Leading Change: Analyzing Marks and Spencer's Strategies Report

This report provides a comprehensive analysis of change management within Marks & Spencer, a prominent retail organization. It begins by examining the impact of change on organizational strategies and operations, comparing M&S's approach with that of ALDI. The report then identifies both external (political, economic, social, and technological) and internal drivers of change, assessing their effects on leadership, team dynamics, and individual behavior. It also explores measures to mitigate the negative consequences of change on organizational behavior, emphasizing the importance of communication, employee involvement, and creating a supportive work environment. Furthermore, the report investigates various barriers to change and their influence on leadership and decision-making, followed by an examination of different leadership approaches for effectively managing change. The conclusion synthesizes the key findings and offers insights into successful change leadership.

UNDERSTANDING AND
LEADING CHANGE

Contents
INTRODUCTION.........................................................................................................................................4
TASK 1..........................................................................................................................................................4
P1 Impact of change in different organization’s strategies and operation.................................................4
TASK 2..........................................................................................................................................................6
P2 External and internal drivers of change that can have an effect on leadership, team and individual
behavior within Marks and Spencer..........................................................................................................6
P3 Measures to reduce negative impact of change on organizational behavior........................................8
TASK 3..........................................................................................................................................................9
P4 Different barriers for change and how it influence leadership and decision making...........................9
TASK 4........................................................................................................................................................10
P5 Leadership approaches to dealing with change..................................................................................10
CONCLUSION............................................................................................................................................11
REFERENCES............................................................................................................................................12

INTRODUCTION
In current scenario, every business organization faces number of issues and changes
which rapidly take place within the company. Thus it is important for manager as well as leader
to effectively analysis as well as assesses all the changes in effective manner. This will help in
enhancing the productivity level at market place. Along with this, leader play vital role in
influencing as well as leading staff members for easily understanding entire changes which occur
in business organization. With the help of this workers effectively perform their duties and attain
positive outcomes (Alavi and Gill, 2017). This will enhance the profitability level of the
company and at the same time also aid in capturing larger market share from its rivals. Present
report is based on Marks & Spencer, is a famous retail store. They serve their variety of services
in over the world for attaining better success. This report also discussed about internal and
external drivers of change that directly affect the overall activities of the company. Along with
this effective measures also mentioned in this project which helps in reducing the negative
impact on firm. In addition of this, different leadership approaches are also mentioned which
helps in dealing with various changes in appropriate manner.
TASK 1
P1 Impact of change in different organization’s strategies and operation
According to the present market situation, change is happening in a rapid speed, modified
commodities are helping companies in increasing their market values and shares. So, firms must
go along with the change in course of time, this will enable them in sustaining their position for a
longer period of time. Therefore, it is important that organization make suitable strategies and
plan of action which they can follow in order to attain goals and objectives.
Changes that are made by the corporation may be positive or negative it basically
depends upon the methods by which firms have accepted it. Companies that have been taken in
this report are Marks and Spencer along with ALDI. Both the organizations are one of the
leading firms in United Kingdom and provide services and facilities and are related to
supermarket chains. They deal in clothing, household items, grocery and many more. Although
according to the given scenario M&S is facing problem in increasing their sales in clothing and
because of which profit has collapsed by 88% and planning to focus on food business. For this,
company is thinking of cutting down the space up to 10% for clothing and home space and
shifting to more successful food chains (Anderson, 2016).
Therefore, some of the changes that will be adopted by the organization in order to get
maximum profits are given below:
Changes Marks and Spencer ALDI
Changes in external factor External factor plays an ALDI has incorporated all the

