Vodafone Group: Problem-Solving, Organizational & Data Analysis Report

This report provides a comprehensive analysis of the Vodafone Group, focusing on problem-solving skills, organizational analysis, and the application of information technology. The report begins by defining problems and outlining the stages individuals experience when facing challenges, using Vodafone as a case study. It explores critical thinking steps and their application to address both simple and complex problems faced by the organization. The analysis extends to include a PEST analysis, examining political, economic, social, and technological factors impacting Vodafone, with a sample letter to a line manager. Furthermore, the report delves into employee behaviors, categorizing them as positive and negative, and discusses various management techniques like positive reinforcement, discipline, and extinction. The advantages and disadvantages of information technology within the Vodafone Group are also discussed, including data storage, automated processes, remote work capabilities, and enhanced communication. This report highlights the challenges and opportunities for the Vodafone Group, offering insights into business development and strategic management.

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Problem-solving
By (Name)
Course
Professor
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Date

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Introduction
This paper aims to analyze the problems which have caused devastating impacts to the
Vodafone Group organization which is located in the United Kingdom. Skills for problem-
solving using the Vodafone organization are evident in this paper. Vodafone is positioned among
the big organizations which generate revenue in the United Kingdom. Vodafone exists in at least
twenty-six countries besides the United Kingdom. The 4G network connection for Vodafone is
not good compared with the 3G network coverage. Therefore, the Vodafone Group has
experienced many problems as outlined in this paper.
Part 1: Problem-solving skills
A problem is defined to as the situation or matter termed as harmful and should be solved
or overcome. In another way, a problem is defined the disparity between an initial situation and
the required condition (Fedor, Szathmáry and Öllinger, 2015 pp.6). Therefore, how the problem
is defined determines how a problem is identified and solved. A problem has several stages as
outlined in this paper. The first stage is denial, which is seen as a stage where individuals fail to
accept the situations, provided information, reality, and facts of the problem identified. It is also
a natural way of defense and at some point; some people require assistance to progress. Stage
two outlines about anger. Anger is discussed as the individual frustration due to a particular
problem. In this stage, an individual experience emotional imbalance and hence aggression is
facilitated since a person fails to solve the problem (Hadidi and Moawad, 2017 pp.1496). The
third stage bargaining, it outlines the state where the problem is negotiated. This stage implies
that an individual cling to negotiating a problem as a way of buying time instead of finding a
solution. The fourth stage of a problem is depression. In this stage an individual is emotionally

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attached to the problem hence they experience regret, sadness, fear, or uncertainty (Green and
Armstrong, 2015 pp.1680). The final stage of a problem is acceptance. This stage implies that an
individual has experienced the problem and has succeeded. Therefore, an individual can free
from the emotional attachment with the problem at hand (Funke, Fischer and Holt, 2017 PP.5). A
problem impacts psychologically the health of an individual since it may cause stress. At this
point, an individual experiences pressure where they may develop issues like stomach-ache,
headache and other issues of emotional imbalance (Bernheim, 2014, pp.10). The Vodafone
Group has experienced the simple and the complex problems. Examples of the simple problem
faced by the Vodafone Group are: the Vodafone clients experience the network challenges; the
organization struggles to increase the profitability, delays when sending emails, and to increase
their customers in the market. The complex issues experienced by Vodafone Group are
supplier’s bargaining power, there is rivalry amongst competitors, the threats of shifting due to
the new entry, and also the threats of the substitute products.
Critical Thinking
Critical thinking is viewed as the objective examination and analysis of a problem to
make a judgment. There are six key steps of critical thinking. First, Knowledge helps an
individual recognize a problem and raise questions like what and why an individual should solve
a problem to facilitate understanding of the problem (Bowell and Kemp, 2014 pp.12). Second,
comprehension requires critical thinking in recognizing a problem and understands the
conditions and facts which are associated with it. At this point, information is collected through
the methods of research hence employed to find a solution to the problem (Atabaki, Keshtiaray
and Yarmohammadian, 2015 pp.93). The application is the next step in critical thinking which
completes the indulgent of the problem and the facts which are connected to it. The step of

