Leadership, Management, and Operations at First Milk Dairy Company

This report provides a comprehensive analysis of leadership and management practices at First Milk Dairy, a leading UK dairy company. It begins by defining the distinct roles and characteristics of leaders and managers, emphasizing their responsibilities in directing and motivating employees. The report explores the application of Mintzberg's managerial roles, including interpersonal, informational, and decisional categories, within the context of First Milk. It then delves into the importance of leadership and management in conflict resolution, strategic planning, and achieving organizational objectives. The report examines various leadership approaches such as situational, system, and contingency leadership, evaluating their effectiveness in different scenarios. Furthermore, it highlights the differences between leadership and management styles, focusing on the use of Management by Objectives (MBO) to enhance overall performance. The report also addresses operational management, covering key approaches, its value, and the factors impacting operational processes. Finally, it includes an analysis of factors affecting the business environment and a critical evaluation of operations management within First Milk, offering insights into how these elements interact to influence the company's success.

MANAGEMENT
AND
OPERATIONS
GABRIELA VERONICA ZAVOI
ID 14515

TABLE OF CONTENTS
INTRODUCTION ..........................................................................................................................3
TASK 1............................................................................................................................................3
(a) Different role and characteristics of leader ...........................................................................3
(b) Role of leader and functions of manager ..............................................................................4
(c) Theories and models of leadership approach ........................................................................5
(d) Difference between role of a leader and a manager ..............................................................5
(e) Strengths and weaknesses of different approaches ...............................................................6
(f) Analysis of different theories and approaches for leadership ................................................7
TASK 2............................................................................................................................................8
(a) Key approaches of operations management ..........................................................................8
(b) Importance and value of operational management ...............................................................9
(c) Factors that gives impact on the operational management processes .................................10
(d) Evaluation how operational management processes can be improved ...............................11
(e) Analysis of factors that affects the business environment ...................................................12
(f) Critical evaluation of operations management and factors that gives impact on the wider
business environment.................................................................................................................12
CONCLUSION .............................................................................................................................13
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INTRODUCTION
Managing operations and functions of business is a complex and critical task and it is
assertive to adopt a strategic approach for controlling activities of the entity. Mutual support of
all personnel working in organization is required for ensuring growth and success of the
enterprise (Chhokar, Brodbeck and House, 2013). It is critical that a systematic approach will be
used for managing necessary operations of business and it will support for accomplishing desired
objectives of entity in an effective way. Present report is based on First Milk which is a leading
dairy company operating its business in the UK. Products that are served by the enterprise
include milk, cheese and Red Leicester (First milk . 2017.). The report describes about different
roles and characteristics of a leader and functions of a manager in different situations. In addition
to this, theories and leadership approaches have been used in specific situations of organization.
Difference between manager and a leader has been mentioned along with strengths and
weaknesses of different approaches to situations. Critical analysis of different theories and
approaches of leadership have also been explained in the report.
TASK 1
(a) Different role and characteristics of leader
First Milk is a leading food entity of UK that offers superior quality dairy products for its
consumers. Organized approach is used for carrying out operational activities and desired
functions of the entity (Avolio and Yammarino, 2013). It is vital that leaders and managers
working in the entity should complete their responsibilities and provide proper directions and
instructions to the subordinates. Manager is a person who is accountable for controlling activities
of business and giving commands and instructions to subordinates. Major work done by a
manager includes five basic functions including planning, organizing, controlling, directing and
coordinating.
All the operational activities that are performed in the enterprise are initially planned by
collecting all necessary data and information (Lee and Malerba, 2016). Organizing of all the
business functions is done and all activities are controlled by making positive efforts taken by the
manager. In addition to this, coordination of all business functions and proper monitoring of all
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business activities is done by the manager of First Milk. There is a significant difference between
a leader and a manager and it is assertive to understand the difference between two terms.
A leader provides mission and directions to group of followers and positive motivation is
given by the leader to persuade and motivate followers towards achievement of a specific goal.
Mutual coordination of all subordinates is ensured by the leader and shared focus is developed
for creating change in the group and implementing changes as per the planning. On the other
hand, managers provide directions to the staff members as well as responsibility for taking out
work from the subordinates lies with him. Managers are held responsible for communicating the
action plan and strategies to followers and sharing ideas and innovative concepts for completing
a specific task (Abo and Cho, 2015). It is vital that leaders and managers in the First Milk should
complete their assigned responsibilities in effective way and render proper directions to the
subordinates. According to Mintzberg’s three roles of manager are divided into three categories.
Role of manager of First Milk are as described :-
Interpersonal roles :- The roles of managers of First Milk is to provide information and ideas to
the subordinates that are working in the enterprise. Managers work as source of inspiration and
provide leadership to the team. Manager communicate with external and internal contacts and
transfers required details and information.
