Business Strategy - Lesson Plan: 1 x 1 hour lesson plus a homework session

A series of 'off the shelf' lesson plans and resources for use in the classroom. These lessons deal with Business Strategy and are relevant to the following specifications:

• AQA: Module 1, 10.2; Module 3, 12.5 and 12.6; Module 6, 15.5 and 15.6
• Edexcel: Units 5 and 6
• OCR: Modules 2871 and 2880

Aim

This lesson takes a very simple approach to the subject of business strategy but attempts to root coverage in topical issues. The student is encouraged to carry out an investigation to analyse a major business in terms of its current strategic position and to make some judgements about future strategy.

The tools for doing the analysis could be merely SWOT or PEST analysis or could be extended to include a variety of approaches. The student should make use of the PowerPoint Presentation [319 KB] as a guide to the type and extent of the analysis that could be carried out.

The businesses suggested have all been in the news in the last year and have a number of key challenges facing them. Students can choose any one of these businesses or select one of their own choosing.

Learning Objectives

At the end of the lesson, students should demonstrate an understanding of the following:

• The different methods of analysing current business positions
• The extent of the external influences affecting business performance and future development
• Factors to be considered in assessing future strategic development

Resources

• PowerPoint Presentation - Business Strategy [319K] (basic version also available for quicker download [199K])
• Mind Map - Business Strategy
• Activity - Business Strategy
• PCs for student research

Lesson Structure

1. Use the PowerPoint Presentation [319 KB] to cover the key points of business strategy. (The Presentation consists of 25 slides and so can be broken up during the course of the lesson to avoid presenting too much information all at once.) (15 minutes)
2. Outline the task for students and emphasise the key learning objectives. (5 minutes)
3. Students to work on the task - to be completed as a homework task. (35 minutes)
4. Review key points of the lesson and outline strategy for handing in and completion of the work. (5 minutes)