Managing a Business Flashcards
What is an organisation?
Social arrangement pursuing collective goals - has its own performance and a boundary that separates it from its environment (could be social or physical)
How can organisations vary?
Size, ownership, legal status, activities, access to finance, tech
What is a business?
An organisation that looks towards making a profit - can be not for profit
How to ID profit and Not for Profit?
The primary aim of the organisation - is it to maximise wealth or to maximise benefits for the beneficiaries
What are secondary objectives for?
They exist to support the primary objective. They may be very similar in each case so it is just a matter of looking at whether they intend to make money
What is a mission?
The most generalised objective. Communicated to the wider population through a mission statement. What is the organisations basic function within society.
What does a mission statement contain?
Purpose, Strategy, Policies, Values
Difference between mission and goals?
Mission = overall plan. Goals = smaller targets that support the overall objective.
What is a non-operational goal? (Aim)
Qualitative. Provides greater flexibility. There is a general aim but getting to it is much easier to achieve.
What is an operational goal? (Objective)
Quantitative. Can be realised and measured numerically. They should be SMART goals.
What is a SMART goal?
One that is Specific. Measurable. Achievable. Relevant. Timed. They are clear, you know how they can be achieved, it relates to the mission, and you have a time period for achieving it in.
How are objectives broken down?
Primary and secondary.
What is profit satisficing?
Alternative to profit max. Making only satisfactory profits.
What is revenue maximisation?
Alternative to profit max. Focusing on increasing sales rather than profit.
What is a plan?
What should be done to achieve the operational objectives.
What are standards and objectives?
The desired level of performance for the business.
What is a physical standard?
The minimum aim for how much to produce in a set time frame.
What is a cost standard?
The minimum aim for anticipated costs in a set time frame.
What is a quality standard?
The target for the min/max number of quality related issues in a given time frame.
What is the process for setting goals?
Set the goal, look at performance, compare with targets, make amendments to ensure next time targets align with goals.
What is a stakeholder?
Anyone with an interest
What is a primary stakeholder?
Anyone with a share in the business
What are secondary stakeholders?
Everyone else who could be impacted. Management, employees, customers, suppliers, lenders, government, society.
What does sustainability mean to an organisation?
The ability to meet the needs of the present without compromising the needs of future generations.
What is natural capital for organisations?
The worlds stock of natural assets - of which there are a finite amount. What does the world provide to us so that we may live.
What is business sustainability?
How far do businesses go to operate in a sustainable way - how does It interact with others. Links to corporate responsibility.
What are the sustainable development goals of the UN?
Decent work, Economic growth, Sustainable industry, innovation and infrastructure, and responsible consumption/production. Can the business SUSTAIN the way of functioning in these areas.
How does management link to goals?
The business management leads to the results - are they good or bad.