SBU718 Strategic Leadership and Change Report Sample

SBU718 STRATEGIC LEADERSHIP AND CHANGE

Assessment Task

You are required to respond as a leader to the live case study with a business report in the form of a ‘Business leadership plan of action’.

Live case study: You will be expected to respond to the specific case study we will be issuing on SOL and outlining in a dedicated assessment session in class. This is a real-life business scenario where ‘change’ and leading change is the central issue you are faced with in the role of a ‘leader’. You have two specific questions you are asked to consider in relation to this case study (read the case study brief very carefully) and if you are not clear what is expected ask your tutor as soon as possible.

You are required to use your leadership abilities and attributes (based on the content /issues we have covered in this module) to critically identify the challenges you are facing as a Leader within the organisational context, you will need to assess the significance and potential impact of the changes and consider the options and potential consequences of implementing an action plan for change.

The case contains the core details required to answer this assessment; however, you are expected to read more broadly about the business sector and about the notion of leadership and leading organisational change to ensure that you provide a compelling and well justified response. Specifically, you are required to; as a Leader in this organisation, provide a report which:

1. outlines your assessment of the current challenges, the potential significance and impact of these issues on the organisation, in terms of its operation, finance and people.

2. assesses the potential options available to you to address these issues and the consequences.

3. you need to demonstrate an understanding why individuals resist change and techniques to address their resistance.

4. devises a credible action plan (based on making decisions on the options you outlined in point 2 above to address these challenges and issues.

5. considers your role as a leader in planning, supporting, implementing, evaluating and embedding the planned changes. This is to also include how you would communicate those decisions effectively to the various stakeholders of the company.

You need to integrate relevant models and theories of leadership we have covered in order to demonstrate your understanding of the role of leaders in initiating,supporting, implementing, and embedding change successfully.

Solution

1. Introduction

I am responsible to guide Sky Blue Travel & Tourism. Based on the information provided in the case study about Sky Blue Travel & Tourism, this report will be developed. Precisely, I am empowered to guide Sky Blue Travel & Tourism through “recommending” significant “strategic decisions”. I must ensure “sustainable growth” and “operational efficiency” of this company. Relating to this context, this report will shed light on the “current challenges” experienced by this organization. In addition, this paper will explore “actionable potential solutions” and will recommend “well-designed” action plan. It is significant to state that the literary content of this paper will consider various “change management” aspects. Precisely, it will shed light on the aspects related to “overcoming resistance” in change management”. In addition, this paper will reflect on the role of effective “communication strategies” in shaping “successful implementation” of the planned changes.

2. Assessment of Current Challenges

2.1. Current Challenges

a. Market Challenges

• Concerns about Sustainability

A “major challenge” has been identified in addressing “concerns” about the “organizational commitment” to “sustainability”. Referring to the impact of “travel industry” on the “environment”, certain challenges have been identified in the context of “promoting sustainable travel”. It is difficult to balance “sustainability goals” with “market expectations” (accenture, 2024). Effective maintenance of “brand integrity” and “customer trust” can help to tackle these concerns. The same can be attained through proper “communication” about “sustainability efforts”. Such “transparent practices” can develop trust. Precisely, such initiatives must focus on aligning “organizational goals” with “market expectations”. The same will contribute to “sustainability” and eventually improve “market reputation” of the company.

• Post-Pandemic Recovery

The COVID-19 pandemic has created several “challenges” for the travel industry. In addition, the “cost-of-living crisis” and “post-Brexit issues” has also complicated the situation (ons, 2024). These factors have negatively influenced “consumer confidence”. Eventually, the same has instigated the “efficiency” of existing market strategy to some extent. Relating to this context, it is essential to understand the “evolving volatility” of the business landscape. The offerings of “Sky Blue Travel & Tourism” must meet the updated “safety and health standards”. It is necessary to provide “unique travel experiences” to the consumers. The same will eventually enable to “regain” customer trust over the period.

b. Internal Challenges

• Restlessness among Employees

Certain “restlessness” among the employees of “Sky Blue Travel & Tourism” has been identified. They are seeking “continuous improvement” in line with the United Nations sustainable development goals (un, 2024). The same has indicated a requirement for “dynamic” and “responsive” leadership. It is essential to develop a “culture of innovation” and “sustainability” within the work environment of “Sky Blue Travel & Tourism”. The same will eventually lead to “long-term success” of the organization.

