A business is an economic activity that consists of the buying, selling or exchange of goods or services. This activity can be profit-driven or non-profit making and it may involve a variety of structures including sole proprietorship, partnership, joint venture, and corporation. Businesses are the backbone of an economy and they can range in size from tiny operations to massive enterprises that operate across a wide array of industries globally.
A person who operates a business is called a businessman, entrepreneur or contractor. The word business is also used to refer to the activities of a profession which are subject to guidelines laid down by professional bodies. Examples include the legal, medical and accounting professions.
Businesses can be for-profit or nonprofit and they can operate in a wide variety of industry sectors. The structure of a business can vary from sole partnerships to corporations that provide shareholder equity to their owners. Many governments have modeled some state institutions and enterprises on the model of private companies. The process of running a business can be illustrated graphically by means of a flow chart or process map. This illustrates the sequence of required tasks and assigns certain benchmarks or decision points along the way.
The most common use of the word business is to describe an ongoing commercial operation that has a clear aim of earning profits. This is the primary purpose of any business and it is the driving force behind all decisions made in a business. It is also the underlying reason for any new business to start in the first place.
It is possible to earn a living from running a business but it is not necessarily guaranteed that you will make a profit. Some people lose money or even close their business because they fail to manage their finances properly. It is important to research the industry and the market before you launch your business so that you have a good chance of success.
A successful business will be well-run and organised. It will have a clearly defined goal, financial resources, staff and a plan for the future. It will also be regulated by the laws of the jurisdiction in which it operates. It is a good idea to seek professional advice before you begin your own business.
The term business is often used in idioms such as “get down to business” meaning concentrate on your work and not social matters. It is also used to refer to the trade of commodities. For example, the adage, “it’s good business to be nice,” suggests that it is beneficial to treat others with respect regardless of their background or station in life. It is also commonly used to describe the financial activity of a company or individual, such as when someone states that “lunch business is brisk at the cafe.” The implication here is that a company has a good reputation for quality food and service. It is therefore worth investing in a good marketing campaign to ensure that the company’s name reaches a large number of potential customers.