Brakes Bros Group: Globalization Impact on UK Food Operations

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MANAGING A SUCCESSFUL BUSINESS PROJECT
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Executive summary
The research project has framed objectives and purposes which determine positive economic,
cultural and ethical impact of globalisation on operating processes of UK food company namely
Brakes Bros Group. A plan for managing project has been structured for collecting information
regarding globalisation impact on Brakes Bros. 50 employees and 2 operating managers of
Brakes Bros have been chosen to gather primary quantitative and qualitative data. This
information has been evaluated to observe the benefits of globalisation on profit, customer
loyalty and performance of Brakes Bros and recommendations have been provided develop
company operations. My learning during project has also been included in performance review.
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Table of Contents
Introduction......................................................................................................................................4
Organizational overview..................................................................................................................4
Small scale research by applying qualitative and quantitative research methods (P4, M2, D1).....6
Research method (M2, D1)..............................................................................................................6
Secondary data collection................................................................................................................6
Primary data collection....................................................................................................................6
Evaluation of accuracy and reliability of research methods (M2)...................................................7
Devise project aims and objectives for a chosen scenario (P1, M1, D1)......................................17
Project definition...........................................................................................................................17
Problem statement.........................................................................................................................17
Project strategy..............................................................................................................................18
Project aim.....................................................................................................................................18
Project objectives...........................................................................................................................18
Produce a project management plan that covers the aspects of cost, scope, time, quality,
communication, risk and resources (P2, M1, D1).........................................................................19
Cost Management..........................................................................................................................19
Scope management........................................................................................................................20
Time management.........................................................................................................................20
Quality management......................................................................................................................21
Project Processes...........................................................................................................................22
Communication plan......................................................................................................................22
Risk assessment.............................................................................................................................23
Resources utilized..........................................................................................................................24
Criteria for success........................................................................................................................25
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Project assumptions.......................................................................................................................25
Produce a work breakdown structure and a Gantt chart to provide for timeframes (P3, M1, D1)26
Analyse research and data using appropriate tools and techniques (P5, M3)...............................28
Communicate appropriate recommendations as a result of research and data analysis (P6, M3,
D2).................................................................................................................................................29
Reflection of the value of undertaking of the research..................................................................30
Appendix 1: Project log book........................................................................................................32
References......................................................................................................................................34
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Introduction
Globalization has significantly changed the nature of operations among businesses and industries
across the world, and this has largely taken place owing to the freeing up of economies and a
continued emphasis on liberalization policies by governments in order to develop their
economies. The concept has had a host of positive benefits that include economic and cultural
diversity along with large scale optimization of the several demand and supply chain
management systems. The project in question studies the influence of globalization specifically
within the organizational context of Brakes Bros, a company catering to food and beverages
industry within the UK. It further presents a small scale research along with a detailed project
management plan for the convenience of the readers.
Organizational overview
Brakes were initially coined as Brake Bros Ltd, but currently operate using only their brand
name of Brakes. The company has over 12,000 employees and posted a gross profit
£174,800,000 in the financial year of 2018. It is one of the major players within the British food
and beverages industry and operates roughly around twenty depots and distribution centres
across the UK.
Figure 1: Increase in the turnover of the Brakes group from 2011 to 2015
(Source: Brake.co.uk, 2019)
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The organization was started in the year of 1958 and has its corporate headquarters in the city of
Ashford. It was acquired by Sysco Corporation in 2016 for around £3 billion and the list of its
clients is extremely varied including a multitude of hospitals, healthcare agencies, hotels and
tourism organizations, massive food chains and so on. The company also has a bunch of sub
brands, including the likes of Country Choice, Prime Meats and Woodward Foodservice. Brakes
have also been actively involved in acquiring smaller establishments to grow their chains and
network, and have consistently posted profitable returns over the past few years.
Figure 2: Increase in the net assets of the Brakes group from 2011 to 2015
(Source: Brake.co.uk, 2019)
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Small scale research by applying qualitative and quantitative research methods (P4, M2,
D1)
Research method (M2, D1)
Research method provides process, techniques and strategies for collecting designing and
analysis of the data. In this small scale research, research methods are used to collect and
interpret information related to the positive cultural, ethical and economic impact of
globalisation on Brakes Bros. Both the primary and secondary data collection has been
considered in this research. In primary data collection, two research methods such as survey and
interview have been utilised. Primary qualitative and quantitative data have been acquired to
identify positive effects of globalisation on business operations of Brakes Bros.
