Impact of Technology on Small Businesses

The provided research study focuses on the benefits of technological advancements for small businesses. It concludes that these businesses can utilize technologies in multiple ways to expand their operations and increase their market presence. The study references several sources, including academic journals and online resources, to support its findings.

Managing Successful
Business Project

TABLE OF CONTENTS
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................1
TASK 1............................................................................................................................................1
P1 Aims and Objectives of project .............................................................................................1
P2 Creating a Project management plan.....................................................................................3
P3 Time line and Action Plan ....................................................................................................4
TASK 2............................................................................................................................................7
P4 Conducting small scale research using research methods.....................................................7
TASK 3............................................................................................................................................9
P5 Data analysis and Interpretation.............................................................................................9
P6 Recommendations on findings.............................................................................................18
TASK 4..........................................................................................................................................19
P7 Reflection on research conducted........................................................................................19
CONCLUSION..............................................................................................................................19
REFERENCES..............................................................................................................................20

INTRODUCTION
Digital technology is the fastest growing factor in the business environment and is being
included by all companies in their work operations. It plays an important role in the development
of companies and opening various new opportunities for them so as to earn higher profits. By
implementing these kinds of technologies, companies are able to adapt new ways of working so
as to increase their productivity and improving the performance of workers as well. Technologies
also play an important role in developing small businesses as well as it provides them smart ways
to do their operations and achieve their goals and objectives as well. Because of these
technologies, companies are able to transform their business operations from traditional to
modern which is very good for company (Ahmed Dine Rabeh, Jimenez-Jimenez and Martínez-
Costa, 2013). The organisation that will be referred here is Wilton Way Cafe which is a famous
cafeteria in London that is being loved by the localities. They are making plans to introduce their
cafe in online business and for this, they will be using various technologies like time tracking
software so as to improve their business operations.
TASK 1
P1. Aim and objectives of project
Since it is seen that economy is growing at a fast rate therefore, it has become necessary
for all companies to catch this speed so that they can also bring growth and development in their
organisations and make a strong place in the market as well. Digital technology is a technique
that is helping companies in performing their business operations in an easy manner and is also
helping them to complete their work on time. There are several types of technologies that have
been evolved by the inventors which are further applied by companies in their respective
departments (Chesbrough, 2010). Small-businesses can also make use of these technologies so as
to grow themselves in the market and learn new ways of doing their work in an effective manner.
These techniques can be applied in company and the experts that are present will just have to
provide training to employees so that they can make use of these technologies. So, in case of
Wilton Way Cafe, they are making their own website of food supply and will be introducing a
new software in their restaurant called as Time tracking software from which they will be
evaluating the time that they are taking while delivering their services to customers.
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Topic: - “Identification of impact of digital technology in small business growth and
innovation”.
Background of the project:
As per the current scenario, it can be said that from the time when digital technology is
being implemented in companies, their operations are continuously improving and they are able
to give better results to company (Crane and Matten, 2016). So, if Wilton Way Cafe will be
applying their technologies then they will be able to expand their operations and it will lead to
earn high profitability for organisation. But after being entering in the digital world, they will
have to make sure that they are having focus on the customers and they are doing good
promotions as well.
Management of Wilton Way Cafe is required to make sure that while expanding their
operations, they should be able to maintain their quality standards so that none of the customers
will have to face any kind of issues and they will enjoy their meal like the way they use to
expand earlier. Their pricing policies should also not be affected much otherwise, their new
venture will not be taken with much interest by the customers. So, it can be said that by
introduction of digital techniques in cafe, the management has opened new doors of
opportunities for themselves.
Aim: “To identify the impact of digital technology in bringing growth and innovation in small
business organisation - A case study on Wilton Way Cafe”.
Objectives:
 To determine the impact of digital technologies on the business operations of Wilton
Way Cafe
 To analyse the benefits/drawbacks faced by Wilton Way Cafe after implementation of
digital technologies
 To evaluate the effectiveness gained by cafe by using time tracking software in their
business
 To recommend various ways through which cafe concerto can gain high share in the
