Challenges Faced by Operations Managers in Globalization Strategy

This report discusses the future challenges faced by operations managers in the initial stages of moving towards a globalization strategy. It explores the selection of a country and the associated challenges. The report also evaluates the component stages of a project and its lifecycle and the role it plays in operations management. Additionally, it critically assesses the managerial skills and competencies required for the management of operations and projects in the commercial sector.

Operations and
Project Management

Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................1
Advise upon future challenges faced by operations managers in initial stages of move towards
globalisation strategy along with the selection of country and associated challenges...........1
Evaluate the component stages of a project and its lifecycle and the role it plays in operations
management............................................................................................................................4
Critically assess managerial skills and competencies required for management of operations
and projects in the commercial sector....................................................................................5
CONCLUSION................................................................................................................................7
REFERENCES................................................................................................................................8

INTRODUCTION
Operations and project management is formative process that deals with the approach
related to daily basis business operations in a systematic manner as to ensure effective
accomplishment of organizational goals in a well defined manner. Project manager hold key
essential responsibility in which they apply knowledge, techniques, skills and tools in order to
effectively meet project objectives (Lindholm, Laine and Suomala, 2017). Project manager is
also having responsibility to set proper estimated budget, skills development, and schedule and
staff management in order to align business objectives. Present report has been conducted on
Wetherspoon, company operate their functioning with having more than 3500 staff. Entity is
having annual sales that exceed £1.5 billion along with this respective organisation is having
over 900 pubs in the provinces of United Kingdom. In this report formative discussion has been
made on future challenges that are being faced by operations manager in order to move towards
globalisation strategy. Along with this, in this report stages of project life cycle along with
managerial skills and competencies that operations and project manager.
Advise upon future challenges faced by operations managers in initial stages of move towards
globalisation strategy along with the selection of country and associated challenges
In-spite of the wide variety of tools as well as systems at their disposal, operations
managers are acknowledged to encounter a number of challenges when undertaking the measures
to move towards the globalisation strategy. The global market is characterized by its substantial
size as well as dynamic makeup. It is important for the operations managers to effectively grasp
the reality for maintenance of optimal performance in the international landscape. Globalisation
has largely transformed the way in which operations managers carry out their daily operations.
Wetherspoon is considering moving towards the globalisation strategy for which it is important
to take into account the challenges related to this strategy.
One of the primary challenges hereby is acknowledged to be quality assurance in new
country so as to instil trust within the individuals prevailing in the market place thereby. Yet
another complex challenge that operations managers of Wetherspoon may face in initial stage of
move towards globalisation strategy is utilisation of technologies for improving the production
process. The availability of funds to employ the latest and emerging technologies such as global
positioning systems (GPS) and radio-frequency identification (RFID), real time inventory
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management system, is regarded to be another substantial challenge that may be encountered by
the operations managers while operating on an international scale (Stiglitz, 2017). Further, yet
another priority or challenge for the operations managers is sustainability that needs to be
effectively maintained while operating in a global landscape.
Figure 1: Country Comparison of Economic Growth of 2017-18
(Source: https://www.theglobaleconomy.com/compare-countries/ , 2020)
On the basis of the above graph, it can be seen that the Economic Growth or in other terms the
rate of change of Real Gross Domestic Product is highest for Australia (2017-18) (Compare
countries with annual data from official sources, 2020). Thus, as per this, Australia has been
selected as the country for the initial stage of globalization for Wetherspoon. This country is
house to a large number of labourers, resources, technologies, infrastructural facilities and
economic developments which would provide assistance to the concerned organisation in
achieving success while executing the strategy of globalisation.
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Figure 2: Country Comparison of Labor Force Participation Rate of 2017-18
(Source: https://www.theglobaleconomy.com/compare-countries/ , 2020)
As per the above graph, it has been interpreted that Australia has the highest Labor Force
Participation Rate (2017-18) which implies that it has the highest number of individuals aged 15
years or above that are economically active (Compare countries with annual data from official
sources, 2020). This is another reason why Wetherspoon should choose to execute the initial
stage of globalisation within this nation. This would provide assistance to the entity in enhancing
its scale of operating, while also increasing the level of revenues and profits in the long run.
Thus, looking upon Economic Growth and Labor Force Participation Rate, Wetherspoon has
been advised to select Australia as the country for pursuing the initial stage of globalisation.
However, it has also been noted that despite such positive aspects of this nation, there are some
negative aspects also such as acquiring funds, getting electricity, payment of taxation, doing
trade across the borders, dealing with Australian culture and many more.
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Evaluate the component stages of a project and its lifecycle and the role it plays in operations
management
PROJECT LIFE CYCLE
Project lifecycle mainly involve different type of changes that demonstrate all the essential
information of project from starting to end (Zwikael, Meredith and Smyrk, 2019). In project
lifecycle all the stages are described in an efficient manner as to enhance project understanding
through which manger can demonstrate underlying project to team members. Mentioned below
objectives as well as strategies of respective organisation is define below:
Project Initiation:
Project initiation is defined as an initial stage of project life cycle. In this main motive of
project lead is to effectively develop feasible and effective objectives to accomplish
organisational target in best effective manner (Stiglitz, 2017). In context with respective
organisation project manager of entity under take advantage of wide range of objectives and
strategies to expand their business services in Australia while ensuring maximum benefits
Objectives:
 To increase overall sales performance of Wetherspoon by 15% person in one year.
 To capture market share holding with 7% stake after 1 year launch of business activities
Australia.
Strategies:
In order to expand business operations in Australia which is having highest labour force
participation rate, project manager of Wetherspoon have developed different type of marketing
strategies through which they can attract large number of customers towards entity in less time
frame (Liu and et. al., 2018). For this managers are planning to undertake widespread use of
social media and internet as to attract attention of maximum ways of customers towards
Wetherspoon. In addition to this entity is planning to undertake use of penetration pricing
strategy as to make significant increase in their sales performance in short span of time.
Cost: In order to launch business activities in Australia, Wetherspoon is planning to invest
approximate amount of $2,000 to $5,000.
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Communication: As to check project feasibility project manager is planning to undertake
use of strong communication modes for internal and external aspect in order to stimulate process
of information sharing in smooth and effective manner. In addition to this, with the assistance of
communication strategies, plans and models proper flow of information’s and necessary data can
be ensured.
Scope: Scope of expansion in Australia is very broad as company is planning to launch their
business with high quality services in order to influence customer interest.
Thus according to the above mentioned evaluation it has been identified that project is
having different stages and play a significant role in operation management, as it allow project
manager to conduct their activities in a well defined manner and can further ensure it’s
accomplishment in proper time frame.
Critically assess managerial skills and competencies required for management of operations and
projects in the commercial sector
In order to operate organizational operation and project in commercial segment it is
essential for manages to have access for efficient managerial skills as well as competencies in
order to effectively accomplishment targets in time effective manner along with profitable end
outcomes. Good management skills act as most important element for an organisation to achieve
its objectives and succeed (Smyth, 2018). A manager who is having good management skill can
fulfil vision and mission of business in best effective manner. Mentioned below there are some
managerial skills that are required to be access by management of projects and operations as to
increase efficiency of outcomes.
Technical Skills:
Having technical skills management of Wetherspoon operations and project can have
ability and knowledge to undertake use of different type of techniques to accomplish objectives.
It further allows managers to accomplish targets with high efficiency and in short span of time.
Technical skills not only include skills that are related to production tools, operating machines
and software and pieces of equipment but also involve skills that are essential to design different
type of product and services, boost sales and marketing services and products.
Conceptual Skills:
This management skill involves knowledge and ability for formulating ideas and abstract
thinking. With the help of conceptual skills manages can allow themselves to see entire concept
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and further evaluate them in order to diagnose problem and find creative solutions. It effectively
benefits management Wetherspoon of operations and protect to overcome hurdles with effective
measures.
Human or Interpersonal Skills:
With having human or interpersonal skills management of operations can effectively
possess the ability to interact with employees or work effectively with individuals. With the help
of this skill managers can undertake use of human potential at a great extent and con further
motivate them for organisational benefits.
Planning:
Planning is defined as most important aspect for an organisation in which managers by
having skills of planning can organise organizational activities with set guidelines and along with
available resources like labour, time and money in order to accomplish company goals in best
effective manner.
