Analysis of M&S: Strategic Tools, Leadership, and Sustainability Plan

This report delves into the operational strategies and management practices of Mark & Spencer (M&S), a British multinational retailer. It begins with background information on M&S, highlighting its product offerings, branding, and global presence. The main body of the report then examines the strategic tools employed by M&S, including VMOST, SWOT, and PEST analyses, to assess its internal and external environments and guide development. Furthermore, the report analyzes and evaluates the leadership styles prevalent at M&S, differentiating between transformational and transactional approaches. It also explores how M&S implements strategies through change management models and proposes future sustainability strategies for the company. The report concludes with a summary of the key findings and provides references to support the analysis. Overall, the report provides a comprehensive overview of M&S's management, strategic decision-making, and future planning.

Management

Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................1
MAIN BODY...................................................................................................................................1
M&S-Background Information .................................................................................................1
Strategic tools to analyse methods of development used by M&S. .........................................2
Analyse and evaluate the leadership style at M&S.....................................................................5
Examine strategy implementation at M&S through change management models ...................6
Future sustainability strategy for M&S.......................................................................................7
CONCLUSION ..............................................................................................................................8
REFERENCES................................................................................................................................9

INTRODUCTION
Management in every organisation relates with maintaining the process of doing the
certain activities which involves with planning, organising, decision-making, leading, motivating
, controlling of the process of human resource,financial, physical and all the information(Ansoff
and et. al., 2018). Which relates with resources to attain the activities regarding particular goals
and objectives which are the main aspect of every organisation is to set the goals and target on
the basis of optimum utilization of present resources by maintaining the value of the organisation
through its human resource approach, management process leads to provide the effective
communication channel through which organisation will work accordingly in the context of its
supply and distribution channel, basically management relates with the overall growth process
which involves with the activities of setting the strategies and coordinating the efforts of their
employees to achieve its targets and goals by available resources of the organisation.
Management deals with planning the appropriate action plan for the process of activities which
are to be undertaken in the company through specific strategy. The below report is based on
Mark&Spencer a British multinational retailing industry having their headquarter in London,
England that deals in product like clothing , food products , home products and general
merchandise by having their own labels on it. The below report considered the topic on some
strategic tools to analysis the developing phase, change management model and future
sustainability of M&S industry.
MAIN BODY
M&S-Background Information
Mark and Spencer is a British multinational retailing industry having their headquarter in
London, England with a well known branding image in the international market through their
reaching with online as well offline platform they are operating their business or retailing
industry through serving worldwide by maintaining the value of its branding and standardised
product and catering the large number of customer base through dealing in the product like
clothing, home products and food products with general merchandise to attain the customer value
through its quality branding attributes (Dent and Binks, 2020). This industry was founded in
1884 by Michael marks and Thomas Spencer in Leeds, Mark&Spencer are currently operating in
960 of their physical stores across the united kingdom from that approximately 617 are deals in
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the food product through serving their customers by physical stores and by home delivery to
them they are having the aspects of reaching the customer through their quality approach by
given them a feel of brand products by adding standardising value. Mark&Spencer deals in the
specialise product of serving clothing products to their customers through branding of its own
label on that products which are to be considered as physical evidence for their customer. This
industry deals in clothing products which caters the customer group by serving to kids, teens and
senior one but the approach of catering them depends upon the income level of the customers
because this industry works on the higher pricing strategies to cater high income level customers
as they are dealing in standard quality product with having the strong branding image of this
industry. They are operating their business across the countries so they have to set their
operational strategies according to the external factors of change in the customer taste and
preferences. Branding product in which this industry induce is that Autograph, Rosie, Blue
harbour, M&S collection and M&S with having approx 80000 employees currently working in
the industry.
Strategic tools to analyse methods of development used by M&S.
This industry works on the principle of proper analysis and determining the internal as
well as external forces through which they opt their several operations(Deepak and Jeyakumar,
2019). Some of the common analysis tools which assist the Mark and Spencer and through that
tools we determine the methods from which they are developing themselves , so the strategic
tools that helps and defines the objectives of Mark&Spencer which consists of VMOST Analysis
is that vision, mission, objectives, strategy and tactics and those models which are implementing
with the motive to determine the internal as well as external forces like SWOT and pest analysis
they are effective in the phase of developing the new strategies by maintaining and determining
the aspects that will impact the organisation in the future long run which will be relates with
operational activities or considering with the different department so here are some strategic
tools which defines the M&S development phase is that:
Vision:
Vision is that approach of the industry which clarify the long term objective on which
industry plans for their small targets and tasks just to accomplish or provide value to that vision,
the vision posses by M&S is to be the standard against which other can be measured, they are
dealing in the quality standard product to cater their customers so as to compliment them also.
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Mission:
This industry works on the mission to make the aspirational quality product to their
customers with the efforts to maximize their reach in international market with their branding
image by serving through best quality product in relation with clothing and food products
(Mitchell, 2018) .
