Question

Q1: What is meant by form should follow function? Give two business examples.

Q2: Roles vs People why is distinguishing them as seperate entities in business so important?

Answer 1

"Form should follow function" is an architectural phrase coined by a famous architect Louis Sullivan in 1896. The phrase referred to the idea that the exterior of a skyscraper should reflect it's interior functions. It essentally articulates the idea that the shape of an object or a building should directly relate to its intended purpose. The same principle can be applied to businesses. It means that the design of the organisation should follow its intented purpose.For example in the business of web designing, this principle can be applied. A web designer should first get to know about the website's requirements and needs from the target market/clients. And based on the functional requirement of the website, the aesthectics and analytics of it should be deteremined and designed. Aesthetics and visual appeal will get the consumers on the website and it analytics will keep it user friendly.

Another example would be a manufacturing firm. The  main intent of the machineries are the safety and operational functions. Hence, they are minimally appealing but all the safety measures would be there. One won't find it visually appealing as in this case function is the main component which is focused to high safety standards.

2) A role is a defined in a process as a set of responsibilties and activities given to a person or a group of persons. A role essentially is a reflection of how an activity or a function is performed by different people. Example: In an organization all the accountants will be given the same role to perform. But the perons involved in accounting could be of different types. Some may go strictly by the book, some may be willing to push the envelope. Persons are of different characteristics and types that represent the larger group's goals, their preferences and requirements. Persons in an organzational describes the customers wheras the roles describe the relationship between the product/service and the customers. Roles reflect a collection of certain characteristics, interests and behaviour towards the company's products/services.