Business 4.1 - 4.6

Job production

the process of production where products are made individually.

Batch production

the process of production where one type of product is made (in a batch) and then production is switched to making a different product

Flow production

the production of one product that takes place continuously using a production line or assembly line – this is sometimes called mass production.

Automation

a production process involving machinery that is not controlled by a person but is usually controlled by a computer.

Robotics

the use of robots in the process of production

Product processes

the three methods or processes of production – job, batch and flow.

Quality control

a system for inspecting the quality of the goods or services produced and assessing that they are of a good standard.

Quality

the concept of a good or service being fit for purpose

Returns

goods which customers take back because there are problems with the quality of them

Recalls

occur when there is a fault with a product and the business asks for the products to be returned so that they can be replaced or repaired.

E-commerce

the bringing together of buying and selling electronically.

Customer service

the name given to the area of a business that deals with customer enquiries.

Customer engagement

the contact between the business and customer

Click and collect

ordering online and collecting goods from a store at some later point in time.

Face to face selling

usually completed in a shop where there is direct contact between buyer and seller.

Telesales

sales conducted over the telephone.

After-sales service

advice and help given to a customer after they have bought a product or service.

Product knowledge

the detailed knowledge of a product or service that staff within a business use to help inform and persuade a customer to buy.

Fit for purpose

goods must do what they are meant to do.

As described

goods must be as the business has described them.

Satisfactory quality of goods

the concept that how the goods are made is reflected in the price – a high price product should be of a high quality (to justify the price tag

Reputation

what customers say and feel about a business

Transport infrastructure

the provision of roads, railways, ports and airports in an area for transporting goods and people.

Proximity

means “nearness to”.  It can refer to proximity to the market, to raw materials and to labour supplies

Location

refers to the place where a business is sited.

Labour

is a factor of production.  It is the workers employed by the business to produce the goods and services.

Raw materials

are materials that are processed in some way to create the finished goods and services

Logistics

refers to the management of the transportation and storage of goods.

Procurement

refers to the management of purchasing within a business.

Suppliers

are parties who supply goods and/or services to a business.