An Analysis of Leadership and Management at Vodafone: A Report

This report provides an in-depth analysis of leadership and management practices within Vodafone, a UK-based telecommunications company. It begins by differentiating between the roles of leaders and managers, highlighting their respective responsibilities and impact on organizational goals. The report then explores how leaders and managers function in various situations, including fast and moderate changes, and discusses relevant leadership theories such as situational, system, and contingency leadership. Furthermore, it details the functions of managers, including planning, organizing, directing, and controlling, while also outlining the roles of leaders in setting visions, guiding employees, building morale, and motivating staff. The report also investigates different management approaches like Total Quality Management, Just-in-Time, and Six Sigma, detailing the roles of leaders and managers within each approach. The importance of management operations in achieving business objectives is discussed, emphasizing productivity improvements, efficient daily operations, and resource utilization. Finally, the report examines internal and external factors affecting the business environment, particularly political, economic, social, and technological factors, and their influence on decision-making within Vodafone.

Management and Operations

Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION .........................................................................................................................1
TASK 1............................................................................................................................................1
P1 Role of leaders and managers and their difference. ..............................................................1
P2 Role of leader and manager in different situations and its theories.......................................2
P3 Managers function and leaders role.......................................................................................3
TASK 2............................................................................................................................................4
P4 Management approaches and leaders and managers role......................................................4
P5 Importance of management operations in attaining business objectives...............................5
P6 Factors affecting business environment and its impact on decision making.........................6
CONCLUSION................................................................................................................................7
REFERENCES ...............................................................................................................................8

INTRODUCTION
Management operations is obligated for the functional processes, for daily maintenance
and administration of organisation's resources and process. It is essential and exists in many
business concerns – service provisioning, procurement, production, organization resource
management, back office, etc. Vodafone which is a UK based telecommunication company has
been taken in this report (Chappelll and Petrov, 2014). Different roles of leaders and managers
are explained in this project. Various leadership theories are also discussed with different
situations. Further key approaches to management operations with their importance are also
mentioned in this report. Various factors which influence management and decision making are
also explained.
TASK 1
P1 Role of leaders and managers and their difference.
Leader:- Leader refers to an individual who has great impact on people and motivate
them to attain prescribed goals. Leaders have power to build up self-confidence and eagerness
among individuals and emerge an urge in them to achieve success. In context to Vodafone, the
manager should retain different qualities for a leader such as – drive, self-confidence, foresight,
personal integrity and initiative. An effective leader influences people to seek willingly for unit
objectives.
Manager:- Managers are very important as they holds dominant position in the
organisation and perform roles and responsibilities of whole organisation or some of its part.
They perform various operations such as hiring, terminating, to monitor and attendance the
organisation. Managers are required at different levels in the administration such as – top, middle
and lower level (Davidson and Olsen III, United Parcel Service of America Inc, 2013). They are
accountable for controlling or handling an administration or group of personnel, an individual
regarded in position of their ability. In context to Vodafone, managers are very crucial and assist
in performing daily operations of an organisation.
Difference between leaders role and managers function
Leaders Managers
Leaders stimulate a shared imagination. They
motivate individuals to attain common
Managers monitor others. They supervise their
associates performance and assure that
1

objectives with sincerity and trust. organisational goals should be attained.
Leaders focus on developing their individuals.
They encourages them and always try to do
new and innovative things. They provides good
working environment which helps workers to
learn and develop.
While managers control results and processes.
They are obligated for checking deadlines and
assures that assigned tasks should be
completed effectively in the given time.
Leaders motivate, encourage and inspire their
employees. They represents themselves as their
team's cheerleader and supply energy for
attaining high growth.
While managers checks that their employees
obligations are fulfilled. They performs various
function – planning, organising, directing,
controlling and monitors their success.
P2 Role of leader and manager in different situations and its theories
In an organisation there are different roles and responsibilities of leaders and manager, in
order to carry out daily operations (De Roover, 2017). They faces different situations according
to their customers requirements. In context to Vodafone, how leaders and managers perform in
various situations is explained below:
Fast situation:- Fast situations refers to those changes which occurs speedily or being
accepted in the businesses such as technical changes, customers demands, etc. In context to
Vodafone the managers and leaders are required to analyse the market situation and make
appropriate plans and strategies to adapt those changes.
Moderate situation:- Moderate situations is a change which is referred as a
modification but it is not large. It occurs changes in demand and requirements in dragging
manner. In context to Vodafone, the leaders and manager should face these situations effectively
and alter products and services as changes occurred.
Leadership theories
Situational leadership:- Situational theory determines that the leader should make
selection of effective strategies according to different situations (Jacobs, Chase and Lummus,
2014). In context to Vodafone, different leadership behaviours must be selected for effective
decision-making. Authoritarian style will be considered best for a brilliant leader in the
company. This theory is easy and can be understood by individuals.
2

