ASDA: Strategies for Diverse and Inclusive Workforce Development

This report presents a business project focused on determining the strategies and initiatives employed by companies, specifically ASDA, to develop a diverse and inclusive workforce. The project begins with an introduction outlining the background and aims, followed by a detailed project plan ...Read More

Successful Business Project

Table of Contents
SECTION 1 – INTRODUCTION.......................................................................................................................3
SECTION 2 – PROJECT PLAN.........................................................................................................................4
SECTION 3 – RESEARCH...............................................................................................................................5
SECTION 4 – FINDINGS AND RECOMMENDATIONS.....................................................................................6
SECTION 5 – EVALUATION.........................................................................................................................11
SECTION 6 – CONCLUSION.........................................................................................................................11
REFERENCES..............................................................................................................................................13
APPENDIX..................................................................................................................................................15

Topic: “To determine the strategies and initiatives companies put in place for developing
the diverse and inclusive workforce.”
SECTION 1 – INTRODUCTION
Background of project
Equality at workplace is making assure the people which are provided equal
opportunities, equal pay scale and also accepted for varied in better manner. This is developing
the conductive as well as inclusive working environment where the staff members feel safe and
secure. Diversity at workplace is related to firm recruits wider range of the diverse staff
members. This is misconceived as the multicultural matters and it applies to the race, age, gender
language, background and other characteristics (Bouncken, Brem and Kraus, 2016). It is
necessary for company to create inclusive working environment so all employees can able to
work. Creating diverse workforce helps in increasing the performance of staff along with
organizational growth. ASDA is British Supermarket retailer and it was established in year 1949.
The main focus of this company is to giving equal opportunities to employees which belongs to
different backgrounds. ASDA stated that to achieve the competitive benefits, the colleagues of
this company required from the different backgrounds and also required to innovative work as
part of inclusive culture.
Aim
“To determine the strategies and initiatives companies put in place for developing the
diverse and inclusive workforce.” A study on ASDA.
Objectives
 To examine benefits of equality and diversity in context to organization
 To determine challenges faced by company from diverse workforce.
 To identify strategies ASDA needs to place for developing the diverse and inclusive
workforce
Questions

 Does equality and diversity provides benefits to company?
 What are the issued faced through an organization from the diverse workforce?
 What kind of strategies used by ASDA in order to creating diverse and inclusive
workforce?
SECTION 2 – PROJECT PLAN
The project management plan is regarded as structured document which the organization
uses for the intent of planning and implementing the project activities. This describes primarily
project priorities and their reach and also reviews strategies for structured execution, tracking
and regulation of its activities. Due to this project manager, the project quality can easily be
enhanced by reducing mistakes that occur when the tasks take place (Campos and Kim, 2017).
Different aspects considered in project management plan mention below:
Cost- It is an important aspect related to the project management plan that contributes to
effective implementation of project activities. Each project manager needed sufficient funds to
improve overall efficiency level at the period of its activities. For project managers it is therefore
important to know in an effective manner all the segments used in project. To carry out present
investigation properly, the project manager required about £250.
S cope- This is one of fundamental elements in a study which describes future scope
of the study that will be done in detail. Thus, ASDA present investigation has a great deal in
its power to develop effective strategies for making the workplace inclusive and diverse and
to increase its market share. This research also helps to raise awareness of a set of
opportunities (Civitillo and et. al., 2017).
Time- This aspect is important as it specifies the time needed for any operation to
finish that is chosen according to the goals or needs of specific task. The time required to
complete the tasks is considered. The researchers will need approximately 6 months to
effectively investigate the problems and solve problem in current ASDA study (Danso,
2018).

Quality- The goal is to maintain excellence in order to affect the quality and
effectiveness of study. The company must also uphold the honesty and integrity of the
findings and the analysis must take account of the accuracy of and reliability of the collected
data (Elia, Petruzzelli and Piscitello, 2019).
Communication- The progress of project is probable when contact between people
takes place continuously in an investigation. Researchers will use many contact platforms,
including emails, Smartphone and meeting, to aid in the creation of efficient strategies in
their present analysis of strategies firm put for developing the diverse workforce (Frijns,
Dodd and Cimerova, 2016).
Risk- M ajor risk of using information that specifically affects confidentiality is
connected with this investigation. This can also have implications in future as respondents
will suggest to the investigator that the mouth of the researcher is also negative. In
conducting the project, risks involved are technological, manpower and finance (Fylkesnes,
2018).
Resources- Present work is related to ASDA and this investigator will need many
resources, including capital, work, internet connection, etc. to conduct this research. It will
lead to the prompt and successful completion of the work (Glock, Kovacs and Pit‐ten Cate,
2019).
SECTION 3 – RESEARCH
Research methodology states that data or data associated with a particular subject may be
gathered systematically. These data are collected for decision-making purposes. The design of a
research method is the most important. The scientists identify the compilation, presentation and
review of the critical data and information to answer research questions and aims ( Gutentag,
Horenczyk and Tatar, 2018).
Qualitative- The aim is to explore the views, motives and intentions in qualitative
investigation. This helps to create new ideas about problems. This researcher can understand
customer opinions in order to collect the right information and data ( Lambert, 2016).

