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Welcome to BTEC Level 3 International Business
Are you curious about how successful businesses operate? Have you ever wondered how companies like Nike, Apple, Emirates, Starbucks, or Amazon make decisions, attract customers, manage their finances, and compete in global markets?
BTEC Business is a practical, career-focused qualification that allows you to explore the real world of business through the study of authentic organisations, current business issues, and industry-relevant skills. Throughout the programme, you will investigate businesses, analyse financial information, develop marketing strategies, explore human resource management, and make business decisions based on real-world scenarios.
Unlike traditional academic courses, BTEC Business focuses on applying knowledge to realistic situations, helping you develop valuable skills that are highly regarded by universities and employers. You will learn how businesses operate, why they succeed, the challenges they face, and how they adapt in an ever-changing global environment.
Before September, we invite you to begin your BTEC Business journey by completing a short summer challenge, exploring recommended business resources, and discovering the exciting opportunities that the world of business has to offer.
The activities on this page are designed to develop your curiosity, encourage independent thinking, and help you start the programme with confidence. Most importantly, they are intended to show you that business is all around us and that the concepts you will study have a direct connection to the products, services, brands, and organisations you interact with every day.
We look forward to welcoming you to BTEC Business and supporting you as you develop the knowledge, skills, and professional mindset needed for success in higher education, employment, and entrepreneurship
Summer Task/Project
BTEC Business Summer Challenge 2026
BTEC Business Summer Challenge 2026
The Business Detective Challenge
The Business Detective Challenge
Your Mission
Your Mission
This summer, you are going to become a Business Detective.
Your challenge is to investigate a business you interact with regularly and discover what makes it successful. By September, you will have completed a mini business investigation that introduces many of the topics you will study throughout the BTEC Business course.
You may choose any business you are interested in, such as Starbucks, Emirates, Nike, Adidas, Amazon, Apple, McDonald's, Netflix, SHEIN, IKEA, or a local business in your community.
Did You Know?
Did You Know?
Apple generates more than $1 billion in revenue every day.
That means while you are reading this challenge, Apple has earned enough money to purchase several luxury cars.
Part 1: Meet Your Business
Part 1: Meet Your Business
Choose one business and create a profile.
Include the following information:
Business Name
Logo
Country of Origin
Products or Services Sold
Approximate Number of Employees
One Interesting Fact About the Business
Business Snapshot
Business Snapshot
Information
Your Answer
Business Name
Country
Main Products/Services
Number of Employees
Interesting Fact
Suggested Research Sources
Suggested Research Sources
https://www.companywebsite.com
Did You Know?
Did You Know?
Amazon started in a garage.
Today it employs more than 1.5 million people worldwide.
Every global business started as someone's idea.
Part 2: Become a Customer
Part 2: Become a Customer
Visit the business website, social media pages, app, or physical store.
Answer the following questions:
What attracted your attention first?
What products or services seem most popular?
Who do you think the target customers are?
How does the business encourage people to buy?
Would you personally buy from this business? Explain your answer.
Customer Experience Score
Customer Experience Score
Area
Score (/5)
Website/App
Products
Pricing
Customer Experience
Branding
Suggested Research Sources
Suggested Research Sources
Official company website
Business Fact
Business Fact
Research shows customers can form an opinion about a brand in less than seven seconds.
First impressions matter.
Part 3: Marketing Detective
Part 3: Marketing Detective
Find examples of how the business promotes itself.
Identify the following:
One advertisement
One social media post
One promotion or special offer
One example of a slogan or marketing message
Add screenshots or images where possible.
Marketing Investigation Table
Marketing Investigation Table
Marketing Activity
What Did You Find?
Advertisement
Social Media Post
Promotion
Slogan
Reflection
Reflection
Which marketing activity do you think is most effective and why?
Suggested Research Sources
Suggested Research Sources
Official company website
Official social media pages
Did You Know?
Nike's famous slogan "Just Do It" was created in 1988 and remains one of the most recognised marketing slogans in the world.
Part 4: Money Matters
Businesses exist to make money.
Research the following:
Does the business appear successful?
How do you know?
Can you find information about revenue, profits, customers, stores, growth, or market share?
Success Evidence
Success Evidence
Evidence of Success
Source
Suggested Research Sources
Suggested Research Sources
https://www.bbc.com/news/business
Company annual reports
Investor Relations pages on company websites
Business Fact
Business Fact
Some companies can have huge sales but still make very little profit.
Revenue and profit are not the same thing.
Part 5: The Future CEO Challenge
Part 5: The Future CEO Challenge
Imagine you have just been hired as the new CEO of your chosen business.
You have been given AED 100,000 to improve the business.
Explain:
What would you do?
Why would you choose this improvement?
How would it help the business?
What results would you expect?
My CEO Plan
My CEO Plan
My idea:
Why I chose this idea:
Expected benefits:
Did You Know?
Did You Know?
Many successful business ideas came from solving simple problems that people experience every day.
Entrepreneurs do not just create products. They solve problems.
