Business Enterprise
INTRODUCTION
We are currently delivering the latest BTEC Tech Award in Enterprise, where the BTEC philosophy of ‘learning through doing’ remains at the heart of these qualifications. Learners are given the opportunity to gain a broad understanding of the business sector as well as the knowledge and skills that underpin it. This allows our learners to gain a practical introduction to life and work as an entrepreneur empowering them to thrive in an ever changing business environment.
Business Enterprise is a key government focus and is set to form an important part of the UK’s global economic status. Enterprise skills provide learners with a fantastic progression pathway into a number of roles in an organisation and are transferable into all businesses.
Curriculum Map
What we study
Learners will:
- Delve deeper into how various businesses work.
- Appreciate the importance of business planning and understanding the market.
- Analyse and evaluate the skills they develop.
At the start of the course learners will explore the terms used in business and research how various enterprise sectors work; how they operate and the factors that can influence their success. They will also explore how businesses plan for success and understand the market, customer needs and competitor behaviour. Learners will then have the opportunity to explore what it means to plan, pitch and review a business enterprise idea of their own, develop key skills and discover potential careers. BTEC Tech Award qualifications are practical, work-related courses that allows learners to complete projects and assignments based on realistic workplace situations, activities and demands. The work that learners complete in lessons, as homework, written assignments and their performance in certain situations will be continuously assessed throughout the course. Learners opting for this course will have the opportunity to gain the equivalent of one GCSE.
Course structure
To gain a Tech Award in Enterprise, learners study the following 3 Components:
Component 1: Exploring Enterprises (30% coursework)
Component 2: Planning for and Pitching an Enterprise Activity (30% coursework)
Component 3: Promotion and Finance for Enterprise (40% external exam)
NOTE: Components 1 and 2 are assessed by means of a coursework portfolio with Component 3 completed as a synopsis activity, externally assessed by Edexcel.
What can I do at the end of the course?
The BTEC Tech Award in Enterprise is valued by employers and can be a route to employment or to a higher level Business Studies programme. If learners decide to go straight into employment, they might obtain a trainee or apprenticeship position. These positions may be available in finance and general administration, sales and marketing, retailing, warehousing and distribution, insurance, general management and personnel administration. If learners use their BTEC Tech Award in Enterprise to progress on to a BTEC National Extended Certificate in Business, possibly followed by a degree, a range of professions and occupations could be open to them. Those who gain higher and professional qualifications in business and business-related subjects, such as accountancy, marketing, personnel and banking, may progress into any number of careers including; accountancy; marketing & sales; purchasing; banking; human resources; retail management; logistics.
Curriculum in Year 10
YEAR 10
Component 1: Exploring Enterprises
• Examine the characteristics of enterprises.
• Explore how market research helps enterprises to meet customer needs and understand competitor behaviour.
• Investigate the factors that contribute to the success of an enterprise.
Component 3: Promotion and Finance for Enterprise
• Some topics in Component 3 are linked to learning Component 1 that is covered in Year 10.
• Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of elements of promotion and financial records.
• Interpret and use promotional and financial information in relation to a given enterprise.
How we assess:
Autumn Term | Spring Term | Summer Term | |
Overview | Students would examine the characteristics of enterprises, as part of assignment 1 that would be internally assessed and grades externally verified by the exam board. | Students would explore how market research helps enterprises to meet customer needs and understand competitor behaviour, as part of assignment 2 that would be internally assessed and grades externally verified by the exam board. | Students would investigate the factors that contribute to the success of an enterprise, as part of assignment 3 that would be internally assessed and grades externally verified by the exam board. |
Content |
Types and characteristics of SMEs:
Entrepreneurs:
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Customer needs:
Using market research to understand customers:
Understanding competitors:
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Internal factors:
External factors:
Situational analysis:
Measuring the success of an SME:
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How can parents help?
- Encourage your child to read current business news and events.
- Discuss your opinions about nearby businesses with your child.
- Encourage your child to link school learning to real-life business events.
- If possible, share financial understanding with your child; costs, revenue etc.
Curriculum in Year 11
YEAR 11
Component 2: Planning for and Pitching an Enterprise Activity
• Explore ideas and plan for a micro-enterprise activity.
• Pitch a micro-enterprise activity.
• Review own pitch for a micro-enterprise activity.
Component 3: Promotion and Finance for Enterprise
• Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of elements of promotion and financial records.
• Interpret and use promotional and financial information in relation to a given enterprise.
• Make connections between different factors influencing a given enterprise.
• Be able to advise and provide recommendations to a given enterprise on ways to improve its performance.
How we assess:
Autumn Term | Spring Term | Summer Term | |
Overview | Students would explore ideas and plan for a micro-enterprise activity, as part of assignment 1 that would be internally assessed and grades externally verified by the exam board. | Students would pitch a micro-enterprise activity, as part of assignment 2 that would be internally assessed and grades externally verified by the exam board. | Students would review own pitch for a micro-enterprise activity, as part of assignment 3 that would be internally assessed and grades externally verified by the exam board. |
Content |
Generating ideas for a micro-enterprise activity:
Plan for a micro-enterprise activity
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Pitching a micro-enterprise activity
Presenting a business pitch
o professional behaviour and conduct of presenter o positive attitude o well-rehearsed and prepared o considerate of the needs and interests of the audience o use of visual aids, e.g. computer projection/slideshow with speaker notes, handouts for audience, clarity and legibility of text, impact of graphics and images.
o body language, gestures and eye contact o language and tone, pace, volume and projection o use of business terminology o listening, handling questions and formulating appropriate responses. |
Using feedback and review to identify possible changes to the pitch
o the business content of the pitch o the presentation and communication skills demonstrated.
o what went well, e.g. clear synopsis of plan, demonstration of skills o what went less well or did not go to plan, e.g. not clearly explaining plan, lack of presentation and communication skills.
o to the contents of the plan o to own performance. |
How can parents help?
- Encourage your child to discuss their financial knowledge and learning.
- If possible, share financial understanding with your child; costs, revenue etc.
- Remind them to pace their exam revision, not leave it all for the last minute.
- Utilise the exam board revision guide and study materials provided.