Strategic Management Report: M&S Analysis, Leadership, and Change

This report provides a comprehensive analysis of Marks & Spencer (M&S), a leading UK retailer, focusing on its strategic management practices. The report begins with a company overview, highlighting M&S's mission, vision, and organizational values. It then delves into the strategic tools used by M&S to analyze its development methods, including organic development and strategic alliances. The report examines the leadership styles of key figures like Steve Rowe and Archie Norman, evaluating their impact on the company's performance. Furthermore, it explores the change management models employed by M&S to implement strategic changes, such as the Change Kaleidoscope Model. The report also proposes further sustainability tactics for M&S. The analysis provides valuable insights into M&S's strategies for growth, leadership, and adaptation in the competitive retail landscape.

STRATEGIC MANAGEMENT

Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................3
TASK...............................................................................................................................................3
Company overview......................................................................................................................3
Strategic tools use to analyze methods of development usage by M&S.....................................4
Leadership style within M&S......................................................................................................5
Change management models use to examine tactic implementation within chosen company....6
Further sustainability tactic for M&S..........................................................................................8
CONCLUSION................................................................................................................................9
RECOMMENDATION.................................................................................................................10
REFERENCES .............................................................................................................................11

INTRODUCTION
Strategic management can define as development and implementation of major aims as
well as initiatives taken by companies in competitive business world. It is tactic utilize of a
venture resources in order to reach objective and goals of ventures. It requires reflection on
procedures within a company and external forces that could impact how a venture functions the
corporate world. The current assignment will be based on M&S, which falls under category of
leading fashionable brands in the United Kingdom. This study will explain usage of strategic
tools in context of analyzing approaches of development using by chosen organization.
Furthermore, it will define leadership style chosen by leader in company and would also justify
change management concepts to analyze strategic implementation at firm. This report will clarify
further sustainability strategy in regard to selected retail brand and define possible suggestions
base on overall analysis.
TASK
Company overview
M&S is one of the most popular British international retailers. The main reason behind its
popularity is selling quality products such as apparel, food items and home goods, mostly of their
own brand name (Le Thuy and Oe, 2020). It has a powerful brand embodying quality, value for
cost and practically, which appeals to many consumers and advertise target segment loyalty.
There are several factors accessible in the world of business which contributes in making brand
more successful and unique. The main organizational values of value, quality, service, trust and
innovation have consistently remained bases of company proposition.
Mission-
M&S has sustained its business in retail industry in effective manner, its mission is to
make motivated quality available to all, through depth and different products.
Vision-
Marks & Spencer vision is to be standard brand against which others are measured. They
want to become global leader by increasing customers satisfactory level and maximizing
consumer base.
The main objective of company is to inspire and excite its buyers at every turn. It always
wants to be at top and do right things.

In today’s time, M&S was rated as third leading fashionable brand across all sectors,
which in return bring several benefits to its venture.
Strategic tools use to analyze methods of development usage by M&S
Organic development inside the internal growth factors generate advanced factors where M&S
company by achieving the increased outputs and enhancing sales internally where internally
there is advanced functional requirement. Store closures and opening of varied factual work
growth information aspects where diversity has to be evolved on dynamic targets. Organic
development also functionally looks for new advanced imperative higher fashionable products
and services, where own new resources have to be invested for varied new scale performance
domains actively. M&S has been functionally growing within internal business scenarios
whereby opening new stores into untapped working horizons there has been dynamic shift
analyzed actively. M&S as one of the best fashion retail brand serving consumers with best
advanced scale clothing’s and new determinants of strategic vision into varied scale marketing
has made it one of the globally recognized brand rapidly. With new stores opening up there has
been dynamic shift to dynamic competitive functional innovation on which the brand has been
active heading on promising diverse paradigms. It can be more practically analyzed that by
evolving aspects of organic development there is varied scale stronger synergy push analyzed
where M&S has been progressively heading on leveraged work goal and keen new imperative
potentialities to form varied scale benchmarks.
Strategic alliance with Coad:
Under the deal Coad the retail firm has become a joint venture with M&S, which will pay 750
million pounds ($1 billion) for its half share, where the partnership has been identified as
strategic alliance and also there is scope for further varied domains of products and services. It
can be understood that the strategic alliance is widely crucial for M&S as it will enable t generate
new scale imperative work strengths into untapped market domains. The strategic alliance also
fundamentally enhances vision oriented growth into new work goals actively towards new
customer’s target market and to generate specific scale connectivity into new work operations.
The joint venture has been optimistically marketing its functional growth and operationally
growing into new domain for scaled targets, to evolve on revenue growth horizons and
consumer’s goodwill. It will potentially generate specific diverse new paradigms for scaled n

efficacy aspects on which it will be able to serve consumers with the best products and services.
Both brands aim to serve consumers with best functional innovation into products, were digital
marketing has been also actively enabled to form one of the best strategic alliance for wider
consumer reach into competitive industry horizons. There has been dynamic shift among
consumers into products preferences where external business factors have specific scale
connective imperative pace and also there is varied scope to focus on paradigms of varied
functional grounds. There has been constant shift within retail industry domains where ths
strategic allegiance brings forwards new enlarged scope to generate new detailed functional
working growth. Thus it can be understood that both internal and external methods of
development have varied scope to generate advanced work growth functional evolved scenarios
for varied leveraged goals actively within global industry.
The leadership style adopted by Steve Row and Archie Norman at M&S has been aiming to
generate best working domains and aspects where there has been constant growth into varied
dynamo ice brand evolving domains where the constant shift towards dynamic working
operational domains, M&S has constant work diverse scope to evolve within competitive
horizons for larger new imperative products and services where consumers goodwill revenue has
been actively generated within recent years. It can be dynamic shift analyzed for which keen
domains of fashionable clothing’s standards are focused on.
Leadership style within M&S
The leadership style adopted by Steve Row and Archie Norman at M&S has been aiming
to generate best working domains and aspects where there has been constant growth into varied
dynamo ice brand evolving domains where the constant shift towards dynamic working
operational domains, M&S has constant work diverse scope to evolve within competitive
horizons for larger new imperative products and services where consumers goodwill revenue
has been actively generated within recent years. It can be dynamic shift analyzed for which
keen domains of fashionable clothing’s standards are focused on.
Leadership is an effective approach that enable a person or leader to motivate team of workers
and drive them towards achieving set objectives and essential goals of companies, which is
actually very important to achieve (Breevaart and Zacher, 2019). In the world of business, there

are different forms of leadership styles available such as autocratic, authoritative, democratic,
coaching, supportive and affiliative.
Steve Rowe is known as Saturday boy who change Marks & Spencer company and make
changes within its business operations in order to overcome decline of sales, which could impact
current sales, profitability and productivity level of company negatively. Croydon entrepreneur
Steve Rowe has appointed in chosen firm as chief executive officer after joining organization as
15 old year Saturday boy. He began his professional career as above name at his local M&S
outlets and not become a CEO after 33 years’ hard work which is incredible. Everything is
possible by using leadership style. From Saturday boy to Chief executive he finds lessons in
hometown outlet.
For example, Steve Rowe by using authoritative leadership style handle management
functions and organizational operations of M&S successfully. Authoritative leadership style
enables leaders like Rowe to cater appropriate directions and clear vision (Sukri and Shasrini,
2020). With this form he has effectively approach each task and initiatives from his position of
confidence. Steve Rowe with clear vision and mission take decision in context of venture which
is quite beneficial for M&S in term of increasing sales, profits margin and generate revenue even
better than last few months or years. According to selected leadership form, authoritative leader
is one who mobilize key resources at his or her control towards specific aim and concentrates all
their power into it. Marks & Spencer, chief executive work just like the above discuss way.
Archie Norman is the another person who use particular leadership style which is very
beneficial for him. As chairman of M&S he uses transformational leadership form which enable
him to transform overall business structure and operations in productive manner. Archie has
instrumental in transforming different British ventures including ASDA, Kingfisher etc. By
using chosen leadership style he lifts ups the share and revenue of organization.
Critical evaluation base on importance of leadership styles to M&S-
It could critically analyze that; Authoritative leadership style is essential in several terms
as it bring benefits for Marks & Spencer in term of providing opportunity to boost productivity
level. It develops clarity within chain of command and also creates consistent outcomes. On the
other hand, it creates lack of feedbacks and comments.
Along with this above one, transformational leadership style is also important for Brand
as it help drive management towards transforming current practices and activities towards new

one that in return increase level of production and performance. While, with transformational
style leader could develop negative results. Each effective chance offers negative outcomes. It
requires few things from users’ side such as open lines of communication with employees that in
some cases not possible.
Change management models use to examine tactic implementation within chosen company
Change management can define as approach and method in which an organization define
and implement alter within external procedure and internal environment as well (Broska,
Poganietz and Vögele, 2020). In context of this term, different types of models, theories and
concepts are accessible.
By using information in case study base on M&S such as “Can the Saturday boy change
M&S”, it has been identified that Steve Rowe as Saturday boy conduct change management
activities and practices at workplace which bring benefits in term of increasing sales.
Figure 1: Change Kaleidoscope Model
(Source: Managing Strategic Change, 2020)

