This document discusses key aspects of small businesses. It notes that small businesses make up over 99% of US businesses, generate 60-80% of new jobs, and play a vital economic role. The document examines how businesses are defined as small, the pros and cons of small business ownership, and organizations like the National Federation of Independent Business that advocate for small businesses. It also addresses important steps for starting a small business like creating a business plan, obtaining necessary licenses and permits, and choosing a business name and location.
Small businesses make up over 99% of all businesses in the US and generate around half of new jobs. Starting a small business requires developing a business plan that covers topics like the business concept, market analysis, financing, management, licenses and permits, and naming the business. While small businesses face risks like less stability, more work, and more responsibility compared to larger companies, they also allow opportunities for self-determination, higher incomes, and lower taxes. Overall, small businesses play a vital role in local communities and the national economy.
Design Thinking Workshop NLA November 2017MichalGromek
The workshop was held at NLA University College is the third largest private university college in Norway in November 2017. It incorporates different innovation strategies like blue ocean, design thinking and little bets. It finishes with a design thinking workshop based on Standford Design Thinking Crash Course.
EMBRACE FITNESS is an L3C organization in Chicago, IL that aims to provide an enjoyable and healthy environment for individuals with disabilities to engage in fitness activities. Over 39% of Americans work out in fitness clubs, but only 36% of Americans with disabilities engage in physical activity. EMBRACE FITNESS will offer specialized fitness equipment, certified trainers, transportation services, group classes, and on-site physical therapy to its target market of over 600,000 disabled individuals in the Chicago area. The organization expects to generate revenue through membership fees and hopes to have 30 members per month in its first year of operation.
The document discusses marketing strategies to increase sales of the Illio Yearbook at the University of Illinois. It finds that while awareness of the yearbook is high, interest and demand are low as many students say they "don't care" about purchasing one. A SWOT analysis and market research is presented, identifying key target segments like seniors and student groups. The recommendations include positioning the yearbook as part of school history and legacy, increasing personalization options, and promoting nostalgia through advertising emphasizing memorable events. The plan aims to boost yearbook sales by 10% and group page sales by 30% through various marketing, pricing, and promotional tactics over the next year.
Este documento presenta un listado de 77 colegios de Boyacá que han firmado convenios en años recientes, incluyendo el nombre del colegio, la ciudad, el año de la firma del convenio y el rector. La mayoría de los colegios se ubican en las ciudades de Duitama, Chiquinquirá, Sogamoso y otros municipios del departamento de Boyacá.
The document discusses the importance of small businesses, providing statistics showing that small businesses generate most new jobs and make up most businesses. It also explains that major companies like McDonald's started small with only a few menu items. The definition of a small business can vary based on factors like the number of employees, sales volume, and area served.
The document analyzes the business model of One Laptop Per Child (OLPC) and provides recommendations to improve its sustainability and growth. It segments the market into underdeveloped, developing, and developed countries. It identifies factors like political will, environment, social acceptance, technology awareness, and legal issues that affect each market. Recommendations include building brand awareness, sharpening market segmentation, creating an open supplier market, and tightening control systems to promote sustainability and high penetration across geographies through local partners.
Small businesses make up over 99% of all businesses in the US and generate around half of new jobs. Starting a small business requires developing a business plan that covers topics like the business concept, market analysis, financing, management, licenses and permits, and naming the business. While small businesses face risks like less stability, more work, and more responsibility compared to larger companies, they also allow opportunities for self-determination, higher incomes, and lower taxes. Overall, small businesses play a vital role in local communities and the national economy.
Design Thinking Workshop NLA November 2017MichalGromek
The workshop was held at NLA University College is the third largest private university college in Norway in November 2017. It incorporates different innovation strategies like blue ocean, design thinking and little bets. It finishes with a design thinking workshop based on Standford Design Thinking Crash Course.
EMBRACE FITNESS is an L3C organization in Chicago, IL that aims to provide an enjoyable and healthy environment for individuals with disabilities to engage in fitness activities. Over 39% of Americans work out in fitness clubs, but only 36% of Americans with disabilities engage in physical activity. EMBRACE FITNESS will offer specialized fitness equipment, certified trainers, transportation services, group classes, and on-site physical therapy to its target market of over 600,000 disabled individuals in the Chicago area. The organization expects to generate revenue through membership fees and hopes to have 30 members per month in its first year of operation.
The document discusses marketing strategies to increase sales of the Illio Yearbook at the University of Illinois. It finds that while awareness of the yearbook is high, interest and demand are low as many students say they "don't care" about purchasing one. A SWOT analysis and market research is presented, identifying key target segments like seniors and student groups. The recommendations include positioning the yearbook as part of school history and legacy, increasing personalization options, and promoting nostalgia through advertising emphasizing memorable events. The plan aims to boost yearbook sales by 10% and group page sales by 30% through various marketing, pricing, and promotional tactics over the next year.
Este documento presenta un listado de 77 colegios de Boyacá que han firmado convenios en años recientes, incluyendo el nombre del colegio, la ciudad, el año de la firma del convenio y el rector. La mayoría de los colegios se ubican en las ciudades de Duitama, Chiquinquirá, Sogamoso y otros municipios del departamento de Boyacá.
The document discusses the importance of small businesses, providing statistics showing that small businesses generate most new jobs and make up most businesses. It also explains that major companies like McDonald's started small with only a few menu items. The definition of a small business can vary based on factors like the number of employees, sales volume, and area served.
The document analyzes the business model of One Laptop Per Child (OLPC) and provides recommendations to improve its sustainability and growth. It segments the market into underdeveloped, developing, and developed countries. It identifies factors like political will, environment, social acceptance, technology awareness, and legal issues that affect each market. Recommendations include building brand awareness, sharpening market segmentation, creating an open supplier market, and tightening control systems to promote sustainability and high penetration across geographies through local partners.
The document proposes bringing a Disney theme park called "Disney DownUnder" to Australia. It discusses how Disneyland has expanded globally and sees opportunity in Australia's growing tourism industry. The proposal analyzes Australia's culture, economy, potential customer base, and existing theme park competitors like Dreamworld. It presents a preliminary marketing plan to target Australian families and introduce Disney themes adapted for Australian culture.
This children's story describes a series of animals hearing noises in their ears from other zoo animals. Each animal asks what the previous animal hears, and it continues down the list, with the polar bear hearing a lion roaring, the lion hearing a hippopotamus snorting, and so on, until the zookeeper hears children imitating the sounds of all the animals. The story is intended to teach children animal sounds.
This document provides an overview of Chester Inc, a sensor company that simulates different business strategies and product offerings across multiple practice rounds. It discusses Chester's business strategy of targeting high-end, niche segments with technologically superior products. It also summarizes their product line, financial performance, successful and unsuccessful decisions made, and lessons learned around strategic coordination between business units, awareness of competitors and stakeholders, and considering different perspectives.
The document discusses different conceptions of teaching:
1. Science-research conceptions focus on operationalizing principles from educational research, following tested models of effective teaching. Approaches include audiolingualism, task-based language teaching, and learner training.
2. Theory-philosophy conceptions are based on educational theories like communicative language teaching and values-based approaches focus on embedding values in the curriculum.
3. Art-craft conceptions view teaching as inventing personalized practices for each unique situation based on assessing learner needs and possibilities. A good teacher selects effective options for their particular class.
LinkedIn began in 2003 and has since grown to over 50 million members worldwide, establishing itself as the leading professional social networking platform. While maintaining a focus on business relationships and opportunities, LinkedIn faces strategic dilemmas around whether to remain a closed platform or open up, how much to incorporate social features while keeping a professional focus, and how to best expand globally while addressing regional differences. Overall, LinkedIn is positioned for continued growth by balancing these considerations and responding flexibly to changes in the competitive landscape and economy.
This document provides an overview of offshore platform design, including the types of platforms, their key components, design considerations, and loads. The main types of platforms discussed are fixed structures like jacket platforms and compliant towers, and floating structures like tension leg platforms, semi-submersibles, and spars. Design involves considering environmental loads from waves, wind, earthquakes, and more, as well as structural analysis and ensuring stability.
