Understanding and Leading Change

Understanding and Leading
change

Table of Contents
Contents
Contents...........................................................................................................................................2
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................1
P1 Impact of change on an organisation’s strategy.....................................................................1
P2 Effect of change on leadership, individual and team behaviour............................................3
P3 Discuss several measure to minimise the negative impact of change....................................5
P4 Discuss different barriers of change and how they affect decision making of leadership.....7
P5 Evaluate different approaches of leadership in order to deal with such changes...................8
CONCLUSION..............................................................................................................................10
REFERENCES..............................................................................................................................11

INTRODUCTION
In an era of globalisation, changes are taken at a fast pace as there is transformation in rules
and regulations, advancement of technology, changes in needs and preferences of customers and
many more (Byers, 2017). Due to this, it allows business to prepare an appropriate strategies and
make plans to achieve organisational objectives in a short span of time. Also, macroeconomic
play an important role in an economy in order to gain sustainability in a long run and assist firm
in taking an appropriate decision by assessing that availability of resources. This report is based
on Marks and Spencer which is renowned brand in UK that deal with variety of products such as
clothing, groceries and home essentials. The firm has around 80,000 employees as it has
expended its operations in different parts of country and emphasise on quality products to gain
large access of customers. This report comprises of several changes that have direct impact on its
operations and several drivers of changes that affect internal and external operations on
individual, team and leadership. Various barriers of change on an organisation is covered in this
report. Also, this report includes various approaches of leadership to deal with such changes
within the context of organisation.
P1 Impact of change on an organisation’s strategy
Changes is very important in a business enterprise as it bring lot of improvement in
internal operations and it also provide vast opportunities and new challenges for staff.
Furthermore, it facilitates employees to acquire new skills and capabilities and thus, improve the
overall performance and structure of a company (Doppelt, 2017). The manager of Marks and
Spencer recruit best and efficient employees in their workplace and assign work in accordance to
their specialisation so that they could work with zeal and potential. Therefore, this gain greater
job satisfaction and allow them to retain them for a long period of time. In relation to Marks and
Spencer, comparison is done with its competitor which is presented in a following manner:
Changes likely to occur Marks and Spencer John Lewis
Organisation structure The structure adopted by
Marks and Spencer is flat as it
follows a proper hierarchy
system. This help to take an
appropriate decision and
The manager of John Lewis
decides to adopt hierarchical
organisation structure which
help in conducting day to day
activities in a simple manner.
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follows proper code of
conduct in order to run smooth
flow of activities and
implement simplify working
procedure.
The senior authority through
planning and coordination
avoids duplication of activities
and focus on judicious usage
of resources.
Implementation of new
strategies
During the time of Brexit,
various new strategies are
formed by manager of Marks
and Spencer. As it emphasises
on sale of daily consumption
items and improve their
overall production system so
as to gain large access of
customers across the globe.
Due to economic crises and
vote of Brexit, the senior
authority of John Lewis adopt
various strategies in order to
accelerate sale and
profitability of business
enterprise. The firm has
minimised the production of
apparels as it consume more
time and resources.
Operations The leader of Marks and
Spencer render an effective
training to their staff and
consider the ideas and
opinions of staff so that they
could feel that their presence
is important in a workplace.
Hence, this provide greater
motivation to enable them to
work hard to generate desired
level of output. They achieve
task effectively within limited
period of time.
In case of John Lewis, the
team members easily resist to
change without hesitation as
proper training is provided to
them and create a positive
impact on changes which help
in providing future growth and
enhance the brand image
across the globe.
Shut down of outlets In comparison to John Lewis,
Marks and Spencer has not
closed any of its outlets and it
There are large number of
stores of John Lewis in
different parts of the countries.
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has generated maximum sale
at different location. This
increase the level of
productivity and also
employees happily accept the
changes in technology and so
on which enhance future
growth and maximum
satisfaction to their clients.
Some stores are not doing well
and does not generate enough
revenue as well as the changes
are not accepted by employees
which hamper the growth and
sale.
From the above comparison of different organisation, it can be ascertained that proper
strategies and training should be provided to subordinates as it provide several growth
opportunities in future (Dorac-Kakabadse, 2017). The former has not close any of its stores while
latter has closed its several outlets due to the reason of underperforming as it hamper the growth
of a firm. So, the business environment in which company carry out its operations is regarded as
dynamic so the manager should adapt changes quickly through market research so as to gain
competitive advantage at a global level.
