What are Examples of Business Activities? - The Ultimate Guide

Elias Haider
9 min readSep 17, 2023

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When you think of a business, what are the first things that come to mind? You might think of production, sales, and marketing. But there are many other important business activities that take place behind the scenes.

In this blog post, we will explore a variety of examples of business activities, including:

  • Primary business activities
  • Secondary business activities
  • Supporting business activities

We will also discuss how businesses can optimize their business activities to improve efficiency, productivity, and profitability.

What are Examples of Business Activities
What are Examples of Business Activities?

What is a business activity?

A business activity is any action that a business takes to achieve its goals. It can be anything from producing goods or services to marketing and selling them, to managing finances and human resources.

Why are business activities important?

Business activities are important because they allow businesses to generate revenue, make a profit, and grow. They also help businesses to meet the needs of their customers and stakeholders.

Types of business activities

There are three main types of business activities: operating, investing, and financing.

Operating activities

Operating activities are the core activities that a business performs to generate revenue. Examples of operating activities include:

  • Producing goods or services
  • Selling goods or services
  • Providing customer service

Investing activities

Investing activities are activities that a business undertakes to acquire or dispose of long-term assets. Examples of investing activities include:

  • Purchasing property, plant, and equipment
  • Investing in securities
  • Acquiring other businesses

Financing activities

Financing activities are activities that a business undertakes to raise or repay capital. Examples of financing activities include:

  • Issuing stocks or bonds
  • Obtaining loans
  • Paying dividends
Types of Business Activities

Examples of Business Activities

Here are some examples of specific business activities:

  • Production: Manufacturing goods, assembling products, growing crops, mining resources
  • Marketing: Advertising, public relations, social media marketing, sales promotions
  • Sales: Selling goods or services to customers directly or through channels such as retailers or distributors
  • Finance: Accounting, budgeting, financial planning, forecasting, investing
  • Human resources: Recruiting, hiring, training, managing employees, payroll
  • Research and development: Developing new products or services, improving existing products or services
  • Customer service: Providing support to customers before, during, and after they purchase a product or service
  • Information technology: Managing computer systems and networks, developing and maintaining software
  • Accounting: Tracking and reporting financial information
  • Facilities management: Maintaining and repairing buildings and equipment
  • Legal services: Providing legal advice and representation
  • Security: Protecting people and property
  • Transportation: Moving goods and people

Business activities can vary widely depending on the industry and type of business. For example, a manufacturing company will have different business activities than a retail company. And a small business will have different business activities than a large corporation.

However, all business activities are important for generating revenue, making a profit, and growing the business.

Examples of Primary Business Activities

Primary business activities are the core activities that a business performs to generate revenue. They are essential for the survival and growth of any business.

Examples of Primary Business Activities
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Production

Production is the process of creating goods or services. This can involve manufacturing products, assembling components, growing crops, or providing services such as healthcare or education.

Marketing

Marketing is the process of promoting and selling goods or services to customers. This can involve advertising, public relations, social media marketing, and sales promotions.

Finance

Finance is the management of money. This includes accounting, budgeting, financial planning, forecasting, and investing.

Human resources

Human resources is the management of people. This includes recruiting, hiring, training, managing employees, and payroll.

Here are some specific examples of primary business activities:

Production:

Marketing:

  • A clothing company advertises its products on television.
  • A restaurant offers discounts to customers who follow them on social media.
  • A travel agency offers package deals to customers.

Finance:

  • A retail company prepares a budget for the upcoming year.
  • A construction company forecasts its costs for a new project.
  • A technology company invests in new research and development.

Human resources:

  • A hotel recruits and hires new employees.
  • A healthcare company trains its employees on new procedures.
  • A retail company manages its employees’ payroll.

Primary business activities are essential for the success of any business. By effectively managing these activities, businesses can generate revenue, make a profit, and grow.

Additional tips for expanding on the discussion of primary business activities:

  • Discuss the importance of each primary business activity for the overall success of the business.
  • Explain how the different primary business activities are interrelated. For example, how does production affect marketing and sales? How does finance affect human resources?
  • Provide examples of how businesses can improve their primary business activities. For example, how can a manufacturing company improve its production process? How can a retail company improve its marketing campaigns?
  • Discuss the challenges that businesses face in managing their primary business activities. For example, how can a business manage its production costs effectively? How can a business maintain a strong brand identity?

By expanding on the discussion of primary business activities, you can provide readers with a deeper understanding of how businesses operate and how they can achieve success.

Examples of Secondary Business Activities

Secondary business activities are activities that support the primary business activities of a business. They are not essential for the survival of the business, but they can help to improve efficiency, productivity, and profitability.

Examples of Secondary Business Activities
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Research and Development (R&D)

Research and development (R&D) is the process of creating new products or services or improving existing ones. R&D can be a costly and time-consuming process, but it is essential for businesses that want to stay ahead of the competition and meet the changing needs of their customers.

Customer Service

Customer service is the process of providing support to customers before, during, and after they purchase a product or service. Customer service can be provided through a variety of channels, such as phone, email, chat, and social media. Providing good customer service can help businesses to build customer loyalty and attract new customers.

Information Technology (IT)

Information technology (IT) is the management of computer systems and networks. IT can be used to support a variety of business activities, such as customer relationship management (CRM), accounting, and inventory management. By effectively managing their IT systems and networks, businesses can improve their efficiency and productivity.