System leadership:- System theory was formulated by Dr. Ian Macdonald. This theory
provides different tools to determine employees behaviour. It focus on goal accomplishment of
both organisation and individuals. In context to Vodafone, this theory assist organisation in
adapting environmental changes and the leaders must give effective solution of employees
problems to achieve desired growth.
Contingency leadership:- Contingency theory focus on environment's particular
variables which assist in evaluating effective leadership behaviour for different conditions. In
context to Vodafone this theory provides essential information of leadership kinds. According to
contingency theory no leadership style is effective for different situations (Knee and et. al., Rovi
Guides Inc, 2016). It assist various aspects and qualities, in order to attain desired objectives.
P3 Managers function and leaders role
Role of leaders:- There are different roles of a leader in the organisation. In context to
Vodafone, some roles are explained below:
Setting vision:- Clear visions help in achieving prescribed objectives effectively. It assist
in understanding responsibilities easily and make employees loyal towards organisation. In
context to Vodafone an effective leader will help in motivating employees to perform daily
operations by determining clear vision and their importance in the form of result.
Guiding employees:- It is essential to guide employees by informing them about their
work and providing appropriate tools which are required. In context to Vodafone a great leader
will describe the projects, make employees understand and available necessary tools which are
essential to attain desired goals.
Building morale:- Building morale refers to encouraging people towards goal
accomplishment. Good leaders always motivate individuals and increase their morale in complex
situations. In context to Vodafone an effective leader will appreciate employees work and if they
are performing better and provide solutions if any improvement is required.
Motivating employees:- In an organisation it is essential to identify workers needs and
wants. A good leader will satisfy their needs or wants and praise them for their effective
performance (Pohl, 2013). In context to Vodafone the leader will determine employees demands
and make appropriate efforts to fulfil them, in order to motivate them for goal achievement.
Functions of managers:- There are several functions performed by managers, in Vodafone
various functions are describes below:
3

Planning:- Planning is one of the essential function of managers. It is required for every
task or project whether it is big or small. In context to Vodafone the manager should prepare an
effective plan and explain it to employees – how to perform the assigned tasks with overall
information. It involves budgets, policies, standards, communication, etc.
Organising:- Directing is the process of synchronising and ensuring that individuals are
performing according to the strategy and plans prepared (Prahlad and Pawar, CommVault
Systems Inc, 2013). In context to Vodafone the manager should ensure that activities must be
coordinated via planning and is it is not according to that then it should be done by appropriate
plans.
Directing:- Directing is the process of guiding employees in different situations. In
context to Vodafone, the manager should lead individuals how to perform given tasks and
provide appropriate solutions in critical situations.
Controlling:- Controlling refers to the process of evaluating that tasks performed
according to applied strategies meet the desired standards or not. In context to Vodafone the
manager should measure the performance and take appropriate actions according to the
requirements.
TASK 2
P4 Management approaches and leaders and managers role
Total quality management:- Total quality management refers to management approach
which anticipates better performance and quality (Rajan and et. al., Google Inc, 2012). It assist in
satisfying customer requirements. It encourage all members to to take active participation in
improving services, products,processes, and working culture. In context to Vodafone leaders and
managers have various roles in this approach:
Managers role
 To maintain better elations with suppliers.
 To ensure continuous production improvement.
Leaders role
 To ensure effective use of personnel.
 To support individuals in the organisation.
4

Just-in-time approach:- The just-in-time approach provides that production takes place
by determining demands at specific level. In context to Vodafone this approach it decreases non-
productive processes like – carrying, storing, loading, storing , etc. Different roles of leaders and
managers for this approach are:
Managers role
 To make goods available at appropriate time.
 To analyse products requirements.
Leaders role
 To make optimum utilisation of resources.
 To assign roles and obligations to individuals.
Six sigma approach:- Six sigma is a plan or tool required for process improvement. It
was developed by Bill Smith in 1980. It is a analytical integrated approach to amend business
performance (Schönsleben, 2016). In context to Vodafone it is an attempt to take organisational
operations at six sigma level. According to this approach managers and leaders role are described
below:
Managers role
 To provide assistance and assessment to employees and top management.
 To supervise six sigma approach in the business.
Leaders role
 Executing six sigma approach to improve business performance.
 Provide proper training to employees.
P5 Importance of management operations in attaining business objectives
Management operations are essential in an organisation, in order to improve employees
productivity and organisational performance. Its important components are planning, staffing,
directing, organising, controlling, motivating, etc. In context to Vodafone the main purpose of
operations manager is to assure that the products must be delivered on time and raw materials
should be converted into processed products. It has crucial role in performing daily operations
and completing projects (Tevis and Van Hise, International Business Machines Corp, 2013). In
Vodafone it is very important in attaining business objectives which is described under.
Importance of management operations
5

