BUSINESS FUNCTIONS CHART

Good companies meet demands, great companies create demands.

The following diagram gives most of the main functions that graduates
will enter when starting a business career.

Internal functions are those which are part of the company.

External functions are those which are supplied by an outside

agency.

Click on any of the jobs in the diagram below to go to more

information about them.

This chart is a simplification. Not all companies can be easily

categorised, and some will have specialist functions which are not
included here, but is nevertheless provides a useful starting point
for graduates considering a career in business.

Specialised businesses will have functions not mentioned here,

for example retailers will have staff working as merchandisers.

Some companies will not have all the functions listed, for
example service and finance companies will not normally have
research and production departments.

Some functions such as Market Research and PR may be

internal, external or both. A small company will probably hire an
external agency when it needs these functions. A large company
may well have in-house market research and corporate PR staff, but
will still outsource much of the work that is of a specialist nature.

PRODUCING

Research & Development

Develops products. Designs & conducting experiments & tests.
Interprets data. Manages projects. Writes reports. Keeps up to date
with new developments.

Production & Quality

Manages the production process. Plans production schedules.
Ensures that machinery, staff & materials are efficiently utilised.
Monitors health & safety & environmental issues. Liaises with
marketing, research & finance.

Distribution/Logistics
Manages all the supply chain processes from raw materials to where
the end product is used. Coordinates supply, distribution & storage
of goods. Manages transport & distribution centres including drivers
& warehouse staff.

SELLING

Sales
Demonstrates & presents products to customers. Manages budgets.
Learns about new products. Makes sure that the product meets the
customers requirements. Writes tenders & proposals.

Marketing
Coordinates all the elements involved in successfully promoting &

selling a product: market research, pricing, packaging, advertising,

sales, distribution. Involves forecasting, budgeting & planning,
implementation of plans.

SUPPORT FUNCTIONS

FINANCE - Management Accountant

Provides the information required for the financial protection &
planning of companies. Prepares accounting records & management
information.

Computing
Designs, implements & maintains computer systems to meet
requirements of users. Provides computing support for staff.
Maintains databases & networks.

HR/Personnel
Recruits & selects new staff. Involved with contracts of employment,
job descriptions, training, management development, industrial
relations & disciplinary matters.

Buying/Purchasing
Locates & maintains relationships with suppliers, of products.
Negotiates prices, delivery dates & product specifications. Works
with managers to anticipate future demands.

EXTERNAL SERVICES

Chartered Accountants
Visits clients as part of an audit team; reviews their business
operations & financial records to establish the validity of the
company's accounts. Advises on tax liability & other matters.

Management Consultants
Identifies & investigates, problems concerned with policy,
organisation, procedures & methods of organisations. Recommends
appropriate action & helps to implement this.

Recruitment Agency
Matches job-seekers with employers' vacancies. Assesses
candidates' skills & employers' requirements.

Advertising
Liaises with & advises clients on all aspects of marketing
communications; presents proposals to clients; manages advertising

spend budget; keeps clients up-to-date on their own & competitors

activities.

Market Research
This can be done by the marketing department inside a company, or
by an external market research agency. Plans market research
projects on behalf of the client. Analyses the problem. Drafts
proposals. Prepares questionnaires & survey methods. Briefs
interviewers. Analyses data & presents it to client. Prepares reports.

Public Relations
All aspects of media & public relations for clients: e.g. corporate
brochures & exhibition stands. Answers enquiries. Prepares press
releases, organises press briefings, conferences & PR campaigns.