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A key characteristic of a business is its ability to create value, often measured as profit, which stems from effectively using resources to meet customer ______ and needs.

demands

The effectiveness of different ______ styles, such as autocratic or democratic, depends on various factors including the nature of the task, the employees' skill levels, and the organizational culture.

management

A business's ______ culture, defined by shared values and beliefs, significantly impacts employee behavior, decision-making processes, and the overall organizational performance.

corporate

Effective communication is a crucial management ______ that enables the clear exchange of information, ideas, and feedback between managers, employees, and stakeholders, fostering collaboration and alignment.

<p>skill</p> Signup and view all the answers

______ are individuals or groups that have an interest in the performance and activities of a business, including employees, customers, suppliers, and the community.

<p>Stakeholders</p> Signup and view all the answers

A Swinburne University study, funded by the AMP Foundation, assessed the impacts of Vanguard on mental health and ______.

<p>wellbeing</p> Signup and view all the answers

Before joining Vanguard, fewer than a ______ of its employees had significant employment experience.

<p>third</p> Signup and view all the answers

After one year at Vanguard, employees showed a decreased likelihood of relying on ______.

<p>welfare</p> Signup and view all the answers

Almost 80 per cent of Vanguard's employees reported that they simply felt ______ after working there.

<p>better</p> Signup and view all the answers

Vanguard provides courses on money ______ and quitting smoking to support employee development.

<p>management</p> Signup and view all the answers

The COVID-19 pandemic led to an 80 per cent decrease in Vanguard’s volume of ______ in 2021.

<p>sales</p> Signup and view all the answers

In 2022, Vanguard established a new ______ with ‘Hello Good World’.

<p>partnership</p> Signup and view all the answers

Jeremy Meltzer was inspired to establish i=Change after becoming increasingly aware of the systemic violence and abuse facing women and girls across the ______.

<p>globe</p> Signup and view all the answers

Social enterprises are commercially viable businesses established to achieve social objectives, rather than focusing on making a ______ for shareholders or owners.

<p>profit</p> Signup and view all the answers

Vanguard Laundry Services employs more than 40 people and cleans 20 tonnes of ______ a week for commercial clients.

<p>linen</p> Signup and view all the answers

Luke Terry, founder of Vanguard Laundry Services, was formerly the CEO of Toowoomba ______, a not-for-profit organization.

<p>Clubhouse</p> Signup and view all the answers

Vanguard Laundry Services secured funding by raising $6 million from more than 100 ______.

<p>sources</p> Signup and view all the answers

The primary social impact of Vanguard Laundry is providing jobs to unemployed people who have a lived experience of ______ ______.

<p>mental illness</p> Signup and view all the answers

Social enterprises typically seek to generate a ______ from their trading activity in order to tackle social problems and improve communities.

<p>profit</p> Signup and view all the answers

Luke Terry's motivation for starting Vanguard Laundry Services stemmed from community member's difficulty finding ______.

<p>jobs</p> Signup and view all the answers

Any surplus generated by Vanguard Laundry is reinvested back into improving laundry services or supporting local ______ ______ employment projects.

<p>mental health</p> Signup and view all the answers

The i=Change model involves online retailers committing to a ______ with every sale.

<p>donation</p> Signup and view all the answers

Customers using the i=Change platform can choose where the ______ goes at checkout.

<p>donation</p> Signup and view all the answers

I=Change charges its retail partners a separate ______ for use of the platform, instead of taking a portion of the donations.

<p>fee</p> Signup and view all the answers

Jeremy Meltzer believes that social enterprises need to be ______ businesses to create impactful social change.

<p>successful</p> Signup and view all the answers

A social enterprise needs to be ______ to pay employees and continue to use the profits to achieve its chosen social objectives.

<p>profitable</p> Signup and view all the answers

By 2022, i=Change had reached over $______ million in donations.

<p>5.8</p> Signup and view all the answers

I=Change has partnered with over 36 ______ and NGOs across the world.

<p>charities</p> Signup and view all the answers

I=Change donates to causes ranging from providing housing for refugee families in Australia, to preventing child marriage in Bangladesh, to keeping girls in ______ in Zimbabwe.

<p>school</p> Signup and view all the answers

In a private listed company, the number of ______ is effectively unlimited, granting them an ownership interest.

<p>shareholders</p> Signup and view all the answers

Shareholders receive a portion of distributed profits according to the number of ______ held.

<p>shares</p> Signup and view all the answers

The primary objective for most shareholders is to make a ______ from their investment, although socially responsible companies are an attractive proposition to many.

<p>profit</p> Signup and view all the answers

[Blank] have the responsibility of running a profitable or successful business, ensuring strategies align with objectives.

<p>Managers</p> Signup and view all the answers

Poor financial performance would result in managers reviewing the business's strategies, processes, and ______ performance.

<p>employee</p> Signup and view all the answers

Most managers today understand that ______ responsible activities should lead to increased sales.

<p>socially</p> Signup and view all the answers

Management could introduce new technology to reduce waste and improve ______ so that the business remains competitive.

