Leading and managing change

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Leading and
Managing Change

Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................1
Extent to which ‘white water metaphor’ is apparent in organisation together with evaluating
of its emergence from planned or unplanned approach to change.........................................1
Reason behind shift from calm waters to white waters, considering both business strategy and
external factors affecting organisation...................................................................................4
Drawing on relevant theory, explicate main impacts for HR Department.............................6
CONCLUSION................................................................................................................................8

INTRODUCTION
In today’s modern world, change is regarded to be an integral component of every
company. Execution of change in the premise is aimed at facilitating smooth flow of operations
and timely achievement of goals. Changes are usually brought by a corporation with an intention
of aligning the activities and procedures of enterprise with the situations prevailing within
business environment. In this regard, one of the most apparent reasons behind execution of
change within an enterprise is the emergence of new technologies and advancements with the
evolution of time.
The present assignment is carried out to gain comprehensibility of the management of
change within Apple Inc. which is a well renowned multinational technological corporation
indulged in design, creation and stipulation of online amenities, consumer electronics and
computer software. This organisation comes under the Big Four Tech Companies with other top
notch firms such as Google, Facebook and Amazon. The project throws light upon 2 metaphors
of change, namely calm water and white water. Also, it provides knowledge of the magnitude in
which white water metaphor persists within an entity along with rationale for shift from white to
calm waters. Lastly, it constitutes repercussion of suitable theory upon HR.
Extent to which ‘white water metaphor’ is apparent in organisation together with evaluating of
its emergence from planned or unplanned approach to change
Apple Inc. is a top notch company engaged in production and provision of tech products
and services to people across the global periphery. The constant initiatives taken up by this
company to stay updated as per the latest and emergent trends in market has developed a positive
brand image of this corporation amidst the mindsets of customers. iPhones, one of its most
famous branded products, is perceived by people as a premium value commodity. This owes to
the efforts taken up by the firm to bring new models of phone at rapid intervals with the most
unique and market disruptive features. To facilitate this, Apple Inc. intends to resort to adoption
of best possible procedures and methods which can provide assistance to the corporation in
attainment of a competitive edge at market place. This results in availing high consumer
contentment, thereby leading to their long term retention. In this relation, change is considered to
be an imperative component pertaining to the premise of respective tech giant. Apple Inc. is
globally popular among individuals, to be highly effectual in determining and forecasting the
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needs, preferences and wants of customers such that these can be timely met. As an outcome, it
is seen that this firm constantly brings about alterations within its activities and processes. With
this, Apple Inc. targets to ensure fulfilment of needs of its extensive customer base so that
individuals do not take into consideration the option of substituting iPhone with any other
smartphone model.
Robbins and Coulter devised the concepts of 2 change metaphors named white and calm
water. In this regard, the former can be defined as the change which takes place in a gradual
manner in the external business environment of an organisation (Robbins and Coulter, 2007).
This change is considered to be temporary or periodical. Opposed to this, white water is inferred
as a sudden change occurring within the dynamic environment.
It is often seen that a change is not positively accepted within each and every
organisation. This tends to imply a negative impact on the operations of personnel pertaining to a
company. With respect to this, it is analysed that incorporation of unique and disruptive
technologies in the organisational premise results in creation of sense of insecure feeling and
uneasiness among the staff members. This happens because they are not aware of the manner in
which they can exploit such technologies for their individual as well as organisational benefit. To
deal with this situation, the role of leader and manager acts as the key. They are the ones who
together devise strategic course of action by way of which facilitation can be gained from
employees. Hereby, the management and leadership decide upon the tools and techniques to be
undertaken by them to effectively execute change within an entity. In this regard, they rely on
communication and training to gain aid from staff members. It is through this that the top
management seeks to ensure reassurance at the time of change formulation.
It can thus be stipulated that incorporation of an alteration into a company element
doesn't generally have an affirmative result linked with it. Now and again, it can have negative
effects upon the development and growth of a corporation. This happens in light of the fact that it
isn't essential that the planned approach to change consistently yields positive results and
therefore, this may have an extreme effect upon the usual business operations and profitability of
firm. Several times, this likewise results in the occurrence of arguments among employees and
management of organisation.
