Sweet Treats Limited (STL) is a small regional chain of cake shops with its headquarters in Warwick. STL
was originally set up by Julie Bird. Its shares are now owned by family and friends of James Bird, the
current Managing Director. Five other directors manage the company with James.
Over a three year period STL has expanded by taking over independent cake and cookware shops in local
towns in the Midlands. STL now has 6 shops including the main shop in Warwick and is hoping to expand
to 10 shops.
As part of their ongoing expansion plans STL also wants to introduce an online ordering service using a
new online software package. This would offer a nationwide delivery service to customers’ homes. This
service would initially run from STL’s headquarters in Warwick but with plans to expand into a new
manufacturing unit.
The expansion through takeovers and the introduction of the online cake ordering service will result in
restructuring changes within STL.
Module code
and title:
MG630 Change Management
and Organisational Development
Assignment
These would include:
• the introduction of one regional manager based in the Warwick shop
• a reduction in the number of shop manager roles
• a reduction in the number of shop assistant roles
• an increase in the number of cake bakers as well as a unit manager (for new manufacturing unit)
• an increase in the number of delivery driver roles
• the introduction of an e-commerce team to manage the online business
Each of the other 5 shops now has one shop manager. However STL would like to introduce one regional
shop manager and have a cake baker in each store . The Warwick shop would continue to have a shop
manager. In the smaller shops, the baker will also act as the shop manager and manage any shop
assistants.
The proposed restructuring is not popular with the current employees. They feel that the reasons for the
change, the need for the reorganisation of staff and the final staffing structure have been poorly
communicated to them.
James Bird and his two fellow directors thought that the letters sent to staff and the notices on the staff
notice boards in each shop clearly communicated the reasons for the reorganisation and the new structure
that was to be put in place.
However the restructuring process is causing uncertainty among staff. The staff have also experienced a
loss of motivation and a loss of trust in James Bird and his fellow directors. There is an increase in
voluntary staff turnover including the loss of managers. STL will also have additional costs associated with
the online business expansion which will include :
• recruitment of the e-commerce team and associated IT software
• training costs for bakers to become shop managers
• training costs for delivery driver roles.
A number of the staff in current job roles had originally been employed in the shops before the takeover by
STL. Some of these staff are not very flexible and are resistant to any change in their job roles.
James Bird is keen to continue to expand and develop the company and has recently refitted part of the
Warwick shop with a section selling partywear. This has proven to be a success and James now wants to
introduce similar sections into the other shops. This development will impact on current job roles and will
involve some restructuring.
James is aware of the problems associated with the planning change and restructuring and so he has
contracted your management consultancy to help with the planning of this change.
Task requirements
You have been hired by STL to do some work around how the company has been affected by the VUCA
environment in which they operate in. Before STL commissions a report from you (CW1), they wish for you
to offer them some insight as to how change management might help them, and what strategies/tactical
options are available to see them through this difficult time.
As an Individual or in a Pair, you are to:
1. Examine and investigate the strategic and operational importance of change for STL.
2. Identify, apply and evaluate an appropriate change management model that you would advise STL
to use.
3. Identify the role that Organisational Development will play in the future success of the business.
Please see Tasks requirements below for further instructions.
– Individual or paired presentation (pair: 2 students).
– The presentations schedule will be agreed with the lecturer based on the timetable and
presentations will be held in class in w. c. 15/04/2024.
– Time allocation: 10 minutes maximum presentation time, 5 minutes allowed for questions.
– In case of paired presentations, both members of the group should participate in the preparation of
the presentation and participate on the day of presentation (non-attendance will be considered as
‘non-submission’). Both members should be familiar with the full contents of the presentation and
be ready to answer questions.
– Use PowerPoint for your presentation – slides to be uploaded on LSST Connect by each member of
the team/group (Slide 1 to include names and student IDs of both group members).
– The final slide of your presentation to include a brief groupwork log detailing specific member
responsibilities, activities and participation.
– It is fine to bring along any notes or further information you might want to refer to support question
handling but try to maintain eye contact during the presentation itself.
Minimum requirements:
– 10 references
– Mixed academically credible sources for example: Core Textbooks, Journals, News Articles,
Professional Bodies, Professional and Credible Videos, Professional and Credible Podcasts
References older than 10 years must be supported by a more recent reference
