Business Resources

A lack of robots: Ian Marcouse asks why British firms do not invest in robots. This article links to the following topics in your specification: production, productivity and efficiency; human resource strategies to improve productivity; sources of finance; change – causes, effects and managing; business objectives and coporate strategy; theories of corporate strategy; and revenue, costs and profit.

Netflix: redefining HR: Tom Beggs examines Netflix’s HR strategy. This article supports your unit on Human resource performance and links to the following topics in your specification: approaches to staffing; recruitment, selection and training; staff motivational theories; financial and non-financial staff incentives; sources of finance; productivity and efficiency; organic growth; and competitive environment.

Brainteasers: revision questions

Making connections: revision crossword

Exam focus: AQA exams: Phil Waterhouse breaks down the AQA exam papers and questions, considering how to approach each one.

Handy’s fourth leaf: getting customers to do the work: David Williams examines Charles Handy’s shamrock organisation model and its development over time. This article is relevant to the following topics in your specification: corporate culture – Handy; approaches to staffing; meeting the needs of customers; innovation; productivity and efficiency; competitive environment; and competitive advantage.

The rise of e-sports: Phil Waterhouse examines the growth of e-sports as a business opportunity. This article is relevant to the following topis in your specification: global markets and business expansion; global competitiveness; dynamic markets; online distribution; global marketing strategy; managing change; and growth.

Case study: W is for Walmart: Phil Waterhouse examines the business model behind US giant Walmart. Look out for the practice AQA exam question in this article. This article is relevant to the following topics in your specification: business objectives and corporate strategy; global marketing mix; innovation; distribution; competitve advantage; business ethics; change – causes, effects and managing; corporate social responsibility; approaches to staffing; and corporate culture.

Back to basics: ten things you need to know about businesses in east and southeast Asia: Ian Marcouse provides the basis for good general knowledge about global companies: Alibaba, BYD, ByteDance (TikTok), Evergrande Group, Foxcom, Nintendo, Shein, Tencent, Toyota and TSMC.

Pricing, strategy and the UK car: Although written to assist Edexcel Year 13 businesses candidates with their 2023 Paper 3, this article is also of value to those following other specifications. It is relevant to the following topics in your specification: marketing strategy; marketing mix; price; the competitive environment; supply and demand; PESTLE; branding; business objectives and corporate strategy; global markets; managing change; causes and effects of change.

Case study: X is for Xerox: Phil Waterhouse examines the origins and current market share of Xerox. This case study is relevant to the following topics in your specification: innovation; theories of corporate strategy; research and development; sources of finance; private limited company; dynamic markets; PESTLE; competitive environment; and competitive advantage.

The future of chatbots: Phil Waterhouse examines the use of artificial intelligence in ChatGPT and the potential uses of this software. This article is relevant to the following topics in your specification: innovation; change – causes, effects and managing; competitive environment; meeting the needs of customers; sources of finance – Venture capital; marketing positioning; marketing mix; and dynamic market.

Case study: Canva: Phil Waterhouse examines the founding and development of graphic design platform, Canva. This case study is relevant to the following topics in your specification: innovation and market growth; research and development; business objectives and coporate strategy; marketing mix; global marketing; transformational leadership; forms of business; dymanic markets; competitive environment; and competitive advantage.

Turning a hobby into a business: Phil Waterhouse looks at how content creators can monetise their former hobbies. This article is relevant to the following topics in your specification: role of entrepreneur; entrepreneurial motives and characteristics; social media; marketing – promotion; branding; viral marketing; forms of business; sources of finance; sponsorship; and innovation.

Exam focus: application: the misunderstood assessment objective: Phil Waterhouse explains how to get top marks in application. The skill of application is one that is crucial to your exam success.

Case study: Ocado: hot stock or hot air? Ian Marcouse examines Ocado’s business strategy and market position. Look out for the practice AQA exam question in this article. This case study is relevant to the following topics in your specification: business objectives and corporate strategy; business failure; capacity utilisation; global markets and business expansion; global competitiveness; marketing positioning; marketing mix; marketing strategy; and theories of corporate strategy.

Case study: Zara: fast or green fashion? Phil Waterhouse looks at Zara’s attempts to improve sustainability while maintaining market share. This case study is relevant to the following topics in your specifiication: business ethics; corporate social responsibility; theories of corporate strategy; global marketing strategy; promotion and branding; product and service design; research and development; and global competitiveness.

Data in action: going east: Changes in annual vehicle production 2000-21 and vehicle production by region in 2000 and 2001 with discussion points.

Maintaining competitiveness: Ian Marcouse tackles a term at the heart of strong A-level business exam answers – competitiveness. This article is relevant to the following topics: assessing competitiveness; global competitiveness; cost competitiveness; Porter’s strategic mix; business objectives and corporate strategy; revenue, costs and profit; managing change; causes and effect of change; the competitive environment.

Is high gearing a curse? Gearing (also known as leverage) examines the capital structure of a business – its source of funds. This article supports your study of gearing in your unit on Analysing the existing internal position of a business to assess strengths and weaknesses: financial ratio analysis. It is also relevant to the following topics: interpretation of financial statements; sources of finance – external finance; forms of business; business decisons and strategy; the competitive environment; growth; mergers and takeovers.

Influences on the soft drinks market: Phil Waterhouse examines the major players within the soft drinks market and the external influences affecting their market share. This article is relevant to the following topics: PESTLE; dynamic markets; competitive environment; managing change; causes and effect of change; assessing competitiveness; global competitiveness; cost competitiveness; Porter’s strategic mix; theories of corporate strategy.

Sainsbury’s and Porter’s strategy matrix: Ian Marcouse examines Sainsbury’s attempt to increase its competitiveness and market share. This article is relevant to the following topics: assessing competitiveness; cost competitiveness; business objectives and corporate strategy; market positioning; Ansoff’s matrix; revenue, costs and profit; managing change; causes and effect of change; the competitive environment. Look out for the AQA practice exam question in this article.

Brainteasers: human resource management: Revision questions.

In brief: old v. new: Fads that don’t fade (jazzercise). Crypto sponsorship in sports.

Back to basics: ten things you need to know about European businesses: Ian Marcouse provides the basis for good general knowlede about global companies.

The business of farming: Despite global necessities, the farming industry facses challenges. This article is relevant to the following topics: global competitiveness; growing economies; labour productivity; supply and demand; international trade and business growth; factors contributing to increased globalisation; assessment of a country as a production location; the impact of multinational corporations; change – causes, effects and managing; trade blocs.

Trouble on the e-high street: A range of factors, including the fallout from the Covid-19 lockdowns and cost-of-living crisis, are affecting retailers, both on the high street and online. This article is relevant to the following topics: PESTLE; dynamic markets; competitive environment; managing change; causes and effect of change; inflation; theories of corporate strategy; business objectives and corporate strategy.

Making connections: finance: A revision crossword on finance.

Case study: U is for Uniqlo: Phil Waterhouse examines Uniqlo’s growth from a men’s clothing retailer in Japan to the third largest clothing retailer in the world. This article is relevant to the following topics: global industries and companies – multinational corporations; leadership – transformational; the impact of multinational corporations; international trade and business growth; factors contributing to increased globalisation.

Exam guide: Skyr yoghurts: This case study, with practice exam questions and sample answers, shows you the best route to top marks. This article is relevant to the following topics: forms of business; leadership; role of an entrepreneur; entrepreneurial motives and characteristics; change – causes, effects and managing; business choices; growth; liquidity; business failure.

Case study: The Green Apron: Phil Waterhouse examines the business careers of his friends from university as examples of entrepreneurial success. This article is relevant to the following topics: role of an entrepreneur; entrepreneurial motives and characteristics; leadership; forms of business; change – causes, effects and managing; business choices. Look out for the AQA practice exam question in this article.

How to write an essay: Ian Marcouse explains the 10 golden rules for essay writing.

Case study: V is for Vans: From a skateboarding shoe to a mainstream staple, Vans has had its ups and downs. This article is relevant to the following topics: business objectives and corporate strategy; forms of business; business choices; marketing mix; promotion; niche market; growth; change – causes, effects and managing; liquidity; business failure.

SPICED-up PESTLE analysis: Phil Waterhouse examines the impact of government decisions on the UK economy, strength of the pound and business decision making.

UK growth rates: globalisation and government spending: Data on growth for UK and other countries during and since the ‘great globalisation’ (1995-2008). Data on per capita, inflation-adjusted GDP growth 1995-2021 compared with government spending. Discussion points.

New Prime Minister, new priorities? Ian Marcouse assesses what the new UK government should be focusing on.

Make or break: airline start-ups: Phil Waterhouse examines the potential of new start-up airlines in a post-pandemic world. This article is relevant to the following topics on the AQA specification: the competitive environment; PESTLE; global marketing mix; porter’s five forces analysis; branding; sources of finances – external finance; forms of business; the role of shareholders and why they invest; business objectives and corporate strategy; managing change; causes and effect of change; innovation; global business; globalisation; global industries and companies – multinational corporations. Look out for the practice exam question in this article.

The death of cinema? Phil Waterhouse looks at the future of the cinemas that survived the pandemic. This article is relevant to the following topics in the AQA specification: PESTLE; dynamic markets; business decisions and strategy; the competitive environment; marketing mix; cash flow.

Supply chains: reacting to external influences: Phil Waterhouse explores the impact of global events on supply chains. This article is relevant to the following topics in the AQA specification: PESTLE; trade blocs; dynamic market; distribution – place; how to manage the supply chain effectively; change – causes, effects and managing; outsourcing; business objectives and corporate strategy; revenue, costs and profit.

Brainteasers: operations management: 5 practice questions on this topic.

In brief: growing start-ups: looking at Ava May Aromas, Kaslhi and Snackcess.

Making connections: human resources: A revision crossword on this topic.

Back to basics: ten things you need to know about US businesses: Ian Marcouse provided the basis for good general knowledge about US companies. This guide looks at Alphabet Inc; Amazon Inc; Apple Inc; Berkshire Hathaway; McDonalds; General Motors (GM); Mars; Microsoft; Tesla; and Walmart Inc.

Case study: Funky entrepreneurship: Ian Marcouse talks to Stephan Theron about the potential market for electric vehicles in African countries.

Case study: S is for Samsung: Diversification can allow a company to spread risk and enjoy high profitability. This case study is relevant to the following topics in the AQA specification: Ansoff’s Matrix – diversification; Porter’s Strategic Mix; theories of corporate strategy; marketing strategy; research and development; growth – organic growth; global competitiveness; the impact of multinational corporations.

Why training matters: Ian Marcouse examines why training is crucial to long-term business sucess. Look out for the practice exam question in this article.

Case study: Amazon: a disruptor in the physical retail industry? Sam Kemp examines Amazon’s influence on the physical retail space. This case study is relevant to the following topics in the AQA specification; e-commerce; distribution – place; oligopoly; monopoly; production, productivity and efficiency – capital intensive; the impact of multinational corporations; business objectives and corporate strategy; global marketing. Look out for the practice exam question in this article.

Case study: Marmalade: One car insurance company is tapping into the large market of young drivers by providing tailored insurance.

Strategic decisions: In May 2022, the median pay for the chief executives (CEOs) of the UK’s Top 100 companies was £3.6 million a year. These people (mostly men) have the job for about 5 years. And in that time may make just one significant ‘strategic’ descision. Could that one decision be worth the salary they ae paid over those 5 years? Yes it could.

Case study: Perry Hinges: Phil Waterhouse examines the business careers of his friends from university.

Case study: T is for Tesla: Tesla’s focus on battery technology has made it one of the most valuable companies in the world. Look out for the practice exam question in this article.

Data in action: focus on motor and electric vehicle production: Data with discussion points.

Ghana: the next economic success story? Ghana is predicted to be one of the fastest-growing economies in Africa over the next few decades. Mimi Osew reviews the reasons for this growth, assessing Ghana’s export strengths and looking at factors that might hamper its development.