Figurehead :- Manager of First Milk is responsible for providing inspiration to followers to
complete a desired task on due time. Managers have legal, ceremonial and social
accountabilities.
Leader :- Managers is responsible for providing leadership to team members. Task and
responsibilities to each group member is assigned by the manager.
Liaison :- Managers need to communicate required information in external and internal buisness
environment.
Information role :- Role of managers in this category to ensure transfer of information and
managers seek information related to organization and industry and they communicate required
information to team and other people. Managers represent subordinates and help for
accomplishing goals of the enterprise.
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Monitor :- managers do monitoring of work performed by the staff members. It is ensured by
manager that all the required work should be performed as per set targets.
Dissemination :- Manager communicate properly with the staff members and all the necessary
information is transferred by the manager.
Spokesperson :- Managers work as a representative of staff members and they are accountable
for transmitting required information about the company.
Decision roles :- Managers role in this category is to take decisions for carrying out business
activities. Managers create and control changes in the entity. They provide methods for solving
problems that are being faced in the entity. Managers works for allocating necessary resources in
the organization and they work for ensuring optimum allocation of resources in the entity.
Entrepreneur :-Innovative ideas and concepts are provided by leaders for making necessary
changes in organizational activities.
Distribution handler :- whenever any conflict or grievance situation occur in the organization
than managers are responsible for resolving the issues that are being faced in the enterprise.
Resource allocator :- Optimum allocation of necessary resources for carrying out business
activities is done by managers.
Negotiator :- negotiations are done by managers in team, group, department and company.
(b) Role of leader and functions of manager
Leader and manager plays a significant role in completing the assigned tasks and
responsibilities and it supports in ensuring sustainable growth of First Milk Dairy. For example:
In a conflict situation that occur in the enterprise, leaders and managers play a crucial role in
resolving the issue and maintaining peace and harmony in the organization (Haslam and
Ellemers, 2014). Managers give directions to the subordinates for what they are supposed to do
in critical situation which is being faced by the organization. Leaders provide ideas and
innovative solutions that can be used for carrying out the business activities in an effective way.
Manager plans the details and action plan that is going to be used in a specific situation
faced in the enterprise. Leaders set directions and guides the subordinates for working in a
cooperative and mutually coordinating manner (Norton and Wood, 2015). Managers try their
best possible efforts for minimizing the risk that is associated with the situation and instructions
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are given to the employees for completing their assigned responsibilities and tasks. Specific
objectives are set be the manager and whole activities of the entity are accomplished as per the
objectives set by him. Manager looks into a problem and makes effort for resolving the issue in
an effective way (Hogg and Terry, 2014). Particular norms and rules are set in the enterprise by
managers which are mandatory to be followed for all the staff members working in entity.
On the other hand, leaders motivate followers for finding out a better solution for solving
the complex and critical situation being faced by the enterprise. Leader fosters new ideas and
innovative methods and also, helps in enhancing morale of subordinates for solving the issue in a
positive way. Leaders try to bring every employee on the same platform so that mutual
involvement of all workers can be taken (Dinnie, 2015). Encouragement is given to group
members by the leader and vision is created which supports in rendering better instructions and
directions to the subordinates.
Leaders and managers of First milk involve in accomplishing some basic functions of the
enterprise and it includes following :-
Planning :- Managers make action plans for carrying out required activities of the organization.
Organising :- Scheduling of activities is done and all the functions are planned in the enterprise.
All the necessary activities are organised in a systematic way and all the required functions are
carried out in effective way.
Staffing :- Staff members are assigned specific tasks and responsibilities and they are expected to
complete their work on due time.
Directing :- Managers give orders and commands to the subordinates and instructions are given
to employees for completing their assigned work.
Controlling :- It is vital that proper control on the operational activities of the enterprise should
be done,. Managers do monitoring of all the operational activities of the enterprise in effective
and better way.
(c) Theories and models of leadership approach
First Milk Dairy works for offering superior quality dairy products to the consumers and
operational activities in business are performed in a properly planned way. There are many
situations that are being faced in the enterprise where leaders and managers need to adopt
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effective approach for solving the issue that is being faced by them (Drea, 2016). Different
leadership styles that are followed in First Milk Dairy are mentioned as below:- Situational leadership: - This approach is followed by the firm for giving directions and
commands to subordinates in an effective way. Managers and leaders do not follow any
specific leadership style as well as decisions and action plans are formed for giving better
and appropriate orders and commands to juniors in a particular situation (Parris and
Peachey, 2013). Under this leadership style, major focus in given on accomplishing a
specific task effectively. System leadership: - This leadership style contains two significant attributes that include
a particular mind-set of leader towards resolving a specific situation. In addition to this,
behaviour and actions performed by a leader for controlling a specific business situation
help in providing effective leadership to the subordinates (Hassan, Mahsud and Prussia,
2013).
