Effective Business Functions Execution

Leaders and managers at Dietary food Ltd can improve operational management activities by using key approaches such as Six Sigma, Total Quality Management, Just in Time Inventory, and Continuous Improvement Programs. These strategies support the execution of business functions in an effective manner.

TABLE OF CONTENTS
INTRODUCTION ......................................................................................................................3
TASK 1.........................................................................................................................................3
(a) Role and characteristics of leaders and managers ..............................................................3
(b) Role of leaders and managers in different situation in organization ..................................4
(c) Theories and model of leadership .......................................................................................5
(d) Role of a leader and function of manager ...........................................................................6
(e) Strength and weaknesses of different approaches ...............................................................6
(f) Theories and approaches of leadership ................................................................................7
TASK 2.........................................................................................................................................8
(a) Key approaches of operations management .......................................................................8
(b) Importance and value of operations management ..............................................................9
(c) Factors that affects the operational management process .................................................10
(d) improving efficiencies of operational management .........................................................10
(e) Impact of different factors on business environment ........................................................11
(f) Applications of operations management ...........................................................................12
Conclusion .................................................................................................................................12
REFERENCES .........................................................................................................................13

INTRODUCTION
Leadership is explained as an action performed to guide group of people towards
accomplishment of the desired goals. It is critical that operational activities of the entity should
be performed by carrying out the strategic planning. It will support in achieving required goals
and targets of the entity in successful manner (Karlsson, 2016). Present report is based on food
industry and Dietary food Ltd has been selected for completing the project. This report
describes about different types of leadership styles and management theories that are used in
organization for executing business functions in effective way. In addition to that, different
approaches of operations management which can be used in the entity for attaining the required
manufacturing functions have been mentioned in the report. Along with this this report
describes about key approaches of operations management and importance and value of
operations management is also mentioned. Moreover, role of leader and functions of the
manager also have been described as well as strengths and approaches of leadership are
discussed.
TASK 1
(a) Role and characteristics of leaders and managers
Manager: A management is procedure of treating or controlling things or group of people.
Leadership:- Leadership is an action of leading group of people or a company, or have ability
to do this.
Dietary food Ltd is a leading food manufacturing company of UK which makes healthy
food products for the consumers. Low calorie sweetener products are manufactured by the
company. Customised formulations and pack options are offered to buyers to suit their needs
(Dietary foods limited. 2017). This organization is working in the food industry from the last
four decades and sweeteners are being manufactured and packed by the organization. Managers
and leaders play a critical function in executing business operations and all the required
activities are performed by them for adopting suitable and effective planning process (Galliers
and Leander, 2014). Leaders and managers complete different types of functions and positive
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efforts are given by them which help them in meeting targets and goals that have been formed
in the enterprise. Different functions that are being played by leaders and managers are as
described: -
Managers of Dietary Food Ltd: - All the critical functions including planning,
organizing, coordinating, controlling and monitoring are performed by the managers. Strategies
and action plans are formed on the basis of mission and the vision formed by the enterprise.
Company focuses on maintaining high standards in their manufacturing activities and this is the
only reason that high quality products are being made by the enterprise (Holsapple, 2013). All
the staff members are allocated specific task and works. Guidance are given to them for
performing their work on due time. Managers also do monitoring of work performed by them.
In addition to that, all the business activities are performed by managers by scheduling the
activities according to the priority (Monczka, Handfield and Patterson, 2015). Managers are
responsible for communicating all required information, facts, details and knowledge which are
needed for executing the functions. Managers exercise power on people and helps in giving
responsibility to the subordinates.
Leaders of Dietary food Ltd: - All the strategies and planning done by the managers are
executed by leaders. They work for giving guidance and instructions to the followers. Leaders
implement all strategies and action plans formulated in the enterprise. They persuade the
followers towards accomplishing a specific goal and they also take responsibility for achieving
the desired targets and set goals.
(b) Role of leaders and managers in different situation in organization
Dietary food Ltd is a leading sweetener manufacturing company of UK which offers
healthy food options to its business consumers. Technical, financial and legislative
developments are implemented in the entity for completing all required business functions.
Sweeteners are manufactured and packed by adopting a suitable and strategic approach and it
helps in making superior quality food products (Stadtler, 2015). Sometimes, critical and
complex business situations are faced by leaders and managers that are working in the
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enterprise. They take strategic approach for resolving all problems which are being faced in the
enterprise. For example, organization was facing issues due to lack of time management skills
in the employees.