important role in taking the
business in forward direction.
As the company is facing
some losses so they are trying
to make new policies and
strategies according to the
market situation. For this,
M&S is also considering the
laws that have been
formulated by regulatory
bodies. This includes
implementation of taxes,
service policies etc.,
laws have been formulated by
Government and running their
business in an effective
manner without having any
problem.
Structure Change Currently Marks and Spencer
have around 979 stores across
United Kingdom among them
615 are selling food products.
Approximately 84,939 people
are working for providing
maximum benefits. As per the
given scenario the
organization is cutting down
its stores to 10% i.e. 30 stores
and in place of that is planning
to open food chains so that
they can increase their
earnings.
As compared to M&S, ALDI
has a large number of stores
approximately 10,000 outlets
in around 20 companies. Their
combined turnover is more
than €50 billion a year.
Therefore, leaders and
managers are helping them in
making policies through
which organization is giving
best quality services to its
customers.
Emerging Technologies For generating maximum
revenues Marks and Spencer
are optimizing all the latest
tools and technologies that can
manufacture excellent quality
products in specific period of
time. This will enable them in
delivering the products to its
end customers right on time.
Therefore, it is making the
entire process easier like from
collecting raw material to
converting them into final
products.
ALDI has also implemented
latest machineries and
technologies that are giving
them appropriate result and
this is assisting them in going
along with the changing trends
that is happening in the market
(Doppelt, 2017).
Therefore, it’s a prime role of managers and leaders to implement strategies through
which company can get maximum benefits. Hence, the other two factors that an organization
must keep in mind are mentioned below:

Strategy: To remain in the market area for longer period of time it is essential that proper
strategies and plan of actions are made so that employees can follow them for achieving their
goals and objectives in given time frame. Therefore, Marks and Spencer are implementing new
ideas so as to grab the attention of stakeholders and investors who can invest their money for
better results.
Operations: Executing the plan in an appropriate manner is very important and for this
Marks and Spencer are using suitable tools and technologies that is helping them in
manufacturing goods according to the needs and wants of consumers (Fragouli and Ibidapo,
2015).
TASK 2
P2 External and internal drivers of change that can have an effect on leadership, team and
individual behavior within Marks and Spencer
Change manager plays an important role in choosing appropriate tools and technologies
that can be very effective in doing modifications with the products and commodities (Fullan,
2014). Therefore, machineries that are being implemented are easy to handle so that employees
can operate them in a better manner. This will help the M&S in generating more and more funds
that can be further used for introducing new products. Changes can be positive or negative so it
is necessary that modifications are done according to the requirements of current market
situation. Basically there are five drivers that company should consider and these are given
below:
Customer led drivers: Under this category the choices and preferences of customers are
given importance so that company can manufacture products according to their needs and wants.
This will assist them in fulfilling the demands and satisfaction of customers. Therefore, it is
important that firm accept changes for the betterment of the enterprise.
Technology led drivers: With the change in course of time many new tools and
technologies have emerged that is making the entire process of manufacturing easier and as a
result it is enabling the company in producing goods at lower cost. Thus, time and expenditure
has reduced because of which company is making a large number of commodities in limited time
frame.
Investor led drivers: It is not possible for a company to invest a huge amount of money
on a single go. Thus, they look out for stakeholders and investors who can put in their funds so
as to get appropriate results and outcomes. This also helps a company in upgrading the standard
in front of customers (Gupta, 2011).
Competitor led drivers: In the present market situation company have risen in large
number because of which competition have increased in a promising manner between different

organizations. Therefore, it is important that firm makes proper strategies and policies for
obtaining the set targets and goals.
Government led drivers: Under this, rules and regulations formulated by the regulatory
bodies are determined because sudden change in policies can affect the business in a positive or
negative manner.
Other than this some of the internal and external factors are given below:
External Factor:
Political: Marks and Spencer has incorporated all the rules and regulated formulated by
the government of United Kingdom that are related to planning of hazard identification, risk
assessment and control. Other than this, Brexit have a significant role in business operations
because if which decrease in sales and profitability can be seen. Change in taxation policies has
also affected the firm in a substantial manner (Hillson and Murray-Webster, 2017).
Economical: Currently the economic system in relatively uncertain due to which
customers are moving towards other retail stores that are working on the same field. Marks and
Spencer has closed some of their shops because of which numbers of employees are losing their
jobs.
Social: Sustaining in the market for a longer period of time it is essential that company
manufactures their products as per the needs and wants of customers. For this, Marks and
Spencer are taking feedbacks form consumers and it is assisting them in fulfilling the
requirements of clients. Other than this, they must make strategies by not hurting the sentiments
of people living in that particular area.
Technological: In this implementing of new machineries are determined so that
maximum profits are can be gained with a decrease in labour cost.
Internal Factors:
Strengths: Marks and Spencer is a renowned company and it is operating its business
effectively. Their strongest point is that they are delivering the products which are according to
the latest trends. Apart from this there e-commerce infrastructure is very strong along with this
company maintains a strong cooperate responsibility in order to enhance the great customer’s
experiences (Jones and Harris, 2014).
Weaknesses: From past few years, the organization is showing a poor financial
performance because of which a decrease in sale and profitability has reduced. As a result firm is
losing customer’s loyalty and confidence.
Opportunities: Marks and Spencer has a great opportunity as they are planning for
reshaping the clothing segments and apart from this closing some outlets and thinking of opening

