Management in Practice: Vodafone's Challenges and Recommendations

This report provides a comprehensive analysis of Vodafone, a multinational telecommunications company. It begins with an introduction to the organization, followed by an analysis of its external environment using the PEST framework, evaluating the implications of these factors on the company and the industry. The report identifies key management issues such as hiring and retention, communication, and sales challenges. It also offers strategic recommendations to address these issues and improve performance. Furthermore, the report includes a reflective report using the Gibbs reflective model, providing insights into the author's personal learning and development. The report concludes with a summary of the findings and recommendations, offering a holistic view of Vodafone's current standing and future prospects. This report, contributed by a student, is available on Desklib, a platform offering AI-based study tools.

Management In
Practice

Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................3
PART 1............................................................................................................................................3
Provide an introduction to the organisation................................................................................3
Present an analysis of its External Environment.........................................................................4
Evaluate implications of this analysis and how it may impact upon the organisation and its
industry........................................................................................................................................5
Recommendations.......................................................................................................................8
PART 2............................................................................................................................................9
Individual Reflective Report.......................................................................................................9
CONCLUSION .............................................................................................................................11
REFERENCES .............................................................................................................................12

INTRODUCTION
Management is consider as set of principles which are related to the several functions of
organizing, planning, controlling and directing. In every company it is essential to conduct
proper management of business operations and functions as that will help in accomplishing work
effectively (Gursansky, Kennedy and Harvey, 2020). The effective management also help in
attaining an organisation goal as well s objectives successfully. Organization selected for
respective report is Vodafone which is a multinational telecommunications of British. It is
introduced by Ernest Harrison and Gerry Whent in year 1991. Its head office is located at the
London, England, United Kingdom. Products offer by respective company are mobile phone,
IPTV, internet of things, internet television, digital television, broadband, fixed line telephone
and many more. The respective company is operating its business related to telecommunication
services at the worldwide level. Topics covered in respective report are introduction of company,
analysis of external environment and management issues experienced by the company while
conducting business. Along with this, it also include some recommendation which respective
company adopt in order to overcome impact. Moreover, it also include reflection by using Gibbs
reflective model.
PART 1
Provide an introduction to the organisation
Vodafone is British multinational telecommunication firm and its registered office is
located at the Newbury, Berkshire, England. Moreover, its global head office is locate at the
London. Respective company predominantly operate services at the Africa, Europe, Asia as well
as Oceania. This firm has primary listing on the London Stock Exchange as well as is constituent
of the FTSE 100 index. Respective company is also has secondary listing on the Nasdaq. The
name of Vodafone is come from the Voice date fone which generally reflect the provision of
data s well as voice services over the mobile phone (Krahe and et. al., 2020). In current year i.e.
2020 respective company reverted to its former name to the Vodafone Group Plc. The respective
firm is known as the largest mobile as well as fixed network operator, as well as in the Europe it
is considered as world's largest loT connectivity provider. Moreover this firm M Pesa technology
platform in Africa which enables near by 42 million people by providing them access to the
mobile payment as well as financial services. The vision of Vodafone is to become

communication leader around the world as well as their mission is to enrich their customers'
loves by providing unique power of mobile communication services.
Present an analysis of its External Environment
External environment is considered as factor which is composed of all aspects of outside
or those aspects which impact the operation of a company. The external environment is classified
into two main part i.e. micro environment as well as macro environment. It is necessary for a
company to conduct external environment analysis as that will help in determining the factor
which affect for outside (Meredith and et. al., 2020). By this a company management may
develop strategies and plans accordingly for overcome it effectively as well as appropriately. In
respect of Vodafone they conduct external environment analysis through using PEST analysis,
which is mentioned below:-
 Political factor – The factors which are included in respective factor are government
policies, tax policies, labour laws, political stabilities and many more. It is essential for a
company to adopt political factor while conducting their work as that will help in
ensuring that all the activities are conducted properly. In respect of Vodafone they are
operating at the international level and they need to follow all the political aspect of
different nations so that they operate smoothly and effectively. If the respective company
not follow the political aspect they experienced several issues like they not able to
operate properly in specific nation as well as they also experienced political issues.
 Economic factor – The aspects which are considered in respective factor are economic
growth, inflation rate, disposable income, interest rate and many others. It is necessary
for a company to evaluate the economic rate of nation as that will help them in
developing strategies (Oyewo, 2020). It is so because a company need to develop
strategies and plan according to economic condition of customers to ensure that they will
purchase their products. Vodafone is operating at the international level as well as they
develop their plans or services according to economy condition of nation as that will help
in ensuring they able to attract customers.
 Social factor – Factors which are include in social factor are age distribution, health
consideration, lifestyle attitude, cultural behaviour, customers need and demand and
many others. It is necessary for a company to conduct market analysis so that they can
understand social factor which is related to understanding need, demand as well as

