AS Business Unit 2, Chapter 31

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-xC_dZhbGro

1. Who is this advert aimed at?
2. What is its purpose?
3. What are the benefits of stocking ragu?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SHcm1ec7CcY

1. What was the advert attempting to do?
2. Who was it aimed at?

Vue for you?

Cinema Giant Weighs Up £400m Auction - potential buyers saught for the Vue Cinema chain.

• http://news.sky.com/skynews/video/Business-News?videoCategory=Business+News
• http://www.guardian.co.uk/business/2010/feb/18/vue-film-richards-westfield

What are privat equity firms and why might they be interested?

Starbucks strategy and growth

Coffee Shops thrive through the recession

http://www.tutor2u.net/blog/index.php/business-studies/comments/starbucks-the-famous-strategic-change-memo-from-2007/

http://news.sky.com/skynews/Home/Business/Starbucks-Plans-To-Open-New-Stores-In-Uk-And-Ireland-As-Profits-Rise/Article/201004415613030

And for the visual learners: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/8334993.stm

Interesting suggestion that customers may be trading down from other lunchtime or business venues

Procter & Gamble Go for Growth as the recession ends

P&G are one of the largest consumer goods firms in the UK. Emerging with secure finances from the recession has allowed them to launch an aggressive marketing strategy in an attempt to increase market share in it's key markets.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/newsbysector/retailandconsumer/7575115/Procter-and-Gamble-to-raise-ad-spend.html

Points to consider for higher level analysis and evaluation

• What market structure do they compete in?
• How would this affect their chances of success in this strategy?
• What else could they consider?

Current Economic Performance

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/programmes/the_daily_politics/8640034.stm

Stephen Alambritis, from the Federation of Small Businesses, on the economic data as CPI inflation was up by more than expected to 3.4% in March, and unemployment rose to 2.5 million in the three months to February - the highest level since 1994.

The Nissan L:eaf

Motoring Reviews

http://www.wired.com/autopia/2010/03/nissan-leaf-ev-price/
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/motoring/news/5977911/Nissan-gives-electric-car-the-go-ahead.html

Gordon Brown should realise electric cars are a battery-powered nightmare

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/comment/personal-view/5126987/Gordon-Brown-should-realise-electric-cars-are-a-battery-powered-nightmare.html

Alternatives

The G-Wizz - £15,795

Homework
Analyse Four reasons for Nissan to Launch the LEAF

Pizza Express - exercise

This national firm has survived the recession by using the sustained use of a BOGOF promotion limited to Pizzas.

I asked that the 13-2 BS explain the benefits of such a promotion.

• You should consider the obvious: the incentive to customers of a lower priced meal; the impact on the sale of other items (kids meals; starters; puddings; drinks).
• Analysis of issues such as Breat Even; meeting direct costs; cash flow; plus HR benfits (can you analyse this?) and Op. Man. - working the assets.
• You should also consider the impact of sustained sales promotion on Brand value (you might consider the impact on Innocent Smoothies).
• Pizza Express is a private limited company. Is that relevant?
• What else could they have done?
• On balance, was this the best method? (and why?)

Whilst there is help here, your answer should be in more formal business language, with issues analysed in detail.