The Need for New and Innovative Ways of Working to Achieve a Strategic Approach to Talent Management

This research project focuses on the role of new and innovative ways of working in achieving a strategic approach to talent management. It includes a case study on Marks and Spencer, exploring the concept and importance of strategic talent management, new methods of working and managing talent, and the issues faced by Marks and Spencer in implementing these methods. The research methodology includes data collection through a questionnaire.

Research Project

Table of Contents
Title: The need for new and innovative ways of working to achieve a strategic approach to talent
management. A case study on Marks and Spencer..........................................................................3
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................3
Research Objectives:..............................................................................................................3
Research Question:.................................................................................................................3
Rationale of the research........................................................................................................4
LITERATURE REVIEW................................................................................................................4
Concept and importance of strategic approach to talent management in an organisation.....4
New and innovative methods of working and managing talent in Marks and Spencer.........5
Issues faced by Marks and Spencer while implementing new and innovative ways of
managing talent at workplace.................................................................................................5
Research Methodology....................................................................................................................6
Data analysis and interpretation.......................................................................................................9
Research outcomes.........................................................................................................................16
Reflection and Recommendation for alternative research methodology.......................................16
Conclusion.....................................................................................................................................17
REFERENCES..............................................................................................................................18

Title: The need for new and innovative ways of working to achieve a strategic
approach to talent management. A case study on Marks and Spencer.
INTRODUCTION
Talent management is a continuous procedure which include attracting as well as
retaining high-quality staff members, enhance their skills, encouraging them to improve their
performance as well (Amiri and Safariolyaei, 2017). In addition to this, it is referred as the
strategic management flow of talent by an organisation. For the present investigation, Marks and
Spencer is taken into consideration. It is a major British multinational retailer which was
established in year 1884 and headquartered in England, United Kingdom. The company
specialise in selling home products, clothing, food products and has more than 1463 stores
globally. The report will ascertain the role of new as well as innovative ways of working in
attaining strategic approach to talent management. In addition to this, research methods used by
investigator for collecting information is described. In the last, reflection is developed on the
basis of experience and learning gained by researcher while conducting the study.
Research aim: "To determine the role of new and innovative ways of working in achieving
strategic approach to talent management. A case study on Marks and Spencer.
Research Objectives:
 To understand the concept and importance of strategic approach to talent management in
an organisation.
 To analyse the new and innovative methods of working and managing talent in Marks
and Spencer.
 To examine the problems faced by Marks and Spencer at the time implementing new &
innovative ways of managing talent at workplace.
Research Question:
 What is the concept and importance of strategic approach to talent management in an
organisation?
 What are the new and innovative methods of working and managing talent in Marks and
Spencer?

 What are the issues faced by Marks and Spencer while implementing new and innovative
ways of managing talent at workplace?
Rationale of the research
The main purpose behind choosing the topic is to determine the role of new and
innovative ways of working in achieving strategic approach to talent management. The present
research is significant at professional and personal level. In context to personal level, this
investigation assist researcher by raising their skills such as time communication, time
management, data analysis, data collection and many more. By the assistance of these skills,
investigator can easily do present and further research effectively and systematically. In relation
to professional level, this research aid in gaining new and innovative ways of talent management.
Thus, present investigation is highly significant at professional and personal level.
LITERATURE REVIEW
Concept and importance of strategic approach to talent management in an organisation
According to Mona Momtazian, 2020 Talent management is just an another word for
human resource management in an organisation. It refers to a process of management which is
used for attracting and retaining high quality employees in an organisation. Retaining talented
employees in an organisation for a long period of time helps company to efficiently achieve their
organisational goal (Bratton and Watson, 2018). Company provide regular training and
development programs for developing skills and motivates employees to stay with company for
long period of time. in context of selected firm, talent management play an essential role in
organisation. Various importance of talent management is mention below:
 Employee development- In context of Marks & Spencer, talent management play an
essential role in efficiently achieving organisation goal. Selected firm conducts different
training and development programs which helps employees in their future development
(What is talent management, 2019). It also increases skills and motivation level of
employees to do work with their full efficiency and keep stay with company for long
period of time. this will help company in achieving its goal and profitability.
 Reduce labour turnover rate- Talent management helps selected company to retain
their high quality employees for long period of time, which will reduce labourer turnover
rate of company. Labour turnover means total number of employees leave an