According to chosen model, company implement change by using all 8 elements that has
been discussed in above framework. For example, power is the key element that help to make
change and implement at workplace by divided role and accountability, which is really very
important. Furthermore, time is another component which contribute in change management in
form of fix schedule prepare by management in order to achieve set goals like implement
leadership change within M&S. Diversity means variety relate to management activities and
leadership styles that also help in similar concept and allow gain a lot of benefits in term of
enhancing productivity and performance level of existing and new staff members even better
than before change, which is essential for company to grow in retail market and gain competitive
edge. Preservation also included in category of elements of change Kaleidoscope model that used
to implement change and mange it in effective manner.
The chief executive of Mark & Spencer may use this as it enable them to take better
prevention and action relate to leadership change that implement at workplace to gain several
advantages in competitive business world. Furthermore, rest of the components such as
capability, capacity, readiness etc. organization and its leader may use to obtain desire outcomes
in form of successfully implementing leadership change.
Style of change leadership require and type of strategic change needed-
M&S face issues due to decline to its sales and in this situation company should change
its leadership style and use appropriate one which make it capable to sustain for longer period of
time. Steve Rowe as chief executive at firm change existing style within new one and that is
Authoritative. Furthermore, management structure change as type of strategical change is require
in firm which in return boost productivity and sales level.
Above change with real one that occurred-
From above discussion, it can critically analyzes that above change as compare to actual
change which relate to leadership in firm is quite beneficial as it boosts level of productivity and
increase operational efficiency which is very important to enhance as it help to overcome decline
of sales and lift up company even better than challenging years. On the other hand, to implement
change in context of management structure firm had to spend a lot of time for making final
decision and encourage people to accept the alter at workplace which may be a time-consuming
act. Change in leadership style is beneficial and important as it helps to grow M&S more than its
competitors and bring new opportunities when leader apply his or her leadership style and

provide guidance to all the workers. As compare to management change or other, leadership
modification in form of actual alter bring advantages for company. It has been done by Steve
Rowe and Archie Norman.
Further sustainability tactic for M&S
Sustainability term refer to competence to be maintained and balance at some degree. It is
essential for different reasons including environmental protection. Government and consumers
are more concern about sustainable environment and because of that they increase pressure on
whole world of business to develop sustainable tactics and plans which enable them to grow
even better in retail or other sector and supports in developing stronger brand image.
M&S in order to grow its venture more than rivals and provide benefits to target
consumers has developed effective and efficient sustainable strategy which it plan up to 2025
(M&S to relaunch Plan A sustainability strategy, 2020). By this year, firm will share net food
waster relatives to sales from its brand operated & franchised destinations all over the world
against a new developed baseline. In form of sustainable strategy company take decision to
reduce food wastage process and eliminate operational emission. Organization has already
contributed to redefine the major role its venture in society. Its contribution plan includes
improvements of environmental and social performance of M&S. Firm develop plan A through
which management execute sustainable strategy of company in systematic manner. Brand plan
reduction of carbon footprint up to 2025, by taking major actions and developing sustainable as
well as effective tactics like above one. Plan A tactic was founded in 2007 and then updated in
2017. After years’ company has taken decision in context of further sustainable strategy and then
again update the similar plan by including more valuable features that is halve food waste by
2025. The objectives of this plan mention below-
 M&S want to reduce its operational emission by 80% as compared to previous years.
 To manufacture home products and apparel by using 25% recycled materials.
 Organization objective is to eliminate emissions in its supply chain operation by 13.3
million tones.
 Company objective is to use recyclable raw materials come from sustainable sources.
The above discussion plan is strategically important in regards to M&S as it help to set
positive image of brand in mind of existing and new consumers successfully. By implementing
Plan, A and achieving all above objectives, company would gain a lot of benefits such as it

assists keeping business at top positive and boosting its brand reputation which is really very
important to enhance for firm while being operated as leading clothing retailers in the world. The
above sustainable strategy provide benefit in term of gaining attention of those buyers who
believe in environmental sustainability and conduct practices accordingly.
CONCLUSION
By summing up above discussion, it has been analyzed that M&S by considering the
needs and expectations of consumers towards its venture has manufactured each items which in
return allow firm to sustain business in retail sector for longer. It has been identified that by
using Authoritative leadership style Steve Rowe successfully increased sales level of M&S
which is quite impressive. Furthermore, by using transformational leadership form, Archie
Norman has also provided benefits to company in term of making changes within exiting
organizational management structure. It has been summarized that by following the rings and
suggestions, Marks & Spencer has gained further advantages which enable firm to grow even
better.
RECOMMENDATION
 There are many things M&S and its management could consider in order to grow
business and increase sales even better. For example, company should develop plan
through which its management would take suggestions from workers and consumers as
well relate to sustainability.
 Furthermore, firm must conduct survey and identify people perspectives about
sustainable attempts and practices which they want his or her favorite brand adopt, which
is quite beneficial and helpful.

REFERENCES
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Online
M&S to relaunch Plan A sustainability strategy. 2020. [Online]. Available Through: <
https://www.edie.net/news/7/M-S-to-relaunch-Plan-A-sustainability-strategy/#:~:text=In
%202017%2C%20the%20strategy%20was,M%26S's%20approved%20science
%2Dbased%20target.>
Managing Strategic Change. 2020. [Online]. Available Through: <
https://kfknowledgebank.kaplan.co.uk/business-strategy/strategy-into-action/managing-
strategic-change#:~:text=The%20change%20kaleidoscope%20was%20developed,the
%20wider%20strategic%20change%20context.>