Challenges in Operations Management for Wetherspoon's Globalization Strategy

This report discusses the challenges that operations managers will face in the initial stages of Wetherspoon's move towards their globalization strategy. It also evaluates the different stages within a project and its life-cycle and how this links to operations management. Additionally, it assesses the managerial roles and competencies required for the management of operations and projects within Wetherspoon.

Operations and Project
Management

Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION ..........................................................................................................................3
MAIN BODY...................................................................................................................................3
Advise Wetherspoon on the future challenges that the operations managers will face in the
initial stages of the move towards their globalisation strategy...................................................3
Evaluate the different stages within a project and its life-cycle and how this links to operations
management................................................................................................................................5
Assess the managerial roles and the competencies required for management of the operations
and projects within Wetherspoon................................................................................................7
CONCLUSION ...............................................................................................................................8
REFERENCES................................................................................................................................9

INTRODUCTION
Operations and Project management a crucial function of business entities that is
performed for making the manufacturing most productive by making maximum use of all the
resources present and working efficiently (Reid and Sanders, 2019). Operations management in
simpler words is a process that involves changing of raw materials into finished goods
productively and efficiently. The report is developed in regards to Wetherspoon a hospitality
service provider. The company was founded in 1979 and based in Watford, England.
Wetherspoon initially entered the market as a pub and acquired UK's market by opening around
900 pubs in UK. Afterwards, Wetherspoon expanded and presently its main offering is by which
company has its presence in market are Pubs, Hotels and Public Houses. The present report is
constructed over globalisation strategy of Wetherspoon within which some of the initial
challenges which project managers will be facing while perusing the idea of globalisation are
identified. Moving along, different stages of project life-cycle are evaluated and their link with
project management is examined. At last, management roles and competencies required for
potential management of a project are assesses.
MAIN BODY
Advise Wetherspoon on the future challenges that the operations managers will face in the initial
stages of the move towards their globalisation strategy.
Operations Management is a process which involves effective and efficient use of
resources for changing the raw goods into finished one and offerings the best products to
customers and productive results to company in regards to profitability and revenue generation.
The procedures included in operations management are thorough and critical requiring acute
knowledge and experience in the respective work field (Alnaggar and Pitt, 2019). WetHerspoon
is an old company which is being operating in hospitality industry from multiple decades and
have its operations running in the United Kingdom and Ireland. As market is becoming dynamic
and competitive with every passing year and even in very short period. Wetherspoon is planning
to move and expand its functioning in new market by establishing its presence in American
markets.
American economy is immensely supported and contributed by Hospitality sector as in
fact according to number in 2013 the industry's one sector that is travel and tourism placed

significant numbers in its economic output that is nearly, $1.5 trillion. Other than economy, the
sector do have great influence in creating job opportunities and uplifting living standards of
people as around 7.8 millions U.S. Jobs are accounted to Hospitality sector and 1 out of 18 is the
U.S. is working for hospitality industry either directly or indirectly. Thus, United States is a
feasible market for Wetherspoon to expand and establish itself in global marketplace. The
globalisation project is a crucial as company is moving to new place, in new and unknown
environment as well as amongst different people (Meredith and Shafer, 2019). Thus, there are
number of challenges and difficulties which will be presented in front of managerial staff and
others associated with the company. Some of the initial challenges which will be experienced by
managers and leaders of Wetherspoon while moving in new place of work are stated below: Aggressive Competition- The world is a huge platform with enormous opportunities and
giant space provided to businesses and experts sitting in separate locations around the
globe for operating in and earning the best possible outcomes and revenues. The
challenge which exist in globalisation for businesses and management of business houses
such as Wetherspoon is of increasing competition and aggressive behaviours of business
owners to survive and earn profits. Thus, initial difficulty which operations management
will be dealing with while moving in the U.S. Is of existing hospitality services providers.
Moreover, the entity needs to keep its service and product quality high and prices low to
earn their place in market amongst other brands and for placing itself effectively in-front
of new customer groups. Lack of Market Knowledge- America or the United States is a marketplace which is
known for the most innovative business ideas and development amongst the other places
in the worlds. Like very other market American market do have a unique style of
operations and working environment. This leads to the challenges for Wetherspoon and
its operations management. The managers and leaders do not have ample knowledge
required of market as there are minute details and insight required to make their
organisation competitive. This challenge will be imposing long term influence over the
company's functioning in international waters and in new place of work (Fernandes and
et. al., 2020).
 Unknown Market Trends and Social Environment- The social environment referring to
preferences, likes and dislikes of the potential customers or buyers in America when it

