Factors That Affect The Health Of Small Business And...

Growth in the small and medium business in Canada and other developed countries has been very significant. This division of the business community now represents about 40 percent of GDP and accounts more than half of total employment. Today small businesses are more diverse and stronger than ever, but they also face newer and more challenges or inhibitors to their growth than their older counter parts. This research will attempt to find the answer to the following hypothetical question: What are the barriers to entry, inhibitors to growth, and detriments to the health of small business and entrepreneurship today? Access to capital and credit at various stages in the business life cycle is identified as the major hurdle by the entrepreneurs. For many small firms and most start-ups, the personal funds of the business owners and entrepreneur and those of relatives and acquaintances establish as the major source of capital. For many small businesses, especially during the early years of their operation, credit is simply not available. For many others, the limited available credit is not through bank loans. Due to this many of them rely on multiple credit card balances and home equity loans as major sources of credit for start-up firm. Because banks are bound by laws and regulations to prudent lending standards that require them a risk management assessment for each loan made. These regulations were made more vigor during the late 1980 and early 1990’s. Banks always foundShow MoreRelatedWhat Does The Study of Regional Economy Teach Us?1436 Words   |  6 Pagesactivity? Should jobs move to people or should people move to jobs? Regional science is a sub field of social sciences that analyzes approaches to urban, rural, or regional problems. It involves the study of spatial patters to analyze the economic factors of a region. The study of regional science is necessary to improve the economy in todays competitive global market. This study helps the government organizations to identify and make efficient use of public resources by implementing best practicesRead More What do you understand to be the concept of entrepreneurship and why1626 Words   |  7 PagesWhat do you understand to be the concept of entrepreneurship and why has it become such an important area of focus? Q2) What do you understand to be the concept of entrepreneurship and why has it become such an important area of focus? The concept of entrepreneurship is often viewed as a function, which involves the exploitation of opportunities, which exist within a market. Such exploitation is most commonly associated with the direction and/or combination of productive inputs. 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What role does entrepreneurship play inRead MoreTaking Risks and Making Profits within the Dynamic Business Environment1633 Words   |  7 PagesProfits within the Dynamic Business Environment Business: Any activity that seeks to provide goods and services to others while operating at a profit. Profit is the amount of money a business earns above and beyond what it spends for salaries and other expenses needed to run the business operation. Goods are tangible products such as computers, food, clothing, cards appliances and services include intangible products which cannot be held in your hand such as education, health care, insurance, recreationRead MoreEssay on The Economy of Afghanistan1370 Words   |  6 Pagesinterest rate and makes it nearly impossible to afford loans to start up companies, hurting the entrepreneurship of Afghanistan. Additionally, funding for companies is difficult. Departments like Research and Development are underfunded, and higher paying jobs are not common. Pair that with the fact that 28% (72% literacy rate) of the country is illiterate and that the country ranks 177th in education, business creativity struggles. Companies can’t expand . The CPI displays a 7.4% change in inflation fromRead MoreEntrepreneurship Development10530 Words   |  43 PagesChapter 5 ENTREPRENEURSHIP DEVELOPMENT ENVIRONMENT Entrepreneurship is not an inborn skill; it is a product of environment. It involves a complex of economic and social behavior. To be successful, an entrepreneur has to remain dynamic and responsible to the whole environment. Entrepreneurship can hardly survive under any given circumstances. It can flourish only under right environment. It is a part of total system. The social values, culture, government policies, political system, technologyRead MoreEconomic And Social Development Efforts Has Benefited Women As Much As They Have Benefited Men Essay2552 Words   |  11 Pagesis for this reason that women in Kenya have for quite a long time now been encouraged to undertake businesses. Entrepreneurship is increasingly recognized as an important driver of economic growth, productivity, innovation and employment and it is widely accepted as a key aspect of economic dynamism. Transforming ideas into economic opportunities is the main concept of entrepreneurship. History shows that econom ic progress has been significantly advanced by pragmatic people who are entrepreneurialRead MoreSwot Analysis Of Mcdonalds International Market1326 Words   |  6 Pagesearly 1970’s. Since then, McDonald’s has grown to operate in almost 120 counties and is a well-recognized brand internationally. This paper will cover McDonald’s future in the international market through their strategic approach, innovation and entrepreneurship, talent management, logistics, finance, and a brief SWOT analysis. Strategic approach There are always issues when taking a company to an international market and every company must have a strategic plan or approach. McDonald’s realized this

