Podcast Bank Grows (09 Nov)
Biz/ed's bank of travel and tourism podcasts continues to grow. Recordings have been selected from our new platform, Biz/ed share, offering you the latest news from the travel industry in bite-sized portions. We've also started making available recordings from our Tourism on Biz/ed share site, featuring in-depth analysis of key themes such as the impact of the recession, the aviation sector, sustainability in tourism, ICT and e-tourism. Features on travel refunds, low cost airlines, national tourism agencies and user reviews are all available. Download the recordings or sign up to the feed to receive the broadcasts as soon as they are published.

New resources on Biz/ed share (14 Oct)
Resources on Biz/ed share are growing fast, as is the number of people signed up to the platform. We've added new posts to our blogs in Network: customer complaints; the UK's hotel sector in recession; super-foods, miracle cures and crimewaves - just some of the topics covered. Go to Network's Business Studies, Economics and Travel and Tourism channels to find teaching materials in the 'Shared Files' section. You too can upload your own resources. You can also use Network to create your own learning space. Follow the link to register for your free subscription to this great new product. Press 'Subscribe to Biz/ed share', then 'Biz/ed Network (Beta)', complete the online form and away you go!

Travel and Tourism Podcasts (29 Sep)
Now available! Great new travel and tourism content for your pc, mp3 or netbook from Biz/ed. Engaging material for teachers and learners wanting quality Biz/ed resources, regardless of location. Each week during term time we will be uploading podcasts of travel and tourism materials selected from our social networking platform, Biz/ed share. Get our take on the travel industry in bite-sized portions, for you to listen to wherever you are!

Virtual US Bank of Biz/ed (30 Apr)
Barely a day goes by without news organisations reporting on market rates, central banks' intervention, liquidity and so on. The US Bank of Biz/ed, adapted from its original version, provides a great 'viewfinder' on the world of the credit crunch. Want to know your Federal Funds Rate from your fixed exchange rate? Look no further than the new Virtual US Bank of Biz/ed.

The Budget 2009 (22 Apr)
Catch the latest news from the Chancellor of the Exchequer's Budget Speech through our handy In the News summaries.

Podcast and Interactive Questions - Quality (01 Apr)
This podcast covers the issue of quality. A salmonella outbreak in the United States led to 700 people falling ill and has been linked to the deaths of up to 9 people. The root cause of the problem appears to be lax quality control methods at a business which processes peanuts. The resulting products were bought by, amongst others, Kellogg, who had to pull products from sale as a result. The cost to it of the recall is estimated at around $70 million. Could and should they have done more to make sure that quality control through its supply chain was improved?

Challenge the Chancellor (30 Mar)
This year's competition will be open for entries until the 21st April 2009. The competition complements economics, business studies and citizenship courses and enterprise education. There are cash prizes to be won and there is a competition for both GCSE and A' level. Follow the link to find out more

In the News Monthly Quiz (30 Mar)
The latest In the News Monthly Quiz is now available. Test your knowledge of events that happened during March and see how many you can get correct.

Boots Business Profile Update (25 Mar)
Are the supermarkets about to kill off one of Britain's best-loved retail brands? Or will Boots fend off this and many other competitive threats? Find out more about the health and beauty sector in our updated Boots business profile.

New Resources on Biz/ed Network (20 Feb)
Resources on Biz/ed Network continue to be added at a pace! Go to Network's Business Studies, Economics and Travel and Tourism channels to find teaching materials in the 'Shared Files' section. We've also added Biz/ed resources for you to make relevant to your own needs, as well as new posts to our blogs. Once you've updated or adapted some files, why not upload your versions in the spirit of sharing? Biz/ed's team is also visiting a range of centres, training teachers on using this innovative platform. You may be next! If you haven't already done so, follow the link to register for your free subscription to this great new product. Press 'Subscribe to Biz/ed share', then 'Biz/ed Network (Beta)', complete the online form and away you go!

BTEC Retail Unit 10 (11 Feb)
This latest resource especially written for the BTEC retail course looks at the impact of technology in retailing. New developments mean that retail organisations can process orders, profile customers and manage their supply chain far more efficiently. A series of tasks help build up the assessment for this unit.

Business Strategy - HasselOff (30 Jan)
Setting up a new business requires a number of considerations, including spotting the business opportunity, accessing finance, marketing, planning and forecasting, and so on. This activity takes students through a fictional case of two young people who hit upon an idea as a result of the frustrations that they experience booking tickets for concerts. The activity covers a range of topics including cash flow forecasts.

BTEC Retail Unit 5 (16 Jan)
Any retail business relies on customers for its survival. To encourage customers to use a retail outlet the business has to know who its potential customers might be and what they want. Understanding, identifying, anticipating and satisfying customer needs is at the heart of marketing. Promotion deals with how retail organizations make customers aware of the products they have for sale and where they can be bought. This unit covers these two key areas of retail business.

History in the making (09 Jan)
The Bank of England makes history as it reduces Bank Rate to the lowest level in its 315 year existence. Read about the reasons behind this historic decision in our In the News article.

The Structure of the Travel and Tourism Industry 2 (09 Jan)
Following the demise of the XL Leisure Group, this travel and tourism resource investigates the fates of its former brands, Travel City Direct and Kosmar Holidays.

Happy Christmas! (24 Dec)
We wish a Merry Christmas to all our users! Thank you for all the support throughout this year and we wish you all a very happy and healthy New Year.

Recent Activity on Biz/ed Network (16 Dec)
New blog posts in Business Studies, a Recession Tracker wiki feature, plus new content from Biz/ed's Leading Lights. It's been a bumper fortnight on the Biz/ed Network. There's also new content in the Travel and Tourism channel and much more to come. If you haven't yet registered for your free access to this great new Biz/ed product, then what are you waiting for? Follow the steps to get onto Network, see what's available and start networking with others in your world.

Hairdryers and Bootcamps (01 Dec)
As Spain's La Manga leisure resort enters administration, where will top footballers go to be pampered now? This new travel resource looks into the marketing of training facilities. Did La Manga try to appeal to too many segments? What alternative venues exist for professional sports teams to use? Is La Manga a mangled brand? You can comment on this resource in the Travel blog on Biz/ed Network. To get there, follow instructions from the home page.

Pre-Budget Report (25 Nov)
An extraordinary response to extraordinary times: This report looks at the spending plans in the Chancellor's Pre-Budget Report, which come as a response to the current recession, while part 2 discusses how the government intends to finance the new spending and its likely consequences in the long term.

Break-even analysis: Debts, revenues and costs (19 Nov)
Students often confuse the purpose and use of break-even analysis and further assume that at some point every firm will break-even and move into profit. This case study is designed to show that this is not always the case. It also highlights the limitations that firms might face in trying to adjust their cost and revenue bases to try and improve their break-even position.

Franchises - Major League Baseball (18 Nov)
Franchising has become an increasingly popular method of individuals getting into business and for existing businesses to expand their operations quickly. Many well-known high street shops are franchises, examples include McDonalds, the Body Shop and Prontaprint. There are advantages to taking up a franchise for both budding entrepreneurs and for businesses. The principle of franchising has other ramifications, however, which are perfectly highlighted by the case of Major League Baseball. This chapter explores the issues relating to franchising in its widest sense.

Via Algarviana - Eco-tourism in the Algarve, Portugal (17 Nov)
Is the Via Algarviana the future of tourism in Algarve and other popular holiday destinations? Can we expect to see travellers to eco-tourist attractions, outnumbering golfers queuing up to check in their over-sized luggage at UK airports? Will walking holidays end the desertification process in southern Portugal? Read our latest Travel and Tourism resource to find out.

The Business of Insurance (03 Nov)
Sir Richard Branson plans to fly customers to the edge of space to experience weightlessness. One of Sir Richard's major problems will be getting insurance cover for the enterprise. This resource looks at the business of insurance.

BTEC Retail (29 Oct)
One of the key principles of retailing is to encourage repeat custom - getting customers to return to the store and buy goods over and over again over a period of time. Good customer service, therefore, is fundamental to the success of any retailer. This resource provides a series of assignments for the BTEC Retail course.

The Channel Tunnel Fire (27 Oct)
On 11th September 2008, a fire on a freight train led to a blaze that shut the passenger and freight services that use the Channel Tunnel between the UK and France. The tunnel was closed after a fire broke out seven miles from the French border. This resource analyses some of the aspects of this incident: its causes, impacts on service operators and likely response by customers and businesses.

Tour operators: Take-off or grounded? (14 Oct)
In this new travel and tourism resource, we look into the performance of the major tour operators, analyse the impact of XL Group's failure and ask if there is any room for new entrants in the travel industry.

Retail Travel 2 (29 Sep)
Rather than being arranged to suit suppliers, increasingly the travel and tourism industry is led by the consumer. All this market power has provided a major challenge to travel agents. Find out more about the key drivers in travel retailing here.

Short-selling (19 Sep)
Traders engaging in the practice of short-selling shoulder the blame for the turmoil on the financial markets as regulators in the United States and the UK move to impose a temporary ban to stabilise the financial markets. We explain the situation and what short-selling is.

AS Business Studies Leading Lights (16 Sep)
New shared file on introducing the theme of 'enterprise' into AS Business Studies teaching. The resource recommends current business books, suggests strategies to get students interested and links out to freely available educational games that can help teaching and learning in this topic area.

Weekly Podcast - Wheelie Bins (09 Sep)
The demand for wheelie bins has risen causing a shortage in supply. Listen to the podcast to hear the issue and then try a set of interactive questions to help develop understanding of the principles involved.

Business Profile: Purely Organic (05 Aug)
Biz/ed's new business profile showcases a firm which seemed to have it all: strong demand, celebrity endorsement, a unique 'magic' ingredient and a chance to tap into a huge overseas market. So what went wrong?

Biz/ed Collins (04 Jun)
If you are starting to plan for the introduction of the new 'A' levels in September, take a look at our exciting partnership with Collins. The textbook has now been published and the innovative subscription website is ready for trial with accompanying sample examination questions, activities and videos. Select the guest sign in link at www.collins.bized.co.uk. Free copy of the AS Business Studies textbook for the first 100 sign-ups to the Collins & Biz/ed newsletters.
View pages from the AS book and order your subscription.