P2 Effect of change on leadership, individual and team behaviour
There are several internal and external drivers that bring a big transformation and affect
the decision making of a firm and also several challenges are being faced in a global
environment (Drago-Severson and Blum-DeStefano, 2018). In the context of Marks and Spencer,
SWOT and PEST analysis is presented below:
SWOT of Marks and Spencer: This help the firm to identify positive and negative
aspect and combat several weaknesses by making use of opportunities. Same is presented in
detail:
Strength Weakness
 Marks and Spencer are one of the
renowned brand in UK as it emphasises
on quality specification to gain large
access of customers.
 One of the major weakness is that its
switching cost is high as there are lot of
issues related to return policy which
affect the brand image and results in
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 Also, its strong financial position helps
the company to invest more on research
and development and ensure greater
success.
low customer satisfaction.
 Rapid changes in technology and
fashion might affect the internal
operations and reduce the profitability.
Opportunity Threat
 With reference to Marks and Spencer,
introduction of online platform and
ease of online payment provide great
access of customers from different parts
of the country.
 The concerned firm has expanded its
operations in different regions such as
Indonesia and Russia that provide an
opportunity to enjoy greater economy
of scale.
 There are giant number of competitors
of Marks and Spencer such as Zara,
Next, John Lewis and many more that
possess a big threat for the company.
 Due to competition, the respective firm
cut down the prices that affect the
overall profitability.
PEST analysis: This framework consists of several elements such as political, economic,
social and legal changes that assist the firm to make internal and external changes so as to gain
competitive advantage across the globe. In the context of Marks and Spencer, the manager
adopts several changes that affect leadership, individual and team members which are given
below:
Political Factor: This relates to a situation where there is change in several political
factors such as government policies, changes in rules and regulations and many more. UK has
greater political stability in the world which provide ease and transparency in business operations
(Dumas and Beinecke, 2018). The leader of Marks and Spencer prepare such strategy and
policies and procedure that simplify the overall working procedure and facilitate smooth
operations of a business. This provide enormous growth opportunities and bring effectiveness
and efficiency in an organisation.
Economic Factor: This aspect is a broader term that includes GDP, inflation, level of
employment and so on. The manager of Marks and Spencer hire effective employees that
promote new and innovative ideas and take the business to a next level with its constant efforts
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and dedication. Foreign Direct Investment provide an opportunity to Marks and Spencer to make
investment and boost their revenue as it creates strong cash flow and thus create a strong brand
image across the globe (Eesley, 2016). The team members implement the plan which is
formulated by leader for achievement of task within respective time period.
Social factor: this element relates to changing lifestyle of people, health consciousness,
safety emphasises etc. which create linkage of business to society. The population in UK are
diverse in culture and always prefer high quality and standardised products and also, they are
highly educated. By looking these aspects and changes that take place in business environment,
the leader of Marks and Spencer guide and direct the behaviour of subordinates and train them so
as to make them capable of handing sophisticated machines, thus inculcate confidence among
them. The concerned firm provide excellent quality of merchandise to their customers and focus
on fast and efficient delivery so as to generate maximum customer satisfaction.
Technological factor: This aspect related to new innovations, level of awareness,
research and development so as to accomplish task in a short span of time. Marks and Spencer
could use new and innovative technologies such as promotion of online shopping, ease of online
payments etc. that help in conducting fast operations of business in an efficient manner. Also,
using advanced technology help in gaining competitive advantage at a global level and simplify
the working operations in a respective manner. This has a greater influence on leadership due to
the reason that it generates huge profitability ratio.
By looking change in internal and external factors, the team member could easily resist
the changes if proper guidance and training are provided to them. This aids in improving the
overall performance the enhance the productivity of employees in a best possible manner. At the
same time, some changes are not accepted by individual behaviour as they feel demotivated and
create stress.
