http://www.tutor2u.net/blog/index.php/business-studies/ en tutor2u.net Copyright 2012 2012-02-12T11:47:19+00:00 http://www.tutor2u.net/blog/index.php/business-studies/comments/integration-integration-integration1 http://www.tutor2u.net/blog/index.php/business-studies/comments/integration-integration-integration1#When:11:38:35Z HP is an example of a firm which is struggling to integrate acquisitions, and the perils of diversification. BUSS4 RESEARCH, BUSINESS THEMES, Aims and Objectives, Business & Technology, Business Strategy, Change Management, Finance & Accounting, International Business, Leadership & Culture, Political & Legal Environment, EXAM BOARD SUPPORT, AS & A2 Business, AQA BUSS4, 2012-02-01T11:38:35+00:00 http://www.tutor2u.net/blog/index.php/business-studies/comments/strategic-choice-what-should-apple-do-for-its-investors http://www.tutor2u.net/blog/index.php/business-studies/comments/strategic-choice-what-should-apple-do-for-its-investors#When:09:52:58Z This graphic says it all.  Just look at the astonishing growth in quarterly profits achieved by Apple in recent years, culminating in a staggering result for the final quarter of 2011 which surpassed even the most optimistic forecasts of investment analysts.  A key point for students to consider from this growth in profits is that Apple has followed a policy of retaining profits rather than returning them to shareholders as dividends (or share buy backs).  In Apple’s case, profits have turned into huge cash balances - now almost $100billion. To put this into perspective, in the last three months of 2011, Apple’s cash balances were increasing by $1 billion per week!  So, what should Apple do with the cash? BUSINESS THEMES, Business Strategy, Finance & Accounting, 2012-01-29T09:52:58+00:00 http://www.tutor2u.net/blog/index.php/business-studies/comments/revision-presentation-improving-cash-flow http://www.tutor2u.net/blog/index.php/business-studies/comments/revision-presentation-improving-cash-flow#When:11:31:08Z What are the causes of cash flow problems and how can a business manage its cash flow more effectively?  This updated revision presentation looks at those questions, covering topics such as the basics of working capital management, bank finance, factoring, sale and leaseback and sale of assets. BUSINESS THEMES, Finance & Accounting, REVISION PRESENTATIONS, 2012-01-18T11:31:08+00:00 http://www.tutor2u.net/blog/index.php/business-studies/comments/revision-presentation-using-budgets http://www.tutor2u.net/blog/index.php/business-studies/comments/revision-presentation-using-budgets#When:08:30:43Z This updated revision presentation looks at the essentials of using budgets.  It considers the role played by budgeting and explains the nature and use of variance analysis… BUSINESS THEMES, Finance & Accounting, REVISION PRESENTATIONS, 2012-01-18T08:30:43+00:00 http://www.tutor2u.net/blog/index.php/business-studies/comments/the-budget-basket http://www.tutor2u.net/blog/index.php/business-studies/comments/the-budget-basket#When:07:30:36Z A while ago, I blogged about a really good activity for helping to teach budgets. It was called the wedding planner and can be found here. However, this is another similiar activity that can also be used to help teach the concept of budgets. BUSINESS THEMES, Finance & Accounting, TEACHING BUSINESS, Starters & Plenaries, 2012-01-18T07:30:36+00:00 http://www.tutor2u.net/blog/index.php/business-studies/comments/the-business-of-football-everton-explain-where-the-money-goes http://www.tutor2u.net/blog/index.php/business-studies/comments/the-business-of-football-everton-explain-where-the-money-goes#When:07:31:20Z This is superb - a really useful resource to help explain the concept of an income statement and cash flow too. BUSINESS THEMES, Finance & Accounting, Leisure, Travel & Tourism, 2012-01-16T07:31:20+00:00 