INTRODUCTION TO ENTREPRENEURSHIP SKILLS (AutoRecovered) - 1
INTRODUCTION TO ENTREPRENEURSHIP SKILLS (AutoRecovered) - 1
INTRODUCTION TO ENTREPRENEURSHIP SKILLS (AutoRecovered) - 1
COURSE OUTLINE:
1. Introduction to entrepreneurship
2. Entrepreneurship skills
3. Setting up a business
4. Business opportunities
5. Types of business enterprises
6. Business competition
7. Marketing healthy services
8. Business sustainability and growth
9. Monitoring and evaluating the business
Types of profits
(i) Net profit, This refers to the net earnings to an entrepreneur after all
operating expenses have been met.
(ii) Normal profits, These are earnings for an entrepreneur which is just
enough to cater for the expenses and not capable of attracting other
entrepreneur to join the business or the industry.
Career options
One can decide whether to in paid employment or self employed
Paid employment
This is where someone takes up a job in which he/she is paid a uniform wage or
salary either on a daily, weekly or monthly basis for a specific assignment given
by the employer for a specified period of time.
ADVANTAGES OF PAID EMPLOYMENT
1. Steady Income, A paid employee is assured of a regular payment at the end
of a specified period of time.
2. One is given a specific responsibility to performance, e.g. the work of a cook
in a school is to prepare meals for students while the teacher to teach.
3. A worker is at times given fringe benefits like transport, sick leave,
accommodation, meals at the work place. This reduces personal home
expenses and improves his living standards.
4. There is minimal fluctuation in the employee earnings; this is because
employees are assured of their pay at all times, regardless of the work done.
5. There is reduced fatigue of the employees; this is because employees work
for fixed and favorable hours.
6. Employee skills is improved, this is because trainings and workshops are
always organized to improve the workers` efficiency.
7. It is easy for government to collect taxes from paid employees e.g. NSSF,
PAYE.
8. Employees are guided by rules and guidelines, this minimizes risks and the
work station is under control of the owner.
DISADVANTAGES OF PAID EMPLOYMENT
1. There is a tendency for employees following strict rules and regulations or
strict orders. This reduces their creativity.
2. There is a fixed rate of pay which can hardly be increased even if output
increases. This may affect living conditions during inflation times
3. Responsibilities of a worker are fixed. This limits a worker from acquiring
other skills.
4. There is limited room for initiating new ideas by employees. This because
workers follow strict instructions
5. Workers may be dismissed due to poor performance or due to the bias of the
employer.
6. In case some employees are absent, work comes to a standstill since
everyone concentrates on his/her work.
SELF EMPLOYMENT
This is where an individual starts his or her own income generating activity and
gets employment in it.
ADVANTAGES
1. The income one earns is potentially unlimited, since it can be increased in
case of increase in profits/output.
2. There is no interference from anyone, since the owner has freedom to do
what he/she assumes correct for the success of the venture.
3. It promotes work hard; this is because of the urge to make the business
succeed.
4. The work station is entirely under the control of the owner, as there is
nobody to take care apart from the owner.
5. The owner helps others with entrepreneurial skills; this is by way of guiding
them towards starting their own businesses.
6. One becomes boss, directs instead of being directed.
7. It Promotes self-esteem and confidence, this is because there is no possibility
of dismissal.
8. There is room for creativity and personal initiative towards development of
the business.
9. It promote financial independence, this is because the owner earners
unlimited incomes
10.Promotes independence in decision making, since there is nobody to consult
and most activities are supervised by the owner.
Disadvantages of self-employment
1. The owner sacrifices personal freedom, this is because the venture requires
strict supervision.
2. In case of business failure, huge losses are incurred.
ENTREPRENEURIAL CULTURE
Entrepreneurial culture is defined as a culture that encourages the whole
population to take advantage of the abundant opportunities in the environment.
Entrepreneurial culture relates to the values the entrepreneur brings into the
business. It is a mix of norms, values and beliefs that are shared by both the
entrepreneur and employees in a business venture.
Culture is important for an entrepreneurial venture because it is the means by
which the values of its founders are institutionalized. In addition, culture serves
to socialize new employees, helps them understand how they should treat the
customers, how they should treat each other, how they should act in their jobs
and how to generally fit in and be successful within the business.
Benefits of entrepreneurial culture
1. It helps to build capacity for living with uncertainty
2. It helps to make individuals get familiarized with business tasks
3. It’s a basis for the development of entrepreneurial population
4. Its helps individuals of the society to get managerial skills
5. It provide manpower needed for development of businesses and
infrastructure
TRAITS
Traits are defined as the aggregate of peculiar qualities or characteristics that
constitute personal individuality. Traits take time to develop and are not easily
changed. Therefore;
It is more likely that a person who does not have all the three competencies
in his or her business will encounter difficulties in operating the venture
successfully.
An individual with only knowledge and skills is unlikely to survive for even
if he/she manages to start a business.
A person with only knowledge and personal traits might find nothing of
value to which these skills might be applied to.
A potential entrepreneur with skills and traits but lacking knowledge might
be able to start a business but might not be so competitive.
TYPES OF CHANGE
1. Developmental change
This occurs when a company makes an improvement to the current business
activities/status.
Characteristics of developmental change
The company improves on its processes, methods or performance standards.
Development appears gradually with little stress.
Employees acquire new skills in order to manage the developments.
It does not mean necessary the company changing its goals but to improve
on the processes so as to achieve them.
2. Transitional change
This is a form of change where processes are dismantled or replaced with
new ones. Here a company may merge or create new products or service and
take on the implementation of new technology.
Characteristics of Transitional change
The old processes are completely replaced with new ones.
There is a significant shift in the behavior of the employees.
The company develops new products and services.
The company destiny or future is unknown.
Employee’s level of engagement in the new procedures is increased.
3. Transformational change
This is the change that involves both developmental and transitional change.
Here, companies are faced with the emergency of different technologies and
a significant change in supply and demand.
Characteristics of transformational change
Top management is prepared to involve employees in transition.
There is complete change in the methods of production.
There is a complete change in the vision, mission and objectives of the
company.
Companies are faced with an expectant competition arising from existing
companies.
Employees look for an ideal situation for placing themselves in a new
change i.e. undertaking training.
Importance of change
1. It helps the enterprise to adopt new technology; this increases the ability
of the enterprise to increase productivity and growth.
