Strategies for Building a Diverse and Inclusive Workforce

This research report explores the strategies and initiatives implemented by companies, specifically focusing on a case study of Marks & Spencer, to build a diverse and inclusive workforce. It covers the concept of workplace diversity and equality, the benefits of a diverse and inclusive workplace, and provides recommendations for addressing challenges in creating such a workplace.

Managing a Successful
Business project

Contents
TOPIC..............................................................................................................................................1
INRODUCTION..............................................................................................................................1
TASK 1............................................................................................................................................1
P1. Development of Aims and objectives of the research...........................................................1
P2. Production of Project management plan................................................................................2
P3. Produce a work breakdown structure and Gantt chart...........................................................3
TASK 2............................................................................................................................................4
P4. Carry out small scale research by applying qualitative and quantitative research methods..4
TASK 3............................................................................................................................................6
P5. Analyse research and data using appropriate tools and techniques.......................................6
P6. Appropriate suggestions as a result of research and data analysis........................................8
TASK 4............................................................................................................................................8
P7. Reflection on the value of undertaking the research to meet stated objectives.....................8
CONCLUSION................................................................................................................................8
REFERENCES................................................................................................................................9
APPENDIX I.................................................................................................................................10
APPENDIX II................................................................................................................................12

TOPIC
What types of strategies and initiatives do companies put in place to build a diverse and
inclusive workforce?
INRODUCTION
Equality and diversity are two conceptions that are efficacious for the development of an
organisation. Diversity mentions to demographic diversity of a group often at team or
organisational level. Diversity protects different kind of workplace issues like disability, gender,
age race, colour, religion and languages etc. Equality refers to the sameness in form of pay,
rights and opportunities that are offered by an organization to its workforce (Axinte, Petrică and
Barbu, 2017). This written document is supported to Marks & Spencer which is British
multinational retail company that operate globally with the help of its number of stores and
contribution of its employees. This report will cover information about research aims, objective
and project management plan. Further, will explain about different methods, recommendation
and reflection in term of respective project report.
TASK 1
P1. Development of Aims and objectives of the research
Overview of the company- Marks & Spencer is a British multination retail organisation which
was established in 1884 and headquartered in London, UK. This firm specialises in selling high
quality clothing, home appliance and food items (Cha, Newman and Winch, 2018)
(Defusco and et. al., 2017). The firm has approx 1000 stores cross wise UK and approx 80,000
employees make contribution in running the business of this company.
Research Aim
“To analyse the plan of actions and initiatives that organisation perform in reference to
create a diverse and inclusive working environment. A case study on Marks & Spencer”
Research objectives
 To acknowledge the conception of workplace diversity and equality.
 To determine the plan of action and initiative that is implemented by M&S to create a
diverse and inclusive working environment.
 To monitor the benefits of diverse and inclusive workplace.
Research questions
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 What is the concept of equality and diversity?
 What are the strategies that are applied by M&S for creating a diverse and inclusive
workplace?
 What are the advantages that can be earn by M&S from diverse and inclusive working
environment?
P2. Production of Project management plan
Project management plan
It define as an activity and procedure that is performed and developed by the investigator in term
of accomplish the objectives of research project (Englund and Graham, 2019). This plan is
framed by the surveyor by including different aspects that are important to attain aims and
objective of respective project. The description of different components of this plan is as below:
Cost- It indicates to the fund which is needed to perform a research of a firm. In M&S, the
administration of the firm will needed £950 to execute the actions and process of research.
Whereas the surveyor will require only £350 so that the individual can appropriately execute
investigation activities of data collection.
Scope- The scope of this research is wide because the main motive of this investigation
project is to gain an understanding regarding initiative that is taken by M&S towards the impact
of insertion of diversity and sameness at working environment. This research will also help the
research in upcoming time when the person will perform work regarding this kind o
investigation.
Time- It mention to that duration which is consumed by the investigator in term of
performing all the research activities. For the completion of this project, the individual required
approx 4 week time duration.
Quality- It mention to the efficiency and effectiveness of the something that is reliable and
correct. In this research report, the research gather information by using effective tools and
techniques in term of maintains the quality of the report.
Communication- It is a way of making interaction with others. In their research project, the
investigator will use different communication tools and techniques like message, email, mobile
phones, chat-box and other in term of collecting and gathering relevant and accurate information
(Halibozek and Kovacich, 2017).
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Risk- It refers to that issues that are suffered by surveyor at the time of collecting information
and data to work on the project. The major threat is determined in form of technical and
operational problem that affect the efficiency and progress of the research (Islam, 2018). Other
issues can be face in form of lack of time and finance.
