Unit 14 Business Online - P5 - M3 - D3

Dear Year 12

Now that you have completed P1-P4 we can now tackle P5.


P5 requires you to describe the uses and features of  websites of two contrasting businesses .  Perhaps tow of the websites discussed earlier could be used again as you are familiarly with these..


Why are the websites used ? What range of activities are available through them


Why does the chosen business use a website:

• To provide information only
• To allow customers to shop, bank,
• To present information and advertise events or news items?
• To archive and store information in the cloud?
• To allow customers to browse and search for information
• To collect feedback for monitoring and evaluation purposes
• To provide efficiency of operations
• To communicate through social media or video conferencing
• To share media, video clips, demonstrations or positive customer reviews
• As a source of education, libraries, online learning
• To provide interactive features to customers through a login and allow customers e commerce facilities.
• To allow 24/7 global tr4ading opportunities.

Consider the types and features of business websites


What type of website is it? a collection of related web pages traditionally hosted on a web server for example

•  a static website coded in hypertext mark-up language (HTML) presenting static information to their audience e.g. a brochure
• a dynamic website - a collection of webpages that changes or customises itself frequently and automatically triggered by the business or the customer
• What platform does it operate on and how compatible is it with lots of different devices?
• What are the construction features, including hyperlinks, registration to login and access content
• What are the interactive features? does it have email links, registration logins
• How does it look aesthetically? colours, layout, graphics, video content, animation, audio, text, style

The user experience -


How do the different features of the website improve the user experience for an individual or business:

• Providing forms that allow customers to leave feedback
• Using dynamic interaction when communicating with customers online
• Applying style sheets to keep the same look and feel throughout the website
• Making the website interactive by embedding digital assets

This then links you to M3 where you will need to compare the uses and features of these two websites in terms of presentation, usability and accessibility.  How user friendly are they? What do they do to attract users to return to the sites in the future.


For D3 you then need to choose one website and evaluate how its features improve the user experience.  For example is the site easy to navigate: Does it offer search options? and does it remember you if you previously made purchases so as to avoid re-entering information such as a delivery address.  You should also consider whether the user interface is attractive and intuitive.


Remember this unit has encouraged you to do sufficient investigation and preparation before you design and build your website for P6.


Deadline date: 3pm on Tuesday 1st May 2018

P1 Part 2 Outline how national factors in the business environment can impact on a start up business.

Dear Year 10


now that we have looked at the local factors we now need to add into our presentation a consideration of the national factors that will impact on our start up business.


National Factors to consider

National factors theory powerpoint

National factors structure guide



This resource might help in considering the NATIONAL FACTORS in greater detail here

Some more political factors to consider here


Don't stop here - aim for that B grade


For those looking to gain a MERIT on this Unit 1 here is your extension challenge for this piece of work:

M1 Explain how changes in the current business environment are likely to impact on a start up business

Top Tips from the Exam Board

"Learner needs to outline how the business environment can impact on a start-up business"

To do this properly you need to do some research and make sure that you include the references for it and you can use this document here and the structure guide here




Where to research and find information:

Sources of information, e.g. broadsheet and local newspapers, professional and trade

journals, websites, business networking organisations

Make sure that the sources you use are reliable and unbiased


This resource here is a summary of what changed in the last budget.  Have a read and identify anything that might impact negatively or be some support when you consider launching your business


IMPORTANT NOTE
Don't forget to include a discussion on the impact of these factors that you identify on your selected group of customers that you intend to target if they are relevant to your business proposition



The deadline for this P1 M1 is Wednesday 26th May 2018

Unit 4 Customer Service in Travel & Tourism - P1,P2, M1 & D1 - Aiming for excellence

Dear Year 12


The assignment sheet is now on the shared drive with supporting power points to support.


P1 is really looking at you understanding the importance of providing excellent customer service and getting your head around what's its all about.


What does customer service mean to you?

• Its all about the first impressions. 
• The company image and its logo and what it stands for.  
• Where are the premises and how well are they presented. 
• How organised and efficient is the business in dealing with your enquiry and getting back to you when you have questions that need asking.
• How accurate is the information that they send you?

How consistent are they at dealing with you regardless of the person that you are talking to each time you call or go into the office.

• How confident are you at the information and advice that they provide for you ?
• Is the range of products and services enough to keep you interested?
• What is their track record at dealing with complaints? Are the reviews online favourable?
• What do they do to exceed expectations rather than just meet them.

