Lesson Plan

• Describe the role of small businesses within the industrial structure of selected industries.
• Explain how small firms contribute to employment, innovation, market diversity and economic resilience.
• Evaluate the advantages and challenges faced by small businesses and assess policy measures that could enhance their contribution.

• Projector and screen
• Whiteboard and markers
• Printed handouts of industry‑structure tables
• Case‑study worksheet (UK food‑processing)
• Sticky notes for group brainstorming
• Laptop with internet access for quick research

Start with a quick poll: “Which small local businesses do you use or know?” Discuss how these firms differ from large chains. State that today’s success criteria are to identify small‑business roles, analyse their impact on an industry, and propose ways to support them.

1. Do‑now (5') – Students list examples of small businesses they encounter and share one reason they think these firms matter.
2. Mini‑lecture (10') – Present definitions of “small business” and “industrial structure” and highlight key contributions (employment, innovation, market diversity, resilience) using slides.
3. Data analysis activity (12') – In groups, examine the provided industry tables, calculate the employment share of small firms, and discuss patterns across retail, construction and pharmaceuticals.
4. Case‑study discussion (10') – Review the UK food‑processing example, answer guiding questions about niche supply, incubation of products and rural employment.
5. Synthesis (5') – Groups share key findings; teacher summarises the overall role of small businesses in industrial structures.
6. Exit ticket (3') – Each student writes one policy recommendation to strengthen small‑business contributions.

Recap the main ways small businesses shape industrial structures and the challenges they face. Collect exit tickets and remind students that the homework is to research a local small business and write a brief report on its role in the local industry.