Strategies for Developing a Diverse and Inclusive Workforce

This document discusses the strategies and initiatives companies, specifically ASDA, put in place for developing a diverse and inclusive workforce. It explores the benefits of equality and diversity, the challenges faced by companies, and the strategies recommended for creating an inclusive workplace.

Successful Business Project

Table of Contents
SECTION 1 – INTRODUCTION...............................................................................................................3
SECTION 2 – PROJECT PLAN.................................................................................................................4
SECTION 3 – RESEARCH.........................................................................................................................5
SECTION 4 – FINDINGS AND RECOMMENDATIONS........................................................................6
SECTION 5 – EVALUATION..................................................................................................................16
SECTION 6 – CONCLUSION..................................................................................................................16
REFERENCES..........................................................................................................................................18
APPENDIX...............................................................................................................................................20

Topic: “To determine the strategies and initiatives companies put in place for developing
the diverse and inclusive workforce.”
SECTION 1 – INTRODUCTION
Background of project
Equality at workplace is making assure the people which are provided equal
opportunities, equal pay scale and also accepted for varied in better manner. This is developing
the conductive as well as inclusive working environment where the staff members feel safe and
secure. Diversity at workplace is related to firm recruits wider range of the diverse staff
members. This is misconceived as the multicultural matters and it applies to the race, age, gender
language, background and other characteristics (Ferdman and Deane, 2014). It is necessary for
company to create inclusive working environment so that all staff members can able to work in
an effective manner. Developing the inclusive and diverse workforce is helpful in enhancing
employee’s performance as well as organizational productivity. ASDA is British Supermarket
retailer and it was established in year 1949. The main focus of this company is to providing the
equal opportunities to all the staff members which belongs to the different backgrounds. ASDA
stated that to achieve the competitive benefits, the colleagues of this company required from the
different backgrounds and also required to innovatively work as part of inclusive culture.
Aim
“To determine the strategies and initiatives companies put in place for developing the
diverse and inclusive workforce.” A study on ASDA.
Objectives
 To examine benefits of equality and diversity in context to organization
 To determine the challenges faced by company from diverse workforce.
 To identify strategies ASDA needs to place for developing the diverse and inclusive
workforce
Questions

 Does equality and diversity provides the benefits to company?
 What are the issued faced through an organization from the diverse workforce?
 What kind of strategies used by ASDA in order to creating diverse and inclusive
workforce?
SECTION 2 – PROJECT PLAN
The project management plan is regarded as a structured document that the organization
uses for the intent of planning and implementing the project activities. This describes primarily
project priorities and their reach and also reviews strategies for structured execution, tracking
and regulation of its activities. Due to this project manager, the project quality can easily be
enhanced by reducing mistakes that occur when the tasks take place (Ferdman and Sagiv, 2012).
Different aspects considered in project management plan mention below:
Cost- This is an important aspect of project management plan that contributes to effective
implementation of project activities. Each project manager needed sufficient funds to improve
overall efficiency level at the period of its activities. For project managers it is therefore
important to know in an effective manner all the segments used in project. To carry out present
investigation properly, the project manager required about £250.
S cope- This is one of fundamental elements in a study which describes future scope
of the study that will be done in detail. Thus, ASDA present investigation has a great deal in
its power to develop effective strategies for making the workplace inclusive and diverse and
to increase its market share. This research also helps to raise awareness of a set of
opportunities (Foblets and Alidadi, 2016 ).
Time- This aspect is important as it specifies the time needed for any operation to
finish that is chosen according to the goals or needs of specific task. The time required to
complete the tasks is considered. The researchers will need approximately 6 months to
effectively investigate the problems and solve problem in current ASDA study (Trax,
Brunow and Suedekum, 2015 ).
Quality- The goal is to maintain excellence in order to affect the quality and
effectiveness of study. The company must also uphold the honesty and integrity of the

findings and the analysis must take account of the accuracy of and reliability of the collected
data (Guerin and Green, 2016 ).
Communication- The progress of project is probable when contact between people
takes place continuously in an investigation. Researchers will use many contact platforms,
including emails, Smartphone and meeting, to aid in the creation of efficient strategies in
their present analysis of strategies and initiatives companies put in place for developing the
diverse and inclusive workforce (Han and Beyerlein, 2016 ).
Risk- The major risk of using information that specifically affects confidentiality is
connected with this investigation. This can also have implications in future as respondents
will suggest to the investigator that the mouth of the researcher is also negative. In
conducting the project, risks involved are technological, manpower and finance (Hofhuis,
van der Zee and Otten, 2015 ).
Resources- The study is based on ASDA and this investigator will need many
resources, including capital, work, internet connection, etc. to conduct this research. It will
lead to the prompt and successful completion of the work (Roberson, 2019 ).
SECTION 3 – RESEARCH
Research methodology states that data or data associated with a particular subject may be
gathered systematically. These data are collected for decision-making purposes. The design of a
research method is the most important. The scientists identify the compilation, presentation and
review of the critical data and information to answer research questions and aims (Joubert,
2017).
Qualitative- The aim is to explore the views, motives and intentions in qualitative
investigation. This helps to create new ideas about problems. This researcher can understand
customer opinions in order to collect the right information and data (Rawat and Basergekar,
2016).

