Working and Leading People: A Virgin Media Case Study Report

This report examines the leadership and recruitment practices within Virgin Media, focusing on the recruitment of a store manager and the impact of legal and regulatory frameworks. It analyzes leadership styles, including autocratic and participative approaches, and explores the skills and attributes essential for effective leadership, such as problem-solving, communication, and motivation. The report also delves into strategies for motivating staff, referencing Maslow's hierarchy of needs, and the benefits of team working. Furthermore, it assesses factors involved in planning and monitoring work performance. The report provides a comprehensive overview of leadership and management principles in a real-world business context, offering valuable insights into recruitment, staff motivation, and team dynamics within Virgin Media. This analysis demonstrates how effective leadership can drive organizational success. The report also provides practical solutions for Virgin Media's challenges, such as labor turnover, and proposes strategies to enhance employee engagement and productivity. The report also includes the creation of job descriptions and employee assessment techniques. The report also explores the differences between management and leadership and how these concepts are applied within the Virgin Media context.

WORKING WITH AND LEADING
PEOPLE

TABLE OF CONTENTS
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................1
TASK 1............................................................................................................................................1
1.1 Preparing documentation for recruitment of new member...............................................1
1.2 Impact of legal and regulatory framework on the recruitment and selection process......2
1.3 Taking part in selection process.......................................................................................2
3.2 Role play...........................................................................................................................2
1.4 and M1Evaluating own contribution in recruitment process...........................................2
TASK 2............................................................................................................................................3
2.1 Skills and attributes needed for leadership.......................................................................3
2.2 Difference between leadership and management.............................................................3
2.3 and D1 Comparing the leadership style in different situation..........................................4
2.4 Ways to motivate staff......................................................................................................5
M1 Strategy to find solution...................................................................................................5
M2 Applying appropriate method and technique...................................................................5
TASK 3............................................................................................................................................6
3.1 and M3 Benefits of team working....................................................................................6
3.3 Effectiveness of team in attaining goals...........................................................................6
4.1 Factor involved in planning and monitoring the work performance................................6
4.2 Assessing the development need of Virgin Media store manager...................................7
4.3 Evaluating the success of assessment process..................................................................7
D2 Forming the team of four members..................................................................................7
D3 Alternative tactic for assessing the developmental need of employees............................7
CONCLUSION................................................................................................................................8
REFERENCES................................................................................................................................9

ILLUSTRATION INDEX
Illustration 1: Maslow needs hierarchy theory................................................................................5

