Chapter 2
WHAT SKILLS DO
ENTREPRENEURS NEED?
LESSONS
2.1 Communication Skills
2.2 Math Skills
2.3 Problem-Solving Skills
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Chapter 2
Slide 2
Lesson 2.1
COMMUNICATION SKILLS
GOALS
Develop good skills for
writing, speaking, and
listening.
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Chapter 2
Slide 3
WRITING SKILLS
Effective business letters
Effective business memos
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RULES FOR WRITING
BUSINESS LETTERS
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
Chapter 2
Slide 4
Key all formal correspondence.
Spell names correctly and have the correct address.
Always date your business correspondence.
Use names and titles appropriately.
Be direct and positive.
Be persuasive and specific.
Avoid using fancy language.
Be polite.
Use an appropriate closing.
Proofread for spelling and grammatical errors.
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Chapter 2
Slide 5
SPEAKING SKILLS
Telephone conversations
Meeting with customers and suppliers
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Chapter 2
Slide 6
TELEPHONE TIPS
1. Speak clearly, and talk directly into the
receiver.
2. Be cheerful.
3. Always speak politely.
4. Think about what you are going to say
before you make a call.
5. Take notes.
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MAKING THE MOST OF
PERSONAL CONTACTS
Chapter 2
Slide 7
1. Shake hands and make eye contact with the
person you are meeting.
2. Show an interest in what the other person is
saying.
3. Speak clearly.
4. Do not appear rushed or anxious to be
somewhere else.
5. Thank the person at the end of the meeting.
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Chapter 2
Slide 8
LISTENING SKILLS
1. Focus your attention on the person who
is speaking.
2. Think about and try to understand what
the other person is saying.
3. Ask questions to make sure you
understand what the person is saying.
4. Take notes to confirm what you are
hearing.
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Chapter 2
Slide 9
Lesson 2.2
MATH SKILLS
GOALS
Use basic math skills in
business.
Complete sales
transactions.
Calculate percentages for
business purposes.
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Chapter 2
Slide 10
BASIC MATH SKILLS
Addition and subtraction
Multiplication
Averages using division
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Chapter 2
Slide 11
SALES TRANSACTIONS
Purchase orders and invoices
Sales tax
Sales slips
Managing a cash drawer
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Chapter 2
Slide 12
BALANCING THE CASH DRAWER
Cash
Checks
+ Credit sales
Total receipts
– Refunds
Adjusted receipts
– Opening cash
Actual receipts
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$348.62
154.20
218.98
$721.80
21.47
$700.33
50.00
$650.33
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Chapter 2
Slide 13
PERCENTAGES
 Growth rates
 Interest earned
 Interest payments
 Exact interest method
 Ordinary interest method
 Markups and markdowns
 Discounts
 Due dates
 Last day for discount
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Chapter 2
Slide 14
Lesson 2.3
PROBLEM-SOLVING SKILLS
GOALS
Use the six-step problemsolving model.
Recognize the importance
of group decision making.
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Chapter 2
Slide 15
USE A PROBLEM-SOLVING PROCESS
Define the problem
Gather information
Identify various solutions
Evaluate alternatives and select the
best option
Take action
Evaluate the action
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Chapter 2
Slide 16
GROUP PROBLEM SOLVING
Brainstorming
Consensus-based decision making
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Chapter 2
Slide 17
BRAINSTORMING
Brainstorming is a creative group
problem-solving technique that involves
generating a large number of fresh
ideas.
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Chapter 2
Slide 18
CONSENSUS-BASED
DECISION MAKING
Consensus is agreement among a
group of people.
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