organisation in an annual year. In context of company, their long term retention of
employees increases their reputation in market.
 Organisation culture- Talent management helps organisation select and retain high
quality employees in their organisation. Which will maintain a good organisational
culture and high performance of organisation (Taylor 2018). In context of selected firm,
their high quality employees do work with their full efficiency and productivity which
reduces conflicts between them and management. This will helps selected company to
maintain a good organisation culture in their company.
 Recruitment- In context of Marks and Spencer, talent management helps in recruiting
best and talented employees in organisation. Selected company adopt various strategies
for attracting top talent towards their company. High quality employees do work with
their full efficiency which increase productivity and profitability of company.
New and innovative methods of working and managing talent in Marks and Spencer
According to Susan M. Heathfifld, 2019 talent management is a business strategy which
helps business to retain their exceptional employees for a long period of time. in context of
selected company, they use various innovative methods of talent management, which are
mention below:
 Hire only top employees- In context of selected company, their first main strategies of
talent management that they hire only top employees (Talent management practices,
2019). At the time of recruitment, they immediately hire top talent. By selecting high
quality employees company cost of training is reducing and high performance of
employees helps organisation to effectively achieve its goal and earn higher revenue.
 Hire promising specialists and develop them- In context of selected firm, their another
strategy related to talent management is that they hire two or three specialists for finding
best talent for their organisation.
To examine the problems faced by Marks and Spencer at the time implementing new &
innovative ways of managing talent at workplace.
As per the view point of Kamk, (2017) it is analysed that there are many problems faced
by organisation while implementing new and innovative ways of talent management at
workplace. One of the issue is ineffective leadership that enable company to properly implement
ways for managing talent. In addition to this, there is high cost occur when adopting new ways

which in turn decline profitability and revenue level of an organisation (Collings, Mellahi and
Cascio, 2017). It is determine that sometimes employees did not accept changes which is
undertaken as the issue faced by business entities while implementing new and innovative ways
of managing talent at workplace.
Research Methodology
Research philosophy: It is the process that will be used for gathering as well as
evaluating data on the specific topic. Positivism and interpretivism are the two main research
philosophies and is significant for conducting research. According to the topic of research,
positivism philosophy is appropriate and effective. Along with this, it takes less cost and time &
also assist in gaining positive and valid results (Vaiman, Collings and Scullion, 2017).
Furthermore, it is analysed that positivism philosophy is based on subjective approaches, rather
than feelings and emotions. Therefore, it is said that one of the effective method that assist in
getting appropriate and accurate decision within real time situation.
Research approach: It is the process that will be using in a research with the purpose to
evaluate data about specific topic. Inductive & deductive are two approaches within research and
for present investigation, deductive research approach is effective and valuable. It assist in
evaluation of quantitative information within less time and resource as well. In addition to this, it
assist in generalising research findings in appropriate manner.
Research strategy: There are various forms of research strategies that is action research,
case study, experiment and many more (Elegbe, 2016). According to the topic of research,
survey strategy is appropriate as well as useful. The main reason of choosing this strategy is it
assist in collecting data which in turn assist in attaining valid and reliable outcome of research.
Research choice: It is a significant research methodology form that is of two types that is
qualitative and quantitative as well. It is determined that both these are effective but according to
topic, quantitative method is appropriate as it give numerical as well as reliable data within less
cost and time as well. In addition to this, the reason of choosing quantitative research is it
provide more generalised as well as effective results.
Time horizon: It is one of the significant aspect of research that help in completion of
project timely and effectively. There are mainly two time horizon approaches that is cross-
sectional and longitudinal as well. For the present study, cross-sectional approach is used assist
in attaining work in appropriate manner and within set time period.

