INTRODUCTION
Business functions are the operations or functions that ensure an organization is functioning properly. In general, small companies and start-up employ individuals who can undertake numerous functions rather than employing specialists. As a company grows, it will hire specialists for each function and create several departments. In other words, business functions are the activities that drive organizational value and generate income.
DISCUSSION
Administration Function
The administration function of an organization is a macro-role that supervises all other functions. The administrative staff typically consists of the CEO general manager, and the secretarial staff. It is the function through which company policies are developed and disseminated ( Painter et al, 2018, p. 972) . The administrators oversee duties that are associated within the company, but not only particular department like negotiating and paying leases, handling business licences, zoning, and permits.
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The Sales and Marketing Function
These two business functions are typically lie in the same department. The role of the sale and marketing department is to engage in activities that promote the enterprise and reach out to existing and potential customers and partners (Pillai 2018, p.55). The ultimate objective to increase brand awareness and generate sales. The specialists in the department have the responsibility of searching for the market, target audience, examining the firm’s image on social media, acquiring new clients, and developing marketing campaigns. Generally established companies and corporations have discrete roles for sales and marketing professionals.
Human Resources Management Function
Human resource (HR) management is one of the most vital business functions, especially for firms with a large workforce. HR experts are charged with attracting talent, screen the potential candidates, managing relations between employees, and maintaining a conducive work environment ( Dijkman et al 2016, p. 142) . Also, the HR departments develop the enumeration plan for workers. Aside from these core functions, the HR functions needs to ensure compliance with employments and labour policies, solve conflicts, and address inquiries by employees. In many corporations, the HR specialists create training programs for new workers to help them get orientated with the firm’s values and culture.
Finance and Accounting Function
The counting and fiancé function is also important to organizations. While small business may opt to outsource this function, large corporations typically have an in-house finance and accounting department. The roles of this department including filing tax returns and processing tax payments, invoicing clients, examining a firm’s financial performance, and tracking orders ( Fareri et al 2018, p. 95) . The accountant also has to record cash inflows and highlight problem areas. The department can also come up with plans to improve a company’s financial performance.
Information Technology (IT) Function
The increase proliferation of technology in the workplace means that companies need an IT department. The IT function includes the maintenance of an organization’s IT systems and networks ( Fink et al. 2017, p. 43) . Essentially, the specialists must be able to network the firm’s computers and ensure they are running smoothly to enhance productivity at the company.
The Purchasing Function
The purchasing function is responsible for the procurement of supplies, raw materials, equipment, and machineries. The department ensures that the materials sources are in the correct quantity, at the correct price, and availed at the appropriate time, from the correct supplier (Pillai et al 2018, p. 124). It is also the duty of this department to inform the executives of the changes in price or material quality that can affect a company’s bottom line.
Importance of Each Function Working Together
The roles of these departments are interwoven to ensure a company runs smoothly. Indeed, some functions complement each other and there needs to be good coordination in a firm to avoid inter-departmental conflicts. Also, while each function has its own strategy, these strategies need to be aligned with the company’s goals and mission.
CONCLUSION
A company typically has various functions that work together towards accomplishments of the organization’s mission. The functions include administration, sales and marketing, human resource management, finance and accounting, information technology, and purchasing. It is important tto ensure proper coordination of these function to avoid inter-departmental conflicts and foster meaningful collaboration.
REFERENCE LIST
Dijkman, R., Vanderfeesten, I. and Reijers, H.A., 2016. Business process architectures: overview, comparison and framework. Enterprise Information Systems , 10 (2), pp.129-158.
Fareri, S., Chiarello, F., Coli, E., Teloni, D., Dente, G. and Fantoni, G., 2018. Workers 4.0: skills, profiles and jobs in different business functions. Economy, employment and skills: European, regional and global perspectives in an age of uncertainty , p.95.
Fink, L., Yogev, N. and Even, A., 2017. Business intelligence and organizational learning: An empirical investigation of value creation processes. Information & Management , 54 (1), pp.38-56.
Painter, M., Pouryousefi, S., Hibbert, S. and Russon, J.A., 2019. Sharing vocabularies: Towards horizontal alignment of values-driven business functions. Journal of Business Ethics , 155 (4), pp.965-979.
Pillai, C.R., 2018. Unit 1: Management Functions and Processes: An Overview. IGNOU.
