Managing a Successful Business Project: Next Plc Diversity Report

This report analyzes Next Plc's strategies and initiatives for building a diverse and inclusive workforce, fulfilling the requirements of a "Managing a Successful Business Project" assignment for a HND Business course at Nelson College London. The report begins by outlining the project's aims and objectives, followed by a detailed project management plan, including cost, scope, time, quality, communication, risk, and resource considerations. A work breakdown structure and Gantt chart are produced to provide timeframes. The research employs a qualitative research method, with data collected through questionnaires from Next Plc employees. The report presents the findings from the data analysis, using appropriate tools and techniques, and interprets the results regarding employee awareness of diversity concepts and the effectiveness of various diversity strategies such as monitoring programs, pay transparency, and promoting female entrepreneurs. The analysis also explores the importance of a diverse and inclusive workplace, and the challenges faced by Next Plc in implementing these initiatives. Finally, the report offers recommendations based on the research findings and reflects on the value of the research in meeting the stated objectives. The report is well-structured, supported by research, and follows the required Harvard referencing system.

Managing a Successful
Business Project

Contents
TOPIC..............................................................................................................................................1
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................1
TASK 1............................................................................................................................................1
P1. Project aims and objectives...................................................................................................1
P2.Development of a project management plan..........................................................................2
P3. Produce work breakdown structure and Gantt chart to provide timeframes.........................3
TASK 2............................................................................................................................................5
P4. Carry out small research by applying different research methods........................................5
TASK 3............................................................................................................................................7
P5. Analyse research and data using appropriate tools and techniques.......................................7
P6. Appropriate recommendations as a result of research information.......................................9
TASK 4............................................................................................................................................9
P7. Reflection on the value of undertaking the research to meet stated objectives.....................9
CONCLUSION................................................................................................................................9
REFERENCES................................................................................................................................9

TOPIC
What types of strategies and initiatives do companies put in place to build a diverse and
inclusive workforce?
INTRODUCTION
Equality and diversity are two concepts that are effective for the growth and development of a
company. Diversity refers to demographic differences of a unit often at group or organisational
extent. Diversity provides protection in term of age, disability, gender, race, religion and many
more at the workplace of a company (Axinte, Petrică and Barbu, 2017). Whereas equality
mentions to the similarities in term of rights, pay and growth options that are offered by a
company to its employees. This assignment is based on Next Plc which is British multinational
clothing, footwear and home products retail company and operate its business globally. This
assignment will discuss about aims, objectives and project development plan by considering
different aspects of it. Further, will explain about different research methods that are used to
carry forward an investigation. Recommendations as a outcome of the research and reflection on
the value of undertaking will also explain in this written document.
TASK 1
P1. Project aims and objectives
Overview of the company- Next Plc is a British transnational company that offer clothing,
footwear and home appliances to its customer with the help of retail service. This firm was
incorporated in 1864 by Joseph Hepworth. This organisation is headquartered in Leicestershire,
UK and operating its business globally with the help of it 700 stores in different nations of the
world.
Research Aim
“To determine the strategies and initiatives that company do in context of building a
diverse and inclusive workforce. A case study on Next Plc.”
Research objectives
 To understand the concept of workplace equality and diversity.
 To analyse the strategies and initiatives that are considered by Next Plc to build diverse
and inclusive workplace.
 To determine the importance of building diverse and inclusive workplace.
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Research questions
 What is the conception of workplace equality and diversity?
 What are the strategies that are devised by the management of Next plc to build diverse
and inclusive workplace?
 What are the importance of diversity and inclusive workplace in reference to the business
of Next plc?
P2.Development of a project management plan
Project management plan
It mentions to a process and activity that is executed and developed by the surveyor and
research to accomplish the research objectives. This plan is developed by the research by
consisting different aspect that are crucial for the completion of the research (Cha, Newman and
Winch, 2018). The explanation of different aspects of project development plan is defined as
under:
Cost- It mention to the monetary value that is required to implement and executed the
activities of a company. The management of Next Plc required £1000 to perform research
activities in context of research aim. Whereas the investigator is needed £400 so that the
individual can effectively perform its research and data collection activities.