market
Research Questions:
 How digital technologies are impacting the business operations of Wilton Way Cafe?
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 What are the benefits/drawbacks that are derived by Wilton Way Cafe after
implementation of these techniques?
 What effectiveness time tracking software has brought into Wilton Way Cafe?
 Provide suggestions and recommendations for improving the work operations of Wilton
Way Cafe.
P2. Creating a Project management plan
Since every company wants that their operations are being done in an appropriate manner
so for this they need a good plan which can be followed by them so as to conduct all their
business operations in an effective manner (Den Hertog, Van der Aa and De Jong, 2010). It is the
responsibility of project manager to make a plan for the company which they can use for
completing their project. In a project plan various types of elements are included such as project
cost, scope, time, resources, quality and risk as well. All these elements are required to be used
by the project manager in the plans they are making so that the project can be completed in an
effective manner. If all these factors will be utilised in a proper manner then they will be able to
make the business successful in market.
These factors are described as under:-
 COST – It is one of the most important factor that will be present in the project and
without this managers will not be able to design or execute the project in an effective
manner. In this, the project managers are required to estimate the total costly that will be
required for implementing the whole project in a proper manner and after estimating it, it
will be arranged by the company so that the operations are started. Wilton Way Cafe
could incur more cost in opening their website by a web designer and after this they
promoting their website by utilisation of various media platforms so here also much cost
will be involved.
 SCOPE – It is also one of the essential factor that is required to be taken into account by
the project managers as it will help the companies in executing the project that is feasible
in nature and reflects the growth in the environment as well. Wilton Way Cafe should
also make sure that whether there is future scope and growth in this project or not
because otherwise their mission will live for short term only (Eckerson, 2010). Scope is
very necessary because from here only companies make plans so as to grow and develop
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in the market. Since digitalisation is growing more and more in economy so market scope
for a website will be very high and thus Wilton Way Cafe will have high market scope.
 TIME – This factor is having a very strong place in the business environment because if
there will be no time management then they will not be able to do their operations in an
effective manner and complete the project on time. After entering into the digital world
half of the problem will automatically be solved since technologies helps in doing work
in less time period (Gebauer, Edvardsson and Bjurko, 2010). Here the managers will allot
time for completing each of their activity so that all the activities are completed on time
and project is completed in a successful manner. Wilton Way Cafe will require at-least
one weak time for desigining their website because it should be attractive enough so that
more people can know about it.
 RESOURCES - It is the core factor that is required to be utilised by the project manager
as it tells about the core requirements that are required for conducting all the activities.
These resources can be in the form of Land, labour or capital. These are allotted by the
project manager against each activity and makes sure that it is used in a proper manner.
Resources that will be required by Wilton Way Cafe is minimum as they will require
only a computer devise from where they will operate their website.
 RISK – This factors signifies that there is a risk factor that is required to be present in
every project because if there will be no risk then there will be profit as well. Wilton
Way Cafe is also taking huge risk by expanding their business operations in a whole new
market and implementing new technologies as well but they also know that it is very
much required to be done by the companies so as to achieve more market share and earn
more revenue as well.
So, it is required that the managers should ensure that they have utilised all these factors
in an appropriate manner so that they can derive corrective outcomes from it.
P3. Timeline and Action Plan
It is the core requirement of every project that it is to be conducted in an efficient manner
and complete it on time as well. For this, business managers are require to prepare Gantt chart in
which all the activities are bifurcated in a proper manner as per requirements so that the
managers do not face any kind of problem in completing the project (Incelli, 2013). The steps
that are required to be determined for making a Gantt chart as well as action plan are as follows:
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 Problem determination
 Analyse the gap through different perspective
 Describe terms and concepts properly
 Selection of methodology
 Population selection
 Collecting data
 Analysing data
 Conclusion and recommendation
 Submission of report
These steps are being designed after carefully analysing the aims and objectives of the
project so that it can be completed on time. Since Wilton Way Cafe is opening their business in
the digital market as well therefore they need to ensure that whether the customers will like this
new concept or not. Once they will know the reactions they will able to implement these ideas in
a more proper manner and achieve good results for the company. To know the reactions, project
manager will have to organise a research program in which a questionnaire will be distributed to
the sample population selected and their reactions will be noticed by the researcher and then
actions are carried out as well (Jones and Lubinski, 2012). Wilton Way Cafe is required to
present themselves in such a manner that more and more people should come to know about
them and use their new services. The action plan that will be prepared are as follows:-
S. no Task Name Duration Start Finish Predecessor
1 Identify the
problem
5 Days
2 Review the
literature
11 Days 1
3 Clarify the
problem
14 Days 1,2
4 Clearly define
the terms and
concepts
6 Days 2,3
5