<p>productivity</p> Signup and view all the answers

Management could offer employees higher wages and better working conditions, but they may be forced to raise the price of products to cover this cost, leading to a fall in ______.

<p>sales</p> Signup and view all the answers

Business ______ desire the business to achieve profitability, as their personal income or wealth may be reliant on its success.

<p>owners</p> Signup and view all the answers

______ seek dependable delivery of high-quality materials to ensure the business maintains profitability.

<p>Suppliers</p> Signup and view all the answers

______ anticipate receiving fair compensation, appropriate training, and ethical treatment in exchange for their contributions to the business's production processes.

<p>Employees</p> Signup and view all the answers

______ demand access to products of superior quality at affordable prices, coupled with exceptional service standards.

<p>Customers</p> Signup and view all the answers

______ aspire for the business to demonstrate financial success and, in turn, anticipate being fairly compensated for their efforts.

<p>Managers</p> Signup and view all the answers

______ aim for the business they have invested in to generate profit, as this influences the value of their stocks and the amount of dividends they are paid.

<p>Shareholders</p> Signup and view all the answers

To ensure a business makes a profit, ______ must provide quality materials that arrive on time and in the correct quantities.

<p>suppliers</p> Signup and view all the answers

In return for their contribution to production, ______ expect to be paid fairly, trained properly, and treated ethically.

<p>employees</p> Signup and view all the answers

Flashcards

Business Stakeholders

Entities involved or affected by a business's operations and performance.

Corporate Culture

The typical behaviors, attitudes, and values within a business.

Management Styles

Ways managers interact with employees to achieve business objectives.

Management Skills

Competencies managers use to achieve business goals.

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Manager

A person who directs resources to achieve an objective.

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Social Enterprise

Businesses set up to solve social problems and improve communities, reinvesting profits to further their social mission.

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Typical Business Objective

The main aim of a typical business is to create profit for its owners or shareholders.

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Social Enterprise Activities

Commercial activities that generate income to address social or environmental issues.

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Vanguard's Surplus Use

Reinvesting surplus revenue into the business or into community projects to support people experiencing mental illness.

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Social Impact of Enterprises

Businesses like Vanguard Laundry provide employment opportunities for marginalized groups.

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Funding Social Enterprises

Raising funds from multiple sources to finance the startup of a social enterprise.

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Lived Experience

A person with experience with mental illness.

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Vanguard's Business Activity

Laundry services to commercial clients is Vanguard Laundry Services' activity.

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Vanguard's Impact

Reduced reliance on welfare, fewer hospital visits, and improved overall well-being reported by employees.

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Vanguard's Support System

Dedicated staff support welfare and career progression, plus courses in money management and quitting smoking.

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i=Change

A Melbourne-based social enterprise that partners with online retailers to fund projects aiding impoverished women and girls.

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i=Change's Model

Online retailers integrate social responsibility into their e-commerce platforms by donating to global development projects.

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Inspiration behind i=Change

Systemic violence and abuse against women across the world, especially in Latin America.

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Vanguard's Purpose

Social enterprise that empowers disadvantaged individuals through employment.

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Benefits of Working at Vanguard

Providing a supportive work environment and opportunities for personal and professional development.

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i=Change Platform

Online platform that facilitates donations from retailers to charities, with customers choosing the recipient charity.

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Social Enterprise Sustainability

Belief that social enterprises need to be profitable to sustain operations and achieve social goals.

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Social Objectives

Using business profits to achieve specific social objectives or address social issues.

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Non-Governmental Organization (NGO)

An organization that does not operate for profit and focuses on specific social causes.

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Surplus

An amount remaining after all expenses have been paid which can then be reinvested or used for other business activities.

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Community Impact

Businesses provide employment, services, and stability to their local communities.

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Shareholders

Individuals or entities holding ownership in a company, entitled to a share of profits and voting rights.

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Dividend

A payment made to shareholders, representing a portion of the company's profit for each share held.

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Strategy Review

The process of management reviewing strategies, processes, and performance due to poor financial results.

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Manager Remuneration

The compensation (salary and benefits) expected by managers for their work.

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Socially Responsible Activities

Activities that are both profitable and beneficial to society, attracting socially conscious investors.

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Social Responsibility Trade-offs

A concept where management balances the costs and benefits of socially responsible policies.

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Job Displacement

The potential for employees to lose their jobs as a result of management introducing new technology to improve productivity.

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Owners' Interests

Individuals seeking business profit for income/wealth.

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Shareholders' Interests

Individuals expecting business profit for share value & dividends.

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Managers' Interests

Individuals expecting fair pay, social responsibility, and job security.

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Suppliers' Interests

Providing quality materials reliably, expecting prompt payment.

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Employees' Interests

Fair pay, proper training, ethical treatment, and job security.

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Customers' Interests

Quality products at good prices and high service levels.

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Shareholders' Social Responsibility Inclination

Wanting businesses to be socially responsible.

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Managers' Business Objectives

To ensure business profits and secure their positions.

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Study Notes

Business Foundations - Topic Overview

  • The topic covers the key characteristics of businesses, their stakeholders, management styles and skills, and corporate culture.
  • It aims to equip students with the ability to analyze these aspects of businesses.

