Impact of Digital Technology on Small Business Growth: A Case Study

This project report investigates the impact of digital technology, specifically social media, on the growth and innovation of small and medium-sized manufacturing firms, using Continental Consulting Ltd. as a case study. The report outlines the project's aims, objectives, and research questions, focusing on the implementation of digital technology to enhance business processes. It includes a project management plan covering scope, cost, time, quality, risk, and communication aspects. A work breakdown structure and Gantt chart are provided to illustrate the project timeline. The research methodology involves both qualitative and quantitative research approaches to gather data on the effectiveness of digital technology. The report concludes with an evaluation of the research findings and recommendations for Continental Consulting Ltd., along with a reflection on the project's objectives. The assignment covers key areas like project planning, research methods, and strategic recommendations, providing a comprehensive analysis of digital technology's role in business development. The report also emphasizes the importance of resources and effective communication within the project framework.

Managing A Successful
Business Project

Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................1
TASK 1............................................................................................................................................1
P1 Project aim and objectives.....................................................................................................1
P2 Project management plan with cost aspects, scope, time, quality and communication risk..2
P3 Work breakdown structure and Gantt chart to provide time-frame.......................................5
TASK 2............................................................................................................................................7
P4 Small scale research by implementation qualitative and quantitative research.....................7
TASK 3..........................................................................................................................................10
P5 Evaluation research and data using appropriate tools and techniques.................................10
P6 Appropriate recommendation as a result of data and research analysis..............................18
TASK 4..........................................................................................................................................19
P7 Reflection upon undertakings to attain objectives...............................................................19
CONCLUSION..............................................................................................................................20
REFERENCES..............................................................................................................................21

Title: “The impact of digital technology supporting small business growth and innovation-
A case study on Continental Consulting Ltd.
INTRODUCTION
Managing projects is a set of practice that includes planning, executing or controlling the
project activities so that project can be done in a specific time period. Whereas, digital
technology always supports maximum in a firm so that their desired goals can be achieved in a
limited time period. In addition to this, it also provides opportunities to firm in delivering their
products or services to the maximum number of targetted customers along with putting minimum
efforts for it. Therefore, it can be said that digital technology plays an important role in the
growth and success of each firm. The chosen firm for this report is Continental Consulting
Limited which provides consultancy and re-engineering services to the customers which are
small and medium manufacturing firms along with headquarters in London. This assignment will
discuss about the aims and objectives of firm along with implementation of digital technology.
Project management plan, WBS, Gantt chart, qualitative and quantitative research methods will
also covered in this report, In last, report will discuss about recommendation and reflections.
TASK 1
P1 Project aim and objectives
Continental Consulting Limited is a UK based firm which provides supports to the small
and medium manufacturing firms in re-engineering their business process so that high
sustainability and profitability can be achieved. Its serving areas are London and greater London.
The firm was founded eight years ago with an objective of using latest equipments computers or
IT systems so that better consultancy services can be provided to their clients. As the time is
passing rapidly and their eight years old equipments are outdated now so that for it, management
have decided to upgrading their tools and techniques so that capabilities or skills of firm can be
enhanced. Present project report is also based on such upgradation of IT systems which will be
helpful for the company in achieving their goals and objectives within the given time period.
Topic: “Impact of Digital technology supporting small business growth and innovation
According to the present situation of Continental consulting limited, It is seems that there
is a requirement of implementation of digital technology which is done through taking support of
its employees (Kiessling, 2011). Therefore, CEO of firm have decided to invest funds for
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bringing innovation in their business procedures so that they will be able in competing their
rivals in more effective manner.
Aim: “Impact of Social Media as digital technology to support small and medium
manufacturing firms in achieving growth and innovation- A case study on Continental
consulting Limited.”
The main objective of this project is to determine the effectiveness of implementation of
Social media in business procedures of small and medium size firms like continental consulting
limited so that goals or objectives will be achieved in an effective manner (Kowalkowski, 2011).
Research Objectives
 To determine the concept of digital technology in the growth of Continental consulting
limited
 To identify the benefits of social media as a digital technology in supporting small and
medium enterprises.
 To determine the relationship between social media and growth of Continental consulting
limited
Research Questions:
 Do you have knowledge regarding the concept of social media ?
 What are the benefits of Social media as a digital technology received by Continental
Consulting Ltd. ?
 Is there any interrelationship between the growth of Continental Consulting Ltd. and
Social Media Platform?