Saylor URL: http://www.saylor.org/books Saylor.org
1
This text was adapted by The Saylor Foundation under a Creative
Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 3.0 License without
attribution as requested by the work’s original creator or licensee.
http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/3.0/
http://www.saylor.org/books
http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/3.0/
http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/3.0/
Saylor URL: http://www.saylor.org/books Saylor.org
2
Preface
Imagine a text that your students might actually read. Imagine a book that is the core of your course
without the bloat. Imagine a book that uses customer value, digital technology, and cash flow as key
themes rather than afterthought add-ins. Imagine a text that contains extensive ancillary materials—
PowerPoints, websites, videos, podcasts, and guides to software—all geared to enhancing the educational
experience. Sound good? Small Business Management in the 21st Century is your text.
This text offers a unique perspective and set of capabilities for instructors. It is a text that believes “less
can be more” and that small business management should not be treated as an abstract theoretical concept
but as a practical human activity. It emphasizes clear illustrations and real-world examples.
The text has a format and structure that will be familiar to those who use other books on small business
management, yet it brings a fresh perspective by incorporating three distinctive and unique themes that
are embedded throughout the entire text. These themes ensure that students see the material in an
integrated context rather than a stream of separate and distinct topics.
First, we incorporate the use of technology and e-business as a way to gain competitive advantage
over larger rivals. Technology is omnipresent in today’s business world. Small business must use it to its
advantage. We provide practical discussions and examples of how a small business can use these
technologies without having extensive expertise or expenditures.
Second, we explicitly acknowledge the constant need to examine how decisions affect cash flow by
incorporating cash flow impact content in several chapters. As the life blood of all organizations, cash
flow implications must be a factor in all business decision making.
Third, we recognize the need to clearly identify sources of customer valueand bring that
understanding to every decision. Decisions that do not add to customer value should be seriously
reconsidered.
Another unique element of this text is the use of Disaster Watch scenarios. Few texts cover, in any
detail, some of the major hazards that small business managers face. Disaster Watch scenarios, included
in most chapters, cover topics that include financing, bankers, creditors, employees, economic downturns,
and marketing challenges.
http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/3.0/
http://www.saylor.org/books
Saylor URL: ht.
This document discusses seven traps that large, successful organizations can fall into as they grow: 1) Slow growth as organizations get bigger, 2) Holding onto old products for too long, 3) Success breeding complacency, 4) Shifting from generalization to specialization, 5) Prioritizing efficiency over creativity, 6) Focusing on rules rather than tasks, 7) Shifting from curiosity to complacency. It provides examples and sources for each trap and suggests that organizations must adapt to changes, question the status quo, and remain innovative in order to avoid stagnating.
This document provides a comprehensive list of over 100 entrepreneurial resources and business intelligence sources on the internet. It includes websites that provide information, tools and services for entrepreneurs, small businesses, startups and those interested in entrepreneurship. The list is constantly updated from the author's blog on entrepreneurial resources.
Small businesses require clear focus, strong management, marketing, and understanding of customer demand. They must understand importance of problem identification, solution development, and target markets. Success requires advertising, financial stability, and utilizing technology and location trends.
Discovery Driven Planning for new ventures, products and servicesStocker Partnership
New ventures are inherently uncertain—whether you're starting a new business, creating a new product or launching a new service. Reducing risk and trying to predict what is going to happen can be tricky. What if there was a different way?
Discovery Driven Planning allows you to explore the viability of a new venture by beginning with the end in mind—what will it really take for your venture to be a success? Originally developed by Rita Gunther McGrath and Ian MacMillan, the framework guides you through a process of identifying and discovering the information you need to make informed decisions. Without investing big, you will be able to quickly establish whether your idea is capable of delivering the return you desire and whether it is competitive.
With step-by-step examples, we present an easy to understand guide to Discovery Driven Planning; one of our go-to tools for anybody considering a new venture, whether you are a startup, corporate or somewhere in-between.
"Mantras of startups: "fail fast", "move fast and break things", "keep shipping" - these are all great slogans, but unknown to many - these are really all about learning. It's about getting things in front of your customers early, and often. Watching - and learning. Finding what ideas were not quite as brilliant as you once thought - and finding this out as fast and cheap as possible.
How are modern product teams making this happen? Where does User Experience and customer research fit in this model? Taking from Agile, Lean, and User Centered Design - this talk will go over the build-measure-learn process, and how you can start to shape your organization to move fast, without leaving your customers behind."
The document provides an overview of what is needed to start a successful business, including capital, labor, land, and developing a business plan. It discusses the importance of businesses for fueling the economy and creating jobs. The summary also notes that there are over 23 million small businesses in the US, employing over half the private workforce. Key elements like developing a marketing plan, managing cash flow, and providing a great product or service are emphasized as important for business survival.
Advertising has grown rapidly over a short period of time and changed how companies operate. The presenter chose to study advertising because they wish to pursue a career in the field.
The presentation provided an overview of advertising, including its history from the first newspaper ads in 1704 to modern internet advertising. Various types of advertising like print, broadcast, and product placement were examined. Key steps in creating effective ads like catchy slogans and using characters were also reviewed. Large advertising agencies that help companies were discussed. Examples of creative, successful ads were shown to conclude the presentation.
Crisis management involves preparing for and responding to unexpected events that threaten an organization. It is an important part of public relations because not all publicity is good. A crisis management program can reduce the negative effects of events that go wrong through no fault of management or are beyond their control. It is important to monitor for potential crises, have plans in place, and communicate well with the public and media in the event of a crisis. With advance preparation and response, the impact of a negative event can be lessened through good communication and storytelling. All companies should have a crisis management plan and train employees on it.
This document discusses cause-related marketing and its benefits for both non-profit organizations and for-profit companies. It provides examples of partnerships between companies like Yoplait and Payless Shoes and non-profits like Susan G. Komen where companies donate a portion of proceeds from certain products to a cause, helping to both increase sales and benefit the non-profit. These types of partnerships have generated over $800 million for non-profits and have led to increased sales and creativity for companies.
The document discusses various approaches to developing a marketing plan, including doing it yourself using guidance from online resources, hiring an internal assistant, or engaging an outside agency. It provides overviews of the key components of a marketing plan at different levels, from a high-level 30,000 foot view down to a more detailed 10,000 foot implementation plan. It emphasizes assessing your needs and capabilities before determining the best option for developing an effective marketing strategy.
How to get started with social media- an introduction Part 2 (short version)Sabrina Nagel
This document provides an overview of how to get started with social media. It discusses the power of social media and popular platforms like Twitter, Facebook, YouTube and LinkedIn. It recommends defining your target customer, developing a social media strategy and engagement plan, starting to listen on social media to understand conversations, building trust with your audience and then starting to reach out and engage. It also provides a case study example of how a company raised brand awareness and made valuable connections by investing 60 minutes per day on social media over several months.
Saylor URL: http://www.saylor.org/books Saylor.org
4
Chapter 1
Mastering Strategy: Art and Science
L E A R N I N G O B J E C T I V E S
After reading this chapter, you should be able to understand and articulate answers to the following
questions:
1. What are strategic management and strategy?
2. Why does strategic management matter?
3. What elements determine firm performance?
Strategic Management: A Core Concern for Apple
The Opening of the Apple Store
Image courtesy of Neil Bird, http://www.flickr.com/photos/nechbi/2058929337.
March 2, 2011, was a huge day for Apple. The firm released its much-anticipated iPad2, a thinner and
faster version of market-leading Apple’s iPad tablet device. Apple also announced that a leading publisher,
Random House, had made all seventeen thousand of its books available through Apple’s iBookstore.
Apple had enjoyed tremendous success for quite some time. Approximately fifteen million iPads were sold
in 2010, and the price of Apple’s stock had more than tripled from early 2009 to early 2011.
http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/3.0/
http://www.saylor.org/books
http://www.flickr.com/photos/nechbi/2058929337
Saylor URL: http://www.saylor.org/books Saylor.org
5
But future success was far from guaranteed. The firm’s visionary founder Steve Jobs was battling serious
health problems. Apple’s performance had suffered when an earlier health crisis had forced Jobs to step
away from the company. This raised serious questions. Would Jobs have to step away again? If so, how
might Apple maintain its excellent performance without its leader?
Meanwhile, the iPad2 faced daunting competition. Samsung, LG, Research in Motion, Dell, and other
manufacturers were trying to create tablets that were cheaper, faster, and more versatile than the iPad2.
