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IB Approved Workshops
Business Management (New Syllabus)
IB DP Category 1
Barcelona, Spain, 11 - 13 October 2024
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Subscriber comments
- Dear Paul,A quick question... in your book, unit 4.5d, one of the questions discusses Costco and infers it is a wholesaler. I consider them a retailer with wholesale pricing. Am I wrong in this? They sell directly to consumers....
- Dear CarloIn general, a share issue is made via a public stock exchange, so would be considered as external finance. It is not pragmatic for IB students to consider the complexities of accounting for existing shareholders who purchase additional...
- Hi Paul, When a company issues shares, is this an internal source of finance?Thank you
- Dear TadThanks for your message. The publisher is aware of this typo - the answer should be 241.2% (not 341.2%). The correction will appear in the next reprint edition.Apologies for any inconvenience caused.With best wishes
- Thanks. I hope enough feedback worldwide makes it through so that grade boundaries can be appropriately adjusted, potentially even certain questions and thereby marks would require being taken out.
- Hello, on page 317 of the text in Box 21.1 - The business of Hollywood movies, you state that "the return on investment was 341% in a single weekend." However, isn't the formula for ROI = profit / initial investment = ($511.8M -...
- Dear BenI understand your perspective and many people feel the same way. There is plenty of evidence to back such claims. I would suggest that you speak with your DPC to get the link for your school's G2 online form to provide written feedback...
- Thanks for directing me to this Paul.I don't know if you would agree with this but my overall sense was that the paper 2 HL exam would be the type one would set to target the upper end of a cohort. In other words, it did not necessarily look...
- Dear SeanThere is no longer a prescribed format for the IA (only the previous HL IA had this). Please refer to the recommendation under assessment criterion F here.With best wishes
- Dear Paul, Are "Initial proposal" and "Acknowledgements" still form the part of the final HL BM IA submission? According to the marking criteria, the content which will be graded includes: Title Page, Table of contents, Introduction, Analysis,...
- Dear SilviaThis topic appears in Unit 4.2 of the new syllabus here.With best wishes
- Hello, is this topic no longer taught in the new guide?
- Dear BenI agree with you on all counts. We have discussed the M24 exams at length (over 300 messages in our WhatsApp group). Many teachers have also commented the limited information in the stimulus for students to explain the marketing challenge...
- Dear JaneThank you for the notification. The coding has been updated and you should be able to access both the questions and answers now.With best wishes
- Dear GemmaIt is best to post these sorts of questions in our WhatsApp group here (please make sure you have your full name and an appropriate profile pic on display for the Admin team to admit you to the group).However, you are correct in that...
- Hi Paul, a student of mine wants to use the following question for his SL IA: What impact does the use of personalized advertising algorithms have on consumer purchasing behaviour in the smartphone industry, analysing the approaches of Apple? I...
- Hi Paul,How did you perceive the HL exams in particular? My initial take is that paper 2 may have been more challenging for students than exams based on the previous syllabus. For example, "change in variance" as part of budgetary analysis...
- Exam style practice style 2 says access denied, for both question and answer, could you share again please.
- Dear KhaledI am not quite sure what you asking? The text does not refer to stars being the most profitable product in a firm's portfolio. As "Stars are at the growth stage in their product life cycle", firms will want to turn these into cash...
- i can't understand how stars tray to be cash cow in generating profits , in the same time stars are the highest profit?
- Dear JerryIt is pragmatic to focus on a single business entity for the IA. Whilst the IA allows students to examine M&As or issues that affect an industry, focusing on one business organization is more manageable, as you point out.With...
- Hi Paul,Should I advise my student to avoid a research question, and an IA that involves two businesses? He would like to look at how a business was not successful in their market penetration strategy involving a joint venture with another...
- Dear KentishIn the same way that IB mark schemes do not show how candidates can/should evaluate their arguments, this mark scheme does not show the limitations of the stimulus material; this is a judgement call based on the analysis and evaluation...
- Dear KenI am not sure where the "one-sided answer" comes from? The question is about the marketing mix, so "balance" comes from aspects of the marketing mix for The Female Company (rather than only focusing on one of the Ps, for example).If...
- Thank you very much Paul.
- Dear GregThanks for your message. This topic has been discussed at length in our social media groups (WhatsApp and Facebook).Please see the response below from the Subject Area Manager in Cardiff regarding this matter.If you wish to provide...
- Dear DavidThanks for your message.(1) The terms are used interchangably. Some courses also refer to the NEV as "net present value (NPV)" but we avoid this in DP Business Mangement for obvious reasons (Unit 3.8).(2) Your interpretation is correct...
- Dear Paul,I am referring to your reply on Feb 21, 2024 and have copied the queston here too in case its missed above.I am using the 2022 version for the 5th edition.1) Is the Net Pedicted outcome also known as The Net Expected Value/Total expected...
- Hi Paul, I am writing you to get clarity on the Paper 2 exam that my SL students sat for last week. Does HL content typically appear on tests written for both SL & HL students? I ask because for Section B, SL students were asked to...
- Again, this mark scheme also does not mention about the limitations of the stimulus!
- There seems to be no balance in the response provided for the 10 marks question here! It would be considered as a one-sided answer.
- Dear JasonThanks for your message. You are correct on all counts, actually. Context is critical in all of this - what is acceptable to one firm/industry might not be the case for others. Exam Practice Question 11 above should hopefully add...
- Hi Paul,The advice here for Standard Deviation appears to focus on interpretation and explanation of results, which makes sense. It is also clear that the larger the standard deviation is away from the mean, the more dispersed the data set...
- Ah. That's why my gramma check flagged it. Didn't think of that.
- These could be a good article / video to the topic: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pz5rX6Whj4o&t=20s & edition.cnn.com
- Dear AshrafPlease refer to the information in FAQ 10 above.With best wishes
- Dear HenryI have used the British version of the word.With best wishes
- Hi Paul. Typo in the sentence "Quality assurance (QA) is a lean approach to quality management which involves all employees in the quality process. It focusses on empowering all staff to check their own work throughout the production process,...
- Dear Paul,I hope you're well, please can you advise if SL students are allowed to use HL content such as Competitive pricing as part of their IA?Thanks,Ashraf
- Dear JanePlease contact [email protected] for support with this.With best wishes
- Dear DavidStudents must, in theory, only refer to the new terminology.However, as you may well have seen in our WhatsApp discussions, the IB has unfortunately referred to old syllabus terminology in the M24 exams, including private limited...
- How do I sign up for newsletter updates, as currently not receiving. Thank you.
- Thank you Paul, I too currently use the 5th edition but the 2022 version which shows the formula as "Net Profit = Gross profit – Expenses" (Pg 252). Rest of the explanation is clear, thanks but I was wondering will students will be penalized...
- Dear DavidI have just checked my copy of the 5th edn (Oct 2023 reprint), which shows the formula as "Profit = Gross profit – Expenses". This is in line with the decision by the IB to drop "Net profit" in favour of "Profit". As explained in...
- Dear WendyDue to the increase in the content of the new syllabus, such as Unit 5.9 MIS and the new BMT, there needed to be cuts elsewhere in the syllabus.With best wishes
- Dear Paul,I was wondering why the four types, especially VC, are removed in the new syllabus. Are they not popular now? Thanks:)Wendy
- Dear PaulIn the text book on Page 252 we have the Net Profit which is Gross Profit -Expenses. However in the Format of the P&L account we have the Profit before Interest and Tax.I'd like to know if we can still use1) Net Profit first after...
- Done. Now waiting for the WhatsApp administrator's approval.Thank you
- Dear OliviaPlease post these sorts of questions about the IA in our WhatsApp teacher support group: https://chat.whatsapp.com/Dcl2UpUaAsZEPDOpnl4wasWith best wishes
- HI Paull, I've spoken to you on another thread about a student looking at Nike for their IA. Their quetion is looking at whether Nike should continue to greenwash or truely switch to sustainability in its 'Move to Zero' program. BMT's that...
- Dear OliviaRegarding the first question, there is never a need to include superfluous content, i.e., focus only on the quadrant(s) that apply to the research question.Regarding your second question, there is no preferred or prescribed method;...
- Hi Paul, A student is looking to use ANSOFF in the IA. Are all quadrants meant to be completed, or is the idea that they just focus on one quadrant as a strategy to to grow? Another question about referencing supporting documents in...
- Dear HanadePlease refer to the IA upload process here.With best wishes
- Hi Paul,Are the supporting documents submitted on IBIS as a separate document (like we used to do with the old SL IAs), or are they part of the one document with the IA?
- Dear Olivia Please refer to Top tip 6 above (under the "Standard deviation" tab).With best wishes
- Descriptive statistics.
- HI Paul, Thoughts on descriptive for the IA task? Best, Olivia
- thanks
- Dear MohammedPlease refer to the relevant sections on the website to access these resources. For example:Balance sheets https://thinkib.net/businessmanagement/page/44577/profit-loss-accountProfit and loss accounts https://thinkib.net/businessmanagement/page/44577/profit-loss-accountProfitability...
- hi, where can i access more exam or practice questions of Final accounts, Ratio, depreciation
- Dear JoanThe link has been updated. Please try the hyperlink above.With best wishes
- Dear BrianMany thanks for the notification. I have asked the IT team to look into this.Thanks for your patience with this.With best wishes
- Good day Paul,This page seems to have lost the 5 CBM option descriptions: Circular supply models, Resource recovery models, etc. Perhaps this is due to an update? I have just logged in and out to see if it is my browser and this information...
- Dear MargaretYour interpretation is correct - 43548.3871 units means 43549 to the closest whole unit of output or sales. The examples on InThinking use this approach.With best wishes
- Dear UmaThere is absolutely no need for students to include line numbers in their responses. Please see FAQ 7 here for clarifications.With best wishes
- Dear PriyankaPlease try to clear your cache and/or use another web browser to see if that works (I just tried on Edge, Firefox, and Chrome - all work at my end). Failing that, please email [email protected] for technical support.With best...
- Hello PaulJust working through some breakeven calculations and in Accounting we tend to round up when it is in dp; i notice that he markscheme has rounded down e.g. 43548.3871 is rounded to 43548 but in accounting it would be 43549. Do you...
- when answering paper 1, is it important to include the line numbers from where they took the evidence. Pls clarify. I appreciate your quick answer as they are writing tomorrow.
- Hi Paul, I am unable to download the PDF version of the worksheet. Please help.Best wishes!
- Can't join the WhatsApp group as the invite link doesn't work :(
- Dear RazanStudents are not expected to use primary research for the IA. There is further guidance about this here.With best wishes
- Hello Paul,I usually teach students color-coding /theming or content analysis. Is this needed in IAs? then how are they going to reflect the results of the interview qualitatively?
- Thanks a lot, Paul!Thanks for your support and attention.
- Thanks!
- Dear DinaIf you refresh your cache / web browser, the video should appear. The direct link is here.With best wishes
- Hi Paul,I can't seem to find the video for the ATL activity above : Price within the marketing mix - do you know how we can access it?Thanks!
- Dear OliviaIn theory, both are fine. In reality, SWOT and FFA tend to be use poorly in the IA. For example, the use of FFA will require the student to use primary research. There is further guidance about SWOT in the IA in Top tip 4 here and...
- Thank you. Just noting here for anyone else interested: the student is analysing Nike's greenwashing, and the Ellis lawsuit. The student is analysing whether Nike should continue greenwashing or be a legitimate ethical company - in terms of...
- Dear OliviaYour colleagues are correct as SWOT is a situational tool. The example you use above is better suited to force field analysis as this considers the driving and restraining forces for a strategic choice.With best wishes
- Hi Paul, I'm conflicted on a SWOT. Can it be used, for instance, to analyse if a business should go 'green'? IE, for a business decision? So they would sayS: increased profit margin, limited regulation, cheap production costs W: Loss of green...
- Dear ShabanaTeachers need to activate the pages that you wish students to access - these are not automatically set to default student view. For technical help, please contact [email protected] note that students are not able to access...
- Hi Paul, I wonder if you can help me. Under the heading "My Groups" in have created a class/group for my BM students. The system generated a link which I have shared with my students. However they are struggling to access all the materials...
- Dear RaquelThere is no scrap value in either of the CGC and Sparks Education Co. case studies. In the former, the text mentions "The estimated useful life of the new vehicles is 8 years with no scrap (second-hand) value."I have added a "Worked...
- Hello Paul:Reviewing 2 practice questions about ARR: Chislehurst Garden Center (CGC) and Sparks Education Co. It catches my attention that when applying the Total Projected Profit formula, in the first company, the useful life is considered,...
- Dear PreetiPlease note that $71,500 is used in Question 1 whereas $78,000 refers to Question 2. There is no mention of the latter figure in the first question.With best wishes
- Hi Paul,I feel there is some calculation error in exam practice question 1, where cumulative net cash flow has been used. I think PBP should be between 2 and 3 years. Isn't the initial investment $ 71,500 and not $78,000.thank you.
- Dear PabloAs replied to you in the WhatsApp group, "no" is the simple answer for the old guide. However, as IB mark schemes use two columns (e.g., M16 SL P2 Q1, M18 SL P2 Q2, M18 HL P2 Q1, and N18 HL P2 Q1) it is best to stick to the prescribed...
- Hello Paul,Hope this message finds you well.Do you know if the IB penalizes using two columns rather than one in the profit and loss account?For instance, the candidate shows full working, has no errors in calculations and follows the IBO format...
- Dear NoelleFor external assessment purposes, the IB should be using the term "Statement of financial position" (but, as you say, this is the same as a "balance sheet").With best wishes
- Hi Paul, Thanks for the list of terminology changes from the old vs new guide mentioned above. I would like to clarify the following: it has been noted above that old guide refers to "Balance Sheet" and the new guide "Statement of Financial...
- Dear Paul,The resources here are great help. Thanks
- Great, thank you for confirming that.
- Dear AlisonStudents are encouraged to only use pencils for diagrams, such as break-even charts. If a pencil is used, then the recommendation is a HB pencil so that the script scans well.In any case, students are not permitted to use pencils...
- Dear Paul, Can students use pencils when they are constructing cash flow forecasts or statement of profit or loss in Paper 2 Section A? Thank you! Alison Xiao
- Dear SarahThe same issue came up in our WhatsApp group yesterday. DPCs do not, and have never had to, print anything for the external assessments. The entire Paper 1 case study, along with the questions, will be included in the exams pack sent...
- Hi PaulWould you mind clearing up a little confusion we're having. In preparation for the M24 exams, my IB Coordinator came across a thread on the IB Coordinators' Facebook page saying that schools needed to provide copies of the prereleased...
- Dear JoeThanks for your question. Students should not annotate the SDs as this can be perceived as a way to circumvent the word count limit. They should only highlight the relevants parts of each SD used in the business research project.With...
- Hi Paul.Are students allowed to upload annotated SDs or are they just allowed to highlight what is related to their RQ?Also, how would you suggest you use the SD template above?Thanks in advanceJoe
- Dear Paul,I just got a very late student IA submission that should be focused on Ethics, but includes the word 'chage' in the report. I thought I remembered reading somewhere that this results in an automatic 0 for Criteria A, but now I can't...
- Thank you very much
- Dear Rodrigo, Marie-Claire, Sarah, and MonicaThank you all for taking the time to provide feedback. It is highly appreciated.With best wishes
- Thanks, Paul. I always find this a little challenging to teach and really appreciate the clarify of your resources including the wealth of questions. You make my job easier :)
- Dear CraigThis would be considered as a single source as a SD. However, in terms of reliability, it would probably be better for the candidate to use the actual company annual report(s) in order to calculate the relevant ratios.With best wishes
- Dear GeorgeThanks for you message.Please note that the textbook was written prior to publication of the official guide, but the information is correct. However, this does not mean the text on InThinking (which was written after the textbook)...
- Hi Paul,I need a clarification. On the book flexi-time is mentioned on the page 97 as an example of Internal Factor. However at Ithinking, is mentioned as an external factor. Kindly help in the understanding
- Hi Paul Hope you are well. If a student uses this website https://www.readyratios.com/profile/ for information on different companies is it classed as one source or more than one source if used for multiple companies. many...
- Hello, LaurieThe link has indeed been updated since January 2024. Please join us using this new link: https://chat.whatsapp.com/Dcl2UpUaAsZEPDOpnl4wasBest wishes
- The link to the Whats App group seems to have been "reset" based on the message I receive when I try to join. Perhaps it's user error, but is it possible to check to see if it#s active for new members please?
- Dear DemiThank you so much for your feedback - it is highly appreciated. Sending your students a wave and best wishes from England!Kind regards
- My students loved the pumpkin activity and the activity on getting into Oxford University. Even though my students are so far away from England, they still feel it could be an option for them.
- Dear Paul, Maybe I am looking at the wrong data, but In the version of the file that I have it says: "BC’s fixed costs per month consist of $7,000 for office administration expenses and $3,000 for selling and distribution costs." (not...
- Dear JorgeThe stimulus mentions that fixed costs are $12,000 ("BC’s fixed costs per month consist of $7,000 for office administration expenses and $5,000 for selling and distribution costs").With best wishes
- Hi Paul, I am looking at the calculations of the MS for Q6: Barbie's Cake and I have doubts about the MS fro the contribution to FC. If the ratio is 1:2 and the FC are 10k (3k+7k), then shouldn't it be $3333.33 + $6666.66 respectively?...
- Thank you just seen top tip 5 . Much appreciated
- thanks so much! Good luck to all!
- Dear CraigThanks for your question. There have been issues with TOMS, and many WSLs are aware of this. Please note that this is not an authentic IA and was written prior to official publication of the new syallbus.To answer your question, please...
- Dear MarciaThe entire case study will be provided in the final examination. Schools are not required to supply the pre-release statement. Your DPC will be aware of the instructions for BM exam (provided to them in the document "Conduct of examinations...
- Dear JodiAs first exams are not until M24, we do not currently have any such student samples. I will add this to my To Do List though.With best wishes
- Are there any sample 10 mark responses available? Not a Mark Scheme---an actual student sample? Doesn't have to be BON specific. Thanks in advance!
- Hi Paul,Since it says "This will include the pre-released statement". above, does this mean we do not have to provide a clean copy for the paper 1 exam like we have in the past with the preseen case study?
- Hi Paul Hope you are wellIf a student uses 5 sds throughout the IA and then a one off citation from a website or article etc will the student be penalised. When I finished the training with IB and was given examples of IA - Toms...
- Dear ClaireThe document that I was referring to is not the IB Business Management guide nor the Conduct of examinations booklet 2024, but the "Use of calculators in examinations 2024 – version 1.0" policy document that can be access on My...
- Hi Paul, To be fair, the guidance doesn't state what you are (not) allowed do to with a GDC calculator in the exam. It states: 'A four-function (plus, minus, multiply, divide) calculator, scientific calculator or GDC is required for paper...
- Dear UmaPlease refer to FAQ 1 and FAQ 5 above for the answers to your questions.With best wishes
- Dear ClaireThanks for your question.All calculations in the BM exams can be completd using a four-function calculator. There are strict IB guidelines for the use of GDCs (which your DPC will be aware of). There are further clarifications on...
- Dear CamiloThanks for your question. This is why it is vital to choose appropriate SDs before students start the writing process. Apart from assessment criterion B, students can be penalised under assessment criteria D and E.With best wishes
- Hello. If the supporting documents do not fulfill the requirements, the candidate get penalized in criterion B, but is there any double penalization in the criterion D? as this criterion also depends on the supporting documents?
- Thank you!
- Thank you so much for your answer. It helps.
- Hi Paul,I just double checked this and recognised ending up with the lowest possible LFT is the objective when there is a choice between activities.
- Dear Paul,Thank you for all your support with this new syllabus. Your advice and guidance has been invaluable. I have one question for you that came up in class today. As students are now allowed to bring Graphic calculators into...
- Dear Sir,In paper 2 are the students allowed to use the space outside the answer box which was given. What will happen if they answer in that space. Are they allowed to use any additional paper to complete their answers.
- Many thanks for taking the time to provide feedback, JorgeWith best wishes
- Thanks Paul, Kimberly, Debora and Tim for sharing such useful material! I just love it!
- Dear SalvadorGood to hear from you.Your students need to deduct the $140,000 investment cost from the $235,000 cumulative net cash flows to work out the total projected profit for the project, i.e., $235,000 – $140,000 = $95,000.With best...
- Dear LoriYour interpretation is correct. A holistic view is required when looking at anything from a conceptual lens. Discussions based on only economic sustainability (profits) would be considered as content-based knowledge, not conceptual...
- Dear JasonThe Exams sections of the website (exam papers and mark schemes) are not accessible to students.With best wishes
- Thank you Paul. I am very grateful for the insightful material on this platform. It has greatly helped to navigate the requirements of this new curriculum. I read through the sample conclusion for an essay that focused on "sustainability"....
- Hi Paul, I hope you are doing great. For b (ii), where is the 95000 coming from? My students went for 47000 (235/5). Thank you. Best wishes, Salvador
- Hi Paul,I was wondering how the LFT for node 2 is calculated. My understanding was that generally the largest number for duration should be deducted whenever there is a choice between two options i.e. when working backwards for activities C&D,...
- Hi Paul!I see that you have mentioned "Paper 2 Exam Practice Questions", with hyperlinks to 10 different questions as a response to someone else above. I have access to these questions as a teacher, and have given access to my students...
- Dear AmyYour interpretation is correct.With best wishes
- Paul,I was wondering how the EST was calculated for node 5. Is it 15 because of the dummy task? Thank you,
- Dear LoriIn this case, the student may well be awarded zero marks for the conceptual lens. However, given that the IA requires students to produce a business research project about a real business issue or problem facing a particular organization...
- Dear SherriIt is common practice that the 3-5 SDs are listed in alphabetical order, under the sub-heading "Supporting Documents". Any other resources used, such as textbooks, should then appear in alphabetical order under the sub-heading "Additional...
- Regarding the HL IA:A student has used the conceptual lens of "sustainability" in her IA, however, she has not applied it correctly - and shows little understanding of what long-term sustainability means. I assume she gets a zero for criterion...
