Mr Marcus McGowan MSc PgDip BA (Hons)

This Business Education Learning Blog is aimed primarily at Higher Business Management students/teachers and ICT students/teachers.

The aim of this blog is to provide you with interesting articles, news, trivia as well as resources or links to materials which will help in your course of study.

I am a Teacher of Business Education and I have written for Education Scotland and BBC Bitesize.

If you'd like to contact me please click on the link to: email me

Friday 19 December 2014

Nick is no more!

Lord Sugar’s trusty advisor, Nick Hewer is leaving The Apprentice after 10 years. Nick was an original member of the BBC show, who has gained a reputation for pulling some incredible faces at some of the silly schemes and behaviour of the candidates. Nick has branched out and now presents Countdown on Channel 4.

 

Nick who is 70, has blamed the hectic and gruelling filming schedule on his decision. It does beg the question of whether will Alan Sugar step down at the same time as his old friend?

 

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-30527547

 

Monday 24 November 2014

Son of HOTOL

Skylon is a new aircraft/spacecraft with an improved design from that very British concept, HOTOL (Horizontal Takeoff and Landing). HOTOL once promised London to Sydney in less than an hour by taking off like a plane then heading into orbit, before descending back down to land on an airport runway.

 

More information on the latest developments here:

 

http://www.cnn.com/2014/08/08/tech/innovation/spaceship-reinvented/index.html?iid=article_sidebar

 

Flying Car is on its way!

Once thought the preserve of Science Fiction, it now seems there is a genuine race to create the world’s first flying car. This article goes into more detail:

 

http://www.cnn.com/2014/11/14/tech/innovation/tomorrow-transformed-race-to-build-flying-car/?cid=ob_articlesidebarall&iref=obinsite

 

Are comments moribund?

Thanks to online trolls it now seems websites are now being phased out:

 

http://www.cnn.com/2014/11/21/tech/web/online-comment-sections/?cid=ob_articlesidebarall&iref=obinsite

 

How to get ahead in China... if you are a brand!

Top brands in China share the secret of their success:

 

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-23364230

 

How to win over customers in South Africa

KFC boss gives tips on how to win over South African consumers:

 

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-29953000

 

History of Tesco Clubcard

Good article on the Tesco Clubcard’s origins:

 

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-30095454

 

Wednesday 29 October 2014

Billionaires did well at school!

This article has some evidence that is reassuring in a way for pupils and students who are motivated and want to do well… the vast majority of billionaires went to university and are highly educated.

 

Sometimes pupils are misled a bit by the success stories of Richard Branson and others who left school with no qualifications… but no everyone is lucky enough like Branson to have a millionaire relative who financed his early failures.

 

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-29786836

 

Hearts go for the "Living Wage"

Scottish football club Hearts are introducing a living wage at the club. This will affect staff employed on a part-time and contract basis.

 

Hearts owner Ann Budge told the Edinburgh club's website: "We believe it is entirely in keeping with the values we hold dear as a club."

 

The living wage is updated annually and calculated according to the cost of living in the UK.

 

As of October 2014 the living wage is £7.65 an hour, while the minimum wage for over-21s is £6.50.

Tuesday 7 October 2014

Major brands to slash their TV advertising budgets

Apple, Pepsi and McDonald’s are among the major companies who are cutting their TV advertising budgets as they now recognise the increasing value of social media and online advertising. This also comes hot on the heels of Kraft who have seen a big deal with Google gain valuable returns.

 

However, the daddy of them all, Coca Cola, is not mentioned. And as we know, Coca Cola’s distribution and advertising methods are second to none.

 

http://www.businessinsider.com/omnicom-tells-advertisers-to-shift-tv-spend-to-online-video-2014-10

 

Thursday 2 October 2014

Young people lack skills for work...

Says this survey.

 

Hopefully this skills gap can be addressed.

 

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-29454002

Tesco in South Korea

Tesco’s incredible virtual store in Seoul:

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nJVoYsBym88

 

Future City 2020?

This interactive page outlines what the future high street may look like in a few years. Many of its concepts seemed inspired by the sci-fi movie Minority Report. Others are concepts in the prototype stage.

 

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-28461134

 

Impact of protests on Hong Kong Tourism

The first week in October is a national holiday in Hong Kong called “Golden Week”. This article highlights the issues surrounding the potential for a dip in tourism.

