Technology Impact on Small Business Enterprises

This assignment involves a comprehensive analysis of the impact of modern technology on small business enterprises. The project aims to assess whether technology has been effectively integrated into these businesses and evaluate its influence on their operations. Through this study, key strengths and weaknesses in managing such integration have been identified, providing valuable insights for continuous professional development.

MANAGING SUCCESSFUL
BUSINESS (IMPACT OF
DIGITAL TECHNOLOGY
ON SMALL BUSINESS
ENTERPRISES)

Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................1
TASK 1............................................................................................................................................1
P1 Aims and objectives .........................................................................................................1
P2 Project management plan..................................................................................................2
P3 Work breakdown structure and Gantt chart......................................................................5
TASK 2 .........................................................................................................................................6
P4 Small scale research .........................................................................................................6
TASK 3............................................................................................................................................2
P5 Analysing the data gathered..............................................................................................2
P6 Recommendation...............................................................................................................9
TASK 4 .........................................................................................................................................10
P7 Reflection .......................................................................................................................10
CONCLUSION..............................................................................................................................10
REFERENCES..............................................................................................................................11
Log book........................................................................................................................................12
Template for the performance review of the learner ......................................................................1

INTRODUCTION
Digitalization refers to an process of transferring appropriate information through digital
platform. It is very useful for decision making in an organisation. This consists adoption of
electronic modes and creative media sources for performing several functions of business such as
communication, production, performance appraisal etc. It facilitates small business enterprises to
develop their business faster by using advanced technologies. This also assists in financial gains
of company (Wheelen and Hunger, 2011). This report is about PEARSON which is world's
learning company. In this assignment, significance of digitalization process in growth of this
company will be discussed. To perform all the activities in effective manner, management plan
is required to be designed by corporations. This project consist data collection and interpretation
by using adequate methods. At last, there will be suggestions in order to eliminate the hurdles
that affects the growth of this organisation.
TASK 1
P1 Aims and objectives
It is very essential for every type of organisation to set certain aims and objectives in
order to use advanced technologies in company that is required for facilitating company's growth
and success in effective manner. Innovation is very important for smooth functioning of business
operations. Digitalization assist in enhancing quality of activities taking place in an company.
Nowadays, it is very important to develop products and services in effective and creative manner
in order to attract number of consumers (Trkman, 2010). This could help in improving financial
position of small enterprise and it can attain competitive advantages. Innovation in techniques of
working is required to capture large market segment. Digital technology helps in delivering all
the necessary information from one person to another in effective way. It is an good platform to
interact with consumers and identify their needs and wants related with products and services of
company.
Background of project-
Every enterprise requires to modify their activities timely by adopting advanced
technologies and innovative ways that are taking place in current world (Zikmund and et. al.,
2013). This process ensures long term growth and survival of business. It is an important strategy
to identify latest needs and wants of buyers and design products and services according to their
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taste and preferences. Users will be delivered with innovative goods which will generate higher
level of satisfaction.
Topic- “Impact of digitalization on growth of small business enterprise: A case of
PEARSON.”
Aim- The main aim of this entity is “to use digital technology for the purpose of growth
and innovation”. They wants to develop unique products and services to their clients by using
digitalization. Their objective is to analyse impact of modern technology in operations of
business in order to achieve success. Society has raise their standards of living due to advanced
tools and techniques. This directly influences development of entire economy. So, main
objectives of this project are as follows-
 To identify the impact of digital technology on growth of Pearson.
 To determine how it will facilitate growth of this enterprise.
