Leadership and Management Concepts Report: Walmart Inc. Analysis

This report provides a comprehensive overview of leadership and management concepts, focusing on the roles and characteristics of leaders and managers within an organizational context, using Walmart Inc. as a case study. It contrasts leadership and management styles, exploring the functions of p...Read More

Leadership and Management
Concepts

INTRODUCTION
Operation and administration is a significant aspect in the commerce venture because it
supports in using the assets of the company to accomplish the aims and aims through
implementing several plans and forms. It is crucial as it support in maintaining the balance
among cost earnings of specific action in the administration of commerce enterprise. It
determines as a professional activity that include diverse things like preparation, organising,
leading and administrating several things in the management (Jia and et. al., 2018). This reports
aim to assess the different kinds of guidance and administration abilities that are practiced in the
company and effort to measure their particular strengths and weaknesses and the functioning as
well as professional requirement vary company to company depending on the condition of the
firm and the method of leadership and administration. For the completion of the assessment,
Walmart Inc is considered. It is an American multinational retail business which functions a
chain of hypermarkets, discount department stores and grocery provisions from the US. This
venture was incorporated in 1962 and is headquartered in Bentonille, Arkansas. This report will
consider information about the functions and accountabilities of leader and administrator in
context of meet business aims, in diverse situational context and administration of organisation.
Moreover, several concepts, key tools to operation administration and the features in the
commerce atmosphere which influence assessment making of leaders and administrators will
also describe.
TASK 1
P1. Explain and contrast the diverse roles and characteristics of a leader and a manager
Definition of leader- A leader can states to an individual who encourage and motivate a group
of individual so that they can executed their allotted work in appropriate form with the aim of
accomplishment of gaols in set time duration. Leader also helps the employees in establishing
vision so that when they perform in group in appropriate form (Wong and Chan, 2018). They
inspire group people with the assistance of their motivational abilities so that the purpose of the
team effort and group task accomplish and meet in more developed manner.
Definition of manager- An administrator is a person who is the in-charge of a group of
individual to execute a particular plan and work with the organisation. An administrator provides
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required assets and information to workers so that they can execute in appropriate approach as
well as accomplish commerce aim in appropriate form.
Roles of leader- The description of several functions of a manager within an organisation are
explained as below:
Encouragement and motivation- It is an effective role of leader and in Witrose, it is
performed by the person in the situation when workers perform in a team for achieving the goal
of a specific task. Then, the leader encourages them so that they can perform well and meet set
objectives in more developed manner (Ahmad, 2019). Thus, with the help of motivation ability,
leader plays an effective function in order to motivate workers by conducting sessions etc. So
that employees can get inspiration and do their employment in appropriate form.
Establishment of vision and mission- It is another effective role of leader. In Waitrose,
when the organisation set up any commerce objective then the individual design vision and
mission to workforce who are involvement in group so that they can have effective data and
clearly familiar with the aim of business and do their work in context of achievement of it timely.
Roles (Functions of manager)- There are diverse roles which are performed by an administrator
regarding, the description of some roles of administrator are as under:
Planning- In it, the administrator of Waitrose can develop and formulate strategies and
policies regarding particular task and employment so that the motive of that work can be
accomplish in effective form by fulfilling the work needs.
Organising- It is another purpose within the administrator play a crucial function through
organising training and learning sessions. So that employees of Waitrose can enhance their
knowledge and improve their skills in order to execute their assigned work and task in
appropriate manner.
Controlling- Under this purpose, the administer of Waitrose can manage and administrate
the work as well as business actions by developing and framing better plan so that the quality of
the work could be managed and to be finished in adequate way.
Directing- By formulating tactics and strategy, the manager of Waitrose can direct and
guide employees of the enterprise so that they can do their work in crucial form by making focus
on all the demand of the work (Howard-Grenville and et. al., 2019).
