Workforce Transformation Strategies: A Case Study on Unilever

This research aims to identify aspects of employees in the workplace in context to Workforce transformation. It includes a literature review, project management plan, and small-scale research with the application of primary and secondary methods. The research is a case study on Unilever and focuses on identifying workforce transformation in the workplace.

Managing a successful
business project

Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION ..........................................................................................................................3
MAIN BODY...................................................................................................................................3
TASK ..............................................................................................................................................3
Task 1 ..............................................................................................................................................3
Part A. Project Planning...................................................................................................................3
Project management plan.......................................................................................................4
Part B – Conducting research..........................................................................................................6
Small-scale research with the application of primary and secondary methods which is
appropriate for meeting project aims and objectives..............................................................6
TASK 3..........................................................................................................................................16
Reflective practices..............................................................................................................16
CONCLUSION .............................................................................................................................18
REFERENCES..............................................................................................................................20
Online...................................................................................................................................21
Appendix........................................................................................................................................23

INTRODUCTION
The research aims to deliver the significance of Workforce transformation strategies in order to
resist with the challenges in employee transformation. Workforce transformation is a vital
practice for organisation which influence on engaging right talent at right position within the
organisation. It becomes crucial for the companies to have talented and skilful employees in
order to fulfil the aim of organisation to work in society. Small-medium enterprise works on
narrow level and require capable employees ho could be reason for companies expansion by
giving effective contribution of talent, capabilities and interpersonal skills (TETIK, 2017). This
research is going to carry out a business case on Unilever, they are carrying out their operations
in UK. Therefore, The company require the best people to serve work on their aims. Workforce
transformation strategies plays a vital role in identifying what employees want and expect form
the organisation that keeps them loyal and motivated towards working.
MAIN BODY
TASK
Task 1
Part A. Project Planning
Research topic: “To identify aspects of employees in the workplace in context to Workforce
transformation”. A case study on Unilever.
Research Aim:
“To identify workforce transformation in the workplace”. A case study on Unilever.
Research Objective:
 To understand the concept of Workforce transformation.
 To examine the significance of Workforce transformation for workforce transformation.
 To identify various challenges which could get resist workforce transformation strategies
of Workforce transformation.
 To examine key strategies and ways of implementing Workforce transformation
strategies within organisation.
Literature review

According to viewpoint of (Abdullahi, Raman, and Solarin, 2020), Workforce
transformation is an integrated part of leading business sanitisation. It describes the need of
talented employees who could raise the present and future position of the company in terms of
profitability, brand integration and market capture. A skilful individual will be an effective
resources of an organisation that wants to survive in long run and serve society best products
and services. It is a process of identify employees transformation and behaviours, needs, wants
and expectation from the organisation which keeps them motivated and loyal in this competitive
market. There are many firms and large companies who provide many benefits, incentives and
support to employees that attract effective people. So that, there is much competition among the
organisations to find capable and cheap talent that covers companies cost, recruitment
overheads and employees turnover ratio that will be beneficial for maintaining brand reputation
(Kamoche, and Leigh,2021). Workforce transformation is significant for overcoming various
challenges which comes under Workforce transformation planning. These challenges could
reflect upon less motivating factors, ineffective trainings, lack of appreciation and reward
system in organisation or negative working environment.
These would lead to loose employees interest for the job role and may result in
separation. There are many strategies that are meant to support Workforce transformation
planning for companies. Providing good job role, high pays and remuneration with extra
incentives, employee welfare about health and family, good training and overall support at
workplace plays crucial role in managing talent within organisation. As these talented and skilful
employees are active and seeks better opportunity into market. Therefore, the best food logistics
needs to enhance their strategies and resit with the challenges for acquiring talent(Theys, and
Schultz, 2020).
Project management plan
Project management plan is an essential part of carrying out research or finding out some
concepts, ideas in both theoretical and practical manner. It implies all the essential stages of a
project that may create hurdles in delivering out a successful project. It works as a guidance for
the organisation about business practice and seeks for opportunity before it fades away.
Therefore, they performs operations across UK and it works on small level so that, there could
be many consequence may face during research (Swann, 2018). There are many components of
project management through which it gets complete under all the risk and cost control. There is

