Strategic Resource Management Report: John Lewis Partnership Overview

This report provides a detailed analysis of strategic resource management within the John Lewis Partnership, a major UK retailer. The report begins with an introduction to Strategic Human Resource Management (SHRM) and its application within the organization. Activity 1 focuses on Human Resource Management (HRM), exploring the objectives of the organization, the contribution of HRM, the role of HRM, and strategies for recruitment, retention, and employee development. Activity 2 delves into the management of physical resources, identifying the resources required and their implications for achieving organizational objectives. Activity 3 examines marketing activities and their contribution to organizational goals. Activity 4 covers Information Systems Management (ISM), its contribution to the achievement of organizational objectives, and the process of appraising the ISM process. The report emphasizes the importance of employee engagement, strategic planning, and the effective use of resources to achieve organizational success and maintain a competitive advantage in the retail market. The report concludes with a summary of the key findings and recommendations for the John Lewis Partnership.

STRATEGIC
RESOURCE
MANAGEMENT

TABLE OF CONTENTS
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................1
ACTIVITY 1: HUMAN RESOURCE MANAGEMENT (HRM)..................................................1
1.1 Objectives of organization and contribution of HRM for achievement ...............................1
1.2 Role of HRM ........................................................................................................................2
2.1Evaluation on recruitment and retention strategies ...............................................................3
2.2 Techniques used for developing employees ........................................................................3
2.3 Engagement of employees ...................................................................................................4
2.4 Suitable strategy for achieving the organization strategy ....................................................4
1.3 Planning human resource requirement for organization success .........................................5
ACTIVITY 2: MANAGEMENT OF PHYSICAL RESOURCES..................................................5
3.1 Physical resources required for achieving organization objectives .....................................5
3.2 & 3.3 Role of physical resource management with brief explanation .................................6
ACTIVITY 3: MARKETING..........................................................................................................6
4.1 Market activities for achievement of organizational goals ..................................................6
4.2 Marketing operations within organization ...........................................................................7
4.3 Process of developing market ..............................................................................................7
ACTIVITY 4: INFORMATION SYSTEMS MANAGEMENT (ISM)..........................................8
5.1 & 5.2 ISM contributing in achievement of organization objectives and role of ISM ..........8
5.3 Appraising the process .........................................................................................................9
CONCLUSION................................................................................................................................9

INTRODUCTION
Strategic Human Resource Management (SHRM) can be defined as a process which
incorporate traditional human resource management activities in organization and overall
strategic planning has been developed in order to overcome that. Further, Human Resource
Management (HRM) is a function which organization prepare in order to maximize employees
performance so that they can achieve their strategic objectives (Caniëls and Bakens, 2012).
In relation to the above scenario, the organization undertaken for the present study is
John Lewis Partnership which is an employee owned UK venture which operates John Lewis
departmental stores, Waitrose Supermarkets and also to some other services. Mentioned firm is
third largest UK private firm which deals in clothing, cosmetics, food, housewares, etc. The
purpose of this present study is to evaluate the role of HRM and recruitment and retention
strategies within the business venture. Further, this document will also focus on achieving the
organization objectives with proper implementation of resources.
ACTIVITY 1: HUMAN RESOURCE MANAGEMENT (HRM)
1.1 Objectives of organization and contribution of HRM for achievement
John Lewis Partnership has an immense goodwill within the UK and the organization
main aim is on to capitalize the same. Further, the organization strategies are based on three
different objectives which makes their business successful. These are: Increasing advantage for partners: Cited firm depends on their partners and when they
give their best at work, then it gives firm a competitive advantage over the firms who are
working within the same industry. Happiness of partners makes organization motivated
and effective towards the work (Sheth, 2011). Realise market potential: Firm's major aim is to attract new buyers and retain their
existing ones in order to develop a huge customer base of loyal customers (Our strategy.,
2016). Further, organization emphasize on changing needs and bring best of the products
for the satisfaction of their audience.
 Grow effectively: Cited firm operations has grown effectively in last on decade or so. It is
because John Lewis Partnership's major focus is to get profitable growth year after year.
Cited firm also focus on cost control discipline.
