BTEC HND Business Project: Vodafone Diversity and Inclusion Strategies

This report presents a comprehensive analysis of Vodafone's diversity and inclusion strategies as part of a business project. It begins with an introduction highlighting the importance of diversity and inclusion in the modern business environment, particularly for Vodafone, a British telecommunications company. The report outlines the project's aims and objectives, including determining the concept and significance of a diverse and inclusive workforce, identifying strategies for gaining a competitive edge, and assessing the benefits Vodafone can achieve. It then details the project management plan, including cost analysis, scope definition, timelines, and risk assessment. The report further explores work breakdown structures and Gantt charts for project organization. Task 2 focuses on qualitative and quantitative research methods employed for data collection, followed by an analysis of the research and data using appropriate tools and techniques. The report concludes with recommendations for Vodafone and a reflection on the project's process and findings. The report incorporates a literature review, data analysis, and practical recommendations to enhance Vodafone's diversity and inclusion efforts, aiming to improve its competitive advantage.

Managing Successful
Business Project

Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................4
TASK 1............................................................................................................................................4
P1 Project Aims and Objectives..................................................................................................4
To determine the concept and significance of diverse & inclusive workforce. ..........................5
To find out several diversity and inclusion strategies which support businesses in gaining
competitive edge..........................................................................................................................5
To identify several benefits that Vodafone can attain with the incorporation of diversity and
inclusion strategies at workplace. ...............................................................................................6
P2 Project Management Plan of the research .............................................................................6
P3 Work Breakdown structure and Gantt chart..........................................................................8
.........................................................................................................................................................9
TASK 2..........................................................................................................................................10
P4 Qualitative & Quantitative research methods.......................................................................10
TASK 3..........................................................................................................................................12
P5: Analysis of research and data by using appropriate tools & techniques.............................12
P6 Recommendations.................................................................................................................16
TASK 4..........................................................................................................................................16
P7 Reflection..............................................................................................................................16
CONCLUSION..............................................................................................................................17
REFERENCES..............................................................................................................................18

INTRODUCTION
In this modern time period, organisations focuses on involving wide-ranging activities in
order to execute all the tasks and operations in an appropriate and lucrative manner. It is
determine that by consisting inclusive and diverse workforce, it is convenient for companies to
build a positive working surroundings (Nachmias, Aravopoulou and Caven, 2019). In addition to
this, it is essential for managers to undertaken each and every employee in the decision-making
process as it assist them to motivate staff members and has positive influence on performance of
an organisation. Implementing equality & diversity within a company help in attaining desired
goals as well as objectives within stipulated time period. In the present report, Vodafone is taken
into consideration. It is a British telecommunication company that is headquarter in England,
United Kingdom. The company was established in the year 1991 and at present it has operated
networks in more than 25 countries. Vodafone offer products such as Broadband, mobile phone,
digital television, internet and many more. In the present report, aim and objectives is developed
and on this basis the whole investigation is carried out. In addition to this, project management
plan, Gantt chart and work breakdown structure will be discussed so that overall project will be
concluded in an effective and proper manner.
TASK 1
P1 Project Aims and Objectives
Equality & diversity practices plays vital role in developing positive working environment
and in attaining growth of the organisation. In addition to this, it also ensure that staff members
get equal opportunities within the workplace (Gibson and Fernandez, 2018). The present
investigation in order to analyse various ways and strategies that supports Vodafone in proper
integration of diverse & inclusive workforce. Moreover, project management plan is consider as
a set of all the activities that is required to be implemented by the researcher in order to properly
completed the whole project. In context to this, investigator has developed aims & objectives that
is given below:
Research aim: To explore role of diversity and inclusion strategies in the growth of an
organisation. A case study of Vodafone
Research objectives:
 To determine the concept and significance of diverse and inclusive workforce.
4

 To find out several diversity and inclusion strategies which support businesses in gaining
competitive edge
 To identify several benefits that Vodafone can attain with the incorporation of diversity
and inclusion strategies at workplace.
Research Questions
 What is the concept and significance of diverse & inclusive workforce?
 What are the several diversity and inclusion strategies that support businesses in gaining
competitive edge?
 What are the benefits that Vodafone can attain with the incorporation of diversity and
inclusion strategies at workplace?
LITERATURE REVIEW
To determine the concept and significance of diverse and inclusive workforce.
As per the viewpoint of Ella Washington and Camille Patrick, (2019), Equality is mainly
defined a providing an equal opportunity to all the staff members prevailing at workplace. In
addition to this, it plays vital role in order to motivate workforce and enhance their performance
level in an effective manner. Diversity signifies the overall spectrum of human demographic
difference that is gender, race, sexual orientation, religion, socio-economic status, age and so on.
It has been analysed that diverse & inclusive workforce aid an entity in attaining competitive
advantage at marketplace (Georgiadou, 2019). It is determine that diversity brings creativity and
innovation at workplace that is beneficial for company in order to enhance its effectiveness and
productivity level as well. Moreover, diverse and inclusive workforce also help in declining
employee absenteeism and turnover ratio as well. Along with this, providing a positive working
culture which holds diversity & inclusion enhance the confidence and performance level of an
organisation. Furthermore, it also help in developing an effective market image as well as
reputation of organisation within the market.
To find out several diversity and inclusion strategies which support businesses in gaining
competitive edge
According to Sharon Florentine, (2019), there are various strategies that are adopt and
implement by business entities for maintaining diverse workforce is given below:
5

Make a plan: It is essential for an entity to develop a plan associated with diversity for
longer time period. In addition to this, it is important to develop a long term plan and implement
all the activities in a proper manner.
Invest in Diversity Strategies: There are various strategies that are used in development
of inclusive and diverse workforce that is performance management, talent development and
sustain of competence & talent for the future period of time.
Train your team: one of the effective strategy is providing training session to the team
members as it aid in improving skills, capabilities and knowledge of employees that has positive
impact on productivity as well as profitability of an organisation (Ghosh, 2020). In addition to
this, it help an entity to clarify objectives to employee which in turn aid in implementing of
activities in a proper and timely manner.
Take Responsibility: It is determine that diversity and inclusion may occurs stress and
conflicts. Therefore, it is not only the responsibility of HR to maintain a culture of inclusive
workforce as it is significant for every individual to develop a culture of belongingness,
friendship and positive as well.
To identify several benefits that Vodafone can attain with the incorporation of diversity
and inclusion strategies at workplace.
According to the viewpoint of Anja Zojceska, (2018), there are many benefits gained of
executing strategies associated with diverse and inclusion workforce. One of the benefit is higher
innovation and creativity level as it is determine that diverse workforce brings innovation that aid
company in attaining competitive advantage at marketplace (Noon, 2018). Another benefit is
better and effective decision-making that has positive impact on the future period of time.
Moreover, it is determine that such strategies raises effectiveness and profitability of company in
an appropriate manner. Furthermore, it also help in declining employee turnover and absenteeism
rate due to which there is increase in working performance of an organisation, Another benefit
that is attained by an organisation is development of brand image and market reputation as well.
P2 Project Management Plan of the research
Project management plan is defined as a blueprint of the overall tasks and activities that is
going to be perform by research to gain valid and positive results as well (Sharma, 2016) . This
plan consist of various factors that is described below:
6

Cost: It is define as the overall worth of research in terms of money that is needed by
investigator for implementing all the tasks in a proper and timely manner as well. It is important
for investigator to develop a budget by considering all the activities so that overall estimation of
cost is gained and availability of funds is ensured for execution of activities. In the present
research, investigator is required 100 pounds for the overall activities. The classification of
budget is given below:
Task to perform Expenditure (Pound)
Library Cost 15
Equipment cost 10
Stationary 10
Transportation 20
Miscellaneous expenses 15
Resources 30
Total 100
Scope: The scope of present research is wide as it is associated with the strategies of
diverse as well as inclusive workforce. In addition to this, it also consist of benefits gained by
company while implementing effective strategies of equality & diversity. According to
researcher, the overall research has wide scope and will help other researcher to implement same
study in an effective manner.
Time: In the present research, it is important for researcher to decide the time period of
each and every activity so that it objectives is attained on the time period. For the present
research, investigator is required around 8- 10 months of time (Klein, 2016) .
Quality: It is significant for investigator to maintain quality data so that positive results is
gained. In addition to this, it is significant for researcher to analyse overall environmental
situations, collect appropriate information as it help them to draw a valid and reliable conclusion.
Communication: One of the key reason of getting effective results is proper
communication as it help researcher in gaining an understanding about respondents viewpoint
and to attain objectives in a proper manner. In the present research, investigator make use of
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different communication sources such as emails, face-to-face, phone calls and so on (Urbancová,
Čermáková and Vostrovská, 2016).
Risk: It is determine that every business entity is associated with some kind of risk that is
require to be identify in a proper manner. In the present research, risk is related with the
information of participants so it is essential for researcher to maintain confidentiality and did not
give access to anyone of the data given by respondents.
Resources: There are various resources is required by research for implementing all the
activities in a proper manner. The resources are money, human resource, land and many more as
it help in gaining positive results and completion of project within given time period.
P3 Work Breakdown structure and Gantt chart
Gantt chart: This chart state the overall schedule of project along with the activities of
the research. The model was formulated by Henry Gantt, which aid research to accomplished
activities on time period. In addition to this, it includes starting date, end date which is related
with the tasks of present investigation.
8