These firms were eager to steal market share by selling their tablets to current and potential Apple
customers. Could Apple maintain leadership of the tablet market, or would one or more of its rivals
dominate the market in the years ahead? Even worse, might a company create a new type of device that
would make Apple’s tablets obsolete?
http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/3.0/
http://www.saylor.org/books
Saylor URL: http://www.saylor.org/books Saylor.org
6
1.1 Defining Strategic Management and Strategy
L E A R N I N G O B J E C T I V E S
1. Learn what strategic management is.
2. Understand the key question addressed by strategic management.
3. Understand why it is valuable to consider different definitions of strategy.
4. Learn what is meant by each of the 5 Ps of strategy.
What Is Strategic Management?
Issues such as those currently faced by Apple are the focus of strategic management because they help
answer the key question examined by strategic management—“Why do some firms outperform other
firms?” More specifically, strategic management examines how actions and .
Saylor URL: http://www.saylor.org/books Saylor.org
4
Chapter 1
Mastering Strategy: Art and Science
L E A R N I N G O B J E C T I V E S
After reading this chapter, you should be able to understand and articulate answers to the following
questions:
1. What are strategic management and strategy?
2. Why does strategic management matter?
3. What elements determine firm performance?
Strategic Management: A Core Concern for Apple
The Opening of the Apple Store
Image courtesy of Neil Bird, http://www.flickr.com/photos/nechbi/2058929337.
March 2, 2011, was a huge day for Apple. The firm released its much-anticipated iPad2, a thinner and
faster version of market-leading Apple’s iPad tablet device. Apple also announced that a leading publisher,
Random House, had made all seventeen thousand of its books available through Apple’s iBookstore.
Apple had enjoyed tremendous success for quite some time. Approximately fifteen million iPads were sold
in 2010, and the price of Apple’s stock had more than tripled from early 2009 to early 2011.
http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/3.0/
http://www.saylor.org/books
http://www.flickr.com/photos/nechbi/2058929337
Saylor URL: http://www.saylor.org/books Saylor.org
5
But future success was far from guaranteed. The firm’s visionary founder Steve Jobs was battling serious
health problems. Apple’s performance had suffered when an earlier health crisis had forced Jobs to step
away from the company. This raised serious questions. Would Jobs have to step away again? If so, how
might Apple maintain its excellent performance without its leader?
Meanwhile, the iPad2 faced daunting competition. Samsung, LG, Research in Motion, Dell, and other
manufacturers were trying to create tablets that were cheaper, faster, and more versatile than the iPad2.
These firms were eager to steal market share by selling their tablets to current and potential Apple
customers. Could Apple maintain leadership of the tablet market, or would one or more of its rivals
dominate the market in the years ahead? Even worse, might a company create a new type of device that
would make Apple’s tablets obsolete?
http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/3.0/
http://www.saylor.org/books
Saylor URL: http://www.saylor.org/books Saylor.org
6
1.1 Defining Strategic Management and Strategy
L E A R N I N G O B J E C T I V E S
1. Learn what strategic management is.
2. Understand the key question addressed by strategic management.
3. Understand why it is valuable to consider different definitions of strategy.
4. Learn what is meant by each of the 5 Ps of strategy.
What Is Strategic Management?
Issues such as those currently faced by Apple are the focus of strategic management because they help
answer the key question examined by strategic management—“Why do some firms outperform other
firms?” More specifically, strategic management examines how actions and .
Corporate blogging can benefit companies by building their online presence and brand. It is important that corporate blogs fit with the company's culture. Some key strategies for corporate blogging include building thought leadership, highlighting corporate culture, connecting with employees, and strengthening the brand. Several case studies show how companies like Southwest Airlines, Microsoft, and Zappos have successfully used blogging to engage customers and employees. However, companies must also be careful, as seen in examples where Nestle and Honda received negative feedback from social media interactions.
Businesses must engage their employees and their customers to build loyalty, deepen relationships and gain access to insights that inspire future actions and drive profits, but how? How do you rise above the noise to deliver a compelling and differentiated customer experience that will help you not only survive, but thrive. This is not just about building great products or providing great customer support, but how to transform your business to earn the trust needed to fully serve your market - internally and externally
The document proposes bringing a Disney theme park called "Disney DownUnder" to Australia. It discusses how Disneyland has expanded globally and sees opportunity in Australia's growing tourism industry. The proposal analyzes Australia's culture, economy, potential customer base, and existing theme park competitors like Dreamworld. It presents a preliminary marketing plan to target Australian families and introduce Disney themes adapted for Australian culture.
This children's story describes a series of animals hearing noises in their ears from other zoo animals. Each animal asks what the previous animal hears, and it continues down the list, with the polar bear hearing a lion roaring, the lion hearing a hippopotamus snorting, and so on, until the zookeeper hears children imitating the sounds of all the animals. The story is intended to teach children animal sounds.
This document provides an overview of Chester Inc, a sensor company that simulates different business strategies and product offerings across multiple practice rounds. It discusses Chester's business strategy of targeting high-end, niche segments with technologically superior products. It also summarizes their product line, financial performance, successful and unsuccessful decisions made, and lessons learned around strategic coordination between business units, awareness of competitors and stakeholders, and considering different perspectives.
The document discusses different conceptions of teaching:
1. Science-research conceptions focus on operationalizing principles from educational research, following tested models of effective teaching. Approaches include audiolingualism, task-based language teaching, and learner training.
2. Theory-philosophy conceptions are based on educational theories like communicative language teaching and values-based approaches focus on embedding values in the curriculum.
3. Art-craft conceptions view teaching as inventing personalized practices for each unique situation based on assessing learner needs and possibilities. A good teacher selects effective options for their particular class.
LinkedIn began in 2003 and has since grown to over 50 million members worldwide, establishing itself as the leading professional social networking platform. While maintaining a focus on business relationships and opportunities, LinkedIn faces strategic dilemmas around whether to remain a closed platform or open up, how much to incorporate social features while keeping a professional focus, and how to best expand globally while addressing regional differences. Overall, LinkedIn is positioned for continued growth by balancing these considerations and responding flexibly to changes in the competitive landscape and economy.
This document provides an overview of offshore platform design, including the types of platforms, their key components, design considerations, and loads. The main types of platforms discussed are fixed structures like jacket platforms and compliant towers, and floating structures like tension leg platforms, semi-submersibles, and spars. Design involves considering environmental loads from waves, wind, earthquakes, and more, as well as structural analysis and ensuring stability.
Saylor URL: http://www.saylor.org/books Saylor.org
1
This text was adapted by The Saylor Foundation under a Creative
Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 3.0 License without
attribution as requested by the work’s original creator or licensee.
http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/3.0/
http://www.saylor.org/books
http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/3.0/
http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/3.0/
Saylor URL: http://www.saylor.org/books Saylor.org
2
Preface
Imagine a text that your students might actually read. Imagine a book that is the core of your course
without the bloat. Imagine a book that uses customer value, digital technology, and cash flow as key
themes rather than afterthought add-ins. Imagine a text that contains extensive ancillary materials—
PowerPoints, websites, videos, podcasts, and guides to software—all geared to enhancing the educational
experience. Sound good? Small Business Management in the 21st Century is your text.
This text offers a unique perspective and set of capabilities for instructors. It is a text that believes “less
can be more” and that small business management should not be treated as an abstract theoretical concept
but as a practical human activity. It emphasizes clear illustrations and real-world examples.
The text has a format and structure that will be familiar to those who use other books on small business
management, yet it brings a fresh perspective by incorporating three distinctive and unique themes that
are embedded throughout the entire text. These themes ensure that students see the material in an
integrated context rather than a stream of separate and distinct topics.
First, we incorporate the use of technology and e-business as a way to gain competitive advantage
over larger rivals. Technology is omnipresent in today’s business world. Small business must use it to its
advantage. We provide practical discussions and examples of how a small business can use these
technologies without having extensive expertise or expenditures.
Second, we explicitly acknowledge the constant need to examine how decisions affect cash flow by
incorporating cash flow impact content in several chapters. As the life blood of all organizations, cash
flow implications must be a factor in all business decision making.
Third, we recognize the need to clearly identify sources of customer valueand bring that
understanding to every decision. Decisions that do not add to customer value should be seriously
reconsidered.