 Identify advanced techniques and their feasibility in this entity.
After analysing the aims and objectives of this study there are several questions that
are required to be answered. These are as follows-
 How Pearson can use modern technologies?
 Is there requirement for any modification due to this innovation?
 In what manner these equipments will help in growth of this enterprise?
After identifying these questions it is required to get aware about main aims and
objectives of this study in order to make plans as per that. There is need to design effective plans
and policies so as to develop small enterprises (Teece, 2010).
P2 Project management plan
Planning is most important activity in every type of organisation whether it is small or
large. This provides correct path for activities to be performed in future (Storey, 2016). Project
management plan is required to be prepared in order to provide guidelines to entire management
to conduct all the activities in effective manner. This is not an easy task as it requires huge
expertise from various fields. It helps in taking decisions regarding time, scope, cost, risk, quality
and communication. This assists the learner by saving their time as they are already aware about
what is to be done. Such planning provides adequate framework that could be used in project.
Main components of project management plan are as follows-
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Scope- This is very important for enterprise to identify activities related with innovation
to use it in favour of business growth. Such research on small scale enterprise helps in analysing
the impact of digital technology on development process. It is an important technique to collect
data and information about related areas for achieving aims and objectives (Stokes, Wilson, and
Wilson, 2010).
Cost- Another important component for planning for this project is cost. It is the amount
that is to be spend on research. This is important to prepare budget in order to analyse how much
cost is required in future. Gantt chart, data analysis are essential activities in this process. It will
assist in managing all the activities as per the budget so that there will be proper utilization of
funds.
Time- In every project, it is necessary to identify the time that is required for finishing it
in effective manner. Preparing proper schedules will be beneficial to arrange all the activities on
the basis of time (Onetti and et. al., 2012). To complete this project company will need 30 days.
This element is important to complete the project in adequate time without any delay.
Illustration 1: Project management
Source 1: Project management execution, 2016
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Quality- It is very important to develop effective strategies for mainlining quality of
project. For this purpose, all the activities and processes are to be conducted in qualitative
manner so as to get accurate outcomes. Aims and objectives will help in clarifying the basic
goals of this research and about the topic of study. This assignment is about impact of digital
technologies on success of an small enterprise that is Pearson. Quality of project could be
improved by developing creative ideas in order to improve introduce innovation in products and
services (Marston and et. al., 2011). This will assist in generating accurate results that is essential
for productivity and profitability of this entity.
Risk- There are several risks involved in starting new project. It creates hurdles in
successful completion of activities. Such risks results in lot of problems during this process. This
could reduce chances of success in adopting innovative technologies. It is required to identify
these risks so that their negative impact could be reduced. Therefore, management should make
appropriate strategies to make the staff members able to handle these problems. This will help in
effective completion of task (Kerzner, 2013).
Resources- This is most important concept in this planning. This is related with assets
that are required to complete this project in successful manner. Planning related with resources
ensures proper and optimum utilization of all the things associated with this assignment.
Communication- It refers to interaction between people that re associated with this
project. This is necessary that there should be proper coordination amongst individuals so that
goals and aims could be achieved in effective manner. In this project management planning
strategies are build to maintain positive relations amongst all the teams and divisions.
Motivational tools are used to encourage employees to cooperate with each other. It is also
required for ensuring proper communication with consumers and other stakeholders.
P3 Work breakdown structure and Gantt chart
Work breakdown structure refers to the activity of dividing all the tasks in small parts. It
includes allocating work amongst various employees and teams on the basis of their specialized
fields. This is very helpful in dividing roles and responsibilities amongst workers so that they
will accomplish their functions in effective manner (Hotho and Champion, 2011). In case of
Pearson, they are adopting advanced technologies for ensuring success of business. This project
is conducted to understand the impact of digital equipments on their performance. In this study,
researcher is using effective techniques so that all the work will be done in such a manner that it
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will reduce the workload from the staff members. In this process, responsibilities are delegated to
subordinates as per knowledge and skills of workers. This is an important blueprint of all the
steps that will take place in this project. It is an framework that provides guidelines to people
about the roles they have to perform to achieve desired goals of company (Christensen, 2013).
