business costs

Fixed Costs

Fixed Costs Jonathan Poland

Fixed costs are expenses that remain constant regardless of changes in a company’s level of production or sales. These costs are typically independent of the number of goods or services that a business produces, and they do not fluctuate with changes in the business’s level of activity. Examples of fixed costs include rent, salaries, property taxes, and insurance premiums. These costs are an important part of a company’s overall expenses, and they must be taken into account when making business decisions and forecasting future performance.

Here are some different types of fixed costs:

  • Administrative Fees
  • Amortization
  • Business Licenses
  • Depreciation
  • Education & Training
  • Employee Benefits
  • Equipment Lease
  • Insurance
  • Interest Expense
  • Internet & Communications
  • Maintenance
  • Pension Plan Contributions
  • Property Taxes
  • Rent
  • Salary
  • Software Licences
  • Utilities
  • Vehicle Lease

Capital Improvements

Capital Improvements Jonathan Poland

Capital improvements are investments in new assets or the improvement of existing assets that are intended to provide a long-term benefit to a business. These investments can take many forms, such as the construction of a new factory, the purchase of new manufacturing equipment, or the renovation of a office building. The goal of capital improvements is to increase the value of the business or improve its efficiency, which can help the company generate more revenue and be more competitive in the marketplace.

Some examples of capital improvements include:

  • Constructing a new factory or warehouse
  • Purchasing new manufacturing equipment or machinery
  • Renovating a office building or retail space
  • Upgrading a company’s computer system or IT infrastructure
  • Installing new heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems
  • Implementing a new production process or technology
  • Expanding or improving a company’s transportation network or logistics systems

These are just a few examples, but there are many other types of investments that can be considered capital improvements depending on the nature of the business and the specific needs of the company.

Travel Expenses

Travel Expenses Jonathan Poland

Travel expenses refer to the costs associated with traveling for business purposes. This can include expenses such as airfare, hotel accommodations, meals, and transportation costs. These expenses are typically considered to be business costs, as they are incurred in the process of conducting business. Businesses may be able to claim tax deductions for certain travel expenses.

The following are common types of travel expenses:

  • Administration Fees
  • Baggage Charges
  • Cleaning & Laundry
  • Communication Expenses
  • Delivery Costs
  • Equipment Rental
  • Event Fees
  • Facility Rental (e.g. Meeting Rooms)
  • Incidental Expenses
  • Lodging Expenses
  • Meals
  • Parking Fees
  • Rental Vehicles
  • Transportation Services (e.g. Taxis)
  • Travel Fares
  • Travel Insurance
  • Vehicle Maintenance Costs
  • Vehicle Operation Costs

Business Equipment

Business Equipment Jonathan Poland

Business equipment refers to the tools, machines, and other physical assets that a company uses to conduct its operations. This can include a wide range of items, such as computers, office furniture, production machinery, and vehicles.

Some examples of business equipment include:

  • Computers and other office equipment, such as printers, fax machines, and copiers
  • Manufacturing machinery, such as lathes, milling machines, and 3D printers
  • Construction equipment, such as bulldozers, excavators, and backhoes
  • Medical equipment, such as X-ray machines, defibrillators, and surgical instruments
  • Retail equipment, such as cash registers, barcode scanners, and security cameras
  • Transportation equipment, such as trucks, buses, and airplanes

Business equipment is an important part of a company’s operations, as it provides the tools and resources that the company needs to generate revenues and achieve its goals. It is also a significant investment for many companies, as the purchase and maintenance of business equipment can be a significant expense. Therefore, it is important for companies to carefully manage their business equipment and ensure that it is used efficiently and effectively.

  • Air Purifiers
  • Air Tools & Compressors
  • Aircraft
  • Audio Systems
  • Bathroom Fixtures
  • Battery Systems
  • Cameras Carts,
  • Trolleys & Dollies
  • Coffee Machines
  • Commercial Doors
  • Commercial Kitchen Equipment
  • Commercial Lighting
  • Commercial Washers & Dryers
  • Communication Devices
  • Computers & Tablets
  • Construction Equipment
  • Containers
  • Crafting Tools
  • Data Storage
  • Fabrication Equipment
  • Farming Equipment
  • Fishing Gear
  • Food Processing Equipment
  • Food Service Equipment
  • Gardening Supplies
  • Generators
  • Hand Tools
  • HVAC
  • Heavy-duty Vehicles
  • Irrigation Systems
  • Janitorial Equipment
  • Lab Equipment
  • Ladders & Scaffolding
  • Machine Tools
  • Manufacturing Equipment
  • Measurement, Testing & Calibration
  • Media Production Equipment
  • Mobile Devices
  • Money Counters
  • Monitors
  • Musical Instruments
  • Networking Devices
  • Office Decor
  • Office Fixtures
  • Office Furniture
  • Payment Systems
  • Point of Sale Systems
  • Printers & 3D Printers
  • Racks & Shelving
  • Retail Store Fixtures
  • Robotics
  • Safes
  • Safety Gear
  • Satellites
  • Scanners
  • Science Instruments
  • Security Systems
  • Sensors
  • Sewing Machines
  • Ships & Boats
  • Signs & Displays
  • Solar Panels
  • Vacuum Cleaners
  • Vehicles
  • Vending Machines
  • Video Conferencing Equipment
  • Video Equipment
  • Waste & Recycling Equipment
  • Water / Beverage Dispensers
  • Weights & Measures

Cost of Capital

Cost of Capital Jonathan Poland

The cost of capital is the required rate of return that a company must earn on its investments in order to satisfy its shareholders and other stakeholders. It is the minimum rate of return that a company must generate in order to make its investments worthwhile, and it is an important measure of a company’s financial performance.

