Business management 1 Flashcards
Business motivations
The reason why someone chose to start a business
Source of business opportunities
Where or how the opportunity arose for them to start their own business
4 business motivations
1) Financial independence
2) Personal independence
3) Fulfil a social/ marked need
4) Make a profit
Financial independence
Being able to support yourself without relying on other people/ a job
Personal independence
Being able to make your own decisions, deicide your role, working hours, holidays, etc.
Make a profit
To benefit financially from capitalising on a business opportunity
Fulfil a market and/or social need
Create a product to met customer demand or improve on an existing product to better meet the needs of customers
4 sources of business opportunties
1) Innovation
2) Entrepreneurship
3) Market opportunities
4) Changing customer needs
Innovation definition and characterisitics
Is transforming into reality a new idea about a product or a service, or it could be a new way of doing things
- New efficient processes can save time, money and create less waste
- Allow business to grow
- Helps business to adapt to the changing marketplace
- Gives a competitive advantage
Entrepreneurship definition and characteristics
Refers to the concept of developing and managing a business venture in order to gain profit by taking several risks
- Seeks out new opportunities
- Manages business activities
- Takes calculated financial risks
- Experiences business success
Makert opportunities definition
Refers to chances to increase trade caused by the changing trends in the market.
The key is to be able to recognise a market trend.
This could also be an opportunity where there is a gap in the market.
Gap in market
Identified something that customers need, but isn’t currently available
Could be completely unique, an improvement on an existing idea or a way to introduce something to a different market.
Changing customer needs
1) Busy:
- Wants convenience
- Wants 24/7 trade
- Wants supporting home services such as cooking, cleaning, childcare
2) Technological savvy
- Has access to info
- Compares to competitors
- Shop online
- Is able to give reviews and use social media
3) Demanding
- Has high expectations of corporate social responsibility to people and the environment
- Has high expectations of excellence in the product quality
- Is health and safety conscious
- Is aware of consumer laws and rights when shopping
Unincorporated
An unincorporated business is when the owner and the business are viewed as a single legal entity
Both the business and the owner are responsible for debt (unlimited liability)
Incorporated
A business becomes its own legal entity separate from its owners
Debt is limited to the business only (limited liability)
4 Business types
Sole trader
Partnership
Private limited company
Public listed company
Sole trader definition and characteristics
Sole trader is an unincorporated business structure with only one owner who also operates the business
- Owned and operated by a single person (can have employees)
- Unlimited liability for all business debts
- Owner has to source all funding for the business
- Owner retains all profits after personal income tax (not subject to company tax)
- May have employees but the owner is the only one responsible for making decisions for the business (manages a wide variety of tasks)
Sole trader strengths
- Low costs of set up
- Low level of government regulation (easy to set up and run)
- Centralised decision making (no conflict for owner)
- Owner retains all profits (can decide to reinvest into business but has control)
Sole trader limitations
- Unlimited liability = risk for personal assets
- Difficult to raise funds (2 sources owner investment OR loans from banks)
- High level of responsibility for owner (needs to manage all facets of the organisation)
Partnerships definitions and characteristics
An unincorporated business structure owned by 2-20 owners
- Partners share responsibility for the organisation
- Partners have unlimited liability for all business debts
- Partners have to source all funding for the business
- Partners can divide and retain all profits after personal income tax (not subject to company tax)
3 strengths of partnership
- Low cost of set up
- Low level of government regulation (easy to set up and run)
- Multiple ownership = knowledge base/quality of decisions - different skill sets/areas of expertise
3 limitations of partnership
- Difficult to raise funds (partner investment or loans from bank)
- Potential for conflict between partners -> delay in decision making
- Unlimited liability = risk for personal assets (e.g house)
Definition and characteristics of private limited company
Is an incorporated business with at least 1 and up to 50 selected shareholders
- Must always be followed by Pty Ltd
- The company is a separate legal entity
- High level of control is retained by shareholders as new shareholders are selected by the board
- Overseen by directors = decision-makers
- Profits are subject to company tax before shareholders receive a return on their investment. SH are then subject to personal income tax on the profit they individually received
4 Strengths of private limited companies
- Incorporated means that liability is limited to the business = protection of shareholders
- Directors can be shareholders or can be appointed by shareholders = increase expertise
- Revenue can be raised by selling shared in the organisation (not on ASX)
- Company tax is lower than personal income tax rate - so tax for business itself is less
2 Limitations of private limited companies
- Profits are taxed twice - company tax and then personal income tax
- Cost of set up and level of government regulation are higher - must have a set of ‘company rules’ and pay a registration fee to ASIC + annual renewal fee
Definition and characteristics of public listed companies
Is an incorporated business that can sell shares in an open market to an unlimited number of shareholders
- MUST always be followed by LTD
- The company is a separate legal entity
- Shares are sold on the ASX - the price of shares based on market value (not controlled by bus)
- Decisions made by the board of directors
- SHs have limited decision-making influence but receive a share of profit through dividends
- Strictest level of government regulation - minimum of 3 directors, requirement for a public annual report on business’s financial accounts
3 strengths of public listed companies
- Incorporation means that liability is limited to the business = protection of shareholders
- Increased capacity to raise funds through selling shares -> funds growth of the business
- Can provide a prestigious profile