Strategies for Equality & Diversity in M&S Business Management

This report examines the necessity and role of strategies that benefit business management in maintaining equality and diversity within an organization, using Marks & Spencer (M&S) as a case study. The project includes preparing aims and objectives, designing a project management plan encompassing risk, time, communication, cost, resources, quality, and scope. A Gantt chart and WBS structure are developed to identify timelines and stages. The report conducts small-scale research using qualitative and quantitative methods, including questionnaires, and analyzes the collected data. The findings are used to recommend strategies and conclude the research, reflecting on the values of the project and research undertaken. The report aims to understand the impact of diversity and equality on employee productivity and performance, and to identify strategies to support M&S in maintaining diversity and equality. Both primary and secondary research methods are employed to gather data and information to support the analysis.

MANAGING A
SUCCESSFUL
BUSINESS PROJECT

Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................1
TASK 1............................................................................................................................................1
P1 Prepare desired aims & objectives for project work as per the selected topic................1
P2 Design an efficient project management plan including factors such as risk, time,
communication, cost, resources, quality and scope................................................................2
P3 Develop a Gantt chart and WBS structure according to project activities to identify the
timelines and stages for project completion...........................................................................4
TASK 2............................................................................................................................................6
P4 Conduct research at small scale level, using various research methods to accomplish
desired objectives and aims of project ...................................................................................6
TASK 3..........................................................................................................................................10
P5 Research analysing and collection of data by desired techniques and tools...................10
P6 Recommend about research and analysis of data to carry to conclude a valid conclusion18
TASK 4..........................................................................................................................................19
P7 Reflection upon values of project and research undertaking to achieve desired objectives
and own performance & learning.........................................................................................19
CONCLUSION..............................................................................................................................19
REFERECNES..............................................................................................................................21

Title: “To understand the necessity and role of various strategies which benefits
management of a business firm in maintaining Equality & Diversity in their organisation.”
A study on Marks & Spencer.
INTRODUCTION
Diversity in context with business is related to recruiting people from different culture,
background and nationality so that an organisation can perform their organisational work in
diversified methods. Equality is associated with giving same treatment and opportunities to all
the employees without any discrimination. These aspects will allow a firm to became more
tolerant about changes (Scott, Ditroilo and Marshall, 2017). This project is based on M&S, a UK
based multinational company and a big retailer of clothing, food and home decors. This firm is
headquartered in Westminster, London and works in worldwide context. This report will mention
about desired objectives and aims for the project along with formulation of project management
plan so that activities of project can be performed efficiently. Also, a small research will be
conducted and data analysis will be done to achieved desired outcomes. At last, suitable
conclusion and recommendation is given to finish research affirmatively along with reflection to
acknowledge own learning and performance.
TASK 1
P1 Prepare desired aims & objectives for project work as per the selected topic
This project is based on M&S which is UK based global retailer operating in cloth, food
and home décor products. From past some time, employees of company are facing issues like
unequal treatment, differences in gender pay, distinction on the basis of social and religious
background. This has disrupted the working environment of company. In this context, manager
of organisation has initiate a project in which multiple strategies will be formulated and
implemented so that aspects of diversity and equality can be maintained in an organisation
(Polonsky and Waller, 2018).
Title: “To understand the necessity and role of various strategies which benefits
management of a business firm in maintaining Equality & Diversity in their organisation.” A
study on Marks & Spencer.
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Aim: Main aim of working on this project is to identify the merits and role of multiple
strategies in maintaining diversity and equality in a business firm. To conduct research on this
project, M&S is the selected organisation.
Objectives: Desired objectives for this research project are mentioned below:
 To understand the meaning of equality and diversity in relation with organisational
context
 To identify the positive influence of D&E on productivity and performance of employees
in M&S.
 To analyse varied strategies which will support M&S in maintaining diversity and
equality in organisation.
 To identify the ways through which an organisation can became more tolerant towards
diversity and equality.
Questions:
 What is the meaning of equality and diversity in organisational context?
 What is the positive influence of D&E on productivity and performance of employees in
M&S?
 What are the varied strategies which will support M&S in maintaining diversity and
equality in organisation?
 To identify the ways through which an organisation can became more tolerant towards
diversity and equality?