All the required functional activities are getting delayed and due to those problems was
being faced by management. Productivity and efficiency was getting hampered and profitability
as well as financial revenues of the company also got influenced due to it. For solving these
problems, leaders adopted autocratic leadership style and strict guidelines and instructions were
given to the staff members for properly following the time schedule (Expósito, Gomez-
Exposito, and Canizares, 2016). Under this leadership style, strict commands and orders are
given to the subordinates and they are expected to follow all instructions and commands given
by the superiors. This method supported in resolving the issues which were being faced in the
enterprise. In another situation, participative leadership style was used for taking suggestions
and recommendations from the subordinates (Turner, 2016). Under this style, employees are
encouraged for giving their valuable recommendations which helped in identifying innovative
ideas and concepts that can be used for making positive improvements in the existing
performance of staff members. Similarly, it is vital that specific task and duties should also be
assigned to employees who are working in a team. System leadership style is also used by the
leaders in which duties and task are allocated to staff members. In this leadership approach
behaviour and action of leaders is given more importance and followers follow the action as
that is completed by the leader. Personal qualities posses by leader play a significant role in
enhancing the morale and motivational level of followers. In this technique leaders evaluate
information by collecting data and information and it helps for making effective strategies for
Dietry food limited.
Leader play significant role within an organization it make quick decision critical situation. On
the other hand manager of cited organization role is to plan, control , direct etc. for Example,
At the organization if manager make new strategy for increasing the sale, then leader role is to
implement those strategy in systematic manner within a firm. It need to encourage employee so
that they work according to strategy. In addition to this if manager of cited organization make
some limit and give authority to leader for making decision. In such situation democratic leader
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not make any decision without discussing its group members. While, in this situation
autocratic leader make own decision without discussing with its team member. This show that
in various situation different type of leader play various role.
Where are the functions of managers and examples: you need to look into some of the functions
of managers and give examples to it.
Leaders in the Dietary food Ltd takes positive efforts for implementing the strategies that are
formed by managers. They provide directions and instructions to the subordinates. Leaders
motivates subordinates for accomplishing desired goals. Small term targets are set by leaders
and they build morale of followers for achieving the required target. For example if managers
set target for enhancing sales of the entity that leaders will motivate followers to give
innovative ideas and concepts through which sales can be increased.
(c) Theories and model of leadership
Dietary food Ltd is a leading food and sweetener manufacturing company and
management of the organization uses various leadership and management approaches for
running business activities in effective way (Martínez-Jurado and Moyano-Fuentes, 2014).
Different theories and leadership approaches that are used in the enterprise are as follows: -
Situational leadership: It is a leadership approach in which decisions are taken for handling
and managing a specific situation. Leaders under this approach tries for developing skills and
capabilities of the subordinates. Development of individual is accelerated by leaders and they
drive behaviour change and business results by communicating required information and facts
to the subordinates.
This leadership approach is used in Dietary Food Ltd by leaders and managers for giving
guidance and instructions to the followers in different situations. Many critical and complex
situations are being faced in the enterprise and it is required that better decisions should be
taken for handling, managing and solving business problems in effective way (Fernie and
Sparks, 2014).
Contingency leadership: - This is an effective leadership approach that is being used in
the enterprise for taking effective decisions for the business. According to this theory, decisions
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taken by the management of an organization depends on external and internal situations which
are faced in the company. Managers and leaders of company considers organization as an open
system under which the decisions needs to be taken by considering all environment
circumstances that are being faced in the entity (Johnson, 2014). The best method under this
leadership style is to make understanding of situation and decisions are to be taken on the basis
of that. Different situations at Dietary food Ltd requires different approaches that are needed
for executing business functions and managing as well as solving issues which are witnessed in
the enterprise.
System leadership: -Under this leadership approach major focus is given on accomplishing
specific task and works. In addition to that managers and leaders takes initiatives for rendering
accountability and power to the subordinates and it supports in taking proper work from the
employees (Mangan, Lalwani and Lalwani, 2016). Not enough you need to explain more with
detail
(d) Role of a leader and function of manager
Managers and leaders play different kinds of roles and wide functions are performed by
them. All the necessary functions and business activities at Dietary food Ltd are performed by
joint efforts given by leaders and managers and it is as described:-
Managers: -
Theories of management :- According to Scientific management theory given by Taylor
managers are accountable for carrying out scientific selection of workers (Medlik, 2016).
Managers also need to do development of workers through proper training. Division of work
also is done by managers and wages and compensation policies are made for executing
business functions. Scientific management theory provide wide scope for specialization and
accurate planning and cordial relations between management and workers are developed by
making use of this approach. Managers develop wages and compensation policy and
appropriate salary and incentives are given to staff members so that they can fulfil their basic
needs (Kacmar, Andrews, Harris and Tepper, 2013). Major functions that are performed by
managers include planning, organizing, staffing, coordinating and controlling. Action plans for
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achieving objectives and goals of the company are prepared by managers. All the tasks and
activities that are needed to be performed are also completed by managers. Monitoring of the
performance of the employees is done and measures are taken for making improvements in
performance of the organization.
