Here is an interesting article about how to market products to your generation (Generation Z?). Apparently, the under 20s are the least brand loyal. Click here
Business Management Class 2015/16
Welcome back! As discussed in class, you now have lots of different ways to help you study at home and in class. Make good use of your course notes and on-line resources such as:
SCHOLAR,
the BUSICT blog AND this Business Management blog
business case studies
businessdictionary.com
TUTOR2U
www.businessed.co.uk
Also, keep up to date with what is going on in the external environment!
Read news websites – business sections
Read quality newspapers regularly for the business news. Or at least, watch BBC Breakfast TV every morning ________
Homework will be given regularly. Please hand it in on time.
New NHS Hospital in Glasgow
A brand new hospital- The South Glasgow University Hospital was handed over to the NHS today. It is the largest in Scotland and has been delivered ahead of schedule and under budget. This is a great example of strategic planning coming to fruition. Read the full BBC News article here.
Tesco Troubles on TV / The Steve Jobs Movie
A very interesting programme about Tesco on Panorama last night. Try to watch it on BBC –iplayer. I have also recently watched the film about the Apple founder Steve Jobs. Lots of good discussion points e.g. innovation, entrepreneurship, management style and the power of shareholders. Unfortunately we don’t have enough time in class to watch just now but recommended for watching at home if you get the chance.
Apple I-phone Factory – Working Conditions & Ethics
Just watching a Panorama programme about the extreme working conditions in a Chinese I-phone factory. Useful for your HRM studies. Also highlighted are the ethics of some tin supply sourced from Indonesia. The negative publicity may be damaging to the Apple brand but the global firm is so big, many people won’t be aware so won’t protest. What do you think? Does it change your perception of Apple? Micro market research too! All in one post! Watch the programme on i-player here.
Royal Mail Sell-Off 2013 – Public to Private Sector
The Royal Mail was privatised in October 2013. A report today highlights how difficult it can be to set an initial share price even if you have highly paid advisors to help you! Click here for more information and make sure you are clear about the difference between an organisation operating in the public sector then becoming a plc (private sector). It was a very controversial decision by the government so think about the PESTEC factors at the time.
Christmas Supermarket Secrets – TV Programme
Programme on BBC1 (7/12/14). Worth a watch on iplayer for your Marketing & Operations unit.
Current Work W/C 8/12/14
Hi folks
The focus this week will be on Marketing “Place” Remember that ongoing revision for assessments and homework is essential. I hope you have read a quality newspaper this weekend. Some interesting talking points for tomorrow’s class therein.
BBC Bitesize Revision for Business Mgt
Hi! I hope the revision is going well. There is a new BBC Bitesize revision website for Business Management available. Click here. The revision notes are a useful summary but not all the quiz answers are correct! (e.g. POGADSCIE). Don’t forget to follow the Command Words in the exam. Good luck!
Japan – Global Supply Chain Problems
The catastrophe which befell Japan on March 11 is shocking. One of the most significant events of our lifetimes. A massive human tragedy. In one sense, it doesn’t matter that Japan is the third largest economy in the world. However, there are some business supply chain effects. Many Japanese manufacturers are multi-national brands e.g. Sony, Canon, Toshiba, Toyota and Nippon Steel. Market leaders and/or benchmarks in innovation and efficiency. Japanese systems have been copied worldwide – e.g. Just In Time and Lean Production. Specialised components are shipped from Japan all over the world. Distribution to UK factories (e.g. Nissan in Sunderland) takes 28 days by sea. The system is so efficient, it could mean a slow down in production in the UK factory because the Japanese factory isn’t working. In the USA, a GM truck plant has already closed temporarily and the production of I-Phones and I-Pads will probably be affected too. For more information, click here. Do you think there will be an effect on marketing also?