5 Define the
population
15 Days 4
6 Collecting
data
5 Days 5
7 Analysing data 6 Days 6
8 Conclusion
and
Recommendat
ion
1 Day 7
9 Submission of
report
1 Day 8
The sample respondents that will be selected will be 20 and they are being chosen by
using random sampling method (Kankaanranta and Planken 2010). The questionnaire that is
prepared will be presented in front of these respondents who will answer the questions which
will be used by the researcher in their future. Investigator is needed to have a check on all the
workers so as to assure that all the acts are being conducted effectively or not. This is very much
essential for making the task successful.
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TASK 2
P4. Conducting small scale research using research methods
If an investigator wants to carry out a research process then they will have to use various
types of methods and techniques so that they can it is effective in nature. These methods are
categorised as Quantitative and qualitative data Introducing Research Methods, (2017). But for
collecting the data both primary as well as secondary source will be used so that the researcher
will have information from all the sides and can be used in the project execution as well (Lai and
Ong, 2010). It is said that if the plan is implemented properly then it will be very helpful in
completing the goals and objectives of the company.
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Wilton Way Cafe can make use of digital media so as to promote their online business as
there are no. of sites that are providing such opportunities to the companies like Facebook,
Instagram, Twitter, etc. So, they can organise an online campaign so that more no, of people can
get connected to it and spread awareness about the cafe (Lin and Chen, 2012). The methods that
can be used by them so as to collect data are:-
 Primary source: - It is that source where data is being collected for the first time by the
investigator so that it can be utilised in the project. These kind of data are considered as
more reliable and are corrective in nature as well. The sources from which data can be
collected are like personal interview, online survey, questionnaire survey etc. here, the
investigator has used questionnaire method.
 Secondary Source: – It is a source of data collection where data has already been
collected by the researcher and is being utilised by them already in various other
researches. It is not considered as a reliable because the data has been utilised by many
people. The ways through which it can be collected are newspapers, magazines, books
etc.
For EX – Uber is a transportation company that is operating today in more than 630
countries have started their business on a small scale only but with continuous use of technology
they have made their place in the market and has achieved growth and development as well.
Methods of data Analysis :
 Quantitative – Its main purpose is to develop predictions for the future and check the
cause and effect. These kind of data is selected randomly and here the data is in the form
of numbers and statistics.
 Qualitative – Its main purpose is to understand and interpret social interactions and here
the data is in the form of words, images and objects. Here the researcher is known to the
participants.
◦ Thematic analysis – It is the most common form of analysis in qualitative research
and its main focus is on examining and recording patterns within data. These themes
later on becomes the categories for analysis.
QUESTIONNAIRE
Name:
Age:
8

