Intro to business Flashcards
What is a sole trader?
A business owned and operated by one person, although they can employ staff
Pros of being a sole trader?
- The owner has complete control over the business
- Big incentives to work hard (keep all the profits)
- Few legal regulations when setting up the business
- Owner chooses their own holidays and work hours
Cons of being a sole trader?
- No one to discuss business matters with
- Business has unlimited liability
- Hard to raise finance
- Business is likely to remain small
What is a partnership?
A group or association of between 2 and 20 people who agree to own and run a business together
Pros of a partnership?
- The owners have complete control over the business
- More capital is available to invest
- Individual partners can offer specialisms
- Continuity - partners can cover others absence
Cons of a partnership?
- Disagreement between partners
- Business has unlimited liability
- Number of partners is limited to 20
- A partner could be unreliable or dishonest
What is a Private limited company?
A company in which a number of shareholders (less than 50) contribute funds to the company in return for shares. Shares can’t be sold on the stock exchange.
Pros of a private limited company?
- Business has limited liability
- Easier to raise capital
- Management is shared
- More specialisation can occur
Cons of being a private limited company?
- Expensive to set up
- Shares can’t be sold to the public
- Less privacy as members of the public can see them
- Accounts must be lodged with registrar of companies
What is limited liability?
Owners are only responsible for the amount of money invested
What does LTD mean?
Private limited company
What is a public limited company?
A company in which an unlimited number of shareholders contribute funds to the company in return for shares. Shares can be sold on the stock exchange.
Pros of being a public limited company?
- Business has limited liability
- Much easier to raise finance as shares can be sold on the stock exchange
- The business will still exist if one of the shareholders dies
- High degree of specialisation
Cons of being a public limited company?
- The company is vulnerable to takeovers
- Shareholders receive some of the profit in dividends
- Annual accounts have to be published in full
- May have communication and management problems due to size
- Legal issues when forming or running a PLC
What is enterprise?
The process by which new businesses are formed in order to offer products and services in a market
What is an entrepreneur?
A person who spots an opportunity and shows initiative and a willingness to take risks in order to benefit from the potential rewards
What are the 4 factors of production?
- Land
- Labour
- Capital
- Enterprise
What is the difference between added value and profit?
- Added value is the additional worth that is built into a product or service
- Profit is the remaining money after all the costs associated with creating that value are paid off
What is the primary sector?
Extraction of natural resources (e.g. oil, gas)
What is the secondary sector?
The sector where manufacturing takes place
What is the tertiary sector?
The sector where the goods/service are sold to the consumer
What is the private sector?
Run by individuals and firms rather than the government
What is the public sector?
Usually compromised of organisations that are owned and operated by the government and exist to provide services for its citizens