Managing Successful Business Project: Unicorn CSR Implementation (HND)

This project report focuses on implementing Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) activities within Unicorn, a small-scale retail organization in the UK, to achieve sustainable objectives. The project follows a structured approach, including initialization, planning, execution, controlling, and closing phases, led by a project manager. The report outlines project aims and objectives, emphasizing the integration of social and environmental concerns to balance economic, environmental, and social imperatives. It details a comprehensive project management plan, including budget considerations ($50,000), scope, timeframes (April-May 2018), quality, communication strategies, resource allocation (human resources, financial resources, and software), and risk assessments (budget and employee training). The project also features a work breakdown structure (WBS) and a Gantt chart for task management. Furthermore, the report describes the research methodology, including inductive research, interpretivism, descriptive design, and a combination of primary and secondary data collection methods. Data analysis reveals insights into employee engagement and the perceived impact of CSR implementation. The project aims to improve the company's image, increase employee involvement, and generate customer satisfaction leading to increased sales and profit.

MANAGING
SUCCESSFUL
BUSINESS
PROJECT

INTRODUCTION
Project management is a practice by which the goals and objectives that is being set for
the specific project can be achieved at that particular time. The project mainly goes through the 4
stages that is initialization, planning, execution, controlling and closing in order to make it a
successful project (Addis, 2012). The project is mainly led by a project manager all the decision
regarding a particular project is made by him.
Unicorn is a small-scale retail organization in UK. In this report CSR will be
implemented in the company Unicorn in order to achieve the sustainable objectives. Based on
the CSR implementation the planning will be done in this report regarding the time, budget etc.
P1: Aims and objective
Background – Business firms that device a well-structured and considerately deliberate business
accountability are able to present trusted management in their enterprise and also they earn
respect of their customers. Today more and more companies whether small or large-scale forms
are implementing CSR in their business in order to achieve the goals of their business. By using
the concept of corporate social responsibility(CSR) organization integrate social and
environmental concerns in their operation of business and interactions with stakeholders (Aubry
and Lavoie-Tremblay, 2018.). It is way by which companies will be able to achieve a balance of
economy, environment and social imperatives. For years the companies have believed that their
only responsibility was to earn profit but through this new idea that is CSR the companies
integrate both social and environmental concern in their strategies and in the world play more
responsible role.
Aims- “To implement CSR in the company Unicorn in order to meet its sustainable objectives”
Objectives
 To implement CSR in the company Unicorn
 To be able to meet the present requirements of the company without cooperating the
capability of future generation.
 To involve the employees more in their work and to increase the employee retention rates
 To generate more satisfaction among the customers
 To increase the sales and profit due to implementation of CSR in the company
 To complete this project till may 2018
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Rational –The implementation of CSR in the company Unicorn is important as it will carry a
diversity of modest compensations of this company such as enhanced admission to wealth and
market, upsurge sales and incomes etc. This company will be able to improve its image in the
market and better decision will be made. The involvement of the employees will be more in their
work. For an instance marketing staff will be motivated to help a non-profit with promotional
efforts (De Bruij and Ten Heuvelhof, 2010). About the causes in which the employees have
interest the organization will also solicit input and feedback from them. With the implementation
of CSR in the company the workflow in the organization will be better.
P2: Budget, scope, quality, time, communication, resources and the risk
Budget - The budget of implementing CSR in company may be varied depending on the
type of business. Besides, CSR are generally implemented in large scale of organisation because
they investing huge amount on the CSR activities. In order to engage more number of
employees and generate more satisfaction among the customers this company need to make use
of new software that is Prime-seller. With incredible features this software will provide a
flawless interface. By fetching the customers from various market one can easily sell the
products. In this company POS billing will be helpful to manage the physical store sales. At the
counter the clerk scans through the items at the point of sales (POS) and final bill is generated.
This software that is being implemented in the company will cost around $10,000-$150,000.
There need to pay annual recurrent fees that will be not be included in the initial implementation
(Dykstra, 2011).
Training cost – To the employees that are working in the workplace the training need to be given
regarding how the management have planned to implement CSR in the company Unicorn. In this
they will be made aware about the benefits that will be gained through implementation of CSR in
the company. About $10,000 will be require in the training about this new software which is a
part of CSR implementation the employees need to be trained.
Maintenance cost – The hardware, network and labour cost are included in the implementation
of CSR. So, it need to be maintained properly. As the company will be required new talents,
network, hardware etc., in order to implement CSR so it will cost around $12,000.
Scope
2

In the company Unicorn the estimated budget for implementing CSR will be around
$50,000 as per the estimation done for the completion of this project by the month of May, 2018.
By taking into consideration the time and budget the high-quality project will be delivered. Due
to implementation of CSR in the company the productivity will be more and also the customer
satisfaction regarding the services that will be given to them will also be more (Fox, 2015).
Time
From the April 2018 this project will initiate to complete it by May 2018. All related
tasks for implementing CSR in the company Unicorn will be completed till this period. All the
work such as training to the employees, work breakdown structure, cost estimation, allocation of
resources etc., will be done during this time. In this company the project manager will be
responsible to ensure all work is done on the estimated time.
Communication
The effective communication is the essence of successful project. A project
communication plan in the project is the blue print for communication project. In the format that
works for them this plan should provide correct data to right person at suitable time.
Delineating the goal
The project team will be giving inputs during this project as a way of observing the
success of the undertaken project. The project is required to be finished within an estimated
period and budget. The stakeholder’s role is important in terms of checking all related
specifications of the undertaken project (Hornstein, 2015).
Audience
The stakeholder’s and the project manager are responsible to receive the data related to the
project.
Type of information provides
Stakeholder- Regarding the project plan, budget, change scope etc., they should be getting
information.
Project team- They need to be given information such as work in progress, issues etc.
Methods used in the communication
Meeting – In between the project team and the project manager this will take place. Five times in
a month this meeting will be there. All group members will get a chance to know one another in
3

first meeting. The second meeting will involve discussion on the project. Meetings are a great
way to bring group together for resolving issues.
4

E-mail – An effective way of using this approach is in the plan of communication plan to
encourage the group to have a discussion. By the stakeholder and team members it can be used
(Hussein, 2015).
Presentation – This is for sharing the success of the project with the stakeholders.
Risk
Incorrect assessment of budget and time- The project will be unsuccessful in case the
estimation of budget and time is not right. So, the company need to take into consideration all the
points regarding deciding budget and time for the project.
5

Employees not trained- In case if the training to the employees are not given in the proper
way then they will not be able to gain knowledge about the implementation of CSR in the
company. And the business will be unable to attain the set objectives of the undertaken project.
So, proper training to the employees need to be given.
Resources
In order to implement the CSR in the company the resources such as human’s resources,
financial resources and advance technology such as Prime seller software will be needed in the
company Unicorn.
In order to implement this CSR and to earn profit the new talents will be hired by the
company and also to pay salary to these employees the money will be given by the company that
will come in the category of financial resources. Also, the Prime -seller software that will be
used in the company in order to ease up the work of the employees and generate more
satisfaction among the customer. This software will help the company to increase its sales
performance (Fleming and Koppelman, 2016).
Quality
The project quality management is being used in order to analyse that project meet out
the needs and expectation of the stakeholders. In this project it will be beneficial to deliver a
high-quality project to the company. When the project pays attention on achieving the written
requirement then often the poor quality project in delivered. In order to deliver a high-quality
project, the expectations of the customers regarding the project need to be fulfilled. A project
quality plan will be sued in this project to describe the tools, activities and process.
P3: Work breakdown structure and Gantt chart
WBS
In the modest and controllable task, it will help to divide the complex projects. By the
project manager this technique is used for executing the plan in such a manner that it can be
accomplished successfully.
6

Gantt chart
The agenda of the project is being represented through support of Gantt chart. It will help
to plan, coordinate and track specific tasks in this project.
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Illustration 1: Work breakdown structure
(Source: Work breakdown structure, 2017)

8

9

10

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P4: Conducting research
In order to implement the CSR in the company Unicorn in the efficient way this
researcher will be useful. The proper understanding on the research topic will be gained through
the research that is done.
Research approach –There are two types of research approach that can be used in any research
that are inductive and deductive in this the scholar want to develop proper understanding about
the research topic so for this reason inductive research will be used (Ketokivi and Choi, 2014.).
Research philosophy – They are of two types that interpretivism and positivism. In this
interpretivism will be used as it is related with qualitative research and fits best for inductive
research.
Research Design-They are of three types that is descriptive, explanatory and case study. In this
descriptive will be used as it supports in provide finding in an effective manner on the research
topic.
Data gathering Approaches-There are the two methods that can be used that are primary and
secondary data collection. In this research both of them will be used. In order for carrying out
primary investigation the questionnaire will be made and in order to conduct secondary research
books, journals etc will be used (Svejvig and Andersen, 2015).
Research analysis – qualitative and quantitative are also types that research analysis. In this
research there is no need of mathematics work or calculation so for this reason the qualitative
research will be used (Mir and Pinnington, 2014.). The theory concept will be used in the
qualitative research and to which thematic style will be applied to represent the data that is
collected in the form of themes.
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Ethical consideration- The right to freedom was given to all the participant and no information
about nay participant was leaked or discussed with other. And the privacy was also given to all
the participant who was involved in this research (Palinkas and Hoagwood, 2015).
Sample size- The 15 managers of the company unicorn was selected randomly and among them
the questionnaires that was made was distributed.
P5: Data analysis
Theme 1: The engagement of the employees will be more due to implementation of CSR in the
company
Do you think that with the implementation of
CSR the engagement of the employees will be
more in the work?
Frequency
Agree 6
Strongly agree 7
Both agree and disagree 2
Disagree 0
Strongly Disagree 0
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Interpretation – About 7 respondents strongly agree that engagement of the employees will be
more in the workplace due to implementation of CSR. The employees are involved by the
14
Agree
Strongly agree
Both agree and disagree
Disagree
Strongly Disagree
0
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
6
7
2
0 0
Frequency

organization in the implementation of CSR. In order to help the company to earn profit the
employees are encouraged to use their skill
Theme 2: The better decision will be made at workplace with the new project tat will be
implemented in the company Unicorn
Do you agree that better decision will be made
in the workplace by making use of CSR
Frequency
Agree 4
Strongly agree 8
Both agree and disagree 1
Disagree 2
Strongly Disagree 1
15

Interpretation: About 8 respondent think that better decisions will be taken in the workplace. The
strategies will be made by the company in order to achieve the objectives that is being set by the
company for the implementation of CSR.
Theme 3: The satisfaction among the customers will be more has better services will be given to
them
16
Agree
Strongly agree
Both agree and disagree
Disagree
Strongly Disagree
0
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
4
8
1
2
1
Frequency

Do you agree that better decision will be made
in the workplace by making use of CSR
Frequency
Agree 4
Strongly agree 8
Both agree and disagree 1
Disagree 2
Strongly Disagree 1
17
Agree
Strongly agree
Both agree and disagree
Disagree
Strongly Disagree
0
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
4
8
1
2
1
Frequency

Interpretation: About 9 respondents strongly agree that the satisfaction among the customers will
be more and this in turn will increase the sales of the company and it will develop customer
loyalty for the company.
Theme 4: The cost of the company will also be saved with the implementation of CSR
Do you think that company will be able to save
its cost with this new project that will be
implemented
Frequency
Agree 4
Strongly agree 9
Both agree and disagree 2
Disagree 0
Strongly Disagree 0
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Interpretation: About 9 respondent think that cost of the company will also be saved as it will
reduce resource use, waste and emission which in turn will be beneficial for the environment and
the company.
Theme 5: The managers are happy with the initiative that is taken in their company
19
Agree
Strongly agree
Both agree and disagree
Disagree
Strongly Disagree
0
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
4
9
2
0 0
Frequency

Are you happy with the decision that is being
taken by this company reading the
implementation of this new project
Frequency
Yes 13
No 2
20
Yes No
0
2
4
6
8
10
12
14 13
2
Frequency

Interpretation: About 13 respondents are happy with implementation of CSR in their company
they think the company will be able gain competitive advantage as engagement of the employees
will be more and also customers will also be highly-satisfied.
Theme 6: The business opportunity will also be identified by the company due to CSR
implementation
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Interpretation: About 9 respondents strongly agree that for the business CSR will develop a new
opportunity as by the company new products and services will be developed.
P6: Recommendation and Conclusion
The company Unicorn need to invest time in order to develop CSR strategies. And also
based on the strategy that is being made the team need to be hired, resources need to be allocated
etc. Also these things need to be done based on the strategies that is made. Thus, CSR will be
useful for the business and for the environment as well to achieve suitable objectives of the
company. Apart from that, it also helps to cover the new managing and successful managing
goals. Further, Unicorn needs to more focused on the development areas which is necessary to be
implemented in more appropriate manner and goals. From the above research it can be
22
Agree
Strongly agree
Both agree and disagree
Disagree
Strongly Disagree
0
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
4
9
1 1
0
Frequency

summarised that project management is important in respect to achieve the goals of the project.
Within a specific provide cost and time a project required to be completed. A communication
plan need to be made in the project to make sure communication is proper among team members
and the management team.
P7:
As per my view it is essential for the business to device CSR in the company as many
advantages will be gained by the company such strong product credit, optimistic commercial
standing, augmented sales and customer retention. (Svejvig and Andersen, 2015). Also, I think
that company will be able to hold employees and carry out business activities. While
implementing CSR I think the company need to keep in mind the time and budget that is being
set for it.
CONCLUSION
On the basis of above section it has been concluded that, managing successful business
can be the most difficult task for the company to implement. Present study has been taken place
on the basis of new developing area and discussed about the CSR.
23

REFERENCES
Books and journals
Addis, B., 2012. Building with reclaimed components and materials: a design handbook for reuse
and recycling. Routledge.
Aubry, M. and Lavoie-Tremblay, M., 2018. Rethinking organizational design for managing
multiple projects. International Journal of Project Management. 36(1). pp.12-26.
De Bruijn, H. and Ten Heuvelhof, E., 2010. Process management: why project management fails
in complex decision making processes. Springer Science & Business Media.
Dykstra, A., 2011. Construction project management: A complete introduction. Kirshner
Publishing Company.
Fleming, Q.W. and Koppelman, J.M., 2016, December. Earned value project management.
Project Management Institute.
Fox, S., 2015. Relevance: a framework to address preconceptions that limit perceptions of what is
relevant. International Journal of Managing Projects in Business. 8(4). pp.804-812.
Hornstein, H.A., 2015. The integration of project management and organizational change
management is now a necessity. International Journal of Project Management. 33(2).
pp.291-298.
Hussein, A., 2015. The use of Triangulation in Social Sciences Research: Can qualitative and
quantitative methods be combined?. Journal of comparative social work. 4(1).
Ketokivi, M. and Choi, T., 2014. Renaissance of case research as a scientific method. Journal of
Operations Management. 32(5). pp.232-240.
Mir, F.A. and Pinnington, A.H., 2014. Exploring the value of project management: linking
project management performance and project success. International journal of project
management. 32(2). pp.202-217.
Palinkas, L.A. and Hoagwood, K., 2015. Purposeful sampling for qualitative data collection and
analysis in mixed method implementation research. Administration and Policy in Mental
Health and Mental Health Services Research. 42(5). pp.533-544.
Svejvig, P. and Andersen, P., 2015. Rethinking project management: A structured literature
review with a critical look at the brave new world. International Journal of Project
Management. 33(2). pp.278-290.
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Online
Work breakdown structure. 2017. [Online] <https://www.slideshare.net/Agcristi/the-erp-project-
project-management-team/>
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APPENDIX
Questionnaire
Name -
Age-
E-mail -
Gender -
Contact number-
Do you think that with the implementation of CSR the engagement of the employees will be
more in the work?
 Agree
 Strongly agree
 Both agree and disagree
 Disagree
 Strongly Disagree
Do you agree that better decision will be made in the workplace by making use of CSR?
 Agree
 Strongly agree
 Both agree and disagree
 Disagree
 Strongly Disagree
Do you think satisfaction of the customers will also be more with the implementation of CSR?
 Agree
 Strongly agree
 Both agree and disagree
 Disagree
 Strongly Disagree
Do you think that company will be able to save its cost with this new project that will be
implemented?
 Agree
 Strongly agree
 Both agree and disagree
26

 Disagree
 Strongly Disagree
Are you happy with the decision that is being taken by this company reading the
implementation of this new project?
 Yes
 No
Do you agree the company will be able to identify new business opportunity due to
implementation of CSR?
 Agree
 Strongly agree
 Both agree and disagree
 Disagree
 Strongly Disagree
27