Report: Analysis of ANS Group Small Business Enterprise

This report analyzes ANS Group, a small business enterprise in the UK's IT and communication sector. It begins with an introduction highlighting the importance of SMEs in economic growth and the chosen organization's goals. The report presents a SWOT analysis of ANS Group, identifying its strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats. It then explores performance management tools like KPIs, benchmarking, and MBO. The report further delves into strategies for overcoming weaknesses, such as effective communication and policy reforms, as well as methods for maintaining existing performance through regular feedback and core value creation. Finally, the report discusses revising business plans, implementing action plans, and assessing the impact of proposed changes, including change management and performance monitoring.

SMALL BUSINESS
ENTERPRISES

Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................1
TASK 1............................................................................................................................................1
1.1 Profile of business by identifying its strength and weaknesses........................................1
1.2 Comparative measures of performance............................................................................3
TASK 2............................................................................................................................................5
2.1 Justify how to overcome with weaknesses.......................................................................5
2.2 Ways to maintain existing performance of a company....................................................6
2.3 Asses the areas in which a business could expand itself..................................................7
TASK 3............................................................................................................................................8
3.1 Existing business objectives and plan..............................................................................8
3.2 Revise business plan.......................................................................................................10
3.3 Action plan to implement changes ................................................................................11
TASK 4..........................................................................................................................................11
4.1 Impact of proposed changes...........................................................................................11
4.2 Management of changes.................................................................................................12
4.3 Monitoring improvements in performance.....................................................................12
CONCLUSION..............................................................................................................................14
REFERENCES..............................................................................................................................14

INTRODUCTION
In UK, lot of small business organisations are established, which plays a crucial role in
economic growth and success of a country. These business organisations are helpful in providing
job opportunities to people of the nation so that they can live a better living standard. In addition,
SME's are more flexible and always ready to accept changes due to their small area. They are
able to make quick or fast decisions whenever it is required, this is the main reason of behind
the success of small scale businesses (Bridge and O'Neill, 2012). ANS group is the chosen
organisation in this present assignment, it deals in information technology and communication.
The main aim of firm is to be world's largest IT company by producing new and innovative
products. Apart from this, the report will discussed firm's strength and weaknesses in order to
identify its competitiveness in target market. Various methods are identified so as overcome with
weaknesses. The report will be deliver the ways of maintaining existing performance of the firm.
In addition, business plan will be developed in order to set actions or activities. The document
also includes the impact of proposed changes within workplace. It will enlighten that managers
have to monitor the performance of their employees for achieving goals and objectives.
TASK 1
1.1 Profile of business by identifying its strength and weaknesses
In United Kingdom, small scale business enterprises has a pivotal role that can be
considered as the back bone of every country's economy. In emerging markets, SMEs are more
rely upon labour intensive production process than multinational organisations. They boost up
employment and leads equitable income distribution in target market. ANS group of companies
is an information technology firm that commits to other organisations of network and
communication. The company serve its services between 500 customers. The leading industry is
liable for end to end managing platforms and network solutions. ANS deliver 24 x 7 services
with the help of 200 technical specialists in order to develop a critical infrastructure. The main
objective of refereed business entity is to communicate effectively with their customers in order
to gain high market growth and share (Preuss, 2011).
Strength and weaknesses of SME can be analysed through SWOT analysis, that is described as
under: -
1

STRENGTH
 ANS group is famous small scale
industry which provides technical
support services to their customers at
low costs.
 Every SME is focused upon producing
qualitative and value added services so
as to gain large number of people in
competitive market.
 The firm follow all legal rules and
regulations of government. It shows
legality of its products.
 ANS group has technical experts which
are always ready to gives their services
to their end users in an effective
manner. Good advertising and branding to target
other organisations.
WEAKNESSES
 Hurdles while communicating with
employees as well as customers.
Therefore, company is not able to know
needs and wants of their customers.
 Due to lack of finance, ANS group is
not able to spend upon market research
activities.
 Poor list of traffic resources.
 Phenomenon at urban market.
OPPORTUNITIES
 Development of tools of information
technology which helps in increasing
market share of firm.
 Customers will only prefer low prices
products. The company has chance to get funds
from government and attract other
investors due to their innovative ideas
and concepts (Forsman and Temel,
2011).
THREATS
 Difficult to follow government rules
and regulation, because sometimes they
could affect firm sales and profits.
 Process of certification is too lengthy
for small business organisations.
2

