AS Level Business (9609) Revision Guide
A comprehensive guide covering all key topics for AS Level Business (9609). Perfect for quick
revision before exams.
Unit 1: Business and its Environment
1.1 Business Activity
- Business as an activity that involves the production or sale of goods and services.
- The role of businesses in society (job creation, economic growth, innovation).
1.2 Types of Business Activity
- Primary, Secondary, and Tertiary sectors explained with examples (e.g., farming, manufacturing,
retail).
1.3 Business Objectives
- Aims and objectives (profit maximization, growth, corporate social responsibility).
- **SMART** objectives (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic, Time-bound).
1.4 Stakeholders in Business
- Definition and examples of internal and external stakeholders.
- Stakeholder conflicts and management (e.g., shareholders vs employees).
- Importance of balancing stakeholder interests.
1.5 The External Environment (PESTLE)
- **PESTLE** factors: Political, Economic, Social, Technological, Legal, and Environmental factors
affecting business decisions.
Unit 2: People in Organisations
2.1 Human Resource Management (HRM)
- HRM focuses on managing people to meet company goals.
- Hard HRM (control, efficiency) vs Soft HRM (development, motivation).
2.2 Workforce Planning
- **Workforce planning**: Predicting future employee needs based on business
goals.
- Factors influencing workforce needs: growth, technological changes,
employee turnover.
2.3 Recruitment & Selection
- Process: Job analysis, description, person specification, recruitment methods
(internal vs external).
2.4 Training
- **On-the-job** and **Off-the-job** training methods explained.
- Costs and benefits of training for both employees and businesses.
2.5 Performance Management & Appraisal
- Types of appraisal systems: Self-assessment, 360-degree feedback.
- The link between performance management and motivation.
2.6 Motivation
- Theories of motivation (Taylor, Maslow, Herzberg, Mayo).
- Financial and non-financial motivation methods.
2.7 Leadership & Management Styles
- Types: Autocratic, Democratic, Laissez-faire, Paternalistic.
- Impact on decision-making and employee morale.
2.8 Organisational Structure
- Hierarchical, flat, and matrix structures.
- The significance of **Span of Control** and **Chain of Command**.
2.9 Employer-Employee Relations
- Trade unions, collective bargaining, and industrial action.
- Dispute resolution (arbitration, conciliation).
Unit 3: Marketing
3.1 Marketing Definition & Objectives
- Marketing as the process of promoting and selling products or services.
- Key marketing objectives: Market share, customer satisfaction, and brand
loyalty.
3.2 Marketing Mix (4Ps)
- **Product**: Product design, features, and differentiation.
- **Price**: Pricing strategies (penetration, skimming, cost-plus).
- **Place**: Distribution channels (wholesalers, retailers, direct selling).
- **Promotion**: Advertising, sales promotion, personal selling.
3.3 Market Research
- **Primary vs Secondary research** (Qualitative and Quantitative).
- Data collection methods: Surveys, focus groups, interviews.
3.4 Consumer Behavior
- Psychological, social, and cultural factors influencing consumer choices.
- Buying decision process: Need recognition, information search, evaluation,
purchase, post-purchase behavior.
3.5 Segmentation, Targeting & Positioning (STP)
- **Segmentation**: Dividing the market into distinct groups.
- **Targeting**: Choosing the most appropriate segments.
- **Positioning**: Creating a perception in the customer's mind.
Unit 4: Operations and Project Management
4.1 Operations Management
- The role of operations in transforming inputs into outputs.
- Importance of quality control and lean production.
4.2 Production Methods
- Job production, batch production, flow production, and mass production.
- Advantages and disadvantages of each method.
4.3 Project Management
- Project management process: Planning, execution, and closure.
- **Critical Path Analysis**: Identifying the most efficient project schedule.
Unit 5: Finance and Accounting
5.1 Financial Statements
- Income Statement, Balance Sheet, and Cash Flow Statement.
- The relationship between these statements and their importance to
stakeholders.
5.2 Budgeting
- Types of budgets: Incremental, zero-based, and flexible.
- The role of budgets in controlling finances and decision-making.
5.3 Break-even Analysis
- The break-even point and its formula.
- How businesses use break-even analysis to assess risk and profitability.
5.4 Financial Ratios
- Key ratios: Profitability, liquidity, and efficiency ratios.
- How to interpret ratios to assess financial health.
