Impact of Digital Technology on Small Business Growth, Report

This report, prepared for Continental Consulting Limited, investigates the impact of digital technology, specifically mobile technology, on small business growth and innovation. It explores the development of a mobile application, its aims, objectives, and the project management plan. The report includes a work breakdown structure and a Gantt chart for project timelines. Data collection methods, including qualitative and quantitative research through questionnaires, are employed to analyze the benefits and resources required for implementation. The findings highlight the positive influence of mobile technology on business performance, customer satisfaction, and overall growth, offering recommendations for the company's digital transformation. The report concludes with reflections on the research's value and implications for sustainable organizational performance.

Managing Successful Business
Projects

Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................3
TASK 1............................................................................................................................................3
P1 Devise project aims and objectives for the chosen topic as specified above in the project
brief ........................................................................................................................................3
P2 Produce a project management plan that covers aspects of cost, scope, time, quality,
communication, risk, and resources.......................................................................................4
P3 Produce a work breakdown structure and a Gantt chart to provide timeframes and stages
for completion........................................................................................................................6
TASK 2............................................................................................................................................9
P4 Carry out small-scale research by applying qualitative and quantitative research methods
appropriate for meeting project aims and objectives..............................................................9
TASK 3............................................................................................................................................2
P5. Analyse research and data using appropriate tools and techniques.................................2
TASK 4..........................................................................................................................................11
P6 Communicate appropriate recommendations as a result of research and data analysis to
draw valid and meaningful conclusions...............................................................................11
P7 Reflect on the value of undertaking the research to meet stated objectives and own learning
and performance...................................................................................................................11
CONCLUSION..............................................................................................................................13
REFERENCES..............................................................................................................................14
APPENDICES...............................................................................................................................16

INTRODUCTION
Digitalisation means conversion of information in digital form. In digitalisation various
communication channel such as mobile, social media, etc. are included. Digitisation is best for
development of business organisation. So it is essential, to make changes which are effective and
development of business. As there are many changes taking place in digital technology, so this is
effective for development of business. In mobile technology, cellular phone, 4G, 3G internet, etc.
are included. To operate mobile technology in effective way, there is requirement of internet
connection which helps to work in effective way (Crane and Matten, 2016). This report is based
on Continental Consulting Limited which provide consultancy services for business purposes,
etc. Managers are thinking to upgrade their digital techniques which helps to perform business
operations in effective and efficient way. In this report there is discussion about objectives, aim
and time frame of research, data collection, generating information, recommendations and
conclusions, sustainable organisational performance.
TASK 1
P1 Devise project aims and objectives for the chosen topic as specified above in the project brief
Business has some goals and objectives for which they are working. It is essential to
come with techniques which are effective and significant for organisational growth and
development. Continental Consulting Limited is thinking to improve their IT techniques which
help them to perform business operations easily and in effective manner. Research is performed
to know what changes are effective and significant for growth of business (Keller, Parameswaran
and Jacob, 2011). With up-gradation of digital technology, it is easy to provide services. Mobile
technology helps to keep data handy and provide satisfaction to customers. Mobile technology is
one of the most famous technique which helps clients to operate on phone and problem can be
filed frequently. It is easy to expand business in different parts of company.
As per case of Continental Consulting Limited, mangers are thinking to use new
techniques which helps them in achieving targets (Garrison and et. al., 2010). Due to use of old
technique, this affects customer satisfaction and there is lack in quality of consultancy services.
So managers of Continental Consulting Limited are thinking to launch online application which
helps to resolve problem of customers at their doorstep. It is easy for Continental Consulting
Limited to market their brand through digital techniques. There are possibilities to make workers

