AOS 1 - Business Foundations Flashcards
Business
A business is an entity that offers goods or services to customers in exchange for money with the aim of getting a profit
Private Sector
The part of Australia’s economy that is operated by private individuals, groups, or institutions usually for the purpose of making a profit
Public Sector
The part of Australia’s economy that is owned and operated by the government
Sole Trader
A sole trader is a business structure owned and operated by a single person
Sole Trader - A + D
A
- low cost of entry
- simplest form
- no partner disputes
D
- unlimited liability for debts
- difficult to operate if unwell
- carry all loses
Partnership
A type of business owned by 2 or more people
Partnership - A + D
A
- shared responsibility and workload
- minimal gov regulation
- low start-up costs
D
- unlimited liability
- the possibility of disputes
- difficulty in finding a suitable partner
Incorporation
When a company is set up, a number of shares are issued. Shares are units of ownership of a business that it sells to raise funds.
Private limited company (INC)
An incorporated business with at least 1 director and up to 50 selected shareholders. Shares are offered only to those people whom the business wishes to have as part owners.
Public listed company (INC)
An incorporated business whose shares are freely traded on the exchange. This means the members of the general public area are able to own part of a company by purchasing shares.
Company - A + D
A
- limited liability
- easier to attract public finance
- a long life
D
- double taxation - company & personal
- public disclosure
- cost of formation
Social Enterprise
A revenue-generating business with primarily social objectives whole surpluses are reinvested for that purpose in the business or in the community.
Social Enterprise - A + D
A
- can open up new markets
- meeting social need can have positive impact on profit and market share
D
- difficulty in obtaining capital to start business
- significant operating costs
Government Business Enterprise
A profit driven business that is owned by the government but managed separately. Operates within the public sector and participates in commercial activities with the goal of making a profit.
Government business enterprise - A + D
A
- carry out gov policies
- operate with some independence
- healthy competition to businesses
D
- political interference
- management can be less effective
- less accountability
Business objectives
The goals that the business intends to achieve
Overarching objectives
Vision statement - A statement that broadly expresses what a business aspires to become in the future
Mission statement - A statement that formally expresses the reasons for a business’s existence, its purpose and its method of operation
Making a profit
Businesses can increase their profit by increasing their revenue or reducing expenses ( or both)
Increasing market share
Market share is the proportion of total sales in a market or industry controlled by a particular business, expressed as a percentage
Meeting shareholder expectations
Shareholders anticipate a return on their investment
Fulfilling a market need
A business fulfills a market need by providing products and services which meet the desires of a group of customers with similar needs
Fulfilling a social need
A social need is where a business aims to improve an area of the community that requires attention
Analysing performance
After establishing objectives and implementing strategies management will need to analyse performance by determining whether the business has actually achieved its objectives.
Owner/Shareholder
- Invest funds into business
- Return on their investment through profits
- Create a maintain positive impacts on other stakeholders
Manager
- Coordinate employees and tasks to achieve business objectives
- Pay that matches responsibility
- Status and recognition for work achievements
Employees
- Complete a business’s work tasks
- Fair pay & work expectations
- Opportunities for professional development
Customer
- Purchase and use a business’s products or services
- A product or service that’s quality and value for money