Business news covers all commercial and industrial activities and trends that impact the economy. It includes information on entrepreneurship, management, leadership and human resources.
The goal of business journalism is to take complex, sometimes technical concepts and make them understandable to the average person. People are hardwired to shy away from information they don’t understand and may tune out if articles use overly complicated vocabulary, or include too many numbers and charts. NBC News business and data correspondent Adam Cheung says journalists can demystify financial news by simply saying things like, “The company brought in $1 million before expenses,” or by using clear sentences and maintaining an approachable tone. He also suggests incorporating visuals and on-camera characters who are relatable to the audience.
Large businesses, or corporations, are usually publicly traded and must report quarterly earnings to shareholders. These companies often produce a variety of goods and services, such as computers, earphones, watches and even food. Some are known for their innovation, while others struggle to keep up with changing consumer preferences and competition from lower-priced competitors.
Small businesses are typically privately held and operated. These types of companies may be for-profit or non-profit and are owned by individuals, partners or families. They can offer a wide range of products and services, such as software, legal advice, marketing support and advertising. They can also serve as incubators for new ideas, allowing entrepreneurs to test the waters of a product or service before investing a significant amount of money.