The aim of this unit is to enable learners to understand different types of businesses, their functions and structures, as well as an introduction to basic marketing principles. They will be required to explore the micro and macro business environment, understand the concept of quality and carry out basic business analyses.

Learning Outcome

1. Understand different types of businesses and their

• List different types of businesses found in the public and private sectors.
• Identify the various stakeholders involved with a business.
• Describe an organisation’s business objectives.
• List a range of benefits of socially responsible business behaviour.

2. Understand a range of basic business and management structures.

• Explain the function of different business departments.
• Explain an organisation’s staffing and management structure.
• Describe a range of factors that can influence business culture.

3. Understand basic marketing in business.

• Define the term ‘marketing’ in relation to a business.
• Define ‘needs’ and ‘wants’ in relation to marketing.
• Identify a range of market segment categories.
• Explain market research and the ‘marketing mix’.

4. Be able to utilise a number of key business concepts.

• Explain the difference between a micro and macro business environment.
• Explain why quality is important in business.
• Carry out a SWOT analysis for an organisation.
• Carry out a PESTLE analysis on an organisation.

The aim of this unit is to develop the learners’ understanding of the principles that apply to customer service delivery in organisations across different sectors. Learners will understand how to propose and implement improvements to customer service.

Learning Outcome

1. Understand how organisations carry out customer service in a particular sector.

• Describe the services and/or products of an organisation.
• Explain how an organisation develops its service offer.
• Evaluate how an organisation’s policies and procedures ensure consistent service delivery.

2. Understand the use of effective communication techniques with customers.

• Explain the main communication techniques and how they meet the needs of customers.
• Assess how communication techniques and individual behaviour affect the implementation of improvements to service delivery.

3. Understand how organisations in different sectors deliver customer service

• Evaluate the customer service approach of different sectors.
• Describe the difference in the needs and expectations of customers of organisations in different sectors.
• Explain the formation of customer expectations.

4. Understand how to recommend improvements to customer service.

• Identify the organisational policies, procedures and practices that need to be considered when recommending improvements to customer service.
• Explain the organisational process for recommending improvements to customer service.
• Assess the effect of internal and external requirements when recommending improvements to customer service.
• Explain how to involve others when implementing improvements to customer service.

The aim of this unit is to provide learners with an understanding of the basic principles of economics and accounting in a business environment. Learners will also develop an understanding of the content of basic financial statements and the principles of recording financial transactions.

Learning Outcome

1. Understand essential aspects of business accounting.

• Define the term ‘accounting’.
• Explain a range of common accounting terms.
• Describe the different forms of business unit.

2. Understand basic economics as they apply to the business world.

• Describe the different measures of money.
• Explain why interest rates are important to government and businesses.
• Explain how ‘exchange rates’ can potentially affect businesses.
• Describe the effects of inflation on a business.

3. Be able to apply key concepts in financial accounting.

• Process simple accounting statements using the double entry system.
• Balance a business account.
• Produce a trial balance.
• Calculate period end adjustments.
• Interpret a financial statement.
• Produce a financial statement.

The aim of this unit is to develop the learners’ understanding of the principles that apply to marketing in a business environment, including marketing models, sales principles, and marketing planning.

Learning Outcome

1. Understand the role of marketing in the business environment.

• Describe the role of marketing in a business.
• Explain the key roles of a marketing department.
• Identify the principles of the marketing mix for a business product or service.

2. Be able to apply the core components of the marketing mix.

• Describe the concept of the marketing mix.
• Explain the core elements of the marketing mix.
• Develop a coherent marketing mix for a new business product or service.

3. Understand the principles of sales in a business.

• List the different approaches to business sales.
• Explain the importance of sales targets in a business.
• List the key elements of a sales plan.

4. Understand the principles of marketing planning.

• Explain the importance of marketing planning.
• List the key components of a marketing plan.
• Explain the role of market research in

marketing planning.

The aim of this unit is to develop learners’ understanding of the principles that apply to the management of people in a range of business sectors. It also introduces concepts such as reward, motivation and leadership.

Learning Outcome

1. Understand the principles of people management.

• Explain the role of people management in an organisation.
• Describe the core human resource functions.
• Describe key pieces of legislation that affect people management in a business, including the importance of diversity.

2. Understand the principles of performance management.

• Describe the characteristics of an effective performance management system.
• Describe best practice in conducting staff appraisals.
• Explain the importance of disciplinary and grievance procedures.

3. Understand the role of reward and recognition in a business.

• Describe the relationship between motivation and reward.
• Explain different types of pay schemes.
• List the ways in which businesses can recognise excellent performance.

4. Understand the principles of leadership in business management.

• Explain the role of leadership in a business.
• List different leadership styles.
• Describe the personal characteristics of leaders.
• Determine whether leadership can be taught.

The aim of this unit is to provide learners with a grounding in the key research and academic skills required for successful study at this level and subsequent employment and/or further study.

Learning Outcome

1. Be able to research information from a variety of sources.

• Identify useful information from a range of different sources.
• Record key points when listening to information being given.
• Use notes to accurately summarise information given.
• Collate information using a range of reliable sources.

2. Understand common steps in producing academic work.

• Describe the common steps in producing academic work.
• Explain what constitutes plagiarism and other forms of academic misconduct.

3. Be able to produce a piece of academic work according to conventions.

• Create a timetabled plan to meet the requirements of an academic assignment.
• Evaluate own work against criteria given.
• Use academic referencing.
• Present a completed piece of academic work to others.

4. Understand different learning styles.

• Explain the idea of multiple intelligences.
• Describe a range of learning styles.
• Identify own preferred learning style.
• Identify own study strengths and weaknesses.

The aim of this unit is to develop learners’ understanding of the principles that apply to the planning and management of events in a range of business sectors. It explores reasons why businesses hold events and why these have become more prominent in recent years.

Learning Outcome

1. Understand the business events sector.

• Describe the different categories of business event.
• Explain the growth of the business events sector.
• Justify why businesses hold events.

2. Understand the principles of business event planning.

• List the requirements of business events.
• Explain the principles of venue selection.
• Identify the markets for business events.

3. Understand the principles of business event management.

• Describe the principles of event operations management.
• Identify key factors in the management of live events.
• Discuss how to manage customer service at business events.

4. Understand the principles of evaluating business events.

• Explain why it is important to evaluate business events.
• List key event evaluation techniques.
• Explain the choice of event evaluation techniques.
• Describe the process of event evaluation.

The aim of this unit is to familiarise learners with the use, application and development of core IT skills, including preparation for presentations, and formats for business writing such as a report.

Learning Outcome

1. Be able to utilise the main functions of a word processor.

• Describe the main functions within a word processing package.
• Insert pictures and symbols in a word-processed business document.
• Use common functions to manipulate and evaluate text in a business document.
• Use of a range of functions to alter the presentation of word processed business documents.

2. Be able to identify useful information from the Internet.

• List a range of search engines which can be used to find specific information.
• Extract relevant information from a web source.
• Use website information in a word-processed business document.
• Describe how website text should be presented in academic work in order to avoid plagiarism.

3. Be able to utilise the main functions of spreadsheet software.

• Describe how website text should be presented in academic work in order to avoid plagiarism.
• Format cells, rows, columns and worksheets.
• Explain a range of formulae that can be applied to data in a worksheet.
• Use a range of functions to improve the presentation of data in a worksheet.

4. Be able to utilise the main functions of presentation software.

• Open, save and close a presentation slideshow.
• Insert and duplicate slides.
• Incorporate animation into a presentation.
• Create a business presentation with text, graphics and animation.