Enterprise and entrepreneurs
Concepts of Enterprise and Entrepreneurs
- Enterprise refers to any business or company which offers goods or services to customers for the purpose of making a profit.
- An entrepreneur is the individual who conceives the idea, takes the initial steps of setting up the enterprise, accumulates the necessary resources, adopts the right strategies, and is responsible for the success or failure of the venture.
Types of Enterprises
- Sole Trader: This type of enterprise is owned and run by one individual. The owner has unlimited liability, which means if the business fails, they are personally responsible for all the debts.
- Partnership: This refers to the business form where two or more individuals share the risks, costs, responsibilities, and profits of a business venture.
- Limited Company: A limited company is a separate legal entity, which means the company’s finances are separate from the personal finances of their owners.
Key Characteristics of Successful Entrepreneurs
- Self-Motivated: Successful entrepreneurs do not need someone who will push them to work hard, as they are intrinsically driven to accomplish their goals and make their business successful.
- Risk-takers: Entrepreneurs understand that in order to gain profits, they must be willing to take certain financial risks.
- Innovative: Successful entrepreneurs continuously come up with new ideas and are not afraid to try out different approaches in business.
Functions and Contributions of Enterprises
- Job Creation: Enterprises and entrepreneurs create jobs, helping to reduce unemployment and contributing to economic growth.
- Economic Growth: The income earned by enterprises contributes to national income through taxes, which can be used for further development of the country.
- Innovation: Enterprises support innovation by introducing new products and services, which may also lead to new technologies and development of new sectors.