Leaders :- Leaders works for implementing the strategies and action plans that are formed by
top management and it supports in accomplishing overall goals of the organization.
Transformational leadership approach is used by them for making positive improvements in
skills and capabilities of followers and this leadership style also helps in enhancing morale and
motivational level of employees. Rational approach is being used by leaders for developing
competence and capabilities of employees. According to situational leadership theories leaders
are responsible to take decisions as per the demand of situation. Individuals that provide
leadership to staff members in Dietry food company are responsible for providing better
directions to the subordinates. Leaders take decisions for completing the assigned work and job
responsibilities and they help subordinates in achieving their goals in effective manner.
(e) Strength and weaknesses of different approaches
Different approaches are used by leaders and managers for carrying out business
functions at Dietary food Ltd and it helps in accomplishing the desired targets and objectives of
the entity in effective way. Situational leadership approach supports in resolving issues that are
faced in a specific situation (Abo and Cho, 2015). Better coordination and control of a
particular situation is maintained and better decisions are taken for handling a specific business
situation that is being faced in the enterprise. In addition to that system leadership approach
supports managers and leaders of Dietary food Ltd for allocating task and work to employees
and it also helps in organizing all the work activities among staff members.
Transformational leadership approach helps in making positive improvements in skills
and capabilities of employees and competence of staff members for performing their jobs can
be enhanced and it also helps in developing potential and capabilities of employees (Stadtler,
2015). Contingency leadership approach also describes about effective decisions that can be
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taken for handling and resolving a problem that are faced in the entity. Autocratic leadership
style supports in giving proper commands and directions to the subordinates. In addition to that
participative leadership style supports for taking positive and valuable recommendations from
the employees.
(f) Theories and approaches of leadership
Different theories of leadership theories and approaches are used in Dietary food Ltd for
managing the work force and it supports in controlling all the functional activities of entity in
effective way. Some theories and concepts of leadership are as mentioned:-
Contingency theory:- According to this theory behaviour and decisions taken by leaders
depends upon a situation. Different situations require different approaches and it is vital that
leaders and managers should adopt the best one for handling, solving, managing and
controlling a specific situation that is being faced in the entity (Avolio and Yammarino, 2013).
Behavioural theory :- According to this leadership theory major focus is given on behaviour of
a leader. For example some situations at Dietary food Ltd requires leaders and managers to take
autocratic approach and give commands and orders to the subordinates. In this method vary
less involvement of workers is taken in the decision making process. Under democratic
leadership style involvement of staff members is taken in the decision making process. This
leadership style is adopted when there is need for collecting innovative ideas and concepts for
making improvement in the performance of the organization (Klarsfeld and Tatli, 2014). With
this Laissez-Faire leadership approach is also used by leaders when there is need for giving
power and commands to the subordinates. When staff members are highly capable for
performing a task and there is less need for making supervision on staff members. However,
sometimes it becomes difficult to adopt a particular approach and leaders face difficulty in
using a specific approach for resolving a specific issue that is based in the enterprise.
TASK 2
(a) Key approaches of operations management
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Operations management is a prominent approach that is used in Dietary food Ltd for
administering business practices that are being carried out in the enterprise. Major procedures
of the entity that are planning, organizing and supervising are performed in the enterprise by
making use of key approaches of operations management (Kacmar, Andrews and Tepper,
2013). Manufacturing, packing and supply chain activities are performed in effective way and
it also supports in making positive improvements in business activities that are performed in the
enterprise. Some prominent approaches of operations management are as described :-
Total quality management:- Under this method major focus is given for making positive
improvements in overall activities that are being performed. Employee participation in
decision making process is required and it supports in identifying new ideas and concepts for
making positive improvements in existing practices and procedures that are being run in the
entity. Total quality management approach focuses on maintaining existing quality standards
and developing a culture of improvement in the organization.
Just in time manufacturing concepts are used and material and other required products that are
needed for manufacturing sweetener products. Under this approach material and inventory that
is needed for purchasing food products is purchased on the same time as per the requirement. It
helps in saving storage cost (Monczka, Handfield and Patterson, 2015).
