http://www.tutor2u.net/blog/index.php/business-studies/ en tutor2u.net Copyright 2010 2010-03-19T18:32:00-06:00 http://www.tutor2u.net/blog/index.php/business-studies/comments/nice-visual-for-the-enlarged-eu/ http://www.tutor2u.net/blog/index.php/business-studies/comments/nice-visual-for-the-enlarged-eu/#When:18:32:00Z I found this nice little link for showing how the EU has grown over time. Perfect for an IWB. You can access it from here. I let it run in the background whilst I was teaching the class. Enjoy............ EXAM BOARD SUPPORT, AS & A2 Business, AQA BUSS4 2010-03-19T18:32:00-06:00 http://www.tutor2u.net/blog/index.php/business-studies/comments/btec-national-business-business-videos/ http://www.tutor2u.net/blog/index.php/business-studies/comments/btec-national-business-business-videos/#When:21:26:00Z At today’s BTEC National conference, I gave a brief presentation showcasing some video resources which can be used to support teaching and learning for the new BTEC National Business specifications from September 2010. I’ll add more details about each one to the blog in the coming days.  But for now, here are the links to the videos… EXAM BOARD SUPPORT, BTEC Level 3 Diploma in Business, TEACHING BUSINESS, Video Case Studies 2010-03-18T21:26:00-06:00 http://www.tutor2u.net/blog/index.php/business-studies/comments/marketing-at-jaguar-btec-national-2010/ http://www.tutor2u.net/blog/index.php/business-studies/comments/marketing-at-jaguar-btec-national-2010/#When:21:05:00Z Just back from our lovely two-day CPD event for BTEC teachers at the stunning Jaguar Visitor Centre at Castle Bromwich. I jotted down the following notes from a great talk given by Adam Henderson from the Jaguar marketing department today - ideal material for the BTEC National marketing units and plenty of crossover too for other business courses… BUSINESS THEMES, Marketing, EXAM BOARD SUPPORT, BTEC Level 3 Diploma in Business 2010-03-18T21:05:00-06:00 http://www.tutor2u.net/blog/index.php/business-studies/comments/the-biz-quiz-19-march-2010/ http://www.tutor2u.net/blog/index.php/business-studies/comments/the-biz-quiz-19-march-2010/#When:19:49:00Z Here the Biz Quiz for 19 March 2010: Launch interactive version Download printable pdf version Download VLE Import edition (SCORM - zip file) TEACHING BUSINESS, Biz Quiz 2010-03-18T19:49:00-06:00 http://www.tutor2u.net/blog/index.php/business-studies/comments/ireland-asks-for-your-help-on-st-patricks-day/ http://www.tutor2u.net/blog/index.php/business-studies/comments/ireland-asks-for-your-help-on-st-patricks-day/#When:10:19:00Z 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….. BUSINESS THEMES, Aims and Objectives, Business Strategy, Credit Crunch, Economic Environment, International Business, Political & Legal Environment 2010-03-17T10:19:00-06:00 http://www.tutor2u.net/blog/index.php/business-studies/comments/measuring-changing-shopping-habits-and-inflation/ http://www.tutor2u.net/blog/index.php/business-studies/comments/measuring-changing-shopping-habits-and-inflation/#When:21:45:00Z As students learn about the impact of external economic influences such as inflation, it might be helpful to look at the changes the Office of National Statistics have just made to the way in which they calculate the average level of inflation for the UK. Each year they review the so-called ‘typical basket of goods’ that is bought by households, so that they can measure changes in the price of those goods over the coming year. This enables them to make sure that the prices they are monitoring are for the goods which are most relevant to the average household in the UK – the aim is to update the basket to reflect changes in our pattern of spending. BUSINESS THEMES, Economic Environment, BUSS4 RESEARCH, Recent UK Recession (June 2010), EXAM BOARD SUPPORT, AS & A2 Business, AQA BUSS4 2010-03-15T21:45:00-06:00 http://www.tutor2u.net/blog/index.php/business-studies/comments/wipeout-challenge-uk-recession/ http://www.tutor2u.net/blog/index.php/business-studies/comments/wipeout-challenge-uk-recession/#When:18:40:00Z Here is a new version of Wipeout challenge.  This time the task is for students to identify the businesses that entered administration during 2008-2009.  A nice little lesson starter.  