Leading Change: Impact on Strategies and Leadership - Report

This report, titled 'Understanding and Leading Change,' examines the impact of change on organizational strategies and leadership. The report compares Thomas Cook and Cosmos Tour, analyzing how technological advancements, external factors, and structural changes affect their operations. It delves into the ways internal and external drivers of change influence leadership, team dynamics, and individual behavior within an organization. Furthermore, the report explores various barriers to change and their influence on leadership decision-making, along with different leadership approaches to navigate organizational change effectively. The analysis covers cultural impacts, employee reactions, economic conditions, and the increasing competition in the tourism industry, highlighting the challenges and strategies involved in managing change for sustained success.

Understanding and Leading
Change

Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................1
TASK 1............................................................................................................................................1
P 1. Comparison of different organisations and impact of change on their strategies and
operations...............................................................................................................................1
TASK 2............................................................................................................................................4
P 2. Ways in which internal & external drivers of change affect leadership and other factors
................................................................................................................................................4
P 3. Measures which could reduce negative effects of change on organisational behaviour.6
TASK 3............................................................................................................................................7
P 4. Different barriers for change and its influence on leadership decision-making.............7
TASK 4............................................................................................................................................8
P 5. Different leadership approaches for dealing with change within organisation...............8
CONCLUSION..............................................................................................................................10
REFERENCES..............................................................................................................................12

INTRODUCTION
Change management basically defined as a systematized way, technique or system that
assist in dealing with workforces and other associates in order to manage changes that
usually occur so as to acquire desired outcomes from commercial activities (Suchman,
2011). In context to this, leaders used to play an important role in all venture as they are the
only person who are having the ability to encourage as well as promote each and every
worker to work as per the modifications that may took place in specific division. The present
report is based on the title ‘Understanding and leading change’. In this project two firms
have been compared named as “Thomas Cook & Cosmos Tour” so as to determine the level
of impact of alternations on their schemes and various operations related with tour and
tourism. Besides this, discussion is also carried on about influences of different internal as
well as external elements of change on the behaviour of each individual, team members and
leadership too.
TASK 1
P 1. Comparison of different organisations and impact of change on their strategies and
operations
Thomas Cook is considered one of the leading British travelling or peripatetic company
whose name has been listed on the Stock Exchange of London. It comprises of large number of
workers that is recognised as approx. 21,788 in recent years. They used to cater various kinds of
hospitality services (Fagerström, 2012). Some of their work is associated with insurance,
designing world - wide trips packages, passport and so on.
On the other hand, Cosmos Tour is another venture which act as independent tour
operator. This was founded or set up in the year of 1961. It has been observed that they are allied
with the Globus Travel Group that is working on global level. This company was developed in
1928 and also used to deal with tourism sector. The headquarter of Globus Travel Group is sited
at Lugano, Switzerland. At the same time, Cosmos Tour is treated as the one of the optimum
leisure, trip and travelling firm which is catering assorted forms of outing packs.
Both of them are being impacted by the modifications or changes occurring in business
environment. Such effects can be positive or negative as well. This could be better understood by
below written points :
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Basic Thomas Cook Cosmos Tour
Changes linked with prospects
of technology
Thomas Cook is a famous
organisation whose size is very
high as they are supplying
services inter- connected with
tourism to large number of
people who are existing not
only in UK but also present in
different other sector of world.
Thus, they are having strong
customer base. After the
emergence of changes in the
technological field that is
nothing but its development as
well as growth of modern
technology, this referred
venture is being negatively
impacted since level of
competition increases in
drastic manner (Salmela and
Eriksson, 2012). Several other
companies are rising who act
as their rivals; thence quantity
of overall user is getting
reduced on regular basis. This
in turn causes the decrement in
sales rate of Thomas Cook.
Hence, it can be said that
organisational existing
strategies is effected
negatively and needs to be
Whereas, it is somehow small
in size in comparison with
Thomas Cook. Its schemes are
not getting so much impacted
because of this. On the other
hand, this has been seen that
their capacity of production is
being enhanced day by day as
they are utilising modern
techniques for completing
chores at daily basis. Thus, it
could be stated that changes in
technology brings positivity
for Cosmos Tour.
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changed in proper manner so
as deal with such kind of
issues.
Variation in external elements Exterior components involve
principles and standard made
by legal bodies, entry of new
venture dealing with similar
area, substituted merchandise
& services, etc. If these kinds
of factors get modified on
continuous basis, then give
adverse influence on entire
performance and working of
denoted corporation as they
always have to change their
plan of action in accordance to
the condition of above
discussed outsider component.