Changing Curricula (21 May)
If you are a teacher somewhere around the world about to follow English based courses at 'A' level you might be in the throes of contemplating how the changes to the GCE system that happen in September 2008 are going to affect you. The whole exercise makes an interesting business case study in itself...

Fixed Income (17 Mar)
A new resource looking at trading in fixed income markets is now available. Can you master the skills to make it in the financial world? Let Bob introduce you to the world of bond trading.

Travel and Tourism: Key Factors of the European Travel Market (07 Jan)
Planning on getting a job in the travel and tourism industry? Knowledge of the European travel market is vital. So do you know your continental Europe from your European Union? Your gateways from your destinations? Our resource can help!

BTEC Retail: Business Principles in Retail (20 Dec)
The first in a series of six new resources written by a practising teacher of the BTEC Retail course to help plan your assignments.

What is...Wealth Creation (03 Dec)
See our latest What is? animation on wealth creation.

Biz/ed Shortlisted for BETT Awards 2008 (23 Nov)
It is said that imitation is the sincerest form of flattery. The BETT Awards 2008 highlight digital products which are fit for imitation. Biz/ed has just been shortlisted by BETT for the second time in its history. Find out more about our latest accolade!

Making Room for Water (13 Nov)
Climate change, flooding and the need for more housing. Can we achieve a balance between these elements?

The UK as a Destination (17 Oct)
Environmental concerns and an improved tourist infrastructure have helped the UK to fight back against more exotic locations as a holiday destination - but how to go about organising a trip for overseas visitors?

Business Communications (03 Oct)
You have a message that you want to get out there - what is the most efficient way of doing so? Could this message get 'lost in translation'? There's a lot to consider - from words to body language, communication is a vital factor in business.

Features of Economic Growth (16 Aug)
A new set of economics notes is up on the site, dealing with a number of questions, such as: how do you define 'economic growth'? What are the barriers to economic development? How do less developed countries grow economically?

Interactive Questions (27 Jul)
Don't forget that our weekly podcasts continue throughout the summer, and they are accompanied by a set of interactive questions. Test your knowledge of the chosen topic - this week, it's PPPs and the London Underground. Know what that's all about?

Challenge the Chancellor - winners (06 Jul)
It's all change at No 11 Downing St, but no change at the top for our Chancellor challengers - Malvern St James School win for the second year running. Read the winning entries for this year's competition.

Holiday Representatives 2 (20 Jun)
An appropriate final lesson activity of the year - getting ready for the holidays! Well, for a job as a holiday rep, at least. Take the quiz to see how well you would fare in the task!

Inflated Expectations (01 Jun)
The weekly shop, the electricity bills, the car insurance: things seem to be getting pricier every day. But what's the truth of the matter - and how do you stop inflation?

Life in Mars? (31 May)
You don't become a giant in the food industry by concentrating on just one product. An example: although I'm sure you are aware of Mars Bars, do you know how many other products the company Mars makes?

The Brain and Choice (24 May)
What goes through your head when buying a drink from the newsagents? Subconsciously, you are deciding on any number of issues. Those who study consumer behaviour are looking to understand all these millions of thought processes.

Takeover Mania? (09 May)
It seems everyone's at it these days - merging, acquiring, and all other shenanigans to do with company takeovers. It keeps the stock market bumping along nicely. But what about those poor souls in the middle of it all - the employees?

Holiday Representatives 1 (01 May)
What are your impressions of life as a holiday rep? Do you think the the job involves lounging around in hammocks during the day, then going out partying at night? Far from it, apparently...

The Name Game (26 Apr)
What's the name of your favourite team's stadium? It's becoming increasingly likely that it has the same name as your favourite crisps or sportswear... Sponsorship in sports is big business - but what are the pros and cons?

The Staff of Life? (13 Apr)
A life without sandwiches and toast? Unthinkable. Bread is as close to being the British staple food as you get - but that doesn't deter the market. There have been some curious developments in bread pricing over recent years...

International Business 1 (Level 2) (05 Apr)
How many of your clothes come from another country? Most of them, I would imagine. And the cars on the road? Your mp3 player? The food you ate last night? International trade is a part of life.

Price Targeting (28 Mar)
Do you ever feel you're being ripped off? And do you ever feel you're getting a good deal? Sometimes, you can feel both ways about just one product - it depends where and when you buy it!

Public Choice Theory (23 Mar)
Politicians are often known for fighting for specific causes: agricultural reform, for example, or battling gun crime. But how do their ideals change when their chosen cause becomes public policy?

Limited Liability (22 Mar)
When a business is doing well, the money rolls in. But if it becomes insolvent, who ends up paying for everything? You can minimise your responsibilty by becoming a joint stock company. Learn more in our latest Economics Notes.

Special Interest Tourism 2 (13 Mar)
Beyond this checkpoint lies the 'dead zone' of Chernobyl, where stepping from the tarmac could lead to a fatal dose of radiation. Yet this area holds a fascination for many people - can you see the appeal?