Secondary data collection
Secondary data have been collected from the news articles, journals, books and government
reports related to globalisation impact on Brakes Bros that can enhance profit of the company.
The research information has been stored in online databases.
Primary data collection
Primary quantitative data has been collected from the survey method and 50 employees of
Brakes Bros have been selected for this process. 2 middle line managers from operation
department of Brakes Bros have been selected to conduct interviews and collect qualitative
information. In the survey process, the participants have been provided with close-ended
questionnaire which has been filled with the responses of the participants for interview process;
open-ended questionnaire has been given to the managers to identify their opinion regarding the
globalisation effects on the company operations. Non-probability sampling technique has been
used in survey of randomly select the participants for survey in order to reduce biasness of
outcome. Purposive sampling has been utilised for interview to select managers who have high
position and experience in the Brakes Bros.
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Primary data has been interpreted through Microsoft Excel. Frequency method has been used to
evaluate survey data and constant comparison technique has been considered to interpret
qualitative data.
Evaluation of accuracy and reliability of research methods (M2)
The information of the research has been reliable, relevant and valid as relevant and current data
has been gathered from different secondary data sources regarding Brake Bro’s operations.
Primary survey and interview data has been gathered from the employees and manager statement
directly. It has increased information accuracy. As original responses of the employees and
managers have been recorded in the research and no one has been forced to provide supportive
and biased answers to achieve expected outcome, it has enhanced research reliability.
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Quantitative data analysis
Q1. How much experienced are you?
Options Total number of
respondents
Number of
responses
Percentage of
responses (%)
0-5 years 50 9 18
5-10 years 50 18 36
10-15 years 50 13 26
Above 15 years 50 10 20
Table 1: Experience
(Source: Created by Learner)
0-5 years 5-10 years 10-15 years Above 15 years
0
5
10
15
20
25
30
35
40
18
36
26
20
Percentage of responses (%)
Figure 1: Experience
(Source: Created by Learner)
From the graph, it is clear that 36% of employees of Brakes bros have an experience of about 5-
10 years.
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Q2. What are the positive economic impacts of globalisation on business operations of
Brakes bros?
Options Total number of
respondents
Number of
responses
Percentage of
responses (%)
Increase in revenue 50 11 22
Foreign direct
investment
50 18 36
Lesser tariff on items 50 8 16
More return on
investment
50 13 26
Table 2: Positive economic impacts of globalisation on business operations of Brakes bros
(Source: Created by Learner)
The graph clearly depicts that 36% of employees impend on foreign direct investment to be the
most positive impact of globalisation for Brakes bros. The reason for this is that foreign direct
investment infuses more liquidity into the system and generates more revenue.
Increase in
revenue Foreign direct
investment Lesser tariff on
items More return on
investment
0
5
10
15
20
25
30
35
40
22
36
16
26
Percentage of responses (%)
Figure 2: Positive economic impacts of globalisation on business operations of Brakes bros
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(Source: Created by Learner)
Q3. How far do you agree that the culture of Brakes bros has influenced globalisation?
Options Total number of
respondents
Number of
responses
Percentage of
responses (%)
Strongly agree 50 15 30
Agree 50 16 32
Neutral 50 5 10
Disagree 50 10 20
Strongly disagree 50 4 8
Table 3: Culture of Brakes bros
(Source: Created by Learner)
Strongly
agree Agree Neutral Disagree Strongly
disagree
0
5
10
15
20
25
30
35 30 32
10
20
8
Percentage of responses (%)
Figure 3: Culture of Brakes bros
(Source: Created by Learner)
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It can be depicted that 32% of employees agree that the culture of Brakes bros have influenced
globalisation. The reason for this is that the company wants to expand its operations in the global
market by manifesting a democratic working culture.
Q4. How much do you agree that Brakes bros has been able to manage its ethical
management strategy for manifesting globalisation?
Options Total number of
respondents
Number of
responses
Percentage of
responses (%)
Strongly agree 50 15 30
Agree 50 12 24
Neutral 50 6 12
Disagree 50 11 22
Strongly disagree 50 6 12
Table 4: Ethical management strategy
(Source: Created by Learner)
Strongly agree
Agree
Neutral
Disagree
Strongly disagree
0 5 10 15 20 25 30
30
24
12
22
12
Percentage of responses (%)
Figure 4: Ethical management strategy
(Source: Created by Learner)
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