P2 Project management plan with cost aspects, scope, time, quality and communication risk
Project management plan is a formal and approved set of documents which is used for
controlling and executing the projects. In addition to this, it is a document which includes
important informations about the performed activities, utilised resources, required manpower etc.
so that project will be completed in efficient manner. It also provides support to the management
in identifying important aspects like quality, risk, time, cost etc. during the execution of project
so that all related activities performed by project teams in effective manner. These aspects are
given as under:
Scope: Adoption of digital technology always brings profitable results to the company in
the form of enhancing efficiency level of employees maximising the satisfaction level of
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customers, providing maximum return to the investors on their invested amounts etc. In the
context of Continental Consulting limited, as they have decided to implementing digital
technology in the form of Social media which will help them in attracting a large number of
customers through communicating them about their new and innovative products and services
which will be helpful for the firm in achievement of growth and sustainability in the
marketplace. Whereas, performing research programme on the topic of impact of social media in
growth and success of firm by researcher as it will provide more benefits to other small
manufacturing firms in making modifications in their procedures so that maximum profitability
can be gained them in future period. Therefore, it can be said that scope of implementation of
Digital technology is very huge in nature (Pearlson, 2016).
Cost: It is also an important aspect because without its estimation decisions which are
made by the managers of Continental Consulting Limited can hampered in wrong manner.
Therefore, it is important to maintain appropriate funds so that project activities can be executed
in proper manner. Apart from that, Investigator of research programme have demanded amount
of 7500 pounds for executing the research programme. In order to accomplish all the project
activities in effective manner, management should form a budget in which all cost will be
allocated on the basis of project. For example, spent amount on the training and development
programmes will be increase the capabilities of employees. A Budget plan is formed as under:
Total forecasted budget
Particular 2019-20 (£)
Cost of implementation of Digital technology 17000
Spend amount on the promotional tools 7000
Posters and Magazines 3000
Cost of training and development programmes 3500
Total cost 30500
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Time: This is also an important aspect that should be considered by the managers during
execution of project activities. Because without estimation of time period activities of project
can't be carried out in proper manner. Therefore, management of Continental Consulting limited
should set a limited time frame for implementing Social media platform in their workplace so
that competitive advantage can be gained by them over their rivals within a short time period.
For this they can also use critical path so that project activities can be monitored or performed
along with a given time frame. 28 weeks are calculated by the managers of Continental
Consulting Ltd. for implementing social media whereas, time period of 10 weeks are demanded
by the researcher for executing the research programme.
Quality: This aspect always provide positive influences on the profitability and growth
of organisation. At the time of execution of project activities, quality should be mainly
considered by the management of Continental Consulting Limited so that all related functions of
project can be handled in an effective manner. In order to enhancing the quality of goods and
services, Management should provide better training and development programmes to their
employees so that quality services will be provided by the firm to their clients. Whereas,
researcher should also use qualitative method so that valid conclusion can be provided to the
management of Continental Consulting Limited at the end of research (Charles, 2017).
Risk: It is uncertain in nature and always exists in all business functions which can
hamper the project activities in negative manner. These risk can be defined in the form of lack of
sufficient knowledge of employees or funds, improper support of employees etc. As
implementation of Social media technology also consists a huge risk for which managers of
Continental Consulting Limited should conduct a research programme in advance so that origin
of risk can be identified and resolved in proper manner. With the help of it, management should
be capable in forming suitable plans or strategies which will be assist them in facing future
difficulties in efficient manner.
Communication: It is very essential aspect because if employees will not aware
regarding their roles or responsibilities they will not perform their duties in an effective manner
which can reduce the profitability or productivity of organisation. Therefore, management should
consider this aspect while executing project activities so that expected outcomes will be received
in the given time period. Through forming effective communication structure in the workplace,
management of Continental Consulting Limited will be know about the views and suggestions
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for implementing social media in the workplace. Whereas, researcher should also use various
communication methods like Mobile SMS, E-mails, so that views or opinions of different
respondents about the topic can be received in an effective manner.
Resources: This is also a very important aspect which should be considered by the
management of firm while executing the project activity of implementation of social media in the
workplace because if managers of Continental Consulting Limited will not allocate the essential
resources then it provide negative influences on the project activities. Therefore, management
should allocate and arrange proper resources so that desired project will be finished in given
time-frame. Whereas, researcher has analysed that essential resources for completion the
research programme are internet, funds etc.