Business Ethics (08 Mar)
Where does a company's responsiblity to consumers begin and end? This thorny issue is played out in law courts across the world, but perhaps those cases involving big tobacco firms are the most contentious.

Which Way the Wind Blows (06 Mar)
We are all encouraged to 'go green' these days and look for the environmentally-friendly alternative. Is this catching on? And should it really be up to the individual to deal with our energy crisis? Join the debate.

People in Business 2 (01 Mar)
Motivating employees to work productively is not just about money. There are many famous theories advanced about the causes of motivation, and the ways in which companies can develop them.

Expanding into New Markets (22 Feb)
The technological revolution is reaching out across the world, with the large communications companies following closely behind. But does their ambition for expansion match the reality in developing countries?

The Taylor Rule (21 Feb)
How to build the economy yet keep a steady rate of inflation? It's an ongoing battle for economic policy-makers, as interest rate hikes do not always have the desired effect. The Taylor Rule aims to help...

Location of Industry (13 Feb)
What thought goes into choosing where a business is based? Some industries find it more efficient to cluster together, others the opposite. Read our notes on the complexities behind this decision.

Special Interest Tourism 1 (12 Feb)
Does a week spent visiting sites of wartime carnage appeal to you? Or surveying the spooky ruins of Pompeii? The tourism industry does its best to cater for all tastes, which includes those looking for more macabre destinations.

Motivation at Work (05 Feb)
What gets you fit and firing in the morning? Many employees spend their days sat in an office, yet they can be inspired and productive just as much as bored and disinterested. What motivates people at work is a vital part of business psychology.

People in Business 1 (30 Jan)
They say that a business is only as good as its people, but what are the best ways of getting the most out of employees? How to best motivate them and structure their working environment?

The Principal-Agent Problem (24 Jan)
Sometimes in life, you find yourself in situations where you simply have to trust someone else's judgement. This can have moral and economic ramifications for both parties - not everyone acts as honestly as they should!

Flybe: A Regional Specialist? (23 Jan)
The budget airline market is a busy old place. How does one airline make a name for itself when there are so many competitors fighting over the same ground? They also have to deal with environmental concerns. Not an easy job, all in all!

Lings Cars- Business Profile (18 Jan)
From the wilds of Gateshead comes Ling Valentine and her contract hire car business - it's unlike any other firm you'll have come across! Read the ins and outs of how she has made the company into such a success.

Pay-as-you-go - On the Roads (16 Jan)
You want to help your children gain driving experience, but the insurance costs a bomb (for good reason). What do our arguing economists think about this?

Tourism in the Countryside (15 Jan)
The rolling hills of the English countryside have long been a refuge from the stresses and strains of city life. Let's research the organisations who aim to keep it that way.

The Economics of Happiness (09 Jan)
A buoyant economy leads to a larger GDP, pushing up a country's standard of living. Does all this economic success have any bearing on your state of mind? If so, how would you quantify it?

The Railways: Better off Privatised? (08 Jan)
This month's latest price hike on train tickets has prompted our latest Problem Based Learning exercise: are we truly better off with privatised public transport?

The Economic Context of Business (05 Jan)
You may have received a pile of presents a fortnight ago - can you explain how they influence the national economy? It sounds odd, but every financial transaction has a role to play in economic society.

Economic Systems (02 Jan)
The latest set of Economics Notes to be updated looks at ways in which governments and countries have dealt with the economic problem - should the market be controlled, or set free?

Conferences, Exhibitions and Events (20 Dec)
Putting on large-scale events takes an enormous amount of planning - how would you fare as an organisation planner? For starters, where would you hold your event? There's a world of choices to make!

What do Economists Know? (19 Dec)
The ice caps of the frozen North are disappearing due to environmental damage caused by humankind. Can economists help? Discover how much of an effect economics has on areas you may not have considered.

The Asian Games (14 Dec)
With an expected television audience of 1.5 billion, those in charge of the Asian Games in Doha didn't want empty seats in their stadium. But what to do, in a country with only 750,000 inhabitants?

Fat Cat Pay (08 Dec)
Break out the bubbly! Christmas is upon us and with it, our massive bonuses! Well, maybe not. But some in the City will be toasting new-gained millions. Is that fair?

Sources of Finance for Business (06 Dec)
So, you run a small business looking to expand, but you're not swimming in money. How do you get hold of the money to allow you to grow? The Lottery isn't the only way, you know.

Mergers and Acquisitions (05 Dec)
Some breweries' drinks are far more popular in summer than in winter - which makes them rather appealing to larger breweries looking to expand their own product range...

Challenge the Chancellor (27 Nov)
The Challenge the Chancellor competition is underway again: this year, we are testing your tax knowledge. If you enter, you could be in line to win one of the great prizes on offer.

The State of Monetarism (24 Nov)
The most efficient way to deliver economic stability is to keep the government's mitts off economic policy! That could be seen as a classic monetarist opinion - does it still carry weight in economic circles?

What Is...? (15 Nov)
Understanding the meaning of jargon can be complicated. Sometimes you need more than one line of explanation - our new 'What Is' series should help you out.

