Analyzing Digital Technology's Impact on Business Growth: A Case Study

This report examines the impact of digital technology on the growth and innovation of small businesses, using Continental Consulting Limited as a case study. It begins with an introduction outlining the aims, objectives, and rationale for the research, emphasizing the crucial role of digital tools like social media and business process re-engineering in enhancing efficiency and competitiveness. The report details a project management plan, including cost, risk, scope, resources, and quality control, alongside a work breakdown structure and Gantt chart to illustrate the research timeline. The methodology involves qualitative and quantitative research methods, including questionnaires administered to a sample of employees at Continental Consulting. Data analysis reveals insights into the company's adoption of digital technologies, identifying areas for improvement in equipment upgrades and policy implementation. The findings are presented thematically, discussing the current state of digital equipment usage, measures taken for updates, existing policies, and potential innovation strategies. The report concludes with recommendations to enhance digital infrastructure and streamline operations for sustained growth and market competitiveness.

Managing a Successful
Business

TABLE OF CONTENTS
TASK 1............................................................................................................................................1
P1 Aims and objectives ..............................................................................................................1
P2 Produce a project management plan that covers various aspects..........................................2
P3 Produce a work breakdown structure and a Gantt chart .......................................................4
TASK 2............................................................................................................................................6
P4 Carry out small-scale research by applying qualitative and quantitative research methods..6
TASK 3..........................................................................................................................................17
P5 Analyse research and data using appropriate tools and techniques.....................................17
P6 Communicate appropriate recommendations of research to draw meaningful conclusions18
TASK 4..........................................................................................................................................19
P7 Reflect on undertaking the research to meet stated objectives and own learning................19
CONCLUSION :............................................................................................................................20
REFERENCES..............................................................................................................................22

Title- Impact of digital technology supporting small business growth and innovation- A case
study on Continental Consulting Limited
TASK 1
P1 Aims and objectives
Background of research
Small businesses are growing at rapidly in the recent era. This is because; internet has
provided them a platform to expand operations in different markets. Besides this, digital
technology has played a vital role in the business operations (Raghavan, Desai and Rajkumar,
2017). It has provided advanced tools and techniques through which efficiency of overall
business get increased. A crucial role is also played by the social media. By using this, marketing
of products has become easy and cost efficient. Business process re-engineering has been
implemented in which digital equipment are updated to modify the production process.
Moreover, by upgrading the overall process, business can compete in the market and survive for
a long period of time. Advancement in technology has allowed business to integrate its
operations that include finance, human resources, etc. Furthermore, technology has enabled the
channel of distribution in providing products and services on time. Business are able to keep
pace with advancement in technology so that customer can be retained. This will be beneficial
for them as it will integrate efforts thus leading to increasing performance. Due to emerging
marketing trends business is using developing digital strategies to effectively promote their
products and services (Govender and Wait, 2017). They are using social media platform that
has saved time and cost of advertising. This has helped in meeting the demand and supply on
time and solving customer problems easily.
Rationale of research
Present research has been conducted to find out the way Continental Consulting can
upgrade its systems and equipment that will enable them to compete in the market. Also, it will
help in providing suggestions on how efficiency can be maintained by developing effective
information technology infrastructure. Main aim of conducting this research is to find out the
impact of advancement in digital technology on growth of small business. This will help

Continental Consulting in achieving the goals and objectives in an effective manner. In this way,
it can expand in different markets and earn profits (Woodill and Udell, 2015).
Aim - “To analyse the impact of digital technology supporting small business growth and
innovation–A case study on Continental Consulting Limited”
Objectives:
 To identify how various digital equipment’s has helped in generating more revenue to
small business.
 To identify main elements that are used in monitoring digital equipment’s
 To analyse the impact of digital equipment’s in advertising and promoting of products
and services in small business. To recommend ways through which efficiency of digital equipment’s can be maintained.
Research questions
 What do you understand by the concept of using social media in marketing of products
and services?
 What are the applications and systems used in monitoring different strategies?
 How digital technology integrated different functions and operations of Continental
consulting?
P2 Produce a project management plan that covers various aspects
A project management plan is a framework that is made before conducting research. It
contains different elements such as cost, time, etc. that are included in it. The main purpose of
developing management plan is to develop activities that have to be performed (Durach and
Nitsche, 2016). Also, it gives an insight on how much time will be required for completing one
activity. It is like a schedule that consists of different things. The management plan of present
research is described as below:
Cost – This is the basic requirement of research. The management plan gives an insight of how
much cost will be incurred in overall project. By getting an idea of estimated cost, resources are

