… · Web viewCourse Notes. Miss.Y. Connor. Name: ________________ Chapter 1. Introduction to...

Course NotesMiss.Y. Connor

Name: ________________

Chapter 1. Introduction to Working Life

Miss Y. Connor (LCVP Course Notes)

Working Life• Work can be defined as an activity which requires effort, e.g. Washing the dishes at home.• Employment is when payment is received for working, e.g. Washing dishes in a canteen and getting paid. • Employers are people who hire workers in return for payment.• Employees are people who work for employers• Self-employed people work for themselves.

School to WorkWhen leaving school to start work, you will face a lot of challenges:• Time management• Money Management• New relationships and different roles• Rights• Responsibilities• Freedom and independence• Others

Different Types of Work1. Employment2. Self-Employment3. Voluntary work4. Homework5. Housework6. Charity work

Voluntary Work• Voluntary organisations rely on people to work for nothing e.g. St Vincent de Paul.• Very important to our society and has many benefits.

E.g. You can help others, improve your self-esteem and acquire new skills.

Self-EmploymentThis is where you work for yourself, e.g. Butchers, shop owners, builders and hairdressers.Permanent Full-Time EmploymentPart-Time WorkWith part-time work, you work a minimum of eight hours a week on a regular basis.

Contract of EmploymentWhen working you must receive a contract of employment. This document sets out all the terms and conditions relating to the position offered.UnemploymentMany people are unable to find suitable employment and are said to be unemployed. This could happen for many reasons:

• Closure of a business, Change in the economy, Improvements in technology.


FAS Employment ServicesFAS is the National Training and Development Authority. It provides training for job-seekers, helps the unemployed return to work and provides recruitment services.

• Financial Assistance to the Unemployed• Changes in Employment•

Employees

Rights • Receive a minimum wage• Have a safe place to work• Join a trade union • Be treated in an equal• Get the correct holidays

Responsibilities • Be honest and trustworthy • An honest/fair days work• Protect the employers good name and property • Work as part of a team

Employers

Rights • Set up a business• Decide on the aims and objective of their organisation• Select suitable staff• Dismiss dishonest staff• Expect employees to honour their contract

Responsibilities• Provide safe and healthy working conditions• Obey employment laws• Pay agreed wages• Keep employee records for income tax and PRSI purposes • Health & Safety Regulations


The Safety, Health and Welfare at work Act 1989 as well as the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Regulations 1993, set out the legal requirements to safeguard workplaces.

The Health and Safety Authority: The Health and Safety Authority is a State-sponsored body, which promotes good standards, advice,

research and information on health and safety in the workplace. It is responsibly for developing new laws and standards. It inspects workplaces and investigates any accidents. They are responsible for both the employer and the employee.

Areas of concern in the workplace• Bullying• Workplace safety • Sexual harassment• Manual handling • Workplace stress

Causes of accidents in the workplace

• Lack of training• Untidy/cluttered areas• Not following safety procedures• Not wearing protective clothing• Lack of concentration• Not using machinery correctly• Haste • Horseplay

Employees Duties

• To take reasonable care to protect the health and safety of themselves and of other people in the workplace • Not to engage in improper behaviour that will endanger themselves or others • Not to be under the influence of drink or drugs in the workplace • To undergo any reasonable medical or other assessment if requested to do so by the employer • To report any defects in the place of work or equipment which might be a danger to health and safety • To use Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and protective clothing, if required.• To ensure there is no bullying in the workplace.

Employers Duties

• Provide and maintain a safe workplace which uses safe plant and equipment • Prevent risks from use of any article or substance and from exposure to physical agents, noise and vibration • Prevent any improper conduct or behaviour likely to put the safety, health and welfare of employees at risk • Provide instruction and training to employees on health and safety • Provide protective clothing and equipment to employees • Appointing a competent person as the organisation’s Safety Officer


Trade Unions

• It is important to develop and maintain good relationships between employers and employees.

• Many organisations promote good industrial relations, e.g. Trade unions.