9

Work Breakdown structure:This technique is mainly adopt by investigator in order to
categorise the overall activities of research into an easier and small task as well (Ylöstalo, 2016) .
The overall activities of present research is categorise into small task that directly leads to
completion of overall project within the stipulated time period.
TASK 2
P4 Qualitative & Quantitative research methods
In order to conduct investigation in a proper manner, researcher adopt various tools and
techniques that aid in collecting data and completing investigation in proper manner. The tools
as well as techniques used is given below:
Qualitative Method: It is define as a method that assist researcher to collect non-
numerical data for completing researcher in an appropriate manner. In addition to this, it is
analyse that data gathered by this tools is in descriptive form & can easily interpreted by
investigator.
Quantitative: This method is adopt by researcher to collect numerical and statistical
information for the present research. Herein, researcher make use of methods such as
questionnaire, survey, polls and so on that aid in properly collecting numerical information.
By the assistance of above methods, it is analysed that investigator use quantitative
research method as it help in collecting accurate and authentic data as well (Ashe and Nazroo,
2017) .
Data collection methods: There are mainly two types of data collection methods that is
primary and secondary as well. The methods is given below:
Primary: This type of data is gathered for the first time by researcher and is original in
nature. For collecting primary data, there are various sources that is survey, questionnaire,
observation and so on.
Secondary: Herein, data is collected from he sources such as internet, newspaper,
magazines, online polls and so on. It is determine that it is a cost and time effective process that
help researcher to complete investigation in a proper manner.
In the present research, both primary and secondary method is adopt by researcher in
order to collect data and attain positive results as well.
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Sampling: It is define as the process of selecting a particular segment for gathering the
data about the particular topic. Sampling mainly involves two methods that is non-probabilistic
and probabilistic method. In the present research, random sampling method which is a
probabilistic method s adopt by researcher (Bhattacharya, 2016). By random sampling, 30
participants is selected who are the employees of Vodafone.
Questionnaire
Q1) Do you understand about the concept of diverse & inclusive workforce?
a) Yes
b) No
Q2) According to you, which strategy is more beneficial to be adopted by managers of
Vodafone for development of diverse & inclusive workforce?
a) provide training to staff members
b) Gather feedback on regular basis
c) Development of cultural events
Q3) what are the benefits gained by Vodafone in implementing diverse and inclusive strategies
at workplace?
a) Increase in productivity and profitability level
b) Higher creativity and innovation
c) Decrease in employee turnover rate
Q4) As per your viewpoint, is implementing diverse and inclusive workforce strategies occurs
issues & challenges within the organisation?
a) Yes
b) No
Q5) What is the influence of executing strategies for developing diverse and inclusive
workforce in the organisation?
a) Positive Influence
b) Negative Influence
c) Neutral Influence
Q6) Provide suggestions to the higher authorities of Vodafone for declining the negative impact
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of diverse and inclusive workforce.
TASK 3
P5: Analysis of research and data by using appropriate tools & techniques
Q1) Do you understand about the concept of diverse & inclusive workforce? Frequency
a) Yes 20
b) No 10
Interpretation: It is analysed from the above graph that out of total 30 respondents, 20
participants have an understanding about concept of diverse and inclusive workforce. Whereas,
remaining 10 participants have no knowledge about this concept, so it is important for an
organisation to give training to employees in order to clear their concepts in an effective manner.
Q2) According to you, which strategy is more beneficial to be adopted by
higher authorities of Vodafone for development of diverse & inclusive
Frequency
12
a) Yes b) No
0
5
10
15
20
25
20
10

workforce?
a) provide training to employees 12
b) Gather feedback on regular basis 10
c) Development of cultural events 8
Interpretation: By analysing the given graph, it is stated that one of the effective strategy
for respective company in development of diverse & inclusive workforce us giving training to
staff members and is said by majority of people from the selected respondents. 10 participants
think that taking reviews on continuous basis is beneficial and the remaining 8 said that
development of cultural events is beneficial for Vodafone.
Q3) what are the benefits gained by Vodafone in implementing diverse and
inclusive strategies at workplace?
Frequency
a) Increase in productivity and profitability level 15
13
a) provide training to employees
b) Gather feedback on regular basis
c) Development of cultural events
0
2
4
6
8
10
12
14
12
10
8
Column D

