Managing a Successful Business Project: Continental Consulting Report

This report examines the role of digital technology in supporting small businesses, using Continental Consulting Limited as a case study. The report begins with an introduction highlighting the importance of digital transformation for business growth and success. Task 1 defines the project's objectives and aims, focusing on how digital technologies, particularly social media and mobile technology, can enhance customer engagement and business expansion. It also outlines the project management plan, covering aspects of time, cost, quality, and communication, alongside a work breakdown structure and Gantt chart to visualize the project's timeline and stages. Task 2 delves into the research methodologies employed, including both qualitative and quantitative methods, to gather data on customer behavior and the impact of digital tools. Task 3 focuses on the analysis of research information, utilizing appropriate techniques and tools to draw conclusions and formulate recommendations. Finally, Task 4 reflects on the value of the research in meeting the stated objectives and contributing to the author's learning. The report concludes with a summary of findings, recommendations, and references to supporting literature.

Managing a Successful Business
Project

Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................1
TASK 1............................................................................................................................................1
P1. Objectives and aims of project.........................................................................................1
P2. Project management plan covers aspects of time, cost, quality and communication.......3
P3. Work breakdown structure and Gantt chart to provide timeframe and stages for
completion..............................................................................................................................4
TASK 2............................................................................................................................................7
P4. Small scale research by applying qualitative and quantitative research methodologies..7
TASK 3..........................................................................................................................................10
P5. Examine of research information with right techniques and tools.................................10
P6 Recommendations as a result of research and data analysis to draw conclusions..........18
TASK 4..........................................................................................................................................18
P7 Reflect value of undertaking the research to meet stated objectives and own learning..18
CONCLUSION..............................................................................................................................18
REFERENCES..............................................................................................................................20
APPENDIX....................................................................................................................................21