The Development of the Cruise Sector (13 Nov)
A fortnight stuck on a boat in the middle of nowhere, or the last word in luxurious escapism? Whatever your feelings about cruise ship holidays, they are taking off in a big way.

Tackling Climate Change (07 Nov)
A recent report put a figure on the cost of climate change, if we continue to pollute as we are: £1.32 trillion. So, are the world's governments taking immediate steps to deal with the crisis? If not, what's stopping them?

Forever on the Never-Never? (06 Nov)
You can't beat a lovely tropical holiday - who cares whether it costs a packet and takes ages to pay off? Not many people, it would seem - levels of debt in the UK are rising steeply.

The Economic Problem (31 Oct)
We kick off our updated Economics Notes series with The Economic Problem. From warzones to high street shops, the problem remains the same: we want more than we have. But how much do we really need?

Takeovers and Copyright (30 Oct)
Thanks to YouTube, everyone can become a famous director! But now YouTube has been bought by Google, there will be attempts to make revenue from the site. This could cause copyright problems.

Game Theory (26 Oct)
Game theory is most famous for 'the Prisoner's Dilemma' - but there is much more to it than that! Find out more, including the ideas of Nobel Prize-winner John Nash, in this resource.

Business Travel Operations (25 Oct)
Travel agents have been struggling since the arrival of budget airlines and online booking. This applies to business travel as well as to usual holiday-makers: the industry's under pressure.

External Influences 2 (23 Oct)
Much of the Arctic Monkeys' early success came from their use of new technology to gain fans - something the music industry as a whole was slow to do. They should know that the business world is always changing!

Your new Biz/ed (11 Oct)
Biz/ed is changing - new ownership, new look and feel, same great free resources, but with new services on offer - it's a whole business case study in itself! We'll have a new URL too.

Brand Awareness (04 Oct)
A guessing game - you recognise this image? It's a close-up of a famous product's logo. If you know it, well done - you have great brand awareness! But what's the point of that?

Batteries Included (03 Oct)
What makes the world go round - Money? Love? Chocolate? Or batteries? Think about it - how many items around you are battery-powered? Quite a number, I reckon. So what if they were to explode? Scary stuff!

External Influences (02 Oct)
'The best laid plans of mice and men often go awry'. This applies to businesses as well, no matter how well they are organised. Any number of unforeseen factors can cause havoc - this Level 2 resource explains.

The Wage Curve Theory (19 Sep)
This man has started a revolution in the way that people study macroeconomics, thanks to his work around unemployment and wage levels. Find out more in this A2 Economics resource.

The Power of Advertising (18 Sep)
Advertising exists to sell us things - but how successful is it? In other words, do you feel that the adverts you see affect how you spend your money? It is a controversial subject.

Retail Travel Operations (14 Sep)
The Internet has revolutionised the way people book holidays. This BTEC T&T resource details recent trends in holiday booking and looks at the future for travel agents.

Wanna Argument: Microbreweries (06 Sep)
The narky know-alls are back, debating a real hot topic: events down at their local pub. But whose glass is half-full and whose is half-empty? It depends on their favourite tipple...

Changing Markets and Competition (05 Sep)
Some say the music industry stuck its head in the sand, just like an ostrich, when it came to selling music over the Internet. Are the major labels finally getting to grips with it?

Future T&T Resources (16 Aug)
For those wanting to know about BTEC Travel and Tourism, next year's lesson plan diary is now up on the site. Follow the link to see what we will be covering.

Virtual Balloon Factory (02 Aug)
Bristol is gearing up for its annual Balloon Festival. Have you ever wondered how these enormous things are made? Have a wander through our Virtual Balloon Factory to find out!

Podcast: The Japanese Economy (24 Jul)
This week's podcast looks at the current state of Japan's economy, where interest rates have risen for the first time in six years. What - and who - does this rise affect?

Future Resources (18 Jul)
For teachers wishing to organise their plans for the next academic year, the 2006/07 diaries for resources in Level 2 Business and Economics and AS/A2 Economics are now on the site.

Podcast: Strategy (17 Jul)
Airline companies are heavily reliant on good long-term strategies for success. Compare and contrast the recent decisions by Boeing and Airbus: what do their respective futures hold?

Domino Activity (17 Jul)
Remembering all the jargon thrown at you whilst studying business and economics can be difficult. This 'domino' game should enable teachers to reinforce students' understanding.

Podcast: Risk and Enterprise (11 Jul)
Clinical trials have always been controversial, and the recent TeGenergo disaster has made them even more so. Find out more in this week's podcast and interactive questions.

Challenge the Chancellor (26 Jun)
The Chancellor has been Challenged! And challenged very well, it must be said. Follow this link for the info on this year's winners and runners-up, including their competition entries.

Podcast: New Product Development (21 Jun)
Although the holidays are here, you can still get your Biz/ed podcast fixes all the way through the summer! The latest is on the delays affecting Microsoft's new operating system, and what this means to the industry.

Project Management (05 Jun)
Project management is a vital skill to take with you in any walk of life. Pinpointing the project’s aims and objectives is just the start of the process; learn more in this resource.