- Thanks Paul.
- Dear Paul,I have a few questions about the Works Cited page. I read above that the Supporting Documents should be the first items listed. This will most likely leave the entries not in alphabetical order. Is this okay for the purpose of the...
- Dear MaheswariThere are no answers for the AFL tasks - these are for students to reflect on their own learning and understanding of the topics/contents within the syllabus.With best wishes
- May I know where I could access the answers to the above AFLs. Thank you :)
- Dear AsliIt is best to speak with your DPC about this as every school must have its own academic integrity policy, aligned with the IB's guidelines. The policy must cover citation and referencing for IB assessments, including the IA and EE.As...
- How would primary market research be "cited properly and referenced in a bibliography"? For example in the case of an online consumer survey that is a supporting document so it would be referenced as "Supporting document1" in the text...
- Dear SoledadI am not sure which IB textbook you are referring to (there are at least 4 available on the market). However, the formula on InThinking is correct, and aligns with the last formula given in the official IB formulae sheet (page 65...
- Dear AmalHere is the link: https://chat.whatsapp.com/Dcl2UpUaAsZEPDOpnl4wasBest wishes
- Kind regards Paul.The capital productivity concept and calculations that are mentioned here differ from the IB textbook, where capital productivity = sales revenue / working capital.
- Dear Paul, Can you share the whatsapp group link again? Many thanks
- Dear LoriThere is no need to put such an image in the IA - it does not add any value as the relevant quadrants still need to be explained in the context of the research question.I hope this helps.With best wishes
- In regards to the use of tables on the IA, if a student copied an image of the Ansoff Matrix off of a source document, would this count in the word count? There is no analysis, just descriptions of each area (example - market develpment, -...
- Dear SueGrade boundaries for the new course are not currently available. Please refer to FAQ 11 here for clarifications on this matter.With best wishes
- Dear Paul, Where can I find the IB Business Management HL Grade Boundaries Paper 1 , 2 and 3 Thank you,Sue.
- Dear OliviaThanks for your message. The IB does not provide any benchmarks for these ratios. As you mention, the context of the industry in question is of importance.With best wishes
- HI Paul, Regarding ratios (and analysis of them): what's deemed to be a good or bad:- Profitabilty ratio - Liquidity ratio - Efficiency ratio While the good and bad can depend on the industry, however I'm keen to know what IB papers would...
- Dear AsliStudents can use "Supporting Documents" as the title.With best wishes
- Thanks for the clarificaiton that the appendeces are solely for supporting documents. Can students name the section "supporting dicuments" or must it be "appendeces" ?
- Dear AnastasiaThe correct answer is "line manager" which I have now included in the answer. Anyone of a higher ranking is a "superior" in the organization, not necessarily the person directly above in the organizational chart.I hope this helps.With...
- Dear Paul, true or false number 20: "The term used to describe the person directly above an employee on the next hierarchical level is superior" it's false, so is the correct answer Manager ? Thank you.
- Dear SarahAs the text above explains, merchandising involves a business (such as Disneyland) selling its own products (such as its plush toys or t-shirts) whereas POS (as used by supermarkets) does not involve selling the specific brands of...
- Hi PaulCan you clarify the difference between merchandising and point of sale? Thank youKind regardsSarah
- Dear TimThe appendices are exclusively for the 3-5 supporting documents that must be uploaded as a separate document (preferrably as a PDF document). Further details can be found here.With best wishes
- Dear HenryThanks for your notification. This is due to a BBC licensing matter in the country where you work/teach. The uploader is the BBC itself. Please speak with your IT technicians to see if they are able to help.With best wishes
- Dear Paul, under the text "BBC Teach YouTube" where the video is, it says "Video unavailable - The uploader has not made this video available in your country"? Kind regards Henry
- Hello. Are the Appendices required or is it optional? If it is required, can a student copy and paste the home page of the link as a reference?
- Dear SindujaIt will depend whether your student is able to formulate a RQ that provides alternative perspectives (a balanced, two-sided argument). Something based on a scandal or clear breach of ethical code of practice will tend to lead to...
- Dear Paul, Can students do Internal Assessment on an organization which works unethically, or which do not produce sustainable goods? The student is looking for to do on the topic Sustainability. Will working on negative aspect...
- Dear AsliThe appendices are reserved exclusively for the supporting documents. If students conduct primary research as part of their 3-5 SDs, these must be included in the appendices.With best wishes
- As regards the internal assessment, can students include an appendix separate from the supporting documents, for example, to include the results of a survey/interviews?
- Dear DanaYour interpretation is correct.With best wishes
- Dear Paul: Some company annual reports only show two years of financial data, so if a student uses 2 annual reports, that counts as 2 SD's right?Dana
- Dear Paul,This is superb. Thank you again for the mention, wasn't necessary, but certainly appreciated. Best wishes Bradley
- Dear AnnisaThanks for your message. Please note that grade boundaries are always set after the exam session by the Grade Award Committee in Cardiff. As such, these do not currently exist.With best wishes
- Hi Paul, Do you have DP grade boundaries for this paper 3 exam?Regards, Annisa
- Dear MonaThanks for your message.Please note there are only 4 currently available on My IB. You can try to speak with your DPC and/or EE Coordinator at school to see if there are suitable samples available from your centre.With best wishes
- Dear PAUL,I hope my message finds you well.In reference to the below mentioned point "An example of an excellent BM EE, as this will show clearly what needs to be done to score highly", in the IB site there are only 4 examples including...
- Dear HenryYour understanding is correct. As mentioned above on this site page, "salaries to management" are fixed costs and "the wages paid to employees" are variable costs.With best wishes
- Dear Paul, in your book, p 238 you list management salaries as fixed. So. I understand because of the difference in defintion between salaries and wages, the former is a fixed cost while the latter is a variable cost? Kind regards Henry
- Dear JorgeHowever and wherever a SWOT or STEEPLE analysis is presented, it is part of the word count limit. The same applies to any other tool, e.g., Ansoff's matrix. There is clarification in FAQ 14 here.SL students should not be using any...
- Dear JorgeTools are used for analysis (content). The SDs are used as evidence (context). They are not the same and should not be treated as such.I agree with you about SWOT and STEEPLE analysis.With best wishes
- PS. If an SL student is provided through an interview with an HL tool, is the tool accepted? thanks
- Hi, Paul Are SWOT or STEEPLE analysis or Ansoff's matrix considered as a breach in academic integrity if presented in the internal assessment in the body as an image or in the section of Supporting documents? best regards,
- Hi, Paul If a student presents as a SD tools prepared on her/his own for the research, such as a STEEPLE, SWOT, Ansoff's matrix, BCG's matrix, it should not be considered as such for the sake of grading. Some students just do things their...
- Dear JoelPlease use "retained earnings" as shown above (see "The required format of the balance sheet in the IB Business Management course").With best wishes
- Dear VeronicaThese are only exam practice questions.With best wishes
- Hello Mr. Paul,Question. For Profit & Loss statement, there are two types, the For Profit and the Social Organization Profit & Loss, the difference being Profit is called Surplus (Gross Surplus, Surplus for the Period).How about for...
- Dear Mr. Hoang,The PLC (BON) has questions at the end of the case study. Are these the actual questions for the April 24th Exam? Or are they practice questions for teachers to share with students? Based on previous years, I don't remember questions...
- Thank you so much, Paul.
- Dear LigaPlease take a look here for details about the declaration of authencity for all IB assessment work, including the IA and EE: https://www.thinkib.net/businessmanagement/page/37514/academic-integrity-the-iaWith best wishes
- Dear Paul, I have a question about the Declaration of Authenticity! Is it mandatory for students to add it on their Cover page? And if it is, then do they sign it with their initials Electronically?
- Dear OliviaThanks for your message. Please refer to FAQ 5 here for clarifications on this matter.With best wishes
- Dear Paul,Supporting documents versus other sources. Could you explain the type/quality of a document to qualify as a 'supporting document'? Can you also explain the use of other sources, how widely they can be used in the IA. Warm regards,...
- Dear MonaThere is no need to apologise.These questions are best posted and discussed in our WhatsApp group, please.With best wishes
- Dear Paul,I hope this email finds you well. I wanted to extend my apologies for not seeing your reply on the WhatsApp group earlier. It can indeed be challenging to navigate through numerous messages, and I appreciate your understanding.Regarding...
- Dear BradleyThis is on my radar - although no candidates have written the M24 exams just yet (for the new syllabus).With best wishes
- Hello, MonaI replied to the post.Basically, it is too dated - the issue is almost as old as the student writing it, so it is likely to end up being a highly descriptive essay.With best wishes
- Dear Paul, Any chance of getting an updated version of this from one of your HL Level 7 students? Best wishes
- Thanks Paul
- Hi Paul,i sent it on the group but I have received no answer.
- Dear MonaDeadlines are an internal matter for individual schools, and all students should be set the same deadlines (for academic integrity reasons). Please speak with your EE and DP Coordinators about this matter. Advice on social medial platforms...
- Dear MonaYour question was already answered earlier in our WhatsApp group.Best wishes
- Subject: Request for Guidance on Extended Essay Draft Submission DatesDear Paul,I hope this message finds you well. I am reaching out to seek your advice regarding suitable due dates for submitting extended essay drafts. Specifically, I have...
- Hello Paul, I would like to ask for your opinions regarding the research question mentioned above for an extended essay. The question pertains to events in 2009, specifically a significant acquisition between Merck and Schering-Plough. Since...
- Dear OliviaDemand and supply theory does not appear in our syllabus. The diagrams are therefore not appropriate.With best wishes
- Hi Paul,I have a student wanting to use a supply and demand graph in their IA. Assuming this is ok, but please can you confirm. Best, Olivia
- Dear AlisonPlease refer to FAQ 1 above.With best wishes
- Thank you for your assistance Paul. I appreciate the advice.
- Thank you Paul, The swift response is greatly appreciated.
- Hi PaulAre students going to write their answers to Paper 2 within the answer box provided in the paper? No separate answer sheet for Paper 2?Thank you. Alison Xiao
- Dear EoinGrade boundaries are set after the exam session (M24) rather than prior. As the assessment criteria for the new common IA is vastly different, we will need to wait until the Grade Award Committee meet to discuss this matter following...
- Dear EoinThis same question was asked on our WhatsApp group earlier today by another member.Students will only get credited for the suitable SDs they use - any analysis/evaluation based on the outdated SDs cannot be credited; so essentially...
- Hi Paul, I was interested in hearing your thoughts on the potential grade boundaries for the IAs this year? In the past the grade boundaries for a 7 in the HL IA have been at the 18 marks point. However the SL IA have been 20. Due...
- Hi Paul, I am unsure where on the criteria we should penalise students for using source document which are older than 3 years? If they some source documents are older than 3 years should we give the student a 1/4 for source documents...
- Dear AlfredThe homepage of the BMT here is a free page, so no need to activate this for your students.I hope you are well too.Best wishes
- Sorry I meant the IA section and BMT. But I just noticed that it appears to be all the sections. Also the students are saying that they can't access it either. Alfred
- Dear BlayneStudents can most definitely be asked to calculate content that do not appear in the formulae sheet, such as payback period, break-even, and the construction of final accounts. Please refer to the link posted above for further information...
- Hi Paul, Something seems to gone wrong here. I am unable to give students access to the main page for the BMT section. wish you well.Alfred
- Dear Paul,Thanks for the reply.However, what I am wondering is whether students are required to memorize the formulas that have not been supplied in the event they may be tested on them?Has this happened in the past?Or can one assume they will...
- Dear EricWages are treated as a variable cost. There is further clarification here.With best wishes
- Hello,Can I get a clarification question. My students and I were discussing if hourly wages are a fixed or variable cost. We have read conflicting information on the topic. On one hand, if a factory or restaurant wants to increase production,...
- Dear JustinThank you for your message.Yes, this is already available here (ATL Activity 1 (Communication and Thinking skills) - Good or Bad?)With best wishes
- Dear OliviaDue to EU GDPR laws, we are unable to share or provide such information.With best wishes
- Many thanks for taking the time to provide feedback, AnaWith best wishes
- I like this exam practice paper: many thanks, Gema.
- Hello, Could you please provide contact details for Tim Hodgden, IB Business Management and MYP Individuals and Societies Instructor at KIS International School in Bangkok, Thailand. Many thanks.
- Hi Paul. Thanks for these resources about the EE! The ATL Activity 1 (Thinking skills) - Good, bad or ugly? is great and very helpful due to the rationales. Is it possible to have a similar set of answers to ATL Activity 2 (Thinking...
- You rock! Thank you.
- Dear JerryStudents will be given the relevant discount factors in the final examinations within the question paper itself. There is no need for them to know how to calcualte discount factors (which, in reality, go to more than 4 decimal places).With...
- Hi Paul,Thank you, as always for your time. Will students be expected to calculate discount rates with a specified interest rate when doing NPV exercises?
- Dear BlayneWell spotted. Please note that most of the quantitative techniques in the syllabus do not appear in the formulae sheet. More details about this here.With best wishes
- Dear Paul,I noticed that this calculation is not on the formula sheet, but is an A04. Does that mean they have to memorize this?Regards,Blayne
- Hi PaulThank you so much for the clarifying.Good day
- Dear CeciliaThanks for your message.Understanding is the key here. In the real world, what would "88.4 days" actually mean? 88 days, plus 9 hours and 36 minutes? This simply means we are now on the 89th day. Students must always show their...
- Hi Paul The top page : Exam Practice Question 3 of the section 2. Debtor days AnswerUsing the debtor days ratio, the average debt collection period = ($20,000 ÷ $90,000) × 365 = 81.11 days Accept answers...
- Thank you very much for your prompt response Sir.
- Hi PaulSorry for the bother. I figured it out. Thanks.
- Dear MilanSorry, I am not aware of this security measure on the file.With best wishes
- Hello PaulThe PDF when trying to convert to MS Word requests a password. Do you have any idea what the password is? Thanks and regardsMilan
- Dear UmaThere is no longer a prescribed format for the IA.With best wishes
- Hi Paul, is it a must to show the findings section like it used be in the old format HL IA or they can integrate the SD data in their discussion.Thank you Paul.
- Dear DanaThanks for your message. This was a typo and has been corrected. I have also included an additional bullet point to show how Criteria A, C, and D can be impacted if no SDs are provided. It is still theoretically possible to get zero...
- Hi Paul,Regarding Supporting Document top tips above, why would students get a zero in both criteria A (integration of key concept) and C (tools & theories)? "If candidates do not included the supporting documents, this will...
- Dear AnaPlease refer to the information above. In Section B, candidates must answer 1 out of 2 structured questions (10 marks) and an extended response question (10 marks) based on the stimulus material. Hence, there is not a single 20-mark...
- Dear JesperThe platform only allows PDF documents to be uploaded. Adobe software will enable you to convert this into MS Word.Best wishes
- Any chance to have this as a word document - or other format so the students can write directly into the document ?
- hello, am I understanding it right...in the new syllabus, paper 2, is there a 20 mark question? or 2 questions each of them worth 10 marks? thanks!
- Dear GregYou can get the mean scores from the Statistical Bulletins and Subject Reports. Please speak with your DPC about this if you cannot locate these documents on My IB.With best wishes
- Dear MiriamPlease speak with your DPC about the upload process at your school (the IB allows more than one way to do this). Component scores need to be included, including the teacher comment sheet.With best wishes
- Hi Paul, Regarding the grade boundaries for the IA, when we enter the grades in order for a sample to be selected, we used to enter the grades as 4, 5, 6, 7... Since the boundaries will not be published until the M24 examinations are over,...
- Hi Paul, I am trying to locate the IB Business Management SL Grade Boundaries. Are these available yet? It looks like from above they will not be available until after May 2024? If so, per your advice to Kimberly, can you...
- Dear ManojPlease use this link: https://chat.whatsapp.com/Dcl2UpUaAsZEPDOpnl4wasWe ask that all members have their full name and a suitable profile pix on display so that everyone knows who they are communicating with.Best wishes
- Hi PaulPlease send me an invite to join the whatsapp group. i missed it since telegram group closed.
- Dear LigaThanks for your message. I have updated the link now, so it should work (new syllabus only).Best wishes
- Dear Paul, question 1 from the review quiz seems to be from the Old syllabus! (The "Go-slow" question!)
- Great, thank so much
- Dear SarahThe IB formula for Degree of Operating Leverage = Total contribution / Profit.However, it it helps your students, you can also refer to the two versions (of the same thing) posted in your message.With best wishes
- Hi.. I am a little confused as to why would IB decide on only 2 aspects of cash inflows and ignore collection from debtors. Practically, there are hardly businesses which run purely on cash sales. If we aren't teaching our students how to record...
- Dear PaulA quick question about operating leverage formula.Is the formula for operating leverage the same as total contribution / total contribution - fixed costs, and could that also be calculated as total contribution / profit before interest...
- Dear AnilThe 3-year rule is from the date of submission to the IB. Please refer to FAQ 6 above - the earliest date of any supporting document would be 20th April 2021.Best wishes
- Hello PaulJust to be absolutely clear about the three year rule for SDs. I have a student who has a very informative SD dated Jan 2021. This is just a few months prior to the April 2021 deadline for SDs. Can she use this document or is IB going...
- Dear ZhaPlease click on the tab "Straight line method" to see reference to the book value of assets. This topic appeared in the M17 HL P2 exam (Questions 2b and 2c).With best wishes
- Dear PaulI was wondering do we need to teach students about net book values? If so, where is this located on inthink?RegardsZha
- Hi Paul, I see that Jodi above asked a similar question. No need to respond! I will advise students to submit 2 documents to me: Their IA and their source documents.Best, Lori
- Hi Paul,This question relates to where to put details of the 5 source documents. We make 2 submissions: The IA, then the source documents. So, from this I understand that the details (snapshots, highlighted excerpts) are on a document separate...
- Dear Cuthbert The Paper 1 CSP (which includes two different mock exams) was launched by L7E on 26th February. If interested, please visit the publisher's website.Best wishes
- But you also didn't include a mock paper 1 on L7E....
- Dear DanielThanks for your message.The formulae sheet for external assessments appears on pages 64 - 65 of the guide (syllabus). There is further information about quantitative techniques on this page.With best wishes
- Hello Paul and everyone, Apologies if this is a silly question, but I've been looking for the formulae sheet that is given to students during the exam. I noticed in the FAQs that the formulae sheet is available in "the guide." However,...
- Thanks Paul for your answer! Best wishes to you too!
- Dear MehreenPlease refer to the comment box which clarifies this point. The candidate has, for example, referred to circular business models appropriately in her response.The rubric refers to relevant tools and theories (rather than "management...
- Hi Paul, I have a query. I was just reading this sample A answer of paper 3 related to Ibakery. There is no management tool used in the last question and still in Criterion B the student has got 3 out 4. On what basis are these marks given?
- Dear MarciaThe M19 HL P2 contains a cash flow question, but the decision tree is in the N19 HL P2 as previously mentioned.With best wishes
- Dear LigaAs mentioned in my previous response, students are not penalized for omitting a definition in 4-mark and 6-mark "Explain" questions. The same applies for a 10-mark essay question. They can include a definition, but it is not a formal...
- Dear Paul. Thank you so much for this clarification about the "explain" 4 and 6 marks. I would like to then ask another question: so far I have been teaching the students that they should always define the key term in the question for...
- When I look at N19 HL P2 exam it is a cash flow question? Oh, well... no worries.
- Thanks so much for the clarification.
- Dear MarciaThanks for your message.This is not a typo. It is simply an illustration of two different options that a firm can choose between in a decision tree. Another example is shown in the N19 HL P2 exam (Question 1b) where the three options...
- Dear LigaWhilst I cannot comment on the work of other authors, "Explain" has always been an AO2 for IB assessments, regardless of whether 4 or 6 marks are allocated.Students are not penalized for omitting a definition in 4-mark and 6-mark "Explain"...
- Paul, I don't know if this is the place to ask this, but I have the PowerPoint Pack and the decision tree slides start with a decision between selling machinery or making clothing?? is this a typo? how do they relate?
- Dear Paul, sometimes I see the AO3 (6 mark) questions with command term "Explain". Is it from the old syllabus or will we see these questions in the new Exams? Also, according to the previous platform "Kognity" \ that I have used, it was suggested...
- Dear JenniferThanks for your question.The purpose of addressing the two challenges (as a minimum) in the plan of action is to ensure the social enterprise can meet its mission/vision in addressing the human need.With best wishes
- Dear JoelAs mentioned in our WhatsApp group, the OFR only applies to calculation questions.With best wishes
- Dear EddieThe author has confirmed this is the correct figure.With best wishes
- I'd like to ask - the tip says that question c is a plan of action to meet the identified human need. But marks schemes seem to indicate that it is in fact an action plan to address the two challenges identified in part b. Which is correct?
- Excuse me for asking again if it's been answered already, For Paper 3 (HL students), if, while answering question (b) (which explains the challenges to the social organization) the student makes a mistake answering (b) then should we...
- They are both AO3 so usually they are graded very similarly. With AO3 responses candidates will need to show balance (pros and cons) and give a reasoned judgement at the end.
- Is the "employees' salaries: $4,000" a typo? That is a very low annual number for 40 employees (35 employees if mgmt gets healthcare).
- Dear LigaAs a compromise, I have put this in a more visible box.With best wishes
- Dear Paul,Thanks for your message. I somehow skipped the little "eye" button. Could it please be removed :) so that the text appears in line with the discription of the importance of knowing how can managers go about resolving conflicts? Thank...
- Dear LigaThanks for your message.All key terms are referred to on this site page. Also, all of these terms do appear in the 5th edn IBID Press textbook. This site page links well with Unit 2.7 where these terms are also covered.I hope this...
- Ok - many thanks for this.
- Dear Paul. In the list of key terms are 3 methods of conflict resolution. But they are not covered above as a part of this subunit! Also, these terms do not appear in the new (5th edition) textbook. Should our students study these terms anyway?
- Dear JamesAs mentioned in the text above, "Contribution costing is a quantitative technique used to calculate how many items need to be sold to cover all the firm’s costs (both variable and fixed costs)." Therefore, the author of the task...
- Thank you for sharing. Appreciate it.
- Thanks for your response Paul - in the answer it refers to 'total contribution' as being contribution per unit x sales and direct costs are then subtracted below the figure shown for total contribution - this suggests that direct costs are...
- Dear JodiThere is no need to include a separate cover sheet (or the personal code as a result) as the second upload appears on the same upload screen for each candidate. Please seek advice from your DPC regarding school protocol about uploads...
- Hello!Since Supporting Documents are a separate submission, should they have the personal code or a cover sheet of some sort?Thank you!
- Dear JamesThanks for your message.I think the confusing comes from the terms "contribution" and "contribution pricing". Contribution per unit uses the formula Price minus Average Variable Cost, i.e., $10 minus $4 = $6.The total direct costs...
- Dear SarahYour interpretation is correct. The student must included the original (Spanish) SD along with the translated version which includes the part(s) used for the IA.With best wishes
- Quick query regarding variable and direct costs in absorption costing - for Q6 on exam practice question #2, there are variable costs and direct costs but only variable costs are deducted from revenue when calculating contribution. In the theory...
- Hi PaulI have a student that is using some electricity bills as supporting documents. The problem is that they are in Spanish. Is it ok that he only translates the parts of the documents that he has highlighted?Kind regardsSarah
- Dear WesleyThese posters are intended to show students the meanings of each command term, along with an example of a question that uses such a command term, e.g., "Prepare - Put given data or information from the stimulus or source material...
- Thanks for letting me know, IldefonsoBest wishes
- Many thanks for the feedback, VipulBest wishes
- solved, it can be printed from laptop though not from ipad
- First two posters cannot be downloaded, can this option be added?
- Thank you for the sharing
- Hello, Are there posters that include sample questions and answers for the different command terms?
- Hi Paul.Find it a shame that SL do not have basic budgeting, like the two first subunits of 3.9, in their BM syllabus. It is such a (basic) important knowledge to have, and useful also outside of BM. For instance, marketing planning (HLSL)...
- Dear JuliusThere are two mandatory uploads: (1) the business management report, and (2) the supporting documents.Details and clariifcations can be found here: https://www.thinkib.net/businessmanagement/page/50537/upload-process-for-iasWith...
- Hi Paul, This may have been asked many times already (I might have missed it). Is the IA's supporting documents to be uploaded as a separate document, or attached at the end of the IA? Please advise. Thanks!
- I think this is a wonderful IA planning tool. We are just thinking about how we can improve the IA process for our current cohort. I think that is is a great project and a super starter to the process. However, where do you find the time to...
- Thanks for the feedback, Paul! Thanks for the heads-up on the sample scripts. John
- Thanks a lot for clarifying.RegardsMonica
- Dear JohnIt is fine for students to take such an approach and they cannot be penalised for doing so. I will be uploading three sample scripts for iBakery after the March C2 BM Workshop in Berlin - these all have reference to the resources used...
- Paul,Many of my students have previous AP course experience, where it's acceptable practice to directly list a source; for example: "In Resource 3..." Would this be a bad habit for them to carry into their IB exams? I haven't seen anything...
- Dear PatrickDebts can only be written (usually after the first anniversary) after the bankrupt business has successfully filed with the authorities. The laws will differ from country to country, but this is beyond the scope of the IB syllabus.With...
- Hi Paul, "Bankruptcy (sometimes referred to receivership or corporate liquidation) means a situation when a person or business declares that they can no longer pay back their debts, so the entity collapses (fails). Once the person or firm's...
- Hello (I do not know how to address you as your user name is shown as "ibdp business"You are in the wrong section of the website - this is for the old syllabus.Please use this link for the new Paper 1.With best wishes
- hello Sir.I have login to MyIB as a teacher , but i cant find the new pre-issued case study for May24 exams..!please advise where exactly I can find this document.regards
- thanks Michel, I look forward to checking out the document.
- Thank you so much Latha! I appreciate you sharing this!
- Dear StevieThere are 8 examples of RQ linked to creativity here.With best wishes
- I have a student who wants to do her IA about how a company's involvement in military production affects the image of the company in the lense of creativity. I have reviewed the criteria of the IA and I believe this question is acceptable,...
- Dear JoelThanks for your message. I agree with your point. I have added a table to outline the main differences.I hope this helps.With best wishes
- Dear EdwardAs you are aware, I was writing with L7E (CSP) prior to joining InThinking and cannot produce a competing title due to conflict of interest.Thanks for your understanding with this matter.With best wishes
- Dear AlexThanks for sharing this.With best wishes
- Thank you, Alex!
- Thank you, Aytekin! Much appreciated! :)
- Thank you, Latha! Appreciate it! :)
- Thank you, Michel! Appreciate it! :)
- Will a mock paper for Paper 1 be posted on Thinkib? Be good, Edward Creighton
- Hi Paul, my student Cem Demirel found a great article about Coachella and environmental sustainability. Please read and share it. (PDF) Environmental Impacts Management of the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival (researchgate.net)
- Hello Mr PaulThe difference between consumer panels and focus groups is a very fine line. It's hard to distinguish the difference. Are there any other distinguishing characteristics? Thank you,Joel
- Dear Margaret The student shoud avoid using ethics (or any reference to this word/term/concept) is the chosen conceptual lens for the IA is sustainability.With best wishes
- Hi Paul,One of my students has chosen sustainability for their IA key concept. Will doing a STEEPLE analysis including Ethical factors count as including a 2nd key concept and result in a 0 for criteria A? Thanks!
- Dear NihanContext is important. Whilst Coca-Cola might be able to absorb a loss by doing what you suggest, the option to use mass customization can enable firms to earn a higher profit margin. An example, McDonald's "Create your own" initiative...
- Mr. Hoang, is the statement 20 true or false? Even if mass customization products are customized, they are not sold at different prices, for example, Coke with a name on it. ısnt it?
- Thank you!
- Dear MoudoodThe only pages that students cannot access are the Exams and Teacher only boxes. You can activate this page for your students via the Student Access link on the homepage. Failing that, please email [email protected] for technical...
- Hi Paul. My students can't access this page - is it for teachers only?
- Dear SarahThe iBakery case study can be accessed here.With best wishes
- Hi Paul, Do you have a PDF copy of this exam, and iBakery?Kind regardsSarah
- Dear AytekinMany thanks for your feedback and suggestions.With best wishes
- Dear Paul, this is my first year of teaching IB, so I am very grateful for all the resources provided. And I would like to share some useful info related to the topic:https://www.unep.org/news-and-stories/story/greening-entertainment-industry-music-our-earshttps://www.fastcompany.com/90421665/can-music-festivals-go-from-generators-of-garbage-to-sustainable-innovatorshttps://sustainablereview.com/eco-tours-festivals-sustainability/https://mixmag.net/feature/dance-music-events-festivals-environment-sustainability-ims Regards,
- Dear AnitaThe reducing/declining balance method of depreciation has been removed from the new course.With best wishes
- Dear Paul,Do we need to teach the students reducing balance method? Or just Straight Line method and Units of production method?Thanks and RegardsAnita
- just make a copy!
- Thanks so much Latha!
- Dear SrinivasaThis has no real bearing for the IB, but is recommended for accountability and authenticity of the IA at the school level. So, whether you were to use SSR or SR as your own initials of your full name (for example) makes no difference...
- Dear PaulIn the declaration above its stated to use initials of the candidate, does it mean first alphabet of their first name/middle name.
- Dear MonicaIn the new guide, tax is not part of current liabilities (even though this may be in the case in the real world). Using the prescribed format for the balance sheet (from which the current ratio is calculated), the only current liabilities...
- Dear Paul,Do we include tax in calculating current liabilities, while finding current ratio?Kind regardsMonica
- Dear MichaelYour interpretation is correct. The IB is likely to regard this as academic dishonesty by under-declaring the word count for the Extended Essay. Students cannot use images containing analysis to circumvent the word count limit....
- Dear Moleboheng If I understand your question correctly, then students must always show the net predicted outcome in order to actually make a "decision" (hence the name of the tool). There are different ways to express the final answer,...
- Dear JorgeThanks for your message. Rent is a fixed or indirect cost - all businesses need to pay this regardless of whether they are open for business or not. I have added Top tip 1 above to help with this as well as a table to show different...
- Hi Paul Thanks in advance for your opinion on this one. Just to avoid confusion among my year 1 students, as direct and overhead costs are a bit hard for them, I came up with this comparison in particular for rent: in terms of rent of...
- I want to express my gratitude for the valuable insights you've shared concerning paper 1. Utilizing your contributions, I've developed a simple Google document intended for collaborative work by my students, who will collectively tackle the...
- Hello Paul how far should a student calculate predicated outcome and how is different from forecast returns! Please help!
- Hi Paul,Can you advise what to do if a student includes a JPG image (containing text from a source/reference). I suspect they have done this to save word count. How should we treat this? I'm sure it is better to incorporate the text into their...
- will you kindly allow access
- Hello Laitha, This is very kind of you to share, thank you. Are you able to allow access? ([email protected]). Thanks again, Tom
- Dear SindooMany thanks for taking the time to provide feedback.With best wishes
- Thank you Paul for the activities. Students loved the Tridomonies game.
- Dear BenIn principle, the candidate could lose marks for both criteria. Context is important though, such as the length of the SD in question and the nature of the details in the SD.With best wishes
- Dear ClaudiaAs the text above mentions, QA (a method of lean production) is an aspect of TQM (a philosophical to quality management).I hope this makes sense.With best wishes
- Dear MohimaI have just tried to download the checklist and it works for me on both Firefox and Chrome. You could try to clear the cache on your computer and/use a different web browser. There is a "Report a problem" tab at the bottom of this...
- Dear Laura (and Karina)I will see what we can do about running another BM EE upskilling course.With best wishes
- Yes, an EE workshop would be helpful as the other UK provider appears to have folded.
- Hi Paul,I am unable to download the PDF checklist Please help.
- Hi, what is the difference between TQM and Quality Assurance?
- Hi Paul,I'm sorry to bring this up again but it has remained somewhat of a challenge to try to submit accurate grades for IBIS the first time around for this syllabus. Would you mind confirming for me another time that if a student has...
- Dear LaurieThe way you teach these two aspects of the course is correct. I have added a Top tip above to clarify the difference between outsourcing and offshoring.With best wishes
- Dear DavidThe file is not password protected. I have just clicked on the link above and the file downloads automatically and opens without the need for a password.With best wishes
- Dear Paul, the pdf requires a password for opening after downloading it. Can you share it please? thank you.
- Hi Paul,I have always taught that Outsourcing means a 3rd party carries out some non-core activities (no matter where the location is). Offshoring, I thought, usually means moving the company's production to another country, e.g. actually building...
- Dear LauraWithout additional context, such as the specific RQ, it is not a clear-cut answer. If the student has already submitted the IA or is about to, then this is not an issue. As you say, the SDs and analysis were appropriate at the time...
- Dear JodiPlease refer to Top tip 4 above, which addresses your question.With best wishes
- Thank you, Vickey, I want to also ask the same question to Level7, but it helped me that you posted the answer :) thank you.
- Hi Paul, Please ignore my question, I emailed Level 7 - see their response FYI... Due to the changes, we have only just had confirmation that there will be a pack. These will still include mock exams and full mark scheme. As this decision has...
- Dear Paul, this is my first time teaching the new syllabus, how do we order the M24 Paper 1 Case Study Pack from Level7 Education be issued/released? Thanks in advance.
- Can students have 3-5 supporting documents where they have gathered substantial information to address the issue in the question.ANDhave "source documents" where other minor information is found...for ex. using the website for just one peice...
- Hi Paul I have an IA question. A student of mine was looking at sustainability at the body shop (their reduce, reuse, recycle campaign). However, it has since gone into liquidationIs it still okay for the student to submit the IA? Obviously...
- That was quick~ thanks so much. Have a wonderful day!
- Dear MayThere are three methods of entering your teacher comments for the IA. Please refer to the instruction towards the top of this page and/or speak with your DP Coordinator for clarifications.With best wishes
- Dear JessicaI am not sure which textbook you are using, but the IBID Press (5th edn) places the toolkit in the correct section. Unit 1.3 of the syllabus is actually business objectives, not sales forecasting (Unit 4.3) or simple linear regression...
- Hi Paul, Where to upload the teacher's comment sheet? should it be part of the IA paper itself?
- Hi Paul and my colleagues, I am attaching Google Slides that I have used to explain and practice marking a paper with the HL students. Attending the working with Paul on 1st Feb really helped me to use this teaching strategy to equip my...
- Dear Paul,I have a question for you because this toolkit is new instead of extrapolation in sales forecasting? According to the book, this toolkit doesn't exist and it has it in Sales Forecasting 1.3 section. Could you please let me know? I...
- Dear Paul, Many thanks for your reply. I will pass this onto my students. Kind regards, Julia
- it says access denied.
- Dear MarciaThanks for the notification. The link has been updated.With best wishes
- Thank you so much, very useful!
- Thanks so much for the clarification.
- Dear ScottThanks for your message. The weights can be shown in a FFA diagram, but it is important for students to show how/where the weights were assigned/came from. Please refer to Top tip 1 here for further clarifiction on this matter: https://www.thinkib.net/businessmanagement/page/42372/bmt-12-force-field-analysis-hl-onlyWith...
- Paul,If a student chooses to use a Force Field Analysis in the IA - I understand that justifying the weight of the force for or against is important. Where should the student include their "evidence" for the weighting of their forces?Can...
- Dear DonnaThanks for your message. Your understanding and interpretation are correct on this matter. So long as a student does not gain an unfair advantage (by reusing research material for assessment purposes), it is not double dipping.With...
- Hi Paul, I just wanted to clarify the "double dipping" for the IA and EE. I have a student who would like to have a financial component to both their IA and EE (different focus though - one is marketing strategies and the impact on profitability...
- Dear VipulPlease contact the publisher directly about this. Many thanks for your expression of interest.With best wishes
- Dear Paul,Around when will the M24 Paper 1 Case Study Pack from Level7 Education be issued/released?Kind Regards
- Dear DamianSWOT analysis is not a formal requirement of the IA, nor is it a recommended tool to use. I have added Top tip 4 above which I hope will help.There is also clarification in Top tip 1 here: https://www.thinkib.net/businessmanagement/page/47867/tools-theories-for-the-iaWith...
- Dear Paul, may I ask for clarification on using SWOT by students in their IA? First of all, in previous resources You highlighted in the top tips that SWOT cannot be used as a tool to evaluate strategy but now I do not see this tip in...
- Dear Paul, thanks for answer. Regards, DW