Business Report: Adapting to New Technology at Marks and Spencer

This report examines the importance of adapting new technology in the modern business era, focusing on Marks and Spencer (M&S) as a case study. The report identifies the challenges and opportunities associated with technological advancements in the retail sector, emphasizing the impact on business performance and customer experience. It explores M&S's strategies, including digital marketing, technology transformation programs, and the use of mobile payment systems. The report also addresses data protection concerns and recommends continuous employee training and customer feedback mechanisms to optimize technology adoption. Additionally, it includes reflective writing on skills gained and a personal development plan outlining academic and professional goals, highlighting the value of improved time management, writing, and online learning skills. The report concludes by summarizing the positive and negative impacts of technology adaptation on business performance and provides insights for optimizing strategies.

Adapting to new technology

Table of Contents
PART 1- REPORT.....................................................................................................................2
Introduction............................................................................................................................2
What is the issue.....................................................................................................................2
How companies reacting and ensuring from the issue...........................................................2
Recommendation....................................................................................................................3
Conclusion..............................................................................................................................3
PART 2.......................................................................................................................................4
Reflective writing...................................................................................................................4
PART 3.......................................................................................................................................5
Personal development plan....................................................................................................5
REFERENCES...........................................................................................................................7

PART 1- REPORT
Introduction
In the modern era, most of the company uses effective strategy in order to stay ahead
in the competition. The study helps to determine the importance of advance technology which
creates direct impact upon the business performance. In the same way the chosen issue for the
current study is adapting new technology within Marks and Spencer which is top retail firm
in UK and deal with variety in different countries. The present study will explain why the
selected topic is considered as issue for the company and then determine the direct impact
upon the company. Along with this, study also recommend the ways through which the
company may minimize the issue up to some level and this in turn improve the results i.e.
financial performance of the company.
What is the issue
Adapting new technology within a workplace is considered as an opportunity for the
business because it will help to take a business at further level of success. Moreover, to stay
ahead in the business it is necessary for the company to be aware of technological
advancement relevant to the business. In retail business, if company did not comply with
advance technologies then it creates a direct impact upon business and as a result, most of the
customer shift towards another business (Kumar, Anan and Song, 2017). On the other side,
other firm did not start with technology they first considered employees and make them
aware about using new techniques within a business that support to take business at further
level of success. Apart from this, it is analyzed that to accept the market trend and comply
with the same, it is necessary to implement new techniques which in turn assist to increase
the performance of a company and innovative new product as well.
This is possible when employees of a firm understand about the technology and
implement the same. For example, Marks and Spencer will uses digital marketing platform
which in turn attract the range of customers towards it and this also increase the performance
of a company as well (Pantano, Priporas and Dennis, 2018). Thus, using advance technology
within workplace will help to increase the overall performance of a company.
How companies reacting and ensuring from the issue
Marks and Spencer react in positive manner while adapting new technology and also
ensures that there are many advance technology which a company comply with in order to

improve the results of a business. For example, it launch new technology transformation
programme whose aim is to turn a high street department store into a digital first driven
business (Marks and Spencer’s advance technology programme, 2020). Hence it is a five
year plan that helps to comply with the advance technology and sustain the brand image of a
firm. Along with this, in order to provide better shopping experience to their customer during
Covid-19 pandemic time, M&S introduce range of advance technologies so that consumer
shift to digital. Such that Sparks Loyalty schemes and rolling out of mobile pay and go
technology in its 310 stores.
Moreover, it is also analyzed that there is a negative impact upon the company such
that adopting new technique for payment, company has to make sure that it comply with data
protection act. This in turn assist to protect he sensitive data from third party, otherwise they
use personal data for wrong purpose (Marzband and et.al., 2018). Hence, it is examine that
there are both positive and negative impact upon business while adapting new technology.
Apart from this, company also comply with the digital platform in order to improve the
results and increase sales which assist to meet the define aim.
Recommendation
 In order to comply with the advance technology, it is recommended to Marks and
Spencer to provide continuous training to their employees which in turn make them
aware about new techniques. Along with this, company should develop strategy that
encourage people to comply with advance technology that improve the business
operations (Grewal and Roggeveen, 2020)
 Moreover, the power of implementing technology within business can help to shift the
customers towards a culture of change and that is why, it is suggested to the company
to take a feedback from customers. This will help to determine the loopholes sand
tries to adjust the change sin positive manner,
Conclusion
By summing up above report it has been concluded that advance technology plays an
important role in the success of a business and if company uses best ways will help to
improve the business operations. Further, Marks and Spencer is also uses advance techniques
in order to improve the results and attract the customers as well. Moreover, it also concluded
through the above report that complying with advance technology creates both positive and
negative impact upon the business performance and also recommend the best ways through

