The different activities and processes in business functions are essential to run an organization. These functions can be broadly categorized into core and support functions. Core functions are those that are directly involved in the production and delivery of goods or services, while support functions are those that provide necessary infrastructure and support to core functions.
Some of the key core functions include marketing, sales, finance, operations, and human resources. Marketing involves identifying the needs of customers and developing strategies to meet those needs. Sales are the process of converting potential customers into paying customers. Finance is responsible for managing the organization’s financial resources and ensuring its financial stability. Operations involve the day-to-day activities necessary for the production and delivery of goods and services. Human resources manage the organization’s employees, including recruitment, training, and performance management.
Support functions include information technology, legal, and administrative functions. Information technology is responsible for managing an organization’s technology infrastructure. Legal functions manage the organization’s legal affairs and ensure compliance with applicable laws and regulations. Administrative functions include activities such as office management, procurement, and facilities management.
Together, these functions ensure that the organization can operate efficiently and effectively to achieve its goals and objectives. Now let’s see in detail these business functions one by one.
SUPPORT BUSINESS FUNCTIONS
1. Administration
The administration function is a critical component of any business, as it provides the necessary support to ensure that the organization operates efficiently and effectively. The administration function is responsible for a wide range of activities, from managing the physical infrastructure of the business to providing administrative support to employees.
One of the key roles of the administration function is to manage the physical infrastructure of the business. This includes managing facilities such as office space, equipment, and supplies, as well as ensuring that the organization has the necessary resources to operate effectively. This might involve managing relationships with vendors and suppliers, negotiating contracts, and ensuring that equipment is properly maintained.
The administration function is also responsible for providing administrative support to employees. This includes activities such as managing travel arrangements, scheduling meetings and appointments, and handling correspondence. Administrative staff may also be responsible for managing the organization’s records, including electronic files and paper documents, and ensuring that they are properly stored and accessible to authorized personnel.
Another important role of the administration function is to manage communication within the organization. This might involve managing internal communications channels, such as email or intranet portals, as well as coordinating external communications, such as press releases or social media posts.
The administration function is also responsible for managing the organization’s budget and financial resources. This might involve managing expenses and ensuring that the organization stays within its budget, as well as developing financial forecasts and analyzing financial data to inform strategic decisions.
The administration function is responsible for ensuring that the organization complies with applicable laws and regulations. This might involve managing relationships with regulatory bodies and ensuring that the organization meets all legal requirements related to its operations.
Overall, the administration function is critical to the success of any business. By managing the physical infrastructure of the organization, providing administrative support to employees, managing communication, overseeing finances, and ensuring compliance with applicable laws and regulations, the administration function helps to create a stable and productive business environment that supports the achievement of the organization’s goals and objectives.
2. Information Technology
Information Technology (IT) plays a crucial part in the success of modern businesses. It refers to the use of computers, software, and networking technologies to manage, process, and store information. IT enables businesses to automate processes, improve efficiency, and make better decisions based on data.
One of the key roles of IT in business is to manage and store data. This might involve developing and implementing databases, creating backup systems to protect against data loss, and ensuring that data is secure and protected from unauthorized access. IT is also responsible for managing the network infrastructure of the organization, including internet connectivity and internal networks, and ensuring that all systems are operating effectively.
IT also plays a critical role in enabling businesses to communicate effectively, both internally and with external stakeholders. This might involve managing email systems, video conferencing tools, and other communication technologies to facilitate collaboration and knowledge sharing.
3. Legal Affairs
Legal affairs play an important role in businesses, as they ensure that organizations comply with applicable laws and regulations and manage legal risks. The legal affairs function is responsible for providing legal advice and support to the organization and ensuring that it operates in a legally compliant manner.
One of the key roles of legal affairs in business is to manage contractual relationships. This might involve negotiating and drafting contracts with suppliers, customers, and partners, as well as ensuring that contracts are properly executed and adhered to. Legal affairs may also be responsible for managing disputes and litigation related to contractual relationships.
Legal affairs also play a critical role in managing compliance with applicable laws and regulations. This might involve monitoring changes in laws and regulations, developing policies and procedures to ensure compliance, and providing training to employees to ensure that they understand their legal obligations. Legal affairs may also be responsible for managing relationships with regulatory bodies and ensuring that the organization complies with all applicable laws and regulations.