P3 Discuss several measure to minimise the negative impact of change
Changes is crucial for any business enterprises it bring various development and
formulation of new strategies so as to gain maximum exposure in an around the world (Fine,
2016). Additionally, it help in gaining competitive advancement, adoption of new technology
and bring proper functioning in an organisation as it is possible thorough excellent
communication skills and coordination so as to accomplish the task within respective time
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period. There are several measures that are undertaken by Marks and Spencer in order to
minimise the impact of change are as follows:
 Effective leadership: the leader of Marks and Spencer adopt situational style of
leadership as it behave differently on the basis of prevailing condition in the market as it
promote a sense of team spirit and also has ability to work in a flexible environment
(Nelson‐Brantley and Ford, 2017)The leader has to be well prepared and set examples for
their colleagues so as to accept various changes and challenges in a workplace. This help
in running proper aspects of a business and facilitate fast operations of business in an
efficient manner.
 Training: The manager of Marks and Spencer render efficient training to their staff so as
to make them capable of dealing with several and unexpected changes. The manager
provide information regarding policies and procedures, implementation of new
technologies and many more among their staff which conduct fair and transparency in a
business in a best possible manner. This develop a brand image and help to gain
competitive advantage across the globe.
To minimise the negative impact of change, the manager of Marks and Spencer implement
PDCA model which is mentioned below:
Plan: This is the first and foremast step in which proper planning is done and problem is
analysed by taking into account several factors into consideration as it enhance the business in an
efficient manner (Head and et.al., 2018). The manager of Marks and Spencer decide an
appropriate course of actions from the several alternatives available as it provide vast
opportunities and enhance the productivity. Through innovative ideas, the manager develop an
appropriate strategy that help in attainment of goal in a respective time period.
Do: The senior authority of respective firm implement the strategies that has been formed
in previous stage and it is time to act so as to gain maximum exposure at a global level. It is
essential that the manager divide the roles and responsibilities in such a manner that matches
their talent and skills so that they could work with zeal. This help in enhancing the productivity
and could produce desired level of output.
Check: In this stage, the manager of Marks and Spencer emphasise on continuous
improvement in products by minimising defects and errors as it save time and cost. Moreover,
the senior authority identify the root cause of problems and ensure quality specification in order
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to gain large access of customers. Also, it ensure to make proper use of resources especially
manpower and money that provide future growth and lead to accomplishment of task within
limited time period.
Act: This is the last stage of PDCA in which most of the activities is take place with the
help of initial plan formed (Parsons and et.al., 2016). The senior authority of Marks and Spencer
implement several task which are to be performed by facilitating proper coordination and
planning to contribute a significant position across the globe. This is considered as the most
hectic stage as most of the activities are taken place such as preparation of budget, availability of
resources and many more as it provide enormous growth opportunities in future.
Therefore, by adoption of PCDA cycle help in facilitating changes in a positive manner
and provide best and effective results in order to gain maximum customer satisfaction.
P4 Discuss different barriers of change and how they affect decision making of leadership
Leader play an effective role in an organisation as it provide a prominent solution of
several issues by assessing the availability of resources in a pre-determined manner (Patterson,
2016). In the context of Marks and Spencer, several barriers while facilitating changes are
mentioned below:
Application of strategies: In case of Marks and Spencer, if a manger and team members
fail to implement the strategies and policies and procedure formed, this hamper the growth of a
firm and restrict them from attainment of goal in an effective manner. In this case, leader through
proper guidance direct the behaviour of subordinates and facilitate smooth operation of a
business.
Lack of finance: The manager of Marks and Spencer misuse the information related to
finance that hamper the growth and depict wrong financial statement among public which affect
the brand image of a company. In relation to this, the leader implement several changes which
shape a clear picture by showing the correctness of information as it provide annual report so as
to determine fair and transparency in an organisation.
Lack of personnel involvement: This is one of the major obstacle that is being faced by
the respective firm as introduction of artificial intelligence reduce the number of staff which
create decrease in job security in future (Patterson, Arthur and Washington, 2016). By
considering this aspect, the leader of firm provides an assurance that advancement of technology
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would not minimise the number of staff, but it simplify the overall working procedure and also
aids in conducting fast operations of a business effectively and efficiently.
Force Field analysis:
This model provide the framework in which various modifications and changes are made
in a company by assessing several resource and it comprises of two forces such as driving force
and restraining force which assist the firm in combatting changes so as to gain profitability and
profitability of business enterprises. There two terms are complemented towards each other as
former makes changes very easily whereas latter makes difficult for an organisation to accept the
modification due to several constraints take place. In the context of Marks and Spencer, these
two force implement by the manager are described below:
Driving force: This aspect is related to several modification that are made in relation to
business as it emphasises to create new policies and procedures and many more (Scott, 2018).
