What are Products and Services?

A product is a tangible item that is put on the market for acquisition, attention, or consumption,
while a service is an intangible item, which arises from the output of one or more individuals.
Although it seems like the main distinction between the two concepts is founded on their
tangibility, that is not always the case. In most cases services are intangible, but products are not
always tangible

What Does Company Structure Mean?

What does company structure mean? Company structure is a system outlining how the activities are
organized and directed to achieve goals.3 min read

1. An Overview of Company Structure

2. Types of Organizational Structures
3. Benefits of Organizational Structure

What does company structure mean? Company structure is a system outlining how the activities are
organized and directed to achieve goals. These activities will generally include the rules to be followed
and the roles and responsibilities of those within the company.

An Overview of Company Structure

As noted, the organizational structure of a company is the basis or platform used to determine how
information flows between the different levels of management based on how the information is
coordinated and by whom. The structure defines the hierarchy within a company or organization.
Businesses of all sizes rely on it to keep the company operating efficiently and headed in the right
direction. A successful organizational structure clearly defines the job of each employee and the place
their job holds in the system. The structure is usually illustrated in the form of a chart or diagram.

Without a formal organizational structure in place, it can prove difficult and confusing for an
organization. An example would be when employees are not certain who their immediate supervisor
is. It can also lead to confusion about who is responsible for each job in the organization.

An organizational structure within a company supports and promotes efficiency, inspires better
production, and provides clarity for each employee at every level. In traditional organizations, the
structure was a centralized leadership with an established chain of command. The military is a perfect
example of a centralized structure within an organization.

There are also decentralized structures. The difference between the two is that in a centralized
structure, the majority of the decision making and control of departments/divisions is through a top
layer of management members. A decentralized structure promotes the distribution of power among
the departments and division. This allows for different levels of independence.

Types of Organizational Structures

Several organizational structure types are the most common in real-world businesses.

Functional/Bureaucratic
Flatarchy
Matrix
Functional/Bureaucratic

This is the most common organizational structure. It breaks up a company according to the specifics
and specialization of its workforce. This means the enterprise is divided into departments, such as
sales, operations, and marketing. A functional/bureaucratic organizational structure is used mostly
with small and medium-sized businesses.
Flatarchy

A flatarchy is a new structure used in many startups. With this structure, the traditional chain of
command is not in effect. Instead, the company allows its employees to have more autonomy. The
Johnson & Johnson company is a good example of a flatarchy. Within the enterprise, there are
thousands of projects and product lines.

Matrix

The matrix structure is the least used because it tends to be confusing since employees are
"matrixed" across different departments, divisions, and superiors. Employees in a matrix structure
may find themselves working and responsible for duties in different departments, such as customer
service and sales.

Benefits of Organizational Structure

Several areas are affected by implementing an organizational structure:

Job descriptions
Recruitment
Salary
Expansion
Job Descriptions

Job descriptions in an organizational structure are designed to meet the goals of the company while
promoting employee growth. The focus on internal equity and employee retention is one of the keys
to success.

Recruitment

For organizations, recruitment is a major area for investment. By focusing on this area, employees
have more opportunities and greater job security. This results in lower recruitment costs.

Salary

A fundamental step in an organizational structure is the creation of salaries. Once the structure is in
place, each job description will have salary ranges applicable to each job in the company. For the most
part, each job within the company is aligned to a salary grade. Each salary grade has a specified range.
Following this structure enables a company to attain its financial goals and ensures that salaries are
fairly distributed within a set budget.

Expansion

When a business using an organized structure expands, it can grow and move forward. Expanding an
enterprise may include adding more layers of management, creating new divisions, and increasing key
functional areas. When a company structure reorganizes for expansion, it provides the opportunity
for the company to edit salaries and job descriptions. This means the company operates on its own
under the leadership of an assigned president.

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