Examples:

• SIPTU(Services, Industrial, Professional and Technical Union)• Impact• TUI (Teachers' Union of Ireland• ASTI (Association of Secondary Teachers Ireland)

Functions of a Trade Union• Represent workers e.g. Negotiate for improved wages.• Negotiate for improved working conditions e.g. Holidays• Negotiate on behalf of employees when disputes with employers• National Agreements ensure that all wages are increased by a fixed percentage• Provide grants for education• Support and promote equality in the workplace• Give workers greater strength by uniting them• Shop Steward• Elected by workers to act as their union representative in the workplace• Recruits new members to the union• Keeps members informed of any union developments• Represents workers in discussions with management• Acts as a link between union head office and the workplace

Chapter 2. Job-Seeking Skills


Qualities for employment

• Energy, drive and hard work : when employees show interest and overcome difficulties.• Reliability : when employees can be trusted and depended on.• Enthusiasm and commitment : when employees show interest, eagerness, dedication and responsibility.• Adaptability : when employees are flexible and can accept change.• Good education: when employees have qualifications and experience.

Methods of Recruitment• Newspapers/tv/radio/internet• Recruitment agency• Work experience person• Contacts• Recruitment fairs/recruitment days• Job training agencies e.g. FAS• Word of mouth

Reasons for Vacancies• The business could be expanding• Employees could be retiring• Employees could be leaving• Replacements due to sick/maternity leave/career breaks• Seasonal work

Difficulties for Employers when Recruiting• The work itself may be dull/boring• There may be a skills shortage in that field• General economic conditions may make it difficult to recruit• The location of the business may be awkward for employees• Wages and working conditions may be unattractive

Benefits of using Recruitment Agencies• Offer a full range of services related to recruitment: advertising, profiling, interviewing, short-listing,

checking references.• Can save the company time and money• Good recruitment agencies attract high calibre applicants• Agencies have specialised staff that will recruit more objectively


Applying for a Job by TelephonePre-telephoning

1. Have the advertisement and your CV in front of you2. Phone from landline in a quite room3. Have a pen and paper ready4. Have all times and dates ready

Tips for Letter Writing• Letters should be typed and no longer than one page• Use high quality, clean, A4 size paper• Use black ink• Do not use Tipp-Ex• Do not photocopy• Use Times New Roman and spell-check

Guidelines for filling out Application Forms• Read the form carefully and thoroughly• Have your CV beside you so that you can copy from it• Photocopy the form and practise filling it in• Begin with the easiest questions• Draft answers to complex questions on a rough piece of paper• Fill in ALL the boxes truthfully.• If a questions doesn’t apply, write N/A (not applicable)• Double-check spelling/grammatical errors• Use black pen and BLOCK CAPITAL LETTERING• Do not use Tipp-Ex or similar correction products• Curriculum Vitae

A CV is a summary of your education, skills and experience.The purpose of a CV is to help you get and interview for a job.

Preparing for an Interview

Pre Interview:• You need to be prepared - research the job and the workplace – use the internet – update CV – add new

qualifications.• Practic e possible questions and responses – roll-play an interview – Always stress the positive in answers

to questions.• Organise what to wear and dress neatly and appropriately.• Plan to get to the interview on time• Know your strengths and weaknesses. Do a SWOT analysis.• Preparing for an Interview


During the Interview:

• Start with firm hand shake and smile.• Establish and maintain eye contact.• Communicate positively, clearly and with confidence.• Sit with both feet on the floor and don’t slouch.• Listen attentively and answer truthfully.• Expect the unexpected e.g. awkward questions.• Thank the interviewer for taking the time to meet you.• If you get interview, evaluate it and consider what improvements could be made for the next interview.


3. Career Investigation• Planning your Career Investigation

In planning your Career Investigation you must set yourself goals. Consider the following SMART:

Stages of a Career Investigation• Compile a personal profile e.g. assess you skills, qualities, aptitudes, interests and work preferences.• Select your preferred job and conduct research, e.g. career path, skills, qualities, training necessary.• Draw up a contingency plan.• Interview and/or work shadow in your chosen career.

Work Shadowing• Watching rather than doing.• Work shadowing is an excellent opportunity to improve your communication skills.• Provides you with an excellent opportunity to learn about careers of interest to you.

Planning and Preparing Work Shadowing• Generate a list of questions• Explain the purpose of this experience• Document what you learn• Be aware of the assessment criteria• Be courteous at all times• Allow time for reflection and evaluate• Thank employer• Find a Work Shadow Placement• Guidance Counsellor• Family, friends• Newspapers, magazine• Internet• Writing to or e-mailing an employ


Chapter 4. Work Placement

Advantages of Work Experience

• Offers an insight into the duties, tasks and responsibilities associated with a particular type of work• Can relate directly to your career aspirations.• Can make contacts for future work, get content for your CV and acquire references.• Can help develop and improve interpersonal, communication, organisational skills.• Can motivate you to work harder when you return to school.• Chance to interact with adults in the working world.

Advantages of Work Shadowing

• Exposed to variety of careers by doing couple of shorter placements• Improve interpersonal and communication skills• Suitable for careers that don’t lend themselves to work experience e.g. social work• Make contacts for future work

Finding Work Experience:

When looking for work experience you should do the following:

• Decide on the career/experience you would like• Identify the business in your locality that would be suitable, e.g. a primary school or creche for childcare• Write a letter to/telephone/or personally visit the business Ask family members/relatives if they have

contacts• Ask your LCVP teacher for advice or assistance • Identify and research placement opportunities• Prepare CV and Letter of Application• Liaise between employer and school• Accept responsibility for planning/organising placement•

Preparing for Work Experience

Pre-Placement:• Set your objectives• Develop organisational and communication skills• Prepare a CV• Revise letter writing and write a letter• Revise telephoning/e-mail• Revise interview techniques• Organise transport• Inform your principal• Get Insurance forms• Get employers’ report forms• Preparing for Work Experience


During Placement:• Find out about the company• Make a note of your duties • Make a note of training• Write down your observations• Make a note of interactions with staff• Describe a dress code• Describe a typical day• Describe your highs & lows• Make a note of safety, health and welfare regulations

Post-Placement:

• Evaluate work placement e.g. what did I learn/skills required/qualities required/am I suitable/can I improve• How did I overcome problems• How did I master unfamiliar tasks• Are there any career possibilities• Did I make contacts for the future• What would I do differently• Would I recommend the job to others• Sent a thank-you message to employer by letter/email• Don’t forget – Law and the Workplace!

Safety, Health & Welfare at Work Act 1993:

• Follow instructions and heed training• Use protective equipment• Report any dangers or injuries• Use all equipment in the proper manner• Do not endanger others• Look out for safety signs• Ask employer for their safety statement• Give your insurance details to your employer• If harassed or bullied, inform your contact person

Evaluating your Work Experience:

Work experience can by evaluated by;

• The quality and content of your Diary of Work Experience, in particular the evaluation.• Your employer completing an Evaluation Form or by interviewing the employer• By assessing your progress in school after the placement. Maybe your more motivated and working harder

(ask teacher)• Class discussions on what you have learned and how your skills have improved can be used as a method of

evaluating the work placement.


Ways to improve your Communication Skills:

• Practice speaking in public: this will help with tone and speed and will help you overcome any feelings of nervousness.

• Know your subject: you will come across as more confident and relaxed.• Learn to listen carefully: helps you to understand and avoid being distracted.• Do a Communication course: highlights what you need to improve• Join a club, preferably as an officer (chairperson, secretary, treasurer)• Learn to improve your body language • Practice writing reports/letters

Important points regarding Work Placement

• Organise work experience in plenty of time.• Ensure you are covered by the school insurance policy• Work on building site requires a health and safety certificate (‘Safe Pass’) which involves training and a

fee• Consent forms are required from parents/guardians for insurance purposes• Present your Employers Report Form• Keep a diary of your activities each day, including tasks performed, names, dates and evaluation.