a food chain along with this, company is trying to simplifying their operating model so that
employees and customers can understand it in a better manner.
Threats: In this present scenario there are many organization that are running the same
business so it is essential that company makes products that are unique in nature. Changing trend
is also a biggest threat for most of the companies.
P3 Measures to reduce negative impact of change on organizational behavior
While operating a business in an effective there is a possibility that company encounters
many negative factors but what important is that they optimize them and convert them into
positive factors. This will assist them in obtaining the targets in more effective manner
(Komives, 2016). Therefore, it is prime duty of manager and leaders that they make policies and
strategies according to the market situation along with this, superiors must also ensure that a
healthy environment is maintained at workplace so that employees can give effective results in
return. Some of the factors that company should adopt for the betterment of the business
operations:
Creation of Pathway: In this, superiors discuss about the new plan with their employees
so that they can know their views as well. Managers guide worker and show them suitable path
through which company can achieve their set targets and goals.
Explain about the Plans: It is necessary to explain the plans in a proper manner that
organization wants to implement in their business operations so that employees can work
effectively. As a result it will assist them in sustaining a better position at market area.
Conducting meeting and seminars: This is very helpful for new employees as it will
enable them in knowing the current trends that are present in the market. Other than this, this will
also enhance their existing skills and knowledge.
Implementation and introduction of new plans for attaining the goals: Under this step,
it is time to implement and introduce all the strategies so that it can utilize in order to make
commodities according to the demands and needs of customers. Proper monitoring is done so as
to evaluate whether the action is giving them benefits or not (Lawrence, 2015).
Bruke Litwin Model: This model is used by most of the companies so that they can
operate their business in a systematic and effective manner. Thus, it is implemented for
managing the work properly. Furthermore it is classified into certain steps under which top most
are very important and least are less important respectively. Some of the points are given below:
External environment: Most of the companies are affected by certain factors whether
they are internal or external and these includes economy of a country, laws and legislations
formulated by the regulatory bodies etc., and it is mandatory for the organization to follow so
that company can run their business effectively.

Mission and strategy: This will give the firm an overview of all the activities that they
have to perform so that organization can accomplish the work under set time frame. For this, it is
necessary that company has made appropriate strategies as per the market situations.
Leadership: It is considered as an important factor that an individual must acquire
because they are the one who motivates its team member so that they can perform their task
appropriately (Lloyd, Boer and Voelpel, 2017).
TASK 3
P4 Different barriers for change and how it influence leadership and decision making
Leaders and managers are said to be the most important element of an organization
because they are the one who support and manage their company in their difficult times. There
are many barriers that can affect any business operations cultural barrier is very common in an
organization as this can create problem in communicating with each other.
Perception of self-efficiency and resistance to change: Change is always good if it is
providing positive results. Therefore, it is important that firms accept and apply modifications so
that negative factors can be eliminated and transformed into positive outcomes. Thus, it is
necessary that enterprise know the capabilities of workers so that work can be assigned properly.
The concept is time consuming that is why most of the employees eliminate this and work
according to their caliber (Painter and Clark, 2015).
Force field analysis: This theory was formulated by Kurt Lewin, and under this concept
he focused more on accepting changes Force field model helps leaders in taking appropriate
decisions so that all the issues and problems can be eliminated in a proper way. This consists of
five phases that are mentioned below:
Phase 1: Under this, company emphasis more on implementing tools and techniques that
are according to the current market situations in order to get maximum benefits. Through this
sales and profitability can be enhanced.
Phase 2: Risk factor is very essential for a company to look out before introducing their
product in the market. Marks and Spencer has considered all the factors from which they might
face problem. Correct polices on right time will help the company in enhancing their image
along with increased sales and profitability as compared to other competitors.
Phase 3: Changes are identified in this process so that modifications can be done
accordingly. This will assist them in increasing their supply of products at large number.
Phase 4: Under this, steps are decided so that task can be performed in a systematic
manner according to the preferences.

