Managing a Successful Business Project: John Lewis Report Analysis

This report presents a detailed analysis of a business project focused on John Lewis, a UK-based department store chain. The project investigates the impact of new product development on the company's profitability. It begins with an introduction to globalization and its influence on business opportunities, specifically within the context of John Lewis's introduction of new shoes during London Fashion Week. The report outlines the project's aims and objectives, including determining the concept of new product development in the global market, identifying benefits for John Lewis, and assessing the influence on profitability. A project management plan is developed, covering costs, time, quality, risk, communication, resources, and scope. A work breakdown structure and Gantt chart are also included to visualize the project's timeline and tasks. The research methodology section details the use of qualitative and quantitative research methods, as well as primary and secondary data collection techniques. The report analyzes the collected data and provides recommendations for the company. Finally, a reflection on the researcher's journey and learning is presented.

Managing A Successful
Business Project

Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION...............................................................................................................1
TASK 1...............................................................................................................................1
P1 Project aims and objectives.................................................................................1
P2 Develop a project management plan...................................................................2
P3 Develop work break down structure and Gantt chart..........................................3
TASK 2...............................................................................................................................6
P4 Qualitative and quantitative research methods for appropriate aims and objectives
...................................................................................................................................6
TASK 3...............................................................................................................................9
P5 Evaluate research and data with appropriate technique and tool......................9
P6 Recommendation...............................................................................................18
TASK 4.............................................................................................................................18
P7 Reflection...........................................................................................................18
CONCLUSION.................................................................................................................19
REFERENCES................................................................................................................20
APPENDIX I.....................................................................................................................21
APPENDIX II....................................................................................................................23
Template for Performance Review to be attached with the report by the learner:..........23