a specific time ascertained for working on projects so that, the organisation would not loose its
originality and get save for losses.
Time: Time is the most crucial component. The project must be deliver and complete
within a limited period to maintain its accuracy. Work should be complete on time to get the
desired results and perform activity. Therefore, this project takes 5 months to accomplish its aims
and objectives.
Cost: This component is the major and crucial for the project completion. A researcher
needs to maintain costs at least level so that, the objectives must be complete effectively. The
projects must be worked under the pre-determined budget and the strategies must frame in
according to that manner. This projects cost under $500.
Quality: Quality is the main crucial factor in project management,. The researchers needs
to focus on the quality of project it describes accuracy, reliability and applicability at various
level of project research. Therefore, the research focus on utmost quality of this project to
ascertain effective result of the research (Bigorra Puente, 2017). It gives fair and logical results
that is necessary of the outcome of project.
Scope: It describes the reach of project at what segments and how it will be useful at
external environment. The scope fro Workforce transformation in order to retain employees is
wide and as it is applicable across all the business firms who works for long term profitability
and competitiveness. Therefore, this research currently works on UK market which shows there
are much competitiveness due to which employees have many job opportunities. The strategies
will be helpful for the Best Food Logistics as it will work as guidance to take what actions
which are in favour of company.
Communication: It is a necessary component as communication elements confusion an
and generating of clear ideas through sharing thought of one another, therefore, this researcher
will communicate to people, employees in order to conduct primary research. The effective
ways of communication are E mails, phones call and social media platforms to interact directly
with the population.
Risk: risks are the another integrated part of organisation. Every business project ascertain
some risk due to having dynamic environment and influence of various external parties. This
project contains risks of project failure, cost and lack of conceptual clarity. These risk would be

minimised by concentrating on research aims and objectives and work on implement Workforce
transformation strategies.
Resources: every project require effective resources to complete its objectives. Human
resources and tools like laptop, mobile, books and other literature materials are necessary to
identify each and every facts of topic and then made a reliable conclusion. It is required to use
these resources with fuller optimisation and eliminate wastage.
WBS
Work break down structure is tool to break the work in to simpler sections. The major to
use this tool is to avoid over burden and confusion in various tasks and activities. It helps the
best food logistics to achieve their goals of managing talent into organisation. It simplified the
task according to the time on activity is require. This way, the work will complete and
effectiveness will be promote.
Gantt chart
Gantt chart is a kind of graphical and systematic presentation of task an activities
divided into simpler manner. It set the time duration of each task and activities and prepare
schedule for its working (Queirós, Faria, and Almeida, 2017). It helps in reduce burden and
unnecessary time taken which promote great efficiency, the best food logistics use this tool
though which the aim and objective of project gets success.
Part B – Conducting research
Small-scale research with the application of primary and secondary methods which is appropriate
for meeting project aims and objectives
In order to start the project, it is necessary for project manager to perform a research so
that they will find the solutions of their research problem. Currently day by day the business
environment gets very dynamic and that's why they needs to retain and recruit talented
employees as they are key elements of success and growth. For that purpose, they need to
perform a research in which they are finding the strategies in order to overcome with the
challenges of Workforce transformation (Meshram, and Pandey, 2018). Research has two types
which include qualitative and quantitative research. This report include both research for finding
the solutions of problems. The detail explantation of important other components of small scale
research are mentioned below:

Quantitative Research
This is a research method in which a researcher is using numerical figures in order to
finding and analyse the data (Tibble, 2020). In this method, a researcher can be used
mathematical tools and techniques as it helps in analysing the data which gives accurate result.
Qualitative Research
It is the research which is not using any mathematical tools and techniques. It is very
helpful for Best Food Logistics in order to analyse the perception of their employees. So that
they will find their ways for overcoming the issues or challenges of Workforce transformation.
Data Collection
Data collection is the process in which project manager need to collect data in order to
complete the research. It has two important methods of data collection that are primary and
secondary collection method. In primary data collection method, a researcher is finding first time
data which provides accurate information (Collins, and Salmon, 2020). In addition to this, it is
costly as well as time consuming. On the other hand, secondary data collection method is the one
in which a researcher using existing published articles, journals, etc. This research is using both
types of data collection method. In primary research, they use questionnaire whereas in
secondary research, they use literature review.
Sampling
Sampling is the method for selecting samples in which it has two important methods that
are probability and non probability (Rutberg, and Bouikidis, 2018). This research is using
probability method in which a researcher give equal opportunity to each individual. In addition
to this, the sample size is 50.
Questionnaire
Q1: According to you, is there any impact of Covid-19 in the Unilever Limited?
Yes
No
Q2: Do you think the need for transformation due to the external events in the workplace of
Unilever?
 Agree
 Disagree
Q3: What might be the external factors which can bring the need for transformation in the