Phase 5: In this, the plan is analyzed so that superior can evaluate whether the strategy
that was implemented will provide them benefits or not and if not than they can make changes as
per the market situations (Van der Voet, Kuipers and Groeneveld, 2015).
Situational resistance to change: This kind of approach is applied by an organization so
that they can accomplish their work in a systematic manner. Basically they are used for attaining
short term goals so that if any change is required it can be done effectively. For this, it is
necessary that company has good relations with their partners in other countries. Marks and
Spencer is famous worldwide and has maintained healthy relations.
TASK 4
P5 Leadership approaches to dealing with change
Various leadership approaches are there which used by business organization to deal with
all the changes in effective manner. With the help of this firm improve their performance level
also accomplish their target. This will aid in attaining higher success at market place. In context
of Marks &Spencer, they also use appropriate approaches to dealing with entire changes in order
to manage their positive brand image at market place (Alavi and Gill, 2017). For managing as
well as controlling all the changes company use Hershey Blanchard model which define four
situations for influencing the changes within the company. Basically this type of leadership style
is related with task and relationship behavior in which leader provide better direction to their
workers and staff members at workplace. With the help of this, Marks & Spencer easily manage
their performance level and attain positive outcomes which will enhance their productivity level
at market place. Thus, all these behaviors can be understood by following styles:
 Directing: Under this style, leader defines all the roles and responsibilities in front of
workers. Basically it is one-way communication in which leader of Marks & Spencer
direct their staff and group members towards the task and activities. This will aid in
improving their performance level and also effectively deal with all the changes.
 Coaching: It is also an effective style which is related with two-way communication in
which leader give better direction to their staff members so that they effectively deal with
changes and improve overall performance level of the company at market place.
 Supporting: In this style, leader of the Marks & Spencer work with their team and staff
member in which they share decision making responsibilities to effectively deal with all
the changes within the firm. This will aid in improving the performance level of the
company at marketplace.
 Delegating: Under this style, leader passed their process and decision making
responsibilities to their team and workers. In this leader monitor all the process and
progress of the workers in effective manner which may leads in eliminating all the
negative changes in most effective manner.

All these are more effective styles which helps Marks & Spencer towards the all changes
in order to remove the entire negative situation within the business activities and accomplishing
their targets in appropriate time frame. This will aid in enhancing the profitability level in most
effective manner.
CONCLUSION
From the above mentioned report it can be concluded that it is more important for every
business organization to understand as well as lead all the changes in effective manner because it
helps in improving the overall performance of the company and workers as well. Along with
this, manager also play vital role in managing as well as controlling business activities in order to
reduce negative aspect. This will lead in attaining set and desirable goals and objectives in
appropriate time frame. In this manager also provide better leading and training programs for
their workers so that they effectively perform their activities and accomplishing set target in
systematic way. With the help of this company easily attain better success at market place.

REFERENCES
Books and Journals
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change. Sage Publications.
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business, government and civil society. Routledge.
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development. International Journal of Information, Business and Management. 7(3).
p.71.
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Wiley & Sons.
Gupta, P., 2011. Leading innovation change-The Kotter way. International Journal of Innovation
Science. 3(3). pp.141-150.
Hillson, D. and Murray-Webster, R., 2017. Understanding and managing risk attitude.
Routledge.
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Komives, S. R., 2016. Leadership for a better world: Understanding the social change model of
leadership development. John Wiley & Sons.
Lawrence, P., 2015. Leading change–Insights into how leaders actually approach the challenge
of complexity. Journal of Change Management. 15(3). pp.231-252.
Lloyd, K. J., Boer, D. and Voelpel, S. C., 2017. From listening to leading: Toward an
understanding of supervisor listening within the framework of leader-member exchange
theory. International Journal of Business Communication, 54(4), pp.431-451.
Painter, S. and Clark, C. M., 2015. Leading change: Faculty development through structured
collaboration. International Journal of Doctoral Studies. 10. pp.187-198.
Van der Voet, J., Kuipers, B. and Groeneveld, S., 2015. Held back and pushed forward: leading
change in a complex public sector environment. Journal of Organizational Change
Management. 28(2). pp.290-300.