Quantitative- These are methods for collecting data on research and activities.
Researchers here use mathematical statistical methods to analyze findings and data. This can be
compiled survey and other interviews (Kulkarni, Boehm and Basu, 2016).
Data Collection-Data collection is way in which information and data are gathered in
relation to a particular field or subject (Ravazzani, 2016). There are two main kinds of research
data collection that are explained below:
Primary- It is the first way that information and data are gathered that has not previously
been used. The researcher can easily gather relevant information and data. Interviews,
questionnaires, surveys and others are available to provide insight into the opinions and views of
interviewees on research. In conducting present project, questionnaire has been used (Lambert,
2016).
Secondary- Information and data are already collected and recorded by non-user person.
There are ready data in the form of reports, magazines, books, websites and newspapers. It helps
to save researchers time and costs (Martin, 2014).
Sampling- The procedure is used to analyze statistics which have been detected by a
large population. Sampling is a population subset that reduces costs and helps to collect
information and data. For the proper collection of data, researchers use the random sampling
method. In this researcher 40 respondents are selected for the collection of information on the
subject (Mateescu, 2017).
SECTION 4 – FINDINGS AND RECOMMENDATIONS
For analysis the collected information, there has been thematic analysis used. In this,
graphs are developed in MS-Excel; themes developed and also make the interpretations (Ozgen,
Nijkamp and Poot, 2017).
Data Sheet
Q1) Are you aware about equality and diversity? Frequency
a) Yes 35
b) No 5

Q2) What are benefits of equality in firm? Frequency
a) Increasing productivity 10
b) Promotes innovation 20
c) Improves brand reputation 10
Q3) Does equality and diversity assist in increasing performance
of workers?
Frequency
a) Yes 30
b) No 10
Q4) How equality and diversity influence on the workforce? Frequency
a) Positive impact 22
b) Negative impact 18
Q5) What are various kinds of diversity in an organization? Frequency
a) Gender 12
b) Age 18
c) Religion 10
Q6) Which issues are faced through the ASDA from the diverse
workforce?
Frequency
a) Variations in Ethnic and Culture 20
b) Differences in Language 10
c) Generational and Age Differences 10
Q7) What are various strategies ASDA needs to be put in
creating the diverse and inclusive workplace?
Frequency
a) Celebrate Employee Differences 15
b) Educate Leaders 15
c) Provide training 10
Q8) What benefits firm can gain from developing inclusive and
diverse workforce effectively?
Frequency
a) Enhance employee performance 35
b) Improving organizational productivity 5
c) Enhance profitability 5
Q9) Does inclusive and diverse workforce helps in enhancing the Frequency

organizational productivity?
a) Yes 30
b) No 10
THEME 1: Aware about equality and diversity
Q1) Are you aware about equality and diversity? Frequency
a) Yes 35
b) No 5
a) Yes b) No
0
5
10
15
20
25
30
35
40
35
5
Interpretation: There are 35 participants who said they care about equity and diversity in the
workplace. There are 5 others that have no idea about equality and diversity.
THEME 2: Benefits of equality
Q2) What are benefits of equality in firm? Frequency
a) Increasing productivity 10
b) Promotes innovation 20
c) Improves brand reputation 10

a) Increasing productivity b) Promotes innovation c) Improves brand
reputation
0
5
10
15
20
25
10
20
10
Interpretation: According to 10 respondents that the main benefit of equality is increasing the
organizational performance and productivity. 20 respondents said that the equality helps in
promoting the innovation at workplace by hiring the different cultural employees. 10 remaining
respondents are agreed with improving the brand reputation of an organization.
THEME 3: Equality and diversity assist in increasing staff member’s performance
Q3) Does equality and diversity assist in increasing performance
of workers?
Frequency
a) Yes 30
b) No 10

a) Yes b) No
0
5
10
15
20
25
30
35
30
10
Interpretation: On the basis of 30 respondents that the equality and Diversity assist in
improving performance of employees. According to them treating the employees equally is
helpful on motivating them and enhance their performance level. 10 remaining respondents are
not agreeing with mention statement.
THEME 4: Equality & diversity impact on workforce
Q4) How equality & diversity influence on the workforce? Frequency
a) Positive impact 22
b) Negative impact 18
a) Positive impact b) Negative impact
0
5
10
15
20
25
22
18

