AQA GCE Business Studies
BUSS2- Managing a Business
EXAM PAPER TOPIC TRACKER
Keep track of which topics have been examined in the real papers for BUSS2
AQA AS Business Studies (BUSS2) – Topic Tracker
(Marks shown in
brackets)
Jan 2009
Eastern Airways
Houses Online Ltd
May 2009
Two Seasons Ltd
Just Desserts Ltd
Jan 2010
Authentic Food Co Ltd
Warwick Clothing Ltd
June 2010
The Eden Project
A Matter of Time
Jan 2011
Shearings Holidays
Velocity Ltd
June 2011
Divine Chocolate
Eggcentric
FINANCE
Using Budgets
Benefits and drawbacks
of using budgets
Calculation of variances
Analysis of two
benefits of using
budgets (8)
Calculation of profit
variance (6)
Identification of two
adverse variances
from budget data (2)
Using variances to help
decision-making
Improving Cash Flow
Causes of cash flow
problems
Analysis of two
reasons why cash
flow had been
negative (7)
Methods of improving
cash flow
Evaluation of
whether increasing
an overdraft limit is
best way to improve
cash flow position
(13)
Evaluation of
whether rapid
growth is the major
cause of cash flow
problems (13)
Measuring and increasing profit
Calculation &
understanding net
profit margins
Calculation &
understanding return
on capital
www.tutor2u.net
Calculate forecast
net profit margin
(4)
Calculation of net
profit margin (6)
Calculation of net
profit margin (3)
Calculation of return
on capital (3)
AQA AS Business Studies (BUSS2) – Topic Tracker
(Marks shown in
brackets)
Methods of improving
profits / profitability
Jan 2009
Eastern Airways
Houses Online Ltd
May 2009
Two Seasons Ltd
Just Desserts Ltd
Evaluation impact of
reduced prices on
business profitability
(14)
Evaluation of
whether a
expansion will
result in increased
profits (15)
Distinction between
cash and profit
Jan 2010
Authentic Food Co Ltd
Warwick Clothing Ltd
June 2010
The Eden Project
A Matter of Time
Jan 2011
Shearings Holidays
Velocity Ltd
June 2011
Divine Chocolate
Eggcentric
Evaluation of the
best way to improve
profits in the
business (11)
Discussion of threat to
future success from
low cash flow and
profits (13)
PEOPLE IN BUSINESS
Improving organisational structures & workforce effectiveness
Key elements of
organisational structure
Workforce roles
How organisational
structure affects
business performance
Methods of measuring
workforce performance
Evaluation of
whether changed
org structure will
improve business
performance (13)
Analysing
consequences of
higher labour turnover
(7)
Developing an effective workforce
The recruitment
process
www.tutor2u.net
Discussion of
methods of
Analysis of the
consequences of
using delegation as
part of workforce
management (7)
AQA AS Business Studies (BUSS2) – Topic Tracker
(Marks shown in
brackets)
Jan 2009
Eastern Airways
Houses Online Ltd
May 2009
Two Seasons Ltd
Just Desserts Ltd
Jan 2010
Authentic Food Co Ltd
Warwick Clothing Ltd
Internal & external
recruitment
Selecting the best
employees
How recruitment &
selection can improve a
workforce
June 2010
The Eden Project
A Matter of Time
maximising
workforce
performance as
workforce grows (14)
Jan 2011
Shearings Holidays
Velocity Ltd
Evaluation of the
role of recruitment
in improving
workforce
effectiveness (14)
Methods of training
Evaluation of the
role of recruitment &
selection in
improving workforce
performance (14)
Analysis of two
possible reasons for
spending less on
training employees (7)
Motivating employees
Financial methods of
motivation
Improving job design
Empowering employees
Working in teams
Theories of motivation
www.tutor2u.net
Evaluation of the
strength of workforce
management in the
business (13) [incl org
structure + training]
June 2011
Divine Chocolate
Eggcentric
Evaluation of the role
of motivational
techniques in creating
an effective workforce
(14)
Analysis of
drawbacks of using
financial methods of
motivation (8)
Analysis of reasons
for empowering a
workforce (8)
AQA AS Business Studies (BUSS2) – Topic Tracker
(Marks shown in
brackets)
Jan 2009
Eastern Airways
Houses Online Ltd
May 2009
Two Seasons Ltd
Just Desserts Ltd
Jan 2010
Authentic Food Co Ltd
Warwick Clothing Ltd
June 2010
The Eden Project
A Matter of Time
Jan 2011
Shearings Holidays
Velocity Ltd
June 2011
Divine Chocolate
Eggcentric
OPERATIONS MANAGEMENT
Making operational decisions
Operational targets
Evaluation of most
appropriate
operational targets
(quality, capacity
utilisation, unit costs)