The Ultimate Travel Company regularly arrange holidays costing between £50k - £150k for UK families.  Would customers expect more or less from them?


The importance of customer service to the organisation  

• What  do the selected businesses do to keep existing customers satisfied?
• How do the selected businesses aim to increase customer loyalty? and secure that repeat business?
•  What do the businesses do to enhance their image and create that competitive edge over the competition?
• How do the selected businesses increase sales by attracting new customers?
• What is the current level of customer service like in the chosen business.  What does their online reviews tell you currently and what are they doing about it?
• What are the consequences of poor customer service to the chosen business?

The importance of customer service to the customer

• Why does the chosen businesses need to meet and exceed individual customers needs?
• How does the selected business support both their internal and external customers by keeping them in environments that are both safe and secure

The importance of customer service to the employees

• Why do the selected businesses need to create a happy working environment?
• How can the selected business ensure that job security is high?
• How do the selected businesses ensure that job satisfaction is maintained and that the possibility of promotion is created?  

What the exam board is looking for:

P1 Considering the local and national factors that impact on a business start up

Dear Year 10


We are now entering the final stage of  the PASS tasks for Unit 1


P1 asks you to consider the local and national factors.  The business environment that a business needs to be able to understand and deal with if it will be successful.

This is your Presentation that will inform your audience about national and local factors in the business environment and how they affect a start up business.  I am not expecting you to present this but is does need to be a powerpoint and the resources below are designed to help and support a successful outcome:

P1 Outline how the business environment can impact on a start up business
Local Factors to consider

Local factors powerpoint - you will probably notice its full of visual examples to support the points you make

Local factors structure guide or blank template


This resource might help in terms of considering the LOCAL FACTORS and location here and here

National Factors to consider

National factors powerpoint

National factors structure guide



This resource might help in considering the NATIONAL FACTORS here

Some more political factors to consider here


Don't stop here - aim for that B grade


For those looking to gain a MERIT on this Unit 1 here is your extension challenge for this piece of work:

M1 Explain how changes in the current business environment are likely to impact on a start up business

Top Tips from the Exam Board

"Learner needs to outline how the business environment can impact on a start-up business"

To do this properly you need to do some research and make sure that you include the references for it.




Where to research and find information:

Sources of information, e.g. broadsheet and local newspapers, professional and trade

journals, websites, business networking organisations

Make sure that the sources you use are reliable and unbiased


This resource here is a summary of what changed in the last budget.  Have a read and identify anything that might impact negatively or be some support when you consider launching your business


IMPORTANT NOTE
Don't forget to include a discussion on the impact of these factors that you identify on your selected group of customers that you intend to target if they are relevant to your business proposition



The deadline for this P1 M1 is Wednesday 28th March 2018

P7 Unit 4 Demonstrating Customer Service Skills

Dear Year 11


For this final PASS task we need to look at taking part in three role play scenarios as listed below


Scenario 1 - Email reply click here


Scenario 2 - Face to Face  using the scenario here and preparation for role play checklist here


Scenario 3 - Over the phone using the preparation checklist here


We can then look at the associated Merit and Distinction tasks


Enjoy and do well


Mr T

P5 & P6 for Unit 1

Dear all


our next deadline is this week for the attached challenge.is P5 & P6 the Investors report click here


Make sure that the same revenue forecast that you create is used in the second table and make sure that you calculate your start up and running costs first on the document here


Good luck and hit that deadline 15th March for 10R Period 5 and 16th March for 10P Period 5.


Mr T

Your marketing campaign to launch a new Ice Cream Brand.

Dear Year 12L3


You might have thought it was impossible to launch new ice cream brand when so many big ones exist.


Hagen Daz, Ben & Jerrys, Movenpick are all household names so how can anyone launch new one.  Well In different parts of the country I have lived in people have.


What do you like about Spot Loggins?


How successful is the New Forest Ice Cream Company?


To attempt the mock we have nine lessons before Easter so we are going to try something a little different.  You are going to work in pairs or threes and as a consultancy you are going to take the brief and work on the planning of it collaboratively doing the research before agreeing your written plan for the report as to what you would include in it and why?


This link might also be of use here


But to excite you in the magic of making ice cream I found a video taking you into the wonderful world of Ben & Jerry's below where you will get an insight into not just how its made but the fun behind the brand.