Various driving changes are taken place in Marks and Spencer such as use of advancement of
technology for making new products and thus fulfil the requirements of customers. Also, it
simplify the work of personnel as well as reduce their work load and thus increase the
productivity and efficiency of an organisation. Proper planning and its implementation devise a
systematic method of working and conduct of fast internal affairs so as to gain maximum
exposure as it enhance the brand image in different parts of the country.
Restraining force: This aspect create several hindrances while implementing a change in
a company (Storey, 2016). When the manager of Marks and Spencer plan to adopt new
technology or bring change in rules and regulations, there are several employees who might not
accept such alterations. As a result, this affect the performance of employees as reduce their job
satisfaction and thus reduce their morale and level of motivation. Such attitude and behaviour of
personnel affect the operation and lead to delay in decision making of firm and therefore, hamper
the growth of a concerned firm.
Hence, it is analysed that driving force are considered as a favourable aspect for a
business while restraining force develop a negative picture of an organisation as employees may
not resist to change easily.
P5 Evaluate different approaches of leadership in order to deal with such changes
Various approaches of leadership are explained in the following manner with reference to
Marks and Spencer:
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System style of leadership: In this approach of leadership, this consist of set of skills that
permit their team members to work effectively in according to their specialisation. In addition to
this, this aid Marks and Spencer to ensure systematic working procedure by proper allocation of
work as role and responsibilities must be clearly defined as it avoid confusion and
misunderstandings from the staff and allow free flow of activities and facilitate proper
coordination. The manager of concerned firm emphasise on innovation and development and
also provide training to their staff so as to increase the skills and knowledge base and therefore,
gains competitive advancement across the globe.
Encouragement and motivation: This is one of the great approach as leader of Marks
and Spencer support and inspire the subordinates in order to enable them for higher performance.
Through this, employees work with dedication and accomplish the difficult task with confidence
which boost the morale and productivity. In addition to this, leaders are highly committed
towards the objectives and make them happy and satisfied by listening their opinions that help in
carrying out the operations with transparency and smoothly.
Risk taking: While implementing various alterations in a business, it is necessary to take
risk and the leader provides an enormous opportunities to render career growth of subordinates
which could be possible by assigning additional responsibilities and challenges so as to
accomplish task in a short span of time. Also, it consider the ideas and suggestions of employees
that create a favourable impact of implementing change in case of Marks and Spencer.
Lewin’s change model: This model is given by Kurt Lewin; this consist of three stages
which provides the overview of changes taken place at every phase and there are different
perceptions and thinking ability that assist to take an appropriate decision (Struthers, Tilbury and
Williams, 2017). In the context of Marks and Spencer, various steps to adopt changes are as
follows:
Unfreezing: This stage emphasise on leader of Marks and Spencer provide several
measures and ascertain the benefits of modifications to be taken place in a business as it provide
growth in future (Zimbardo, 2016). Also, it provides terms and conditions as well as rules and
regulations among their staff so as to minimise the chance of conflicts and misunderstanding
among them.
Change: In this phase, various strategies and plans are prepared in order to execute the
necessary changes in a workplace as it ensure maximum success and help in accomplishment of
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task through better coordination. Effective communication and encouraging employees to deal
with such changes would assist to avoid dispute and thus provide direction of action in a
respective workplace.
Refreezing: In this stage, it emphasise on involving people to implement the change by
considering norms and ethics as well as attitude and behaviour of employees (Thompson, 2016).
In relation to this, the manager of Marks and Spencer creates a reward system and offer training
among their staff so that they could work with greater zeal and enhance the productivity of an
organisation. Also, it ensure greater sustainability and profitability in a long run.
Therefore, this model provides a broad picture that measure the success by making
modifications of a firm which help in meeting needs and expectation of customers and thus gain
competitive advancement across the globe.
CONCLUSION
From the above information, it can be comprehended that changes are important as it
determine the profitability and sustainability in a long run. The main role of leader is to execute
changes in an organisation so as to maintain transparency and fairness in an efficient manner and
also it provide several approaches such as motivation and many more that help in taking best
decisions and achievement of task within a respective time period. It has been analysed that
transformation in a workplace would provide greater opportunities and thus increase the
productivity. It has been ascertained that there are several barriers of change that hamper the
growth and create negative consequences.
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