How can we define Business? Business is an important institution in the society. Be it for the supply of goods and services; Creation of employment opportunities; Offering better quality of life; Contribution to the economic growth of a country; the role of business is crucial. The subject of business is as interesting as its role in society. The more one reads about it, more interesting does business become. To be successful, you have to have your heart in your business, and your business in your heart. – Thomas Watson Sr. Entrepreneurial activities The increasing number of business schools and institutions signify the importance and the need for training the students on rudiments of business management. Developing countries encourage entrepreneurial activities and view it as a strategy to improve the GDP (Gross Domestic Product). More business activity means increased per capita income and increased standard of living. A business must make profit to succeed. Profit is income minus outgo. It is the main incentive for starting a business. Business people weigh each of their decisions in terms of making profit and avoiding loss. In a corporate environment, business has to aim for wealth maximization apart from profit maximization to increase the shareholder’s wealth in the long run. The scope of business is indeed vast. It all depends on how well you have analyzed and understood the nuances of your business activity, in order to survive and sustain in the market. Supply Chain The supply chain in a business activity involves numerous links in the form of manufacturers, supplier of raw materials to the manufacturer, dealers, logistics, intermediaries, consumers, bankers, advertising agencies, insurance agencies and so on. All these elements have to function in a coordinated manner for the benefit of the consumer. Now days, business has become customer-centric rather than product-centric. This serves both the purpose of product development in lieu of customer needs and customer satisfaction. The multitudinous activities involved in bringing raw materials to the factory and the end product from there to the market constitute business. In addition, a business activity has to comply with legal restrictions and government regulations. A business is also expected to discharge its social obligations to consumers, employees, owners and to other interest groups, which have stakes in business directly or indirectly. Planning and organization Planning and organization are two key principles in running a business enterprise as planning sets up a concrete premise on which action plans can be developed and organized activities assures definite success. Modern business is dynamic. Future business will be knowledge based and brainpower will be in greater demand. Organizations have become flat. Eight to twelve organizational layers have been reduced to two or three. Gone are the days of sheltered markets, subsidies, licenses, quotas and restrictions. Businesspersons are asked to stand on their feet, to eliminate inefficiencies, cut down costs and improve productivity. LoL! It might be said that it is the ideal of the employer to have production without employees and the ideal of the employee is to have income without work. –E. F....

A project can be made into a roaring success provided you have made your in-depth analysis and research to understand the nuances of the industry. Running a restaurant though looks cheesy from outside needs meticulous planning. Before plunging into the market it is better to have the data ready with you. How prepared you are to run the business is not the question; how well prepared are you to face the hurdles and challenges that come your way is all that matters. Only if you withstand the rough weather may you proceed to grow and then expand. Industry Insights Restaurant industry is one such area where many people try to set their foot daydreaming of immediate success. Unfortunately the scenario doesn’t warrant instant success. Any business that has a slow and steady growth makes it to the top. Have you ever thought about the wherewithal needed to run the show! The industry looks very appealing and promising from outside but reality matters. The industry’s main focus is on supply chain management where your primary and ultimate focus revolves round your customers, who are your main focal point. Info Courtesy: AycockMarketing Value Added Services Customer satisfaction should be your vision, mission, objective and goal. Of course you want to make profit. For what else in the world have you entered this business. But think about it, if you are not able to attract crowds, the effort is wasted. The qualityThe varietyThe appealThe presentationThe treatmentThe ambienceThe refreshment, that is being offered to the customers should make them feel special and worth the value of money they are shelling out to have an evening out with their family or friends. Rising costs make people think twice before they decide on their choice of restaurant. Be sure about the class of people whom you want to cater the needs. Go for the plan accordingly and design your restaurant. Is Your Design Appealing? The design includes a sober atmosphere where the visitors can relax, mild lighting that is soothing to the eyes, mellifluous music that creates a magical effect and the choice of drapes and furnishings that add grandeur. The core concept of food industry is “customer satisfaction“. A company’s greatest strength is the quality of its professional management. You have to manage your human resource personnel, the waiters, waitresses, the chefs, the managers, billing clerks in such a way that their one and only motive is to give quick service and great service the first time and every time. Managing Your Financials Managing your financials is an absolute necessity. The initial investment has to be taken care of since you do not know the period it takes to establish yourself in the industry. How, big chain of restaurants is run successfully all over the world? First four or five years are particularly important to prove your credibility both to yourself and others. They do their complete market research wherein the customers’ preferences are jotted down and taken into consideration. High performing and high potential managers are put into place to run the show without a hitch. Well trained waiters are a big plus. Big companies diversify to invest their profits in ever prosperous areas like food industry, where people are constantly looking for new arrivals and the “brand image” that the big companies establish cannot be matched by small time players. Great service is the key factor that makes these big time players unique. Locational Advantage Locational advantage is the most important criterion for a restaurant industry. Sufficient space must be provided for parking and the access to the location be made a pleasurable experience. Don’t go for guidance from your local competitors or friends,...