2. It helps the organization to respond to customer’s needs, as satisfied
customers are able to bring in more income and at the same time it
contributes to the growth of an enterprise.
3. It helps employees to get new skills and knowledge i.e. for change to
occur employees must adopt it by learning new skills and exploiting new
opportunities to exercise creativity in the new way.
4. It determines the direction of the organization. That is to say with
increasing demand for products and services; it means that a company
must consider expansion that might involve addition of new staff and new
facilities.
5. It is used to change the status quo i.e. change is used to develop new
ideas and innovations that directly impact and benefit the enterprise.
6. Change helps the organization to achieve production of new goods and
services e.g. the transformational change which leads to complete
dismantle of the old processes which are inefficient and replaced with
efficient modern method of production.
7. Change is used as a tool to out compete other business e.g. change in the
product line, change in the marketing strategies, change in customer care
etc.
(b)CREATIVITY
Creativity is the ability to bringing something new into existence like a new
idea, new technique of production, new style to meet the identified need of a
society .or
Creativity is to the act of turning new and imaginative ideas into reality. It
requires passion and commitment and to act out of creative abilities as
expressed by somebody`s imagination. It involves developing innovative
solutions of the needs or society and marketing them.
IMPORTANCE OF CREATIVITY
1. Creativity helps the entrepreneur to set a platform for competition. This
improves the business performance in the market.
2. It helps one to perceive the world in the new order i.e. finding the hidden
partners and making connections so as to generate fresh solutions and
new products for change.
3. It helps the business to create new products brand. This increases the
profitability of the business.
4. It helps managers to design policy that don’t hurt employees. This
improves the relationship between the manager and the workers.
5. It increases awareness. This helps to open the entrepreneurs` mind to new
thinking.
6. It helps the entrepreneur to solve problem e.g. how to promote products
or services, how to make use of the available limited resource.
7. It helps the entrepreneur to sharpen the business ideas. This makes it
more attractive and increased the possibilities of developing it into a
business opportunity.
CREATIVE PROCESS
This refers to the purposeful, organized risk taking change introduced for the
purpose of maximizing economic opportunities. It may take the form of lower
prices new or better products or improvement in design. The stages include:
1. Idea germination, Exactly how an idea is germinated is a mystery; it is not
something that can be examined under the microscope. For most
entrepreneurs, ideas begin with interest in a subject or curiosity about
finding a solution to a particular problem
2. Preparation, This involves all steps of gathering information analyzing it
and exploiting possible solutions to the problems.
3. Incubation, This is the situation which involve allowing the mind to
continue thinking over and over the problem and the possible solutions to the
problem.
4. Illumination, This refers to a situation of building inspiration of taking
actions by having some relaxation of task being handled.
5. Verification, This is where the idea is tasted, alternative solutions are
provided and possibility of their applicability before picking the most
suitable solution.
Individual creativity:
For an individual to be creative needs the following aspects
1. Knowledge: The T-shape mind with a breadth of understanding across
multiple disciplines and one or two areas of in-depth expertise.
2. Thinking: a strong ability to generate novel ideas by combining previously
disparate elements. The thinking force must be combined with analytical and
practical thinking.
3. Personal motivation: the appropriate levels of intrinsic motivation and
passion for one’s work combined with appropriate team force motivators and
self-confidence.
4. Environment: a non-threatening, non-controlling climate conducive to ideal
combination and recombination such as ‘intersection makes an individual to
become creative’.
5. An explicit decision to be creative along with a meta-cognitive awareness of
the creative process can go a long way in enhancing long-term creative
results.
(c) INNOVATION
Innovation is defined as the process of utilizing creative ability to make or
introduce something new or new resources and wealth. Or Innovation is a way
of transforming the resources of an enterprise through the creativity of people
into new resources and wealth.
Types of Innovation
Every business can benefit from innovation. A variety of innovative approaches
are seen as below:
(a) Business Modal Innovation: This involves the way businesses are operated
in terms of capturing value e.g. telecommunication companies make changes
in delivering their services so as to be able to compete with other firms.
(b)Organizational Innovation: This involves the creation or alteration of
business structural practices and models. This includes process, marketing
and business innovations.
(c) Process Innovation: This involves the implementation of a new or
significantly improved flow of business activities or delivery method.
(d)Product Innovation: This refers to the innovation that involves the
introduction of a good or a service that is new and significantly improved.
These new changes may include: improvements in the functional
characteristics of the product, technical abilities, easy to use of the item
among others.
(e) Service Innovation: This involves the introduction of a new service that is
improved.
(f) Supply chain innovation: This refers to innovations that occur in the
sourcing of input items from the suppliers and the delivery of output
products to the customers.
(g) Technological innovation, this primarily comprises of research and
engineering efforts aimed at developing new products and processes.
(h)Products-market innovation, this consists of market research, products
design, an innovations in advertising and promotion.
(i) Administrative innovation is concerned with novelty in management
systems, control Techniques and organizational structure.
Characteristics of Innovator
1. An innovator has a compiling vision, he/she is able to forecast or see ahead
to have changes that may occur or affect the business.
2. An innovator is opportunity oriented i.e. he/she believes that there can be a
new way of solving any problem that might affect the business.
3. An innovator is self-disciplined he/she uses self-discipline to achieve results
by putting priority of using time well.
4. An innovator is able to identify something new and relates its impact on the
social environment.
5. He/ She is surrounded by positive thinkers i.e. people who have positive
attitude towards creating something new.
6. An innovator is extra ordinarily persistent; he or she is able to keep going
while fighting all obstacles on the way that may try to hinder him or her
from creating something new as per the set goals.
7. An innovator is inner directed i.e. he/she has a vision to achieve which
motivates him/her to do something it takes to reach the vision.
8. An innovator is a good learner i.e. he/she has the ability to learn faster and
better concepts that helps him or her to create something new.
Advantages of innovation
1. It reduces raw material wastage e.g. innovation of new machines that are
more efficient.
2. It Assist in packaging and repositioning of products for global distribution
e.g. marketing innovation.
3. It helps in distribution of goods and services.
4. It increases the market for the enterprises` products and services e.g. use of
internet marketing.
5. It provides a new way Seeking financing, e.g. joint venture partnership in
business.
6. Product innovation increases sales and profits of an enterprise, as more
customers are attracted
7. It gives an entrepreneur an opportunity to integrate the business for global
economy through alliance.
