Business Foundations Flashcards
business objective
goal which an organisation sets out to achieve in a given time period.
mission statement
What the business stands for, its purpose
and how it intends to get there.
autocratic management style
is one where the manager tends to make all the decisions, dictating work methods, limiting employee knowledge about what needs to be done and frequently checking on employee performance.
communication
ability to transfer information from a sender to a receiver, and to listen to feedback
competitive advantage
occurs when a firm has a lower cost price structure than its rivals, goods and services can be sold more cheaply, undercutting competitors, and expanding domestic and foreign sales. Includes quality range and flexibility in adapting to new trends in the market.
consultative management style
one where the manager recognises the importance of good personal relationships among employees and consults with staff on certain issues before making a decision.
contingency management theory
stresses the need for flexibility and the adaptation of management styles to suit the situation
corporate culture
the values, ideas, expectations and beliefs shared by members of the business
corporate social responsibility
the obligations a business has over and above its legal responsibilities to the wellbeing of employees and customers, shareholders and the community, as well as the environment
customers
the people who purchase goods and services from the business, expecting high quality at competitive prices
delegation
the ability to transfer authority and responsibility from a manager to an employee to carry out specific activities
directors
(of a company) the people who have overall responsibility for managing the company’s business activities
effectiveness
the degree to which a business has achieved its stated objectives
efficiency
how well a business uses resources to achieve objectives
employees
the people who work for the business and who expect to be paid fairly, trained properly and treated ethically in return for their contribution to production
government business enterprise (GBE)
a type of business that is government owned and operated
incorporation
the process that businesses go through to become a registered company and a separate legal entity from the owner/shareholder
interpersonal skills
the ability to deal or liaise with people and build positive relationships with staff
key performance indicators (KPIs)
specific criteria used to measure the efficiency and/or effectiveness of the business’s performance
laissez-faire management style
one where employees are responsible for workplace operations.
leadership
the ability to influence or motivate people to work towards the achievement of business objectives
limited liability
refers to when the shareholders in a company will not be held personally responsible for the debts of that business
management style
the behaviour and attitude of the manager when making decisions, when directing and motivating staff, and when implementing plans to achieve business objectives
manager
the person who has the responsibility for successfully achieving the objectives of the business
market share
the proportion of total sales in a given market or industry that is controlled or held by a business, calculated for a specific period of time
operational planning
short-term
specific details about the way in which the business will operate in the short term
daily and weekly production schedules.
participative management style
one where the manager not only consults with employees, but also shares decision-making authority with subordinates.
partnership
a business owned by two or more people some partnerships generally have a maximum of 20.
persuasive management style
one where the manager attempts to convince employees that management’s way is the right way.
planning
the ability to define business objectives and decide on the methods or strategies to achieve them
private limited company
an incorporated business that has a minimum of one shareholder and a maximum of 50 non-employee shareholders, and whose shares are offered only to those people whom the business wishes to have as part owners
pty ltd.
public listed company
an incorporated business with a minimum of one shareholder (and no maximum), and whose shares are openly traded on the Australian Securities Exchange
ltd (limited)
shareholders
(or members) the owners of a company
social enterprise
is a business that produces goods and services for the market, but operates with the primary objective of fulfilling a social need.
sole trader
a business owned and operated by one person
may employ other people, but owner is the person who provides all the finance, makes all the decisions and takes all the responsibility for the operation of the business.
stakeholders
groups and individuals who interact with the business and have a vested interest in its activities
strategic planning
(long term)
long-term planning, usually over two to five years
help determine where the business wants to be in the market, and what the business wants to achieve in relation to its competitors.
suppliers
businesses or individuals who supply materials and other resources to a business so that it can conduct its operations
SWOT analysis
the identification and analysis of the internal strengths and weaknesses of the business, and the opportunities in, and threats from, the external environment
tactical planning
medium term
flexible, adaptable, medium-term planning, usually over one to two years
supports the implementation of the strategic plan and allows the business to respond quickly to changes. The emphasis is on how business objectives will be achieved through the allocation of resources.
unlimited liability
refers to when the business owner is personally responsible for all the debts of their business
vision statement
states what the business aspires to become
Sole trader: are the business and the owner separate entities?
+ unlimited liability
A sole trader is not regarded as a separate legal entity — that is, the owner and the business are regarded as the same.
If the business runs into financial difficulties, the owner is personally responsible for any business debts known as unlimited liability.
Advantages of sole trader?
simplest form
complete control
less costly to operate
no partner disputes
owner’s right to keep all profits
less government regulation
Disadvantages of sole trader?
Unlimited liability
end of business when owner dies
difficult to operate when sick
burden of management
difficulty in raising finance for expansion
Partnership separate legal entity?
A partnership is similar to a sole trader in that it is not a separate legal entity from the partners — that is, the owners and the business are regarded as the same.
Also subjected to unlimited liability.
Written partnership agreement?
A partnership can be made verbally or in writing, or by implication. A written partnership agreement is not compulsory, but worthwhile if disputes arise. A partnership agreement usually has a standard set of conditions.
Limited partnership + silent sleeping partners?
Limited partnerships were introduced to allow one or more partners to contribute financially to the business but take no part in running the partnership. In this case, the partner is referred to as a silent or sleeping partner. The main reason for their investment is to add more capital or finance to an existing partnership.
sole trader pays tax using personal tax file number what about partnership?
a partnership has its own tax file number and lodges its own tax return. Once the ATO has assessed the partnership’s tax return and all taxes have been paid, the profits are divided among the partners according to the partnership agreement.
advantages of partnership
low start-up costs
less costly to operate than a company
shared workload and responsibility
pooled funds and talent
minimal government regulation
death of one partner, business can keep going