Establishment of a small business and successfully running it, is definitely by no means a small achievement. It is a commendable achievement as entrepreneurs are the backbones of a country’s economy and its growth. Proper planning and understanding the significance of critical factors and determinants affecting a small business paves way for the smooth functioning of your enterprise. What are the prerequisites for running a small business? Any plan or idea to be transformed into a product or a service needs to be categorically put into experimentation and subject to inquiries. Prepare a detailed project report With the help of an external expert consultant get it appraised Let the product be innovative which has hitherto not hit the market, for instance flying cars Plan your geographical area of operations Go for a detailed market survey through questionnaires and giving out free samples Try to gauge the pulse of your target customers Launch your product at the right time Plan your marketing strategy regarding price and promotions Fix up proper capitalization that would meet your financial requirements. Definitely you have to bring in initial working capital of your own and don’t rely solely on bankers for the entire funding. Asset management, fixed capital and working capital management must be absolutely preplanned. Manpower requirements -Right person for the right job and the appropriate number of persons needed to complete a job has to be planned. Their recruitment, selection, training and development forms part of the package. Location and Layout Most important criterion is the location and layout of your manufacturing facility. It should facilitate easy movement of materials to bring the product out to the market in the shortest possible time. Avoid bottlenecks or try to resolve them for smooth production. As we all know technology feeds on itself and more the delay, more competitors and better products throng the market. Keep in mind the end product should always reach the buyer or the consumer at the right time. Plan your reorder level, delivery schedule and lead times in accordance with the orders in hand.  Production Inputs Smooth supply of production inputs, uninterrupted supply of power, copious water supply, the nature of the soil (if your product is agro based), proximity to the market and transportation facilities have to be given due importance. Your product has to be compliant in such a way that it should not pollute the environment. So, a proper waste disposal management system should be designed right at the start of your operations. Book-Keeping Proper bookkeeping and maintaining your accounts will please the tax authorities by which you create goodwill for your company and also keep your credit management under controllable limits. Any product centered around the consumer will be a hit and that is “marketing”. If you plan your success formula from your product that is “selling” that might not always be successful. Your distribution channels should be continuous with unbroken links and strong. The kind of self confidence that you exuberate makes you a reliable person and in the long run you become iconic. Technology Updates Businessmen have trained the customers to expect something new everyday, because such is the power of technology and the competitor force. So it is better to keep yourself updated with the latest technology available in the market. Take your product to your customers in a convincing manner by which it proves to be a win-win situation for both sides; profit making and customer satisfaction for the entrepreneur and buying products the money’s worth and the real benefits of the product for the...

