TERM 1

Content

Introduction to the course and the specification

Unit 1: Introduction to Small Business (25%)

Topic 1.1: Spotting a business opportunity – understanding customer needs, market mapping, analysing competitor strengths and weaknesses, adding value, options for start up businesses.

Topic 1.2:Showing enterprise – what is enterprise, thinking creatively, what questions do entrepreneurs ask, invention and innovation, calculated risk, other important enterprise skills.

Topic 1.3:Putting a business idea into practice – objectives when starting up, the qualities shown by entrepreneurs, estimating revenues costs and profits, forecasting cash flows, obtaining finance.

 

Skills

Practical skills.

Presentational skills.

Interpersonal skills.

Cognitive skills.

Develop as effective and independent learners and as critical and reflective thinkers with enquiring minds.

Consider the extent to which business and economic activity can be ethical and sustainable.

Use an enquiring and critical approach to distinguish facts and opinions, to build arguments and make informed judgements.

 

TERM 2

Content

Unit 1: Introduction to Small Business (25%)

Topic 1.4:Making the start-up effective – customer focus, the marketing mix, the importance of limited liability, start-up legal and tax issues, effective on-time delivery and customer satisfaction, recruiting, training and motivating staff.

Topic 1.5:Understanding the economic context – market demand and supply, impact of changes in interest rates on small businesses, impact of changes in exchange rates, how do business cycles affect small business, what effect do business decision have on stakeholders.

 

Skills

Practical skills.

Presentational skills.

Interpersonal skills.

Cognitive skills.

Develop and apply knowledge, understanding and skills to contemporary issues in a range of local, national and global contexts.

Consider the extent to which business and economic activity can be ethical and sustainable.

Use an enquiring and critical approach to distinguish facts and opinions, to build arguments and make informed judgements.

Appreciate the range of perspectives of stakeholders in relation to business and economic activities.

 

TERM 3

Content

Unit 3: Building a Business (50%)

Topic 3.1: Marketing – branding and differentiation, building a successful marketing mix, effective customer service

Unit 2: Investigating Small Business (25%)

Mock Controlled Assessment (covering topics learnt throughout the year dependant choice of students)

 

Skills

Practical skills.

Presentational skills.

Interpersonal skills.

Cognitive skills.

Develop as effective and independent learners and as critical and reflective thinkers with enquiring minds.

Develop and apply knowledge, understanding and skills to contemporary issues in a range of local, national and global contexts.

Use an enquiring and critical approach to distinguish facts and opinions, to build arguments and make informed judgements.

Appreciate the range of perspectives of stakeholders in relation to business and economic activities.

Consider the extent to which business and economic activity can be ethical and sustainable.