net/blog/index.php/business-studies/comments/the-uk-a-nation-of-accidental-managers/#When:12:10:00Z Some very useful and provocative research from the Chartered Management Institute indicating that the UK is losing its competitive edge as a result of poor management training 2009-11-10T12:10:00-06:00 http://www.tutor2u.net/blog/index.php/business-studies/comments/health-safety-in-action-the-1-million-stroller-recall/ http://www.tutor2u.net/blog/index.php/business-studies/comments/health-safety-in-action-the-1-million-stroller-recall/#When:11:28:00Z Bad news for British manufacture Maclaren. Maclaren are having to recall around 1 million pushchairs and buggies in the USA because of 12 reports of fingertip amputations after children caught their hands in the hinge mechanism. BUSINESS THEMES, Political & Legal Environment 2009-11-10T11:28:00-06:00 http://www.tutor2u.net/blog/index.php/business-studies/comments/innocent-drinks-teaching-accounts-exercise/ http://www.tutor2u.net/blog/index.php/business-studies/comments/innocent-drinks-teaching-accounts-exercise/#When:18:44:00Z Innocent Drinks has just published its 2008 accounts (they are required to submit them within 9 months of their financial year-end).  They make interesting reading! BUSINESS THEMES, Business Strategy, Finance & Accounting, EXAM BOARD SUPPORT, AS & A2 Business, AQA BUSS3, TEACHING BUSINESS, Data Analysis Worksheets 2009-11-09T18:44:00-06:00 http://www.tutor2u.net/blog/index.php/business-studies/comments/business-teacher-resource-update-9-november-2009/ http://www.tutor2u.net/blog/index.php/business-studies/comments/business-teacher-resource-update-9-november-2009/#When:11:44:00Z We’re entering a hugely busy period for new materials being added to the Business Studies blog - so I thought it might be useful to signpost some of these in case you haven’t had time for a browse. TEACHING BUSINESS 2009-11-09T11:44:00-06:00 http://www.tutor2u.net/blog/index.php/business-studies/comments/business-strategy-lesson-idea-pest-control-and-parcels/ http://www.tutor2u.net/blog/index.php/business-studies/comments/business-strategy-lesson-idea-pest-control-and-parcels/#When:09:58:00Z Here’s a cracking good case study to use with the Year 13s studying strategic topics.  Conglomerate Rentokil is going through a period of significant business change after the introduction of new management.  The business is best-known for its pest-control activities (the name of the Group does exactly what it says on the tin).  But is has other, unrelated divisions too, including the struggling parcel deliver City Link which it is trying to turnaround.  This excellent feature in the Guardian brings the Rentokil strategy up-to-date - lots of good A2 business in there, and a nice link to the external environment (Postal Strike) too. For more information, take a look at the Rentokil investor presentations and audiocasts BUSINESS THEMES, Business Strategy, Change Management 2009-11-09T09:58:00-06:00 http://www.tutor2u.net/blog/index.php/business-studies/comments/brompton-bicycles-guardian-profile/ http://www.tutor2u.net/blog/index.php/business-studies/comments/brompton-bicycles-guardian-profile/#When:06:49:00Z 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,” BUSINESS THEMES, Business Strategy, Marketing, Small Businesses, EXAM BOARD SUPPORT, AS & A2 Business, Edexcel Unit 4a 2009-11-09T06:49:00-06:00 http://www.tutor2u.net/blog/index.php/business-studies/comments/emerging-markets-lessons-from-four-success-stories/ http://www.tutor2u.net/blog/index.php/business-studies/comments/emerging-markets-lessons-from-four-success-stories/#When:14:14:00Z The FT ran a series of four short articles in early 2009 (now behind their paywall) describing the experiences of four businesses who had successfully entered emerging international markets. In this streamed revision presentation, we have highlighted some of the key learning points from those articles - factors to for businesses to consider as they evaluate the opportunities and threats, risks and rewards from investing in emerging markets such as Brazil, India and China. Launch revision presentation on Lessons from Four Success Stories BUSINESS THEMES, Business Strategy, Emerging Markets, BUSS4 RESEARCH, Emerging Markets - Brazil, Emerging Markets - India, Emerging Markets - China, EXAM BOARD SUPPORT, AS & A2 Business, AQA BUSS4 2009-11-08T14:14:00-06:00 http://www.tutor2u.net/blog/index.php/business-studies/comments/emerging-markets-case-study-mothercare-international-expansion/ http://www.tutor2u.net/blog/index.php/business-studies/comments/emerging-markets-case-study-mothercare-international-expansion/#When:12:41:00Z 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 BUSINESS THEMES, Business Strategy, Emerging Markets, Retailing, BUSS4 RESEARCH, Emerging Markets - India, Emerging Markets - China, Emerging Markets - Russia, Emerging Markets - Other, EXAM BOARD SUPPORT, AS & A2 Business, AQA BUSS4 2009-11-07T12:41:00-06:00