Chapter 5. Enterprise Skills

Enterprise • A purposeful or industrious undertaking (especially one that requires effort or boldness)

• The human ability to be innovative and willing to do something new and challenging with the risk of possible failure.

1. Generates new business2. Raises the standard of living3. Provides business for banks and service providers.4. Generates tax revenue for the exchequer.

Definition of an ‘Entrepreneur’ :

• A person who comes up with the idea and sets up a business to develop that idea at a profit, e.g. Bill Gates (Microsoft), Richard Branson, Louis Walsh, JP McManus etc.

Skills and characteristics of an entrepreneur

Characteristic’s: special attribute or trait that distinguishes one person from another.

Skills: and ability people have gains through practice and knowledge.

Characteristics of an Entrepreneur

Risk taker Opportunity Pro-active Innovative Decisive Highly motivated Analytical Ambitious Confident Ruthless Decisive Hardworking

Skills of an Entrepreneur


• Inner Control• Planning• Setting Goals• Being Realistic• Risk-Taking• Innovative• Decision Making

Strategies for Idea Generation• Brainstorming• Mind Maps• Thinking in new ways• Finding solutions to problems• Analysing the failures of others• Finding new uses for products/services• Identifying a niche market or a gap in the market• Creating false crises

Steps from: Idea Generation to Sales• Idea Generation• Market Research• SWOT Analysis• Target Market• Competition• Marketing Mix• Test Market• Sales... Profit

Evaluation – Conclusions-Recommendations• Where the goals achieved?• What did or did not work?• What was learned from the activity?• What problems were encountered and how were they dealt with?• What the activity worthwhile and\or cost-effective?• How well did the team work together?• How well did you perform your role?• What lessons can be learned for the future?• What changes are needed to ensure success in other activities?

Ownership Options


• Sole Trader (Business owned and run by one person)• Partnership (Business with between 2-20 partners)• Company (private & public)• The big advantage of a company is that it has limited liability, the owners/shareholders will only lose the

money they invested.• The they also raise capital through issuing shares.

Number of Employees• Micro Business (1-10 employees)• Small Business (10-50 employees)• Medium Business (50-250 employees)• Large Business (more than 250 employees)

Stakeholders in a Business• Employers• Employees• Consumers• Suppliers• Investors• Government• Trade Unions• Local Community• Voluntary Organisations• Community Enterprises• Family• Competitors

Teamwork• A team is a group of people working together to achieve a common goal/objective. • Team building is a process to strengthen teams.

Advantages of Teams:• Work is completed faster• Responsibility is shared• Workers have responsibilities to others, therefore they take more ownership of their work• Share expertise and skills• Improve team relations• Encourages participation and communication• Improves interpersonal skills

Leadership


“The process of influencing the activities of an organised group towards goal setting and goal accomplishment”

A leader needs to direct and coordinate the activities of the team in order to achieve the desired objectives. An effective leader will build on the strengths and talents of the people around them. A leader must also provide people with the necessary resources. They will allow others to take responsibility to work on their own initiative in order to achieve agreed

objectives. The leader also leads by example.

Meetings A formal type of communication

Meeting occurs when at least two people come together for one the following reasons:• To give and receive information about a particular topic• To discuss and solve a problem for example a union management meeting• To enable different groups of people to co-operate together, for example departments in a firm• To make decisions, for example board meetings

Planning/Organising a Meeting:• Send out a notice of the meeting to invited people• Prepare an agenda• Book a room that is properly prepared• Elect a chairperson and secretary• Adhere to the items of the agenda• Allow only one person to speak at a time• Allow each item to be properly discussed• Make sure a written record is taken (minutes)• Vote properly • Decide on relevant actions

NOTICE OF MEETING Must include the following details:

1. Name of the business, club 2. The place where the meeting will take place (venue)3. The date of the meeting 4. Time of the meeting

EXAMPLE: Notice and Agenda of the Meeting of the LCVP Fundraising Group


NOTICEThe meeting of the above group will take place in Room 4 on Wednesday 12 October 2011 at 1.15pm.

