Business A to Z

Every trade has words it uses without explaining. In business the cost of not knowing one is real: some of them are ordinary jargon and some of them are a decision that can take a house.

Please note: This page explains what a term means. It is general information, not legal, financial, tax or investment advice, and it does not know anything about your business. Before you sign, file or commit to anything, check it with an accountant, a solicitor, or the official guidance we link to.

Studying business? We write GCSE revision songs, and there is one for business studies. Listen to the revision playlist.

16 terms filed under F, showing 1–10 (page 1 of 2).

F

Facilities and premises

The building and everything in it. A fixed cost with a long tail.

Family leave

Maternity, paternity, adoption, shared parental and parental leave. Different rights, different notice.

Feedback

Telling somebody how they are doing, in a way they can act on.

Financial controls

The rules about who can spend, approve and pay. Small businesses usually have none.

Fixed asset register

A list of everything the business owns that lasts, with what it cost and what it is worth now.

Flexible working

A day-one right to request a change to hours, times or place of work.

Food safety for businesses

The legal duties of anyone selling food, and the rating on the door.

Footfall and conversion in retail

How many people came in, and how many bought.

Force majeure

A clause excusing performance when something outside anyone's control prevents it. It only covers what it lists.

Force majeure in practice

Relying on a force majeure clause, and the notice that has to go with it.

Something missing?

If there is a word you have been nodding along to, tell us and we will write it up. This library exists because of the questions people were too polite to ask.

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