Leadership and Management: Operational Strategies Report

This report delves into the crucial roles of leadership and management within organizations, focusing on operational management strategies and their impact on business performance. It begins with a comparison of the roles and characteristics of leaders and managers, highlighting their distinct responsibilities and influence. The report then explores the application of leadership and management principles in various situations, such as decision-making, delegation, training, and employee engagement, using Marks and Spencer as a case study. It examines different leadership theories, including situational leadership, system theory, contingency theory, and Rose leadership model, and how they are applied in practice. Furthermore, the report discusses key approaches to operational management, such as lean production, and the role of leaders and managers in optimizing these processes. The importance of operational management in achieving organizational objectives is emphasized, along with the impact of the business environment on operational decisions. The report provides a comprehensive overview of the subject, offering valuable insights for students studying leadership and management.

MANAGEMENT AND
OPERATIONS

Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................1
LO1 ................................................................................................................................................1
P.1 Comparison role and characteristics of leader and manager................................................1
LO2 .................................................................................................................................................3
P.2 Application of role of leader and functions of manager in various situations .....................3
P.3 Application of different Theories and models of approach..................................................4
LO3 .................................................................................................................................................6
P.4 Key approaches to operational management and role of leaders and managers...................6
P.5. Value and importance of operational management ............................................................7
LO4..................................................................................................................................................8
P.6 Impact of business environment upon the operational management....................................8
CONCLUSION ...............................................................................................................................9
.......................................................................................................................................................10
REFERENCES .............................................................................................................................11

INTRODUCTION
Management and operations play an important role starting and running the business.
Operations management is the management of day to day operations of the business. It is being
done so that organization can work efficiently and effectively. Organization has to evaluate the
time of converting the raw materials into finished goods so that the manufacturing process can
run smoothly and effectively. Report discusses abut the Marks and Spencer company which is a
retail company and it sells the clothes,food products etc. Thomas Spencer is the founder. It is
operated in U.K. Assignment discusses about the comparison of role and characteristics of
leader and manager, examples which prove that responsibility of leader and manager in various
situations. Report explains about the theories and models of approach, key approaches in
operational management and role of leaders and managers. Project discusses about the
importance of operations management to achieve objectives,factors within business environment
that impact operations and decision making by leaders and managers.
LO1
P.1 Comparison role and characteristics of leader and manager
Leadership is the process in which the leader influences other people and motivates
people so that they can achieve their objectives. Thus employees can work effectively and
efficiently (Ageron,Gunasekaran and Spalanzani, 2012). Leader can give direction to people so
that employees can move in right direction to achieve their goals.
Management is the process in which manager all the resources, activities and human in
the organization. It has a process which includes 5 steps which are planning, organizing,
staffing ,directing and controlling.
Marks and Spencer follows structure where are less levels between administration and
other staff members. This is done so that so that employees can take decisions. Through this it
increases the skills of all the employees as they take their decisions.
There are many difference between the role and characteristics of leaders and managers of M &
S. They are
Manager Leader
 Manager manages the resources,  Leaders are the persons who influences

