Understanding Small Business

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Chapter 1

 

 

 

DEFINITIONS AND CONTRIBUTIONS OF SMALL BUSINESS


1. Australian Bureau of Statistics, http://www.abs.gov.au/

Use the Search facility to find information regarding "small business".

Prepare a report of your findings using dot points under the following headings:

  • Number of small businesses.
  • Employment generation by small business.
  • Women in small business.

2. Office of Small Business, http://www.industry.gov.au/

Small Business.     Small Business Publications.      Under the Microscope ….

  • EXECUTIVE SUMMARY. What is a "micro business" (MB) and what were the purposes of the consultation?
  • GENERAL OVERVIEW AND IMPORTANCE OF MICRO BUSINESSES. Summarise the claimed reasons for the importance of MBs.
  • PERCEPTIONS AND ATTITUDES TOWARDS MICRO BUSINESSES. What is the general public perception of MBs? Should Government do anything about this? Why and how?
  • INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY AND MICRO BUSINESSES. Summarise the problems and challenges of information technology for MBs.

3. Australian Bureau of Statistics, http://www.abs.gov.au/

Search: "Year Book Australia 2003 Service Industries"

  • Explain how the "service industries sector" is defined.
  • Evaluate the economic significance of the service sector.
  • To what extent are small business a significant part of the services sector?
  • List the three fastest growing and and the three slowest growing service industries. Attempt to explain the reason for the growth indications.
  • From the listing of selected service industries, which one holds most promise for you to either start or buy your own business, or to provide advice or consulting services? Explain?

4. Greengrocer.com.au, http://www.greengrocer.com.au/

Douglas Carlson commenced Greengrocer.com from a houseboat moored at Beauty Point on Sydney’s Middle Harbour. He started by conducting a home-delivery service for vegetables and fruit by using the internet and his plan to to franchise his business throughout Australia. Analyse the present business by discussing the following aspects.

  • What does the business promise to do? What advantages/disadvantages would there be for consumers?
  • Evaluate the on-line ordering service, the delivery system and the method of making payment.
  • Evaluate the logistics of the business. Would a lot of capital, assets and staff be needed?
 

5. Laservision Australia Home Page, http://www.laservision.com.au

  • Laservision is the Australian pioneer of what industry?
  • Outline the historical development of the business. Explain to what extent Government has contributed to the development. Is such assistance for small business typical in Australia?
  • Would you regard the business as a "fully global" ISME? Explain.
  • Browse the attractions of this web site !

6. Small Business Development Corporation, Western Australia, http://www.sbdc.com.au/

Women In Business

  • Women's Profiles.   Summarise and then compare and contrast the objectives and the owner skills of the businesses.
  • Women in Home Based Businesses.   Nominate what you believe may be the three main reasons for women to start a business at home.   Of the types of businesses run by women in WA, nominate three which would not require prior skills or education.
 

 

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Last modified: 03/07/08