HND Business: Leadership, Management, and Operations at Debenhams Plc

This report provides a comprehensive analysis of leadership and management practices within Debenhams Plc, a prominent fashion retailer in the United Kingdom. The report begins with an introduction to the importance of effective management and operations in achieving organizational goals, followed by an examination of the roles and characteristics of leaders and managers. It contrasts the responsibilities of leaders and managers, highlighting their focus on different aspects of the business, such as long-term vision versus short-term goals. The report then delves into the roles and responsibilities of managers in various situations, including planning, budgeting, organizing, controlling, and decision-making. Different leadership theories and models, such as trait theory and transactional/transformational theories, are discussed, providing insights into the various approaches to leadership. Finally, the report assesses the factors within the business environment that impact operational management and decision-making by leaders and managers, including the significance of time management and problem-solving. The analysis aims to provide insights into how Debenhams Plc can enhance its leadership and management strategies to achieve its business objectives.

Management & Operations

Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................1
TASK 1............................................................................................................................................1
P1. Roles and characteristics of leaders and managers...............................................................1
TASK 2............................................................................................................................................3
P2. Roles and responsibilities of both leaders and managers in various situations....................3
P3. Different theories and models of approach, including situational leadership, Systems
leadership and contingency.........................................................................................................5
TASK 3............................................................................................................................................6
P4. Key approaches to operations management and the role that leaders and managers play....6
P5. Importance of operation management in attaining the targets. ............................................7
TASK 4............................................................................................................................................8
P6. Assess the factors within the business environment that impact upon operational
management and decision-making by Leaders and managers....................................................8
CONCLUSION..............................................................................................................................10
REFERENCES..............................................................................................................................11

INTRODUCTION
In modern business world, whenever business firms looks forward to maintain its
sustainability it is very much required to have effective management along with its operations.
With the help of this, organisations can generate high revenue and can easily attain its targets in a
specific time frame. Managing operations covers the area where administration mostly stays
concerned with arrangements and monitoring whole production procedure. In other words,
operations management can be understood as a process which changes raw materials, resources,
labour along with energy into final items (Ravindran, 2016). Debenhams Plc which is one of
famous fashion retailer of United Kingdom has been chosen under this assignment. It was found
in 1778 but, formally it was introduced in British market in the year of 1813 by William
Debenham. Report will show roles and characteristics that both leaders and
managers carries. Assessment will also focus types leadership styles and
key approaches of operations management.
TASK 1
P1. Roles and characteristics of leaders and managers
Leadership:
It has been analysed that both leaders and managers with in a
company contains various roles and responsibilities but works for a common
goals which is attainment of goals and objectives of business firm.
Leadership can be understand as a basic process which a leader follows
where he/she motivate, direct, control, set targets and coordinate with
employees so that business of firm can get run in a successful manner. On
the other hand, it is being examined that leaders mostly develops policies in
order to maintain sustainability and enhancement of profitability. Main
focus they keep on making changes into traditional approaches that firm is
already following so that organisation does its operations in unique manner.
This directly aid them in gaining competitive advantages (Su, Li and Fu, 2011).
In present context, it is required for Debenhams Plc to have effective
leadership so that sustainability can get improved in much effective way.
Debenhams Plc is famous for its trendy clothes in all over United Kingdom
1

and in other countries as well. Along with this, they also deals in some other
sections as well like household products, furnitures and so on. In 2016,
Debenhams Plc which is listed in London Stock exchange, generated £2,341.7
million as revenue with the help of 178 stores in all around UK. If firm wants
to expand its business it is much required for them to
Management:
In business world, management refers to managing or dealing with all
the activities that took place while running business. It has been analysed
that administration of a company mostly manages all the operations that are
being done by the company. In other words, modern world is filled with
ample number of complexities and to reduce them it is mandatory for
manager to take responsibility of different things so that benefits can be
gained in an appropriate and in successful manner. Management is an art of
managing different things like raw materials, resources, recruitments and
other essential parts so that firm can maintain its reputation in front of
society (Feng and et. al., 2014). This is mostly being done with taking in
consideration of different things like assigning jobs to employees, delivering
training to existing or new employees and many more. Debenhams Plc
needs to have managers that can carry responsibility of business so that
company do not go through any sort of issue like hike in expenses and some
other risks that can reduce profitability and productivity of company.
Basis Leaders Managers
Meaning Leaders are those who leads
individuals, team members or an
organisation to specific goals and
objectives.
Manager term refers to the person who
manages the work at workstation so
that completion of task can be done.
With the help of this, firm can easily
run its business in much effective
manner.
Personality Leader carries a fanciful attribute and
mostly takes risks because he/she
A manager do not usually carries a
creative attitude because they believe in
2

