Business
form of an organization that strives for a profit by providing goods and services to satisfy society’s needs (interchangeable with company and organization)
Goods
are tangible items manufactured by businesses, such as tablets, fridge, cars (physically - can touch/see -tangible)
Services
are intangible offerings that we experience. Such as hospitals, governments, lawyers, restaurants (medical/legal services, food- being served is a service)
Revenue
the money a company earns from providing services or selling goods to a customer (government revenue through taxes)
Costs
Expenses for rent, mortgage, salaries, labour, supplies, transportation and many other items that a business incurs from creating and selling goods and services
Profit
the money left over after all expenses are paid (revenue compared to cost- positive if money left over= profit, cost too much – negative= deficit)
Standard of living
Measurement of outputs of products (private-business/free enterprize and public- government/crown agencies) that people can buy with the money they have. [impacts the quality of life]
Quality of life
General level of human happiness. How do we measure happiness? Gross national happiness
Risk
The chance that an investments actual return will be different than expected. Potential for losing resources (i.e. time, money) or be unable to accomplish organizational goals. [risk of failure or losing resources even if meet goal]
Not for Profit Organization
Remember… not all businesses pursue profits… An Organization that typically exists to achieve a social goal or goals as opposed to the usual business goal of profit [lots of time can turn a profit -revenue exceeds costs – reinvested back into organization or donated] e.g. big brother big sisters saskatoon
-social enterprises
Business Offers Many Benefits
Business Offers Many Concerns
Five factors affect the business environment:
Size and health of economy must be considered when making business decisions -is it growing/shrinking – labour market? → lots of available labour more affordable or is it a tight labour market (may have to pay higher wages to attract and retain employees)
-inflation
High levels of competition force businesses to cut costs, develop new products, increase marketing efforts
-low levels – create a monopoly, can harm market- higher prices, less available
Access to global markets increases competition and need to enhance skills -skills needs to meet demands, cultural aspects need to be understood
Technology innovation has changed how businesses produce and distribute goods and how we communicate.
-rise of social media, internet, etc.
Changes in demographics influences what products companies offer -changes in beliefs of society change – e.g. environmental
Federal Government has the Authority over: (constitutional authority)
Canada’s financial system
is regulated and wealth is collected, transferred and spent to provide Canadians with one of the highest standards of living
-federal collect more taxes
Provincial and Territorial Governments: Protecting Rights
Responsibilities:
· Administration of labour laws
· Education
· health and welfare
· protection of property and civil rights
· natural resources (provinces control own natural resources)
· environment
Labour law includes minimum working standards such as minimum wages, vacations, statutory holidays and overtime
Municipal Governments: Delivering the Services
-3rd level of government (local government)
Deliver services such as:
-collect property taxes – municipal
-local -more bylaws
Encourages: