Internal Business Factors

Lesson Details

• Subject: Business Studies
• Year Level: Year 11
• Duration: 52 minutes
• Curriculum Reference: NSW Stage 6 Business Studies Syllabus
• Topic: Internal Factors Affecting the Business Environment
• Key Focus Areas: People, Location, Resource Management, Management, Business Culture

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Learning Objectives

By the end of the lesson, students will be able to:

1. Identify and explain key internal factors that influence business operations.
2. Analyse how businesses make decisions based on internal environments.
3. Evaluate the impact of internal factors on business success.
4. Apply knowledge to Australian business case studies.

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Lesson Structure

1. Introduction (5 minutes)

• Engage the students by asking:
  • “Imagine you’re starting a business today. What internal factors do you think would affect your success?”
• Explain today's learning objectives and how they connect to real-world business decision-making.

2. Key Concept Exploration (15 minutes)

• Teacher-led explanation with visual aid (such as a PowerPoint or whiteboard diagrams) covering the five key internal factors:
  1. People – Importance of skilled employees, leadership, and workplace relationships.
  2. Location – Proximity to customers, suppliers, and infrastructure in Australian business contexts.
  3. Resource Management – Effective use of financial, human, and physical resources.
  4. Management – Leadership styles, planning, and organisational structures.
  5. Business Culture – Values, ethics, and workplace environment.

• Interactive Class Participation:

  • Students provide real-life Australian business examples for each factor.
  • Teacher presents scenarios (e.g., an Australian café opening in different locations and the impact of each factor).

3. Small Group Activity – Business Simulation Challenge (12 minutes)

• Scenario: Each group of 4 students is given a business type (e.g., a tech start-up in Sydney, a regional farm, or a clothing retailer in Melbourne).
• Task: Identify the most important internal factors affecting their business and justify their choices.
• Group Presentation: Each group shares their conclusions with the class (1-minute presentations).

4. Case Study Analysis – Real-World Application (10 minutes)

• Australian Business Focus: Provide a short case study on a well-known Australian business (e.g., Qantas, Canva, or Bunnings).
• Guided Discussion:
  • How did internal factors contribute to or challenge their success?
  • What lessons can new businesses learn from this case?

5. Wrap-Up & Reflection (5 minutes)

• Exit Ticket Question: “If you could improve one internal factor in a business you know, which would it be and why?”
• Recap key takeaways and preview how these factors connect to future business planning topics.

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Assessment & Differentiation

• Formative Assessment:
  • Observation of group discussions.
  • Checking student understanding through questioning and participation.
• Differentiation Strategies:
  • For high-achieving students: Encourage them to analyse internal factors in a multinational company operating in Australia.
  • For students requiring support: Provide guiding questions and real-world examples to help them apply concepts.

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Resources & Materials

• Whiteboard & markers or digital presentation slides
• Case study handout (physical or digital)
• Printed business scenarios for group activity
• Timer for time management during activities

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Teacher Reflection & Next Steps

• How did students engage with the business simulation?
• Were students able to connect concepts to real-world examples?
• Which internal factors did students find most challenging to understand?
• Plan to reinforce weaker areas in the next lesson.

This lesson immerses students in real-world business decision-making while encouraging critical thinking and teamwork. It’s aligned with the NSW Business Studies syllabus, and ensures relevance to Australian businesses.