8. Helps to attract new customers to the business. e.g. innovations in
promotion and advertising new products
9. It helps a business to achieve efficiency in production, e.g. innovation in
techniques of production; this increases output and sales of the enterprise.
10.It helps to improve production of goods and services in an enterprise. e.g.
process innovation
11.Operating expenses are minimized
12.It’s used as a competitive advantage, provide a basis for firm`s growth
13.Innovative firms develop strong, positive market reputations.
Internal forces
Unexpected occurrence included mishaps, such as a failed product introduction.
It is often through such unexpected failures or success that new information
brought to light. For instance folds failed Edsel gave the company new
information about marketing that allowed it to achieve Stella, gains with
succeeding products. Unexpected occurrence can also take the form of accident,
for example, the hugely successful Natural sweet artificial sweetener was
created by an accident during a project completely unrelated to sweeteners.
Incongruities result from difference in a company’s or industry perception and
reality e.g. although the demand for steel continued to grow between1950-1970,
profits in the steel industry fell. This caused some innovators to develop the
steel mill a less expensive method of making steel that was also more conducive
to changing market demands.
Innovators inspired by process needs are those created to support other products
or process for example advertising was introduced to make mass produced
newspapers possible. Newspaper publishers’ devised advertisements to cover
the expense of printing the newspaper on the new printing equipment they are
acquired.
External forces
External impetuses use to innovate include demographic changes Shifts in
perception and new knowledge.
Demographic changes affect all aspects of business for instance an influx of
Asian and Mexican immigrants into the United States has crushed a new market
riches for companies like wise an increase in the level and education in Uganda
has resulted in qualified workers going for some low paying job.
Change in perception also open the door to innovation example despite the fact
that health care in Uganda has continually becoming better and more accessible,
people have become increasingly concerned about their health and need for
better and more accessible care.
This change in perception has generated a huge market for health magazine,
vitamin supplements and exercise equipment.
Finally one of the strongest external impetuses for innovation is new knowledge
or emerging innovative companies can make profit by exploiting Its new
application and markets for example the innovations ranging from improved
cars and bullet proof vests.
e) ENTREPRENEUR MOTIVATION
Entrepreneurial motivation is a strong desire impulse, determination and drive
of individuals to accomplish a particular goal in business. Entrepreneur
motivation sometimes results from the desire to accomplish some physiological
needs of recognition, responsibilities, esteem and participation. Or
Entrepreneurial motivation is the process that activates and induces (motivates)
the entrepreneur to exert higher level of efforts for the achievement of his/her
entrepreneurial goals.
Entrepreneurial motivation can also be taken to mean the forces or drive within
an entrepreneur that affects the directions, intensity and perseverance of his/her
voluntary behaviour as entrepreneur.
In this regard, a motivated entrepreneur will have the urge to exert a particular
level of effort (intensity) for a certain period of time (perseverance) towards
realizing a certain goal (direction).
Entrepreneurial motivating factors
A number of factors motivate entrepreneurial activities and these have been
categorized into two –the internal and external factors.
Internal factors
1. Desire to do something new through creativity and innovation. Successful
entrepreneurs are creative thinkers. So coming up with new ideas, new
products or production techniques would well serve their purpose.
2. Need to become independent; entrepreneurs always enjoy the opportunity of
being self-reliant and dependent as this attracts social respect and recognition
besides ensuring job security and independence in decision making.
3. Achieve what one wants in life; successful entrepreneurs are driven by the
desire to achieve their dreams. They are visionary and focused to realizing
their dreams no matter what.
4. Be recognized for one’s contribution; Entrepreneurs are always highly
respected and socially recognized because of the goods and services they
provide to society besides employment creation.
5. One’s educational background especially when such entrepreneurial skills of
creativity and innovativeness, risk taking, leadership and decision making
are involved.
6. One’s occupational background and experience in the relevant fields like in
business management.
External factors
1. Availability of government assistance and support in form of favorable
investment climate like tax holidays, giving of subsidies, provision of free
land for the business enterprise etc can motive entrepreneurs.
2. The presence of cheap abundant labour force and raw materials.
3. The promising demand/large market for the product or service.
4. Encouragement from the already existing and expanding businesses.
Classical concepts of entrepreneur motivation
This refers to the altitude which strongly influenced by and they cannot be
really accounted.
Power motives
Is the ability to acquire others to behave in a way that suits others e.g. an infant
a great deal of power.
Competence motive
This is the interest in getting to know what the world is like to be able to make
things happen to create even rather than merely waiting for the possible e.g. in
adults the competence motive is a desire for job mostly and professional
endurance for affiliation motives.
Affiliation motives
This is a desire to be with other people regardless of whether nothing that the
country has against people seeks to gain some kind of interpersonal reward
which others met out such as money favour.
Entrepreneur is action oriented highly motivated individuals who take risks to
achieve goals that are referred to as being achievements motivate. They assume
responsibilities for work; therefore the government motivates them in
achievement motivated. They assume responsibility for work therefore
government motivate them in achieving their goals through;
1. Providing good infrastructures.
2. A providing conducive environment that facilitate entrepreneurial activities.
3. Reliable utility supply such as water.
4. Recognition of the utility.
5. Providing investable
6. Putting of laws that protect them.
Achievement Motivation
This is the intensive urge to excel and do something unique.
The people with strong need to achieve have an intensive desire for success.
They want to be challenged so they set moderately difficult but not impossible
goes for themselves take realistic risks and prefer to assume personal
responsibility to get the job done.
Characteristics of achievement motivation
1. Formulating of a concert goal to be achieved. Goals that are formulated is in
such a way that stretches one’s ability and efforts.
2. Goals set are not impossible or too difficult but are not too easy to be
achieved.
3. Develop a strong internal commitment or involvement with a goal.
4. Taking personal responsibility for the outcome.
5. Analyzing the environment to create opportunities for achievement rather
than passively waiting for chances to come one way. That is one is able to
see possibilities and opportunities in addition to the problem.
6. Experimenting with novels activity to reach the goal. This is through
anticipating possibilities of success rather than failure and doing something
about obstancles which can cause failure.
7. Seeking help from experts rather than from friends i.e. overcome both
external blocks and internal or personal limitation.
8. Delivering maximum satisfaction from achievement i.e. self and less from
other factors like recognition and money.
9. Experiencing positive feelings of joy and satisfaction in achieving
moderately challenging goals and disappointment but not self-
condemnation in failure.