Effective Workplaces in Travel and Tourism (05 Jun)
What really makes a tourist organisation tick? Whether it's a hotel, holiday park or travel agent, it depends on where they focus their efforts - as well as how they reward their staff...

Break-Even Analysis (05 Jun)
Followers of our Level 2 resources will have their heads full of jargon: costs, revenue, liabilities etc. Now here's another: break-even. Learn more here, and check up on Fruit28!

Consumer Surplus (22 May)
eBay: full of ace bargains, or a total rip-off? And how do you define 'value for money' anyway? It's all about consumer surplus, the economists say. Follow this link to find out more..

Cash Flow (16 May)
We're back at our fruit stall, but this time we're dealing with cash flow and its importance to a business. Every tenner is vital. Get it wrong, and you might end up having to close down!

Preparing for Employment in Travel and Tourism (15 May)
Interviews are a scary prospect for everyone, no matter what level they are at. Do your best to understand the process and prepare properly - reading this resource will help!

Training Staff to Cope with Change (15 May)
The shifting sands of business can be treacherous for a company's employees but change is inevitable. How do you help them deal with unforeseen circumstances?

Market Power and Regulation (08 May)
Bill Gates is gearing up for another round of court battles over Microsoft's apparent anti-competitive practices. Using this as an example, we look at market structure and monopolies.

Podcast: Change (05 May)
Don't forget to check out the latest Biz/ed podcast - this week, it's on how businesses cope with the pace of change in our society. Have a go at the interactive questions too!

Bonds, Yields and other Jargon (01 May)
Delving into the world of financial markets, you may find yourself overwhelmed by words you don't understand. This Mind Your Business resource aims to explain a few of them.

London Calling (01 May)
The Chancellor has promised millions of pounds towards helping UK athletes succeed at the London 2012 Olympics. But these games will affect far more than what happens on the track.

Recruiting Staff (25 Apr)
More job hunting! This time, we look at the selection process, including person specification and advertising the job. Would you be able to pick the best candidate? How would you know?

Simple Business Accounting (24 Apr)
When it comes to succeeding in business, you have to make sure you get your sums right! This introduction to the world of accounting should set you on your way.

Recruitment and Selection in Travel and Tourism (24 Apr)
The career path you've chosen is travel and tourism. Now, how are you going to get employers to pick you? This resource will teach you how to focus on job goals and identifying skills.

Never in a Month of Sundays (10 Apr)
Nothing used to happen on Sundays apart from a roast dinner and your Dad falling asleep in his armchair. These days, for the retail trade, it's almost like any other day of the week.

Insurance (10 Apr)
'You can never be too sure' - the insurance industry is there to protect our homes and businesses if all goes up in smoke. Read this Mind Your Business to find out the full picture.

Business Success and Failure 2 (05 Apr)
In the first set of these resources, we looked at how to define success. This time, we delve into the sadder side of things - financial losses, diminishing demand and insolvency.

Career Opportunities in Travel and Tourism (03 Apr)
Piloting a cruise ship in the Med - just one way to earn your crust in the travel industry. Doesn't sound so bad, does it? Read on to find out how you develop a career in tourism.

The Benefits of e-Business and Marketing (03 Apr)
Online shopping has a global reach, with fewer overheads than traditional businesses. But identifying market needs is vital for success; you must market your product wisely.

Threshold Concepts (28 Mar)
This brand new series of HE resources introduces new ways of approaching economic matters to broaden students' understanding, through Reflective Exercises and Problem Focused Learning.

Merger Mania and the Takeover Targets (27 Mar)
P&O has gone the way of many companies in recent years and sold up to a larger firm. Who benefits from takeovers? Shareholders? Employees? See this Wanna Argument for details!

Cheesed Off (20 Mar)
Food is fashion these days, and people are prepared to pay big prices for authentic goods. But how do we know if our fancy cheese comes from Greece or Gravesend? Find out here!

All Gas and Profits? (20 Mar)
Who controls the country's supply of natural gas, and where does it come from? Could we be running out of reserves? These vital issues are discussed in this week's MYB resource.

Presenting Research Findings (14 Mar)
You've done the research, but now all these numbers and facts have to be translated into something coherent. Find out about the many ways of presenting your data in this BTEC resource.

Business Success and Failure (13 Mar)
How do you define success? Is it based purely on a business's profit? This Level 2 resource suggests possible factors, along with interactive questions for you - including a crossword!

Selling Skills in Travel and Tourism (13 Mar)
Major sports events offer huge opportunities for travel agencies. How do they go about convincing potential customers - of which there are many - to travel with them? Could you do it?

Conference Case Study (07 Mar)
Laying on a conference isn't just about booking a venue and providing refreshments! Learn more about the process in this new BTEC Travel and Tourism resource.

Under Pressure (06 Mar)
Corporations have huge influence, for good or ill. Pressure groups, the focus of this AYL, aim to further corporate social responsibility and make sure the little man's voice is heard!

Nobel Prize Winners 2005 (28 Feb)
Robert Aumann and Thomas Schelling, recipients of the 2005 Nobel Prize for Economics, are famed for their studies of game theory and conflict resolution. Learn about their work here.

