Considering a Strategic Approach to Talent Management

This project focuses on talent management strategies used by top companies to attract and retain skilled personnel. It covers topics such as project aims and objectives, project management plan, work breakdown structure, Gantt chart, and qualitative and quantitative research methods. The research is based on a case study of Marks & Spencer, a well-known retailer in the UK.

Higher Nationals
Project Brief –
UnitNumberandTitle Unit 6 – Managing a Successful Business Project
ProjectTitle Considering a Strategic Approach to Talent Management

Managing a Successful Business
Project -

Contents
Higher Nationals................................................................................................................................1
Project Brief –...................................................................................................................................1
Contents...........................................................................................................................................3
Project Title: “What talent strategies do the best companies use to attract and retain people?”.....1
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................1
TASK 1............................................................................................................................................1
P1: Devise clear aims and objectives for your project................................................................1
P2 Produce a project management plan that covers, aim and deliverables, time, quality,
communication, risk and resources..............................................................................................2
TASK 2............................................................................................................................................3
P3. Produce a work breakdown structure and Gantt chart to provide timeframes and stages for
completion...................................................................................................................................3
P4. Carry out small-scale research by applying qualitative and quantitative research methods
appropriate for meeting project aims and objectives methodology.............................................5
TASK 3............................................................................................................................................8
P5. Analyse research and data using appropriate tools and techniques.......................................8
P6. Communicate effective suggestions as outcome of finding and data analysis....................14
TASK 4..........................................................................................................................................16
P7 Reflect on the value of undertaking the project to meet stated objectives and own learning
and performance........................................................................................................................16
CONCLUSION..............................................................................................................................16
REFERENCES..............................................................................................................................18

Project Title: “What talent strategies do the best companies use to attract and
retain people?”
INTRODUCTION
Talent management is undertaken as the vital part of entity and leads towards having
impacts on overall productivity as well as performance of business. Additionally, it is regarded
as the method of retaining and grabbing attention of workers which are competent to attain goals
(Baldwin and Curley, 2020). The chosen firm for this report is Marks &Spencer that is also
consider to be well developing retailer in British. It's headquarters is in London, England. This
essentially specialized to deal with home products, food products and clothing. The topics which
are discussed in this report are aims and objectives of particular projects, project management
plan, Gantt chart and work breakdown structure to analyze time frame. Moreover, the research
methods and data interpretation are also performed. Apart from this, the recommendation and
reflection are also provided in this particular report
TASK 1
P1: Devise clear aims and objectives for your project.
Background of topic: This project would undertake information related to talent
management as well as preservation which is a method of managing as well as keeping talented
staff of firm and devise effectual involvement into entities growth. Additionally, research project
would involve techniques of research, collection method that is utilized to accumulate effective
as well as accurate data to accomplish project objectives in efficient way (Bru and Hella, 2020)
Overview of Organization: Marks & Spencer as undertaken to be one of the well known
British multinational firm which was established in year 1884 having headquarters is in London,
England, United Kingdom. Moreover, the firm operates their business at global level with aids of
their various outlets that is around 959 as well as commodities such as home products, food
products and clothing. It have about 80,000 staff are employed through entity and it develop
employees engagement in business operations much efficient way.
Research aim:
"To determine the strategies which are applied for retaining and attracting proficient
personnel". A case study on Marks & Spencer.
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Research objectives
 To understand the concept of talent management.
 To determine different talent management strategies that could be considered by
company for retaining employees
 To evaluate the benefits of talent management strategies for respective company.
Research Questions
 What is the concept of talent management?
 What are the different talent management strategies that could be considered by company
for retaining employees?
 What are the benefits of talent management strategies for respective company?
P2 Produce a project management plan that covers, aim and deliverables, time, quality,
communication, risk and resources.
Project management plan is undertaken as tool with assistance of this project manager
highlights whole effectual project components. Additionally, this also aids them to conduct plan
for task attainment (Donada, Mothe and Alegre, 2020). The key components that are
incorporated into project management plan are described below in context of respective project:
 Cost: This is undertaken as the costs that are needed through project manager for
accomplishing the project effectively and efficiently. Moreover, the cost needed for this
particular research is £1000 to accomplish this research in successful manner.
