topic 1 Flashcards
what is an enterprise
another name for a business it describes the actions of someone who takes a risk by setting up or investing and running a business
an entrepreneur is someone who takes those risks
reasons for starting a business
making a profit
skills & interest
investing money
being your own boss
work- life balance
what are the aims of start up entrepreneurs vs established entrepreneurs
start up are generally more money focused as they need to survive
established can do charity related things as well
business definition
an organization that exists to produce goods and services on a commercial basis to customers
what are needs
goods and services that we have to consume if we are to live - e. g warmth , shelter, food
what are wants
goods and services that we would like but do not have to consume in order to survive - e.g holidays & smart phones
what is an opportunity cost
measuring the cost of what you purchase in terms of the alternative that you have given up e.g going to a concert
what are objectives of social enterprises
- protect the environment
- donate to charities
- making an impact rather than profit
- provide job opportunities for unemployed youth
- ethical business practice
what are the production sectors
primary
secondary
tertiary
what is primary sector
involves extracting raw materials from natural environment e.g mining , farming, fishing
what is secondary sector
transforming raw materials into finished products , e.g steel , manaufacturing, clothing , construction
tertiary sector
providing services , e.g cleaning , retail shops
changes in business environment
legislation (laws) economic social environmental political technological
what is a sole trader
individuals owning business on his/ her own. they can also employ people but don’t share ownership of business , e.g hairdresser , gardeners, plumbers and electrician
disadvantage of being a sole trader
all money is at risk if you fail, may not have all skills you need , making all decisions can be stressful , can be difficult to raise finance - heavy workload
what is a private limited company
can raise funds from investors , such as friends & family but not from general public e.g river island , wilkinson and clark’s
what is unlimited liability
when it comes to money owed by a business , the owners have to use their own personal funds to pay for any debts (by selling homes or other assets ) if there is not enough money in the business to do so they are liable for any debts that the business incurs
what is liquidation
turning assets into cash
advantages of partnership
- simple to form business
- minimal paperwork once partnership agreed and set up
- partners provide specialist knowledge and skills
- jobs can be shared
- greater potential to raise finance
- any losses will be shared
disadvantages of partnership
- unlimited liability
- partners hv to live with decisions of others
- decision making takes longer
- harder today raise finance than a company
- profit has to be shared
advantages of a private limited company
limited liability protects personal wealth of shareholders
easier to raise finance as can sell shares
stable form of structure - company continues to exist even when shareholders change
original owners are likely to retain control
disadvantages of private limited company
shareholders have to agree abojt how profits are distributed
finance limited to ‘friends and family ‘
less privacy - public disclosure of company information but not as extreme as PLC
directors legal duties are stricter
greater administrative costs then setting up as a sole trader or partnership
what is a public limited companies
most of largest business in country e.g BP, boots and barclays
PLC are complicated & expensive to set up but can raise large sums of money through lifting shares on stock exchange
trading shares can make company vulnerable to possible takeover
advantages of public limited companies
- limited liability protects personal wealth of shareholders
can raise large sums of finance via the stock exchange which is permanently invested
stable form of structure - business contributes to exist even when shareholders change
form is more prestigious
disadvantages of public limited company
shareholders hv to agree about profit distribution
greater administrative costs
finance can be limited by stock market valuation of company
public can see company information and accounts
risk of company being taken over
separation of ownership and control
differences between PLC and LTD
LTD shares sold only to family and friends
PLC public share holders
profit maximization
profit is main objective for most business this is the reward to entrepreneur for their hard work and risks undertaken
market / share sales maximization
some business will be more concerned with increasing market share or becoming market leader