The cost of capital is typically determined by taking into account the various sources of capital that a company uses to finance its operations, such as debt, equity, and preferred stock. The cost of each type of capital is calculated separately, and then combined to arrive at the overall cost of capital for the company.

The cost of capital is an important concept in finance, as it is used to evaluate the potential returns of different investments and to compare the returns of different companies. It is also an important input into a company’s decision-making process, as it helps the company to determine the appropriate level of risk to take on and the appropriate level of return to target.

In general, the cost of capital is an important measure of a company’s financial performance, as it indicates the minimum rate of return that the company must generate in order to satisfy its shareholders and other stakeholders. By understanding its cost of capital, a company can make better-informed decisions about how to allocate its resources and how to invest its capital in order to maximize its returns.

Here are a few examples of how the cost of capital might be used in practice:

  • A company is considering investing in a new plant and equipment. It estimates that the investment will cost $1 million, and will generate annual cash flows of $100,000 for the next 10 years. The company’s cost of capital is 10%, so it calculates that the net present value of the investment is $135,878. This means that the investment is expected to generate a positive return, so the company decides to go ahead with the investment.
  • A company is comparing the returns of two different investments. The first investment is expected to generate a return of 8% per year, while the second investment is expected to generate a return of 12% per year. The company’s cost of capital is 10%, so the first investment is expected to generate a return that is less than the cost of capital, while the second investment is expected to generate a return that is higher than the cost of capital. The company decides to invest in the second investment, as it is expected to generate a higher return.
  • A company is considering issuing new debt in order to finance an expansion of its operations. The company estimates that the cost of the new debt will be 6%, and that it will generate annual cash flows of $100,000 for the next 10 years. The company’s cost of capital is 10%, so it calculates that the net present value of the debt is $97,914. This means that the debt is expected to generate a return that is less than the cost of capital, so the company decides not to issue the debt and looks for alternative sources of financing.
Learn More
Cost Variance Jonathan Poland

Cost Variance

Cost variance (CV) is a project management metric that measures the difference between the budgeted cost of a project and…

What Is Analysis? Jonathan Poland

What Is Analysis?

Analysis is the process of breaking something down into its component parts in order to better understand it. This is…

Working Style Jonathan Poland

Working Style

Working style refers to an individual’s preferred approach to performing their job and completing tasks. This can include factors such…

Management Challenges Jonathan Poland

Management Challenges

Management challenges are obstacles, difficulties, or inefficiencies that make it difficult for managers to achieve their goals and objectives. These…

Customer Expectations Jonathan Poland

Customer Expectations

Customer expectations refer to the base assumptions that customers make about a brand, its products and services, and the overall…

Operational Risk Jonathan Poland

Operational Risk

Operations risk is the risk of financial loss or other negative consequences that may arise from the operation of a…

Marketing Campaign Jonathan Poland

Marketing Campaign

A marketing campaign is a coordinated series of marketing efforts that promote a product, service, or brand. The goal of…

Big Picture Thinking Jonathan Poland

Big Picture Thinking

“The big picture” refers to the broadest possible perspective that can be taken in a thought process. Big picture thinking…

Visual Branding Jonathan Poland

Visual Branding

Visual branding is the use of visual elements, such as color, typography, imagery, and design, to create a cohesive and…

Content Database

Search over 1,000 posts on topics across
business, finance, and capital markets.

Technology Ethics Jonathan Poland

Technology Ethics

Technology ethics refers to the principles that guide the development, use, and management of technology, taking into account factors such…

Innovation 101 Jonathan Poland

Innovation 101

Innovation is the process of creating new ideas, products, or processes that add value to a company. This can be…

Product Durability Jonathan Poland

Product Durability

A durable product, often referred to as a durable good, is a product that does not quickly wear out or,…

Creative Services Jonathan Poland

Creative Services

Creative services refer to a range of services that involve the use of creativity and innovative thinking. These services often…

What are Tactics? Jonathan Poland

What are Tactics?

Tactics are short-term, immediate strategies that are designed to respond to fast-changing realities and situations. They are focused on taking…

Alternative Hypothesis Jonathan Poland

Alternative Hypothesis

An alternative hypothesis is a hypothesis that proposes a relationship between variables. This can include any hypothesis that predicts a…

Yield Management Jonathan Poland

Yield Management

Yield management is a pricing strategy used by businesses that offer access to fixed-capacity assets, such as airline seats and…

Change Management Jonathan Poland

Change Management

Change management is the process of planning and implementing changes within an organization. It involves analyzing the current state of…

What are Field Services? Jonathan Poland

What are Field Services?

Field service involves managing and deploying resources and assets at customer, public, and third-party locations, as well as providing services…