BTEC First in Business (2012) Contemporary Case Studies

Bring the business theories to life!

J Whatford, HoD & Peer Reviewer

Relevant and accessible case studies with comprehension questions targeting specific BTEC criteria. Use them in class or as homework for learning, consolidation & assignment preparation.

  • All learning aims and assessment criteria covered
  • 8–12 case studies each covering a specification topic
  • Self-assessment checklists cross-reference each question to the criteria

The students would gain a great deal from using this as a bank of companies that they could start their own research for an assignment a springboard and introduction to that company...

...I like that these are real world examples and also all accessible products that students are likely to know about or use... The healthy food restaurant was an interesting study

S Hilton, Teacher & Peer Reviewer
  • Specifically written for the new 2012 BTEC spec!
  • Varied examples from familiar brands (e.g. The London Olympics and Jamie Oliver) to down-to-earth business ideas that students can see themselves involved in (e.g. 'Andy’s Autos', 'The Village Shop')
  • Answers included!

What do teachers say about this resource? (4928)

An excellent and very comprehensive resource and will be great for all students to support their studies. Case studies are an excellent way of helping pupils to relate to the business issues that they need to master on the BTEC programme. The guide offers useful advice for teachers as to embedding the case studies into their teaching... It covers all areas of the new unit 1 specification thoroughly... As previously mentioned I felt that the case studies help to bring the business theories to life for the students. I dont think many other BTEC resources, e.g. textbooks use lengthy case studies so this resource fills a gap in the market... The questions are helpful and encourage the students to reflect on their reading... I would definitely consider buying the resource for use as a homework resource.

J Whatford, HoD & Peer Reviewer

A series of case studies aimed at level 2 for use in class or homework in an excellent idea to accompany the Unit... The students would gain a great deal from using this as a bank of companies that they could start their own research for an assignment a springboard and introduction to that company. The questions are good for encouraging analysis for the M and D criteria... I like that these are real world examples and also all accessible products that students are likely to know about or use... The healthy food restaurant was an interesting study.

S Hilton, Teacher & Peer Reviewer

Thought the questions were particularly good and required a good understanding of the case study.

G Wainwright, Teacher & Peer Reviewer

Ready to use - Cuts out a lot of prep time! Finance Sheets - good practice... difficult to find for BTEC.

V Barr, Head of Subject & Customer

What do teachers say about this resource? (4930)

An excellent and very comprehensive resource and will be great for all students to support their studies. Case studies are an excellent way of helping pupils to relate to the business issues that they need to master on the BTEC programme. The guide offers useful advice for teachers as to embedding the case studies into their teaching... The resource is mapped to the assessment criteria at the start and the case studies themselves are not too long which is great for the BTEC student market... the activities were helpful as it helped the learner to focus on their learning and review what they had learnt. I also liked the progress sheet at the start which students can use to tick off what they have covered and yet to cover... I would use them as homework tasks.

J Whatford, Head of Business, Peer Reviewer

Good variety/coverage of a range of diverse companies given, eg Premier Inn, Car Phone Warehouse, John Lewis.

D Fox, Business Tutor & Independent Reviewer

What do teachers say about this resource? (4934)

An excellent and very comprehensive resource and will be great for all students to support their studies. Case studies are an excellent way of helping pupils to relate to the business issues that they need to master on the BTEC programme. The guide offers useful advice for teachers as to embedding the case studies into their teaching... the activities were helpful as it helped the learner to focus on their learning and review what they had learnt. I also liked the progress sheet at the start which students can use to tick off what they have covered and yet to cover... As previously mentioned I felt that the case studies help to bring the business theories to life for the students... I would use them as homework tasks.

J Whatford, Teacher & Peer Reviewer

This is a very well set out and thought out resource. The language is very student friendly and the content is suitable for the level and topic. All tasks are linked to the specification so that students know why they are doing what they are and how it fits into the big picture... Students are told explicitly what they are going to do and why. All work is linked to the specification. The language used is appropriate for learners at that level and the tasks are accessible for all. The exemplar responses are a great way for both teachers and students to know what they are aspiring towards... It allows students to meet the criteria set out in the specification. Through a range of activities, students have the opportunity to complete tasks at Pass, Merit and Distinction level. The scenarios used are real life scenarios which enhance the vocational aspects of the course... A clear structure and layout enables students and teachers to work through the resource, comfortably. This resource meets the requirements of the specification well. All Pass, Merit and Distinction criteria have been met. The vocational scenario is appropriate and the expectations within the tasks are suitable for the level.

J Pryce, HoD & Peer Reviewer

What do teachers say about this resource? (4929)

A good collection of key case studies that emphasise the use of marketing in the real world, giving the students a link other than the weak links in the text books. The inclusion of the self assessment is also very useful and more important than before with OFSTED now focussing on peer and self assessment. It also supports T&L strategies to include such activities. The questions throughout focus the students' attention on the use of branding, PR, etc... The case studies use brand names and topics that the students can all relate to as they will have heard of each business. Hopefully, this will help the students engage with the topics... The use of peer and self assessment style activities gets the students to really look at their own performances for each topic. The resource also includes questions that get the students making links between the real world businesses and the topics they are covering in class. Examples like this have always improved a students understanding of the topics because of how they engage with the case studies... As well as covering much of the required reading, the resource is mapped to the specification in full, outlining the assessment criteria each case study addresses... As a collection of case studies that helps check the students learning this is a resource I would be happy to recommend to my peers... Another excellent resource. The case studies provided by many websites and companies are generic and cover some criteria in varying levels. This targets the specification and is a very useful resource.

M Tippins, Vocational Business Subject Leader, Peer Reviewer

What do teachers say about this resource? (4931)

As a teaching and assessment resource I really like these... They were practical and it was good to see a service sector example in the Estate Agent included. They made the learner think and also in career and job seeking terms added some extra dimensions on researching the job role and the business... I did like the focus on "it is not just what you say" but the body language... The post sale assessment is excellent and taught in professional sales course if not always adhered to - from this assessment come learning and improvement... These assessments/exercises took sales away from theory to application which is at the core of sales and selling.

G Webb, Principal Examiner & Moderator, Peer Reviewer