Characteristics of a leader- Regarding Waitrose, the features of a manager are defined as
below:
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Skill to face issues- It is the key capability and characteristic of a leader and with this a
leader is always prepared to contract with the problems and challenges with assurance. They do
not have any kinds of fear of arising problems within business venture.
Leadership skill and positive attitude- An effective leader always encourage and inspire
employees of the firm so that they can do well in their assigned task in which they are
performing with the aim of attainment of set goals and hitting targets (Jensen and et. al., 2019).
Characteristics of a manager- Regarding Waitrose, the characteristics and traits of an manager
are explained as under:
Delegation- With this delegation quality, the administrator can execute their work with more
delegation and responsibility. Additionally, the make centre on the accomplishment of task in an
appropriate form and on time.
Effective communication- A good manager is a person who has an appropriate
communication ability so that the person can create an adequate communication skill so that the
person can make an appropriate communication between its employees regarding their roles and
accountabilities, plans and method of working. Additionally, cause of having this skill, the
administrator can create good communication with senior and aware them about the functioning
process etc.
Difference between leader and manager
Basis Manager Leader
Meaning It denotes to an individual that
is responsible to administrate
several activities and
operations of the company
(Nunnery 2019).
It indicates to an individual
who centre on encouraging the
people of the firm to execute
their task in appropriate mode
in the enterprise.
Subordinates They have a team o workers
and managers to perform a
specific job and employment.
Leader has workers regarding
assistants.
Risk taker Administrator obtains less
threat when they perform in a
task and project.
They acquire risk to
accomplish the goal of the
scheme and job in effective
manner.
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There are different concepts of leadership and administration that measured through
commerce organisation for the efficient operating of their business actions and processes. The
description of some of them as under:
Transformational theory of leadership- Within this leadership concept, a positive
revolutionize is determined in individual and in societal system (Lazarus and et. al, 2019). Under
this concept, followers are distorted in to leaders through making optimistic modifications in the
supporters. This tool of leadership is finest appropriate to the company as the key objective of it
is expansion planning so that there is no deficiency of leadership abilities in the company in
future time.
Classical theory of management- This theory is based on the values and beliefs of the
workforce in the corporation which only have corporeal and monetary demands and it does not
obtain in to deliberation of social wants of the workers. This tool is efficient to that company
within management is only troubled with the effectiveness rather than the other requirements of
workers.
TASK 2
P2. Define examples of how the roles of a leader and the function of a manager apply in different
situational contexts
There are different roles and accountabilities are executed by privileged and administrators
in diverse conditions. The explanation of some circumstances regarding Waitrose is defined as
below:
Rapid change- In current dynamic situation of business environment, alter is happen in
consumer desires and wants at elevated scale. The management of Waitrose run its business in
retail sector so there are different types of alterations are arisen in customer demands which are
related to products and services. There is several kind of changes take place in business in
context of technology (Singh and et. al., 2020). Also, the respective company make utilisation of
technology in context of offering online shopping and delivery facilities to its consumers. In this
current changing world, there are different types of technical related innovation take place on the
daily base. So it is complex and difficult to deal with the fast changing situation in context of
using new technology with business purpose because with the business venture people are not
ready to adopt new technology or work with this easily. So in context of this, leaders and
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managers play and effective role in order to provide and organise training and learning sessions
so that people can get knowledge about the use of technology and updated with the technical
innovations.
In Waitrose, the management considers different types of technologies in its business in
context of fulfil the needs and demands of its consumers and target audiences. For this, they offer
online shopping and payment application by making use of innovative technologies, mobile
applications and etc. Along with this, the establishment operate in clothing sector so fast
changing fashion and trends also affect it by generating situations of rapid change. In these
circumstances, both administrator and leader play an proficient arrangement in context of
offering their support to the company (Samsir, 2018). The manager can develop appropriate
tactics and schemes so that they can handle and manage the circumstances of fast alterations. The
administrator work towards the fast changing situation in context of offering range of pay
alternatives through utilising efficient machinery as well as do market investigation to determine
the market trend and provide goods and services as per their requirements. In addition to this,
leader motivates employees so that they can perform well with the use of new technologies in
order to offer effective services to consumers in order to meet their demands and necessities.
