Strategic Talent Management at Bentley: A Research Project Analysis

This research project investigates talent management as a strategic priority within Bentley, analyzing its role in improving success and productivity. Using a quantitative research method, the study evaluates key aspects of talent management, identifies effective strategies Bentley can use to enhance workforce skills and motivation, especially during COVID-19, and determines the impact of talent management on the firm's operational capabilities. Findings emphasize online process training, incentives, a focus on experienced hires, and tailored employee experiences as effective talent management approaches. The research uses survey data from 40 Bentley employees to assess understanding and impact of talent management, challenges faced, and potential solutions.

Research Project

Executive summary
The current project is tending to base on the topic of key aspects of talent management as
strategic priority along with analysing its role in leading improved success and productivity of a
firm for which an investigation is undertaken on Bentley. The main purpose of current study is to
evaluate key aspects of talent management that makes it a strategic priority within a firm along
with determine about the role of talent management in leading improved success and higher
productivity for a firm. Further, examination of the effective ways of talent management that can
be considered by Bentley to have a more skilled and motivated workforce has been also made.
Use of quantitative method of research is made within current project as it supports more
effective collection of data along with improved presentation and analysis of objectives facts.
The main finding and recommendation of current stud comprises of fact that Providing online
process training, providing incentives and other benefits to the employees, Concern over hiring
experienced people and Tailoring the employees experience are effective ways of talent
management at the time of covid-19.

Table of Contents
Executive summary..........................................................................................................................2
Title of the Study.............................................................................................................................1
Introduction......................................................................................................................................1
Overview of the Research......................................................................................................1
Research Methodology....................................................................................................................2
Results and Findings........................................................................................................................5
Discussion......................................................................................................................................11
Conclusion.....................................................................................................................................13
Recommendation...........................................................................................................................13
Reflection.......................................................................................................................................14
References......................................................................................................................................16

Title of the Study
Talent management as a strategic priority. A research project on Bentley.
Introduction
Overview of the Research
The study aims to evaluate the aspect of talent management as strategic priority along with
analysing its role in leading improved success and productivity of a firm, Therefore, managing
talent is the key role and responsibility of the HR manager of the business as it aids value for the
business in developing operational ability and increasing the business growth (Alias and et.al.,
2019). The key intention of executing analysis over this area is to that it is an effective area of
study, which aids value in enhancing individual skills and ability and also resolving the issue of
talent management at workplace. In this particular study analysis has been executing over
Bentley, thus it s a British manufacturer and marketer of luxury cars and SUVs, and a subsidiary
of the Volkswagen Group since 1998. The headquarter of the firm is in Crewe, United Kingdom.
The company was founded in the year of 1919 by the significant motivation of : W. O. Bentley,
H. M. Bentley (Beamond, Farndale and Härtel, 2020).
Research Aim
To evaluate the key aspects of talent management as strategic priority along with analysing
its role in leading improved success and productivity of a firm. A project on Bentley.
Research Objectives
 To evaluate key aspects of talent management that makes it a strategic priority within a
firm.
 To determine about the role of talent management in leading improved success and
higher productivity for a firm
 To identify the effective ways of talent management that can be considered by Bentley to
have a more skilled and motivated workforce for mitigating the challenges created by the
current situation of COVID-19.
Research Questions
 What are the key aspects of talent management that makes it a strategic priority within a
firm?
1

 What is the role of talent management in leading improved success and higher
productivity for a firm?
 What are the effective ways of talent management that can be considered by Bentley to
have a more skilled and motivated workforce for mitigating the challenges created by the
current situation of COVID-19?
Research Methodology
It forms out a vital and important section of every project that facilitates information about the
research method and approaches that are applied for undertaking an investigation and study in a
systematic manner to effectively met the set aim and objectives (Böhmer and Schinnenburg,
2016). The research method that are allied and used for current study on Bentley are provided as
below along with leading a proper justification for their selection and use within current project:
Research Philosophy- this section of the methodology facilitates the ways that are applied for
knowledge generation and better underdoing of the topic which is divided into two main types
consists of positivisms and interpretivisim philosophy. Selection of positivism philosophy has
been made with respect to current study on Bentley as it is appropriate to analysis the role of
talent management on success of firm in a more systematic manner. The justification for making
use of positivistic philosophy for current study is based on the fact that it ensures a more
practical ways of study based on objective nature of data and facts which leads to efficient
achieving of objectives.
Research Approach- deductive and inductive are two main types of research approach which
supports effective collection, analyses as well as proper interpretation of facts. As per the nature
of current study, use of deductive approach is justifiable as it supports better testing and scanning
of the numeric and objective nature of data (Cappelli and Keller, 2017). Along with this, use of
deductive approach is also suitable for current study as it is properly in line with positivistic
philosophy thus, ensure better determination of role of talent management in improving success
level of a firm.
Choices of method- Basically there are three main methods of conducing a research which
consists of quantitative, qualitative and mixed method of investigation. The qualitative method
comprises of detailed analysis of facts which is much more time consuming and complex. Thus,
use of quantitative method has been made for current study that ensures a more cost and time
efficient way of data collection in numeric terms along with ensuring better presentation of facts
2

to effectively meet and accomplish set goals. Further, use of quantitative nature of method is also
justifiable and appropriate for current study as facilitates better creation of relationship and
correlation among various components thus, ensures better examination of role of talent
management in ensuring improved success of a firm (Dirani and Nafukho, 2018).
Research Strategy: The aspect of research strategy is the key component of investigation
methodology as it mainly determined how the investigator initiated to assist the work in right
manner. There are assorted strategies like survey design, case study, action research, grounded
theory, interview and so on. In the case of this present investigation work, survey has been
considering by the researcher as it is the suitable tool to gathering immense number of
information with the help of implementing structured questionnaire as it is the most effective tool
to gather information from the wider population in relation to the aspect of talent management as
strategic priority along with analysing its role in leading improved success and productivity of a
firm (Kaliannan, Abraham and Ponnusamy, 2016). However, the approach is effective in
securing the standardized outcome which can be tabulated and treated statistically or
mathematically while at the same time adopt flexibility to aid secure and maximum possible
data. In addition to this, the collection of information is managed via sending the questionnaires
to the participants through online channels like email, social media and so on. due to the
restriction of COVID 19 online platform is recognised as the best option to avoid physical
interaction.
Data Collection Tools: The collection of information is mainly relay over two aspects i.e.
primary and secondary source of data collection. In the case of executing the present study in
effective manner, both primary and secondary source are implementing by the researcher, as the
primary research is effective in gathering specific data with the help of executing survey where
questionnaire has been designed to accumulate valid and reliable data (Divekar and Raman,
2020). Whereas, secondary sources like books, journals, articles and so on are effective in
executing literature review in most effective manner to enhance theoretical understanding.
Data Sampling Tools: The selection of sample is the most important thing which helps the
researcher to gathering valuable information. The selection of sample is relay over two aspects
i.e. probabilistic and non-probabilistic data sampling tools. For the effective execution of the
present study, sample has been select by applying random sampling method from the
probabilistic tools, therefore, this is the suitable tool where individual are randomly picked to
3

gather information and this also avoid biasness in the sample selection. The sample size for this
study is 40 employees of Bentley as the employees are more liable in gathering detailed
information about the aspect of talent management at workplace (Jais and et.al., 2021).
Ethical Consideration: while leading out a primary set of research work and investigation many
ethical concern related with maintaining the authenticity and reliability of facts among with
privacy of information is being faced. Thus, with respect to current study implication and use of
the BERA code of ethics has been made to ensure the meeting of ethical consideration. Further,
proper consent and approval has been also taken from the participants among with option of
withdrawal of consent. Along with this, adoption of data protection act is also made to ensure the
maintenance of authentic and privacy of collected information (Harsch, and Festing, 2019).
Questionnaire
Q1) Do you have an understanding in relation to the aspect of talent management in the context
to business?
Yes
No
Average
Q2) According to you, which can be the most effective aspect of talent management that plays a
vital role in making it as a strategic priority in a business?
Attracting and retaining talent candidate
Effective performance management
Higher learning and motivation
Improved skills and competencies
Q3) Do you agree with the fact that, talent management plays an important role in business to
leading higher success and developing productivity within Bentley?
Agree
Disagree
N/A
Q4) What do you think, are the key role of talent management in leading improved success and
higher productivity of a firm?
Effective workforce planning
Improved employee engagement
4

Continuous development of employees
Higher succession and retention rate
Q5) As per your perspective, in what manner talent management affects the operational and
progression ability of Bentley?
Positive
Negative
Neutral
Q6) What do you think are the major challenges faced by Bentley in ensuring and leading
effective talent at workplace in the current situation of COVID 19?
Lack of employee motivation
Ineffective leadership
Complex demand of employees
Increasing employee turnover
Q7) As per your view, what are the effective ways of talent management that can be considered
by Bentley to have a more skilled and motivated workforce for mitigating the challenges created
by the current situation of COVID-19?
Providing online process training
Providing incentives and other benefits to the employees
Concern over hiring experienced people
Tailoring the employees experience
Effectively optimizing workforce planning and strategy
Q8) Please provide recommendation to Bentley for progression the operations in the COVID 19
pandemic?
Results and Findings
Theme 1: Understanding in relation to the aspect of talent management in the context to business
Q1) Do you have an understanding in relation to the aspect of talent
management in the context to business?
Frequency
Yes 35
No 2
Average 3
5

Theme 2: Most effective aspect of talent management that plays a vital role in making it as a
strategic priority in a business
Q2) According to you, which can be the most effective aspect of talent
management that plays a vital role in making it as a strategic priority in
a business?
Frequency
Attracting and retaining talent candidate 12
Effective performance management 8
Higher learning and motivation 11
Improved skills and competencies 9
6

Theme 3: Talent management plays an important role in business to leading higher success and
developing productivity within Bentley
Q3) Do you agree with the fact that, talent management plays an
important role in business to leading higher success and developing
productivity within Bentley?
Frequency
Agree 38
Disagree 1
N/A 1
7

Theme 4: Key role of talent management in leading improved success and higher productivity of
a firm
Q4) What do you think, are the key role of talent management in leading
improved success and higher productivity of a firm?
Frequency
Effective workforce planning 9
Improved employee engagement 13
Continuous development of employees 8
Higher succession and retention rate 10
Theme 5: Talent management affects the operational and progression ability of Bentley
Q5) As per your perspective, in what manner talent management affects
the operational and progression ability of Bentley?
Frequency
Positive 32
Negative 3
Neutral 5
8