Rameses International

a) importance of strategic implementation in the strategic management process

According to Johnson et al (2017) model, the main elements of strategic management process
consist of three elements which are strategic position, strategic choices and strategic in action or
strategic implementation. Strategic position relates to understanding the strategic position of the
organization in terms of its environment, expectations as well as capabilities. Strategic choices relate
to evaluation and choosing alternatives that can achieve objectives as well as concentrating on
customers and market. Strategic implementation on the other hand is defined as the formation and
implementation of strategies chosen.

All these elements are interrelated as strategic implementation can only be done successfully if the
strategic position and choices are evaluated. Therefore, strategic implementation is equally
dependent on the other two elements. In implementing a strategy, an organization will need to
evaluate its resource capacity in order to assess the strategic position, and the come up with
alternative ways to achieve the objective and finally implementing those strategies.

Strategic implementation is also important as without the actual implementation of the strategies,
there will be no actual change in the organization’s operations. This is because the implementation is
focussed on the breaking down of specific processes and functions of operations that will later result
in changes that will benefit the organization. Therefore, it is crucial for the strategies to be
implemented in order to for the strategic plans to actually be delivered successfully.

b) importance of leadership in achieving strategic success

Leadership is defined as a process of influencing an organisation in its efforts towards achieving an

According to Johnson Et Al (2017), there are two types of leaders, which are transactional leaders
and transformational leaders. Transactional leaders are focussed on the systems and controls,
existing activities and functions and on how to improve efficiency for these processes. They are more
concerned on improvements rather than making changes, which is good for implementation of
strategies that are already there. Transformational leaders on the other hand are focussed on
motivating and inspiring people for a change and making them see the vision. They are more
concerned in responding to the external environment changes which is crucial to be able to compete
in the market. Therefore, transformational leaders are generally better than transactional leaders.

Since Rameses is suffering from increasing competition in the external market and it is affecting the
progress of the organization, it is important for Jeanette to be a transformational leader as the
company needs to come up with new strategies and vision to be able to compete successfully in the
market again. Previously, Rameses’ senior management team were focussed on transactional
leadership style as they were only trying to find ways of improving performance whilst maintaining
the company’s existing business model and culture without making any other changes. The previous
Chief Executives were also all from inside the family, prior to Jeanette being elected.

Jeanette will need to apply change management carefully and successfully in achieving strategic
success. There needs to be a welcoming environment for change in the organization. Jeanette will
need to project her vision to members of the organization so that they could understand why the
change is necessary and directions on how to achieve it. Jeanette might have to adopt changes that
are more visionary in order to inspire the staffs as previously Rameses was not used to making big
changes as the initiatives made by the management team was not significant in bringing changes.

Jeanette will also have to monitor the change management process by making sure that the staffs’
response towards the change is positive and she needs to overcome any resistance towards the
change carefully. Joanne will need to provide direction on implementation of changes and helping
them overcome any issues that might arise.

Jeanette will have to ensure that the management are capable of helping in implementing the
changes in terms of operations, systems and controls. As Jeanette will have a lot of other
responsibilities, she needs to ensure that the management is be able to adapt to the changes and
help breaking down the strategies into specific processes and functions of operations to achieve
Rameses’ strategic success.
Frigate

Analyse the culture of Frigate Ltd using the cultural web.

Johnson (1992) developed a cultural web is an analysis that compares the assumptions of an
organization’s culture to the actual physical display of the culture. It comprises of control systems,
routines and rituals, organization structure, paradigm, symbols, power structures, and stories and
myths. The cultural web is applied to Frigate as follows:

a) Control systems
It is related to what is measured and rewarded in the organisation. Ron is particular on
working hours of his staffs, although he does not follow same rule. This is evident when Ron
arrives at work at 8.00am sharp in the morning and 5.30pm to make sure that employees
arrive on time and do not leave early while he takes a lot of leaves to travel around the
world.
Ron also would cut down employee wages if they are late or if he considers the excuse of the
staff for entering late is not acceptable.
Ron is also particular about company expenses as he gives minimum wages.
He is also critical in terms of implementing formal process as suggested by Ann and refused,
which led to Ann resigning from the company.

Routines
It is related to the way members of an organisation behave to each other and to those
outside the organisation. Ron always increasingly critical of suppliers, customers and society.
He believes that the suppliers always provide goods with bad quality, he despises customers
who pay late and are complaining about prices, and has a strong opinion about how
everyone should would in navy for a while.
Ron also would take extended holidays but would turn down leave requests by his staffs. He
has flexible hours in the company but would ensure that his staffs does not have the same
advantages as him.

Organisation structure

It is related to the formal and informal relationships within and outside of the organization
and what is deemed important for the organization. Ron does not think having formal
processes is that important as he controls everything. He even asks his staffs to do tasks that
are not within their job scope and is of different department, and also managing his personal
life such as booking holidays for his family, filling in his personal tax returns and organising
social events.

Paradigm

It relates to the shared assumptions of the organisation. Ron thinks that the company is
obligated to handle his family expenses. This is evident when the tax authorities fined him
for claiming a significant amount of money as company’s expenditure where it was actually
to pay for his daughter’s holiday expenses.

Symbols
It relates to literal symbols or power symbols of the company. Ron expects his staffs to call
him ‘the commander’ as he likes his oppressive style of leadership. He also associates the
success of his company to his sailing hobby as he spends an awful lot of time of his boat.

Power structures

It relates to who holds power in the organisation. Ron holds the power in the company. He
controls every activity and feels like his family can spend the company’s money for their own
use just because he is the owner and his family owns a majority stake of the company.

Stories and myths

It relates to the stories told to people within or outside the organization. Ron feels like he is
always right and other people are wrong. He thinks that the staffs are not functional. The
suppliers are taking advantage of him, the customers are wrong for complaining about prices
and should always pay early. He also would not consider implementing formal processes
suggested by Ann and feels like the society should serve navy or they are unworthy in a way.