Burberry: Leadership, Management, and Business Operations Report

This report delves into the leadership and management practices of Burberry Group Plc, a British luxury fashion house. It begins by defining and comparing the roles and characteristics of leaders and managers, differentiating their responsibilities and approaches within an organization. The report then explores various leadership theories, including trait, contingency, transformational, transactional, and action-centered leadership, assessing their relevance and applicability to Burberry's operational context. Management functions such as planning, organizing, controlling, and directing are examined, with specific examples of their implementation within the company. The report further analyzes how leadership and management roles are applied in different situations, such as conflict resolution and rapid change, highlighting the strategies employed by Burberry's leaders and managers. Additionally, it discusses the application of management theories like Management by Objective and Chaos theory, evaluating their potential benefits for the company. The analysis provides a comprehensive overview of how leadership and management principles influence Burberry's performance and adaptability within the fashion industry.

Understanding
Management and
Operations in Industry

INTRODUCTION
Management and operation is a very crucial factor in a business sector because it assist in
using the resources of the company to accomplice the aims and objectives by implementing
several plan of actions and conceptions. Operation management can be an effective process of
managing and administrating the business activities of a company so that it can operate its
business in an efficacious manner. It play an effective role in term of running the business of
company in the business industry in efficacious manner by making control on its trading
activities and operations (Ali and et. al., 2019). This written document is supported to Burberry
Group Plc which is a British luxury fashion house. This firm was established by Thomas
Burberry in 1856 and headquartered in London, UK. The company run its business concern all
over the world with 498 locations. The objective of this document is to measure the different
character of leadership and management competencies which are practices in the company and
attempt to make evaluation regarding their capability and failing. The functional and managerial
needs vary company to work according the situation of the company and the style of leadership
and management. This report will cover the different concepts and models of management and
Key conceptualizations to operations management. The factors of business environment will also
explain which create effect upon functional establishment and determination devising.
TASK 1
P1. Define and compare the different roles and characteristics of a leader and a manager
Leadership- It is the quality of a individual or an organisation to direct a team and group
of people to accomplish the objectives of a ordinary goal by setting a clear vision and delivering
it same to the group members. It also assure that the effective balance is generated and kept
among the obligations of the individuals of the team in accomplishing and agreed aims and
objectives.
Management- It is the process and activity of managing, conducting and coordinating
the whole actions of a company to accomplish its aims, objectives, vision and mission, which
are set by the leadership, in set time frame (Bowers and Cherne, 2019). It is assured that the
origins of the company are run in a very productive way and that is attained by centring on
tangible and intangible resources and their contribution in the productiveness and execution of
the firm.
1

Difference between leadership and management
Basis Leadership Management
Meaning It is an ability of leading the
employees by examples.
It is an activity of managing
the business activities and
operations of the company.
Power The power of leadership is
influence the workforce.
The power of management is
rules and regulations so that
business activities per from in
legal manner.
Focus on It concentrate on motivating
individuals.
It make focus on bringing
stability.
Plan of action Proactive Reactive
Management functions
Planning- It is the basic function of management which make controls on all the
planning which are required fro the company to render (Castelli and et. al., 2019). In Burberry,
the management do planning for setting mission, vision and plan of actions of the company.
Organising- This management function controls entire organisational frame-work of the
company without which it will be not able to function in daily activities. In Burberry, this
function consist coordinating and reconciliation of all the origins that a company may have to
accomplish the set objective.
Controlling- In respective firm, this function monitor all the business activities and
operation which are running by the company. It also help in appraisal of all the utility of
administration that they are functioning effectively and adequately. It also determined the work
execution of the workforce.
Directing- This management function assist the management of Burberry, in directing the
workers to their character in order to execute an united set of aims and objectives by the
company.
Leadership theories
2