Interpretation: According to 22 respondents that the equality and Diversity develop the positive
effects on workforce as it helps in hiring the different culture people and also promote the
innovation in company. 18 respondents did not agree with this argument, stating that diversity
has a negative effect on workers because multiple employees have various views and opinions
and disagreements that occur in the workplace.
THEME 5: Kinds of diversity in an organization
Q5) What are various kinds of the diversity in an organization? Frequency
a) Gender 12
b) Age 18
c) Religion 10
a) Gender b) Age c) Religion
0
2
4
6
8
10
12
14
16
18
20
12
18
10
Interpretation: There are 12 respondents with said that diversity arises on gender basis at
workplace and in this there is a variation among the male and female gender. 18 respondents are
agreeing with the age basis Diversity. 10 participants that religion is major base of diversity at
workplace.
THEME 6: Issues from the diverse workforce
Q6) Which issues are faced through the ASDA from the diverse
workforce?
Frequency
a) Variations in Ethnic and Culture 20

b) Differences in Language 10
c) Generational and Age Differences 10
a) Ethnic and Cultural
Differences b) Differences in Language c) Generational and Age
Differences
0
5
10
15
20
25
20
10 10
Interpretation: According to opinion of 20 respondents that main issues faced through ASDA at
workplace related to diverse workforce is ethnic and cultural differences. The people belongs to
different backgrounds are unable to understand the culture of other place or organization. There
are 10 respondents and according to them difference in language arise a main issue and
employees not able to understand. 10 remaining participants are agree with generational as well
as differences among the staff members at workplace.
THEME 7: Strategies ASDA needs to be put in creating diverse and inclusive workforce
Q7) What are various strategies ASDA needs to be put in
creating the diverse and inclusive workplace?
Frequency
a) Celebrate Employee Differences 15
b) Educate Leaders 15
c) Provide training 10

a) Celebrate Employee
Differences b) Educate Leaders c) Provide training
0
2
4
6
8
10
12
14
16 15 15
10
Interpretation: 15 participants that celebrate employees difference is a main strategy that
company need to be used to develop the diverse workforce. On basis of 15 respondents that firm
needs to educate leaders so that they can deal with all culture employees effectively. 10
participants are with providing the equality training so employees can able to understand each
other culture.
THEME 8: Benefits firm can gain from developing inclusive and diverse workforce
Q8) What benefits firm can gain from developing inclusive and
diverse workforce effectively?
Frequency
a) Enhance employee performance 35
b) Improving organizational productivity 5
c) Enhance profitability 5

a) Enhance employee
performance b) Improving
organizational
productivity
c) Enhance profitability
0
5
10
15
20
25
30
35
40
35
5 5
Interpretation: 35 respondents said that the main benefit firm can get from developing the
inclusive and diverse workforce is increasing the performance level of employees. 5 participants
which are agreeing with improving the productivity of an organization. On the basis of
remaining 5 respondents that developing inclusive workforce is helpful in increasing profitability
of company.
THEME 9: Inclusive and diverse workforce assists in enhancing productivity of firm
Q9) Does inclusive and diverse workforce assists in enhancing
productivity of firm?
Frequency
a) Yes 30
b) No 10

a) Yes b) No
0
5
10
15
20
25
30
35
30
10
Interpretation: 30 participants said that developing the inclusive and diverse workforce aids in
enhancing organization productivity as all the staff members of different background the above
together and focus on achieving the set organization objectives within a given time period. 10
participants are not agree with mention statement.
RECOMMENDATIONS
 It has been recommended that ASDA organization should educate its learners so that they
can treat fairly with all backgrounds employees and also provide them proper guidance so
that they can able to perform.
 This is essential to an organization to provide the training related to Equality to all the
employees so that they can enable to understand and also focus on together work for
achieving set goals.
 Management should conduct open communication among all the staff members so that
they can understand the culture of each other and also understand the opinion of each
other at workplace.
 It is necessary for the management make changes in its policies and also provide the and
also recruit the employees from the different background and culture so that they can
promote innovation in an organization.

