Leadership and Management in Aston Martin: A Report

This report provides a comprehensive analysis of leadership and management within the context of Aston Martin. It begins by differentiating between the roles and characteristics of leaders and managers, outlining their respective functions and responsibilities. The report then explores how these roles are applied in various situational contexts, such as product launches and conflict management, highlighting the practical application of leadership and management principles. Furthermore, it delves into different leadership theories and models, including situational, systems, and contingency approaches, evaluating their strengths and weaknesses in the Aston Martin environment. The analysis includes an assessment of the practical application of these theories and models within the organization, offering insights into their effectiveness and limitations.

Unit 4 – Management
and Operations
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INTRODUCTION
Management and activity relates to the implementation of various operating activities in
order to achieve the best possible degree of productivity within the organization. Operation refers
as activity which is used to develop the business on daily basis and maintain the profitability.
This is important for organisation to focus on activity by using management and operational
activities which bring improvement in the organisational performance (Bai and et. al., 2018). The
present task is focused on Aston Martin, regarded as one of the finest British independent makers
of premium sports cars. It was founded in 1913 by Lionel Martin, based in Gaydon, United
Kingdom. This report covers different topics such as summary of the positions and traits of the
chief and the position of the boss. Following this position as manager and leader, he plays a key
role within the company. By the end of the day, understanding of partnerships and leadership in
the sense of the current corporate world will be accomplished.
TASK 1
P1Compare the different roles and characteristics of leader and manager
Concept of leadership – Leadership is a mechanism that is used by a individual to
influence others with a view to achieving goals and guides an organization in a manner that helps
to improve organizational efficiency and profitability. In other words, this is the influencing
process which is performed by centre people of a group in order to lead all employees and
complete organisational task effectively.
Concept of leader – These means a person which influences all employees and provides
them direction that helps to accepts the challenges in their organisation and improve the
productivity. a person who have special knowledge and leadership skills is considered as leader.
These are playing important role as they identify the needs of people who are working and
provide them right direction to complete their task (Giannakis and Papadopoulos, 2016).
Concept of management – The concept of management is origin from management work
which means to manage and organise all activities which are important for organisation and
helps to maintain the higher profits. Every organisation is needed this concept because they
wants to manage their activities and business performance (Girbau-LListuella, Díaz-González
and Sumper, 2018).
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Concept of manager – This is a people who manages functions and activities of
employees and decide the goals of an organisation and give their efforts to complete it in
effective time period. in context to Aston Martin, managers are performing their functions and
activities by understand goals and objectivities which helps to complete in effective time period.
Identify and Compare the roles (position or purpose) of a Leader and that of a Manager (Choi,
2019).
Discussion about leader and manager
Leader – This means a person who have special types of knowledge to motivate
employees and getting the work done in certain time with the support of all employees is
consider as a leader. In every organisation leader is important who analysis the employee’s
problems and provide them an optimum solution so they can work effectively and get up the
position of running business. In Aston Martin, leader is understand problems and get them
solution so all working can be continue and manage the good performance.
Manager – This is consider as responsible person who have knowledge about planning,
organising directing and controlling the activities of business organisation so goals which are
decided by management can be accomplished at right time. In context to Aston Martin managers
are important who bring new ideas and technology for the purpose of increasing organisational
performance and productivity by sharing with employees and delegating them work.
Basis Leader Manager
Meaning This is people who understand what
employees wants and how they can
be satisfied is considered as leaders.
People who have control and power to
manage the activities and employees
by formulating policies and regulation
in order to run a business is considered
as manager.
Purpose The main purpose of leader is to
drive the leadership by influencing
employees and supporting them in
their activities.
The main purpose of Aston Martin
manager is to manage organisational
functions and business activities by
getting things done via employees.
Position Aston Martin’s leader are
maintaining a key position in
organisation by leading and
They have superior position who
decide goals and make right decision
for wellbeing of company.
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encouraging employees.
Identify and compare the characteristics of a Leader and that of a Manager
Basis Leader Manager
Characteristics The leader of Aston Martin have
different characteristics such as
empathic, supportive, confident,
passionate, collaborate, generous,
humble and solution oriented.
Managers of Aston Martin have key
qualities such as visionary,
autonomous, management skills, time
management, coordinating,
communicating, goal oriented, risk
taking and confidential characteristics
which helps to accomplish the task.
