Talent and Resource Planning: Argos Ltd - HR Strategy and Life Cycle

This report provides a comprehensive analysis of talent and resource planning at Argos Ltd, a retailing company headquartered in Buckinghamshire, England. It examines current labor market trends impacting workforce and talent management, including globalization, demographic changes, and industry evolution. The report also explores various legal requirements such as the Equality Act 2010, Health and Safety at Work Act 1974, and Employment Rights Act 1996, and their impact on workforce planning. Furthermore, it discusses methods for job analysis and succession planning, emphasizing the importance of identifying and developing key skills like change management and forecasting. The report concludes by examining the stages of the HR life cycle within the organizational HR strategy, highlighting the importance of aligning HR practices with business goals. Desklib offers a wealth of similar solved assignments and past papers for students.

Resource and Talent
Planning

Contents
INTRODUCTION.......................................................................................................................................3
TASK 1.......................................................................................................................................................3
P1 Current labour market trends that have impact on workforce and talent management planning.........3
P2 Assorted types of legal requirements an organization within the workforce planning........................5
TASK 2.......................................................................................................................................................6
P3 Current worker market trend and legal needs which includes anticipated skills within firm..............6
TASK 3.......................................................................................................................................................9
P4 Person specification and job description documents for effective selection and recruitment..............9
P5 Assorted selection and recruitment methods for effective talent resource and planning...................11
TASK 4.....................................................................................................................................................12
P6 Stages of HR life cycle applicable of particular HR context.............................................................12
P7 Examine HR life cycle stages within organizational HR strategy.....................................................12
CONCLUSION.........................................................................................................................................14
REFERENCES..........................................................................................................................................15

INTRODUCTION
Talent and resource planning plays crucial role within the business and team members in
various aspects like recruiting and hiring skilled and knowledgeable people for delivering
resources on time along with maintain entire talent of people at workplace. Thus, function of
resource and talent planning ensures that firms are able to determine and attract key talent from
market with capability to develop competitive advantages and helps firm to achieve desired
goals. This report is based on Argos Ltd. that operates their business operations within retailing
sector and headquartered in Buckinghamshire, England. Moreover, discussion will be based on
varied method of legal needs and several methods or process of recruitment and selection. At
last, human resource strategy and HR life cycle will get covered (Armstrong and Taylor, 2014).
TASK 1
P1 Current labour market trends that have impact on workforce and talent management planning
Human resource management plays significant role within several kind of business
administration that perform several kinds of functions in order to produce several policies and
plan for individuals at workplace. In order to formulate particular policies and functions for firm
human resource manager can easily develop best environment for their entire workforce. Along
with this, Human resource management considered as very helpful aspects as it helps in
resolving conflicts, issues and problems between firm and employees at workplace. In regards
with Argos organization, top level of management is able to adopt current and latest market
trends or strategies that all helps HR management of firm in order to increase performance skills
and knowledge of their employees so that they can perform well and able to achieve targeted
goals towards firm (Dessler, 2013).
Apart from this labour plan plays crucial role within every business activity as it helps to
execution of several strategies on order to change working environment. Further it will helps
management team of Argos industry to adopt more effective working style in order to face any
kind of challenge so that they can sustain their business long time. Therefore, it is essential for
firm and make firm profitable and increase their sustainability within competitive scenario.
Overview of firm:

Argos Company conducting its every operation within retailing store which was
established in 1972. Within the current scenario this company is having around 29,768
employees along with offering better quality of goods and service to employees. With the help of
selling effective quality of goods they can increase their productivity at marketplace.
Types of labour:
Semi-skilled labour: According to this category of works are having huge skills and
better working capabilities to handle every operation of firm.
Skilled labour: In involves tools maker, carpenter, typist, dishwasher and many more.
Unskilled labour: It includes those people who able to perform their working task easily
and lacks need of training and developing session for needed task (Church and Silzer, 2013).
Current market trends that have impact on Argos talent management:
Globalization: Within the current scenario of world, there are so many firms who are
operating their business at high level in order to achieve desired goals with huge profit
effectively. With the help of this they can achieve competitive advantages and more interested to
increase their market share. Herein, Argos allows managing for recruiting, selecting and hiring
skilled or knowledge employees in order to achieve attainment of desired goals and objectives.
Demographic change: It is based on shares and their reduction or increment within
population in any specific area or place in a specific country. It identifies the huge population
level is higher and high population availability. Moreover, as per the governmental survey it has
been taken by UK government with the majority of population. Thus, it develops few issues for
respective firm to regularly hire talented people (Guerci and Solari, 2012).
Current labour trends:
Industry: According to the current scenario, industry revolution has ample number of job
options for employees as technology is rapidly increase with effective digitalization aspects. For
example: Within the market there are numerous stores of selling goods and services. Though, the
all are mainly replaced through moving their services. It means supplying of goods regularly
change as per the market demand of consumers. Thus, the method of supplying product and

services has been upgraded and modified rapidly. Thus, workforces of stores will able to
overcome unwanted factors from firm and increase demand of customers for firms rapidly.
Ageing populations: There are so many countries have been concluded that population is
rapidly enhancing every day. On the other side, UK, Germany, Japan and US has been predicted
that labour workforce is increasing because of frequent ageing population. Thus, it is the ration
for recruiting employees in future. Moreover, some of the countries will encourage this and able
to support labour force in places so that they can select most talented employees.
P2 Assorted types of legal requirements an organization within the workforce planning
For operating overall activities of business firms are needed to follow different guidelines
and legal laws or rules given by the government at place. With the help of doing such kind of this
thing they can promote their business and increase their structure of firm. Additionally, high
authorities of firm required to develop best strategies for their employees so that they can
perform their task without any issue at workplace (Gold and et. Al., 2013). In order to improve
working performance of employees firms needs to follow such legal requirements that will
increase goodwill of firm. Moreover, firm can easily satisfy their employee’s needs and wants
and sustain for long time. There are various legal requirements follows by Argos for its
employees, those are follows:
Equality Act, 2010: This legal need was given by parliament in order to protect rights of
employees who are working for particular business firm and agency. According to this law
employees are free and they do not needed to face discrimination on the behalf of caste,
complexion and such kind of things at workplace. Thus, it is necessary for Argos to treat their
workforce in an equal manner to achieve desired goals.
Health and safety at work act, 1974: According to this act of parliament government
edge facility to properly regulate employee’s health and safety, welfare within the workplace.
Thus, it helps employees, suppliers, employers within an organization. Therefore, it is
responsibility of Argos to follow this act properly at workplace in order to provide safety tools to
their workers so that they can work without any issue. Additionally, it will helps firm to make
their better image at marketplace so that they can increase their successful growth of business
and achieve desired goals (Longenecker and et. al., 2013).

Employment rights act, 1996: This act was given on the Labour Day within United
Kingdom in the year of 1996. It is mainly developed to protect employees and their entire rights.
In regards with Argos, this law includes in so many aspects like unfair dismissal, regulate pay
leave, unemployment and so on. Thus, HR manager of respective firm is needed to follow such
kind of law for their workforce so that they can work easily or ethically along with create
positive working environment.
Determination of workforce demand or supply forecasting
According to the above specified details, it has been reviewed that workforce planning is
the best component that develops effective maintenance between labour or firm towards
achievement of targeted goals. Thus, it is essential for Argos to identifying their labour demand
in order to accomplish the needs and wants of people as per their working position at workplace.
Through following different types of laws and rules they can make their employees happy and
able to accomplish their task in a perfect scenario. Additionally, it will help employees to boost
their energy towards work so that they can meet future desired goals of firm. This will directly
enhance the overall growth of firm and make it productive in front of their customers at
marketplace (Kavanagh and et. al., 2017).
TASK 2
P3 Current worker market trend and legal needs which includes anticipated skills within firm
Human capital is known as the best assets that plays significant role within the any kind
of business industry. There are so many factors by which firms are able to attain their goals and
objectives in an appropriate manner. Therefore, it is very important for each and every firm
needed to conduct to determine or identify their employees to enhance their knowledge or
appropriate skills in an appropriate mode.
Methods of collecting information and data
Primary method: According to this method, information mainly gathered and collected
within first hand which has been not used before by someone. As per this questionnaire,

interviews, direct and indirect sources have been used to allocate accurate information among the
employees.
Secondary method: According to this information, several methods have been already
used through the person or an individual. There are few methods use for gathering these data
feedbacks by existing files, magazines, officials all that are considered as the information in
regards with computer database and employees (Sparrow and et. al., 2015).
Methods of Job analysis
Observation method: According to this method, human resource manager of Argos
industry has responsible to properly observe along with determine several performance eof
employees through using different types of techniques or tools. Few techniques are like incident
technique, working methods and direct observational methods.
Interview method: This is one of the best methods used by human resource manager of
Argos in order to ask to employees towards their expectations, working performance along with
resolve their issues through facing face to face interview in order to work within the firm.
Questionnaire method: In this method, questionnaire generally framed by higher
management of firm in order to seek their candidate’s opinions and views in a proper way. Along
with implementation of such kind of methods respective firm is able to enhance their profitability
as well as productivity of their employees so that they can accomplish their goals on time.
To determine abilities and skills of employees in regards with succession planning
Succession of planning identifies the process in which firms measure essential and
potential applicants to accomplish their entire key roles within an organization. Together with
this, this also highlights the assumptions as per the overall experience of workers as they can be
promoted at high level or can be retired (Meyers and et. al., 2013). Therefore, it is much necessary
for respective firm to undertake succession planning in order to bring few changes within its
productivity of firm so that they can replace inefficient employees with effective one. There are
different types of capabilities for controlling overall talent plan of employees which is going to
be discussed below:

Anticipated skills:
Change management: As per the technological advancement there are so many changes
are going frequently within the internal and external factors of firm. Therefore, it is required for
Argos HR manager to provide positive working environment in which employees are able to
bring changes within industry. With the help of taking adoptions firm is able to make their future
plan better and enhance working efficiency of employees.
Forecasting: According to this skill or process firms are able to make predictions in
order to recruit candidates according to their working culture. It is essential for HR manager of
firm to have better estimation that allows to firm to overcome entire amount of wastage, cost
resources along with it leads complete project within the specific time manner. This, with the
help of this skills Argos firm is able to enhance their growth at marketplace (Siikaniemi, 2012).
Performance management: In this employees are actively involves within several
activities of business. Moreover, appraisals or benefits and rewards are totally based on
performance of employees. According to this, firm is needed to have performance rating system.
Herein, Argos HR manager commonly expect to their employees of better performance so that
they can give them better benefits or rewards that increase their motivation level and make them
productive for firm.
Current skills:
Communication skills: It is most essential skills for every firm in order to increase
business at another place. In regards with Argos firm HR manager needs to have great
communication skills so that they can interact with their employees easily and achieve targeted
goals. Furthermore, they are needed to have verbal, written kind of skills so that they can listen
each and every issue of employees. It leads employees are sharing their issues and problems with
each other and sub authorities that makes better unity at workplace. Therefore, better or great
communication skills make employees happy and increase overall value of firm.
Job design
It is also considered as work design as well as task frame (Job Analysis Methods. 2018).
It is more important activity for human resource manager to make several methods, content as

well as develop best relations as per the needed at workplace. On the other side, there are several
another methods like social needs, technological needs and many more. All these assorted
method adopted by management of Argos in order to give better experience to employees
towards job.
Difference between Argos and Waitrose & Partners
Argos is one of the best retailing sector which offerings numerous range of goods and
services to customers within the Ireland and United Kingdom. This firm was founded in 1972.
On the other side, Waitrose & Partners id one of the big competitor of this Argos firm as it
develop high revenue rather than the Argos. If talk about employees counting than Argos having
more than 29,768 employees and W&P managing their entire organizational functions with
52,590 and more employees than this (Tansley and et. al., 2013).
Thus, current worker market trend is high due to huge population so that firm is needed
to follow various legal requirements imposed by the government of particular country. With the
help of following such kind of legal rules includes so many skills will increase the productivity
of firm and increase profit through best utilization of employee’s talent in a proper style.
TASK 3
P4 Person specification and job description documents for effective selection and recruitment
Individual Specification
Post: Accountant
Department: Accounting
Attributes Essential Desirable
Experience & Qualification C A in England and Wales.
Accountant within famous
organization along with 10 year
experience.
Good experience in accounts
department with 4 years and
should have proficient
membership.
Skills or knowledge Analytical skills and Important to have proper

presentation analytical skills
should be there.
knowledge towards accounting
and MS- Excel.
Person Specification
Post Marketing manager
Department Marketing
Qualification  Bachelors Degree in Marketing specialization or a related field is
preferred.
 Masters of Business Administration in Marketing specialization
Skills Required  Analytical and interpersonal skills.
 Effective presentation skills.
 Highly developed, demonstrated teamwork skills.
Experience 2-3 years of experience as marketing manager in MNC.
Job Description
Company: Argos Ltd.
Job Details
Post: Marketing manager
Company: Argos Ltd.
Job Purpose
The main aim of business firms to promote their goods and services for sustaining in
marketplace for long duration.
Roles & Responsibilities
 To formulates raises policies for firm and their goods and services.
 Dispersion selling movements with unique innovative thoughts.
 Progress appreciated striking gratified for blogs and websites of industry in order to

attract large number of targeted people of groups.
 To figure planned relations with agencies, partners, customers, vendors along with
industry players.
P5 Assorted selection and recruitment methods for effective talent resource and planning
There are different types of approaches which are considered through HR manager of
Argos, those are follows:
Internal Recruitment: According to this method firm is able to provide huge
opportunities to their existing workforce. Along with worker is able to get selection via written
examination which is conducted on the behalf of group discussion and interview. Thus, it helps
firm able to save its cost and invest on their advertisement.
External Recruitment: In this method candidates always hired by firm. In this,
management of Argos has adopted this type of recruitment method to hire appropriate employees
for their firm. Through this they can attract or invite innovative skills and unique ideas to gain
competitive advantages (Ulrich and et. al., 2012).
Interview: It is considered as one of the important method sued by interviewer. Along
with this, there are number of questions asked regards to an individual, job position and their
background have been asked. Together with there are some situations that check confidence and
skills of person.
Written test: According to this, respective firm able to judge the performance or
efficiency level of their candidates who applied for job role. Along with questions are related
with reasoning, math and technical part also included.
Thus, from the above mentioned approaches it can be said that HR manager has
responsible to formulates and create proper plan for both selection criteria and particular method
to run business. Along with, it helps firm to save their cost in regards with firm policies and
helps them to choose right candidate for specific job role (Tansley and et. al., 2013).

TASK 4
P6 Stages of HR life cycle applicable of particular HR context
Human resources always have different types of systematic approaches in order to gain
proper engagement of employees within firm. There are five types of stages, those are as
follows:
Selection and recruitment: According to this initial stage of HR life cycle, there are
different activities such as collection of CV/resume of applicants, interviews, GD, job
advertising and so on. Further it will helps firm to recruit best talented people for specific job
role.
Orientation: This is the second stage in this, respective firm is needed to conduct proper
orientation for create interaction with newly joined candidates. On the basis of this, they can
develop friendly environment for their employees towards firm’s vision, mission and objectives.
Career planning and performance management: In this stage, it is necessary for
respective firm to develop huge opportunities for their employees on the behalf of personal and
professional level to achieve organizational objectives. Additionally, HR manager of Argos
should more focus on determining the performance of their employees for better assistance to
them (Waheed and et. al., 2013).
Succession planning: In this stage, it is important for HR of respective firm to develop
best effective tools for employees in order to increase business rapidly. Along with it helps to
maximize growth of firm with well position.
Exit: In this last stage, human resource manager of respective firm has responsibility to
manage their functions effectively. Along with manager of Argos needed to provide better ways
to attract employees for their joining in firm.
P7 Examine HR life cycle stages within organizational HR strategy
Herein, HR manager has responsibility according to the above specified stages in order to
take appropriate actions effectively. Additionally with this, as per these several stages firm is
able to achieve their desired goals and objectives successfully. There are different stages as per
the above HR life cycle in regards with Argos, which are: