Unit 3: Area of Study 1 - Business Foundations Flashcards
Sole Trader
A business that is owned and run by 1 person
Characteristics of a Sole Trader
- Has Unlimited Liability
- Must register their business name with ASIC if the business name is different to the owner’s name
Advantages of a Sole Trader (List 2)
- Simple and inexpensive to set up
- Owner has complete control
- No disputes with partners
- Minimal government regulation
- Owner keeps all the Net Profits
Disadvantages of a Sole Trader (List 2)
- Unlimited Liability
- More difficult to gain finance
- The owner has the burden of managing the entire business
- The owner is required to perform many different tasks
Example of a Sole Trader
White Corner Fish and Chips
Partnership
A business that is owned by between 2 and 20 people
Characteristics of a Partnership
- Has Unlimited Liability
- A Partnership Agreement can be formed to avoid disputes
Advantages of a Partnership (List 2)
- Simple and inexpensive to set up
- Workload can be shared among partners
- Debt is shared amongst partners
- It may be easier to take time off or take holidays
- Different skills and expertise are brought into the business
- Easier to raise Capital
Disadvantages of a Partnership (List 2)
- Unlimited liability
- Difficult to transfer ownership
- Other partners have to suffer for debts
- Need to share the profit among partners
Private-Limited Company
A business that is owned by between 1 and 50 Shareholders. The Shareholders need to be invited by the owners to buy shares in the business and need to seek permission to trade shares by the owners
Characteristics of a Private-Limited Company (List 2)
- Owned by 1 to 50 Private Shareholders
- Has Limited Liability
- Has ‘Proprietary Limited or ‘Pty ltd’ after its name
Advantages of a Private-Limited Company (List 2)
- Limited Liability
- Pay company tax rate
- Life of the company can live longer than the directors
- Can be easier to attract more Capital
Disadvantages of a Private-Limited Company (List 1)
- More complex and expensive to establish
- More reporting requirements to the Government
- Shares cannot be traded freely
Example of a Private-Limited Company
Koch Industries
Public-Listed Company
A Company where the shares of the business can be purchased or sold on an open market such as the Australian Securities Exchange (ASX)
Characteristics of a Public-Listed Company (List 2)
- Has Limited Liability
- Shares can be purchased by the public
- Has an unlimited amount of Shareholders
Advantages of a Public-Listed Company (List 2)
- Limited Liability
- Easier to raise Capital by selling more shares
- Life of the company can live longer than the Directors
- Pay company tax rate
Disadvantages of a Public-Listed Company (List 2)
- Highly complex and time consuming to establish
- High establishment costs
- More accountability and compliance
- Possible loss of control of the business
Example of a Public-Listed Company
QANTAS
Social Enterprise
A business that exists primarily to fulfil a vision that benefits the community or a social need rather than the Shareholders
Characteristics of a Social Enterprise (List 2)
- Are commercially viable businesses that make a profit
- Some Social Enterprises rely heavily on grants and funding support whilst others are self-funding
- Profits go towards a social cause
Advantages of a Social Enterprise (List 1)
- Meeting a social need can encourage community support which can increase profits
- There is improved morale within the business as Employees value the work they are doing
Disadvantages of a Social Enterprise (List 1)
- It is difficult to obtain finance to begin the business
- It is difficult to focus on financial and social objectives
Example of a Social Enterprise
STREAT
Government Business Enterprise (GBE)
A business that is owned and operated by the Government
Characteristics of a Government Business Enterprise (List 2)
- Involved in commercial activities
- Aims to make a profit along with carrying out Government Policies
- Aims to increase their value and returns for Shareholders (the Government) like other businesses
- Normally controlled by a Board of Directors
Advantages of a Government Business Enterprise (List 1)
- May invest in areas that the Private Sector may hesitate to invest in
- Provides healthy competition to Private Sectors
Disadvantages of a Government Business Enterprise (List 1)
- Strategic Directors can change with changing Governments
- There can be political interference
- The business may not be as productive as Private Sector businesses
Example of a Government Business Enterprise
Australia Post
Business Objectives
Are goals that the business aims to achieve in the future. Objectives give the business and Employees a sense of purpose and direction
Examples of Business Objectives
- To make a Profit
- To increase Market Share
- To fulfil a Market Need
- To fulfil a Social Need
- To meet Shareholder Expectations
To Make a Profit
- Profit is the amount of money remaining after Expenses have been deducted from Revenue
- A business can make a Profit by increasing their Revenue or Minimising their Expenses
To Increase Market Share
- Market Share is the proportion of the total sales the business has in an industry for a particular Good or Service, expressed as a percentage
- To increase Market Share, a business takes Market Share away from another business
To Fulfil a Market Need
- A Market is a specific group of businesses that have similar characteristics to each other
- Market Research can help find what the needs of different consumer groups are, which the business can aim to satisfy that need
To Fulfil a Social Need
Social Needs are focused on the community and how the business can look to improve the lives of others
To Meet Shareholder Expectations
- Shareholders are those that own part of the Business
- Shareholders expect to make a return on their investment through Capital Gains and Dividends
Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR)
Is the continuing commitment of a business to go above and beyond their legal obligations to operate in an Economically, Socially and Environmentally Sustainable manner
Examples of Corporate Social Responsibility (List 2)
- Reducing the business’s carbon footprint
- Making donations of time or money to charities
- Giving non-profit business’ proceeds
- Ethical marketing
- Waste management
Stakeholders
An individual or group who have a vested interest in the operations of the business
Examples of Stakeholders
- Owners
- Shareholders
- Directors
- Management
- Employees
- Customers
- Suppliers
- Competitors
- Government
- Community
Stakeholders: Owners
Want the business to make a Profit and conduct itself in a Socially Responsibly manner
Stakeholders: Shareholders
Want the business that they have invested in to make Profit as this affects the value of their Shares and the amount of Dividends they receive
Stakeholders: Directors
Has the expectation to be well rewarded with both money and share options
Stakeholders: Managment
Expect to be involved in decision-making and to be rewarded fairly
Stakeholders: Employees
Expect fair pay, good working conditions and ongoing employment
Stakeholders: Customers
Expect good quality Products and/or Services at fair prices