Managing Diversity: Strategies and Initiatives at Marks and Spencer

This report provides an in-depth analysis of the strategies and initiatives employed by Marks and Spencer to build a diverse and inclusive workforce. It begins with an executive summary and table of contents, followed by an introduction that highlights the importance of equality and diversity in the workplace. The main body of the report includes the project aims and objectives, an overview of Marks and Spencer, and the research questions. It details the project management plan, encompassing cost, scope, time, quality, communication, risk, and resources. The report further explores time-frames using work breakdown structure and Gantt charts, and outlines the research methodology, including primary and secondary methods, qualitative and quantitative research approaches, and sampling techniques. A questionnaire is provided to gather data and information for the study. Data analysis and interpretation are presented along with the findings. The report concludes with recommendations for improvement and includes references and appendices, such as a project logbook template and performance review. The report aims to determine the strategies and initiatives used by Marks and Spencer to build a diverse and inclusive workforce and offers insights into project management, research methodology, and data analysis.

Managing a successful
business project (IC)
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EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
It is very important to mange business and maintain equality and diversity at workplace
by following different strategies and initiatives so that goal and objectives can be attained. The
organisation chosen for research work is Marks and Spencer which has prepared aim and
objectives and work accordingly to achieve it. For proper project management plan, different
elements has analysed such as cost, scope, time, resources and so on. In order to complete work
in given time period, time framework has prepared. Research methodology has analysed for
proper collection of data and information by using tools and techniques. Moreover,
recommendation are provided to organisation to improve themselves and achieve positive
outcomes.
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Table of Contents
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY.............................................................................................................2
TOPIC: “What types of strategies and initiatives do companies put in place to build a diverse and
inclusive workforce?”......................................................................................................................4
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................4
MAIN BODY...................................................................................................................................4
Project aims and objectives....................................................................................................4
Project management plan.......................................................................................................5
Time-frames work..................................................................................................................6
Research Methodology...........................................................................................................8
Data analysis and interpretation...........................................................................................11
Reflection.............................................................................................................................15
CONCLUSION..............................................................................................................................15
RECOMMENDATION ................................................................................................................16
REFERENCES..............................................................................................................................17
Appendix 1: Project Logbook Template.......................................................................................18
Appendix 2: Performance Review.................................................................................................20
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TOPIC: “What types of strategies and initiatives do companies put in
place to build a diverse and inclusive workforce?”
INTRODUCTION
It is very important for each and every business to maintain and develop equality as well
as diversity for inclusive workforce (Barak, 2016). The equality and diversity is defined as way
of providing equal opportunity to all employees working in an organisation so that they can
attain business goal and objectives in effective manner. The given organisation is based upon
Marks and Spencer which was founded in 1884 at Leeds, United Kingdom. It deals in selling of
food, home, clothing and luxury products to consumers in an appropriate way to gain positive
outcomes. The main aim of report is to discuss about about aim and objectives of given work
along with project management plan that contain cost, scope, quality and so on. It also highlights
time framework, research methodology, data interpretation and their analysis. The
recommendation is provided along with their own self learning is discussed.
MAIN BODY
Project aims and objectives
Overview of the company
The organisation selected for given assignment is Marks and Spencer which was
established in Leeds, United Kingdom in 1884 (Bleich MacWilliams and Schmidt, 2015). It is
British multinational organisation dealing in different products such as home, luxury, food,
clothing. Brands of respective organisation are Per Una, Rosie, Autograph and many more. It is
operating in more than 1463 locations by employing more than 80,787 employees.
Research Aim
“To determine different types of strategies and initiatives taken by an organisation in
order to build diversity and inclusive workforce.”- A study on Marks and Spencer
Research objectives
 To identify the concept of diversity and equality.
 To ascertain the issues that may arise due to absence of diverse culture at workplace.
 To determine the strategies and initiatives that company can put to build diverse and
inclusive workforce.
Research questions
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 What are the concept of diversity and equality?
 What are the issues that may arise due to absence of diverse culture at workplace?
 What are the strategies and initiatives that company can put to build diverse and inclusive
workforce?
Project management plan
Project management plan
It is defined as detailed document or summary which includes baselines, management
plans and other elements (Dastane and Eshegbe, 2015). This should be executed, controlled and
monitored by project manager. It involves cost, time, communication, quality, risk and others.
There are five steps of project management plan such as initiation, planning, execution,
monitoring and closure. Advantage of such plan is saving time and cost for manager. It is
important as it provide guideline to project manager to work in effective and efficient manner.
Each phase requires proper scope and planning that has to be delivered. This includes following
elements such as:
Cost- It is defined as money required to complete work through providing satisfaction to
consumers (Gajjar and Okumus, 2018). The cost may varies from one another due to nature and
structure of organisation and project work. For conducting research work by investigator cost
incurred is £3000 to gather authenticate information related with assigned project. Moreover,
Marks and Spencer requires 8000 pounds for collection of data and information in an effective
and efficient manner. Therefore, budget is prepared in advance regarding different types of cost
so that positive outcomes are achieved.
Scope- It is defined as essential part of plan which assist in identifying scope of research
work from researcher and organisation point of view. This element assist respective organisation
to make proper decisions regarding use of strategies and taking of initiatives for building diverse
workplace at marketplace or business. Similarly, on other hand, it assist researcher to know
about types of strategies which may apply by business for maintaining equality and diversity at
workplace.
Time- It is referred as element which helps in identifying about time required for
completion of project work. In order to finish given task, Gantt Chart and Work breakdown
Structure are prepared. From researcher view, time required to finish given project work is
approximately 5 months whereas Marks and Spencer takes 7 months to complete it in
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appropriate manner. It is very important for both researcher and organisation to divide their work
in advance so that they can end up project in stipulated time period.
Quality- It is also regarded as important aspect of project plan which assist to maintain
quality of work to attain positive outcomes (Gotsis and Grimani, 2016). The information should
be gathered from relevant and authenticate sources. Marks and Spencer is large organisation
which has to collect information and data from certify and online sources through maintaining
quality in their work. On other aspect, researcher need to keep those data confidential to avoid
misuse or fraudulent activities.
Communication- It is defined as procedure to transfer information as well as data from
one to another with use of channel in an understandable form. Communication channel such as
oral and written can be applied by organisation to gain results. The researcher uses written and
oral communication to deliver information with their people. In context of Marks and Spencer,
they are conducting meeting with their working force on frequent basis so that they can discuss
about their problems and get solution.
Risk- While conducting research work by researcher, different risk can be faced by them
like lack of time, limited resources, inaccurate response from participants, inappropriate budget
and so on (Guillaume and et. al., 2017). Similarly, respective organisation has to face risks such
as unskilled employees, inappropriate collected data, lack of utilisation and many more.
Resources- This is defined as significant elements which assist in identification of
resources required to perform research work. For researcher, resources can be proper sources,
pen, time, proper respond from respondents. From organisation point of view, resources can be
data, employees, sources and so on.
Time-frames work
For time-framework, different tools are used by respective organisation which are
described below:
Work break down structure
It is defined as tool that assist in solving complex work by dividing into simple or easy
ways. Here, project manager divide activities and work into manageable actions through
hierarchical decomposition. WBS works with an aim to make large project work into managing
section or parts. This assist in providing guidelines to business to perform activities and
operations in appropriate manner.
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Gantt chart
It is defined as bar diagram which assist in illustration of project work that determine
relationship among activities and scheduled status (Mundy, 2016). This is represented through
horizontal and vertical axis which indicates activities as well as work status. It possess different
types of parts like timeline, bars, dependencies, task list, progress, dateline and many more.
Gantt Chart leads to provide proper coordinating, planning and tracking work as well as
activities.
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Research Methodology
Research methodology is defined as particular technique that is used for identifying,
selecting, processing and analysing information about assigned topic (Nair and Vohra, 2015).
This part of research work assist to evaluate reliability as well as validity of information in an
effective and efficient manner. The different types of research methodology are as follows:
Primary method
This is the data which is originated for first time through researcher with help of direct
experience or efforts for addressing specific problem. It is also called raw or first hand data. This
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method is expensive as compared to other because data and information are collected for first
time and provide accurate data and information about research work. It includes methods such as
focus groups, telephonic interview, case studies, personal interview and so on.
