Module 1: Objectives

Activities

Module 1.1 Enquiry 1: Ahead of the game
This activity provides an introductory investigation which gives practice in gathering information, using Carphone Warehouse as the context.

Module 1.1. Enquiry 1: Ahead of the game (, 1.7 MB)

Module 1.1 Enquiry 1: What does business want?
An opportunity to examine business objectives, first in a general way and then in the very familiar context of Tesco. The 2003-04 Chairman's Statement provides one example for students to consider.

Module 1.1 Enquiry 1: What does business want? (, 78 KB)

Module 1.1 Enquiry 2: Pack it up
Another familiar context (milk packaging) is used to explore different aspects of competitive advantage, in relation to consumer demand. Focuses on consumer choice.

Module 1.1 Enquiry 2: Pack it up (, 50 KB)

Module 1.1 Enquiry 2: Will it sell?
This activity is designed as a way of introducing the relationship between price and quantity demanded, market demand and effective demand.

Module 1.1 Enquiry 2: Will it sell? (, 43 KB)

Module 1.1 Enquiry 3: Why do people work?
Students start with a brainstorm session and move on to a simple survey. There is a spreadsheet template for this in the Nuffield Investigations software.

Module 1.1 Enquiry 3: Why do people work? (, 61 KB)

Module 1.1 Enquiry 3: Who calls the shots?
An introduction to a range of perspectives on motivation and management, using an element of role play and extended discussion.

Module 1.1 Enquiry 3: Who calls the shots? (, 52 KB)

Module 1.1 Enquiry 3: Just what is a job
Exploring the nature of work, this activity can be used as a quick introduction or as a basis for extended discussion at the start of work on Enquiry 3.

Module 1.1 Enquiry 3: Just what is a job? (, 33 KB)

Module 1.1 Enquiry 4: What does the government want?
Group work on government decisions provides an insight into the process by which priorities are decided.

Module 1.1 Enquiry 4: What does the government want? (, 43 KB)

Module 1.1 Enquiry 5: Who's affected?
This activity uses spider diagrams to encourage analysis and evaluation of a range of issues. This leads into an opportunity for deeper investigation of stakeholder perspectives.

Module 1.1 Enquiry 5: Who's affected? (, 38 KB)

Module 1.2 Enquiry 1: A profitable Saturday?
This classroom game explores the role of price in market decisions. The approach is lighthearted but a carefully considered debriefing process will draw out significant conclusions.

Module 1.2 Enquiry 1: A profitable Saturday? (, 73 KB)

Module 1.2 Enquiry 1: Advantages
This is an uncomplicated simulation that involves group work and a good deal of student interaction.

Module 1.2 Enq 1 Advantages (, 130 KB)

Module 1.2 Enquiry 2: What adds value?
Continuing with marketplace contexts, this activity starts with a quick look at the full list of inputs to a restaurant meal, highlighting the significance of added value. The second part requires students actually to find their own ways of adding value to packaging materials.

Module 1.2 Enquiry 2: What adds value? (, 46 KB)

Module 1.2 Enquiry 3: Cymru Cocktail
Market research data is provided so that students can devise a marketing strategy which fits the budget.

Module 1.2 Enquiry 3: Cymru Cocktail (, 39 KB)

Module 1.2 Enquiry 4: Meadowcroft Ltd
This is a straightforward break-even calculation using Excel, with what if questions to be considered and a suggested discussion to explore the implications of the situation. Full instructions are provided for students who need to become familiar with the package.

Module 1.2 Enquiry 4: Meadowcroft Ltd (, 90 KB)

Module 1.2 Enquiry 4: The Big Red Bus Company
Group work on breakeven elucidates pricing issues. Students are asked to produce a written report but the activity could conclude with plenary discussion of the issues.

Module 1.2 Enquiry 4: The Big Red Bus Company (, 41 KB)

Module 1.2 Enquiry 5: Profit and loss at Bentley Technology
An introduction to the profit and loss account that teaches the components by requiring students to build changes into an existing account. Prior knowledge required is just a simple set of definitions. This leads into a suggestion to investigate some real company accounts.

Module 1.2 Enquiry 5: Profit and loss at Bentley Technology (, 53 KB)

Module 1.2 Enquiry 5: What does profit mean?
This covers the interpretation of profit margins and ways of making valid comparisons.

Module 1.2 Enquiry 5: What does profit mean? (, 32 KB)

Module 1.2 Enquiry 5: Cash flow and profit at Meadowcroft
Students explore a cash flow forecast for a business with strong seasonal influences. This highlights the difference between cash and profit. The questions draw out the implications of the situation; they require some calculation and comparison with a company the students actually know.

Module 1.2 Enquiry 5: Cash flow and profit at Meadowcroft (, 16 KB)