Summary:
Revised and updated to meet the needs of the new specification, this textbook provides thorough coverage of both units and matches the structure of the course precisely. It includes a wide range of detailed case studies to help students apply their understanding to real business contexts. Guidance on exam technique and sample exam-style questions, together with graded answers and detailed commentaries are available online.
AQA AS Business Studies includes the following special features:
Key terms — clear and concise definitions
Practice exercises — short-answer questions to assist and test learning
Exam-style questions — excellent for exam preparation
Examiner’s voice — invaluable exam advice
Did you know? — useful insights to facilitate understanding
Fact files — topical examples from the world of business
Questions and answers — graded responses to specimen questions

This comprehensive, highly accessible, exam-focused text is essential reading for all AQA AS Business Studies students.

An accompanying Teacher Guide, available for purchase by teachers, offers answers to the practice exercises and exam-style questions as well as providing a range of classroom support materials. Two unit-specific Student Workbooks are also available, providing additional exercises and a set of teacher notes.

• Packed with up-to-date case studies to help students apply understanding to real business contexts
• Features exam-style questions, differentiated for a range of abilities
• All key terms clearly defined together with invaluable examiner advice
• Free online support with case study questions and answers plus commentaries

Table of Contents:
Unit 1: Planning and financing a business
Starting a business
Chapter 1 Enterprise
Chapter 2 Generating and protecting business ideas
Chapter 3 Transforming resources into goods and services
Chapter 4 Developing business plans
Chapter 5 Conducting start-up market research
Chapter 6 Understanding markets
Chapter 7 Choosing the right legal structure for the business
Chapter 8 Raising finance
Chapter 9 Locating the business
Chapter 10 Employing people
Financial planning
Chapter 11 Calculating costs, revenues and profits
Chapter 12 Using breakeven analysis to make decisions
Chapter 13 Using cash-flow forecasting
Chapter 14 Setting budgets
Chapter 15 Assessing business start-ups
Unit 2: Managing a business
Finance
Chapter 16 Using budgets
Chapter 17 Improving cash flow
Chapter 18 Measuring and increasing profit
People in organisations
Chapter 19 Improving organisational structures
Chapter 20 Measuring the effectiveness of the workforce
Chapter 21 Developing an effective workforce: recruitment, selection and training
Chapter 22 Developing and retaining an effective workforce: motivating employees
Operations management
Chapter 23 Making operational decisions
Chapter 24 Developing effective operations: quality
Chapter 25 Developing effective operations: customer service
Chapter 26 Working with suppliers
Chapter 27 Using technology in operations
Marketing and the competitive environment
Chapter 28 Effective marketing
Chapter 29 Designing an effective marketing mix
Chapter 30 Using the marketing mix: product
Chapter 31 Using the marketing mix: promotion
Chapter 32 Using the marketing mix: pricing
Chapter 33 Using the marketing mix: place
Chapter 34 Marketing and competitiveness

About the Author(s):
John Wolinski is a Principal Examiner and editor of one of the Business Studies Student Unit Guide Series published by Philip Allan Updates.

Gwen Coates was a Chair of Examiners and an Editor of Business Review magazine for 7 years. Both authors have 20 years’ examining and teaching experience.