Реферат: Business at work

· overseeing industrial relations, by seeking to avoid disputes and maintain harmonious relations and constant production

· developing and monitoring an employee appraisal system designed to assess performance, set targets for achievement and identify any training needs

Figure 1.5: Developing a human resources plan

The marketing function.

The marketing department carries out a wide range of functions on behalf of the business. Essentially marketing is communications. The marketing department communicates with a number of groups inside and outside the business as it carries out its tasks.

Marketing activities:

· keeping customers satisfied

· discovering the needs of customers and advising the production function accordingly

· carrying the responsibility for ensuring the effective distribution of products to wholesalers and retailers

· liasing with marketing agencies to provide the necessary expertise (small firms)

· if the firm is an export, the marketing department may have contact with government agencies.

Marketing provides the organisation with information about its customers and its markets. Effective marketing can offer businesses a number of benefits:

· early warning of changes in consumer tastes and fashions through regular market research

· knowledge about competitors and information regarding competitors’ product

· the means to present the company in a positive light through public relations activities

· allowing the firm to improve the quality of its products by coordinating and analysing customer complaints

· providing a catalyst for growth by forging relationships with distributors, retailers and customers in new markets

· supplying consumers with the products they want and giving high levels of customer satisfaction, which might permit a business to charge higher prices thereby increasing its profitability.

The administration function.

The scope of the administration department varies enormously between organisations. In a small business the administration function might incorporate a number of the functions like finance , personnel and marketing. However, larger organisations are more likely to operate a specialist administration department.

A typical administration department has a number of functions:

· Administration department carries out organisation’s IT system.

· Clerical and support service. Information processing, data processing, filing and reception services can be provided to all areas of the organisation.

· Security and maintenance. These services are essential to the smooth running of the business and to the effective operation of other business functions such as production in particular.

· In some businesses, the administration function takes responsibility for important public relations activities such as customer services.

The research and development function.

The nature of research and development (R&D) varies enormously between businesses. Traditionally, the term research and development is taken to refer to scientific research undertaken by firms producing manufactured goods, high technology products or pharmaceuticals. However, R&D is equally important to firms providing services.

By investigating in research and development a business seeks to maintain competitiveness against its rivals. Competitiveness measures a business’s performance in comparison with rival firms in the same market. A highly competitive firm has some advantage over other businesses. This competitive edge can take a number of forms:

· lower prices

· more advanced and sophisticated products

· a better image with consumers

· a good reputation for advise and after-sales service

· reliability in terms of operation and delivery dates