The worst trading environment the airline industry has ever faced
The title of this blog piece says it all. That is the stark conclusion of BA’s CEO Willie Walsh as he announces a sharp drop in profits and some significant cost-cutting actions…
read more...»Cash is king for small businesses in the downturn
An interesting piece in The Telegraph suggests that small businesses are looking to maximise their cash balances as a key part of surviving the economic downturn…
read more...»Lots of hot air over gas and electricity price rises
The newspapers are full of analysis and response to the significant increase in consumer gas prices announced by yesterday, followed swiftly by news that British Gas owner Centrica has just made a half-year profit of almost £1 billion…
read more...»Comfort eating to beat the credit crunch
Cadbury’s are benefitting from stonger sales of chocolate treats as consumers turn to their favourite comfort food to help handle the credit crunch…
read more...»Product innovation - is the jetpack ready for takeoff?
A great example of product innovation to use with students. Will this jet pack that takes customers soaring up to 3 feet above the ground be a hit with consumers?
read more...»First mover advantage could prove fruitful
A delightful case study about a business start-up set up by two professional financiers who wanted to experience the challenges of setting up a small business…
read more...»Business Strategy - BA plans merger with Iberia
We’ve used British Airways as a rich case study in our A2 Business Strategy workshops for a couple of years. It looks like there will be plenty of scope to revisit the business in future workshops following today’s announcement…
read more...»The formula that proves celebrities have a product life cycle
If you are looking a for fresh approach to teaching the product life cycle, then this news could be just the thing you need…
read more...»Australian expansion proves a move too far for Starbucks
Starbucks is a great example to use with students when it comes to illustrating the growth strategies of multinationals. However, Starbucks has just announced that it is closing the majority of its stores in Australia…
read more...»The exciting topic of budgeting makes the front pages
Its not often that expenditure budgets make the front page of the newspapers, but the dispute over the payroll costs of the “Queen of Countdown” makes for an interesting case study in how to control costs…
read more...»Ryanair flies into the path of the economic storm
A dramatic opening line in an Guardian article suggests that bad news from Ryanair means that the “boom in European low-budget air travel has turned to bust”...
read more...»Characteristics of an entrepreneur - insights from Luke Johnson
Few people write better than Luke Johnson on what it means to be an entreprenuer…
read more...»Private limited companies in the spotlight
The largest businesses are plc’s. Right? Wrong…
read more...»Job losses become a core part of business strategy
Major companies are planning job losses during 2008 and 2009 as a core part of their strategy to handle the economic downturn…
read more...»Print advertising takes the hit as advertisers cut back
As the economy slows and businesses look to make cost savings, its interesting to see where they look to cut back. The amount spent on advertising looks particularly vulnerable to some cuts…
read more...»SMEs should stand up to the large business bullies
Small businesses are being bullied by their much larger competitors when it comes to making late payments for amounts due…
read more...»When the partnership structure doesnt work well for a start-up
A great case study in the Telegraph recently would be a useful support resource for explaining how chosing a partnership structure for a start-up often isn’t the best option…
read more...»Cash flow problems could mean its a wrap…
Are we about to see the return of the dot.com bust as online businesses also struggle to handle the consumer downturn?
read more...»Crocs - shares of the plastic footwear brand in meltdown
A favourite footwear choice of Kate Middleton, Al Pacino and even President Bush appears to entering the maturity phase of its product life cycle…
read more...»Pontins gains from the credit crunch as tourists stay home
Consumer belts are tightened more and more each day. But this isn’t necessarily for bad news for all market sectors. Take the domestic holiday market, for example. Pontins holiday camps are not complaining about a consumer downturn…
read more...»Scary Movie 5 - the UK Economy
In recent years, Business teachers have had a hard time trying to make the economics elements of the business curriculum interesting and relevant. Not any more…its a horror show
read more...»Dominos Pizza beats off the economic downturn
Recession? What recession? That might be the question at HQ of Dominos Pizza. The pizza delivery specialist has just reported strong growth in sales and profitability…
read more...»Dragons Den Returns for Series 6
Monday 21 July 2008, 9 p.m. on BBC1 marks the return of Dragons Den for what is bound to be a popular 6th series. Lots of material for business teachers and students, including this cool online game which allows students to answer tough questions from the Dragons…
read more...»Ideas for a business start-up: Guy Collection
Rachel Bridge’s excellent series of articles on how entrepreneurs come up with their start-up business ideas has another excellent case study this week…
read more...»Which businesses will benefit from the baby boom?
Britons are having more babies than at anytime since the 1970’s. So which business sectors are gaining from the baby boom?
read more...»Meet the agony aunt service for small businesses that is ideal for AS business students
Q. I am a self-employed designer and my business is getting very busy. Are there any rules to help me decide when to take on my first employee? The answer is…
read more...»Meet the business studies student who made £40m from hiring caravans…
Who is this?
- She studied Business Studies at Brighton Technical College
- At 19 she launched her own venture, importing glass and ceramics from Italy
- She bought the family caravan park in 1999 and sold it for £33m in 2005
- She has a tough, no-nonsense approach to business but on the inside claims to be much softer!
And then there were five…
The big six has just become the big five as supermarket group Somerfield gets bought by a rival…
read more...»Forget consultants - small businesses should focus on DIY strategy
I can recommend Mike Southon’s writing on entrepreneurship in the FT and his piece this week has some interesting things to say about small business approach to strategy…
read more...»Credit Crunch - will you stay loyal to your favourite shops?
The sound of consumer purses (and wallets) tightening is being heard around the UK as recession looms. A survey from Verdict suggests that one casualty of the downturn will be customer loyalty.
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