 

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-29438025

 

Wednesday 1 October 2014

Technology: A welcome return from an old frriend!

Microsoft’s Windows 10 is here and our old friend the START menu is back!

 

http://mashable.com/2014/09/30/microsoft-windows-10/?utm_cid=mash-com-Tw-main-link

 

Business Books That Changed the World... and inspired entrepreneurs

The likes of Warren Buffet and Donald Trump have been inspired by books that changed their life and gave them a head start in business:

 

http://edition.cnn.com/2014/09/30/business/best-business-books-entrepreneurs/

 

Google Glass in Action!

Edinburgh Airport staff are using Google Glass for real! The workers are using the innovative technology to deal with customer enquries.

 

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-edinburgh-east-fife-29425349

 

Ebay Demerger

Another good example of demerger… Ebay splitting off PayPal from its operations:

 

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-29423251

 

Tuesday 16 September 2014

Innovate or Die!

 

Great article on how businesses need to keep moving forward or face extinction.

 

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-28865268

 

Thursday 28 August 2014

Rollable TVs

This was from earlier in the year, the advent of paper thin, rollable TVs:

 

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-28245659

 

The arrival of the smartwatch

It has been long in the offing but now Samsung and LG have introduced their new gadget: the smartwatch.

 

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-28966866

 

Apple are due to enter the fray with the launch of their own smartwatch sometime next month.

 

Wednesday 18 June 2014

De La Rue

A fascinating article looking at De La Rue, the company who has the lucky job of printing money!

 

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-27888665

 

Wednesday 11 June 2014

Polar Explorer Craig Mathieson

Today our pupils met Scottish Polar Explorer Craig Mathieson. Craig told of his experiences and ordeals as he led the first ever Scottish Antarctic expedition to the South Pole. He was incredibly interesting and motivating. Our pupils were enaged for the entire time and you could hear a pin drop when he told of some of his more difficult challenges… which he just brushed off with a steely determination.

 

 

I will not spoil the talk here, but I am sure you can find more about Craig and his charity Polar Academy at his website: http://mathiesonexplorer.com/

 

Changi Airport - Singapore

Some new features have been added to Changi Airport in Singapore as it is involved in the race for the title of the best airport in the world.

 

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-26097348

 

Tuesday 10 June 2014

Great Quotes

 

“Excellence is not a skill. It is an attitude. “

 

-Ralph Marston 

 

Monday 9 June 2014

Business Speaker: Derek Wyllie

 

Today our new Higher Business Management pupils met Mr Derek Wyllie, Head of International Distribution for Rockport.

 

Derek has worked abroad for over 9 years and has lived and worked in Kuala Lumpur and now Hong Kong in various senior roles at major international corporations.

 

 

Derek spoke about his career and how he ended up in his current role, as well as a very interesting and entertaining look at some of the characteristics of markets in the Far East.

 

Our pupils were engaged and highly interested in Derek’s experiences and we had a lively Q & A at the end of both presentations… which is unusual! I said to Derek that receiving a number of questions at the end is a sign of a good presentation!

 

Hopefully, Derek’s story and his life experiences will inspire some of our pupils to broaden their horizons and think about the vast opportunities that lie in the Pacific Region.

 

 

Tuesday 3 June 2014

Seattle raises the minimum wage

The full article is here:

 

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-27674474

 

What are the implications then for small businesses?

 

It certainly seems good news for employees, but it could have a massive impact on smaller firms who may struggle with the increased labour costs.

Monday 19 May 2014

Exam Day

Good luck today to all the pupils across Scotland sitting Higher Business Management and National 5 Business Management.

 

If you have studied and revised you will do well. Preparation is the key to success!

 

Tuesday 6 May 2014

Tesco's new smartphone

The UK’s biggest supermarket are diversifying once again:

 

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-27285787

Friday 2 May 2014

Zero Hour Contracts

A ‘positive’ article about zero hours contracts. But the uncertainty they cause for employees surely cannot be good long term?

 

http://news.sky.com/story/1252478/are-zero-hour-contracts-easing-unemployment

 

Monday 28 April 2014

Walmart facts that will amaze

And some astonishing facts about Walmart!