Work breakdown structure is designed in the form of a tree. This shows core activities
and its division amongst several groups and individuals. It specifies the efforts required to be put
by workers to achieve aims and objectives on time and in appropriate way. Top management is
responsible for classifying various job roles and divide it into different departments. Apart from
this, these are also liable for identifying the duties, obligations and nature of work that is divided
in this structure. It is an effective technique to plan and control all the activities and tasks (David,
2011).
Gantt chart- It is an bar that shows complete schedule of an project from the starting
activities till completion of task. One of the main aim of this chart is to allocate essential
information and data collected by the researcher in order to take correct decisions. This
technique was introduced by Karol Adamiecki in 1896. At beginning, he named it as
harmonogram but later its name was changes as Gantt chart on the name of Sir Henry Gantt. It is
applied for the first time in USA during the first world war.
Therefore, after going through all the information and data it has been analysed that Gantt
Chart is an important tool to design and manage plans related with project in order to attain all
aims and objectives in effective and efficient manner. It includes elements like job allotted to
workers , duration required to complete this in timely manner and several other activities that are
common to occur in business operations. This ensures successful completion of project so that
maximum output could be generated from investments.
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TASK 2
P4 Small scale research
Pearson is an small enterprise involved in learning activities. It is working hard to create
huge number of customer along with their trust and loyalty. Therefore, for this purpose this
entity is focussing on providing unique and best quality services to its clients (Bridge and
O'Neill, 2012). To meet the requirements of consumers they are required to collect important
data and information to develop their services more. They are adopting advanced technology for
achieving success in business. There are several modes that could be used by this company in
order to gather required data related with this project. These are as follows-
Qualitative research- It is an important tool for an enterprise to gather data and
information. It is in the form of symbol, name, number code, and literature. There are several
modes to collect such type of data in effective manner (Brinckmann, Grichnik and Kapsa,
2010). These techniques are interviews, survey, perception etc. that is related with the topic of
project. So in this case it will be based on impact of digital technology. Researcher uses this
information to apply it on theme of project. Such type of data states thinking of human regarding
specific things of this study.
Quantitative research- In this method of data collection, information is calculated in
numerical form. This consists facts and figures, statistics that is basically used while making
budget. Pearson is an organisation that is involved in learning activities so it has to use effective
and advanced technologies. This technique includes data in mathematical, statistical and
hypothesis terms.
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Primary research- It is that form of data and information that is first hand. This is
generated through own efforts of researcher (Burns, 2010). They gathers all the required
information through their knowledge base. It is considered as effective method as fresh
information is collected here.
Secondary data- It is second hand data that investigator collects from previous reports.
It is that data which is used directly from books and journals. This is necessary that all authentic
sources must be used for this purpose so as to ensure the quality of collected information. This
type of data is already used by some of the investigators.
Sampling- As per this mode of data collection, a sample size is to selected for the
purpose of data collection. It includes collecting feedbacks, views and perceptions of important
stakeholders. This helps in knowing what they think about this project. Most of the companies
uses this method as it is effective tool (Chesbrough, 2010). Questionnaire is distributed in this
method amongst the sample size. It is required to prepare impressive set of questions that must
be related with topic of study. After that, it is to be distributed amongst the sample population in
order to get their response and opinions in this scenario.
Therefore, the sample size in this project is 20 members that are selected out of large
pool of people. In this process, their feedback will be taken in context of adopting digital
technologies in business operations. Therefore, effective questionnaire in this project is given
below-
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Questionnaire
Name:
Age:
Gender:
Q1. Do you understand that there is requirement of advanced software for data handling and
sharing in several units of firm?
A. Yes
B. No
Q2. Do you feel “Pearson” can adopt modern technologies for their various operations?
A. Yes
B. No
Q3. Can usage of digital technology assist in reduction of miscommunication?
A. Yes
B. Yes, but not so much
C. No
Q4. Can Cloud technology may reduce issues related to data management?
A. Strongly Agree
B. Agree
C. Not agree
Q5. How can effective marketing of their services may be done using digital technology?
A. By doing mobile advertisements
B. TV advertisements
C. Promotion on social media.
Q6. Do you feel that change in digital technology will foster growth of “Pearson”?
A. Yes
B. yes but limited growth
C. No.Q7. Can “ Pearson” will be able to make use of artificial intelligence at their
organisation?A. Yes, as it is future of technologyB. No, it can be risky

