Evaluating the Role of HR in Strategic Business Growth

The report provides a detailed analysis of Human Resource Management (HRM) and its critical role within businesses striving for growth and sustainability. It highlights the responsibilities of HR managers in formulating and executing strategic plans that align with company goals. The document emphasizes recruiting skilled candidates, fostering an environment conducive to employee development, and ensuring that all staff members are motivated to perform at their best. By establishing a culture of equality and opportunity, HR professionals contribute significantly to maximizing productivity and profitability. This case study also discusses the significance of employee engagement in achieving organizational success and presents various HRM models and theories supporting strategic management practices.

HUMAN RESOURCE MANAGEMENT
Table of Contents
TASK 1............................................................................................................................................1
a) Purpose and function of HRM within an organisation.......................................................1

INTRODUCTION
Human resource management is the most important and crucial department of an
organisation as they perform multiple activities and functions in order to make company
successful. They plan all business operations in appropriate manner so that employees can easily
manage and perform those activities and achieve goals and objectives which is set by
organisation (Hendry, 2012) . Human resource manager is appointed in HR department which
checks on all departments and provide them with all necessary resources and raw material, so
that department can easily carry out their work. Their primary function is to recruit and select
eligible candidates for vacant position in organisation which can perform their duties effectively
and also maximise company's profitability. This assignment is divided into four parts in which, it
will cover different purposes and roles of human resource and its importance in organisation. In
addition to that, it will cover different potential improvement in selection methods and various
other topics.
TASK 1
a) Purpose and function of HRM within an organisation
Human resource management is that procedure which assist firm for managing or
controlling all business operations and its functions in better manner. HRM are mainly involves
with various developing strategies and policies that will increasing firm growth or productivity.
It will make sure that company employees are doing work for achieving desired goals and targets
in better way. Along with this, it will enhancing the effectiveness of each activity that can carried
out in the firm (Bratton. and Gold, 2017). Manager of “Say it with chocolate” concentrate on
each detail that are mainly occurs within an organisation so that they can easily gain appropriate
skills and knowledge about production and so many other facilities. As per the case scenario,
“Say it with chocolate” is the largest growing company which is located in North Yorkshire and
it provides tailor made chocolate based greetings cards and this is situated in all over the united
kingdom. In current time period, company grow its employees turnover which has enhanced and
feedback from long standing customer will indicate that quality of certain products is not very
high. As per the case study, company need to adopt that method which help them in growing
business in other locations and also open different branches for attracting large number of
customers. There are large number of staff members who are doing working in the “Say it with
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chocolate” company and it is required for HR department is to maintaining good and effective
relation with them. The firm mainly determined their employees as valuable thing so that they
can easily satisfy them with providing additional incentives or compensation. Along with this,
they can implement some HRM functions within an enterprise and this can be described as
follows: Recruitment and selection – These are two functions which are very important for
critical procedures so this will decide their future scope of an enterprise. Company
manager have strict while they are making decision that can directly impact in positive
and negative manner on company success or growth (Brewster and Hegewisch, 2017).
Recruitment refer that process which attracts and short listing specific candidate where
selection is consider that interview and evaluate an individual and hire the best suitable
candidate for specific job designation. In an organisation, this will recognize the available
jobs or vacancies which required in the firm. Along with this, recruitment is determined
as positive process so this will assist in attracting number of candidates on the other hand,
negative process so it hires desired employees in better way. Orientation – This is an event which must be organized by each company for welcoming
new candidates and other staff members duty is to inform about company strategies,
policies and strategies to them. The firm can organize these events so that they can tell
them about their organisation and its responsibilities towards their jobs position
(Armstrong and Taylor, 2014). Company manager required to organise their employees
work. Some firm can neglect this program so they believe that it is required. It will play
an essential role for developing healthy relationship with their staff members and make
them feel comfortable with business surrounding and company culture. Managing employees relation – This is required for firm manager is to maintain and
develop sound relation with their peers or other colleagues. Through this, they can
organise various business functions and activities so they can understand about their
employees behavior along with making good relation in proper manner. With effective
interactions and relationship they can easily increasing their efficiency for doing work
which assist in reaching with desired goals and targets in better way. The duty and role of
company manger is to maintain strong relation with their staff members for achieving
desired goals and objectives in proper manner.
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 Training and development – It is another function of HRM in an organisation so that
they will easily getting higher growth and success in effective way. This is necessary for
“Say it with chocolate” manager is to conduct training and development sessions for their
employees so this will enhancing their skills or abilities for reaching with potential goals
and targets.