Final Reflection
Final Reflection
Write approximately 200–300 words answering the following questions:
What surprised you most about your chosen business?
What was the most interesting thing you discovered?
Would you like to work for or own a business like this in the future? Explain your answer.
Submission Options
Submission Options
Google Slides
Canva Presentation
PowerPoint Presentation
Word Report
Digital Poster
Video Presentation (3–5 minutes)
Bonus Challenge (Optional)
Bonus Challenge (Optional)
Find a recent news article about your business from the last 12 months.
Summarise:
What happened?
How might it affect the business?
Do you think it will help or hurt the business?
Include a link to the article and explain your reasoning.
Recommended Reading
Recommended Reading
https://www.bbc.com/news/business
https://www.reuters.com/business
https://www.businessinsider.com
https://www.theguardian.com/business
Observe. Investigate. Analyse. Think like a business professional.
Recommended Reading
Recommended Reading
Recommended Reading
Business professionals stay informed about what is happening in the world around them. During the BTEC Business course, you will regularly investigate real businesses, analyse current events, and apply business concepts to real-world situations.
Over the summer, spend some time exploring the following websites and articles. There is no requirement to read everything. Simply choose topics that interest you and begin developing your understanding of how businesses operate.
Business News
Business News
BBC Business News
https://www.bbc.com/news/business
Reuters Business
https://www.reuters.com/business
Business Insider
https://www.businessinsider.com
The Guardian Business
https://www.theguardian.com/business
Understanding Business Concepts
Understanding Business Concepts
Investopedia
https://www.investopedia.com
Entrepreneur Magazine
https://www.entrepreneur.com
Forbes
https://www.forbes.com
Marketing and Brands
Marketing and Brands
Marketing Week
https://www.marketingweek.com
Campaign Live
https://www.campaignlive.com
Data and Business Statistics
Data and Business Statistics
Statista
https://www.statista.com
Suggested Topics to Explore
Suggested Topics to Explore
How does Apple maintain its competitive advantage?
Why is Amazon one of the world's most successful businesses?
How do companies use social media to market their products?
What makes a strong brand?
How do businesses make profit?
How is artificial intelligence changing business?
Why do some businesses fail while others succeed?
How do businesses expand internationally?
Business Challenge
Business Challenge
While reading, find one interesting business story and be prepared to share:
The name of the business
What happened
Why it interested you
How it might affect the business in the future
Remember: You are not expected to become a business expert before September. The aim is simply to start noticing the business world around you and developing curiosity about how businesses operate.
Recommended Viewing
Recommended Viewing
Recommended Viewing
Many of the best business lessons come from watching real entrepreneurs, companies, and business leaders in action. The following documentaries, films, and YouTube channels will help you understand how businesses start, grow, market their products, and compete in global markets.
There is no requirement to watch everything. Choose what interests you and enjoy exploring the world of business.
Business and Entrepreneurship
Business and Entrepreneurship
The Founder (2016)
The story of how McDonald's grew from a small restaurant into one of the world's most successful franchises. This film explores entrepreneurship, marketing, expansion, and business growth.
Trailer:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AX2uz2XYkbo
Innovation and Technology
Innovation and Technology
Inside Amazon
Explore how one of the world's largest companies operates, from logistics and customer service to technology and innovation.
Search:
"Inside Amazon Documentary" on YouTube
Entrepreneurship and Investment
Entrepreneurship and Investment
Shark Tank
Watch entrepreneurs pitch their business ideas to investors and learn what makes a business opportunity attractive.
https://www.youtube.com/@SharkTankGlobal
Entrepreneurship and Investment
Entrepreneurship and Investment
Dragons' Den
Entrepreneurs seek investment from experienced business leaders while defending their ideas, finances, and business plans.
https://www.youtube.com/@DragonsDenGlobal
Branding and Marketing
Branding and Marketing
Nike: How One Company Changed Sports Forever
Explore how Nike built one of the most valuable and recognisable brands in the world.
Search:
"Nike Documentary" on YouTube
Business News and Current Affairs
Business News and Current Affairs
CNBC Make It
Short videos featuring successful entrepreneurs, business stories, career advice, and insights into how companies operate.
https://www.youtube.com/@CNBCMakeIt
Global Business
Global Business
Wendover Productions
High-quality videos explaining how airlines, logistics companies, global supply chains, and international businesses operate.
https://www.youtube.com/@Wendoverproductions
Money and Business Explained
Money and Business Explained
Business Insider
Videos covering major companies, industries, manufacturing processes, marketing strategies, and business trends.
https://www.youtube.com/@BusinessInsider
Marketing and Consumer Behaviour
Marketing and Consumer Behaviour
Company Man
Learn how famous brands became successful, why businesses fail, and how companies compete in different industries.
https://www.youtube.com/@CompanyMan114
Optional Challenge
Optional Challenge
While watching, identify one business strategy that contributed to the success of a company.
Be prepared to explain:
The company involved
The strategy used
Why you think it was successful
How you would apply the same idea to your own business
Remember: The goal is not to memorise information. The goal is to become curious about how businesses operate and begin thinking like a business professional.
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