Conflict resolution- It is another situation which is also critical and leader as well as
manager play and effective role in order to sustainable running and development of business.
When the circumstance of conflict resolution rise within a company then problems and issued are
occurred among employees, seniors, teammates and management, cause of ineffective and
improper communication. Then, it creates negative impact on the business activities as well as
operations. Regarding Waitrose, if this manner of circumstances happens in the specific venture,
the director and administrator play an efficient function by building good announcement. In
context of it, the manager use open communication option so that they can effectively interact
with the employees and aware with the issues and problems which they face. It is also significant
for workforce because they can also deliver and communicate their problems with top
management and seniors (De Nobile, 2018). Within this condition, the director can utilize their
trouble resolving skill in order to manage the conflicts which are occurred due to ineffective
communication as well as work regarding the solutions of issues in systematic form for the
effective execution. Also, the administrator can develop strategies and plans to overcome the
situation of conflict. The manager also organise meetings as well as involve employees so that
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they can share their issues and get an effective solutions. This motivates them in order to perform
well in context of task, work and team work.
P3. Several theories and models of approach
There are number of concepts and theories that are appropriate for capable leadership in the
corporation to attain the set aims and goals of the company. The explanation of the diverse
leadership conception is as below, that can be applied by Waitrose to acquire appropriate
outcome:
Situational leadership- The situational leadership model was developed by Paul Hersey and
Ken Blanchard which refers that administrator or a company accepts several management forms
as per the situations which they look from time to time rather than a following a specific
leadership style. As the situation which comes in front of an establishment differs from time to
time therefore the administration form that should be applied in those situations bases on the
need of the solution (Giddens, 2018). Under this leadership theory, a manager cannot rely on the
managerial form to fit in all situations. Thus, leader and manager should be flexible in their
leadership styles to obtain effective outcomes in the marketplace. This conception considers
leadership from such as telling, selling, contributing and commending. All these methods can be
accepted through the individual according to the situation so that designed business aims can be
consummate in proficient manner. Waitrose can use this theory of situational leadership as it is
flexible in atmosphere, make development as per to different situations and devise an proficient
teamwork among the group people or teammates and determine dissimilar level of development
of people in the business enterprise.
Strengths-This presumption and concept is significant as it encourages directors and
employees to be accountable for their task and evaluation. The people, who allocate their duties,
have time to purposeful on other subject.
Weaknesses- The key demerit of this approach is that it is open to exploitation the authority
(Reunanen, 2019). In addition to this, the employees who hand over the work but responsible
still lies with the manager.
System leadership theory- This tool is explained as the guidance crosswise the company and
geo political confines, beyond person expert guideline, within a range of organisational and
stakeholder culture and often without administrative management. The system leadership when
implemented in the company will support the manager of the venture to not only consider about
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their own opinion or their organisational but it will emerge into a broader approach crossing even
geo political limits to expand the company as well as the stakeholders in context to transform. It
defines that director in a company can make a situation where all the employees can perform
with their full effectiveness levels. In context of Waitrose, this concept and theory sustain in
offering protected, safe, strong and gracious working surroundings where employees of the
organisation of the establishment can perform their responsibilities and duties in appropriate
form (Germain, 2018 ). This conception can be efficient for Specific Corporation as this uses the
standard about the human performance to develop models of good management, organisational
plans, and system and deigns as well as communal action. It also supports in forecasting the
individual’s performance in the business enterprise. This tool is important for making and
developing efficient scheme that proffers creative performance. It is significant for venture as it
centres on achieving the workforce and commerce goals of the establishment.
Strengths- The key benefit of system leadership conception is that it develops the commerce
environment of the company. It centres on achieving workers and organisational objectives.
Weaknesses- The key shortcoming of this method is that it leads to hindrance in assessment
making. On the other hand, the nature of intern reliance is not determined.