knows well that firm cannot make high
revenue if they are following
traditional approaches which is being
followed by other companies as well
(Rosemann and vom Brocke, 2015).
following traditional policies which
have already been tried previous which
resulted in positive manner.
Focus Mostly, leader looks forward to expand
their business and this can only be
done if they will properly lead both its
team or individuals in an appropriate
manner.
Main focus of managers stays on
improvising conditions of organisation
like developing plan in order to
improvise products and services right
on time.
Organisation Leaders are said to be the people who
usually deals in different sections so
that benefits can be raised right on
time. Most probably, leader guides
their followers
Usually at workplace of Debenhams
Plc, it has been analysed that
managers mostly deals with
employees of organisation who
are doing business at
international and domestic
level.
Strategy In present time, Debenhams Plc's
leaders are mostly using
proactive sort of concepts.
Managers of Debenhams Plc,
usually uses reactive
argumentation.
Risk Most of the time, they believe in
invention which contains high risk
factors (Kato and et. al., 2015).
Managers uses traditional approach
which do not contains risk.
Concern Taking correct judgements. Following right judgements.
Vision Leaders mostly carries attitude in
which focus stays on long term goals.
Managers mostly tries to attain short
goals in specific time of period.
3

TASK 2
P2. Roles and responsibilities of both leaders and managers in various situations
Debenhams Plc are having managers and leaders who are having the
responsibilities of different departments in a company. There are even
situation when person is playing both the role of a leader and a manger. The
roles and responsibilities of managers are linked with analysing all the
departments of Debenhams Plc and these are further evaluated below as:
Planning: This is the most important duty of managers in order to achieve their set
business goals and targets in effective and planned manner. Debenhams Plc is making plans
in order to open a new retail outlets in United Kingdom so that all the resources will be utilised
in effectual and planned ways thus firms will attain success in their ventures (Schniederjans, Cao
and Triche, 2013).
Budgeting: After analysing all the task which had to be completed now the main
responsibility of manger is related with setting the budgets which are beneficial in order to utilise
all the available business resources in effectual and planned ways. There are strategies
formulated by which the funds can be generated which are beneficial for firms. This is an
important task for firm as it result analysing the overall profit margins of firms.
Organising: The higher authorities of Debenhams Plc are having the responsibility in
order to organise all the activities in effective and planned manner so firm will attain success in
their operations.
Controlling: The firms are having their main focus on providing quality products to all
their potential customers so they can complete their assigned objectives by formulating business
plans and strategies (Ghiani and et. al., 2014).
Time Management: Every organization has its own way of managing time of each task
which is going to be performed by its employees to utilise it in a efficient manner to achieve its
measured goal. It is the responsibility of manager to look after all the work which the part of
daily activity must be done in the time limit.
Decision Making: Decisions in the organisation should be taken with excessive care,
wrong decisions can build negative image of the brand and could effect its market share.
Management team of Debenhams Plc should analyse all aspects before taking any decision
so that it affect its own business and employees.
4

