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Imagine running a major electrical retailer just weeks before Christmas. Customers are looking to buy televisions, laptops and washing machines, but your suppliers are increasingly reluctant to let you buy goods on credit. How do you fill your shelves if you haven't got enough cash? That was part of the crisis facing Comet in 2012. Founded in Hull in 1933, Comet became one of Britain's best-known electrical retailers, eventually operating 236 stores. But by 2012, the business

Can you sell millions of records, enjoy international fame and still end up bankrupt? Just ask Shane Filan from Westlife. In 2012, the singer was declared bankrupt after his property development business collapsed, leaving him facing debts reportedly reaching €18 million. But how could someone so successful lose so much? When a business gamble goes wrong Alongside his brother, Filan had invested heavily in Irish property through their company, Shafin Developments. During the

For many Business students, stakeholders are introduced as a list. Customers. Employees. Shareholders. Suppliers. Government. Local communities. But stakeholder influence becomes much more interesting when different groups want different things from the same business decision. A trip to the supermarket provides a surprisingly good example. Over recent years, self-service checkouts have become increasingly common across UK supermarkets. For retailers, the attraction is fairly

For many students, the term sole trader first appears as a definition in a textbook: one person owns and controls a business. But what does that actually look like when somebody has to turn an idea into a functioning business? A recent BBC News story provides a useful example. At just 21, Mia Wallace is running Dolly’s Coffee in Lowestoft, Suffolk. She took over the lease of an existing café premises when she was 20, refurbished and rebranded it, and established herself as a

What is a sole trader? A sole trader is a business owned and controlled by one person. It is one of the simplest forms of business ownership and is particularly common among small businesses such as hairdressers, tradespeople, tutors, photographers, cleaners, dog groomers and independent retailers. The owner makes the key decisions, receives the profits generated by the business after costs and tax, and takes responsibility for its success or failure. In the UK, a sole trader

Entrepreneurs are often described as risk-takers, decision-makers and opportunity spotters. But what do those characteristics actually look like when somebody is building a real business? The experience of Vivien Wong, co-founder of Little Moons, provides an interesting real-world example. From accountancy to ice cream At the age of 28, Wong left an accounting career paying around £80,000 a year to establish Little Moons with her brother, Howard. Entrepreneurship was not enti

What is an entrepreneur? An entrepreneur is someone who identifies a business opportunity and takes the risk of organising resources to exploit it. Entrepreneurs are central to the creation and development of businesses. They bring together ideas, people, finance and other resources and make decisions about how those resources should be used. But being entrepreneurial involves more than simply starting a business. Entrepreneurs need to be able to spot opportunities, operate i

Automation is often presented as a way for businesses to reduce costs, improve productivity and increase efficiency. But introducing new technology does not automatically guarantee better performance. This BBC News story explores the difficulties faced by pizza restaurants using robotic pizza-making technology. It provides an excellent real-world context for Business students to consider topics including automation, productivity, efficiency, quality, investment decisions and

Understanding the Unique Challenges Autistic learners face unique challenges in educational settings. In Business Studies, these challenges can be particularly pronounced. Here are some common issues they may encounter: Group Work Anxiety: Social unpredictability can lead to anxiety. A lack of clear structure in group work often exacerbates this issue. Difficulty with Abstract Language: Business scenarios frequently use abstract or figurative language, which can be confusing

Supporting Business Teachers Through Balance, Boundaries, and Realistic Self-Care 💼 Why Well-being Matters in Business Classrooms Business teachers often carry high workloads. Assessment-heavy courses, rapidly changing specifications, and pressure to deliver top results can be overwhelming. Many of us also engage with Economics, which presents a completely new set of challenges. When you layer in SEND support, behaviour challenges, and exam stress, it’s a recipe for burnout.

Continuing our series of articles about the need to support our SEND pupils' needs in the the business classroom, this latest extract...

Understanding ADHD in the Classroom Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a neurodevelopmental condition. It affects concentration, impulsivity, and executive functioning. For pupils with ADHD, traditional lesson structures may feel restrictive. Long periods of passive listening can lead to disengagement or disruptive behaviour. However, with the right strategies, these learners can thrive in Business Studies. Common Challenges for ADHD Learners ADHD learners fac

Why Inclusion Matters in Business Studies Business Studies classrooms are some of the most diverse learning spaces in the modern...

The top things students leave blank, get wrong, or butcher completely—and how to fix them before the exam. You’ve marked the same...

As we approach 2026, the new A Level business specifications bring both challenges and exciting opportunities. The rapid changes in the...

Summer jobs offer more than just the chance to earn some extra money; they are a rich environment for students studying business to...

Teaching Critical Path Analysis to Teens: A Guide Teaching critical path analysis (CPA) can feel like climbing a steep hill. This challenge is especially true when your audience includes teenagers who fear numbers. Many young learners have a natural aversion to mathematics, making concepts like CPA seem daunting. The trick is to make this subject engaging, relatable, and easy to understand. In this post, we will uncover the challenges educators face while teaching CPA. We'll

In recent discussions about public health and fiscal policy, the government's plans to extend the sugar tax to include milk-based drinks and their non-dairy counterparts have sparked considerable debate. This initiative aims to address the rising rates of obesity and related health risks, but its implications for families and the wider market are significant. While sugary drinks, particularly sodas, have long been a target for health campaigns, the addition of milkshakes and