In connection to Apple Inc., it can be very well observed that the respective company
understands the significance of consolidating sudden changes owing to an alteration in any of its
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outside environmental components. The tech giant pursues white water metaphor and executes
important changes in the wake of considering the existent business conditions. The pace at which
advancements are practiced in the premise of Apple Inc. is recognized to make turmoil in the
way in which strategic course of action occurs in its premise. This is the result of efforts put in
by staff members with a view to develop as well as launch gadgets with unique and tech features
at regular intervals.
To come up with offerings consisting of innovations, Apple Inc utilizes white water
metaphor. By way of its execution, the respective company thinks of advancements which have
the ability to out-power the performance and products of opponent organisations persisting
within market place. As the business undertaking has been capable of adjusting to the
progressions occurring in the dynamic business environment, Apple has become one of the
greatest tech organisations worldwide. Inferable from this, it can be said that the offerings of
Apple Inc. are practically irreplaceable despite the presence of other corporate giants. In addition
to this, the respective firm has made use of premium price strategy with a view to establish the
image of value of offerings of entity in the mindsets of people. The sole motive behind the intent
of top management of Apple Inc. to apply white water metaphor is the key principle underlying
within it which is in accordance with the motto of respective brand. In this regard, it can be said
that the company does not intend to inflate its sales and profits but to enhance the image and
value that the customers hold in their minds regarding the tech offerings of Apple Inc.
There are majorly 2 approaches to change, which are unplanned and planned. Hereby,
planned approach is deciphered as the initiative taken up by a company to bring alterations in the
nature of business within the confines of which entity carries out its operations. Such alteration
may be seen within offerings, organisational / management structure etc. Opposed to this,
unplanned approach can be referred to as action taken up by a firm to alter a business area as a
result of changes taking place within its external environment factors. The application and usage
of these approaches may differ from one company to another. A crucial task for any entity is to
lead and manage change in an effective manner and thus, the need to adopt any of the above
explained 2 approaches by a firm becomes necessary. It results in attainment of strategic edge by
entity at market and assurance of long term sustainability amidst the turbulent business
environment.
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Apple Inc. is a firm which makes use of unplanned approach to change with a view to
incorporate alterations as per the changes occurring within its external environment. Having a
large pool of customers who exhibit extensive brand loyalty, it becomes essential for the
respective company to do market researching and thereby determine the latest trends. Looking
upon such external trends, this company takes measures to incorporate them within the routine
working of entity. This helps the corporation in catering to the demands as well as preferences of
people. Across the globe, Apple Inc. is renowned for launching revisions in its products’ features
to stay aligned with customer wants. The changes in features and specifications of products are
also brought to gain an edge over rivals present in concerned corporate sector to which Apple
Inc. pertains.
Rationale behind shift from calm waters to white waters
In today’s modern era, each organisation has its own strategy which is designed and
developed taking into due consideration its market positioning, rival strategy, business
environment etc. As a result of the constant changes taking place currently in the dynamic
environment, firms have to now resort to such practices and activities which can make them
incorporate such alterations within the premises to reach to top. Apple Inc. is also one of such
firms which are keen on alignment of company’s practices with emerging market trends. To
facilitate this, the firm conducts training sessions through which support can be gained from
employees at the time of change formulation.
Calm water is a strategy whereby alterations are executed in a slow manner. Hereby, it
becomes easier for staff members to understand and accept the change. It reduces employee
resistance to a large extent. However, it can be seen that this strategy causes deflation in
productivity of employees. It made the company lose on many parameters opposed to its rivals.
This is the reason that although Apple Inc. initially executed this strategy, it later realised that
there was a need to change the firm’s strategy now to stay compatible with its business
environment.
Opposed to calm water, White water is a strategy which is keen to rapidly execute
alterations within the premise of an entity. Looking upon the extensive rivalry persisting within
consumer electronic industry and changing business environment, the major concern of Apple
Inc. was to shift the strategy from calm to white water.
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Reason for shift in strategy from calm to white water strategy: There are various reason
identified by the management of respective company which lead to decide that company needs to
change from calm water strategy to white water strategy. The key reason for this shift is on
increase larger market share as well as achievement of set goals and objectives. This organisation
has realised that there is urgent need to change the metaphor from calm water to white water.
This will be very helpful for company keeping as well as maintain its high stake in market area.
Change in strategy ensures long term stability of company in competitive environment. These
changes have some major positive as well as negative impact on company as it is helpful in
growth and development of business. On the other side, staff member of respective company
resist to change their working process. It is very important for this company to motivate as well
as influence its employees in order to encourage them towards adaptation of these strategies.