Secondary method
This is defined as second hand information where data and information are already
gathered and collected by researcher or other person. It requires low cost and save time because
of collecting data and information from already renowned sources. This includes different
sources such as reports, websites, books, organisation, journal articles and many more. It provide
less reliability and accuracy of data and information.
Qualitative research
It is defined as research method which does not involve any numerical or numbers data
and statistics. This uses word, language, observations, photographs and so on (Ng and Rumens,
2017). The method is used to get benefits through understanding of opinions, motivations and
reasons. It is using both unstructured and semi-structured tools such as observations, focus
group, interviews and many more. Sample size taken is small and participants are chosen to fill
provided quota.
Quantitative research
It is used for quantifying problems through generating numerical data and information
which can be converted into statistics. This helps in quantifying opinions, attitudes, behaviours
and generalisation of results from huge sample population. Quantitative method includes face to
face interview, longitudinal studies, kiosk survey and others. This research is used by researcher
when data and information to be collect through statistics or numerical data.
Therefore, after analysis of above, it has concluded that researcher has to use primary and
qualitative research method for collection of data and information in an effective and efficient
manner. As these provide accurate information regarding assigned topic. Under primary,
questionnaire is prepared to get information about research work and qualitative provide in-depth
study of subject matter.
Sampling
This is referred as procedure which is used for analysing statistical data and information
where respondents are taken from huge populations (Pant and Vijaya, 2015). Here, sample size
taken for research work is 30.
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Questionnaire
It is referred as research instruments which comprise different series of questions with an
objectives to collect data and information from various respondents (Pleasant, 2017). The
questionnaire is described below:
Questionnaire
Q1) Do you have any knowledge about the concept of equality and diversity?
a) Agree
b) Disagree
Q2) What are the major issues which has been faced by Marks and Spencer due to
absence of diverse culture at workplace?
a) Conflict among each other
b) Low productivity
c) Decrease in market value
d) All of the above
Q3) What are the benefits of diverse culture in workplace?
a) Improved creativity
b) Increase profits
c) Reduce employee turnover
Q4) Which are the major strategies which can be adopt by Marks and Spencer to build
diverse and inclusive workforce?
a) Meeting on regular basis
b) Increasing system awareness
c) Long term commitment
d) All of the above
Q5) What are major initiatives made by Marks and Spencer for their inclusive
workforce?
a) Avoiding making assumptions
b) Creating new opportunities
c) Including employees in decision making
Q6) What are the legislation made for equality and diversity at workplace?
a) Equal Pay Act, 1970
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b) Sex Discrimination Act, 1975
c) Disability Discrimination Act, 1995
Q7) What are the effectiveness of implementing strategies to overcome challenges that
may arise due to absence of equality and diversity at workplace?
Q8) Any recommendation for further improvement...
Data analysis and interpretation
Theme 1
Q1) Do you have any knowledge about the concept of equality and diversity? Frequency
a) Agree 25
b) Disagree 5
Interpretation
The above diagram conclude that out of 30 respondents only 25 were aware about
concept of equality and diversity at workplace and remaining 5 were unaware about same. It is
important to provide them understanding about such aspect for better outcomes.
Theme 2
Q2) What are the major issues which has been faced by Marks and Spencer
due to absence of diverse culture at workplace?
Frequency
a) Conflict among each other 8
b) Low productivity 7
c) Decrease in market value 5
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a) Agree b) Disagree
0
10
20
30 25
5 Column B

d) All of the above 10
Interpretation
From the above presented diagram it has summarised that there are issues which has
faced by respective organisation due to absence of diverse culture at workplace. Out of 30
respondents, it has found that 8 said conflict among each other, 7 favours for low productivity, 5
said there is decline in market share and remaining 10 favours for all of the above provided
issues.
Theme 3
Q3) What are the benefits of diverse culture in workplace? Frequency
a) Improved creativity 10
b) Increase profits 10
c) Reduce employee turnover 10
12
8
7 5
10 a) Conflict among
each other
b) Low productivity
c) Decrease in
market value
d) All of the above
a) Improved creativity
b) Increase profits
c) Reduce employee turnover
0
2
4
6
8
10
Column B