b) Higher creativity and innovation 7
c) Decrease in employee turnover rate 8
Interpretation: It can be interpreted from the above given graph that from total 30
respondents, 15 participants think that there is raise in productivity and profitability of company
by implement diverse and inclusive practices. 7 respondents said that implementing such
strategies brings innovation & creativity at workplace whereas, remaining 8 participants perceive
that there is reduce in turnover rate and absenteeism rate of employees due to execution of
diverse and inclusive workforce strategies.
Q4) As per your viewpoint, is implementing diverse and inclusive workforce
strategies occurs issues & challenges within the organisation?
Frequency
a) Yes 12
14
a) Increase in productivity and profitability level
c) Decrease in employee turnover rate
0
2
4
6
8
10
12
14
16 15
7
8

b) No 18
Interpretation: By analysing the above graph, it is stated that implementation of diverse
and inclusive workforce arise challenges and problems for company and is said by 12
participants from total 30 respondents. Along with this, 18 respondents said that there is no issue
arise because of implementation of such strategies at workplace.
Q5) What is the influence of executing strategies for developing diverse and
inclusive workforce on performance of the organisation?
Frequency
a) Positive Influence 18
b) Negative Influence 6
c) Neutral Influence 6
15
a) Yes b) No
0
2
4
6
8
10
12
14
16
18
20
12
18

Interpretation: It is determine from the given graph that there is positive impact on
performance of company for developing diverse and influence workforce and is said by 18
participants from total 30 respondents. Along with this, 6 respondents think that there is negative
impact on performance and the remaining 6 participants said that there is no impact on
performance of respective organisation by developing inclusive and diverse workforce as well.
P6 Recommendations
On the basis of above study, some of the suggestion is given to the top level management of
Vodafone that help in development of effective and appropriate strategies as well as policies. It
sis given below:
 It is recommended to managers of Vodafone to provide training session to the employees
as it help them to gain an understanding about diverse and inclusive workforce in an
effective manner (Barak, 2016) .
 Along with this, it is recommended to managers to implement strategies by analysing
market situations as it help them to sustain in market for longer time period and increase
productivity as well.
 Moreover, it is recommended to Vodafone to organise informal meetings and cultural
events as it help them to gin an insight about employees requirement and fulfilling them
aid in retention and increase in performance level of staff members (Davis, Frolova and
Callahan, 2016) .
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a) Positive Influence b) Negative Influence c) Neutral Influence
0
2
4
6
8
10
12
14
16
18
20
18
6 6

TASK 4
P7 Reflection
By performing the overall task of research, it is analysed by me that it is essential for
researcher to have good communication, research skills, time management and many more. Due
to lack of communication skills, I faced issues while interacting with people and collect their
viewpoints in a proper manner. In addition to this, at the starting of project I thought it is not
possible to complete all the activities properly but due to my time management and good
research skills, I am easily get secondary data and complete task on time period which help me to
draw a valid and reliable conclusion. Moreover, there are several limitations that impact on the
overall conclusion of investigation that is lack of time, funds, limited resources and so on. By the
end of this research, it is identify by me that my communication as well as interaction skills is
increased which will assist me in my future to gain better opportunity.
CONCLUSION
From the above study, it is concluded that providing equal opportunity to the staff
members develop a positive working environment or culture and also raise the performance level
of employees. In addition to this, there are various strategies that is adopt by companies for
developing inclusive and diverse workforce is development of cultural events, training to
employees, taking feedback on continuous basis and many more. It is determine that all such
strategies help an organisation to attain benefits such as raise in productivity level, development
of brand image, attainment of competitive advantage and so on. Moreover, it is analysed that
project management plan help investigator to attain goals & objectives in an appropriate manner.
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Popova, M., 2018. Inactionable/unspeakable: Bisexuality in the workplace. Journal of
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Ali, M. and Konrad, A.M., 2017. Antecedents and consequences of diversity and equality
management systems: The importance of gender diversity in the TMT and lower to
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Online:
Diversity and inclusion<https://www.cio.com/article/3262704/diversity-and-inclusion-8-
best-practices-for-changing-your-culture.html>
Benefits of Diversity in the Workplace<https://www.talentlyft.com/en/blog/article/244/top-10-
benefits-of-diversity-in-the-workplace-infographic-included>
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