There are described strength, weaknesses, opportunities and threats. With the help of
strength and future opportunities any small business organisation can achieve success in target
market. Beside this, due to some weaknesses and threats can be reduced firm market position and
sales.
1.2 Comparative measures of performance
In order to maintain existing position in target market, managers have to measure
performance level of their employees. It will help them by providing a suitable platform so as
they can perform in an effective manner. Performance management tool determines that
company is achieving its goals and objectives from target market; it allows managers to gain
maximum utilisation of staff members. In addition, PM helps in improving desired qualities of
staff members by their overall growth and advancement.
Below described a brief description on the tools and techniques of performance management: -
 Key performance indicators – KPI is responsible to demonstrate the accuracy of a firm
as it can easily attain aims and targets. It also helps in highlighting business issues or
success which rely on evaluation of current as well as past business performance. In
addition, KPI can point out future outcomes and gives early warnings for problems and
challenges that will faced by business organisations. It also render some advanced
guidances towards chances of increasing return on investment. In some business entities,
KPI's are tracked automatically via reporting tools and business analytics, so that
managers can collect suitable data from operation department and initiate reports on the
basis of performance level of staff members.
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(Source: What is KPI ?, 2017) Set benchmarks - The term benchmarking consists of comparison of business
performance metrics from other commercial entities. It forces a company to perform in
well being manner in order to gain high competitive advantage from target market. In
other words, setting benchmarks will help in bringing many growth opportunities to a
business organisation so as to achieve goals and objectives in a pervasive manner
(Gruman and Saks, 2011). Apart from this, all kind of commercial enterprises use
benchmarks, this will help them to appraise business metrics which is tough to quantify
employee engagement, customers satisfaction as well as brand awareness in target
market. Management of objectives – MBO is another performance management tool, where
workers and managers are enlisted together in order to set and monitor goals for a
specific time frame. Such goals and planning are formulated in context of attainment of
personal goals for organisational members. Beside this, management of objectives is a
managed activity which emphasis on engaging all employees towards industry's aims. Its
purpose is to determine and make plan regarding achievement of future intents and
targets. MBO is a system approach, it attempts to integrate people in organisation with its
environment; its major aim is to optimum utility of human as well as physical resources.
It is able to set an evaluative mechanism through which managers of ANS group can
measure the contribution of their workers.
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Illustration 1: Key performance indicators