TASK 3
P5 Analysing the data gathered.
Above stated questions were filled by the 20 respondents who is having appropriate
knowledge regarding the advanced technologies as well as they have the knowledge regarding
the company performance and working style. They have larger interest in the business of
“Pearson”.
Theme 1
Q1. Do you understand that there is
requirement of advanced software for data
handling and sharing in several units of firm?
Frequency
A. Yes 18
B. No 2
2
A. Yes B. No
0
2
4
6
8
10
12
14
16
18
18
2
Column B

Interpretation
In response to the above mentioned question almost 90 percent of the respondent feels that in
Pearson there is need of advancements in software that they are using for handing, sharing and
managing data. Since there are larger amount of data that is generated by its operations hence it
becomes essential that they adopt such technology. On the other hand 10% of the total
respondents understand that need of advanced technologies is not there inside the workplace.
Theme 2
Q2. Do you feel “Pearson” can adopt modern
technologies for their various operations?
Frequency
A. Yes 15
B. No 5
3
A. Yes B. No
0
2
4
6
8
10
12
14
16 15
5
Column B

Interpretation
Approx 75% of the respondents feels that Pearson is capable of adopting digital technology for
their operations and the other 25% of the people feels that they are not capable to do so. The
major section of the population those who understands the operations of the firm feels that they
have the resources and ability that can adopt such kinds of changes smoothly. While the others
feels that this can result in altered way.
Theme 3
Q3. Can usage of digital technology assist in
reduction of miscommunication?
Frequency
A. Yes 13
B. Yes, but not so much 5
C. No 2
4
A. Yes B. Yes, but not so much C. No
0
2
4
6
8
10
12
14 13
5
2
Column B

Interpretation
From the response that is given by various respondents on the above mentioned question, most of
the people that is around 65 percent of the total respondents believes that yes the changes in the
digital technology can reduce the chances of miscommunication. Apart from this 25 percent of
the people believes that yes it is able to reduce miscommunication but not so much as thought.
On the other hand almost 10 percent of the total sample of respondents that have been taken
believes that miscommunication cannot be reduced with the use of digital technology as arises
due to several other factors.
Theme 4
Q4. Can Cloud technology may reduce issues
related to data management?
Frequency
A. Strongly Agree 13
B. Agree 5
C. Not agree 2
5
A. Strongly Agree B. Agree C. Not agree
0
2
4
6
8
10
12
14 13
5
2
Column B

Interpretation
On answering to the question of whether cloud computing can help in answering the questions
related to the data management most of the people i.e. around 13 out of 20 approx 65 percent
feels that yes it is the best solution of such kind of problems hence company needs to adopt
these. Since they have the knowledge of the advanced technology used in the industry. They
suggest that these software are highly capable of managing the data as well as reducing the risk
associated with the data management. According to them it is the need of the industry. Other
than this 25 percent of the total respondents believes that there is a need of introducing cloud in
the data management but they are not so capable as projected. On the other hand only 10 person
of the population believes that there is no need of such type of software as they cannot resolve
issues related to data management.
Theme 5
Q5. How can effective marketing of their services
may be done using digital technology?
Frequency
A. By doing mobile advertisements 8
B. TV advertisements 3
C. Promotion on social media. 9
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Interpretation
In response to the above mentioned question respondents have mixed response. 40 percent of
them believes that by taking the use of mobile advertisement they can empower their marketing
campaign. Around 15 percent believes that TV advertisements can be beneficial in this regard.
On the other hand 45 % of the total respondents feels that use of social media can be the most
effective method using which they can effectively market its services as larger part of the
youngsters which is their basic target market spend their lot of time on these sites.
Theme 6
Q6. Do you feel that change in digital
technology will foster growth of “Pearson”?
Frequency
A. Yes 14
B. yes but limited growth 5
7
A. By doing mobile advertisements
B. TV advertisements
C. Promotion on social media.
0
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9 8
3
9
Column B