Discrimination in Virtual Organizations Free Essays

The International Labor Organization’s (ILO) Convention 111 (Employment and Occupation) prohibits â€Å"any distinction, exclusion or preference made on the basis of race, color, sex, religion, political opinion, national extraction, or social origin, which has the effect of nullifying or impairing equality of opportunity or treatment in employment or occupation†. Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 was enacted to eliminate discriminations on the following protected classes: (1) Race , (2) Color, (3) Religion, (4) Sex, or (5) National Origin (Henry R. Cheeseman, 2004, p. We will write a custom essay sample on Discrimination in Virtual Organizations or any similar topic only for you Order Now 802). A firm like Riordan Manufacturing, which is a virtual organization with multiple locations in different countries, has to grapple with issues related to discrimination constantly. Henry R. Cheeseman (2004) explains the categories that constitute the various types of employment discrimination, Race refers to broad categories with common characteristics such as Black, Caucasian, Asian, and Native American. Color refers to the color of a person’s skin like light-skinned, dark-skinned, etc. National origin refers to the country of a person’s ancestors or cultural characteristics like Hispanic, Italian, etc (p. 803). In addition to these, discrimination is possible on the basis of gender (sex) and religion. Gender Discrimination Though the prohibition against sex discrimination is applicable to both men and women, a majority of the sex discrimination cases are brought by women (Henry R. Cheeseman, 2004, p. 805). Discrimination 2 Religious Discrimination Title VII of the Civil Rights Act prohibits employment discrimination based on traditional religions, other religions that recognize a supreme being and religions based on ethical or spiritual tenets (Henry R. Cheeseman, 2004, p. 810). Riordan’s employee demographics reveal a healthy mix of race, color, origin, sex and religion. In such a demographic diversity, there is always a possibility of biased employee treatment. The different forms of discriminatory treatment are: 1. Disparate Treatment Discrimination: This occurs when a specific individual is subjected to discriminatory treatment based on his race, color, religion, sex or national origin. 2. Disparate Impact Discrimination: This occurs when the employer discriminates against an entire protected class. (Henry R. Cheeseman, 2004, p. 803) For a company operating out of multiple locations with diverse work cultures and societal practices, the occurrence of these two forms of discrimination cannot be ruled out. Riordan Manufacturing has prime work locations in the US and China. â€Å"Many racial and ethnic groups in the United States, including blacks, Hispanics, Asians, American Indians, and others, have historically faced severe discrimination- pervasive and open denial of †¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦. economic opportunities† (Rebecca M. Blank, Constance Forbes Citro Discrimination 3 Marilyn Dabady, 2004, p. 1). In China, there has been an observation of marked gender discrimination, with women being disadvantaged quite often (Zhu Jingde, 2005, n. p). Discrimination based on national origin, race and color is also rife in China. Discriminatory practices in employment are not limited to a few countries. With multiple operation centers in all parts of the globe, Virtual Organizations need to be prepared to face issues of discrimination that might crop up. The role of a manager is critical in ensuring that there is no discrimination occurring inside the organization. His legal and ethical duties pertaining to discrimination start with personal abstinence from acts of harassment and biased behavior. The manager needs to follow a moral code of conduct and act ethically while promoting people since ‘merit’ can be offered as a defense to a charge of discrimination (Henry R. Cheeseman, 2004, p. 810). He has to ensure that there is no occurrence of disparate treatment in the team he is handling. He might come across instances of members of the staff indulging in verbal slurs against other members of a different race, religion, origin, sex or color. In such instances, he should abide by Business Ethics to safeguard the feelings and interests of a protected class. Over the years, there has been a dramatic rise in the number of lawsuits against discrimination on various grounds. Legal action can be detrimental to the reputation and growth of an organization. It is, therefore, the duty of a manager to prevent discriminatory acts to make sure that the company is not at the wrong end of the law. He has to ensure that the staff is aware of the laws against discrimination and instruct them to Discrimination 4 refrain from harassment of fellow workers on the basis of their race, color, sex, religion or origin. Cultural practices play a huge role in discriminatory issues. For example, in most of the countries in the Middle East, it is not a common practice to employ women. And in a few countries in Asia, religion is a major criterion for the recruitment of a candidate. Unlike a democratic set-up, where people have the right to speak-up against discrimination, these countries do not encourage legal action for discrimination. In such cases, Business Ethics play a crucial role in preventing acts of discrimination. Since a virtual organization does not operate out of a single location, it is but natural that its workforce is a mix of different races, colors, religions and origins. A company’s strength is its workforce and when it is diverse like in the case of a Virtual Organization like Riordan Manufacturing, it is all the more important to focus on treating employees equally. This would ensure a healthy work-environment. References Henry R. Cheeseman, Business Law: Legal, E-Commerce, Ethical and International Environments, Fifth Edition, 2004, Ch.41 Rebecca M. Blank, Constance Forbes Citro Marilyn Dabady, Measuring Racial Discrimination, 2004 Zhu Jingde (2005), The Discrimination against Women in Employment in Contemporary China, Retrieved June 7, 2007, from http://www.womenofchina.cn/research/papers/3026.jsp How to cite Discrimination in Virtual Organizations, Papers

