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BBI 10/20 • Introduction to Business UNIT 1: BUSINESS FUNDAMENTALS • Chapter 1: • Economic Basics WHAT IS A BUSINESS? A business is an organization that produces and/or sells goods and/or services to satisfy the needs, wants, and demands of consumers. WHAT IS A BUSINESS? • There are many ways to classify a business…… WHAT IS A BUSINESS? • A For-profit Business • “an organization that produces or sells goods or services to satisfy the needs of consumers for the purpose of making a profit.” WHAT IS A BUSINESS? Profit: money left after all expenses have been paid. Expenses: money spent on running the business (wages, supplies) WHAT IS A BUSINESS? • Costs: money spent for the production of the good or service. • Businesses try to keep profits up by keeping costs and expenses down. WHAT IS A BUSINESS? • Profit = Revenue – Expenses • If profit is negative, it is called a loss. WHAT IS A BUSINESS? • A business which makes profit may use the money to: • - expand/grow operations • - improve products/services • - give to owner/shareholders WHAT IS A BUSINESS? • Non-profit and Not-for-profit Business. • NP: does not look to make a profit, but raises funds for a specific goal (charities, charitable organizations) • What are some examples of these? WHAT IS A BUSINESS? • NFP: does not seek to make a profit. Extra moneys it brings in is used to improve services. • What are some examples of these? WHAT IS A BUSINESS? • Co-operative: A group of people who come together to meet a set of goals in a democratically controlled business. WHAT IS A BUSINESS? • SIZE OF BUSINESS • Small or medium sized business: less than 500 employees/management. WHAT IS A BUSINESS? • Forms of Business Ownership • We will cover this in Chapter 2 WHAT IS A BUSINESS? • Goods or Services? • Business either sell goods (physical things you take home) or provide services (do something) in exchange for money. • Some do both. WHAT IS A BUSINESS? • Distribution How are goods and services delivered? - Bricks and mortar business, telemarketing, catalogue, virtual store (internet) - Examples? WHAT IS A BUSINESS? • Role in the Community • What dies the business do for the community? • Jobs • What type of jobs does it provide? THE ROLE OF THE CONSUMER THE ROLE OF THE CONSUMER • Producers manufacture goods for consumers. Companies that attract more consumers can make more sales and more profit. • The interaction between producer and consumer, creates the marketplace. • Producer ------ Marketplace ------Consumer THE ROLE OF THE CONSUMER • Years ago, business dictated what was produced, and in what quantities. • Eventually, consumers started to tell manufacturers their needs and wants, creating competition. • Consumers also decide when a product will no longer be produced. When no one wants a product anymore, it becomes obsolete. • What are some things you know of that have become obsolete? THE ROLE OF THE CONSUMER • Consumers also influence price. Companies used to have pricing power (could charge what they want), but with competition consumers can shop around for the best deal. • Consumers also have consumer purchasing power – as customers they dictate how much they are willing to pay, but also the level of service. STARTING A BUSINESS STARTING A BUSINESS • People who start their own businesses are called entrepreneurs. • • • • • Entrepreneurs need: - self-confidence - a flair for innovation - the ability to work alone - an aptitude for managing others STARTING A BUSINESS • Consumers needs and wants: • Sometimes a business is started to satisfy consumer needs. Needs are things that are necessary for survival. • Ex. You need food and clothing. STARTING A BUSINESS • Consumers needs and wants: • Wants are things that are not necessary for survival, but add comfort and pleasure to our lives. • Ex. You want a hamburger, TH shirt… STARTING A BUSINESS • Attracting consumer interest: • It is important to understand how consumers make buying decisions. This will help decide what to make, how to market and distribute the product. • Businesses need to listen to what the consumer wants. The challenge is then to get those customers to buy your product. STARTING A BUSINESS • Attracting consumer interest: • What can companies do to attract more customers? STARTING A BUSINESS Attracting consumer interest: - Sample answers: - create a new product - modify an existing product - more heavily promote a product - offer purchase incentives (coupons) - convince consumers they need (want) the product • - develop different uses for product • - offer free samples • - In-store demonstrations • • • • • • • STARTING A BUSINESS • Attracting consumer interest: • The task is to come up with a product that consumers need or want, at a price they’re willing to pay, in a place that is convenient, and promote it so they know about it. MAKING GOOD BUSINESS DECISIONS MAKING GOOD BUSINESS DECISIONS • The five-step decision-making model can be used to help in any business situation. • 1. Determine what decision has to be made. • 2. Identify the alternatives. • 3. Evaluate the advantages and disadvantages of each. • 4. Make a decision and take action. • 5. Evaluate the decision. MAKING GOOD BUSINESS DECISIONS • 1. Determine what decision has to be made. • • What is the problem? What issue needs to be resolved? • 2. Identify the alternatives. • Brainstorm as many solutions to the problem as possible. MAKING GOOD BUSINESS DECISIONS • 3. Evaluate the advantages and disadvantages of each. • What are the pros and cons of each option? • 4. Make a decision and take action. • Choose the best alternative, and go with it. MAKING GOOD BUSINESS DECISIONS • 5. Evaluate the decision. • After some time, review the decision. Was it the best choice? Would you do something differently or considered something else next time? ECONOMIC RESOURCES ECONOMIC RESOURCES • Economic resources, or factors of production are how products are made available to consumers. • Natural Resources • - materials that come from the earth, water, or air • - most are non-renewable (oil), or take a long time to renew (trees) • - business are limited ECONOMIC RESOURCES • Human Resources • - also called labour or “HR” • - the people who are involved in the production of the product. • - most businesses have an HR department • Capital Resources • - the buildings, equipment, vehicles, factories used • - usually lasts a long time, require large initial investment • - money is considered capital too. ECONOMIC RESOURCES • Interdependence • - almost all companies have some dependence on other companies • - work on many levels • Economic Systems • - a way to deal with the selection, production, distribution and consumption of products • - Government and business work together • - try to make best use of resources, develop alternatives. DEMAND, SUPPLY, AND PRICE SUPPLY, DEMAND AND PRICE • Demand is the quantity consumers are willing/able to buy at a particular price. • Generally: • Lower price = greater demand • Called the Law of Demand. SUPPLY, DEMAND AND PRICE SUPPLY, DEMAND AND PRICE • Demand is created by: • • • • - consumer awareness/interest - ample supply - reasonable/competitive price - easy access SUPPLY, DEMAND AND PRICE • Supply is the quantity that a business is willing to provide for a range of prices people are willing to pay. • Generally: • Higher price = higher supply • Called the Law of Supply. SUPPLY, DEMAND AND PRICE SUPPLY, DEMAND AND PRICE • Supply is created by a company’s desire to satisfy consumers’ needs and wants for a price. • Sometimes, a business will try to create demand for a product through marketing it well • Price is determined by many factors, including demand and supply. Another important factor is cost of production.