company?
 Digital technology
 Competition
 Changing consumer demands
Q4: according to you, are there any direct impact of changing events on employee performance?
 Yes
 No
Q5: What is the implication of changing events on the employee?
 Resistant to change
 Demotivation
 impact on productivity and performance.
Q6: What is the need to bring transformation due to events on workplace?
 To cope up with new environment
 Manage risks
Q7: Does there any strategies and actions implemented by Unilever to bring necessary
transformation within employees?
 Yes
 No
Q8: what are some important measures taken by Unilever in order to cope up with necessary
transformation?
 Regular trainings and support.
 Feedback culture
 maintaining inter personal relations.
Q1: According to you, is there any impact of Covid-19 in the Unilever
Limited?
Frequency
Yes 30
No 20

Interpretation: as per the above graph, it represents that the company is affected with Covid-19
which is agreed by the 30 employees. Whereas, other 20 are disagree as they do not think that the
changes occurred to Covid-19.
Q2: Do you think the need for transformation due to the external events
in the workplace of Unilever?
Frequency
 Agree 15
 Disagree 35
Yes No
0
5
10
15
20
25
30
30
20

Interpretation: it has analysed from the above table and employees response. 15 individual are
agreed that transformation is necessary in workplace which will bring many changes. But the
other maximum 35 employees are not facing its need in the Unilever.
Q3: What might be the external factors which can bring the need for
transformation in the company?
Frequency
 Digital technology 20
 Competition 10
 Changing consumer demands 20
Agree Disagree
0
5
10
15
20
25
30
35

Interpretation: It has identified that external factors can bring the need for transformation. This
is because due to many factors which differs in the perception of different employees. 20
individual are with favour of digital technology, 10 with competition and rest 20 are with
changing consumer trends. This shows that all the factors are important to taken into
consideration.
Q4: according to you, are there any direct impact of changing events on
employee performance?
Frequency
 Yes 25
 No 25
Digital technology
Competition
Changing consumer demands
0
2
4
6
8
10
12
14
16
18
20

Interpretation: according to the 25 employees of Unilever, it has shown that there Is direct
impact of changing impact on the employee performance. As these events influence in changing
working practice. Apart from this, rest 25 employees are not seen any direct impact as they are
not the active participants of Unilever.
Q5: What is the implication of changing events on the employee? Frequency
 Resistant to change 15
 Demotivation 20
 impact on productivity and performance. 15
Yes No
0
5
10
15
20
25
Frequency

Interpretation: it has interpreted that, there are various implication of changing events on
employees. According to 15 employees it is a factor of resistant to change. Rest other 20 are
with demotivating factor as they get work pressure to cope up with changes. Whereas, other 15
seen the impact on their productivity and performance.
Q6: What is the need to bring transformation due to events on
workplace?
Frequency
 To cope up with new environment 30
 Manage risks 20
Demotivation
impact on productivity and performance.
0
2
4
6
8
10
12
14
16
18
20
Frequency 15

Interpretation: it has interpreted that, there is high need for bringing transformation due to the
changing events at workplace. In order to cope up with the new environment as per 30
employees. Whereas, 20 employees are agreed with the managing risk factor which is also
important and contribute in bringing the transformation.
Q7: Does there any strategies and actions implemented by Unilever to
bring necessary transformation within employees?
Frequency
 Yes 40
 No 10
To cope up with new environment Manage risks
0
5
10
15
20
25
30
Frequency

Interpretation: as per the 40 employees of Unilever, they agreed that the company has took
strategies and actions to effectively implement the transformation process. Whereas, 10
employees are not satisfied with the facts due to which they disagreed.
Q8: what are some important measures taken by Unilever in order to
cope up with necessary transformation?
Frequency
 Regular trainings and support. 10
 Feedback culture 30
 maintaining inter personal relations. 10
Yes No
0
5
10
15
20
25
30
35
40
Frequency

Interpretation: as per the 10 employees of Unilever, giving regular trainings and support is the
important measures taken by Unilever for bringing necessary transformation. The rest 30 are in
favour with adopting feedback culture in the organisation and other 10 are with maintaining
interpersonal relation which will support the employees in managing transformation.
Recommendation
It is recommended for best food logistics to retain the best people and focus on their
performance to enable welfare and promotion. These achievements are the crucial motivators for
young youth who are seeking opportunities.
TASK 3
Reflective practices
On the practising and completion of this above of work. An individual gets to know about
many skills and capabilities and knowledge which are useful to carry out future projects. To
showcase personal expense while completing this project, Gibbs reflective cycle Is an effective
model to illustration whole experience in a systematic and understandable way.
Gibbs reflective model:
it is a helpful tool which showcase personal experience in a broad way. This model drives all the
tiny information about the overall experiencing while engaging during an activity, project or
task. It helps top demonstrate actual feelings, description, evaluation, analysis, conclusion and an
Regular trainings and support.
Feedback culture
maintaining inter personal relations.
0
10
20
30
Frequency

action plan (Johns, 2017). As these are the main quadrants of this model. There is discussion
about self experience by reflecting upon these stages which is described below:
Description: This stage shows the complete scenario of an activity, task or projects an
individuals goes through. There are a lot of facts and scenario creates while working on some
important projects of group activities. In my own experience of conducting research on
managing successful business project, I have found the topic super interesting as it is related to
my core subject areas and helps me to gain more knowledge about research projects, its methods
and methodologies. Therefore, I was ready to complete the project as soon as possible as the
deadline was quite early and research require quality and accuracy. From the very first day of
doing project, found that, there are a lot of materials, facts, ideas and critical evaluation is
required to analyse the importance and applicability of Workforce transformation strategies.
Also, I got stuck at a time while making aims and objectives as it must related to the scenario.
Previously, I was weak in combining the aims and objectives and prepare questionnaire by
considering them. But after going through with the whole concept, I started work on preparing
project plan to divide my work in simpler manner.
Feeling: This stage showcase the overall feeling while doing my research project. I felt
privileged to work on this project as it helps to boost my research skills which is necessary for
my future purpose. Therefore, I felt happy and exciting to conduct research and find out the
strategies to retain people in an organisation. As I wanted to be on a position of HR manager, so
that this knowledge is very helpful for me to achieve my career goals. I felt that, managing talent
is necessary as by understanding through employees perspective. I realised that, this project
require accurate understanding of the expectation of employees through which I could find the
rights ways and strategies of Workforce transformation and fulfil the aim of the research.
Therefore, I felt exciting to meet with new people and ask them questions in the form of
questionnaire. It was quite difficult procedure and as it took much time and cost to visit the
company and gather the consent of others with random sampling method. At some point of time,
I felt nervous to convey employee of the organisation to take participate in survey and give their
reviews.
Evaluation: This stage describes the evaluation of the research in both positive and
negative aspects if there is any (Sewell, 2017). In my personal experience, there are some
complexities I have found while carrying out research in order to find out authentic literature

sources as per the aim. Also, conducting primary research requires a lot of time and efforts which
made me frustrated and out of the thoughts. But I took help from my teachers and learn
research methods appropriately to present them in my project. I was able to complete this
project on time as well as proper authenticity and concern. Therefore, it has evaluated that
research projects are no longer complex until the concepts are clear. It boost many skills and
interpersonal behaviours of team work to take assistance from others.
Analysis: From the project of managing small business projects, I have analysed that SME's play
vital role in economy and they have much government support to run their operations and
contribute in GDP of the nation. Therefore, by creating research project on best food logistics, I
have analysed many facts and disagreement about the internal operations of the company. As
some employees are truly loyal whereas, some want more particular treatment to secure their
employment (Johal, , 2019). By doing this project, I have analysed that this helped to boost my
communication, tome management ans research skills due to which I had successfully
performed research aim through primary and secondary sources by which I have identified many
learning constraints that are helping to help me in my future.
Action plan: after analysing and evaluating my personal experiences. As I learned many things
by doing this -project but there is need to increase more potential to complete the worm before
deadlines with utmost potential. For that instance, I need to improve my communication skills as
it creates difficulty to convenience other people and also, I will boot my research skills also by
taking regular class and practice. There a a lot of research methods which needs to be clarify be
me so that, I will work better in future.
CONCLUSION
The report has concluded that Workforce transformation is the curial activity for every business.
It ascertained employee retention, ,motivation, loyalty and dedication towards their job role.
Managing talent is the most required activity as the environment is dynamic and competitive. To
remove hurdles from getting business success, companies need to look at best talent strategies
which has identified in this report such as giving good training session, career opportunities, high
pays and incentives as well as immense support.

REFERENCES
Books and Journals
Abdullahi, M.S., Raman, K. and Solarin, S.A., 2020. Workforce transformation practices on
employee performance among academic staff of Malaysian private universities:
employee engagement as a mediator. Journal of Applied Research in Higher Education.
Bigorra Puente, D., 2017. Project management plan of the creation of a travellers-oriented
mobile application (Master's thesis, Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya).
Collins, W. and Salmon, N., 2020. Using Primary and Secondary Sources for Your
Research. The Woman in White: Grangerized Edition.
Johal, R., 2019. " Resistance to Change. TOWARDS A SYSTEMIC UNDERSTANDING OF
HONOUR-BASED VIOLENCE: A QUALITATIVE STUDY WITH SOUTH ASIAN
WOMEN IN BRITAIN., p.29.
Johns, C., 2017. Imagining Reflective Practice. Becoming a Reflective Practitioner.
Kamoche, K. and Leigh, F.S., 2021. Workforce transformation, identity construction and the
burden of elitism: The case of management trainees in Hong Kong. Human Relations,
p.0018726721996778.
Meshram, P. and Pandey, B.D., 2018. Advanced review on extraction of nickel from primary
and secondary sources. Mineral Processing and Extractive Metallurgy Review.
Queirós, A., Faria, D. and Almeida, F., 2017. Strengths and limitations of qualitative and
quantitative research methods. European Journal of Education Studies.
Rutberg, S. and Bouikidis, C.D., 2018. Focusing on the fundamentals: A simplistic
differentiation between qualitative and quantitative research. Nephrology Nursing
Journal, 45(2), pp.209-213.
Sewell, C., 2017. Reflective Practice Workshop.
Swann, M., 2018. Elementary Stem Program project management plan.
TETIK, S., 2017. Workforce transformation: A review of theoretical perspectives and a
guideline for practioners. Nile journal of Business and Economics, 2(4), pp.40-56.
Theys, N.A. and Schultz, C.M., 2020. A qualitative perspective of Workforce
transformation. Journal of Contemporary Management, 17(1), pp.64-85.
Tibble, M., 2020. Bibliography of Primary and Secondary Sources. In Nicolaus Mameranus.
Brill.

Online
Best food logistics and supply chain, 2020. [online] Available through:
<https://www.linkedin.com/company/best-food-logistics>
Questionnaire
Q1: What are the changing events faced by Unilever in the workplace?
 Change in technology
 new ways of working which access new responsibilities.
Q2: In order to survive with changes, what is the requirement in workplace culture?
 Transformation
 Hiring new talented employees
Q3: What is the concept of transformation which is necessary for the Unilever to
ascertain changes and events take place?
 Bring change in the technology and ways of working.
 Transform employees capabilities from traditional to modern.
Q4: Were there employees are happy with bringing transformation at workplace in
Unilever?
 Yes
 No
Q5: Name the best of strategies applied by Unilever to demonstrate transformation in an
effective manner?
 Performance management
 Regulate each details about changes in workplace.
Q6: discuss the effect of transformation strategy as per employees perspective?
 Positive
 Negative
Q7: what resources are required to bring positive impact on the changing events through
transformational practices?
 Experts guidance and professional managers.
 funding

Q8: Does the strategies are playing important role in organisation?
 Yes
 No

Appendix
Name:
Project title: Managing successful business project
Date:
Update on weekly research/tasks achieved
Points to consider:
What have you completed?
I completed project on managing small scale project on Workforce transformation
Did you fulfil task requirements?
yes
Are you on track and within deadlines set?
yes
Did you need to make any changes to your project management plan?
No
Any risks and/or issues identified?
Planning risk, risk of irrelevant information, ethical risk.
Points to consider:
Did you identify risks/issues with a lack of skills required for undertaking research/tasks?
No
Did you identify any additional risks/issues that have an impact on the project management plan?
No
Problems encountered
Points to consider:
What barriers did you face?
I faced lack of time management skills.
How did you overcome them?
By making schedules and Gantt chart.

New ideas and change of project direction
No
What have I learnt about myself this week?
I learned time management skills, communication and interaction skills also.
Points to consider:
How did I feel when I had to deal with tasks/problems?
I felt nervous and exciting also to perform
How well have I performed?
I performed best of my efforts.
What did I contribute?
I contribute my time, skills and knowledge.
What can I improve on next week?
I can improve by critical thinking.
How might this learning apply in the future?
It helps me to analyse people behaviours as I want to become an HR manger.
Tasks planned for next week
Points to consider:
Which tasks are priority?
Planning, budgeting and state research aims and objectives.
Have you set aside sufficient time for completion?
Yes.
Project plan status to date (on, ahead, behind):
Supervisor comments to address: