Small to medium-sized businesses often view a formal system and process as unnecessary, which can lead to inefficiencies, wasted time and hinder business growth. However, a clear structure in the form of authority, job roles, communication channels, and strategy can provide a roadmap for the business and help achieve business objectives.
Many businesses feel that having a structure brings in a “formal” culture, which can be perceived as bureaucratic and hinder creativity. Employees may also feel uncomfortable with the idea of being restricted by a formal structure. However, without a clear structure, employees can become unsure of who to report to and which tasks they are responsible for, leading to confusion and loss of productivity.
Creating a business structure not only helps define clear job roles and responsibilities, but it also helps to streamline communication channels and provide a clear direction for the business to achieve its objectives.
In my opinion, every business, no matter how small or large, should incorporate the four fundamental elements – Authority, Job Roles/Responsibility, Channels of Communication, and Strategy – into their organizational structure.
Authority:
One of the most critical elements of an organizational structure is defining authority. Clear lines of authority help to determine who has control and influence over high-level functions. This can include functions such as Operational, Human Resources, and Financial.
For example, an employee should know who to go to if they have an issue or problem, without having to guess who is responsible for a particular function. This not only saves time but also reduces the potential for mistakes.
Job Roles/Responsibilities:
Defining job roles and responsibilities is an essential part of a business structure. Even small businesses or sole proprietors need to have a clear structure, which will help them determine the roles required for the business to grow and ensure that these roles are filled as the business expands.
Job roles help to delegate tasks and improve productivity by creating a sense of ownership for each task, which leads to increased productivity. It also provides insight into who is performing well and struggling, allowing you to manage employees better and make adjustments where necessary.
For example, a haulage company may have a goal of expanding and achieving a specific number of deliveries per year. To achieve this goal, the company needs a clear structure that assigns responsibilities for different tasks, such as buying spare parts, managing repairs, managing bookings and loads, acquiring new clients, invoicing clients, and managing human resources.
Channels of Communication:
A clear structure provides channels of communication, which reduces confusion and ensures that employees know who to communicate with for specific issues. Clear communication channels also help to build relationships and promote collaboration between employees, which can lead to new ideas and solutions to problems.
For example, let’s say there is a small business with five employees, and one of the employees needs to ask a question about a task they are working on. If there are no clear channels of communication in place, they might not know who to ask, and they might end up asking multiple people, leading to confusion and wasted time. On the other hand, if the business has a clear structure in place, with designated channels of communication, the employee knows exactly who to go to for help, and they can get the information they need quickly and efficiently. This helps to improve productivity and reduces the chances of errors or delays.
Furthermore, clear communication channels can also help to promote a sense of transparency, trust, and teamwork among employees, which can improve morale and job satisfaction. When employees know who to go to for help, they feel supported and empowered, which can lead to a more positive work environment.
Strategy:
A clear structure also provides a roadmap for the business’s strategy. It allows businesses to define their goals, create action plans to achieve these goals, and measure progress towards these goals. This helps businesses to stay on track and make necessary adjustments along the way.
For example, a clear structure may help a business achieve its goal of expanding its product line or entering a new market. It allows businesses to identify the skills and resources required to achieve these goals and allocate these resources effectively.
Summary:
In conclusion, small to medium-sized businesses often avoid a formal structure, believing that it will hinder creativity and lead to bureaucracy. However, without a clear structure, businesses may become disorganized, leading to confusion, inefficiencies, and lost productivity.
A clear structure provides a roadmap for businesses, defining job roles and responsibilities, creating communication channels, and establishing a strategy to achieve business objectives. It allows businesses to delegate tasks, improve productivity, build relationships, and measure progress towards goals.
In conclusion, businesses that establish a clear structure are more likely to succeed and grow, as they have a plan in place to achieve their objectives and effectively allocate resources to reach their goals.
