Business Expansion Flashcards
Explain expanasion with example
Expansion is the growth of a business over time.
Ex: McDonald’s started out with one restaurant in 1955. Today, they have 36,000 restaurants worldwide.
Can be organic or inorganic growth
Explain organic growth
Organic Growth is natural, slow, expansion of the business.
Involves increasing the size of the existing business by increasing sales & reinvesting profits
Can be done by:Increasing Sales
Franchising
Explain increasing sales as a method or organic growth
Growth by selling more products and increasing its profits.
Achieved by better marketing and product improvements.
Business can try to increase sales domestically (in home country) or sell to other countries called exporting
Ex: Baileys - first launched in Ireland in 1974. Now is exported to 130 countries worldwide
Explain the four advantages of franchising
Little capital - original owner does not need money only good idea people will pay to copy. Franchisee pays
Economies of scale- big economy scale, buying supplies for large business enjoy large discount, reduced costs
Less supervision required- expansion without involvement in management of business. Franchisees runs day to day business looking after employees
Dedicated franchisees- franchisee is totally motivated to strive for success. Invest their own money so have a vested interest
Give two disadvantages of franchising
- Risk to Reputation- reputation and goodwill built up can be harmed. One franchisee makes mistake damages brand
- Loss of Control- loses control over day to day management. Little direct influence over employees hired or customer service
Explain inorganic growth and name three methods
Inorganic Growth involves increasing the size of the business by merging with or taking over another business
Three methods are: strategic alliance, merger and takeover.
Explain a strategic alliance
Two or more independent firms co-operate with each other on a particular business project
Firms remain separate but share skills and resources
Pool together their resources and expertise to make project a success
•Eg: ‘One World Alliance’ (airline alliance)- each airline benefits as they offer passengers greater choice of destinations to fly to.
Give three advantages to a strategic alliance
- Cost effective method of expansion
- More successful expansion
- Opens up new markets
Explain two disadvantages to a strategic alliance
- Disagreements - two parties may fall out if they feel one is getting less say than the other. smaller business may feel obscured by higher profile business
- Possible loss of customers- customers may be unhappy with alliance with restricted choice or unhappy with choice offered. Unwilling to buy ex: Airline alliance a consumer may not want to fly with a american airlines to the states but it is the only one British airways offers from alliance. Customer may look outside the alliance
Explain merger
Two companies voluntarily agree to join together permanently to form a single new legal entity
Neither has control over the other. Join for mutual benefit
More friendly than a Takeover
Eg: Avonmore+Waterford Foods=Glanbia plc.
Give another name for a merger
amalgamation
Give four advantages of a merger
- Economies of Scale
- Increased profits
- Synergy
- Quick access to new ideas and products
Explain two disadvantages of a merger
- Conflict-merging can lead to a clash of cultures as managers disagree over best methods to use because each is used to doing things their own way. Clashes can make the business less effective
- Reduces employee motivation- employees may become worried for job security, merger often leads to redundancies lowers productivity, motivation. Business may lose good workers who find better jobs elsewhere
Explain takeover
One company buys 51% or more shares in another company and They gain control of company.
Business that is bought becomes part of the acquiring company
Can be hostile where directors of target company recommend shareholders do not sell or friendly
Ex: Facebook’s takeover of Whatsapp & Instagram
Explain hostile takeover
a takeover opposed by shareholders
What is another word for a takeover
acquisition
Give advantages of a takeover
- Economies of Scale
- Increased profits
- Quick access to new ideas and products
Explain a disadvantage of a takeover
Capital required- costs a lot. If business borrows the moeny its debt equity ratio increases with higher risk of bankruptcy. Selling shares means ownership is reduced and as is control
What are three types of reason for business expansion
Defensive
Offensive
Psychological
Explain a what a defensive reason for business expansion is
Company expands to become stronger, richer and better able to fight back competition
Explain a what a offensive reason for business expansion is
A company may expand to become the biggest and the best in the industry
Explain a what a psychological reason for business expansion is
Reasons to do with personal ambition and motivation
Give four defensive reasons for expansion
Economies of scale
Diversification
Protect supply of raw material
To protect distribution
Give four offensive reasons for expansion
Reduce competition
Increase profits
Asset stripping
Acquire new products
Give two psychological reasons for expansion
Ambition
Challenge
Name four long term sources of finance for business expansion
Reserves / Retained Earnings
Share (Equity) Capital
Debentures - also known as Debt Capital
Grant
What are the factors to consider when choosing a finance option for business expansion
- Cost (Debt vs. Equity)
- Security
- Tax Implications
- Dilution of Ownership (Loss of Control)
What are the advantages of expansion in the short term
- New assets
- New products
- New markets
- New management
What are the disadvantages of expansion in the short term
- Job losses
- Cost increases, profits may fall
- Low staff morale due to uncertainty
What are the advantages of expansion in the long term
- Increased sales
- Economies of scale
- Increased profits
- Better chance of survival