(15)
Calculating and
managing capacity
utilisation
Explanation of how
capacity utilisation
could be measured (4)
Calculation of
change in labour
productivity (6)
Calculation of unit
costs (6)
Calculation of
capacity utilisation
(5)
Non-standard orders &
matching production
and demand
Quality & working with suppliers
Meaning of quality
Evaluation of
whether benefits of
quality assurance
will mainly occur in
the long-term (13)
Quality control v quality
assurance
Analysis of the
reasons for supplying
high-quality products
(7)
Systems of quality
assurance & quality
standards
Choosing effective
suppliers + role of
suppliers in improving
www.tutor2u.net
Discussion of the
role of quality in
choosing a new
Evaluation of decision
to sub-contract work
to another supplier
Evaluation of choice
of supplier (13)
AQA AS Business Studies (BUSS2) – Topic Tracker
(Marks shown in
brackets)
Jan 2009
Eastern Airways
Houses Online Ltd
operations
May 2009
Two Seasons Ltd
Just Desserts Ltd
supplier (12)
Jan 2010
Authentic Food Co Ltd
Warwick Clothing Ltd
(13)
June 2010
The Eden Project
A Matter of Time
Jan 2011
Shearings Holidays
Velocity Ltd
Customer service & technology
Methods of meeting
customer expectations
Monitoring and
improving customer
service
Analysis of two
possible causes of a
fall in customer
service (8)
Benefits of high levels
of customer service
Analysing two
benefits of
providing
outstanding
customer service
(9)
Types of technology in
operations
management
Issues in introducing
and updating
technology
Evaluation of
increased use of
technology in
operations (14)
MARKETING & COMPETITIVE ENVIRONMENT
Introduction to Marketing
Purpose of marketing
Niche and mass
marketing
www.tutor2u.net
Analysis of possible
consequences of
operating in a niche
Evaluation of
decision to move
into a mass market
June 2011
Divine Chocolate
Eggcentric
AQA AS Business Studies (BUSS2) – Topic Tracker
(Marks shown in
brackets)
Jan 2009
Eastern Airways
Houses Online Ltd
market (9)
Influences on the
marketing mix
May 2009
Two Seasons Ltd
Just Desserts Ltd
Extent to which a
change in location
will require a
change in the
marketing mix (12)
Jan 2010
Authentic Food Co Ltd
Warwick Clothing Ltd
June 2010
The Eden Project
A Matter of Time
Jan 2011
Shearings Holidays
Velocity Ltd
(14)
Analysis of two
factors influencing
the choice of
promotional mix (6)
Explanation of use of
advertising in
promotional mix (5)
June 2011
Divine Chocolate
Eggcentric
To what extent has
product been the
most important
element of the
marketing mix (14)
Product
Influences on
development of new
goods and services
Explanation of
possible reasons for
developing new
products (5)
Unique selling points
Product portfolio
analysis
Product life cycle
Promotion
Elements of
promotional mix +
influences on the
choice
Pricing
Pricing strategies &
tactics
Influences on pricing
decisions
www.tutor2u.net
Evaluation impact of
reduced prices on
business profitability
(14)
Analysis of
influences on pricing
AQA AS Business Studies (BUSS2) – Topic Tracker
(Marks shown in
brackets)
Jan 2009
Eastern Airways
Houses Online Ltd
May 2009
Two Seasons Ltd
Just Desserts Ltd
Jan 2010
Authentic Food Co Ltd
Warwick Clothing Ltd
June 2010
The Eden Project
A Matter of Time
Jan 2011
Shearings Holidays
Velocity Ltd
June 2011
Divine Chocolate
Eggcentric
decisions (8)
Place
Choosing appropriate
outlets / distributors
Types of distribution
channels
Marketing and Competitiveness
Impacts of market
conditions and degree
of competition
Determinants of
competitiveness
Methods of improving
competitiveness
www.tutor2u.net
Evaluation of whether
marketing has enabled
the business to be
competitive (12)
Analysis of two
factors influencing
the
competitiveness of
the business (8)
Evaluation of
whether the
business has
improved its
competitiveness
over time (15)
Evaluation of
whether a business
has become more
competitive over
time (15)
AQA AS Business Studies (BUSS2) – Topic Tracker
Keep up-to-date with AQA BUSS2 with these tutor2u resources:
BUSS2 – Teacher Blog
BUSS2 – Specification Map
BUSS2 – Digital Course Companion
BUSS2 – Teacher PowerPoint Collection
BUSS2 – Practice Exam Papers (Volume 1)
BUSS2 – Revision Quizzes
BUSS2 Student Revision Workshops (April/May)
BUSS2 – Approaches to Evaluation
BUSS2 – Key Term A to Z Glossary
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