Helping Markets, Supporting Opportunities - Contact me at chris@albizin.com
Business Functions Brief
Business Functions Brief Introduction
1. Strategic Planning:
- Focus: Defining the company's long-term direction, setting goals, and creating a roadmap for achieving them.
- Key Activities: Market analysis, competitor research, scenario planning, developing a mission statement and vision, and allocating resources.
- Outputs: Strategic plan with clear objectives and action steps.
2. Strategy:
- Focus: Translating strategic plans into actionable steps.
- Key Activities: Developing competitive advantages, identifying target markets, and creating marketing and sales plans.
- Outputs: Defined strategies for achieving competitive advantage and market success.
3. Finance & Accounts:
- Focus: Managing the financial health of the business.
- Key Activities: Financial reporting, budgeting, cash flow management, tax planning, and financial analysis.
- Outputs: Financial statements, budgets, forecasts, and financial reports for decision-making.
4. HRM (Human Resource Management):
- Focus: Attracting, retaining, and developing a talented workforce.
- Key Activities: Recruitment & selection, training & development, performance management, compensation & benefits, and employee relations.
- Outputs: Motivated and skilled workforce contributing to organizational goals.
5. QA & QC (Quality Assurance & Quality Control):
- Focus: Ensuring products or services meet quality standards.
- Key Activities: Developing quality control processes, inspecting products, identifying and correcting defects, and implementing preventive measures.
- Outputs: High-quality products or services that meet customer expectations.
6. Sales & Marketing:
- Focus: Generating leads, converting leads into sales, and promoting the company's products or services.
- Key Activities: Market research, branding, advertising, public relations, sales force management, and customer relationship management (CRM).
- Outputs: Increased brand awareness, qualified leads, and sales growth.
7. Supply Chain Management:
- Focus: Managing the flow of goods and materials from suppliers to customers.
- Key Activities: Procurement, logistics, inventory management, warehousing, and transportation.
- Outputs: Efficient and cost-effective delivery of products or materials.
8. Procurement:
- Focus: Acquiring the goods and services needed for operations at the best possible price and quality.
- Key Activities: Supplier sourcing, negotiation, contract management, and risk management.
- Outputs: Cost-effective acquisition of materials and services needed for production.
9. Product Development:
- Focus: Designing, developing, and launching new products or services.
- Key Activities: Market research, product ideation, prototyping, testing, and product launch.
- Outputs: Innovative products or services that meet customer needs and drive growth.
10. Plant Maintenance:
- Focus: Ensuring the smooth operation of machinery and equipment within a production facility.
- Key Activities: Preventive maintenance, corrective maintenance, equipment repair, and spare parts management.
- Outputs: Minimized downtime, reduced repair costs, and improved production efficiency.
11. Operations:
- Focus: Transforming inputs (materials, labor) into outputs (products or services).
- Key Activities: Production planning and scheduling, inventory management, quality control, and resource allocation.
- Outputs: Efficient production processes that deliver products or services on time and within budget.
12. Production:
- Focus: The physical creation of products or delivery of services.
- Key Activities: Assembly line management, quality control, and production scheduling.
- Outputs: Finished products or delivered services that meet customer specifications.
13. HRD (Human Resource Development):
- Focus: Improving the knowledge, skills, and abilities of employees.
- Key Activities: Training and development programs, career development planning, and performance management.
- Outputs: A more skilled and knowledgeable workforce prepared for future challenges.
14. TPM (Total Productive Maintenance):
- Focus: Maximizing equipment effectiveness through a combination of preventive maintenance and operator involvement.
- Key Activities: Preventive maintenance, autonomous maintenance, and continuous improvement processes.
- Outputs: Increased equipment uptime, reduced maintenance costs, and improved overall production efficiency.
How we look at a Business.
The landscape of business.
Which part does the business cater to? Manufacturing has all three of the above components and therefore needs better management to stay on top. What is the management style? How strong is their bookkeeping and accounts?
