Comprehensive Analysis: Integration of Business Functions at Waitrose

This report provides a detailed analysis of Waitrose, a British supermarket chain, focusing on the integration of its business functions. It examines the company's leadership, the impact of changes, and the importance of time management. The report applies various theories and models, including the STEEP model, SWOT analysis, and Porter's Five Forces, to assess Waitrose's strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats. It also explores the role of organizational culture and stakeholders in the company's success. The analysis covers aspects such as work specialization, departmentalization, and the impact of market forces, providing a comprehensive overview of Waitrose's operations and strategic positioning within the competitive landscape. The report also highlights the importance of leadership in guiding and motivating employees and the application of different models and theories to improve business growth.

Integration of Business Functions

Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION ..........................................................................................................................1
PROJECT ........................................................................................................................................1
CONCLUSION ...............................................................................................................................9
REFERENCES................................................................................................................................1

INTRODUCTION
Integration is a state combination and process of compounding into harmony and
completeness. It will occur when individual things or people are brought together in a systematic
manner. Business integration refers to the methodology that focuses on synchronizing business
culture and information technology. It is beneficial and important part because it enhanced
buyers services, maximise business sales, give a better and healthy work environment, make
large number of money amount and have maximum time etc. so in this all functions of business
is running effectively (Brannen and et. al., 2014).
This report is based on Waitrose which is a British supermarket chain that deals in food
products. This assignment will describe about the changes, leadership and time frame that
influenced the enterprise. It will also determine the application of theories and models which are
essential for the employees because such aspect gives motivation to them. Business functions
role also identified in this study which significant and valuable for business success and
development.
PROJECT
Introduction of organisation
Chosen company is Waitrose which is a British Supermarket chain that deals in food
products. Waite, Rose and Taylor founded this firm in the year 1904 with an aim of providing
quality and healthy products to customers. They covered 353 locations in all around the world
and mainly served Great Britain. In the business entity, there are 91000 employees working and
providing online shopping and supermarket services to their clients. Annual revenue and
operating income of company are £5,400.4 and £173.5 million respectively. Main aim and
objective of this company is to give quality products and creative services to their potential or
target customers (Chen and et. al., 2012). They provide different training and development
programmes to their employees so that they can attend this section and increase their basic
knowledge and skills on a particular matter. Due to this, talented workers can achieve targets and
objectives in certain time period.
Discussion on leadership, changes and time frame:
Leadership: They are identify as a different things to various person in worldwide in
certain situations. For instance: it is mainly connected to religious, community and political
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leadership. In this, leaders play an essential and important role in order to guide as well as
motivate individuals regarding their workers or functions. Leader give accurate direction in order
to achieve long term and desire objectives of the business. Without this, company can not attain
higher profitability and productivity because in the company they plays vital role in maintaining
business structure. They influenced the success and development of the enterprise and decrease
sales also.
Time frame: It is the set time period which covers few events and programs in a
systematic manner. It is an important and essential part of the organisation with regard to achieve
long term goals and objectives in certain time duration (Cheng and Cheng, 2011). Mentioned
firm grows repetitively so they required accurate and effective strategy with aim of increasing
their sales and attracting large number of the buyers towards products or services. Without time
management, business entity cannot increase their sales or revenues and not expend their
business in the national and international market. So in this, Waitrose uses different effective
tools and techniques which are important for them to successfully develop in host and domestic
country.
Changes: It is very vital and essential part of business development and success. In a company,
there are various changes in government policies, environment and organisation culture impacted
on company functions. All changes negatively and positively affect the functions and operations
of firm. There are several points which are cover in these are as follows:
 Influence and impacts of the firm founder
 Development & size stage of the company like: multinational, multi-site and start-up etc.
 Influenced on management and leadership style
 Changes also impacted the organisational practices, policies and structure etc. It will also effects management and employees reward structure such as bonuses, pay and
rewards.
Strategic leadership: Changes in leader's behaviours that highly effects the business
performance and its profitability. It is important for the firm to direct and motivate their staff
members regarding long term goals and targets (Da Xu, 2011). But in the organisation, there are
lack of coordination between employees and manger which is not good for the entity success.
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Structure: It is vital element of the company that attract large number of the clients regarding
products and services, in this business should try to organise different programmes and training
to its workers who can easily conveyance their buyers.
Culture: It is define the behaviours and values of the individual as well as organisation that
effect the success and growth of the industry (Danese and et. al., 2013). Changes in the, human
behaviours and perception that highly effected the sales and revenues of entity.
Environment: In order to attract different number of the customers, environment factor play
significant role. Needs and wants of the clients is healthy and friendly environment because they
require safety. In changes on the political, social and technological that also influenced the
productivity and profitability of the industry (He and Da Xu, 2014). In Waitrose, certain person
are not aware about the advanced technology so they never deal with business success.
Communication factor also effects the companies functions and activities.
Market force: There are different stakeholders are available in the marketplace such as
customers, employees, government, suppliers, that plays essential role in achieving long term
and desire objectives.
Application of theories and models:
model and theory of the company that plays essential role in giving better knowledge in
order to improve the business growth. There are certain key areas which are covered in this. All
are determined under this in a systematic manner:
Discussion of leadership: It is necessary part of organisation which is important in the
