Analyzing Harrods' Digitalisation for Enhanced Business Performance

This report provides an in-depth analysis of Harrods' digitalisation strategy, focusing on the implementation of digital technologies to enhance business activities. It begins with an executive summary and an introduction highlighting the importance of digitalisation in the current business environment, particularly for a luxury retailer like Harrods. The report outlines the project aims and objectives, emphasizing the need to effectively implement digitalisation for transforming business operations. It includes a detailed project management plan, covering scope, risk management, quality control, cost, time, and communication strategies. Furthermore, the report discusses the work breakdown structure and a Gantt chart to illustrate project timelines. The core of the report involves a small-scale research project utilizing both qualitative and quantitative research methods. Data collection and analysis are performed using appropriate tools and techniques, followed by recommendations for improving business performance. A reflection section concludes the report, summarizing the findings and insights gained from the project. The assignment incorporates various elements of business development, project management, and research methodologies to assess the impact of digitalisation on a retail business.

Managing A Successful
Business

EXECUTIVE SUMMERY
This report discussed about managing successful business in which is based on the
HARRODS company. This company deal at small scale and offer variety of products to its
customers. Basically this report is discussed about the aim of research which is To effectively
implement digitalisation for transferring business activities. Digitalisation is one of the important
activity for business organization in which company get various opportunities to enhance their
business activities in another areas.
In this assignment various methods and techniques are mentioned which used by the
manager of the company to undertake an effective research to draw a valid conclusion. By this
company easily improve their performance level through implementing customers views and
opinion within their activities.
Apart from this, at the last of the project valid conclusion and recommendation is also
discussed which helps in enhancing the overall performance at market place. Further, company
use questionnaire and select 20 respondents to evaluate their research and convert into analytical
study. By this firm easily enhance their profitability level by improving their performance level.
Overall report is based on digitalisation which contribute in overall success of the company at
market place.

Table of Contents
EXECUTIVE SUMMERY..............................................................................................................2
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................1
TASK 1............................................................................................................................................1
P1 Project aims and objectives...............................................................................................1
P2 Project management plan..................................................................................................3
P3 Work breakdown structure and a Gantt Chart...................................................................4
TASK 2............................................................................................................................................7
P4 Small scale research by applying qualitative and quantitative research methods.............7
TASK 3............................................................................................................................................9
P5 Research and data using appropriate tools and techniques...............................................9
P6 Recommendations...........................................................................................................17
TASK 4..........................................................................................................................................18
P7 Reflection........................................................................................................................18
CONCLUSION..............................................................................................................................18
REFERENCES..............................................................................................................................20