Resources- It refers to all those origins and assets that are needed by the person for
completing research project. In this report, the surveyor required monetary value, time Laptop,
Mobile phones, internet and many more resources. So that, the set objectives can be accomplish
in effective way.
P3. Produce a work breakdown structure and Gantt chart
Gantt Chart- It is analysed a graphical representation of activities along with time duration that
is being conducted to attain the aims and objectives. This chart represents initials and completion
timeframe of research activities (Lei and et. al., 2017). There two axis, one horizontal that
mention the time duration whereas another vertical axis presents the task that is needed to be
performed or carry out. By using this tool, the researcher can form development before complete
the research report.
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Work Breakdown Structure- It is a tool which will be used by a person to perform research in
efficacious manner. This framework is explain as the main factors of the research project and
task that is important in conducting and administrating diverse activities of the project in
improved way (Martinsuo and Hoverfält, 2018). This tool can be represent in form of
hierarchical three that will lead to separation of project task in small section so that they can be
complete by teammate in effective manner or in set time frame.
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TASK 2
P4. Carry out small scale research by applying qualitative and quantitative research methods
Research Method
It refers to that research techniques and factors which are used by the investigators in a
research project in term of collecting the data and information for the proper completion of
project. There are some methodologies are as follows:
Qualitative research: In this research method, the surveyor collects the data in theoretical form
so that the outcomes come in the proper form (Morozov, Kalnichenko and Liubyma, 2017). It is
the basic form of research which is used to understand the suggestions, underlying reasons and
empowerment. Interviews, group discussion and observation etc. are some methods which are
come under the qualitative research.
Quantitative research: In this research, the collection of data is completed in systematic
way with the help of tools and techniques of statistical, graphical representation, mathematical,
computer, etc. These type of research required proper numerical data to the subject and specially
used in survey. By using this research, the data is collect through online survey, email, interview,
survey etc.
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In this type of research the investigator will also used qualitative method for the collection
of information because it is important in theoretical and detailed information which helps in
completion of the project in proper manner.
Data Collection methods
There are two methods for the collection of data as follows:
Primary source: It described as the collection of that data which is collected by the investigators
itself (Nicholas and Steyn, 2017). With the help of this collected data, the investigator get the
real and proper information by using tools such as survey, interview, group discussion, online
survey, questionnaire, observation etc.
Secondary source: It described the tool and techniques which helps in the collection of
data that which already collected and accessible. With the help of this information collecting
tool, the researchers collect the information which is already available. For the collection of these
data the researchers used books, company website, articles, journals, newspaper, magazines, etc.
From the above methods, researchers will use both the methods primary as well as
secondary for proper gathering of information and data. It will also helpful in the completion of
research project properly with the objective.
Sampling: It indicates to observe the statistical action that attached with the population. This
method helps in choosing the small size from the large group of people. In current research
project, researcher chooses the sample of 30 peoples, from the employees of M&S, by using
simple random sampling tools.
Questionnaire: It is the written report which has a large collection of questions. It is used by
surveyors to directly put up questions to the number of peoples (Pandya, 2017). It is a necessary
techniques which used by investigator, in this investigator can make direct con tact with the
peoples and collect the required information.
Questionnaire
Q1. Do you aware with the concept of equality and diversity?
(a) Yes
(b) No
Q2. What are challenges that are faced by the company at time of creating diverse and
inclusive workplace?
(a) Lack of employee engagement
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(b) Employee turnover
(c)
Q3. What are the strategies that are applied by M&S for creating a diverse and inclusive
workplace?
(a) Transparency in pay
(b) Promoting female businessperson
(c) Monitoring programs
Q4. What are the advantages that can be earn by M&S from diverse and inclusive working
environment?
(a) Maximisation in workforce morale
(b) Hiring bets talent
(c) Fairer growth option
Q5. Provide the suggestion in term of dealing with the issues that are arise at the time of
forming diverse and inclusive workplace?
TASK 3
P5. Analyse research and data using appropriate tools and techniques
Theme1: The concept of equality and diversity
Q1. Do you aware with the concept of equality and diversity? Frequency
(a) Yes 16
(b) No 14
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Interpretation-- It has been summarised from the preceding defined graph that among the
population of 30 people, 16 are viewed that they are well aware with equality and diversity
concept. Whereas remaining 14 are replied they have not any information about equality and
diversity.
Theme2: Challenges that are faced by the company
Q2. What are challenges that are faced by the company at
time of creating diverse and inclusive workplace?
Frequency
(a) Lack of employee engagement 18
(b) Employee turnover 12
Interpretation- This has been analysed form preceding defined data that among the group of 30
representatives 18 are replied that lack of employee involvement is the main issue that is faced
by the company. Whereas remaining 12 are supported to employee turnover.
Theme3: Strategies that are applied for creating a diverse and inclusive workplace
Q3. What are the strategies that are applied by M&S for
creating a diverse and inclusive workplace?
Frequency
(a) Transparency in pay 13
(b) Promoting female businessperson 7
(c) Monitoring programs 10
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Interpretation- Form the mentioned visual communication, it can be concluded that between the
sample size of 30 people, 13 are responded that transparency in pay is an effective strategy to
deal with the problem of imposing diverseness and inclusiveness in working environment.
Whereas remaining 10 are viewed to monitoring programs and 7 supported to promoting female
entrepreneurs are some effective plan of action.
Theme4: Advantages that can be earn from diverse and inclusive working environment
Q4. What are the advantages that can be earn by M&S from
diverse and inclusive working environment?
Frequency
(a) Maximisation in workforce morale 10
(b) Hiring bets talent 12
(c) Fairer growth option 8
Interpretation- This has been determined for mentioned graphical representation that among the
group of 30 individual, 10 are replied that improve workforce morale is an appropriate benefits
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to the company. Whereas remaining 12 are supported to hiring best talent and 8 are responded
towards fair opportunities are some effective advantages that can be gained by the firm.
Q5. Provide the suggestion in term of dealing with the issues that are arise at the time of
forming diverse and inclusive workplace?
Interpretation- According to the suggestions that are provided by chosen group of people of
M&S, it has been determined that the complexities that are occurred within the working
environment cab be minimised by framing effective and efficient plans and policies. By treating
all people in same manner the discrimination can be reduced that also help in resolving all issues.
P6. Appropriate suggestions as a result of research and data analysis
The recommendation that can be provided to the management of M&S regarding the
challenges that is suffered during building diverse and inclusive workplace, re mentioned as
under:
The administration of the firm should effective rules and policies that are effective to manage
workforce and dealing with the problems that generated within the working environment
(Polonsky and Waller, 2018).
 The organisation also conducts training and development sessions so that employees can
gain information about new things an ready to adopt any kind of change within the firm.
TASK 4
P7. Reflection on the value of undertaking the research to meet stated objectives
During the time of working in this project i utilised my competencies and knowledge that assist
me executing my work and duties in effective manner. With the utilisation of WBS and Gantt
Chart, i segregate my work small sections so that i can complete them as per set time duration.
Apart from it also make improvement in some my skills like communication. During the time of
collecting and gathering information i meet different people who use different languages and
belong from different culture (Vanhaverbeke, 2017). It helps in proving information about
different culture. Utilisation of appropriate research methods help in gathering reliable
information and assist in maintain the quality of research.
CONCLUSION
It has been summarise from the above information that equality and diversity play and
effective role in success of the company. If the company diverse workforce then innovation and
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creation are generated at workplace. BY treating all employees in similar manner in term of
opportunities and pay the firm can accomplish the desires success.
REFERENCES
Books and Journals
Axinte, S.D., Petrică, G. and Barbu, I.D., 2017, June. Managing a software development project
complying with prince2 standard. In 2017 9th International Conference on Electronics,
Computers and Artificial Intelligence (ECAI) (pp. 1-6). IEEE.
Cha, J., Newman, M. and Winch, G., 2018. Revisiting the project management knowledge
framework. International Journal of Managing Projects in Business.
Defusco, S.A. and et. al., 2017. System and method for managing projects. U.S. Patent
Application 15/671,777.
Englund, R. and Graham, R.J., 2019. Creating an environment for successful projects. Berrett-
Koehler Publishers.
Halibozek, E. and Kovacich, G.L., 2017. The manager's handbook for corporate security:
establishing and managing a successful assets protection program. Butterworth-
Heinemann.
Islam, R., 2019. Managing outsourcing and shared services projects in accounting and finance
sector (Doctoral dissertation, University of Salford).
Lei, H. and et. al., 2017. A statistical analysis of the effects of Scrum and Kanban on software
development projects. Robotics and Computer-Integrated Manufacturing. 43. pp.59-67.
Martinsuo, M. and Hoverfält, P., 2018. Change program management: Toward a capability for
managing value-oriented, integrated multi-project change in its context. International
Journal of Project Management. 36(1). pp.134-146.
Morozov, V., Kalnichenko, O. and Liubyma, I., 2017, July. Managing projects configuration in
development distributed information systems. In 2017 2nd International Conference on
Advanced Information and Communication Technologies (AICT) (pp. 154-157). IEEE.
Nicholas, J.M. and Steyn, H., 2017. Project management for engineering, business and
technology. Taylor & Francis.
Pandya, P., 2017. Managing complex R&D projects-strategies from project management
perspectives. Chronicles of Pharma-ceutical Science. 1. pp.114-117.
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Polonsky, M.J. and Waller, D.S., 2018. Designing and managing a research project: A business
student's guide. Sage publications.
Vanhaverbeke, W., 2017. Managing open innovation in SMEs. Cambridge University Press.
Winter, M. and Szczepanek, T., 2017. Images of projects. Routledge.
(Axinte, Petrică and Barbu, 2017)
(Cha, Newman and Winch, 2018)
(Defusco and et. al., 2017)
(Englund and Graham, 2019)
(Halibozek and Kovacich, 2017)
(Islam, 2018)
(Lei and et. al., 2017)
(Martinsuo and Hoverfält, 2018)
(Morozov, Kalnichenko and Liubyma, 2017)
(Nicholas and Steyn, 2017)
(Pandya, 2017)
(Polonsky and Waller, 2018)
(Vanhaverbeke, 2017)
(Winter and Szczepanek, 2017)
APPENDIX I
Template for evidence collection to be attached with the report by the learner:
Project Logbook for the chosen organisation:
Name of the learner: Name of the Supervisor:
Project Title: Date:
Update of weekly research/ tasks achieved (Account Comments
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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 completed my research on the topic of
“To analyse the plan of actions
and initiatives that organisation perform
in reference to create a diverse and
inclusive working environment. A case
study on Marks & Spencer”
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?
Yes, I have undergone with various
difficulties in terms of finance and time
limit.
No
Problems encountered
 What barriers did you face?
 How did you overcome them?
The foremost obstacle I faced is there
was not proper transparency in
communication within team members
which impose huge difficulties like
ambiguities and confusions that wholly
hampers the work of research.
To tackle the issue of communication I
take an initiative in organising group
discussion that empower each personnel
to build a better relationship between
team members.
New Ideas and change of project direction After examine the performance, I
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identified that the project requires I
more week in accomplishing the report
in an improved way.
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?
I felt high degree of discontentment or
dissatisfaction from the presentation of
my team members.
Yes
According to me, I performed well and
also allocated the resources in a proper
manner that aid me to accomplished my
task in a amended way.
I took participation in team building
activities that empower me cope up with
the issue of communication barrier.
By conducting this project, I was able to
evolve my interpersonal and analytical
abilities which lead me to show better
performance on forthcoming research.
Tasks planned for next week
 Which tasks are priority? Have you set aside sufficient time for
completion?
To collect authentic and reliable data in
order to ameliorate the attribute of
project.
Yes
Project plan status to date (on, ahead, behind)
Supervisor comments to address
Signature of the Supervisor and date:
APPENDIX II
Template for Performance Review to be attached with the report by the learner:
11 What was the Project supposed to accomplish?
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The project which is achieved “To analyse the plan of actions and initiatives that
organisation perform in reference to create a diverse and inclusive working environment. A
case study on Marks & Spencer”11 Did the project succeed in its aims/ how do you know? Specifically, please
outline any evaluation and assessment undertaken.
Yes, the project is successes because it accomplish its aims in set time frame.11 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.
In my perceptive, research and analytical skill assist me to carry through the
need or interest of my targeted respondents in amended way. The whole aspect
of this project is complete by me and also I was able to finished it in given time
and budget. Thus, I can ensure that this research will bring out desired outcome.11 What problems emerged during the project and how were they tackled?
Was there timely identification of issues and resolution during the project
process?
While operating the project, I faced disputes among team members. Therefore, I
organized a team building activities that enrich myself and group members to
put their best performance. The another issue which I face that there was a
shortage of time and cost while distinguishing the research problem and
resolution during project process.11 What did you learn from undertaking the project?
From this project, I improved my communication skill, interpersonal skill as well
as other quality that enrich the project standard.11 How would you rate your performance as a management consultant
leading the project?
9 out of 1011 What strengths and weakness of your performance did you identify?
I reinforced analytical, research and interpersonal skill which is my
strength and I was not good in manage my team appropriately.11 How will this inform and support your continuous professional
development?
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This project aid me to enhance analytical, communication and interpersonal skill
that render me enormous platform for future growth.
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