10.Learning from feedback through analyzing whether the right methods were
employed or changes should be carried out.
Benefits of Motivation (advantages of achievement motivation)
An entrepreneur who has a high level of achievement motivation has a greater
chance of success it has the following advantages:
1. Increasing self-confidence of a person, who has achieved success, hence is
able to set more challenging goals.
2. Producing high performance or results i.e. person who has obtained success
use the same experience to deal with any future challenge.
3. It enables the entrepreneur to use of environment profitably, and plan how
to attain more success.
4. Motivates entrepreneurs to take carefully calculate risks; this reduces
wastage and produce high chances of success.
5. It creates much interest into the person to develop concrete measures of how
he/she is performing.
6. It leads to better utilization of the available resources in order to achieve
greater success.
Challenges of Motivation
Achievement motivation is an urge to excel, to compete and does something
unique that it must be associated with constant pressure and stress which may
lead to high anxiety regarding performance resulting in fear or failure hence the
challenges include:
1. Setting goals that are too low to ensure success.
2. It is associated with constant pressure and stress; this is because
achievement motivation argues a person to do something unique.
3. It leads to high level of fear for failure which in most cases makes one not
even to do anything.
4. Setting goals that are too high which might fail i.e. some entrepreneurs have
the urge to excel or to set goals that are not easily achievable.
5. Thinking of weakness and problems in the environment only i.e. one does
not think of the available strength and opportunity.
6. The challenges of obtaining the right input to work with to ensure success.
Factors which hinder entrepreneur motivation
Entrepreneurial motivation can be developed and it can be blocked by certain
social, political and economic cultural circumstances. Hence entrepreneur
achievement can be hindered by the following factors:
1. The conservative nature of the society: The society which does not
encourage entrepreneurial spirit and argue to excel among individuals
hinders entrepreneur motivation.
2. Negative social cultural believes in the society: Some beliefs hinder
entrepreneur motivation e.g. certain jobs can best be performed by female
and others are fit for male, that making profit in Islam is bad.
3. Unfavorable political system: This discourages individual’s private
ownership of property and this limits creativity of an individual hence
entrepreneurial motivation is affected e.g. at times government policy
discourages individual’s initiative.
4. Unfavorable economic environment: this is described in terms of policy,
unregulated lending activities which may be rigid and hence discouraging
entrepreneurial motivation.
5. Psychological factors: Like orientation, insecurity etc. this limits
entrepreneurial motivation.
6. Inadequate provision of physical infrastructure e.g. unreliable supply of
power, poor state of infrastructures, inadequate water supply among others
this limits entrepreneurial motivation
7. Poor educational orientation, limited entrepreneurial experience and market
opportunities
8. Limited entrepreneurs.
Characteristics associated with strong need for achievement.
Successful entrepreneurs have a positive mental altitude which motivates them
to focus on desired activities, events and results they hope to achieve.
Motivation comes from having a positive altitude. Entrepreneurs learn from
every experience they have. The following factors helped the potential to
develop a positive altitude:
1. Making each experience a learning opportunity, that is to say whatever takes
place one need to learn from it.
2. Getting involved in positive activities, which are productive and
developmental in nature.
3. Setting work objectives to be achieved, this is through setting realistic and
achievable objectives which help one to have a strong need for
achievements.
4. 4Networking with successful entrepreneurs, this helps to acquire their
thinking mannerisms.
5. Having a positive mental attitude
6. Identifying successful entrepreneurs to be used role models and mentors.
This helps one to get guidance, learn from them and follow their footsteps to
achieve to achieve personal goals.
7. Avoiding negative thoughts and ideas.
8. Taking advantage of opportunity to improve on your situation.eg personal
life, work life or life in the community
9. Having faith in whatever being done
10.Being result oriented, e.g. ensuring that any task assigned to you is done as
expected to cause result
Ways of developing entrepreneurial habits
1. Starting work earlier than any individual
2. Changing personal habits that may affect an individual
3. Planning day`s activities before going to sleep
4. Making daily practice of an activity for same time in order to gain
experience
5. Reviewing current habits in relation to the future goals and discussing them
with an individual that might change the current status.
f) RISK TAKING
Risk is the possibility of suffering harm, loss or danger.
Business risk refers to the factors that may have a negative impact on the
profitability or success of a company. It can stem from external factors that a
business may have little control over or issues within the company itself.
A risk situation occurs when a choice is required between two or more
alternatives whose potential outcomes are not known and must be subjectively
evaluated. It involves potential success and potential loss.
Types of risks
1. Low risks, these are risk that yield low profits to the business. e.g. starting
the same business
2. Moderate risks, these are risks that can be forecasted, calculated and
managed by the entrepreneur
3. High risks, these are risks whose chances of happening are very high and
yet the entrepreneur has very little control over them and their occurrence
causes serious damage to the business.
h) NEGOTIATION
Entrepreneurs negotiate so as to achieve what they want without fear of
conflicts or misunderstanding. It is a peaceful way of accomplishing things
without anyone being angry.
By definition negotiation is the process of bargaining that proceeds or results
into an agreement.
Negotiation originated from a Latin expression negotiates which means to carry
on with business. Therefore negotiation can also be defined as a process of
discussion between two or more parties who seek to find a solution to a
common problem i.e. one that meets their needs and interests.
The needs for negotiation
There are reasons to why individuals negotiate these include;
1. To reach an agreement i.e. normally people negotiate in order to reach
conclusions and this helps to avoid bias.
2. To beat the opposition, when two parties negotiate there is always a winner
who emerges the best.
3. To compromise, that is negotiation helps people to appreciate what the
others party is up to.
4. To settle an agreement, i.e. one of the ways to help some understand is when
the two parties negotiate and then they settle after agreeing by writing an
agreement.
Principles of negotiation
Negotiation to be effective there must be guidelines that are acceptable by both
parties. These include:
Elements of negotiation
Negotiation has three basic elements:
The Process: This is the way in which individuals negotiate with each other.
The process includes various techniques and strategies employed to negotiate in
Oder to reach a solution.
Behaviour: This refers to how the two parties respond to each other during the
process of negotiation i.e. the way e.g. interact with each other, the way they
communicate with each other to make their points dear.
Subsistence: This refers to the gender on which individuals negotiate i.e. a
topic for negotiation.
