Analysis of Leadership, Management, and Operations - Business Report

This report delves into the core concepts of management and operations. It begins by differentiating between leaders and managers, exploring their similarities and differences, and outlining the functions of a manager as defined by Henri Fayol, including planning, organizing, commanding, coordinating, and controlling. The report then examines various leadership theories such as situational leadership, system leadership, and contingency leadership. Furthermore, it discusses approaches to operations management, including lean production and Six Sigma, and analyzes the application of these approaches within Marks and Spencer. The role of a store manager is also explored, along with the importance of operations management and the external factors that can impact a company's operations, and the effects of these factors on the decision-making process of the store manager. The report aims to provide a comprehensive overview of these key areas within the context of a business environment.

Management and
Operations

Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................1
TASK 1............................................................................................................................................1
a) Differences and similarities between a leader and manager...................................................1
b) Functions of Manager.............................................................................................................1
c) Theories of Leadership............................................................................................................2
Situational Leadership................................................................................................................2
System Leadership......................................................................................................................3
TASK 2 ...........................................................................................................................................3
1.Approaches to operations management and approach used by Marks and Spencer................3
2. Role of store manager.............................................................................................................5
3. Importance of operations management in Mark and Spencer.................................................5
4. Assessment of the major outside elements that can have an effect on the operation's
management of the Mark and Spencer company........................................................................6
5. Impacts of these factors on the decision making process of the store manager......................7
CONCLUSION ...............................................................................................................................8
REFERENCES................................................................................................................................9
Online .......................................................................................................................................10

INTRODUCTION
Operational management help you to understand importance of management in firm. This
will help you to use right tools and techniques of management. It covers all the process of
management like planning, organizing, coordinating, controlling. This help to prevent from
inefficiency, failures and accident (Mehmood, 2014). Organization can be successful if it follows
proper management process. In this project we will discuss about manager and leader, there
similarities and differences, role and characters of both further there is discussion about functions
of a manager, different types of leadership like situational leadership, systems leadership and
contingency leadership, approaches to operations management, importance of operations
management and factors that effect operation management.
TASK 1
a) Differences and similarities between a leader and manager
Manager is a person who controls and manages every situation in an organization. He
looks after every work and is held responsible for it (Bhaskar, 2014). Controlling of business
affairs are done by him.
Leader is a person who leads and gives command to his flowers. He has a high degree of
control and supervises work (Mehmood, 2014). Here are some differences and similarities
between managers and leaders as follows:
SIMILARITIES
MANAGER LEADER
 Manager is a person who manages and
control group of people and is
responsible for every action.
 Concerned with the goals of an
organization.
 Main work is to allocate resources,
divide work in groups. Division of
work, help in achievement of target on
time.
 Leader is a person who leads and gives
command to group of people and takes
responsibility of a group.
 Help in achieving goals.
 Resources are available in an
organization; leader uses resources in
an effective manner and helps in proper
utilization of resources for achievement
of goals.
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DIFFERENCES
MANAGER LEADER
 Manager focuses on achieving goals of
an organization; he makes plan and set
targets to complete work on time.
 They follow proper structure and
process and try to improve process.
 Minimization of risk is another
important role of manager (Bauomy,
and et.al, 2017 ). They are not willing
to try any new things.
 Mangers are of rigid nature; they don't
change themselves. Usually, they try to
stick to old methods and find solutions
to problems.
 Leader focus on turning idea or plan
into action. They motivate people to
achieve something big (Agnieszka,
2017).
 They are like agent, principle give
instruction and they make innovative
plans to achieve them.
 Leaders are always willing to take risk.
They try new things and are not afraid
of failure.
 They learn new things every day.
Business environment keeps on
changing and they try to adjust
themselves according to environment
Roles and characteristics of manager
 Knowledgeable: They must have knowledge of industry where they work so that they
can perform efficiently without any problem.
 Optimistic: manager should stay positive in every difficult situation. Positive attitude
motivate employees and help them in doing work efficiently.
 Calm: there are various difficult situations that organization go through, manger can not
give up on difficult situations (Hegazy, 2016). They need to remain calm and confidence
so that they can decide what is good for company.
 Flexibility: business environment keep on changing according to demand of customers,
to survive these changes manager should be flexible.