aware of some techniques which are effective and significant for organisational growth and
development. As there are many competitors, so it is essential to upgrade their technology. There
are many sources of marketing product and services such as Instagram, Facebook, etc. This gives
positive impact on business also.
Topic: Impact of digital technology supporting small business growth and innovation with the
help of mobile technology.
Background of project: In this research Continental Consulting Limited managers are working
to come with latest technology which are effective and significant for growth. To develop mobile
technology an application is launched (Geraldi and Lechter, 2012). This application can be
operated with the help of internet which is beneficial in market growth. Manager of Continental
Consultancy Limited has to plan training program which helps to provide satisfactory solution to
customers.
Aim: “The impact of digital technology supporting small business growth and innovation”.
Objectives:
 To analyse implementation of mobile technology is beneficial for company or not.
 To understand significance of mobile technology in day to day activities of business at
Continental Consultancy Limited. To ascertain various resources required by Continental Consultancy Limited to
implement mobile technology.
Research questions:
Q1) Does the implementation of mobile technology are beneficial for Continental Consultancy
Limited growth and development?
Q2) What is the significance of applying mobile application to the company?
Q3) What are the various resource required by Continental Consultancy Limited to implement
mobile technology?
P2 Produce a project management plan that covers aspects of cost, scope, time, quality,
communication, risk, and resources
The project management plan refers to a formal document which is used to manage a
proper execution project (Incelli, 2013). It is a method for communicating the procedure to
execute, monitor and close the project and is consists of three things such as activities, tasks and
resources. The major responsibility of project manager is to create an effective project

management plan which includes elements such as cost, risk, time etc., as these are very essential
for the completion of project effectively. Following are some major components that are required
to prepare project management plan:
 Scope: Every organisation have some scope whether it is small or large which help firm
in achieving their goals and objectives by providing directions within the specified period
of time. Mobile technology which involves CDMA technology, provides a platform
where number of transmitters send data at the same time on single channel. This help
Continental Consulting Ltd in achieving their objectives effectively (Lai and Ong, 2010).
Thus the major scope of executing mobile technology is that it supports in developing all
the required components related with production, distribution, promotion, expansion etc.
 Cost: It is regarded as a most essential component which must be consider by the
company for performing operations in a most efficient manner. On fundamental stage
generally large amount of capital is required for developing the knowledge and skills of
workforce (Too and Weaver, 2014). The Continental Consulting Limited put more
emphases on managing the capital and flow of fund for improving the performance. An
estimated budget of company is as follows:
Total forecasted budget
Particular 2017-18(£)
Promotional expense 15000
Implementing technology cost 5000
Advertisement expense 2500
Training charges 1500
Catalogues 5500
Total cost 29500
 Time: It is one of the most essential factor of project and indicate the time taken by
project to complete in most efficient manner (Macintosh and Quattrone, 2010). Time
frame is used to prioritizing the tasks according to time assigned to them. Continental

Consulting Limited uses critical path approach for this which provides accurate data
related to the activities involve in project and their required time and as per assumption
12 weeks required in order to complete the project.
 Risk: The responsibility of Continental Consulting Limited's manager is to analyse the
situation to identify the risk factors such as inadequate capital and fund, employees
support etc. that may arise during implementation of mobile technology.
 Communication: It is very essential for establishing a coordination and collaboration
among workforce (Marston and et. al., 2011). Hence, the manager of Continental
Consulting Limited must try to build up an effective communication channel for bringing
coordination among employees to achieve efficiency in operation
 Resources: It is also one of the major element which is necessary for performing
operations effectively. The manager of Continental Consulting Limited must ensure that
resource is utilized properly to reach final result and they must maintain appropriate flow
of resources such as financial, human and knowledgeable employees for achieving
competitive edge within market place (Trevino and Nelson, 2016).
P3 Produce a work breakdown structure and a Gantt chart to provide timeframes and stages for
completion
There is requirement of proper planning which helps to launch mobile application
properly. It is not one - night process to implement mobile application. Managers of Continental
Consultancy Limited has to select appropriate time to accomplish every activity. Gantt chart and
Work breakdown structure are two essential components which are effective for completion of
task in effective and efficient way.
Gantt Chart- Gantt chart is one of the essential component which helps to perform
business operations in appropriate way. This helps to make proper planning which provides
guidance to workers and actions are performed accordingly (Ryan and Campbell, 2012). As there
is difference in working style of workers, so with the help of Gantt Chart it is easy to work in
synchronize manner. Gantt Chart helps to perform research work in pre-determined time. Gantt
chart is prepared by Continental Consultancy Limited.