Objectives:
The objectives of Mark and Spencer is to building the sustainable business through
consistent and profitable growth by inducing with quality of catering with best services and
standardised product to their customers and to be make sure about the responsible aspect of
meeting the accountability to their shareholders and making efforts in employing their resources
well.
Strategy:
Mark and Spencer deals in the strategy of using the print media, advertisement on
television, mobile ads and other sources which are considered to set in the market by using of the
social media campaigns as well, they are having the strategy of using the online platform through
catering the customer with their proper websites.
Tactics:
M&S deals in the tactics of products and service innovation which deals in market
investment with different countries and by providing the tactics a value to develop the strategy
according to the market scenario they are more focused on the innovation criteria .
SWOT Analysis of M&S:
SWOT analysis is considered with the method or procedure to analysis and determine the
internal as well as external factor which impact the organisation operations and by doing SWOT
model organisation will get to know about their performances and status where they are actually
stand(Armstrong and Taylor, 2020) . The internal factor relates with the strength and weakness
while external factor relates with threats and opportunities by doing this analysis it will help the
organisation plan strategically by determining this factor in respect of objectives and targets.
Here are SWOT analysis of M&S is that:
Strength:
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 M&S is the well experienced industry having 136 years of experience in the field of
international market and well renowned industry in the united kingdom, they are
operating their business through dealing with many partnership industry this aspect attain
the strong position in the international market
 They are having the aspect or reputation of building the strong relationship with the
customers by dealing them with standard quality products, because of their branding
aspects customer are more emphasis toward their product,
Weaknesses:
 M&S recently suffer from their declining sales factor as the given report of woods 2019,
sales in respect of other different countries physical stores of M&S retail industry because of the
poor supply chain and non availability of demanded products(Shapiro and Hanouna, 2019).
 The most common weakness of this industry is that they are catering high level income
customers because of their branding image in the market by this industry will not able to
deals in middle income level customers .
Opportunities:
 Through their process of dealing their customers by a platform of online service in which
customer will decides about their choices of product by having variety of options and
industry will caters the large number of customer at one time(Schermerhorn , Bachrach
and Wright, 2020).
 This industry basically deals in the high income level customers due to their branding
value and quality standard product by no segment process to cater the other income group
by adopting this value M&S will leads to attain the profit margin in maximum level.
Threats:
 As they are dealing in international market so the threat of their other competitors are
always there for this M&S industry, that is due to tough competition in the market in
relation to the same industry type.
Pest analysis of M&S industry:
Pest analysis is the process or procedure which help the organisation in determining and
analysing the external forces which will impact the industry and organisation in long run through
the factor like political, economical , social and technological. M&S will prepare their strategy
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and managing their tasks and objectives according to determining the external factors, by
analysing this factor M&S industry will plan for their next process in management is that :
Political:
 Due to their industry operations relates with different countries as they defines the benefit
of operating in the united kingdom with ease as they are obtaining more profits by other
countries, this free trade provides them an aspect of import the foreign products in
relation with sale in their stores in cheaper price by adapting the profit margin(Hopkin,
2018).
 Due to the condition arises in the form of Brexit , its really difficult to clear about the
industry in terms of their trade and tariffs regulation.
Economic factor:
 The company is having overall strategy of providing the product through following the
standards with quality aspect, in the phase of financial crisis leads to decreasing in their
product demand due to their higher price of product and low disposable income in respect
of the customers (Schermerhorn Jr and Bachrach 2020).
 They have to compete in relations to their pricing with the small industries due to the
currency impact of Brexit.
Social factor:
 This industry having the aspect of supporting the societies , surrounding communities
which relates in the international market this will leads to assist the industry to reduce the
cost related to internal aspect.
 Due to poor performances of product chain will leads to negative impact on social
trends .
Technological factor:
 Due to the large retailing industry type, advancement in technology leads to provide
strength in security,risks related with industry and customers(Keeling, 2018) .
 Update websites of this industry due to technical aspect will leads to provide profits.
Analyse and evaluate the leadership style at M&S.
M&S Deals in the international market through their well known value of dealing their
customers by adapting the standardised product with having the strong brand image due to this
aspect of industry they have to develop and adopt the leadership style which are more compatible
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with this industry environment by leading the team members and employees working in the
organisation with more motivational and providing the business value to them for generating the
positive set of mind in respect to do the operational work with ease. Here are analysis of
leadership style of M&S are:
Transformational leadership style:
This type of leadership style in M&S relates with the pro-active approach by the
employees by making an efforts through their seniors and leaders to attain the objectives and
tasks with becoming more motivated towards the goals , because of the large operations so they
have to deal properly through adopting this leadership style. This style of leadership inspiring the
people to become proactive, this leadership style have to be completed through proper
communication channel and before adopting this style leader should have to plan for the strategic
activities planning (Wren and Bedeian, 2020).