INTRODUCTION
In current scenario, advancement of technologies has taken place and changed all the
business activities which help in maximizing the profitability level. It also provides opportunities
to company to expand their operations. It also helps in managing as well as storing a large
amount of data for a long time period. Along with this, digital technologies provide platform in
which company improves their performance by delivering high quality services to its customers
and attain their higher satisfaction level (Introducing Research Methods, 2017). It also helps
manager to take the best decision towards expanding business activities. One of the main
advantages of using digital technologies is that it helps in promoting quality goods and services
in the most effective manner which leads to generate higher profits. Present report is based on
HARRODS, is a famous department store which sale luxury good and products to its customers.
This company wants to expand their online business to serve a large number of customers. For
this, quantitative and qualitative research methods are discussed in this assignment. Along with
this, project management plan is also mentioned which helps in attaining the business aim and
objectives. At last, conclusion and recommendations are also mentioned which are framed by the
manager by using various tools.
TASK 1
P1 Project aims and objectives
As per current scenario, business environment is dynamics so that needs and demand are
rapidly change which directly impact on business activities. For attaining positive results it is
more important for company to serve quality services to its customers which leads in attaining
their higher satisfaction. Along with this, introduction of new and innovative technologies is also
important for business organization to improve their performance level at market place. With the
help of this company easily provide quality services as per their demands. Traditional process of
the company is replaced by digitalisation which provide number of opportunities to firm for
enhance their productivity level by expanding their operational activities in new areas. One of
the main advantage of advance technologies is that it provide positive path in which company
easily service their quality products in order to get their higher satisfaction level. Further more,
cloud technology is also play important role in providing better opportunities top company in
which they easily share number of information with high security (Eckerson, 2010). In this
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context technologies also helps in communicating with number of customers under a one place
which leads in increasing productivity level at market place. With the help of this HARRODS,
eliminate all deviation within the operational activities of company. Along with this introduction
of technology define various opportunities in which company rake strong place ad also form
their customers base by delivering quality services (Crane and Matten, 2016). Thus technologies
are positively affect the overall business activities which enhance the profitability level at market
place.
Topic: To effectively implement digitalisation for transferring business activities
Background of project:
Every business organization needs to make changes as per recant trends of market
because new as well as advanced technologies rapidly take place in current environment. In this
transformation of digital technology helps in improving overall performance level because it
provide various opportunities to company to improve their overall performance level in most
effective manner. Along with this, account department do not required to transfer their
information by using Emails. It creates more chances of hacking. For this company use cloud
technology to secure their information as well as data in order to improve their performance
level. Furthermore, use of digitalisation helps in improving manufacturing process of the
company in which they serve quality services to its customers as per their demands. By using
social media and mobile technology company easily connect with their customers an a global
level (Smith, Binns and Tushman, 2010). Thus, it is important for business to set their aims and
objectives before starting new project. By this whole activities of the business work on blueprint.
Aims: To effectively implement digitalisation for transferring business activities- A case study
on HARRODS.
Objectives:
 To assess influence of implementation of digitalisation on business activities.
 To evaluate overall needs of the transformation of business operations. To examine effectiveness of using digital technology on business operations.
Research questions:
 How implementation of digitalisation influence the business activities?
 How evaluate as well as examine business transformation needs?
 How assess the effectiveness of using digitalisation in business activities?
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P2 Project management plan
Project management plan is an important process for the business organization which
helps in executing all activities in an appropriate manner. For attaining all the predetermined
goals and objectives, formulating an effective plan is essential for HARRODS. Basically, it
provides an effective path and direction to manager in which they easily implement all activities
effectually (Den Hertog, Van der Aa and De Jong, 2010). Main aim of preparing this plan is to
manage the project effectively which leads in improving the performance level of company in
market place. It is important for company to develop as well as prepare an effective plan to
execute the business activities to attain its set targets. In absence of management plan, manager
faces various problems at the time of implementing an effective plan. It helps in completing all
the activities which helps in making a successful business project. With the help of this,
company attains long term benefits in a systematic manner. It includes cost, risk quality and
scope of the project which contributes in attaining set targets. In context of HARRODS, they want
to expand their online business in order to maximize their profitability level by servicing quality
services. There are some major points which are important for making an effective management
plan which are as follows: Scope of project: It is an important component which makes a project effective. In this,
scope of this project is high due to advancement of technologies. This is a reason behind
changing customers’ needs and demands. As per the current scenario, various
opportunities help in business organization to increase their profitability level in market
place. By using this type of tool, management easily operates their activities in an
effective manner. Risk management: It is important for the business organization to manage risk factor
before executing project activities in an appropriate way. Basically, management of risk
in more important for the manager to improve their performance level which directly
affects the overall profitability of company in market. In this, risk factors of HARRODS is
low because they serve quality services to its customers as per their demand. By this, they
easily enhance their productivity in customers mind and also capture a large market share
(Chesbrough, 2010). With the help of determining risk, manager attains positive results
which contribute in high productivity.
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 Quality control: It is also important for the manager to manage as well as maintain high
quality because it helps company to achieve its end goals and objectives. In this, manager
has to manage quality of by executing project activities. In context of HARRODS, they
serve top quality clothings and gift items to its customers which provide them better
advantage in which they easily increase company’s growth in the market place (Ahmed
Dine Rabeh, Jimenez-Jimenez and Martínez-Costa, 2013). With the help of this,
