Project Report: Equality and Diversity in a Multinational Business

This report provides a detailed analysis of managing a successful business project, specifically focusing on equality and diversity within the multinational insurance company, Aviva Plc. The report begins with an introduction to the concepts of equality and diversity, highlighting their importance in the modern workplace. Task 1 outlines the project's aims and objectives, emphasizing the need for effective strategies to address challenges related to equality and diversity. It includes a project management plan detailing costs, scope, timeframes, quality, and resources. A work breakdown structure and Gantt chart are also provided for time management. Task 2 explores both qualitative and quantitative research methods, with a focus on data sources and sampling techniques such as questionnaires. Task 3 presents findings and data using appropriate tools, followed by recommendations for Aviva Plc. Task 4 provides a reflective analysis of the project. The report concludes with a summary of the key findings and recommendations, supported by references.

Managing A Successful
Business Project

Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................1
TASK 1............................................................................................................................................1
P1 Aims and objective of the project..........................................................................................1
P2 A Project Management Plan..................................................................................................2
P3 Work break down structure and Gantt chart to provide time frames.....................................4
TASK 2............................................................................................................................................6
P4 Qualitative and Quantitative research methods for meeting project aims and objectives.....6
TASK 3............................................................................................................................................9
P5) Presentation of findings and data using appropriate tools and techniques...........................9
P6) Recommendation................................................................................................................19
TASK 4..........................................................................................................................................19
P7) Reflection...........................................................................................................................19
CONCLUSION..............................................................................................................................20
REFERENCES..............................................................................................................................21

INTRODUCTION
Equality is about assuring of individuals or group of people are not treated differently on
the basis of characteristic, areas of race, disability, sexual orientation etc. Diversity is about to
provide respect and values of people to reduce differences after motivating of staff members and
their culture (Bouncken and Reuschl, 2018). Both terms are applying at the work place due to
motivate of people for work and developing effective work force. Due to increase integration
between different countries and culture management become more critical as extra efforts to
arrange equity as well as diversity. To conduct research on the business project selected
organisation, Aviva Plc which is a British multinational insurance company. It was established in
2000 by Adrian Montague. It is providing different types of services such as life insurance,
pension and general insurance. The headquarter of the organisation situated in St. Helen London,
EC3 United kingdom. This report consist of aims & objectives, conduct research that supports to
equality and diversity at the work place. On the basis of information interpret data and provide
recommendations. A reflection will be provided to support sustainable organisational
performance.
TASK 1
P1 Aims and objective of the project
The aim of the project to provide detailed information of the project that helps to fulfil
the objectives and expectations of the project. These aims based on the vision and mission of the
organisation that used to measure the success and failure of the project. Aim as well as objective
essential for the project and research that support to interact with the staff members and several
teams in one direction to accomplish the desired outcomes on time (Brennan, 2018).
For further assessment selected organisation Aviva Plc, which is providing financial
services to the people. It is a British multinational insurance company which is dealing into life
insurance, general insurance and pension. The company has been listed into London stock
exchange as well as into FTSE 100 index. The company operation business activities across 16
countries but mainly focus on the Europe, Asia, China and South East market for getting growth.
Being multinational organisation there are working different types of employees which belongs
from different culture, background and nations that created many problems at the work place.
For this required to manage equality and diversity among the employees regarding to work and
1

develop a positive atmosphere to providing same opportunity and chances to all the staff
members that free from all prejudice and discrimination to accomplish the greatest level of their
performance and potential (Bryson, 2018).
Aim
The aim of the project defines the main reason or purpose to conduct further research and
study should be clearly defined. The main aim of the research “To develop and apply effective
strategies to face the challenges of equality and diversity at the work place”
Objectives
The objectives of the project define the reason to conduct research on particular topic.
According to that set objective of the organisation that achieve in certain period of time with the
effective use of available resources (Hajro, Gibson and Pudelko, 2017). There are defined main
objectives of the business such as:
 To determine the knowledge and understand the concept of equality and diversity at work
place.
 To identify the challenges and issues that face by organisation due to equality and
diversity
 To apply the effective strategies to resolved them
 To determine the positive results of equality and diversity to create a effective man power
Research Question
 What is concept of diversity and equality at the work place?
 What problems and challenges face by company due to arise out of equality and
diversity?
 What strategies can be created and applied in the organisation to resolve the challenges of
equality and diversity?
 What are the affirmative results of equality and diversity at a work place?
P2 A Project Management Plan
Project management plan is a written and formal document which is used by organisation
to manage or control a project effectively. Plan are helpful for any organisation that helps to deal
with difficulties and shows a right path to make decisions. In research, project management
plans is important that gives proper guidance or direction to management for taking further step.
2