http://www.tutor2u.net/blog/index.php/business-studies/comments/making-finance-fun-2012-cpd-course-london http://www.tutor2u.net/blog/index.php/business-studies/comments/making-finance-fun-2012-cpd-course-london#When:10:29:39Z First details here of a new CPD course from the tutor2u team, which we’re running for the first time on 20 June 2012 in central London. BUSINESS THEMES, Finance & Accounting, EXAM BOARD SUPPORT, AS & A2 Business, GCSE Business, AQA GCSE Business, Edexcel GCSE Business, OCR GCSE Business, BTEC Level 2 Diploma in Business, BTEC Level 3 Diploma in Business, TEACHING BUSINESS, Starters & Plenaries, 2012-01-13T10:29:39+00:00 http://www.tutor2u.net/blog/index.php/business-studies/comments/revision-presentation-income-statement-basics http://www.tutor2u.net/blog/index.php/business-studies/comments/revision-presentation-income-statement-basics#When:09:01:36Z This revision presentation outlines the basic structure of the income statement and also explains the meaning of “profit quality” BUSINESS THEMES, Finance & Accounting, REVISION PRESENTATIONS, 2012-01-03T09:01:36+00:00 http://www.tutor2u.net/blog/index.php/business-studies/comments/revision-presentation-cost-minimisation http://www.tutor2u.net/blog/index.php/business-studies/comments/revision-presentation-cost-minimisation#When:08:39:39Z This brief revision presentation outlines the purpose and practice of cost minimisation as a financial strategy. BUSINESS THEMES, Finance & Accounting, REVISION PRESENTATIONS, 2012-01-03T08:39:39+00:00 http://www.tutor2u.net/blog/index.php/business-studies/comments/crisps-and-exchange-rates http://www.tutor2u.net/blog/index.php/business-studies/comments/crisps-and-exchange-rates#When:07:42:29Z There is quite a lot of good business studies in this short article which provides an update on the financial performance of Tyrrells Crisps - the premium crisps firm that was originally founded by entrepreneurial Herefordshire farmer Will Chase. BUSINESS THEMES, Business Strategy, Finance & Accounting, 2011-12-27T07:42:29+00:00 http://www.tutor2u.net/blog/index.php/business-studies/comments/buss3-quiz-on-financial-strategies-and-accounts http://www.tutor2u.net/blog/index.php/business-studies/comments/buss3-quiz-on-financial-strategies-and-accounts#When:13:53:17Z Here is a ten question “type the answer” quiz covering ten key concepts in BUSS3 financial strategies and accounts created using Zondle. BUSINESS THEMES, Finance & Accounting, EXAM BOARD SUPPORT, AS & A2 Business, AQA BUSS3, TEACHING BUSINESS, ICT in the Business Classroom, Digital Learning, Business Quizzes, 2011-12-26T13:53:17+00:00 http://www.tutor2u.net/blog/index.php/business-studies/comments/great-product-bad-management http://www.tutor2u.net/blog/index.php/business-studies/comments/great-product-bad-management#When:09:17:27Z At first glance, Olympus is a market leader in the endoscope market, miniature cameras used in micro surgery and engineering inspections. BUSS4 RESEARCH, BUSS4 2011 - CSR, BUSINESS THEMES, Business Ethics & CSR, Business Law, Finance & Accounting, Political & Legal Environment, 2011-12-21T09:17:27+00:00 http://www.tutor2u.net/blog/index.php/business-studies/comments/warehouse-woes-superdrys-operations-hit-the-finances http://www.tutor2u.net/blog/index.php/business-studies/comments/warehouse-woes-superdrys-operations-hit-the-finances#When:12:24:07Z At the recent BUSS3 workshops we considered how a seemingly insignificant change in operations could have a potentially significant effect on the financial performance of a retail business if that change went wrong. We used the example of retailer Superdry to help make the point.  