American Business Merit Badge

1. American Business Merit Badge 2012

2. 4 Features of Free Enterprise • Individual Freedom and Opportunity • Ownership of Land and Assets (equipment, products & machines) • Owners and Workers can Pursue their Own Interests & Goals • Consumers can Spend Their Money as They Wish

3. Freedom vs. License • U.S. Citizens have the Right of Choice to Spend or Invest His/Her Earnings – However, the Ability to Exercise some Aspects of Freedom may Require License to do so. • You have the Freedom to Drive a Car, but You need a License or Permission from your State to Operate one. • The “Freedom” you want to Exercise may Require Permission from your Employer, Religious Organization or your School

4. How Scouting Relates to Business • Scout Motto – “Be Prepared” • By the time you enter the work force (summer and part-time jobs too), or start a business, you should have some knowledge of how business works.

5. Scout Oath • In Business you must: • Do your best and help people • You must be trustworthy • Help those who are less fortunate – Charities • To succeed you must be Friendly & Courteous • Must follow the laws and rules of Business • In business, you must be Thrifty, setting aside money for emergencies that might arise • You should always Protect and Conserve our Natural Resources

6. Industrial Revolution • When we started using machines to do work that had previously been done by hand, because it increased productivity & efficiency • It was called a Revolution because it transformed our nation

8. Energy • Before 1750 things were powered by humans, animals, water and wind • Steam engines began to improve efficiency

10. Materials • During the 1800’s the materials used in production changed • Wood, Stone and Fibers • Metals and Iron were used more… • Metal alloys and plastics

11. Mass Production • Eli Whitney helped begin mass production • Using interchangeable, standardized parts that were manufactured before hand • Helped production, as there were replacement parts now available

13. Eli Whitney • Eli Whitney invented the Cotton Gin • In 1798 he got the idea of using interchangeable parts in manufacturing • It was now possible to produce goods quicker and cheaper than with custom-made parts

15. Henry Ford • In 1923 Henry Ford created the first assembly line • Over the years this has led to the use of robotics – and now computers • Computers have revolutionized mass production

17. Jack Kilby • In 1958, electrical engineer Jack Kilby invented the first integrated circuit, or chip • Chips have become smaller and faster over the years, and now microchips are used in just about everything in electronics

19. Sylvia Woods • Sylvia Woods came from the cotton fields of South Carolina and began a restaurant in New York that has become a soul food institution “Sylvia’s Restaurant” • In 1962 she opened her doors and now has several franchises in different areas. • Woods has shown what hard work, determination and a family’s love and respect can acheive

21. Bill Gates • In 1973 Bill Gates entered Harvard University. While there, he and friend Paul Allen developed a new version of the BASIC computer programming language. • In 1975 Bill Gates and Paul Allen co-founded Microsoft, and by 1999 Microsoft dominated the Personal Computer Market.

22. Insurance is useful to Business • Fire Insurance - In case of fire – replacement of home or valuables • Life Insurance – Pays a sum to a beneficiaries after a death • Liability – Protects a person or business against claims or malpractice • Automobile – Pays for damages, collision, fire, theft and accident liability • Medical Insurance – Pays medical and hospital expenses

24. Labor Unions • Automation – The use of machinery in production meant that fewer workers were needed, leading to lower wages and unsafe working conditions • Union Shop – All employees in the shop in the Union • Open Shop – Workers have a choice as to whether or not to join

25. Inside the Union • Collective-Bargaining Agreements – The Union tries to bargain with employers to improve wages, hours and workplace conditions • Shop Steward – The Union member who tries to help employees when they have complaints • Business Agent – Manages the Union Operations • Union Counselor – Helps Union members with personal or family problems

27. Fed/State Agencies • Bureau of Labor Statistics - Complies statistics on employment • National Labor Relations Board – Conducts elections to see if workers want a Union to represent them, and hears cases either way • OSHA – Occupational Safety and Health Administration… ensures safe working conditions by enforcing job safety standards • State Agencies – Employment and unemployment services and worker’s compensation offices

29. Call of Duty Developers Infinity Ward Treyarch Sledgehammer Games Raven Software Gray Matter Interactive Pi Studios Spark Unlimited Amaze Entertainment Rebellion Developments Ideaworks Game Studio

30. Ports: n-Space Aspyr Media Demonware Certain Affinity Publishers Activision Aspyr Media Creators Ben Chichoski

31. ATVI

32. Platforms Microsoft Windows/Mac OS X Nintendo DS Nintendo GameCube Nokia N-Gage PlayStation 2 PlayStation 3 PlayStation Portable Wii Xbox Xbox 360 iOS BlackBerry

33. Ways to look for companies with stock • Wikipedia • Los Angeles Times • Wall Street Journal • Business Week