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Roles and characteristics of leaders
Roles
 Representative: they represents enterprise in seminars, general meeting etc and is to
communicate objectives of an enterprise to general public and receive feedback from
them (Bhaskar, 2014). Leadership is a quality that is required in all levels of management (Al-Marta, 2017 ). It
provides guidance to his subordinates (Mehmood, 2014 ).
Characteristics
 Leader should be committed towards his work.
 Creativity is another important character of leader.
b) Functions of Manager
Henri Fayol based on his experience created some functions of a manager. There are
various complex situation which organization face and to deal with such complexity professional
management is required (Munitić and Jugović, 2017). Some functions of manager according to
fayol are given :
 Planning: planning helps in achieving desired goals of an organization. It is one of the
important functions of manager; here, they think about steps and actions that will help in
achieving goals (Bauomy and et.al, 2017)). It is a continuous process and it is required
in every level of organization. Planning is forward looking process and involves making
of plans about future. The manager of Marks and Spencer prepare plan before initiating
any activity of organization.
 Organization: in this, work is divided among various departments of organization and
further these departments assign work to every individual. When an individual perform
specific task regularly, they become specialized in that work (Agnieszka, 2017). Proper
organizing helps in optimum utilization of resources of an organization. In order to
manage work at Marks and Spencer, the manager organizes their work accordingly.
 Commanding: once work is divided in various departments, manager gives instructions
to employees of different departments. Orders must be communicated clearly to
employees. They are capable of giving commands and instructions on the basis of audit
performance (Hegazy, 2016). If communication of instructions is not done clearly then it
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will create confusion and work will not be completed on time. Managers of Marks and
Spencer motivate and encourage employees.
 Coordinating: various departments perform different works in an organization. It is
very necessary to coordinate work of different departments. Coordinating deals with
systematic arrangements of individuals to avoid confusion and duplication of work. This
function can be performed only if manager has good communication skills. Big
companies like Marks and Spencer have many departments; managers coordinate work of
different departments to bring harmony (Al-Marta, 2017).
 Controlling: this process helps in identifying errors committed by different departments
and manager takes initiative to correct those mistakes by making effective plans.
Standard performances are measured with actual performance and the reason of
difference between them. After finding out deviation, they make plans to correct them. It
is a continuous process and is required in every level of management. Controlling is both
forward as well as backward looking process. It points out the errors in every process and
helps in achieving goals of organization. Manager of Marks and Spencer uses this process
to increase the size of business and motivate employees so that they work effectively.
Each process helps in identifying goals and finding out solutions of different problems in
an organization (Munitić and Jugović, 2017). It is very necessary for smooth functioning of an
environment. Manager along with employees follow a proper management process so that goals
of an organization is achieved.
c) Theories of Leadership
Situational Leadership
Paul Hersey and Ken Blanchard have proposed this theory. Principle of this theory is that
there is no best style of leadership. Successful leaders adopt their strategies or plans according to
tasks assigned to them. Situations keep on changing; they need to adapt strategies according to
changing situations. Leader should be flexible and try to understand different situations and
make strategies according to plans (Bhaskar, 2014). It is a very easy form of leadership and must
evaluate situations and adopt different styles of leadership to deal with those situations.
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It is very flexible form of leadership; they can change easily change there style. It is very
important to gain trust and confidence within followers. They should evaluate the performance of
followers and make right strategy to enhance working of followers. This is the most comfortable
and common style of leadership used in different organizations ( Mehmood, 2014). This strategy
encourages leader to analyze members of a group.
System Leadership
This style of leadership helps in creating environment in which employees can work
according to potentials they have. Principles of human behaviour are used to create good
leadership, strategy, and system process. There are different tools that can predict behaviour of
people in an organization. Subordinates collaborate with superior. There are two type of system
open or close. Most organizations use open system, as it help in interacting with environment.
This theory shows that organizations are made of different parts and to work in harmony
coordination between these part is very necessary. Communication of ideas is one of the
important mechanism that take place in organization (Bauomy and et.al, 2017). This theory is
very complex. If environment changes they can easily interact with environment and manage to
survive changing situations. Leaders ask feedback from employees, in order to improve there
system. This system is imaginary and can not be applied in practical situations.