allocated to each activity. Besides this, it will help in controlling the cost of overall project. In
addition to this, identifying cost will help in managing the resources.
Risk – This is also a common element that is included in the management plan. This element can
affect the project to a great extent (Sharma, Lindsay and Everton, 2015). Basically, it is related
to the cost and time. These two must be maintained so that research process can flow in a smooth
manner.
Scope- It will help Continental Consulting in developing effective strategies so that tools and
equipment can be upgraded effectively. Also, scope of research will help company to monitor the
strategies and in maintain efficiency of equipment.
Resources – They are the main parts of conducting research. Continental Consulting can develop
proper technological infrastructure so that system can be updated regularly.
Quality – It is related to the quality of collecting data. The data collected must be of effective
quality so that it can help in getting effective and specific research outcomes (Rathi and Zalzala,
2016). It is used in collecting data from two methods, that is, primary and secondary.
Communication- While conducting research, it is necessary to have a proper and effective
communication. This helps in working together and completing activities on time. Also, it helps
in interacting with employees of organisation and collecting more information.

P3 Produce a work breakdown structure and a Gantt chart

Task Name Duration Start Finish
Providing research topic 2 days Thu 10/25/18 Fri 10/26/18
Developing the aim and objective 3 days Mon 10/29/18 Wed 10/31/18
collecting secondary data 5 days Thu 11/1/18 Wed 11/7/18
Literature review 3 days Thu 11/8/18 Mon 11/12/18
Developing Questionnaire 2 days Tue 11/13/18 Wed 11/14/18
Distribution of questionnaire 4 days Thu 11/15/18 Tue 11/20/18
Data analysis 7 days Wed 11/21/18 Thu 11/29/18
Writing recommendation 3 days Fri 11/30/18 Tue 12/4/18
Submitting report 2 days Wed 12/5/18 Thu 12/6/18
Activities Explanation
Providing research topic
Here, topic was determined to conduct research. It took 2
days to select proper topic and subject.
Developing the aim and objective
Now, aims and objectives were developed that helped in
giving reason why research is been conducted. It describes
overall goals of research.
collecting secondary data
The previous research articles, journals, etc. were collected
and analysed. It gave an insight about what has been done
and its results.
Literature review
After collecting secondary data, literature review is written.
It describes results of other researchers in that field.
Developing Questionnaire Then, questionnaire is developed to collect primary data. it
contains both open and close ended questions.

Distribution of questionnaire
In this questionnaire is distributed to sample population
that is been selected for research.
Data analysis
This is most important in research where data is analysed
by using different tools.
Writing recommendation
Here, recommendations are provided that can be followed
by other research or companies.
Submitting report A last paper is published in journals or newspaper.
TASK 2
P4 Carry out small-scale research by applying qualitative and quantitative research methods
Questionnaire

Name:
Age:
Gender:
Does Continental consulting use effective digital application technology in their
operations or not?
 Yes
 No
 Not Sure
Have any measures taken by Continental consulting to update applications or not?
 Yes
 No
 Not Sure
Are there any policies related to using information systems?
 Yes
 No
 Not Sure
How equipment’s can be innovated in Continental consulting?
 By updating it
 Installing new equipment’s
Does updating of equipment’s will help in increasing efficiency of Continental
consulting or not?
 Yes
 No

 Not sure
Will Continental consulting be able to grow and develop by implementing new digital
equipment’s or not?
 Yes
 No
 Not Sure
In which area equipment’s has enabled in increasing efficiency of small business?
 Finance
 Human resource
 Operations
 Production
How digital technology has affected the growth of small business?
 Positive
 Negative
 Neither positive nor negative
Use of digital technology has allowed business to develop products and improve the
quality of services or not?
 Yes
 No
 Not sure
Data Analysis
Theme 1: Continental consulting uses effective digital equipment’s in their operations

Does Continental consulting use effective digital equipment’s in their
operations or not?
Frequency
Yes 3
No 13
Not Sure 4
Total 20
Interpretation: A research was conducted in Continental consulting regarding updating
digital equipment’s. In this sample of 20 respondents was taken by random method. For this
questionnaire was given to them collect data. From this it was identified that out of 20, 13 said
that there are no advanced equipment’s used by Continental consulting. 3 said yes and 4 was not
sure about this. Therefore, it can be said that there are no latest equipment’s that has been
Yes No Not Sure Total
0
2
4
6
8
10
12
14
16
18
20
Frequency

implemented by Continental consulting. They need to install it quickly that will help them to
increase their efficiency so that it can compete with competitors.
Theme 2: Measures taken by Continental consulting to update applications
Have any measures taken by Continental consulting to update
applications or not?
Frequency
Yes 6
No 9
Not Sure 5
Total 20
Interpretation: The researcher in order to accomplish his goals and objectives conducted
research regarding growth of small business. For this he has taken sample of 20 respondents and
questionnaire are given to them. By analysing the data, it was identified that 6 said that measures
Yes
No
Not Sure
0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
Frequency