INTRODUCTION
Globalisation is considered as the procedure of integration in which two or more
companies interact with each other for enhancing their business in effective manner.
Globalisation brings numerous of business opportunities for the business which not only
enhances their market share but also maximises their profitability. This present
investigation is based on John Lewis, a chain of department stores which are being
operated within United Kingdom only. The company was incorporated in the year 1864
and is headquartered in London, United Kingdom and SW. The company is introducing
new shoe in London Fashion Week which is going to be executed in 16th to 20th
February in which maximum number of companies are participating for representing
their products. The assignment covers formulation of effective aims, objectives, and
project management plan and research methodology. It also conducts data analysis and
provides recommendation on the same to the company. At last, it provides reflection of
the overall journey of the researcher which shows their learning to the presented
audience.
TASK 1
P1 Project aims and objectives
Background of Project: John Lewis is the high end department store which
provides offering across United Kingdom. The store was initially opened in Oxford
Street, London which further expanded to total number of 51 stores within the England,
Wales and Scotland. It has been analysed that company is focusing on introducing new
product in London Fashion Week. In this regard, manager of the company has hired
researcher in order to improve their knowledge on globalisation as well as it possible
consequences which might influence company's business operations negatively at the
time of introduction of new shoes in London Fashion Week dated as 16th February to
20th February 2019 in order to sell it to the other related industry representatives who
have attended the specific event(Ahmed Dine Rabeh Jimenez-Jimenez and Martínez-
Costa 2013)In this regard, investigator has formulated specific aims and objective for
the given scenario which will contribute in leading the whole project effectively. Both the
aims and objectives are described as below:
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Research aim
The research aim for the current investigation is “To analyse the influence of new
product development over profitability of business” A case study on John Lewis.
Research Objectives
 To determine the concept of new product development at global market place.
 To ascertain various benefits of new product development for John Lewis that
leads to business success.
 To determine how new product development can influence profitability of John
Lewis.
Research Questions
 What is the concept of new product development at global market place?
 What are the various benefits of new product development for John Lewis that
leads to business success?
 How new product development can influence profitability of John Lewis?
Literature Review
Concept of new product development
On the basis of thoughts given by Incelli, (2013) New product development is
considered as process of developing new product and introducing it at marketplace
effectively. This concept is mainly used by business organisations for fulfilling
customers needs with the changing time and also gaining available opportunities at
marketplace effectively. It has been analysed that competition at international
marketplace is increasing day by day. This directly influences interest of companies
towards introducing some new products that attracts customers interest towards them
and also make them connected as well as loyal towards the company for longer period
of time. This concept also helps business organisation in retaining existing customers
and attracting new one as consumers are able to experience new services which satisfy
their needs and wants.
Various benefits of new product development for John Lewis
According to the view point of Lintan, I., (2019), it has been analysed that new
product development is an effective strategy and initiative of the company which
supports them in gaining numerous of benefits at market. Business organisation
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belonging to retail industry are using this concept of new product development at
regular basis for sustaining longer at marketplace and approaching more number of
customers. The main benefits that would be gained by large scale companies of retail
industry like John Lewis by using new product development are contributes in gaining
competitive advantage, improves reputation of company and attracts more customers.
All of them are seen as growth booster of the company. Among them all improvement in
reputation of John Lewis is seen as main benefit of new product development as o9f
company introduces any new product at marketplace their brand recognition increases
which places positive influence over their brand reputation too.
Influence of new product development on profitability of John Lewis
As per the vision given by Shang, (2012) development of new product in every
industry helps them in improving their performance at marketplace. It has been
analysed that if large scale companies like John Lewis introduces any new product at
marketplace then it simply helps them in influencing interest of customers towards them
which increases their profitability effectively at marketplace. This is because, if large
scale companies introduces any new product they simply enhances brand recognition
that leads to increase in sales performance of the company. As a result, it can be said
that sales of company directly improves profitability of the John Lewis.
P2 Develop a project management plan
It is a documentation plan which is designed to describe each and every activity
of a project. Through 0project management plan an organisation can achieve their
objective. With the help of this plan an organisation can provide guideline to their
employee related to the timing of each activity. How much time is taken by each activity
(Crane and Matten 2016). What is the correct time to start and finish of activity. All
information is provided by this. There are some factors and those are describe as.
 Cost: cost is value of money which h is needed in a project to launch any new
products. The researcher prepare a budget to execute there project. When John
Lewis want to launch new products in the market, before launching analyses the
whole market. Investigator expect 55000 pound as total cost of expenses and on
other hand the cost to competing project is approx. 66000 pound.
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Activities Amount (£)
Travel 5450
Research Equipment 15500
Research material 16000
Salary 10000
Phone Bills 50
Miscellaneous expenditure 8000
Total 55000
 Time: It is the important aspect of each activity. All activities are start and end
accounting to the timing. According to the researcher, it is analysed that this
research take time approx. 2 months.
 Quality: It is the only thing which differentiate the product among competitive
market. Provide good quality with high range is also increaser the scarification
level. It is the only way to build a strong brand image. According to the
researcher if an organisation provide a high quality product with the customer’s
comforter. Those customer use it and build brand loyalty with the particular
organisation.
 Risk: it is basis of every business. When an enter-pruner launching a new
product in market than there is more risk reeled to the product. According to the
researches it is founded that there are risk related to the customers need and
requirement. Researcher is also focus on the manpower, shortage of fund etc.
in end of research the proper outcome is necessary.
 Communication: it is the only way through which a manager provided direction
to their employees. Motivation and confidence is totally depends on the
communication. A researcher is deal in a day with different people. It is not
necessary that communication is all about face to face communication. Online
chat, email, direct call is also included in this Resources. It is basically related to
the growth and motivation of employee. Many resources like manpower, money.
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According to the researcher it is analysed that valid information to research
related with their topic.
 Scope: launching a new product in the market is also effective for the business.
It is increase the productivity of as well as growth of the organisation. According
to researcher scope is provided on a big scale. It is profitable to launching a new
product after an accurate informat5uion about market and product.
P3 Develop work break down structure and Gantt chart
Gantt chart
It is tool invented by Henry Gantt, mainly used for production control. It is
basically a horizontal bar graph reflecting, activities needed to get performed on its
vertical axis and time intervals for performing these activities on horizontal axis. Width of
bars are showing time duration taken for performing each activity (Den Hertog and De
Jong 2010). It is mainly used to ensure timely completion of work and also provides help
in more effective team management. It provide percentage of task completed which
helps in getting timely status of work done and left. It provide time to take corrective
action by regularly updating about work in progress, delayed and pending task.
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Work break down structure
A Work Breakdown Structure is a tool that organises work of a team into
manageable actions. It is used for organising the work of a project. Basically, its usage
can be seen in complex and multi-layer projects which is used to divide large amount of
work into small groups. This works is assigned in a hierarchy form of structure among
different teams which in return results in making overall management easy (Eckerson
2010) All elements which are mutually exclusive in WBS.
TASK 2
P4 Qualitative and quantitative research methods for appropriate aims and objectives
It is deigned to analogised methods which is useful in research by the
investigator. Research is classified into two parts which is used by the researcher, those
two research methods are as following.
Qualitative: Qualitative methods is important for the researcher. Through this
method they only consider that information which have good quality, evidence are also
describe in that as well as valid facts and theoretical presentation also provided in this.
This method is totally based on the behaviour of individual. There is no need of more
information.
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Quantitative: This qualitative method is deigned to analysis and collect
information in statically and numerical terms. For this researcher required a lot of
information. It is used to find a batter result in the end of this research. Through this
method they can find solution in an effective manner.
Above these two methods researches mostly prefer qualitative method. Because
through this method they find good quality of information which is based on valid facts. It
is not any analysis. It is valid result.
'Data collection:
It is the collection of the information which is uses in the research. Data collection
method is also divided into two parts and those are as following.
Primary: This method collect accurate information. This method is also known as
the first hand method. Through using various methods like conducting survey,
interviews and questionnaire all information is collected. This data is not provided
anywhere. Researcher mostly use this methods because it provide accurate
information. It consume time and money.
Secondary: This method is known as the second hand method because in this
method all information is easily available on internet, newspaper and imagines etc. this
is a easy method where information is provided by someone eels. It is uses by
researcher in the situation time shortage.
In this research, the researcher used primary and secondary methods which is
uses in data collection. In primary research all the question is related to the research
topic. On other hand secondary method is also uses which provide information related
to the research, artistic of different authors.
Questionnaire
Q 1) Are you aware with the concept of new product development?
a) Yes
b) No
Q 2) Do you think new product development help John Lewis in attracting more
number of customers?
a) Agree
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b) Disagree
Q 3) As per your perception, which one is the main benefit of new product development
which leads to business growth of John Lewis?
a) Attracts more customers
b) Improves reputation of company
c) Contributes in gaining competitive advantage
Q 4) Do you think, new product development influences profitability of John Lewis?
a) Agree
b) Disagree
Q 5) According to your vision, does customers will accept launch of new shoes
presented by John Lewis in fashion week?
a) Yes
b) No
Q 6) Do you think, social media will be best marketing tool through which promotion of
new shoe can be effectively done?
a) Agree
b) Disagree
Q 7) Which one is the main factor that is required to focus by John Lewis while
launching new shoe?
a) High quality
b) affordable prices
c) Easy to access
Q 8) Provide recommendation to John Lewis through which they can easily launch new
shoe in London fashion week.
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