 

http://www.businessinsider.com/crazy-facts-about-walmart-2012-11?op=1

 

Facts about McDonald's

Some interesting facts about the World’s Biggest Fast Food restaurant.

 

http://www.businessinsider.com/19-facts-about-mcdonalds-that-will-blow-your-mind-2012-4?op=1

 

Hawick Knitwear

Watched the new Troubleshooter series with Lord Digby Jones. The episode concerning Hawick Knitwear was interesting, but not too entertaining.

 

http://www.drapersonline.com/news/hawick-knitwear-plots-global-growth-following-bbc-show/5059066.article#.U14WDkZwa5c

 

It did however highlight some issues which are taught in our lessons. The need for growth and expansion especially in the Japanese and Chinese market. It also briefly showed production processes and mentioned premium pricing.

 

It wasn’t a patch on the classic original series which starred Sir John Harvey Jones. I still remember seeing the Triang episode at University, and the poor beleaguered Sydney, the MD, who can’t come to terms with the future. It was the first time I had ever seen baffling diversification… a toy company involved in garden furniture! Oh how I wish I could show that to pupils! Perhaps with the wonder of Youtube I can.

Thursday 24 April 2014

The End of the Oil Era?

Could it be that Solar Power will overtake the fossil fuels as the most common energy source shortly?

 

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/comment/ambroseevans_pritchard/10755598/Global-solar-dominance-in-sight-as-science-trumps-fossil-fuels.html?fb

 

If this is the case, think of the implications for the Middle East in particular. Dubai are already well on the way to diversifying and preparing for life after the oil, as is Qatar. What of Saudi Arabia and other oil producing countries?

Revision syllabus for National 5 Business Management

I have put a revision syllabus for the exam on my relatively new N5 blog:

 

http://national5businessmanagement.blogspot.co.uk/

 

Business of Football - Why Manchester United had to sack David Moyes - Part 2

Following on from talk of the finances which played a part in the dismissal of David Moyes comes this article which implies the same:

 

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-2611067/David-Moyes-sacking-saved-Manchester-United-financial-meltdown.html

 

Leadership Lessons from the Manchester United

Forbes magazine have identified Ten Key Leadership Lessons that should be learned from the crisis at Manchester United.

 

http://www.forbes.com/sites/andrewcave/2014/04/22/ten-leadership-lessons-from-manchester-uniteds-hiring-and-firing-of-david-moyes/?utm_campaign=forbestwittersf&utm_source=twitter&utm_medium=social

 

It is great to come out with this sort of thing in hindsight, however, personally I do believe they needed someone more experienced and with a more glittering CV. I do also think that for both the Manager Sir Alex Ferguson and the CEO David Gill to stand down at the same time was perhaps misguided.

 

The situation at Manchester United is fascinating both students and myself due to the fact we went there in November for the Stadium Tour and received an excellent business presentation. The club are trying to be like a Fortune 500 company and perhaps they are now seeing all the inherent problems such size and expectation brings once the successful leader moves on.

Tuesday 22 April 2014

Business of Football - Why Manchester United had to sack David Moyes

It is no surprise to any of our school trip that went to Old Trafford in November to see that Manchester United have parted company with David Moyes. To finish outside the Champions League spots is just unthinkable. Not because United have a divine right to European football, but more in terms of the money situation.

Man Utd are a money machine. They are the world’s biggest sports brand. Okay so they still had a debt of £436.9 million as at 30 June 2012, but they have deals with AON bringing in £20 million a year, Nike (£23 million) and Chevrolet, another £28 million to name a few. But the Broadcasting Revenue the club makes from Europe and the Premier League (as well as endorsements because they could say they were the Champions is somewhere in the region of £60 million plus.

 

However expenses and costs go up to, as witnessed by Wayne Rooney signing an incredible £300,000 a week deal.

 

Basically, a business like United need to maintain their success in order to keep the income streams coming in. After a poor year like they have had on the pitch, no other big firm would keep things they way they were. Imagine if Coca Cola dropped from being number one to seventh? It is unthinkable. Or if Apple had a terrible year of sales for iPhones and iPads? The CEO would step down. Football at this level is no different.

 

And I am sorry to say, it is the financial side of football which has done for Moyes. Managers cannot and indeed will not be given the time that perhaps they need to build a winning team. Instant success is needed by the big clubs and in Manchester United’s case, the big businesses.

End of the iPod?

Times change quick in the electronics business and indeed in the music business:

 

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-25927366?ocid=socialflow_twitter

 

Tuesday 1 April 2014

Friday 28 March 2014

Office for iPad

At long last Microsoft are going to produce Apple friendly versions of their all conquering Office software such as Word, Excel and Access. This will be a direct competitor to Pages and the other Apple versions of word processing, spreadsheets and databases.

 

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-26766995

 

Toyota's Indian Industrial Action

Two of Toyota’s Indian plants are in disarray after workers have refused to go back in to work after a lockout. The employees are wanting improved conditions and a pay increase – but Toyota are holding firm.

 

The Japanese car manufacturer locked the workers out on March 16th but now are letting back in over 4,000 workers – but they are now refusing to go back in.

 

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-26780829

 

Thursday 27 March 2014

When David beat Goliath

It is the staple of many Hollywood movies, though in reality Big Business doesn’t often get bettered by the small town person who is up against the odds.

 

Here, however, are some tales of when the little guy beat “The Man” so to speak.

 

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-26758385

 

Footfall in Scotland down

Not such good news for the Scottish high street.

 

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-scotland-business-26578833

 

Wednesday 26 March 2014

Show business: The Twilight Movies

Ever since Stephanie Meyer wrote her Twilight novels which were very successful, Hollywood came calling. It was left to small production company, Summit Entertainment, to bring the movies to the masses. Adapting existing medium is crucial for studios as it lessens the risk slightly due to a book having a built in core audience. But then when the casting is announced book fans always complain about who is picked to play the roles in any movie version!

 

If we look at the 5 film saga we can see patterns common to Hollywood film series’ which they often call franchises – but we know that has a different meaning when relating to the likes of McDonald’s and Subway.

 

So if we look at the table we can see the first film was a relatively low budget movie in Hollywood terms, and it raked in a $356m profit. As the budgets for the sequels increased so did the profit margins, which were around double of the original movie.

 

Film

Year

Budget

Box Office

Profit

Twilight

 

2008

$37m

$393m

$356m

New Moon

 

2009

$50m

$710m

$660m

Eclipse

 

2010

$68m

$698m

$630m

Breaking Dawn Part 1

 

2011

$110m

$712m

$602m

Breaking Dawn Part 2

 

2012

$120m

$830m

$710m

 

Of course rising costs will play a factor in the budget going up, as actors become successful their agents will negotiate larger salaries, and advertising and promotional costs will also rise. In addition, expectation of fans normally mean that sequels will have to be bigger and have more of a spectacle which in the case of using special effects means more money to be spent.

 

There are different ways of judging the success of the movie. In terms of sheer profit, then the final movie made the most, but in terms of profit in relation to budget then New Moon’s profit worked out as approximately 13 times the budget.

 

These margins are excellent for Hollywood and indeed again spell out the popularity of the vampire movies with the general public.

 

One potential study point or discussion point is to compare the success of the Twilight movies with the likes of Harry Potter, Avatar, and the James Bond series of movies. It would be interesting to see the profit made and also the return on the actual budget.

 

But as we know when Hollywood spends big on budgets it is a huge gamble and if it goes wrong it can sink a studio (Heaven’s Gate and Ishtar are notable box office disasters which crippled or closed studios). So that is why studios like a variety of movies – a bit like diversification – so for every big summer blockbuster they will have a mix of low budget romcoms, teen movies, and other low risk movies.

 

But at the end of the day, as William Goldman, the Oscar winning screenwriter once said about trying to predict the success of movies: “Nobody knows anything.”

 

Customer Satisfaction and Disney

Here are some of the very oddest lawsuits brought against Disney by disgruntled customers:

 

http://www.themeparktourist.com/features/20140324/17110/10-strangest-lawsuits-brought-against-disney-theme-parks

 

For more interesting ones you should also look at http://www.businessinsurance.org/10-ridiculously-frivolous-lawsuits-against-big-businesses/ which includes the infamous Stella Liebeck versus McDonald’s lawsuit over hot coffee!

 

Kaizen in Ethiopia

Japanese methods being adopted in East Africa.