company easily captures a large market share and increase their profitability level. Cost: It is one of the important elements of project management plan which defines
actual position of company in market as compared to its competitors. In this context,
manager has to keep proper funds to execute the project activities in an appropriate
manner. So, it is important for the manager to manage funds to attain better results. With
the help of this, manager makes a successful project and attain competitive advantage as
well. Time: Every project is time consuming and so, it is an important duty of manager to
manage all activities to complete the project in specific time period. With the help of this,
manager reduces overall cost of the company and project also. It directly impact on
increasing the positive outcomes of the project. For achieving better results, timely
implementation of the project if more important in which manager sets their activities as
per the specific time. By this, they can easily improve their overall performance level.
 Communication: Effective communication is important for the business organization to
communicate with employees and customers. With the help of this, company easily
achieves its goals and objectives in stipulated time period. By effectively communicating
with all departments aid in attaining positive results in systematic way.
All these elements play an important role in making as well as implementing a successful
business project which helps in attaining the set targets in appropriate time frame. With the help
of this, company easily takes a strong place in market by establishing their positive brand image
in customer’s mind (Gebauer, Edvardsson and Bjurko, 2010) . By considering all these methods,
manager easily executes their project activities to attain positive outcomes.
P3 Work breakdown structure and a Gantt Chart
Research helps management in finding all the detailed data related to targeted people.
This helps them in making proper sort of decisions so that organisation can enhance its
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profitability and productivity at same time (Kankaanranta and Planken, 2010). But, it is
mandatory for an investigator to make a plan so that exact data can be extracted from
marketplace. Apart from this, it is also essential for researcher to set time frame for every single
activity that is coming into plan. Some of steps which are related to research are mentioned
beneath:
 Determination of research objectives
 Literature review
 Locate issues
 Define project concept
 Choose sample size
 Formulation of a plan
 Analysis of data
A research consider all above mentioned steps. Also, this research is related to
technology that continuously changes from time to time. It is important for researcher to pick up
number of group from large amount of people. Under this, researcher have selected sample size
of 20. Also, organisation select random group in order to come to a decision. HARRODS can
easily attain targets in this context by implementing plan in an appropriate manner. Apart from
this, supervisors form a plan to expand its business at both international and domestic market.
There are various points which are being mentioned below are helpful in providing they
understanding the plan and time schedule for every kind of activity in effective way.
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This plan is followed by the HARRODS which helps in improving their performance level
in most effective manner and also attain its set goals and objectives in appropriate manner (Lin
and Chen, 2012). With the help of this manager easily execute all the activities in set time scale.
TASK 2
P4 Small scale research by applying qualitative and quantitative research methods
Undertaking research is important for every business organization to draw a valid
conclusion. In this using effective approach is also necessary which aid in translating research
into analytical study in which manager easily make effective and valid conclusion (Trimi and
Berbegal-Mirabent, 2012). With the help of this company improve their performance level at
market place. For collecting as well as gathering relevant information, it is important for
researcher to use right methods. In context of HARRODS, manager use primary and secondary
methods to collect data in effective way. Research methods includes:
 Quantitative
 Qualitative
 Analytical
Primary data: It is important method for collecting relevant data in effective manner. In
this manager use questionnaire, survey, interviews and many more. In context of HARRODS,
they make questionnaire to gather information form people.
Questionnaire
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Name:
Age:
Email-id:
Q 1) Is it digitalisation helps company in expanding business activities in new areas?
 Yes
 No
Q 2) Is digitalisation is beneficial for HARRODS long time period?
 Yes
 No
Q3) Is digitalisation positively affect overall operational activities?
 Yes
 No
Q 4) As per current scenario and situation, is digitalisation is import for HARRODS?
 Yes
 No
Q5) Is it digitalisation is important for HARRODS to transform operational activities of
the business?
 Yes
 No
Q 6) Is digitalisation offer benefits to business organization?
 Yes
 No
Q 7) Does digitalisation affect the business activities in which kind of way?
 Positive
 Negative
 Can't say
Q8) Does it is important for HARRODS to bind business activities to reduce the red
tapsim?
 Yes
 No
Q 9) Which type of marketing activities should use by company to evaluate its
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promotional activities?
 Traditional marketing
 Modern and cost effective marketing
Q 10) Any recommendation for HARRODS for improve business activities?
Selection data: It is also an effective methods which helps company to gather as well as
collect information towards the company and its services (Jones, and Lubinski, 2012). With the
help of this HARRODS easily collect data for improving their performance level inmost effective
manner. It include various sources such as books, magazines, newspapers, articles, journals and
many more. With the help of this manager take decision towards their project.
Case study: HARRODS, deals in manufacturing quality as well as variety of products to
attract more and more customers. For this company do their string efforts to maintain their
profitability level in appropriate manner. By this company take strong position at marker place
and also capture market share in systematic manner (Smith, 2011).
Along with this, company also add new and variety of features in their existing products
to attract larger number of customers which helps in attaining larger market share and also
generate more profit.
TASK 3
P5 Research and data using appropriate tools and techniques
It is one of the important part of research project is to collect right and relevant data to
draw a valid conclusion. With the help of this researcher easily determine positive outcomes. By
this manager easily take better decision in appropriate manner which leads in improving the
performance level of the company in appropriate way (Incelli, 2013). In context of HARRODS,
they also collect relevant data in order to take right decision of expansion of the project.
Theme 1: Digitalisation aid in expanding business activities.
Q 1) Is it digitalisation helps company in
expanding business activities in new areas?
Frequency
Yes 11
No 9
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Yes No
0
2
4
6
8
10
12
Interpretation: As per above mentioned graph, it can be concluded that 11 respondents are agree
with this statement that digitalisation helps company to expand their business activities in new
location which leads in attaining profitability in systematic manner. With the help of this
company easily expand their market activities and improve their performance level.
Theme 2:Digitalisation beneficial for company in long time period.
Q 2) Is digitalisation is beneficial for
HARRODS long time period?
Frequency
Yes 18
No 2
9