Entrepreneurs And Leaders 1.5 Flashcards
Definition of an entrepreneur:
Someone who takes a restless look at the business opportunities that exist and then turns a business idea into action.
What is small budget research?
Not spending a lot of money, but understanding the market before becoming an entrepreneur.
What are the main sources of business ideas? (4)
- Observation
- Brain storming
- Thinking ahead
- Ideas from personal or business experience
Innovations
How to spot a business opportunity? (4)
- Think about changes to society
- Think about changes to the economy
- Think about the local housing market- people moving into or out of your area
- Small budget research
How to run a business successfully? (4)
- Ability to obtain and listen to objective measures of its performance - look at both positives and negatives
- Eye for detail
- Be able to step back from day to day issues and think strategically - long term plans for the company
- You need to love what you’re doing
3 reasons to think about before a business should expand:
- Establishing that extra demand exists
- Ensure the finance is in place
- Ensure the right people are in the right place
2 barriers to entrepreneurship for small businesses:
- Banks have become much less willing to lend to small firms after the 2009 financial crisis - see them as risky and unprofitable
- Small businesses tend to pay proportionately higher rates of tax than large firms
What is an intrapreneur?
An intrapreneur has the personal characteristics of an entrepreneur but works within a large organisation. The are willing to take risks and think creatively
Factors which determine the differences between companies who celebrate intrapreneurs and those who mistrust are: (3)
- High tech vs low tech. High tech need new bright ideas to keep them ahead
- Stage in a companies life cycle - new companies want new ideas to keep the growth going but when they become big they are likely to want to avoid making mistakes so don’t want intrapreneurs
- Leadership - personal characteristics of the leader is important as some will encourage ideas whereas autocratic leaders prefer to keep ideas at the top.
Why may brainstorming be a useful way to come up with a business idea?
Because it encourages creative ideas that may later be whittled down to what makes sense
Why might a business do better located near to competitors rather than far away?
Clusters attract customers.
Why might it be risky to expand a small business rapidly?
Expansion puts pressure on a firms cash and Human Resources, the expansion may outstrip the entrepreneurs capacity to handle these pressures
Why might a business want to restrain potential intrapreneurs?
Senior managers may be wary of initiates which unsettle stable income streams
Why might a woman be less likely to start a business than men?
The reasons might be practical (less physical strength) or psychological (may have less arrogance/ confidence)
How might a future government help small firms to expand safely?
They may offer a tax window, postponing extra taxes on national insurance and profits until beyond an agreed 2-3 year expansion period
Franchise definition
A business that sells the rights to the use of its name and trading methods to local businesses
What is geographical mapping?
Plotting on a map the locations of all the existing businesses in your market, to show where all competitors are
Innovations definition
New ideas brought to the market
Line manager definition
A manager responsible for meeting specific business targets and responsible for specific staff
Market map definition
A grid plotting where each existing brand sits on scales based on two important features of a market
Niche market definition
A gap in the market
Characteristics of a successful entrepreneur: (5)
- Understanding of the market
- Determination to succeed
- Passion
- Resilience
- Ability to cope with risk
Skills required to be a successful entrepreneur (4)
- Financial skills - e.g. To understand the cash flow forecast
- Persuasive abilities - persuade others to do what they want
- Problem solving skills - come up with a solution from a problem
- Networking skills - maybe to benefit from network based crowdfunding
2 financial motives for becoming an entrepreneur
- Profit maximisation
2. Profit satisficing
What is profit maximisation?
Entrepreneurs thinking of how to maximise their profit. Usually short term when a business isn’t necessarily thinking about the future
What is profit satisficing?
It is the idea to find the right profit rather than the biggest. This is best for small businesses who want long term profit
4 non financial motives for becoming an entrepreneur:
- Independence
- Homeworking
- Ethical stance
- Social entrepreneurship - claiming to have something like health benefits
Why might determination be more important to a successful startup than talent?
Untalented people with a good idea can make it if they are determined, without this however much talent they won’t succeed
Why might profit maximisation be a better target than satisficing?
It is more challenging and therefore may be a more effective motivator.
How may networking help a young entrepreneur?
By providing the connections to people with capital or to potential customers
Crowdfunding definition:
Obtaining external finance from many individual, small investments, usually through a web based appeal.
Piece rate definition:
Paying workers per piece they produce
Corporate objectives definition
The goals set for the business as a whole
What is marketings function?
This department advises the business on consumer trends and the attitudes and purchasing habits of customers - and decides how to advertise and promote new and existing brands
What is Human Resources function?
Managers of the firms staff (HR) plan for and deal with recruitment, training, financial incentives, equal opportunities and also redundancy and dismissals
What is finances function?
Finance helps to identify what can be afforded and therefore what budgets to set for each of the other functions. It also monitors spending levels to make sure costs are kept under control
What operations function?
Manages the supply chain that starts with buying materials and components, then manufacturers a finished product and delivers it to the customer
What is a mission statement for a business?
The aim for the business that is settled upon by the boss or by the board of directors. It is a general statement of where the business is heading
Why is an aim made into a motivational statement?
To try and excite customers and staff alike - make them feel part of the project
SMART objectives from an aim or mission:
S - specific M - measurable A - achievable R - realistic T - timebound