SECTION 5 – EVALUATION
Research was conducted on the subject “determine the strategies and initiatives
companies put in place for developing the diverse and inclusive workforce." I have learnt a lot
through this study and it has been a very positive experience. I experienced all kinds of persons
with varying viewpoints and thinking, which helped me to frame different ideas when
conducting an investigation. This was not easy task, however, as I was confronted with various
problems and obstacles during my research. The biggest problem I had was bad time
management, which contributed to time usage for study. In addition, the other issue was that
most people just aren't interested in responding to questions that have not been tested with great
honesty and trust. I am able to complete the research and fulfill business objectives and goals
accurately and economically even after many difficulties. It was possible because of my personal
will and determination that has not caused my level of trust to go down so I will do the same
work in the future more effectively and efficiently.
SECTION 6 – CONCLUSION
This has been stated from mentioned report that developing inclusive and diverse
workplace environment is necessary for increasing the organizational productivity and
employee’s performance. It is necessary for company to focus on providing the equal
opportunities to all employees which work in organization so that employees can focus on
attaining organizational objectives set through management. There has been studied about the
different challenges which faced by the company from the diverse workforce reduce the
organizational productivity and the employees performance. In order to overcome from the
origin issue there are some strategies developed by ASDA Company such as such as educate the
leaders, provide equality training and also develop the open communication. These are helpful in
developing the positive impact on the organization productivity and profitability.

REFERENCES
Books & Journals
Ferdman, B. M. and Deane, B., 2014. Diversity at work: The practice of inclusion.
Ferdman, B. M. and Sagiv, L., 2012. Diversity in organizations and cross-cultural work
psychology: What if they were more connected?. Industrial and Organizational
Psychology. 5(3). pp.323-345.
Foblets, M. C. and Alidadi, K. eds., 2016. A test of faith?: religious diversity and
accommodation in the European workplace. Routledge.
Guerin, C. and Green, I., 2016. Cultural diversity and the imagined community of the global
academy. Asia Pacific Journal of Education. 36(1). pp.1-12.
Han, S. J. and Beyerlein, M., 2016. Framing the effects of multinational cultural diversity on
virtual team processes. Small group research. 47(4). pp.351-383.
Hofhuis, J., van der Zee, K. I. and Otten, S., 2015. Measuring employee perception on the effects
of cultural diversity at work: development of the Benefits and Threats of Diversity Scale.
Quality & Quantity. 49(1). pp.177-201.
Joubert, Y. T., 2017. Workplace diversity in South Africa: Its qualities and management. Journal
of Psychology in Africa. 27(4). pp.367-371.
Kulkarni, M., Boehm, S. A. and Basu, S., 2016. Workplace inclusion of persons with a disability.
Equality, Diversity and Inclusion: An International Journal.
Lambert, J., 2016. Cultural diversity as a mechanism for innovation: Workplace diversity and the
absorptive capacity framework. Journal of Organizational Culture, Communications and
Conflict. 20(1). p.68.
Martin, A. M., 2014. Multiplicity organizations: A qualitative phenomenology study of cultural
diversity in the workplace(Doctoral dissertation, Capella University).Rice, M. F., 2015.
Diversity and public administration. ME Sharpe.
Mateescu, M. V., 2017. Cultural Diversity in the Workplace-Discourse and Perspectives.
Modelling the New Europe. An On-line Journal. (24). pp.23-35.
Ozgen, C., Nijkamp, P. and Poot, J., 2017. The elusive effects of workplace diversity on
innovation. Papers in Regional Science. 96. pp.S29-S49.

Ravazzani, S., 2016. Understanding approaches to managing diversity in the workplace.
Equality, Diversity and Inclusion: An International Journal.
Rawat, P. S. and Basergekar, P., 2016. Managing workplace diversity: Performance of minority
employees. Indian Journal of Industrial Relations, pp.488-501.
Roberson, Q. M., 2019. Diversity in the workplace: A review, synthesis, and future research
agenda. Annual Review of Organizational Psychology and Organizational Behavior. 6.
pp.69-88.
Trax, M., Brunow, S. and Suedekum, J., 2015. Cultural diversity and plant-level productivity.
Regional Science and Urban Economics. 53. pp.85-96.
Online
Vaux, R., 2020. Diversity Issues Affecting the Workplace. [Online]. Available through:
<https://smallbusiness.chron.com/diversity-issues-affecting-workplace-10238.html>.

