Summary

The article is a series of case studies on small businesses across Canada. There are two lessons related to this one article. This is lesson one.

Getting Started

Appropriate Subject Area(s):

Marketing, entrepreneurship

Key Questions to Explore:

  • What are the unique qualities of each of the ventures described in the article?
Study and Discussion Activity

Introduction to lesson and task:

This lesson explores the phenomenon of family-owned businesses, especially larger ones that have been in existence for many generations.

Action (lesson plan and task):

  • Organize the class in groups of seven. Have students number off 1-7.
  • In the “home” groups have students brainstorm small businesses in their community.
  • Ask them to discuss what is unique about each of the ventures identified.
  • Using the Jigsaw method, have students move to another group, so that all the same numbers are together, all the 1s, 2s etc. You will have seven groups of 2-4 students.
  • Distribute one of the case studies from the article to each group. There are seven case studies in the article.
  • In the “expert” groups have students read the case and answer the following questions:
    • What is unique about the venture?
    • How does the business owner describe success?
    • What qualities can you identify that the owners have that contribute to their success?

Consolidation of Learning:

  • Have students return to their home groups and share their case and the answers to the questions discussed in the expert groups.
Success and Additional Learning

Success Criteria:

  • Students realize how small businesses identify success.

Confirming Activity:

  • Have each group nominate one person to share highlights of their discussion.