Problem solving: It has been analysed that managers carries high
responsibility and attainment of their own targets takes Debenhams Plc to
gain competitive advantages. On the other hand, it is very much required
for them to adopt best approach in order to resolve issues that are being
faced by Debenhams Plc.
On the other hand, in business organisations it is very much required
to have effective leaders. Director of companies can be considered as a
leader of company. On the other hand, it has been analysed that, if leaders
are not developing appropriate policies then it is may be possible that firm
may not hit their targets. In different situations, leaders mostly follows
different leadership styles like autocratic and democratic (Closs, Speier and
Meacham, 2011). It is much necessary for leaders of Debenhams Plc to gain
knowledge which is related to staff members and of market of United
kingdom. With the help of this, leader can directly motivate its followers
and through it has been located that firm can easily hit their targets.
Vision: It has been analysed that leaders carries a unique nature and
thinking as well. With the help of this, leaders can carry Debenhams Plc to a
whole new level. On the other hand, it has been located that goals and
objectives can easily be attained right on time. Vision mostly stays related
to future and long with these can also be both short or long term. Apart
from this, it has also been located that Debenhams Plc leaders needs to set
vision and this carries few factors which are given beneath: Motivation: Leader usually motivates their employees and through
this, he/she can set their targets so that they become more capable of
attaining goals and objectives in much effective and appropriate
manner (Bartlett and Beamish, 2018). Developing relationships: It has been located that leaders mostly
deals and tries to develop appropriate relationships amongst
employees and other staff members. Through this, issues can easily be
resolved where feedback are mostly being taken by them through
which benefits can be gained.
5

 Coaching: Training can be given to followers by leaders. Through
this, Debenhams Plc can hit their targets right on time.
P3. Different theories and models of approach, including situational
leadership, Systems leadership and contingency
There are different kinds of theories which a person can adopt in
order to improve their leadership skills. This includes some of the theories
that are Great man theory, trait theory, behavioural, contingency theory and
many more. Some of them are explained below in order to understand it in a
better manner:
Trait Theory: it states that every individual is born with some or the other leadership
traits that helps them in standing with a different opinions and views. As a result it gives
advantages to a person as compared with others. Its impact is majorly on mental and social
features in order to maintain an effective coordination amongst employees and subordinates
(Zailani and et. al., 2012).
Transactional and transformational theories: It is a kind of leadership theory that
contains exchange of labour. It has been analysed that both leaders and managers looks into
different aspects at the time of conduction of plans. On the other hand, most of the time both of
them at Debenhams Plc believes in exchanging less effective team members with talented and
motivated ones. With the help of this, management can directly attain goals and objectives right
on time. Along with this, if they do not change less effective ones with motivated employees
then it is may be possible that firm may face various issues which are related to their goodwill
along with reputation as well.
Transformational leadership: Transformational leadership are very effective while
analysing activities that are going in day to day life. This theory mainly focus on the motivating
its team members and collaborating them so as to work for a common goal. In this situation
leaders set certain aims and take initiatives for accomplishing them by giving effective efforts
that are suitable for the work. Iin context with Debenhams, this helps them in making strategic
development policies in order to sustain a better position at market area.
Situational and contingency theory: This theory is opposite of trait theory it defines that
by going through various stages an individual can become an effective leader. As a result it
makes them capable of handling different kinds of problems that may arise in accomplishing the
6

task in a better way. There can be a possibility that if a person is good in some situations he/she
may not be as good in other. There is a limitations of leadership trait is that if leaders can be
effective if all other people are in support of that as a result it will help them in getting
appropriate results and outcomes (Hillier, 2012). This kind of leadership majorly focus on
working as a team and for this team leader must have adequate information as it will help them
in handling different situations and team dynamics appropriately. In order to know the behaviour
of leaders in different situations one can evaluate the action that they are performing in various
circumstances. Therefore, is a leader is good that team will attain their objectives in effective
manner or if it is not done than team can face complications in performing their activities.
In context with Debenhams Plc, leaders and managers are playing theri role in guiding
and motivating its employees for performing their task in an effective manner. As a result it will
help company in sustaining a better position at market area (Storbacka, 2011). Therefore, for
manufacturing goods and products company has incorporated latest tools and technologies that
are according to current market scenario. Henceforth, managers assign entire task according to
capabilities of department and individual whereas leaders guide them and show them appropriate
path for completing the task in an effective manner.
TASK 3
P4. Key approaches to operations management and the role that leaders
and managers play
In every company leaders and managers play an important role as whether operating its
business in small, medium or large. In context with Debenhams, both are working for providing
profits and enhancing its sales (Hitt, Xu and Carnes, 2016). For producing goods they are using
raw materails whic they can convert them in order to complete it into a final product that can be
delivered to its end customers. Other than this, the must look for the factors that are internal or
external depending upon the nature.
Managers and leaders have sort of power which they can use while taking an y kind of
decision so that they can utilise all the resources that are availble to them. As a result it will asisit
them in attaining their targets in speculated time frame. In terms of Debenhams, by increasing
their production process they are increasing their sales and profitability. Although it provides
better outcomes but company must also make sure that there products are not kept in warehouses
7

of a longer period of time (Littlefield and et. al., 2016). Managers can keep an eye on the process
of manufacturing goods so that they can have an idea about products whether products that are
being made are not wasted as a result it will help them in manging the entire process of
production system. Further it can be explained in a better manner, through certian processes:
Time Quality management: This aspect define that administration conducts market
research and survey which helps them to have complete information about taste and preference
of people. Seniors of Debenhams uses these tactics to make changes in system and implement
latest tools and techniques to provide unique and innovative furniture items to customers. Staff
members are involved in decision making process so that appropriate judgements are made by
top personnels. Different evaluation techniques such as management by objective, BARS, cost
accounting method and 360-degree are used to have complete information about capabilities of
subordinates. Actual outcomes are comopared by benchmarks to assess deviations and to make
changes in things accordingly.
Continuous Improvements: Modelling and planning are aspects which define that
management of Debenhams to formulate programme which are provided to members to conduct
operations in specified manner. Various actions and assessment activities are conducted by
senior to have complete information about system functionality. This benefits company to
improve and use modern technologies to deliver quality things to clients. With use of new tools
and techniques, innovative and latest products are provided to people.
Lean Production: This tactic is used by management of Debenhams to utilise resources
efficiently. This is a furniture company which provides innovative things to people. For
providing appropriate things to customers, employees responsibility is to use material
adequately. Administration maintain relations with suppliers which help firm order things in
according to needs and wants of people. This help them to reduce waste and take care of quality
of system functioning.
Just-in-time: It is the strategy adapted by management team of the organisation to
increase the productivity with less or negligible rejection. It increases the work efficiency of the
employees and decreases the waste production. In other words it refers to the doing production as
per the exact requirement of the customer with desired quality, quantity in the provided time. It
has its on advantages like controls the quality, it also controls waste of over production,
8

employees are fully focused for their work as they know if waste production will done, they will
directly be responsible for their output.
P5. Importance of operation management in attaining the targets.
Tasks administration can be expressed as a procedure which is encased with crude
materials, assets, work and other imperative things through which benefits and are being created
in a suitable way and through this, it has been broke down in much effective manner/
Consequently, such procedure of administration help a firm to increase better adequacy and
efficiencies of work. From above key methodologies, supervisors of Debenhams Plc utilize
persistent change procedures which helps in controlling nature of items also. For giving
compelling administrations to customers all division like human asset administration, fund and
records segment, innovative work, and so forth collaborate each other in coordinating the
operational procedure for delivering great nature of items.
Importance of operations management for an organisation in Debenhams Plc are as
follows: Instead of increment deals, operational administration essentially center around
diminishing expense of an organization which would help in expanding benefit. In Debenhams
Plc, operational process is an expensive one when contrasted with others yet it assumes an
indispensable part in running business exercises like arranging, controlling and sorting out the
work by ad libbing the administrations in powerful way. For maintenance of gifted and talented
workforce who have better relational abilities, they give evaluations like motivators, rewards and
additional wages to them.
Role of manager for improving efficiencies of operation management:
For enhancing efficiencies, supervisors used to speak with labourers and subordinates
legitimately which help in diminishing clashes among all individuals and additionally in keeping
up inspiration among specialists. For better interchanges, they use to sort out gatherings and
meetings for talking about new procedures and approaches of organization for better client
benefit.
Role of leaders for improving efficiencies of operations management:
Since directors used to speak with specialists for getting their input, similarly pioneers used to
make labourers content with condition. They endeavour to see needs of every worker and satisfy
needs likewise.
9