Much of what you learn in other units applies to large businesses, but large business is not the norm. Instead, small businesses (those with less than 20 employees in Australia) comprise the majority of all businesses in most national economies. These small businesses are not scaled down versions of larger businesses. The reality of business management within most small businesses is substantially different from that found in the majority of large businesses. The aim of the unit is to introduce you to the theory, research and practice of small business management. The unit covers a range of topics that are relevant to starting a new business venture from scratch or joining an existing business such as a franchise. These topics include developing the new venture business plan, marketing the small business, managing the process of growth in small businesses and other important subjects that are relevant to successfully managing the small business. The unit also examines how the various fields of business and management, such as marketing, human resource management and finance, are applied to small business management.