Communication:
Communication is a crucial skill for managers in operations as it is essential for them to
share information throughout team and individuals in order to unified workforce towards
organisational objectives. Effective communication can not only align task and activities in a
proper direction but also benefit manager to strengthen their relationship with employees through
which unnecessary issues and conflicts can be resolved.
Decision Making:
Decision making is a vital management skill through which manages within operations
can undertake effective decision making process (Tsay and et. al., 2018). It allows manager to
effectively evaluate situation and undertake decisions with clear and right manner towards
organizational profitability.
Delegation:
It is a key management skill in which manager is required to allot employees or
subordinate with task and roles (Padalkar and Gopinath, 2016). Operations or project
management with having delegation skill can reduce unnecessary workload upon employees and
can you facilitate easy and quick fulfilment of goals with avoiding wastage of time, resources
and money as to optimise productivity.
Problem Solving:
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It is an essential skill in which manager is required to tackle and solve problems in a well
effective manner by analysing situation or problem in a best way. By having problem solving
skills management of Wetherspoon operations can facilitate efficient work at faster rate.
CONCLUSION
As per above mentioned report it has been concluded that, operations and project
management is a process that deal with planning, organising, motivating and controlling
organisational resources in order to align business activities towards specific goals. In this with
having efficient management skills productivity of both employees in organisation can be
maximized. For this it is essential for managers to identify future challenges and initiate actions
in order to accomplish organisational goals.
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REFERENCES
Books and Journals
Beck, U., 2018. What is globalization?.John Wiley & Sons.
Cvetkovich, A., 2018. Articulating the global and the local: Globalization and cultural studies.
Routledge.
Dignam, A. and Galanis, M., 2016. The globalization of corporate governance.Routledge.
Enloe, C., 2016. Globalization and militarism: Feminists make the link. Rowman& Littlefield.
Lumby, J. and Foskett, N., 2016. Internationalization and culture in higher
education. Educational Management Administration & Leadership, 44(1), pp.95-111.
Martell, L., 2016. The sociology of globalization.John Wiley & Sons.
Modlik, M. and Johnston, L., 2017.Huhu grubs, bull semen shots and koki: Visceral geographies
of regional food festivals in Aotearoa. New Zealand Geographer, 73(1), pp.25-34.
Pieterse, J.N., 2019. Globalization and culture: Global mélange. Rowman& Littlefield.
Rodrik, D., 2018. Populism and the Economics of Globalization. Journal of international
business policy, 1(1-2), pp.12-33.
Steger, M.B., 2017. Globalization: A very short introduction (Vol. 86). Oxford University Press.
Stiglitz, J.E., 2017. The overselling of globalization. Business Economics, 52(3), pp.129-137.
Smyth, H., 2018. Projects as creators of the preconditions for standardized and routinized
operations in use. International Journal of Project Management, 36(8), pp.1082-1095.
Tate, K., 2017. Project Scheduling and Management. Managing Supply Chain Operations,
p.191.
Tsay, A.A. and et. al., 2018. A Review of Production and Operations Management Research on
Outsourcing in Supply Chains: Implications for the Theory of the Firm. Production and
Operations Management, 27(7), pp.1177-1220.
Zwikael, O., Meredith, J.R. and Smyrk, J., 2019. The responsibilities of the project owner in
benefits realization. International Journal of Operations & Production
Management, 39(4), pp.503-524.
Lee, C.K.H., 2018. A review of applications of genetic algorithms in operations
management. Engineering Applications of Artificial Intelligence, 76, pp.1-12.
Lindholm, A., Laine, T.J. and Suomala, P., 2017. The potential of management accounting and
control in global operations: Profitability-driven service business development. Journal
of Service Theory and Practice, 27(2), pp.496-514.
Liu, H.J. and et. al., 2018. From design to operations: a process management life-cycle
performance measurement system for Public-Private Partnerships. Production Planning
& Control, 29(1), pp.68-83.
Padalkar, M. and Gopinath, S., 2016. Six decades of project management research: Thematic
trends and future opportunities. International Journal of Project Management, 34(7),
pp.1305-1321.
Online
Compare countries with annual data from official sources. 2020. [Online]. Available Through:
<https://www.theglobaleconomy.com/compare-countries/>.
Top 10 challenges of doing business in Australia. 2020. [Online]. Available Through:
<https://www.tmf-group.com/en/news-insights/business-culture/top-challenges-
australia/>.
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