Stages involved in negotiation
For negotiation to be effective the following stages/steps are involved:
1. Preparation: Before negotiation takes place, a decision needs to be taken
when and where a meeting is to take place to discuss the problem and who is
to attend. It also involves setting a limit time so as to avoid disagreement.
2. Determination of the venue and inviting members for discussion: This is
where individuals of each side are invited to the set venue. The purpose of
this is to ensure that each member is reached and agreed upon the set venue.
3. Setting the objectives: The goals, interest and viewpoints of both sides are
reconciled such that a dear substance (goal) is drawn. This helps to list what
is to be discussed in the order of priority.
4. Real negotiation for a win-win outcome: This step focuses on situations of
both parties, how they have to gain positively from the negotiation and
always a win-win situation is the best outcome though it is not possible.
5. Writing an agreement: This is achieved once understandings of both sides
view points and interest have been considered. It is essential to keep an open
mind to achieve the solution as any agreement needs to be made perfectly
dear so that both parties know what has been decided.
6. Implementing the course of action: putting what has been agreed into
practice
Question:
You intend to open up a factory dealing in the processing of honey in which the
demand is increasing;
(a) Prepare guidelines for maintain a good work place condition.
(b) Prepare guidelines for developing innovative abilities among workers.
(c) Explain the economic factor that may affect your business.
Solution:
PEPPAS HONEY PROCESSING INDUSTRY
P.O. Box 120, KAMPALA
Program for negotiation
Activity Person in remarks
charge
Preparation for negotiation Entrepreneur
Deciding on the venue
Inviting negotiators to the venue
Setting objectives for negotiation
Negotiation
Writing agreements
Implementing the resolution of the
agreement
Prepared by:signature………….name……………….title…………………….
NATURE OF NEGOTIATION
1. Negotiation is a balanced process i.e. both parties are on equal level in terms
of information, facts and approach either party can go soft or tough.
2. Negotiation is not finite; moves can go in all direction. This means that there
is no determined winning strategy especially when various elements of the
situation are not known.
3. Both learners parties anticipates and react, during the process of negotiation
resulting in double motivation, different behaviour could be presented in
different situation hence an effective negotiation must be accommodative.
Challenges in Negotiation
1. Time pressure: Time may be limited to gather all details required for in order
to have a balanced negotiation.
2. Influence of another decision maker: An entrepreneur may delegate another
employee to negotiate on his or her behalf, this makes it difficult to achieve
an agreement easily.
3. The delay tact: Boss always give excuses or keep one working for a long
time such that a shorter discussion is realized and agreement is reached.
4. Last minute wavering: Towards completion of negotiation one party may
bring a new point, forcing negotiator to change on allowed agreed position.
5. An earlier concession: Some negotiators show an earlier agreement and
expect the other party to behave in the same way.
6. Aggressive behaviour: Such behaviour include bullying, du attempts to make
sarcastic comments during negotiation which makes difficult to reach an
agreement.
7. Negotiating the other party problem: Some negotiators have concern for only
their problems therefore it requires understanding and addressing problems
of the other party.
8. Letting positions over ride interests. Despite the clear advantage of
reconciling deeper interest people have a built in bias towards focusing on
their own positions instead this leads to a situation or pre-determined results.
9. The linking logic: This is based on the assumption that if a person is correct
in one thing he/she must be correct in another. This therefore compromises
the outcome of the negotiation.
10.Neglecting the other side’s problem, negotiation can be effective when the
two parties involved in the process don`t take into account of each other
problem
i) BUSINESS ETHICS
Ethics are a set of moral principles which are recognized in respect to a
particular class of human actions or group
Business ethics, these are virtues or values or norms that business should
conduct themselves towards customers, employees, society, government and
fellow business partners or competitors. They are those virtues that business
peoples apply when making business decisions. These values guide members of
the group to act in a manner that is consistent with the values and standards as
established.
PRINCIPLES OF GOOD BUSINESS ETHICS
Ethical principles are the values that set the ground rules of all that we do. The
ethical principles are
Honesty. An entrepreneur should be open and freely share information. He
shouldn’t say thing that are false or deliberately mislead others.
Promise keeping. One will not make promises that cannot be kept and will
not make promises on behalf of the company unless he has the authority to
do so.
Fairness. An entrepreneur should create and follow a process and achieve
outcomes that a reasonable person would just call. E.g. equal treatment of
workers, like giving them a fair pay depending on stipulated conditions
Respect for others. It’s important for one to honour and value the abilities
and contributions of others, embracing the responsibility and accountability
for our action in the regard
Compassion, one should maintain an awareness of the needs of others and
act to meet those needs whenever possible. They should minimize harm in
society
Integrity, one will always live up to ethical principles, even when confronted
by personal, professional and social risks as well as economic pressure, e.g.
the hiking rate of inflation doesn’t mean reducing worker’s salaries or
producing poor quality products.
Cooperation or team work, an entrepreneur should be able to support acts of
other business partners and work together to achieve the common goals of
the industry e.g. during strike due to high taxes.
Law abiding. Ethical entrepreneurs abide by laws, rules and regulations
relating to their business activities.
Commitment to excellence. Ethical entrepreneurs pursue excellence in
performing their activities, are well informed and prepared, and constantly
endeavor to increase their knowledge in all areas of responsibility.
Reputation and morale. Ethical entrepreneurs seek to protect and build their
businesses’ good reputation and the morale of its employees by engaging in
no conduct that might undermine respect and by taking whatever actions
necessary to correct or prevent inappropriate conduct of others.
Accountability. Ethical entrepreneurs acknowledge and accept personal
accountability for the ethical quality of their decisions and omissions to
themselves, their colleagues, their companies, and their communities.
j) COMMUNICATION SKILLS
Strong business communication skills are critical to the success of any
organization despite its size, geographical location, and its mission. Business
communication is intertwined with the internal culture and external image of
any organization; it therefore determines what to communicate, by whom, and
what level in an organization. Hence good communication practices assist the
organization in achieving its objectives by informing, persuading and building
good will within both the internal and external environment.
Communication refers to the process of conveying or transmitting a message
from one person to another through a proper channel.
Or communication refers to giving and receiving information and feedback
Elements of communication
1. Sender, the process of communication begins with the person whom the
message originates, who has an idea, purpose or information for
communicating the idea is influenced by the;
Mood
Frame of reference
Background
Culture
And physical makeup of the sender
The situation influencing the communication etc
2. Encoding, after coming up the idea, the send converts the idea into words or
gestures that will convey meaning. In selecting symbols, the sender must be
alert to the receiver`s communication skills, attitude, background, experience
and culture. Encoding result into a message which can be verbal or
nonverbal this can be intended or unintended.
