Analysis of Managing Change and Innovations: A Team Project

This project analyzes the significance of team performance in a Pecha Kucha presentation focused on managing change and innovations within a business context. The assignment delves into team dynamics, potential conflicts, and strategies for efficient team functioning, emphasizing the alignment of team efforts with business goals driven by innovations or management changes. The report examines the team's roles and dynamics in information gathering and presentation preparation, along with the impact of change on business development. It also explores individual resistance to organizational changes. The project involved a diverse team, with the student acting as the team leader, facing challenges in communication, coordination, and decision-making. The project covers leadership theories such as behavioral, charismatic, and transformational leadership, with a preference for the transformational approach. It discusses team functioning, conflict management, and the importance of effective communication and feedback. The student reflects on learning experiences, emphasizing the need for motivation, good team dynamics, and the use of voting to resolve conflicts. The project highlights the value of teamwork, coordination, and the leader's role in motivating team members, with plans to enhance team cohesion through group activities and open communication.

Running head: MANAGING CHANGE AND INNOVATIONS
MANAGING CHANGE AND INNOVATIONS
Name of the Student:
Name of the University:
Author’s Note:

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Executive Summary
The assignment will be analysing the importance of a team collective performance in making
the Pecha Kucha Presentation of the company. This assignment brings out the dynamics of
a team as well as suggests what are the team conflicts which can arise in a group. The main
objective of this assignment is to ensure the team can function with efficiency and that the
team is driven towards a common goal which is associated with the change in the business
which can be due innovations or change in management. The role and dynamics of the team
will be will be analysed in the preparation and collection of information. The role of change in
business brings about development in business. The report will also show the reaction of
people to various significant changes and why the people show resistance to changes in an
organisation. This is an assignment which is to be done in a team which will be presenting
the assignment in a Pecha Kucha presentation.

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Table of Contents
Introduction..............................................................................................................................3
Section 1: Issues......................................................................................................................3
Section 2: Leadership Theories...............................................................................................4
Section 3: Team Functioning and Conflict Management.........................................................5
Section 4: Learning on Leadership and Group Performance...................................................6
Conclusion...............................................................................................................................7
Reference.................................................................................................................................8

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Introduction
This assignment will be dealing with the effective functioning of a group in pursuance
of a common goal. The assignment will be considering the concepts which are associated
with groups such as group environment, group climate and also the concept of management
and change in relation to a group. The topic on which our group had to work was
management changes and innovations and how individuals react to the same. We were to
prepare a Pecha Kucha Presentation on the same topic and present the same in class. The
role of management activities in any business is nowadays crucial due to the intense level of
competition. Change refers to the introduction of new policies in place of old existing ones in
the business. Various changes in the business normally takes place due to innovation
activities in the business which can be technological changes, change in management or
change in working process. We will be focusing on effective presentations of the topic with
team work and equal contribution from each of the team mates. With the help of this
assignment we were able to experience group dynamics.
Section 1: Issues
I was given a project which was to be done in a team. The team had 4 members
including myself, the team consisted of a Brazilian Marcos, Venezuela Halley, and Shizuka
from Japan. The main purpose of this assignment is to discuss the role of innovations in
bringing about change in business processes and lead to overall development of the
business if the change suits the business environment. We had to prepare a Pecha Kucha
presentation on different types of changes occurring in a business and why the individuals
resist to changes occurring in the business. This presentation is then to be submitted to our
class instructor. A Pecha Kucha presentation contains 20 slides which are of the duration of
20 seconds each. I was chosen as the team leader of this team by my friends and thus I
assigned different areas of the project to each person. I decided that I would be the one
presenting the Pecha Kucha Presentation for my team in front of instructor. The presentation
was segregated in parts which was then distributed among the team members so that every
person can research on the part given and contribute to the preparation of the project. My
part of work was to integrate the different areas prepared by my team members and present
them in a presentation. I also will be discussing the presentation with all its areas of
discussions. I was given the responsibility to ensure that the presentation clearly shows
instances where individuals and even organisations have tried to resist and even revolt
against major changes which can affect them. The major challenges which I faced as leader
were communication problems, tactical decisions making, proper coordination among
members (Odumeru and Ogbonna 2013). The most problematic situation which I faced was

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conveying to my team members what exactly I wanted in the presentation and how I wanted
things to be done. Some of my team mates would do things a bit differently which did not
impress me and thus there were often times when we were in disagreement. Another thing
which I had to sort out was allocation of different areas to different team mates. In most
cases when I allocated a particular area to a member, he/ she agreed to do that part but
occasionally members disagreed and wanted to do their own area as per their own
convenience. Then there was the issue of coordination which I can accept was due to the
fact that it was the first time we were operating as a team.
I was given the responsibility to present the presentation by a group vote. A part of
the team collected the data and the integration of such data in a single presentation was
another part of the team’s work under my supervision. We faced certain conflicts at arriving
at decisions and so I suggested the use of voting.
Section 2: Leadership Theories
The use of Pecha Kucha presentations by students is not an uncommon thing.
Students are often required to make assignments which are presentations of different
management topics (Oliver and Kowalczyk 2013). Business models are fundamentally linked
with technological innovation, yet the business model construct is essentially separable from
technology. The different models of management are important factors which is responsible
for changes (Baden-Fuller and Haefliger 2013. In this fast changing environment small and
medium scale businesses have significant level of impact on the overall market. Studies
show that such businesses are developing due to better implementation of strategies and
proper strategic management. Studies also suggest that better performance of the business
is closely related with the leadership style and team dynamics of the business. Effective
leaders can accurately forecast the future and plan accordingly, developing and
implementing strategies which will be beneficial for the business (Aziz et al. 2013). Such
leader can implement changes in the business and effectively motivate the employees of the
business to ensure that their is no resistance to changes. As per Behavioural theory, there
are specific behaviour traits which are present in a leader which can lead to the overall
success of the business. In such a leadership style the leaders may adopt an authoritarian
approach or laissez-farie approaches. Recent studies show that behavioural style often is
proven successful in different conditions and produce desired results as well. I prefer more
of a democratic approach in the group as it gives other members of the group a power to put
out their opinions and suggestions (Yukl 2013). Another key theory which was developed
due to the limitations of the Behavioural theory of leadership is known as Charismatic Theory
of Leadership. This theory states that a leader can make other persons work efficiently not

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by authority but by the virtue of the personality of the leader. This theory states that if a
person’s personality is charismatic and appealing then individuals will naturally follow such a
leader. I think this can be developed by any leader including me with some experience
(Avolio and Yammarino 2013). Another important theory of leadership and which I personally
prefer and follow is the Transformational leadership theory. It states that the leaders can
inspire the members working under him by his visions, perceptions and beliefs. This theory
recognizes that a leader will be able to motivate any individual and inspire them to put in
more effort and in this way, improve that person’s performance (Northouse 2015). I prefer
this and I have followed this in my group as a leader and inspire team member and keep
them motivated. This has direct impact on the team dynamics and team climate. As per
studies there are three types of leadership which are transactional, transformational and
passive-avoidant leadership. Leadership requirements in educational institutions have also
increased. Strategic leadership in any team of educationalist takes eminent role in
forecasting plans which the institutes will try to achieve in the years to come. Moreover in
secondary schools students are being divided in a team to learn about team dynamics and
how to get the job done in cohesive way (Barnett and McCormick 2012).
Section 3: Team Functioning and Conflict Management
The only requirements which I think is that the team needs to be motivated and have
good team dynamics with a purpose or thirst of achieving its goals. However I did identify
certain area where our team work can be made more effective in future. The thing which I
noticed was that I had included certain theories in the presentations which were in paragraph
format was actually difficult to project to my team mates. I could feel that there was a lapse
in their attention when I was explaining these theories. I figured that maybe this was
because of too much theory content in the presentation and I decided to incorporate more
graphical data, charts and drawings which will not only make the presentation interesting but
also convey the data which I want to present in the right sense. These were the
communication area where every member takes active part in the discussion process.
Secondly I think a system of feedback needs to be established so that even if I as a team
leader makes a mistake I can correct myself if my team mates gives me feedbacks. Lastly I
think the team dynamics can improve and every member need to be involved in the
discussion process actively. While doing this project with my team I realised how a work can
be done effectively in a team while ensuring deadline and quality of work. I recognized that
in a group a person needs to perform as per the requirements and plan of the group and the
work is segregated. My professors used to tell me that strength lies in unity and not in

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individualism, and now I totally agree with them. I believe an individual can perform
exceptionally well in a team which has good team dynamics and is motivated.
The problems that we faced in the decision making for various area can be overcome
by the voting system which we implemented at the later stages of the group discussions in
order to avoid disagreements. Furthermore with better coordination which I believe will come
with time we as team will be able perform better. I follow transformational style of leadership
which focuses on motivating the team members. I have tried motivating them with the belief
that we will achieve good marks and also work efficiently as a team in any future
assignments. For any future team activity, I plan to develop the coordination among the team
by hang out together and building close personal relationship with all the member. The group
will be engaging in group activities like team meetings, games and other similar activities.
The coordination among the group is very important for the proper and efficient working of
the group. I am responsible for the group’s performance as a leader and therefore in case of
any conflicts among the team members regarding the assignment, they are to come to me
and I will be resolving the situation. During the rehearsals many times there were
disagreements among team mates which led to conflicts which were always decided by me.
I followed the motivational approach, in which I motivate the members so that they look at
the bigger picture that is the group’s goals and resolve the conflict immediately so that the
groups performance is not affected.
Section 4: Learning on Leadership and Group Performance
In this project I and my team were to prepare a Pecha Kucha Presentation on the
topic management innovation and change. I was made the team leader of the team and I
was responsible for the performance of the entire team in the presentation in front of the
class as I was one who will be explaining the presentation in front of the professors. The
Pecha kucha Presentation about management change and innovations shows that the
innovations and changes in an organisation are closely related. More over from the analysis
of team dynamics while doing the Pecha Kucha Presentation it is clear that the team needs
to be more cohesive as a unit as well as better presentation can be done when such an
assignment is given in future. The groups performance depends on the leader is quite clear
from the experience I have gained. I feel that at first I had no clue how to manage the group
and how I am going to lead them. But I soon realized that the performance of the group
depends on the collective effort of every member and all that is needed is the right direction.
I am looking forward for another such instances where I can develop my leadership quality
as it is apparent to me leadership comes with experience and right attitude

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Conclusion
The assignment about Pecha Kucha presentation showed me a great deal about
group activities and why a group can perform better than an individual. The aspects of group
dynamics, group climate and group conflicts became clear to me. From the assignment we
learned the importance of team work in any situations and how can a group bring about
collaboration and coordination in its work process.

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Reference
Avolio, B.J. and Yammarino, F.J. eds., 2013. Introduction to, and overview of,
transformational and charismatic leadership. In Transformational and Charismatic
Leadership: The Road Ahead 10th Anniversary Edition (pp. xxvii-xxxiii). Emerald Group
Publishing Limited.
Aziz, R.A., Abdullah, M.H., Tajudin, A. and Mahmood, R., 2013. The effect of leadership
styles on the business performance of SMEs in Malaysia.
Baden-Fuller, C. and Haefliger, S., 2013. Business models and technological
innovation. Long range planning, 46(6), pp.419-426.
Barnett, K. and McCormick, J., 2012. Leadership and team dynamics in senior executive
leadership teams. Educational Management Administration & Leadership, 40(6), pp.653-
671.
Northouse, P.G., 2015. Leadership: Theory and practice. Sage publications.
Odumeru, J.A. and Ogbonna, I.G., 2013. Transformational vs. transactional leadership
theories: Evidence in literature. International Review of Management and Business
Research, 2(2), p.355.
Oliver, J. and Kowalczyk, C., 2013. Improving student group marketing presentations: a
modified pecha kucha approach. Marketing Education Review, 23(1), pp.55-58.
Wheelen, T.L. and Hunger, J.D., 2017. Strategic management and business policy. pearson.
Yukl, G.A., 2013. Leadership in organizations. Pearson Education India.