LO2: Apply the role of a leader and the function of a manager in given contexts

M.2: Assess the strengths and weaknesses of different approaches to situations within the work environment.

You must present some relevant scenarios (relating to different management and leadership approaches) in the case company and evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of each approach.

Merit Guidance

	Leader’s: Strengths & Weaknesses	Manager’s: Leadership Strengths & Weaknesses
	Continuous improvement (CI) is based on a Japanese Concept called Kaizen, is the philosophy of continually seeking ways to improve operations. It involves identifying benchmarks of excellent practices and instilling a sense of employee ownership of the process.
1	More strategic elements Feedback: The core principle of CI is the (self) reflection of processes. Efficiency: The purpose of CI is the identification, reduction, and elimination of suboptimal processes. Evolution: The emphasis of CI is on incremental, continual steps rather than giant leaps.	More tactical elements  Improvements are based on many small changes rather than the radical changes that might arise from Research and Development As the ideas come from the workers themselves, they are less likely to be radically different, and therefore easier to implement Small improvements are less likely to require major capital investment than major process changes The ideas come from the talents of the existing workforce, as opposed to using research, consultants or equipment – any of which could be very expensive All employees should continually be seeking ways to improve their own performance It helps encourage workers to take ownership for their work, and can help reinforce team working, thereby improving worker motivation.

Analyse: examine (something) methodically and in detail, typically in order to explain and interpret it.

Examine: inspect (someone or something) thoroughly in order to determine their nature or condition.

Differentiate: recognize or ascertain what makes (someone or something) different

	Lean production is an approach to management that focuses on cutting out waste, whilst ensuring quality. This approach can be applied to all aspects of a business – from design, through production to distribution. Lean production aims to cut costs by making the business more efficient and responsive to market needs.
2	According to Womack and Jones, there are five key lean principles: §  Value §  Value stream §  Flow §  Pull §  Perfection.	The 8 Deadly Lean Wastes - DOWNTIME Defects. Overproduction. Waiting. Not utilizing talent. Transportation. Inventory excess. Motion waste. Excess processing.
	New product development (NPD) is the process of bringing a new product to the marketplace. ... Innovative businesses thrive by understanding what their market wants, making smart product improvements, and developing new products that meet and exceed their customers' expectations.
3	New Product Strategy – Innovators have clearly defined their goals and objectives for the new product. Idea Generation – Collective brainstorming through internal and external sources. Screening – Condense the number of brainstormed ideas. Concept Testing – Structure an idea into a detailed concept. Business Analysis – Understand the cost and profits of the new product and determining if they meet company objectives. Product Development – Developing the product. Market Testing – Marketing mix is tested through a trial run of the product. Commercialization – Introducing the product to the public.