A detailed statement of how the business intends to operate, either at start-up or during a given period of time
Competition
The rivalry between businesses looking to sell their goods/services in the same market
Cost
The money spent by a business on goods and services
Customer
Individuals, businesses or organisations that purchase goods/services and make decisions about which supplier to choose
Customer satisfaction
Whether customers are pleased with the goods/services they receive; whether they would purchase again
Demand
The quantity of a particular product that will be bought at particular price over a specific time
Directors
The people who are elected by the shareholders to run the business on their behalf
Diseconomies of scale
When a business grows too large, leading to a possible increase in unit cost
Dividend
A portion of the after-tax profit that is paid to shareholders according to the number of shares they own
commerce
Business transactions carried out electronically on the internet
Economies of scale
The cost advantage of producing on a large scale. As output increases the unit cost decreases
Employees
Individuals who work full time or part time for the business; they have a contract of employment detailing their duties and rights
Enterprise
The ability to identify business ideas and opportunities to bring them to fruition and to take risks where appropriate
Entrepreneur
A person who has the vision to use initiative to make business ideas happen, managing the resources and risks
Ethical objectives
A business' goals that relate to fair business practice or moral guidelines and make a positive contribution to the business' reputation
Ethics
The moral principles that guide how a business operates
Expansion
The process of increasing a business' size
Export
Good/service sold to a customer in another country
External growth
The growth of a business by joining with another by merger or takeover
Factors of production
The elements that combine in the production process: land, labour, capital and enterprise
Fixed costs
The costs that stay largely the same, regardless of the business' output
Franchising
The sale of the rights to use/sell a product by a franchisor to a franchisee
Gap in the market
An opportunity for a new business (or expansion) which may meet a need that is not being met
Goods
Items that are produced from raw materials for sale to businesses or consumers
Growth
A business' increase in size. Methods include: asset value, employees, market share, markets, profits and sales
Import
Good/service bought from a supplier in another country
Integration
Two or more businesses join together
Limited liability
The owners are not responsible for the debts of the business. The limit of their liability for the business' debts is the amount they invested
Local community
The individuals, other businesses and organisations that are located close to the business. The business interacts with these groups
Location
The site of a business and the reasoning behind the choice of site
Loss
Where expenditure is greater than income
Market
Where those wishing to buy goods/services make contact with those who have them to sell
Market share
The proportion of the whole market for a product that is held by the business
Mergers
When two or more businesses agree to join together
Not-for-profit organisations
Associations, charities, co-operatives or voluntary organisations set up to further non-monetary ideals such as cultural, educational, religious and public service
Objective
A specific statement that defines a precise goal that can be measured and delivered within a given time
Opportunity cost
The cost of making one choice concerning the use of limited resources at the expense of an alternative choice
Organic growth
A business grows by increasing its output, by increasing its customer base or by developing new product(s)
Outsourcing
Contracting another business to carry out some of the business' activities, often to reduce costs