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Contribution of HRM in order to achieve these objectives plays a significant role as this
increases the organization goodwill, productivity and turnover. Employees contribution is the
major story for success as they focus on giving their best in order to achieve the mission and
vision of firm (Human Resource Management, 2015). Apart from it, manager of cited firm
implements different practices for motivating their workforce so that they work with best of their
efficiency and capabilities.
1.2 Role of HRM
HR manager of John Lewis Partnership implements different HRM practises in order to
develop the goodwill of the firm. From the view point of Gregor and Hevner (2013) there exist
some major role which manager has to play in order to maintain a smooth flow of working
within the venture. These are: Job design and analysis- Job has to be designed in proper manner and suitable employee
need to be recruited for the same. There exist different department within the venture and
suitable candidates should be recruited who has specified knowledge and skills. Recruitment and selection- Crook and et.al. (2011) stated that recruitment and selection
is done on the basis of vacant position and for that HR manager prepares the job
description and specification statement so that they get best of the individual in order to
run the organization operations. Training and development- After the recruitment and selection, training and
development plays an important role as they are trained by the senior members so that
they will be able to enhance their knowledge and understand the work profile for which
they been selected.
 Performance management- From the view point of Motro and Smets (2012)
Performance management is also the major role which is played by the HR manager so
that employee's performance get enhanced and the organization gets valuable result for
the firms. For this, performance appraisal, 360 degree appraisals is done by manager at
the end of the year in order to see how much worker has contributed in organization
success.
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2.1Evaluation on recruitment and retention strategies
Different recruitment strategies opted by different HR managers so that they can hire best
of the candidate for desired post. HR manager of cited venture can follow these steps: Identify vacant position: HR manager need to identify the positions which are vacant
within the venture so that they can recruit the number of employee's which need to be
recruited. Develop position description: Description of vacant position is needed so that application
will be received for the particular position only. Job specification also plays a crucial role
as candidates will put their CV those who meet the necessary criteria of selection. Prepare the recruitment plan: Recruitment plan will be prepared and HR manager will
develop a selection committee which will consist panel of experts. Scrutinize application: HR manager will scrutinize the applications and will select the
best applicants who meet the eligibility criteria (Werner and DeSimone, 2011). Written test: Written test will be conducted under the panel of experts and they will
prepare the paper. Questions will be based on HR, marketing and reasoning concepts. Personal Interview: Personal interview will be conducted by HR manager for the most
suitable candidates who have cleared the written test.
 Offer letter: At last, offer letter will be given to the most deserving candidates for
particular post.
Further, for retaining the employees, manager can emphasize on different motivational
theories in order to boost the morale of their workforce. Cited firm has more than 88,000
employees who are giving their productive services within UK. In order to retain them, manager
of John Lewis Partnership can focus on Maslow's theory and Herzberg theory of motivation.
These theories will motivate them to work with best of their efficiency and dedication.
2.2 Techniques used for developing employees
According to Meredith Belbin, (2011) Employee development activities assist employees
to enhance their skills and upgrade their knowledge so that they can give best of the result to the
venture. Development of employees is key success for the venture as their contribution improves
the organization productivity, sales and profits. Organization should encourage their workforce
to participate in different conference and seminars so that they can upgrade themselves and gets
motivated.
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Further, those who has newly joined can learn lot of things from the senior people and
can take the guidance because they have lot more experience. Apart from it, workers can also be
given additional responsibilities by their team members it will motivate them to give their best.
Job rotation will also play an important role as it will develop and enhance some major skills in
different fields in which venture is dealing.
2.3 Engagement of employees
The techniques which are explained above need the contribution of employees in
effective manner. This will help firm to increase their brand image throughout the UK.
Employees need to contribute their best in the success of venture because they are the real assets
of the firm and their behaviour and response will make the whole difference (Guest, 2011).
Moreover, workforce need to attain each of the conference and seminars which take place as it
will guide them how senior people have worked whole throughout their life. This will boost the
employee's morale and they will be inspired and work on their path for getting success.
Furthermore, job rotation will also play a crucial role in the development of employee's
as by rotating from one department to the other, they will be getting new knowledge for new
field and significantly increase their skills and productivity in the organization. They should
actively participate so that they get best of the preference and organization do their best to retain
them.
2.4 Suitable strategy for achieving the organization strategy
Major focus of HR department is viewing the different HRM activities as these are
contributing their best in firm profitability. Further, HRM focus on enhancing the firm's
competitive position by developing complex and superior human capital, knowledge, etc. as it
will contribute to John Lewis Partnership economic value.
Furthermore, relationship of HR effectiveness to total outcome may differ from the
outcome so examined and also with different level of analysis (Smith, 2014). Moreover, in
today's dynamic environment, retail organizations like John Lewis Partnership feels extreme
competition as there are many global firms who are dealing in the same industry. In order to get
success, firm should have sophisticated employers and mutli talented/multi-tasking employees.
This will eventually help venture to increase their revenue and reduces the cost of labour
turnover.
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1.3 Planning human resource requirement for organization success
Human resource requirement is necessary as they are the real assets for the venture and
organization need to take care of their employees in order to increase their operations and profits.
Apart from it, manager of John Lewis Partnership has to see the number of positions which are
vacant in each department and on the basis of that HR will prepare job description and
specification document which will help them in recruiting best of the candidate (Hollensen,
2015).
Further, organization objectives is to increase their operations and also to increase their
revenue, turnover year by year. Increase the advantage for their partners, identify the market
potential and grow efficiently are their major objectives. On these objectives, employees are also
directed so that they can give their best. Further, by recruiting potential employee's will increase
the organization performance as they will contribute their best in organization growth and
success.
ACTIVITY 2: MANAGEMENT OF PHYSICAL RESOURCES
3.1 Physical resources required for achieving organization objectives
Objectives Physical
resources
Resource management implications
John Lewis Partnership focuses
on giving maximum satisfaction
their loyal customer base. Cited
firm emphasizing on making
innovation which will reduce
their waiting time.
Machine
It can be overcome through developing
innovative technique like self check out
machine so that individual can self check
out by scanning the bar code of the product
and by making payment for the same.
Quality of products at best of
the price
Material
John Lewis Partnership determines the
needs of customers and focuses on
providing the best quality of products at an
affordable price as it will make loyal
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customer base for the venture (Van De
Walle, Turoff and Hiltz, 2014).
Proper tools and equipment Equipment
Cited firm should have innovative
equipment in their retail outlet. The
cleanliness of venture will attract customers
and they will have assurity that organization
product will be of that quality only.
3.2 & 3.3 Role of physical resource management with brief explanation
From the above table it is evaluated that physical resources like machine, material and
equipment plays a crucial role in the success of business venture. Further. Hair and et.al. (2012)
stated that these are important and with this cited venture will be able to make effective
relationship with their clients and maximize their needs. With the implementation of physical
resource like machines, John Lewis Partnership will make a step to implement innovative
technology self check out machine as with these, clients will be benefited and they do not have to
stand in the long ques.
Moreover, it is essential for venture to follow proper plan of physical resource
requirement by considering the need of their potential customers. By satisfying them,
organization will be able to achieve their set targets. Hence, through implementing proper
physical resource management, John Lewis have to adapt physical resource theory which will
help them to reach to their set targets within specific time period.
ACTIVITY 3: MARKETING
4.1 Market activities for achievement of organizational goals
The focus of mentioned business organization is on their set objectives and these are
accelerating advantage to partners, grow effectively and recognise the market potentials.
Therefore, for achieving these objectives it is essential for firm to undertake different marketing
activities like promotion and targeting methods as this will help venture to increase their clientele
base and organization will grow in rapid manner (Eliasson, 2014). By following the marketing
mix concept i.e. product, price, place promotion; venture will be able to increase the sale and
profitability of their products. Their main objective is to increase the 20% of sale of their retail
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product by the end of 2019. For this, cited firm is taking various measures so that their set targets
are met and with that they will be able to increase their revenue and productivity.
Furthermore, promotional activities will play a significant role and venture has to
promote their products through various techniques. Advertisement is the most popular source
and cited firm can majorly emphasize on social media channels in order to attract huge audience
(Andries and Czarnitzki, 2014). Further, prompting through this source, will not incur that much
cost and they will be able to increase their customer base as well.
