Monday, 17 August 2015

Managing People 

Sample exemplar

This task requires you to work in groups, plan, take part and evaluate a recruitment and selection process for Kent College.

Click here for the presentation on organisational charts and a small task to complete in groups

Task 1

You must select a manager, supervisor and employee from the organisation chart you drew in groups. This will be a member of the SMT, a Head of Department and a teacher.

Once these are selected, you must interview each of these participants researching the following information:

1. What is their role and responsibility (they must give examples. Specify that yo only require their role as a manager/head of dpt or employee)

2. What skills and qualities do they require  to do the above roles and responsibilities

3. What training and development opportunities do the school provide both on and off the job?

4. How does the school motivate them? (Financial and financial) How do they motivate other staff? (if applicable)

Click on the task sheet as a guide to write this up formally

Task 2 - External influences on the workforce plan

Click on these notes for guidance in the classroom

Explain how external influences have affected Kent College’s recruitment decisions Use the PowerPoint notes and class discussion to assist you. You must cover the PEST categories. These can be used as subheadings.

Task 3 Recruitment and Selection process

In groups ,you must identify a vacancy to fill. This could be a manager, employee or supervisor.

Research using TES and Google search a range of:

1. Job descriptions
2. Person Specifications
3. Job adverts
4. Application forms

It is important to find those that might be similar to a school like KC. This will allow you to base yours on these.

Example of job description and person specification combined and the advert for a role at KC

Use a Google document to create your own: Job descriptions 2. Person Specifications 3. Job adverts and 4. Application form. Ensure this is APPLIED to the vacancy you are recruiting for at Kent College

Task 4

Once task 3 is completed and agreed, make a copy of each document and share again. This will be used to write comments (notes) based on the task below:

For each recruitment document (1-4), you must explain why particular listings have been included.

For instance, you may have listed: 'the successful candidate must have experience of teaching the IB'

Your notes are vital as they will be used to write an explanation of each document you create. For instance you would explain in the Person Specification that you stated the candidate must be able to have experience of the IB as this is a course offered by KC. You might want to list other criteria such as coaching experience or other extra curricular experience (offering activities outside of lessons). You would then explain under the document that KC offers a wide range of activities for students so this is an essential skill/experience of any teacher.

Once all notes are complete, you must write these up individually under each of the headings (1-4)

Task 5 Interview questions

Use the following links as a resource to review a range of questions

http://www.theguardian.com/teacher-network/teacher-blog/2014/jan/29/teacher-job-interview-questions-top-ten

https://www.tes.co.uk/article.aspx?storyCode=6038000

Create at least 8 questions applicable to the vacancy you are recruiting for. REMEMBER, THIS MUST BE APPLIED TO KENT COLLEGE - MAKE IT SPECIFIC

Task 6 Interview questions explanation

Under each question, you must explain why you have included it in the interview. YOU MUST LINK BACK TO THE PERSON SPECIFICATION AND JOB DESCRIPTION. For example, you may have included a question that tests the candidate on their extra-curricular activities; something that was clearly listed on the person specification as an essential criteria.

See an example of what is expected. This is my no means perfect but it shall give you an example of what is expected.

Task 7 Interview

Draw a bird's eye diagram of the interview including seating arrangement and camera position.
The interview should be recorded for later analysis and evaluation. This is a formal interview that will be sent to the examiner as evidence. 

You can decide on how you take notes in the interview.

Task 8 - Interview write up and analysis

Under each question, give a brief synopsis of the candidate's response. This could be a direct quote or in your own words. You must then interpret the response by considering


  1. How did this response demonstrate they have the qualities/skills/experience listed on the person specification. BE SPECIFIC and give reasons why
  2. How did this response demonstrate they have the ability to carry out a specific role listed on the job description?
  3. Did the candidate's response show any weaknesses and if so, why?
  4. What did the non verbal, body language show? 
Please see an example of what is expected. Again, this is not perfect but will help to guide your presentation.

Task 9 - Selection of the candidate


In your groups, have an open and honest discussion about which of the two candidates is to be selected. Yo must record any disagreements you have but ultimately come t an agreement.

This must now be written up individually. Be specific to why you chose this candidate ensuring you always refer to the JOB DESCRIPTION and PERSON SPECIFICATION

Task 10 Legal and ethical considerations

Please see these notes and consider how you adhered or perhaps didn't adhere to legal and ethical obligations. This can be discussed in your groups before writing it up individually.

Task 11 Evaluation of the recruitment and selection process

Please see this PowerPoint presentation that will be discussed in class. This is a vital document for you to plan your evaluation. Yo can use the headings in the presentation as subheadings in your final individual evaluation

Task 12 - Sources

Ensure you list all your sources of information including:
  1. Interviews (with dates)
  2. Website addresses with the title of the information
  3. Book resources



Monday, 8 June 2015

Marketing Strategy   

This blog post will have all tasks and links relating to Unit 9.

What do examiners look for in this unit A01,A02,A03,A04?

What is strategy?

