Managing a Successful Business Project - Marks and Spenser

Managing a Successful
Business Project

Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................3
TASK 1............................................................................................................................................3
P1: Devise the aim and objective for the scenario.................................................................3
P2: Produce project plan.........................................................................................................4
P3: Create work breakdown structure and Gantt chart...........................................................5
TASK 2............................................................................................................................................7
P4: Conduct small scale research...........................................................................................7
TASK 3............................................................................................................................................9
P5: Analyse the research by using appropriate tool...............................................................9
P6: Communicate the necessary recommendation for the research.....................................16
TASK 4..........................................................................................................................................17
P7: Reflect the research to enhance learning and meet the objective...................................17
CONCLUSION..............................................................................................................................17
REFRENCES.................................................................................................................................18
Logbook ........................................................................................................................................19

INTRODUCTION
The purpose of managing a business report is to utilise the abundant resources effectively
in order to maintain smooth functioning and achieve the desired outcome by conducting the
function like planning, organising and controlling effectively. The project management require
the critical task such as conducting research as well as investigation that can further assist the
firm to meet the objective and fulfil its scope successfully. Thus, they are responsible to figure
out the chances of risk and handle it by maintaining coordination and establish adequate strategy
(Ardichvili and et. al., 2012). For the better understanding of report Marks and Spenser company
has been selected which is multinational retailer that deals in home decor item, clothing, and
food items. This report cover topics like establish the aim and objective of company for the
selected theme. Collect the data and carry out small scale research. Moreover, present the report
and make appropriate recommendations to reach out meaningful conclusion. Further, reflect on
the values which are used to support the sustainable performance of an organisation are covered
in this report.
TASK 1
P1: Devise the aim and objective for the scenario
Globalisation refer to the open economy where the large multinational industries can
easily diversify their businesses or disperse their services from home country to various host
countries. It is basically a dynamic process that has led to the increase in foreign direct
investment by forming interconnection between the different countries successfully. This has
further improved the living standard of people by offering them wide employment opportunity,
enhanced the transportation platform and lead to better flow of information from various
communication channels (Bhabha, 2012). In relation with the large MNC's of United Kingdom
like Marks and Spenser has taken the advantage of globalisation in order to expand their
offering and mitigate the chances by analysing the external environment effectively. Thus,
existence of these companies are promoted by the local authority because it create job
employment in all countries across the world.
Aim
The aim of Multinational companies is to identify the positive as well as negative impact of the
business environment of host nations.

Globalisation has offered the wide platform with the help of which companies can trade
successfully within different region of an economy. But it is significant for the large companies
to analyse external environment such as political, social as well as legal factor because it can
directly affect the performance of business and can hamper its functioning. So for the vital
performance business determine the environment and make the suitable strategy which helps to
mitigate the chances of risk effectively.
Objectives
 To analyse the impact of external environment within the functioning of MNC's.
 To explore different ways by which the large companies of UK can perform its
functioning effectively in different part of an economy.
Questions
 Determine the impact of external environment within the large MNC's of UK?
 What are the various ways on the basis of which large companies can carry out it's
functioning effectively?
P2: Produce project plan
The purpose of project management plan is to prepared a documentation that consist of
the project activities like how the specific project will get planned, monitored as well as
implement to gain the best possible result. It basically consist of three things that include the
activities, task and resources which function simultaneously in order to attain the objective
successfully (Khan and et. al., 2015). Further, the current project of report which is about the
impact of globalisation within the host country. As there are several large MNC's of UK that
have global dominance so it is significant for them to understand the market and positively affect
the market by generating huge employment opportunity and fulfil the need of local residence.
There are certain aspects which are the part of project management that is defined below:
Cost: It is the monetary expenditure that company need to incur with the motive to attain
objective of project. Basically the large MNC's of UK like Marks and Spenser need to spend
35000 pounds so that they can effectively expand their services and positive affect the economy.
Scope: The current project has broad scope which can assist company to expand their
business effectively within different geographical market and various investments in host
countries that enhance the flow of fund and generate huge employment sources.