Contingency leadership theory- Under this leadership approach, there is a specific form of
approach that explains that development does not support to their skills. There are different
factors and components like culture and working environment etc. of an establishment which
influence the development and growth of people. This concept can be applied by the
management of Waitrose because it changes as per to the situations and changes policies of the
company (Demir and Budur, 2019). It refers that effectiveness of leader is deputation over
leadership styles to the situation and can be supple cause of modifications in situation.
Strengths- This conception is important because it support leader to enhance their leadership
abilities. It also enables in making the organisational framework.
Weaknesses- It is impulsive in form that is difficult to administrate in different situations.
Along with this, it has compound progress when it comes to sensible things.
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TASK 3
P4. Define the key approach to operations management and the roles of leaders and managers
play
Total quality management- It defines as a customer oriented process and key aim of it is
continue expansion of business processes and actions. TQM is an constant procedure that
supports in reducing issue and complexities that occur in production process, restructuring
supply chain management and enhancing consumer experiences (Aldulaimi and Abdeldayem,
2019). Also, it makes sure that employees are working rapidly with the assistance of training and
learning. For instance, with the application of this instrument, the administration of Waitrose can
make development within it manufacture activity and solve problems such as supply chain
administration and improvement in customer experiences.
Roles of leader- The leader play a crucial role in context of appropriate development and
involvement of employees in doing business activities. They are also responsible to evaluate
execution of employees towards business actions.
Roles of manager- The administrators play an effective role in order or continue growth
of the business. They centre on inside and outside customers so that needs and demands can be
determined and development can be take place as per demand.
Just in time- It denotes as a technique that can be performed by management of the company to
increase the effectiveness of the venture. In Waitrose, this tool can be implementing by the
management in order to minimising waste at the time of production process.
Roles of leader- Within it, leader of Waitrose play an effective role by assure that
workers are effectively having knowledge about their accountabilities and responsibilities that
will perform.
Roles of manager- The manager of Waitrose play important role by administrating and
making effective relationship with suppliers so that they can offer needed material timely in
context of running the process or production in smooth manner.
Continuous improvement or Kizen- This approach can be implemented by the management
with the goal of improvement in the business purpose (Jia and et. al., 2018). In Waitrose, this
approach can be executed by the administration to reduce the waste in all systems by budding
standardised actions and processes. With the assistance of it, they can develop the progress of
team exertion so that the company can accomplish high rank of innovation.
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Roles of leader-In Waitrose, leader provide an efficient support by performing their
responsibilities in order to find out that which worker will be in the team to execute specific
work.
Roles of manage- Within it, the administrator of Waitrose play an essential role in
identifying the extent of task and determine the expansion of Kizen group (Wong and Chan,
2018).
P5. Define the significance and value of operations management in accomplishing business
objectives
Operations administration reefers to the conversion of raw material into final products in
an proficient way. It is considered as a crucial activity of business that need to undertake in order
to achieve predefined objectives in stipulated period of time (Chiarini and Vagnoni, 2017). Main
aim of operations management is to make appropriate use of available resources. It makes
company enable to provide quality goods and services to end users. For this purpose, Waitrose
adopts ample of techniques of operations administration such as TQM, just in time and more.
Significance as well as value of these approaches is examined as below:
Improve quality of products and operational efficiency: It is analyzed that quality of
products and services is the crucial factor to improve satisfaction level of customers. Now,
buyers are highly conscious about quality of products and services they are using. With the help
of operations management techniques such TQM, six sigma and more wastage is eliminated so
that standard products can be provided to end users. In regards of Waitrose, managers are able to
manage higher productivity as well as efficiency by using appropriate techniques of operations
management. It will help them to attain predefined level of operational efficiency.
Cost reduction: Here, cost comprises all the expenses that have been incurred during
production. To earn sufficient profit, it is essential to reduce cost at minimum level. There are
some operational techniques such as Just in time, lean production and more which really help to
manage operational efficiency (Ketokivi and McIntosh, 2017) . These techniques play a crucial
role to enhance level of productivity and outcome by minimizing wastage at lower level. In
regards of Waitrose, they are using effective tool to manage operations that is helpful to
minimize cost al lower level. With this, company is able to earn adequate profit margin in order
to get an edge over other competitors.