Contingent leadership
This theory was developed by fiedler after studying various leadership. This theory
presumes that styles and behaviour can not be influenced. This style focus on variable related to
environment. It is very easy to make predictions. Best leaders are one who can change there
styles according to changing situations. There is no consistency regarding style of leadership, if
one style become successful in past it does not mean it will work in future also. It creates
positive relation between followers and leaders. This style is still adopted by many organizations,
because it help to deal with changing environment situations. Leaders should always be flexible
or adaptable to changing situations (Agnieszka, 2017). Success of an organization depends upon
skills of leader. It is very important for leader to critically examine situations and take decisions
accordingly. Leaders should think creatively in different situations. It is very important to match
leadership styles with different task.
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TASK 2
1.Approaches to operations management and approach used by Marks and Spencer
Production process that is concerned with designing and controlling is known as
operational management. It is concerned with effectively converting of raw materials or labor
into finished goods and services to maximize profits of firm (Hegazy, 2016). It help in
maintaining balance between cost and revenue. Few approaches of operational management are
as follows.
Lean production
This production help in minimizing of waste during productions. All aspects of business like
production, designing and distribution follow this approach. It aim to minimize cost by making
business more efficient. This strategy is applied to all various production and service sector.
There are several waste generated from department this process help in minimizing the waste.
When waste are minimized or removed from the organization it will work at it optimum level. In
short this process continuously deals in reducing waste from organization (Al-Marta, 2017).
Lean production focus not only on minimizing the cost of the product but also ensure that work
is completed on time. Quality of the product is one of the important factor which help the firm to
survive in this competitive world, this strategy also focus on how quality of the product can be
manged without increasing cost. Marks and Spencer follow this production to reduce the total
cost of product. Cost can be minimized by reducing wastage done on production of the product,
if product is offered in reasonable price then it will attract more customers. This process is
adopted by company to promote productivity and efficiency.
Six sigma
this techniques help in improving quality of production process. This method is use to improve
efficiency and effectiveness of the process. This method is used to define, measure, analyses,
improve and control business organization.
 Define: the main objective is to define the framework of the project and shareholder
approve on project. Customer need and want are considered for making guideline of
work.
 measure: they collect data and measure them according to standard (Munitić and
Jugović, 2017). They compare there business with other to find out deviations and
improve there performances.
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 Analyze: observe the data carefully and make change if required.
 Improve : teams and stakeholder advice give feedback about there process, this help them
to improve there process
 control: it help leaders to monitor and control situations in organization.
Marks and Spencer follow this process to improve and grow company leaders. They encourage
them to actively participate in organization process.
2. Role of store manager.
In the Mark and Spencer company, the store manager play an essential role to manager
all activities related to the store department and he or she develops new plans and strategies to
improve sales, profitability, customer services and arranging market plans (Abou-Senna Radwan
and Navarro, 2015). The store manager ensure its customers needs, preferences and demands for
new products as well as services. To become a successful manager, the various role and
responsibilities of the store manager are as follows :
 Management of Equipments – For every manager it is an essential task to manage and
maintain control of all assets which are used in store department. It is his or her duty to
secure the various appliances (Ahuja, 2017).
 Cost Optimization – This is compulsory task of the store manager and he or she should
perform this in prescribed manner.
3. Importance of operations management in Mark and Spencer.
The management of operations related activities are very important for every business
because it plays a major role in that organisation in order to reach the pre set target. This
department is deals with the many operations, designs and improvement to make and deliver the
primary products and services in to the target market. The major functional field of the operation
management are finance and marketing and it assesses all financial related issues and solve them
with effectively and efficiently. In the Mark and Spencer company, the operation management
has cover many operational activities in order to reach at certain height of business. It has many
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responsibilities which should be fulfil by the manager and its team members (Baxley and et.sl.,
2016). The business entity just like Mark and Spencer use this type of management is very
common for accomplishing various tasks and works. The company makes good use of its various
services and products by operation's management. The organisation has a special modal that
provides a wide range of overview of considerations in managing and developing its products
and services. It depends on the nature of the particular organisation and it uses the core
competences in several areas like brand developing, marketing, manufacturing of the products
and selling with the help of many retailers and wholesalers to get the competitive advantages in
its target market.
In the organisation, the management of all operations related works are manages properly
then it helps to the other departments and those are work smoothly and maintain their
efficiencies (Fu, 2015). Each and every departments are able to work best and good predictions
about the need of employees and staff members and also develops the trainees in the right
manner. This will make the company more profitable in various uncertain situation. The
accounting department of the company gets full support from the operation management and
work smoothly in respect to pay bills promptly since a well run operations plan ahead in the
organisation. The accounting manager has easy to handle the payroll system with predictable
cost. If the operation's manager works poorly then it will complicate to manage for other
departments to do their works well.
