So you’ve done your research and have gathered the information for your business plan, what next? How do you use it? Where does it go? How do you create a business plan that will help both you as the owner and investors to decide on the likely success of the business? This template guides you through the different sections of the plan and provides you with help and tips on what to write.

Huw is growing his catering business. It is worth him taking out a loan to purchase a new van? This case study provides data that allows students to create a cashflow forecast and to explore what if scenarios. They are encouraged to analyse and discuss the potential outcomes for the business. A spreadsheet is included.

This resource includes 4 different ‘mats’ which can be printed and stuck to desks or kept in student folders. They are designed for students to refer to to help with spelling of key words, constructing sentences and developing extended responses to meet the requirements of the Business Studies assessment objectives. I usually laminate two mats together and my students keep them in their folders. They are encouraged to refer to them if they are struggling, but I also use them as a learning tool. Numeracy mats are also available.

This resource includes 4 different ‘mats’ which can be printed and stuck to desks or kept in student folders. They are designed for students to refer to to help with numeracy skills used in business such as calculating percentages, averages and data analysis, as well as key financial definitions and calculations. I usually laminate two mats together and my students keep them in their folders. They are encouraged to refer to them if they are struggling, but I also use them as a learning tool. Literacy mats are also available.

This worksheet has been created for students to complete to check their knowledge of Sources of Finance and it provides them with all of the basic information ‘at a glance’. A presentation/ visual overview is also available.

In examinations, students could be asked to evaluate ways a business could improve profit or reduce costs. This resource looks at the options available to businesses in a simple way using numbers/ percentage changes. Students are then encouraged consider the implications of the various options. This resource could be used as the basis of a whole class discussion, or set as individual/ paired work. Students could be asked how elements of the profit and loss account have been calculated, and to create their own ‘what if’ examples.

This presentation provides a very visual overview of the different sources of finance available to businesses. It covers internal v. external sources, what is meant by short, medium and long term finance and which types are suitable in different business contexts. A ‘Sources of Finance At a Glance’ worksheet is also available.

Where do you even start when it comes to business planning? There’s lots to do and to think about. This is a one-page guide to focus your mind on what needs to be done to get started on your business plan.

This activity/ exercise challenges students to create firstly a start up year 12 month cashflow forecast for a business, followed by a year 2 12 month cashflow forecast using data provided. The idea is to get them used to the cashflow process - creating and calculating a cashflow table - and to encourage them to think about the challenges businesses face when payments have to be met at different times of the year and the fact that cash inflows can also fluctuate. Use the answers to discuss the financial position of this business. What should the owner plan for/ when? Where did the numbers likely come from? Are they likely to be accurate? This is a budget - what can they do to ensure that this is as realistic as possible etc. etc. Included in the pack are some notes on cashflow forecasting, data for 2 years (separate exercises), a blank excel spreadsheet that can be printed for a written exercise, an excel spreadsheet with formulae included, and the answers.

This resource can be printed and given to students to have a go at themselves, or put on the board and used as a simple demonstration to help them to understand the process of cashflow forecasts (answer is included!) The pre start column is included on this template to encourage students to review their learning on start up costs and sources of finance. They should be encouraged to use the total column as a way of checking their calculations. Additional, more challenging resources are also available.

Created for St David's Day, but it could be used year round. Give students the list of definitions - they are to try to identfy the businesses - I let them use the internet if they were struggling for themselves. It is based on the most up to date info I could find, so it will need to be reviewed. After the students had identified the businesses we talked about how important they are to the welsh economy as a whole, and the local economy where they are based - numbers employed etc..