In project management plan different factors are considered such as cost, communication,
resources, risk, scope, benefits, time and quality that helps to accomplish the business objectives.
The description of factors which are used in project management plan are as defined:
Cost: In this factor organisation involves the cost of research which is required to make
a successful project management plan in order to manage all business activities. To launch any
new project it is important for organisation to estimate a budget for their research and complete it
efficiently. The aim of Aviva Plc is to know the effect of equality and diversity by selecting
skilled and competent workforce that helps perform all business functions. Therefore, cost for
implementing the project within selected organisation is 55000 pounds approximately.
Task to perform Expenditure
Research and development analysis 12000
Travel 5000
Salary to researcher 20000
Miscellaneous expenses 8000
Implementation cost 10000
Total 55000
Scope: This project has a wide scope as it covers various information that will helps to
manage all business activities with the help of equality and diversity at workplace. This project
will helps to improve the performance of employees as they get equal treatment and growth of
business organisation.
Time: This is related with time period in which a project will be completed. The project
of Aviva Plc company such as analysing effect of equality and diversity at workforce will be
completed approximately 6 month because it will take time to understand about employees and
their wants (Honeyman and Jana, 2019).
Quality: It refers as data and quality of research that is done by research in order to
manage business activities by influencing workforce. It is directly related with efficiency and
sustainability of research. In context to Aviva Plc, researcher consider all relevant and accurate
data that helps to give positive response and change the mindset for improving performance.
3

Resource: Human, capital, labour, land are important resources for organisation that
helps to complete the project efficiently. In context to Aviva Plc, human resources, funds, labour
and researcher are resources who will help to complete the research or assigned project.
Communication: This is also important for research to complete the project by
communicating with all. It states that, manager and researcher should guide their employees and
support them to perform in better way. The good communication chain is helpful for Aviva Plc
that motivates employees to work hard in order to accomplish business objectives. It can be in
the form of emails, chat, messages, call and face to face that helps to collect the information and
make right decisions.
Risk and resources: In this factor, researcher analysis the obstacles while preparing
management plan and generating relationship between employees band team. In context to
Aviva, risks are identified by management in order to completing the project and reducing
challenges.
P3 Work break down structure and Gantt chart to provide time frames
Work break down structure: It is a method that apply by the organisation to complex
project divide into different steps. WBS is created by the business to set a common
understanding of the project scope (Minbaeva, 2018)(Northouse, 2017).. It is an essential tool for
time management that provides several facilities to manage team by properly classifying the role
and responsibilities of people. The particular structure mainly based on the hierarchical
decomposition of work that categorise into different groups and task to proper emphasis can be
given to every task. The break down structure utilise by the manager or researcher in order to
recognise the different risk and related risk with the timely completion of the project as it
facilitates better and effective decomposition of work into different teams. Trough the structure
provides a more optimistic project that set and budget that should be adopted by the team
members to complete project on time and accomplish all the set targets. WBS mainly use for
estimate of the projects and effective allocation of time and cost for all the particular tasks and
activities of the project.
4

Gantt Chart: It is a horizontal chart that created in 1917 by Henrry L. Gantt. It is a popular tool
that utilise by the project management. According to this chart different activities categorised
into particular time period according to that conduct further research. Through the chart shows
the starting and ending date of the each element of a project where consist of resources, tasks,
milestones and dependencies (O’SULLIVAN1a and KEARNEY, 2018). The main reason to
develop the project that control the production procedure in certain period of time and shows
how task and activities will run. The use of the Gantt chart that conduct research to present
relevant information about each task, their duration and sequence of the activities.
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TASK 2
P4 Qualitative and Quantitative research methods for meeting project aims and objectives
A research should collect all relevant information that can helps to attain business
objectives effectively. The main object of research is to collect, determine, analysis, select and
evaluate the set of information which is associated with particular topic in order to make right
decisions. There are various methods which are used by researcher in order to analysis the
information and achieve business goals (Pleasant, 2017). To gather the information company
uses different techniques such as qualitative and quantitative which helps to collect appropriate
and relevant data in order to complete a project. The description of important method for
conducting research are defined as:
6

Qualitative method: This method is used by individual or organisation for the purpose
of collecting data for a particular topic. It helps to get non numerical data hat helps to make
decisions. This method provides descriptive form and interpretation of information that helps to
attain business objectives. Moreover, this provides theoretical information that can time and
difficult to present (Rao and Roberts, 2018).
Quantitative method: This method is used to gather the numerical and denotative
information that can be calculate and converted in graphs and tables in order to present properly.
In other words, this is a statical method that helps to measure the mathematical information,
statics which can be prefer at large scale.
From the above method quantitative method is used by organisation as it helps to collect
the information accurately and analysed information to make better decision. By using this
method, data can be represent in to graphs, charts and other numerical form.
Sources of data:
There are different data sources that are as defined:
Primary sources: This means first hand information which is often collected by
researcher by making its own efforts. It helps to collect authentic, relevant and reliable data
which is related to current scenario. Such as, sample survey, questionnaire, interviews etc. are
covered in primary source which is time consuming and costly for organisation to research.
Secondary sources: This data consider information that is already in existence and
collected by other for the purpose of conducing research. It does not involves first hand
information that helps to save time and cost of organisation.
Sampling: This process is used by researcher to chose a pre decided unit of data and
observation. It involves different sampling such as random sampling, convenience sampling,
systematic and consummative information in order to complete targets (Kane, 2017)..
Questionnaire: This is also used by organisation which involves in primary sources to
collect the information. It is basically set to question which are asked by researcher for a
particular topics and aspects proper responds from the side of organisation. It is a structured form
and research instrument where consist of set of questions to collect information from the
respondents. Questionnaire is categorised into two types first one quantitative and second
qualitative that based on the nature of the question. To provide answer provide close ended
7

question with different choice and determine through quantitative method where consist of bar
charts, pie chart and percentages.
Therefore, Aviva is using questionnaire to get the information in order to complete
project and complete the research effectively. In context to Aviva questions are prepared by
management in order to create better performance.
Questionnaire
Q1) Do you think Aviva plc has adhere law while developing employment policy?
a) Yes
b) No
Q2) Which policy needs to be adhere more for increasing diversity at work place of Aviva
plc?
a) Communicate about diversities policies
b) Highlighting personal uniqueness
c) Continue to evolve
Q3) According to your point of view, diverse work fore provide competitive advanatge to
Aviva plc?
a) Agree
b) Disagree
Q4) Which factors impact on the work place to increase diversity?
a) Spread out business activities
b) Globalisation
c) Different policies of hiring workers
Q5) What policies developed by the Aviva Plc to solved arise out equality and diversity?
a) Determine the work culture
b) Better orientation program
c) Increase cultural training
8

d) All of the above
Q6) Which type challenges or issues face by the Aviva plc due to increase diversity at the
work place?
a) Hamper morale of staff members
b) Increase improper communication
c) Limited innovation and creativity
Q7) What steps can be taken by Aviva plc to increase harmony and equality at
workplace?
a) Equal decision making rights to all workers
b) No discrimination in pay
c) Equally participation of all employees in meeting
d) Punishment same for all staff members
Q8) What are the positive results gain by the Aviva plc through equality and diversity at
work place?
a) Motivate staff members morale
b) Increase profitability and productivity
c) Develop innovative and creative atmosphere
Q9) Do you think hiring process and other HR policies of Aviva plc are supporting diverse
culture in organisation?
a) Yes
b) No
Q10) Why effective management of equality and diversity is important for Aviva plc?
Q11) What advantages gain by the Aviva plc after apply the law of equality and diversity
at work place?
Q12) Any further recommendation for Aviva plc to utilize plan of action to create equality
9

and diversity in organisation?
TASK 3
P5) Presentation of findings and data using appropriate tools and techniques
Theme 1: Developing effective employment policy
Q1) Do you think Aviva plc has adhere law while developing
employment policy?
Frequency
a) Yes 15
b) No 5
Frequency
0
2
4
6
8
10
12
14
16 15
5
a) Yes
b) No
Interpretation: The above chart it is interpreted that due to preparing of employment
policy Aviva plc must focus on the these laws that impact on the employees of the organisation.
From the 20 respondents 15 agree with the statement and 5 does not agree with it.
Theme 2: Policy needs to be adhere more for increasing diversity at work place of Aviva plc
Q2) Which policy needs to be adhere more for increasing diversity
at work place of Aviva plc?
Frequency
10