success of business. In Waitrose, leaders provide better direction and motivation to their
employees and staff members in order to achieve long term objectives and targets in short period
of time.
STEEP Model: It is similar to the PESTLE model which is important in order to identify
external requirements and needs of customers (Huo, 2012). It will supports to evaluate occur
and issues in the coming. In this certain aspects are includes such as social, technological,
economic, environmental and political etc. all these are determined under this in detailed form -
 Social: This factor considers business entity mainly focuses on social development like
religion lifestyle, consumer or buyer’s behaviour, demographics, adverting and values,
etc. All these are the important part of success and growth of company.
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 Technological: In this factor, company emphases on advanced technology which
includes innovation, communication, research and development, transport, energy,
product life-cycle and patent regulations.
 Economic: In this, economic condition of the country where Waitors expand their
operations and function which highly related to consumer purchasing position (Hwang
and Grant, 2011). There are creation factors which are cover in this such as inflation,
saving, international trade, interest rates, taxes, jobs availability, subsides and
entrepreneurship etc.
 Environmental: Development of the business environment that mainly relate to
ecosystem factors like; food, water, energy, wind, pollution, soil and environmental rules
etc. All these are impacted on organisation culture and business profitability.
 Political: These factor highly effects on organisations and individuals. It is very essential
to be cognisant of likely future alteration in power. It can influence the company financial
market, environmental, trade, antitrust and other type of legislation. These factor can be
included regulation & rules of monopolies, political stability, price regulations, tax
policies, trade union, jurisdiction and consumer productions.
Stakeholders:
Waitrose has different stakeholders which are work in the organisation with the aim of
achieving business success and development. Customer is a main person who can purchase the
company products and service in bulk. Due to this firm can increase their sales and achieve
higher profitability (Janvier-James, 2012). Government also play essential role in regulating
effective policies and rules which is beneficial for the company in running their business
smoothly. Employees are main part of the each and every organisation who responsible in hiring
knowledge and skilled candidates.
Organisational culture: This emphases behaviours and values that gives to the unique
psychological as well as social environment of an atmospheres. It represents the beliefs,
collective values and principle of business entity staffs and is a goods of such aspects as market,
product, technology, management style kinds of workers, history and national culture which
considers the norms, vision, symbols, assumption, vision, location, habits, language and norms.
Organisational culture is very important which includes some points which are determined under
this:
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 It is decides the interaction of employees at their workstations.
 Workplace culture also goes long duration in order to promoting and encouraging healthy
competition in business (Jung and Joo, 2011).
 It will represent few policies which direct and guide the workers as well as provide them
a direction in the organisation.
 Organisational culture is very important because it create the organisation brand image.
 It is provide the common platform for all workers. Culture of the work that promotes healthy connection amongst the staff members.
SWOT Analysis of Waitrose : These approach is very essential and beneficial of the organisation
in order to identify its strengths, weakness, threats and opportunities in a systematic manner
(Katunzi, 2011). All these aspects are determined under this:
Strength Weaknesses
 Reduced cost of labour
 Growth rate is very high
 High revenue and profitability
 Quality and fresh foods
 Perception of the customers is very
good
 They apply future cost and value
structure
 Big competitions and opposition means
cost wars, therefore lesser margins.
 Market share is small by 3%
 Detected as expensive
Threats Opportunities
 Maximising interest rate is big treats of
the company.
 Rules and regulations of the
government
 Changes in pricing strategy
 lower productivity and growing
competitions
 In United Kingdom, poor situation of
economic
 Premium brand are Tesco & Mark and
Spencer.
 Growing demand and economy
 New markers and acquisitions
 In order to achieve large number of
market share and growth in coming
periods.
 Online purchasing and shopping
 maximise large number of services
 Non-food product selling
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 Daily behind the opposition or
competition in global and local level.
Competences: It is identify as a individual ability in order to do their job appropriately. It is also
define as a behaviour that give a better structure in order to analysis employees behaviour. It is
essential part of the company that identify the success and development of the organisation in an
effective or efficient manner (Kirchmer, 2012). Reduce labour cost is a big strength of the firm
success and growth because in this business entity can give better direction regarding
functioning. They sale Quality and fresh foods in order to attract large number of the customers
as well as achieve higher productivity and profitability systematically. Perception of the
customers is more good towards business image and its products in comparison to another entity.
Origination system and structure: By an important of venerable and widespread benefits, owner
of the Waitrose has freedom business that permits members to convey their self view and giving
reliable and straightforward vision. There are main comparison between the structure of the
organisation which are determined by as follows:
Work specialisation: Mentioned business has few work specialised opportunities which is
assignment by the company to its workers. Due to this various activities are designed and
subjected by the upper level management.
Departmentalization: They are division regarding to the function and products which is based on
structure (Luo and et. al., 2012). They are complete as per the commercial activities of the
company which is important for them in attaining higher profitability in a systematic manner.
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(Source: Structure of the Waitrose, 2017)
Porter's Five force model: It is very beneficial and essential model of the business entity in
order to determine new entrants threats, bargaining power of the buyers and suppliers etc. In
these five factors are includes which are determined under this in detailed manner- Rivalry among existing company: There are various competitors of Waitrose which are
existence in the same market and provide smiler products or services to their customers
(Pang and et. al., 2015). Marks & Spencer, Tesco, Aldi, Mother Dairy, Big Bazaar and
Reliance etc. Threats of new entrants: The huge growth of potentials and poor competitions which are
present in the company. It is highly impacted on local and global players.
 Threats of substitutes: It is identify as a products threats which is low so it is essential
for competing the buyers needs effectively (Narayanan and et. al., 2011). Substitute
products can use a various advanced technology in order to try and solve the similar
needs and wants of the economics. This factor considers some points which are determine
under this:
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Illustration 1: Structure of the organisation

