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Writer's pictureCHIRAG JHAMTANI

20 Essential Business Terms every new Entrepreneur should know

Updated: Apr 22


 

20 Essential Business Terms every new Entrepreneur should know

Starting a business can be an exciting but challenging journey, and one of the first steps to success is understanding the language of business.

Running a digital business means you're the boss. You make the decisions, set the rules, and determine your own path.

It's like being the captain of your ship.

You get to choose when and where you work. It's like having the freedom to work in your pajamas from your favorite coffee shop or even while traveling.

The digital world has no borders. You can connect with people from all over the globe. It's like having a worldwide audience at your fingertips.

To help you navigate this new world, we've compiled a list of 20 essential business terms that every new entrepreneur should know.

These terms will not only improve your communication with fellow business professionals but also enhance your decision-making skills. 1. Business Plan:

This is like a roadmap for your business. It's a detailed document that explains what your business does, who it serves, how it will make money, and how it will grow. Think of it as a big to-do list for your business's future.


2. ROI (Return on Investment):

Think of this as a way to measure if you're making more money than you're spending on your business. It helps you understand if your efforts are paying off. ROI is like a report card for your business decisions. It helps you figure out if something you invested in (like time or money) is actually making you more in return. If you spend Rs. 100 on advertising and it brings in Rs. 200 in sales, your ROI is positive – you've earned more than you spent.


3. Cash Flow:

This is like keeping track of the money coming in and going out of your business. It's crucial to ensure you always have enough to cover your bills and grow. You want more money coming in than going out, just like you'd want more money in your pocket than you spend.


4. SWOT Analysis:

SWOT is like making a superhero team for your business. It's like making a list of your business's strengths (things it's good at), weaknesses (things it's not so good at), opportunities (ways to grow), and threats (things that could harm it). Strengths are your business's superpowers, like what you're really good at. Weaknesses are your vulnerabilities, things your business isn't so great at. Opportunities are like adventures your business can go on, and Threats are the villains or challenges your business might face. This helps you plan and adapt.


5. Marketing Strategy:

Think of a marketing strategy as a game plan to make people aware of and interested in what you're offering. It's like a secret recipe for getting the word out about your business. Your strategy might include things like using social media, creating eye-catching ads, or hosting fun events to attract customers. It's all about reaching your potential customers in the right way.


6. Break-Even Point:

Picture a point where your business covers all its costs and starts making a profit. Before that point, you're not making money yet. Imagine your business is a lemonade stand. The break-even point is the moment when you've sold enough lemonade to cover all your costs – the lemons, sugar, cups, and so on. Until you hit this point, you're not making a profit, but you're also not losing money. It's like making sure your lemonade sales pay for everything you spent to make it.


7. Target Audience:

Your target audience is like the group of people who would be the most interested in your product/service. If you're making a special type of lemonade, say, with extra sugar and strawberries, your target audience might be people who love sweet, fruity drinks.

Knowing your target audience helps you focus your marketing efforts on the people who are most likely to buy your lemonade. This is the group of people who are most likely to be interested in your products or services.


8. Revenue:

Revenue is the total money your business makes from sales or other sources. It's your income before you subtract any expenses. Revenue is like the total amount of money your business brings in.

Picture it as the money you make from selling those cool gadgets.

If you sell 10 gadgets for Rs. 100 each, your revenue is Rs. 1000. It's like counting all the money you collected at your lemonade stand.


9. Profit Margin:

It's like a slice of the pie – the percentage of money you keep as profit from each sale. Profit margin is a way to see how much money you keep from each sale you make.

Imagine you sell those gadgets for Rs. 10 each, but they cost you Rs. 6 to make.

Your profit is Rs. 4 (Rs. 10 - Rs. 6).

Your profit margin is the profit divided by the sale price, so in this case, it's 40% (Rs.4 / Rs. 10 * 100). It's like finding out how much money you get to keep from each lemonade sale after you subtract the cost of making it.


10. Equity:

Imagine you own a piece of a business. Equity is the value of that piece after you subtract any debts. Think of equity as your share in something you own. Imagine you and your friend starting a business selling cool gadgets. Equity is like the part of the business that belongs to you.

If your business is worth Rs. 100 and you own 50%, then your equity is Rs. 50. It's like owning half of a delicious pizza, and the bigger your slice, the more you own.