And now the full cost suffered by Superdry as a result of their warehouse problems has been disclosed in the latest financial results from its parent company Supergroup. BUSINESS THEMES, Finance & Accounting, Operations Management, Retailing, 2011-12-14T12:24:07+00:00 http://www.tutor2u.net/blog/index.php/business-studies/comments/time-for-this-dragon-to-cut-costs-to-keep-his-health-clubs-fighting-fit http://www.tutor2u.net/blog/index.php/business-studies/comments/time-for-this-dragon-to-cut-costs-to-keep-his-health-clubs-fighting-fit#When:20:08:41Z The downturn in consumer confidence and spending is hitting just about every business in the retail and leisure sector - and even a Dragon like Duncan Bannatyne is not immune. BUSINESS THEMES, Business Strategy, Finance & Accounting, Leisure, Travel & Tourism, Marketing, 2011-12-11T20:08:41+00:00 http://www.tutor2u.net/blog/index.php/business-studies/comments/pandanomics-can-edinburgh-zoo-get-a-return-on-their-cuddly-investment http://www.tutor2u.net/blog/index.php/business-studies/comments/pandanomics-can-edinburgh-zoo-get-a-return-on-their-cuddly-investment#When:20:36:44Z It was business class all the way for Tian Tian and Yang Guang on board the suitably-sponsored FedEx Panda Express (as this exclusive snap suggests!).  However, will the Pandas prove to be a worthwhile investment for Edinburgh Zoo? BUSINESS THEMES, Finance & Accounting, Leisure, Travel & Tourism, 2011-12-07T20:36:44+00:00 http://www.tutor2u.net/blog/index.php/business-studies/comments/tottenham-hotspur-to-switch-from-public-to-private-limited-company http://www.tutor2u.net/blog/index.php/business-studies/comments/tottenham-hotspur-to-switch-from-public-to-private-limited-company#When:13:44:28Z If you’re interested in different types of legal structure for business organisations – or football – you might be intrigued by the decision by football club Tottenham Hotspur to “de-list” its shares from the stock market and “go private”. BUSINESS THEMES, Aims and Objectives, Business Law, Business Organisation, Finance & Accounting, 2011-11-16T13:44:28+00:00 http://www.tutor2u.net/blog/index.php/business-studies/comments/olympus-epic-fail1 http://www.tutor2u.net/blog/index.php/business-studies/comments/olympus-epic-fail1#When:09:16:43Z The scale of the failings in corporate governance at Olympus is breathtaking.  The company has misled, shareholders, banks, auditors, stock markets, Japan’s government, and staff about the true state of its finances over a 20 year period. It is Corporate Social Irresponsibility on the grandest of scales. BUSS4 RESEARCH, BUSS4 2011 - CSR, BUSINESS THEMES, Business Communication, Business Ethics & CSR, Finance & Accounting, International Business, Leadership & Culture, Political & Legal Environment, 2011-11-09T09:16:43+00:00 http://www.tutor2u.net/blog/index.php/business-studies/comments/return-on-investment-and-overpaid-hollywood-stars http://www.tutor2u.net/blog/index.php/business-studies/comments/return-on-investment-and-overpaid-hollywood-stars#When:15:38:10Z You might ask if Hollywood stars are ‘overpaid’, like footballers.  However, most footballers aren’t overpaid in the sense that there is a perception that they bring huge revenues to their clubs and are therefore ‘worth it’. The same is true of Hollywood stars, who are worth paying a fortune if that’s reflected in their box office draw.  This isn’t just showbiz gossip, it’s Business Studies (and there’s no business like business studies, as they say). Hollywood studios have to think like a business and ask if it’s worth ‘investing’ in a big name (and big bucks) star.  The answer for Drew Barrymore is apparently ‘no’.  