3. Medium, the send must appropriately select the means through which the
message is to deliver. The channel that is to be used is influenced by;
The purpose of the communication
Ability of the encoder to effectively use the medium
The effectiveness of the medium to deliver the message
4. Receiver, the receiver decode the message that is to say translating the
message from its symbol form into meaning.
5. Feedback, this is response to the message. It tells the sender that the message
has been received and understood and the purpose fulfilled, whether it is to
persuade or informs or the good will reasons.
CHANNELS OF COMMUNICATION
Information in an enterprises flows through formal and informal
communication.
FORMAL COMMUNICATION
It follows organization’s hierarchy of command flowing in various directions
for the purpose of effective delivery of the intended information. Official
communication typically flows through formal channels in three directions that
is:
Downward
Upward
Horizontal
Down ward communication,
This is information and messages sent from top management to subordinates in
an organization through established hierarchy. This is intended to direct the
activities of employees, instruct them into behaviors and work methods, and
persuade them to adopt certain ideas and attitudes.
Upward communication
This is the type of communication where information flows from subordinates
to superiors and continues upwards the hierarchy. The purpose of upward
communication is;
To provide management with feedback on production performance tasks.
To give marketing information in relation to consumer`s reactions about the
new product if any,
For any upward communication to be effective there should be an environment
in which the subordinates feel free of their freedom of communication or
expression to their superiors.
Horizontal communication
This involves the flow and transmission of information among people with
same or similar organizational level and diagonal flow with people at different
levels who have no direct reporting relationship
INFORMAL COMMUNICATION,
these channels are usually based on social relationships in which individuals
talk about work when they are having lunch, working out, sporting etc. this
communication operate outside the formal organization`s hierarchy of authority
Principles of effective communication/ guidelines for effective
communication
Like any other discipline, effective communication has certain principles which
include
1. Clarity, the message conveyed must be organized, loud and clear leaving no
room for any dough .it should have a well thought through introduction,
detailed body and a smart conclusion.
2. Consistence, the sender should be consistent in the use of channel and the
code through which he is communicating the message
3. Concreteness, it is advisable to organize the communication in logical
manner and coherent
4. Courtesy, the communicator should not be rude, should communicate
politely. The message should have a good tone able to maintain and build
relationship
5. Consideration, plan carefully and try to understand the information needs of
the recipient. Be empathetic of the recipient, this enables you understand the
message.
6. Conciseness, effective communication should be brief and straight forward
to the point. The sender must be clear and properly focused to the purpose of
communication
7. Completeness, the message should have all the necessary information e.g. a
notice for a meeting should have the date, day, time, venue and purpose of
communication.
8. Interest and acceptance, the sender must ensure that adequate interest is
generated among the recipient of the message and that they are ready to
make repaly.
9. Environment, the sender should ensure that the recipient receive the message
as required.
10.Distribution, the communication should be addressed to those who are
supposed to have it. There should be a system to ensure that wrong people
don’t access to the information
11.Simplicity of the language, the sender must keep his language as simple as
possible keeping in mind the recipient standard of knowledge so that the
message is clearly understood.
12.Timing, the message should be conveyed at a time when the receiver is able
to listen and receive it.
13.Media, the sender must use a media that the target recipient uses.eg news
papers when communicating to the elite of urban areas.
14.Controlling Emotions ,emotions play an important role in interpersonal
relationships between the sender and the receiver
Importance of communication in a business
1. It’s used to pass on relevant information all the time to the concerned parties,
e.g. increase in price of a consumer product.
2. It helps the entrepreneur to recruit and select workers. This is done by
publishing the job advertisement and interest individuals apply.
3. It’s used to implement business policies. This is achieved by giving
instructions to the subordinates, and their supervisors.
4. It helps entrepreneurs to negotiate with customers and suppliers. E.g. about
contracts
5. It’s used in keeping good relationships with old customers and creating new
ones. This is achieved by frequently communicating to customers.
6. It helps the entrepreneur to make decisions from an informed position e.g.
written communication contain details of what has been agreed on.
7. It helps the entrepreneur to coordinate operations of the business executed by
different departments.
8. It is used to make the general public to be informed about what the business
offers. For example the nature of the new product to the general public.
9. It helps the government and other regulatory organizations to monitor, guide
or direct business operations.
10.It provides a permanent point of reference for future business transactions.eg
the written communication in form of minutes.
11.Its helps an entrepreneur to establish a business identity. e.g. through
registering the business
Barriers to effective communication
1. Inconsistent in the communication, e.g. verbal languages and nonverbal
expressions which contracts with voice tone, body language.
2. Time pressure, i.e. managers don’t enough time to communicate frequently
with every subordinates
3. Language differences, this leads to misinterpretation of the message
4. Inadequate preparation for communication
5. Noise, this leads hearing of verbal form of communication.
6. Accent, this leads to distortion of meaning of a given communication form.
7. Obsolescence of information, if information is not acquired at the right time
when needed, it may become irrelevant and unusable
8. The mood of the receiver, when the receiver is not interested in the
communication hence giving low attention.
9. Use of inappropriate channels of communication, this may lead to miss the
target group of the communication.
10.The message being incomplete,
TYPES OF COMMUNICATION
There are basically two forms of communication skills; however the third one
has been added:
1. Oral communication
2. Written communication
3. Visual communication
Oral communication
This is the type of communication which is often used when bargaining, during
interviews, training and meetings. It involves a discussion between customers,
workers or suppliers. This method of communication tends to minimize chances
of communication break downs, the receiver has a chance of immediate
response and where necessary qualification is made.
Written communication
Writing is a presentation of letter, figure, words, phases, sentences, paragraphs
etc. it involves thinking and determining of how the letters, figures or words are
to be used to communicate the ideas to other people more meaningfully. Written
communication takes the following forms:
Business letter
Memo
Circular
Reports
Notices
Bulletins
Minutes
Advantages of written communication
It provides a permanent record necessary for reference.
It enables the communicator to develop an organized and well delivered
message.
It is a convenient form of communication.
Disadvantages of written communication
It requires careful preparation and sensitivity to audience.
