The factors facing new business start-ups are constantly changing in line with economic, technological and societal shifts. Business ventures of today are faced with new pressures and challenges to survive and become profitable. On the positive side, they enjoy access to new advanced technology and a greater range of support services. So, what does it mean to be an entrepreneur in this modern age?
Current Challenges
The business landscape is changing rapidly and companies must be quick to keep up. Nascent ventures are agile but also particularly vulnerable to external threats. Growing changes in technology means entrepreneurs need to be savvy and digitally literate to remain competitive while evolving regulations, data privacy changes and working practices all affect how an organisation must operate.
With information easily accessible online, modern customers can easily research a company’s previous reviews, history and organisational values and expect more from the businesses they purchase from; personalised experiences, environmental and social impact and diversity and inclusion practices all rank highly in consumer considerations.
Emerging global markets have led to greater overseas opportunities, but there is also the need to negotiate different cultural expectations, foreign supply chains and legal policies. Many markets are currently saturated, so brands must differentiate in order to stand out competitively. In a modern culture of information overload leading to short attention spans, companies must be able to cut through the noise to capture and hold a customer’s interest.
The Modern Benefits Of Entrepreneurship
Entrepreneurs now have access to more funding options than ever before, including grants and investments to help get them off the ground. This has enabled entrepreneurs to become established quickly, by acquiring the personnel and resources they need to bring their visions into reality.
Technology has also enabled new start-ups to reach a wide audience with little upfront costs. Platforms such as YouTube and DIY website builders allow companies to get straight in front of customers and set up e-commerce channels while artificial intelligence (AI) has allowed automation of many business functions, freeing up time and resources.
The flexibility of current workforce conditions allows a modern approach to employment, helping to reduce costs through practices such as remote working. With many initiatives, educational opportunities and resources available, entrepreneurs can quickly attain the knowledge and skills needed in order to succeed.
The Future for Entrepreneurs
While there is much improvement in the level of support, technology and global reach opportunities for entrepreneurs, new challenges and obstacles are constantly emerging. It is clear that AI will continue to play a large part in the evolution of businesses globally, enhancing the level of automation. It is also expected that entrepreneurial opportunities will continue to rise in the areas of renewable energy, waste reduction and sustainable practices as environmental concerns continue to grow.
Find out more about marketing, business activity and the changing environment with Oxford Open Learning’s flexible Business IGCSE or A-Level accredited distance learning courses. Get in touch with us today to find out more.
Globalisation has been in existence for several centuries and its origins can be traced back to ancient times when cultures from around the world began to trade with each other, the most notable example of this being the Silk Road. Since then, globalisation has evolved into a complex form characterised by economic, cultural and political influences. In recent times, it has faced some major challenges and shifts, leading to debates about its future. So is it really in decline or merely undergoing a transformation?
The Rise of Globalisation
Ever since it established its roots in ancient trade, globalisation has grown in popularity and influence. During the 15th and 16th centuries, European explorers sailed to other continents to discover and establish new trade routes, marking a significant expansion in global commerce. Later, the Industrial Revolution of the 19th Century, further expansion through colonialism and the post world war II era all saw a push for greater global economic cooperation, helping to facilitate the movement of goods around the world.
More recently, technological advancements during the latter half of the 20th century and early 21st century have significantly increased the pace and scale of globalisation though better transportation, communication and technical infrastructure, resulting in a world more connected than ever before.
Recent Challenges
Geopolitical tensions between major economies have resulted in trade disputes and protectionist measures, causing a re-evaluation of trade relationships. A rise in nationalism and regionalisation have both led to a higher focus on domestic priorities. This has been partly due to the recent COVID-19 pandemic, which brought about difficulties in global supply chains and raised the need to become more self-sufficient in critical sectors.
Climate change and the pressures to meet environmental targets and reduce carbon emissions have also had an impact on global trade. Here, the focus on sustainability has caused a shift in the way businesses and organisations operate in order to gain green credentials. Technological advancements such as automation and digitisation have also allowed companies to rethink their global strategies and explore more local solutions.
The Future Of Globalisation
There is much speculation and theory regarding this subject. Some believe that despite the challenges, globalisation will continue with the aid of increased international cooperation, new technologies and the pursuit of economic opportunities. Others believe it may become more fragmented and regionalised as supply chains are re-ordered to reduce dependency on foreign supplies, with sustainability and fair-trade measures placing pressure on companies to source locally, and a rise in nationalism turning focus away from global trade.