Check out the list. BUSINESS THEMES, Finance & Accounting, 2011-11-08T15:38:10+00:00 http://www.tutor2u.net/blog/index.php/business-studies/comments/corporate-irresponsibility-at-olympus1 http://www.tutor2u.net/blog/index.php/business-studies/comments/corporate-irresponsibility-at-olympus1#When:12:36:12Z Recent problems at Japan’s Olympus Corporation highlight the importance of corporate culture, ethics, Corporate Social Responsibility and management responsibility to shareholders and other stakeholders. BUSS4 RESEARCH, BUSINESS THEMES, Business Communication, Business Ethics & CSR, Change Management, Finance & Accounting, International Business, Leadership & Culture, Political & Legal Environment, 2011-11-08T12:36:12+00:00 http://www.tutor2u.net/blog/index.php/business-studies/comments/retrenchment-not-enough-as-the-lights-go-out-for-luminar http://www.tutor2u.net/blog/index.php/business-studies/comments/retrenchment-not-enough-as-the-lights-go-out-for-luminar#When:10:43:24Z Britain’s leading operator of nightclubs has gone bust - in spectacular style.  In the last year of trading, Luminar plc lost £200 million through its network of 75 nightclubs.  The banks have finally pulled the plug and have appointed administrators to handle the closure/sale of the remaining business.  Eleven clubs have already closed and buyers are being sought for the rest. BUSINESS THEMES, Business Strategy, Finance & Accounting, Leisure, Travel & Tourism, 2011-11-06T10:43:24+00:00 http://www.tutor2u.net/blog/index.php/business-studies/comments/revision-quiz-sources-of-finance-for-a-startup http://www.tutor2u.net/blog/index.php/business-studies/comments/revision-quiz-sources-of-finance-for-a-startup#When:16:43:57Z Students can test their understanding of sources of finance for a startup with this new revision quiz.  Suitable for both GCSE and AS level. Launch Revision Quiz - Sources of Finance for a Startup BUSINESS THEMES, Finance & Accounting, TEACHING BUSINESS, Business Quizzes, 2011-10-21T16:43:57+00:00 http://www.tutor2u.net/blog/index.php/business-studies/comments/revision-quiz-revenues http://www.tutor2u.net/blog/index.php/business-studies/comments/revision-quiz-revenues#When:11:16:10Z A new revision quiz which provides 10 questions (each time it is attempted) on the topic of business revenues. Launch revision quiz on revenues BUSINESS THEMES, Finance & Accounting, TEACHING BUSINESS, Business Quizzes, 2011-10-16T11:16:10+00:00 http://www.tutor2u.net/blog/index.php/business-studies/comments/revision-quiz-breakeven-basics http://www.tutor2u.net/blog/index.php/business-studies/comments/revision-quiz-breakeven-basics#When:19:02:32Z This revision quiz allows students to check their understanding of the core concepts of breakeven analysis.  It includes questions on the meaning of contribution, fixed and variable costs, margin of safety and breakeven output.  The MCQ questions contains relatively few numeric questions - these will feature in a later breakeven data quiz. Launch revision quiz on breakeven basics BUSINESS THEMES, Finance & Accounting, TEACHING BUSINESS, Business Quizzes, 2011-10-15T19:02:32+00:00 http://www.tutor2u.net/blog/index.php/business-studies/comments/revision-quiz-costs-revenues-and-profits http://www.tutor2u.net/blog/index.php/business-studies/comments/revision-quiz-costs-revenues-and-profits#When:16:36:43Z Updated with 20 new questions (Oct 11): Each time you take this revision quiz, 10 questions are drawn at random from our database of questions on basic concepts of measuring costs, revenues and profits. Launch interactive quiz on costs, revenues and profits BUSINESS THEMES, Finance & Accounting, TEACHING BUSINESS, Business Quizzes, 2011-10-12T16:36:43+00:00 http://www.tutor2u.net/blog/index.php/business-studies/comments/revision-quiz-cash-flow-forecasting-for-a-startup http://www.tutor2u.net/blog/index.php/business-studies/comments/revision-quiz-cash-flow-forecasting-for-a-startup#When:11:22:05Z This new revision quiz contains questions which looks at the use of cash flow forecasts by business startups. Launch revision quiz on startup cash flow forecasting BUSINESS THEMES, Finance & Accounting, TEACHING BUSINESS, Business Quizzes, 2011-10-12T11:22:05+00:00 http://www.tutor2u.net/blog/index.php/business-studies/comments/how-much-does-a-premier-league-point-cost