which the company improve the negative impact and convert the same that cause positive
impact upon business.
PART 2
Reflective writing
From the module I have learn and enhance different skills which in turn improve the
results and learning. Such that I learn to improve the oral presentation skill and writing skills.
Such that it will assist me in my professional development. For example, during my
professional job, I will easily present my views to senior authority and this will turn to
improve the results sin positive manner. Apart from this, I improve the personalized learning
which in turn help to gain meet the define aim. For example, I manage the work as per the
specific time and perform the work as to meet the specific deadline and this in turn improve
the results in positive manner (Rabiner, Godwin and Dodge, 2016). Moreover, through part 1,
I also improve my research skill because I search various things on Internet and through this,
I gain good knowledge about the term i.e. advance technology. Also, I raise my presentation
skills such that I understand how to present the essay or report in proper manner so that it will
help to let other know what a writer wants to communicate.
In addition to this, through effective research skills, I can easily identify the problem
and collect the informational resource which assist to address the problem by evaluating the
quality of resource. Hence it is examine that through strong time management skills, I
improve the performance and product better work by delivering the work on time. Hence, it
will boost the confidence of an individual and this in turn help to become more efficient as
well. Apart from this, having strong communication skills will assist to build trust and present
the problem in effective manner along with solution (Bassok and Latham, 2017). Therefore, it
creates a direct or better relationship with employees in professional life that assist to
improve the productivity. So it is stated that with the help of good communication, an
individual promote understanding and provide clear direction to each other that helps to
promote the working environment in future.
These learning will help to improve the interpersonal skills and I will easily present
my views in front of others. For example, I want to become a HR Manager and for that I must
possess a strong communication skill so that I deliver the policies and laws to other
employees, which in turn minimize the barrier of communication. Along with this, there is a
need to have a strong time management skills so that I will prioritize the work as per the set

deadline. In addition to this, having a good reference skills will also help to gain knowledge
which will be implemented in future goals. Apart from this, it is stated that with the help of
effective learning module, an individual may easily improve the results and this in turn assist
the business to take a business at further level of success.
PART 3
Personal development plan
Academic skills Action Future implication
Time
management
In order to improve the time
management skill, I will prioritize the
task as per the set deadline and try to
complete the work as per the specific
deadline. This in turn improve the time
management skill (Rose and et.al.,
2019).
Once the skill will be
improved, I will use this skill
in academic context by
making notes (every
subjects). Also, in career
point of view, I meet the
target of every day and try to
finish the work on set time.
Writing skills I start reading and para-phrasing the
same in order to improve the writing
skills. Also start attending the classes
in which I write down on specific
topic
After improving the skill, I
would like to use the same in
academic purpose where I
communicate my words to
other. Beside this, in career I
share my opinion to peers
through which they
understand what I want to
deliver (De Bruijn and et.al.,
2020).
Online learning Start attending online session to
improve e-learning that helps to
identify and support my struggle and
weak points.
Through this I gain my
knowledge in academic and
professional life. Such that
professionally, I will
innovate new ideas and
explore the things

accordingly. Moreover, in
academic context, I will
easily engage myself in study
because it enhance my
knowledge.

REFERENCES
Books and Journals
Bassok, D. and Latham, S., 2017. Kids today: The rise in children’s academic skills at
kindergarten entry. Educational Researcher. 46(1). pp.7-20.
De Bruijn, A.G. and et.al., 2020. Effects of aerobic and cognitively-engaging physical
activity on academic skills: A cluster randomized controlled trial. Journal of sports
sciences. 38(15). pp.1806-1817.
Grewal, D. and Roggeveen, A.L., 2020. Understanding retail experiences and customer
journey management. Journal of Retailing. 96(1). pp.3-8.
Kumar, V., Anand, A. and Song, H., 2017. Future of retailer profitability: An organizing
framework. Journal of Retailing. 93(1). pp.96-119.
Marzband, M. and et.al., 2018. An advanced retail electricity market for active distribution
systems and home microgrid interoperability based on game theory. Electric Power
Systems Research. 157. pp.187-199.
Pantano, E., Priporas, C.V. and Dennis, C., 2018. A new approach to retailing for successful
competition in the new smart scenario. International Journal of Retail & Distribution
Management.
Rabiner, D.L., Godwin, J. and Dodge, K.A., 2016. Predicting academic achievement and
attainment: The contribution of early academic skills, attention difficulties, and social
competence. School Psychology Review. 45(2). pp.250-267.
Rose, H. and et.al., 2019. What drives success in English medium taught courses? The
interplay between language proficiency, academic skills, and motivation. Studies in
Higher Education, pp.1-13.
Online
Marks and Spencer’s advance technology programme. 2020. [Online]. Available through:
<https://fashionunited.uk/news/business/marks-spencer-reveals-technology-
transformation-programme/2018010927558>.