Welcome to this deck on putting a business idea into practice. This is where we get into the numbers. We'll explore how a business sets its goals, how it makes money, and how it manages its finances to survive and grow. We'll cover everything from calculating profit to understanding why cash is king, and we'll look at the different ways a start-up can get the money it needs to get off the ground. These are fundamental concepts that come up all the time in your GCSE Business exam.

Every business needs a direction. This starts with an 'aim'. A business aim is the overall, long-term goal that the business wants to achieve. It's the big picture, the reason the business exists. For example, a new coffee shop might have an aim 'to become the most popular coffee shop in the local area'.

To achieve its long-term aim, a business needs to set smaller, more manageable targets along the way. These are called 'objectives'. Objectives are specific, measurable steps that help a business reach its aim. For our coffee shop, an objective might be 'to sell 200 cups of coffee per day within the first six months'. Notice how it's specific and can be measured.