Purpose of HRM:
Human resource department is playing a crucial in enhancing the performance of an
organization by conducting various programmes for the betterment of entire staff members.
However, they are liable for managing numerous of business activities which are directly linked
with benefits of staff (Briscoe, Tarique and Schuler, 2012). Say it with chocolate is a very small
organization by having limited employees at workplace due to which personnel management is
encountering much more problem while managing their employees. Thus, major purpose of HR
department is discussed as follows:-
 Assigning work- First or foremost motive is to allot job role to the specific employee
whomsoever is hired for certain post. It means, HR team is liable for introducing
company terms and conditions in front of the newly appointed individual.
 Responsible for resolving business problems- According to this element, personnel
team is also liable for sorting all the issues which is encountered by staff members while
performing their job role. By this activity, they can easily maintain the peaceful
environment of an association as well as create positive relations with colleagues.
 Management of people- One of the most crucial purpose of HR team of selected firm is
to manage labor or staff members which are working in suitable manner. It means, they
need to make changes at workplace for fulfilling the needs or demand of each or every
member of an association.
Brief of company:
Say it with Chocolate is one of the emerging organisation which effectively provides
their products and services. This organisation was originally based on North Yorkshire. The
products which are provided by this organisation is related to chocolate based greeting cards and
presents in all over the UK. There are different teams are working within the organisation which
provides their efforts for accomplishment of business objectives within stipulated period of time.
The different type of teams which are included under this are known as chocolate production,
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finance, marketing, packaging and distribution etc. One of the important team which also persist
under this organisation performs the work of designing of specialist gift orders. This business is
owned by master chocolatier who has excellent knowledge regarding creative and innovative
chocolate flavors and designs. There are issues are ascertained in organisation related to staff
turnover and also related low quality of many products and services. The main reason behind
presence of this situation within the organisation is about less experience of owner about
employing higher workforce. Due to having high staff turnover rate, the situation of
unemployment is high in production and administration vacancies.
Current problems and future plan for growth:
There are various current problems which occurs in this project such as manager need to
perform its role in well organized manner. Also the company need to maintain their company as
well as its employees performance in effectively. For satisfy their employees, firm need to
provide effective benefits and compensation to them in proper manner. They are facing various
other issues and problems regarding advantages or disadvantages of different selection method,
interview techniques, assessment test within an organisation.
Human Resource Management:
Human Resource Management is defined as hiring right person for right job position. It is
most essential part of each and every organization to empower their human resource as a result it
will improve the efficiency and individual performance (Daley, 2012). Human Resource
management is a process of recruitment and selecting employee, providing training and
development. And also, involves compensation and their benefits by maintaining proper relations
with trade unions, maintaining employees safety and welfare with labour legislations.
Human resource management is a pre-determine approach to manage people and their working
culture. An effective human resource management enables their workforce of a business firm to
contribute effectively and efficiently.
The major functions of Human Resource Management are describe in derailed as follows:
 Recruitment: This is one of the most challenging task for HR manager. It a process of
hiring a desired candidates for vacant position (Huselid and Becker, 2011). It includes
job descriptions, interviewing, making job offer to candidates.
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 Training and development: It is one of the major functions of HR manager to provide
training to employees who are in need to improve their skills and knowledge area. With
proper training, employees can perform their duties smoothly.
 Compensation and benefits: HR manager develop this system in order to motivate and
inspire employees. By providing appropriate compensation and benefits to employees,
they will feel motivated and will put more efforts while performing their duties.
 Performance Appraisal: It is responsibility of a manager to appraise employees in some
interval of time as this will increase their morale level and increase their productivity
(Jackson, Schuler and Jiang, 2014). With better efficiency, company will gain maximum
profits and revenues.
b) Role and responsibilities as a Human Resource Officer.
Human resource management is a vital part of an organisation and it performs numerous
functions in order to make company successful (Guest, 2011). They manages, coordinate,
control, formulate strategies, etc. so that employees can easily accomplish goals and objectives
within specified time limit. Human resource manager officers are appointed within organisation
so that they can perform certain functions in better manner. As I am a HR officer in Say it with
Chocolate, I have to perform different responsibility such as for attracting, hiring, developing
and looking after subordinates. Following are some responsibilities that are performed by me as
HR officer:
 Officer has to recruit and select eligible candidates for my company.
 Provide training to those employees who are unable to perform their duties in proper or
right manner.
 Ensures that every employees are getting their salaries on time and are paid correctly in
order to maintain peace within organisation.
 Provide pensions and necessary benefits to employees who will take retirement from my
company.