Due to the complex nature of globalisation and the number of factors that influence it, including those that are unforeseen as was the case with COVID-19, it is difficult to predict what the future holds. What is certain, however, is the ability countries and international institutions have to address shared challenges in order to help determine the future for global trade.
Find out more about economic factors and their influence on the world through Oxford Open Learning’s flexible Geography iGCSE accredited distance learning course. Get in touch with us today to find out more.
Writing an essay response can be a challenging task, especially for students who are new to academic writing. However, with some guidance and practice, it is possible to write effective essay responses that demonstrate your understanding of the topic. Let’s take a look at some strategies for writing an effective essay response to maximise your marks.
The Clue is in the Title
The first step in writing an effective essay response is to fully understand the question. Read it carefully and make sure that you understand the key terms and concepts, and run any words or terms you’re unsure of through Google. Identify the main themes or arguments that you need to address in your essay, as they will provide a starting point for any research. Also, pay attention to any instructions provided, such as the word count, the format you should use, and any specific requirements for sources or evidence.
Plan, Plan, Then Plan Some More
Once you understand the question, before you get to writing your essay, it’s time to plan your response. Create an outline or mind map that organises your ideas into a logical structure. Start by brainstorming ideas and key points that you want to cover in your essay. Consider the arguments you want to make, those that exist already, and the evidence you will use to support or counter them. Use your outline to stay focused and ensure that you cover all the relevant points.
The more time you invest in planning what you want to say, the more concise your argument will be. Your word count will thank you for it, and you’ll get more editing time later. You’d be amazed at how quickly 2000 words can disappear.
Evidence Is Essential
An effective essay response should be well-supported with evidence. This can include examples, statistics, quotations, and other types of evidence that support your arguments. Make sure that you use credible sources and cite them properly using the appropriate citation style. When using evidence, make sure it is relevant to the point you are making. Just because it sounds great, that doesn’t always mean it’s supporting your argument.
Clarity Over Quantity
Effective essay responses are written in clear and concise language. Essay writing is much more than being persuasive and knowing your subject; your ability to communicate is just as important. So many marks are won and lost on your ability to simply state what you mean. Keep it short and to the point. Avoid using overly complex language or jargon that your reader may not understand. As tempting as it might be, attempting to bloat your word count will not help you. A concise essay at 1200 words will score higher than a meandering 1500.
Don’t Forget To Polish Your Essay
Once you have completed the conclusion it’s tempting to think it’s ready to send. Don’t.
Spelling and grammar are very good friends of academics, and they do hate to see them mistreated. As should you. Take the time to edit and proofread your work. Look for errors in grammar, spelling, and punctuation. Check that your writing flows smoothly and that your arguments are presented clearly. If possible, ask a friend or teacher to read your essay and provide feedback. This can help you identify areas where you can improve and ensure that your essay is the best it can be.
Top tip: leave your essay alone for a couple of days, then approach it again with a fresh perspective. For catching spelling errors, change up the font and the size, or try reading it right to left (it alters your brain’s pattern of reading, allowing you to spot the errors).
Effective essay writing requires careful planning, a clear understanding of the question, and the use of evidence to support your arguments. Remember to take your time, be organised, stay focused on the task at hand, and you’ll soon be producing quality assignments. Now, get writing!
There are many different A Level courses on offer when home schooling, and so choosing the right ones for you can seem like a maze to navigate. By having a clear understanding of what you want to pursue in your education and career, such as the A Levels to be a lawyer, picking your courses becomes much easier.
We have outlined the key things to consider when selecting your A Levels at home. You can find the full selection of our courses here.
What Do You Want To Study?
This is the most important question to ask yourself when choosing your A Levels. Do you want to be a doctor? Or a lawyer? Perhaps an engineer? Universities will have specific requirements for different courses, so once you have a path to follow, selecting the A Levels you need for that discipline are easier to pick out.
For example, to become a lawyer, you typically benefit from having the following A Levels:
• English
• Politics
• History
To be a doctor, you will always need specific A Levels, including:
• Chemistry
• Biology
• Maths or Physics (studying both will open up more options)
It is useful to select subjects that complement each other, like the above. You will sometimes need to have studied the GCSE equivalent before studying the A Level course. The prerequisites for each A Level can be found on their respective course page.
A Levels To UCAS Points
The grade you receive for your A Level is assigned a point score, which universities then use to determine your entry suitability once all of your grades are added up.
Aiming to achieve your best should always be the goal, but if you think your UCAS score may be lower, consider what universities will accept that total.
The UCAS points tariff is as follows:
A Level
• A* – 56
• A – 48
• B – 40
• C – 32
• D – 24
• E – 16
Choose What You Enjoy
This may sound a little obvious, but ensure you are choosing A Levels for subjects and a career you enjoy. Picking A Levels based on what your friends are studying for example does not guarantee that you will enjoy the courses in the long term.