Analysis ------- Choice -------- Implementation

Some useful links to help you understand this fundamental concept:

https://hbr.org/2015/05/what-is-strategy-again
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mYF2_FBCvXw&app=desktop
https://hbr.org/1996/11/what-is-strategy

What is marketing?

The process of identifying, anticipating and satisfying consumers' needs profitably


Marketing strategy

Make contact with a handful of businesses of your choice. You will make a decision on which to proceed with. You will need to consider their current marketing strategy.

Who is their target market?
What is their pricing strategy? Premium? Budget? 
Where are they now? Where do they want to go?

Task 1

Please see this link to open task 1.


Market research

This is the most important section of your whole portfolio (the analysis section of strategy). You will need to gather both primary and secondary. You have already begun with this. This section will require you to create an online survey or similar. This is aimed at gaining information about your target market's buyer behaviour.

See an example of a survey. 

This section relies on your first establishing what you need to find out. Link to the Marketing Mix - 4Ps!!  Structure your survey questions under these sections.

Product - think unit 4 - features, actual augmented - what do consumers expect?
Price - significance of..
Promotion - different ways consumers might be influenced/persuaded
Place - how do customers/consumers choose to purchase their product - online? Delivery? applications? Visit physical outlets?


Marketing plan

Task sheet 
Planning template

Please see an example of the work. Consider how the candidate has linked to:
objectives/aims
PEST/SWOT
secondary research
primary research


Evaluation

See task sheet following discussion in class.


Monday, 1 June 2015



Introduction to Business

What is a business?

See the donut diagram overview

Aims and Objectives

See theoretical PowerPoint notes on aims and objectives

Is Sainsbury's in the private or public sector? What market are they in and what products and services do they offer? Use a range of internet sources to get an introduction to the company.

Task 1

This task requires you to apply theory to the context of Sainsbury's. You will need to research Sainsbury's:
1. Mission statement
2. Strategic objectives  (click on the links to each objective to reveal more)
3. Values

See portfolio Task 1.

See the following link as a summary of the KPIs you researched in the Canterbury store. This should be described under the introduction to the Canterbury store.

External environment

See notes on how the external environment might impact a large supermarket.

Task 2

Click here for portfolio task 2

Marketing activities

Definition:

Marketing is the process of identifying, anticipating and satisfying consumer needs,  profitably

Task 3 

Market research is an integral part of the marketing function. Click here for the notes. Once you are familiar with these, complete this small task

See the following PointPoint presentations taking you through the marketing mix

Price Product Promotion Place

Task 4 

This is the largest section of the portfolio and requires you to work through all of the marketing mix and apply this to your research on Sainsbury's. Task 4

Teams and Enterprise

Use your textbook resource to read the chapter on Teams and Enterprise. How do teams help you perform better at school?

Task 5

Click here to supplement your research on teams and enterprise. This was provided by the general manager a few years ago. Much of this is still relevant.

Once you have visited the Sainsbury's store in Canterbury you will be in a position to complete this task 


Conclusions and evaluations

This section requires you judgement on what are the most significant issues have impacted Sainsbury's ability (both helped and hindered) to achieve their objectives/aims/values etc.

This requires you to find evidence for your arguments. Use Google search to find data on some of the issues you will discuss. Google News is also useful for this. Issues to find data on:


  1. E-commerce sales for S's and the trend, nationally
  2. Lidl and Aldi stealing market share from the big established UK supermarkets
  3. Customers shopping little and often rather than a one-stop-shop
Examples of data - Sainsbury's profits falling where as Lidl's are rising


Task 6

See the guidance for the last task

See an example of an excellent evaluation.

Sources of information

Make sure you list all your sources of information including:

Interviews (with dates)
Website addresses - you must include the title of the data and the author
Book resources - title and author

Thursday, 30 April 2015

Exam material
Question papers: June 2016 June 2015 June 2014, June 2013, Jan 2013, Jan 2012, June 11

Mark schemes:   June 2014, June 2013. Jan 2013Jan 2012June 11


Managing People

Create a link for a glossary of key terms and definitions for this module

Organisational structure

Please see the case study. In groups, discuss the implications of the flatter organisational structure to the firm. Use a presentation to structure your response highlighting: knowledge, application, analysis and evaluation.

Motivation

See the PowerPoint

See this excellent video on what motivates us at work

Sunday, 15 March 2015


Monday 7+8

Continue with Unit 10 and any other corrections for Unit 8

Tuesday 5+6

Click here for the June 2011 Unit 11 Exam paper

Answer questions 1a - 1d using your working google document. Make sure you make reference to the question so you can review this for revision.

I will review your progress. Please mark your own work, highlighting:

  1. Knowledge
  2. Application
  3. Analysis
  4. Evaluation
I will organise an online session to review these questions. 

Thursday 1+2 +3+4

Continue to work through Unit 10. Please email if you have any concerns.

I will aim to have our online session at 10:30am

Monday 7+8    23/3/15

You must complete the exam questions I listed above. Some of you have not done this. I will be marking it and I want you to share this document with one other from the group for peer marking. See your links below.