 Officer has to approve job description and advertisements made by marketing and
promotion department in order to attract customers effectively.
 One of my major role is to provide healthy and safe atmosphere to every employee
working in my company and also provide them with health and safety benefits to
employees at the time of emergency.
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 I have to organise and arrange different staff training sessions and training in order to
increase their efficiency and productivity.
 I have to monitor performance of staff members and take attendance of every employee
on daily basis. This monitoring help in keeping record of employee performance and I
can focus on less capable employees and provide them necessary training. This will
ultimately build their confidence and morale level and will able to perform their duties in
a smooth manner.
 I have to ensure that every employee is performing their activities in right manner and is
anyone is unable to perform in right direction, then it is my responsibility to guide them
in appropriate direction. This will help them to achieve goals and objectives in effective
manner.
 I have to work with different departments and identify their needs so that I can provide
them with necessary resources on time.
 As a HR officer, I have to promote equality and diversity as part of the culture of the
organisation as this will make healthy environment and employees can work comfortably.
 I have to develop critical and sensitive policies for my company and have to remove
problems by addressing them through effective solutions. I have to develop policies on
different issues like working conditions, performance management, equal opportunities,
disciplinary procedures and absence management.
 I have other roles like, I have to negotiate salaries with my employees and provide them
salaries according to their requirement and need. Also I have to manage contract made by
clients and opt for those contracts which are beneficial for my company.
As a HR officer, it is my duty to ensure smooth functioning of business operations and
activities so that it can achieve all set targets and lead to desired success. I have to ensure the
right balance of staff in terms of skills and experience, training and development opportunities
are available to colleges to enhance employees performance and this will lead to achievement of
company's business goals. In order to achieve success, I have to be clear about company's
objectives and vision, only then I will able to perform my duties in right manner. After this, I can
develop better strategies and plans which will be beneficial for company.
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c) Advantages and disadvantages of selection method used by an organisation and compare it to
other approaches.
“Say it with chocolate” is the fast growing company which is situated in North Yorkshire
that provides tailor made chocolate based greetings cards and it existing in all over the United
kingdom (Marler and Fisher, 2013). The business comprise with chocolate production team, a
finance and marketing team and packaging and distribution section. In this scenario, the
company is based on area of high employment and there are number of applicants for managing
and controlling all business operations. There are various which can be used by organisation and
also describe their advantages and disadvantages in proper manner that are explained as under:
Assessment test: Advantages – The usage of online assessment save lot of money and time of an
organisation. In fact, this assessment is completed in minimum time period, but also large
number of candidates are completed this assessment at same time (Cascio, 2018) . “Say it
with chocolate” are conducting English and Maths test online basis where each candidate
need passing mark approx. 50% for both the tests. The person who achieved the passing
mark then they are selected for the next round. This can be used for selection, promotion
and training of candidates. In this method, candidate can improve their strength and also
eliminating their weaknesses.
 Disadvantages – The online assessment is not very much so advantages outweigh them
so far (Albrech, 2011). This is very expensive and also time consuming in nature. They
are highly skilled and experienced mangers which need to evaluate or measure all
candidates knowledge and abilities.
Informal interviews: Advantages – In this informal interview, company manager can check understanding and
evaluating other meanings with particular candidate. Data and information can gain
rapport so they like to open this in better manner. In this, respondents are more likely for
discussing about sensitive and painful experiences then they feel that interviewer is
evaluating and understanding job position in proper way (Renwick, Redman and
Maguire, 2013). As per the case scenario, the interview is really an informal chart which
take approx. 15 minutes with each candidates. Also they have currently been certain
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complaint from applicants about fairness of such test and various number of new recruits
has been failed in the probation time period.
 Disadvantages – Informal interview can take a great value of time and cost for the
interviews which take place within an organisation (Nickson, 2013). The candidates
mainly tend to open about exaggerate factors of their behavior which show as socially
desirable and minimize various factors effectively.
Interview Questions
 Tell me about yourself?
 Why do we hire you?
 What are your strengths?
 What are your weaknesses?
 Have you ever participated in any co- curricular activities?
 What scheme will you choose while working in the organisation?
 Where do you want to see yourself in next 5 years?
References: Advantages – The referee will capable for discussing about candidates current skills and
abilities which has been set. Along with this, referee need to supply current instances of
their achieving strength and improvement areas.
 Disadvantages – Sometime the referee gives misleading references to the candidate for
organisation job position. The peer references and counter offers will also create barriers
and issues regarding job designation of an employee within an organisation.
