celebrating last weeks learning:
PEER REVIEWING EXCELLENT DISTANCE LEARNING: Use the framework 3 THINGS I LIKE and one WISH for one of the excellent presentations and posters from last weeks virtual school.

​week 3: SMALL FIRMS AND CAUSES AND FORMS OF THE GROWTH OF FIRMS

WHAT: Describe the advantages and disadvantages of small firms, the challenges facing them and reasons for their existence.
HOW: Identify how firms may grow over time and analyze how one well known firm grew over time.
WHY: Small businesses are the heart of the US economy:
Activity 1: Using the textbook pages 203-211 make some brief notes using the note taking frame below. You will need this understanding to analyze the growth of a well-known firm in activity 2:
the_growth_of_firms_updated.docx
File Size: 710 kb
File Type: docx
Download File
Activity 2: Researching a firms growth over time: Using the ideas and subject specific key terms from Activity 1 you will now create a presentation on the growth of a well known firm over time. From its very earliest origins, including information on the entrepreneur and early operations. Include information on when it began to scale its operations; how did achieve this? What were the motives for growth? Discuss the opportunities and challenges that growth presented. Were there different phases in the growth of the firm? What is the status of the firm today; has it markedly changed from the firm that it started as in terms of its operations and business philosophy. What has changed and what has stayed the same?

​You should include as many key terms as possible. You might decide that you would like to work with others to create the story of one firms growth. The resources below will give you some ideas to get you started and decide on a firm.
Walmart: If you would like to look over the growth of a well known company before you get started researching yours then the story of Walmart is a good example. You can choose to model your story on the way that Walmart has presented its history, the timeline tool in Padlet will enable you to present your story similarly: see below.

Our History

Since the first Walmart store opened in 1962 in Rogers, Arkansas, we've been dedicated to making a difference in the lives of our customers. Our business is the result of Sam Walton's visionary leadership, along with generations of associates focused on helping customers and communities save money...

Resources: You could choose to use one of these companies or choose one of your own...
TRY TO USE AS MANY KEY TERMS IN YOUR PRESENTATION APPROPRIATELY AS POSSIBLE:
  1. Market size
  2. Technology scaling production
  3. Increased revenue and profits
  4. Financial Resources
  5. Lower Average Costs 
  6. Internal/Organic growth
  7. External growth
  8. Takeover/acquisition
  9. Horizontal merger
  10. Economies of scale
  11. Vertical merger
  12. Lateral integration and conglomerate merger

Resources: If you would like to collaborate with others, consider using Padlet. Choose any of the collaborative canvasses (timeline is pretty handy for this activity), invite your friends and create your class project! Remember to send an email link to your teacher when you begin so that they can see your progress and give you feedback.

Sign up for Padlet

Sign up for Padlet to make and share beautiful content with your friends and colleagues.

WHAT: Describe using examples, the advantage and disadvantages of different types of mergers between firms: vertical, horizontal and conglomerate
HOW: Identify advantages and disadvantages of mergers from a variety of news stories
WHY: Mergers are one of the main ways in which firms grow over time
Activity 3: Researching the advantages and disadvantages of firms of mergers and acquisitions:  Mergers and acquisitions are one of the most common methods by which firms grow over time. However there are advantages and disadvantages to this form of growth for stakeholders in the economy. Read through the news stories below and identify for the following stakeholders; consumers, workers, firms, government what advantages or disadvantages mergers can bring to the economy. Take notes around a spider diagram and identify for each firm mentioned the advantages and disadvantages. 

The Five Biggest Mergers in History

High-value mergers among global or domestic business corporations have always attracted attention and spawned case studies as they have interesting implications for business development. A well-executed merger allows for higher returns for investors in the form of higher shareholder value, reduced operational costs for corporations, and increased revenue and sales.

Top 10 Best (and Worst) Mergers of All Time

When it comes to mergers, some are so successful that we can't remember a time when the companies were distinct: Where would Disney be without Pixar, or J.P. Morgan without Chase? But many mergers fall flat on their faces. Here we look at the top 10 best, and worst, mergers of all time: The good, the bad, and the ugly.

British Steel to be sold to Chinese firm in deal that could save 4,000 jobs

British Steel is to be sold to the Chinese firm Jingye, the UK government has announced, in a deal that prevents the closure of the company's Scunthorpe site and could safeguard 4,000 jobs. Jingye and the government's official receiver signed a sales contract on Monday, with a formal deal subject to regulatory approvals as well as consultations with employees over new job offers.
Activity 4: Complete the exam style questions below. Be prepared to go over these next Monday during our live learning session:
firms_20.pdf
File Size: 834 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File

Resources: Cambridge textbook pages

Cambridge Textbook Pages
File Size: 4257 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File