Time: The whole research work will take around 5 months to reach out the the objective
and gain desirable outcome by gaining the deep insights regarding the topic.
Quality: This is again one of the most significant tools that need to be focused by the
researcher as it help to fulfil the research objective. Here, investigator identify the ways on the
basis of which large companies to positively affect the host country so that they can exist for the
long run and conduct portfolio investment.
Communication: The researcher can interact with their team via email, video
conferencing, face to face meeting and so on (Marsella, 2012). These are all the official medium
to conduct the communication effectively.
Risk: Researcher can encounter with various type of risk like lack of financial resources,
confidentiality of information, lack of adequate knowledge to deal with the hurdle and so on.
Thus, the researcher need to focus on each and every aspect effectively.
P3: Create work breakdown structure and Gantt chart
Work breakdown structure: This structure is used while preparation of project as it
breakdown the whole topic into the smaller component. These are the manageable section which
are designed with the motive to conduct the each and every work effectively which further fulfil
the objective successfully (Briscoe, Tarique and Schuler, 2012). It is basically the hierarchical
way that divide the complex project into several roles and responsibility which create better
guidance and accomplishment the overall project objective effectively. In context to the large
multinational companies of UK can uses this structure while formulating the project as it
maintain accuracy, helps to figure out the overall time, cost as well as risk associated with the
project. This finally ensure that the team attain the certain milestones desirably. Therefore, this is
an useful practice where work is carried out in step by step form that finally break the large task
into smaller chunks which is considered as the easiest way that lead to the success of project.

Gantt chart: Gantt chart was first devised by the engineer named Henry Gantt after the
contribution of polish engineer. This chart gained huge popularity within the western countries as
it the effective as well as efficient way to represent the work into chart. It is basically the bar
chart that indicate the relationship between the different activities which are performed within
stipulated time period (Nankervis and at. al., 2016). The list of the different tasks are represented
on the vertical or Y axis whereas accumulated time interval are shown in the horizontal or X
axis. As the graph illustrate the overall time interval which refer to the summary elements that
constitute work breakdown structure of a project. The primary purpose of such chart is to
conduct the planning for different project that is scheduled for different dates.

TASK 2
P4: Conduct small scale research
Research methodology is a systematic way that help to collect the suitable information as
well as data in order to make effective business decision. It basically include different methods
like survey, interview round, published research and other valuable technique in order to
accumulate the information from various sources as well as ensure its validity and reliability.
The purpose of these tool and technique is to gather the effective data and perform the study by
collecting as well as evaluating the information successfully with the motive to attain the
objective (Chatterjee, 2013). Some of the common ways to carry out the research includes
survey, interview, observation and questionnaire method that help the investigator to gain better
perspective and give direction to the research work.
Research method: It refer to the strategies or the innovative technique adopted by the
researcher to collect the most suitable data and understand the purpose of research by uncovering
the new information or arena to work. Thus, it represent the action plan which are demonstrated
to attain the short and long term aim of an organisation by solving the various research problem.

There are different research methods on the basis of which firm gets the better insight to solve
the problem and fulfil the objective. The explanation of these method is demonstrated below:
Qualitative method: It is scientific method of research that gain the information which is
non numeric in nature due to which it uses the technique like observation, questionnaire as well
as survey method.
Quantitative method: Within this type of method research is represented in form of
numeric data or numbers. The application of quantitative method is used to attain the research
objective by using mathematical theories or model. Statistical method which is the part of
mathematics is extensively used within qualitative type.
Data collection: It is the process that help to gather as well as measure the information
in order to evaluate the outcome effectively. These data is gathered from the various sources and
is used to demonstrate the relevant picture on the basis of which firm can make the better
prediction or probability for future. Thus, there is primary and secondary source on the basis of
which investigator carry out the accurate research and maintain quality assurance by taking
informed decision.
Primary method: Here the researcher conduct the investigation for the first time due to
which it is also referred as first hand research (Cooke, 2012). This whole process involve huge
time as well as cost because the investigator himself involved in the research.
Secondary method: Within secondary research the investigator depend upon sources like
published information, website and so on to reach out the certain conclusion. It is relatively less
time and cost consuming process that is based on primary or interpreted information.
Sampling: It is process under which predetermined observation is selected out from the
huge population size (Ioannou and Serafeim, 2012). Herein, respected case study the sample size
is 40 which is selected on the basis of random sampling method. Thus, this is an effective way to
reach out to the solution as there exist no chance of biasses.
QUESTIONNAIRE
Q1) Do you have the understanding of term Globalisation?
a) Yes
b) No
Q2) Whether the term Globalisation is beneficial for large companies of UK?
a) Yes

