Change Management Plan

Scenario

Overview

-This assessment comprises two components; a written report and presentation. To successfully complete this course, students need to pass both components. Out of total marks, 90% is allocated to the written report and 10% to the student presentation.

-You are expected to conduct secondary research about the selected organisations through review of their annual reports, media reports, articles, and website information. You are not expected to directly contact any representative of the organisation for the purpose of this report.

Countdown is a full-service supermarket chain and subsidiary of Woolworths New Zealand, a subsidiary of Australia's Woolworths Limited. Countdown stores are normally larger than the average New Zealand supermarket. The first Countdown store opened in 1981 and the chain has expanded to 180 stores as of 2018.

All grocery items and general merchandise is supplied to stores through one of four distribution dry grocery distribution centres, three fresh produce distribution centres, three chilled and frozen distribution centres, two meat and seafood processing plants and a central support office.

In 2016 Countdown began the process of merging their Home Brand, Select and Signature Range brands to their Woolworths Essentials and Countdown Value / Everyday / Finest Brand. The Home Brand will be converted to Essentials and the Select and Signature range to the Countdown brand over the course of 2016, 2017 and 2018. This re-branding is expected to be completed by 2018.

Countdown has demonstrated corporate social responsibility by sponsoring for the welfare of the society on several fronts including the Zero harm environment for employees, training programs for fresh graduates, cultural diversity and gender equality. There have been contradictory issues at Countdown over a period with reports of extortion of stakeholders as well.

Countdown’s 2020 sustainability agenda is based on three pillars of people, planet and prosperity. Countdown won the Business Leadership category at the 2017 Green Ribbon Awards for Food Rescue Programme which focuses on reducing food waste going to landfill which has an impact on land and greenhouse gas production, while feeding people in need. 

Your task is to conduct research on Countdown New Zealand to discuss the questions and topics highlighted in the following table. A case study by Diversity Works New Zealand provides how countdown has successfully become a learning organisation and is free for students to access.

Students will apply the principles and practices of change management to ensure implementation of an effective and efficient change management plan in the organisation.