Running any small business can make it tougher to have the right people. When it comes to setting up a company that is fully functional and efficient, there could be common problems that rise to the surface almost instantly because of a lack of experience, but also a muddled delineation of roles. It’s critical to understand that a fully functioning business will have a number of key roles that will guarantee its success, regardless of the sector. Let’s show you the essential roles that you should clearly mark out in your business.
In This Article
Business Analyst
The concept of analysis should be in place to help you understand how efficient your business actually is. There’s a big difference between analysis roles, such as a business analysis and data analysis, and this data analyst vs business analyst comparison can clear things up but a business analyst is something you should have in place to increase efficiency and improve processes.
We can spend a lot of time thinking that the one way we do our work is the best way, but a business analyst is there to ensure that ultimately, if you are more efficient, you can remain profitable but also contribute to greater success in every part of the organisation. It’s tougher than ever to refine processes when there are so many, and you can rely on a team leader to a certain extent here, but a business analyst is someone who should be part of your workforce because they are experts in reducing steps down to its most essential components without sacrificing work quality.
Customer Service Representative
Another key operational duty, a customer service representative is the face of your business. Smaller companies that sell them higher people to act purely as the first port of call can struggle to create clear duties within the business. When a customer has to make a complaint, which is a very real possibility, a customer service representative should be there to help resolve any issues to keep the customer satisfied but also protect the business’s reputation.
Customer service is commonly given short shrift because of the low pay, but if you are looking to create an organisation where you can improve your reputation year on year, you’ve got to make customer service front and centre. And we can easily neglect customer service and expect them to muddle through by giving them improper equipment or very little training, but if we can start to prioritise customer service for what it truly is, then your business can benefit in numerous ways.
Project Manager
A project manager is a go-between with different departments. If your business is the show, the project manager is essentially the director that collaborates with every different department to make sure that resources are allocated effectively within a budget and are all delivered realistically. A project manager needs to monitor progression and ensure that everything is completed by the assigned deadline.
Commonly lumped in with the project coordinator, there is a big difference here, because the project manager has a more hands-on role. A coordinator is someone who is there to chase people up if necessary, but they don’t have the same level of responsibility as a project manager.
In small businesses, it can be easy to overlook the importance of a project manager, and it can easily fall to a team leader or someone that’s working on a specific project to take more responsibility, but the project manager is someone who will work within different departments and therefore, they should have the skills to communicate to each department based on their needs. Think of a project manager as an interpreter of sorts.
Product Manager
A product manager handles every aspect of product development, and their responsibilities cover a number of areas, including assessing competitor products, looking at what is in demand, and analysing product markets to ensure that the product the business is offering will align with a number of areas, for example, the manufacturing process and if the product fills the current market need.
A product manager does not just look at charts and graphs, but they need to master a number of hard and soft skills because they are not just working on the technical side of the equation, but they also are responsible in terms of leadership and management. For example, by hiring or training staff. A product manager needs to also embody a number of soft skills, including decision-making, relationship management, and emotional intelligence.
A product manager provides a business with great insight to ensure that when it comes to positioning itself in the market, the business can deliver the goods by providing what is currently in demand.
Human Resources (HR) Manager
A human resource manager will focus on the functions of the HR department and need to understand the staffing arrangements. HR covers training, recruitment, but also employee retention. HR managers can often be a go-between with staff and management, especially in terms of employee problems, which could be complaints or employee well-being concerns. HR can often be unfairly categorised as leaning more towards the business’s needs.
An HR manager should be a sympathetic and empathetic individual. They are there to balance the needs of the business, but they also need to ensure that the business is doing everything to comply with the numerous employee rules, regulations, and laws. If you are unwittingly treating your employees improperly and they feel like they cannot speak to you about it, this is where human resources become invaluable.
Accountant
Most small businesses struggle because they do not have a true understanding of their finances. A business accountant will ensure that you are running your business properly by making sure that the accounts are balanced and every expense and sale is reported as well as carrying out a number of tax reports and audits of the company’s financial performance. This is an invaluable cog in your business, especially if you are running the company yourself on a skeleton staff.
No matter how small your business is you need to mark out some of these key roles. You may not necessarily be able to officially have these roles in your organisation, but if you can cover these key areas you may be able to run a far more successful one.