P3 Work breakdown structure and Gantt chart to provide time-frame
Work break down structure: It is a tool that manage the project work. So it can be
deliver easily in a vertical or horizontal position to the member of project teams. It can help them
to executed the work in a deliverable oriented approach. Continental consulting limited is a UK
based research company which do re engineering activities. They can apply WBS structure to
divide their large project so productivity can be achieved at end result.
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Gantt chart – It is developed by Henry L. Gantt in the year 1917 which perform as a
production control tool. It help a company to plan and coordinate the task of a project into a
graphical method. Continental consulting group can use this graph so they can monitor the day to
day performance of their project (Altfeld, 2016).
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TASK 2
P4 Small scale research by implementation qualitative and quantitative research
Qualitative Research:It is a method that help the researcher to understand the behaviour
and perception of their target consumer related with a particular topic. In this research researcher
focus on obtaining data by asking of open-ended question. Continental consulting limited can
develop a way to interact with their consumer through various mediums like in-depth interview,
focus group and case study so it can help the company to find loop holes in their project.
Quantitative research: It is done by collecting the data. This data can be collected from
existing potential consumer of a company product or service. Data can be collected by using
sampling method, online survey etc. The data can be collected from large number of customer. It
can help a company to investigate their objective by fill of questionnaire. This research help a
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company to find out logical and unbiased result. Continental consulting limited use quantitative
research so they can collect more sample from the entire population by using a structure method.
Primary Research: To collect the data directly from the respondent. This is done by the
company themselves or with the help of a third party. The major benefit of this research is that
they can find pointed result from this data. In primary research researcher try to find out solution
of a specific problem. This is a time consuming and systematic approach of doing a research so
company can rely on their results. Continental consulting limited should apply this type of
research method because they make huge investment in their businesses. It is better to do
primary research because in this research company will not face any dispute solutions (Ariely,
2012).
Secondary Research: It is a desk type of research in this data can be included in research
from already existing data like from journal, public library, and website. Businesses houses,
government and industry union also store data and that is also used by researcher. So in
secondary research the data which is collected by the company is already available on different
documents. It is very cost effective but in this type of research data is not as per researcher
requirements. Continental consulting limited use secondary research in which they have to
modify a new strategy for a existing business because it will save their time and cost.
Both types of research programmes are very profitable and can provide beneficial
outcomes to the managers of Continental consultancy limited by providing them important
information about the requirements of market and current market-trends. With the help of
qualitative research methods, researcher will be know about the different views and opinions of
the respondents for the topic of research. For this project, 40 respondents are taken whose
suggestions and opinions will be considered as the whole views of population.
Questionnaire
Q1. Do you have knowledge regarding the concept of social media ?
 Yes
 No
Q2.What are the benefits of Social media as a digital technology received by Continental
Consulting Ltd. ?
 Growth in Market share
 Increasing existing customer base
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 Profitability
Q3) Is there any interrelationship between the growth of Continental Consulting Ltd. and Social
Media Platform?
 Yes
 No
Q4) Does Training or development programmes are required in Continental Consulting Limited
for enhancing the skills or efficiencies of employees for using social media platforms?
 Yes
 No
Q5) Is there any benefit of Social media in achievement of growth and success
 Yes
 No
Q6) What are the main challenges that limits the Continental Consulting limited to implement
Social Media platform ?
 Lack of Market knowledge
 Lack of funds
 Lack of Skilled employees
Q7). Is Continental Consulting limited financially capable to utilise Social media platforms for
further growth and expansion ?
 Yes
 No
Q8). How social media provide supports to the firm in gaining growth in the marketplace ?
 Increasing knowledge of the employees
 Attracting new customers
Q9. Are the Managers of Continental Consulting limited have taken maximum supports from
their staff members for implementing social media in the workplace?
 Yes
 No
Q10. Provide some of better recommendations that can be used by the Managers in handling
difficulties while implementing Social Media in workplace
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TASK 3
P5 Evaluation research and data using appropriate tools and techniques
In this project, researcher of Continental Consulting limited have chosen primary method
of data collection so that reliable or valid data can be received from the respondents. For getting
reliable informations from the respondents, investigator have formulated a questionnaire that
consists of various questions and it will be given to the 40 respondents who will be provide
views or opinions of entire population.
Theme 1: Knowledge about the concept of Social Media
Q1. Do you have knowledge regarding the concept of social
media ?
Frequency
 Yes 30
 No 10
Yes No
0
5
10
15
20
25
30
Frequency
30
10
10