Leading and Implementing Workplace Change at TESCO - Report

This report provides a comprehensive analysis of change management practices at TESCO, a leading UK supermarket chain. It begins with an overview of the company, its mission, vision, and SWOT analysis, highlighting its strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats. The report then examines recent change initiatives undertaken by TESCO, including the adoption of online platforms and digital in-store experiences, and applies Lewin's change model to illustrate the stages of change implementation. Furthermore, it explores the historical context of TESCO, discusses the impact of external environmental changes and the COVID-19 pandemic on its operations, and analyzes the role of organizational culture in change management. The report also develops a change management plan for the future and addresses the leadership styles employed by the company to navigate change. This report provides a detailed exploration of change management strategies within the retail industry, offering insights into how TESCO adapts and thrives in a dynamic business landscape.

Leading and
Implementing
Workplace Change

Executive Summary
Change management is a process of bringing new innovation, advancements, and
procedures within company for getting better results. It is stated that there are a lot of internal as
well as external factors which affect changes within company in an efficient manner. In addition,
COVID 19 has also affected business practices in significant manner. There are some models
have been identified for implementing changes effectively. There is requirement to adopt some
appropriate strategies for implementing as well as sustaining strategic changes within company
for longer duration.

Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION.......................................................................................................................................4
A brief review of current state of Company.............................................................................................5
Recent change initiative investigated for the report.................................................................................6
Discuss history of organization and also discuss impact of changes in external environment and
COVID 19 over company........................................................................................................................8
Develop a model of change along with issues of strategic change in organization also discuss the way
to manage changes and the leadership style...........................................................................................11
Analyze impact of organizational culture over change management and also prepare a suitable change
management plan for future...................................................................................................................12
CONCLUSION.........................................................................................................................................13
REFRENCES............................................................................................................................................14

INTRODUCTION
Change management refers to the methods, theories under which company implements
changes within internal as well as external process of business. In present time, change is really
essential for business for gaining higher competitive edge (Hayes, 2018). Here, companies can
undertake changes in terms of technology, daily operations, business process and more. It is
stated that individuals often resist changes. Due to changes they need to modify their current
approaches of performing task. But they wish to get struck with predefined ways of work. For
this purpose, it is vital to maintain effective change management within company. Under this,
organizations prepare as well as support employees, establish necessary steps for monitoring as
well as implementing pre & post changes activities in an efficient manner.
However, changes are vital for business but companies have to face a lot of challenges
while bringing changes at work place. It is also stated that external environment also put great
impact over operations of organization. In addition to this, COVID 19 has significantly affected
business in adverse manner. It caused several changes in working pattern, practices of company.
Now, they need to modify their current business strategies as per changes in external
environment. The present report is based on TESCO which is a renowned supermarket company
of UK. It is considered as one of the largest supermarket chains of country (Loudoun and
Townsend, 2017). It was started in the year of 1919 by Jack Cohen. It was started as a grocery
store and currently deals in variety of products such as clothes, electronics, furniture, software,
financial services and more. TESCO is currently working in 13 countries across the globe by
having 7005 stores across the globe. It is stated the company is working in diversify field by
providing different services at international level. TESCO has been positioned itself as a
company which provides quality products & services at relatively lower price. There are a lot of
competitors of TESCO are present in market such as Sainsbury, ASDA and more. It is stated that
organization is taking a lot of initiatives for bringing technological advancements and changes at
work place.
The present report comprises a detailed overview about the current position of
organization. It also includes changes which have been initiative by company due to changes in
external environment and current prevailing outbreak. An effective change management plan for