P2 Design an efficient project management plan including factors such as risk, time,
communication, cost, resources, quality and scope
Project management plan is a way by which an outline is prepared to perform project
work in an efficient manner. This plan adds appropriate structure to a procedure so that outcomes
of project can be gained appropriately. It is a blue print which will guide the members of project
team in a proper manner (Nasurdin Ahmad and Tan, 2015). Elements of PMP are listed below:
 Scope: It include all those aspects or areas which are covered in a project and research. In
case of M&S project, scope of project is high as this project will help M&S in adopting
those strategies by which equality and diversity among organisational people can be
maintained. By this, firm will be able to earn high revenues. In case of research, the scope
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is wide as it will help the learner in learning new concepts and ways to conduct research
so that positive growth in career can be attained.
 Quality: It is related with the effectiveness of an activity so that expected outcomes can
be gained desirably. In order to maintain the quality of M&S project, the project manager
can take help of workforce so that right kind of strategies to manage D&E can be
formulated. In case of research, quality can be maintained by using approaches like
qualitative and quantitative so that research activities can be performed optimally (Jeske
and Shultz, 2016).
 Time: In order to accomplish work of this project, manager in M&S needs total time of
12 weeks where as researcher needs a time period of 4 weeks. Within these allotted time,
both project manager and research is required to accomplish their work so that all the
operations will be handled efficiently.
 Cost: It is defined as the amount that is needed to purchase materials and resources so
that project activities and operations can be performed appropriately. Without sufficient
cost, it is not possible to accomplish a project or research in a proper manner. For project,
the required cost is around 3500 pounds. All the activities of project must be
accomplished within this amount. From researcher's perspective, required cost to work on
research is 200 pounds.
 Communication: To work on a project in desired manner, good communication and
interaction tactics is needed. In this context, Project manager of M&S can communicate
with other members by using web conferencing, video conferencing, voice call, internet
etc. In case of research, the researcher can communicate with respondents and other
people with the help of internet, e-mails, SMS, telephonic call (Clinton and Whisnant,
2019).
 Resources: These are the materials which are needed by an individual so that project
activities can be performed efficiently. To finish project in a proper manner, main
resources which are required is high chronology, skilled employees, internet, heavy
investment etc. To perform research, main resources which are needed is internet,
money, books, journals, mobile etc.
 Risk: There are different kind of risks which can reduce the effectiveness of a project. In
case of M&S project, main risks are associated with lack of funds, skilled employees,
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interest of staff members, failing technology etc. In context with research, major risks are
linked with the failure in performing research activities, time mismanagement, shortage
of money etc. If all these risks can be removes, a research can be accomplished in the
desired manner.
P3 Develop a Gantt chart and WBS structure according to project activities to identify the
timelines and stages for project completion
Gantt chart: This is a very popular tool which is used to manage project in desirable
manner. It is basically a graph picture which mentions the activities of project according to
specified fixed time. This chart is utilised by project managers to track down the project
schedule. By using this chart, project manager in M&S can plan and schedule project operations
in systematic manner (Basak and Khanna, 2017).
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Work break down structure: WBS is a hierarchical decomposition of project activities
which are needed to be followed by project team so that objectives of project can be attained
successfully. With the help of WBS, activities like planning, executing, control, report and
monitoring can be performed in cost and time efficient manner. Due to this, chances of project
failure or missing deadlines is reduced and all the work is accomplished in a productive manner
(Kumar, 2019).
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TASK 2
P4 Conduct research at small scale level, using various research methods to accomplish desired
objectives and aims of project
Research methodology is describes as a philosophical framework that helps an
investigator in forming a foundation base of research-practice. This chapter of a research helps in
defining research methods, designs and approaches so that justification for selected aspects can
be given properly (Roulstone and Williams, 2014). Generally, there exist two approaches for
conducting research-practice. These approaches are mentioned beneath:
Qualitative research: This is a scientific observational method to collect non numerical
information and data. It is associated with definitions, metaphors, concepts and description of
things and do not consider aspects like measures and counts. This research approach can be
conducted with the help of governmental studies, case studies, narrative interviews, participant
observations etc.
Quantitative research: It is a Primary exploration research approach which benefits in
achieving understanding of motivations, opinions and underlying reasons. This approach helps in
resolving issues with the help of hypothesis. Basic methods to conduct qualitative research is
questionnaires, interviews, observations etc.