Another unique element of this text is the use of Disaster Watch scenarios. Few texts cover, in any
detail, some of the major hazards that small business managers face. Disaster Watch scenarios, included
in most chapters, cover topics that include financing, bankers, creditors, employees, economic downturns,
and marketing challenges.
http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/3.0/
http://www.saylor.org/books
Saylor URL: ht.
This document discusses seven traps that large, successful organizations can fall into as they grow: 1) Slow growth as organizations get bigger, 2) Holding onto old products for too long, 3) Success breeding complacency, 4) Shifting from generalization to specialization, 5) Prioritizing efficiency over creativity, 6) Focusing on rules rather than tasks, 7) Shifting from curiosity to complacency. It provides examples and sources for each trap and suggests that organizations must adapt to changes, question the status quo, and remain innovative in order to avoid stagnating.
This document provides a comprehensive list of over 100 entrepreneurial resources and business intelligence sources on the internet. It includes websites that provide information, tools and services for entrepreneurs, small businesses, startups and those interested in entrepreneurship. The list is constantly updated from the author's blog on entrepreneurial resources.
Small businesses require clear focus, strong management, marketing, and understanding of customer demand. They must understand importance of problem identification, solution development, and target markets. Success requires advertising, financial stability, and utilizing technology and location trends.
Discovery Driven Planning for new ventures, products and servicesStocker Partnership
New ventures are inherently uncertain—whether you're starting a new business, creating a new product or launching a new service. Reducing risk and trying to predict what is going to happen can be tricky. What if there was a different way?
Discovery Driven Planning allows you to explore the viability of a new venture by beginning with the end in mind—what will it really take for your venture to be a success? Originally developed by Rita Gunther McGrath and Ian MacMillan, the framework guides you through a process of identifying and discovering the information you need to make informed decisions. Without investing big, you will be able to quickly establish whether your idea is capable of delivering the return you desire and whether it is competitive.
With step-by-step examples, we present an easy to understand guide to Discovery Driven Planning; one of our go-to tools for anybody considering a new venture, whether you are a startup, corporate or somewhere in-between.
"Mantras of startups: "fail fast", "move fast and break things", "keep shipping" - these are all great slogans, but unknown to many - these are really all about learning. It's about getting things in front of your customers early, and often. Watching - and learning. Finding what ideas were not quite as brilliant as you once thought - and finding this out as fast and cheap as possible.
How are modern product teams making this happen? Where does User Experience and customer research fit in this model? Taking from Agile, Lean, and User Centered Design - this talk will go over the build-measure-learn process, and how you can start to shape your organization to move fast, without leaving your customers behind."
The document provides an overview of what is needed to start a successful business, including capital, labor, land, and developing a business plan. It discusses the importance of businesses for fueling the economy and creating jobs. The summary also notes that there are over 23 million small businesses in the US, employing over half the private workforce. Key elements like developing a marketing plan, managing cash flow, and providing a great product or service are emphasized as important for business survival.
Advertising has grown rapidly over a short period of time and changed how companies operate. The presenter chose to study advertising because they wish to pursue a career in the field.
The presentation provided an overview of advertising, including its history from the first newspaper ads in 1704 to modern internet advertising. Various types of advertising like print, broadcast, and product placement were examined. Key steps in creating effective ads like catchy slogans and using characters were also reviewed. Large advertising agencies that help companies were discussed. Examples of creative, successful ads were shown to conclude the presentation.
Crisis management involves preparing for and responding to unexpected events that threaten an organization. It is an important part of public relations because not all publicity is good. A crisis management program can reduce the negative effects of events that go wrong through no fault of management or are beyond their control. It is important to monitor for potential crises, have plans in place, and communicate well with the public and media in the event of a crisis. With advance preparation and response, the impact of a negative event can be lessened through good communication and storytelling. All companies should have a crisis management plan and train employees on it.
This document discusses cause-related marketing and its benefits for both non-profit organizations and for-profit companies. It provides examples of partnerships between companies like Yoplait and Payless Shoes and non-profits like Susan G. Komen where companies donate a portion of proceeds from certain products to a cause, helping to both increase sales and benefit the non-profit. These types of partnerships have generated over $800 million for non-profits and have led to increased sales and creativity for companies.
The document discusses various approaches to developing a marketing plan, including doing it yourself using guidance from online resources, hiring an internal assistant, or engaging an outside agency. It provides overviews of the key components of a marketing plan at different levels, from a high-level 30,000 foot view down to a more detailed 10,000 foot implementation plan. It emphasizes assessing your needs and capabilities before determining the best option for developing an effective marketing strategy.
How to get started with social media- an introduction Part 2 (short version)Sabrina Nagel
This document provides an overview of how to get started with social media. It discusses the power of social media and popular platforms like Twitter, Facebook, YouTube and LinkedIn. It recommends defining your target customer, developing a social media strategy and engagement plan, starting to listen on social media to understand conversations, building trust with your audience and then starting to reach out and engage. It also provides a case study example of how a company raised brand awareness and made valuable connections by investing 60 minutes per day on social media over several months.
Saylor URL: http://www.saylor.org/books Saylor.org
4
Chapter 1
Mastering Strategy: Art and Science
L E A R N I N G O B J E C T I V E S
After reading this chapter, you should be able to understand and articulate answers to the following
questions:
1. What are strategic management and strategy?
2. Why does strategic management matter?
3. What elements determine firm performance?
Strategic Management: A Core Concern for Apple
The Opening of the Apple Store
Image courtesy of Neil Bird, http://www.flickr.com/photos/nechbi/2058929337.
March 2, 2011, was a huge day for Apple. The firm released its much-anticipated iPad2, a thinner and
faster version of market-leading Apple’s iPad tablet device. Apple also announced that a leading publisher,
Random House, had made all seventeen thousand of its books available through Apple’s iBookstore.
Apple had enjoyed tremendous success for quite some time. Approximately fifteen million iPads were sold
in 2010, and the price of Apple’s stock had more than tripled from early 2009 to early 2011.
http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/3.0/
http://www.saylor.org/books
http://www.flickr.com/photos/nechbi/2058929337
Saylor URL: http://www.saylor.org/books Saylor.org
5
But future success was far from guaranteed. The firm’s visionary founder Steve Jobs was battling serious
health problems. Apple’s performance had suffered when an earlier health crisis had forced Jobs to step
away from the company. This raised serious questions. Would Jobs have to step away again? If so, how
might Apple maintain its excellent performance without its leader?
Meanwhile, the iPad2 faced daunting competition. Samsung, LG, Research in Motion, Dell, and other
manufacturers were trying to create tablets that were cheaper, faster, and more versatile than the iPad2.
These firms were eager to steal market share by selling their tablets to current and potential Apple
customers. Could Apple maintain leadership of the tablet market, or would one or more of its rivals
dominate the market in the years ahead? Even worse, might a company create a new type of device that
would make Apple’s tablets obsolete?
http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/3.0/
http://www.saylor.org/books
Saylor URL: http://www.saylor.org/books Saylor.org
6
1.1 Defining Strategic Management and Strategy
L E A R N I N G O B J E C T I V E S
1. Learn what strategic management is.
2. Understand the key question addressed by strategic management.
3. Understand why it is valuable to consider different definitions of strategy.
4. Learn what is meant by each of the 5 Ps of strategy.
What Is Strategic Management?
Issues such as those currently faced by Apple are the focus of strategic management because they help
answer the key question examined by strategic management—“Why do some firms outperform other
firms?” More specifically, strategic management examines how actions and .
Saylor URL: http://www.saylor.org/books Saylor.org
4
Chapter 1
Mastering Strategy: Art and Science
L E A R N I N G O B J E C T I V E S
After reading this chapter, you should be able to understand and articulate answers to the following
questions:
1. What are strategic management and strategy?
2. Why does strategic management matter?
3. What elements determine firm performance?
Strategic Management: A Core Concern for Apple
The Opening of the Apple Store
Image courtesy of Neil Bird, http://www.flickr.com/photos/nechbi/2058929337.
March 2, 2011, was a huge day for Apple. The firm released its much-anticipated iPad2, a thinner and
faster version of market-leading Apple’s iPad tablet device. Apple also announced that a leading publisher,
Random House, had made all seventeen thousand of its books available through Apple’s iBookstore.