Work breakdown structure- Work breakdown structure is beneficial for knowing growth
of business project. As per this concept there is requirement of changes which are effective and
significant for completion of project (Scapens and Bromwich, 2010). As per Gantt Chart activity
has to be completed within specified time, so this helps to know whether at specified set targets
are achieved or not. In short, breakdown structure helps to know about degree of completion of
project. As there are various departments in Continental Consultancy Limited so this helps to
perform business operations in specified order. As per this concept there is requirement of
change in working style and actions are taken according to standards.
(Source: WORK BREAKDOWN STRUCTURE (WBS), 2018)
TASK 2
P4 Carry out small-scale research by applying qualitative and quantitative research methods
appropriate for meeting project aims and objectives
Data collection is very essential part of any research as it has a direct impact over the
outcome of research and inaccurate data can affect the result of study which leads to invalid
Illustration 1: WORK BREAKDOWN STRUCTURE (WBS)

result. It very essential to collect relevant data so that it can be further proceed to convert it into
meaningful information. Following are the method used for collecting data:
 Qualitative method:- The qualitative research is generally performed in order to gain
understanding of opinion, hence it is also known as exploratory research (Smith, 2011). It
collect data in descriptive form for understanding the process behind the result and the
changes that take place in people's perceptions. This research can be done using
questionnaire, personal interview, group discussion and observation; these methods are
open-ended and tend to have less structured protocols as compare to quantitative method.
 Quantitative method:- The quantitative method refers to the collection of data in
numerical form and employing statistics analysis, so that it can produce result which are
easy to compare and summarize. This method is concerned with testing hypothesis which
is derived from theory. Quantitative research includes number of methods such as paper
survey, face-to-face interview, online survey, systematic observation to collect data and
website interceptors (Yuan, Bao and Verbeke, 2011). In this report questionnaire is used.
Questionnaire is set of questions in written form which are related to topic of research.
Respondents answer these questions according to their opinion. In this research number
of respondents are 30.

Questionnaire
Q1) Does the implementation of mobile technology are beneficial for Continental
Consultancy Limited growth and development?
Frequency
Yes 22
No 8
Q2) What is the significance of applying mobile application to the company? Frequency
Improve performance level 15
Maximising profitability 15
Q3)What are the various resources required by Continental Consultancy Limited
to implement mobile technology?
Frequency
Training and development 18
Understanding customer needs 12
Q4) What is the influence of Mobile technology as a part of digitalisation on
productivity of Continental Consultancy Limited ?
Frequency
Negative 10
Positive 20
Q5) What are the foremost benefits of using mobile technology for customers? Frequency
Easy connectivity 10
Time saving 10
Cost saving 5
24 Hours Services 5
Q6) What are the main needs of implementing mobile technology within the
working atmospheres of Continental Consultancy Limited ?
Frequency
Enhancing productivity 10
1

Overall cost Reduction 5
Increasing market share 5
Gaining Customers attraction 10
Q7) How mobile technology has enable for research and business consultancy to
make its international footprint?
Frequency
Reaching to clients 10
Capture Global Market 5
Detailed Description 5
Easy Availability 10
Q8) What are the major effect of mobile technology on the communication pattern
of Continental Consultancy Limited ?
Frequency
Ease Of Communication 10
Higher Accessibility 10
Proper flow of Information 10
Q9 Does mobile technology is convenient to deliver services to the customers?
Yes 25
No 5
Q11) Any recommendation to Continental Consultancy Limited related with the
implementation of mobile technology?
TASK 3
P5. Analyse research and data using appropriate tools and techniques
For producing an effective result of research it is very essential for management to
analyse the data collected which also assists in making decisions and support in business
expansion. There are various tools and techniques which can be used in research in order to
analyse data which is discussed as follows:
2