expectation of customers in proper way. In respect of respective company they are
operating at different location around the world and according to that they need to
conduct market analysis so that they can develop strategies and plans according to
customers requirement.
 Technological factor – It is the last factor of PEST analysis which include different aspect
of technologies such as technology inn, level of innovation at specific nation, automation,
research and development activities, technological awareness and many others. It is
essential for a company to adopt technological aspects properly as that will help them in
attracting more and more customers (Price, Gherardi and Manidis, 2020). Moreover it
also help in conducting business activities properly. In respect of respective company
they are operating in international level and by adopting technological factor they also
able to provide more effective technological communication or telecommunication
services. This will also help them in attaining the desire goal as well as objectives
successfully of attracting and retaining more customers.
Evaluate implications of this analysis and how it may impact upon the organisation and its
industry
Telecom industry is growing sector which is changing within time period. This sector
has been important for individual as they help in providing of services like online recharge,
postpaid connection, prepaid plans etc. With increased use of internet many new organisations
have been established with additional additional or add ons services. So, to identify factors
impacting upon this industry and organisation, PEST has been discussed briefly. From above
analysis of PEST framework, it has been seen that it have deep impact on enterprise as external
factors exist and directly affects the business activities of Vodafone (Çitilci, 2020). So,
evaluation & impact of explained framework is given as follows-
Firm has big share in Indian market but due to increase of competition such as Reliance
Jio and Airtel, it has become difficult for enterprise to survive in marketing for longer period of
time. This analysis affects the organisation as well as telecom industry at wider scale. Political
factor impact on enterprise as they are facing growing pressure due to increased government
control. Economic factor also impact on enterprise because changes in economic situations of
country like India, UK affects profit & sale of firm. It is necessary for entity to have awareness
regarding these situations as it help them in using of resources at optimum level. Then, social

factor too have impact on entity because most of customers are dependable on internet which
increased demand for telecom industry. Due to this, importance of internet as well as telecom
industry has been developed at larger scale. Further, it is too analysed that technological element
of analysis is too affects because due to use of internet at wider level & increase demand of
online shopping it has become necessity for customers to use internet. Also, with increased
business sector promotion / advertising are done at larger level (Franklin, 2018). This enhances
role of industry at global level. In environmental factor, it focuses on climate change, pollution
so it too impact on Vodafone & telecom industry because many businesses are there who aims at
reducing of carbon footprint. Through focusing on this factors also have positive effect on
goodwill of entity. So, in chosen firm they are managing to reduce carbon footprint. All these
factors of PEST need to be considered in proper way. This framework is important because it
help in identifying of changes that occur in busies due to factors.
Thus, it has been evaluated that external environmental analysis is needed to be carried
out with proper considerations so that decisions within business is taken in proper manner.
Moreover, it is essential for enterprise to be aware about these factors on basis of which it is
easier to execute business activities in most effective way. With evaluation of this framework,
firm is able to make changes within entity effectively with new decision making process.
Discuss key management issues in currently experiencing
In business issues, arises depending upon level of situations. It is crucial for enterprise
to resolve and face them in such a way that they do not occur in future period of time. It is duty
of manager to have appropriate knowledge about these management issues so that effective
solutions are proposed & activities are executed in proper way. By evaluation of PEST
framework, this is seen that management issues are faced by entity which impacts upon their
business decisions. In current situation of COVID 19, it is critical businesses to carry out their
functions or operations through properly carrying out marketing analysis in targetted market
sector. So, there are various type of issues which are faced by Vodafone and their management
which are discussed as follows-
Hiring and retention- It is most faced issue in which Vodafone is unable to hire
skilled employees and retain existing subordinates for longer period. This is impacting upon their
overall organisational structure at larger scale. Due to unskilled subordinates & talent, it is not
possible for firm to achieve their goals or objectives in appropriate way. Moreover, with on

going pandemic situation, they are unable to properly carry out heir hiring process physically.
Both hiring and retention are essential to be focused and needed to be carried out so that higher
productivity is achieved in management (Kresak, 2016). It is essential for organisation to retain
their employees for longer period so that it is easier to carry out programmes & work is
completed within period of time.
Communication- It is another issue which is faced by selected firm because due to
conflicts between personal problems and difference in religion, language, culture it is difficult to
manage communication in proper manner. In entity, it is necessary to focus on communication
and adopts them such as messages, e-mails, social medial tools such as Facebook, Instagram etc.
In relevance of selected firm, it is important for them to carry out communication effectively.
Due to improper communication, it is not easier to transfer message or information which leads
to errors in processes of business. It depends upon entity to use most reliable of way of
communication so that issue do not occur between process. Connectivity issues are too faced by
both management of company as well as customers at wider approach (Odoh, 2017).
Sales- This is also key management issue which is current facing by Vodafone
because due to increase of competition in market and with available of wide alternative options
it is difficult for them to increase their sales revenue in appropriate manner. It is because people
are shifting from Vodafone to other cheaper and affordable brands which provide more
additional services in market. The sales ratio of firm are gradually decreasing which is creating
problem for enterprise to enhance their production level. Also, due to fluctuation of market
situations, it is time consuming process to increase sale of business at wider scale. Sales of firm
is crucial which is being managed by marketing department of company. Thus, in main reason
of decrease of sale is that it is occur of COVID 19 has negatively affected their sale & profit ratio
(Çitilci, 2020).
From above discussed matter, it has been seen that in organisation many problems
occur which are needed to be encountered in correct way. Also, it has been analysed that these
decisions are taken in efficient manner when problems are solved appropriately. To overcome
with these issues, it is crucial for them to implement brainstorming sessions & conduct proper
market analysis so that it is easier to deal with these problems (Franklin, 2018).

Recommendations
From above discussed report, it has been examined that business sector is wider &
broader in which wide range of activities, functions and operations are being carried.
Management in practice is critical concept which is required to be understood in proper manner.
In relevance of selected entity, few recommendations are given which are needed to be adopted
by them so that they are able to make improvements within business properly. Selected company
deals in telecommunication & are service providers in market. It is crucial for them to improve
their practices in management as it assist them in achieving of competitive advantage in
business. So, proper it is essential to adopt effective suggestions. There is need of improvement
in practices and to deal with encountered issues by company effectively. So, recommendations
are discussed as follows-
Awareness- Vodafone should improve their management structure by changing policies,
procedures etc. so that better services are provided to both employee as well as customers in
appropriate way. During this ongoing pandemic situation, they need to be aware about needs
and demands of customers so that better products & services are provided which leads to positive
results. Being aware in market leads to improving effectiveness of management practices
appropriately. Creating awareness is important so that decisions are taken accordingly.
Competition & strategy- Another recommendation is that to deal with higher
competition rivalry, they are required to focus on products alternatives which are available in
market or which can reduce their market share. Manager should have appropriate information
about alternatives brands on basis of which strategies are implemented effectively. It is an
important suggestion which is needed to be adopted by Vodafone as it also leads to dealing with
issue of sales in management. To implement strategies, market research is required to be
conducted which will help firm to gain information about competitors & to adopt what which
effective strategy for business.
So, above explained recommendations are needed to be addressed with proper
consideration because it assist them in enhancing of their effectiveness of practices. It is
necessary for organisation to deal with them as it will help them in carrying out their
management activities appropriately.

PART 2
Individual Reflective Report
While conducting work in a team I able to determined that I have several skills which are
my strengths as well as some are my weaknesses. Through by strengths I able to conduct work in
effective and appropriate manner but my weaknesses oppose me in accomplishing work in best
manner. During conducting work in team I determined that I need to enhance my weak skills so
that I can conduct my work in best manner as well as I also need to ensure that I can accomplish
work in future in effective manner. In order to conduct reflective analysis a person my adopt
several frameworks such as Kolb’s Experiential Learning Cycle as well as Gibbs’ Reflective
Cycle. In order to conduct my reflective analysis I am adopting Gibbs reflective cycle, which is
introduced by 1988 in order to provide structure to learning through the experience. In this an
individual need to examine their experience as well as gives its cyclic nature lends themselves to
repeated experiences. There are several stages in the Gibbs reflective cycle i.e. description,
feeling, evaluation, analysis, conclusion as well as action plan. Explanation of all these stages in
respect of my experience is mentioned below:-
 Description Stage – In this a person need to describe about their experience so that they
can understand about themselves in effective and appropriate manner. According to me,
while I am conducting my work in a team I am able to determine my strengths as well as
weaknesses. While conducting work in a team I determined that I have several strengths
such communication skill, research skill, understanding skill, analysing skill, time
management skill and many more. On the other hand I have several weaknesses such as
problem solving skill, technological skill, critical analysis skill, data management skill
and many more. According to this, I need to enhance my weak skills so that I can conduct
my work effectively in the future. Moreover I also need to polish my those skills which
are strengths as that also help in conduct work properly and successfully.
 Feeling Stage – It is considered as that stage in which a person evaluate their feeling in
specific situation. It is so because through that they able to conduct their work in effective
manner as well as it also help in developing proper strategies for improvement. In respect
of my situation I feel good when my strength skills like communication skill, research
skill, understanding skill, analysing skill, time management skill and many more. These
skills help me in conducting my work effectively as well as it also help me in attaining

my desire goal successfully. In this situation I feel happy that I attain desire goal
successfully. On the other hand, I also feel sad or disappointment when my weak skills
oppose me in conducting work effectively. These skills are problem solving skill,
technological skill, critical analysis skill, data management skill and many more. In this
situation I also feel disappointed that I am not able to contribute to my team in proper as
well as effective manner.
 Evaluation Stage – At this stage, a person need to evaluate its experience of a specific
situation. In this they need to evaluate both good as well as bad experienced so that they
can develop strategies and plans for the improvement which help in developing effective
career. In respect of my situation I am working in a team and while working I determined
that I have several skills from which some I can denote as strengths as well as some as
weakness. So I evaluate that I need to enhance my weak skills so that I can develop a
successfully as well as effective career in future.
 Analysis Stage – In this phase, an individual need to analyse whole situation or
experience in order to determine the sense of situation. This will help a person in
determining where the situation is effective for them or not. In respect of my situation I
am working in a team and during this I understand that I need to enhance numbers of
skills such as problem solving skill, technological skill, critical analysis skill, data
management skill and many more. It is so because that help in developing effective
career.
 Conclusion Stage – It is the second last stage of Gibbs reflective model in which a person
will conclude whole situation in proper way. In context of my situation I am working in a
team and during this I identify that I need to enhance my several skills so that I can attain
my career goal successfully in future. In additional to this, while working in a team, I
understand that I have several strength skill which I need to polish for making successful
career.
 Action Plan Stage – It is the last stage where a person need to develop action plan
through which they can attain their desire goal by overcoming its weaknesses. In respect
of my condition I need to enhance my weak skills and for that I will attain some online
courses. In addition to this, I will also conduct training under professional person so that I
can improve my weak skills.

CONCLUSION
By conducting evaluation of above mentioned topics it can be summarised that for every
company it is essential to conduct management in proper way as that will help in attaining the
company desire goal and objectives successfully. In order to conduct proper management in
business a company manager and leader need to conduct several practices such as conduct
analysis of external environment. It is so because that will help them in developing effective
decision that leads to attainment of goal and objectives successfully. In addition to this, for
conducting external environment analysis a company may adopt several different models such as
PEST analysis. It is so because this include several factors for analysing external environment.
Moreover, by analysing external environment company may determine issues or challenges
which they may experienced while operating. According to this, a company management may
develop proper as well as strategic decision for attaining desire goal successfully. Along with
this a person also need to conduct self analysis in order to determine their strengths and
weaknesses as well as for that they may use different framework such as Gibbs reflective model.

REFERENCES
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