Alternative Fuels (27 Feb)
As oil prices soar, alternative fuels come into the reckoning. What are the economic implications of developing bioethanol, for example? And should nuclear power be considered again?

Customer Service Skills to Deal with Customer Situations (22 Feb)
Helpfulness, courtesy, compassion - vital skills when dealing with unhappy customers. But what if events go beyond your control? Come up with some answers for such scenarios.

Knowing Your Stakeholders (21 Feb)
Stakeholders cover a broad sweep of society, from government to supermarket shoppers. What duties does a business have to such groups? This Level 2 resource will fill you in.

Identifying Consumer Types (20 Feb)
Customer profiling is big business in today's knowledge economy. This resource explores the techniques and tactics behind market segmentation. Find out more about your own area too!

Business Survival (13 Feb)
Eureka! You've had the best idea for a business. You're positive it will be a huge success - but how to ensure this happens? Biz/ed plots a course through new business planning.

Packaging, Protection and Pollution (07 Feb)
Shopping bags, wrapping paper, bottles, cans - we use a massive amount of packaging every day. But are we meeting recycling targets? If not, why not? Read on!

Operating at the Margin (06 Feb)
Canadian sands hold more oil reserves than anywhere else in the world bar Saudi Arabia - but is it economical to extract this oil? Learn about the concept of the margin in economics.

Insolvency and Bankruptcy (02 Feb)
When the dream dies and the customers fade away, the receivers are called in - but what does this involve? Read on, and try your hand at our cash flow simulation, to find out more.

Knowing Your Competition (01 Feb)
How many products do you choose between in an average supermarket visit? Find out more about how businesses position themselves in their chosen market and cope with the competition.

Issues in Customer Service Delivery (30 Jan)
Flight cancellations are a tricky business. How do BA ensure their staff get decent protection and their customers adequate compensation? This BTEC resource studies the issues involved.

Business Ownership (16 Jan)
This Mind Your Business resource looks at economies of scale in retail. Big businesses dominate the high street shopping experience, but how much does branding influence what we buy?

Play for Today (16 Jan)
Tackling child obesity is one of our most urgent domestic issues. More play areas would benefit us hugely - this At Your Leisure resource highlights new playground initiatives.

Social Accounting (11 Jan)
The Body Shop - a company long associated with social accounting. Take a look at what social accounting involves, and how it has now entered the mainstream of accounting procedures.

Knowing your Customers (10 Jan)
Without customers, no business will survive. Therefore, it is very important for businesses to know who their customers are. Find out more on market segments in this Level 2 resource.

E-Commerce (09 Jan)
E-commerce is now critical to the success of many businesses, but how much do you know about it? Find out more and write a report on the costs and benefits of an e-commerce model.

Rip Curl Boardmasters Event (13 Dec)
Could you manage the Newquay surf festival, 'the UK's largest free lifestyle sports festival'? Find out with a new resource using streamed video and interviews with key stakeholders.

Virtual Developing Country Updates (12 Dec)
The Virtual Developing Country has been updated with new material in the aid, trade and agriculture field trips, as well as giving the latest political and economic situation.

The Labour Market and Industrial Relations (08 Dec)
This Problem Based Learning resource looks at planned industrial action by workers at Birmingham International Airport over the Christmas period. Is this action justified?

A Sector For All Seasons? (07 Dec)
How do leisure pursuits change when the seasons turn? What can be done about the seasonality that affects the leisure industry? Is it possible to extend the high season?

What Price a Wedding? (06 Dec)
The average cost of a wedding in the UK is now a whopping £16,000. Why are couples willing to accept this high cost, and what gaps are left in the weddings market?

Marketing Tactics (01 Dec)
How do you go about marketing a new chocolate bar? How do you assess the market and find a gap? How do you develop and test the new product? Only then will you be ready for the launch.

Tourism Potential in Different Locations (30 Nov)
The Roman city of Leptis Magna in Libya is a UNESCO World Heritage site, though few tourists get to see its wonders. Why is this? And what is the tourism potential for the future?

The Nature of Production (29 Nov)
Most of us enjoy cakes and biscuits, but have you ever thought about how they are produced, how value is added, how efficient that production is and how the stock is controlled?

Dealing with Products and Managers that Fail (28 Nov)
Perrier - a firm that failed to be open with its public over product contamination. This Wanna Argument? debates products or executives who fail to live up to their responsibilities.

Subsidies (25 Nov)
The minefield of world trade agreements has been highlighted yet again following EU talks on sugar subsidies. For more, listen to the podcast and answer our interactive questions.

Quiz Time (24 Nov)
Looking for an end of year quiz for your economics or business studies class? Our interactive quizzes can be played in teams, individually or against the clock.

Mathematics in Business and Economics (23 Nov)
Want to know more about fractions, decimals or percentages? Or are you ready for calculus and differentiation? This new resource runs through maths for business and economics students.

Spextacular Business Profile (22 Nov)
Spextacular, an optical goods e-tailer, began trading through its Web site in October 2005. We take a look at how this sole trader start-up developed and what the future might hold.