Words spoken in the conversation may soon be forgotten but works recorded
become a record.
It’s more difficult to prepare e.g. writing the minutes.
They are more costly, this is in terms of time and money.
There is less possibility of feedback more especially when the language used
cannot be understood by the receiver.
NB: Written communication is both external and internal.
Visual Communication
This is a form of communication where the entrepreneur presents information
using diagrams, pictures without necessary using words. These take the form of
posters, graphs, pie charts etc. These are used to depict different situations in
business such as business growth, trends, composition of sales, customer
satisfaction, product performance etc.
Organizational Chart
Organization charts are used to show the organization structure of the business.
It shows how different sections of the business or staff relate to each other or
report to each other.
Uses of Organization Structure
It provides information on who to report to.
It is used during the process of introducing new workers into the
organization.
It is used to determine wages and salaries to different positions in an
organization.
It is used to determine duties, responsibilities of each position in an
organization.
It is used to determine the total number of workers needed in an enterprise
i.e. administrators.
It provides the above for determining the business expenditure on top
management.
Draw organizational chart of your business
Photograph
These are used to illustrate given information so as to increase the reader’s
appreciation and understanding. Most business administrators use captive
photographs to advertise their photographs.
Films or documentaries
These are used to provide information about the business operations. They are
effective in delivering messages to the target groups. Documentaries however
are used to enable the entrepreneurs to project a positive image and a peal to
target customers and general public.
Posters and Wall Charts
These are used by an entrepreneur to present information about the business
performance. they take the form of bar charts, line graphs or pie charts. They
are used to illustrate information in a diagram form and help to make
compulsion possible.
TECHNIQUES OF COMMUNICATING TO CUSTOMERS
a) How to present a product
When presenting a product to a customer, an entrepreneur should consider the
following strategies:
Ensuring that the sales person is smartly dressed, so as to deliver the present
the products more easily.
The target customers’ needs must be analyzed in order to select the most
appropriate way of representing the product.
Starting the presentation of the products by first giving the outstanding
features of the product, the benefit to the customers etc
By keeping the customer privacy, convenience ability to use the products
and others so as to plan how best to present the product.
Giving samples of the products to customers so as to identify and get their
input into productive development.
Using relevant presentation aid, photographs, charts to back up the
information about the product.
Telling the truth about the products and during presented to potential
customers.
Giving a chance to potential customers to give their opinion about the
product.
Handling any doubts in the minds of the customers tactfully by trying to
convince him or her.
Bargaining with customers
In bargaining with customers, an entrepreneur may undertake the following
strategies:
1. Being a good communicator during the process of bargaining with customers
like talking dearly, showing respect etc.
2. Avoid dominating the bargaining process, by allowing customers to also
give their own views during the bargaining process.
3. Giving counter offers to customers e.g. reducing the price of the product so
as to induce them to purchase.
4. Improving on the customer service, by having an effective customer service
department to facilitate the bargaining with customers.
Strategies used to collect overdue debts
1. By identifying all the debtors’ for a given period of time. This is done by
analyzing accounts, books of business and listing them according to their
debts amounts.
2. Arranging all debtors according to their audit period and assigning specific
workers to each of them to help in the collection of debts.
3. Sending of polite debt reminder to all the debtors. These can be done through
by calling them on phone or writing to them to remind them to clear their
debts.
4. Collecting the debts from the different debtors who would have responded to
the reminder.
5. Updating of the debtors records and issuing statements of account to each of
them.
6. Sending strong rewarded lost date reminder to the date defaulters. This is
done to ask them to pay their dates before the new deadline stated.
7. Taking legal action against defaulters who completely fail to settle their
debts.
A DEBT RECOVERY PROGRAM
A practical situation
You are dealing in salad making business in which most of the products are sold
on credit.
Prepare a debt recovery program
WRITING SKILLS
A business letter
A business letter is used to send information from the business organization to
an individual or another business organization on specific areas of interest
between the business and the address.
Contents of a business letter
A business letter must dear, complete timely and be able to promote the image
of the business organization. Though varied, a business letter usually contains
the following:
The letter head: A business organization usually has pre-designed and printed
papers called letter heads, which show its name, address, telephone No. and the
email address. The letter head may also have the organization vision, mission,
bankers and any other information deemed necessary.
Business letters will be written on these letter heads instead of writing on a plain
paper.
Reference: This is used to identify the subject matter and the recipient of the
letter. Each business organization adopts unique and convinced reference
system for its letters and documents. The reference can include the address. The
subject matter and the dates for example L2/m/12/7/2016.
Date: All letters should have a date. For exam case, the date should that which
one is setting for the paper
Inside Address: This shows the name and address of the person/organization
the letter is addressed to each item should have a separate line.
Salutation: This is a general greeting used to commence the letter for example
“Dear madam” is normally used if the letter is addressed to an organization and
the addressee is known to be a lady a man. A personal name can also be used
for example “Dear Perry” if the writer knows the addressee.
Subject heading: A subject heading gives a brief indication of the content of
the letter using capital letter or bold print.
Body of the letter: The body of the letter communicates the intended
communication to the addressee. Paragraphs are used to show different ideas in
the letter.
Complimentary close: This is a general closing to the letter, it is common to
end with “Yours Faithfully” If “Dear Sir/Madam” has been used “Yours
Sincerely”, “If dear and name of recipient have been used”
Signatory: All business letters should be signed.
Enclosures: If the letter has any other document enclosed, it should be stated by
using the abbreviation “ENC”
Copy: A copy should be kept for the file, and others distributed to different
officers who may need to know about the information communicated.
A FORMAT OF THE BUSINESS LETTER
Modern business organizations use blocked style where all parts of the business
letter begin from the left margin as illustrated below:
JANITA AND DAUGHTERS LIMITED
P.O. Box 624, KAMPALA (U)
Tel. 0704 411492
Re: L1/P/12th/07/2016
12th July 2016
The marketing Officer
Musoke Farmers Ltd
P.O. Box 194
KAMPALA
Dear Sir,
SUBJECT: GOODS SUPPLIED
I wish to inform you that the bananas which you supplied to us on 8th July 2016
were poorly packed and as a result, most of the consignment got spoilt.
You will recall that we have in the past sent you communication on the same
issue, a copy of which is here by endorsed for reference.
This is therefore to request you to maintain high packing standards so that we
can receive quality bananas in good condition that will appeal to our customers.