M1 Differentiated between role of leader and functions of manager
In an organisation managers and leaders are different person who are playing different
roles and function. This is important for management to focus on organisational activities and
increase production. In Aston Martin, managers are planning, deciding, organising and
controlling the business activities at the time of manufacturing cars which increases
organisational productivity. On the other side, the role of leader are to motivate, inspire, solve
employees problems and get them chance to show their talent so goals can be attained effectively
(Gao, Wang, Shu. and Fu, 2018).
TASK 2
P2 How role of a leader and manager functions applicable on different situational context
Leader and their roles – This is a person who have knowledge about leading the people
and provide them optimum solution is considered as a leader. In Aston Martin, leaders interacts
with all employees and know they are facing while in working then provide them solution which
helps to improve the organisational productivity. The roles of leader in such organisation are as
defined:
Situation 1.
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Major product/ service launch – When ever an organisation is going to launch
something then leaders are playing important roles they provide direction and cochin to
employees how to introduce. In Aston Martin, leaders are plying different roles such as guiding,
motivating, mentor and aligning with team objectives which helps to accomplish the
organisational goals in certain period of time (Pynnönen and Takala, 2018).
Situation 2.
Conflict management – In organisation conflicts are arising due to some reason between
employees where leader are the one who get solve their conflicts. In Aston Martin, leaders
understand problems and conflicts and plays disseminator, negotiating and disturbance handler
role which helps to work accordingly ( Sterchi and Haegeli, 2019). In this situation leaders are
performing their function by resolving the employees problems through providing a best solution
and participating in theirs activities so they can work properly.
Role and functions of manager in different situations
Manager and its roles – A person who have different skills and qualities that make
different from others and helps to attain the business goals is known as manager. In Aston
Martin, manager are playing key functions as they decided goals and get ready employees to
work on them by making plans, organise and directing employees. The functions of manager in
different situation are as defined:
Situation 1.
Major product/ service launch – Whenever a new product is going to launch by
organisation then manager make plans, prepare budget, organise activities and control them
effectively which helps to complete task. The manager of Aston Martin are performing functions
such as planning, organising, directing, guiding and controlling the activities which helps to
complete the task or launch product successfully (Shangand et.al., 2018). In this situation, the
role of manager is to identify what customers wants and how they can be satisfied so that kind of
products and services provided to them.
Conflict management – In Aston Martin, manager’s function are linked to the conflict
manager as they forecast, make decision, communicate with all, write rules and regulations for
organisational welfare and evaluate the performance which helps to increase organisational
productivity and profitability by performing all functions effectively.
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P3 Various theories and models including systems, situational leadership and contingency
approaches
Situational: This is consider as adaptive leadership style hat is used by leaders to work
according to situation and solve the problems effectively. This philosophy is supported by
Kenneth Blanchard and Paul Hersey, who suggest that the enterprise should make good use of
this strategy in the current work environment to satisfy the demands of the group. In this, leaders
adopt existing working environment and needs of leader that encourages to work productively.
For instance, manager of Aston Martin are using situational approach at the time of launching
new model of car according to customers needs and wants by managing conflicts that can occur
in organisation. This approach is uses by management of chosen company in order to face the
situation that arises while working and needed to deal. This helps to increase the business
performance by maintaining clean environment and get solution of problems.
System: This approach is consider as set of skills and practices that can be used by
individuals and company in order to support system change level. This approach states that a
leaders should analysis the changes and get ideas to increase organisational productivity and
profitability. In Aston Martin, leader has decides to bring changes by introducing new car model
and supply chain services that helps to improve business performance. Moreover, with this
process, managers bring new ideas to manage conflicts effectively (Ma, Hu and Spanos, 2016).
This approach is mainly related to line of thought in organisation which helps to get interaction
of internal and external factors so a business scan be manage effectively. In context to chosen
organisation managers are using system approach to improve the working, reducing stress level
and evaluating market element so all working can be done rightly.
Contingency: This leadership approach is given by Fiedler’s who states that an
organisation and leaders should have knowledge to solve the problems which can occur any time
is known as contingency approach. In context to, Aston Martin, leaders are focusing on
contingency approach which states the behaviour of leader is contingent upon organisational
situation. This state the relationship bet leadership style and specific situation where leaders
solve the problems. The leader of Aston Martin, while launching new car or services by
adopting participative leadership style which helps to involves all employees and get the work
complete in effective time period. Moreover, leaders manages the conflicts which arise between
employer and employees and make right decisions (Casellas and et.al., 2018). This approach also
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uses by Aston Martin facing the different situation individually in organisation so all activities
and role of organisation can be performed effectively and manage the good performance.