Scope- The scope of this research project is to gain an understanding about initiative
taken by Next Plc towards the effect on inclusion of diversity and equality at workplace. This
report has wide scope because it will help the researcher in future during the time of working this
kind of investigation project.
Time- It indicates to the duration that is consumed to perform a particular activity and
actions. In context of this investigation project, the surveyor required approx 4 weeks time frame
to complete the research report in effective manner.
Quality- It is the effectiveness and efficiency of anything which make it valuable and
accurate. Here, it mention to the quality of the research project so in context of it, the investigator
collect accurate and reliable information which is help in improving the quality of the project.
Communication- It indicates to the ways through which interaction can be formed. To
gather information the researcher will use effective communication tools like, mobile phone,
chat-box, message, email and many more. So that required and essential data and information
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can be transfer to the team members who make their contribution in accomplishing the research
objectives.
Risk- It states to that threats that faced by researcher during the time of working in the
project. One of the main researches that is considered in this research is technical and operational
that affect the success and progress of the project. Apart from it lack of fund and finance can be
arise a risk in this investigation report.
Resources- In mention to that origins and assists that are required to the investigator for
completion of the research (Defusco and et. al., 2017).There are number of resources like fund,
time, equipments, Laptop, mobile phones, internet and many other are required to surveyor to
complete this project in set time duration.
P3. Produce work breakdown structure and Gantt chart to provide timeframes
Gantt Chart- It refers to the visual communication of activities along with the timeframe
that is being organised for the accomplishment of the research aims. The chart presents initials
and completion time of activities of the research in effective manner. The horizontal axis of this
chart explains the time frame whereas vertical axis represents the task is required to carry
forward. By implementing this tool, the investigator can make development before completion of
the project report.
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Work Breakdown Structure- it is a technique and tool that will be utilised by an individual to
execute investigation in effective way(Englund and Graham, 2019). This structure is define as
the major components of the research project and task that is crucial in organising and managing
different actions of the project in amended manner. This tool can be represent in term of
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hierarchical three that will direct to segregation of project task in small section so that they can
be complete by teammate in proper way or in set time duration.
TASK 2
P4. Carry out small research by applying different research methods
Research method
It refers to that investigation tools and techniques that are used by the research in a
research project term of gathering information and data for the effective completion o the project
report (Halibozek and Kovacich, 2017). The description of different research methodologies are
as under:
Qualitative research- In this method the data is in theoretical form that is gathered by the
surveyor to accomplish the research outcomes in proper way. It is primary explanatory
investigation that is used to understand of underlying reasons, suggestions and empowerment.
The methods that are used to carry out qualitative research includes observation, group
discussion, interviews etc.
Quantitative research- It is completed in systematic manner with the tools and
techniques of statistical, graphical representation, computer, mathematical and many more. This
kind of research consists in survey that required numerical data to the subject of research. By
using this research tool, the information is gathered through questionnaires, survey, online
survey, interview, mail etc.
In this research report the investigator will use qualitative method to gather information
because it is crucial to theoretical and detailed information which help in effective completion of
the project in efficacious manner.
Data collection methods
There are two kinds of information gathering sources and the description of them as
under:
Primary source- It mention as the collection of that information which is collated by the
researcher itself (Islam, 2019). By using this data collection tool, the research can gather
firsthand and pure information by using different tools such as survey, questionnaire, interview,
online survey, group discussion, observation etc.
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Secondary source- it mention to that tools and techniques that help in gathering that information
which already available and accessible (Liubyma, 2017). By using this information gathering
tool, the surveyor gathers information that is accessible. For this the person can use different
sources like books, journals, internet, company websites, articles, journals, magazines,
newspapers and many more.
Form the above mentions information, the researcher will use both primary and
secondary tool of data collection so that effective information and data can be gather. It will help
in completing the research project in crucial way by fulfilling the needs of its objective.
Sampling- It indicates to monitor the statistical action that is connected to the population. This
tool helps in selection of the sample of a small size from a wide group of people. In current
research project, the researcher select sample of 30 people, from the employees of Next Plc, by
using simple random sampling tool.
Questionnaire- It is a written report that includes a number of question with the purpose of
collecting information and data from number of people. It is an essential technique as with the
assistance of it, investigator can make direct communication with the people and gather
appropriate information.
Questionnaire
Q1. Do you have information about the concept of equality and diversity at workplace?
(a) Yes
(b) No
Q2. What are the strategies that and initiations that are put to build diverse and
inclusiveness at the workplace of Nest Plc?
(a) Monitoring programs
(b) Transparency in pay
(c) Promoting female entrepreneurs
Q3. What are the importance of diversity and inclusive workplace in reference to the
business of Next plc?
(a) Develop employee relation
(b) Improve personnel involvement
(c) Enhance productivity
Q4. Why it is important to create diverse and inclusive workplace in Next Plc?
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(a) Fairer opportunities
(b)Maximisation in staff morale
(c)Recruiting best talent
Q5. Are you support the fact that maximising equality and diversity also have some
favourable impact over the operation of Next Plc?
(a) Yes
(b) No
Q6. What are the challenges that are faced by management of Next plc during imposing
equality and diversity at workplace?
(a) Lack of employee engagement
(b) Employee Turnover
Q7.Provide suggestions to deal with the challenges of imposing equality and diversity at
workplace.
TASK 3
P5. Analyse research and data using appropriate tools and techniques
Theme 1: concept of equality and diversity at workplace
Q1. Do you have information about the concept of equality
and diversity at workplace?
Frequency
(a) Yes 17
(b) No 13
Interpretation-It has been concluded form this graph that among the population of 30
individual, 17 people are viewed that they are aware with the concept of equality and diversity.
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Whereas reaming 13 individuals responded that they have not information about the conception
of equality and diversity.
Theme 2: the strategies that and initiations that are put to build diverse and inclusiveness
at the workplace
Q2. What are the strategies that and initiations that are put
to build diverse and inclusiveness at the workplace of Nest
Plc?
Frequency
(a) Monitoring programs 12
(b) Transparency in pay 10
(c) Promoting female entrepreneurs 8
Interpretation-as per preceding explain data, it can be summarised that between the sample size
of 30 individual, 12 are supported that monitoring program is and effective plan of action that
help in building diverse and inclusive workplace in respective firm. Whereas remaining 10
viewed regarding transparency in pay and 8 responded to promoting female entrepreneur is an
effective strategy that help in building an inclusive and diverse working environment.
Theme 3:
Q3. What are the importance of diversity and inclusive
workplace in reference to the business of Next plc?
Frequency
(a) Develop employee relation 10
(b) Improve personnel involvement 11
(c) Enhance productivity 9
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Interpretation- From the above visual communication, it can be summarised that among the
population of 30 person, it has been summarised that 10 are supported to develop employee
relation is the main importance of diverse and inclusive workplace. Whereas remaining 11
people agreed with improve personal relation and 9 responded towards enhance productivity is
the major importance of diverse and inclusive working environment.
Theme 4: Importance to create diverse and inclusive workplace
Q4. Why it is important to create diverse and inclusive
workplace in Next Plc?
Frequency
(a) Fairer opportunities 13
(b)Maximisation in staff morale 7
(c)Recruiting best talent 10
Interpretation- Among the population of 30 individual, it has been summarised firm visual
communication that 13 supported to fairer opportunities to create diverse workplace. Whereas
remaining 7b agreed with development in staff morale and left over responded regarding
recruiting best talent is important to create inclusive working environment.
Theme 5: Fact that maximising equality and diversity
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Q5. Are you support the fact that maximising equality and
diversity also have some favourable impact over the operation
of Next Plc?
Frequency
(a) Yes 14
(b) No 16
Interpretation- From this graph, it has been summarised that between the population of 30
people, 14 are replied that increasing equality and diversity also have some positive impact over
the operations of company. Whereas remaining 16 are viewed that maximising equality and
diverseness do not devise favourable impact over the firm.
Theme 6: the challenges that are faced by management during imposing equality and
diversity
Q6. What are the challenges that are faced by management of
Next plc during imposing equality and diversity at workplace?
Frequency
(a) Lack of employee engagement 18
(b) Employee Turnover 12
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