The finance department, has right to evaluate the requirement of funds and responsible to
raise money for work more easily. The successful management of operations being able to high
productivity, cost reducing, time scheduling for accomplish the demand. In other words the
financial department can show various types of records such as inventory, capital employed with
the help of operations management (Gillen, Jacquillat and Odoni, 2016). The marketing
department also success with the help of operations and its activities. By using this the company
has become successful and provides on time services and products.
4. Assessment of the major outside elements that can have an effect on the operation's
management of the Mark and Spencer company.
The Mark and Spencer, a company is known as providing the quality products and
services to its clients. The organisation has a deep impact from its outside factors and this will
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influence the organisation's operation management. So for this purpose it is a need of discussion
about the outside factors of this company. All external factors have affect to its management
activities and control that can reduce its productivity. In this company's case, there are two type
of external environment factors that are directly interactive environmental factor and second one
is indirectly interactive (Mateo, 2016). The first one has a deep impact and realise immediately
and other one has secondary and more impact on the firm. In external factors, the strength of
staff is also an important aspect in the point of view of the overall growth of the business as well
as all employees of that organisation. In the outsiders factors, there are various elements that can
have an effect on the operational activities of this organisation. These are discussed as below :
Customers – This is an essential factor that should be consider by every company in order to
achieve various desired goals and targets (Radnor and et.al., 2015). There are a huge impact
that can raise from the customer's preference. The customers have many choices that can a
great change in decision making process of store manager.
Suppliers – These are the persons who provides raw material and goods for manufacturing by
this company so they also have a great impact on this business activities. The suppliers may
right to sell their products and services at their price so this will change the decision of
manager.
Market condition – The market in which the company sale its various outputs in order to
achieve its operational goals and this can also influence the company's policy (Rouvari and
et.al., 2016). The operation manager makes several rules and regulations in acknowledged
with its target market condition.
Economy – Economic condition of the country in which the organisation conduct its operational
activities, play a major role and so for this reason it is considered in these criteria.
Politics – Laws and acts made by the government of that nation are affects on this business and
influence the Mark and Spencer's organisation.
5. Impacts of these factors on the decision making process of the store manager.
From the experience, there are a strong impact of various external factors on the decision
making procedure of the manager. In such factors, individual differences, an escalation of
commitment and sunk outcomes are includes. In addition to this, there are many cognitive
elements that can influence the decision making of the store manager (Saucedo-Martínez and
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et.al., 2017). This is the pattern which is based on the generalizations and observations and it
may lead to inaccurate judgements, memory errors, and faulty logic. Every manager of store
department makes their decisions under three types of situations that are certainty, uncertainty
and risk (Factors Affecting Decision Making, 2018.). These three situations are based on the final
outcomes of the manager's decision. The manager's decision impacts by the number of elements
that can influence the experience, knowledge, understanding and intuition of him or her. There
are some essential things, on which the impact of these major factors are as follows :
 Effect on Resources – It is an essential thing that the external factor may effects the
decision making too much and the business also affected by this element (Schnepp, Vidal
and Hawley 2017). The outsider has a great impacts on the various decisions. The process
of making a special product takes a lot of time of other staff members.
 Opportunity Cost – It has a great impacts on the decision regarding to the store
manager. For example the company decide to buy TV ads, the manager might not have
the budget to buy radio ads (Smith and et.al., 2018). So for this reason it is lost of
opportunity cost and it has impacts on the managerial decisions of store department.
 Brand Image – There are many external factors that can affect the brand image of the
company and it can reduce the goodwill of that organisation. The store manager makes
various rules and policies and in between many factors can influence these rules. So for
this reason this point must be consider by the store manager.
 Price Fixing – Many outside factors effects on the price fixing of various products and
services of the company. This will highly influence to the store manager (Wang 2015). It
is a responsibility of manager that he or she decides the price of outputs with the help of
its employees and members and the customer demand which is the external factor may
effects on this process.
CONCLUSION
This report concludes all elements about operation management of the Mark and Spencer
company. In this report, the major role and responsibilities of leader and manager and various
function of their described. In this company, the manager of store department and his or her role
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