M2 Assesses the weakness and strength of different approaches of situations within work
environment
Strength and weakness of System approach:
Strength Weakness
This approach is used by Aston Martin an
manager that helps to adopt the environmental
changes effectively. Moreover, this helps to
complete the whole process and plans to
complete in order to attaining business goals.
This is not relevant and appropriate in all
activities and decision time because this only
depends on getting information which is
difficult for managers to collect it.
Strength and weakness of contingency approach:
Strength Weakness
The manager of Aston Martin can use this
approach in order to face the difficulties and
problems which arises in organisation and needed
to solve. Managers uses their skills and
knowledge in order to make decision and
complete task.
This is complex theories which is difficult to
use because it is require skills and
professional capabilities to handle the
problems (Piran and et.al., 2016).
Strength and weakness of Situational approach:
Strength Weakness
In Aston Martin, leaders recognises employees
and organisation needs and become flexible to
accept the changes and create comfortable
environment which helps to maintain the
organisational productivity and profitability.
This approach is not related to immediate need
and long term goals which can create
ineffective working environment.
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TASK 3
P4 Key approaches to operations management and role that managers and leaders play
Operational management is an essential feature of a corporate enterprise where managers
understand their position and make strategic decisions that can help improve organizational
efficiency and profitability (Laari and et. al., 2016). In Aston Martin, manager is playing key
important role as it identify the critical situations and uses operational management which can
helps to manage activities and business performance. Different approaches are used by
organisation that is as defined:
Total quality management - This principle is primarily used to enhance product quality
and increase organizational efficiency. It is critical for business company that its goods and
services are of high quality so that it can draw consumers and help improve sales efficiency.
The task of managers is to determine the quality of products, such as cars, auto parts and others,
to prepare for improved product quality. The management of Aston Martin are responsible for
using the TQM approach to minimize mistakes and omissions in the business cycle that draw
consumers. The task of leaders is to pursue the TQM method and direct its workers by
encouraging them to develop their goods. (Revilla and Saenz, 2017). This helps to manage the
better quality of cars and other products.
Six Sigma: This affects the philosophy that lays out the framework for achieving more
reliable consistency in the goods and services of the business. This approach has been used to
improve market efficiency and ensure the standard of goods and services. In the context of Aston
Martin organization, the role of the manager is to recognise the issues relevant to company
competitiveness and profitability. This approach helps to increase the productivity and bottom
line of profits which maintain high organisational performance (Fügener, Schiffels and Kolisch,
2017). The leader of Aston Martin are using this approach to find out the issues which are arising
the production process and share with employees so a good solution can be provided. The
managers are performing role as solving problems and providing all resources and capital so all
working can be done efficiently. Herein, the management should get the goals of the company to
make preparations that will offer an incentive to accomplish corporate goals.
Lean principle – In Aston Martin, the position of management is to recognize the needs
of the company and perform market analysis and to put in creativity and minimize waste.
Leaders' job is to minimize duplication by using their expertise and experience to help enhance
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corporate effectiveness through the achievement of company objectives. This is considered as
the correct method adopted by the methodology used to maximize the profit by eliminating waste
from service. This method is primarily used by the industrial company where it is important to
eliminate waste from production and operations (Ma, Hu and Spanos, 2016). The manager of
Aston Martin are playing the role of identifying the wastages which occurs while working and
managing the higher performance by bringing ideas of reducing wastages. On the other side,
leaders are performing role of implementing ideas and technology which is introduced by
managers so aim of reducing wastages in manufacturing process can be implement effectively.
Kaizen approach – This is an approach which is uses by organisation for the purpose of
brining continuous improvement, on going positive advantages by running all activities
effectively. In context to Aston Martin, managers create new ideas for brining and creating
continuous improvement that helps to increase the business performance. On the other side,
leaders are providing support and motivation to their employees for using new technology that
can help to bring the improvement and maintain the good performance.
TQM approach – This approach is related to total quality management which is required
in organisation and increasing the performance. All companies wants to increase their
performance so they are providing better quality of products with design and feature that helps to
maintain the good performance and profitability. In context to Aston Martin, TQM approach is
uses by managers and leaders for the purpose of maintaining good quality of cars and its design
which helps to maintain the high production and increase number of customers by attracting
them. This helps to attain the business goals by performing role and responsibilities effectively.