Gender:
Q1. Will Wilton Way Cafe be able to incur the cost of implementing digitalisation?
a) Yes
b) No
Q2. Which method of marketing will be used by them so as to grow their relationship with
the customers?
a) Traditional method
b) Modern method
Q3. Will Wilton Way Cafe be able to survive for long term in digital market?
a) Yes
b) No
Q4. Will the customers be able to adopt new ways of doing business i.e. through websites
etc.?
a) Agree
b) Disagree
Q5. Was this change required to be undertaken in Wilton Way Cafe?
a)Yes
b)No
Q6. Will they be able to utilise all their resources and equipment in an effective manner?
a)Yes
b)No
Q7. Does this change have the power ton increase the profits and productivity of
company?
a) Agree
b) Disagree
Q8. Will the use of time tracking software be effective for the company and improve their
quality and standards?
a) Yes
b) No
Q9. Have you get any sort of beneficial knowledge through this digitalisation process?
a) Yes
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b) No
Q10. Provide appropriate recommendations for such
scenario____________________________________________________________________
TASK 3
P5. Data analysis and interpretation
Only collecting the data is not enough, it is required to be analysed and interpreted in a
proper manner so that appropriate outcomes can be derived (Shang, 2012). This data
interpretation support Wilton Way Cafe in making the things accurate in nature by examining
them properly along with various graphs and charts presentation:
Q1. Will Wilton Way Cafe be able to incur the
cost of implementing digitalisation?
Frequency
a) Yes 16
b) No 4
Theme: Digitalisation incur more cost in its implementation.
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Implementation:- From the above data, it can be concluded that out of 20 respondents 16 think
that Wilton way cafe is having appropriate amount of funds which can be utilised by them while
implementing digitalisation in their business. It will be a kind of investment only as they will be
able to earn high profits from their new business. But 4 people says that they not might not have
this much amount of funds.
Q2. Which method of marketing will be used
by them so as to grow their relationship with
the customers?
Frequency
a) Traditional method 6
b) Modern method 14
11
a) Yes b) No
0
2
4
6
8
10
12
14
16
Frequency

Theme: Modern marketing approach is advantageous in CRM.
Implementation :- From the above data, it can be concluded that out of 20 respondents only 6
people believe that traditional approach will be beneficial but rest all 14 respondents says that
modern method will be more beneficial.
Q3. Will Wilton Way Cafe be able to survive
for long term in digital market?
Frequency
a) Yes 17
b) No 3
12
a) Traditional method b) Modern method
0
2
4
6
8
10
12
14
Frequency

Theme: Digitalisation is helpful in increasing long term growth.
Implementation :- From the above data, it can be concluded that out of 20 respondents 17
respondents think that cafe will be able to survive in the market for a longer period of time as
they are being loved by their customers and after being introduced in the digital market their
scope will only increase and never decrease. But only 3 respondents says that it will not bring
growth for longer period of time.
Q4. Will the customers be able to adopt new
ways of doing business i.e. through websites
etc.?
Frequency
a) Agree 12
b) Disagree 8
13
a) Yes b) No
0
2
4
6
8
10
12
14
16
18
Frequency

Theme: Awareness about brand and quality of products selling through online market
Implementation :- From the above data, it can be concluded that out of 20 respondents 12 are in
favour that company will be able to adapt new ways of doing business and rest 8 were not in
favour of this.
Q5. Was this change required to be
undertaken in Wilton Way Cafe?
Frequency
a) Yes 14
b) No 6
14
a) Agree b) Disagree
0
2
4
6
8
10
12
Frequency

Theme: Requirement of change
Implementation :- From the above data, it can be concluded that out of 20 respondents 14
respondents believed that there was a requirement for Wilton way cafe to bring this change into
the organisation because then they will be able to stay in the competition but rest 6 were not in
favour of this.
Q6. Will they be able to utilise all their
resources and equipment in an effective
manner?
Frequency
a) Yes 18
b) No 2
15
a) Yes b) No
0
2
4
6
8
10
12
14
Frequency

Theme: Resources are getting used in a proper manner.
Implementation :- From the above data, it can be concluded that out of 20 respondents 18 were
very sure about the cafe and knew that they will be able to use all the resources in an appropriate
manner and will not do any kind of wastage but only 2 respondents were not agreeing with this.
Q7. Does this change have the power to
increase the profits and productivity of
company?
Frequency
a) Agree 19
b) Disagree 1
16
a) Yes b) No
0
2
4
6
8
10
12
14
16
18
Frequency

Theme: For raising profits and productivity
Implementation :- From the above data, it can be concluded that out of 20 respondents 19
respondents believed that the change that was introduced in cafe is having the capability to
increase the profits and productivity of the organisation but only 1 person was not in favour of
this.
Q8. Will the use of time tracking software
be effective for the company and improve
their quality and standards?
Frequency
a) Yes 16
b) No 4
17
a) Agree b) Disagree
0
2
4
6
8
10
12
14
16
18
20
Frequency