Accounting

Accounting is the process of tracking and reporting financial information. Accounting is essential for businesses of all sizes to make informed business decisions and to comply with tax laws.

Here are some specific examples of secondary business activities:

Research And Development:

  • A pharmaceutical company develops a new drug.
  • A technology company develops a new software application.
  • A food company develops a new recipe.

Customer Service:

  • A retail company provides a toll-free number for customers to call with questions or problems.
  • A software company offers live chat support to its customers.
  • A restaurant offers a loyalty program to its customers.

Information Technology:

  • A company uses a CRM system to track its customer interactions.
  • A company uses an accounting software program to track its financial transactions.
  • A company uses a cloud computing platform to store and access its data.

Accounting:

  • A company tracks its sales and expenses to create financial statements.
  • A company prepares a tax return for the government.
  • A company conducts an audit to ensure that its financial records are accurate.

Secondary business activities can help businesses to improve their efficiency, productivity, and profitability. However, it is important to note that not all secondary business activities are necessary or beneficial for every business. Businesses should carefully consider their needs and priorities before investing in secondary business activities.

Additional tips for expanding on the discussion of secondary business activities:

  • Discuss the importance of each secondary business activity for the overall success of the business.
  • Explain how the different secondary business activities are interrelated. For example, how does customer service support marketing and sales? How does IT support accounting?
  • Provide examples of how businesses can improve their secondary business activities. For example, how can a business use a CRM system more effectively? How can a business reduce its IT costs?
  • Discuss the challenges that businesses face in managing their secondary business activities. For example, how can a business keep up with the latest technological advancements? How can a business protect its financial data from cyberattacks?

By expanding on the discussion of secondary business activities, you can provide readers with a deeper understanding of how businesses operate and how they can improve their performance.

Examples of Supporting Business Activities

Supporting business activities are activities that support the primary and secondary business activities of a business. They are not essential for the survival of the business, but they can help to improve efficiency, productivity, and profitability.

Examples of Supporting Business Activities
Photo by Annie Spratt on Unsplash

Facilities Management

Facilities management is the process of maintaining and repairing buildings and equipment. Facilities management can include a variety of tasks, such as cleaning, landscaping, and preventive maintenance. By effectively managing their facilities, businesses can improve the safety and comfort of their employees and customers, and they can also extend the life of their assets.

Legal Services

Legal services are services that are provided by lawyers. Legal services can include a variety of tasks, such as drafting and reviewing contracts, providing legal advice, and representing clients in court. Businesses may need to use legal services for a variety of reasons, such as to protect their intellectual property, to comply with regulations, and to resolve disputes.

Security

Security is the protection of people and property. Security can include a variety of tasks, such as physical security, information security, and cybersecurity. Businesses need to implement effective security measures to protect their employees, customers, and assets from harm.

Transportation

Transportation is the movement of goods and people. Transportation can include a variety of modes, such as trucks, trains, ships, and airplanes. Businesses need to transport their goods to market and to transport their employees to work. Businesses may also need to transport their customers to their products or services.

Here are some specific examples of supporting business activities:

Facilities management:

  • A company hires a cleaning company to clean its offices.
  • A company hires a landscaping company to maintain its grounds.
  • A company contracts with a maintenance company to perform preventive maintenance on its equipment.

Legal Services:

  • A company hires a lawyer to draft a new contract.
  • A company hires a lawyer to provide legal advice on a new regulation.
  • A company hires a lawyer to represent it in a court case.

Security:

  • A company hires a security company to guard its premises.
  • A company installs a security system in its offices.
  • A company provides cybersecurity training to its employees.

Transportation:

  • A company hires a trucking company to transport its products to market.
  • A company provides shuttle service to its employees from their homes to work.
  • A company charters a plane to transport its customers to a conference.

Supporting business activities can help businesses to improve their efficiency, productivity, and profitability. However, it is important to note that not all supporting business activities are necessary or beneficial for every business. Businesses should carefully consider their needs and priorities before investing in supporting business activities.

Additional tips for expanding on the discussion of supporting business activities:

  • Discuss the importance of each supporting business activity for the overall success of the business.
  • Explain how the different supporting business activities are interrelated. For example, how does facilities management support production? How do legal services support marketing and sales?
  • Provide examples of how businesses can improve their supporting business activities. For example, how can a business make its facilities more energy-efficient? How can a business reduce its legal costs?
  • Discuss the challenges that businesses face in managing their supporting business activities. For example, how can a business keep up with the latest security threats? How can a business reduce its transportation costs?

By expanding on the discussion of supporting business activities, you can provide readers with a deeper understanding of how businesses operate and how they can improve their performance.

End The End — Examples of Business Activities

Business activities are the essential activities that a company performs in order to operate and generate profits. By understanding the different types of business activities, business owners can better manage their businesses and make informed decisions about how to grow and improve their operations.

In this article, I tried to explain in detail what are examples of business activities and how to implement them in your business. I think this article help you more in your professional and than you will make me happy. Just Cheer!

If you facing any problem please let me know… in comments thanks.

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Elias Haider

Hi! This is Elias Haider, Certified SEO & Digital Marketing Specialist (Google & Hubspot). Love to travel and Writing. Know More: https://seostools.com/