EMPL4008: Problem Solving and Decision Making Analysis of Tesco

This report provides an analysis of problem-solving and decision-making strategies within Tesco Plc, addressing work-based issues and employee relations. It covers the application of problem-solving tools, communication skills, numerical knowledge, and information communication technology in a professional context. The report includes discussions on understanding business issues, critical thinking, PEST analysis, effective communication principles, quantitative and qualitative data segregation, and the impact of a healthy work environment on employee performance. Statistical tools like mean, mode, and median are explained in the context of business decisions, and the importance of employee behavior and workplace dynamics are highlighted.

PROBLEM SOLVING

TABLE OF CONTENTS
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................1
PART 1............................................................................................................................................1
Skills in order to tackle business problems............................................................................1
PART 2............................................................................................................................................3
Effective use of communication skills...................................................................................3
PART 3............................................................................................................................................5
Numerical knowledge and skills in order to effectiveness at workplace...............................5
PART 4............................................................................................................................................7
Information communication technology and professionalism...............................................7
PART 5............................................................................................................................................9
Working with others for building employee relationship at the workplace...........................9
CONCLUSION..............................................................................................................................10
REFERENCES..............................................................................................................................11

ILLUSTRATION INDEX
Illustration 1: Steps of critical thinking...........................................................................................2
Illustration 2: Cause and effect diagram..........................................................................................3
Illustration 3: Organisational structure of Tesco.............................................................................6
Illustration 4: Chart of vertical process modelling..........................................................................6

INTRODUCTION
Problem solving may be defined as a process that is in undertaken to resolve specific
problem or issue. For this purpose, concerned authority must have ability in relation to
presenting solution of the problem in an innovative manner which in turn evolves satisfaction
among the parties associated with the same. The present study is prepared after considering base
of the largest retail organisation i.e. Tesco Plc. The main objectives behind carrying out such
study are to highlight the range of problem solving tools that aid in effectual decision making.
Besides this, it will depict the manner through which individuals can solve work based problems.
In addition to this, effectiveness of employee relations on the workplace of Tesco retail business
are described.
PART 1
Skills in order to tackle business problems
Stages of understanding business issues
At the workplace of companies wide range of business problems arise which are related
to the finance, HR, production, employees etc. Further, it is necessary to understand them which
lead to support Tesco in order to eliminate such issues. Steps to understand problems of Tesco
are mentioned below:
Connect and Analyse: Under the first step, issues regarding to the psychological, physiological
and disabled are identified and connected with the workplace. Once this are linked with the
organisation then analysed properly by which solutions can be made.
Research: Second stage is of the research in which causes of occurring such physical and health
related issues are to be derived. Complex problems faced by Tesco's employees are like
scepticism, pressure by customers etc (Calnan, M., 2017). Moreover, depression is also one of
the health issue which faced by the workers within workplace of Tesco.
Imagine: At this fourth step, possibilities of occurring this situation are imagined as well along
with the analysis. In addition to this, strategies are designed which support to reduce occurrence
level of such health issues.
Act: At the end, the corrective actions are taken on the basis of understanding issues occurred
related to the employee's health in workplace of Tesco.
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Key stages of critical thinking as well as innovation
In the Tesco company when problem of sales declining arises then managers thinks
critically for taking innovations and eliminate the issue (Problem Solving. 2017). Further, the
procedure of this thinking has 6 steps which are explained below:
Illustration 1: Steps of critical thinking
(Source: Elmansy, R., 2017)
1. Knowledge: Under the initial stage, issue and problem of the Tesco company is identified
properly and reason for resolving from the workplace.
2. Comprehensive: Under the second phase, when obstacles are known then causes of its
occurrence with the facts and figures are analysed. Hence, the data gathered in the present
step after using problems of the Tesco.
3. Application: Once facts and figures collected then analyse or applied in the workplace in
order to build relations with the sales declining issue of the retail firm (Elmansy, 2017).
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4. Analyse: After linking to the data with problem identified, analysis process is adopted.
Under this, it has been analysed that what causes sales reduces of the firm. Here chart of
the cause and effect is used which is stated below:
Illustration 2: Cause and effect diagram
5. Synthesis: In this phase, effects of the various causes analysed on the company. On the
basis of that possible solutions are derived and then applied at the workplace (Cotton,
2016).
6. Take action: At the end, implemented solutions are reviewed and actions taken
accordingly.
PART 2
Effective use of communication skills
Report to the line manager about PEST analysis
To,
Line manager
Tesco Plc company
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Subject: Basic components of PEST analysis
P- Political: Employment laws, political stability, trade policies, restrictions of export import,
tariffs etc.
E- Economic: Interest rate, inflation and recession in economy, cost of living, growth rate, flow
of money, exchange rate, unemployment and minimum wage rate etc (Marston and et.al.,
2016).
S- Socio-cultural: values, beliefs, customs, age, gender, marital status, requirements, region,
living standard, literacy rate etc.
T- Technological: Level of technology, pace of technological change, transfer of technology
etc.
Principles of effective communication
At the workplace of Tesco business entity, it is necessary that communication is highly
effective. The reason is that, it is supportive in order to manage or resolve obstacles which
incurred to communicate with subordinates. Further, basic principles of effective communication
are stated below:
 The idea at the time of communication is must be relevant to the topic of discussion.
 The employee needs to frame their perspective at the time of communicate in the
workplace of Tesco.
 Along with this, message must be complete rather than close without completing it.
 Purpose of the communication should be clear along with the justification.
 Take feedback from the message receiver supports to the employee to eliminate barriers
within workplace (Five Basic Principles of Effective Communication, 2017).
 Further, communicator must consider the time factor while delivering message or
communicating with subordinates at the working environment.
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PART 3
Numerical knowledge and skills in order to effectiveness at workplace
Segregation among quantitative and qualitative data with the help of graphical information
Qualitative data Quantitative data
Under this, data classified on the basis of
properties and attributes.
When data is expressed in of numerical
formate is known as quantitative.
For making analysis of the information under
this method thematic or non-statistical analysis
is considered.
At the time of using quantitative data,
statistical tools and methods are used for
analysis (Seidman, 2016).
Flow chart of Tesco Plc
The diagram which reflects movements or actions of various procedures and people
included at the workplace is known as flow chart. Under this, organisational, vertical process
modelling etc. charts are involved which are shown with reference to Tesco firm are stated
below:
Organisational chart
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Illustration 3: Organisational structure of Tesco
Vertical process modelling chart
6