AGENDA1. Minutes of last meeting2. Matters arising from the minutes3. Correspondence4. Treasurer’s report5. Fundraising ideas6. Organising team tasks7. AOB

Signed: Patricia Clarke Date:__________ Secretary

EXAMPLE: Minutes of the Meeting of the LCVP Fundraising Group

The minutes of the above group took place in Room 4 on

Wednesday 12 October at 1.15pm. A total of 16 attended.1. The minutes from the last meeting were read out.2. There were no matters arising from the minutes.3. A letter was received from a local charity organisation thanking the group for the offer of fundraising. The

charity has offered the services of a guest speaker. It was decided to invite the speaker to attend the LCVP class at a mutually acceptable time.

4. The treasurer reported that no funds have been raised to date.5. A number of fundraising ideas were suggested and the group finally decided on investigating:(a) A sponsored 10km walk; and (b) a Christmas calendar with adverts.6. Two teams of eight people were chosen to investigate each option, draw up a plan and report back at the

next meeting. Each team will meet separately to assign duties. 7. There was no other business, so the meeting ended at 1.45pm.8. The next meeting will take place on Wednesday 26th October 2011 at 1.15pm in Room 4.

Signed: Patricia Clarke Secretary

Roles within a committee • Chairperson• Secretary • Treasurer • Public relations officer

Chairperson


• Most meetings require a chairperson in order to control and direct the proceedings. • They carry the authority to keep order and maintain progress in line with the agenda.

Functions of a chairperson:• Run (chair) the meeting• Ensure that order is maintained• Give each person an opportunity to speak• Organise a vote, if needed• Follow the order of the agenda• Represent the meeting/organisation.

Secretary The Secretary is responsible for keeping records and looking after correspondence.

Functions of a Secretary:• Keep minutes of the meeting• Send out the agenda• Keep a register of members• Deal with all correspondence• Keep all official documents

Treasurer • The Treasurer is responsible for financial policies, procedures, and controls. • The Treasurer receives and disburses all funds and pays bills as they come due. • It is their responsibility to keep an accurate account of all transactions. • The Treasurer shall make financial reports to it committee.

Public Relations Officer• The Public Relations officer shall arrange the preparation and dissemination of news releases regarding

activities etc.• They will also be responsible for all internal publications e.g. newsletter.

Chapter 6. Local Business Enterprises


Benefits of Local Enterprises in Local Area:

• Employ local people and have positive effect on the economy• Other businesses in the area will benefit e.g. Banks• One business can attract other businesses• Enterprises can support local projects, improving area• Enterprises can sponsor local events• They may welcome school visits• They may provide work placements• They may agree to visit a school• Local infrastructure benefits

Evaluating the success of a Local Enterprise

• Profitability & Sales : does the business have high sales and make a profit?• Continuity of business : how long has the business been in existence?• Expansion : has the business grown/no of staff increases?• Image: how is the business regarded by customers/does it have a good brand image?• Low labour turnover : do employees stay with the business?• Rising share price : In the case of a company, has the share price risen?

Ten Factors to a Successful Business

1. Business Plan : Necessary to apply for loans/grants. Useful as a control mechanism. Used to review and evaluate, compare planned objectives to actual results

2. Finance : Capital/Grants/Other sources/Cash flow.3. Product : Must be demand for the product (Mkt Research/Mkt Mix very important)4. Staffing : must have properly trained staff (Recruiting procedures/training/incentives)5. Location : consider transport services/employees/rail or port if exporting/customers/suppliers.6. Managerial Experience : To run a business successfully management skills and management activities are

NB.7. Laws: Health & Safety/Employment Equality/Sale of Goods Act/Young Persons Act/Tax, Maternity leave,

data protection/Consumer Information Act.8. Economic Factors : Recession (high taxation/high unemployment)9. High Quality Product/Service :10. Local Environment : must obey environment laws.