Transactional leadership style:
In the context of this M&S industry of retailing, they are currently using this style
because of their operational working structure they are more focused on developing the culture
of work by motivating the employees for the particular tasks and objectives which relates with
operational activities. M&S using the bureaucracy approach of maintaining the aspect of doing
the work with more dedication in respect from their employees. This industry because of their
retailing nature this style of leadership assist this industry through dedicated employees towards
their goal s and objectives.
Examine strategy implementation at M&S through change management models
Change management is basically the structure and strategic approach which is considered
with the planning regarding some kind of change in respect of shifting and from its current
situation in which the industry are presently exits to meet the desire change in respect of the
future aspect of what the industry wants to adopt or develop through this changes, this shift are
necessary If M&S will going to be affect through external factor in respect of its operational
changes so here are kotter's model of change management in the context of M&S retail industry:
Need Urgency:
Industry like M&S have to adopt change quickly to effectively leads in the markets which
relates with the international approach by having the different skills and product and the specific
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decision in respect to deal with their competitor, if there is any sudden valuable change by their
competitors regarding the operational activities like pricing strategies or new advancement in
product so M&S have to adapt this information and cope with the situation (Samson, Donnet and
Daft, 2020) .
Stronger coalition:
According to kotter, by proper team work in the organisation will leads to attain the
objective regarding particular changes , they should have take feedbacks from the employees.
Change in Mission:
If an y changes in mission and objectives of the industry, they have to properly
communicated to their employees by seminars and through talk about the change.
Regular communication and discussion:
This aspect relates with allowing the employees in particular changes
Remove obstacles:
If there is any obstacles and barriers arises in the context of any change , industry should
work according to the change problem review process.
Short term wins:
By little efforts in respect of operational working that will be recognized and rewarded by
the industry for future change motivation factor.
Change continuously:
They have to continue their changing phase and needed to be more productive
Relation with company:
This industry have to relates the particular changes with the company working cultural
environment.
Future sustainability strategy for M&S
This industry works on the approach of providing the growth to the industry by having
the sustain aspect of dealing the customers through enhancing the brand value by its quality and
standardised product by maintaining the sustainability in the future through PLAN A here the
industry M&S retailing industry by being in a business that enables their customers to have with
the positive impact on communities, societies and well being they are the aspect in which
organisation works, M&S works with their suppliers and customers to deal with the aspect of
climate change and reducing the waste. Through the use of sustainable raw material and trading
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ethically by the motive to attain the objectives of standard values by enhancing the healthier
lifestyle(Harris and et. al., 2020) .
Recommendations:
 This industry have to work on their change management because of their large operations
across the different countries to implement this aspect of change management in respect of any
operational changes related with pricing as they have to strategically implement this change
through cope up well.
 As due to branding image of the industry M&S they are dealing in the higher income
level customers so if they will go for middle level income group customer through
attaining the value as well by dealing through their products which are affordable in
respect of pricing will lead to better profit margin.
 They have to work on their employment structure to induce with more employees
because of their poor channel of supply.
CONCLUSION
It has been concluded from the above report is that every organisation leads to develop
their strategies in order to cope up with their sudden changes due to the external factor which
relates with the competitors value to achieve the particular tasks and objectives which allows the
organisation to perform well in the future by taking care of the sustainability aspects of their
industry, to identify the methods of development of the industry which relates with the specific
strategic tools which measures the development through determining the vision , mission,
objectives and tactics of the organisation, industry should posses the change management with
proper strategies implementation by proper style of leadership.
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REFERENCES
Books and Journals
Ansoff, H.I. and et. al., 2018. Implanting strategic management. Springer.
Armstrong, M. and Taylor, S., 2020. Armstrong's handbook of human resource management
practice. Kogan Page Publishers.
Deepak, R.K.A. and Jeyakumar, S., 2019. Marketing management. Educreation Publishing.
Dent, D. and Binks, R.H., 2020. Insect pest management. Cabi.
Harris, F. and et. al., 2020. Modern construction management. John Wiley & Sons.
Hopkin, P., 2018. Fundamentals of risk management: understanding, evaluating and
implementing effective risk management. Kogan Page Publishers.
Keeling, D., 2018. Management in government. Routledge.
Mitchell, B., 2018. Resource and environmental management. Oxford University Press.
Samson, D., Donnet, T. and Daft, R.L., 2020. Management. Cengage AU.
Schermerhorn Jr, J.R. and Bachrach, D.G., 2020. Exploring management. John Wiley & Sons.
Schermerhorn Jr, J.R., Bachrach, D.G. and Wright, B., 2020. Management. John Wiley & Sons.
Shapiro, A.C. and Hanouna, P., 2019. Multinational financial management. John Wiley & Sons.
Wren, D.A. and Bedeian, A.G., 2020. The evolution of management thought. John Wiley &
Sons.
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