Functional areas in a business
Functional areas in business
In a business, it is usually easier to identify separate functional areas or tasks because people work together in departments. Each department carries out the tasks that relate to its particular area.
The administration function
Administration is a support function required by all businesses and this does not mean just doing keyboarding or filing. Senior administrators carry out a wide range of tasks, from monitoring budgets to interviewing new staff or their departments.
The customer service function
All businesses must look after customers or clients who have an enquiry, concern or complaint. Today, customer expectations are high. When people contact a business they expect a prompt, polite and knowledgeable response. Unless they get a high level of service they are likely to take their business elsewhere in the future.
The distribution function
Distribution means ensuring that goods are delivered to the right place on time and in the right condition. Some companies, such as Amazon and Debenhams, deliver direct to the customer, particularly when goods are bought online. Other businesses, including B & Q and Sainsbury’s, hold stocks in giant regional warehouses, for delivery to stores around the area. Superstores may use special vehicles, which can also carry chilled or frozen items. Other businesses have to move more difficult loads or hazardous substances, such as large engineering parts, cars or chemicals.
The finance function
Most entrepreneurs consider this is the most important function in the business. This is because all businesses need a regular stream of income to pay the bills. Finance staff record all the money earned and spent so that the senior managers always know how much profit (or loss) is being made by each product or each part of the business and how much money is currently held by the business. This enables critical decisions to be made rapidly and accurately because they are based on
In a business, it is usually easier to identify separate functional areas or tasks because people work together in departments. Each department carries out the tasks that relate to its particular area.
The administration function
Administration is a support function required by all businesses and this does not mean just doing keyboarding or filing. Senior administrators carry out a wide range of tasks, from monitoring budgets to interviewing new staff or their departments.
The customer service function
All businesses must look after customers or clients who have an enquiry, concern or complaint. Today, customer expectations are high. When people contact a business they expect a prompt, polite and knowledgeable response. Unless they get a high level of service they are likely to take their business elsewhere in the future.
The distribution function
Distribution means ensuring that goods are delivered to the right place on time and in the right condition. Some companies, such as Amazon and Debenhams, deliver direct to the customer, particularly when goods are bought online. Other businesses, including B & Q and Sainsbury’s, hold stocks in giant regional warehouses, for delivery to stores around the area. Superstores may use special vehicles, which can also carry chilled or frozen items. Other businesses have to move more difficult loads or hazardous substances, such as large engineering parts, cars or chemicals.
The finance function
Most entrepreneurs consider this is the most important function in the business. This is because all businesses need a regular stream of income to pay the bills. Finance staff record all the money earned and spent so that the senior managers always know how much profit (or loss) is being made by each product or each part of the business and how much money is currently held by the business. This enables critical decisions to be made rapidly and accurately because they are based on