Impact of the Single European Market


• Irish companies have access to wider European markets• Irish companies face more competition, therefore must become more competitive• International companies may locate in Ireland to gain access to the European market.• Currency: the introduction of the Euro has made it easier to do business in the Euro Zone.• Irish companies have to compete with low-wage eastern European countries.• Documentation when trading with EU is easier• Recognition of qualifications within EU is better• Financial institutions are able to open in member states• Sales can increase leading to Economy of scale• Costs involved e.g. Transport/packaging/interpreters etc

Business plan

Why should a business plan?????????

What is a Business Plan1. The most important part of setting up a business is preparing a Business Plan. 2. “Failing to plan is the same as planning to fail”.3. By having a plan a firm knows where its going and what it hopes to achieve.4. A plan is essential if you wish to apply for a loan or a grant.

Elements of a Business Plan1. Description of the Business

• The business's legal structure: sole trader/partnership/company Type of enterprise e.g. Manufacturing. Product or Service

2. Personal• Names of owners/directors. Management responsibilities. Departments and organisational structure.

Qualifications/Salaries of staff. •

3. Finance • Capital (money to start up bs)/Loans (money borrowed from financial institutions)/Accounts (P&L,

Balance Sheet, Cash Flow)/ Sources of Finance •

4. Marketing• Market Research/target market/marketing mix/advertising/competition•

5. Production• Job/Batch/Mass production. Quality. Safety•

6. Other Relevant Information• Leases/Legal documents/CV's/Patents

Reasons for a Business Plan1. Raising Finance


• A business may require loans/grants. Planning helps decide capital requirements2. Setting Objectives

• Short-term goals (to maintain 50% market share. • Long-term goals (to expand into a foreign market)

3. Indentifying Weaknesses • Need to be aware of weaknesses - take corrective action

4. Controlling/Evaluating• A business plan helps you monitor progress, test achievements and evaluate performance

5. Timing (Schedule)• Both employees and management know what is to be done and when.

6. Decision Making• A plan helps management make day-to-day decisions and also helps them to evaluate whether or not to

start/continue the business

Support/Training for New Business1. City & County Enterprise Boards

• Give advice, training, support and financial assistance to micro-businesses.2. Udaras na Gaeltachta

• They attract investment to Gaeltacht areas by offering grants3. FAS

• They provide training and employment programmes4. LEADER Plus Programme

• Promotes development in rural areas5. Small Firms Association

• They provide support and advice to small firms.6. Enterprise Ireland

• They provide support and grants to Irish firms.7. Failte Ireland

• Semi-state body that promotes tourism

Marketing • The management process responsible for identifying, anticipating and satisfying customer requirements

profitably.

Research Primary Research (Field research)


Takes place after secondary research, the aim is to discover new information (surveys; questionnaires; focus groups)

Secondary Research (Desk research)• First type of research, done to discover what information is already know from previous

reports etc

Marketing Mix (4 P’s)1. Product: what does the consumer need/want2. Price: how much should we charge, what will the consumer pay3. Place: where should we sell/how will we get the goods to the consumer 4. Promotion: how will we encourage people to buy

Product • Do you have the right product• Every product should have unique selling point (USP)• Has it something that sets it apart from similar product• Ensuring we are not producing a product that won’t sell• Reaching a standard customers demand• Good design, and is quality up to standard

Price• Do you have the right selling price/pricing strategy• What price are customers willing to pay• Do you cover the production price and make a profit• Are you in line with competitors prices

Place• Where to sell• Outlets, internet, direct selling, wholesaler, retailer• Looking for new places to sell• Where are the most potential customers• Distribution- how to get the product to the market• Aiming the advertising to the right type of customer

Promotion• How to advertise the product effectively to its target market• Sales promotional techniques, coupons, displays, etc. • PR. Advertising• How to attract new customers.