a) Communicate about diversities policies 8
b) Highlighting personal uniqueness 5
c) Continue to evolve 7
Frequency
0
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
8
5
7
a) Communicate about
diversities policies
b) Highlighting personal
uniqueness
c) Continue to evolve
Interpretation: To increase the diversity at the work place it is required to Aviva plc
apply different types of policies that work for business in positive manner. From the 20
respondents 8 people agree with the communicate about the diversities policies, 5 people agree
with the highlighting the personal uniqueness and 7 people agree with the continue to evolve.
Theme 3: Diverse work fore provide competitive advantage to Aviva plc
Q3) According to your point of view, diverse work fore provide
competitive advantage to Aviva plc?
Frequency
a) Agree 14
b) Disagree 6
11

Frequency
0
2
4
6
8
10
12
14
16
14
6
a) Agree
b) Disagree
Interpretation: The above chart defined that different diverse work force provide the
competitive advantages and 14 people agree with it and 6 people disagree with the statement.
Theme 4: Factors impact on the work place to increase diversity
Q4) Which factors impact on the work place to increase diversity? Frequency
a) Spread out business activities 6
b) Globalisation 6
c) Different policies of hiring workers 8
12

Frequency
0
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
6 6
8
a) Spread out business
activities
b) Globalisation
c) Different policies of hiring
workers
Interpretation: Equality and diversity create many challenges and problems in the Aviva
plc that direct impact on the performance or efficiency of the organisation. When Aviva plc
increase the diversity that time different types of factor influence the organisation. When asking
from the stakeholder so provide result that 6 goes with the spread out the business activities, 6
agree with the globalisation and remaining agree with the different policies of hiring work force.
Theme 5: Policies developed by the Aviva Plc to solved arise out equality and diversity
Q5) What policies developed by the Aviva Plc to solved arise out
equality and diversity?
Frequency
a) Determine the work culture 9
b) Better orientation program 5
c) Increase cultural training 3
d) All of the above 3
13

Frequency
0
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
9
5
3 3
a) Determine the work culture
b) Better orientation program
c) Increase cultural training
d) All of the above
Interpretation: To face different types of issues and challenges in the organisation
require to develop different types of policies to sort out the problems. For this require to identify
these factors through different people point of view. 9 people goes with determine the work
culture, 5 people agree with the better atmosphere program, 3 individual agree on increase
cultural training and 3 goes with the all the above.
Theme 6: Challenges or issues face by the Aviva plc due to increase diversity at the work place
Q6) Which type challenges or issues face by the Aviva plc due to
increase diversity at the work place?
Frequency
a) Hamper morale of staff members 10
b) Increase improper communication 4
c) Limited innovation and creativity 6
14

Frequency
0
2
4
6
8
10
12
10
4
6
a) Hamper morale of staff
members
b) Increase improper
communication
c) Limited innovation and
creativity
Interpretation: the above chart interpreted that Aviva plc face many issues due to
increase inequality and diversity at the work place. 10 respondents agree with the hamper morale
of employees, 4 individuals goes with the increase improper communication and 6 respondents
satisfy with the limited innovation and creativity.
Theme 7: Steps can be taken by Aviva plc to increase harmony and equality at workplace
Q7) What steps can be taken by Aviva plc to increase harmony and
equality at workplace?
Frequency
a) Equal decision making rights to all workers 5
b) No discrimination in pay 4
c) Equally participation of all employees in meeting 5
d) Punishment same for all staff members 6
15

Frequency
0
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
5
4
5
6
a) Equal decision making
rights to all workers
b) No discrimination in pay
c) Equally participation of all
employees in meeting
d) Punishment same for all
staff members
Interpretation: From the above chart it is analysed that many steps require to taken by
the Aviva plc in order to increase harmony and equality at the work place. 5 people agree with
the equal decision making rights for all the workers, 4 agree with the no discrimination in the
pay, 5 goes with the equally participation of all employees in meeting and 6 agree with the
punishment same for all workers.
Theme 8: positive results gain by the Aviva plc through equality and diversity at work place
Q8) What are the positive results gain by the Aviva plc through
equality and diversity at work place?
Frequency
a) Motivate staff members morale 5
b) Increase profitability and productivity 5
c) Develop innovative and creative atmosphere 10
16

