5 Departments Every Business Needs

3 min readJan 2, 2023

Thanks to Shark Tank India, Namita Thapar is a household name. The Executive Director of Emcure Pharmaceuticals is a judge on the show and is immensely popular among the participants and fellow Sharks. She is always vocal about empowering women and encouraging their participation in the corporate sector. Her long list of achievements can be a blog in itself, but brevity compels me to stop.

We discussed the essential departments one should focus on while starting a business. That started this chain of thought in my head, and I decided to pen it all down. So, here are 5 departments every business needs.

1. Production

The Production department forms the crux of any business. As the name suggests, it is responsible for producing the product or service a business offers.

Efficiency is usually the primary focus of this department. It needs to maintain quality while manufacturing enough products to earn a profit. Lack of quality will mean a loss of customers, while lack of quantity means losing money. It is critical to strike a balance. Continuous monitoring and training can help with both. So that often falls under the responsibility of the Production team as well.

2. Accounting and Finance

The Accounting and Finance department is crucial because they take care of the money. No matter how small your company is, someone must be in charge of monitoring the cash flow.

The team tracks account receivable and account payables to ensure the dues are cleared from clients, and the employees receive their paychecks on time. From handling expenses and maintaining balance sheets to managing payroll and submitting taxes every fiscal year — The Accounting and Finance team is indispensable for any organization.

3. Human Resources

The employees are the driving force of any business. The founders may plant the seedling of a company with their vision, but the employees nurturing it dictate the growth. A solid Human Resources department is the only way to find the best people for your company.

Apart from recruitment, the HR department also keeps the staff motivated. A strong organizational culture is vital to maintain a company’s health in the long run. If team members keep thinking about leaving at every chance they get, there is something wrong with the company. And lack of a good Human Resources team can be blamed for that.

4. Administration

The administrative department consists of the decision-makers of a company. It offers comprehensive support in every aspect of a business to ensure seamless operation.

It keeps an eye on all corporate departments so they run at maximum efficiency. That includes supervision of backend activities, regular business workflow, and everything in between.

The Administration is also responsible for effective lines of communication across departments. They make sure everyone is aware of any new development and how it may impact the company.

5. Marketing

The Marketing department is integral for raising brand awareness and generating revenue. It goes beyond advertisements and social media accounts.

They are responsible for the pricing and packaging of your product. And this is done through extensive market research. They also analyze customer data to understand the pain points. This helps with the retention of old customers. Lastly, as we all know, a big part of a marketer’s job is to increase the brand’s visibility and obtain new customers.

Delegating tasks is essential. In the initial days, you may have an urge to control everything. But focus on how much you can take on your plate. It is always best to let the experts do their thing when starting a business. This way, you can do what you do best.

Listen to my podcast here for more insightful conversations.