Total forecasted budget
Particular 2019-20($)
Laptop 400
Stationery 150
Total cost 550
 Time: This is undertaken as the time duration that is required through project manager for
performing whole task appropriately so that they could able to accomplish objectives
efficiently. So, the researcher requires around 2 months for the completion of research
that is from 10th october to 12th december.
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 Quality: Within this, the strategies which are utilised through project manager to
maintain research quality are described. In context of this investigation, to maintain the
quality, the project manager opting strategies such as rendering training, perform
assessing at each phases, ascertain risk and others. This reflects directly on the potemtial
and effectiveness of research that help in completion of research timely and effectively. Communication: This is undertaken as the aspects that is utilised to perform
communication. Within respective project, manager would perform meeting and
facilitates email to communicate with their team members. In order to collect
information, the investigator will have to communicate to the employees and managers.
Along with this, it also assist in gaining information about the policies of the company. Risk: It is stated that every study is associated with some kind of risk such as theft and
lost of data, non-completion of research on time and so on. So, it is important to have
analyse the risk and develop strategy in order to meet with future circumstances. Time
delays or inaccurate information can also be risks for the project.
 Resources: Respective component highlights resources that are needed through
investigators for performing research. Moreover, the research required resources for this
project are proficient staff, funds, time, tablet, internet, stationery and so on.
TASK 2
P3. Produce a work breakdown structure and Gantt chart to provide timeframes and stages for
completion
Work breakdown structure
The work breakdown structure is a process which is used to obtaining a complicate, various
steps project to be done. Work breakdown structure is denoted as hierarchical tree structure
profile your project and various steps into smaller, more capable of being manage portions (Elia,
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Margherita, A. and Secundo, G., 2020). It can also be divided or making folders and subfolders
more over creating single tasks into subtasks. Work breakdown structure can be divided into
team members, team productivity to be better leading and making the project easier or managing
the management. The main focus or vision of a work breakdown structure to create a large
project can be more manageable. So, with assistance of work break down structure M&S to
manage the overall large task in effective and efficient way.
Gantt Chart
A Gantt chart is also known as harmonogram. A Gantt chart is a variety of bar chart that
represents or clear making about duration of project. This chart shows about the task to be
performed which can denote on vertical axis and time duration is denoted on horizontal axis. The
duration of particular task can shows the width of the horizontal bars (HaalanE. and Olsen, O.A.,
2020). Gantt charts also represent the beginning of the task and the ending of the task dates of
the terminal element and overall summary element of the certain project.
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P4. Carry out small-scale research by applying qualitative and quantitative research
methods appropriate for meeting project aims and objectives methodology
Research methodology:
It describes particular methodologies for performing, picking up as well as explaining
details about determine subject matter. In addition to this it have been arranged that systematized
evaluation, investigate, inquiry as well as assessment (Hassandoust, F. and et. al., 2020). Also, it
is an action of gathering information to provide firm’s involvement. Along with this, it is helpful
in describing as well as assessing marketplace which is utilized to resolve upcoming duration
issue of business. Beside this, it expresses the corporate issues, theory development as well as
solution of information and evaluation of market area.
Qualitative method
This is a method which can denote the order of certain type of quality to be concluding
the analysis of examination opinion of the quality and to identify the final result to be obtained.
This also shows the data to be explained in basic forms (Le Dain, Merminod, and Yager, M.,
2020). By representing all the data in technical way that can be analysis data in non statistical
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data based on theories, opinion and inspiration. By doing such things such as issues, problems
and also certain action to be done and for making developing parts is most suitable way for
qualitative method. This can imagine time taken and expensive because of gathering more
information or data, by elaborate the information will take more duration.
Quantitative method:
Within this method, the information is accumulated into level type, areas for project
graphs, columns and rows within tables. Moreover, this explains in particular forms with
statistical, numerical, tables and bars. Along with this, the accumulation of data is into statically
manner like online observations, reports, mail and others. Additionally, it accumulates relative as
well as precise information which is gathered in similar kinds through researcher and effective
for investigation as well as formulates theory with much scope of data accumulation. As
inefficient as well as irrelevant data might impact in adverse manner for mapping and inspecting
data due to longer specimen is needed for relevant data.