 

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-26542963

 

Tuesday 25 March 2014

Inflation at a 4 Year Low

UK inflation is now at 1.7%, which has been attributed to lower petrol prices:

 

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-26730533

 

David Beckham: The Entrepreneur and Visionary?

Not content with being one of the most famous footballers on the planet, David Beckham – who was often criticised for moving to the ‘backwater’ of the American Major League Soccer (MLS) has now emerged with a vision: to bring football or soccer to the sun city of Miami, Florida.

 

The ambitious plans for the city, which has a large contingent of Latin Americans (who are naturally more predisposed to football) includes an impressive 25,000 seat stadium on the waterfront. The former Real Madrid  and Manchester United star is the front man for the Miami franchise.

 

Miami is a sporting city, famous for the Miami Heat basketball team and more famously the American Football side the Miami Dolphins. Miami currently doesn’t have a football team but the sun, sea and sand of Florida could certainly be a USP for any big world star nearing the end of their careers. Beckham himself went to the bright lights of Hollywood to star for LA Galaxy. So perhaps in the near future we could see players like Wayne Rooney leaving the dreary weather of the UK to go play in Florida? Who knows. Beckham knows he faces a challenge to put everything in place long before he creates a team able to challenge for the MLS Cup.

 

For more read here:

 

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/26728226

 

Monday 24 March 2014

Poor Customer Service

I was looking for examples of poor customer service to share with pupils and found this article today.

 

http://www.moneywise.co.uk/news/2014-01-10/yodel-and-hermes-named-uks-worst-parcel-delivery-firms

 

Also, pupils can read the reviews that real customers have left on My Hermes in particular. It makes for grim reading.

 

http://www.trustpilot.co.uk/review/www.myhermes.co.uk

 

I do wonder why they keep performing so badly and still keep going. They may be cheap but by all accounts certainly not cheerful, and when it comes to delivery services being on time and in one piece is invaluable.

 

The Business of Football - Etihad Campus

Startling plans for Manchester City to bring all their football teams, training facilities and even a sixth form college under one roof:

 

http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/manchester-city-etihad-campus-bridge-6761241

 

Friday 21 March 2014

Junk food adverts ban until after 21:00?

A PESTEC factor in action if campaigners get their way!

 

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-26665952

 

Some countries already have a ban such as Sweden were all TV shows aimed at under 12s doesn’t allow any form of advertising, no matter the product on sale.

Wednesday 19 March 2014

LiFi - The Future of the Internet?

LiFi is the next stage of the internet it seems. Imagine your internet connection powered by light. It is believed that it would be cost saving and far more efficient than WiFi.

 

Additional advantages of LiFi would be that it may be used in areas where WiFi may not be suitable such as on aeroplanes or in hospitals.

 

This is a good article on LiFi:

 

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/science/lifi-revolution-internet-connections-using-light-bulbs-are-250-times-faster-than-broadband-8909320.html

 

And this one too:

 

http://www.theweek.co.uk/technology/55813/lifi-light-based-broadband-puts-wifi-shade

 

LiFi research was conducted by the Ultra Parallel Visible Light Communications project, which involves several seats of learning such as the universities of Oxford, Cambridge, Edinburgh, St Andrews and Strathclyde.

 

New £1 Coin coming in 2017

We are saying goodbye to the £1 coin which was introduced in 1983 to be replaced with a two tone coin with 12 edges like the threepenny piece which was discontinued in 1971.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The new £1 will come into use in 2017and is said to be the most secure coin in the world. Currently as many as 3% of all £1 coins in circulation are counterfeit.

 

We are already heading towards using plastic notes as is the common practise in Australia and Canada, so it is all change then.

 

Is the iWatch for real?

I have seen this on the newt quite a few times and to be honest I am unsure if this is true at all?

 

 

 

http://www.techradar.com/news/portable-devices/apple-iwatch-release-date-news-and-rumours-1131043

 

It seems if it is real then it will also combine technology from the likes of Fitbit and Nike to monitor a person’s health. This concurs with the view that the future of technology will be what is being referred to as “wearable tech”.

 

Management and Leadership

 

Great image which helps illustrate some of the differences between management and leadership and highlights the effect it can have on employee motivation.

 

 

 

Taking it further, the top image could be viewed as Theory X, whereas the bottom image would most certainly be Theory Y.