The follow-up could be to discuss why the businesses that did go bust failed..and what happened to them since (not all disappeared altogether) UK_Recession_Wipeout_Challenge.ppt BUSINESS THEMES, Economic Environment, BUSS4 RESEARCH, Recent UK Recession (June 2010), TEACHING BUSINESS, Starters & Plenaries 2010-03-15T18:40:00-06:00 http://www.tutor2u.net/blog/index.php/business-studies/comments/the-tax-on-companies/ http://www.tutor2u.net/blog/index.php/business-studies/comments/the-tax-on-companies/#When:16:39:00Z Anyone following the news knows that tax and government spending are the main issues facing firms and households in the forthcoming general election.  The bottom line: spending is likely to fall and taxation is likely to rise.  Whilst most of us can get our heads around income tax and VAT – mainly effecting households - what are the main tax issues facing firms?  BUSINESS THEMES, Business Law, Finance & Accounting, Political & Legal Environment 2010-03-15T16:39:00-06:00 http://www.tutor2u.net/blog/index.php/business-studies/comments/into-the-clouds-is-this-the-end-of-the-life-cycle-for-pen-drives/ http://www.tutor2u.net/blog/index.php/business-studies/comments/into-the-clouds-is-this-the-end-of-the-life-cycle-for-pen-drives/#When:20:56:01Z Time was when I simple couldn’t bear to be separated from my motley collection of USB pen drives.  But now I’ve joined the rapidly growing group of people who have stuck their heads into the “clouds” for an alternative way of saving, sharing and backing up data… BUSINESS THEMES, Marketing 2010-03-14T20:56:01-06:00 http://www.tutor2u.net/blog/index.php/business-studies/comments/the-internet-and-business-10-years-after-the-dotcom-crash/ http://www.tutor2u.net/blog/index.php/business-studies/comments/the-internet-and-business-10-years-after-the-dotcom-crash/#When:16:18:00Z It’s 10 years since the dot.com crash and the internet has become a daily feature of life and business activity.  For those of you too young to remember, there was a lot of internet hype in the years leading up to 2000.  Everyone sensed that the internet was going to be big, but few firms had actually worked out ways of making money from the web.  A lorry load of cash was thrown at Net-based start-ups – much of it was lost.  That was the dot.com crash.  Fast forward a decade and a terrific tool from the BBC can show you at a glance where much internet traffic is headed. BUSINESS THEMES, Business & Technology 2010-03-12T16:18:00-06:00 http://www.tutor2u.net/blog/index.php/business-studies/comments/motivation-and-management-at-john-lewis/ http://www.tutor2u.net/blog/index.php/business-studies/comments/motivation-and-management-at-john-lewis/#When:00:20:01Z These news reports about the 10% rise in profits at John Lewis are valuable for students preparing for AQA BUSS 4, as they give plenty of material about how the group turned poor half year results into splendid full year profits in the midst of the recession and decline in high street spending. The report in the Guardian is particularly interesting as it examines the advantages brought by the unusual corporate structure, and the quality of management of the company which it concludes isn’t the best-run in Britain. While the article in Management Today compares the profits with those of Morrisons, and contrasts the growth strategies of the two businesses. They are equally valuable for those preparing for the AS unit 2 papers, as they examine the way in which John Lewis uses profit sharing as a means of financial motivation, alongside a wide range of other fringe benefits, and in return have a labour turnover which is half that of most of their competitors. They should be viewed alongside the BBC’s series of three programmes about John Lewis and will be of greatest interest of all to any students who have part-time jobs at Waitrose or the department stores, as they stand to gain a 15% profit sharing bonus! BBC News - John Lewis profits top £306m as staff share big bonus The Guardian - At John Lewis, ‘happiness’ beats profit Management Today - Booming Waitrose powers John Lewis to bumper profits BUSINESS THEMES, Business Strategy, Change Management, Leadership & Culture, Human Resource Management, Operations Management, Retailing, BUSS4 RESEARCH, Recent UK Recession (June 