Apple had enjoyed tremendous success for quite some time. Approximately fifteen million iPads were sold
in 2010, and the price of Apple’s stock had more than tripled from early 2009 to early 2011.
http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/3.0/
http://www.saylor.org/books
http://www.flickr.com/photos/nechbi/2058929337
Saylor URL: http://www.saylor.org/books Saylor.org
5
But future success was far from guaranteed. The firm’s visionary founder Steve Jobs was battling serious
health problems. Apple’s performance had suffered when an earlier health crisis had forced Jobs to step
away from the company. This raised serious questions. Would Jobs have to step away again? If so, how
might Apple maintain its excellent performance without its leader?
Meanwhile, the iPad2 faced daunting competition. Samsung, LG, Research in Motion, Dell, and other
manufacturers were trying to create tablets that were cheaper, faster, and more versatile than the iPad2.
These firms were eager to steal market share by selling their tablets to current and potential Apple
customers. Could Apple maintain leadership of the tablet market, or would one or more of its rivals
dominate the market in the years ahead? Even worse, might a company create a new type of device that
would make Apple’s tablets obsolete?
http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/3.0/
http://www.saylor.org/books
Saylor URL: http://www.saylor.org/books Saylor.org
6
1.1 Defining Strategic Management and Strategy
L E A R N I N G O B J E C T I V E S
1. Learn what strategic management is.
2. Understand the key question addressed by strategic management.
3. Understand why it is valuable to consider different definitions of strategy.
4. Learn what is meant by each of the 5 Ps of strategy.
What Is Strategic Management?
Issues such as those currently faced by Apple are the focus of strategic management because they help
answer the key question examined by strategic management—“Why do some firms outperform other
firms?” More specifically, strategic management examines how actions and .
Corporate blogging can benefit companies by building their online presence and brand. It is important that corporate blogs fit with the company's culture. Some key strategies for corporate blogging include building thought leadership, highlighting corporate culture, connecting with employees, and strengthening the brand. Several case studies show how companies like Southwest Airlines, Microsoft, and Zappos have successfully used blogging to engage customers and employees. However, companies must also be careful, as seen in examples where Nestle and Honda received negative feedback from social media interactions.
Businesses must engage their employees and their customers to build loyalty, deepen relationships and gain access to insights that inspire future actions and drive profits, but how? How do you rise above the noise to deliver a compelling and differentiated customer experience that will help you not only survive, but thrive. This is not just about building great products or providing great customer support, but how to transform your business to earn the trust needed to fully serve your market - internally and externally
Gillian Muessig, CEO of Outlines Venture Group, CEOcoach at WebmasterRadio.fm and cofounder of Moz opens the kimono on how to optimize the value of your ecommerce business. It's not only about eyeballs, clicks, conversions and customer service... although they all matter. Learn about the assets and attributes of successful CEOs. Many are not innate and you can learn to incorporate them into your business and leverage them to make your business more successful, streamlined, and less stressful.
Who Gets Funded: Gillian Muessig of Outlines Venture Group details the Assets and Attributes of Successful Startups and CEO/Founders that VCs should look for.
Discussion Post 4 Student Replies Strategic Management.docxbkbk37
The document discusses strategic management and strategy. It defines strategic management as examining how actions of executives, firms, and industries influence success. Strategy can be viewed as a plan, ploy, position, pattern, or perspective. A strategic plan outlines steps a firm will take, while a ploy involves creative moves to outwit competitors. The document uses examples like Apple, pizza restaurants, the Mississippi River, and the American Revolution to illustrate different views of strategy.
Discussion Post 4 Student Replies Strategic Management.docxbkbk37
The document discusses strategic management and strategy through analyzing five different perspectives on strategy: plan, ploy, pattern, position, and perspective. It provides examples of each, such as strategic plans involving business models, strategic ploys like Hannibal crossing the Alps with elephants, and analyzing strategy as the consistent patterns of firms like Apple. The document also discusses how strategy involves a firm's position relative to competitors and how executives can have different strategic perspectives on the same events.
Discussion Post 4 Student Replies Strategic Management.docx
Sgp slides
1. SMALL BUSINESS
By: Shiv Patel
(http://www.sba.gov/contractingopportunities/officials/size/index.html)
http://businessalliancenetwork.org/images/istockphoto_2329203_business_statistics_white_graph_chart.jpg
2. THESIS
With this presentation, my main goal is to educate my fellow
students on the processes’ of creating a small business and its
importance in our lives. Cutting hair represented a small
business for my application as well as me creating a business
plan.
3. PERSONAL STATEMENT
This project reflects upon me because when I grow up, I would
like to own a small business. Also, throughout my years of high
school, I have been cutting my friends hair during the weekends.
This way they did not have to go out and spend money to
obtain a simple hair cut.
4. BUSINESS IN GENERAL
Selling Old Toys
Trading Lunches
Commodities/Economy
http://www.businessdictionary.com/definition/business.html)
http://www.campusaccess.com/images/business-school.jpg
5. KING OF PRUSSIA
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/King_of_Prussia_Mall
http://img459.imageshack.us/i/malls9d2d6821ib3.jpg/
6. STARTING OUT SMALL
• Major businesses started small
• McDonalds in San Bernardino
• Only 9 menu items
"McDonald's History." About McDonald's. McDonald's, 2010. Web. 4 Apr. 2010.
<http://www.aboutmcdonalds.com/mcd/our_company/mcd_history.html>.
http://media-2.web.britannica.com/eb-media/64/19464-004-35646362.jpg
7. SMALL TO BIG
"McDonald's History." About McDonald's. McDonald's, 2010. Web. 4 Apr. 2010.
<http://www.aboutmcdonalds.com/mcd/our_company/mcd_history.html>.
http://www.telovation.com/photos/distance-between-mcdonalds-in-the-us.jpg
8. Small Business Role
99.7% of 25.8 million businesses
Small Businesses generate 60-80% of new jobs.
Mrs. McCarthy’s Educational Manual. Preparing for Success in Business: Entrepreneurship, Economics, and The Business Plan
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/07/small-business-health-insurance-cost-2-2.jpg
9. DEFINING SMALL BUSINESS
Number of Employees
Volume of Sales
Geographic Area Served
Mrs. McCarthy’s Educational Manual. Preparing for Success in Business: Entrepreneurship, Economics, and The Business Plan
http://thumbs.dreamstime.com/thumb_341/1228696837Lw5gRR.jpg
10. PROS AND CONS
• Higher Incomes • Risk
• Self-Determinism • Work Load
• Satisfaction • Responsibility
• Lower Taxes • Competition
"Pros and Cons of Small Business Ownership." Preferred Consumer. pipelineCMS, 2
Apr. 2010. Web. 1 Apr. 2010. <http://smallbusiness.preferredconsumer.com/
starting/pros_cons/>.
11. MISTREATMENT OF SMALL
BUSINESSES
• Virginia- health
care
• Variety
Health
Insurance
Market
• Affectsall of
Virginia in the
end
"Support Small Businesses." Richmond Times- Dispatch 1 Nov. 2009: E1.
ProQuest Newspapers. Web. 9 Nov. 2009.
http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_o5448mC82AU/So7M0nuz95I/AAAAAAAAAVk/0TQHuILy1Xs/s320/health+care+symbol.jpg
12. N.F.I.B.
• Small Business Tips
• Works to strengthen a small
business
• Legal
Help to Fight for
Business Rights
NFIB The Voice of Small Business. National Federation of Independent Business,
2009. Web. 1 Dec. 2009. <http://www.nfib.com>.
http://reachingthestars.files.wordpress.com/2009/02/photo-gavel-and-flag.jpg
13. Business Plan
Starting Up?
Township’s Decision
Finance and Location
Abrams, Rhonda. The Successful Business Plan: Secrets and Strategies. 4th ed.
Palo Alto: The Planning Shop, 2003. Print.
http://www.myownbusiness.org/index.html
http://thecompanyline.wordpress.com
14. EXECUTIVE
SUMMARY
Abrams, Rhonda. The Successful Business Plan: Secrets and Strategies. 4th ed.
Palo Alto: The Planning Shop, 2003. Print.
http://www.planware.org/pwb1/images/pwbexec.gif
15. THE BUSINESS SECTION
Abrams, Rhonda. The Successful Business Plan: Secrets and Strategies. 4th ed.
http://www.businessnameusa.com/images/dba.jpg
Palo Alto: The Planning Shop, 2003. Print.