Trait theory of leadership- This concept is supported on the attribute and choice of the
leaders which direct to their effectualness (Cole and Aitken, 2019). This theory is best suited for
Burberry because it is a large organisation and there is a immense need for their goods. So the
productiveness of the employees has to be dominated invariable.
Contingency theory of leadership- This leadership conception based on the suitable
approach and can be applied and implement by the company as per the situation (Copacino,
2019). In Burberry, this theory can be implement by the company in its different situation with
the motive of maximise the productivity and make development in the coordination of the
workforce.
Transformational leadership- It is explained as the concept of leadership which origin
change in respective and societal system of rules and create precious and the favourable
modifications in the employees with the ultimate goal of improving the workers into leaders. In
Burberry, it can be most suitable in term of if the company intention for successiveness
preparation so that there is no lackness of leading quality in the company in upcoming time.
Transactional leadership- This concept is based on the thought that administrators
provide workforce something they want in conversation for acquiring something they want. It
postulates that employees are not self encouraged and need framework, direction and
determining in order to absolute tasks accurately and on time.
Action centred leadership- This concept concentrates ion the concept that effective
administrators and leaders should have have an efficacious control on the three major areas of
the act focused ability like group, work and respectives. In Burberry, with the assistance of this
concept, leader can easily accomplish the outcomes, develop ethics, ameliorate attribute of the
work and effectively germinate the productiveness of the groups.
Hard management skills- It refers to those ability which assist the employees to work in
effective manners in context of accomplishing the business aims and objectives. These skills are
described as those in power as powerful and definite in their work. Competence in a abroad
voice communication, a degree and certificate, typing speed, computer cognition, machine
operation are some examples of hard manage skills.
Soft leadership skills- These skills are basically subjective abilities that are much harder to
quantify (Cormier, 2019). Communication, flexibility, leadership, motivation, training,
persuasion and problem solving skills are some examples of soft leadership skills.
3

Management theories
Classical management theory- It is also known as scientific management theory and
supported to the beliefs that the employees in a company who have only physical and economic
requirements (Dieu Ho and et. al., 2019). This concept can be used by Burberry to maximise the
productivity of the firm by fulfilling employees economic an physical needs.
Behavioural theory- In Burberry, the leaders which are work according this conception,
they are task and relationship oriented and adopt the behaviour of the leader regarding the
situation. This theory is implemented in the condition of the company where productivity and
employee retention capacity is less.
TASK 2
P2. The role of leader and the function of a manager apply in different situations
There are different roles which are played by the leaders of a company in different
situations. For example, when the company form creation in the business, utilisation of new
techniques and modified the polices of the organisation. Whereas, the administrators of the
company also play their crucial role by designing plan of actions according to the creation and
others so that workers can perform their responsibilities effectively. In Burberry, there are
several kind of changes are occurred in its business due to change in trends, needs and demands
of people, change in government plans and policies etc. In these different situations, the leaders
and administrators of Burberry play several role. Some situations are defined as below:
Conflict resolution- It indicates to a act of solving dissonance and contravention which are
rising in the firm and unfavourably influence the business actions & operation and employees
performance. For instance, in Burberry, the situation of conflict resolution can be generate in
term of making innovation in the products and services with the purpose of maximising
productivity and profitability of the company by fulling consumers demands. So to devise
creation, the administration will also form a team and develop new plan and action to accomplish
the aims of objectives the set goal. When employees are working in a team then the chances of
conflict occurrence are high. There are several reasons to arisen conflicts in team work like
ineffective communication, bad employees relation, unclear decisions and others.
Roles of leaders- When the company is facing issues of conflicts, the leader play an
effective role in term of to minimise the issues by provide adequate solution (Glaa, Kristensson
4

and Witell, 2019). In Burberry, leader clear establish vision of the task and assigned activity to
workers accordant to their ability and competencies. So that they can absolute it in fixed time
period in term of gaining effective results. By making open communication in team they can
offer option to the team members to make participation in determination devising activity where
they can share their issues and problems and get effective solution on time.
Roles of managers- In Burberry, the manager play an efficacious role by designing
strategies in context of task so that the group member can perform their work in appropriate
manner and structured way (Jovicic, 2019). The administration also provide relevant and
required resources to the workforce so that the task can be attain it set objectives and goals.
Rapid change- There are different types of modifications which are form by the company to
make fulfilment in the demands, taste, preferences and necessities of the consumers. So that they
take the advantages of the goods and services which are offered by the firm according to their
needs. For instant, the administration of Burberry devise modifications in its production process
because each day a new technology introduced in the businesses environment which create
competition for the company. So the management of the grim decided to use artificial
intelligence to fulfil the needs of the customers on time and minimise the competition in the
business environment. For this change,. The company conduct trainings and learning sessions so
that it can aware its employees about the new technology that it can be utilised by them in the
business and production.
Roles of leaders-In rapid change situation, leader play a crucial role by choosing
knowledgable and skilled workforce so that they can utilise their skills and abilities for executing
their work and task by adopting new technology. The leaders provide effective and brief
information about the task and work that how it will be perform with the help of new techniques.
Roles of managers- The manager of respective company design plan and policies so that
the workforce can work effectively in a systematic way. It will help the firm in adopting the
change without facing any problems and unfavourable influence upon business activities and
operations.
Management by objective theory- It is the assortment of administration model that
precise the objectives for defined in the activity of administration. This theory held in the
organisation for regarding the different measures of the economic system and outcomes (Moura
and Henry-Silva, 2019). In Burberry this concept can be used by the management because it
5

maximises and better the execution of the firm and assuring the powerfulness of the outcomes
which beginner the actions.
Chaos theory- This theory states that the management must be able to accept the
modifications as rapidly as affirmable to secure from the losses which are rising from different
situations (O’Connor and Mock, 2019). If the respective company implementing this concept
then the firm can get several benefits like developing an accessibility competency for their
workforce who will assist them to become more effective and efficiency to deal with different
situations and enhancing productivity and maximising profitability.
P3. Application of different theories and models of approach
There are different models and theories which can be utilised and implemented by the
management of Burberry to administrate and encourage the workforces of the company so that
they can form their efficacious contribution in running the business operations and activities in
effective manner. In context of Burberry, description of some conceptions are defined as
beneath:
Situational leadership theory- It is a model in which leader devise a crucial role according to
the position and state of the organisation. This concept was framed by Paul and Harsey and the
theory include different kind of leading style like telling, selling, participating and delegating
which are adopt by the leader to work in different conditions of the company. With the assistance
of these several leadership styles, they can offer clear information regarding structure, term &
conditions and situation of the firm to the workers so that they can execute their work and
allotted task adequately and appropriately.
Strengths- It is an efficacious conception which help in maximise the extent of
motivation of the employees. It is also important because it render an option to the workforce to
make participation in the determination devising process and action.
Weaknesses- The major drawback of this concept is that sometimes it is not able to offer
clear information about the leaders and also may generate confusion in the company which can
misguide and mislead the workforce.
System leadership theory- This leadership concept refer to those leaders of the organisation
who manage the condition within at all extent where employees can perform their duties and
responsibilities regarding allotted task and work (Reid and Sanders, 2019). In Burberry, the
leader can execute their role in a systematic manner by offering appropriate guidance to the
6

