Purpose and Aims of the Course
The purpose of the Course is to develop learners’ understanding of the way in which businesses operate in the current dynamic, changing, competitive and economic environments, and to encourage entrepreneurial attitudes. It highlights the way in which organisations operate and the steps that they take to achieve their goals. The course aims to enable learners to develop:
- Knowledge and understanding of the way society relies on business to satisfy our needs.
- An insight into the systems organisation use to ensure customers’ needs are met.
- Enterprising skills and attitudes.
- An insight into how organisations organise their resources for maximum efficiency.
- An understanding of the steps taken by organisations to improve their overall performance.
- An awareness of how external influences like the economy impact on organisation.
Pupils will experience a variety of teaching methods including class and group discussions, use of real-life examples and practical assignments. For example, in S3 pupils participate in a “Pepsi Challenge” type event when they develop a greater understanding of Branding by engaging in blind tests of soft drinks and snacks. They also complete a market report where they develop a new idea for a chocolate bar or soft drink. Trips to businesses are organised so that the young people can gain real life insights.
National 5 Business Management topics:
- Understanding Business –learners will explore issues (such as competitive, political, social, economic and technical) relating to the external environment.
- Management of People and Finance – learners will follow basic theories, concepts and processes relating to the financial and Human Resources aspects of the business.
- Management of Marketing and Operations – learners will look at how marketing can be used to communicate effectively with customers, maximise customer satisfaction, and enhance competitiveness as well as looking at processes to produce goods and services.
Course Assessment:
Learners will be assessed through a combination of a Business Management question paper (75% of the final grade) and a business-related assignment (25% of the final grade).
The Course aims to enable learners to develop and extend:
- knowledge and understanding of the ways in which society relies on business to satisfy our needs
- an understanding of a range of methods businesses use to ensure customers’ needs are met
- understanding of enterprising skills and attributes by providing them with opportunities to study relatively complex business issues
- understanding of business-related financial matters
- an understanding of the ways businesses can use resources to achieve maximum efficiency
- an understanding of the steps taken by business to improve overall performance and effectiveness
- knowledge and understanding of the main effects that external influences, such as economic impact and sustainability, have on organisations
A range of teaching and learning approaches are used, such as case studies, business games, group work and visits to firms and direct teaching.
It is designed to ensure that knowledge essential to understand decision making and integrated with relevant information gathering and evaluation and communication skills.
Practical examples for the contemporary UK environment are used wherever possible and key concepts and ideas are applied to different types of business organisations.
Homework is an essential element of the learning process in order for pupils to consolidate and develop their analytical and evaluative writing. Pupils are issued regular written and research homework and are expected to meet deadlines set. Pupils are encouraged to keep up to date with current business developments by watching news and reading quality newspapers.
- Enterprise.
- Employability.
- Financial awareness.
- Numeracy and Literacy.
- ICT.
- Analysis, Evaluation and Decision Making.
- Communication.
‘Business management is very beneficial as it introduces you to the business world, how businesses are run and what’s involved. It is particularly interesting learning about the journey from producer to consumer. ‘
Priyanka Sharma 6Sm
Is business management for me?
You will enjoy this subject if:
- You have an interest in business and think of yourself as entrepreneurial.
- You want to understand how society relies on business.
- You want to gain an insight into how organisations achieve maximum success and efficiency.
- You want to gain an awareness of how external influences impact on organisations.
- You want to develop useful skills for learning, life and work.
Influential Business Figures
- J.K. Rowling – Best know as the author of the ‘Harry Potter’ series, her business acumen is also widely regarded. She was recently named as one of the 100 most powerful women in the world by Forbes magazine.
- Sir Thomas Blane Hunter – Scottish businessman, entrepreneur, and philanthropist. A long way from selling trainers from the back of a van, in April 2007, Hunter was reported in the Sunday Times Rich List as Scotland’s first ever home-grown billionaire.
- Michelle Mone OBE – The founder of Ultimo has gone on to be a global speaker, designer and has featured on several popular television programmes including, ‘The Apprentice’.