INTRODUCTION
Leading and working with different types of people is not a simple task, but it requires
certain skills among managers (Boys and Wilcock, 2014). The present report is based on the case
scenario of Virgin Media that is planning for building and leading an effective marketing team.
In this regard, the report will showcase the recruitment and selection process which is being
followed by cited firm. Furthermore, the report will also depict the impact that leadership style
has on the performance of workers.
TASK 1
1.1 Preparing documentation for recruitment of new member
The manager of Virgin Media is planning to recruit a store manager. For this purpose,
following job advertisement is prepared which will be published in metro.
VIRGIN MEDIA
REQUIRED STORE MANAGER
The organization urgently requires store manager for its store. In this regard, job description and
specification are prepared which are depicted in below:
Job description of store manager
 Report to: Branch head
 Job purpose: The main purpose of store manager is to handle and carry out all the store
operations in an effective manner.
 Job roles and responsibilities:
1. Developing strategies with an aim to raise the customer pool.
2. To maintain the satisfaction level of buyers and give answer to their queries.
3. To manage the conflict which occurs between workers (Camps and Luna‐Arocas, 2012).
Person specification of store manager
 Qualification: Must have MBA degree from recognized college.
 Skills: Problem solving, decision making and communication skill.
 Personal attribute: Smart, manner to properly communicate on telephone and team
player.
Interested candidate can send their resume on the following email ID
[e-mail]
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1.2 Impact of legal and regulatory framework on the recruitment and selection process
The legal and regulatory framework has significant impact upon the recruitment and
selection process of Virgin Media. For example, equality act 2010 states that manager should not
perform any kind of discrimination between its employees on the basis of caste, age and gender
(Equality act 2010, 2016). Hence, the given act forces firm that it should apply the provisions of
respective act in its recruitment and selection activity. Thereby, carry out the recruitment of its
store manager without any kind of biasness. However, if firm will not follow the provisions of
respective act at that time, then respective candidate can file case against the firm.
In addition to this, ethics depict that the firm should reveal all the pros and cons
associated with the respective post (Kumari, 2012). This is because, if manager of Virgin Media
does not perform this at that time, then number of complications will be faced by it. Thus, the
regulatory and legal framework has effect on the selection procedure of enterprises.
1.3 Taking part in selection process
I have actively participated in the recruitment and selection activity of Virgin Media for
the post of store manager. In this regard, I have carried out my efforts in terms of reviewing all
the applications which I and my team mates have got after placing an advertisement. Here, with
an aim to make the selection of suitable candidate for job interview, I have taken the help from
job description and person specification documents. Thus, finally shortlisted candidates will be
called by us for the further interview.
3.2 Role play
With an aim to resolve the conflict which occurs at the time of selecting suitable job
application for the interview, I will make the comparison between the all shortlisted applications.
Here, with an aim to do the same, I will take help from the document such as job description.
Furthermore, I will ask my team members for the comparison. Here, I will ask my team mates
that they should list out the pros and cons of selected applicants. On the basis of this, score will
be allotted. Here, the applicant who has high rate will be selected by us.
1.4 and M1 Evaluating own contribution in recruitment process
There are some reasons for ineffective and unfair recruitment practices. These all are
depicted in below:
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 Urgent requirement for particular post (Louw, 2013).
 Lack of finance.
I have given my contribution in order to make the recruitment process of Virgin Media
more effective. In this context, I have directed my efforts in terms of organizing varied test for
the selected applicants. Thus, through this way only, the best employee for the post of store
manager will be selected by me.
TASK 2
2.1 Skills and attributes needed for leadership
There are number of skills and attributes identified which are needed in an effective
leader. Detailed explanation of the same is depicted in below: Problem solving skill: This skill will enable Virgin Media leader to reach on to the
effective solution which ultimately helps in raising the profits of enterprise. Communication skill: By using this ability, cited firm leader can communicate all the
plans of its firm to the respective employee. Thereby, it can increase the possibility of
attaining the same (Zhao and Liden, 2011). Positive attitude: This attribute will help leader in reaching to the goals of organization. Motivator: With the help of given skill only, leader can maintain the satisfaction level of
its workers in the highly depressing circumstances.
 Creative: The leader should be creative because by using the given skill, it can suggest
varied creative solutions to the firm.
2.2 Difference between leadership and management
Management is the process of getting things done through others (Management, 2016).
However, leadership is the act of influencing people and directing them towards the goals and
objectives of enterprise. Following are the difference between both the given concepts:
Basis Management Leadership
Attitude
towards the
risk
They do not take initiative in taking
risk due to fear of job loss.
They do not hesitate in taking risk
(Northouse, 2012).
Managers Manager manages employees. Leader manages its followers.
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Example Recently, Virgin Media has arranged
the promotional activity in which I
have played the role of manager.
Within the given role, I have looked
after all the activities which are being
conducted by firm.
I have experienced that HR
department of cited firm has been
facing number of problems with
respect to record keeping function. In
this context, I have identified that
different HR managers of hotel are
using traditional way of maintaining
records of their customers due to the
lack of knowledge of using computers.
Thus, in this condition, I have
analyzed that one member of hotel has
taken step of bringing change within
the existing condition. Here, it has
brought the change such as replacing
traditional way of maintaining record
with the modern means such as
computers. Thus, due to this
circumstance, I have improved my
understanding regarding one of the
features of leader which is of bringing
significant change within enterprise.
2.3 and D1 Comparing the leadership style in different situation
The manager of Virgin Media uses autocratic and participative leadership styles.
Autocratic leader does not involve people within the decision making process. Here, it takes
decisions which cannot be resisted by any employee (Garner, 2012). However, participative
leader considers the importance of employees and involves them in the decision making process.
For example, there is a circumstance in which cited firm manager has to make some quick
