Understanding Business - Part 1 Flashcards
What are needs?
Needs are the basic items required to survive
What are wants?
Wants are items that we do not need but improve our life and make is more enjoyable
What is an entrepreneur?
An entrepreneur is an individual who develops a business idea and combines the factors of production – land, labour and capital – to produce a good or provide a service, with the aim of making a profit.
What is the role of an entrepreneur?
Setting up a business is risky – it could be successful or it could fail
The entrepreneur has to decide
What to sell – goods and/or services
Where to sell
Who to sell to
What are the reasons for setting up a business?
They believe they can provide goods and services better than an existing business
To develop a hobby into a business
Inventing a new product
To be their own boss
Made redundant from job
What are the risks of setting up a business?
Giving up financial security of a wage/salary
Losing their investment if the business fails – could include their personal possessions
Uncertainty over demand for products/services
Competition may enter the market
What are the sources of help/advice?
To reduce the risks when setting up a business an entrepreneur can get help and advice from a number of sources, for example; Bank Enterprise Agency e.g. Business Gateway The Prince’s Trust Other entrepreneurs Lawyer Accountant
What are the sectors of economy?
Private Sector
Public Sector
Third Sector
What type of businesses are in the private sector?
Sole Traders
Partnerships
Private Limited Company (Ltd)
What type of businesses are in the public sector?
Local Government
Central Government
What type of businesses are in the third sector?
Charities/Voluntary Organisations
Social Enterprises
What are the advantages of a sole trader business?
All profits kept by owner
Owner makes all decisions – fast decision making
Easy to set up as no legal paperwork
Small amount of capital needed to set up
What are the disadvantages of a sole trader business?
Owner has unlimited liability
Cannot share workload or decision making
Business could close if owner is ill or on holiday
Can be difficult to raise finance
What should be produced in a partnership?
A legal document called a Partnership Agreement should be produced. This will state:
The original investment by each partner
The split of profits (or losses) between partners
The responsibilities of each partner
Procedure if partner leaves
What are the main objectives of a partnership?
Main objectives are survival and profit maximisation
What are partnerships financed with?
Financed by owner’s savings, bank loan, bank overdraft and government grants.
Can also raise finance from a new partner joining the partnership
Who are partnerships owned and controlled by?
A business that is owned and controlled by 2-20 people (Partners).
Partnerships are owned and controlled by the partners
What are the main objectives of sole traders?
Main objectives are survival, profit maximisation and good relationship with local community.
What are sole traders financed with?
Financed by owner’s savings, loan from family or friends, bank loan, bank overdraft and government grants.
Who are sole traders owned and controlled by?
A business that is owned and controlled by a private individual.
Can employ others to work in the business.
No legal procedures required to start up.
What is the private sector financed by?
They are financed through owners investment, bank loan, grants and new investors.
What are the main objectives of the private sector?
The main objective of these businesses is to maximise profits.
Who are private sector businesses owned by?
Businesses in the private sector are owned by private individuals.
What is unlimited liability?
If the business owes money, then the owner will have to pay this debt which may mean that their personal possessions such as their car and home are at risk.