Literature Review & Analysis

This assignment requires a thorough review and analysis of scholarly publications from different fields. The provided list consists of research articles spanning topics such as maternal mortality, infant gut microbiome, positive psychological capital, inclusive markets, entrepreneurial competencies, spray-drying methods, supply chain resilience, learning in R&D, and business models in the Web 2.0 era. Students are expected to analyze these articles, identify common themes, and potentially draw connections between seemingly disparate fields.

THE DEVELOPING
MANAGER

Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................3
TASK 1............................................................................................................................................3
1.1 Compare different management styles..................................................................................3
1.2 Discuss leadership characteristics ......................................................................................4
1.3 Evaluate Communication Process in Virgin Trains .............................................................5
1.4 Analyse organisational culture and change in business .......................................................5
TASK 2............................................................................................................................................6
2.1 Assess own Management skills performance ......................................................................6
2.2 Analyse personal strengths, weakness, opportunities and threats.........................................7
2.3 Set and prioritise objectives and targets to develop potential ..............................................8
TASK 3............................................................................................................................................9
3.1 Lead and motivate team to achieve agreed goal or objective ..............................................9
3.2 Managerial decisions that support achievement of goals and objectives ...........................10
TASK 4..........................................................................................................................................11
4.1 Managerial and personal skills that support career development ......................................11
4.2 Produce Development plan ................................................................................................11
CONCLUSION..............................................................................................................................13
REFERENCES..............................................................................................................................14

INTRODUCTION
Managers are the most important identity that play important role in every business
organisation. They have certain roles and responsibilities that lead them to accomplish final goals
and aims. Developing manager is a essential process in which specific theories and working style
is adopted by manager of the company so that their work lead to attainment of set vision and
mission. This report highlight the case of Virgin Trains which is a well established train
operating organisation that render hospitality services to their customers. Company have
different management styles which make them run accordingly. This assignment contains
various management skills that are adopted by manager and the communication process that is
present in the organisation system. Apart from it, leadership and motivation is a necessary
process that lead the team members towards achieving purpose and goals of the company in set
time period. There are number of managerial and personal skills that support career
development.
TASK 1
1.1 Compare different management styles
Management style is considered as art of bringing employees at one place and pull out
possible outcome from them which refer to effective organization. Basically, leaders do have an
unique style of managing employees and human resource. The different ways of dealing with
employees is said to be as management style. Management style is the process that is used by
the managers to manage the work force. Depending upon nature and type of work selection of
type of style to mane is done. It is important that with a particular style administration has the
capacity to bring best results from the employees. Every business have set management style that
focus that all working process is carried out effectively. There are number of management styles
that are present in business environment. Hence, company have to choose most appropriate
system that lead to achievement of final goals and objectives. The basic aim of this concept is
that it guides the behaviour of every individual or employees towards correct direction (Beck,
Demirgüç-Kunt, and Levine, 2010). There are some features and characteristics of every
management styles that need to be examined by the manager and have to make choice

accordingly. This have set targets that need to be accomplished conductively. The difference
between two management styles is as follows:
Participative style of management Authoritative Style of management
This style in adopted by Virgin Trains in which
ever employees have the right to contribute
their point of views and thoughts in decision
making process. There is another function
which is carried out under this style is
motivation which involve inducing employees
to work effectually (Sigelman, and Rider,
2014).
Under this type of management style superior
level formulate policies and rules that has to be
followed by subordinate level. There is no role
of employees in decision making process,
simply they have to follow their employer.
Virgin Trains organisation do not adopt this
type of style as it can pose number of problems
in front of them.
1.2 Discuss leadership characteristics
Leadership is a most important component in an organisation that lead their team
members by aligning their personal objectives with company's goals so that final aim can be
accomplished. Managers play the role of leader in which they control actions of employees in
proper direction. Therefore, leaders of Virgin Trains must contain certain skills and
characteristics which are described below: Inspiring characteristic: It involve inspiring the behaviour of every employee so that
they can able to work according to best of their efforts. They have to continuously make
efforts to improve their performance level (Bianchi, and et. Al, 2011). Effective communication skills: Leaders of Virgin Trains must possess excellent
communication skills so that they can properly communicate information to their
subordinates and they could work with maximum effectiveness. Creative skills: This is very much important in today's business environment in order to
stand apart from number of competitors. Managers of Virgin Trains must be innovative in
their working styles so that all work must be conducted in effective and efficient mode. Honest: Leaders must perform their working styles in accurate way so that final
outcomes can be reached in set time period. On the other hand, they must be honest in
following their values, beliefs and rules (Richards, Taylor, and Ramasamy, 2013).