INTRODUCTION
Digital technology plays a crucial role in growth and success of every small and large
corporate association. It consists with transformation of working procedures, system and
organisational cultural thus to reduce production time and wastage. Digital technology enable to
a company to gain high competitive edge by producing new and innovative products as well as
operate in best possible manner (Alvarez-Jimenez and et. al., 2014). In this modern era, most of
the firms are implementing new digital technologies in its business processes thus to obtain
effective benefits in true sense. Social media is one of the great aspect of digital technology as it
enable companies to reach large group of customers in a minimal time period. The present
assignment is based upon Continental Consulting Limited which works as consultancy and
research firm. This report covers about project aim and objectives as well as necessary factors
needed while developing project management plan. In addition to this, a work breakdown
structure will also enclose so as to do all project activities and tasks in a given time frame.
TASK 1
P1. Objectives and aims of project
In modern time, there is rapid development in technology which are taking place in
market. It is essential that in each organisation modification in system are made for execution of
business operations in creative and innovative manner. Continental Consulting Limited is small
firm which require that management implement appropriate equipments for providing quality
services to customers. Along this, latest techniques are used by them to enlarge business
different nation to increase customer base and sales. Social media and mobile technology are two
efficient methods which provide benefits to large and small firms (Brown and Green, 2012).
These tools help management to construct connection with national and international customers
in easy manner. But, it is necessary that they execute research and prepare report before adopting
technologies. Thus, top personnel establish competitive advantage in respect to rival firms which
aid them to sustain firms position in market.
Present scenario is based on Continental Consulting Limited which is a consultancy firm.
Company is owned and managed by Mario Bindas who is working as chief executive. They are
mainly dealing in execution of business process Re-engineering. Business activities are
conducted by small and medium enterprise to provide products to customers in London. For
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this, there are 22 experts and many researchers, whose aim is to conduct investigation process in
respect to expansion of business in different places. Hence, skilled subordinates benefit CEO to
implement latest technologies in system.
In Continental Consulting Limited, latest machineries, IT facilities and computer are used
in firm. This benefit executive to build system competent to effective than competitors. But, if
profitability doesn't increases than it is top personnel duty to upgrade business process. For this,
implementation of digital technologies in system. Thus, social media and mobile technology
benefit staff members to interact and maintain relations with people (Evans, 2014).
Topic: How digital technology support small companies to achieve growth and innovation.
Background of research
Small and large organisation uses mobile technology and social media to inform public
about products and services. In a company there are different department which are conducting
business activities for providing appropriate products and services to customers. In this, mobile
technology helps top personnel to maintain connection with employees. Subordinates are
informed about tasks that required to be conducted by them for timely accomplishment of
business objectives. These are two efficient techniques which are used by management to create
awareness among buyers about items (Farman, 2013). Along this, these tools also help them to
interact with people to identify their demands and requirements. Thus, top personnel is able to
construct long term relations with customers which is beneficial for company.
Research Aim – To ascertain the impact of social media sites and mobile applications on
customers buying behaviour. A case study on Continental Consulting Limited.
Research objectives – Some of the following research objectives are -
 To determine the importance of social media sites and mobile technology for small
businesses.
 To identify factors which may affect customers' buying behaviour.
 To study the impact of social media channels and mobile technology on purchasing
power of customers.
 To recommend various ways from which Continental Consulting Limited can attain and
retain its customers.
Research questions -
Q1. What is the significance of social media and mobile technology for a business organisation.
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Q2. What are the factors that influence buying behaviour of customers?
Q3. How social media sites and mobile technology affect purchasing power of consumers?
Q4. What are the main ways by which Continental Consulting Limited with attain and retain
large customer base?
P2. Project management plan covers aspects of time, cost, quality and communication
A project management plan (PMP) constitutes a formal document which demonstrates a
comprehensive baseline of what is going to be achieved in following research. Along with this, it
also provides a description how aims and objectives of project will achieved as well as the way
of transforming information among team-members (The Project Management Plan (PMP),
2015). Moreover, this plan is used as references for taking any decision related to conduct an
activity. In this regard, before investigation on certain topic or implementation of new
technologies in business, it is essential for a company to prepare proper project management
plan. It involves various components like project's scope, time-period, quality, cost and so on.
In context with Continental Consulting Limited, in order to implement digital
technologies in business, its managers requires to prepare a project management plan. It will help
in conducting activities related to implement new technologies in business like usage of social
media and mobile techniques to make connection with customers in appropriate manner. This
plan also entails risk involved in such process through which measures can be used for
successful implementation. In this regard, major components of PMP are (Gikas and Grant,
2013)-
Scope of projects: This part of project planning involves a documentation list of specific
goals as well as establishes responsibilities to each team member. The main project which is
going to adopt by organisation is related to social media to positively impact the buying
behaviour of clients. As this will improves their reaching power towards clients through which
they can easily convey the speciality of their operations along with their effectiveness.
Cost: Finance is considered as highly important part without which aims and objectives
of a project can not be accomplished. In this regard, to conduct activities for evaluating the
impact of digitalisation on business, it is employers of Continental Consulting Limited are
required to arrange adequate amount of funds in systematic manner (Kaplan, 2012). Therefore,
this component of project management plan will include budget also which requires to conduct
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entire activities in desired way. The amount which is required to invest for effective
implementation of project requires the amount of 550 pound.
Quality: This component of a project management plan also refers as highly important
under which it is responsibility of investigators to ensure quality of project also. If team of
researchers will fail to attain desired quality of project then it will affects entire result. Therefore,
Continental Consulting Group is required to concern on quality of software which are being
implemented in organisation for enhancing brand.
Time: In order to enhance effectiveness and efficiencies of a project, it is necessary for
researchers to ensure that each activity of plan should be done in given period of time. As if any
task will not complete in set interval than tend it affect entire process. Therefore, it is duty of
managers of Continental Consulting Limited to provide proper training to workers so that they
can complete assign duties on time. In context with present scenario, for achievement of specific
objectives and aims, it will take near about four to five months (Larivière and et. al., 2013).
Communication: For accomplishing major activities of plan in set period of time, it is
essential for team-manager of this project to set effective communicate system. Through this
system, all team-workers can establish proper interaction with each other and help in
achievement of business objectives.
P3. Work breakdown structure and Gantt chart to provide timeframe and stages for completion
In organisation, project manager have complex and large number of projects which they
require to accomplish within defined time. For this, they segment activities into smaller portions
to make workflow easier. Work breakdown structure and Gantt chart are two methods which are
used by management to set duration for each activity. These tools help them to acknowledge
deviations to overcome gap and possibilities that might affect on delay of project.
Work breakdown structure: It is an effective project management technique which is
used by project manager to make predictions in respect to results. For this, chart is prepared
which reflect relations activities have with each other. Along this, tabular list of tasks is
constructed by which tasks are divided into small and manageable segments. This tool help
manager to have framework to examine cost that are conducted in completion of project
(Malthouse and et. al., 2013).
Manager of Continental Consulting Group uses this technique to complete project within
defined time. It is a small firm which require utilisation of resources that is funds, material and
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manpower efficiently. For this, activities are conducted in respect to plan which help executive to
control expenses by conducting of tasks in respect to budget.
(Work Breakdown Structure, 2017)
Gantt chart: This is another useful method which was developed by Karol Adamiecki
and than modified by Henry Gantt for proper management of project. It is a horizontal bar chart
which is used by manager to control production processes. For this, graphical representation of
activities is prepared which aid them to coordinate and track tasks that are conducted for
completion of project (Mao, 2014).
Manager of Continental Consulting Group represent activities into graphical form which
is divided through work breakdown structure method. This tool help them to construct schedule
to monitor and coordinate tasks properly. Along this, team members are given activities and
deadline which they require to follow to attain targets within set time frame. Thus, these are
different steps which are conducted by investigator to identify problem and make appropriate
conclusions are stated below:
 Problem identification
 Literature review
 Identify main issues
 State and define concept of study
 A sample of respondents whose perception help in conducting project research
 Development plan
 Data collection
 Analysis and review
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Illustration 1: Work Breakdown Structure