Contingency leadership: - According to contingency leadership style, decisions and strategies are
formed on the basis of a specific situation and accordingly, methods are found for providing
better directions to employees (Fairhurst and Connaughton, 2014). Moreover, decision taken in
First Milk Dairy depends upon the impact of external and internal factors on specific situations
that are being faced by the firm.
(d) Difference between role of a leader and a manager
There is wide difference between role of a leader and functions of a manager and due to
that directions and instructions provided to the subordinates gets influenced. First Milk dairy's
management uses MBO approach under which major focus is given on making improvement in
overall performance of the organization on the basis of objectives set (Kacmar and Tepper,
2013). Goals and particular objectives are set and involvement of staff members and top
management is taken for determining the objectives. It aids in rendering specific instructions and
directions to the subordinates and all the desired functions are accomplished as per the particular
objectives set by management. Manager work as administer whereas leader work as an innovator
(Klarsfeld and Tatli, 2014). Managers keep short term view for completing a task whereas leader
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have long term views for carrying out a specific goal. Different leadership styles that are
followed in First Milk includes :-
Formal leadership :- An organized approach is used for rendering instructions to the subordinates
and formal authority is used for assigning duties and responsibilities to the staff members. It is
mandatory that staff members should follow all the accountabilities and complete their task
which are assigned to them (Gurman and Kniskern, 2014.).
Informal leadership :- Directions and instructions are given to subordinates without following a
formal authority and no proper chain of command is followed under this method.
Theories of leadership that are followed in the organization includes :-
Trait theory :- This leadership theory focuses on individual characteristics of a successful leaders
and some specific traits are posed by leader which includes creativity, intelligence, decision
making capabilities and ability to influence other group members (Hallinger, 2013).
The managerial grid theory :- This leadership style is based on two major elements that are
concern for people and concern for production.
Contingency theory :- According to this leadership style behaviour of a leader depends upon
characteristics and complexity of a specific situation that is being faced by the leader.
Strengths and weaknesses of different approaches
Strength and weaknesses of different approaches with in the work environment differs
from each other First milk dairy adopts different approaches of leadership for rendering better
directions and instructions to subordinates so that they can become capable for meeting the
expectation of top management. Approaches of leadership that are followed in the entity are as
mentioned :-
 TRANSACTIONAL LEADERSHIP :- Under this leadership style leaders gives influence
on subordinates by giving them rewards and punishments. The leader has right and
authority to punish the juniors if they fail in completing the assigned work and rewards
are given to staff members when they perform their work effectively (Lee and Malerba,
2016). This leadership approach supports in being transparent with employees and
providing leadership without any discrimination with and individual. In addition to that
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there are some disadvantage of this method and sometimes it becomes difficult to
analyses and evaluate performance of staff members.
 TRANSFORMATIONAL LEADERSHIP :- Under this leadership style leaders are
considered as motivational sources who works for providing better moral support and
encouragement to the staff members so that they can complete their work in enthusiastic
way. Major focus is given for bringing transformation in the existing performance level
of staff members and motivating them towards accomplishment of a set target and goal.
Motivational level of staff members enhanced due to it and they enthusiastically get
involved for completing their task and responsibilities effectively (Norton and Wood,
2015). This leadership style supports for making significant improvement in existing
competence and capabilities of staff members and enhancing their enthusiasm so that
they can perform their work effectively. However, it is a complex and critical task to
identify new ideas and concepts for motivating the followers.
Some other leadership approaches that are being used in the enterprise are as mentioned :-
 Situational approach :- complexity and critical issues that are faced in the enterprise are
resolved by the leader by taking decision on the basis of situation. Moreover, a single
leadership style is not followed and major focus in given on providing better instructions
and directions to the subordinates. It is a time consuming process and as no specific
leadership style is followed so it becomes difficult to take appropriate decisions on the
basis of a particular situation that is being faced in the entity.
(f) Analysis of different theories and approaches for leadership
First Milk is a fastest growing and leading food company of UK that sells Dairy products,
milk products and cheese top its consumers. Different approaches and leadership style used in
the entity supports for rendering better and effective directions and instructions to subordinates.
Transactional leadership style helps in making fair and transparent evaluation of performance
given by staff members and it aids in giving fair rewards to staff members for good and effective
work performed by them (Parris and Peachey, 2013). In addition to that transformational
leadership style is followed which helps in making significant improvements in performance of
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the staff members and due to that it becomes easier for imparting necessary skills and
capabilities to employees and enhancing their competence for performing their work effectively.
