The saying “Uneasy lies the head that wears the crown” explains the level of responsibility for all leaders and senior members of any organization. In business, such top members are charged with maintaining the optimal functionality of all aspects of an establishment, such as the day-to-day business operations, otherwise known as company operating activities.
Day-to-day business operations examples of an organization include but are not limited to manufacturing, purchasing and supply chain management, business process and human resources, technology and finance, personnel, marketing, etc. These help establishments to maintain optimal workflow toward surviving the competition in the sector and generating more profit while delivering value to their customers.
Although managing business operating activities might seem arduous, it becomes easier with a proper understanding of small details like daily business operations examples and delegation. Therefore, this article will cover all you need to know about the day-to-day examples, types and how to harness them for business success.
Are All Aspects of Business Operations the Same for Every Business?
Business operations or operating activities evolve as the business grows, which is why they are never static and require consistent follow-up to get the best of them. Operating activities are, therefore, all activities within a company to maintain workflow and profitability.
Operating activities are evident in almost all aspects of an organization’s operational process but are not the same for every business due to the constant changes with time. For instance, an establishment as a small business gradually grows into a major corporation.
Therefore, it must be prepared to handle complex entrepreneurial challenges such as legal issues, large scale marketing and advertising, etc. If the growing business fails to address such challenges, it could lead to management errors and other more complex problems capable of closing down the business.
Since all aspects of business operations are not the same for every business, businesses must study and observe their processes to discover their uniqueness. Additionally, organizations should constantly revise their operating activities to maintain a competitive edge and boost customer retention to make a profit and sustain operations.
Organization leaders must always choose business operations that align with their overall goals and objectives to ensure daily profitability through functional operating activities. Even though operating activities are unique to every organization, some general aspects apply to most organizations.
Here are some examples and aspects of daily business operating activities to consider for most organizations.
Business Process and Financial Management
They include a collection of activities or tasks, often called projects, which people or equipment can handle in a particular sequence to generate a specific product or service. They are essential for any firm’s survival and maintain productivity and profitability.
Also, managing organizational cash inflow and outflow is critical for establishing solid financial backing to run the business. The reason is that companies require sufficient funding to cover financial obligations such as supply and raw material procurement, salary payment, loan payment etc.
Financial management is a huge part of daily business operations as an establishment makes financial transactions daily.
Human Resources or Personnel
Human resources are a critical aspect of any business, regardless of how mechanized the establishment might be. The reason is that humans must manage or operate heavy-duty machines in the firm.
Therefore, the workforce is a critical aspect of any business operating activities without which there will be no generated output or outcomes. In today’s digital age, remote workers like freelancers and digital nomads constitute a significant aspect of human resources.
Essentially, the personnel in the organization are responsible for the day-to-day operations activities, without which the business will not function effectively. An organization can incur huge financial losses due to poor-quality employees. As a result, great care should be taken during the hiring process to only recruit individuals with promising talent.
Additionally, the organization should provide opportunities for growth to their personnel to enable them to do their jobs effectively and efficiently.
Marketing and Sales
Marketing and sales are typical examples of daily operations in any organization because they bring news of your company’s existence to customers’ notice. Whether your target audience is other businesses (B2B) or consumers (B2C), marketing and sales help create the awareness that increases your customers.
Today’s digital business method, especially with eCommerce and digital marketing, makes it easier to engage in daily marketing and sales. For instance, you can send cold emails, carry out social media campaigns, boost your website traffic with SEO-friendly articles, etc. There are endless options for daily marketing and sales as there are endless possibilities for customers.
Equipment or Tools
Equipment or tools are the non-living aspect of organization resources (material resources) for getting the job done. They form the instruments for the workforce to achieve the goals and objectives of the establishment.
Also, organizational efficiency will be difficult to achieve without tools and equipment. For instance, a manufacturing firm needs machines to take on bulk production, and a digital marketing firm needs workflow management software, just as a freelance writer needs a computer and stable internet access to work effectively.
Automation and Technology
Our fast-paced society makes it imperative for businesses to engage in various methods of automation and technology in business. The massive shift from manual to automated operations reduces or eliminates human errors and maximizes production quantity. Therefore, companies need to keep up with technological advancement.
As a result, the firm must perform daily troubleshooting, monitoring, and learning to make the most of technology in the workplace.
There are other aspects of operating activities, but because every business is different, we would consider looking at day-to-day business operations examples from the standpoint of various industries and departments in an organization and areas where they apply in the next section.
Business Operations Examples According to Industry Types
The various economic management industries create different business types in operation. Therefore, understanding the industry examples and how they relate to the day-to-day operating activities provide more insight into effective organizational management for more profitability.
Below is a table summarizing the four industry examples and how they relate to daily business operations.
| Industries | Elements of Day-to-Day Business Operations |
| Retail Industry | Involves the direct sale of products and services to customers. It requires an elaborate inventory management system. |
| Service Industry | It involves the direct sale of services to customers. It requires a compulsory meeting of customer needs and expectations. Business deliverables are intangible. It depends on customer feedback to thrive. All members of the workforce must work together to support one another through feedback. |
| Manufacturing Industry | It is concerned with transforming raw materials into finished products for the market. The quality of the finished goods depends on the quality of the raw materials. It requires a stable supply chain. |
| Technology Industry | It requires sufficient technical know-how to operate. It may cost the organization to train the technical personnel. It is focused on enhanced production. |
In addition to understanding daily operation activities through industries, it is essential to know that every organization has operation departments. Everyday business operation examples require a holistic approach for better understanding because the models are endless. As a result, it is not possible to examine every single instance of operating activities.