Improves productivity:- Operations management assist organisations in improving their
overall productivity. It provides standard of both employees and managers skilfulness. In context
to Vodafone it concentrates on making optimum utilisation resources available to the company.
It assist in attaining goals and objectives effectively. As a result it improves individuals
efficiency.
Performing daily operations:- Operations management is very important for any
business, as it involves different elements such as – planning, directing, controlling, organising,
staffing, etc. These components are essential to carry out daily operations. In context to
Vodafone operations management is responsible for managing overall activities in the
organisation. It makes proper use of labour, money, raw material, etc. which assist in achieving
business objectives.
Proper utilisation of resources:- With the help of operations management optimum
utilisation of resources can be made. It result in achieving large profits in the organisation. In
context to Vodafone it assist in utilising raw materials and individuals efforts in effective and
efficient manner (Jacobs, Chase and Lummus, 2014). It makes appropriate use of manpower and
resources through handling various problems like – operations, design, and system maintenance
for production.
In Vodafone operations management is very essential to perform daily operations. It has
large contribution in attaining business objectives and improving entire organisation's efficiency.
P6 Factors affecting business environment and its impact on decision making
There are different internal and external factors which affects both organisation and its decision
making. Internal factors include customers suppliers, competitors, etc. and external factors
involves political, economic, social and technological factors. In context to Vodafone external
factors are described under.
External factors
Political:- Political factors include trade regulations, tax guidelines, social policy,
political stability, employment laws, etc. They have great influence on business organisations
and affects its operations in both positive and negative way (Chappelll and Petrov, 2014). In
context to Vodafone, various factors like government stability and employment legislations ill
affect company's performance.
6

Economic:- Economic factors involves interest rates, unemployment, inflation, credit
availability, gross domestic product, etc. In context to Vodafone these factors analyse external
issues which can be an important component in company's success.
Social:- Social factors assist organisations in determining consumers needs and wants in
the society. It involves population growth, attitudes, age profile, education, lifestyle, etc. in
context to Vodafone these factors help in identifying customer demands and achieving profits
by satisfying their demands. It helps in accomplishing business objectives effectively.
Technological:- Technological factors includes new techniques, remote working, internet
impact, research and development activity, reducing communication cost, etc. In context to
Vodafone increasing technology cost will affect negatively if the company is not able to
purchase costly machines, while government spending on research and development is
favourable for the organisation (Davidson and Olsen III, United Parcel Service of America Inc,
2013).
So these are the factors which affects an organisation's environment and its decision
making in different ways. All these factors help in addressing different problems and identifying
various needs in the department.
CONCLUSION
From the above project report it is concluded that management operations plays a vital
role in performing business operations. Leaders and managers are also essential to improve team
performance and to carry out various functions. Different leadership theories helps in selecting
appropriate leader behaviour to attain organisational goals. Further management operations assist
business in handling antithetical issues. Various approaches to management provides effective
support to employees. Furthermore, different factors in the business environment affects its
performance and profits in both positive and negative way. Therefore, leaders and managers
improves organisational productivity and performance through different activities.
7

REFERENCES
Books and journals
Chappelll, L. and Petrov, P., 2014. The European Union's crisis management operations:
Strategic culture in action?.
Davidson, M.J. and Olsen III, J.A., United Parcel Service of America Inc, 2013. Systems and
methods for utilizing telematics data to improve fleet management operations. U.S.
Patent 8,416,067.
De Roover, R., 2017. The Medici Bank: its organization, management, operations, and decline.
Pickle Partners Publishing.
Jacobs, F.R., Chase, R.B. and Lummus, R.R., 2014. Operations and supply chain management
(pp. 533-535). New York, NY: McGraw-Hill/Irwin.
Knee, R.A., and et. al., Rovi Guides Inc, 2016. Electronic television program guide schedule
system and method with data feed access. U.S. Patent 9,319,735.
Pohl, B., 2013. The logic underpinning EU crisis management operations. European security.
22(3). pp.307-325.
Prahlad, A. and Pawar, R.S., CommVault Systems Inc, 2013. Systems and methods for
performing data management operations using snapshots. U.S. Patent 8,595,191.
Rajan, S.N., and et. al., Google Inc, 2012. Performing power management operations. U.S.
Patent 8,181,048.
Schönsleben, P., 2016. Integral logistics management: operations and supply chain management
within and across companies. CRC Press.
Tevis, G.J. and Van Hise, D.G., International Business Machines Corp, 2013. Optimization of a
computing environment in which data management operations are performed. U.S.
Patent 8,554,743.
8