http://www.tutor2u.net/blog/index.php/business-studies/comments/how-much-does-a-premier-league-point-cost#When:14:22:59Z Hot on the heels of yesterday’s Sky Football vs Pub Landlady court ruling here is another football related story, which this time provides an interesting view on the return club owners get on their investment. BUSINESS THEMES, Finance & Accounting, 2011-10-05T14:22:59+00:00 http://www.tutor2u.net/blog/index.php/business-studies/comments/revision-exercise-chantelles-jigsaws http://www.tutor2u.net/blog/index.php/business-studies/comments/revision-exercise-chantelles-jigsaws#When:04:27:18Z Practice exercise on capacity utilisation and breakeven Here is a revision exercise that combines capacity utilisation calculations with some workings on breakeven and net profit. Download Chantelle’s Jigsaws - Capacity Utilisation Worksheet (pdf) BUSINESS THEMES, Finance & Accounting, EXAM BOARD SUPPORT, AS & A2 Business, AQA BUSS2, Edexcel Unit 2a, 2011-10-02T04:27:18+00:00 http://www.tutor2u.net/blog/index.php/business-studies/comments/profits-dive-and-put-pressure-on-liquidity-the-distress-monitor http://www.tutor2u.net/blog/index.php/business-studies/comments/profits-dive-and-put-pressure-on-liquidity-the-distress-monitor#When:14:33:01Z This is a fantastic resource for colleagues who want to encourage their AS/A2 students to get to grips with some real-life business data and issues. The Baker Tilly SME Distress Monitor is the resource.  I liken it to one of those life support machines you see bleeping away on Casualty or Holby City.  Except that the monitor is wired up to hundreds of living, breathing medium-sized businesses in the UK. The monitor covers the financial performance of businesses with annual turnover of between £5m-£25m. So how is the financial health of this crucial sector? Print this one-page report out for students and ask them to analyse the data, picking out the key features. You ought to be given some fairly substantial points from the students who read the page carefully.  There will be plenty of scope for follow-up questions and discussion. For example: - A high proportion (25%) of businesses suffered a drop of more than a half in their profit before tax - Significant reduction in firm profitability has implications for their finance (retained profit as the most important source of finance) - One in every four UK SMEs has a current ratio below 1 which indicates insufficient resources to meet their immediate debt repayment ...but, the number of administrations has not risen significantly. BUSINESS THEMES, Finance & Accounting, Small Businesses, EXAM BOARD SUPPORT, AS & A2 Business, AQA BUSS2, AQA BUSS3, OCR F292, 2011-09-29T14:33:01+00:00 http://www.tutor2u.net/blog/index.php/business-studies/comments/the-puzzle-of-rising-profits http://www.tutor2u.net/blog/index.php/business-studies/comments/the-puzzle-of-rising-profits#When:20:33:13Z Would you have guessed that a whole host of companies are reporting bumper profits, even as the economy struggles?  Apparently so.  Despite all the concerns about the world economy, many corporations have still been recording large profits which, on the whole, have been much better than analysts had forecast. BUSINESS THEMES, Business & Technology, Enterprise and Startups, Economic Environment, Finance & Accounting, 2011-09-05T20:33:13+00:00 http://www.tutor2u.net/blog/index.php/business-studies/comments/luke-johnson-on-sources-of-finance-for-a-startup http://www.tutor2u.net/blog/index.php/business-studies/comments/luke-johnson-on-sources-of-finance-for-a-startup#When:09:02:00Z Another superb article here from Luke Johnson is ideal for teachers & students who want a realistic and up-to-date perspective on the available sources of finance for a startup…. BUSINESS THEMES, Finance & Accounting, 2011-08-29T09:02:00+00:00