Data collection tools
This is undertaken as effective methods as well as instrument that are utilized through
researcher accumulate information (Michalak and Rysavy, 2020). Essentially, these are two
kinds as well as mid of gathering information that is described below: Primary data source: This is regarded as forms of data that is accumulated directly from
the source without obtaining included with other existent sources. In addition to this, the
first handed information that is accumulated through researcher fresh for attaining the
project objectives. Moreover, this time taking as well as quite costly method. In respect
respective project, investigator should accumulate information from this particular tool
with assistance of questions
 Secondary data source: This regarded as that information that is already accumulated
through other individuals. Moreover, this is the utilisation of existent information that
aids to maximise research effectualness. Along with this some common tools that s
utilised by researcher are books, journal and others. In respect of specific project,
researcher should utilise this data accumulation techniques in order to attain project
objectives effectively.
Sampling: This is undertaken as procedures that is utilised for evaluating the pre-specified
observations from the huge population to accumulate data. In respect of respective project,
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investigator should have around 30 respondents’ from the overall population who are the
workers of Marks & Spencer in order to determine its conceptions as well as experiences with
regards to Talent management concepts.
Questionnaire:
Questionnaire
Q1. Are you aware about the concept of talent management?
(a) Yes
(b) No
Q2. According to you, What are the strategies implemented by Marks & Spencer to attract
and retain skilled personnel?
(a) Continuous training and development
(b) Mentoring and staff coaching
(c) Rewards and recognition
(d) Candidate Cultural fit
Q3. Do you agree about those tactics which would aids to manage skilful staff within Marks
& Spencer?
(a) Yes
(b) No
Q4. According to you, What are the challenges faced by organization due to lack of talent
management?
(a) Increased employee turnover
(b) Lack of leadership
(c) Tightening talent market
Q5. In context of you, What are the benefits of talent management strategies for respective
company?
(a) Development of company
(b) Retaining high performance workforce
Q6. What are the key functions performed by Marks & Spencer to develop personal skills.
(a) Training and development
(b) Supporting problem solution
Q7. In what way, the organisational managers are involved in respect of retaining
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proficient individuals in workplace?
a) Empower accountable workers
b) Provide opportunities to grow
Q8. Does the company have taken any initiative related to talent management within
workplace?
(a) Yes
(b) No
Q9. In what way, organisation determines the talent of their staff members?
(a) By competencies
(b) By potential
Q10. Any suggestion......
TASK 3
P5. Analyse research and data using appropriate tools and techniques.
Q1. Are you aware about the concept of talent management? Frequency
 Yes 26
 No 4
Interpretation: Based upon the above graph, it has been interpreted that talent
management is one of the essential concepts as this helps them in retaining and grabbing
attention of workers which are competent to attain goals (Stephenson, 2020). So, among 30
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respondents, 26 are aware about talent management concepts and rest of them is responding
towards no.
Q2. According to you, What are the strategies implemented by Marks &
Spencer to attract and retain skilled personnel?
Frequency
 Continuous training and development 7
 Mentoring and staff coaching 5
 Rewards and recognition 15
 Candidate Cultural fit 3
Interpretation: Based upon the above pie chart, it has been interpreted that there are
various strategies such as ongoing training and development, rewarding and recognitions and
others that are implemented through M&S to attract and retain skilled personnel. so, among 30
respondents 15 are in favour of rewards and recognition, 7 towards continuous training &
development, 5 mentoring and staff coaching and rest of them are responding towards candidates
cultural fits.
Q3. Do you agree about those tactics which would aids to manage skilful
staff within Marks & Spencer?
Frequency
 Yes 27
 No 3
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Interpretation: As per the above graph, it has bee analysed that out of 30 respondents 27
of them are in favour of yes and rest 3 of them are responding towards no. As this states tha
most of the Marks & Spencer’s Staff are agree upon the strategy which are used by them helpful
for managing skillsful employees in workplace.
Q4. According to you, What are the challenges faced by organization due
to lack of talent management?
Frequency
 Increased employee turnover 4
 Lack of leadership 15
 Tightening talent market 11
Interpretation: Based upon the above graph, it has been analysed that there are various
challenges which are faced through Marks & Spencer such as lack of leadership, enhanced staff
turnover and others. So, among 30 respondents 15 are in favour of lack of leadership, 11 are
saying tightening talent market and rest of them are responding towards enhanced staff turnover.