workforce. It is good for creating and devising a healthy, friendly, secure and positive working
environment where workforce can execute their task and work in effective and more appropriate
manner without facing issues and problems. This theory can be used by the management of the
company to make development and betterment in the performance of the company in business
environment.
Strengths- This theory is effective to the company because with the help of it, employees
can execute their allotted work and task in a systematic manner by following all the rules,
regulation and strategies of the company and provide effective outcomes (Shaharudin and et. al.,
2019).
Weaknesses- The limitations of this approach is that it is a long process in which there
are various complexities so there are various strategies and parameters devise their engagement
in it.
Contingency leadership theory- This leadership conception is developed by Fred Fielder in
1964 to standardized the competency, capabilities and influencing the workers. In Burberry, it
can be utilised by the company to motivate the workers so that they can accomplish the aims and
objectives of their allotted task in set time frame. This conception operate on a two fold process
in which situation of the organisation and capabilities of the leader both are explained. In it,
several approach which are formulated as an initial part of it such as suitable task unit of the
business.
Strengths- This theory is impulsive in nature so it can be changes accordant to the
condition. This approach offer option to the employees which help them in their success and
improvement or sharing their thoughts and ideas to the business.
Weaknesses- This leadership theory is essentially reactive in quality so sometime, it is
difficult to manage the situations become challenging for the leader and manager.
TASK 3
P4. The key approaches to operations management and the roles of leaders and manager play
There are several formulations of operation administration and leader and managers
played different roles within them. The explanation of them are as following in context of
Burberry:
7

Six sigma- It is explained as an conceptualization which is corrected in existence and
information driven in approach (SIVASUBRAMANIAN and Apte, 2019). This approach acts
like a method for obviating imperfection in any procedure ranging from producing to interact and
from products to services across various companies. If the Burberry make execution of six sigma
in the functional administration of the company then it can help in accomplish consumer
fulfilment by reducing defects, develop return on sales, investing, accomplice employment
development and minimise the issues which are occur in the production procedure.
Role of leaders- If the company adopt this approach, in this situation leader play an
important role by conducting training and resources regarding six sigma (Ravindran, 2016). They
also communicate the employees and management of they company about the importance of the
this approach and assist in driving six sigma task and project.
Role of manager- The administrators of the company also play an effective role by
consisting it cost saving in administration goals. The management of the company also provide
review and support to the workforce as well as top management.
Lean production- lean production system is explained as simple and systematized method
which assist in the excretion of the waste within the production system. In the management of
Burberry apply lean process in the manufacturing then it can assist in the functional management
of the company by making development in the attribute of the goods, minimise the use of human
resource, make easy the administration of the whole procedure, provide a healthy and secure
work place and develop the morale of the workers.
Role of leaders- Leaders assists the workforce in understanding their actual responsibility
in context of lean production. They also provide effective guidance and direction to the
employees to maximise the production.
Roles of managers- The manger play a crucial role by carrying out analysis regarding
the efficaciousness of the commodities. They checks the production procedure so that no useful
materials are destroyed.
Queuing theory- The postulation of the queuing concept in the operation administration can
assist the company in resolving issues which are supported on knowledge base discernment of
the issues and resolving them in an effective way. It assist the company by trusting the
achievement of the consumers whose commodities to be services up to the work devotion and
recommended the need of workforce (Schönsleben, 2018). In Burberry this concept can be
8

beneficial to determines and streamline staffing needs, scheduling and inventory which assist in
developing entire customer service.
Roles of leaders- They play effective role in finding out reason of delay in queuing line
and the procedure consisted in delaying.
Roles of managers- They supervised the whole process and direct the workers in order to
minimise the queuing delays.
P5. The importance and value of operations management in accomplishing business objectives
The grandness and value of operations administration in accomplishing business
objective can be defined with the assistance of inferior of operation management. They are
mentioned as under:
Process design- With the assistance of this activity administration function, the
management of the firm can devise and develop production activities if the company (Slack and
Brandon-Jones, 2018). It is crucial for Burberry because with the help of it, the administration
can form improvement in the production system and manufactured commodities as per the
customers necessities and demands. It will be effective and beneficial for the company in term of
achieving business objectives by satisfying target audiences requirements by serving goods and
services as per their desires. This function enable the firm in term of maximising the productivity
and profitability of the organisation.
Logistics and inventory management- It is crucial function to the firm because due to
having efficacious support of logistics, the production function of the company can render and
allocate commodities and services at the marketplace on time when there are high requirement of
them in term of customers needs. In Burberry, the function of operation administration assist the
firm and the establishment can make focus on inventory management. It also assist the firm in
maintaining and effective distribution of the products and services are manufactured by it by
considering customers neds and requirements. Accordant to this procedure. The administration
of Burberry can also supply the goods in market in effective manner on time which are provided
for producing by following a systematic framework.
Control and distribution systems- It is important function of business activity
administration because it is responsible to make control the actions of production activities and
ensuring the efficacious distribution of the commodities and services in context of attain business
goals ans objectives of the firm (Song and Parola, 2015). It execute that the objective of the
9

organisation which is efficiently use of resources is locomote. The efficaciousness of this system
can be improved by adopting a powerful relative system and to inclusion the provision
framework of Burberry in order to accomplish the business aims and objectives. The actions and
allocation method is related with the efficacious control of resources accordant to the several acts
in a calculative manner so that the waste of the resource and naturals can be decrease and
minimise because it will help in improving the production system of the firm.
TASK 4
P6. The factors within the business environment create impact upon operational management and
decision making
CSR(Corporate social responsibility)- It is defined as a business conceptualisation that take
part to the sustainable development by inter-house economical, ethical and environment benefits
to all its shareholders. In Burberry, the management of the company framing CSR policy which
are effective to the stakeholders and also for the welfare of the culture. The organisation invest
its a small portion of it profitability, which is earned by its business activities, for the welfare of
the social and environmental in term of organisation education programs, activities regarding
saving environment, planting, councilling programs and others (Ali and et. al., 2019). The firm
run its business business in effective manner by following all the process and procedure which
help in savings and minimising the wastage of natural resources so that the company can make
its contribution in environmental protection. The production function of the company also
utilised better quality raw material to manufacture products and services or also organise a
efficacious production which dis not form negative influence upon the environment. It is also
important for all the organisations because each business are established and operated in society
so the firm effectively consider the welfare of the community and atmosphere.
Culture- It refer to the thoughts, customs and social behaviour of the individual of a
specific place. It play an crucial role in operation management at time of operation procedure the
culture of the employees are taken in to account and as per plan of actions are formulated to
maximise the efficaciousness of the manpower of a specific culture. In Burberry, the decision
making of leaders and mangers affect when the management will not formulate strategies as per
the culture of the nation so that local employees can also perform their work, the it affect
determination devising.
10

Value- It is described as an important component of the business of a company because
the goods and services are manufactured by the company which consist value and the customers
are ready to buy them by paying any monetary value (Bowers and Cherne, 2019). It effect the
decision making of the leaders and administrators when the manufactured goods and services
have some value and reliable for the customers and help the company by enhancing productivity
and profitability. It negatively affect the determination devising of the leaders and mangers when
the produced products are not able to fulfil the consumers and due to which the sale of the
company affect negatively in term of decrement. In the company, the administrators and leader
focus on developing an efficacious workplace where employees can use their all efforts and
effectiveness in the production of the goods and services.
Ethics- It indicates to the procedure of executing actions by consisting culture and values.
If the management of the company provide a secure and safe work place and formulate the
effective plans, policies and strategies to perform the work, then the employees can complete
their task in ethical manner (Castelli and et. al., 2019). Ethical business concern indicates to a
business entity which operate its business by following all legal activities, rules, regulations,
legislation and other to offer the benefits to its stakeholders. In Burberry, if the organisation will
not follow the legal manners then it influence the declension making of the leaders and
managers.
CONCLUSION
The preceding explained information, it can be analysed that operation management is an
crucial aspect of a business because if the company have effective administration of its business
actions and strategies then it can operating its business in effective manner by accomplishing its
desired outcomes. Leaders and mangers play an essential role by providing solution to different
situations for effective operations of the company. Several theories and concepts are beneficial
for performing the business acts and actions or accomplishing the set business objectives. There
are several business environmental actors like corporate social responsibility, culture, values and
ethics etc. which influence the business of the company as well as determination devising of
leaders and managers.
11

REFERENCES
Books & Journals
Ali, M.S.S. and et. al., 2019, February. Community based disaster management: Indonesian
experience. In IOP Conference Series: Earth and Environmental Science (Vol. 235, No.
1, p. 012012). IOP Publishing.
Bowers, M. and Cherne, G., 2019. A lessons framework for civil-military-police conflict and
disaster management: an Australian perspective. In Police Science: Breakthroughs in
Research and Practice (pp. 199-219). IGI Global.
Castelli, M., De Santis, L., Pilolli, L. and Gallese, M.L., Micron Technology Inc, 2019. Single
node power management for multiple memory devices. U.S. Patent 10,170,167.
Cole, R. and Aitken, J., 2019. Selecting suppliers for socially sustainable supply chain
management: post-exchange supplier development activities as pre-selection
requirements. Production Planning & Control, pp.1-19.
Copacino, W.C., 2019. Supply chain management: The basics and beyond. Routledge.
Cormier, R., 2019. Ecosystem Approach for the Management of Deep-Sea Mining Activities.
In Environmental Issues of Deep-Sea Mining (pp. 381-402). Springer, Cham.
Dieu Ho, T.H., Daniel, J., Nadeem, S.P., Garza_Reyes, J.A. and Kumar, V., 2019. Improving the
reliability of warehouse operations in the 3PL industry: An Australian 3PL case study.
Glaa, B., Kristensson, P. and Witell, L., 2019. Service Teams and Understanding of Customer
Value Creation. Service Innovation For Sustainable Business: Stimulating, Realizing
And Capturing The Value From Service Innovation, p.117.
Jovicic, D.Z., 2019. From the traditional understanding of tourism destination to the smart
tourism destination. Current Issues in Tourism, 22(3), pp.276-282.
Moura, R.S.T.D. and Henry-Silva, G.G., 2019. Food web and ecological models used to assess
aquatic ecosystems submitted to aquaculture activities. Ciência Rural, 49(2).
O’Connor, J.T. and Mock, B.D., 2019. Construction, commissioning, and startup execution:
problematic activities on Capital projects. Journal of Construction Engineering and
Management, 145(4), p.04019009.
Reid, R.D. and Sanders, N.R., 2019. Operations management: an integrated approach. John
Wiley & Sons.
Shaharudin, M.S., Fernando, Y., Jabbour, C.J.C., Sroufe, R. and Jasmi, M.F.A., 2019. Past,
present, and future low carbon supply chain management: A content review using social
network analysis. Journal of cleaner production, 218, pp.629-643.
SIVASUBRAMANIAN, J. and Apte, S., BMC Software Inc, 2019. Capacity risk management
for virtual machines. U.S. Patent Application 10/296,364.
Ravindran, A. R., 2016. Operations research and management science handbook. Crc Press.
Schönsleben, P., 2018. Integral logistics management: operations and supply chain management
within and across companies. CRC Press.
12

Slack, N. and Brandon-Jones, A., 2018. Operations and process management: principles and
practice for strategic impact. Pearson UK.
Song, D. W. and Parola, F., 2015. Strategising port logistics management and operations for
value creation in global supply chains.
Online
Difference Between Leadership and Management. 2019. [Online]. Available Through:
<https://keydifferences.com/difference-between-leadership-and-management.html>.
Fiedler’s Contingency Theory of Leadership. 2019. [Online]. Available Through:
<https://expertprogrammanagement.com/2018/11/fiedler-contingency-theory/>.
Situational leadership theory. 2019. [Online]. Available Through:
<https://study.com/academy/lesson/what-is-situational-leadership-theories-styles-
definition.html>.
13