C. No. 1
Interpretation
On answering to the above question major part of the respondents around 70 percent believes
that use of digital technology can foster the growth potential for Pearson. On the other hand 25
percent of the total respondents believes that it can help but no up to large extent. Other than this
5 percent of the total population believes that no it cannot help in the growth process.
Theme 7
Q7. Can “ Pearson” will be able to make use of
artificial intelligence at their organisation?
Frequency
8
A. Yes B. yes but limited growth C. No.
0
2
4
6
8
10
12
14
14
5
1
Column B

A. Yes, as it is future of technology 8
B. No, it can be risky 12
Interpretation
While responding to the above mentioned question only 40 percent of the people feels that
Pearson is ready for using artificial intelligence at their firm. While the major part that is around
60% of the people believes that taking use of artificial intelligence can be risky for the company
and they are not ready for it.
P6 Recommendation
Pearson is leading learning enterprise that provides educational facilities to clients. This
will assist in providing clients with more innovative and creative services. After going through
the response of different respondents it is found that companies performance can be developed if
they implement digital techniques in tehir method of marketing as it is more effective and are
capable of attracting to more users. This will also assist the management in achieving the
artificial intelligence which is very much effective in raising the present scale of profitability for
any organisation. In the refereed enterprise much of the data is there which needs to be protected
against security in order to maintain its confidentiality and therefore by using to the cloud
application it can provide the security to all the information that is stored in the soft copy.
Therefore, it is recommended to the organisation that it should replace its present system with
digital form of applications.
TASK 4
P7 Reflection
After completion of this report I have understood that, adoption of digital technology is
very important for small business organisations like Pearson. This process has positive and
significant role in success and development of this enterprises. I have analysed that such
technologies improves quality of operational activities. In this report, I have determined several
aims and objectives that is to be achieved through this project. This helps in knowing what are
the requirements that is to be fulfilled through this research. Along with that, I have used various
9