Q5. In context of you, What are the benefits of talent management Frequency
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strategies for respective company?
 Development of company 10
 Retaining high performance workforce 20
Interpretation: Based upon the above graph, it has been analysed that there are several
benefits of talent management strategies such as firm growth, retaining higher performance
personnel and others. Among 30 respondents 10 are in favour of development of organisation
and rest of them are in favour of retaining high performance workforce.
Q6. What are the key functions performed by Marks & Spencer to
develop personal skills.
Frequency
 Training and development 25
 Supporting problem solution 5
Interpretation: based upon the above analysis, this has been analysed that ther are many
key function which are essential for Marks & Spencer to perform. So, among 30respondents 25
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are n favour of training and development. beside this, 5 are responding towards supporting
problem solutions.
Q7. In what way, the organisational managers are involved in respect of
retaining proficient individuals in workplace?
Frequency
 Empower accountable workers 8
 Provide opportunities to grow 22
Interpretation: Based upon the above graph, this has been interpreted that the firm’s
manager are involved to retain proficient individuals in various manner such as empower
accountable workers, provide opportunities to grow and others. So, out of 30 respondents 22 are
in favors to provide opportunities to grow and rest are responding towards empowering
accountable staff.
Q8. Does the company have taken any initiative related to talent
management within workplace?
Frequency
 Yes 17
 No 13
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Interpretation: Based upon the above graph, it has been analysed that among 30
respondents 17 are responding towards yes that is firm have taken initiatives related to talent
management into firm as well as rest 13 of them are in favour of no.
Q9. In what way, organisation determines the talent of their staff
members?
Frequency
 By competencies 12
 By potential 18
Interpretation: Based upon the above graph, it has been interpreted that there are various
way by which organization determines the talent of its employees such as by potential, by
competencies and others. So, among 30 respondents, 18 are in favors of by potential and rest are
responding towards by competencies.
Q.10. Any suggestion…
Interpretation: one of the effective suggestions which are provides to Marks & Spencer
manager to retain and attract talented staff are they have to utilize appropriate strategies such as
rewards and recognition. As this motivates their staff to perform the task effectively and
efficiently.
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According to the research conducted through questionnaire, several questions have asked
from various employees and several other respondents of the company. From the collection of
data it is clearly evaluated that majority is with the favour of talent management strategies and
various approaches or methods taken by management and superiors of the company.
Secondary research
Different talent management strategies and analyse it. Explain why it is good or bad
According to Stephenson (2020), there are numbers of strategies which can be adopted by
firm for conducting talent management such as they do talent planning, talent acquisition,
performance management, hiring of best person and many more. The advantage obtain by entity
by conducting talent management is they able to retain the top talent as well as it also leads to
better hiring. This will also leads to motivating employees so perform in best manner. Moreover
TM also helps in taking better professional decision successfully. There are several
disadvantages of talent management strategy which are experienced by Marks and Spencer such
as it exceeds their budget. In addition to this, it also leads to conflict among workers which affect
their productivity as well as it limits the leadership.
Google’s Talent Management Strategies
The company has adopted thoughtful talent management strategies that it uses to offer
benefits, rewards, and compensation to its employees for purposes of retaining excellent talent
within its precincts. Moreover, this is beneficial for them as it provides very good and positive
work environment to the employees working there. There are some approaches of open and
honesty in which employees become more loyal for the company. Every staff member gets equal
opportunity to show their talents in their respective fields so that they can enhance their quality
of work. Company provides some bonus, incentives and rewards for their better performance. By
this there morale and motivation got increased and also this helps them in retaining for long term
in the company. Employee’s needs proper environment and proper work- life balance so that
they can achieve their personal and organisational goals and objectives.
P6. Communicate effective suggestions as outcome of finding and data analysis.