16. MARKET ANALYSIS
Abrams, Rhonda. The Successful Business Plan: Secrets and Strategies. 4th ed.
Palo Alto: The Planning Shop, 2003. Print.
http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_xyQG19e8uRk/Rm3sMsgf8NI/AAAAAAAAAGU/b9s47ID3U4E/s400/Supply%2B&%2BDemand%2Bphoto.jpg
http://www.cartoonstock.com/lowres/ear0567l.jpg
17. FINANCING
Loans
Cash Flow Statement
Plan to Pay Back Money
Abrams, Rhonda. The Successful Business Plan: Secrets and Strategies. 4th ed.
Palo Alto: The Planning Shop, 2003. Print.
http://www.continuumjournals.com/images/95_cash_1.jpg
https://file.autolookout.net/572/000048/9630/0/citizens_bank.jpg
18. MANAGEMENT
Abrams, Rhonda. The Successful Business Plan: Secrets and Strategies. 4th ed.
Palo Alto: The Planning Shop, 2003. Print.
http://www.infowit.com/images/time_graphic.jpg
http://www.ceoofme.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/04/ceo.jpg
19. LICENSES/
PERMITS
Local, State, Federal
Courthouse/ Lawyer
Holland, Phil. My Own Business: A Course on How to Start Your Own Business. My
Own Business Incorporated, 2009. Web. 1 Dec. 2009.
<http://www.myownbusiness.org/index.html>.
http://dcra.dc.gov/dcra/lib/dcra/license_center_logo_final.jpg
http://www.spotsylvania.va.us/emplibrary/OldCourthouse.jpg
20. LOCAL LICENSE
Holland, Phil. My Own Business: A Course on How to Start Your Own Business. My
Own Business Incorporated, 2009. Web. 1 Dec. 2009.
<http://www.myownbusiness.org/index.html>.
http://www.angelosonline.com/images/lakewood.jpg
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3497/4076739751_40967245ae.jpg
21. STATE LICENSE
Holland, Phil. My Own Business: A Course on How to Start Your Own Business. My
Own Business Incorporated, 2009. Web. 1 Dec. 2009.
<http://www.myownbusiness.org/index.html>.
http://www.ecoliblog.com/photo_barbershop.jpg
http://www.clausellandassociates.com/images/accounting.gif
22. FEDERAL LICENSE
Holland, Phil. My Own Business: A Course on How to Start Your Own Business. My
Own Business Incorporated, 2009. Web. 1 Dec. 2009.
<http://www.myownbusiness.org/index.html>.
http://i.ehow.com/images/GlobalPhoto/Articles/5435852/371947-main_Full.jpg
http://userpages.umbc.edu/~cpaul1/theintegralworm/meatpacking.jpg
http://www.rm116.com/adcenter/images/greygoose.jpg
23. BUSINESS NAME
Holland, Phil. My Own Business: A Course on How to Start Your Own Business. My
Own Business Incorporated, 2009. Web. 1 Dec. 2009.
<http://www.myownbusiness.org/index.html>.
http://www.myownbusiness.org/business_permits_license/
index.html
http://images01.tzimg.com/cache/
h3w4/500_1181941020_19160305.jpg
http://images.clipartof.com/small/64156-Royalty-Free-RF-Clipart-
Illustration-Of-A-Pre-Made-Logo-Of-Orange-Solar-Panels-Above-
Space-For-A-Business-Name-And-Company-Slogan-On-Black.jpg
24. RAYMOND AND STEPHANIE YEH
Successful in
Business
CEO Software
Companies
Zero Time Publishing
Yeh, Stephanie H., and Raymond T. Yeh. The Art of Business in the Footsteps of
Giants. Olathe: Zero Time, 2004. Print.
http://www.wordsmithsjournal.com/wp-content/uploads/2007/06/Steve%20Ross%20Juggling.jpg
http://www.testpreppractice.net/GMAT/free-gmat-downloads%5Cgmat-software.jpg
25. THE ART OF POSSIBILITY
Yeh, Stephanie H., and Raymond T. Yeh. The Art of Business in the Footsteps of
Giants. Olathe: Zero Time, 2004. Print.
http://z.about.com/d/taoism/1/0/0/-/-/-/yinYang.gif
26. THE ART OF TIMING
Yeh, Stephanie H., and Raymond T. Yeh. The Art of Business in the Footsteps of
Giants. Olathe: Zero Time, 2004. Print.
http://www.harpercoaching.com/Images/HC_Black%20clock.JPG
27. THE ART OF LEVERAGE
Yeh, Stephanie H., and Raymond T. Yeh. The Art of Business in the Footsteps of
Giants. Olathe: Zero Time, 2004. Print.
http://businessknowledgesource.com/health/images/upset26256257.jpg
http://www.contracts-for-difference.com/pic/leverage.gif
28. THE ART OF MASTERY
Yeh, Stephanie H., and Raymond T. Yeh. The Art of Business in the Footsteps of
Giants. Olathe: Zero Time, 2004. Print.
http://www.sites.si.edu/images/exhibits/Sports/images/Lance-Armstrong_jpg.jpg
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2057/2287988268_2bcf472638.jpg
29. THE ART OF LEADERSHIP
Yeh, Stephanie H., and Raymond T. Yeh. The Art of Business in the Footsteps of
Giants. Olathe: Zero Time, 2004. Print.
http://www.istockphoto.com/file_thumbview_approve/5068696/2/istockphoto_5068696-leader-concept.jpg
http://z.about.com/d/paddling/1/0/Z/0/-/-/8_with_coxswain_mens.jpg
32. FREE HAIRCUTS
Dicou, Natalie. "Haircuts a Deal for Students and Kids." The Salt Lake Tribune 4
Nov. 2009: n. pag. eLibrary. Web. 9 Nov. 2009.
http://www.davis.k12.ut.us/schools/wasatch/images/A7ADF200A82D4567B0888B44D46A74DB.jpg
42. "Business opportunities are like buses, there's always another one coming."
- Richard Branson, founder of Virgin Enterprises
"We were young, but we had good advice and good ideas and lots of enthusiasm."
- Bill Gates, founder of Microsoft Corporation
"I had to make my own living and my own opportunity! But I made it! Don't sit down and wait for the opportunities
to come. Get up and make them!"
- Madam C.J. Walker, creator of a popular line of African-American hair care products and America's first
black female millionaire
"Quotations from Famous Entrepreneurs ." About.com . The New York Times Company,
2010. Web. 3 Mar. 2010. <http://entrepreneurs.about.com/od/
famousentrepreneurs/a/quotations.htm>.
http://api.ning.com/files/xa7rDnAgaa4tk8uZT4nU0*1zJ3AfqbO3nKK*JyZmkjWhZfxWphPlXV5*p00txz7FFX6LdwG8ENM-eCmLxyi1FtpavwPyWR3u/quotes.jpg
http://www.markwebtest.netfirms.com/teachRDE/C02/c2comments/Thought_Bubble_1.GIF
44. WORKS CITED
"Quotations from Famous Entrepreneurs ." About.com . The New York Times Company,
Abrams, Rhonda. The Successful Business Plan: Secrets and Strategies. 4th ed.
2010. Web. 3 Mar. 2010. <http://entrepreneurs.about.com/od/
Palo Alto: The Planning Shop, 2003. Print. famousentrepreneurs/a/quotations.htm>.
"Pros and Cons of Small Business Ownership." Preferred Consumer. pipelineCMS, 2
Yeh, Stephanie H., and Raymond T. Yeh. The Art of Business in the Footsteps of Apr. 2010. Web. 1 Apr. 2010. <http://smallbusiness.preferredconsumer.com/
Giants. Olathe: Zero Time, 2004. Print. starting/pros_cons/>.
Holland, Phil. My Own Business: A Course on How to Start Your Own Business. My
"McDonald's History." About McDonald's. McDonald's, 2010. Web. 4 Apr. 2010.
Own Business Incorporated, 2009. Web. 1 Dec. 2009.
<http://www.aboutmcdonalds.com/mcd/our_company/mcd_history.html>.
<http://www.myownbusiness.org/index.html>.
NFIB The Voice of Small Business. National Federation of Independent Business, Dicou, Natalie. "Haircuts a Deal for Students and Kids." The Salt Lake Tribune 4
2009. Web. 1 Dec. 2009. <http://www.nfib.com>. Nov. 2009: n. pag. eLibrary. Web. 9 Nov. 2009.
"Small Businesses May Lead in Recovery Hiring." Human Resources Magazine Dec.
2009: 8. ProQuest News and Magazines. Web. 2 Dec. 2009.
<http://proquest.umi.com/pqdweb?RQT=403&TS=1259775242&clientId=11783>.
"Support Small Businesses." Richmond Times- Dispatch 1 Nov. 2009: E1.
ProQuest Newspapers. Web. 9 Nov. 2009.
46. CONCLUSION
•Ihope this presentation has changed your view on the
importance of business in our lives. It can also benefit those
who plan to pursue a career in business with an insight. This
project has changed my perspective on small businesses and I
hope it has for all of you as well.
Editor's Notes
Small Business? A small business is defined based on the amount of workers, incomes, and production. There are certain restrictions on these aspects of a business that can make a business considered &#x201C;small.&#x201D; (http://www.sba.gov/contractingopportunities/officials/size/index.html)
Many things that occur in the world can be defined as business, which leaves a wide variety of definitions. Something as simple as selling some of your old video games or toys can be defined as business. Additionally, even trading snacks at lunch can be considered &#x201C;doing business.&#x201D; Although, typically a business is defined as a legally run institution that provides goods and services for an intent to make profit. (http://www.businessdictionary.com/definition/business.html) Anywhere a person travels in the world, there will be some sort of business that will occur. Business is what keeps commodities running through our economy to satisfy consumers and brings in large sums of money for people yearly.
Small businesses are extremely important in our area because of this right here, the king of prussia mall. It has over 400 stores and restaurants, which mainly consist of small businesses. The kiosks and unique stores seen here are not considered franchises, but just small businesses in this area. The small businesses in the mall employ over 6000 people in our area, and reduces our taxes profoundly.
Although this presentation focuses on small businesses, people need to understand all of the larger corporations out there started out as small businesses. In 1948, the first McDonalds was opened in San Bernardino, California as a family owned restaurant. It had a very few number of employees, and transformed into what we see it as today.
This small family owned restaurant has transformed into one of the largest food corporations in the world today. There are over 12,804 McDonalds restaurants in the United States alone. This shows that a small business can expand its services and the business itself into something much larger.
Small businesses are quite different than the larger corporations out there, but still play an equal or larger role in the economy. Small business accounts for 99.7% of the 25.8 million businesses in America contributing to the national gross domestic product. Everywhere a person travels, they will be able to find small businesses without a doubt. All these small businesses are run by the individual with permission from the government and township. Small businesses also generated 60-80% of net new jobs annually over the last decade.
There are many different criteria used to define a small business in America. Some of these factors include the number of employees, volume of sales, and the geographic area served. There are usually a certain number of employees, around 50, to be considered a small business. They also need to take into account on how much they sell and what area because a nationwide sale would be considered a large business.
When looking at a small business, there are endless things that are good and bad about owning one. Some of the pros are higher incomes, self-determinism, satisfaction, and lower taxes. With owning a small business, there is not many people to split the profit with, which ends in higher incomes. You are also able to make decisions by yourself without having to worry about your boss or anyone else being satisfied. In making your own decisions, it brings satisfaction to a person knowing that their ideas were used. In addition, smaller businesses are taxed less money than larger ones. Some of the negatives of owning a small business are the risk, the work load, the responsibility, and the competition. Small business owners invest their personal savings, and in the case of a business failure, they can lose money that they need to survive. Without as many employees to work on a task, certain employees need to step up and take on greater roles. This makes the work load larger and more arduous to handle. The responsibility is a con for small business because there is not usually a long chain of people that will check something to ensure perfection, making it more stressful for the business owner. In addition, since there are so many small businesses in the world, it causes a more intense competition for the business. Large businesses take over like monopolies and do not worry too much about the other businesses, but small businesses need to worry about a competitor out-doing them at any given time.
An article released from Richmond Times discussed the struggles that small businesses are currently enduring in Virginia. Small businesses are having difficulty with health insurance because they are taxed higher and cannot afford the rates. The business laws in todays world give advantages to bigger business that buy more in bulk, which hurts small businesses in the end. If health insurance continuously keeps affecting small businesses in Virginia, many businesses will close down because workers will not comply with these rules. Without change, small businesses will be hurt, and this will hurt the state of Virginia as small businesses account for 98 % of employers in Virginia. Some strategies to fix this problem are to provide more affordable insurance to smaller businesses with more competition of health insurance companies.
To deal with problems like the one in Virginia, people everywhere created organizations like the NFIB. The NFIB is the National Federation of Independent Businesses. This is an organization that will fight for the legal rights of small businesses that are externally or internally mistreated. They will provide legal help for workers that may be mistreated due to wage, insurance, hours, or labor issues. This organization researches all the business rights and will fight for people that are treated in any way not according to the rules. Small Businesses also have problems developing in societies where there are larger businesses that shut them out. This organization deals with this problem by attempting to strengthen a smaller business and preventing monopolies by the large business. Their website provides many different tips in various aspects of a small business to help keep it running well and to improve it daily.
First things first, you need to research the business that you plan to start. Usually, the type of business will spark interest to the creator and be something that they obtain interest in. When a person starts up their own business, huge sums of money are needed to be prepared for down payments on the building and supplies. When finding a location, it is usually best to find one that will facilitate the business process. People should plan to be in debt for a certain amount of time in their life until their business is up and running to make profit. A business can not be created without the permission of the township that the business resides in. A major aspect in beginning a business is the business plan. This is about a fifty page paper that is written to request permission for your business to function in the specific township. Creating this business plan perfectly can be the deciding factor of your business beginning or being rejected.
When beginning a business plan, the executive summary is the attention grabber of the long and boring paper. This section of the paper is to tell the readers your intent of creating this business and why you believe it will be successful. The abstract has a more neutral view on the business you plan to create, but this is something that you want to interest the reader. This part of the plan needs to grab their attention or they may not even bother to read on and reject your business. Make calculations and reasonable profits that you plan to earn from this business, so they actually can believe that this business will be able to pick itself up and grow. Also, you need to discuss why people need this product and service in their lives.
This part of the plan gives an overview on the business that you plan to create. It will discuss general information such as the name of the company, planned location, and nature of the business. The writer will go into more detail discussing what the specific company will produce and how they plan to achieve their goals. This is the section where people need to discuss why the business they plan to create will be better than all the other competition out there. The business that is applying for approval is most likely already out in the market, and people want to know why they should accept their business when there is already another one just like it running. When writing this part of the plan, it is not necessary to write in exquisite terminology thinking that it will appease the reader more. The reader wants to understand everything that you are trying to say clearly.
The next part that is needed in a business plan is the market analysis. This is where the major research component of the plan comes in. When writing this section, there should be plenty of effort and information to show that you did the work to the best of your abilities. During this section, you need to talk about the demand for your product in the current market, and the trends that this products has recently took in the market. Readers do not want to accept a business that creates a product with low demand or need in the market at that time. Additionally, included in this section will be the company policies as well as the pricing plan made for the goods and services.
A major part of the business plan is the financing section. There is no way to start a business without having the proper finance to start it up and keep it going. For this reason, the reader wants to make sure you planned everything out to perfection so the business will not fail immediately. You need to include how much money you need to borrow at first, and then an idea of how you plan to pay things back, while you still make profit. With all the money that you need at first to start it up, they also want to know exactly what you plan to do with all the money you make throughout the year. A cash flow sheet is created to show where certain amounts of money made will directly go to keep things running in order.
Any business that is going to be created needs to have some sort of management or it will run wildly. This is one of the last major components of the business plan and yet one of the most important. It is not difficult to make it through the other steps of the business plan, but a business will automatically be rejected without a plan of management. A business would collapse without a person in charge of everything and to make sure everything runs smoothly. The management can be anything from a corporation all in the hands of one person to a partnership where things are worked out together. If there are certain people that will have an important role in the business, it is important to include their resumes in this section to show that they are qualified for that specific task.
After preparing the business plan, it is essential to focus on the license required to start up the certain business. With all the legal work involved, many people suggest to get a lawyer to ensure no mistakes are made in the process. There are three types of licenses that can be obtained for a new business which are local, state, and federal depending on the type of business. To determine which one fits into your particular business, you can call your local courthouse or city hall. This is major to your business starting up because without a license or permit, you will be running an illegal business, which can result in horrible situations.
