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’s becoming more and more important to create flexibility and agility.

Let’s look at which small business departments are the most important and how those departments can be organised.

What are the six central functional units of a business?

The six central functional units are production, research and development, sales, marketing, human resources, and accounting/finance.

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.