[Jim Riley]

(Original post by scaredofexams)
I haven't even done a practice essay I am SO worried

There is still loads of time left before BUSS4 - and lots of help available to you, including here on TSR! Don't worry!

Jim

[Jim Riley]

(Original post by idealized)
I went to a workshop and what i learnt was the following; firstly make a point - then explain it- provide some evidence - evaluate it- then link it back to the question!

I recognise that advice!

Yes - the PEEL method

P = Make ONE point (and only one) in a paragraph
E = Use Evidence and Examples to help Explain the point (use connectives)
E = Evaluate throughout. Every paragraph should have some evaluation in it
L = LINK the point back to the essay title - restate why the point is important

Jim

[Jim Riley]

(Original post by Millz12)
Hey Jim,
My classmates and I find buss4 really confusing. To be honest I think our teachers find it confusing too. We understand that section A will be on the research topic- mergers and takeovers. There is the sheet from AQA with the bullet points on it, will the section A question be on one of those bullet points? How many mergers and takeovers do you recommend we should learn? In section B will the questions be on the headings under the assessing changes in the business environment topic.. e.g. relationship between a business and the economic environment, " ".. political and legal environment etc.. Also for each of these the relationship between a business and social environment, technological, competitive blah blah do we need examples of businesses for every different heading? If it's possible can you give me an example of the sort of information you would use for those headings so I know what to look for.
Thanks!

Section A: choice of two essay questions, each of which will be about takeovers and mergers. You will also be given a short case study takeover - and you need to make reference to that (compare and contrast) in your chosen Section A essay.

Section B: a choice of three essays, each on the remaining parts of BUSS4. Essays likely to be hybrids, in that they would include some crossover of topics (e.g. leadership & change management; economic environment & strategic decision-making)

In section B, you also need to make use of real-life examples to help develop your points.

Jim

[Jim Riley]

(Original post by SBradford)
im screwed for this exam also, no idea what to revise.
I have some research on a number of takeovers, but they don't go into too much detail.

I don't think you need too much detail: just enough to understand the main motives, impacts and responses to the takeover...and then be able to compare and contrast several takeovers with each other to help develop the depth of your analysis.

Jim

[Jim Riley]

(Original post by WaNaBe)
Hi Jim,

I was just wondering if you could guide me in the right direction with revision. Currently with my revision I am focusing on acquiring the knowledge first from the AQA Business Studies revision guide, I then plan to research the six bullet points for each of the 5-6 mergers and takeovers I decide to cover. Do you think this is the right way to go about things, or would you suggest an alternate course of action?

I'm particularly struggling with answering BUSS4 questions as I have a grave lack of knowledge regarding current business affairs. General advice would also be appreciated in terms of preparing for this exam.

In terms of feedback for the workshop you and your team carried out I thought the day was great and extremely knowledgeable. The booklets were also a great resource as well.

Thanks for the positive feedback!

I think the key between now and BUSS4 in June is to practice essay plans for both Section A and Section B.

Build your research base for both Section A and Section B by focusing on a small number of takeovers (6-10) and firms (the tutor2u Twelve is ideal). The aim of this is to build up a bank of examples which you can then use in your two essays - you dont need to be an expert on these firms or takeovers - just know enough to help explain and develop the small number of points you make in a paragraph.

Jim

[idealized]

Say for example, we dont know the company in the Section B that the question outlines, and we talk about others,
do you limit ourselves in terms of marks?
im excited for Section A, i hope its stakeholders/culture or leadership =]

[Benny100]

Could somebody define 'Business Culture' please

[Jim Riley]

(Original post by Benny100)
Could somebody define 'Business Culture' please

Business culture is the "way things are done" in a particular business (or industry)

Culture is reflected in many things, such as:

- the methods and tone of communication
- how customers are treated
- the structure of the organisation (hierarchy etc)
- the speed and method of decision-making
- attitudes to risk taking
- approach to business ethics

Jim

[HP348]

How are you researching Takeover. Are you using an example of a merger for each bullet point stated in research topic?

[saggy8]

Hi Jim, I was just wondering what you thought of the way my teacher has told us to answer the essay questions. He reckons we should firstly make a point, then state the advantage of that point, then say whether it would have a positive/negative effect on the business, then link it with a similar takeover/merger scenario. That PEEL method looks interesting but it doesn't feel right for me to use a method my teacher hasn't taught. Thanks for any help

[ngnav]

BUSS4 will essentially contain the topics of M&A's, shareholder relations, culture, leaderships and the global markets right?

[gfm]

Can you please provide some information about the last bullet point of the research about government intervention in mergers and takeover and exaples if possible?

[0range]

(Original post by gfm)
Can you please provide some information about the last bullet point of the research about government intervention in mergers and takeover and exaples if possible?

The only examples I can think of are Kraft/ Cadbury and News corp & BSKYB

[ngnav]

(Original post by 0range)
The only examples I can think of are Kraft/ Cadbury and News corp & BSKYB

Lol, how about UK government and RBS. Uk government and Northern rock. US government and AIG, US government and Goldman saachs. ABN AMRO and the Netherlands gov.

Lol forgot to mention a great one. Google wants to acquire motorola fully, but the Eu is saying a 'no no bad for competition'.

[LastHype]

Hello all! Aiming for an a* star here, but our teacher hasn't done exam technique with us, so I was just wondering how you guys lay out your answers, thanks

[scaredofexams]

Does anyone know where I can get my practice essays marked please?

[SBradford]

(Original post by scaredofexams)
Does anyone know where I can get my practice essays marked please?

Your teacher.


This was posted from The Student Room's iPhone/iPad App

[Tomwtom]

Just a few questions:
1. What do we actually take into the exam? I've been told it's the research but not entirely certain how much information you're allowed to take in

2. How long (in words) should the essays aim to be? I've been writing practise essays but they take me ages and end up being like 2/3 pages long typed, not really sure on how to condense it but I feel that they're too long

3. How much do we need to know about each takeover/merger? For example, if I'm writing about the impact of takeovers & mergers on performance and I say that a benefit would be purchasing economies of scale, would I need to know details such as financial accounts which show costs of stock per unit after a takeover or would I just need to know that "profits went from £x million to £y million" ? If I need all sorts of details then I have no idea how to go about finding those

[john.harvey93]

(Original post by Tomwtom)
Just a few questions:
1. What do we actually take into the exam? I've been told it's the research but not entirely certain how much information you're allowed to take in

2. How long (in words) should the essays aim to be? I've been writing practise essays but they take me ages and end up being like 2/3 pages long typed, not really sure on how to condense it but I feel that they're too long

3. How much do we need to know about each takeover/merger? For example, if I'm writing about the impact of takeovers & mergers on performance and I say that a benefit would be purchasing economies of scale, would I need to know details such as financial accounts which show costs of stock per unit after a takeover or would I just need to know that "profits went from £x million to £y million" ? If I need all sorts of details then I have no idea how to go about finding those

We aren't allowed to take ANYTHING into the exam. We will be issued with the question paper which will state the 6 research bullet points & the questions for Sections A & B

[tdkr]

what must i do to get a mid-high B in this exam ?