This will result in overall improvement of employees as well as business.
Impact of external factors on business aspects while applying changes
There are different factors in external business environment which have major impact on
organisation as well as its functions. It is very important for this company to carefully analyse as
well as evaluate macro environment of business. This will help in developing better business
strategies as well as achievement of desired goals and objectives. In order to carefully analyse
the impact on external factor on business aspect PESTLE analyse model will be very helpful.
Different factor of PESTLE analyse is mention below in detail.
Political factors: This includes different types of rules and regulation developed by
governmental party. Political factor consist of stability of political party, trade restriction,
taxation policies and many more. UK government has stable political party which will have
positive impact over Apple Inc.
Economic factors: Economical factor consist of economic growth of a nation and it
includes various other factors such as interest rate, exchange rate, growth rate, GDP and so on.
All of these factors will have direct impact over functioning of respective company. UK has
improving economic conditions which can be consider as a advantage for this company.
Social factors: This is one of the most crucial factors which have direct impact over
business as well as product developed by company. Social factor consist of different factor such
as customer behaviour, culture, social trends and other factor related to society. This company is
developing high quality products as per customer preferences as well as market demand. This
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will be very helpful for company to attract more and more customer towards business as well as
increase sales. There is continuous change in customer requirement and demands so this can
have negative impact over Apple Inc business.
Technological factors: this factor is majorly related to new and innovative technology
used in development of products. It is very important for Apple Inc to use more advance and
innovative technology in its business process so that they can improve its products. UK has one
of the most advance technologies in the world and this will have a positive impact over Apple
Inc business.
Legal factors: This factor is majorly related to all laws and legislation that is developed
by government in order to provide better product and services to customers. Legal factor consist
of health and safety law, employment laws, copyright and other laws that is specially developed
for protection of people and business. Apple Inc is following all rules and laws which is set by
UK government.
Environmental factors: Environment factor consist of different rules that is developed
for the protection of environment. This includes climate, weather condition, ecology, pollution
and so on. It is very important for Apple Inc to develop those products which do not have any
harm to environment.
Drawing on relevant theory, explicate main impacts for HR Department
There are various theories developed which will help in explicating impact of HR
department such as Kotter’s Change management theory. This theory includes 8 key steps
that provide aid to business in successful implementation of change.
Urge for change: This is considered as the first stage and in this step needs and urge of
change has been identify. This is generated in order to achieve opportunity that is associated with
change.
Building group dedicated to change: In this a proper team is developed in order to
execute changes.
Creation of vision for change: Apple Inc needs to create a proper vision in order to
implement change successfully.
Communicating requirement of change: Company needs to communicate vision to
employees so that they work accordingly.
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Empowering employees to facilitate modifications: Apple Inc. needs to motivate
employees so that they facilitate the require modifications.
Development of short run goal: Short run goals needs to be developed for employees in
order to motivate them.
Persistency: This is necessary for organisation in order to overcome all negative impact
on employees and business.
Making change permanent: This, being the last stage, requires changes to be
successfully implemented within Apple Inc.
Implications on HR Department
It is very important for HR department to develop strong and effective strategies. This
will help in conducting business activities in effective manner as well as reduce the negative
impact of changes on employees. There are different approaches which could be used by Apple
Inc and these strategies are mention below.
Development of training sessions: Training and development is an effective strategy as it
helps in developing skills as well as capability of employees. This will lead to performance of
business activities in more correct and efficient manner. Employees will be able to learn new
techniques for conducting business activities.
Development of leadership capabilities: Leadership is considered as an effective approach for
motivating as well as influencing employees towards particular goals and objective. This will be
very helpful in encouraging employees.
CONCLUSION
On the basis of above discussion, it can be stated that change management is a crucial
part of every enterprise. Hereby, the role of leader as well as manager is very important as they
are the ones who work in collaboration and cooperation to execute a change as per the
requirements of corporation. Their collaboration leads to occurrence of positive transformation
within the organisation in accordance with the objectives stipulated together with it. In addition
to this, it is ascertained that there are usually 2 approaches to bringing change within an entity,
namely, unplanned and planned. Furthermore, it is inferred that calm and white water are 2
strategies that are taken into use by an entity to carry out administration of changes within
organisational premise.
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