 

 

Manchester United and Team Behaviour

Not sure if I agree totally with the application of this theory in this situation, but a good theory of how teams can be formed, developed and indeed dissolved, or as is called in football “losing the dressing room”.

 

www.thesportinmind.com/articles/manchester-united-from-a-group-psychology-perspective

Facebook and Advertising

All is not rosy in the Facebook garden it seems:

 

www.businessinsider.com/advertisers-talking-about-discontent-with-facebook-2014-3

Tuesday 18 March 2014

The Wipebook

This is an excellent article on a very simple business idea by a couple of students: the wipebook! It is a book you can write on and then erase away and reuse again and again and again. A great tool for students and learners.

 

 

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/report-on-business/careers/business-education/classroom-project-goes-viral-turning-idea-into-a-business/article17423015/#dashboard/follows/?22466333

 

The Purchasing Mix

Factors that affect the buying in of raw materials is an important question that may crop up in Higher Business Management and National 5 Business Management.

The factors that need to be taken into consideration are:

Quantity – does the supplier have the facilities to supply the firm with the correct amount needed?

Quality – what standard is the raw materials being bought in? I always think of GIGO (Garbage In, Garbage Out).

Cost – What price will the supplier charge? This will have a knock-on effect on the companies own profits.

Reliability – do the suppliers deliver on time and in the right quantities?

Lead times – how long does it take for the goods or raw materials to be delivered?

 

Quizlet - Business Glossary

Monday 17 March 2014

Silicon Prairie

We have all heard of Silicon Valley in California however there are many ones now called Silicon Prairie including one near Dallas, Texas. An alternative version situated in the Midwest takes in Nebraska, Iowa, South Dakota, Kansas, Minnesota, North Dakota, and Missouri.

However I recently watched the excellent TV show called “How the States Got Their Shapes” and it focused on the Silicon Prairie found in Fargo, North Dakota.

North Dakota has the lowest unemployment rates in the USA but does suffer like most of the northern Midwest from very cold winters, which may put off many migrant workers.

In Scotland we have our own version called Silicon Glen, found in the Central Belt.

These technological hubs of activity create jobs and generate wealth for the local communities.

 

High Speed Rail - We Want It Now!

The case for speeding up HS2:

 

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-26604074

 

China in particular have went from having almost zero HS Rail to having the most in the world and linking up all their major cities in less than 6 years. An incredible engineering achievement. The UK is not as cash rich as China nor can we keep costs as low as China can with their huge workforce and less stringent Health & Safety laws. What I would like to ask is why can’t we build from both ends? Rather than starting from London to Birmingham, why not Start at Glasgow, Edinburgh, Birmingham, Manchester, Leeds and all the other cities at the same time?

 

The Chinese view HS Rail as a cheap and effective alternative transportation system to flying. Chinese trains can take hundreds of passengers at their incredible 307 km cruising speed, meaning the 800 miles between Shanghai and Beijing can be covered in about 5 and a half hours. Just 45 minutes longer than it takes to get from Glasgow to London on the Pendolino… and it should be added that the Chinese route stops far more than the UK West Coast Line.

 

This economic argument is one which is interesting to students. This is a financial investment in our future. Infrastructure is vital to generating jobs and growth. We have seen it in every developing country that have held an Olympics or Commonwealth Games. The investment they spend in infrastructure for the competition reaps benefits long term. Kuala Lumpur in Malaysia is a prime example, how through the building of a new airport and rail links as well as the inner city metro system has transformed the city in less than 20 years.

 

The social argument is obviously different. Everyone is quite rightly a NIMBY. But surely we have to look at the overall benefit HS Rail could bring? Imagine Glasgow to London by train in 2.5-3 hours or even quicker? That would change our society overnight.

 

Thursday 13 March 2014

Mystery Shopper

I always remember the “Golden Smile” which I think was from Abbey National… but this article goes into a bit more detail into how you get that most difficult of jobs: The Mystery Shopper.

 

http://www.theguardian.com/money/2014/mar/11/secrets-mystery-shopper

 

It is a bit like Undercover Boss in a way. People are paid to be fake customers who all the time are measuring and judging employee performance. After all, customer satisfaction is paramount these days.

 

Wednesday 12 March 2014

Nubrella - Remember this?

