Task 6 extension

In this task I'm going to compare the main job roles in the main departments in two different organisations. I chose to write about Westminster Kingsway College and John Lewis.

Some examples for main departments in Westminster Kingsway College are Finance, Human Resources, ILT (Information and Learning Technology), Marketing, Professional Development, and Quality. Westminster Kingsway College is not a profit making business. It main purpose is to provide education to students.As well as the other organisations the college main aim is to present good image and provide good services to the students.

Examples for departments in John Lewis are Human Resources, Finance, Sales department, ICT, Research and Development, Marketing, and Customer Service. John Lewis is a profit making business but the role of the departments in achieving aims and objectives is quite similar. The company wants to provide new, innovative products in terms to get more customers and to satisfy their needs.

The departments that both companies have are Finance, HR, Marketing and ICT.

The finance department is to manage company's finance, keep records of all financial events and purchases within the business. The finance department is also responsible for the wages and salaries for the employees. 

Main responsibilities for the Accountants in John lewis are:

• preparing regular financial statements and accounts, such as profit and loss accounts
• monitoring spending, costs and budgets
• analysing the company’s financial performance
• forecasting and planning future spending and profits
• recommending ways to reduce costs and increase profits
• managing a team of accounting technicians and finance clerks
• overseeing the company's payroll, credit control and bookkeeping systems.

Main responsibilities for Financial manager in WKC are:

• providing financial information
• monitoring and interpreting cash flows 
• analysing change and advising accordingly
• formulating strategic and long-term plans
• researching and reporting on factors influencing the organisation performance
• developing financial management that minimise financial risk
• conducting evaluations for cost-reduction opportunities
• managing a company's financial accounting, monitoring and reporting systems
• producing accurate financial reports to specific deadlines
• managing budgets
• supervising staff
• keeping abreast of changes in financial regulations and legislation.

The human resources function, in terms to achieve the company’s aims and objectives, is to take care for the staff, trainings and hiring the best person for the job. If the staff is well trained and committed to aims and objectives of the business, the organisation is more likely to be successful.

Main responsibilities for HR Advisor in John Lewis are:

• Conducting job evaluations
• Advising managers on recruitment and selection strategies
• Coordinating the appointment process for successful applicants
• Negotiating terms and conditions of employment with staff
• Providing advice and playing a major role in work reviews and change processes
• Updating and maintaining the HR Information System data
• Advising on staff development
• Consulting on issues related to workplace relations and performance management
• Providing advice and assistance on policies, procedures, legislation, and enterprise agreements

Main responsibilities for HR Manager in WCK are:

• Lead and direct the Human Resource team to deliver a comprehensive HR service to the college
• Employee Relations managing absence, disciplinaries, grievances, sickness etc. Measure employee satisfaction and identify areas that require improvement
• Learning & Development providing guidance on development for managers and their teams
• Training - Carry out the training and development agenda; identify areas that need attention and improvement
• Reward advise and support employees on organisation benefits
• In conjunction with the Head of HR, ensure all company policies and procedures are up to date in line with current employment law
• Working with senior managers, coaching them and advising on all people issues
• Crafting of business and people solutions
• Managing HR budgets

Marketing department must act as a guide and lead the company's other departments in developing, producing, fulfilling, and servicing products or services for their customers.It typically has a better understanding of the market and customers' needs and wants. 

Main responsibilities for the Marketing manager in John Lewis are:

• researching and analysing market trends
• coming up with marketing strategies
• planning campaigns and managing budgets
• organising the production of posters, brochures and websites
• making sure that campaigns run to deadline and on budget
• managing a team of marketing executives and assistants.

Main responsibilities for the Head of marketing in WKC are:

• To research analyze and evaluate the competitive market environment
• Develops, manages and implements creative, effective and successful annual marketing plans for the organisation along with the annual market plan and budget
• Marketing plans should include Advertising and Public Relations
• Keep effective control of budgets
• Ensure that the college’s image is maintained at high standard.

ICT department helps with the IT maintenance, obtaining and installing hardware, obtaining and installing software, managing LAN and WAN networks and supporting IT users in an organisation. 

Main responsibilities for Network manager in John lewis are:

• supervising technical staff
• implementing network security measures
• planning preventative maintenance schedules
• monitoring and reporting on network performance and usage
• managing network growth and development.

Main responsibilities for the ICT technician in WKC are:

• installing new IT systems
• upgrading existing hardware and software
• testing systems to make sure that they are working properly
• servicing printers, scanners and other office equipment 

A business is doing well and completes its aims and objectives easier if the functional areas work well together and communicate well to each other. The purpose of the functional areas is to ensure that the business activities are carried out efficiently. Specific areas will support different aims and objectives.
Different departments have their responsibility to achieve the aims and objectives of the company. They all work together to achieve the same target, to become better organisation, provide the best service and satisfy the customers’ needs and wants.