Quantitative- These are methods for collecting data on research and activities.
Researchers here use mathematical statistical methods to analyze findings and data. This can be
compiled survey and other interviews ( Moon, 2016).
Data Collection-Data collection is way in which information and data are gathered in
relation to a particular field or subject ( Purnell and Fenkl, 2019). There are two main types of
collection of data that are explained:
Primary- This is the first way that information and data are gathered that has not
previously been used. The researcher can easily gather relevant information and data. Interviews,
questionnaires, surveys and others are available to provide insight into the opinions and views of
interviewees on research. In conducting present project, questionnaire has been used ( Reus-
Smit, 2017).
Secondary- Information and data are already collected and recorded by non-user person.
There are ready data in the form of reports, magazines, books, websites and newspapers. It helps
to save researchers time and costs ( Schachner and et. al., 2016).
Sampling- The procedure is used to analyze statistics which have been detected by a
large population. Sampling is a population subset that reduces costs and helps to collect
information and data. For the proper collection of data, researchers use the random sampling
method. In this researcher 40 respondents are selected for the collection of information on the
subject ( Verkuyten and Yogeeswaran, 2020).
SECTION 4 – FINDINGS AND RECOMMENDATIONS
For analysis the collected information, there has been thematic analysis used. In this,
graphs are developed in MS-Excel; themes developed and also make the interpretations ( Wang,
De Graaff and Nijkamp, 2016).
Data Sheet
Q1) Are you aware regarding equality and diversity? Frequency
a) Yes 35
b) No 5
Q2) What are benefits of the equality in firm? Frequency

a) Increasing productivity 10
b) Promotes innovation 20
c) Improves brand reputation 10
Q3) Does equality and diversity helpful in maximising workers
performance?
Frequency
a) Yes 30
b) No 10
Q4) How equality and diversity influence on the workforce? Frequency
a) Positive impact 22
b) Negative impact 18
Q5) What are the different kinds of diversity in a firm? Frequency
a) Gender 12
b) Age 18
c) Religion 10
Q6) Which issues are faced through the ASDA from the diverse
workforce?
Frequency
a) Variations in Ethnic and Culture 20
b) Differences in Language 10
c) Generational and Age Differences 10
Q7) What are various strategies ASDA needs to be put in
creating the diverse and inclusive workplace?
Frequency
a) Celebrate Employee Differences 15
b) Educate Leaders 15
c) Provide training 10
Q8) What benefits firm can gain from developing inclusive and
diverse workforce effectively?
Frequency
a) Enhance employee performance 35
b) Improving organizational productivity 5
c) Enhance profitability 5
Q9) Does inclusive and diverse workforce helps in enhancing the
organizational productivity?
Frequency
a) Yes 30
b) No 10
THEME 1: Aware regarding equality and diversity
Q1) Are you aware regarding equality and diversity? Frequency
a) Yes 35
b) No 5
Interpretation: There are 35 participants who said they care about equity and diversity in the
workplace. There are 5 others that have no idea about equality and diversity.

THEME 2: Benefits
Q2) What are the advantages of equality in firm? Frequency
a) Increasing productivity 10
b) Promotes innovation 20
c) Improves brand reputation 10
Interpretation: 10 respondents stated that the benefit of equality is increasing the organizational
performance and productivity. 20 respondents said that the equality assist in promoting
innovation by hiring different cultural staff. 10 remaining respondents are agreed with improving
the brand reputation of an organization.
THEME 3: Equality and diversity help in maximizing employees performance
Q3) Does equality and diversity assist in increasing performance
of workers?
Frequency
a) Yes 30
b) No 10
Interpretation: 30 respondents said that the equality and Diversity assist to make improvement
in performance of employees. According to them treating the employees equally is helpful on
motivating them and enhance their performance level. 10 remaining respondents are not agreeing
with mention statement.
THEME 4: Equality & diversity influence on workforce
Q4) How equality & diversity influence on workforce? Frequency
a) Positive impact 22
b) Negative impact 18
Interpretation: 22 respondents stated that the equality and Diversity develop positive effects on
workforce as it helps in hiring the different culture people and also promote the innovation in
company. 18 respondents did not agree with this argument, stating that diversity has a negative
effect on workers because multiple employees have various views and opinions and
disagreements that occur in the workplace.