tools for the purpose of data collection. I have collected data from primary and secondary
sources. In secondary sources I have used books, journals and internet. Gantt chart and work
breakdown structure were also made in this report in order to make it more effective. I have
prepared questionnaire of relevant questions and this has been distributed amongst the sample
size of 20. I have also interpreted this data for getting appropriate results.
CONCLUSION
From the above mentioned it can be concluded that, digitalized technology is very
important to be adopted in today's competitive world. It ensures development of small
enterprises. Such entities contributes a lot development of an economy. There is need that these
small firms will adopt innovative and advanced techniques in order to modify their operations.
Main aims and objectives of Pearson is to design good network in order to provide effective
learning to its clients. This assignment has helped in understanding importance of digital
technology in success and growth of this business. It has also identified the ways in which this
enterprise can improve its performance by satisfying clients and motivating employees to put
more efforts for achieving best possible return on investment.
REFERENCES
Books and Journals
Zott, C., Amit, R. and Massa, L., 2011. The business model: recent developments and future
research. Journal of management. 37(4). pp.1019-1042.
Zikmund, W.G., et. al., 2013. Business research methods. Cengage Learning.
Wheelen, T.L. and Hunger, J.D., 2011. Concepts in strategic management and business policy.
Pearson Education India.
Trkman, P., 2010. The critical success factors of business process management. International
journal of information management. 30(2). pp.125-134.
Teece, D.J., 2010. Business models, business strategy and innovation. Long range planning.
43(2). pp.172-194.
Storey, D.J., 2016. Understanding the small business sector. Routledge.
Stokes, D., Wilson, N. and Wilson, N., 2010. Small business management and entrepreneurship.
Cengage Learning EMEA.
Onetti, A., et. al., 2012. Internationalization, innovation and entrepreneurship: business models
for new technology-based firms. Journal of Management & Governance. 16(3). pp.337-
368.
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Marston, S., et. al., 2011. Cloud computing—The business perspective. Decision support
systems. 51(1). pp.176-189.
Kerzner, H., 2013. sProject management: a systems approach to planning, scheduling, and
controlling. John Wiley & Sons.
Hotho, S. and Champion, K., 2011. Small businesses in the new creative industries: innovation
as a people management challenge. Management Decision. 49(1). pp.29-54.
David, F.R., 2011. Strategic management: Concepts and cases. Peaeson/Prentice Hall.
Christensen, C., 2013. The innovator's dilemma: when new technologies cause great firms to fail.
Harvard Business Review Press.
Chesbrough, H., 2010. Business model innovation: opportunities and barriers. Long range
planning. 43(2). pp.354-363.
Burns, P., 2010. Entrepreneurship and Small Business: Start-up. Growth and Maturity. Palgrave
Macmillan.
Brinckmann, J., Grichnik, D. and Kapsa, D., 2010. Should entrepreneurs plan or just storm the
castle? A meta-analysis on contextual factors impacting the business planning–
performance relationship in small firms. Journal of Business Venturing. 25(1). pp.24-
40.
Bridge, S. and O'Neill, K., 2012. Understanding enterprise: entrepreneurship and small
business. Palgrave Macmillan.
Online
Managing a successful business 2017. [Online]. Available through
:<http://traceylawton.com/blog/5-ways-to-effectively-manage-your-business-for-
successful-business-growth/>.
Log book
Project Logbook for the chosen organisation:
Name of the learner: Name of the Supervisor:
Project Title: Managing the successful business Date:
Update of weekly research/ tasks achieved (Account
for a minimum of six weeks with dates)
Comments
The assignment has helped in
understanding the technology and its
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➢ 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?
usage on company
Yes
Yes
No
Any risks and / or issues identified?
➢ Did you identify risks/issues with a lack of skills
required for undertaking research tasks?
➢ Did you identify any additional risks/issues that
have an impact on the project management plan?
No
No
Problems encountered
➢ What barriers did you face?
➢ How did you overcome them?
It was a lengthy one and faced few
challenges only.
Worked hard and senior helped in
overcoming the issues.
New Ideas and change of project direction Somewhere this helps in getting the
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innovation and use of modern technology
which seeks to techniques which will
make increase in organisational
productivity.
What Have I learnt about myself this week?
➢ How did I feel when I had to deal with
tasks/problems?
➢ Did I find it useful to complete the tasks?
➢ How well have I performed? What did I
contribute?
➢ What can I improve on next week?
➢ How might this learning apply in the future?
The technology help company to perform
task in effective way.
I felt puzzled and complicated
Yes
I have contributed in proper manner and
and took help from seniors as well.
Providing time schedule to work on time
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It will help in various ways in future.
Tasks planned for next week
➢ Which tasks are priority?
➢ Have you set aside sufficient time for completion?
Getting solution in research and using
them effectively.
Yes I received good timing.
Project plan status to date (on, ahead, behind) It is up to date completed.
Supervisor comments to address
Signature of the Supervisor and date:
Template for the performance review of the learner
1. What was the Project supposed to accomplish?
The project was accomplishing about technology whether the modern technology is impacting
on the small business enterprises or not and the task is represented on the report.
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2. Did the project succeed in its aims/ how do you know? Specifically, please outline any
evaluation and assessment undertaken.
Yes, The project has been succeed in attaining the aims and objectives of firm as it was required
to link the technology with the small business enterprises in effective manner.
3. 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 have worked on the plan efficiently so that effective decision can be marked and plan helped
me a lot in completing the task in proper and systematic way either.
4. What problems emerged during the project and how were they tackled? Was there timely
identification of issues and resolution during the project process?
Yes, the issues were timely identified and solution is being provided to them and problems
which was occurred is in sampling and interpretation was hardest to work in completion of
project.
5. What did you learn from undertaking the project?
I have learned how to analyse the information and collection of data through surveys.
6. How would you rate your performance as a management consultant leading the project?
15

I rate myself with 7 out of 10
7. What strengths and weakness of your performance did you identify?
Identification of issues and providing solution to those is key strength of mine and weakness
was like did hard work in collecting information and communication skills too.
8. How will this inform and support your continuous professional development?
I can use this report further as well when, I will go with research part and using such effectively
on anything. Although it will help me in expanding the business and it will be useful for me in
long term.
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