Promoting a product• Advertising (TV, radio, paper, billboards, receipts)• Sales promotion (coupons, special offers etc)• Publicity (contests, sponsor events, exhibition)


• Branding (a name, logo, slogan, and/or design scheme associated with a product or service)

Merchandising • Is promoting a particular brand of products/services through direct and indirect advertising, displays and

in-store sales promotional techniques. • Examples include offering free samples of goods in store (lady frying the sausages)• Stacking a special display provided by the producer.• Giving of complimentary products, buy one get one free, or at a reduced rate.• Give away items, related to the product, cuddly toys or gimmicks. (Mc Donalds toys)

SWOT Analysis Helps to identify issues that are part of current and future situation of the business. Allows an examination SWOT of a new idea, product or service in the market place.

**Maximises the strengths, takes advantage of opportunities and minimizes weaknesses and threats, reduces the risk of failure of a new product or service**

SWOT Analysis1. StrengthsAdvantages/What is done well2. WeaknessDisadvantages/What is done badly3. OpportunitiesMarkets/New Trends/Events4. Threats Competition/Changes in Technology/Changes in legislation or government policy/Changes in consumer needs/wants.


Chapter 7. Local Voluntary Organisations/Community Enterprises

Voluntary OrganisationsLocal Organisations

Tidy Towns Committee Youth Club Drama Club Homework Club Neighbourhood Watch

What do Voluntary Organisations do? Promoting the Development of Local Community: e.g. Tidy Towns Promoting protection of Local Community:

e.g. Neighbourhood Watch Help disadvantaged groups within society:

e.g. Society of St Vincent de Paul. Involvement in Sports:

e.g. GAA

Examples of Voluntary Organisations GAA Established to revive and nurture traditional indigenous pastimes Promoting hurling/

Gaelic/football/irish dancing/music & song. There are over 2,500 clubs in Ireland alone

Examples of Voluntary Organisations Focus Ireland Believes everyone has the right to a place that they can call home. They try to empower homeless people so they can look after themselves Providing them with information, resources and training, enabling them to rejoin society.

Benefits of Voluntary Organisations Provide a service not otherwise available Help the less well off in society - so that everyone has a basic standard of living e.g. The elderly Provide a good example to young people and encourage them to get involved and improve their skills Foster greater community spirit - more support when community projects are undertaken Individuals involved benefit hugely as they are committed to their local community

Evaluation in Voluntary Organisations It allows the organisation to review that it has achieved. The organisation's achievements can be compared to its objectives. Evaluation provides an opportunity to plan ahead, make improvements and branch out into new areas. It is a chance to check that funds are being properly used.


People involved in Voluntary Organisations

FAS FAS operates training and employment programmes and recruitment services. It also provides support for businesses and community-based enterprises.

Examples of Community Enterprises Udaras Na Gaeltachta Aim is to preserve and strengthen the Gaeltacht and the Irish language. Encourage strong communities who achieve their full potential and enjoy a high quality of life. Attracting investment to the Gaeltacht regions and offering grants and incentives.

Benefits of Community Enterprises

Help reduce unemployment Generate income and provide services Restore community pride Improve the local environment They help those who are socially excluded They provide a service not otherwise available Foster greater community spirit Sometimes they receive grants which are utilised locally

Voluntary Organisations v's Business Enterprises

Voluntary Organisations Non-profit making Volunteers may receive payment Finance comes from grants, fundraising, the lotto They may not have a risk element

Business Enterprises They trade for a profit Staff receive payment Finance comes from investors and they charge for product/service They have a risk element


Multinational Business

The advantages of a multinational business to host countries are: • They create jobs for the local population.• The companies help the development of the country by bringing in technology and knowledge that the host

country does not possess.• Transfer of technology, capital and entrepreneurship.• They increase the investment level and thus the income and employment in the host country.• Greater availability of products for local consumers.• Greater access to high quality managerial talent which tens to be scarce in host countries.• Increase in exports and decrease in imports, thereby improving the balance of payment of host countries.• The new multi-national companies act as growth poles for other similar companies. They could encourage

more companies to locate in that country once they see the benefits that it brings.

Disadvantages include: • Destroy competition and acquire monopoly.• Often the jobs are highly skilled and so the company brings in their own people to do them. Also, the

technological nature of many of these companies means that there aren’t as many jobs as there might have been.