Six sigma:- It is effective method that supports in reducing defects from the operational
activities that are performed in the entity (Stadtler, 2015). This technique is used in
manufacturing and service industry and adopting this method supports in reducing defects from
the operational activities. Waste also reduces and time and cost require for performing business
functions also reduces by making use of this approach. Overall investment cost for making
sweeteners and packing and dispatching them gets reduced and it supports in enhancing
profitability and financial revenues of the enterprise (Expósito, Gomez-Exposito and Canizares,
2016). However, there are some weaknesses of this method and it includes high training cost
for making employees capable for adopting six sigma practices in manufacturing activities. In
addition to that difficulties are faced by staff members in implementing techniques and
approaches of six sigma in the entity. Dietary food Ltd makes use of this approach so that
existing practices and procedures can be improved and defects from the operational activities
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can also be reduced. Total time that is required for performing business functions is reduced
and investment cost is also decresed which helps for making enhancement in profitability of
buisness.
Lean manufacturing: - This approach supports in eliminating waste from the operational
activities that are performed in the enterprise and it also helps in saving time and cost for
carrying out business function in effective way. Wastages are reduced from the operational
processes and overall customer value is enhanced through it. For example Dietary food Ltd
deals in making food products and while manufacturing activities large amount of food gets
wasted. This problem can be resolved by making use of lean manufacturing system.
(b) Importance and value of operations management
Key approaches of operational management that are used in Dietary food Ltd supports
in carrying out desired functions of entity in effective and successful manner. Management of
human resource, financial resources, information and other supply chain and logistics activities
are performed in effective way. Six sigma, Lean manufacturing, Total quality management, just
in time manufacturing and continuous improvement are some key approaches that are being
used in operations management for carrying out business functions in effective way (Mangan,
Lalwani and Lalwani, 2016.). Purchasing functions are performed in effective way and
capacity management activities are also executed by making use of key approaches that are
being used in the entity. Long term and short term targets of the entity are accomplished in
effective way and growth and success of the business is ensured through this. Planning
functions are also executed and all the key activities including creating, developing,
manufacturing and distributing are performed in a systematic and organized way by making use
of these approaches. Forecasting functions also becomes easier and possible outcomes from a
specific functions are analysed and on the basis of that decisions are taken in the entity (Slack,
2015).
All the strategic objectives and action plans are implemented in efficacious way and it
supports in ensuring long term growth and success of the business. In addition to that capacity
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management functions are also performed in effective way. Key functions of organization
including management of human resource, purchasing, logistics, procurement, transportation
and inventory functions are performed in potent manner. Coordination of key operation
functions including marketing, finance, accounting, information system and purchasing are
performed effectively and sweetener manufacturing functions are performed effectively
(Karlsson, 2016). However, it is required that all the stakeholders should work together for
implementing all the key approaches that are being used in operation management. It becomes
possible for reducing defects and unnecessary processes from the manufacturing functions and
smooth functioning of the entity is ensured. Wastages are reduced and overall investment cost
for running the business activities are reduced through this. Potential of human resource can be
maximized and inventory management becomes effective by making use of operational
management approaches.
Process management :- In this business processes are planned and monitored by leaders and
managers and effective measures are taken for rectifying weak performing areas. Scheduling of
required activities is done and all the manufacturing process are organized in synchronised
manner.
Scheduling :- It is a process in which important practices that are required to be carried out first
are determined and it helps in executing all the required functions in systematic manner.
Capacity management :- It is a process which is used in the organization to manage functions
related to information technology. Under this practice all IT resources are right sized so that
existing and future requirement of resources can be met effectively.
However, there are some issues that are faced while implementing the operations management
practices. It is critical that managers should take significant steps for making improvements in
the practices and procedures that are followed. Lack of communication channel is one most
significant issue that has been faced. Managers can make use of digital technology for
resolving this issue in effective manner. Along with this lack of support of staff members also
creates issues and this problem can be resolved by organizing an open discussion session in the
organization.
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(c) Factors that affects the operational management process
Diverse range of factors that are available in the business environment gives impact on
the activities that are performed in the business. Decision making process of the enterprise also
gets hampered and influenced due to the impact given by these factors. Competition in market
and strategies used by rival firms for carrying out business activities also gives impact on the
business functioning and overall performance of the enterprise gets influenced due to it (Fernie,
and Sparks, 2014). Norms and policies formulated by state also affects the operational
management activities that are performed in the entity and long term impact on them is
observed.