activities and functions of the firm.
Manager do not influences the
individuals but only manages the
human resources. It is being done sob
that employees can work efficiently and
effectively. Thus activities and tasks
run successfully. It results in smooth
functioning of the firm.
 Manager have formal authority and
they can put emphasis on the goals and
objectives to be accomplished by the
individuals. Manager delegates the
work to the employees so that
objectives can be accomplished.
Managers explain the plan and policies
and strategies to all employees so that
good team is formed. Through this all
staff members can easily understand the
goals and their strategies to implement
them. It results in creation of group and
all employees work together to achieve
their objectives.
 Management provides the time frame
of months and years. This is important
son the all individuals can complete
the activity and task in proper time.
This results in achievement of
objectives and targets in proper time.
This results in increasing of the
productivity and can increase the
profits.
other people through the thoughts,
views and their communication style.
Thus leader motivates employees so
that they can work efficiently and
effectively. It increases the energy level
and enthusiasm of employees so that
staff members can perform better. Thus
employees give good results.
 Leader have informal authority and
they motivates and guides employees so
that all staff members can perform
better. Thus all employees can perform
their work efficiently and effectively .
Leaders emphasis on the issues and
problems of team members and give
good solution to solve the conflicts.
This results in solving the problems of
employees and they can work more
efficiently and effectively. So hence all
employees can give good results. It
results in increasing the productivity of
the firm.
 In leadership approach there is longer
period of time to accomplish the targets
and goals. So all employees can achieve
their targets for longer period of time.
Leader emphasis on the strategies and
policies to analyse the risk. They
properly evaluates the plans and
policies to calculate the risks. Thus
leaders can take steps to reduce the

risks in various activities and tasks.
LO2
P.2 Application of role of leader and functions of manager in various situations
Managers and leaders play an important role in the organization that they can achieve the
objectives. They take various decisions related to the growth of the business so that organization
can increase the productivity. Both leaders and managers apply their full skills so that objectives
of organization can be accomplished. Through this company can increase the market share. It
results in growth and success of the firm. There are various situations in which leaders and
managers play different role. They are -
 Decision making process – Both managers and leaders play crucial part in taking various
decisions. In M & S company managers take decisions regarding the planning and
strategies of all tasks in the company while leaders take decisions. Leaders give
innovation ideas to the company and take decisions related to a assignment. They make
policies so that all activities and tasks are completed in time. While managers put
emphasis on the planning, creating the policies and their execution. Through strategies of
both the managers and leaders company can easily achieve the objectives.
 Delegation of the authority – Both managers and leaders have to delegate their
responsibility among all the members of team so that all em,employees can do the work
efficiently and effectively. Through this all activities and tasks are completed in time.
Thus company can easily accomplish the goals and objectives. In M & S company
managers and leaders delegate their work to to members of team so that all activities and
tasks run successfully and smoothly. It results in increasing of productivity of the firm.
 Training and development – Both leaders and manager provide training to all employees.
They evaluate the needs of all staff members and organize the training programmes so
that it increase the efficiency of all employees so that they can perform better. In M & S
company leaders identify the training needs of all the employees and organize training
programmes so that employees can learn different skills. Through this employees can
wok efficiently and give good results. Thus it results in increasing of the productivity of
the firm.

 Employee engagement – Employees are the backbone of the company. So leaders can
participate in decision making so that good results can be determined. Managers and
leaders have to motivate all employees so that they can give suggestions regarding the
strategies of the company. Company can organize the workshops and seminar where all
issues are discussed with the employees. Manager can motivate employees so that
necessary suggestions can be taken from them. Thus manager and leader can apply these
suggestions increasing various plans and policies of the company. This results in creation
of efficient strategies. Through this all activities and tasks run successfully. It results in
increasing of the productivity of the firm.
P.3 Application of different Theories and models of approach
Leadership has various theories and models through which leadership is easily executed.
Thus activities and tasks run successfully and smoothly. Leadership approaches followed by M
& S company are -
 Situational leadership – It is a approach in which leader changes the plan and policies
according to various situations. This approach influences the behaviour of employees
through various methods. There are four stages which influences the behaviour of
employees. They are -
Diagnose – In this present circumstances are diagnosed which impacts the behaviour of
individuals. Then only alterations can be made.
Adapt - It evaluate the present need of the circumstances so that they can be changed.
Communicate – In this step leader solves the issues and problems of all the employees
while adopting the changes in the firm and communicate with all employees. It also results in
giving of necessary suggestions to all employees in the firm.
M & S company follows the theory so that all employees behave in the positive manner
which increases the efficiency of all employees. Employees can deliver good services to the
customers. Thus it increases the productivity of the company.

Source - Hersey – Blanchard Leadership Theory,2018
 System theory – In this there are various parts of a system. These are linked together so
that effective and efficient results can be obtained. Company gains a lot from the all
combined elements. It incudes the combination of efforts of all departments and
individuals so that good outcomes can be obtained. Company use this method so that it
increase the productivity of the company. It includes 4 parts -
Input – It includes the people,money,material which can produce the4 goods and
services in the company.
Process – It includes various processes,technologies and skills of management to convert
raw materials to convert input into outputs.
Output – It includes the the finished products, service,employee satisfaction etc.
Feedback – It is the information which give reaction to outputs which affects the inputs .
M & S company uses the open approach in which organization receives inputs from the
external environment and transforms them into the good quality of goods and services. IT results
in increasing the productivity of the company Then these goods are sent back to the customers so
that use them in proper manner. Thus customers are satisfied and happy. It results in generation
of more profits and can increase the market share. Through this firm can give strong competition
to other firms.
Illustration 1: Hersey – Blanchard Leadership Theory

 Contingency theory - In this theory there is no one way to organize the company.
Organization structure depends on the conditions of the external environment . So hence
company determine the structure and system according to the characteristics of external
environment. There is no psychological trait which leads to efficient leadership. There
can be communication between the individual traits and psychological traits and external
conditions which results in good leadership. M & S company emphasis on the all above 3
conditions.
 Rose leadership model – In this approach there are various changes in the organization
and change the old style of bureaucratic style into a different and unique style. Through
this theory M & S company emphasis on the increasing the employee loyalty and
commitment of all the employees (Brown,Bessant and Lamming,2013). Thus employees
do not left the organization and perform efficiently and effectively in the company. All
employees can achieve their objectives and goals. Through this company can increase the
productivity and profits. It also results in increasing of the market share and firm can give
strong competition to other firms.
LO3
P.4 Key approaches to operational management and role of leaders and managers
Operational management is the process of controlling the production process so that
activities and tasks can run successfully. It increase the efficiency and effectiveness in the
company (Alderton and Saieva, 2013). There is converting of raw materials are converted to
finished products which fulfils the needs of all the customers. Thus a company can increase the
profits and productivity. The approaches used by M & S are -
 Lean production – In this process there is no wastage of materials hence it results in
increasing the productivity of the company. This process educate the suppliers to
maintain the finished product so that there is less wastage of resource and there is
optimum utilization of the resources. Leaders and managers helps in giving the training
to the employees so that they can produce the goods in an efficient manner which
minimizes the wastage of materials .This a simple process and through this there is
continuous improvement. It reduces the cost of material by reducing the waste of
materials. Thus it give good results and there is efficient functioning of the organization.

 Just in time approach – Under this process activities and process are completed in time.
There is manufacturing of the products according to the demand of the people. So hence
there is no excessive inventory in the company and thus it reduces the wastage of the
items. Company uses less suppliers so that they deliver the good quality of products and
can maintain effective relationship with the supplier. Leaders and managers supports all
employees to perform efficiently and effectively with less wastage of resources. Proper
scheduling is to be done in which time is fixed for all the activities and processes of
manufacturing of the products (Burns, 2014). Leaders can guide all the employees so
that all activities can be completed in time. Managers can hire the suppliers who can
supply the good quality of raw materials to the company so that good quality of
products can be manufactured. Through this it improves the performance of the firm.
 Total quality management – In this approach company tries to reduce the defects in
manufacturing of the product. Through there is less wastage of resources in the
company. Leaders and managers of M & S company give rewards to all employees who
produces good quality of products with less defects. Manager also supports all
employees to produce good quality of products. Through this company can produce
good quality of products. This helps in improving the performance of the company .
Hence it satisfies many customers and thus results in earning of more profits. It also
results in increasing of the market share and the firm can also give strong competition to
other firms.
P.5. Value and importance of operational management
Operational management is the managing and administration of the resources in the
organization so that good quality of products can be manufactured. Main objective of operational
management is to transform the organization input into the output which satisfies the needs of all
the customers. Importance of operational management in M & S are -
 Quality – Through proper operational management good quality of products can be
manufactured. Company can manage all the activities and tasks in proper manner. This
leads to effective and efficient functioning of the organization. Thus company can
provide good quality of products to the customers. So customers are happy and satisfied .
This leads to increasing of profits and market share. It results in increasing of reputation
of the company in the market (Haksever and Render, 2013). Thus company can expand