2010), EXAM BOARD SUPPORT, AS & A2 Business, AQA BUSS2, AQA BUSS4 2010-03-12T00:20:01-06:00 http://www.tutor2u.net/blog/index.php/business-studies/comments/the-biz-quiz-12-march-2010/ http://www.tutor2u.net/blog/index.php/business-studies/comments/the-biz-quiz-12-march-2010/#When:21:51:00Z The latest edition of The Biz Quiz is now available. Launch interactive version of The Biz Qiz - 12 March 2010 Download printable handout version (pdf) Download VLE import version (SCORM zip file) TEACHING BUSINESS, Biz Quiz 2010-03-11T21:51:00-06:00 http://www.tutor2u.net/blog/index.php/business-studies/comments/aqa-revision-workshops-ready-to-go/ http://www.tutor2u.net/blog/index.php/business-studies/comments/aqa-revision-workshops-ready-to-go/#When:11:13:00Z Its been quiet on the blogging front for a few days whilst we got the BUSS4 Research Toolkit out of the door and then locked ourselves away for two days to work on the Revision Workshop programme for April & May.  Still - it was worth it.  Michelle and the team have come up with some cracking sessions for our intensive pre-exam days… EXAM BOARD SUPPORT, AS & A2 Business, AQA BUSS2, AQA BUSS4 2010-03-10T11:13:00-06:00 http://www.tutor2u.net/blog/index.php/business-studies/comments/a-brief-history-of-double-entry-bookkeeping/ http://www.tutor2u.net/blog/index.php/business-studies/comments/a-brief-history-of-double-entry-bookkeeping/#When:10:12:00Z Forget X Factor, EastEnders or Loose Women.  Here’s something worth staying in for if, like me, you are a big fan of double-entry bookkeeping… BUSINESS THEMES, Finance & Accounting, TEACHING BUSINESS 2010-03-10T10:12:00-06:00 http://www.tutor2u.net/blog/index.php/business-studies/comments/adverts-that-know-where-you-are/ http://www.tutor2u.net/blog/index.php/business-studies/comments/adverts-that-know-where-you-are/#When:10:46:00Z If the tabloids tell us where Cheryl and Ashley are at all times, it should make life easier for jewelry thieves lurking near their house.  That point makes some people anxious about constantly revealing their location.  Others are far less concerned, which could be a real bonus for advertisers. BUSINESS THEMES, Business & Technology, Business Communication, Marketing, Retailing 2010-03-09T10:46:00-06:00 http://www.tutor2u.net/blog/index.php/business-studies/comments/inside-john-lewis/ http://www.tutor2u.net/blog/index.php/business-studies/comments/inside-john-lewis/#When:10:11:00Z This could be one of the best video resources made available for a long-while for Business teachers and students. Wednesday nights at 9.00 p.m. on BBC2. A behind-the-scenes documentary on John Lewis. In a television first, the BBC goes behind the scenes of John Lewis - one of Britain’s biggest and best known department stores - as it tackles changing tastes, tougher competition and the worst recession for 80 year. Full details here First episode starts with how John Lewis has handled the recession.  Perfect. TEACHING BUSINESS 2010-03-07T10:11:00-06:00 http://www.tutor2u.net/blog/index.php/business-studies/comments/teacher-talkabout/ http://www.tutor2u.net/blog/index.php/business-studies/comments/teacher-talkabout/#When:21:26:00Z I did this today with my Year 12’s. Went down a storm it did. TEACHING BUSINESS, Starters & Plenaries 2010-03-06T21:26:00-06:00 http://www.tutor2u.net/blog/index.php/business-studies/comments/government-financial-support-the-requests-come-flooding-in/ http://www.tutor2u.net/blog/index.php/business-studies/comments/government-financial-support-the-requests-come-flooding-in/#When:13:46:00Z Two examples today of stakeholder pressure for the UK government to provide increased financial support for “strategic industries"… 2010-03-05T13:46:00-06:00 http://www.tutor2u.net/blog/index.php/business-studies/comments/data-watch-what-happened-to-business-investment-in-the-uk-recession/ http://www.tutor2u.net/blog/index.php/business-studies/comments/data-watch-what-happened-to-business-investment-in-the-uk-recession/#When:07:52:00Z A recession is typically associated with a reduction in business investment (capital expenditure).  What does the data show in terms of the total capital spending by UK firms during the recent recession? BUSINESS THEMES, Business Strategy, Credit Crunch, Finance & Accounting, BUSS4 RESEARCH, Recent UK Recession (June 2010) 2010-03-05T07:52:00-06:00 http://www.tutor2u.net/blog/index.php/business-studies/comments/wipeout-challenge-total-quality-management/ http://www.tutor2u.net/blog/index.php/business-studies/comments/wipeout-challenge-total-quality-management/#When:21:12:00Z Many thanks to Lord Sutch for sending over this version of Wipeout Challenge, which his Lordship ran successfully with his GCSE Business students recently.  it would work just as well with AS students covering quality control / assurance.  The file download is below.  it is a PowerPoint show (pps) format. Download Wipeout Challenge - Total Quality Management BUSINESS THEMES, Operations Management, EXAM BOARD SUPPORT, AS & A2 Business, AQA BUSS2, GCSE Business, AQA GCSE Business, Edexcel GCSE Business, TEACHING BUSINESS, Business Quizzes, Starters & Plenaries 2010-03-04T21:12:00-06:00 http://www.tutor2u.net/blog/index.php/business-studies/comments/the-biz-quiz-5-march-2010/ http://www.tutor2u.net/blog/index.php/business-studies/comments/the-biz-quiz-5-march-2010/#When:18:58:00Z The latest edition of The Biz Quiz is provided below: Launch interactive version of The Biz Quiz - 5 March 2010 Download printable pdf handout version Download VLE import version (SCORM zip file) TEACHING BUSINESS, Biz Quiz 2010-03-04T18:58:00-06:00 http://www.tutor2u.net/blog/index.php/business-studies/comments/data-watch-what-happened-to-consumer-spending-in-the-uk-recession/ http://www.tutor2u.net/blog/index.php/business-studies/comments/data-watch-what-happened-to-consumer-spending-in-the-uk-recession/#When:12:16:00Z Putting to one side all the newspaper and tv stories of how consumers behaved during the recent recession in the UK, what does the data show?  What were the real trends and how did consumers behave compared with the long preceding period of economic growth in the UK? BUSINESS THEMES, Economic Environment, BUSS4 RESEARCH, Recent UK Recession (June 2010), TEACHING BUSINESS, Data Analysis Worksheets, Starters & Plenaries 2010-03-04T12:16:00-06:00 http://www.tutor2u.net/blog/index.php/business-studies/comments/the-shape-of-things-to-come-how-recession-will-change-the-way-businesses-wo/ http://www.tutor2u.net/blog/index.php/business-studies/comments/the-shape-of-things-to-come-how-recession-will-change-the-way-businesses-wo/#When:13:10:00Z I finally got round to reading an important piece of research by the Conferderation of British Industry (CBI) on the future shape of businesses in the UK. Its a fascinating document that describes how Britain’s business leaders believe recent events have accelerated some fundamental changes in the ways that businesses will compete and be structured over the next 5-15 years.  Some of the report’s conclusions pick up on some specific strategic issues that have been raised by the recent recession - and are therefore relevant for students looking into this topic for their A2 exams. 2010-03-03T13:10:00-06:00 http://www.tutor2u.net/blog/index.php/business-studies/comments/technological-change-shakes-up-book-production/ http://www.tutor2u.net/blog/index.php/business-studies/comments/technological-change-shakes-up-book-production/#When:11:42:00Z A nice, short piece in the Economist covers everything from changes to production systems and book retail with economies of scale an important consideration too.  Electronic book readers have had a lot of attention recently, but there may be a good deal of life left in the paper format yet… BUSINESS THEMES, Business & Technology, Operations Management, Retailing 2010-03-03T11:42:00-06:00 http://www.tutor2u.net/blog/index.php/business-studies/comments/the-business-of-sport-a-bbc-online-special/ http://www.tutor2u.net/blog/index.php/business-studies/comments/the-business-of-sport-a-bbc-online-special/#When:17:09:01Z Spring hat tip to Ben White from Bromsgrove school for flagging up this new web resource from the BBC The BBC now have a special feature ‘Business in Sport’ section: Not sure whether its here to stay for long term but absolutely loads to pick up from here, including at a brief glance: • Profit and Loss • Sources of Finance • Football Club Finances • Legal /Contract and Ethical Issues • Marketing / Sponsorship • Impact of Recession • Impact of World Cup on SA economy All in a sporting context – brilliant! BUSINESS THEMES, Leisure, Travel & Tourism 2010-03-02T17:09:01-06:00 http://www.tutor2u.net/blog/index.php/business-studies/comments/buss4-research-a-corus-of-disapproval/ http://www.tutor2u.net/blog/index.php/business-studies/comments/buss4-research-a-corus-of-disapproval/#When:22:18:00Z One more suggestion for colleagues looking to encourage students to pick a relevant case study for their BUSS4 research on the recent recession in the UK.  Take a look at the Corus story over the last 18-24 months. BUSINESS THEMES, Business Strategy, Economic Environment, BUSS4 RESEARCH, Recent UK Recession (June 2010) 2010-03-01T22:18:00-06:00 http://www.tutor2u.net/blog/index.php/business-studies/comments/cool-looking-map-to-highlight-globalisation/ http://www.tutor2u.net/blog/index.php/business-studies/comments/cool-looking-map-to-highlight-globalisation/#When:19:54:01Z Though dated (2003), this is still a really cool visual to highlight the global presence of Starbucks and McDonalds. Great for visual learners… Find it here..... EXAM BOARD SUPPORT, AS & A2 Business, AQA BUSS4 2010-03-01T19:54:01-06:00 http://www.tutor2u.net/blog/index.php/business-studies/comments/buss4-and-british-airways-a-marriage-made-in-heaven/ http://www.tutor2u.net/blog/index.php/business-studies/comments/buss4-and-british-airways-a-marriage-made-in-heaven/#When:18:50:01Z British Airways could easily be the case study business featured in Section A of BUSS4.  The story of BA during 2008 and 2009 fits perfectly with the BUSS4 research focus on strategies in a recession, short v long-term planning and the related issue of stakeholder relationships.  And if BA isn’t the chosen example by the BUSS4 examiner, then it becomes a superb basis for research and comparison.  Just think of the issues that have come up in the last 24 months: 2010-03-01T18:50:01-06:00 http://www.tutor2u.net/blog/index.php/business-studies/comments/strategy-in-a-recession-stakeholders-and-cutting-labour-costs/ http://www.tutor2u.net/blog/index.php/business-studies/comments/strategy-in-a-recession-stakeholders-and-cutting-labour-costs/#When:17:51:00Z During the recent recession in the UK, many firms looked to reduce their operating costs by implementing short-time working, overtime bans and temporary cuts in production capacity.  What were the stakeholder implications of this?  A key issue was what effect these actions had on employer/employee relations, and I came across this neat 4 minute video which addresses the issue.  In the video, the General Secretary of the TUC discusses how trade unions felt about labour cost-minimisation strategies.  Some good points for students to pick up in here: View video interview with Brendan Barber (TUC) [source BBC Daily Politics] BUSINESS THEMES, Business Ethics & CSR, Business Strategy, Economic Environment, Human Resource Management, BUSS4 RESEARCH, Recent UK Recession (June 2010) 2010-03-01T17:51:00-06:00 http://www.tutor2u.net/blog/index.php/business-studies/comments/challenge-the-chancellor-2010-level-3-competition-entry-form/ http://www.tutor2u.net/blog/index.php/business-studies/comments/challenge-the-chancellor-2010-level-3-competition-entry-form/#When:13:29:00Z Schools and colleges who wish to enter teams for the Challenge the Chancellor 2010 Level 3 competition should use the following online form: http://tutor2u.wufoo.com/forms/ctc-2010-level-3-entry-form/ Please note: - This is the online entry form for the Level 3 competition - For schools with more than one team, a separate entry form should be used for each team entering the competition - The form has two sections (on the same page) (1) Contact details for the team and its school (2) A file upload function for teams to select final Word document for the Level 3 Competition - Only one entry is permitted for each team. Please ensure that the entry you submit is your final version - changes cannot be made once an entry is submitted. - When you are ready to submit your competition entry, please click “Submit Form” at the bottom of the form. - A copy of your entry form will be sent to the email contact address supplied - please ensure that it is accurate. Good luck in Challenge the Chancellor 2010!  CHALLENGE THE CHANCELLOR 2010 2010-03-01T13:29:00-06:00