Instead, building a creative collection of understanding through manageable chunks is more beneficial. To this end, another table below highlights business operations examples by considering various organizational departments.
Departmental Examples of Business Operations
Organizations carry out daily tasks to increase profitability and company values. As a result, it includes activities in the following departments:
| Departments | Day-to-Day Business Operations |
| Sales | They are responsible for contacting customers. They increase the customer base of the firm. They increase profit generation capacity. |
| Marketing | They are concerned with brand development and creation. They frontier brand visibility and awareness. They take care of lead generation, nurturing and scoring. |
| Finance | They coordinate the use of company funds and resources. They regulate areas of financial investment. |
| Accounting | They manage a company’s cash inflow and outflow. They are in charge of company bookkeeping and financial records. |
| Customer service | They manage customer relationships for both old and new customers. |
| Human resources | They are in charge of managing activities that concern employees within an organization. They are responsible for hiring and onboarding new employees. They sometimes run payroll activities. |
What Are the Primary Types of Business Operations?
Understanding business operations examples are insufficient for proper management since they involve all activities toward customer retention and business profitability. Therefore, you require knowledge of the main types of business operations to enable you to identify examples of daily operating activities.
The primary types of operating activities include
- Production
- Procurement
- Quality assurance
- Customer service.
Production Operating activities
Production deals with the transformation of raw materials into finished and marketable goods. If the organization is involved in service provision, production will involve all activities in maintaining workplace productivity by carrying out their responsibilities.
The rationale behind business production is to ensure that the organization provides the most efficient outcome to increase the company’s competitive advantage.
Procurement Operating Activities
In business, procurement refers to all activities geared towards obtaining raw materials for production. Procurement facilitates the daily operating activities in any establishment to ensure that the company is channelling funds for the right reasons.
It also involves sourcing the best suppliers and vendors of products. Procurement involves all activities in selecting suppliers, establishing payment conditions and supply negotiations.
Quality Assurance Activities
Quality assurance ensures that the production of any establishment is of high quality and conforms to the highest standards. It ensures that the establishment meets customer requirements and preserves most business production’s quality.
Customer Service Activities
Customer service is also known as customer relationship management and deals with satisfying your customers and meeting their needs. It involves answering all customer questions and assisting them with product selection. Good customer service retains the customers of any establishment, which is one of the key performance indicators of most establishments.
Three Critical Utilities of Cultivating Daily Business Operations
- They create a cycle for increased revenue generation and high return on investment.
- They ensure that all resources are well allocated, managed and utilized to achieve the ultimate goal and objective of the organization.
- They ensure the good operational condition of the various departments in the organization and boost workers’ efficiency.
What Elements Constitute the Daily Operating Activities of a Firm?
The elements that constitute the daily operating activities are different for every company. For instance, these elements will be very different for digitally inclined businesses than brick-and-mortar operatives. Here are some crucial factors you should know.
Business Process
Business process precedes business operations and has a higher impact on efficiency and productivity. They function as the roadmap or blueprint for the business to carry out its activities. They can also serve as standard operating procedures for junior team members to drive further improvement.
Business Location
Location is crucial for business advancement as your location determines whether or not your business attracts the right customers. A company that maintains an online location should create and maintain a visible online presence to easily capture more customers.
Technology
Adopting the latest technological trends and advancement is necessary for modern businesses to thrive. Technology helps to boost large-scale production while reducing or eliminating human errors.
Equipment
They include all machines or instruments required to generate output. Every business should acquire the best-operating machinery to boost work output. This way, the company can sustain its operating activities for as long as the business lasts.
Staffing
Staffing refers to the recruitment of talents to serve with their skills. Hiring the most dedicated staff helps drive the organization closer to achieving its long-term goals. Larger firms require more employees to carry out daily tasks, while smaller firms can make do with fewer employees.
Why You Should Optimize Day-to-Day Business Operations in an Establishment
Optimizing operating activities helps businesses achieve their overall goals and objectives, especially in competitive industries and niches. Here is a list of effective strategies to maximize your business operations.
- Through continuous performance evaluation and appraisal
- By engaging business process automation
- By keeping up with the latest trends in business
Frequently Asked Questions
What Are Business Operations?
Business operations are also known as operating activities. They include those actions or activities that go on daily in an establishment that help move the business toward increasing its value and profit margin. These activities ensure that the available resources are sufficient to meet customer demands and attain the company goals.
What Principal Areas Require Operating Activities in a Firm?
Six principal areas requiring operating activities in any firm are strategy, marketing, human resources, technology and equipment, finance and operations. Most business executives focus on studying and devising the means to harness these areas in any firm effectively.
What Are the Duties and Responsibilities of a Business Operations Manager in an Organization?
The principal duties and responsibilities of an operations manager are strategizing and planning. It involves changing all nonfunctional systems and delegating responsibilities to other employees or team members.
Final Thoughts
Operating activities are critical to the survival and advancement of any business. As a result, keeping up with all activities responsible for the functionality of all aspects or units of the business is essential. It would be best to observe small changes within and outside the company that could affect its operating activities. Hopefully, this piece helps get you started!