 Confident: Managers of Virgin Trains must be confident in their nature. It helps their
subordinates to follow their instructions properly and correctly. This do not mean that
leader become overconfident as it will pose a negative impact on employees.
 Build Strong Team structure: According to this, leaders construct their team based upon
synergy concept in which every single team is assigned some particular work tasks that
has to be fulfilled by them in particular time period (Pettit, Fiksel, and Croxton, 2010).
1.3 Evaluate Communication Process in Virgin Trains
Communication Process refers to delivering the important data or information from one
party to another. This is a most essential procedure that is conducted in every business
organisational system. As it follows chain of command in which there is set structure that
mention the path of communication between superior and subordinates (Desimone, 2011). In
virgin Trains company superior formulate certain roles and duties that need to be communicated
to respective staff people so that they can perform their work accordingly.
It also put emphasis on establishing healthy and good relationship between employee and
employers so that whole work is carried out smoothly without any hindrance. Communication
process which is followed in virgin Trains is as follows: Sender: It involve individuals that want to pass and share their information to some other
person. Ideas, Message: It refers to all matter and contents that is to be transferred from one end
to another. Hence, it involve all material information that is required to be transmitted. Encoding: It refers to the process in which all data and information is converted into
electronic format so that it can be relocated through communication channel easily. Communication Channel: It involve mediums through which information travel from
one place to another. Receiver: It refers to the user that receive the message finally. Decoding: This process takes place in receiver's end in which electronic data format is
converted again into understandable format (Penuel, and et. al, 2011).
 Feedbacks: It refers to the actions that gets generated from receiver's end which ensure
that they have understood the message or not. It can be favourable or unfavourable. It
help Virgin Trains to make modifications and alterations accordingly.

1.4 Analyse organisational culture and change in business
Every business is conducted in accordance to set organisational culture that involve
policies, customs, values, rules and regulations that are followed in that particular company
(Wirtz, Schilke, and Ullrich, 2010). As employees that are working together comes from
different culture, backgrounds therefore it become necessary to coordinate their efforts in single
direction. In this organisational culture play crucial role by maintaining balance between all these
aspects. Virgin Trains also have their own proper culture system where employees work properly
and to their maximum level so that final objectives can be attained. Managers play essential role
in this aspect as they have to make sure that company must have healthy and conducive working
environment.
Every business firm have to operate in dynamic environment which keeps on changing
with time (Duffy, 2013). Hence, Virgin Trains must have proper change system in which they
have to make modifications regarding policies and objectives whenever needed. There are
different organisational culture which are illustrated below: Task Culture: According to this culture, every employee is assigned particular task
responsibility that has to be conducted by them in proper format. Hence, this culture
ensures that all assigned work must be completed in effective way (Ogunlana, 2010). Role culture: In this type of culture, organisation have set roles and responsibilities for
every individual that are working in that company. Here, clear roles are specified so that
there is no problem in conducting work process.
 Power Culture: In this type of organisational culture, company consider opinions of staff
members in decision making process. Its characteristic also involve taking risks that
happen in business environment.
Virgin Trains have proper role and task organisation culture in which they have set duties
and roles for every individual that are present in organisation. Hence, final objectives get
accomplished in effective manner.
TASK 2
2.1 Assess own Management skills performance
Management skills are those which involve an practise of understanding, developing also
spread skills of people in better way. Moreover, better implemented skills management is such

which should go with having an job role too and having an skills of having an individual
employees. Robert Katz identified three managerial skills essential to successful management:
technical, human, and conceptual. Technical skill involves process or technique knowledge and
proficiency. Human skill involves the ability to interact effectively with people. There are
number of management skills that are adopted by manager to carry out whole work procedure in
proper manner. These skills helps in reaching ultimate goals and aims that has been set in
conducive way. Being a manger of Virgin Trains that is required to accomplish set vision and
mission in set time period. Assessment of my management skills in described below:
Skills Assessment
Communication Skills Being a manager of service sector I must
possess excellent and effective communication
skill in order to communicate proper
information to clients as well as staff members.
Leadership skills I have team of around 20 members which have
to perform assigned work task in set time
period in effective manner. Thus, I have
prospective leadership quality as I guide
behaviour of every individual towards proper
direction and path. This results in
accomplishment of final objectives and aims.
Correct decision making skills Being a manager it is necessary to make
correct decision on nay area. I have to take
decisions on various matter that are important
in nature. There can be uncertainty that may
arise anytime therefore, decisions have to be
taken immediately to remove any barrier.