decision. Then, in this situation, autocratic leadership style seems more suitable. Likewise, if
Virgin Media manager is taking some big decision in which it requires suggestions from large
number of workers. Then, in the given condition, it should use participative leadership approach.
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Besides this, there are some qualities assessed which are needed to be possessed by
Virgin Group manager with an aim to become good leader. It consists of motivator, problem
solver and communicator (Council, 2013).
2.4 Ways to motivate staff
Illustration 1: Maslow needs hierarchy theory
(Source: Belbin, 2011)
With an aim to motivate staff, manager of Virgin Group can take help from Maslow
needs hierarchy theory. By using this theory, manager can get information about the factors
which it can use in order to motivate the staff members. For example, manager of the company
has assessed that its employees feel motivated when firm satisfies their social needs. This need
can be fulfilled by forming teams within corporation (Zhao and Liden, 2011).
M1 Strategy to find solution
The Virgin group’s problem of labor turnover can be resolved through forming an
effective career growth chart for the employees. This thing will motivate employees and as a
result of this, they will get associated with the company for the longer period of time (Belbin,
2011).
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M2 Applying appropriate method and technique
In order to motivate staff across three level of Virgin Group, motivation technique such
as promotion can be used. This method will help in maintaining the enthusiasm of all the
employees who work at varied level. Due to this, they will deliver high quality of goods and
services to the corporation in an effectual way.
TASK 3
Virgin Media February 2016
NEWS LETTER
3.1 and M3 Benefits of team working
There are several benefits identified which Virgin Group can gain by adopting the team
working type of approach.
 Many solutions of the one problem.
 Individual has an opportunity to learn the skills and abilities which are existed in other
team members.
 Team takes more risk than individuals.
 Availability of more ideas and innovation.
 The objective of firm will be met within specified time limit.
3.3 Effectiveness of team in attaining goals
For example, Virgin Media has the goal to increase its sales by 20%. For the purpose to attain
the respective goal, effectiveness of team is assessed. In this context, it is identified that team
possesses blend of both experienced and young employees. Here, with the use of experienced
employees, corporation can get information about various factors which help them in attaining
the respective goal (Shajib, 2015). Likewise, the goal can also be met by using innovative ideas
of young members of the team.
4.1 Factor involved in planning and monitoring the work performance
There are some factors assessed which manager of Virgin Media should consider when
planning and monitoring the work performance. These are all depicted in below:
 The type of learning style that is used by the workers.
 The manager must decide the base on the basis of which the work performance of
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employees will be monitored. The base could be increase with the sales target of firm.
 Making difference between the individual and organizational goal.
 Before monitoring the work performance, manager should assess that whether its
employees feel motivated or not.
 Identifying the steps which will be used in order to monitor the work performance of
employees (Kumari, 2012).
4.2 Assessing the development need of Virgin Media store manager
Development need of Virgin Media in the respect of store manager is assessed. Thus, with an
aim to assess the development need of store manager, technique such as skill audit can be used
by the manager of cited firm. For example, with the help of respective technique, it has been
assessed by the manager of cited firm that its store manager lacks problem solving and
communication skill. Thus, in the given circumstance, the firm will have to make the necessary
arrangements with regard to the development of respective skill. For this purpose, organization
can arrange different training and developmental programs.
4.3 Evaluating the success of assessment process
There are three methods assessed which manager of cited firm can use in order to evaluate the
success of assessment process. Here, one of the methods could be used to improve the
productivity of employees. For example, if firm has assessed that the performance of employee
has improved after the development plan then, the appropriateness of respective method will be
assessed. Another method could be used to increase the sales of firm. Furthermore, bench
marking is also be regarded as another most effective technique which can also be used with an
aim to review the success of assessment process (Louw, 2013).
D2 Forming the team of four members
Virgin Media has the goal to increase its sales and thus, with an aim to attain the same, I have
formulated the team of four members which have to play varied roles. Here, in order to assess
the team role, assistance has been taken from the Belbin team role theory. In this regard, I have
identified four roles which need to be played by my team.
 Resource investigator
 Coordinator
 Implementer
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 Monitor
D3 Alternative tactic for assessing the developmental need of employees
The developmental need of workers can also be assessed by taking feedback from the workers.
In this regard, questionnaire can be prepared in which direct question can be asked by manager
regarding the skill which they want to improve.
CONCLUSION
From the above report, it can be concluded that the approach such as team working is
very effective. It is because, this enables manager with respect to attain the goal of corporation
within limited period of time.
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REFERENCES
Books and Journals
Belbin, R., 2011. Management teams: Why they succeed or fail. Human Resource Management
International Digest. 19(3).
Boys, K. and Wilcock, A., 2014. Improving integration of human resources into quality
management system standards. International Journal of Quality & Reliability
Management. 31(7). pp.738-750.
Camps, J. and Luna‐Arocas, R., 2012. A matter of learning: How human resources affect
organizational performance. British Journal of Management. 23(1). pp.1-21.
Council, N. C., 2013. Recruitment & Selection. Sage
Garner, E., 2012. Recruitment and Selection. Bookboon.
Kumari, N., 2012. A Study of the Recruitment and Selection process: SMC Global. Industrial
Engineering Letters. 2(1). pp.34-43.
Louw, G. J., 2013. Exploring recruitment and selection trends in the Eastern Cape: original
research. SA Journal of Human Resource Management. 11(1). pp.1-10.
Northouse, P. G., 2012. Leadership: Theory and practice. Sage.
Shajib, A. H., 2015. Marketing Strategy of Times International-a World Class Chemical Indenter
in Bangladesh (Doctoral dissertation, East West University).
Zhao, H. and Liden, R. C., 2011. Internship: a recruitment and selection perspective. Journal of
Applied Psychology. 96(1). pp. 221.
Online
Equality act 2010. 2016. [Online]. Available through: <https://www.gov.uk/guidance/equality-
act-2010-guidance>. [Accessed on 16th February 2016].
Management. 2016. [Online]. Available through:
<http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/management>. [Accessed on 16th
February 2016].
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