Bill Hudson was a real craftsman when it came to being a machinist. Bill had learned almost all that he knew from Hugo Huffman, his first and only employer. Bill Hudson was married and had three young children. He was 33 years old and had worked for Hugo ever since he finished his tour in the army. In 12 years Bill had polished his skills under the watchful and critical eye of Hugo Huffman. Hugo was quick to recognize Bill’s talent for the trade. Bill had a positive attitude about learning and displayed a drive for perfection that Hugo admired. Hugo’s Machine Shop was a successful small business. Its success was based mostly on the reputation for quality that had been established over its 42 years in operation. Hugh had come to this country with his new wife, Hilda, when he was in his late twenties. Now the business was a success, but Hugo remembered the early years when he and Hilda had to struggle. Hugo wanted the business to continue to produce the highest quality craftsman products possible. On a Friday evening, he called Bill into his office at closing time, poured him a cup of half-day-old coffee, and began to talk with him about the future. “Bill, Hilda and I are getting old and I want to retire. It’s been 42 years of fun but these old hands need a rest. In short, Hilda and I would like you to buy the business. We both feel that your heart is in this craft and that you would always retain the quality that we have stood for.” Bill was taken aback by the offer. He, of course, knew Hugo was getting older, but had no idea Hugo would retire. Bill and his wife, Anna, had only $4,200 in the bank. Most of Bill’s salary went for the normal costs of rearing three children. Hugo knew Bill did not have the money to buy the business in cash, but he was willing to take a portion of the profits for the next 1 5 years and a modest initial investment from Bill. Bill had, for the past four years, made most of the technical decisions in the shop. Bill knew the customers and was well respected by the employees. He had never been involved in the business side of the operation. He was a high a school graduate but had never taken business courses. Bill was told by Hugo that even after deducting the percentage of the profits he would owe under the sales agreement, he would be able to almost double his annual earnings. Bill would have to take on all the business functions himself because Anna had no business training either. 2. What steps should Bill take to avoid the pitfalls common to a small business?

Understanding Business
12th Edition
ISBN:9781259929434
Author:William Nickels
Publisher:William Nickels
Chapter1: Taking Risks And Making Profits Within The Dynamic Business Environment
Section: Chapter Questions
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Bill Hudson was a real craftsman when it came to being a machinist. Bill had learned almost all that he knew from Hugo Huffman, his first and only employer. Bill Hudson was married and had three young children. He was 33 years old and had worked for Hugo ever since he finished his tour in the army. In 12 years Bill had polished his skills under the watchful and critical eye of Hugo Huffman. Hugo was quick to recognize Bill’s talent for the trade. Bill had a positive attitude about learning and displayed a drive for perfection that Hugo admired. Hugo’s Machine Shop was a successful small business. Its success was based mostly on the reputation for quality that had been established over its 42 years in operation. Hugh had come to this country with his new wife, Hilda, when he was in his late twenties. Now the business was a success, but Hugo remembered the early years when he and Hilda had to struggle. Hugo wanted the business to continue to produce the highest quality craftsman products possible. On a Friday evening, he called Bill into his office at closing time, poured him a cup of half-day-old coffee, and began to talk with him about the future. “Bill, Hilda and I are getting old and I want to retire. It’s been 42 years of fun but these old hands need a rest. In short, Hilda and I would like you to buy the business. We both feel that your heart is in this craft and that you would always retain the quality that we have stood for.” Bill was taken aback by the offer. He, of course, knew Hugo was getting older, but had no idea Hugo would retire. Bill and his wife, Anna, had only $4,200 in the bank. Most of Bill’s salary went for the normal costs of rearing three children. Hugo knew Bill did not have the money to buy the business in cash, but he was willing to take a portion of the profits for the next 1 5 years and a modest initial investment from Bill. Bill had, for the past four years, made most of the technical decisions in the shop. Bill knew the customers and was well respected by the employees. He had never been involved in the business side of the operation. He was a high a school graduate but had never taken business courses. Bill was told by Hugo that even after deducting the percentage of the profits he would owe under the sales agreement, he would be able to almost double his annual earnings. Bill would have to take on all the business functions himself because Anna had no business training either. 2. What steps should Bill take to avoid the pitfalls common to a small business?
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