its operations in various countries and can generate huge revenues. This leads to growth
and success of the company.
 Efficiency – Company can use less inputs in producing the products. Thus there are no
wastage of resources and it reduces the cost of inputs. Hence there is optimum utilization
of the resources in the company. It increases the efficiency of the company to produce
more goods. So it results in increasing the production. This results in increasing
satisfaction of the customers (Hamilton,Holub and Blunt,2011). Hence firm can generate
more revenues and it also results in increasing of the market share. It results in widening
and diversification of the business.
 Achievement of the target – Through proper operational management company delegates
the responsibility to various employees by evaluating their potential. Managers and
leaders motivate employees so that they can perform better. It increase the energy level of
employees and they perform efficiently and effectively. Manager can communicate with
the employees and solve their issues and conflicts which hampers their work. Thus
increase the efficiency of employees. They give good results and achieve their targets.
Thus company can also accomplish their goals and objectives. Thus firm can generate
more revenues and can increase the market share.
LO4
P.6 Impact of business environment upon the operational management
There are two types of the environment which involves the internal and external environment.
Internal factors are within the company and it affects the decision making of the leaders and
managers making (Wilson, 2015). Internal Factors of M & S are-
 Corporate social responsibility – CSR are the social activities done to increase the value
of their business. Section 135 said that M & S company comes under this limit and do the
social activities and explain about the plans of earning profits to the customers. It helps in
maintaining good image in minds of customers . Through this leaders and managers can
also take relevant decisions related to various other policies related to other tasks. It
increases the reputation of business among the minds of customers. Thus managers and
leaders can take other operational decisions.

 Business ethics - These include the ethical values, rules and regulations to be followed
by the individuals which affects the organization. Through this leaders and managers can
take relevant decisions related to the price and the quality of product. Thus firm can
provide good quality of products to the customers. It gives a good and positive image in
minds of customers.
 Stakeholders – Stakeholders include the employees and the customers etc. Leaders and
mangers take decisions which provides good returns provided to the stakeholders. So
hence company can maintain the brand image and equity (Thomson , 2014). If firm do
not consider the interest of stakeholder then it results in weak financial position of the
company.
External Business Environment: These factors indirectly control the business operation and their
activities. Following are the various element of external environment that adversely affect
company's day to day functioning are described below:
Political Factors: Political Instability in the country may cause hindrance in working operation
and functioning of a business enterprise. Therefore, all firms are liable to follow rules and
regulation which has been framed by government bodies.
Socio-cultural Factors: Now a days byers are more focused towards environment issues which
enable firms to take into consideration such issues. For example say no plastic bags. Also they
are producing clothes as per the current taste of customer such.
Technological Factors: It enables the company to adopt latest technology which ultimately lead
to achieve their objective and goal in an effective and efficient way. With the help of innovative
technology, M&S can manufacture their product by using the resources in an optimum manner.
Also they have designed new option in which they takes feedback of their customer during their
shopping experience (Slack, 2017).
Economical Factors: In 2008, UK was going through economic recession which results in
decreasing the interest rate and further led to unemployment which adversely affect organisation
operation and activities.
CONCLUSION
According to the above mentioned report, it can be concluded that success and growth of
the company depends upon how effectively they use their available resource. The major focused
area of each business firm is to satisfying the needs and wants of customers through offering