Entrepreneurship in Developing Economies Entrepreneurial development is a complex process of change. It has been recognized as an important ingredient of economic development. The development of entrepreneurial activity depends upon the closely interlinked economic, social, cultural, religious and psychological variables. Developing countries of late have adopted a deliberate policy of promoting and encouraging small enterprises as a strategy, for the overall development of their countries. Practical Problems Faced by Developing Countries The numerous problems confronted by developing countries such as, a high rate of population growth, a relatively low rate of economic growth, a low level of capital income with nearly fifty percent of the population subsisting below the poverty line and mounting increase in the figures of educated unemployed-all these check the growth of entrepreneurial activities. Countries have to plan realistically, mobilize and harness resources, have control over factors of growth and development and give direction to the development process. Naturally then, the national and economic goals will be focused towards: Production and productivity to be increased in the primary, secondary and tertiary sectors Maximum harnessing and utilization of material and human resources Solving problems of unemployment Having a check on population growth Equitable distribution of wealth and income To increase the purchasing power parity To increase the gross national product To increase the real per capita income Improving the quality of life Industrial Development The larger scope and potential to achieve these goals lie in the development of the industrial sector of the national economy, and the only alternative to raise the level of living is development of industries. Here, we are not merely concerned with certain quantum of growth and development in the industrial field. Theoretically, the desired quantum of industrial development could be supported by a few large investments and capital intensive units run by a small number of big entrepreneurs. But what is envisaged is to have the same quantum of industrial development with a wider spread consisting of large number of small entrepreneurs all over the country. This would result in development of small scale and tiny sector industries all over the country and would generate employment opportunities to the educated unemployed, skilled people and other potential entrepreneurs from various segments of the society. Scenario of Asian Countries Most of the Asian countries like India and China are encouraging and promoting entrepreneurial development leading to industrial and economic development. India is now a hot spot for automobiles and its accessories. Being a cost-effective core market for auto components sourcing for global auto makers, the automotive sector is a potential sector for entrepreneurs. Entrepreneurs are risk bearers, find resources and fill market gaps that would be missed by larger, more bureaucratic organizations. Entrepreneurs improve the social welfare of a country by harnessing dormant, previously overlooked talent. Surplus manpower which is considered a great liability can be converted into assets once those with potential are selectively groomed for self-employment and enterprise formation, leading to further job...

The Spirit of Entrepreneurship In the modern competitive business environment, not all graduates of various disciplines like engineering, management and the like can aspire for white collar jobs. The recent global recession has made the prospective job seekers think twice about working in foreign countries. Self employment has become the order of the day. Being your own boss is truly inspiring and motivating at least in theory. When it comes to reality, we need to know exactly what does it take to become an entrepreneur by starting a small business or taking over the business run by your predecessors. Why we need more entrepreneurs? Various avenues have been opened up thanks to communication and transportation that has brought the world under a single huge umbrella. Also small industries face minimum risk as the investments are marginal and they have the liberty to try a number of innovations like combination of new products new materials new methods of production new markets new sources of materials and even New forms of organization. Being a competitor in an open market, minimum profit and constant revenue inflow are assured and also they can enjoy the benefit of minimum fluctuation in the product price as it is determined by the market and not by individuals. Want to know 10 Daily Habits of Most Successful Entrepreneurs? Scope of entrepreneurial activity: Either you can be a subsidiary to large scale business or you can engage yourself in supply of repair services with small engineering establishments or you can go for small cottage industry businesses like cutlery, furniture, jewelry, fruit canning, soap making etc., Being fairly labor intensive, you can provide economic solution by creating employment and income opportunities in urban and rural areas with relatively low cost of capital investment. Business process outsourcing has been in recent times the magic happening in countries like India, China etc., where the foreign investors take advantage of cheap labor, time and efficient communication skills of the population. Knowledge process outsourcing has also become popular and it stands as a testimony of the rising power of Asian countries over the west. “Small is beautiful” and you can make it big in the small scale business industry if you are Innovative and productive Provide personalized services to the customers Identify and target the right markets This ensures “WINNING THE GAME OF BUSINESS“. An economy grows only when it has large number of enterprises accelerating the economic growth prospects of that particular country. The export policies of all nations have become more flexible owing to globalization, liberalization and...