 360 degree feedbacks – It is an appraisal system which is able to collect feedbacks and
reviews for an individual by the number of resources. Along with this, it help employees
as they get better information about their performance, abilities, knowledge, working
relationships and skills. 360 degree appraisal system works on gathered informations by
other's opinions. It can boost up self awareness between people at workplace and clarifies
their behaviour or attitudes.
TASK 2
2.1 Justify how to overcome with weaknesses
Weaknesses put a huge impact upon expansion and advancement of a business
organisation. It might be reduce market reputation as well as effectiveness of the firm in its target
market. They can also influence business environment, i.e. internal as well as external.
Therefore, it is essential for managers to use effective tools and techniques to cut down all
weaknesses within workplace. There are described various tools which are helpful in diminishing
barriers, such are stated as below: - Effective communication – In small scale business enterprises, managers are requisite to
implement effective or free flow of communication within workplace. Through which
employees can share their issues with managers and find out appropriate solution for the
same. Effective communication will also assists in improving relationship with top
management, with this managers can grab new and innovative ideas which are liable for
achieving goals and objectives of the company. Reformation of existing policies – It is also an important method which can applicable in
small scale entities, with this managers can overcome from weaknesses. Business owners
of ANS group have to reform their current policies and strategies as per market
requirements. It shows flexibility of a firm whether it is able to accept market challenges
or not (Frangopol, 2011). Apart from this, there are available several competitors of
refereed firm so that company have to produce qualitative and innovative products for
gaining high market share. Producing new products – In this competitive market, it is essential for business units to
produce new and innovative in order to attract large number of customers. It will help a
firm so as to gain high market growth and share. If a company has a wide range of buyers
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as it can easily expand itself in global environment. New products also gives a
opportunity to firm by increasing its sales and profits.
 Conducting training and development sessions – It is necessary for managers to
implement training and development assistance to their employees. It will help in
improving current skills and competencies of staff members then they will perform in an
adequate manner. Beside this, it helps employees as they can innovate new ideas in order
to compete with external forces.
2.2 Ways to maintain existing performance of a company
The main aim of every business entity is to perform in well being mannered. High
performance level of employees gives strength to company's operations and functions. But, due
to the impact of external market forces, it is very difficult for firms to maintain their current
market position. For that, they can adopt various methods, such are described as below: - Regular feedback – Managers have to take regular feedbacks and reviews of business
activities. They need to monitor the effectiveness of their operations; it will help them in
recognising all issues which are being faced by employees while performing at
workplace. With the help of regular feedbacks managers can provide direction to their
subordinates so as work can be done in proper manner. In many companies, managers are
conducted a feedback sessions, in which they suggest the area in which employees need
to put more efforts. Create core values – It is an essential function which can connect employees towards
firm. Managers have to clearly defined their core values and beliefs among staff
members. For example- the main aim of ANS group is to deliver qualitative and branded
goods in order to achieve vision and mission from global environment. For this purpose,
business organisations have to focuses on producing such products which are able to
sustain employees' interest for a specific brand (Gronum, Verreynne and Kastelle, 2012). Average price of products – In order to maintain existing growth and success, managers
have to adopt various pricing strategies, i.e. pricing penetration strategy. In which,
products prices are less than their competitors, therefore a wide range of customers can
be attracted towards firms. ANS group has a flexible payment system so as buyers can
easily pay for their products.
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 Deliver healthy and safe working environment – Another method is, providing healthy
and safe working environment to people at workplace. If employees are getting positive
and friendly working atmosphere as they encourage more and more to produce in well
being mannered. For this, they require to make some laws and legislations in favour of
employees. In addition, managers also have to give surety or security of job, this could
accessible in keeping workers within workplace for a long term period.
2.3 Asses the areas in which a business could expand itself
It is must for small business entities to identify the areas as they can expand themselves
in target market. This will aids in increasing market image of business organisations in best
possible manner. Therefore, SME's needs to find out those opportunities through which they can
succeed in global environment. Below mentioned some areas in which a business could expaand
itself: - Open another location – With this concept, companies can achieve large market share
and growth. It states that, SME's have to focuses on opening their branches on different
location so as to reach from numerous customers. Therefore, ANS group has to choose a
place where wide range of persons are living. But before spreading itself in global
market, managers have to gain some knowledge about market trends and consumers
choices, and trying to fulfil them in best possible manner. Get license for goods – If a company has unlicensed or illegal products, then it is not able
to stay for long term period in market competition. Such kind of goods can also decreases
a firm's popularity as well as market image in economical as well as non-economical
manner. Hence, SME's have to emphasis upon how to get license for selling their
products and services (Añón Higón and Driffield, 2011). Customers are attracted towards
a business unit if it is fulfilling all legal rules and responsibilities in a systematic manner. Diversification - Small business organisations must focus on selling of complementary
goods for achieving high market growth and success. Product diversification allows
managers to collect income from multiple resources. It allows firms as they can introduce
themselves with different products in target market. Good relationship with legal authorities – Every company wants to perform in various
nations, so as it is essential for them to make good and positive relationship with
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government. It could extend sustainability of a business organisation in an adequate
manner. UK government has been set some rules and regulations which are necessary to
follow every small as well as large business entity. They also provides financial support
to SMEs in the form of subsidy.
 Think globally – Anyone wants to achieve success, as he or she have to think globally.
Therefore, small business entrepreneurs need to make strategies on global context. It
would aids them in performing at international market. In UK, there are several small
firms, which are functioned at global level.
TASK 3
3.1 Existing business objectives and plan
Being a IT firm, ANS group is supplying a variety of products because it has several
experts in technical field. In addition, if SMEs has its pre-determined goals and objectives then
they will help it in achieving large number of customers.
Below mentioned business objectives of ANS group: -
Objectives towards customers
 The main aim of small scale business towards their customers is to supplying them
branded and value added products.
 Ensure good customer experiences and treated them in well being manners.
 Fulfilment of corporate social responsibilities Recognise buyers needs and wants by conducting market research
Objectives towards staff members
 Provide them health and safe working environment so as they can encourage to work
hard.
 Establish a free flow of communication, with that all employees and managers can share
their issues with each other.
 Create and execute SMART objectives in order to measure employees' performance. Make employee welfare programs and activities.
Objectives for shareholders
 Increase stock value for maximising shareholders' profits. Extend their profit by generating more shares
8

Business plan: - It is written description of future strategies and policies of a company.
Business plan describes what a firm want to achieve in upcoming years. It also involves number
of tasks and activities which are helpful in achieving goals and objectives of business
organisation in a certain time period (Crook and et. al., 2011). Apart from this, business plan is a
fundamental tool for any small scale business in order to their operations effectively.
(Source: Importance of business planning, 2016)
Below mentioned some steps which are involved in business planning process of ANS group: - Idea generation – This is the very first step in the process of business plan. If an
entrepreneurs has new and innovative ideas, it differentiate his or her business from
others. In other words, idea generation will helped managers by adding value in existing
products and services of the company. Research and development, customers, employees,
dealers etc. are the main sources of new idea. Environmental scanning – Afterwards, entrepreneurs needs to regulate an internal and
external analysis in order to evaluate those factors which will affect market growth of the
firm. Apart from this, during internal environmental analysis, managers have to evaluate
availability of raw material so as to produce qualitative goods. They also need to measure
total requirement of finance for various expenses; market study is also an important part
of internal analysis which refers to make a research upon potential as well as target
9
Illustration 2: Business plan

customers. Whereas external analysis comprises with these factors, political,
technological, socio cultural, technological, economical etc. Feasibility analysis – The analysis is created in order to monitor the credibility of a
business organisation. In order words, feasibility analysis focuses on measuring each and
every aspect of company which is involved in business planning. For this purpose,
managers are developed a marketing plan which lays downs strategies and policies that
are liable for the success of business plan. Project report preparation – It refers that entrepreneurs have to write down all steps
through which a business can be started. This will help managers to monitor all activities
of business planning (Jones and Rowley, 2011).
 Evaluation and control – At last, the plan implements within business organisation. As
ANS group operates in dynamic environment, then the firm has to reviews all tasks or
policies. Through which a company can stay in line competition of existing market.
3.2 Revise business plan
In small business organisations, revision of business plan is must for managers, this will
increase the chances to become a successful business plan. Revision is a procedure which helps
in identifying issues and problems after creation of a business. Therefore, managers can make
required changes as per the strategy. Its prime purpose is to reduce barriers which are being
faced by supervisors while executing business plan for upliftment of overall organisation. Apart
from this, before executing an imperative plan, it is essential for managers to revise it again and
again in order to increase the effectiveness of operations at workplace. To do this, they also have
to determine company goals and objectives and tries to achieve them in certain time period.
Apart from this, it is required for entrepreneurs to monitor market as well as economical trends
which will influence firm's market position. Therefore, revision of business plan will aids
managers as they can reform current plan as per the customers demand and external changes.
Beside this, if managers can analysis all environmental factors, then this would impact
upon decision making process of the firm by increasing its sales and profits (Fassin, Van
Rossem and Buelens, 2011). With which, business owners can diminishes upcoming risks and
uncertainties which are pass off in ANS group. Hence, if their managers will revise business plan
then they can also recognise needs and demands of potential as well as target buyers.
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3.3 Action plan to implement changes
It is required for small organisations to make plans and strategies in order to implement
business plan at workplace with the assistance of some specialists. For this purpose, an action
plan is regulated by entrepreneurs so as to measure the strength of business plan. Its main motive
is to undertake objectives of customers, shareholders and employees in a pervasive manner.
There are is described some major activities which are included in action of refereed company,
which is stated as below: -
Action/Activities Time period
Conduct a customers research 2 to 3 days
Design an effective product concept 4 to 5 days
Test and design product's prototype 2 days
Evolve and test production tooling 3.5 days
Notify the number of requirements 1 day
Commence production 4 days
Conduct launch promotion 1 day.
Below mentioned an action plan, which aim is to know customers needs and wants. ANS
group is created an action plan which helps it to make new and innovative products in order to
gain high sales and profits from target market. For this, company has to conduct a market
research it will be help to design an effective product which is able to give maximum satisfaction
level to target as well as potential consumers of the firm.
TASK 4
4.1 Impact of proposed changes
Changes are essential part of a business growth and success. In a commercial enterprise,
succeed or failure of working activities are depend upon the effectiveness of implemented
changes. It is mandatory for the managers of ANS group to maintain the interest of customers
towards company's goods and services. These variations might be affected in positive as well as
negative manner to firm's performance or productivity in target market (Dennis Jr, 2011).
Impact of changes upon business organisation is described as below: -
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 Allows best employees to grow – Changes are helpful for business organisations and its
members by improving their knowledge. For example- people who accept changes can
easily cope up with organisational differences. Sometimes, changes are challenging
situation for workers but an individual who can effectively deal them with a positive
attitude, are known as the best workers (Dickson and Weaver, 2011). Therefore, it can be
said that changes impact upon employees' skills and their abilities. It will help them how
to overcome with negative situations at workplace. Provide new opportunities – Changes in hiring process will help managers as they can
find new and fresh talent with innovative skills. It can also useful in developing
specialised working groups and flexibility in job description in order to increases
sustainability and productivity of a firm. It provides greater profits to a firm that is
beneficial for gaining competitive advantage of business organisation.
 Promote new ways of thinking – Variation among business organisation forces workers
as they can think innovative and exciting ways of production. Thus, creative thinking
helps to the evolution of new inventions and ideas which can be used in order to keep
sustainability of a firm.
4.2 Management of changes
In this global dynamic environment, changes are essential part of business entities. It the
process of transformation and modification among company's strategies or policies. Sometimes,
changes put an adverse as well as positive impact upon business activities and operations. It is
necessary to small business entities, i.e. ANS group to make continuous variations so as to
improves their potentiality. Changes can be done for anything, such as- improving tools and
techniques of production. Changes are also related with employees training and development
assistance (Aremu and Adeyemi, 2011).
Apart from this, sometimes business organisations also faces many hurdles due to
implementation of these changes, such as – resistance of staff members. Hence, it is essential for
managers to make long term goals and objectives, and then make changes accordingly. This is
assistive in creating healthy and positive relationship with workers and also provide growth
opportunities to a firm in target market.
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4.3 Monitoring improvements in performance
Managers of ANS group have to monitor the current performance level of their staff
members because it will accessible for them to identify hidden problems and barriers which can
bear on company prosperity and advancement. The main aim of monitoring is to improve
employees skills and knowledge in an imperative manner. For this ambition, managers need to
manipulate some activities and programmes so that they can conveniently handle workers'
performance.
ACTION PRIORITY ADVANTA
GES
RESOURC
ES
TIME
SCALE
RESPOSIB
LITIES
REVIEWIN
G
FEEDBAC
KS
Conducting
training and
developmen
t assistance
Important Improving
current
skills and
abilities of
staff
members so
as they can
compete
with other
external
forces.
Time and
money.
4 weeks Human
resource
department.
Regular
evaluation
of
employees
performance
on regular
basis.
Focuses on
producing
qualitative
and branded
products
Essential Helps in
maximising
customers'
loyalty as
well as
firm's
profits.
Using good
quality of
raw material
and inputs.
3 weeks. Marketing
and sales
department.
By
conducting
online
surveys and
taking
feedbacks
from them.
Manipulate Most Helps in Endorsing 2 weeks Top By
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health and
safety
programmes
preferable encouraging
workers so
as they can
perform
well.
health and
safety
parameters.
management
and health
and safety
department.
weighing
future risks.
CONCLUSION
From the above mentioned report, it has been concluded that small business entities plays
a significant role in growth and development of country's economic condition. There is described
strength and weaknesses of ANS group. Its managers need to adopt some methods and
techniques which are helpful in measuring employees performance. There is discussion upon the
ways to overcome with weaknesses. Apart from this, creation of core values and taking regular
feedbacks will helps SME's to stay in market competition and achieve their goals in effective
manner. There is described some areas in which a company can expand itself in target market.
Determination of business objectives and plan, help a business entity to achieve its vision and
mission. An action plan is required in order to implement changes, these variations has an huge
impact on firm's growth and success. But entrepreneurs have to follow some methods in order to
monitor the effectiveness of these changes.
REFERENCES
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What is KPI ?, 2017. [Online]. Available on: <http://hrmpractice.com/what-is-kpi/>. [Accessed
on 19th September 2017].
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