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Primary research: This is one of the best method to conduct research as data collected
in it is reliable and accurate. In this kind of research, information and data is collected for the
first time directly from the respondents. Due to this, it is both cost and time consuming.
Researcher can collect primary data with the help of questionnaire, interviews, face to face
interaction, group discussions etc.
Secondary research: In this method to perform research, data is collected from those
sources which are published somewhere and used by other researcher to work on their project.
Main source to collect data from secondary research-practice are internet, magazines, journals,
books etc. As all the data is already collected by other individuals, this type of research is not
time consuming and requires less cost and funds in comparison with primary research (Cottrill,
Denise Lopez and Hoffman, 2014).
In order to work on this project, both qualitative and quantitative research approaches are
used. Also, data is collected from both secondary and primary research sources. In case of
primary research, Questionnaire is used and to conduct secondary research mediums like book
and internet are used. To fill up the questionnaire, 50 people are selected randomly. These 50
individuals are the stakeholders, employees and customers of M&S. Their opinion will be treated
as the view point of entire population.
QUESTIONNAIRE
Quantitative Questions
Q1) Do you have any information regarding equality and diversity at workplace?
a) Yes
b) No
Q2) Do you think D&E is important in enhancing the overall organisational productivity
and performance?
a) Yes
b) No
Q3) According to you, what is major benefit for M&S in maintaining D&E at their
workplace?
a) Retaining of skilled workforce
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b) Sustaining positive work relationships
c) Enhanced performance
Q4) What is the best strategy to overcome issues associated with the D&E in a company?
a) Treating staff members fairly
b) Adoption of equal pay Act
c) Training employees about diversity issues
Q5)What impact does Equality and Diversity posses on the working productivity of
employees?
a) Positive influence
b) Negative influence
c) No influence
Q6) How manager in M&S can denote their support to equality & diversity in their
organisation?
a) By strong commitment of employers
b) Through training
c) Legal Mandate
Q7) Do you think execution of D&E benefits M&S in retaining their employees for long
timespan?
a) Yes
b) No
Qualitative Questions
Q8) Discuss various problems which can be faced by M&S by maintaining diversity and
equality at workplace?
Q9) Mention different ways by which barriers to implement D&E can be overcome by
management team of M&S?
Q10) Recommend different measure through which a company can implement D&W
strategies at their organisation.......
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Quantitative Questions
Q1) Do you have any information regarding equality and
diversity at workplace?
Frequency
a) Yes 41
b) No 9
Q2) Do you think D&E is important in enhancing the overall
organisational productivity and performance?
Frequency
a) Yes 34
b) No 16
Q3) According to you, what is major benefit for M&S in
maintaining D&E at their workplace?
Frequency
a) Retaining of skilled workforce 18
b) Sustaining positive work relationships 20
c) Enhanced performance 12
Q4) What is the best strategy to overcome issues associated with
the D&E in a company?
Frequency
a) Treating staff members fairly 23
b) Adoption of equal pay Act 15
c) Training employees about diversity issues 12
Q5)What impact does Equality and Diversity posses on the
working productivity of employees?
Frequency
a) Positive influence 15
b) Negative influence 25
c) No influence 10
Q6) How manager in M&S can denote their support to equality Frequency
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& diversity in their organisation?
a) By strong commitment of employers 12
b) Through training 30
c) Legal Mandate 8
Q7) Do you think execution of D&E benefits M&S in retaining
their employees for long timespan?
Frequency
a) Yes 45
b) No 5
Qualitative Questions
Q8) Discuss various problems which can be faced by M&S by maintaining diversity and
equality at workplace?
Q9) Mention different ways by which barriers to implement D&E can be overcome by
management team of M&S?
TASK 3
P5 Research analysing and collection of data by desired techniques and tools
Data analysis is a way to transform, clean, model and process data so that required
information can be collected and right decisions for business can be taken in an efficient manner.
Main reason to do data analysis is extracting important information so that purpose of a project
or research can be achieved. In this research, data analysis is performed with the help of thematic
analysis. This analysis helps in analysing data in the forms of themes so that researcher can
easily explain the collected information to other desirably.
Qualitative Questions
Theme 1: Information regarding equality and diversity at workplace
Q1) Do you have any information regarding equality and
diversity at workplace?
Frequency
10