CORE BUSINESS FUNCTIONS
4. Human Resources
The human resources (HR) in a business is to manage the organization’s human capital – its employees – in a way that maximizes their potential and contributes to the overall success of the organization. The HR function encompasses a wide range of activities related to managing employees throughout the employee lifecycle, from recruitment to retirement.
One of the primary roles of HR is to attract and hire the best possible talent for the organization. This involves creating job descriptions, posting job openings, and reviewing resumes and applications to identify the most qualified candidates. HR is also responsible for conducting interviews, checking references, and making job offers to selected candidates.
Once employees are hired, HR plays a critical role in managing their ongoing employment. This includes developing and implementing policies and procedures related to compensation, benefits, performance management, and employee relations. HR also provides training and development opportunities to help employees enhance their skills and knowledge.
HR is also responsible for ensuring compliance with employment laws and regulations. This includes keeping up-to-date with changes in employment law and implementing policies and procedures to ensure compliance.
HR plays a critical role in managing employee relations and resolving disputes. This can involve mediation and conflict resolution, as well as managing disciplinary actions and terminations.
Overall, the HR function is essential to the success of any business. By managing employees effectively, HR can help to create a positive and productive workplace culture that contributes to the achievement of the organization’s goals and objectives.
5. General Management Role In Business Functions
General management refers to the overall management of an organization. It involves overseeing all aspects of the organization, including finance, marketing, operations, and human resources. The general manager is responsible for setting the strategic direction of the organization, managing resources, and ensuring that the organization achieves its goals and objectives.
One of the key roles of general management is to set the strategic direction of the organization. This involves developing a vision for the organization, defining its mission and goals, and developing strategies to achieve those goals. General management is also responsible for developing and implementing policies and procedures to ensure that the organization operates efficiently and effectively.
General management is also responsible for managing resources, including financial, human, and physical resources. This might involve developing budgets, allocating resources, and managing staffing levels to ensure that the organization has the resources it needs to achieve its goals.
6. Finances
Finance department in business is to manage the organization’s financial resources, including cash flow, investments, and financial reporting. Finance is responsible for making financial decisions that support the organization’s objectives and maximize shareholder value. This might involve managing cost & price, budgets, forecasting future financial performance, and making investment decisions. Finance is also responsible for preparing financial statements and reports that provide insight into the organization’s financial performance and help stakeholders make informed decisions.
8. Marketing
It has significant importance in any business in the world. Marketing in a business is to create value for customers by understanding their needs and preferences, developing products and services that meet those needs, and communicating the value of those products and services to customers. Marketing is responsible for researching and analyzing market trends and consumer behavior, and developing strategies to promote products and services through advertising, branding, and other marketing channels. The goal of marketing is to build brand awareness, attract new customers, and retain existing customers by delivering value that meets their needs and expectations.
9. Public Relations Impact In Business Functions
Public relations (PR) in business is to manage the organization’s reputation and maintain positive relationships with stakeholders, including customers, employees, investors, and the general public. PR is responsible for communicating the organization’s message to the public through various channels, such as media relations, community outreach, and crisis management. PR is also responsible for developing and executing strategies that build and maintain the organization’s reputation and support its goals and objectives. The goal of PR is to create a positive image of the organization and establish trust and credibility with stakeholders.
10. Business Strategies
The business strategy in business is to provide a framework for achieving the organization’s goals and objectives. Business strategy involves analyzing market trends and competitive pressures, identifying strengths and weaknesses of the organization, and developing plans to achieve a competitive advantage. Business strategy is responsible for setting priorities and allocating resources to achieve the organization’s objectives. The goal of business strategy is to create value for stakeholders by delivering products and services that meet customer needs and expectations while generating sustainable profits for the organization.
11. Production
The role of production in business is to transform raw materials and resources into finished products that meet customer demand. Production involves designing, planning, and managing the processes and resources used to create products and services. This might include sourcing raw materials, managing inventory, and optimizing production processes to ensure efficient and cost-effective operations. The goal of production is to deliver high-quality products and services that meet customer needs while minimizing costs and maximizing profits for the organization.
12. Sales
The position of sales in business functions is to generate revenue by selling products and services to customers. Sales involve identifying potential customers, building relationships with them, and persuading them to purchase products and services. Sales also involve managing customer accounts and providing after-sales support to ensure customer satisfaction. The goal of sales is to increase revenue and profits for the organization by meeting or exceeding sales targets and delivering high-quality customer service.