Moreover, Situational leadership style supports for resolving critical and complex
situations that are being faced in the enterprise. No specific leadership style is followed under
situational leadership style and decisions are taken on the basis of demand posses by a specific
situation (Klarsfeld and Tatli, 2014). Moreover, contingency leadership style is also followed
under which leaders take decision for carrying out operational activities of enterprise in effective
and successful manner. This leadership style supports in running manufacturing and production,
supply chain and logistics operations in effective way. Moreover, MBO approach aids in
ensuring growth and success of the entity by determining a specific set of objective and
executing all the desired objectives on the basis of target set in the entity. Various functions of
First Milk including planning, controlling, coordinating, monitoring and organizing can be
performed in effective way.
TASK 2
(a) Key approaches of operations management
Definition of operation management :- Operations management is a systematic procedure
for managing supply-chain and logistics activities of entity in effective way. Various approaches
are used in the First Milk for executing business functions in effective way and carrying out
operational activities. Operations management approaches supports for making continuous
improvements in existing practices and it also supports for executing functions of the enterprise
in effective way. Diverse approaches that are used under operations managements re as described
:-
 Total quality management :- It is an effective system that is based on concept for making
positive improvements in every operational area of the enterprise for ensuring effective
performance of the business. Long term growth and success of the business is ensured
under this approach and major focus is given for enhancing consumer satisfaction level.
Organizational functions of First Milk are executed in customer focussed way and
involvement of all the stakeholders is taken for improving existing business functions of
the enterprise (Galliers and Leidner, 2014). Moreover, under this approach use of data,
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information, facts and figures is taken for continually improving existing business
functions of the enterprise in effective way. Total employee involvement is ensured
towards accomplishment of set targets and goals of the entity and quality improvement
program are organized for integrating quality into the design process. Major focus is also
given on process thinking and inputs for manufacturing activities are taken from suppliers
and key stakeholders and business processes are organized for transforming the inputs
into superior quality outputs (Stadtler, 2015). All the operational activities are continually
monitored for rendering value and worth to the consumers and integrated business system
is adopted in which business processes are merged. Strategic and systematic approach is
used for accomplishing set objectives and targets of entity and decision making process is
also used for making proper action plans and formulating strategies for business
(Holsapple, 2013.). leaders and managers can take significant initiatives for
implementing Total quality management program in the enterprise.
 Just in time Inventory management :- this method is used for reducing the flow time of all
the practices and ensuring availability of material for manufacturing and production
activities of the entity in effective way. Reduction of waste is done and it helps in
declining overall investment cost of the enterprise. Production time also reduces and
fewer flaws are observed in existing processes that are running in the enterprise. Overall
cost is reduces and storage cost for keeping the raw material in store is also reduces by
making use of this approach (Gilmour, 2013). Supply chain and logistics activities are
performed effectively and it becomes easier to execute business functions properly in an
organized way. Leaders and managers can make it ensure that all the required material
for executing business functions should be purchased on due time. It will help for saving
the storage cost and due to that inventory management will also become easier and
effective.
 The concept of continuous improvement (Kaizen) :- It is a Japanese approach towards
adopting practice of continuous improvement and it aids in making significant and
positive improvements in existing business practices (Gómez-Expósito, Conejo and
Cañizares, 2016). It is a five stage process under which major focus is given on involving
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all the stakeholders in the key business activities and necessary processes such as
purchasing, manufacturing, supplying dairy products in market and selling products in a
larger consumer market. Leaders and managers can take positive efforts for continually
improving the existing practices and procedures and it will help for making
improvements in existing practices and better productivity can be gained through this.
 Six sigma :- This approach is used for reducing the defects from the manufacturing
process that are carried out in the enterprise. It becomes possible for eliminating
unnecessary waste and practices and smooth functioning of manufacturing procedure
becomes possible due to that. Wastes are eliminated and it aids in saving overall
investment cost of the enterprise. Techniques and tools are used under this method for
removing wastages from the manufacturing activities. Managers and leaders of First Milk
can take significant initiatives for implementing Six sigma programs in the entity.
 Lean production :- It is data driven approach which is adopted for removing unnecessary
processes from the operational activities. Total time for executing business functions is
saved through this and overall investment cost for making products and services is
reduced. Leaders and managers of first milk can implement lean production programs for
reducing defects from the manufacturing and operational procedures. It helps for
executing required business functions in effective way.
 Queuing theory :- It is an effective approach that is used in operations management for
assessing the waiting time of queue lengths. Under this system routine networks are
formed for connecting single queues. Delay time in waiting lines is identified and arrival
process, number of servers and number of systems are identified through this method. It
supports in providing better and effective services to consumers and better supply-chain
and logistics functions are executed through this. Waiting time of required processes that
need to be executed are assessed and it helps for enhancing the efficiency of operational
process of the entity.
(b) Importance and value of operational management
Operations management supports in acquiring and accomplishing set targets and
objectives of First Milk in a systematic, strategic and organized way. It is required that all the
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