Data collection: There are mainly two forms of data collection which is primary and
secondary. For the completion of investigation, both primary and secondary methods is applied.
For collecting primary information, questionnaire will be used by researcher as it assist in
attaining positive and valid results in less time period. For secondary information, various
articles, journal papers, books will be used (Ford, 2017). The major reason of using primary
source is it assist in collecting original and first-hand data which is effective in terms of gaining
accurate, reliable and unbiased data. Furthermore, the use of secondary sources assist in gaining
in-depth data on research topic by the reliable sources.
Sampling: It is referred as the process of choosing sample from the total population by
using two methods that probability & non-probability sampling. As per the topic, probability
sampling method is considered. The major reason to choose probability sampling is it help
researcher to choose large sample size in less time period. Random sampling, a form of
probability method is used by investigator as it help in selecting participants without any
biasness. The sample size is 30 respondents and are the staff members of Marks and Spencer.
The main reason of choosing staff members as participants is they have idea about ground
workings of company. Along with this, it help researcher to gain in-depth knowledge about talent
management new and innovative ways.
Cost, access and ethical issues: It is significant for research to conduct research in a
systematic and proper manner. By following the ethical considerations, researcher is able to
collect authentic and reliable data and also implement activities in a proper manner. At the time
of conducting research, it is significant for investigator to emphasis on proper rules as well as
policies associated to transparency, authenticity, confidentiality, informed consent and so on.
This will assist in declining the level of risk and also assist in conducting study systematically
and appropriately.
Questionnaire
Q1. Do you have idea about strategic approach to talent management?
a) Yes
b) No
Q2. What is the importance of talent management in an organisation?
a) Increase in performance
b) Employee retention

c) Improvement in brand image
Q3. According to you, is strategic talent management help Marks and Spencer to acquire and
retain talent in company?
a) Yes
b) No
Q4. According to you, what are the new & innovative ways of working and managing talent
within an organisation?
a) Using of digital technology
b) On boarding training
c) Transform management
d) Using of multi channel activities
Q5. According to you, is above mentioned innovative and new methods help Marks and
Spencer in managing talent at workplace?
a) Yes
b) No
Q6. What are the different innovation that will help an organisation in talent management?
a) Employee guidance
b) Work task planning
c) Employee experience
Q7. What are the problems faced by Marks and Spencer while executing innovative and new
ways of managing talent in organisation?
a) Ineffective leadership
b) Occurrence of high cost
c) Non-acceptance by employees
Q8. What ate the different ways companies adopted to implement talent-management strategy?
a) Alignment with leaders
b) Systematize hiring procedure
c) Employee training and communication planning
Q9. Please provide some recommendations to higher authorities of Marks and Spencer in
managing talent in an organisation?

Data analysis and interpretation
Q1. Do you have knowledge about strategic approach to talent
management?
Frequency
a) Yes 22
b) No 8
Interpretation: By analysing the above graph, it is analysed that out of total 30
respondents, 22 participants have knowledge about strategic approach to talent management
whereas 8 respondents have no idea about it.
Q2. What is the importance of talent management in an organisation? Frequency
a) Increase in performance 10
b) Employee retention 10
c) Improvement in brand image 10
a) Yes b) No
0
5
10
15
20
25
22
8
Column B

Interpretation: From the above graph, it is determine that talent-management is vital as
it assist in raising performance, which is said by 10 respondents from total 30 participants. The
10 participants perceive that talent management assist in employee retention whereas the
remaining 10 said that it assist an organisation in improvement of brand image.
Q3. According to you, is strategic talent management help Marks and
Spencer to acquire and retain talent in organisation?
Frequency
a) Yes 20
b) No 10
a) Increase in performance
b) Employee retention
c) Improvement in brand image
0
2
4
6
8
10
12
10 10 10
Column B

Interpretation: The above graph states that out of total 30 participants, 20 said that
talent management help an organisation to acquire and retain talent in organisation. In addition to
this, the remaining 10 respondents is not agree with the point.
Q4. According to you, what are the new & innovative ways of working and
managing talent within an organisation?
Frequency
a) Using of digital technology 7
b) On boarding training 8
c) Transform management 8
d) Using of multi channel activities 7
a) Yes b) No
0
5
10
15
20
25
20
10 Column L

Interpretation: From the above graph, it is interpreted that using of digital technology is
new and innovative ways of working and managing talent within an organisation, which is said
by 7 participants from the total 30 respondents. In addition to this, on boarding training and
transform management is new and innovative ways of working and managing talent within an
organisation, which is said by 8 respondents respectively. The remaining 7 participants percieve
that using multi channel activities is new as well as innovative methods of working and
managing talent in an organisation.
Q5. According to you, is above mentioned innovative and new methods
help Marks and Spencer in managing talent at workplace?
Frequency
a) Yes 24
b) No 6
a) Using of digital technology
b) On boarding training
c) Transform management
d) Using of multi channel activities
6.4
6.6
6.8
7
7.2
7.4
7.6
7.8
8
8.2
7
8 8
7
Column M

Interpretation: The above graph state that 24 respondents out of total 30 participants is
agree with the point that innovative and new methods help respective organisation in managing
talent at workplace. On the other hand, 6 participants is not agree with the point.
Q6. What are the different innovation that will help an organisation in talent
management?
Frequency
a) Employee guidance 9
b) Work task planning 9
c) Employee experience 12
a) Yes b) No
0
5
10
15
20
25
30
24
6
Column C

Interpretation: It is determine that there are different innovation that assist business
entity in managing talent. Employee guidance and work task planning is the different innovation
that will help an organisation in talent management, which is said by 9 participants respectively.
The remaining 12 respondents out of total 30 said that employee is different innovation that will
assist company in talent management.
Q7. What are the issues faced by Marks and Spencer while executing
innovative and new ways of managing talent in organisation?
Frequency
a) Ineffective leadership 7
b) Occurrence of high cost 12
c) Non-acceptance by employees 11
a) Employee guidance
b) Work task planning
c) Employee experience
0
2
4
6
8
10
12
14
9 9
12
Column O

Interpretation: It is analysed from the above graph that occurrence of high cost is the
issue faced by company while executing innovative & new ways of managing talent at
workplace, which is stated by 17 participants from total 30 respondents. In addition to this,
ineffective leadership is another issue said by 7 respondents and non-acceptance by staff
members is the issue faced by company while executing innovative and new ways of managing
talent in organisation and is perceived by 11 respondents.
Q8. What ate the different ways companies adopted to implement talent-
management strategy?
Frequency
a) Alignment with leaders 12
b) Systematize hiring procedure 8
c) Employee training and communication planning 10
a) Ineffective leadership
b) Occurrence of high cost
c) Non-acceptance by employees
0
2
4
6
8
10
12
14
7
12
11
Column D

Interpretation: From the above graph, it is analysed that out of total 30 participants, 12
respondents said that alignment with leaders is the different way organisation adopted to
implement talent-management strategy. In addition to this, Systematize hiring procedure and
Employee training & communication planning is different ways business entities used to execute
talent-management strategy, which is said by 8 and 10 respondents respectively.
Research outcomes
There are various ways which could be adopted for communicating outcomes of research
to stakeholders such as written words, report, presentation and so on (Narayanan, Rajithakumar
and Menon, 2019). For communicating research outcomes to stakeholders that is employees,
managers, spoken words will be used as it support in making information more clear to
stakeholders mind with the use of presentation.
Reflection and Recommendation for alternative research methodology
Reflection:
I am glad to attain this opportunity to perform investigation on this broad topic that is “
To determine the role of new and innovative ways of working in achieving strategic approach to
a) Alignment with leaders
b) Systematize hiring procedure
c) Employee training and communication planning
0
2
4
6
8
10
12
14
12
8
10
Column C

talent management”. A case study of Marks and Spencer. While implementing this research, I
improved my learning about new and innovative ways of talent-management. Apart from this, I
faced problems associated to unethical behaviour of participants, time and so on. For dealing
with such challenges, I make use of Gantt chart and also followed ethical principles. Moreover,
for gathering data about respective topic, I used questionnaire that is more appropriate for me in
gathering valid as well as reliable information.
Alternative research methodology:
Interview is undertaken as appropriate portion of research methodology which will be
used by investigator for conducting investigation in future (Saddozai and et. al., 2017). In
addition to this, Interview is method of primary information collection which assist in gathering
qualitative information on topic. It is analysed that interview method is valuable and appropriate
for complex conditions. Apart from this, interview method has also counter influence for
investigator as it requite more cost and time as well.
Conclusion
From the above discussion, it is concluded that strategic approach to talent-management
is vital for an organisation as it increase performance and allow company to retain its employee
for longer time period. It is determine that there are various new and innovative methods of
managing talent such as On boarding training, Using of multi channel activities, transform
management and so on. In addition to this, there are various issues arise while executing new and
innovative methods such as occurrence of high cost, non-acceptance by staff members and many
more. It is significant for investigator to adopt appreciation data collection techniques as it help
in getting valid and effective conclusion.

REFERENCES
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Online:
What is talent management, 2019 [Online] Available through; <
https://expert360.com/resources/articles/talent-management-important>

Talent management practices, 2019 [Online] Available through;
<https://www.thebalancecareers.com/best-talent-management-practices-1917671>