Unit #1: Strategies Unleashed

Lesson 1 – Introduction to Business Strategies

Curriculum Area: Social Sciences – Business Studies (Level 6 of the New Zealand Curriculum)
NCEA Alignment: Pre-numeracy/Level 1 preparation for future 1.5 Internal: Demonstrate understanding of a marketing mix for a new or existing product (and other Level 1 Business internal/external standards)
Duration: 60 minutes
Class Size: 23 students
Lesson Number: 1 of 5

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WALT (We Are Learning To):

• Understand what a business strategy is
• Identify different types of business strategies
• Recognise why strategy is important in the success of a business
• Explore New Zealand business examples that have used strategic thinking to succeed

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Success Criteria:

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

• Define “business strategy” in their own words
• List at least 3 different types of business strategies
• Discuss one example of a New Zealand business and a strategy it has used
• Work collaboratively in groups to analyse strategy outcomes

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Lesson Structure:

🔹 1. Mihi / Karakia (2 minutes)

Purpose: Settle the group, acknowledge space and people

• Invite a student to lead a karakia or complete teacher-led
• Brief reminder of class values: Mahi ngātahi (collaboration), Whakamana (empowerment through learning)

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🔹 2. Engage: Business Brainstorm (8 minutes)

Activity: Think-Pair-Share

• Prompt: “What do you think a business does to succeed?”
• Individually brainstorm for 2 minutes
• Pair up and share ideas for another 2 minutes
• Volunteers share highlights of their discussion with the whole class

Differentiation Tip: Provide a word bank with potential prompt terms (e.g. plan, marketing, customer, growth) for ESOL and supported learning students

Teacher Prompt: “Let’s unlock what’s behind the scenes in a successful Kiwi business!”

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🔹 3. Explore: What is a Business Strategy? (10 minutes)

Teaching Input: Teacher-led discussion using slides or whiteboard visual aid

• Define "strategy" using both business and everyday examples (e.g., rugby team's game plan)
• Introduce the term “business strategy”
• Discuss why strategy matters: profits, positioning, survival, competitive advantage

Student Interaction:
Ask: “Why do you think companies like Whittaker’s or Icebreaker remain local favourites?”

Visual Strategy Board: Introduce a classroom poster with a growing mind map labelled NZ Business Strategy Stars (to be added to over the unit)

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🔹 4. Explain: Types of Strategies (10 minutes)

Content Delivery with Real Examples:

• Cost Leadership – e.g. The Warehouse offering affordable products ("Where Everyone Gets a Bargain")
• Differentiation – e.g. Lewis Road Creamery with premium packaging/product
• Focus/Niche Strategy – e.g. Ethique (NZ solid beauty products brand targeting sustainability)

Use images/products/logos to engage visual learners

Think-Aloud Strategy: Model thinking: “If I were creating a new surf clothing brand, maybe I’d focus just on kiwi teens who care about sustainability – that would be a niche strategy.”

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🔹 5. Group Activity: Strategy Match-Up (15 minutes)

Purpose: Solidify understanding through application
Instructions:

• In groups of 3–4, give students a mini “Business Card” for 5 NZ companies (e.g. Allbirds, Whittaker’s, Z Energy, Uber NZ, and Fonterra)
• Business Cards include: name, short blurb, their product/service
• Students match the business to one of the 3 types of strategy, and explain why

Differentiation Tip: Give structured sentence starters for supported learners
Example: “We think ___________ uses a _______________ strategy because...”

Class Share: Select 1 idea from each group to quickly share back with class

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🔹 6. Reflect & Connect: Whānau Board Building (8 minutes)

Activity: Individual reflection

• Each student writes one of the following on a post-it:
  • Something new they’ve learned
  • A question they still have
  • An example of a strategy they see at their part-time job or in a business they admire
• Stick it to the class wall display board under heading: “Our Big Strategy Brain”

Teacher Model: Share your own post-it first to model a strong contribution

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🔹 7. Wrap-Up & Check for Understanding (5 minutes)

Quick Quiz: 3-question oral quiz (students write answers or thumbs up/down)

1. What is one reason businesses need a strategy?
2. What’s one example of a differentiation strategy?
3. True or False: “A business can only follow one type of strategy.”

Homework (Optional Extension):
Students choose a local business (e.g. their favourite café, clothing store, or service) and write 3–5 bullet points about what they believe its strategy is.

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Resources Needed:

• Printed Business Cards (for matching activity)
• Post-it notes
• Whiteboard/Interactive board for visuals
• Strategy Types Reference Page (optional handout)
• Word bank for ESOL learners

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Differentiation & Support Strategies:

• ESOL Learners: Word bank, visual aids, sentence starters
• Neurodiverse / Literacy Support: Visual strategy types chart, group discussions before writing
• Gifted & Talented: Encourage deeper questions like “Can a business use two strategies at once?” and extension task: compare NZ brand to a global equivalent
• Culturally Responsive Practice: Use examples of Māori or Pacific-owned businesses or whānau enterprises (e.g. Pāmu, Kono NZ)

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Notes for the Teacher:

• Some students may not yet have a strong grasp of strategic language. Incorporate similes or analogies that connect to sports, gaming, or music (e.g. “Strategy is like the playlist you curate for a vibe”)
• Encourage students to bring in real-world examples in future lessons – talk about jobs, brands, whānau businesses! Build relevance.
• Print early finishers a “Strategy Sudoku” sheet with strategy-based logic questions for extra challenge

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Next Lesson Preview:
WALT: Explore how internal and external factors influence business strategies in New Zealand.
Students will investigate PEST and SWOT analysis.

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“Kia tipu te whaihanga – Let creativity and innovation grow.”