Dmitry Amy  Jess Sully  Mariia  Samjhana  Javier

Please complete this question 1a  and 2c. You will need to read both Item A and Item B. You may discuss this with each other I will review this with you in an extra lesson on Wednesday 1:30 - 2:30

Tuesday 5 + 6

Please complete your Unit 10 and any other Portfolio tasks. I will be collecting hard copies of:

Unit 8, 9 and 14 on Thursday - there is no margin for error!



Dear all - please follow the following instructions in each of the lessons this week. I hope to be in at some point and will be in touch throughout the week. 


Monday 1 + 2 (Mr Cleghorn)

Watch the following video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=foWMmY3xSuk

Q Take notes on the successful traits of an entrepreneur. You will present you findings later in the week.

Q Having watched this video, what advice would you give Sheena?

Tuesday 3 + 4

Read this article and consider how this might be used to add value to your task 1 for unit 6. This firm is very similar to Anno Gin. 

Q - Explain how Sibling Distillery might use market segmentation and discuss its usefulness to the firm. (10 marks)

Click on your name and copy in the above question into the the google doc. This will be a working document for your Unit 4 and Unit 3 exam practice questions. I have access to all of these and can see your progress. 


Please continue to work on your Unit 6 work. I will get some advice back to you soon. Make sure all other portfolio work corrections are worked on. This is a great opportunity for you all to tidy up any areas in presentation or content.

Wednesday 3 + 4

Task 1: In the following groups, please complete the following tasks on our Unit 3 shared working document.

Sam S, Jhangir, Tom G, Milo - Cash flow forecasting definition - theory/usefulness - ways to solve potential cash flow problems. Ensure this is in context!

Callum M, Igor, Calum Mc - Business Planning - definitions - theory usefulness to Sheena and why

Simone, Hannah, Sam, Kari - Business ownership - theory - is she right to operate as Ltd?

Gaby, Tom T, M, Irina - Identify all the resources Sheena would need - HR, Human etc - the analysis should include implications for each resource. For instance, FINANCIAL - huge start up capital required. We have already discussed issues regarding the human resource - full time/part time etc

Please review the sources of finance section Unit 3 shared working document. This must be complete by the end of this lesson. It is a huge section and WILL BE THE FIRST QUESTION IN YOUR EXAMINATION IN MAY.

Wednesday 5+6 

Continue working on the Unit 6 and revise all theory for the mock examination on Tuesday 24/3/15

Thursday 7 + 8

Read the article in your Unit 4 work books on internal and external customers. Answer the following question on your Unit 3 and 4 working exam question document (name links below). REMEMBER TO COPY THE QUESTION INTO THE DOCUMENT BEFORE ANSWERING IT.

Explain how Kent College's internal and external customers differ. (4 marks)

A reminder of the link to your working document. Make sure this is filed and easy to locate in your google drive folders.


Complete this task in your workbooks. This link is only for reference - complete this in the Unit 4 workbook, You will need to use your textbooks to read about the three customer needs. 

Friday 5 + 6 - Mr Cleghorn

Portfolio work - Unit 6. Continue working on this. You must begin to calculate the costs per unit of your proposed product. This is only a prediction and is used to ensure you understand how it might influence the form and function.

Fudge kitchen - You can access this information by contacting the store. Find out how much of each ingredients you would need for one batch. You can then source the costs. Divide by how many pieces you would have in each product. The weight of each can be estimated. You would then need to source the costs of packaging. Again, these can be estimates.

Anno Gin - contact the firm and ask for the estimated costs per litre of alcohol.

Madame Oiseau - contact her and ask how much chocolate would be used in each of your products.

Friday 7 + 8

Use the following resources,  create a table, defining, and evaluating each of the different forms of primary and secondary research. A template for this can be found here


  1. Applied Business Collins textbook
  2. Other textbooks in Mrs Humphreys classroom - bookshelf at the back
  3. Your Unit 4 workbook
  4. http://www.marketresearchworld.net/content/view/2118/78/
  5. http://www.snapsurveys.com/blog/advantages-disadvantages-surveys/


Second half of the lesson:  Revise for the Unit 3 mock examination next Tuesday, period 3 + 4.


Monday 1+2 - Mr Cleghorn

Complete Unit 6 tasks - many of you have not sent work off to me for moderation.
Please revise for your Unit 3 mock examination to take place in your lesson tomorrow. YOU WILL NEED A CALCULATOR

Tuesday 3 + 4

Define customer involvement and complexity of a product. Ensure you provide examples. This is for unit 4 and is in your textbook. Make sure notes are recorded.

Revise for your mock examination on Wednesday - this date has been changed to allow for appropriate time. I hope to be in this lesson with you.

Wednesday 3,4+5

Mock examination - 1 hour - calculators allowed (1hr 15 for extra timers: Tom Thurston, Simone, Calum Mc.

Monday, 23 February 2015


Please see the guide, task sheets and exemplar for Unit 10. Click here

Example for survey click here

Exemplar