Technological changes that are happening in outside business environment also makes
it essential for adopting new machineries and equipment’s for running activities and ensuring
growth and success of the business. Environmental impacts such as changes in weather and
climate conditions also affects the functions of the enterprise and due to that growth and
success of the company gets influenced. Major work at Dietary food Ltd includes
manufacturing and packing of sweeteners and all the required works are performed in an
organized manner (Stadtler, 2015). In addition to that availability of labour in market and
requirement of individuals are also key element that impacts the business activities that are
performed in the enterprise. Moreover, changes and modifications in needs and preference of
buyers and cultural and social trends that are running in the enterprise are also necessary. It
becomes assertive for leaders and managers to consider impact of all these factors for making
strategies and action plans for the enterprise. It aids in making effective action plans and
strategies for carrying out business activities in effective way.
CSR :- It is defined as Corporate social responsibility initiatives taken by an organization for
making and bringing positive changes in lives of community people. Dietary food Ltd
organizes various CSR activities for providing helping hand to people who are in need.
Sustainability :- It is an innovative approach which is gaining attention. All the manufacturing
and supply chain activities of the enterprise are performed in environment friendly manner so
that no damage to environment should be done.
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Business Ethics :- Some specific ethical codes and practices have been followed in the entity so
that all the functional activities can be performed in effective manner. At Dietary food Ltd it
has been made mandatory to not use any kind of verbal abusing language with staff members
that are performing their job in the entity.
Stakeholders analysis :- stakeholder analysis supports for identifying about different
individuals and groups that can affect the functioning and decision making procedure of the
organization.
(d) improving efficiencies of operational management
Business objectives and long term and short term goals of Dietary food Ltd can be
achieved by adopting a strategic approach. Leaders and managers can play important role in
significant role in successfully meeting the business objectives. All the key approaches of
operational management including Six-sigma, Total quality management and Lean
manufacturing are some key approaches that can be used in the company for running business
activities in effective manner (Abo and Cho, 2015).
Leaders can take significant initiatives for motivating followers to complete their work
in effective way and it will help for making positive improvements in existing performance of
the employees. Managers can take steps for doing fair and effective division of work and it will
help in allocating task and responsibilities to workers (Galliers and Leidner, 2014). Wages and
compensation policy is also formed by managers so that basic needs of buyers can be fulfilled.
In addition to that key approaches of operation management including six-sigma, total quality
management, just in time inventory and lean manufacturing can be implemented effectively by
making use of this approach. Leaders and managers can take positive steps for enhancing
efficiency of operational management process that are carried out in the entity.
Wide variety of factors gives impact in the operational activities that are performed in
the Dietary Food Ltd. Rules, regulations, norms and policies that are formulated by government
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are mandatory to follow for all organizations that are working in the entity. In addition to that
technical changes that are happening in external business environment also affects the
functioning of business. With objective to gain competitive advantage it becomes vital to
implement new changes that are happening in the food industry (Turner, 2016).
It requires investment from the side of management to implement proposed changes and
due to that overall profitability of the enterprise gets hampered. Some part of profit earned by
company is invested in Corporate social responsibility (CSR) activities that are performed in
the business. It supports in making positive changes in lives of local community people and
needy people are provided support through it. Dietary food Ltd works in food industry and
healthy sweetener products are manufactured by the enterprise. Products of company supports
in providing healthy lifestyle to buyers and options for leaving healthy life are given to buyers.
Dietary food Ltd gets affected due to diverse business factors and operational activities
of the business are also performed effectively by making use of these elements. All the key
approaches of operation management supports for making positive improvements in the overall
performance of the enterprise and due to that profitability of business enhanced. Financial
revenues also improves and all the manufacturing activities are carried out in effective way by
making use of this approach (Expósito, Gomez-Exposito and Canizares, 2016). Operational
management approaches have supported for reducing the unnecessary practices and
procedures . Smooth functioning of the entity has been ensured and key process of the
organization are performed in efficacious way by making use of these approaches. Other than
this local community people are also getting benefited due to the healthy food options that are
provided by Dietary food Ltd. In addition to that CSR activities of the enterprise also supports
for making positive improvements in lives of local community people and positive
improvements have been observed in their lives.
CONCLUSION
Aforementioned report concludes that leaders and managers of the enterprise can take
significant steps for making improvements in performance of the organization. Managers plan,
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organize, schedule, control and perform business functions. Leaders works for implementing
strategies and action plans that are formulated by managers. Positive support is shown by
leaders for guiding follower and instructing them to complete their work on due time.
Operational management activities that are performed in the enterprise can be improved by
making use of some key approaches and it includes six sigma, Total quality management, Just
in time inventory and continuous improvement programs. Operation management approaches
support for carrying out desired business functions in effective way. Leaders and managers of
Dietary food Ltd can take positive steps for executing business functions in effective way.
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Online
Dietary foods limited. 2017. [Online]. Available through:<http://www.firstmilk.co.uk/>.
[Accessed on 30h January, 2017].
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