Interview Questions and Answers free essay sample

Job Interview Questions and Best  Answers By Alison Doyle, About. com Job interviews are always stressful even for job seekers who have gone on countless interviews. The best way to reduce the stress is to be prepared. Take the time to review the standard interview questions you will most likely be asked. Also review sample answers to these typical interview questions. Then take the time to research the company. That way youll be ready with knowledgeable answers for the job interview questions that specifically relate to the company you are interviewing with.Interview Questions: Work History †¢ Name of company, position title and description, dates of employment. Best Answers [pic]Interviewers expect a candidate for employment to be able to review their work history in detail. Be prepared to tell the interviewer the names of the companies you worked for, your job title, your starting and ending dates of employment, how much you earned and what your job entailed. We will write a custom essay sample on Interview Questions and Answers or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page Youd be surprised how many job applicants fumble when asked about prior employment. Dont be one of them!Refresh your memory prior to the interview by reviewing your resume, so, you can speak about your prior work history in detail and accurately. If you dont have a resume, make sure what you tell the interviewer matches what you filled out on your job application. The best way to prepare is to download a sample job application ahead of time. Complete the sample application and bring it with you when you are applying for employment. This way you will be able to copy the information rather than having to remember dates and other employment information. What were your expectations for the job and to what extent were they met? Best Answers [pic]In many cases, interviewers will want to know what you expected from your last job when you were hired, so, be prepared to answer the interview question What were your expectations for the job and to what extent were they met? There isnt a right or wrong answer to this question. The best way to respond is to discuss what you expected when you took the job and give examples of how the position worked out for you. If the job wasnt exactly what you expected, its fine to mention that.However, you should focus on the job itself, not the company, your boss, or your co-workers (if they were a problem). Do be careful how you answer and dont focus too much on the negative. Instead, address the highlights of the job. When responding, be specific. Prepare some examples to share with the interviewer in advance. For example, if your job involved creating web applications using Cold Fusion, discuss the specific programs you developed and the responsibilities you were given. If you were provided training and opportunities for professional development to help you achieve your goals, mention that, as well. What were your starting and final levels of compensation? Best Answers [pic]Interviewers expect a candidate for employment to be able to provide the details of their compensation history. Be prepared to tell the interviewer how much you earned at each of your prior positions. Make sure that what you tell the interviewer matches what you listed on your job application. Refresh your memory prior to the interview by reviewing your compensation history, so, you can speak in detail and accurately. Dont exaggerate or inflate your earnings.Many employers will check references and confirm your salary history prior to making a job offer. A discrepancy between what you reported and what the employer says could knock you out of contention for the job. The best way to prepare is to download a sample job application ahead of time. Complete the sample application and review it prior to the interview. †¢ What were your responsibilities? Best Answers [pic]When you are asked questions related to your current or previous positions, its important to be specific and to be positive about what you did in your previous position(s). The best way to respond is to describe your responsibilities in detail and to connect them to the job you are interviewing for. Try to tie your responsibilities in with those listed in the job description for the new position. That way, the employer will see that you have the qualifications necessary to do the job. Focus most on your responsibilities that are directly related to the new jobs requirements. Its also important to be honest. Dont embellish your job, because you dont know who the hiring manager will be checking with when they check your references. †¢ What major challenges and problems did you face?How did you handle them? Best Answers [pic]When asked the job interview question How did you handle a challenge? be sure to include specific examples of how you handled a particular difficult situation. Discuss how you researched the issue and contributed to finding a solution. Examples of good responses include: †¢ During a difficult financial period, I was able to satisfactorily negotiate repayment schedules with multiple vendors. †¢ When the software development of our new product stalled, I coordinated the team which managed to get the schedule back on track.We were able to successfully troubleshoot the issues and solve the problems, within a very short period of time. †¢ A long-term client was about to take their business to a competitor. I met with the customer and was able to change how we handled the account on a day-to-day basis, in order to keep the business. †¢ What did you like or dislike about your previous job? Best Answers [pic]When youre asked what dont like about your previous job, dont be too negative. The reason is that you dont want the interviewer to think that youll speak negatively about the new job or the company when youre ready to move on, if you get this job.Rather, it makes sense to talk about yourself and what youre looking for in a new role. Sample Answer I enjoyed the people I worked with. It was a friendly and fun atmosphere and I actually enjoyed going into work each morning. I felt the leadership team was great as well. They knew all of their employees on a first name basis and tried to make those personal connections. I also enjoyed that fact that the office tired to do community outreach with local organizations. One of the reasons I am leaving is that I felt I was not challenged enough at the job.