BUS6 Growing the business mind map

Growth / finance

• Organic: Own branches, products or markets; gradual but demand/finance needed
• Inorganic: Merger joins; takeover gains control; speed versus integration costs
• Scale: Spread fixed costs/bargain better; coordination can offset savings
• Public shares: plc: public share offers, not state ownership; control/cost trade-off
• Sources: Retained profit/assets internally; loans/shares externally
• Match: Long-lived expansion needs suitable duration, cost and risk

Objectives

• Evolving: Survival can give way to growth, profit or market-share aims
• Market / tech: Demand and technology create threats as well as opportunities
• Performance: Profit/cash, leaders, laws and skills alter priorities
• Choices: Enter/exit markets; adjust staff or range; growth is not inevitable
• Functions: Sales goals need operations, staff and finance to support them
• Closure case: Protect survival; weigh closure costs/access against future savings

Globalisation

• Connections: Buy/sell/produce across borders; imports in, exports out
• Competition: More rivals and markets; adapt for culture, laws and currencies
• Multinationals: Operate in several countries; location savings versus coordination
• Trade rules: Tariffs tax imports; blocs reduce some barriers between members
• Online / mix: International reach still needs local products, payment and delivery
• Tariff case: 10% of £5,000 = £500; absorb or pass on extra cost

Ethics / environment

• Ethics: Acceptable behaviour can go beyond minimum legal requirements
• Sourcing: Fair treatment may build loyalty; costs/willingness to pay matter
• Sustainability: Energy, emissions, waste, packaging and resources affect harm
• Investment: Less waste/energy can save money; cleaner equipment needs cash
• Pressure groups: Campaigns and boycotts can alter demand and practices
• Trade-offs: Short-term profit versus long-term effects; support claims with evidence

Connections

• Growth / finance → Objectives: Expansion must fit priorities, cash and capacity
• Globalisation → Ethics / environment: Overseas sourcing needs cost and reputation judgements