4.2 Marketing operations within organization
Marketing operations has taken place in order to have transparent, accountable and
effective view of marketing. Momin and Mishra (2015) stated that the main objective of
undertaking these operations is to increase the marketing efficiency within John Lewis. Further,
role of marketing operations will include the following:
 Data management
 Budgeting and planning
 Strategic planning
 Organization benchmarking
 Skill development
 Workflow process development
Manager of cited firm has to undertake these operations so that the goals and objectives
can be met on desired time. Further, there are various organizations like Tesco, Walmart, Asda,
etc. who are in great competition with cited venture. Cited firm need to get an competitive edge
as it will develop their goodwill throughout the UK efficiently.
4.3 Process of developing market
John Lewis Partnership need to adopt suitable business development process as it will
help them to develop and implement growth opportunities within the venture. Further, with such
processes it assists in creating long term value for organization. Galegher, Kraut and Egido
(2014) stated that with the assistance of market development process, it is important for
organization to target specific segmentation and focus on the same in order to increase their
customer base, profits and revenue.
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Further, cited firm need to have effective front department so that they can easily
communicate with the customers and can satisfy their wants. Employees who are working there
need to have efficient skills like communication, interpersonal, etc. By implementing right
people on right position John Lewis Partnership will be able to develop the market and will be
giving stiff competition to their major competitors who are working in the same industry.
ACTIVITY 4: INFORMATION SYSTEMS MANAGEMENT (ISM)
5.1 & 5.2 ISM contributing in achievement of organization objectives and role of ISM
According to Boselie (2014) Information Systems Management (ISM) considered as a
hardware and software system within organization which provides major information which
management require for efficient running of the venture. Management Information System is
comprehensive, computerized and machine user system which results of its operation and
focuses on giving the accurate information to the managers. Ketchen, Wowak and Craighead
(2014) argued that choosing Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems help management of
John Lewis Partnership to evaluate their sales, costs and other figures in order to get best of the
results.
Furthermore, cited organization can use multiple user platform to share a common
database as earlier technology was not so developed and ventures were using single user system
only. Lu and et.al., (2014) said that now organizations are getting updated and they using
different technology and focuses on making changes constantly. Moreover, huge quantity of
information available in today's era need processing speed which will make consistency of data
and accuracy. MIS is not possible without computer operation and cited firm having huge
customer base so they have to record the data of their clients for future concern.
Moreover, Gregor and Hevner (2013) stated that significance of ISM within cited venture
is very critical as organization has different department and manager has to see the contribution
of each department towards the organization growth and development. This ISM help venture to
maintain proper record of their major data like sales figure, stock present, employees working
within the venture, etc. Further, prior changes can be made in order to satisfy the needs and
demands of their potential clients.
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5.3 Appraising the process
It is important for John Lewis Partnership to plan the requirement of information system
in order to get success within the market place. Further, by applying effectual IS in business it
develops distinct image of organization as compared to other ventures who are working within
the same industry (Belbin, 2011). Further, This ISM is important for organization as well as it
maintains the record of major information like presence and absence of workforce, availability of
stock, and comparing the current performance with the past in order to see the growth the
organization have.
Furthermore, for MIS development process, information is the major resource and it is
more valuable like time and capital. Moreover, manager having role of managing important
resources within the business venture as it will help them to grow in the future. MIS process
which John Lewis can follow is described down under:
 MIS needs good and healthy planning
 Dealing with management information and not only the data
 Give assistance for management planning, decision making, etc.
 Make necessary changes when required in business
 Accuracy and reliability of information
CONCLUSION
From the above report it can be articulated that John Lewis Partnership is growing
venture in UK and the organization is giving tough competition to the rival firms. This report
showcases the organizational objectives and organization undertaking necessary practices to
accomplish them. This document is also evident of role of HR manager and the techniques he
used in order to retain the best of the candidate who will contribute best to achieve the
organizational goals and objectives.
This present report also show the importance of physical resources as cited firm has to
implement different resources successfully in order to increase their clientele base. At last,
marketing operations has been discussed which is evident of that organization has to implement
different marketing mix concepts in order to increase their customer and achieve their mission
and vision.
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