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analyzing is significant in critical thinking since the collected data is linked to the problem.
Therefore, through analysis, an individual can recognize the strong and the weak points
associated with the problem. Synthesis is the fifth step in critical thinking since it facilitates
decision making for the analyzed problem. The final step in critical thinking is taking action. An
examination is built regarding the problem then the action is planned and implemented. Critical
thinking and innovation would help the Vodafone Group to overcome the simple and the
complex proms through various ways (Ricci, 2014 pp.69). To start with the simple problems,
Vodafone can help critical thinking and innovation to raise the standards for the network
connectivity to ensure their customers are comfortable (Shiraev, Shiraev and Levy, 2016 pp.20).
On the case of the complex problems, Vodafone can employ critical thinking and innovation to
increase the technology to sustain the customers hence cope with the threat of new entry (Paul
and Elder, 2013 pp.14). The Vodafone Group should issue the best offers to the customers to
minimize the bargaining power (Buka, 2014 pp.479). Through innovation and critical thinking,
Vodafone can manage the prices to maintain the customers and escape the threat from the
substitute products or services.
Part 2: Organizational analysis & communication skills
PEST Analysis
There are significant which impacts the organization like the political, economic, social,
and technological the PEST. To begin with the political factors, Vodafone Group is not an
exemption to regulations which govern every organization. The regulations monitor all the
activities and they are laws which cover competition activities and the telecommunication
services (Gupta, 2013 pp.15). Economic factors are determined by the Gross Domestic Product

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or GDP. This is because the GDP entails the activities of production for an economy. Therefore,
the Vodafone Group has an impact on the GDP of the nations especially the United Kingdom
since it is amongst the leading organizations (Koumparoulis, 2013 15). The social factors involve
the exceptional demographic alterations which impact the society and they include the patterns
of consumption, job markets, education, and the social systems. The social factors have resulted
in the improvement of the Vodafone Group’s profile. Finally, the technological factors involves
the development and research which is viewed as motivating force for the creation of jobs, new
products innovation, economic growth, and rapid increase of quality of products and services.
Letter on PEST Analysis
Dear Sir / Madam
In this letter, I wish to inform you as the line manager regarding the impacts of PEST
analysis on the Vodafone Group organization. To start with the political factors, in terms of
regulations which control the Vodafone markets. For instance, the North American Trade
Agreement restricts the business in the Mexico’s telecom markets. Therefore, Vodafone has to
follow a strict regulation, which meets the needs of the customers and the surrounding (Ho, 2014
pp.6479). Also, Vodafone has to develop the infrastructures which provide support to the
connections after being permitted by the government. Following the communication act, the
Mexican market gives the Vodafone Group the opportunity to ensure their customers receive
better services. The Economic factors include recession, the new licensing costs, and the
inflation rate. The recession impacts the market for Vodafone Group hence the customers
purchases fewer products. For this reason, Vodafone needs to change the policies which are
associated with periods of recession to attract many customers. The new licensing costs create

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competition for the Vodafone Group since the Vodafone needs to adjust to the new advances in
technology. Inflation impacts the purchasing behaviors of the customers. Therefore, Vodafone
should ensure the customers are comfortable with the prices of their products. The social factors
include the changes in life styles and education. Changes in life styles create difficult moments
for the Vodafone Group to convince its clients that they have better products and services than
the competitors. Therefore, through upgrading the products and issuing better phones Vodafone
can enhance the customers’ lives (Bysted, 2013 pp.270). Through education, Vodafone will have
a good target for their products. Finally, the technological factors include the new innovations
and the GPS. To start with the new inventions creates room for Vodafone to venture into the
market hence earn a lot of money. The GPS innovation will provide an opportunity for the
Vodafone Group to issue a program for navigation to the customers.
Part 3: Understanding Employee Behaviors
Employee behavior is defined as how the employees react to various situations
experienced in the working environment. There are several factors which determine the
behaviors of individuals and are impacted by the cultures in the workplace. The two main types
of employee behavior are the positive and negative behaviors. The positive employee behaviors
involve the employees who are charismatic. In addition, they behave and are productive since
they work hard to meet the expectations of the organization. Employees in this category are
viewed as the role models in the organizations. On the other hand, the negative employee
behaviors involve employees who are portraying self-interest other than focusing on the goals for
the organization. Employees in this category cause challenge to the organizational management
since they have no concern for the success of the organization. At some point, if the management
withstands such negative behaviors it may be the significant failure for the organization. By

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tracing the company’s culture, an individual can recognize the positive and the negative
employee behaviors in the organization. There are significant influencing techniques of the
management in managing the employee behavior as outlined in this paper. The first technique is
the positive reinforcement which falls under the rewarding theory. Through this technique,
desired behaviors are demonstrated hence facilitates the employee motivation. The positive
reinforcement provides a path for the organization to acquire success in the long-term. The
leaders should note that despite the desired behavior, there is the reward which is viewed as the
overriding objective of the organization (Tenhiälä and Lount, 2013 pp.110). The second
technique is discipline. After positive reinforcement, discipline is promoted hence the negative
behaviors are discouraged within the institution. This technique allows the department for
disciplinary action to play its role in disciplining the employees who are less aggressive as they
reward the successful employees. Finally, extinction is the last technique which facilitates the
withdrawal of the policies and procedures that hinder effective communication in the workplace.
Generally, extinction is the best condition required for organizational change. This is because
the habits and behaviors of the employees should be distracted to enhance the progress of the
organization. Therefore, if managers employ these techniques they understand the benefits and
the challenges which are associated with them.
Part 4: Data analysis skills and information communication technology
Advantages of Information Technology
In general, technology has supported businesses through allowing efficient operations
and increase productivity. Businesses which use the information technology experiences
effective communication, the data are well protected. The IT ensures that the business data is

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stored in applications which facilitate dependent surrounding for working. The Vodafone Group
has experienced various advantages and disadvantages for using the information technology. To
begin with the advantages, the organization stores and ensures the information is protected
through IT. This is because through IT Vodafone has created the electronic storage system to
ensure the valuable data is safe. Second, IT has facilitated automated processes which allow the
Vodafone Group to ensure the employees save on time to do much work. The employees can
access reports, track projects, and supervise the finances without too much burden when using
the automated processes. Also, the Vodafone employees can work remotely through IT. For this
reason, the organization increases the productivity of the organization without incurring high
costs. Vodafone has enhanced communication due to IT (Peppard and Ward, 2016 pp.15). The
departments communicate effectively through the use of emails, the chat rooms, and video
conferencing tools. In addition, there are new jobs created due to information technology within
the organization. This is because the organization needs new experts to manage new technology.
Finally, Vodafone has brought globalization hence creating a cultural gap within the
organization. For this reason, sharing information, communication, and also knowledge is
enhanced when using the Vodafone mobile network.
Disadvantages of Information Technology
On the other hand, Vodafone experiences disadvantages due to IT. Some of the
disadvantages are that the organization has incurred additional costs to maintain and implement
the IT systems. Also, costs have been incurred since the organization has to retrain the
employees to ensure they are conversant with the new advances in technology. The company has
to maintain the equipment with time to avoid wear and tear (Yang and Seamless, 2013 pp.10). IT
has contributed to the elimination of some jobs hence causing unemployment to some

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employees. This is because some duties are delegated automatically hence there is no need to
hire people. Also, paper work is minimized since several jobs are combined using IT. Security
breaches are other disadvantages which impose a risk to the Vodafone Group. Therefore, the
Vodafone group is obliged to keep updating their systems after certain duration of time to avoid
the security breach. At the same time, the Vodafone needs to hire a security specialist to keep on
checking the security system. For this reason, further costs are incurred. Clearly, information
technology is something that the Vodafone Group cannot avoid and hence there so many features
which cause the organization to be on the toes to implement it. The organization is struggling to
cope with the changes and embrace information technology to enhance the customer satisfaction.
In addition, a dominant culture may be created through information technology within the
Vodafone Group organization.
Conclusion
In conclusion, this paper portrays the skills of problem-solving using the Vodafone
Group organization. The definition of the problem and how it impacts people psychologically is
well outlined. The skills of problem-solving are evident through the simple and complex
problems explored within the Vodafone Group organization. The skills of communication and
organizational analysis are evident through the PEST analysis for the organization. Also,
working with other individuals hence the employee’s behaviors are understood in this paper.
This is because the techniques for behavior management which help in managing the behavior of
employees is inclusive in the paper. Finally, the skills for data analysis as well as the information
technology are evident since the paper shows how information technology supports businesses.
Moreover, the advantages and disadvantages of the information technology in the Vodafone
Group organization have been explored.

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