dealing with issues of strategic changes within organization. In addition to this, leadership styles
which are used by company for dealing with changes also included in the following report. It
also comprises impact of organizational culture over change management program with
development of an appropriate change management plan for future.
A brief review of current state of Company
Company Overview: The present report is based on change management which has
become necessity of business in present time. TESCO is taken into consideration in present
scenario. TESCO is a renowned company of retail industry which deals in groceries and general
items. It has started by Jack Cohen for selling groceries in London. The company expanded
business overtime and currently working in nearly 13 countries across the globe. It is considered
as market leader in retail sector within UK. TESCO has been identified requirement of time thus
also provides online services with the help of large number of employees. The company is also
regarded as one of the major employer in UK as currently they have more than 400,000
employees across the globe (Chianis, 2020). It is stated that TESCO is working within diversify
fields such as banking, financial services, retailing and more. Apart from this, organization has
earned tremendous profit which will lead it towards higher growth & success. In 2019- 20, the
company has booked revenue of £64,760 million which is growing rapidly. It is analyzed that
sales of company also grow during pandemic due to increase in demand of groceries and other
general items. Here, the company also provided online services which helped in enhancing sales
& profit margin. In this, sales of TESCO increased by 9.2 % from 2019 to 2020 due to increment
in demand of consumer goods. So, company witnessed positive impact of outbreak which inflate
its revenue as well as profit margin.
Mission: To become such a company which provides efficient services to customers,
help them to enjoy a better life and easy way of living”.
Vision: “To become the most valuable company among customers, communities,
colleagues and stakeholders”.
SWOT Analysis
Strengths Weakness
 It is sated that TESCO has managed  Due to expansion of business TESCO

strong presence in market place during
pandemic time. They manage higher
sales & revenue during outbreak due to
increasing demand of consumer goods.
 It is a global brand which already has a
strong positive image among
customers (Skogland and Hansen,
2017).
is operating in different types of retails
which might hamper existing image of
company as it is widely known for
selling groceries and general items.
 TESCO is not adopting higher
innovations which is requirement of
current time. Main motive of company
is to cut down cost for providing
reasonable products to customers. This
approach might backfire to organization
and harm its competitive position in
market.
Opportunities Threats
 There are a lot of opportunities of using
online platforms for getting order. In
addition, they can also use efficient
technologies for delivering goods &
services to customers in timely manner.
 There are also opportunities to expand
business in emerging markets such as
Asia and more for earning huge
profitability.
 It is stated that Brexit is the biggest
threat for TESCO which might harm its
current level of sales & profit margin. It
might disrupt current supply chain
system of organization within Europe.
 There are a lot of other competitors
such as Aldi, ASDA and more are
present in market that provides higher
competition to organization.
Recent change initiative investigated for the report
In organizations, changes are something which is done for getting better results. These
are related to use some new practices that will drive positive outcomes for company. Change can
be done in terms of technology, innovation, operations, working practices and more. It is
analyzed that changes put a lot of impact over business which can be either positive or negative.
The positive impacts can be acknowledged in terms of improvements in daily operations of
company (Pautz and Sadera, 2017). On other it can be put adverse impact over employees, their
behavior, attitude and overall cost of organization. Employees are more likely to resist changes

as due to organizational changes they need to modify their working practices, approaches and
more. Sometimes, employees also resist changes due to fear. They have fear of lay off from
organizations. So, it is required to get consent of work force while bringing changes in current
working practices. For this purpose, change management practice is adopted by company.
Change management is process which helps to manage people, resources within
organization in an efficient manner for getting better outcomes. In reference of TESCO, they
believe in introducing changes overtime for getting better outcomes. Previously, company was
completely based over bricks and mortar model where they only have physical stores but as per
the requirement of current time they have been introduced online platform. Now, customers can
easily order necessary products & services over the website of company. They also implemented
digitalized in store experience for providing better experience to customers. By this, customers
can check out from outlets after shopping on their own. It reduced requirement of employees for
providing check out facility to customers. In addition to this, TESCO works at a large level so it
also implemented automation and softwaes for maintaining data & information in an efficient
manner. This change initiative helps company in enhancing overall efficiency and getting
positive outcomes. By this way, company is also able to maintain higher accuracy as well as
efficiency in daily operations which will help in future growth and success. For this purpose,
there is a change management called Lewin’s change model is given as under:
Unfreezing: It is the first step under which organization identifies needs of changes at
work place. It is considered as the most difficult stage of change management as here it is
necessary to get consent of employees over changes. It is stated that readiness and willingness of
people is quiet difficult for moving from current comfort zone to transformation. At this stage, it
is vital to motivate work force by offering them different benefits so that they accept changes
rather resisting (Dorac-Kakabadse, 2017). Apart from this, communication is also vital at this
stage to enhance involvement of employees in overall process of change management. Here,
proper communication is also vital for getting proper support from work force so that changes
can be implemented in an efficient manner. In this, managers of TESCO motivate employees so
that they get ready to work in change environment. Further, they also maintain proper
communication with employees