THEME 5: Kinds of diversity in an organization
Q5) What are various kinds of the diversity? Frequency
a) Gender 12
b) Age 18
c) Religion 10
Interpretation: There are 12 respondents with said that diversity arises on gender basis at
workplace and in this there is a variation among the male and female gender. 18 respondents are
agreeing with the age basis Diversity. 10 participants that religion is major base of diversity at
workplace.
THEME 6: Issues from the diverse workforce
Q6) Which issues are faced through the ASDA from the diverse
workforce?
Frequency
a) Variations in Ethnic and Culture 20
b) Differences in Language 10
c) Generational and Age Differences 10
Interpretation: 20 respondents stated that main issues faced through ASDA at workplace
related to diverse workforce is ethnic and cultural differences. The people belongs to different
backgrounds are unable to understand the culture of other place or organization. There are 10
respondents and according to them difference in language arise a main issue and employees not
able to understand. 10 remaining participants are agree with generational as well as differences
among the staff members at workplace.
THEME 7: Strategies ASDA needs to be put
Q7) What are various strategies ASDA needs to be put in
creating diverse and inclusive environment?
Frequency
a) Celebrate Employee Differences 15
b) Educate Leaders 15
c) Provide training 10
Interpretation: 15 participants that celebrate employees difference is a main strategy that
company need to be used to develop the diverse workforce. On basis of 15 respondents that firm

needs to educate leaders so that they can deal with all culture employees effectively. 10
participants are with providing the equality training so employees can able to understand each
other culture.
THEME 8: Benefits firm can gain from developing inclusive and diverse workforce
Q8) What benefits firm can gain from developing inclusive and
diverse workforce effectively?
Frequency
a) Enhance employee performance 35
b) Improving organizational productivity 5
c) Enhance profitability 5
Interpretation: 35 respondents said that the main benefit firm can get from developing the
inclusive and diverse workforce is increasing the performance level of employees. 5 participants
which are agreeing with improving the productivity of an organization. On the basis of
remaining 5 respondents that developing inclusive workforce is helpful in increasing profitability
of company.
THEME 9: Inclusive and diverse workforce aids in maximizing firm growth
Q9) Does inclusive and diverse workforce aids in maximizing
firm growth?
Frequency
a) Yes 30
b) No 10
Interpretation: 30 participants said that developing the inclusive and diverse workforce aids in
enhancing organization productivity as all the staff members of different background the above
together and attaining the set organization objectives within a given time period. 10 participants
are disagree with it.
RECOMMENDATIONS
 It has been recommended that ASDA organization should educate its learners so that they
can treat fairly with all backgrounds employees and also provide them proper guidance so
that they can able to perform.

 This is essential to an organization to provide the training related to Equality to all the
employees so that they can enable to understand and also focus on together work for
achieving set goals.
 Management should conduct open communication between employees so they can able
to understand each other culture as well as understand the opinion of each other at
workplace.
 It is necessary for the management make changes in its policies and also provide the and
also recruit the employees from the different background and culture so that they can
promote innovation in an organization.
SECTION 5 – EVALUATION
Research was conducted on the subject “determine the strategies and initiatives
companies put in place for developing the diverse and inclusive workforce." I have learn lot
through this study and it has been a very positive experience. I experienced all kinds of persons
with varying viewpoints and thinking, which helped me to frame different ideas when
conducting an investigation. This was not easy task, however, as I was confronted with various
problems and obstacles during my research. The biggest problem I had was bad time
management, which contributed to time usage for study. In addition, the other issue was that
most people just aren't interested in responding to questions that have not been tested with great
honesty and trust. I am able to complete the research and fulfill business objectives and goals
accurately and economically even after many difficulties. It was possible because of my personal
will and determination that has not caused my level of trust to go down so I will do the same
work in the future more effectively and efficiently.
SECTION 6 – CONCLUSION
This has been stated from mentioned report to creating inclusive and diverse
environment is essential for increasing the organizational productivity and employee’s
performance. This is necessary for am organization to giving the equal opportunities to all
employees which work in organization so that employees can focus on attaining organizational
objectives set through management. There has been studied about the different challenges which

faced by the company from the diverse workforce reduce the organizational productivity and the
employees performance. In order to overcome from the origin issue there are some strategies
developed by ASDA Company such as such as educate the leaders, provide equality training and
also develop the open communication. These are helpful in developing the positive impact on the
organization productivity and profitability.