2.2 Analyse personal strengths, weakness, opportunities and threats
It is necessary to know personal strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, threats so that
proper method can be adopted to minimize risks that may occur while conducting business
operations. SWOT analysis is performed to determine this procedure which are mentioned
below:
STRENGTHS WEAKNESSES
 I have experience in various fields that
are consider most important while
carrying out work process effectively
and efficiently.
 I possess scientific and analytical skills
that is required to conduct any
particular work process.
 I have excellent communication skills
hence, I can maintain good and healthy
relationship with individuals for longer
period of time.
 I lack innovative skills that is required
to carry out work process effectually.
Thus, it is a major weakness that may
pose threat in accomplishment of final
outcomes.
 Sometimes, I do not follow set rules
and regulations which lead to rise of
problems in front of me. Thus, it is a
major weakness.
OPPORTUNITIES THREATS
 In order to keep in pace with the
advance technology I have to adopt
various modern technology in to the
business system so that benefits can be
shown in the form of results and
outcomes.
 There is major opportunity of
expansion that involve business system
to expand present business operation so
that there is increase in market share
and growth.
 I have limited knowledge about various
policies and rules that are framed by
government bodies thus, I have to face
major problem regarding it.
 There are number of rivalries that are
present in business environment which
pose challenges and risks to the
business organisation.

2.3 Set and prioritise objectives and targets to develop potential
It is very much important to develop priority that involve setting up steps that has to be
completed first which are followed to develop potential. There are some targets that required to
be fulfilled in set time period. Objectives are meant to establish standards in order to carry out
actual performance so that it can be compared and deviations are find out.
Objectives Set Target Date Actions to be
performed
Implementing
it in proper
manner
Completed
yes/ no
Smart
objectives.
Acquiring the
knowledge of
different
languages
06/06/18 Attending
classes from
expert
By taking help
of latest
technology
system.
Yes It will be
learned in 1
month.
Enhancing
leadership
skills
20/05/18 Taking classes
and coaching.
Applying
practical
knowledge on
team members
of
organisation.
Yes 1.5 months.
Acquiring
more
knowledge
how to mange
divers work
force
25/05/18 Through
reading books
and journals of
experienced
experts.
Performing
managing
work.
Yes 2 months.

TASK 3
3.1 Lead and motivate team to achieve agreed goal or objective
It is very much important to motivate em,employees of the organisation as it results in
increasing the productivity and performance level of the individuals. Managers have to perform
this role by setting number of aspects that are consider in this function. Basically, there are two
motivational factors that include monetary and non monetary aspects. Both have, certain features
and characteristics attached to it. It has been observed that motivating employee work with more
efficiency and energy as compared to non motivated worker (Godefroid, Levin, and Molnar,
2012). Virgin trains also have proper system to motivate their employees in proper way. There
are number of tools that are adopted by managers to motivate their employees that are discussed
below: Providing proper opportunity for self development: Virgin Trains render proper
attention in forming various opportunities that results in self development of every
employee. As every individual want his or her regular growth and development thus,
company have to consider it as their prime motive (Nandiyanto, and Okuyama, 2011). Creating healthy working environment: This is the most important factor that is directly
linked with achieving the organisation's set goals and purpose. If company have
conducive working environment than every worker gets motivated to work with best of
their abilities. Virgin Trains have such environment. Establishing proper pay structure: Salary is consider most important monetary
motivational factor for the employees. Virgin Trains have proper system of payment in
which employees are paid in accordance to their level and position.
 Reward and Recognition system: Virgin Trains have system to give rewards which can
be in monetary and non monetary terms. Both the aspects lead to increase in motivational
factor of every employee (Heijtz, and et. Al, 2011). For instance, they have the policy to
provide rewards in various fields that include “best employee” at month end.
3.2 Managerial decisions that support achievement of goals and objectives
Managers are the most important identity of any business organisation as they are the
building blocks of company. They set number of objectives and aims that have to be adopted by

