Management and Operations: M&S Leadership and Operational Strategies

This report examines the core principles of operational management within the context of Marks and Spencer (M&S). It delves into the key approaches and roles of leaders and managers in operational management, highlighting strategies such as Just in Time, TQM, and Lean Production. The report emphasizes the importance of operational management in achieving business objectives, including employee productivity, enhanced goodwill, and efficient resource utilization. Furthermore, it analyzes various factors within the business environment, such as political, social, economic, technological, environmental, and legal factors (PESTLE analysis), alongside a SWOT analysis, to assess their impact on operational decision-making. The analysis concludes by emphasizing the interconnectedness of leadership, management, and the external environment in driving M&S's success. References from academic sources are also included.

MANAGEMENT
AND OPERATIONS

TABLE OF CONTENT
 INTRODUCTION
 Key approaches and roles of leaders and manager
in operational management
 Importance and value of operational management
in achievement of business objectives
 Factors within business environment that impacts
upon operational management and decision-
making of leaders and manager
 CONCLUSION
 REFERENCES

INTRODUCTION
 Operational management is a related to management of various operation
activities such as concerned with conversation of raw material into goods
and services for maximizing profit margin of the company.
 Marks and Spencer is a British retailer that operates its business across
various nation and is specialized in selling qualitative clothing, home and
food products to its customers.
 Different roles and characteristics played by leader and manager to
influence employees for achievement of Marks and Spencer objectives.
 Different models, theories and approach such as situational, system and
contingency leadership used by leader of company to motivate employees
to increases its productivity and performance.

KEY APPROACHES AND ROLES OF LEADERS AND
MANAGER IN OPERATIONAL MANAGEMENT
 “Operational management is administration of
business practices for effectively utilization of raw
material by converting it into finished products.”
 “On the other hand as per it is concerned
with planning, organising and supervising
production, manufacturing of products and services
as effective for maximising profitability of
company.”

CONT.
 Various approaches used by M&S for effective utilisation
of raw material and achievement of company goals are as
follows:
 Just in Time: It is management strategy that help in
production of goods and services on time with
achievement of set targets. M&S manager use inventory
strategies to increase efficiencies and reduce wastage by
ordering raw material as per requirement in production
process. Leader motivate employees to work effectively.

CONT.
 TQM: It is continuous process of detecting and eliminating
various errors that occur while manufacturing of products
thus improving customer’s experience. Manager supervises
and monitor various activities in order to maintain quality
of all product while producing goods and services in
limited time. Whereas leader by providing good working
environment and attractive compensation benefits to
motivate and influences employees to maintain quality of
product to satisfy needs of customers in effective manner.

CONT.
 Lean Production: It is the method that is used to minimise
wastage of company while ensuring quality of product thus
increasing profitability and sales of company. This theory
explains various methods that can be used to get better
result or output at minimum cost by reducing wastage and
enhancing productivity. Manager by arranging various
resource and planning for training and development of
employee skill and knowledge so that they can produce
quality product at minimum cost or without wastage.

CONT.
 Thus, it can be stated that role of manager in operational
management is to hire, recruit and select most appropriate
candidates for effective utilisation of resource and
achievement of goals. It is also responsible for arranging
resource as per skill and potential of employees and
training and development program so that employees can
easily use various update technology. Therefore
manufactures products with minimum wastage.

LEADERSHIP STYLE
 Leader use autocratic leadership styles to motivate
employees for achievement of organization goals. It
has use Lean production approach to maintain
standard and quality of products and services and
minimize waste production so that M&S can increase
its profitability and sales volume by reducing price of
qualitative products to attract customer. Leader
trained and motivate employees to work effectively
whereas manager of M&S arrange update technology
and training program to enhance knowledge of
people.

IMPORTANCE AND VALUE OF OPERATIONAL
MANAGEMENT IN ACHIEVEMENT OF BUSINESS
OBJECTIVES
 Operational management is concerned with planning,
organising process of production and redesigning business
operation for manufacturing of goods and services. Every
company is established for earning profit by selling
products and services to customers so operational
management helps in effective utilisation of resource.
Operational management perform various function such as
arrange finance, supervise operation, plan strategy, prepare
product design and maintain quality of products.

CONT.
 Improves Employees productivity: Operational
manager by continuous monitoring and
supervising activities of employees working in
organisation helps in improving performance of
individual. Leader and manager of operational
management trains and educate people for better
performance.
 Increase value of goodwill: It helps in
enhancing goodwill of company by ensuring
quality of products and services to be delivered
to customers.