Likewise, consider your strengths. It is considerably easier to build motivation for a course you are studying, if it is a skill you possess.
Benefits Of Home Schooling
There are unique benefits to home schooling that can make choosing your A Levels that little bit easier. One such benefit is the ability to choose exactly which A Levels to study and how. A traditional school curriculum will require you to undertake a set structure of courses, whereas home schooling A Levels gives extra freedom to select your own, on a timetable to suit you.
Each of our A Levels are also built to match the same study material in schools, so you know you are studying the material universities will be looking for.
Exams are, finally, over; revision notes are packed away, shredded, passed on to your sibling, or thrown on the BBQ; the endless balmy days of a British summer lie ahead of you. You can lounge in the sun, meet up with friends, and you don’t have to worry about setting an alarm. And then… and then… results day looms, that day in August* when you will open the envelope, or the message, and find out how well you have done. It’s nerve-wracking. It’s anxiety-inducing. It’s a day that some people would rather not have to deal with. But fear not. It’s not as bad as you think.
It is natural to feel concerned and worried ahead of receiving your exams results. In fact, it is healthy to feel a certain amount of anxiety about different life events. However, spending a lot of your waking hours, and maybe even being kept awake at night due to worrying, is not helpful. So if you are likely to suffer with anxiety in the run-up to your results day in August, the three top tips below might be of use.
What’s Done Is Done
Once you’ve finished your exams, you need to try and remember that there isn’t anything more you can do about results at that point. Some people forensically go back through their responses, they question their friends, they ask their tutors. In reality, it’s done. So, try and put your concerns on the shelf and move on to the next challenge, or relax.
Exams Results Are Not The End Of The World
Exams results days are important, yes, and can dictate what you do next – for example, A-Levels or university. However, if you are anxious about not doing as well as you would like, just remember: whatever results you receive, it will not mean the end of the world. Okay, so they may affect what you do next, albeit temporarily, but you can retake your exams, or maybe even your plans must change – and this might not be a bad thing. Try to rationalise the situation, it will make you feel better.
Enjoy Some “Me” Time
Feeling anxious about an upcoming event can be horrible. So, if you are affected by anxiety like this, try and build in some activities which can help to alleviate such feelings. You might take a walk in the fresh air, appreciate the environment around you. Maybe you get stuck into a good book, or go and kick a football around with your friends. Sitting around dwelling on a potential future situation is not healthy for you mentally or physically – and ‘escaping’ from this mindset in some way can be hugely beneficial.
So, if you start to feel anxious with exam results day looming, try to divert yourself. You’ll feel a whole lot better if you do.
*18th August, Exams Results for A-Level, and 25th August for GCSE.
Electric cars have been steadily growing in popularity, especially in the past year. There are currently around 300,000 purely electric cars on the road in the UK and 2020 saw a 66% growth in the electric car market compared to 2019.* As well as being a cleaner option for the planet, electric vehicles offer owners significantly reduced running costs when compared to an internal combustion engine. The maintenance cost of an EV (Electric Vehicle) is around 49% lower than that of an ICE (Carbon Emitting) vehicle and fuel costs are, on average, 58% less. According to EDF Energy, one electric car can save around 1500kg of carbon dioxide a year – the equivalent of 4 flights between London and Barcelona – and even when you consider the electricity used to charge the car, carbon emissions are up to 30% less than that of a petrol or diesel vehicle.
Electric Cars Can’t Change Everything
But do EVs solve all our vehicle-related issues? Even if all electricity was generated through renewable sources (which it currently is not), it’s important to remember that the manufacture of electric vehicles still generates carbon. The large number of cars on the road also presents a problem. There are currently around 39.2 million licensed vehicles on the road in the UK, with 82% of them being cars, and car ownership has risen each year since World War II. In 2020 58% of all trips were made by car and 76% of journeys of 2-3 miles (an arguably walkable or cyclable distance) were taken by car. Nearly half of all UK workers choose to drive to work and whilst it is perhaps understandable that 75% of workers from rural areas travel to work by car, driving is the predominant method of travel in urban areas too. Shockingly, 30% of workers in London commute by car, despite the abundance of public transport options available in and around the capital. **
Traffic Trends
All of this means that UK roads are busy, and they’re set to get busier. The RAC project that, by 2050, traffic will have increased by up to 50%, leading to increased journey times and more frequent road traffic accidents. Whilst other methods of travel, such as walking, cycling, and using public transport, do exist, the UK remains obsessed with motor vehicles. Figures from Cycling UK state that, in 2019, over 98% of road traffic was cars, taxis, vans, HGVs and motorbikes. Only 0.7% of traffic was buses whilst just 1% were bicycles. Cycling often presents a dangerous form of travel, particularly in urban areas, as only 2% of the UK road network has a dedicated cycle path which is segregated from motor traffic. In contrast, the famously bike-friendly Netherlands has approximately 22,000 miles of cycle path segregated from motor traffic – a quarter of its road network. Public transport is also lacking in the UK. A 2019 Department for Transport study found that 93% of people living in urban areas live within a 6-minute walk of a bus stop whilst the figure is only 74% for people living in rural villages, and only 63% of all people living in the UK are satisfied with the public transport system; it often presents an expensive and unreliable method of travel.
Electric cars are a fantastic alternative to the highly polluting ICEs that most of us drive, but perhaps a better substitute would be to change our attitude towards cars and instead, invest in and support our public transport and cycle network, providing a more pleasant, sustainable, safer, and healthier way to travel.
*Figures according to nextgreencar.com
** Figures according to the RAC.
Economics in 2021 has seen the exponential growth of interest in cryptocurrencies and digital currencies in China. Then, in May, their government banned the mining of cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin, which lead many cryptocurrency enthusiasts to wonder- what will happen next?
Going Cashless
What many people may not know is that the Chinese government has always wanted to implement a digital currency in order to encourage a cashless society. In April 2020, electronic Chinese Yuan programmes launched in four of China’s biggest cities. The digital currency’s launch was the culmination of a 6 year program that began when China’s central bank, the People’s Bank of China (PBOC), declared that it was interested in a “Digital Currency/Electronic Payment” system in 2014.
So how does it work? The digital Yuan is a legal tender, which means that the society is obliged to accept it as a form of money. It is issued by the PBOC and one digital Yuan is worth the same as one paper Yuan. People can use the digital Yuan on their mobile devices through an “e-wallet” application, and the currency can be purchased through China’s designated state-owned banks.
Impacts On Economics
The impacts of the digital Yuan are aplenty. The most important is that the digital currency will save costs in terms of printing money, circulation and trading, and will enhance the productivity of the financial system as a whole as money can flow more easily across different exchanges. Furthermore, the system makes transactions easier to trace and track, which renders illegal transactions more illusive. According to China Chief Economist, Yi Xiong, the digital Yuan allows users to hide their identity from other users, while allowing law enforcement to have the ability to trace illegal transactions.
Debut And Consequences
The digital Yuan will likely be rolled out in 2022 after the Winter Olympics. A successful implementation will increase the adoption of digital currencies around the world. Overall, perhaps the biggest benefit that digital currencies provide to governments is a degree of financial governance surveillance. Centrally-regulated digital forms of money could certainly allow a government to tackle and reduce illegal activities, such as money laundering and financial fraud more efficiently, offering people a greater sense of security regarding their funds, in contrast to decentralised currencies such as Bitcoin and Ethereum. One thing’s for sure- the growing acceptance of digital currencies and the geopolitical consequences of the growth of cryptocurrencies and related technologies means that the world should watch the digital Yuan’s roll-out carefully.
The Advantages of Revision Podcasts
Do you use any revision podcasts? If you don’t, now is the perfect time to incorporate some into your studies. Research shows that podcasts aid deep learning: they reinforce existing knowledge while also helping you to make links between different topics in a single subject. This is exactly the kind of support you need when exams are just around the corner. What’s more, podcasts are portable, meaning that you can listen to one whenever you want and wherever you are.
If you want to test out the effectiveness of podcasts for yourself, here are some suggestions:
English: GCSE English Revision Pod
Each week, Mr. Forster and Mr. Gallie take listeners through a different theme or topic for English Language and English Literature. Each podcast comes with a downloadable handout, so you don’t need to worry about making notes as you listen along.
Win’s Literary Corner is also well worth a listen, especially if you struggle with the more technical aspects of English, like form and tone.
Maths: GCSE Maths
This podcast from Seneca Learning is popular with students who need some extra help going over key topics for their Maths papers. Every possible topic is covered: from vectors and percentages, to probability and geometry
Science: Science at Schools
In this 26-episode series, your host will take you through Chemistry, Biology and Physics, both the content and the possible question stems. There are notes to accompany each podcast, too.
History: Mr. Allsop History
Mr. Allsop isn’t just a YouTube star; he’s a podcaster, too. He’s covered every historical topic you could ever want to revise and provides an accompanying Power Point for you to download.
Geography: Mr. Hunt’s Geography Podcast
Although these podcasts were originally designed for Mr. Hunt’s own students, they have become a hit with those all over the country. Podcasts vary in length, with each one lasting no more than six minutes, which makes them ideal when you haven’t got a lot of time on your hands.
Business: GCSE Business Podcast
Another one from Seneca Learning, this podcast has 58 episodes in total, so you can guarantee that whatever topic you need, help with will be available. Again, these podcasts come in at around six minutes each, so you don’t need to set aside much time to listen.
One final tip: download a couple episodes of each podcast to your device, so that no matter where you are, you can access your revision and get into the habit of listening!
For all the different views on how to deal with the transition from lockdown, everyone seems to agree on one fact — in the world of work, everything will change.
But I’m not so sure.
Benefits – and Challenges
Naturally employees won’t love the return to the commute, and businesses will eye savings in office upkeep. Yet for every one of us delighting in the perks of home office life, there are others desperate to be free from zoom fatigue and boredom. And while office rent bills may be high, what about lost productivity due to connection issues and no in-person dialogue?
They say absence makes the heart grow fonder — and my heart has all of a sudden become very fond of chance encounters and conversations free of stuttering connection issues.
Indeed, the greatest challenge of remote working hasn’t yet been felt by many organisations. When every staff member is virtual, it’s one thing. We are all in the same boat and there’s a level playing field. But when we transition to a mixture of home and office working, it’ll be much harder to ensure remote workers aren’t excluded, or possibly vice-versa. This could incentivise more office working and cause headaches for companies they would rather do without.
Naturally, there will be some businesses, previously behind the times, that are now much more open to remote working after the virus. But a sweeping, systemic change in the very nature of work? Unlikely.
Changes In Urbanisation
The same goes for a disruption in the forces behind urbanisation. Throughout centuries of human history, we have come together at greater and greater density. In fact, Edward Glasier, in his book The Triumph of the City, argues that technology which would seem to make large concentrations of people redundant has counterintuitively encouraged our grouping together, due to the accompanying, greater necessity for idea exchange, specialisation and technical expertise. And this will likely continue to be the case.
Is Total Change Desirable?
We should also pause and ask ourselves – are such changes desirable? Undoubtedly distance working can aid social justice – for example, providing flexibility and access to those outside of capital cities or with caring duties. But we should not rush towards an all-virtual workspace, only to realise later what was lost. Plus, the social justice dimension cuts both ways – those with less spacious homes could be at a huge disadvantage if workplaces stayed largely remote.
It may just be that after a period of change we seek some security in what we know. Long live the old normal.
Green revolution is coming. Even traditionally conservative thinkers are beginning to come around. It isn’t just that it needs to come to prevent the extinction of life on earth (a compelling motivator for change), but also that green energy will soon make economic sense. That’s when it becomes hard to argue for the old ways of creating energy and managing resources. So if we are going to do everything differently, how can we educate for this change?
Schools
We’ve been learning about global warming in schools for at least 50 years (I asked my parents!). Many would say it hasn’t made that much difference, but look at the increasing environmental awareness, particularly amongst millennials. Environmental education, along with many other factors, is starting to seep into the global consciousness. However, continuing to teach young people about global warming, plastics and other problems is not enough. The key to educating responsible green citizens is giving them the opportunity to put it into practice. That means a realistic hands-on approach to going green. In effect, working out how they can make a difference, be it cycling to school or the foods they choose to eat – they are all political choices. This way, it stops being an external problem and becomes one in which we are all complicit.
Careers
One estimate is that 23% of young people will pursue green careers. So how can we make them succeed? The government has acknowledged the skills gap, but also the opportunity we have to bolster a post-Brexit, post-Covid 19 economy with green projects. Opportunities for college and university-age students to focus on green careers are essential. A bridge needs to be created in effect, to ease the path of young people into green industries.
Incentives
The average student debt is now £50,800 in the UK. This clearly makes it difficult for certain sectors of the population to pursue higher and post-graduate education. We need to incentivise students to specialise in environmental areas. Thought leaders will be needed to provide vision, and in greater numbers. This is the biggest problem humanity has ever faced. Without a full commitment to change and the skills to make it happen, the world as we know it will be a thing of the past.
Learn More
Sean Cain has an interesting TED talk called A Better Approach to Environmental Education in which he makes suggestions like field trips to recycling plants, and using social media to create a “weaved in” environmental curriculum in any subject. Ursula Salmon also gives an interesting talk called Growing Environmental Engineers, with many thought-provoking ideas.