workers of Virgin Trains so that ultimate purpose can be accomplished. Thus, managerial
decision play a significant role in achievement of vision and mission of Virgin Trains company.
It is the duty of higher level of management to make strategic decisions that is focused for whole
organisational system. Some of the decisions are described below: Motivating employees to contribute their ideas: In this type of managerial decision
workers are allowed to share their innovative ideas, and thoughts in decision making
process. Manager must listen to their significant feedbacks and suggestions that may be
consider important while taking important decision (Mitchelmore, and Rowley, 2010).
Virgin Trains have system that allow every individual to share any specific opinion that
can help organisation's system to work comely.
 Make decisions in accordance to customer's demands: Consumers are the real kings in
market place. Hence, this is a important decision taken up by managers of Virgin Trains
in which all the work process is carried out after determining the needs and requirements
of every individual in market area.
Recommendations For Improvements
There are certain alterations and changes that are required by company so that whole
work process gets improved at significant level. Some recommendations are described below: Improved system of controlling the performance of workers: This is the most most
important recommendation that involve continuous monitoring the performance of
employees (Hogan, And et. al, 2010). Virgin Trains must employ some system so that
they can control performance level of worker.
 Managing payment system properly: This is a primary managerial decision taken up by
Virgin Trains in which they have fair system of payment structure in organisational
system.
TASK 4
4.1 Managerial and personal skills that support career development
Career development is a indispensable procedure that concentrates on developing the
career path in such manner so that ultimate path can be accomplished in set time period.

Therefore, there are specific managerial and personal skills that must be possessed by manager
of Virgin trains is as follows: Leadership Skills: This is a most important managerial skills that must be constituted by
manager as it involve guiding the work actions of every individual. This is very much
essential to carry out the work structure in optimally (Koenig, and et. al, 2011). Communication skills: It is a most needed skill for career development as virgin Trains
have to perform number of tasks that require proper communication system hence, it is
directly linked with career development process. Change management Skills: Changes are part and parcel of conducting business system.
Thus, it become important to adopt such skills that is required in today's competitive
business world. These changes are of different in nature and types hence, managers have
to examine it properly so that proper steps can be taken in correct time period.
 Innovative Skills: According to this skill, some new concepts and ideas are introduced
into the working system. This is very much required in order to keep in pace with the
changing business environment. Manager of Virgin Trains have to adopt such skills so
that proper work task will be conducted in conducive manner.
All the above discussed skills contribute in developing the career of every individual
properly. It allow to obtain continuous growth and development so that final aims can be
successfully obtained (Luthans, and et. al, 2010).
4.2 Produce Development plan
Career development plans means finding out the capacity and abilities that has to be
achieved in particular time period. There are number of methods and tools that are formulated to
develop the career development plan. It consists of all managerial and personal skills that is
required for growth. It also specifies the time period which is required to full fill that particular
skills. Manager of Virgin Trains have to examine the career and personal development needs in
order to produce development plans. Some needs are:
 Changing business environment: It include, that changes are not stable hence, there is a
need to review career and personal development plan frequently.
 Increase in number of competitors: Business world is full of competitors, thus it become
necessary to bring some changes in order to keep in pace with the strategies and policies
of other business entities (Mair, Martí, and Ventresca, 2012).

Career Development plan
Skills Development required Time Period
Leadership skills There are number of modern
and advanced techniques that
need to be inculcated into
leadership styles so that final
goals and objectives can be
attained. The proper adoption
of such skill results in carrying
out the tasks in correct
method.
3 months
Motivational Skills This skill aids in directing the
behaviour and point of view
towards proper direction and
way.
3.5 Months
Communication Skills This is a necessary skills that
must be induced in individual
in order to gain final and
ultimate objectives. There are
number of activities that are
performed to improve the
communication skill of every
individual.
2 Months
CONCLUSION
From the above report it can be concluded that managers play vital role in business
organisation as they combine all resources towards accomplishment of final goals and aims. This
report highlight the case of Virgin Trains that is included in hospitality sector and offer services
to their clients. Therefore, leaders must possess certain skills and characteristics that result in

attaining ultimate objectives. There are number of challenges that may occur hence, managers
have to develop themselves accordingly.
REFERENCES
Books and Journals
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countries and over time:
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Bianchi, M.and et. al., 2011. Organisational modes for Open Innovation in the bio-
pharmaceutical industry: An exploratory analysis. Technovation. 31(1). pp.22-33.
Desimone, L.M., 2011. A primer on effective professional development. Phi delta kappan.
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Heijtz, R.D. and et. al., 2011. Normal gut microbiota modulates brain development and
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