10D the BIG question...

One of Vodafone's main aims is linked to 'corporate social responsibility' (CSR). This is a measure of how well the business treats the communities and environment in which it operates (e.g. community projects to help alleviate poverty in third world countries and eco frindly projects to reduce their carbon footprint such as recycling). In 2008 they even won an award for their CSR, proof that they have made good progress towards achieving their aim.

Question: Why do you think Vodafone see CSR as so important? How might it help them be more successful?

10d the BIG Question...

When the Glazer family bought the majority of shares in Manchester United they chose to take Machester United plc off the stock market and changed its legal structure to a private limited company (ltd). This meant that only people the Glazers invited to buy shares in Manchester United could do so whereas when the football club was a public limited company anybody could buy shares. The key shareholders in Manchester United are Malcolm Glazer and his sons. Question: Why do you think the Glazers chose to take Man Utd off the stock market and run it as a private limited company instead of as a public limited company?

10d Big question

Read the Cadbury plc case study on page 179. Note that this case study was written before Cadbury was taken over by Kraft Food plc in 2010. What was different about the way Cadbury grew in 1969 to how it grew in its first hundred and forty five years of trading?

10d the BIG Question...

Read the 'Going to a small claims court' case study carefully on page 144. When debtors (people who owe you money) default on payments this can have a 'domino effect' of cashflow problems along the supply chain. i) Explain, using the scenario of the case study what we mean by 'domino effect'. ii) What options does David have if he is to avoid defaulting on paying the bathroom supplier?

10d the BIG question...

Read Tour4.com case study on page 165 of the black books. Tour4.com offer a service (as opposed to a 'good') and therefore good customer service is extremely important for them. Describe two ways in which Tours4 offers a good service to its customers.

10d the BIG question...

Read the Farmhouse Fare' case study carefully on page 150. Why do you think Helen chooses to make cakes by hand? What do you think the disadvantages of making them this way are? Read the Farmhouse Fare' case study carefully on page 150. Why do you think Helen chooses to make cakes by hand? What do you think the disadvantages of making them this way are?

10d the BIG question

Read this article

What do you think the impact on the local economy around West Ham football club will be?

The BIG question...

Read the 'Going to a small claims court' case study carefully on page 144. When debtors (people who owe you money) default on payments this can have a 'domino effect' of cashflow problems along the supply chain. i) Explain, using the scenario of the case study what we mean by 'domino effect'. ii) What options does David have if he is to avoid defaulting on paying the bathroom supplier?

10d the BIG question

Read the case study on page 139. Try and spot four things that Stan said which you think are illegal in employment law.

10D the BIG question...

Read the Richer Sounds Case Study on page 134. Do you like the idea of working for a company with the approach to people management that Richer sounds has? Explain your answer.

10d the BIG question...

Employees of the public sector (government owned organisations) , including teachers, are preparing to take industrial action to protect their pay, retirement age and pensions. Over the bank holiday weekend the NAHT (Head Teachers' Union) voted to poll members on taking industrial action if the proposed pension changes are enforced.

"They say changes being proposed will mean they will have to work longer for less money and that, on average, a head teacher will lose about £100,000 from their pension."

The BIG questions:

1) What might happen to the motivation levels of teachers and head teachers if the changes to pensions and pay freeze do go ahead?

2) Good pensions and an early retirement age have been an important factor in recruiting teachers as the basic pay is not as good as could be earned in similar jobs in the private sector. What might the impact of these changes be on teacher recruitment?

10d the BIG question...

Read the article: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-13202762

Explain how it can be that Amazon's profits have fallen but their sales have risen. What could have caused this?

10d The BIG question

Why do small businesses often have trouble raising the finance they need? Read page 41-42 in the black books. How might having a detailed business plan give banks/venture capitalists the confidence to loan a small business money?

10d The BIG Question

Read the 'Panto' case study on page 116 of the Black business books. Summarise briefly why the Panto sometimes has negative cashflow (more money going out than coming in). Should the panto be concerned by these periods of negative cash flow?

10d The BIG question

Read this article and then summarise in one sentence how the government are going to help support businesses starting up.

10d The BIG question

Many businesses like to carry some debt and think in the long run it will make them more money. Why do you think this might be?

10d the BIG question

What was the last thing you bought because you were persuaded by an advert or promotional offer? Give the product and the promotional method used.

10D BIG Question

What factors contribute to making a product successful?

10d the BIG question

'The price of a product or service is not as important as the features/quality of the product or service': Discuss.

10A BIG Question

'The price of a product or service is not as important as the features/quality of the product or service': Discuss.