• Financial Mismanagement

Another significant “internal challenge” has been identified for MBA assignment expert in the context of “financial mismanagement”. Referring to the information provided in the case study, an incident of “internal fraud” has been exposed. The same has highlighted certain “weaknesses” in financial controls of “Sky Blue Travel & Tourism”. This incident has instigated overall “trust” and “integrity” within the organization (Cavaliere et al. 2021). Relating to this context, it is essential to address this issue effectively. The same will enable to restore “confidence” among the stakeholders. Precisely, necessary “initiatives” must be introduced to “strengthen” the financial governance framework of the company. The same will also contribute to preventing future “occurrences” to some extent. As a result, the financial health of “Sky Blue Travel & Tourism” will be maintained.

2.2. Potential Significance and Impact

a. Operation

The “challenges” are already identified. Relating to this context, it is significant to state that “operational impact” of these challenges must be addressed with effective “mitigation approaches”. The estimated “revenue generation” of the company will be increased by moving towards “popular travel destinations”. The same will eventually contribute to “operational efficiency” of “Sky Blue Travel & Tourism” in the short-term. Apart from that, the “restlessness” among the employees must be managed. Otherwise, it may potentially lead to “decreased productivity” over the period (Suknunan and Bhana, 2022). Apart from that, the same will “contribute” to higher “turnover rates”.

b. People

Referring to the information stated, certain significant impact on “people” has been identified. It is necessary to embrace “new market strategies”. Necessary “training” must be provided to the existing employees of the companies. In addition, the “restlessness among employees” must be addressed through effective “employee engagement”, “employee communication” and “development programs” (Meynhardt et al. 2020). In a nutshell, necessary actions need to be introduced to develop a “supportive” workplace culture in “Sky Blue Travel & Tourism”.

c. Finance

It has already been stated that the “strategic shift” towards “popular destinations” can lead to higher “revenue” (Song et al. 2020). Precisely, significant increase in the estimated “revenue generation” will be identified due to “increased bookings”. On the other hand, the same also carries the “risk of higher operational costs”. Apart from that, it may also instigate “potential damage” to the brands reputation of “Sky Blue Travel & Tourism”. The incident of “financial mismanagement” requires immediate “corrective measures”. The same will contribute to strengthening “financial controls” to a great extent.

3. Assessment of Potential Options

It is essential to shed light on the “available potential options” in order to address these “issues” and the “consequences”. This tabular representation will summarize the “potential options”, their “benefits”, “drawbacks” and “consequences”. In addition, this precise representation will help in assessing the “best approach” to address both “market strategy” and “internal issues” with relevant details.

Table 1: Assessment of Potential Options
(Source: created by the author).

Table 2: Action plan with timeline
(Source: created by the author).

7. Conclusion

In accordance with the detailed information stated throughout this paper, the “challenges” experienced by “Sky Blue Travel & Tourism” must be properly addressed. It requires a “balanced approach” that can effectively address both “internal integrity” and “market demands”. A “strategic plan” must be developed by emphasizing on the key aspects of “effective communication”, “employee involvement” and “sustainable growth”. It is expected that the company can attain “sustainable” growth by implementing this “strategic plan” as “change initiative”. As thoroughly portrayed in this report, my role will be to “guide”, “support” and “evaluate” this change process.

This report has already stated why it is essential to ensure that the changes are effectively “embraced” by all stakeholders. Last but not least; implementation of this change initiative will enable Sky Blue Travel & Tourism to remain a “leader” in the sustainable travel industry sector. As a leader, I must introduce “initiatives” to deal with “employee resistance” in embracing “organizational change”. Relating to this information, this paper has shed light on the “significance” of offering “adequate support” to the employees in the context of accepting “change implementation” in the organization.

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