Problem Solving Assignment Solution (GC01604)

Table of Contents

Introduction.

Overview of company.

Some problems in ASDA.

Part 1: Skills for tackling the problems successfully ASDA.

1.1 Define a problem, the stages of a problem, impact of problems on human health.

1.2 What is critical thinking, and analyze the key steps of critical thinking.

Part 2: Understanding Organizational analysis & communication skills.

2.1 Identify the key influencing factors to the ASDA.

2.2 Write a letter to the line managers about the impact of PEST on ASDA’s business.

Part 3: Working with others and understanding employees behavior

What is Employee Behaviour?.

Two main types of employee behavior

Influencing techniques of the management of managing the behavior of employees.

Part 4: Data analysis skills and information communication technology.

How technology supports the business.

Advantages and disadvantages of using information technology in ASDA.

References.

Introduction

I have completed a Certificate in HE Skills and started working in Tesco in UK retail industry. In my workplace, ASDA, I have identified some problems, mainly in customer services, management and leadership, and product quality and availability. This paper, first, defines a problem, stages of the problem, and impact of problems on human health. Then, this paper discusses critical thinking and its key stages. Next, this paper discusses PEST issues and their impact on the ASDA business. Following this, the paper defines employee behavior and the impact of the management approach on employee behavior. Finally, this paper discusses the impact of technologies on ASDA business.

Overview of company

ASDA is one of the leading grocery retailers in the UK. This is a big supermarket chain shop in the UK retail industry. It sells different kinds of products including food and grocery items, accessories, home and kitchen items, general, merchandise, and financial services, and in big ASDA they sell clothing and other items also. It has more than 631 stores across the UK. It generated about £1 billion in revenue in 2016. It has more than 180,000 staff in its current operations (ASDA, 2017).

Some problems in ASDA

ASDA is a big retailer in the UK retail industry. It is now facing a number of problems in the way of gaining sustainable competitive advantages. The first problem is ASDA is facing severe competitiveness from its rivals including Tesco, Sainsbury’s, Morrisons, Aldi, and Lidl. In addition, many of the customers claim that ASDA is providing poor customer services and problems with product quality and availability. Many of the staff including me believe that the management and leadership practices in ASDA are problematic that de-motivate the employees which are the main cause of high staff absenteeism and turnover.

Part 1: Skills for tackling the problems successfully ASDA

1.1 Define a problem, the stages of a problem, impact of problems on human health

What is the problem?

A problem is defined as a circumstance in which an organization or individual experiences difficulties or uncertainties in gaining the goals and objectives (ITS, 2016).

Stages of problems

ASDA is facing several problems in its current operations including high competitive rivalry, poor customer service, poor product quality and availability. According to ITS (2016), ASDA should apply seven steps as an effective problem-solving process to deal with the problems identified in its business. These 7 steps processes are identified as follows:

Identify the issues
Understand everyone’s interest
List the possible solutions (options)
Evaluate the solutions/options
Select a solution (s)/option (s)
Document the agreement (s), and
Agree on contingencies, monitoring, and evaluation

Impact of problems on human health

According to Maldonado (2016), a severe or big problem can psychologically affect the mental health of an individual. A problem can be the cause of chronic stress that can develop several health problems including heart diseases, cancer, obesity, diabetes, and weakened immune system. A severe problem can also cause mood disorders like depressions and anxiety disorder that ultimately affect the individuals’ thinking and analytical level and cause poor performance and productivity in workplace. A study shows that problems in the workplace create stress that leads 66% of people to experience physical symptoms of stress, and the other 63% of people to experience psychological symptoms (Maldonado, 2016).

Example of differences between simple and complex problem in ASDA

There are certain differences between simple and complex problems in ASDA. One of the simple in ASDA can be poor customer service or improving customer service. This is an internal issue of ASDA. Therefore, ASDA can easily sort out this issue by training and developing staff, motivating the staff, and applying effective leadership and management practices. On the other hand, one of the complex problems can be beating the competitors or gaining sustainable competitive advantages. This is the external issue for ASDA. Therefore, to sort out this problem ASDA needs to follow a complex process such as analyzing market and industry, competitive situations, customer behavior, and developing effective and efficient strategies and decisions for the business.

1.2 What is critical thinking, and analyze the key steps of critical thinking.

What is critical thinking?

According to Barry (1995), critical thinking means making clear and reasoned judgments. In another word, critical thinking refers to the ability to think rationally and clearly about what to do to sort out a problem. It is the ability to engage in reflective as well as independent thinking……………………………

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