For example, imposition of
high tax rates from the side of
government leads to the
wastage of huge amount of
money of Thomas Cook as
profit earned by them goes on
paying such taxes only.
They are also being effected in
same manner due to
emergence of changes
affiliated with exterior factors
like norms and rules of
governing body, growth in the
number of firms that work as
tour operators and many more
(Parsons and Cornett, 2011).
The existing plan of action as
well as working of Cosmos
Tour also get influenced
negatively since whole
strategies needs to be altered
as per the current scenario of
such external elements.
Structural changes If changes in context to
structure occur then overall
operations of Thomas Cook
would get hampered because
they have to reconstruct all
On the contrary, as this types
of modification also disturbs
the existing working level of
Cosmos Tour. They have to
invest large sum of revenue in
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departments such as Human
resource, production, accounts
& finance, etc.
Accomplishment of these work
will consume more money
along with extra time since
they are having vast size.
order to cope with changes
happened regrading
framework of organisation
(Hallinger and Heck, 2011).
TASK 2
P 2. Ways in which internal & external drivers of change affect leadership and other factors
Frontrunners and managers are considered as most valuable part of an enterprise since they
used to play the role of an instructor who usually provide correct directions along with forming
appropriate principle for entire workforces. This as a fruitful aid in accomplishing each and
every predetermined organisational ambitions and objectives as well. In simpler word, it could
be stated that leaders are having especial ability, power and quality that help them impacting on
the manners & nature of performance of workers (Malenfant, 2010). This is done by motivating
or inspiring whole manpower to complete specific task in fixed interval of time. In addition to
that, if any change emerges in market place, then company like Thomas Cook has to work
accordingly so as to make their strong presence in front of different rivalries. At the same time,
leaders are having responsibility to carry out all works as per the modifications which happened
recently. For doing the same, they try to encourage their team members so that no one goes
against it and give their contribution properly.
As Thomas Cook is associated with sector of travel & tourism, instance changes used to
occur at this region due to various reasons like change in need or demands of travellers, offering
of low priced services by their possible competitors, entrance of other ventures in existent,
market location and many more. These all things lead to influence various aspects of referred
organisation like behaviour of each worker, whole performance of team, entire leadership, etc.
These prospects would be understood by mentioned discussion :
Internal factors :
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Interior dynamics are treated as those that may impact complete commerce from inside.
Some of them along with their effects are described as follows :
Culture of corporation : Culture is considered as a significant aspect that fully impact on the
leadership of Thomas Cook. Members of this venture include work – forces of different division,
employers, suppliers, tour operators, etc. comprise of variants attitudes, nature, behaviour,
standards, structure, thoughts regrading ethics and moral (Fagerström and Salmela, 2010). Thus,
if any alteration took place, then it is very tough task to convince all people for start their work as
per the changes as they become of habited of past tradition. Therefore, in this context leaders as
well as managers get influenced riskily or adversely since they have to manage all chores in
proper manner.
Nature of the workers : Employees are having different nature and that is why each of them
react to changes in contrasting manner. Some of the worker might get convinced with the
assistance of leaders or from their inspirational speech which they used to deliver for motivating
personnels to accept challenges and act accordingly. On the other hand, there are few employees
also who may not get convinced and as a bad result, they oppose changes. Such kind of
opposition are shown by the means of strikes, working improperly, lower attendance of staff
members & so on (Fullan, 2014). Thus, here front runners come in danger since owners of higher
authority of referred organisation order them to look after these forms of chores and provide
them duty to complete the daily basis work associated with tourism in accordance to the changes.
Therefore, leaders get mentally disturbed as they feel pressure on their heads.
External factors :
Exterior components give straight effect on the commercial operations as well as
procedures from outside surrounds to the Thomas Cook. Consequently, managers and front -
runners are required to focus on these forces. For the same, they need to take efficient decisions
associated with each and every policy, standards & prospects of company so as to make good
positioning in market even after adapting changes.
External factors might not be handled by the members of administration but they would manage
it in correct style. Some of the external factors are highlighted as follows :
Economic condition of nation : Uncertainties or fluctuations occurred in the rate of economy of
country wherein Thomas Cook used to operate could greatly effect on entire commercial actions
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of denoted corporation. If it gets reduced then as a worst result, firm might go in loss. Leaders
are the one who get impacted as they have work as per the quantity of revenue earned by them.