Along with this, in above there are three methods which are used by “Say it with
chocolate” and also identifying its advantages and disadvantages in better manner. There are
various other methods such as telephone and formal which are also used by other companies.
Assessment test is conducted after telephone so this can easily analyse their employees skills and
abilities effectively (Budhwar and Debrah, 2013). Informal interview and references sources are
better than formal or telephonic method within an enterprise. Assessment test approach is best
among all the current methods so this can be used by company for improving growth or success.
“Say it with chocolate” can improve its current selection method which is Assessment
test approach. The firm need to analyze their candidates test paper and check related questions in
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better manner. Also they require to made separate paper of each subject through examiner can
easily identifying its skills about each topic which is important for selection method.
TASK 2
a) Person specification for the role
Person specification:
Attitude  Be honest and loyal with the work
 Respect their co workers
 Listen subordinates all issues and problems
Skills  Good in communication and listening skill
 Leadership capability
 Excellent decision making skills
Knowledge  Good knowledge of computer
 Must have Technical skill
Qualification  Graduation in BCA
 Masters in MCA
 Diploma in computer
Experience  1 year working experience in IT company
b) Rationale for the suitable medium for placing the advertisement
The company selecting appropriate methods for hiring employees for the vacant position.
Social media and print media is the major sources through which they can easily gain attention of
huge number of people towards firm vacancy place. It is one of the most effective technique that
can be used for providing full details of job which need to be filled in easy manner. With the help
of social media, they can post ads regarding job description which are required at the workplace.
On the other hand, print media which involves newspaper, templates etc which attract those
candidate who are best suitable for the described position of the job.
d) Interview questions for Receptionist which improve the selection decision making process
According o this case scenario, job vacancies has been circulated within an enterprise for
receptionist position. In an organisation, receptionist is responsible for all person greeting and
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appearances. Receptionist should be strong and have effective communication skill that includes
soft skills such as customer service, multitasking and ability to make fast conclusion. There are
certain question which has been asked in receptionist interview that are as under:
Interview Questions:
 What do you know about this organisation and our services ?
 How does you maintain company environment ?
 What are your previous work responsibility ?
 Do you enjoy interacting with people ?
 Tell me about your work experience as receptionist ?
 What type of schedule are you looking to work ?
 What do you want from this job?
 What is your current salary expectation?
TASK 3
a) Introduction to Microsoft
Microsoft is among the largest information technology company. It is one of the global
marketer of computer software, hardware, mobile, gaming system and cloud services. Also, it is
an American multi-national company which headquarter is situated in Redmond, Washington,
U.S and its offices in more than 60 countries. This company was founded by Bill Gates and Paul
G. Allen, they are boyhood friends. Bill gates do the technology revolution after dropping his
school in 1974 develops a software company. In the year 1986 company start its initial public
offering which increase their value in the market. In the year 2016 company become world
largest software maker because of its revenue and also most valuable company globally.
Microsoft develops, manufactures, licenses ans sells computer software, electronic gadgets and
services. The company get rise to the level of top operating system brand due to its modification
at various times.
It provide Microsoft 365 which is a cloud based subscription that help people in effective
working. From 2015 company is offering wide range of products for consumer and enterprise in
the form of software's for desktops and servers. This range include internet search (Bing), cloud
computing (Azure), mixed reality and software development.
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b) Major advantages of apprentice program
Human resource management plays an important role in Microsoft. HRM comprised of different
elements. The effectiveness of such components of HRM are listed below :
 Apprenticeship is one of the element of HRM. This is an organized training sessions that
provides golden opportunities of working towards a qualification. Microsoft is catering
these programs to their employees for increasing their knowledge and skill appropriately.
◦ It is offering hand- on training associated with job. Thus, gives fantastic experiences
to workforce.
◦ Since such training helps in enhancing education related to corporate world, thus
improves the level of confidence of staff members.
◦ Employees do not need to pay money. In-fact, they would be paid adequate sum of
revenue by manager of corporation.
◦ With the implementation of Apprentice, Microsoft would be able to provide different
learning sessions according to the need of personnel. Hence, they can choose specific
program since there are more than 400 types of apprenticeship.
◦ By executing apprentice sessions at work station, Microsoft can easily raise the
standard of their productivity.
b) Five benefits of graduate training
 Job security
 Provide opportunity to perform for a big name
 Give chance to work in other nations
 Accessibility to training
 There are lots of choices for those graduates who are having skills associated with IT
c) Benefits of the different HRM practices within an organization for employee and employer
There are various pros of HRM practices for worker as well as employer. Some of the
important advantages are following :
 Microsoft is providing essential training sessions to their workforces. This enhance
productivity of staffs.
