Lesson Plan

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Lesson Plan
Grade: Date: 17/01/2026
Subject: Business Studies
Lesson Topic: anticipating changes in customer needs
Learning Objective/s:
  • Describe why anticipating customer needs is vital for competitive advantage.
  • Identify key internal and external factors that influence changes in customer needs.
  • Apply PESTLE and basic market‑research techniques to gather intelligence.
  • Analyse customer behaviour data to detect emerging trends.
  • Develop a brief strategic response plan to address predicted needs.
Materials Needed:
  • Projector and screen
  • Whiteboard and markers
  • Student worksheets with case study (soft‑drink example)
  • Printed PESTLE analysis template
  • Internet access for quick research
  • Sticky notes for brainstorming
 Introduction:
Begin with a quick poll: which recent product you bought was a response to a new trend? Discuss how businesses anticipate such shifts. Explain that today’s success criteria are to identify influencing factors, use research tools, and outline a proactive marketing plan.
Lesson Structure:
  1. Do‑now (5') – Students list recent product changes they’ve noticed and share with the class.
  2. Mini‑lecture (10') – Explain the importance of anticipating needs and review key influencing factors (PESTLE).
  3. Group activity (15') – Using worksheets, conduct a brief market‑intelligence exercise (primary & secondary sources) on a chosen industry.
  4. Trend identification (10') – Groups apply PESTLE to spot emerging trends and present findings.
  5. Strategy planning (15') – Teams develop a responsive marketing strategy (product, price, promotion, distribution) for a forecasted need and create a quick poster.
  6. Plenary & check (5') – Whole‑class recap; exit ticket: write one actionable step for anticipating customer needs.
Conclusion:
Summarise how systematic research leads to proactive strategies and collect exit tickets to gauge understanding. Assign homework: research a real company that recently launched a product in response to a new customer trend and prepare a short summary.