Otherwise, we will be forced to review our business relationship with you.
Yours Faithfully,
………………
PEPPA PERRY
PURCHASING OFFICER
Enc.
A MEMO
This is on internal communication, it is a written message used with the same
organization.
In fill it is called Memorandum
Elements of a memo
From: This shows where the memo is coming from.
To: This shows where the memo is addressed.
Date: This shows the date in which the memo is written.
Reference: This shows the number which distinguishes the communication
within the other.
Subject heading: This shows the main idea expressed in the memo.
Body: This shows the details of the content of the memo in a paragraph form
Practical situation
You are employed as a general manager of Elgon Fliers Bus Company to which
many customers are complaining about the quality of the services.
Write a memo inviting the customer relation officer for a meeting.
ELGON FLIER BUS COMPANY
P.O. Box 256 MBALE (U)
Tel. 0774 918779 / 0777 756684
Ref:
Memo Date: 13th July 2016
From: General Manager
To: Customer Relation Officer
Subject: MEETING
I hereby invite you to attend an urgent meeting which is to take place on Sunday
14th July 2016 at the company reception hall starting at 2.00 p.m. the main aim
for the meeting is to discuss the customers complains of the service. Here is a
copy of the customers complain.
Please endeavor to attend.
Yours faithfully
………………….
Name
NOTICES
This is a type of communication which is basically used to provide summarized
information to the target audience. It can be for general meeting, giving
alertness etc.
Practical situation
Your salad business had expanded and due to the increased number of
customers, you have decided to shift your business to another place.
Write a note to your customers, notifying them about change in location.
MINUTES
These are used by entrepreneurs to keep brief records of resolutions of a
meeting. This is used for future reference. Minutes should be organized and
used for future reference and it’s advisable that it must be written immediately
after the meeting when the subject of discussion and conclusion is reached and
still fresh in the writers mind.
Practical situation
You are the secretary of your school business club in which you have had a
number of meetings, present minutes of the last meeting you had.
Elements of minutes
The name of the business
The venue where the meeting was held, time
List of members that were absent with apology.
List of members that were absent without apology.
Contents of the minute which is written basing on the flow of agenda.
REPORTS
These are used by an entrepreneur to give conclusions and recommendations
based on investigated facts and situations. A report must be accurate, clear,
complete and logically arranged.
Examples of business reports include; Annual report which show the feelings of
customers regarding a particular good or service.
Practical situation
In your new business club, you have been assigned a task of finding out the
causes of customer complain about your business products. Write a report
presenting your findings.
Elements of report writing:
The name of the business.
The topic of investigation.
Objectives of carrying out the activity.
The background on which you carried out the investigations.
Your findings of the situations.
Your recommendation about the situation.
Your recommendation for further research.
Conclusion.
ACTION OR CIRCULATION SLIPS
These are used by an entrepreneur to give information for actions or for noting
by an officer who may also pass it onto another office.
Circulars are used when an entrepreneur wishes to give the same information to
various persons i.e. one document is prepared and then duplicated to different
persons e.g. circulars normally given to students at the end of every term.
LISTENING SKILLS
Listening is defined as the ability of an individual to interpreter and understands
what is being communicated. It is more related to visual and oral
communication. However the term is strictly tight to oral communication.
The process of listening:
This process has five stages – sensing, interpreting, evaluating, remembering
and responding.
1. Sensing: this means to get in tune with the speaker, as we tune a radio the
listener is prepared and knows that he has to listen.
2. Interpreting and evaluating: Listening is meaningful when a person converts
the words coming to him into ideas. The ideas make sense or no sense. The
listener keeps what is useful, separates what is useless, and keeps a note of
what is unclear or incomplete.
3. Remembering, Listening serves a great purpose when creating mental
pictures, for example when an address is being explained.
4. Responding: this means to act on the message received and to let the speaker
know this. The listener may respond on the spot by making appropriate
remarks: “I see,” or “Is it so?” or “Okay.” This reassures the speaker. The
listener may ask questions to bring out the required information and
complete the picture from his point of view.
5. Evaluation
Approaches to Listening:
Listening can be classified from a mere show-off to the wholehearted act:
1. Pretending to listen: here the listener faces the speaker, across the table or on
the phone line, as long as he speaks and then switches off without registering
the message. This is mere hearing and not listening.
2. Selective listening: This is when one edits the message as takable and not
takable. In the case of an important message, selective listening leads to
partial fulfillment of the instructions.
3. Superficial listening: This is where the listener takes in only the words but
not the spirit of the message.
4. Emphatic listening: This term conveys full emphasis on the act of listening
and taking in the entire message in word and spirit. The listener takes in the
tone, the pauses, and the body language related to the words. Emphatic
listening is necessary to move from one’s preconceived stand. The listener’s
openness makes him ready to be influenced.
5. Dynamic (mutually creative) listening: Here, listening is a creative process
in which the listener contributes to the meaning that is being conveyed. He
adds his energy to that of the speaker to generate.
6. Intuitive listening: this means a direct insight into the truth. For an intuitive
listener, a mere hint, an undertone or a silence is enough to read the other
person’s mind. It is nurtured when one listens to high quality music or finds
natural or meditative solitude.
Barriers to Effective Listening:
1. Poor hearing: If one’s sense of hearing is defective, listening is impaired.
2. Listener’s chain of thoughts: i.e. when the mind of listener is having own
thoughts. These may become rapid and loud from time to time, marring
one’s receptivity.
3. A too heavy message: Use of jargon or over compression of ideas may make
an oral message too heavy for the listener.
4. Listener’s self-importance or prejudice: i.e. when the listener has put himself
above the speaker, there is no receptive attitude.
5. Misunderstanding about the role of a listener: Some listeners may not be
aware of what their role in a particular situation is. They may think that it is
the speaker’s responsibility to explain everything properly.
6. Cultural gap: If the speaker and the listener have different cultural habits, the
listening may be incomplete. The listener may assign different importance to
a word or phrase than is meant. While Orientals are used to an elaborate
style of addressing a gathering, westerners are often quite brief about it. But
this can be distracting to an easterner.
7. Preoccupations: Some people listen while eating, drinking or doing
handiwork. In such cases the attention is divided. A busy manager, for
instance, may try to listen while filing papers or opening the mail. This
affects listening.
8. Ego influence; if the receiver considers him superior and is not willing to
listen, this ego problem acts as a stumbling block in the listening process.