Solving Problems in a Business Environment

Solve problems in a
business environment

Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................3
TASK 1............................................................................................................................................3
1.1 Identify a problem that exists within a business...............................................................3
1.2 Analyse the business problem..........................................................................................4
1.3 Diagnose causes of the problem.......................................................................................4
1.4 Confirm with others that they understand the problem....................................................5
1.5 Compare different solutions to the problem.....................................................................5
1.6 Agree upon a solution.......................................................................................................6
TASK 2............................................................................................................................................7
2.1 Develop a plan to solve the problem, taking into account any constraints......................7
2.2 Explain why they have chosen their approach.................................................................7
2.3 Explain how they will know when the problem has been solved.....................................8
2.4 Allocate roles and responsibilities to support the plan.....................................................8
TASK 3............................................................................................................................................9
3.1 Carry out own actions as set out in the plan.....................................................................9
3.2 Review progress towards solving the business problem................................................10
3.3 Make adjustments to the plan as necessary....................................................................10
TASK 4..........................................................................................................................................11
4.1 Evaluate their approach to solving the business problem..............................................11
4.2 Evaluate other approaches that may have been more productive...................................11
CONCLUSION..............................................................................................................................11
REFERENCES..............................................................................................................................12

INTRODUCTION
Business environment is defined as collection of internal as well as external factors which
impacts enterprise in both positive and negative manner (Alkhafaji and Nelson, 2013). This
includes need and demand of customers, management, clients, innovation in technology, market
trends, economic changes and so on. Each and every organisation has to face problems to
conduct their activities and operations at marketplace. It is the responsibility of organisation
solves their problem which impact their productivity and profitability. The organisation chosen
for given assignment is Marks and Spencer which is retail business founded in 1984 at United
Kingdom. Being the learning and training advisor of respective organisation, different training
plans has been implemented. As it is facing issues related with low productivity due to untrained
or under trained situation. This report cover problems which exist in business and solutions
required for it. The plan is developed in order to solve problem and allocating roles and
responsibilities to support plan. It has also covered various approaches for solving business
problems.
TASK 1
1.1 Identify a problem that exists within a business
Problems in business exist at small, medium and large organisation but it is not possible
for all organisations to identify their problems (Bøllingtoft, 2012). It is the root cause of business
that leads to decline in profitability and productivity of organisation. As it is essential to identify
problem that exist within in business. The various types of problems which exist in business are
low productivity, low performance, lack of coordination among employees, conflicts and so on.
These all problems exist in all types of organisation that creates difficulty for better outcomes. In
context of Marks and Spencer, they have identified problems that lead to create struggle in
achievement of goals and objectives. The major problem which they have identified is low
productivity. This happened because they were many untrained staffs and worker who work for
enterprise but their productivity efficiency is low. This lead to decline in productivity along with
profitability and sales revenues has decrease. It is essential to identify problem at initial stage so
that it would not difficulties in future time period. For example, Marks and Spencer is facing
problem of low productivity so in this case, they have to identify main reason for low production
and solved it accordingly in best possible manner.

1.2 Analyse the business problem
Business problems are defined as long or current terms issues and challenges that are
faced by business (Botha, Kourie and Snyman, 2014). These prevent firm from execution of
strategy and achieving goals. It also provides threats for long survival of business at marketplace.
This is common for all business to face problems that can be minor or major depending upon the
situations. It can be identified through business analysis technique to know about rise problems
at market. In context of Marks and Spencer, they have faced major problem of low productivity.
While analysing these problem, it has found that the major problem arise because of untrained
and under trained staffs who gave their contribution for production. If these problems continue
then business has to bear huge loss that cannot be recovered with short time period. Here,
training manager has to conduct training and development session for low productive employees
and improve them in best possible manner so that goal and objectives can be attained. Unless
business problem are analysed and resolved, organisation cannot earn high profit margins and
their sales. Therefore, there are some tools for analysing business problem like mind mapping,
five whys and fishbone analysis to get accurate solutions to problems in effective and efficient
manner.
1.3 Diagnose causes of the problem
The organisation has to diagnose causes of problem in order to provide solution in
effective and efficient manner (Chiu, Tzeng and Li, 2013). Marks and Spencer is facing problem
of low productivity in which they have decline sales and profit margin. While diagnosing, main
cause of problem was because of untrained and under trained employees who worked in
production department. As they were not provided with training and development session which
created problem for them to work in better manner for achievement of goal and objectives. It is
very important to conduct training programs on frequent basis for all working force so that they
can give their best performance for positive outcomes. This is the responsibility of training
department to conduct training for their staff to enhance their efficiency and productivity to earn
high profit margins in appropriate manner. For example, if Marks and Spencer does not focus on
diagnosing main cause of problem then they cannot provide solutions for it. With the proper
diagnosis of difficulties for business leads in achievement of desired set goal and objectives for
positive results. The employees lack training so their productivity has been declined that
decreases their profits margins.