Rise in competition : This is a main element which give effect on performance of team and
whole leadership of Thomas Cook. It has been seen that large number of new competitors are
coming in current market place of tourism industry and they are also delivering alike services at
minimum costing. Thus, it might create complications in field of trading capacity as this would
reduce drastically since people may receive more options and could chose easily from existing
one according to their budget (Doppelt, 2017). But it will decrease the selling rate of venture. In
this context, leadership is getting negatively impacted as leaders got pressurised from the similar.
Orders of proper management comes in their shoulder. In order to complete this duty, they have
to take use of suitable strategies like supplying tour packages with extra offers, reduction in price
of current travelling trip, creation of innovative services, etc. At the same time, work load get
enhances and from that each member of team feel stress - full.
P 3. Measures which could reduce negative effects of change on organisational behaviour
Thomas Cook should focus on minimising the above discussed adverse implications of
changes so that it may not hamper or disturb their standing position or performance at market
place. There are several techniques which could be utilised in this context are stated as follows :
Examination or investigation : It is measured as helpful method for inspecting trends of
contemporary markets and thus aids in collecting info about prevailing or current circumstances.
Consequently, Thomas Cook have to conduct such types of activities related with research or
surveys so as to determine facets associated to senses of taste of each customer, choices preferred
by them and competitors as well which are present in marketplace. This proved to be helpful in
reducing negative effects of changes as company can easily design different plan of action in
accurate mode. In addition to that, leaders and employers of referred firm could also research
about the demands or wish of every staff member. In this way, they can prepare a scheme in
order to convince them effectively in minimum period of time.
Good relationship with workers : Employees are only the person who is having capacity of
accomplishing different kinds of works. If supervisors would not make healthy relation with
them then they might not coordinate at the time of change management. Therefore, it is very
essential to generate positive kinship with personnel who are performing at work station
(Carrington and Deppeler, 2010). In this context, Thomas Cook should promote their mangers as
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well as leaders to go close to their work – forces so as to develop friendly relation. For doing the
same, employers have to resolve each and every issues like reduction in salary per year,
problems regarding leaves, compensation amounts, incentives, work load and many more. This
in turn help in seeking attention of large number or almost all workers towards organisation and
they would surely contribute when company needs them specially during implementation of
changes which emerges in market and different other regions. Hence, effects of modifications
might be trimmed down in effectual manner by coordinating with staff or team members.
Providing proper training : After convincing personnels for the executing or working according
to the alterations, the next job of referred enterprise is to arrange suitable and attractive training
& development sessions for newly as well as old individuals who are being a part of their
venture. In this programme, a leader is provided to each group who is responsible for giving
correct direction or guidance to personnel so as they become able to work accordingly changed
strategies and plan of actions (Brown, 2012). This as a good outcome, supports workers in
getting familiar about specific ways that how changes can be implemented and regular working
would be carried on similar style. Hence, Thomas Cook will easily recover from the adverse –
full effects with the assistance of catering correct trainings classes to their whole manpower.
TASK 3
P 4. Different barriers for change and its influence on leadership decision-making
Change could be stated as the system which would generate optimistic energy in the
business environment. It is usual that barricades and clatters arise at the time of varying any type
of scheme within organisation. Therefore, it is necessary to handle such kinds of difficulties so
that Thomas Cook will become capable of running their commercial events in operative ways.
They are facing abundant complications in respect to the variations as occurrence of change may
give effect on their entire operations. There are some main barriers of change which is
influencing on process of decision making of front – runners. This concept can be better
understood by below defined terms :
Barriers affiliated with communication : This is seen as an chief cause which is
responsible for fights, conflicts among team members and leaders. It also effects badly on the
connections of individuals within Thomas Cook. For example, if there would be unclear
announcement of significant messages amongst workers, then complete working which is being
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conducted for executing change gets obstructed since no one has correct information regarding
their job. This in turn, also give undesirable influences on decision making of leaders since
working wold nit carried on according to their order. Hence, whole performed result will go in
vain. Accordingly, employers of denoted venture ought to take use better communication
methods so as to transfer appropriate data to every workforce in context to enforce modifications
as per their wish. It is recommending to use modern tools and techniques like social media
applications such as Facebook, twitter, emails, What’s app & so on. This is considered as
cheapest mode of communication (Branson, 2010). In addition to that, managers would remain
24 hours connected with their group associates and could easily inform each of them about
modified plans.
Less participation of worker : This is treated as key fault of almost all enterprises as they do
not involve their team workers in the process of decision making. If personnels in Thomas Cook
are not engaged in taking important judgements then, they will not show more interest in
working according to the imposed changes (Alkahtani, 2011). In this respect, decisions which are
made by front runners as well as leaders might not be accepted by employees as they feel
themselves not a part of their firm. Thus, company should promote every team member to come
for contributing in giving their point of views on specific topic so that venture could have
reached at essential conclusions along with their manpower. This will encourage as well as
motivate workers in supporting at the time of enforcing changes.
TASK 4
P 5. Different leadership approaches for dealing with change within organisation
This is important to deal with modifications which may rise in business environment or within
corporation. In this regard, Thomas Cook could take use of different leadership approaches that
is proposed by great leaders or scholars (Anderson and Anderson, 2010). Situational leadership
is given through Paul Heresy as well as Ken Blanchard in the year of 1969 which discuss about
the methods and tools which leader often optimise in order to manage entire modifications which
are adopted in the structure of organisation. This light over the follower and leader relationship
that render systematic structure in regard of evaluating the condition which is based on the
mentioned condition:
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The direction amount as well as guidance which manager render in operating entire
organisational task. Beside from this, based on 4 competencies of leadership that is mentioned
below:
The readiness and passion level which follow exhibit at the time of performing goals and
task. Beside from this, here are mentioned the major four competencies of leadership under: Diagnose : Initially consider the present condition that are trying to affect. Adapt : Alter the workforce behaviour as per the demand of consequence. Communicate : Interact the message with each and every individual to adopt and make
modification.
 Advance: Finally, movement management.
The discussed four elements are essential for the leadership in regard of make
modification in the environment of corporate. This type of leadership suggests the company to
make the alternation as per the circumstances. Upcoming leader cannot accept the certain style of
management but in order to settle accordingly, they require some specific time. Under this
concept, entire task is eliminated among worker as per the expertise in regard of meeting the
objectives in best manner.
The company, Thomas Cook is involved with the operations and developing need to
follow the style of leadership for effective goals accomplishment. Adopting change is a
complicated process for the leader, to accept which, organisation face various negative
consequence and problems to manage effective communication. Here are mentioned some of the
elements to consider entire process of change that is stated as below:
 Manager of organisation is accountable to consider what is require for change whether
they render authentic results to them for upcoming time on which basis, decision are
undertaken.
 Leaders adopt the modification and try to avoid resistance among worker in order to
implement the change within structure easily (Alkahtani, 2011).
Hence, Thomas Cook should have undertaken entire mentioned element for initiating alternation
in effective manner:
Kotter's 8 Step Change Model
This approach is eliminated into the mentioned phases in regard of adopting the
company's change within the dynamic work environment that is mentioned as below:
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 Raise Urgency : In this phase, organisation should evaluate the adoption urgency of
changes and interact with worker in order to undertake further procedure.
 Create Direction for Team : As per this element, leader keep their best efforts in regard of
directing the members of team for the adoption of change in most convenient manner.
There main focus remains cooperation and coordination among individuals.
 Develop Vision : Organisation need to form the basic vision in regard of achieving their
aims in certain period of time.
 Interacting for Buying in : In this phase, leaders consider the major opinions and view
point of group members at the certain time in regard of attaining a proper vision of
organisation cause of leading the proper vision through managing effective
communication.
 Empower Activities : In this phase, enterprise inform, train and empower their public or
people for the change elements and components in regard of meeting the outcome in
more significant manner.
 Build Wins for Short Term : Short term achievement are more encouraging. So
organisation require to form target that are short term for rapid effective result along with
inspiration (Carrington, Deppeler and Moss, 2010).
 Don't let up : For reaching the certain easily for altering firm's aim on several aims and
goals despite of certain target.
 Create Constant Change : Through implying the changes and make proper modification
for better outcome within organisation.
Thomas Cook is a large tour operator organisation that are coordinate various activities and
practices in regard of sustaining within enterprise and managing change in effective manner.
Through managing activities, they can meet the proper outcome and resolve their issues in most
efficient manner.
CONCLUSION
As per the above mentioned report it can affirm that leadership is very essential part of an
organisation that can help in managing people and adopting the alternation within the working
organisation. There are various framework and approaches that can undertake in regard of
promoting and supporting modifications within the working organisation. There are various
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