REFERENCES
Books & Journals
Bouncken, R., Brem, A. and Kraus, S., 2016. Multi-cultural teams as sources for creativity and
innovation: The role of cultural diversity on team performance. International Journal of
Innovation Management. 20(01). p.1650012.
Campos, B. and Kim, H. S., 2017. Incorporating the cultural diversity of family and close
relationships into the study of health. American Psychologist. 72(6). p.543.
Civitillo, S. and et. al., 2017. Towards a better understanding of cultural diversity approaches at
school: A multi-informant and mixed-methods study. Learning, Culture and Social
Interaction. 12. pp.1-14.
Danso, R., 2018. Cultural competence and cultural humility: A critical reflection on key cultural
diversity concepts. Journal of Social Work. 18(4). pp.410-430.
Elia, S., Petruzzelli, A. M. and Piscitello, L., 2019. The impact of cultural diversity on
innovation performance of MNC subsidiaries in strategic alliances. Journal of Business
Research. 98. pp.204-213.
Frijns, B., Dodd, O. and Cimerova, H., 2016. The impact of cultural diversity in corporate boards
on firm performance. Journal of Corporate Finance. 41. pp.521-541.
Fylkesnes, S., 2018. Whiteness in teacher education research discourses: A review of the use and
meaning making of the term cultural diversity. Teaching and Teacher Education. 71.
pp.24-33.
Glock, S., Kovacs, C. and Pit‐ten Cate, I., 2019. Teachers’ attitudes towards ethnic minority
students: Effects of schools’ cultural diversity. British Journal of Educational
Psychology. 89(4). pp.616-634.
Gutentag, T., Horenczyk, G. and Tatar, M., 2018. Teachers’ approaches toward cultural diversity
predict diversity-related burnout and self-efficacy. Journal of Teacher Education. 69(4).
pp.408-419.
Lambert, J., 2016. Cultural diversity as a mechanism for innovation: Workplace diversity and the
absorptive capacity framework. Journal of Organizational Culture, Communications
and Conflict. 20(1). p.68.
Moon, R. J., 2016. Internationalisation without cultural diversity? Higher education in
Korea. Comparative Education. 52(1). pp.91-108.
Purnell, L.D. and Fenkl, E.A., 2019. Transcultural diversity and health care. In Handbook for
Culturally Competent Care (pp. 1-6). Springer, Cham.

Reus-Smit, C., 2017. Cultural diversity and international order. International
Organization. 71(4). pp.851-885.
Schachner, M.K. and et. al., 2016. Cultural diversity climate and psychological adjustment at
school—Equality and inclusion versus cultural pluralism. Child development. 87(4).
pp.1175-1191.
Verkuyten, M. and Yogeeswaran, K., 2020. Cultural diversity and its implications for intergroup
relations. Current opinion in psychology. 32. pp.1-5.
Wang, Z., De Graaff, T. and Nijkamp, P., 2016. Cultural diversity and cultural distance as choice
determinants of migration destination. Spatial Economic Analysis. 11(2). pp.176-200.
Online
Vaux, R., 2020. Diversity Issues Affecting the Workplace. [Online]. Available through:
<https://smallbusiness.chron.com/diversity-issues-affecting-workplace-10238.html>.

APPENDIX
QUESTIONNAIRE
Q1) Are you aware regarding equality and diversity?
a) Yes
b) No
Q2) What are the advantages of equality in firm?
a) Increasing productivity
b) Promotes innovation
c) Improves brand reputation
Q3) Does the equality and diversity assist in increasing performance of workers?
a) Yes
b) No
Q4) How equality and diversity influence on the workforce?
a) Positive impact
b) Negative impact
Q5) What are various kinds of diversity in an organization?
a) Gender
b) Age
c) Religion
Q6) Which issues are faced through the ASDA from the diverse workforce?
a) Variations in Ethnic and Culture
b) Differences in Language
c) Generational and Age Differences
Q7) What are various strategies ASDA needs to be put in creating the diverse and inclusive
workplace?
a) Celebrate Employee Differences
b) Educate Leaders
c) Provide training
Q8) What benefits firm can gain from developing inclusive and diverse workforce
effectively?
a) Enhance employee performance
b) Improving organizational productivity
c) Enhance profitability
Q9) Does inclusive and diverse workforce helps in enhancing the organizational
productivity?
a) Yes
b) No
Q10) Suggest ways through which company get competitive advantages.
Work Breakdown Structure

Framework for wok breakdown structure complex tasks in quick, manageable jobs. This
is a key project to manage teamwork in smaller areas. This approach is used by Project Manager
for project execution. This makes the project precise and legible, including control points and
milestones. The measurement of time, costs and risk is helpful. Information, product, service or
combination of these could be WBS elements. The overall scope should be hierarchically
decomposed by the project manager to achieve project objectives within a given time period.
Gantt Chart
The Gantt chart that was used in the project was developed in 1917 by Henry L Gantt. The horizontal graph illustrates
specific tasks to be better designed, coordinated and tracked. This displays horizontal axis events and data describing research
over a given period of time. It takes time to start and finish, and activities that yield meaningful results must be done in specified
time.
Name:
Project title: “To determine the strategies and initiatives companies put in
place for developing the diverse and inclusive workforce.”
Date:
Update on weekly research/tasks achieved
I have been able to identify significance of promoting equality and diversity
at workplace. I think I am on the track with the deadlines that I have set for
finish of my project report.
Any risks and/or issues identified?
During course of this report, I identified a lack of effective and fluent
communication skills which I believe were very essential for conducting
research. However, I worked upon developing them to get the best results and
meet the research objectives.
Problems encountered

Initially, I faced issues of using relevant and valid sources of information but
I managed to overcome this barrier by learning about the guidelines of
research.
New ideas and change of project direction
I developed idea which is related to importance of selecting proper sample
for conducting an effective research in the correct direction.
What have I learn about myself this week?
In this week, I learn that I am better at learning new capabilities as well as
implementing new knowledge. In next week, I wish to make improvement the
time-management for conducting my research.
Tasks planned for next week
I plan to understand challenges faced through firm while building as well as
fostering a equal and diverse workforce in the company in the next week.
Project plan status to date (on, ahead, behind)
It is on proper time and on track with the timeline and schedule.
Supervisor comments to address
 What was the project supposed to accomplish?
To understand importance of developing diverse and equal workforce as well as analyzing
challenges faced by business managers and strategies adopted to overcome those challenges with
the help of a case study on ASDA.
 Did the project succeed in its aims? How do you know? Specifically, please outline
any evaluation and assessment undertaken.

Project has been met its objectives successfully by effectively using tools of data collection
along with a detailed and in-depth analysis of the outcomes and results.
 What things do you think worked well and why? Evaluate all aspects of the project
(e.g. initial inception, project activities and project outcomes) from a range of
perspectives.
According to me, process of collecting information by using various effective tools worked
well to attain goals of present project. Initial inception of project was bit challenging but further
project activities were carried out in a very effective manner.
 What problems emerged during the project and how were they tackled? Was there
timely identification of issues and resolution during the project process?
During initial phase of project, many issues and challenges were encountered. I experienced
a problem of effective time-management during initial research phase as well as challenge was
concerned with using authentic information from reliable sources. Issues were identified in time
and I resolved issue of the time-management by preparing a plan and also schedule and
consulted my superior for the problem related with authentic sourcing of information to obtain
and analyze outcomes.
 What did you learn from undertaking the project?
I learn more of important skills during the course of project such as time-management skills,
conducting market research and also developed an interest in management of the workforce and
employees which I believe will help me in future career aspirations.
 How would you rate your performance as project manager?
As project manager 8/10.
 What strengths and weaknesses of your performance did you identify?

I determined that I have ability to quickly adapt and implement things. I can demonstrate
effective skill of time-management and also problem-solving abilities through innovative
thinking. I believe I lacked an effective and fluent communication skills which I would like to
work upon in future.
 How will this inform and support your continuous professional development?
I believe conducting present research project will help a lot in influencing my continuous
professional development. With the help of this report, I developed many important and also
necessary skills like market research or time-management. I have also enhanced my problem-
solving skills and ability to think beyond conventional norms. I also have a future direction of
personal development with respect to communication skills. Hence, this report has helped me in
process of constant personal and professional development.