APPENDIX
QUESTIONNAIRE
Q1) Are you aware about equality and diversity?
a) Yes
b) No
Q2) What are benefits of equality in firm?
a) Increasing productivity
b) Promotes innovation
c) Improves brand reputation
Q3) Does equality and diversity assist in increasing performance of workers?
a) Yes
b) No
Q4) How equality and diversity influence on the workforce?
a) Positive impact
b) Negative impact
Q5) What are various kinds of diversity in an organization?
a) Gender
b) Age
c) Religion
Q6) Which issues are faced through the ASDA from the diverse workforce?
a) Variations in Ethnic and Culture
b) Differences in Language
c) Generational and Age Differences
Q7) What are various strategies ASDA needs to be put in creating the diverse and inclusive
workplace?
a) Celebrate Employee Differences
b) Educate Leaders
c) Provide training
Q8) What benefits firm can gain from developing inclusive and diverse workforce
effectively?

a) Enhance employee performance
b) Improving organizational productivity
c) Enhance profitability
Q9) Does inclusive and diverse workforce helps in enhancing the organizational
productivity?
a) Yes
b) No
Q10) Suggest ways through which company get competitive advantages.
Work Breakdown Structure
The framework for the wok breakdown structure complex tasks into quick, manageable
jobs. This is a key project to manage teamwork in smaller areas. This approach is used by Project
Manager for project execution. This makes the project precise and legible, including control
points and milestones. The measurement of time, costs and risk is helpful. Information, product,
service or combination of these could be WBS elements. The overall scope should be
hierarchically decomposed by the project manager to achieve project objectives within a given
time period.
Gantt Chart
The Gantt chart that was used in the project was developed in 1917 by Henry L Gantt.
The horizontal graph illustrates specific tasks to be better designed, coordinated and tracked.
This displays horizontal axis events and data describing research over a given period of time. It
takes time to start and finish, and activities that yield meaningful results must be done in
specified time.
Name:
Project title: “To determine the strategies and initiatives companies put in
place for developing the diverse and inclusive workforce.”

Date:
Update on weekly research/tasks achieved
I have been able to identify significance of promoting equality and diversity
in company. I think I am on the track with deadlines that I have set for finish
of my project report.
Any risks and/or issues identified?
During the course of this report, I identified a lack of effective and fluent
communication skills which I believe were very essential for conducting
research. However, I worked upon developing them to get the best results
and meet the research objectives.
Problems encountered
Initially, I faced the problem of using relevant and authentic sources of
information but I managed to overcome this barrier by learning about the
guidelines of research.
New ideas and change of project direction
I have developed an idea which is related with importance of selecting right
sample size for conducting an effective project research in the right direction.
What have I learnt about myself this week?
During this week, I learnt that I am good at learning new skills and
implementing new knowledge. In the next week, I wish to improve the time-
management for conducting my research.
Tasks planned for next week
I plan to understand the challenges and issues faced by an organisation while
building and fostering a equal and diverse workforce in the company in the
next week.

Project plan status to date (on, ahead, behind)
It is on time and on track with the timeline and schedule.
Supervisor comments to address
 What was the project supposed to accomplish?
To understand the importance of developing diverse and equal workforce as well as
analyzing challenges faced by business managers and strategies adopted to overcome those
challenges with the help of a case study on ASDA.
 Did the project succeed in its aims? How do you know? Specifically, please outline
any evaluation and assessment undertaken.
Project has successfully met its objectives by effectively using tools of data collection along
with a detailed and in-depth analysis of the outcomes and results.
 What things do you think worked well and why? Evaluate all aspects of the project
(e.g. initial inception, project activities and project outcomes) from a range of
perspectives.
I think that process of collecting information by using various effective tools worked well to
attain goals of present project. Initial inception of project was bit challenging but further project
activities were carried out in a very effective manner.
 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 initial phase of the project, many problems and challenges were encountered. I
experienced a problem of effective time-management during the initial project phase and the

other challenge was concerned with using authentic information from reliable sources. I believe
the problems were identified in time and I resolved the problem of time-management by
preparing a plan and schedule and consulted my superior for the problem related with authentic
sourcing of information to obtain and analyse outcomes.
 What did you learn from undertaking the project?
I learnt a lot of important skills during the course of project such as time-management skills,
conducting market research and also developed an interest in management of the workforce and
employees which I believe will help me in my future career aspirations.
 How would you rate your performance as project manager?
As project manager 8/10.
 What strengths and weaknesses of your performance did you identify?
I determined that I have ability to quickly adapt and implement things. I was able to
demonstrate effective time-management skills and problem-solving abilities by creative thinking.
I believe I lacked an effective and fluent communication skills which I would like to work upon
in future.
 How will this inform and support your continuous professional development?
I believe conducting this research project will help a lot in influencing my continuous
professional development. With the help of this project report, I have developed many important
and essential skills such as market research or time-management. I have also enhanced my
problem-solving skills and ability to think beyond conventional norms. I also have a future
direction of personal development with respect to communication skills. Hence, this report has
helped me in process of constant personal and professional development.