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Customer satisfaction: In current business world, customers are considered as a crucial
part of business that drives revenue so that business can run in smooth manner. There is higher
competition prevailing at market place so it is vital to keep customers satisfied. Here, techniques
of operations management are really helpful to produce quality products. These techniques are
used to reduce wastage and manage whole production process in significant manner. It is
analyzed that Waitrose adopts effective operation management tools such as six sigma, TQM and
more so that they can attain higher level of customers satisfaction. By this way organization is
able to maintain higher edge over rivalries at market place.
Increase in sales: Here, sales is important component that drives revenue for company. It
is really crucial for a company to attract more number of buyers in order to drive more sales. It
can be done through higher customer satisfaction (Lee and Tang, 2018). So, operations
management has direct link with increment in sales & revenue as it helps to reduce down
wastage and enhance productivity. It is monitored that Waitrose is able to maintain higher sales
and profitability due to its effective techniques of operations management.
Therefore, it is analyzed that operations management is one of the essential component of
business function which needs to be carried out in correct way. Here, it is essential to apply these
techniques in an efficient manner so that predefined objectives of company can be achieved in
stipulated period of time.
TASK 4
P6. Evaluate the factors within the business environment that impact on operational management
and decision making by leaders and managers
Business environment refers to both internal as well as external factors such as customers,
employees, demand, supply and more. These factors put a great impact over business and
significantly affect its overall productivity & profitability (Slack and Brandon-Jones, 2018).
Apart from this, elements of business environment put influence over decision making process
of leaders and managers. Here, manager and leaders need to consider surrounding environment
while taking important decision about company. Some internal as well as external factors that
affect functions of Waitrose and decision making process of leaders of company are given as
under:
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Stakeholders: There are several stakeholders of business such as customers, suppliers,
vendors, employees and more. These people have power to influence overall productivity as well
as performance of company. They have direct association with the business activities,
performance. So, it is crucial to consider their opinion, interest while taking decisions. In context
of Waitrose, they need to identify crucial stakeholders and undertake necessary functions to
satisfy their needs and requirements. For which they adopt techniques such as Just in time, TQM
to produce quality products and provide higher satisfaction to stakeholder. So, thess are the
important person who influence overall operations management and decision making process by
leaders.
Sustainability: This is also an important factor that influences decision making process of
leaders. Here, main aim of operations management is to make efficient use of available resources
that is essential to ensure long term sustainability of business. With this techniques managers are
able to produce quality products and services that help company to sustain in market for longer
period of time. Further, managers also take decision on the basis of sustainability and long term
impact. So, Waitrose is required to adopt some crucial strategies as well as techniques in terms of
improving quality of products and reducing cost. With techniques such as TQM, just in time and
more organization is able to maintain long term sustainability.
Culture and values: It is crucial to maintain positive culture as well as values within
company so that employees get a proper environment to work (Demeter, 2017). Each and every
organization has a particular culture that affects decisions of managers and leaders in significant
manner. So, managers of Waitrose are required take appropriate decisions as per culture of
organization. In addition, culture and values also affect tools and techniques of operations
management that is adopted by company in order to enhance overall productivity and
profitability.
CONCLUSION
This has been analysed form the above content that director and administrator play and
efficient function in the management of business operation and activities. Also, there are
different management tools and techniques which support in managing production procedure and
different purposes of operation administration support in reducing the waste for the assessing
process. Diverse administration conceptions support in leading the employees so that they can
make their effective involvement in the growth of venture. There are several business
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atmospheric aspects that impact the business and assessment building of directors and
management in dissimilar forms. Also, it is efficient aspects of each business as every firm needs
to endorse themselves as a responsible venture to the targeted people get more information
regarding company.
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