1. Purchaser leaning to substitute
2. Relative substitute price performance
3. Switching cost of the buyer's
4. Product differentiation level
5. Easy and simple of substitution
6. Accessibility of nearest substitutes Bargaining power of buyers: In the organisation, buyers bargaining power is very high,
so in this clients can purchase different products nearby stores (Scheer, 2012). In this
company can identify the purchaser power regarding product price. Bargaining power of the suppliers: It is very important and beneficial part of the
company that define the bargaining power.
Role of business functions: In the organisation, there are certain functions such as management,
operational, marketing, human resource management and financial etc. all these are play
essential role in business success and growth.
Human resource management: They are part of the organisation which plays vital role in
business development and growth. Main responsibility of this department is to recruit and select
knowledgeable and talented candidates who can easily achieve company goals and objectives in
certain time duration. In this such section provide different training and development section to
their employees in order to attend this programs and increase their basic knowledge and skills on
particular subject (Srinivasan, 2011). Without these division, Waitrose does not maximise their
sales and revenues. They also give seminars, conference, meting, learning and training programs
which help the individual to maximise their basic skills.
Marketing department: This department also play essential and vital role in business
development. Main responsibility of these division is to give different chancels of
communications such as promotions, advertisement, publicity, public relation, sponsorship and
other tools in order to attract large number of the customers towards products or services. They
conduct research and development programs in marketplace to identify the current trends of the
market and customers taste, preference and styles (Weerakkody and et. al., 2011). In the business
without these department, company can not introduce their innovative products and creative
services to their buyers. Company use social media, print media and other tools in regrades to
aware the clients related to the commodities.
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Management department: They also plays essential and important role in managing, organising,
planning all functions of the company in systematics manner. They are responsible and liable for
providing right direction to their employees towards success and development of the entity.
Without this division company can not grow radially because they are main body of the firm who
can easily motivate and promote their workers. So in this they highly engaged and achieve long
term and desire objectives (Wong and et. al, 2011). Management division is liable for making
better structure of the company and fix affordable price of the products. Due to this, large
number of the clients are attract and purchase bulk products. Output of these is increase business
sales and higher profitability as well as productivity.
Operation department: It is also a function of organisation which plays vital role in success and
growth of Waitrose. They are known as an administration of firm practices in respect to develop
the advanced level of effectiveness and efficiency which is possible within an enterprise. Main
role of these division is to coveting labour & material into services and products as effectively. It
is possible to the company to increase profits or revenues of an enterprise. They attempts to cost
of balance with sales to attain the largest gross operating advantages. They are liable for the
company profits and advantages as well as achieving long term goals and objectives in an
effective or efficient manner.
Financial department: They are responsible and liable for managing all financial translation
without any problem and difficulties. Such division develop and create annual report of the
company. They also creating reporting for operating units, financial programs, division which
are appropriate for the business success and development. They also develop periodic financial
monitoring and reporting in a systematic manner (Wong and et. al., 2011). Without this
department firm can not conduct research and development programmes, never adopt effective
communication channel, and not provide better training to their employees. In all functions they
required large amount of the money so it is significant for the entity.
CONCLUSION
As per the above mentioned information, that can identified the integration of business
function which is essential for the business success and development. There are different tools
and techniques are used in order to achieve long term and desire objectives or goals of the
company. Strategy changes in influenced on the firm and its functions like market forces,
structure, culture , environment and leadership. SWOT , STEEP and Porter's five force model
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also analysed in regrades to identify internal and external factor of the company. There are
different functions such as management, human resource, finance, operational and marketing
department play important role in development and success of the company. All these are
essential to achieve the higher profitability and productivity in an effective or efficient manner.
They also increase the sales and revenue of the firm systematically.
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