P5 Important value of operation management to achieve business objectives
Operations Management
It is consider as management practices which is used in organisation in order to complete
the task and attaining business objectives. It is essential for the organization to control its
activities and increase its organizational capabilities that help to boost organizational sales and
efficiency. In context to Aston Martin, managers are using operation management that uses to
involves day by day activities and maintaining business performance that are as defined:
Different operational functions in order to attain business objectives are explained:
Control and distribution system – Operation management is important for organisation
as it helps to distribute and control the system which are helpful to maintain the organisational
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productivity and attain the business objectives. For instance, the manager of Aston Martin are
using operation management which uses to control and distribute the distribution process which
helps to manage the functions effectively (Jiang and et. al., 2018).
Transformation of raw material in to finished goods – For organisation it is important
that they should transform the raw material in to finished goods which helps to maintain the good
performance. The leader of Aston Martin are using operation management in order to transform
the raw material in to finished goods which helps to improve the organisational profitability.
This is important for management to focus on operation management and manage organisational
performance.
Process design – This means to design the raw material and products should be in
regular process which helps to maintain the organisational activities. The manager of Aston
Martin, focuses on process design of cars and other management process which helps to maintain
the organisational activities and performance (Piran and et.al., 2016).
Capacity management – By using operation management, the manager of Aston Martin
understand the goals of organisation and perform their activities so goals and objectives can be
attain in effective time period. This helps to manage the organisational capacity at the time of
manufacturing cars and bringing new innovation that increases productivity.
Business objectives
Enhancing product/ services quality – The operation management process is used to
attain the business goals such as it helps to increase the quality of products and services which
are providing by organisation. In context to, Aston Martin, managers are attaining business
objectives by enhancing the quality of cars and products which to improve organisational
productivity (Feng and et.al., 2018).
Reduction of wastages – The manager and leader of are playing effective roles as they
reduces wastages which arises at the time of working and influencing business performance. The
aim of origination is to minimize the wastages and increase production so activities can be
performed and managing organisational activities (Mustak and et.al., 2016).
M3 How managers and leaders can improve efficiencies of operational management
In organisation, there are different types of approaches which are used to improve the
organisational productivity and efficiencies. In Aston Martin, managers are using, TQM, JIT and
Lean principle which helps to increase product quality and minimize wastages which helps to
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improve organisational productivity and increase business performance. Moreover, they focuses
on organisational goals that provide knowledge which theory and approach should be used by
management so productivity can be improved (Rajeev and et.al., 2017).
TASK 4
P6 Factors within business environment that impact upon operational management and decision
making by managers or leaders
Business environment is the collection of various factor which are affecting the
operational management and decision that are taken by manager in a organisation. This is
important for organisation to focus on such factors and manage the business activities so goals
and objectives can be attain effectively. in context to Aston Martin there are various factors
which many affect the decision of leaders and managers that are as defined:
Organizational culture: Culture in relation to organisation are considered as experience,
philosophy, expectations and traditions of a company which helps to improve the organisational
productivity and profitability. It also involves norms, values, system, symbols and languages
which helps to run a business. In context to Aston Martin, managers are required to follow a
proper organisation culture where all are able to share their ideas and thoughts which helps to
improve potentiality and maximize productivity (Revilla. and Saenz, 2017).
Corporate social responsibility: It is the moral obligation that any company needs to
carry out. CSR impacts the management of operations as administrators need to formulate their
plans correctly to ensure that they are applied in an appropriate manner. In context to Aston
Martin company, managers identify various suppliers from which to supply raw materials that
reduce the expense of the commodity or increase sales (Wu and et.al., 2016).
Organizational ethics: : The collection of guidelines, rules or values adopted by every
person in the organization. Administrators or administrators are people who have to practice
business principles and, after that, their followers must practice them. This aspect has an effect
on project control practices because individuals do not meet the guidelines properly. This has an
impact on Aston Martin brand profile which will also reduce both demands which productivity.
Leaders and administrators in the business must ensure that staff observe principles as they
would therefore have an effect on their decision-making process in the sense in corporate
management (yan Zhang and Van Den Bulcke, 2018).
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M4 Factors affects the business environment and community
From the above discussed various factors are considered in business environment which
has impacted on business decision that are as culture, CSR and ethics which are important to
maintain in organisation. For instance, manager and leader of Aston Martin decide the goals and
maintain such factors collectively which helps to complete the task and accomplish business
goals.
CONCLUSION
Operational management departments are trying to balance expenses with high earnings in
order to generate the best profitability in a dynamic environment. At the other hand, it is known
to be one of the better ways of transforming products or resources into finished goods and
services to increase corporate benefit. Managers and leaders are different who are playing
different roles and functions in organisation and manage the activities by increasing production.
System, contingency and leadership approaches are used to maintain effective business
environment and take right business decisions.
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