Frequency
0
2
4
6
8
10
12
5 5
10
a) Motivate staff members
morale
b) Increase profitability and
productivity
c) Develop innovative and
creative atmosphere
Interpretation: The equity and diversity important law that apply by the every
organisation. It will impact on the performance in positive and negative manner so it is required
to follow by the every organisation properly. It is providing different positive results to Aviva
plc. Five respondents agree with the motivate staff members morale, 5 people agree with the
increase productivity and probability and 10 respondents goes with the develop innovative and
creative atmosphere.
Theme 9: Hiring process and other HR policies of Aviva plc are supporting diverse culture in
organisation?
Q9) Do you think hiring process and other HR policies of Aviva plc
are supporting diverse culture in organisation?
Frequency
a) Yes 16
b) No 4
17

Frequency
0
2
4
6
8
10
12
14
16
18
16
4
a) Yes
b) No
Interpretation: As per the above chart it is interpreted that different types of HR policies
and hiring process support for the diverse culture in the Aviva plc. 16 peoples agree with the
statements and 4 people disagree with this statement.
Analysis of qualitative questions
Q10) Why effective management of equality and diversity is important for Aviva plc?
Interpretation – It is defined that different types of respondents provide different answers for
the proper management of diversity and equality. It is important for the Aviva plc in order to
conduct operations across 16 countries and coordinate with the multiple type of organisational
culture.
Q11) What advantages gain by the Aviva plc after apply the law of equality and diversity
at work place?
Interpretation – Due to majority of respondents through equality and diversity Aviva plc gain
many competitive advantages at work place. Such as improve morale of employees, effectively
achieve goals and objectives of the company in certain period of time. As a result it helps to
enhance productivity as well as profitability.
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P6) Recommendation
As per the above discussion it is recommended that Aviva plc must focus on the
employment law of equality and diversity that impact in positive and negative manner. For this
require to effective design, create and apply policies or strategies to develop diverse and
comprehensive work force:
 In the selected organisation must provide training to employees regarding cultural
activities to provide detailed information about multiple culture in order to generate
respect feeling regarding to all types of cultural.
 Provide proper guidance to all employees equally and develop good atmosphere
regarding to work where all the employees respect to each other. Conduct orientation
program to develop good understanding and coordination among the staff members in
Aviva plc.
 In the selected organisation provide equality and opportunity to all staff members and
also increase strength of the company that helps to stay in competitive environment and
get advantages. It helps to increase skill workers and better competitive strength.
TASK 4
P7) Reflection
During to research I have learnt many things and face several problems that enhance my
skills as well as knowledge. I got the information of the employability law which is necessary to
apply by the every organisation at the work place to satisfy their employees. These laws impact
in positive and negative manner. Through the research my presentation skills improve due to
collect different types of information regarding to equality and diversity after that present in front
of top management. I have presented data to senior management and got opportunity to
understand their reviews and opinion. My time management skills also improve due to different
task activities complete on time and present to senior. To manage different activities use Gantt
chart and work break down structure to divide work into multiple steps. With the help of project
management plan predict or analysis the cost, time, resource, scope etc. For this I am conduction
qualitative and quantitative research to collect all the type of information regarding to equality
and diversity.
19

In the research I face different problems like lack of resources and insufficient time. To
handle these problems apply Gantt chart where different activities are categorised into time limit.
According to that follow that activities and complete on the time. Through work break down
structure identify all the possible resources that help to conduct research effectively. In the last of
the project achieve all the aim and objectives that complete my research and get success in the
project.
CONCLUSION
As per the above discussion it has been concluded that diversity and equality both laws
important for any organisation and plays important role to get competitive advantages. If all the
workers work together so company easily achieve their objectives and fulfil the requirement of
top management. In the research set aim, objectives after that prepare project management plan
where define all the aspects that related to research. To collect data apply qualitative and
quantitative research that provides accurate and relevant data on time. For this use different types
of strategies that help in further research assessment and enhance my skills through orientation
program strategy.
20

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