Recommendations
As per the above analysis, some suggestion is provided below:
By rewarding as well as remunerating staff based upon its implementations. Also, it would aids
them to manage proficient person are remunerated or its effectual implementation within entity
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as when person are compensated for its efficient execution thereafter feel motivated and
performed with whole effectiveness (Trewin, 2020). In addition to this, based upon the primary
and secondary research some recommendations are:
 There are various strategies such as ongoing training and development, rewarding and
recognitions and others that are implemented through M&S to attract and retain skilled
personnel.
 There are several benefits of talent management strategies such as firm growth, retaining
higher performance personnel and others so that the productivity and performance can get
enhanced effectively and efficiently.
 According to the data collected, it is analysed that one of the major issue associated with
talent management is lack of leadership and demand of high compensation as well.
Therefore, it is important for the company to adopt talent-management processes in a proper
manner. Marks and Spencer can adopt the compensation plans for employees same as the
Google.
 It is suggested to Marks and Spencer to be more focused towards employee engagement as it
help in attaining objectives and also help in enhancing brand image of organisation. IN
addition to this, it can take up the procedure according to the Google as it assist in gaining
higher growth and success as well. Moreover, better employment engagement will bring
creativity and innovation at workplace which in turn leads to increase in productivity as well
as profitability of the organisation.
 There are some key talent management strategies such as talent planning, talent acquisition,
performance management, hiring of best person and many more. Google may opt benefits,
rewards, and compensation as it provides very good and positive work environment to the
employees working there.
TASK 4
P7 Reflect on the value of undertaking the project to meet stated objectives and own learning and
performance.
Project management:
Advantages and disadvantages
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The key advantages of project management is that it helps the company in achieving
efficiency when it comes to capital, labour, and other operational related expenses as it keeps a
close watch on all the activities of the project which in turn helps the management in identifying
the areas which are revenue leaking and helps the company in saving lot of capital. While on
other hand, the key disadvantages of project management is, it leads to overlapping of authority
and responsibility between the top management and project management where they have
different plans in mind which leads to confusion among the team members of project and further
project suffering.
Personal learning and limitations
I feel happy to obtain an opportunity to work on this particular project. It assists me to attain
my both personal and professional objectives and perform the task in effective way. Moreover,
respective research also aids me to understand the concept of talent management as well as
utilising this for personal growth (Ward, 2020). In addition to this, the present research aids me
to develop several functions in which I could determine present need of skills in order to perform
research effectively. Additionally, the skills that have to be developed is communication and
other for attaining upcoming personal goals. Along with this, by doing respective research I
could able to develop my few skills like research skills which are appropriate communication,
time management and others. All these aid me to perform the research in effective manner.
Beside this I also have to tackle some issues such as lack of resource and funds. So, in order to
solve these problems I will show extra budgets etc. Apart from this, I would able to gained
knowledge about the concepts of talent management strategy and its benefits and drawbacks.
Moreover, some issues that I faced are lack of time management and ineffective information. To
get over form this limitation I used Gantt chart so that all task can be accomplish on time.
CONCLUSION
As per the above report, this has been concluded that talent management plays crucial role
into business growth and retain proficient workers. Additionally, Project management plan aids
them to render described information and also Gantt chart and work break down structure for
acknowledging the time frame.
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REFERENCES
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Donada, C., Mothe, C. and Alegre, J., 2020. Managing skunkworks to achieve ambidexterity:
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framework to address project complexity. International Journal of Managing Projects in
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Haaland, E. and Olsen, O.A., 2020. Managing change in ERP implementation projects: A case
study in an SME context (Master's thesis, University of Agder).
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rules and managing communications with stakeholders. Journal of Information
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Le Dain, M.A., Merminod, V. and Yager, M., 2020. Collaborative practices in new product
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Michalak, R. and Rysavy, M.D., 2020. Managing Remote Projects Effectively with an Action
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Stephenson, J.A., 2020. Managing Schedule Risk Associated with Large IT Projects (Doctoral
dissertation, The George Washington University).
Stephenson, J.A., 2020. Managing Schedule Risk Associated with Large IT Projects (Doctoral
dissertation, The George Washington University).
Trewin, D., 2020. Managing technology effectively in large public organisations. Asia Pacific
Journal of Public Administration, 42(4), pp.248-261.
Ward, P., 2020. Capitalising on ‘local knowledge’: The labour practices behind successful aid
projects–the case of Jordan. Current Sociology, p.0011392120905342.
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