Depending on the size of the business and what it is, there are different licenses that need to be apprehended. Usually many small pizza shops and restaurants can get away with just a local license. The space that you plan to buy for the location of the business will need to be given a permit to ensure that it is suitable for the business.
On the other hand there are certain businesses that may require a state license to begin. Some examples of these are a barber, an accounting firm, and a real estate agency. These only require state licenses because different states have varying policies on certain things. States may regulate amount of money that is able to be lent out and even different policies on the sanitation in a barber shop. For this reason, a state license can change based on the state you reside in.
In certain cases, a business may need to obtain a federal license. These businesses are the ones that are generally regulated by the government to ensure the safety and protection of its citizens. Examples of businesses that require this license are drug manufacturing, meat packing, and manufacturing alcohol. The government needs to keep constant checks on these businesses to make sure that nothing is wrong with the products because they can cause harm to people. Also, there are national standards and regulations that are set for these specific products.
When creating a business it is suggested to create a DBA, also known as &#x201C;Doing Business As.&#x201D; This is the name of the business, and the legal name that can appear on contracts and documents. Without applying for the DBA certificate to claim a name, you can not put your business name down on any contracts because its not technically yours. Other benefits of a DBA are people can write checks out to your business, preventing other businesses from using the same name, and it just helps gain a more professional image.
Raymond and Stephanie Yeh are two extremely successful entrepreneurs that have endured the difficult path of business. Raymond is the CEO of three prestigious software companies for a fifteen year period, and also led computer science departments into national rankings as a professor. Stephanie is a co-founder and president of a school of magic and shamanism. In addition, she is the president of a Zero Time Publishing. Currently, they live happy lives knowing that they succeeded, and published a book to assist people through tough times running a business. With all their background experience from running businesses, they suffered through the bad times and celebrated the good. Using their new found knowledge of the business world, they created this book for people to understand business based on five different arts. Stories are told based on the five different arts to show that these important aspects of business can change the outcome of a person&#x2019;s ability to run a business. The five arts are the Art of Possibility, Timing, Leverage, Mastery, and Leadership.
The Art of Possibility discusses the fact that there are multiple explanations and opportunities for things to occur. The Yin Yang symbol is the best example because it shows how there will always be a balance of good and bad. Even in the white side, there is always a black dot, and vice versa. This shows how no matter the amount of good and bad, there is a possibility for failure or prosperity. Business owners can have the freedom to do anything they want, but are disciplined to ensure they don&#x2019;t do something to make the business fail. This is the counter balance needed in life.
Timing is one of the most excruciating keys when it comes to business. When people are doing business with others, an important factor is how quickly they can have a certain task completed. The quicker something can be done, the more time to make profit with other projects. Business Managers look way into the future and set a goal for themselves. It is difficult to reach that goal immediately, therefore they must set smaller goals as time goes on and reach it slowly like a set of steps. Timing also comes into play when thinking about past events and times that may have been good or bad for a company. By looking back at these, they can perfect the mistakes in the future as they progress forward.
When it comes to the business world, it is important to have a leverage on other companies and even within your own company. The main idea behind leverage is to obtain a maximum effect with a minimal effort. All business owners want the same goal, which is success, and it can be achieved without going through the struggling and backbreaking work. An example of leverage is to provide a leverage for the employee&#x2019;s pride. When an employee is not being pushed to do something, they are not working to the best of their ability. Different types of criticism can help a person improve at something if they learn from their mistakes.
We all know this man right here as the winner of the Tour de France five years in a row. He suffered testicular cancer that was supposed to stop him from biking forever, but he miraculously recovered. Not only did he master the physical talent and stamina for cycling, but he mastered his heart as well. He never gave up hope and pushed through all the struggles. This relates to the business world because even when a business is down, the owner should push through the situation and try to re-group. They need to master the business they do as well to make them stand out better than the rest of the competition. The sense of mastery is also important when constantly thinking about &#x201C;raising the bar.&#x201D; This means that there is never something that a person should settle with, but always strive for better and brighter goals.
One of the most important things of being successful in business is a person&#x2019;s quality of leadership. A business can not run successfully without a leader present that can ensure everything is running according to plan and there are no slackers. Many people have opposing opinions when it comes to teamwork, and this is the reason why a leader is necessary to settle those disputes. Coaches of athletic teams are considered leaders. An example of a leader in a sport would be the coxswain in rowing because it is his duty to keep everyone in the boat together. He/She needs to keep everyone relaxed and working together for the best results to come about.
For the application component of my project, I cut people&#x2019;s hair. A barber shop relates to my topic because it is a common type of small business that is present in the world. Barber shops are not run by large corporations, but instead usually family owned or partnerships.
This here is standard set that comes in a hair cutting kit, and is similar to the one that I used for this project. It comes with one standard clipper that can be powered on and off with the push of a button. Next, as you can see there are many different adjustments that can be put onto the clipper to cut different sizes. As the clippers get bigger, the less hair will be cut from a persons head. The set also comes with combs, scissors, and equipment to keep the machine running well like lubricating oil and a brush. The brush is used to clean any clogged hair in the blades, and the lubricating oil keeps the blades working smoothly for a cleaner cut.
This picture right here is Wasatch Elementary School located in Utah. College cosmetology students from a nearby school come here frequently and to other low income elementary schools to cut the kids hair for free. They are doing them a favor by saving them money, and using these hair cuts as practice. This inspired me to cut people&#x2019;s hair for free because it saves people plenty of money, and gives me a chance to practice for future hair cuts. In college, I plan on cutting people&#x2019;s hair and charging a small price to make some money. From my brother and many other people, I have heard that college kids always look for a simple hair cut, and we all know they are always trying to save as much money as possible. Parents gave permission for their kids hair cuts and gave detailed descriptions of how they like it, but in my case, I let the people decide for themselves.
This here is the simplest of all hair cuts. It requires a pair of clippers with the same size adjustment used for the entire head. This hair cut here is Josh Differ who had a mohawk for his wrestling season. After a while, the mohawk grows out and loses its even shape around the head.
To fix this hair, the buzz cut was what he liked best. You can notice how the entire head has the same exact length of hair because the clips were not changed at all during the hair cut. After shaving off all of the hair around the head, a shape up was done with the clippers, but with no size on it. The shape up is just a simple straight line across the back of the hair, and then the sides are trimmed up where any excess hair is found.
This is Kevin Sicilia who just grew out his hair for many months thinking that he wanted long hair. After a while, he figured out that it just got in the way and made everything really hot. For this reason, he wanted to get it cut short for convenience in the spring weather.
The hair cut that Kevin got was a high fade which requires three different clip sizes. There is one size that is used for the top, one used for the sides, and one to blend them into each other. This is why it is called a fade because the sizes fade into one another, therefore it will not look like a bowl cut. For his hair, it looks nicer when more of the sides are shorter.
This is Mike Gheopreal and his hair grows out like a bush. His hair was getting too long, and he wanted a haircut for a better image. It was getting so long that it began to cover the tops of his ears.
For his haircut, there were three different clip sizes that were used. I used the largest size on top, the smallest on the sides, and the medium size to fade them into each other. This was a low fade because the hair is longer all the way around his head until it gets down towards the sideburns. After the haircut, I gave him a shape up to make everything trimmed and groomed well.
This here is the Ivy league cut, which is fairly similar to a normal fade. A clipper is used on the sides, and the top has a larger size used. When using the clippers on the top of the head, every part is cut except the front of the hair. About three inches from the forehead-back is left alone and dealt with scissors. This part of the hair cut is scissor cut to keep it a longer length for spikes.
In addition, for my application component of my project, I created my own mock business plan. Taking all the acquired knowledge from the books on business plans, I created my own business called Styles and Cuts. This is a full service hair salon with everything planned out. If any of you would like to take a look at it, the link can be found on my NING.
There is one quote that is said to people all throughout their life time. They are told that it is extremely important to pass on all their new learned knowledge to younger generations. By doing so, they will help younger people prosper by discussing their own mistakes and how to avoid them. As an entrepreneur grows to a climax of success, they always state some of their opinions on their experiences. These quotes are important because they can inspire people to continue on the business path and how to prosper just like they did.