11. ROI (Risk of Investment):

This is about understanding what could go wrong when you invest in something. It's like looking both ways before you cross the street to stay safe.

When you invest your time, money, or effort into something, there's a chance that things might not go as planned. It's a bit like a game – you need to know the rules, think ahead, and be prepared for surprises.

Just like when you play a video game and need to avoid obstacles and monsters, in business, you need to understand the possible challenges and have a plan to overcome them.

12. Capital:

Think of this as the money you need to start and run your business. It's your financial fuel. Capital is like the starting money you get in a board game. In business, it's the money you need to start, run, and expand your venture.

You might need it for things like buying equipment, paying employees, or marketing your products. It's like the coins you collect in a game that help you progress and reach higher levels.


13. Scalability:

Picture your business like a plant. Scalability means how easily it can grow – if it's a tiny plant, it might not be able to grow into a big tree. Imagine you have a recipe for your favorite dish, and you can adjust it to cook for a small dinner with friends or a big family gathering. Scalability is a bit like that – it's about making sure your business can grow smoothly. If you start a business and it suddenly becomes super popular, you want to be able to handle the extra customers or orders without everything falling apart.


14. Niche:

A niche is like your special corner in the market. It's a specific group of people you're focusing on. Think of a niche like a specialized club or group. It's a specific area or market where you focus your business. Imagine you have a passion for video games, and you decide to create a business around gaming accessories.

Your niche is the gaming world. It's like being part of an exclusive club that's all about something you love.


15. Sales Funnel:

A sales funnel is like a journey your customers take when they decide to buy something from your business.

At the top of the funnel, people are just learning about your products or services. As they move down the funnel, they get closer to making a purchase.

It's like a ride at an amusement park – you start at the top and go through different stages until you make a decision, like getting on a roller coaster.


16. Cash Reserve:

Imagine this as your safety net, like money in the bank for emergencies.

A cash reserve is the money you save for a rainy day or unexpected expenses. It's like having a safety net.

You might not need it all the time, but when you do, it's there to keep your business running smoothly. It's like having a spare change in your piggy bank to buy ice cream when you really want it.

17. Branding:

It's how you make your business unique. Think of branding as your business's personality and style. It's what makes your business unique and memorable.

Just like people have their own fashion style and way of speaking, businesses have branding that includes things like logos, colors, and slogans. For example, when you see the golden arches, you instantly think of McDonald's. It's like giving your business its own cool identity.


18. KPI (Key Performance Indicator):

These are like the scorecards for your business. They help you see how well it's doing.

KPIs are the specific numbers or metrics that show how well your business is doing. It's a bit like tracking your score in a video game – if your goal is to save the princess, your KPI might be how many levels you've completed.

In business, KPIs could be things like the number of customers, sales, or website visitors.


19. B2B (Business-to-Business):

B2B is like when businesses become friends and work together.

Instead of selling to regular customers, B2B businesses sell their products or services to other businesses. It's like a superhero team-up – one business helps another business with things like supplies, software, or services. For example, a company that makes office furniture might sell to other companies for their office spaces.


20. Exit Strategy:

Think of an exit strategy as a backup plan or an escape route for your business.

Just like in a video game, where you might have a plan to exit a tricky level if things get too challenging. In business, it's about having a plan for what you'll do when you're ready to move on from your current business venture.


There are a few different exit strategies you can consider:

Selling the Business:

You might find a buyer who's willing to take over your business in exchange for money. It's like passing on the controller to someone else in the game and getting coins in return.


Closing the Business:

Sometimes, you might decide to shut down the business. It's like finishing a level in a game and moving on to the next adventure.


Handing it Over:

You can also choose to pass the business to a family member or a partner. It's like giving your younger sibling the controller to continue playing the game.


Having an exit strategy is like having a plan for what you'll do when you're ready to move on to a new chapter in your life or start a different business venture. It helps you make a smooth transition and get the most out of your hard work.


Staying informed about these fundamental business terms will empower you to make informed decisions and effectively communicate within the business world.

As you embark on your entrepreneurial journey, these terms will serve as your foundation for building a thriving and successful business. Also, check out these products that will help you produce content for your business and enhance your overall experience. Click here for the link As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.

Thank You. Chill guys

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