 HRM practices aids in motiving employees.
 Helps workers in improving their personal as well as professional skills.
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 With the assistance of HRM, employers of Microsoft can maintain healthy relationship
with personnels.
 Managers receive the opportunity to develop their career successfully.
d) How does Microsoft motivates employees and system of reward
Microsoft are using following HRM practices for giving motivation to their workforce :
 Microsoft is providing incentive schemes for inspiring employees within organisation.
 They are offering maternity leaves to needy staff members.
 This is known as first organisation which is supplying medical benefits of autism therapy.
System of reward is another new process implemented by Microsoft whereby employers and
superiors are playing leading roles. They are having responsibility to monitor the working
performance of subordinates. On the basis of performances, rewards is being given by them in
various forms such as extra salary, bonus plan, additional holiday & many more. This is turn also
help in motivating and encouraging workers.
TASK 4
a) Employee engagement
Employee engagement can be simply defined as a basic concept of understanding the
nature of relation between an enterprise and employees. Microsoft is using this construct in
creating good relationship with their workforces. There are mainly two factors that helps in
driving employee engagement within a company. These are listed below :
 Engagement with the organisation
 Engagement with “My Manager”
This has been found an investigation that Microsoft is applying the term 'Engagement
with the organisation' as this terminology is integrating whole firm in a single unit. In this
regard, supervisor and CEO has to play most crucial role of managing whole team in correct and
effective way. Employer and team leader is liable to full-fill each and every basic requirement of
all personnels who are working under Microsoft. They are determining several issues associated
with workplace and trying to resolve that by using proper strategy. Thus, employees are getting
attracted towards organisation and attempting to prove themselves better by working properly for
achieving goal of referred venture.
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b) Why is employee engagement an integral strategy of employee relations
Employee engagement is acting as an integral scheme since it assist in making good
relationship with workers. An engaged staff is someone who is full of determination and
enthusiasm about their work. Thus, they give their best in accessing each aims and objectives of
particular organisation. The significance of employee engagement within Microsoft can be better
understand by following points :
 Reduce staff turnover : Since managers of Microsoft are attempting to create positive
environment for their team members. This is contributing in retaining employees for long
period of time. Hence, minimising overall turnover of venture by providing them best
facilities, infrastructure and services.
 Improve productivity and efficiency : When workers remain happy, it is obvious that
team associates will work for the upliftment of Microsoft by improving standard of
existing productivity & efficiency of company.
c) Identify some key approaches,explain their importance in terms of improving communication
Some of the main approaches that is being used by Microsoft in raising communication
are described below :
 Creating clear mission and vision : Like all organisation, Microsoft has created
specific vision along with mission in order to begin the commercial work. After that,
they are arranging meeting wherein all workers are unified for communicating the goal
of venture.
 Encouraging information sharing : This has been seen that Microsoft is having a
culture of sharing data. Herein, each individual is encouraged to represent their personal
point of views. These opinions could be shared from one person to another. Hence,
enhance the level of entire communication.
 Transparent communication : Company is also running tradition of transparent
communication. The major motive of doing so is to improve the level of interaction
among higher authority to lower one.
d) Impact of Equality Act 2010 on human resource decision making
Government has framed Equality Act 2010 for legitimately safeguarding common people
from any kind of discrimination which is occurring at various organisations. This law is
influencing positively on the human resource department of every organisation. In this regard,
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mangers who working under the HR division is able to take correct decisions. This legislation
thus directing them to leading company in a legal way so that no complication would rise in
future. According to Equality act 2010, no favoritism or partiality should be occurred on the
ground of age, sex, race, religion, etc. Thus, manager are liable to create an environment where
equal opportunities to develop should be given to each individual.
CONCLUSION
From the above report, it can be concluded that human resource management is crucial;
and is associated with managing of human resources and business operations in effective
manner. HR manager are liable to perform many activities and functions that are necessary for
company to grow and achieve success in future. They formulate strategies and activities and
assign responsibilities to employees so that they can perform those activities in order to
accomplish mission and visions of company. To increase the efficiency of operations, managers
need to develop good relations with their employees to fasten up the process so that company can
achieve their targets before time limit. Only best efforts and team can achieve desired success.
HR manager is responsible for recruiting and hiring eligible candidates so that they can
implement their ideas and skills in order to maximize their efficiency and productivity, thus
leading to increased profitability.
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REFERENCES
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Briscoe, D., Tarique, I. and Schuler, R., 2012. International human resource management:
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