comes to hospitality. This is a challenge for operations management as they had to gain
those minute details about the preferences and social trends of the place for developing a
diversified and strong product portfolio accordingly and keeping up with serving what
exactly customers that is guests expects the brand to offer.
Evaluate the different stages within a project and its life-cycle and how this links to operations
management.
Project Life-cycle is a systematic procedures which is followed by managers and their
teams with the focus over the objectives and work accordingly for attaining the goals of the
respective project and supporting the overall aims of the organisation. This tool will be helpful
for the managerial activities of Wetherspoon while dealing with the globalisation strategy and for
entering American Marketplace with expansion purpose (Kerzner, 2019).
The Project life cycle is linked with operations management as the four stages involved in
the process are subordinated and supported by operation management functions of Controlling
and Monitoring. The four stages of the life cycle and its interlinking with operations
management functions for the globalisation and expansion project of Wetherspoon are elaborated
and evaluated beneath in the next section. Initiation- This is the first phase of the project of Wethersoopn in which the company's
needs for undertaking the respective project is identified. Thus, accordingly the
company's need that required Wetherspoon to globalise is to deal with increasing and
regularly developing competition in industries and as well of grabbing a concrete
opportunity. The company's aims to move in American markets with its offering to
develop a customer base and adds value to their market share. The first stage of the
process links with operations management as the feasibility of expansion is only possible
when operations and functioning persona of Wetherspoon is strong enough to do so
(Glock and et. al., 2019).
 Planning- This is the second stage for which once objectives are developed in detail then
plans are made for reaching and productive completion of multiple tasks for reaching to
final solution that is goals for which the project was initiated in the first place. In these
plans knowledge and experience of management and leaders of Wetherspoon are required
as tasks are divided along with identifying resource requirement of each task. Here,
operations management plays a major role in efficiently placing the available resource at

all level where required and procuring more for future needs while globalising. Resources
like funds will be allocated project managers will be providing cost estimates to their
teams for effective management of operations and related functions. Hence, it is evident
that to make the best out the resources and allocating them wherever required only
operations management phenomena and technique is adopted by management and by the
leaders developing and bifurcating tasks in the most productive manner by integrating the
activities with the aim of expansion in American markets (Zwikael, Meredith and Smyrk,
2019).
Illustration 1: Project Life Cycle: phases and characteristics, 2018
(Source: Project Life Cycle: phases and characteristics, 2018) Production- The next stage where all plans are executed and imposed according to the
blueprints developed. This is the phase in which plans are put into motion and the actual

work is performed. On this particular stage the managers and leaders role is to effectively
control all the action being taken and keep a smooth flow of communication going. The
operations management function of controlling will play a critical role in implementing
plans for executing the globalisation strategy of Wetherspoon and supports its functions
in present and future working conditions by effective monitoring and steps taken for
make improvements continuously.
 Closing- This is the last and final phase of project life cycle that is of closure in which the
end results are analysed and the developments or experience are summarised in
documents (Rendon and Snider, 2019). This stage will be working as a lesson for the
future operations of Wetherspoon as the next steps will be planned according to the
learning of past and knowledge of future market trends. The closing stage is where the
managers will learn more and gain experiences that will enable them in making future
arrangements and better plans for sustaining in America. The organisation will gain little
more information about the market and a deep insight about the trends which are going
prevail in future and how they can grab concrete opportunities for better results and
higher profitability in the market.
Assess the managerial roles and the competencies required for management of the operations and
projects within Wetherspoon.
Management is known as a process related with functioning and administration of a
business organisation by looking over and managing several aspects of business in the most
efficient and effective manner. Managerial activities covers number of aspects regarding to
smooth functioning and operating of organisational operations. In relations to operations and
project there are certain roles and competencies which the management of Wetherspoon will be
performing for making potential moves and entering American markets efficiently (Whyte,
2019). Hence, these roles and competencies are discussed underneath:
MANAGEMENT ROLES: Leadership- The major role which a manager or the project manager will be playing
while moving and establishing operations of Wetherspoon in America is of proving
effectively leadership. The managers has the characteristics of taking place of a leader
and acting on the place of a motivator and a guide for employee showing them the right
and the most productive path that leads staff towards their as well as company's goals.