Illustration 4: Chart of vertical process modelling
Explaining mean, mode median
Number of years Profit
2010 500
2011 630
2012 700
2013 750
2014 630
2015 900
2016 850
2017 960
Mean 740
Mode 630
Median 725
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 Mean: The statistical tool which shows average of the whole data and supportive for the
companies to take business decisions. When mean value is lower than available data of
the company like profit then it can be said that, it performs well in the industry. Mode: The technique through which frequently occurred value among whole data set is
derived easily, considered as mode (Johnson and et.al., 2017). From the above example it
can be found that, profit worth of 630 GBP generated by two times by the firm within
period of 8 years.
 Median: In order to derive middle value of the data set, median statistical method is used
by the management. Further, the toll which break down available data set in equal two
parts in known as median. At the present scenario, middle value of profit of 8 years is
worth of 725 GBP.
PART 4
Information communication technology and professionalism
Electronic job letter for an administrative assistant role
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Job Letter
Name: ____________________
Address: ____________________
City, State, Postal code: _________
Contact number: ________________
Email id: ____________________
Date: 18th August 2017
To,
HR Manager
Tesco retail company
Title: Job letter for the position of administrative assistant
I have seen job advertisement of your company on the job portal. Further, I am interested to
work or job in your company as an administrative assistant. I have experience of one and half
year in other retail organisation. I completed a two year degree course related to the
administration department.
My skills are:
 Time management
 Ability to organisation events
 Problem-Solving skills
 Communication attributes
 Technical skills
I am thankful you for spending your time to review my letter.
Sincerely,
Signature: ________________
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