![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.salesforce.com\/eu\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/14\/2024\/05\/wt-london-fy25-Blog-CTA-Sales-970x250-1.png?w=970\")
<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\nCompartmentalisation may have been the norm not long ago. But now, in an era of massive digital transformation<\/a>, small businesses are smashing silos, cross-skilling workforces and getting connected. Traditional departments like sales<\/a> are targeting a range of new channels and touchpoints \u2013 becoming much more data-driven. Other departments like marketing are leveraging AI to automate<\/a> mundane tasks, freeing up their reps to focus on the customer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n As small business departments change, roles in those departments are changing as well. New training platforms make it easier for businesses to empower team members to work across functions and roles. And while the most popular organisational structure still prioritises grouping departments by expertise, it\u2019s becoming more and more important to create flexibility and agility.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Let\u2019s look at which small business departments are the most important and how those departments can be organised.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The six central functional units are production, research and development, sales, marketing, human resources, and accounting\/finance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Some businesses, especially those with smaller teams, will combine these functions, requiring team members to take on multiple roles. Larger companies may have dedicated departments beyond the six functional business units, such as technology and equipment, business strategy, and purchasing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Learn how the right technology investments help you increase efficiency, improve results, and lower costs.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t Some small business departments include:<\/b><\/p>\n\n\n\n Some small businesses may combine these departments, for instance, by making HR and customer service part of operations. Other companies may require additional departments, such as a dedicated IT unit. Others still may have just a small number of people handling all of these functions, especially if a business is starting.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Businesses with smaller teams can implement technologies to streamline processes and work smarter. For example, a business without an IT department can use cloud-based technologies that rely on off-site infrastructure and then utilise Salesforce\u2019s Lightning Platform<\/a> to create apps with no coding knowledge.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Most small businesses use a functional organisational structure. This type of structure has both benefits and drawbacks. In a functional organisational structure, departments are separated by skill sets. This means that while team members are uniquely qualified to excel within their dedicated silos, they have limited insights into the business as a whole. Without a holistic view of the business, it\u2019s difficult for these team members to support other functions and departments, even if their expertise could be helpful elsewhere.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The best organisational structure for a small business is one that helps its workforce realise its full potential. How this is done depends on the nature of the company and its unique needs and objectives, but there are several things to consider.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Using a functional organisational structure where departments are separated by expertise is an excellent way to keep the workforce focused. But by going a step further to smash silos and unite data, businesses can empower their teams to provide support across departments, thus getting the most out of their workforce\u2019s collective brainpower.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Flexibility and agility are increasingly important in the new normal. By upskilling and cross-skilling their teams, businesses can take a more hybrid approach to organisational structure. Digital, on-demand tools such as My Trailhead<\/a> offer organisations a quick and easy way to cross-skill their workforce.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Small businesses don\u2019t usually have the same resources or objectives as their larger counterparts and occasionally have to be creative with their departments. This means that a small team or even a single person is responsible for handling various duties. That said, there are three essential departments needed to run a small business \u2013 even if those departments consist of just the owner.<\/p>\n\n\n\n A small business may have fewer resources than a bigger company, but that doesn\u2019t mean it should lack structure. Having an organisational structure enables businesses to clarify roles and improve efficiency.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Small businesses can start creating an effective organisational structure by focusing on the three essential elements highlighted above: Sales and marketing, operations and production, and administration and accounting. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Look at what sub-roles these three small business departments might require. For example, sales and marketing may need a public relations executive, a copywriter or a digital marketing specialist. Operations may require an IT expert and service reps. Other functions, such as accounting and product development, might be handled by external contractors.<\/p>\n\n\n\n A business should be able to transform its organisational structure to keep up with new objectives and needs, so maintaining flexibility is crucial. As technology and customer behaviour change, so will roles and responsibilities. And as businesses grow \u2013 or use technology to streamline their operations \u2013 their organisational structure should evolve along with them. With new customer-centric tools<\/a>, on-demand training platforms, and innovative strategies that prioritise flexibility and agility, the sky is the limit for today\u2019s small business.<\/p>\n\n\n\nWhat are the six central functional units of a business?<\/b><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Deliver success now <\/span> <\/h2>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
![\"Please](\"https:\/\/www.salesforce.com\/eu\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/14\/2023\/09\/success-now-general-login-uk.png\")
\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n\n\t\n\t<\/div>\n\n\n\nWhat small business departments are needed?<\/b><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\n
What is the structure of a small business?<\/b><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
What is the best organisational structure for a small business?<\/b><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
What departments are needed to run a small business?<\/b><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\n
Creational an organisational structure for your small business departments<\/b><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
The future of small business departments is flexibility<\/b><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
![\"Add](\"https:\/\/www.salesforce.com\/eu\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/14\/2023\/09\/entrepreneurs-guide-to-crm.png\")
\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n\n\t\n\t<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"