Someone mentioned something in class today which made me think back to this:

 

http://mrmcgowan.blogspot.co.uk/2012/12/nubrella-shark-tank.html

 

A quite crazy idea that secured money on Shark Tank. I do not think it has seen the light of day… it is discontinued on Amazon.

 

The Ever Expanding EU

With all eyes on the Ukraine situation, I learned some interesting things about the EU and indeed the Schengen Agreement. The Schengen Agreement is the deal that allows free movement of people without passport controls within the EU and the wider European area.

 

The UK and Ireland currently have opt-outs.

 

Switzerland and Norway are two non-EU countries who are signed up to the agreement – which is handy for people commuting over the borders (for example Swiss who work at Basel airport… which is actually in France!).

 

As we can see from the map, the newer EU nations from Eastern Europe such as Croatia, Bulgaria and Romania are duty bound to allow free movement very soon. All three are signing up within the next couple of years.

 

I have travelled recently to Croatia and Bulgaria and found them superb places to visit. Imagine how much easier it would be without the long wait at the border and the stamping of passports. I also suspect that Romania’s tourism would benefit from this too as many are intrigued by Transylvania…

 

Perhaps one day we will have free movement across the entire world. But for that to happen social and economic problems have to be resolved… and also far more deeply routed issues revolving around territory and even ethnic or religious divides. This may seem impossible, but look at Europe 100 years ago. In June 1914 the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand in Sarajevo sparked the First World War. Then the unspeakable horrors of WW2 followed. Yet since 1945 Western Europe has not seen conflict on her doorstep and only the Balkans crises of the 1990s has seen war in Europe. So who knows what can be achieved?

 

However it will be achieved by globalisation, international trade, and boosting the standards of living for everyone, not just the West.

The Eighth Doctor and Quizlet

Streetcred went up with pupils today as I told them of reply from the 8th Doctor @pauljmcgann on twitter!

 

Anyway, back to business!

 

Remember to try National 5 Business Management revision quizzes on Quizlet and see if you can beat my score!

 

http://quizlet.com/38251284/national-5-business-management-flash-cards/

Tuesday 11 March 2014

Quizlet - National 5 Business Management

I have created a new set of Quizlet questions for National 5 Business Management.

 

http://quizlet.com/38251284/national-5-business-management-flash-cards/

 

Try ‘Scatter’ and see who can get the best score.

 

I have not added in the Finance questions yet, but will do so soon.

Tuesday 4 March 2014

The Real Robocop?

Robotic exoskeletons are now in the testing phase. It reminds me of Aliens/Avatar powerloader or indeed the cyborg Roboop.

 

Read more in this BBC article: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-26418358

 

Some interesting uses of this concept apart from the obvious military ones include construction workers and helping people with disabilities. Truly incredible.

 

 

Friday 21 February 2014

Tuesday 18 February 2014

The World's Most Successful Toy

Great article on the success story of Hasbro’s G.I. Joe or Action Man as they were known in the UK.

 

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-26196760

 

For students see if you can find all the PESTEC factors that affected Hasbro and their decision making. There are quite a few.

 

Also I learned something else… Hasbro is from the smallest state in the USA: Rhode Island.

 

Inflation Calculator

Useful website calculator for business, economics and history classes:

 

http://www.moneysorter.co.uk/calculator_inflation2.html#calculator

 

 

 

Friday 31 January 2014

A ghost town in China

China is planning massive new cities to cope with their population, but mainly the migration of rural workers into urban cities. However it doesn’t always go to plan:

 

http://www.express.co.uk/news/world/455590/The-empty-streets-of-Ordos-Take-a-look-around-the-biggest-ghost-city-in-China

 

Wednesday 22 January 2014

National 5 Business Management Blog

National 5 Business Management blog up and running now at: http://national5businessmanagement.blogspot.com/

 

Still got some slides to put up but hopefully you will find it worthwhile.

 

Tuesday 7 January 2014

Bendable TVs

Was talking about this to a class yesterday and found this on the news today!

 

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-25633199

 

I think it is the same technology as will be used in the flexible smart watches. It could revolutionise the way we watch TV. You could roll up your TV and take it to a friend’s house and literally throw it up on the wall! Still a bit unsure how the connectvooty wi;ll work, unless it is all WiFi… but must have a rechargeable battery?

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