Developing Individuals, Teams, and Organizations: HR Advisor

This report provides a comprehensive analysis of the HR advisor role within Hamleys, a leading toy retailer. It begins by outlining the essential knowledge, skills, and behaviors (KSBs) required for HR professionals, including a detailed personal skills audit to identify strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats. The report then presents a professional development plan tailored for an HR advisor, outlining specific objectives, activities, and key resources. Furthermore, the report differentiates between individual and organizational learning, as well as training and development, highlighting their respective benefits. The second section investigates the contribution of high-performance working (HPW) practices to employee engagement and competitive advantage within Hamleys, justifying the benefits of implementing such practices. The report concludes with a summary of key findings and recommendations for optimizing the HR function within the organization.

Developing Individuals,
Teams and Organisations
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Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................2
SECTION 1......................................................................................................................................2
PART 1............................................................................................................................................2
Professional skills, knowledge and behaviours that are needed by HR professionals such as
advisor....................................................................................................................................2
Personal skills audit to determine KSBs................................................................................3
Creation of professional development plan for Human resource advisor job role within
Hamleys..................................................................................................................................5
PART 2............................................................................................................................................8
Differences between organizational learning and individual & training and development...8
Explanation base on concept of continuous learning & development and professional
development...........................................................................................................................9
Need for continuous learning & professional development...................................................9
SECTION 2....................................................................................................................................10
Contribution of HPW to competitive edge and employee engagement within Hamely’s. . .10
Benefits of implicating HPW practices within Hamelys with justification.........................11
CONCLUSION..............................................................................................................................11
REFERENCES..............................................................................................................................13
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INTRODUCTION
Human resource department can consider as one of the best strategies approaches, it is
accountable for developing teams, individuals and companies, for which they could use ranges of
methods and techniques. The current assignment will be based on Hamleys, which falls under
category of leading toy retailers in the entire universe. It is one of the oldest toy outlets, who
established its shop in London. This study will explain appropriate knowledge, behaviours and
skills that are needed by HR professionals and will also define personal skill audit as well as
professional development plan for HR advisor role in company. Furthermore, this report will
describe differences between training and development and organizational & individual learning.
It will justify High Performance Working contribution towards employee engagement and
competitive benefits within organizational context. Moreover, this assignment will clarify
benefits of HPW implication with clarification to a particular situation in regard to Hamleys.
SECTION 1
PART 1
Professional skills, knowledge and behaviours that are needed by HR professionals such as
advisor
Human resource advisor plays crucial roles within a company and he or she is
accountable for several responsibilities such as deliver full efforts of HR services (Papa and
et.al., 2018). In order to carry out this role a person or applicant needs different skills, knowledge
relate to varied topics or subjects and appropriate behaviours.
KSBs are wide term that stands for knowledge, skills and behaviours which require
carrying out above chosen role, it helps to boost personal and professional career in effective
manner.
Knowledge-
It can be defined as understanding and familiarity of something such as procedural and
propositional knowledge. It also defines as what is learned, aware and understood by a person. In
order to carry out Human resource advisor role an individual needs to have knowledge about
most important thing and that is information in context of employment laws and policies which
make them enable to conduct practices according to these that is beneficial for workers and
Hamelys company as well. Furthermore, applicant should have IT knowledge which makes them
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able to handle redundancies and grievances by using the latest software or systems (Evans,
Henderson and Ashton-Hay, 2019).
Skills-
It refers to an ability to do specific job in effective and productive manner such as HR
advisor in Hamleys toy firm. To carry out this role an applicant needs to have set of abilities or
skills which he or she can utilize for conducting current and future practices (Valaitis and et.al.,
2018). Effective communication is one of the skills which is needed by human resource advisor
that enable them to give suitable advice on restructures, TUPE and appeals to HR manager
whenever it is essential.
Furthermore, analytical and critical thinking skill along with above one is also required to
carry out HR advisor role within Hamleys Company. As it help to take effective decision in
context of developing strategies relate to training workshop which enhance performance of each
workers. With above two, they need to have time management and collaborative practice skills
as well which allow applicant to deal with complex situations and handle it effectively.
Behaviours-
It can define as a way in which one conducts or acts themselves, especially towards
others people. Open minded behaviour is important to carry out HR advisor role as it contributes
in context of enhancing ability to listen what its workers says about their problems. They also
need to be flexible in form of behaviour.
Personal skills audit to determine KSBs
Skills Very good Good Adequate Poor
knowledge
Communication
skills
Analytical and
Critical
thinking
Time
management
skill
Collaborative
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practice and
ability
Employment
law and work
place safety Act
knowledge
Open minded
and flexible
behaviour
Knowledge of
IT
Personal Skill audit-
It is one of the best approaches or methods that have been used by several persons or
individuals in order to assess degree of his or her expertise across different skills (Gibbins, Kelly
and Cook, 2020). It help of determine skills, knowledge and behaviours require for a workers
who needs to carry out Human resource advisor role within Hamelys Toy Company. It could be
conducted by using appropriate skill audit tools or models like SWOT analysis. I can utilize this
model that support in term of determining my skills, weaknesses, opportunities and threats that
impact my work and productivity.
Strengths-
By conducting above skill audit it has been identified that I have set of skills which I
would use to conduct effective practices. For example, I have good communication skill that is
one of my biggest strengths as it allows me to communicate to workers and give them
appropriate suggestions that enhance performance even better. Along with this one, I also have
analytical and critical thinking skill that assists me to take decision in context of employee
benefits.
Weaknesses-
Just like other individual I also have some weaknesses that put negative impact on my
work and decrease my productive efficiency. I could not be able to complete my work on time
because of lack of time management skills. Along with this one, I also have poor collaborative
practices and lack of knowledge in regard to employment laws and regulations & IT.
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Opportunities-
There are different types of methods and approaches have been available in the world
which I could use to enhance and improve my poor skills. These things I can consider as
opportunities which bring a lot of benefits in my personal and professional life.
Threats-
After conducting personal skill audit I have determined that rapid changes in regard to
employment acts and regulations posses the biggest threat for me as it drive my attention towards
considering everything relate to this topic, which is actually very essential for me to do in order
to carry out HR advisor role.
Creation of professional development plan for Human resource advisor job role within Hamleys
Professional development plan is known as individual or employee development plan that
is utilized to document career aims and set out an effective tactic on how to meet them (Mazzotti
and et.al., 2018). This plan could help to develop specific skills and knowledge as well by
applying different activities and approaches.
Development
Objectives
Activities to be
undertaken
Key Resources Criteria for
Success
Timeframe
for KSBs
development
To develop
time
management
skill
In order to
develop this skill
I can use
different
techniques and
activities in
effective manner
which is quite
beneficial for me
in term of
increasing ability
to manage my
time. For
example, I could
To achieve this
objective I would
use key asset that is
Internet that help to
assist how to
develop schedule
and divided work
systematically.
Success criteria in
context of
developing time
management skill
is effective
decision and
appropriate
options which I
would take.
25 Days
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consider some
practical ways
such as set up
deadlines,
divided each task
and create a
schedule.
To develop
collaborative
skill
I want to develop
this skill for
which specific
activity and
practice is
required. I will
work in a group
of people where
I would learn
how to conduct
collaborative
practices at
workplace within
Hamleys as HR
advisor.
Team assignment
and group project is
the best thing which
I would use as key
resource.
Work delivery on
time and common
aims achievement
are my success
criteria, which
make me able to
provide
appropriate
satisfaction to my
seniors.
30 days
To gain
knowledge
about
employment
acts and
legislations
Along with
above two skills,
I need to develop
this one as well
because it helps
me to conduct
appropriate
practice and take
decision in
As key resource I
will use books and
journals to read
more information
about this topic.
Furthermore, I
would use internet
that help to provide
data about any topic
The success
criteria for this
subject is when I
will implement
employment
policies at
workplace that
enhance
performance of
20 Days
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regard to
employee
benefits and
rights.
without going out
of home.
workers.
To increase
knowledge in
context of IT
It is one of the
most essential
skills for me as it
allows me to
work with the
latest
technologies and
deal with
technical issues
that would put
negative impact
on my work.
Training and
workshops are two
different resources
that I would take to
develop IT skill.
Maintain and
effectively updates
employee relations
trackers and
systems.
28 days
Detailed professional skills audit and development plan-
As discussed above, PDP and skill audit has demonstrated my personal evaluation and
reflection. For example, through professional development plan I have been evaluated different
types of skills in which I am not been able to act affectively and appropriately. It helps me to
assess where I am right now in term of my current skills and knowledge level. Furthermore, it
supports me by determining specific career aims and development objectives. Professional
development plan help to evaluate varied approaches or activities that I have been taken to
develop above fours skills in effective manner that is essential in order to carry out HR advisor
role within Hamelys Toy Company.
Moreover, with above professional skills audit I have been conduct a small reflection
which help to define my strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats in systematic manner
that support to take further action in term of these.
PDP that sets out learning aims and training in relation to learning cycle-
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Above development plan sets out my skills development and learning aims in effective
manner, which is really important to do as it helps me to take in future actions accordingly that
brings a lot of benefits in term of carrying out human resource advisor role within chosen toy
firm successfully (Owens, 2017). Furthermore, in above professional development plan I Have
used training as key approach which makes me able to achieve sustainable venture performance
objectives by conducting hard work and effective practices within Hamelys. It is the key element
of learning cycle through which a person could learn those skills that he or she needs to develop
just like me for particular job in a well known brand.
PART 2
Differences between organizational learning and individual & training and development
Learning is the process of acquiring specific skill and knowledge through which further
employment opportunities can taken and experience could gain successfully (Pantano and
Dennis, 2019). Organizational and individual learning terms are quite different from each other
as it boosts productivity and performance by in different manners. For example, individual
understanding can concentrate on maximizing ability and knowledge of a person which enable
them to do a better job like HR advisor within Hamleys Firm while organizational learning can
consider as solving issues on business’s behalf of top authority. Individual learning provide
several benefits to an applicant, while organizational learning give benefit to overall business
structure as it help to overcome challenges that employees and management can face while
working within chosen company.
Just like above terms, training & development concepts are also different from each
other. For instance, training is activity of learning common abilities, knowledge and skills that
are essential for specific job; it is all about doing, while development, on the other side means
progress of single person in all aspects and about being (Wiewiora, Chang and Smidt, 2020).
Workers training at workplace only focus on improving his or her skills sets and increasing level
of knowledge within specific area which is quite beneficial in term of achieving organizational
and personal goals. Development concept concentrates on developing new skills and mindsets of
applicant which is really important to do. It can refer to educational activity within Hamelys that
can develop to enhance all skills and boost productivity level even better, whereas training is
essential method that help to gain success and allow obtaining in future opportunities relate to
employment by developing new abilities.
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Explanation base on concept of continuous learning & development and professional
development
Continuous learning and development-
It is a procedure of developing and understanding new knowledge and skill on an
ongoing basis. It could come in different forms or manners, from formal course taking to
common learning. This term contributes in driving sustainable performance of Hamley’s
business in effective manner (Chanani and Wibowo, 2019). For instance, continuous learning &
development enhance the performance level of existing and new workers which in return drive
productivity and operations efficiency at top degree. It can consider as part of personal and
professional development that help to avoid negative aspects and assist to achieve set goals. For
example, when employees recognize his or her working forms, they drive to learn more things
that are missing like communication skill, which in return increase motivational level of staff and
then business productivity in return.