The managers will be performing leadership in which they encourage people for
accepting the change through which company is going through and perform in the best
productive manner.
 Human Resource Management- The managers will be performing role of HRM as their
responsibilities will be including administration of workforce starting form hiring and
leading to rewarding them and performance appraisals.
MANAGEMENT COMPETENCIES: Effective Communication Competency- A very crucial and important skill or
competency which will be needed to be procured by management of Wetherspoon while
moving and expanding to America and potentially executing all tasks of the project is
effectively communication. The management have to make sure that staff and all related
third parties are well informed for removing any leakages in the implementation stage
and executing all strategies potentially and productively (Kiani and et. al., 2019).
 Leadership Skills- As discussed the management and managers will be performing the
role of leaders which automatically directs the needs for management to hold effective
leadership skills and abilities. The managers of globalisation project in Wetherspoon will
be playing management and leadership roles both for certain point of time. Thus, it is an
essential skill to be developed by them while managing operations in global location.
CONCLUSION
According to the discussion conducted in the assessment above a drawn conclusion is the
complexities involved in management of a project and several operations of business required
huge planning and evaluation. Every project manager conducts feasibility check before
exercising their strategies. Thus, the report itself identified related challenges for management in
executing and moving along with globalisation strategy of company. As well as project life-cycle
is examined for restoring links with operations management and efficiency of the organisational
functions. Finally the roles and competencies of management like leadership, effective
communication and others are determined that are required for significant management of a
project and of the functions in real practical scenarios while operating in market.

REFERENCES
Books and Journals
Alnaggar, A. and Pitt, M., 2019. Towards a conceptual framework to manage BIM/COBie asset
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Fernandes, G. and et. al., 2020. The roles of a Programme and Project Management Office to
support collaborative university–industry R&D. Total Quality Management & Business
Excellence. 31(5-6), pp.583-608.
Glock, C. H. and et. al., 2019. Applications of learning curves in production and operations
management: A systematic literature review. Computers & Industrial Engineering. 131.
pp.422-441.
Kerzner, H., 2019. Using the project management maturity model: strategic planning for project
management. John Wiley & Sons.
Kiani, M., and et. al., 2019. Risk assessment of blasting operations in open pit mines using fahp
method. Mining of Mineral Deposits. 13(3). pp.76-86.
Meredith, J. R. and Shafer, S. M., 2019. Operations and supply chain management for MBAs.
John Wiley & Sons.
Reid, R. D. and Sanders, N. R., 2019. Operations management: an integrated approach. John
Wiley & Sons.
Rendon, R. G. and Snider, K. F., 2019. Management of defense acquisition projects. American
Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics, Inc..
Whyte, J., 2019. How digital information transforms project delivery models. Project
management journal. 50(2). pp.177-194.
Zwikael, O., Meredith, J. R. and Smyrk, J., 2019. The responsibilities of the project owner in
benefits realization. International Journal of Operations & Production Management.
Online:
What are the 5 Current Challenges of Operations Management?, 2016. [Online] Available
Through: <https://online.kettering.edu/news/2016/10/18/what-are-5-current-challenges-
operations-management/>
Project Life Cycle: phases and characteristics, 2018. [Online] Available Through:
<https://twproject.com/blog/project-life-cycle-phases-and-characteristics//>