Types of Businesses

  • Businesses include sole traders, partnerships, private and public companies, social enterprises, and government business enterprises.
  • A sole trader business is owned and run by one person, bearing full financial and operational responsibility; easy to establish, registering with ASIC only if using a business name different from the owner's, has unlimited liability.
  • Partnerships involve two or more owners, sharing responsibilities; maximum 20 partners in general, unlimited liability.
  • Incorporation transforms the business into a company, a separate legal entity from its owners (shareholders), providing limited liability.
  • A private limited company has a minimum of one and a maximum of 50 non-employee shareholders, shares are not publicly traded.
  • A public listed company's shares are traded on the Australian Securities Exchange, needing at least one shareholder, has no maximum.
  • Social enterprises prioritize fulfilling a social need; reinvesting majority profits back into the business or community.
  • Government business enterprises are government owned and operated, participate in commercial activities, carry out government policies.

Advantages & Disadvantages of Business Structures

  • Sole traders have low entry costs, simplest form, complete control, but unlimited liability and difficulty securing finance.
  • Partnerships pool funds and talents, have minimal regulation; but face unlimited liability and potential for disputes.
  • Companies (private and public) provide limited liability, easier finance attraction, but formation is costly.
  • Social enterprises tap new markets, but may struggle with capital and significant operating costs.
  • Government business enterprises can carry out government policies and operate independently, but face political interference and inefficiencies.

Incorporation

  • The process is governed by the Commonwealth Corportations Act 2001, which issues a certificate of incorporation and an Australian Company Number (ACN).
  • Involves registering a company name with ASIC and appointing directors.
  • Limited liability protects shareholders assets, but directors must ensure the company obeys the law.

The Big Issue

  • Is a magazine sold by primarily homeless people to make money for a better life for themselves.

Business Objectives

  • Objectives provide direction and increase chances of success; some mentionable ones involve making a profit, increasing market share, improving efficiency, improving effectiveness, fulfilling market/social needs, and meeting shareholder exprectations.
  • Market share represents their sales proportion of total sales in an industry.
  • Efficiency minimizes resource use while maximizing outputs, including waste reduction and cost savings.
  • Effectiveness is how well a business achieves its objectives, and it has to be continuously considered.
  • Social needs involve the good side of running a business by helping others
  • Investor or shareholder expectations are met by profit and making their initial investment grow

Business Strategies and Performance

  • Strategies outline how to achieve objectives (e.g., new product range for increased profit).
  • Performance is analysed against objective achievement.
  • Key performance indicators (KPIs) measure success, efficiency, and effectiveness.

Business Stakeholders

  • Stakeholders are the groups or individuals who interact with the business and have a vested interest.
  • Owners: Desire profit for income and wealth or return on investments.
  • Managers: Aim to perform well for remuneration and want socially responsible business practices that increase sales.
  • Employees: Want fair pay, training, job security, leading to a need of a socially responsible business
  • Customers: Expect quality products at reasonable prices and with high customer service, acting responsibly.
  • Suppliers: Must be delivered on time and efficiently to be successful
  • The General community: Want responsible actions concerning the environment

Potential Conflicts Between Steakholders

  • Various Stakeholders may have conflicting interests (e.g., employees vs. shareholders)
  • Social responsibility considerations can cause disagreement within a business.
  • Corporate social responsibility involves obligations beyond legal requirements to wellbeing of all stakeholders.

Management Styles

  • A manager's style is their approach to making decisions, directing, and motivating.
  • Autocratic: Manager makes decisions and tells staff what's to happen and expects compliance; most effective with quick action situations.
  • Persuasive: Manager tries to convince employees that the management's way is best, however control is still centralized.
  • Consultative: Manager consults employees before making decisions; the final decision power resides at the manager.
  • Participative: Manager shares decision making authority with subordinates; promotes commitment.
  • Laissez-Faire: Employees control workplace operations; encourages ownership and autonomy.

Management Skills

  • The skills are used to complete the tasks necessary for the achievement of business objectives and goals.
  • Communication: Transfers information between parties in an effective style in order to maintain a long, lasting relationship
  • Delegation: A manager transfers authoritiy and tasks to the staff while providing support.
  • Planning: Define business goals and decide how to achieve them with methods and stratedgies.
  • Leadership: Motivating and managing employees to meet company goals in both an effective and efficient manner
  • Decision making: Having control over a situation and making important decisions to achieve it's objectives
  • Interpersonal skills: Ability to deal with problems and develop relations with staff and create a welcoming enviroment

Corporate Culture

  • Values, ideas, expectations, and beliefs shared by staff and managers, which may be both official and real.
  • Official Culture: Expressed via policies, objectives, and slogans.
  • Real Culture: The unwritten rules and behaviors, such as dress code and staff interactions.
  • Elements include values, practices, symbols, rituals, and heroes.

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Description

Key business concepts covering value creation, leadership styles, organizational culture, communication, and stakeholder management. Based on a Swinburne University study, funded by the AMP Foundation.

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