BMP3004 World of Work: Functional Areas and Skills at IOM Electronics

This report analyzes the functional areas within a business, specifically focusing on IOM Electronics Ltd. It begins by defining various functional areas, including human resources, accounts and finance, marketing, production, research and development, and operations, outlining their respective roles and responsibilities. The report then delves into the essential skills required for employees to work effectively in these areas, such as communication, decision-making, interpersonal abilities, problem-solving, planning, motivation, and time management. The report emphasizes the importance of aligning employee skills with the specific demands of each functional area to achieve organizational goals. The report is written in response to a scenario where the owner of IOM Electronics Ltd seeks advice on running the business, highlighting the practical requirements and responsibilities involved.

Functional areas
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Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................3
Describe the various functional areas in business organisation...................................................3
Describe the types of skills needed by employees to be able to work in functional areas..........4
CONCLUSION................................................................................................................................6
REFERENCES................................................................................................................................7
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INTRODUCTION
In every business there are different types of functions and operations which is performed.
The functions vary on basis of type and nature of market. So, it is necessary for business to
manage functions so that goals are attained. The most common functions are production,
marketing, HR, finance, etc. (Przeździk, and Haak, 2019) The efficiency of business depends
on how well these areas are managed and handled. Thus, it requires advance skills for working in
these areas like communication, decision making, leadership, etc.
This report will describe about functional areas of IOM Electronics Ltd. Moreover, it will
discuss about skills required by employee to work in those areas.
Describe the various functional areas in business organisation
A business is defined as a system where products and services are exchanged for money.
Thus, for exchange of this there are some specified process which is followed. Thus, the process
is carried by functional areas of business that is known as business unit. The unit depend on size
and nature of business. It provides a specific direction to initiate process and follow it. Usually,
there are some common business unit areas which is presented in all organisations. Thus,
similarly in IOM Electronics Ltd as well there will be different functional areas which are
defined as below :
Human Resource- It is most common functional area in business as it ensures that right people
are placed at right job in right time (King, 2017). The HR also hire staff that possess relevant
skills and experience which is required by organisation. Moreover, HR also provide training to
staff to perform tasks. In addition, they focus on other areas such as performance appraisal,
payroll, maintaining human relation, etc. The HR is responsible for recruiting and selection.
They manage and handle all employees in organisation.
Accounts and finance- This is also a functional area in organisation. It is related with managing
of finance and allocating resources. Alongside, they perform function of managing funds in firm
that is money going out and coming in. Apart from it, financial statements such as P&L, balance
sheet, journals, etc. are prepared and on basis of it decisions are taken. Also, financial
performance of business is maintained as well by this function.
Marketing- The function in business is related to promotion and advertising of products and
services. Moreover, it also promotes mission, values, etc. of business in market and to customers
(Broom, 2019). In this functions plans and strategies are developed regarding how to target
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customers, in what ways, etc. Also, strong customer relations are maintained in order to ensure
that customers are retained for long time and customer satisfaction is maintained. Along with it,
marketing enable in strengthening present of company in market by creating brand awareness,
brand image, etc. With that it becomes easy for firm to find communicate with customers and
advertise their products and services.
Production- It is also a functional area that is related to production of products. This is related
with converting of raw materials into finished goods. It is entirely an internal process that uses
various machines and equipment to convert raw material into finished goods. Alongside, this is
main functional area as entire business performance is dependent on how well its production unit
is working (Alvarez Ferreira, 2017). Thus, it has to be fasten production speed so that market
demand is met within time. Apart from it, quality of product has to be maintained in it to ensure
smooth flow of materials in overall process.
R&D- the functional area consists of doing research and development in market in order to
collect data and info. Here, main purpose is to find out market trends and analysis so that
accordingly changes in made in product design, features, packaging, etc. moreover, new product
can be developed as well as per market trends. This functional area also transfers info to other
department such as marketing, production, etc. and in this way changes are made into strategies
and plans.
Operations- It is a functional area that is related to daily operations of organization. In this it
includes performing different activities on basis of set goals and objectives. The efficiency of
business depends on overall operations being performed. Also, as there are variety of operations
to be performed so they need to be executed in effective way.
Describe the types of skills needed by employees to be able to work in functional areas
In order to work in functional area of business it is necessary for employees to possess
relevant skills and experience (Otto, 2021). This is because it enables in performing tasks in
effective way. Also, in every functional area it requires variety of skills to be possessed because
tasks differ in that. Thus, employee skill must match with required experience in functional area.
It will enable in performing tasks in efficient way and achieving goals on time. Similarly, in IOM
Electronics Ltd. employee requires relevant skills which are discussed as below :
Communication skills- It is most crucial skill which is required by employee to work in
functional area. This skill is necessary to communicate and interact with customers and
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colleagues. Furthermore, staff must know that what are verbal and non verbal way of
communication. Besides, he or she must be aware of types and forms of communication so that it
becomes easy for him to interact with others while working in functional area.
Decision making skill- this is also vital skill which is needed by employee. Here, the staff must
be capable enough to take effective decisions in critical condition. In addition, he or she should
know that how decisions are to be taken, what process is followed, etc. Thus, it requires critical
thinking and capability to take effective decisions.
Interpersonal skills- An employee is needed to possess this skill to work in functional area. Here,
person must be disciplined, respect dignity of others, etc. (Quandt, and Castilho, 2017) Also,
person must know how to balance work life. This skill is highly important to work in functional
area. It enables in dealing with people in performing tasks. The skill also represents managerial
qualities and capabilities of person while working in team.
Problem solving skill – The skill is needed to solve problem while working in functional area.
Every employee faces certain problem or issues due to which they are not able to work or
perform task in time. Thus, it hampers on their performance also. Therefore, employee must
possess relevant problem solving skill by which issues are easily solved. Besides, employee
should be capable enough to solve problem.
Planning skill- this skill is also required by employee to work. Here, staff should be able to do
proper planning of its tasks so that accordingly work in organised. In addition, employee must be
able to make proper plan and prioritise their tasks. However, possessing planning skill allow in
completing tasks on time. With this skills a good plan is developed and actions are formulated to
finish goals.
Motivation- this is also skill required in which employee must be able to encourage themselves
as well as others to perform tasks in effective way. This skill is necessary as it allows in putting
more efforts in their tasks and to work in efficient way (Tanwar, and Kumar, 2019). Besides,
motivated staff helps in creating relation with others and also a positive culture. Furthermore,
motivation skill is useful in ensuring that staff is able to attain goals in less time. Sometimes, this
skill is required to work under pressure.
Time management skill- It is skill necessary for staff to work in organisation. In this staff must
be able to manage their time and complete tasks on deadline. They should know how to manage
time, prioritise tasks, work under pressure, etc. Time management is essential in functional area
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as it require to manage complex activities. Besides, managing time shows ability of staff to work
under pressure and shows ability of his skills and knowledge (Przeździk, and Haak, 2019).
Thus, these all are some skills which is required by employee to work in functional area
of IOM Electronics Ltd.
CONCLUSION
Hereby, it is summarised that functional area are those where employee who possess same
skill works together to attain common goal. Thus, in IOM Electronics Ltd there are different
functional areas such as marketing, HR, sales, R&D, production, etc. Also, the skills which is
needed for staff to work is communication, time management, planning, decision making, etc. It
enables in performing tasks and attaining goals.
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REFERENCES
Books and journals
Alvarez Ferreira, I.A., 2017. Functional and structural organisation of the visual system in
human albinism (Doctoral dissertation, UCL (University College London)).
Broom, E., 2019. The functional organisation and role in visually guided behaviour of the top-
down projection from anterior cingulate cortex to primary visual cortex (Doctoral
dissertation, Cardiff University).
King, M., 2017. Navigating the" little brain": Comprehensive Mapping of Functional
Organisation.
Otto, T., 2021. Safety Organisation at Particle Accelerators. In Safety for Particle
Accelerators (pp. 117-139). Springer, Cham.
Przeździk, I. and Haak, K.V., 2019. The functional organisation of the hippocampus along its
long axis is gradual and predicts recollection. Cortex, 119, pp.324-335.
Quandt, C.O. and Castilho, M.F.D., 2017. Relationship between collaboration and
innovativeness: a case study in an innovative organisation. International Journal of
Innovation and Learning, 21(3), pp.257-273.
Tanwar, K. and Kumar, A., 2019. Employer brand, person-organisation fit and employer of
choice: Investigating the moderating effect of social media. Personnel Review.
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