Does the company have financial and financing plans based on systematic inputs?
Cash is King!
- How is the cash flow cycle?
- How well is it monitored?
- Does the company have Budgets?
Why are some businesses in the same segment "cash rich" and don't have to borrow? What could be the successors secret?
A good insight of business is beneficial.
Understanding the components of the business is the first step. That is the break-up!
The questions we ask are based on two factors, the Internal & External working of the company the base of the questions are?
- What?
- How?
- Where?
- Who?
Is the organisations internal and external focus balanced?
Decide your Profit and Growth Strategy
This simple easy to work with Analysis of the current business to understand how to move forward is built specially for the SME industry by taking in and modifying it to make fit to the SME style of working.
At ALBIZIN we think big and we understand small.
A Manufacturing Business Process Interaction.
Where do you want to innovate or improve upon?
Check the map above to map the business process interactions. At this stage keep a goo d eye out for you accounts and finance results.
We can provide you solutions that will enable your organization to sustain itself in profits and growth.
write to chris@albizin.com
How is your Organization communicating?
How to analyize an organizations communication system?
Analyzing an organization’s communication system involves examining the various ways information is shared and processed within the company. Here are some steps to consider:
- Assess Communication Flow: Determine how information moves through the organization. Look at formal channels, such as meetings and reports, and informal channels, like casual conversations.
- Evaluate Effectiveness: Consider how well the current system facilitates clear, timely, and accurate information exchange. Are messages reaching the intended recipients? Are they understood?
- Identify Barriers: Look for any obstacles that might hinder effective communication, such as hierarchical structures, physical distance, or cultural differences.
- Gather Feedback: Collect input from employees at all levels to understand their perspectives on the communication system’s strengths and weaknesses.
- Analyze Tools and Platforms: Review the technology and platforms used for communication. Are they up-to-date and efficient? Do they meet the needs of the organization?
- Consider Organizational Culture: The culture of an organization can greatly influence communication. Analyze how cultural norms and values shape the way information is shared.
- Review Policies and Procedures: Ensure that communication policies and procedures support the organization’s goals and are followed by everyone.
- Measure Outcomes: Look at the results of communication practices. Are they contributing to the organization’s success? Are there areas where improvement is needed?
By thoroughly analyzing these aspects, you can identify areas for improvement and develop strategies to enhance the organization’s communication system. If you need assistance with this analysis or have specific concerns, feel free to reach out for more detailed guidance.
Why should companies innovate and in which areas of business
Companies should innovate for several compelling reasons:
- Adaptability: Innovation allows companies to adapt to changes and disruptions in the market, such as those caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.
- Competitive Advantage: It provides a competitive edge, enabling businesses to outperform their rivals and become leaders in their field.
- Growth: Innovation is linked to growth aspirations and can significantly contribute to revenue growth.
- Crisis Management: It can be a powerful tool during periods of uncertainty, helping businesses to find new growth opportunities.
As for the areas of business where innovation can be applied, here are key areas:
- Strategy Innovation: Developing new directions and growth strategies for the business.
- Business Model Innovation: Finding new ways to make money, manage, and protect information.
- Product/Service Innovation: Designing new or improved products and services based on customer needs.
- Process Innovation: Enhancing operational efficiency and effectiveness4.
- Marketing Innovation: Creating new marketing strategies and customer engagement methods.
- Technology Innovation: Implementing cutting-edge technologies to improve products and processes.
- Supply Chain Innovation: Improving the supply chain for better efficiency and cost-effectiveness.
- Organizational/People Innovation: Developing the skills and capabilities of the workforce.
Innovation is not just about major breakthroughs; it can also be about making incremental improvements that add value to the company and its customers. It’s about staying relevant and ensuring long-term success in an ever-changing business landscape. If you’re looking to innovate in your business and need some creative input, feel free to reach out!