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TASK 2
P4. Small scale research by applying qualitative and quantitative research methodologies
Research is considered as process of defining the problems by formulating the hypothesis
or suggested solution. Under this process, there are many methodologies are available which
helps in collecting, organising and evaluating a data in appropriate manner. In this regard, to
gather relevant information, researchers can use quantitative and qualitative methods. In
qualitative research, evaluation of people's opinion and perception on research topic is gathered
by individual to make appropriate conclusions. For this, interview process that is direct and open
communication with sample respondents is conducted by investigator (Proulx and Shepatin,
2012). Besides this, quantitative research is another tool which aid them to gain statistical and
mathematical values. Thus, online survey, questionnaire, polls are various techniques which
benefit researcher to execute analysis for attainment of project goals.
Methods to collect information:
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Primary Research: This method refers to gather information by various techniques like
surveys, questionnaire, interviews and more. Under this, an investigator requires to get feedback
of people by direct interaction with them. Therefore, investigator of Continental Consulting
Limited uses this tool for getting sufficient information on research topic.
Secondary Research: This method of research methodologies gives data and information
which is already published by other authors. Such type of information can be gathered from
various sources such as newspapers, literature part, internet, magazines, books and so on.
Henceforth, it will help in generating a large data by which information related to a certain topic
can be analysed in easily manner. But in context with reliability and accuracy, it fails to produce
reliable data and information (Schwartz and Halegoua, 2015).
In order to evaluate effectiveness of digital technologies within business organisation,
managers are required to set proper aims and objectives first. After than for evaluating the
perceptions of people, project makers of Continental Consulting Group uses primary tool that is
questionnaire. For this, 50 respondents are interview by investigator to make appropriate
conclusions.
QUESTIONNAIRE
Name
Age
Email
Q1. Do you think Digitalisation helps a business to grow and diversify ?
A. Yes
B. No.
Q2. Which Social media site do you use most often ?
A. Facebook
B. Twitter
C. Instagram
D. Google +
Q3. How has social media benefited to enhance personal brand of Continental Consulting
Group?
A. Greater Credibility
B. Higher perceived value
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C. Recognition and Presitige
D. Rewarding Partnership
Q4. Which social media marketing tools are needed to be considered by Continental
Consulting Group?
A. Sproutsocial
B. HootSuite
C. Crowdbooster
Q5. What are the marketing strategies used by Continental Consulting Group for
generating leads?
A. Traffic Generation Strategy
B. Lead Conversion Strategy
C. Measurement & Analysis Strategy
Q6. Which is the best way of using social media for representing brand of Continental
Consulting Group?
A. Choose the right network
B. Don't overlook visual branding
C. Provide right content on social sites
Q7. What is the main role of social media in expanding business of Continental Consulting
Group?
A. Brand Awareness
B. Lead Generation
C. Marketing Campaigning
Q8. What are the changes have been seen after execution of digital processes in working
system of the company?
A. Improvements in quality of products
B. Increase sales and revenues
C. Reduction in production time and wastage
Q9. Give Recommendations by which firm can enhance their overall sales and
profitability ratio?
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