b) No
Q3) Does the existence of external factors can affect the growth and development of
MNC's?
a) Yes
b) No
Q4) What are the advantage that company gains due to globalisation?
a) Enhance the market share
b) Economies of scale
c) Target new market
Q5) Determine the impact of globalisation within host countries?
a) Increase employment opportunity
b) Improve the living standard
c) Act as a barrier for home companies
Q6) Classify the role of globalisation in order to carry out worldwide trading?
a) Positive
b) Negative
Q7) What are the main external components on which the MNC's need to focus in order
to diversify their business effectively?
a) Socio cultural factor
b) Existence of competitors
c) Government rules and regulations
Q8) Recommend the ways on the basis of which large companies can expand their
business effectively?
TASK 3
P5: Analyse the research by using appropriate tool
THEME 1: Understanding of Globalisation
Q1) Do you have the understanding of term Globalisation? Frequency
a) Yes 35

b) No 5
a) Yes b) No
0
5
10
15
20
25
30
35
35
5
Frequency
Interpretation: Globalisation has created the interdependency between the various countries in
order to conduct the trading and maintain better relation with each other. It has helped various
developed and developing countries to enhance their infrastructure ad improve on the different
modes of communication. Thus, on the basis of survey most of the respondent have detail
understanding of the term globalisation as it has create huge job opportunity for both skilled and
unskilled workers.
THEME 2: Globalisation beneficial for UK companies
Q2) Whether the term Globalisation is beneficial for large companies of
UK?
Frequency
a) Yes 30
b) No 10

a) Yes b) No
0
5
10
15
20
25
30
Frequency
Interpretation: On the basis of above graph it has been analysed that amongst 40 respondents
30 of them agrees that globalisation offer various advantage to the UK companies. Some of the
significant benefit associated with it are increase in foreign direct investments, boost the
technology of nation as well as help the customer to cater the competitive market successfully.
Thus, it helped to connect the companies globally and carry out the trading with ease.
THEME 3: Existence of external factor in the growth of MNC's
Q3) Does the existence of external factors can affect the growth and
development of MNC's?
Frequency
a) Yes 25
b) No 15

a) Yes b) No
0
5
10
15
20
25
Frequency
Interpretation: External factor refer to those factor which are not in control of the firm but they
need to examine them and make effective strategy in order to expand the growth as well as
development of business. It include advancement in technology, changing preferences of the
target market, amendments in existing law, political stability and so on. So these factors can be
examine on the basis of various theories or model like Pestle analyses. Additionally, it determine
the actual picture on the basis of which firm can take the decision of diversification. Hence, on
the basis of responses most of the respondent that is 25 believe that external factor can affect the
growth of MNC'S whereas 15 does not accept the statement.
THEME 4: Advantage of globalisation
Q4) What are the advantage that company gains due to globalisation? Frequency
a) Enhance the market share 10
b) Economies of scale 18
c) Target new market 12

a) Enhance the market share
b) Economies of scale
c) Target new market
0
2
4
6
8
10
12
14
16
18
Frequency
Interpretation: According to the above graph it has been determined that 18 respondent agrees
that the main advantage of globalisation is economies of scale. Whereas, 12 and 10 respondent
give main priority to the advantage of targetting new market and widen the market share
respectively. Thus, there are enormous advantage of the globalisation that company gains like
get huge financial resources due which they can focus on mass production that finally decrease
the cost of the commodity. Along with this they get the source of additional revenue by catering
to new market effectively
THEME 5: Impact of globalisation in host countries
Q5) Determine the impact of globalisation within host countries? Frequency
a) Increase employment opportunity 15
b) Improve the living standard 10
c) Act as a barrier for home companies 15

a) Increase employment opportunity
c) Act as a barrier for home companies
0
2
4
6
8
10
12
14
16
Frequency
Interpretation: Host country is basically the potential market where the large companies extend
their services in order to gain global dominance. So there are several positive and negative side
that host country need to encounter due to globalisation. As per the responses posted on
questionnaire it has been interpreted that most of the customer feel that globalisation affect the
host country in affirmative manner. Like, 15 respondent and 10 respondent has indicated that it
enhances the employment opportunity as well as improve the lifestyle of local residents. On
contrary, 15 of them believes that existence of MNC's via globalisation act as a hurdle or barrier
for the small companies that are the part of home country.
THEME 6: Role of globalisation
Q6) Classify the role of globalisation in order to carry out worldwide
trading?
Frequency
a) Positive 25
b) Negative 15

a) Positive b) Negative
0
5
10
15
20
25
Frequency
Interpretation: According to the graph, 25 respondents accepts that globalisation plays positive
role in order to carry out international trading and functioning of business. Along with that 15 of
them consider that globalisation negatively affect the organisation in order to carry out the
business activities. Thus, due to the constant change in economy and adoption of latest tool and
technique most of the respondent are satisfied with the role of globalisation for the systematic
functioning of an economy.
THEME 7: External factor that need to be analysed by the organisation
Q7) What are the main external components on which the MNC's need
to focus in order to diversify their business effectively?
Frequency
a) Socio cultural factor 12
b) Existence of competitors 13
c) Government rules and regulations 15

a) Socio cultural factor
b) Existence of competitors
c) Government rules and regulations
0
2
4
6
8
10
12
14
16
Frequency
Interpretation: There are various factor that are the part of external factor such as the culture,
preferences of the target market, existence of tough competitor along with strategies adopted by
them as well as government rules and regulation that need to be effectively analysed by the
multinational company in order to effectively transfer the services to new geographical region
and carry out the functioning effectively. Hence, on the basis of above graphical representation
15, 13 and 12 respondents stated that the firm need to concentrate in the external factor such as
government regulation, number of competitor and socio cultural factor respectively.
P6: Communicate the necessary recommendation for the research
Recommendations: On the basis of above research it has been determined that
globalisation has helped the overall economy to build the strong network with each other. Thus,
there are certain recommended on the basis of which large companies can maintain their position
and expand their services durably. These recommendations are is stated below:
 The multinational companies should analyse the external environment effectively before
diversifying their business in various countries. This can help the firm to make effective
strategy in order to encounter the problem successfully.
 Along with this company concentrate that they should affirmatively affect the host
country by generating adequate source of employment opportunity and use effective CSR
policies to expand their business and gain trust of various stakeholders.

TASK 4
P7: Reflect the research to enhance learning and meet the objective
Wile carrying out the research I was suppose to communicate with 40 respondent and
understand their opinion regarding my topic. This whole process actually took me time to
understand the customer perspective as everyone's opinion differ from one to another. But later
on this enhanced my skill and helped me to enhance my interpersonal skill as it became easy for
me too to understand the customer perspective and reciprocate in the same manner.
CONCLUSION
From the above report it has been concluded that globalisation has helped the overall
economy to develop by successfully transferring the information, technology as well as
personnel from one place to the another. The main motive of research is to either solve the
problem or exploit the opportunity by using various methods on the basis of which data is
collected effectively. Hence, it give better view of the topic by resolving the issue significantly.

REFRENCES
Books and Journal
Ardichvili, A. and et. al., 2012. Ethical cultures in large business organizations in Brazil, Russia,
India, and China. Journal of Business Ethics. 105(4). pp.415-428.
Bhabha, H. K., 2012. The location of culture. routledge.
Briscoe, D., Tarique, I. and Schuler, R., 2012. International human resource management:
Policies and practices for multinational enterprises. Routledge.
Chatterjee, S. R., 2013. Human resource management in India:‘Where from’and ‘where to?’. 
Strategic Human Resource Management at Tertiary Level, p.49.
Cooke, F. L., 2012. The globalization of Chinese telecom corporations: Strategy, challenges and
HR implications for the MNCs and host countries. The International Journal of Human
Resource Management. 23(9). pp.1832-1852.
Florea, L., Cheung, Y. H. and Herndon, N. C., 2013. For all good reasons: Role of values in
organizational sustainability. Journal of Business Ethics. 114(3). pp.393-408.
Idowu, S. O. And et. al., 2013. Encyclopedia of corporate social responsibility (Vol. 21). New
York: Springer.
Ioannou, I. and Serafeim, G., 2012. What drives corporate social performance? The role of
nation-level institutions. Journal of International Business Studies. 43(9). pp.834-864.
Isaak, R., 2017. Green logic: Ecopreneurship, theory and ethics. Routledge.
Khan, K. and et. al., 2015. Organizational justice and job outcomes: Moderating role of Islamic
work ethic. Journal of Business Ethics. 126(2). pp.235-246.
Long, L. M., 2013. Culinary tourism. In Encyclopedia of food and agricultural ethics (pp. 1-8).
Springer Netherlands.
Luthans, F. and Doh, J. P., 2012. International management: Culture, strategy, and behavior.
New York: McGraw-Hill.
Marsella, A., 2012. Psychology and globalization: Understanding a complex relationship.
Journal of Social Issues. 68(3). pp.454-472.
Nankervis, A. R. and at. al., 2016. Human resource management: strategy and practice.
Cengage AU.

Logbook
Project Logbook for the chosen organisation:
Name of the learner: Name of the Supervisor:
Project Title: Multinational companies is to
identify the positive as well as negative impact
of the business environment of host nations.
Date:
Update of weekly research/ tasks achieved
(Account for a minimum of six weeks with
dates) What have you completed?
 Did you fulfil Task requirements?
 Are you on track and within deadlines
set? Did you need to make any changes to
your project management plan?
I have to complete project over an
interesting topic i.e. How Multinational
companies is to identify the positive as well
as negative impact of the business
environment of host nations.
Yes, I fulfil task requirements in systematic
manner.
Yes, Fulfil each activities or tasks on project
within given time period or set deadline.
No, there is no need for making any changes
in project management plan.
Any risks and / or issues identified? Did you identify risks/issues with a
lack of skills required for undertaking
research tasks?
Yes, lack of skill negatively impact on mine
while collection of accurate information
from the respondents.

 Did you identify any additional
risks/issues that have an impact on the
project management plan?
Yes, time is additional risk because topic is
broad and for doing each activities of
project, sufficient time period will be needed
by researcher.
Problems encountered What barriers did you face?
 How did you overcome them?
By performing current investigation, I faced
different issues such as improper behaviour
of respondents and lack of capital.
In order to overcome above mentioned
issues, I tried my best and I will follow each
activities of research in ethical manner.
New Ideas and change of project direction Implementation of communication channels
and technology is effective idea which will
support an investigator to complete project in
systematic manner.
What Have I learnt about myself this week? How did I feel when I had to deal with
tasks/problems?
 How well have I performed? What did
I contribute?
While dealing with tasks or problems, I lost
my conference level when collecting of
information from respondents.
I contribute my hundred percent while
performing each activities or tasks of

 What can I improve on next week?
 How might this learning apply in the
future?
research.
In order to improve on next week, I have to
follow ethical consideration and improve my
weak area by attending different seminar.
Seminar is best way of learning which will
helps me by doing future research.
Tasks planned for next week Which tasks are priority?
 Have you set aside sufficient time for
completion?
Data collection and interpretation is main
tasks for completion of project in systematic
manner.
Yes, I have to set aside sufficient time by
using Gantt chart.
Project plan status to date (on, ahead, behind)
Supervisor comments to address
Signature of the Supervisor and date:

Template for Performance Review to be attached with the report by the learner:
What was the Project supposed to accomplish?
Current project mainly related with to identify positive as well as negative impact of the business
environment of host nations on to Multinational companies.
Did the project succeed in its aims/ how do you know? Specifically, please outline any evaluation
and assessment undertaken?
Yes, the project succeed in its aims which is known by me by using different methods such as
questionnaire, sampling method etc.
What things do you think worked well and why? Evaluate all aspects of the project?
I think my communication skill is much better which helped my by collecting of data from the
respondents. This skill also helped me in evaluation of each research activities such as selection of aim,
research methodology, data collection, conclusion and recommendation.
What problems emerged during the project and how were they tackled? Was there timely
identification of issues and resolution during the project process?
During the project, improper behaviour of respondents is major issues. In order to tackled this issue I
used to follow ethical consideration. Yes, time is another issue which highly impacted during the
investigation. In order to overcome this issue, I used Gantt chart.
What did you learn from undertaking the project?
From undertaking the project, I learned about the impact of multinational organisation on business
environment of host destination.
How would you rate your performance as a management consultant leading the project?
According to my performance in research, I rate myself which is 9/10.
What strengths and weakness of your performance did you identify?
By performing research, I identified as communication skill is much better and time management skill is
not good.
How will this inform and support your continuous professional development?
Communication skill inform and support me in my continuous professional development by resolving
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different issues and providing information of previous study.
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