The Real-World Roundup: September

Staying on top of real-world business news is one of the best ways to help IB Business students connect theory to practice. To make things easier, I’ll be sharing a monthly roundup of free articles, podcasts, videos, and social media posts that you can bring straight into your lessons. Whether you’re a teacher looking for case study material or a student wanting fresh examples for your exams, these resources are packed with IB Business connections.

1. Adults Using Pacifiers to Relieve Stress – A Niche Market Trend

Yes, you read that right. This article explores how stressed-out adults are turning to pacifiers, a small trend that began in China but is now spreading globally. It’s a fun and unexpected way to introduce niche markets (4.2), apply STEEPLE analysis, and even connect with Hofstede’s cultural dimensions. Students will enjoy debating whether this is just a fad or the start of a growing industry. Read the article on Vice

2. Snapchat Starts Charging for Photo Storage

Snapchat is shifting its model by charging users to store old photos, sparking the classic debate: if the product is free, are you the product? This is a great chance to discuss change (a key IB concept), new revenue streams (3.3), and how businesses adapt when markets mature. Perfect for sparking classroom discussions on digital business models and consumer behavior. Read the article on BBC

3. Inside Haribo's new US factory

This video is full of IB Business content. I’ve already watched it multiple times and keep finding new links to the syllabus. From consumer trends (STEEPLE) to economies of scale (1.5), Porter’s generic strategies, and even international marketing (4.6 HL only), it’s an excellent pre-class assignment. Challenge your students to identify additional concepts beyond the ones listed. Watch on YouTube

4. How I Built This – Podcast on Entrepreneurship

The How I Built This podcast with Guy Raz is always a goldmine for IB Business teachers. In this episode, the first 10 minutes alone cover challenges of starting a business (1.1), the characteristics of entrepreneurs (1.1), and the impact of changing business environments. Even if you don’t play the whole episode in class, short clips work brilliantly to inspire discussions. Listen on Spotify or Listen on Apple Podcasts

5. Creative Marketing from McDonald’s

This Instagram post shows how McDonald’s uses marketing that’s not just about pushing products but also about being clever, funny, or informative. It’s a simple way to get students thinking about what makes a campaign engaging and how McDonald’s continues to thrive even as consumer tastes shift toward healthier options. A great quick discussion starter for marketing strategy (4.1). See the post on Instagram

That’s the first IB Business news roundup! Each of these links can be brought straight into your lessons to make theory more relevant and engaging. I’ll be back next month with more free resources you can use in the classroom.