CSEC Principles of Business study plan
CSEC Principles of Business · Give each week a clear focus.
8 weeks · About 6 hours per week
Organisational Principles
Define the three types of business organisation (sole trader, partnership, limited company) and list two advantages and two disadvantages of each from memory
Distinguish between the public and private sectors and classify six given Caribbean examples correctly
Explain the stages of the business life cycle and identify two problems a firm faces at each stage
Draw and label an organisational chart showing span of control, chain of command and delegation
Your checkpoint
A one-page comparison table covering five business types with ownership, liability, capital source, advantages and disadvantages, scored against a 10-mark answer key you write yourself
Organisational Principles
Describe the functions of management (planning, organising, directing, controlling) and match each to a workplace example
Compare autocratic, democratic and laissez-faire leadership styles and state one situation where each works best
Explain the role of trade unions and outline two methods of industrial action and two methods of dispute resolution
Evaluate how motivation theories (financial versus non-financial rewards) apply to a small Caribbean firm
Your checkpoint
A 300-word written response to a past-paper-style question on leadership styles, self-marked against a checklist of five required points
Production, Marketing and Finance
Classify production as primary, secondary and tertiary and give three local examples of each
Explain the factors of production and identify the reward for each
Distinguish between labour-intensive and capital-intensive production and state when each is appropriate
Describe the advantages and disadvantages of specialisation and division of labour
Your checkpoint
A labelled diagram plus 150-word explanation of the chain of production for one locally made product, from raw material to consumer
Production, Marketing and Finance
Explain the four Ps of the marketing mix and apply each to a named Caribbean product
Distinguish between market research methods (primary versus secondary, survey versus observation) and select the right one for a stated problem
Describe the functions of packaging, branding and advertising and evaluate two advertising media
Outline the role of consumer protection legislation and two consumer rights
Your checkpoint
A two-page marketing plan for a fictional small business covering all four Ps with a justified research method, marked against a 15-point rubric
Production, Marketing and Finance
Identify sources of short-term and long-term finance and match each to a stated business need
Explain the purpose of bookkeeping and distinguish between capital and revenue expenditure
Prepare a simple cash flow forecast from given figures and comment on a projected deficit
Interpret a basic income statement to calculate gross profit and net profit
Your checkpoint
A completed cash flow forecast and income statement from supplied data, with three written comments on the firm's liquidity and profitability
The Business Environment
Describe the structure and functions of a commercial bank and one other financial institution
Explain the role of government in the economy and list three ways it supports business
Distinguish between direct and indirect taxes and give two examples of each used in the Caribbean
Describe the functions of a stock exchange and one regional economic grouping
Your checkpoint
A glossary of 20 business-environment terms with a one-sentence definition and one Caribbean example for each
Organisational Principles & The Business Environment
Explain how international trade, balance of payments and exchange rates affect a small open economy
Evaluate two effects of globalisation on local firms and two responses firms can make
Describe the impact of technology and e-commerce on business organisation and marketing
Analyse a case study linking an organisational decision to an environmental factor
Your checkpoint
A 400-word case-study analysis that names two environmental factors, explains their effect on the firm and recommends one organisational response
Organisational Principles & Production, Marketing and Finance & The Business Environment
Complete two full timed mock papers under exam conditions and record scores by domain
Re-teach the two weakest sub-topics identified from mock results using your own notes
Practise structuring short-answer and extended-response answers with definition, explanation and example
Build a one-page revision sheet of formulas, definitions and diagrams for final review
Your checkpoint
Two marked mock papers with a score breakdown by domain and a written list of the three topics needing final revision before the exam
Milestones
Week 2: Score at least 70% on a self-made 20-question quiz covering organisational principles, with no notes
Week 4: Explain the marketing mix and production types aloud in under five minutes without prompts
Week 6: Complete a cash flow forecast and income statement with correct gross and net profit, and define 18 of 20 glossary terms accurately
Week 8: Achieve at least 65% on both timed mock papers with no domain scoring below 55%