Professional development-
It refers to leaders improving and developing their workers skills in order to successfully
meet needs and demands of his or her applicants. There are different approaches has been
accessible that can Hamely’s leader could use to conduct this act at workplace in systematic
manner (Bates and Morgan, 2018). By taking part in professional development plan staff
members can develop their abilities and maintain professional credentials like level of formal
course work which in return drive sustainable business performance in term of gaining attention
of new buyers and conducting ethical practices. It can be analysed that by providing this chance,
employers within selected firm are investing in their candidates and ultimately strengthening
their base of venture that drive towards further growth and help to gain competitive edge.
Need for continuous learning & professional development
Professional development and continuous learning are two different terms which can use
in regard to Hamleys workers in order to improve their skills and competencies in productive
manner which turn into increasing productivity and performance of business more than its rivals.
The development of staff can be held by implementing principles and stages of specific learning
theory such as Kolb’s learning styles-
Create experience-
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These people learn some new skill and gain knowledge by conducting practical things at
workplace.
Reflective observation-
Some workers while working in company learn new things by watching his or her seniors
and other group members.
Abstract conceptualization-
Under this form of learning and developing skills, an applicant who needs to develop his
or her knowledge in specific area makes compare between what they have done, show onto and
what it already have.
Active experimentation-
This style of learning is quite different from above three as it drive worker to find out
problem and then solve it by utilizing effective methods.
Importance of continuous professional development implementation-
The above learning cycle theory is beneficial as it help to show significance of
implementing continuous professional development plan at workplace within Hamleys as it
define different modes through which person would learn new skill and use to gain growth
opportunities.
SECTION 2
Contribution of HPW to competitive edge and employee engagement within Hamely’s
High performance working can be described as practices or activities that can be shown
and conducted in order to improve Hamleys performance and ability to successfully gain
attention of new workers, retain, recruit, and develop a team of skilled employees. HPW
effectively contributes in context of competitive advantages (Singh, Bhandarker and Verma,
2020). For example, high performance work allow organization to gain competitive benefits by
hiring new candidates who could able to work and perform productively which in return increase
performance level of chosen company and maximize its sales.
Furthermore, by using key components of high performance work leaders can engage his
or her staff members with their work and allow being productive for longer period of time which
is actually very essential do to. Staff security is one of the elements of HPW that can implement
at workplace by leader through which firm can obtain several benefits in term of increasing
ability and strength of business to build strong players who have appropriate skills and talent. It
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can be examine that by considering and implementing varied manners, organization could
develop HPW and conduct it which turns into maximizing profitability and sales level even
better. For instance, manager and leader by conducing collaborative practices can plan to train
workers which help to engage all applicants in form of achieving common aims by using
improve skills and develop knowledge. Furthermore, it leads to strengthen ability of firm as well
for gaining competitive advantages.
Benefits of implicating HPW practices within Hamelys with justification
High performance work is beneficial for company because it help by providing different
approaches and methods that management could consider and then use to improve its business as
well as workers performance & productivity even better (Eising and et.al., 2019). It allow
manager to conduct each action and develop plan by using HPW elements that bring effective
chance for company to retain skilled applicants and engage all of them in context of efforts do to
gain in the future opportunities. It creates productive environment at workplace and boost
motivational level & morale of existing along with new staff.
Valid synthesis of information and knowledge outcome in right judgements on HPW and
mechanism –
High performance working and mechanism supports leads to enhanced employee
commitment towards his or her work, increased employee engagement in decision making and
also maximize ability to gain competitive benefits while operating in retail industry.
CONCLUSION
By summing up above discussion, it has been determined that Human resource
professional by using his or her effective communication, analytical & critical thinking, time
management, supportive or collaborative skills has obtained desire needs and achieved set
objectives of Hamelys company. By conducting personal skill audit HR advisor is able to
determine key strengths and their weaknesses for which they has developed professional
development plan that help to develop lacking skills and knowledge as well. Furthermore, from
above analysis, it has been concluded that training and development enhance performance and
productive nature of all workers which is totally different from organizational learning as it leads
to increase overall productivity of Hamleys in systematic manner. It has been summarized that
high performance working concept is beneficial for chosen company as it contributes in term of
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