Change: Under this, changes are implemented in real context. Here, new ways of work
are identified as well as implemented in an efficient manner. In this, it is required to have proper
planning, effective communication so that employees can easily work in change environment.
Without proper communication, it is not possible to implement changes in an efficient manner.
Implementing changes is not easy due to uncertainties, fear in employees about consequences of
changes. In context of TESCO, managers implement changes in such a way that employees get
involved in change practices in an efficient manner. For this, they also provide appropriate
training to staff members for getting their support and involvement.
Refreezing: This is the last but most crucial stage where organization tries to make the
changes permanent for enhancing overall efficiency and effectiveness. Under this, company
ensures that employees stay with changes for longer run (Hung and Chen, 2017). For this, they
provide continuous motivation to work force so that they do not return over old ways of work. It
is not an easy task to make the changes permanent but organizations needs to adopt effective
steps for this purpose. In context of TESCO, manager not only introduced changes but also make
sure that these changes remain with company for longer run. For this, they give necessary
guidance, support and motivation to work force so that they do not return over old approaches of
work.
Discuss history of organization and also discuss impact of changes in external environment and
COVID 19 over company
History of organization
It is analyzed that there is great history associate with TESCO. The company was started
in 1919 and expanded business environment. It was founded by Jack Cohen with an aim to
provide affordable food to each & every individual within country. Initially, the company did not
have the name. It got the name TESCO in 1924 which came from TE stockwell and the rest
words have been take out from the surname of Jack. By this way, company got the name TESCO
with which it’s known today. First store of organization was opened in 1929 at London which
was involved in selling dry foods and tea. In the decade of 1930’s Jack purchased the land and
start to explore business within country. In 1995, TESCO started to expand business globally in
different countries. Here, they expanded business in Slovakia, Poland, Malaysia and enter in

Indian Market. Now, company is working nearly in 13 countries and also looking forward to
expand business in more countries at international level (Palumbo and Manna, 2020).
Impact of changes in external environment:
External environment is related to the outside environment of company which put a great
impact on business practices. It is stated that managers cannot controlled external environment so
they need to prepare effective strategies to deal with the impact of external factors. There is a lot
of risk and uncertainties associated with external environment which also influence change
practices of company. In this regards PESTLE analysis is given as under:
Political Factors: It is stated that TESCO works in a lot of countries across the globe.
Here, political environment of each & every country is not same so they need to make changes in
their current policies as per requirement. Being the biggest retailer, it needs to abide various
laws, regulations with an aim to ensure higher quality as well as standard of products. Due to
Brexit, there are higher uncertainties within UK in terms of new rules and regulations which
might cause increment & decrement in current level of sales of organization (Williams and
Smith, 2017).
Economical Factors: These factors are related to economic elements such as interest
rate, disposable income, demand, supply, cost and more. Here, TESCO needs to stay familiar
with any kind of changes introduce in economic environment of countries in which they are
operating. It is stated that company generates major part of its overall revenue from UK so they
are required to stay aware about change within the economy of country.
Social Factors: In present time, people are likely to avoid to visit in stores and involve in
physical shopping. Rather, they prefer to purchase products online. In addition to this, now
buying habits, behavior of customers are also changing. By keeping this in mind, TESCO is
providing facilities of online shopping through its website. They also make sure to deliver
products & services to customers in timely manner. However, company also need to make
necessary improvements in their current practices for meeting with requirements of customers in
an efficient manner (Kammerhoff, Lauenstein and Schütz, 2019).

Technological Factors: In present business world, technology plays a crucial role. For
surviving in market for longer run, it is imperative to adopt new and efficient technologies. It is
analyzed that TESCO is highly innovative and advance in terms of technology. Company has
been identified requirement of current market and keeps changing their techniques to get
competitive edge. They have been adopted online shopping, social media advertisement, digital
marketing and other practices for enhancing presence of company in market place. By the use of
online shopping, they have been shifted the trend of shopping in online mode resulted now
majority of customers of TESCO are using online platform of company.
Legal Factors: Legal factors put great impact over operations of company at national as
well as international level. It is analyzed that TESCO is working within 13 countries at global
level so it needs to follow the rules and regulations of each country in which it is operating.
Further, change in legal requirements of any country will significantly affect whole business
practice of company.
Environmental Factors: It is analyzed that TESCO takes ample of steps in terms of
improving environment and build a sustainable society. For this, they make sure to reduce down
emission and reuse the waste products. Now, people are also conscious about environment so
company needs to improve its practices in such a manner that will put positive impact over
environment and eventually help to build positive image of organization.
Impact of COVID-19 over company:
Covid-19 caused many businesses to drastically change their course, restructure or make
a radical change to plans. However, for Tesco it solidified a strategy that allowed the retailer “to
really be at our best”.
Speaking at the Festival of Marketing the brand’s chief customer officer, Alessandra
Bellini, explained: “A lot of people are saying Covid-19 is accelerating [things] and I am really
proud that it accelerated all of the things we were already planning to do. We didn’t have to
change or pivot. We had to be really at our best to listen to our customers every day.”

Despite this positive outlook, Tesco’s UK CEO, Jason Tarry, acknowledged it was still
stressful as the leadership team was forced to keep up to speed with the rapidly changing
environment.
“March was an incredibly difficult time. You [Russell Parsons, moderating] used the
word opportunity but that was about the furthest word from my mind at that point,” he explained.
As the severity of the coronavirus pandemic became clear in the UK, the retailer set up
four priorities to help steer its strategy: Safety for all; food for all; support our colleagues; and
support communities. So, COVID 19 has been changed the method of selling of organization
from physical to online. Now, most of the customers of TESCO purchase products from its
online platform.
Develop a model of change along with issues of strategic change in organization also discuss the
way to manage changes and the leadership style
Model of change:
Changes are vital for business as it helps in bringing innovation& advancements at work
place. In this regards, there is a model called Kotter’s change model is described as under:
Create urgency: It is the first step which is related to create a sense of urgency in
managers and employees. As per this, each & every individual who involve in process of change
management need to understand that change is vital for growth of organization. In this, managers
of TESCO try to get support of employees for introducing changes within company.
Coalition: Under this, a team of competent personnel’s having necessary skills, abilities,
qualifications come together for applying changes in real context. Here, leader also provide
complete guidance and support to work force with an aim to enhance their involvement in
change management process. For this, TESCO formulates a complete team including experience
person as well as employees for bringing effective changes at work place (Chapman-Clarke,
2016).
Developing vision and strategies: In this step, a vision is created and also some strategies
are prepared at attain the set vision within predefined time. Main aim of this step is to provide

appropriate direction to employees. Here, managers of TESCO also formulated a vision for
guiding employees in right manner.
Communicating the vision: In this, managers communicate vision to all employees so
that they get to know about goals of organization and put necessary efforts to attain those goals.
It also helps company to inspire employees that they accept as well as support changes in an
efficient manner. In reference of TESCO, they also communicate necessary changes to work
force for getting their acceptance and support.
Remove Barriers: It is analyzed that there are a lot of barriers may occur while applying
changes at work place. It is the responsibility of managers to understand these barriers and take
effective steps for dealing with these barriers in an appropriate way. In TESCO, managers also
identify barriers of change management and also take necessary steps to handle the obstacles
effectively.
Accomplish short term wins: For bringing huge changes, it is imperative to first
accomplish short goals. These short wins also play a crucial role in keeping employees motivated
and inspired. In reference of TESCO, managers put efforts for getting short term success with an
aim to inspired employees in an efficient manner.
Build on changes: It is related to keep an eye over activities of team so that they
implement changes in best possible way. It is also essential to keep consistency among
employees so that they do not get over excited by short term wins. In TESCO, manager guide as
well as direct employees persistently to attain predefined goals.
Anchor changes: Bring changes is not enough, it is also vital to keep the changes for
longer run. Here, manager required to formulate norms, guidelines in such a manner that
everything aliened with new procedure. In reference of TESCO, they make sure to keep changes
within organization for longer period of time.
Issues related to changes along with the way to manage those changes
It is stated that it is not easy to bring changes at work places. Companies have to face a
lot of issues and constrains while bringing changes in current working practices. Here, the major
issues related to changes are given as under: