Business Structures: Organization, Sole Traders & HEINEKEN

Posted on Mar 18, 2025 in Business Administration and Management (BAM)

Company Organization Chart

The business organization chart is headed by the Board of Directors, led by the chairperson or president. Below the board is the company director, who is responsible for five departments, each led by senior managers.

Company Departments

  • Production Department: Responsible for producing goods efficiently, on time, and in the agreed-upon quantities.
  • Marketing Department: Composed of three units:
    • Market Research
    • Sales
    • Advertising & Promotions

    This department identifies customer needs and ensures they receive the desired goods and services. The sales department is divided into two sections: domestic sales and exports.

  • Financial Department: Manages the inflow and outflow of money. It consists of financial management and accounting.
  • Research and Development (R&D) and Innovation: Responsible for obtaining supplies of materials, among other innovative tasks.
  • Human Resources: Recruits staff for the organization.

Profile of HEINEKEN

Established in 1864 by the Heineken family, HEINEKEN has a long and proud history as an independent global brewer. We brew quality beers, build award-winning brands, and are committed to satisfying consumers everywhere.

Factors Contributing to HEINEKEN’s Uniqueness

  • Leading developer and marketer of premium beer brands. The Group has a powerful portfolio of more than 300 international, regional, and local beers.
  • Committed to innovation, long-term brand investment, disciplined sales execution, and focused cost management.
  • Sustainability is embedded in the business and delivers value for all stakeholders.
  • A unique, well-balanced geographic footprint with leadership positions in both developed and developing markets.
  • An internationally diverse, dynamic, committed, and entrepreneurial team of over 85,000 employees, operating breweries, malteries, and other production facilities in more than 70 countries.

Letter of Enquiry

Dear Adriana,

We are pleased to receive your enquiry and to hear that you liked our range of pullovers. There would certainly be no trouble in supplying you from our wide selection of garments for children.

We can offer you the quantity discount you requested, which would be 5% off net prices for orders over €4,000. Although we always deal on payment by sight draft, cash against documents, we would be prepared to review this once we have established a firm trading association with you.

Enclosed you will find our summer catalogue and price list quoting prices C.I.F. London. We are sure you will find a ready sale for our products in England, and we do hope we can reach an agreement on the terms quoted.

Thank you for your interest; we look forward to hearing from you soon.

Yours sincerely,

Advantages and Disadvantages of Being a Sole Trader

A sole trader is a business that is owned by one person. They often succeed because they can offer specialized services to customers. Also, they are sensitive to the needs of customers, since they are closer to them and react more quickly.

Advantages

  • Total control of the business by the owner.
  • Cheap to start up.
  • Owner keeps all profits.

Disadvantages

  • Unlimited liability regarding debts.
  • Difficult to raise financing through banks.
  • May be difficult to specialize or enjoy economies of scale.
  • Problem with continuity if the sole trader retires or dies.