Leisure and Workplace Stress (21 Nov)
How should employees cope with the pressures of work? This resource looks into how leisure can be part of achieving a better work-life balance.

Commodity Markets (18 Nov)
Heard about the commodity trader whose copper deal is due to leave the Chinese government with a hefty bill? For more, listen to the podcast and answer our interactive questions.

The Stock Exchange (15 Nov)
Bull markets, bear markets, selling short, stockbrokers, market makers, shareholders, dividends - find out what all these things mean through our tour of the London Stock Exchange.

Price Sensitivity (14 Nov)
Why do skiing holidays cost so much more during the Christmas and half term breaks than at any other time during the winter? Find out through a look at price sensitivity.

The Business of Making Music (10 Nov)
How do bands like the Kaiser Chiefs make it in the music industry? Our latest Research Project looks at business aspects of the music industry and how artists attempt to survive.

The Nature of Markets (09 Nov)
This level 2 resource takes you through the nature of markets. Find out about different types of market, what demand and supply are and how different factors influence them.

Murder, Suspense, Economics (09 Nov)
Groups of students from around the country (and beyond!) have been challenged to make short films about what economics means to them, and to show us a glimpse of university life.

Appeal of Tourist Destinations (08 Nov)
In September, Disney expanded into a new part of the world - Hong Kong. Why did Disney choose this location to open a new park and will it be a commercial success?

Creative Corporate Communication (07 Nov)
Heineken has announced that it will not advertise on TV in 2006. Why have they reached this decision? Are there more effective methods they can use to reach their market?

In Love with the Car (25 Oct)
The UK seems to be obsessed with the car, but what are the alternatives? We take a look at how we got to this point, and what the solutions may be for a sustainable transport plan.

Changes in the Workplace (24 Oct)
The world of work is almost unrecognisable to that of 50 years ago. Find out how working patterns have changed through flexible working, dressing down and even 'duvet days'!

Developing a Promotional Campaign (19 Oct)
For all you marketing types here is a real challenge - develop a promotional campaign for the transformation of the Millennium Dome to 'The O2', a new events venue for London.

What is Enterprise? (18 Oct)
Richard Branson, Stuart Rose, Justin King - what do all these people have in common? Find out in our latest level 2 resource on enterprise and entrepreneurs.

Major Transport Routes (17 Oct)
Why do most people seem to choose to travel by air rather than rail and what are the consequences of making this choice? Learn more in our second resource on major transport routes.

Challenge the Chancellor (11 Oct)
Could you run the economy better than Gordon Brown? Enter our Challenge the Chancellor tax competition and you could win £1,000 for your school or college.

Meningitis Research Foundation (10 Oct)
Ever wondered how charities conduct their business and how it is different to a profit-making organisation? Find out through our case study on Meningitis Research Foundation.

Podcasting (08 Oct)
Would you like to learn on the move? Do you prefer listening rather than reading to keep up to date with current issues? Then Biz/ed's In the News podcasting service could be for you.

Changing Markets, Changing Strategies (05 Oct)
Is eBay's purchase of Skype a sign of diversification or disaster? This Problem Based Learning exercise presents the issue and provides references for further research.

Georgia - A Transition Economy (04 Oct)
Can you imagine the transition from a planned to a market economy and how this affects ordinary people? We take a look at Georgia, one of the former Soviet republics, to learn more.

What's Wrong with Football? (03 Oct)
From high attendances, wealth and success to falling attendances, high ticket prices and boring games. What has gone wrong with the English game?

Major Transport Routes (26 Sep)
Our latest BTEC Travel & Tourism resource looks at transport routes. Find the best journey, using air, sea or road, for a number of routes, for example from the UK to Rome.

State of the UK Leisure Sector (19 Sep)
Is the party over for the leisure industry? What evidence is there of a slowdown in leisure spending? Should students be concerned about recent economic indicators?

Feminine Hygiene Products (12 Sep)
Take a look at the sanitary towels and tampons industry in terms of market structure, market segments, new product development, promotion and policy on developing countries.

Reference and Research Skills (05 Sep)
Could you say which continent Cuba is located in? Brush up on your reference and research skills with the newest travel and tourism resource of the academic year.

Level 2 Resources (02 Sep)
Biz/ed has launched a new section for Level 2 Business and Economics Education. The resources will be produced throughout the year and include type in and drag and drop exercises.

Classroom Games (31 Aug)
A new area offers classroom games for educators in an easy-to-digest format. The games illustrate various economics and business principles, with additional resources provided.

News Feeds (25 Aug)
Do you want to include In the News or the Glossary on your own Web site or Virtual Learning Environment? Find out how with our easy to follow instructions on incorporating news feeds.

Newsletter (22 Aug)
Have you subscribed to our email newsletter? These updates keep educators informed of new features, lesson plans and larger scale resources on the site.

Need a Lesson? (26 Jul)
Our 2005/06 educators' termly plans are now available for BTEC Business, BTEC Travel & Tourism and Level 2 Business and Economics Education, a new addition to our resources.

Learning Materials (25 Jul)
The Learning Materials section has been given a new look, restructured and completely updated in order to make it easier to find exactly the resource you need.