In brief: new year blues: The Strava app model; EV market leader; The curious case of Gamestop.

Brainteasers: revenue, costs and profit: Practice exam questions.

China’s industrial strategy: Ian Marcouse describes how China has put electric vehicle batteries at the centre of its industrial strategy. This article links to the following areas of the specification: globalisation; growing economies; international trade and growth; factors contributing to increased globalisation; assessment of a country as a production location; global competitiveness; business decisions and strategy; the competitive environment. Look out for the practice exam question in this article.

Deglobalisation: effects on business: Robert Nutter examines the effects of deglobalisation on the business world in recent years. This article links to the following areas of the specification: global business; globalisation; global industries and companies (multinational corporations); PESTLE; managing change; causes and effect of change; business objectives and corporate strategy; trade blocs. Look out for the practice exam question in this article.

Case study: Shein: introducing Evolushein: Can the fashion industry be profitable and sustainable? This article links to the following areas of the specification: ethics and corporate social responsibility; how the external environment can affect costs; waste minimisation; PESTLE; environmental factors; dynamic markets; business objectives and corporate strategy; shareholder vs stakeholder objectives; innovation; change (causes, effects and managing); Elkington’s triple bottom line; international trade and business growth.

Starship: the future of home fast-food deliveries? Phil Waterhouse examines the growing importance of place within the marketing mix. This article links to the following areas of the specification: innovation; marketing mix; marketing strategy; PESTLE; dymanic market; distribution; understanding markets and customers; business objectives and corporate strategy; change (causes, effects and managing). Look out for the practice exam question in this article.

Back to basics: ten things you need to know about UK businesses: Ian Marcouse provides the basis for good general knowledge about global companies, covering AstraZeneca, BP, British American Tobacco, Diageo, HSBC, JCB, Jaguar Land Rover, RioTinto, Unilever and Vodafone.

Case study: Nykaa Cosmetics: exploiting a gap in the market: Phil Waterhouse looks at how one entrepreneur, Falguni Nayar, found a gap in the market and set up her own company, Nykaa Cosmetics, by using business models from other regions and adapting them to her home market. This article links to the following areas of the specification: innovation; market segmentation and positioning; market mapping; role of the entrepreneur; leadership; meeting customer needs; marketing strategy; product development and strategy (life cycle, value analysis, Boston matrix and Ansoff’s matrix), branding and promotion; impact of external influences.

The London Stock Exchange: Rick West considers the role of stock markets today and asks if the London Stock Exchange is in danger of losing its prominence. This article links to the following areas of the specification: sources of finance (external finance); forms of business; business objectives; the role of shareholders and why they invest; influences on share prices and the significance of share price change; market capitalisation; business objectives and corporate strategy.

Case study: Volkswagen: If only everything in life was as reliable as a VW… This article links to the following areas of the specification: understanding markets and customers; global industries and companies (multinational corporations); business objectives and strategy; marketing mix; product development and strategy (product life cycle, value analysis, Boston matrix and Ansoff’s matrix); prodice, service and design; branding and promotion; marketing strategy; PESTLE; impact of external influences; causes and effects of change; resource management; managing people; sales forecasting. Look out for the practice exam question in this article.

Making connections: business basics: Revision crossword.

Case study: Q is for Quorn: Can Quorn maintain its position in the market?

The metaverse: Mark Zuckerberg has faced a lot of ridicule and various memes about the rebranding of Facebook to Meta, with many outsiders and insiders not entirely sure what the metaverse is and what it is likely to be used for. However, the managing director of Goldman Sachs believes that it is an $8-trillion market opportunity, and so it is probably worthy of your attention. This article links to the following areas of the specification: meeting customer needs; market segmentation and positioning; marketing strategy; product, service and design; branding and promotion; innovation; business objectives and corporate strategy; role of the entrepreneur; leadership; growth.

Case study: R is for Rolls-Royce: Phil Waterhouse looks at the development of a well-known manufacturer.

The future for the cross-channel ferry market: Graham Wallace looks at survivors and success stories in this changing market.

Data in action: focus on UK grocery competition