• The wages paid to local workers are often low and some companies have been accused of exploiting the local workforce rather than benefiting it.

• There are often tax incentives for these companies to locate in countries in the Developing World. This added to the fact that they take most of their profits out of the country, means that the actual economic benefit to the country could be minimal.

• Many multi-national companies have very poor records on pollution and worker safety. They have been accused of trying to cut corners with both safety and pollution in order to keep costs down

In order to reduce the fears of host countries MNC need to: • provide employment• train managers• provide products and services that raise the standard of living• introduce and develop new technical and managerial skills• increase productivity


Chapter 8. An Enterprise Activity

Deciding on a product/service • Develop a new idea. • Copy an existing idea • Change an existing idea – develop/add to it • Identify a gap in the market • Enter a niche market, i.e. A specialised area • Do some research and development

Market Research • Market Research is an important element of marketing. • Market research is used to identify the types of people interested in a particular product or service. • Used to find out what potential customers need and want. • It can help producers to find a suitable selling price. • Used to investigate competitors • Can help determine what standard of quality the producer should try to achieve • It reduces the risks associated with business and helps to ensure that the business is successful.

Types of Market Research Desk Research Information that has already been published Newspapers Central statistics office Internet Magazines, trade journals Golden pages Reports from Gov Dept, Chamber of Commerce, City & County Enterprise Boards

Questionnaires One NB aspect of conducting a survey is designing the right questions!!! Before you design the questionnaire brainstorm what information you need to get from the people who'll be

filling it in. • Use closed questions/open-ended and multiple choice questions • Number questions • Use clear headings & instructions • Leave clear marked space for answers • Questions must be clear and easy to understand • Keep short and simple • Pilot the questionnaire • Avoid leading questions • Avoid biased questions • Select a sample that is representative • Analyse answers properly


The Marketing Mix (4 P’s) Product

• Produce the right produce/service to suit consumer needs • Ensure excellent quality and an ideal brand, promoting an outstanding image e.g. • Ensure the packaging enhances the product and is appropriate • Having a USP (Unique Selling Point) for a competitive advantage

Price • Choose the most suitable price for the product • Cover all costs, whilst yielding a sufficient profit • Price may be determined by demand and competitors prices • Prices may change from time to time e.g. sales

Promotion • What methods of advertising will reach target market e.g. newspapers/radio/tv • Use sales promotions – e.g. special offers, 100% extra free • Deal with public relations issues e.g. dealing with complaints, public relations

Place • Where is your market actually situated • How will you transport your goods to the market • How will you distribute your goods? (direct to the consumer/or through a retailer?)

Marketing • Marketing is a term used to describe all aspects of selling goods and services; • From market research to purchasing raw materials, to producing the product, to selling and distributing the

product or service, to after-sales service. • Marketing identifies, anticipates and satisfies consumers’ needs, whilst still making a profit.

Promotion • Promotion encourages customers to buy goods/services.

There are basically four methods of promotion:

1 Personal Selling Sales people convince customers to purchase goods/services. 2 Public Relations PR is about promoting the good image of an enterprise/product/service to the public. 3 Advertising Advertising creates interest in and desire for the product/service, persuading customers to buy it. 4 Sales Promotion Promotions encourage people to buy the product by giving them: Free gifts/special offers/money off


Advertising Reasons for Advertising

• Attracts attention/inspires interest/develops desire/achieves action i.e. persuades the customer to purchase the product/service.

Forms of Advertising • Television/radio/magazines/newspapers/cinema/billboards/the internet/shopping

bags/sponsorship/Competitions

Planning an Advertising Campaign: • Have clear objectives • Decide on a budget • Choose an appropriate form of advertising • Decide on an advertising agency/appoint advertising manager • Decide on a target market

• Evaluating an Advertising Campaign

After the campaign, evaluate to see: • What worked well? • What aspects were cost effective? • What would we do differently?

How to evaluate: • Identify the costs involved and see if the campaign was effective • Survey the public • Check if sales have show a significant increase • Ask employees for their opinions


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