Theme: Introduction of new software
Implementation :- From the above data, it can be concluded that out of 20 respondents 16
people knew that if cafe will utilise the time tracking software then they will be able to improve
the quality of their products as their time will be managed in an effective manner now but rest 4
were not in favour of the same.
Q9. Have you get any sort of beneficial
knowledge through this digitalisation
process?
Frequency
a) Yes 13
b) No 7
18
a) Yes b) No
0
2
4
6
8
10
12
14
16
Frequency

Theme: Digitalization raise knowledge of staff personnel.
Implementation :- From the above data, it can be concluded that out of 20 respondents 13
respondents were having proper knowledge about the digitalisation but 7 were not having any
information about the same.
P6. Recommendations on findings
In order to manage the project in a successful manner it is required to be researched
properly so that their aims and objectives are achieved in a corrective manner. This part helps as
well as promotes various business operations so as to grow and expand the business in
diversified manner. Digital technologies are in trend currently but it is not tom implement it I
every company as lots of knowledge and information is required so that it can be utilised in an
appropriate manner. Once it is implemented, it is required to be controlled and monitored
properly and the fellow staff members should also be given training so that they can use these
technologies in a correct manner. On the basis of questionnaire presented, suitable actions can be
determined as the results will be analysed.
It is suggested to Wilton Way Cafe that they should do proper research before entering
into the digital market and take reviews from the people as well who are coming regularly to
their cafe located in London streets. They can also take help of good marketing agencies so as to
19
a) Yes b) No
0
2
4
6
8
10
12
14
Frequency

promote their products and services effectively and prepare a good advertisement as well so as to
generate awareness about this new venture.
TASK 4
P7. Reflection on research conducted
It is well known that research is a complex process in which lots of time and money is
invested by the researcher so as to get corrective results which will be very beneficial for the
company. It is very essential that investigator do proper feasibility study so as to complete the
project in a successful manner and factors that will be accounted here are like economic,
technological, legal and planning factors in order to measure the credibility of research.
Lots of problems were faced by the researcher while conducting the whole research
process like when they were collecting the data at that time the respondents were not able to
answer all the questions as language was becoming a barrier. Another issue was related to time
as the time that was allotted to complete the activities like advertising, promotions was also less
and the researched had to extend the time limit later on. But proper allocation of budget before
conducting according to set defined objectives helps in implementation of financial planning.
LOGBOOK:
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CONCLUSION
From the above report, it can be concluded that digital technologies are playing an
important role in growth and development of small-businesses as it helps in completing all their
activities on time and without any issues. So, this improves the performance of employees and
enhances profits as well as productivity of companies. In this report, a research is conducted by
Wilton Way Cafe so as to know that whether public will accept them in digital market in the
same manner they are accepted in their store. Data has been collected through questionnaire and
later on analysed and interpreted as well. So, from the above research conducted it is concluded
that small businesses are highly benefited with the development of technologies and they can use
it various manner and make their business grow in the market.
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REFERENCES
Book and Journals
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Chesbrough, H., 2010. Business model innovation: opportunities and barriers. Long range
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Crane, A. and Matten, D., 2016. Business ethics: Managing corporate citizenship and
sustainability in the age of globalization. Oxford University Press.
Den Hertog, P., Van der Aa, W. and De Jong, M.W., 2010. Capabilities for managing service
innovation: towards a conceptual framework. Journal of service Management. 21(4).
pp.490-514.
Eckerson, W.W., 2010. Performance dashboards: measuring, monitoring, and managing your
business. John Wiley & Sons.
Gebauer, H., Edvardsson, B. and Bjurko, M., 2010. The impact of service orientation in
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Jones, G. and Lubinski, C., 2012. Managing Political Risk in Global Business: Beiersdorf 1914–
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Kankaanranta, A. and Planken, B., 2010. BELF competence as business knowledge of
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Lai, J.Y. and Ong, C.S., 2010. Assessing and managing employees for embracing change: A
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pp.76-85.
Lin, A. and Chen, N.C., 2012. Cloud computing as an innovation: Percepetion, attitude, and
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Shang, S.S., 2012. Dual strategy for managing user resistance with business integration systems.
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Online
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