In 3 weeks’ time we will be publishing APT’s Complete Context Companion for Edexcel’s Paper 3 Exam on the Chocolate Confectionery Market.  This will be packed full of resources that are not only relevant for the Paper 3 exam but will also prove useful for revising key topics that could crop up in Paper 1 and Paper 2 exams and can be used as a classroom resource in future years to come.  
APT’s Complete Context Companion aims to prepare students for the very wide range of questions that could be asked on the broad context provided by Edexcel.  Hence, reference is made to as many topics as possible related to this context. This includes essential theory, analytical discussions and over 70 references to articles, the majority of which can be used again (ie post the Paper 3 exam) as extracts to stimulate class discussions.  Hence, APT’s Complete Context Companions can be used to build up a bank of resources for the teaching of key topics in future years to come 
To enable you to see just how comprehensive this resource will be, following on from last week’s email, an updated description of the information included in the first 3 (of 5) sections of APT’s ‘Detailed Investigation into the Context (for Teachers)’ is provided below (from which the other 5 resources contained in APT’s Complete Companion are produced). 
APT’s Complete Context Companion includes: PowerPoints, research tasks, highly comprehensive, in-depth research and analysis on each bullet point of Edexcel’s research brief, revision summaries, mock exam questions with detailed model answers.  It saves months of planning and preparation time and is being published in three weeks’ time, and can be pre-ordered now (see below).  

Feedback received on APT resources published to date for use with pre-released Contexts, Case Studies and Themes:

Absolutely outstanding.  I call this my ‘Bible’.  Your resources are in a different league.  It’s worth every penny! A fantastic tool that fully supports teaching and learning and student progression in great depth and detail!  Greatly appreciated! Your work is amazing!” Laura Pickford, Heworth Grange School 

Information included in the first 3 (of 5) sections of APT’s ‘Detailed Investigation into the Context (for Teachers)’: 
INTRODUCTION TO THE CONTEXT           
The Nature and Scope of the Research Students are Advised to Undertake
Some General Facts about Chocolate                                                                            
General Statistics and Information on the Global Chocolate Confectionery Market       
General Statistics and Information on the UK Chocolate Confectionery Market           
RESEARCH BULLET 1                                                                                                      
Trends in the Number and Size of Manufacturers Operating in the Global Chocolate Confectionery Market over the last 20 years, Including Investment, Business Growth & Takeovers                
General Introduction – Scope of Research and Essential Revision      
Trends in the Number and Size of Manufacturers Operating in the Global Chocolate Confectionery Market Over the Last 20 Years   
Introduction – Defining Key Terms
What is trend?                   
What are manufacturers?  What do chocolate manufacturers do? What methods of production do global chocolate manufacturers use?                                
Research and Analysis of Changes in the Number of Manufacturers Operating in the Global Chocolate Confectionery Market Over the Last 20 Years                 
What changes have there been in the number of manufacturers?
What is the significance of this research?                     
Research and Analysis of Changes in the Size of Manufacturers Operating in the Global Chocolate Confectionery Market Over the Last 20 Years          
How can size be measured?
What changes have there been in the size of manufacturers?
What are the main findings of this research?
Which companies have increased or decreased in size? by how much?                                                   
Has productivity increased or decreased?  Can this be linked to changes in size?                
What are the objectives / benefits of growth in the size of a business?                                                   
What problems can arise from growth in the size of a business?
Essential Theory and Relevant Research into Investment within the Global Chocolate Confectionery Market Over the Last 20 years       
Possible Exam Questions
What types of investment do businesses make?
Examples of Investments Made by Global Confectionery Manufacturers Over the Last 20 Years
What reasons might be behind these investments / What are the potential rewards?                     
What are the advantages and disadvantages of Foreign Direct Investment (in relation  to exporting?)
What factors should be considered when making decisions over or between potential investments?
Raising Finance for Investment
 Essential Theory & Relevant Research Relating to Business Growth & Takeovers Within the Global Chocolate Confectionery Market Over the Last 20 years        
Possible Exam Questions – The Focus for Revision
What is the difference between inorganic and organic growth?                                                               
Methods and Examples of Organic Growth (with Reference to Ansoff’s Matrix) within the Global Chocolate Confectionery Market
What are the advantages and disadvantages associated with organic growth?
What is the difference between mergers and takeovers?
Examples of Inorganic Growth including Takeovers within the Global Chocolate Confectionery Market Over the Last 20 years
Horizontal and Vertical Integration – Have these mergers and acquisitions, including takeovers involved horizontal and / or vertical integration?                                     
Reasons for Mergers and Takeovers – What reasons have been behind the mergers and takeovers within the global chocolate confectionery market?    
Concluding Remarks
Financial Risks and Rewards – What financial risks and rewards are associated with these acquisitions and takeovers?
Financial Risks
Financial Rewards 
Rapid Growth – What potential problems can arise from rapid expansion?   
Diseconomies of Scale
Overtrading 
Other Problems Associated with Mergers and Takeovers
General
Conflict Arising from Redundancies
Conflict Arising from Differences in Organisational Culture
Problems with Customer Retention Arising from Confusion in Brand Values
Concluding Remarks
RESEARCH BULLET 2                                                                                                      
Influences on the Global Market for Chocolate Confectionery Over the last 20 years, such as the growth and development of Emerging Economies, Corporate Social Responsibility, Social Trends, Changing Costs and Prices                    
Relevant Revision Topics 
The Influence of Growth and Development of Emerging Economies on the Global Market for Chocolate Confectionery
Possible Exam Questions
What is an emerging economy?
What opportunities to trade have arisen from the growth and development of emerging economies?
Examples of Confectionery Manufacturers that have Taken Up these Opportunities
What are the potential rewards from / reasons behind selling to emerging economies?
What are the potential reasons behind / rewards from producing in emerging economies?                          
What factors affect success in emerging economies?
What other ‘risks’ are associated with expansion overseas in general?                                                 
Corporate Social Responsibility          
Possible Exam Questions
What is corporate social responsibility (CSR)?
Examples of Socially Responsible Behaviour Amongst Global Chocolate Confectionery Manufacturers
What are the potential costs and arguments against CSR Initiatives?
What are the potential benefits of CSR – trade-offs between profit and acting in a socially-responsible and ethical manner?                                                                                                               
Social Trends (and Implications)  
Introduction – Definition and Possible Exam Questions
The Rise in Global Chocolate Consumption
Increase in the Demand for Premium Chocolate in particular Chocolate with a Dark High Cocoa Content Due to Growing Awareness of the Health Benefits
Increasing Concern Over Sugar Resulting in Consumers Trying to Reduce Sugar Intake and Stagnating Demand for Chocolate in Western Economies
Increasing Demand for ‘All Natural’ / Organic Ingredients
The Rise in Snacking and Trend Towards Healthier Snacks / Alternatives to Confectionery
Increasing Demand for Sustainable and Ethical Sourcing Practices
The Growth in Shopping Online
The Rise of Social Media
Changing Costs and Prices                 
General Introduction Including Possible Exam Questions
The Impact of Rising Raw Material Costs and Changes in Exchange Rates
What strategies can be used to cope with rising raw material costs?                                                                                                                       
Other  Costs
The Impact of Government Subsidies (Political Influences)
The Impact of Taxes on High Calorie, Fat or Sugar Products (Political Influences)
The Impact of Changing Prices
Other Influences: Seasonal Peaks in Demand 
Concluding Remarks – Scope for Evaluation  
RESEARCH BULLET 3       
Human Resource Management in the UK Chocolate Confectionery Industry       
Overview of Specification Requirements Relating to HRM – Essential Revision
Approaches to Staffing                        
Staff as an Asset and Staff as a Cost – Lessons from Nestlé
The Use of Flexible Working Practices
Nestlé’s Commitment to Flexible Working
What are the potential benefits?             
The Use of Outsourcing
Examples of Chocolate Manufacturers that Outsource Production
When / Why do business outsource production?              
What are the potential advantages and disadvantages?
Dismissal and Redundancy
What is the difference between dismissal and redundancy?
What are the costs associated with redundancies?
How can the negative effect of redundancies be minimised?
Mondelez’s Focus on Voluntary Redundancies to Achieve Job Cuts
Employer – Employee Relations – Individual Approach, Collective Bargaining
What is collective bargaining?
Nestlé’s Attitude and Approach to Individual and Collective Bargaining
What are the potential benefits of union recognition / collective bargaining?
What are the benefits of good industrial relations at the Individual Level?            
Recruitment, Selection and Training
Recruitment
What does recruitment involve?
What is the difference between internal and external recruitment?
Examples of Methods Used by Barry Callebaut and Mars
What are the potential advantages and disadvantages associated with internal and external recruitment?
Selection
What methods are used to select candidates for a post?
Summary of Nestlé’s General Recruitment and Selection Process
Concluding Remarks / Evaluative Comments Regarding Recruitment and Selection
Induction and Training
Why is induction and training so important?
What is the difference between ‘on-the-job’ and ‘off-the-job’ training?
Methods used at Nestlé
What are the advantages and disadvantages of on-the-job training?
What are the advantages and disadvantages of off-the-job training?
Organisational Design
General Introduction – Defining Key Terms
Analysis of Nestlé’s ‘Flat and Flexible’ Organisational Structure
What are the potential advantages and disadvantages of a flat structure?
What are the potential advantages and disadvantages of broad spans of control?
What are the potential advantages and disadvantages of matrix structures?
Decentralisation within Nestlé & Mars – What are the potential advantages/disadvantages?
Motivation in Theory and Practice – Financial and Non-financial Incentives
Financial Incentives – Basic Pay/Remuneration
Why is pay so important?
What is the difference between the national minimum wage, the national living wage and the living wage?
The Importance of Competitive Rates of Pay
The Importance of Keeping Pay in line with Inflation
Financial Incentives – Bonuses
Nestlé’s Annual Bonus
How can bonuses help to increase motivation?
Financial Incentives – Performance-related Pay
What is performance-related pay?
Nestlé’s ‘Results and Performance Related’ Culture
What are the potential advantages and disadvantages?
Fringe Benefits – Financial
What are fringe benefits?
Employee Benefits at Nestlé
What are the potential benefits?
Non-financial Techniques – Recognition and Reward for Effort / Achievement
Nestlé’s Recognition Framework
What are the potential benefits?
Non-financial – Opportunities for Career Progression / Personal Development
Opportunities for Learning and Growth / Development at Nestlé
What are the potential benefits?
Non-financial – The Use of Consultation
What is meant by consultation?
Consultation at Cadbury and Nestlé
What are the potential advantages and disadvantages?
Non-financial – The Use of Job Enrichment
What is job enrichment?
What are the potential advantages and disadvantages?
Leadership
Introduction – Impact of Leadership Style in General 
Explanation of Leadership Styles, including Advantages and Disadvantages
Leadership style within Nestlé
Concluding Remarks
6 separate resources are included in APT’s COMPLETE CONTEXT COMPANION for this year’s (2018) Paper 3 Exam (see below), which can be pre-ordered now.  The 6 separate resources can be purchased individually, or together at a discounted price: 

Feedback received on APT resources published to date for use with Pre-Released Contexts, Case Studies and Themes: 

Absolutely outstanding.  I call this my ‘Bible’.  Your resources are in a different league.  It’s worth every penny! A fantastic tool that fully supports teaching and

learning and student progression in great depth and detail!  Greatly appreciated! Your work is amazing!”
Laura Pickford, Heworth Grange School 

“The materials you provided were excellent and suited every level of teaching.  I wish I had ordered earlier in the year.”
Gareth Moran, Rye St Antony School 

“Your resource is outstanding and becomes the sole resource in my class from February to all the way to the exam day.”
Jillur Rahman, Woodbridge High School 

Excellent materials. All the students came out with a smile on their face and commented everything on the analysis came out”. Ruth Daniel, Tower Hamlets College 

“It is the most comprehensive pack I think we have ever received.
JL-H 

“Pleased with the level of detail, insight and depth. They have become an invaluable part of our preparation.” Andrew Livingstone, Heart of England School 

Fantastic results using your material.  My  business student went from a predicted Grade E to a B on her  paper and was just short of an A.” 
Jane Wood, Tutor 

“Your resources are proving invaluable and so much more useful than other providers that I buy from.”
Ian Chapman, Queen Anne’s School 

Pre-order NOW  (if not already) – Expected publication: end of Feb 2018

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