Pre-placement Evaluation Report: HR Audit at Marks & Spencer

This report presents a pre-placement evaluation of Marks & Spencer (M&S), analyzing its business environment through PESTLE, SWOT, and Porter's Five Forces analyses. It examines management practices, including reward systems and training and development programs, and their impact on employee performance. The report also includes an HR audit, assessing personal and professional development within the company, using a SWOT analysis to identify strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats related to the HR head's role. The analysis considers factors like the company's focus on customer experience, e-commerce, and corporate social responsibility. Challenges such as reliance on the UK market, product recalls, and competition from other retailers are also discussed. The report provides insights into how M&S can improve employee motivation and performance through various HR initiatives.

Pre-placement evaluation
report

Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION.................................................................................................................................3
TASK 1.................................................................................................................................................3
(i) Analysis of Business Environment..............................................................................................3
(ii) Management Practices at Mark and Spencer impacting the performance of employee.............5
Task 2....................................................................................................................................................7
Carried out an audit of HR personal and professional development which he expect to achieve
from a work environment of Marks & Spencer Group plc company...............................................7
Conclusion...........................................................................................................................................11
Reference...............................................................................................................................................3

INTRODUCTION
Pre-Placement procedure which occurs before the employment or assignment to a job
(Aithal, 2017). In this we have evaluating report of Marks & Spencer Group plc company and
founded by Michael Marks and Thomas Spencer .It is a British multinational company in London
specialized in selling home products, cloths and food products and was founded in 1884 .In this we
have discussed about the training,personal development of employees performance produce report
regarding the business environment of Marks & Spencer Group plc company in London (Quix and
van der Kind, 2016).
TASK 1
(i) Analysis of Business Environment
PESTLE Analysis of Mark and Spencer
The external environment factors of Marks & Spencer Group plc :
Political : The organisation has achieved favour from European Union free trade agreement
which results in reduction of sourcing costs. Brexit has given a significant implication on the
business of the organisation (Nandonde, 2019). Due to improper legislations of UK government, it
lacks vision and clarity on energy efficiency schemes which has negatively effected the initiatives of
Marks & Spencer Group plc(Quix and van der Kind, 2016).
Economical : The currency impact of Brexit has resulted in conflict with small and medium
retailers regarding product price. Due to the devaluation of currency, the purchasing power of
customers has fallen. They are not capable enough to buy more of goods which affects the business
of Marks and Spenser. The Marks and Spenser's product price is also affected by competitors
discounted pricing (Li and Robertson, 2018).
Social : The company initiates to support the society as a whole by cutting down internal
costs and providing them, added value at low price. To fulfil the social responsibilities, Mark and
Spencer caters a green and organic approach of production and sales which aims at overall society
development (Aithal, 2017).
Technological : Marks & Spencer Group plc have a strong grip on technological and
automation. To capitalize its avenue, it has planned its social media and online presence very well.
In today's era consumers are more technologically focussed, so the concern should focus on mobile
commerce and online retailing. By matching the pace of technological upgrdation, the company is
able to account for higher profits (Oh and et.al., 2016).

Legal : Marks & Spencer Group plc must have an insight on what is legal in order to trade
ethically. The operations must be carried out in regard to discrimination laws, consumer protection
law and health and safety law. It should also be aware of the potential changes in the legislation. For
instance, the labour law regulates a minimum pay to workforce, therefore the staff management
needs to alter their payroll policies (Quix and van der Kind, 2016).
Environmental : The production and sales structure of Marks & Spencer Group plc is likely
to be based on environmental friendly and sustainable workflow. To comply with environmental
legislations, the company committed to ensure all the raw materials are derived from sustainable
sources (Shields and et.al., 2015).
SWOT Analysis of Mark and Spencer
Strengths :
 Mark and Spencer have a strong focus on enhancing customer experience.
 It offers customers with the latest industry trends.
 The company is standing strong on the e-commerce trading platforms.
 It is honest in fulfilling its corporate social responsibility. It is the brand with high
recognition (Nyberg, Pieper and Trevor, 2016).
Weakness :
 Marks & Spencer Group plc has too much reliance in UK market which makes the
market conditions vulnerable in the local country.
 The frequent product recalls results in loss of customer confidence. An inadequate
future plan is hindering the growth of concern.
 The future of the company in China gone for a toss (Quix and van der Kind, 2016).
Opportunities :
 The company has a positive goodwill which can help Marks & Spencer Group plc to
launch new product lines.
 It can reshape their clothing segment and also go for the way of vertical and
horizontal integration.
 It has the opportunity to enter global markets (De Gieter and Hofmans, 2015).
Threats :
 Cut throat competition from Asda, Sainsbury and Tesco in UK retail sector is the
biggest threat for the concern.

 It is difficult to cater the changing trends in clothing industry.
 The entry of new entrants also serve as a significant threat for the company (Marks &
Spencer Group plc, 2019).
Porter's Five Forces Analysis of Mark and Spencer
Threat of New Entrants : The new entrants put pressure on Marks & Spencer Group plc
through relatively lower pricing strategy and providing new value compositions to customers. To
overcome this potential threat the company needs to build effective barriers of safeguard its
competitive edge (Bullock, Stritch and Rainey, 2015).
Bargaining Power of Suppliers : Suppliers play a dominant role in the retail sector. They can
potentially decrease the margin of Marks & Spencer Group plc which overall decrease the
profitability of the company (Mone and London, 2018). Supplier use their negotiating power to
extract higher prices against raw materials.
Bargaining Power of Buyers : Buyers hold the conception to buy more at paying less. The
customer base holds high bargaining power and an increased ability to seek increasing discounts and
offers. The bargaining power of customers limit the profit generating capability of Marks & Spencer
Group plc (Bullock, Stritch and Rainey, 2015).
Threat from Substitute Products : The clothing industry is beset with substitutes with an
extreme level. To meet the demands of customers, Mark and Spencer requires a continuing level of
innovation to keep the brand distinctive and strong. The threat of substitute product is high if the
substitute offers a value composition which is unique from present offerings. Marks & Spencer
Rivalry among the existing players : An intense rivalry among industry lower down prices and
increase the overall profitability of the whole industry. A high intensity of competition toll the
overall growth and long term profitability of Marks & Spencer Group plc (Alsaadat, 2019). The
rivalry overall effects the sustainability of the company (Bullock, Stritch and Rainey, 2015).
(ii) Management Practices at Mark and Spencer impacting the performance of employee.
Reward System
Reward system is an approach of motivating and leading employees to increase their work
efficiency by providing them with rewards and gains. Rewards System distribute rewards to
employees in mainly 2 forms i.e. Monetary Rewards and Non - Monetary Rewards. Monetary
Rewards involves cash, stock options while non - monetary rewards involve flex - time, gym
membership discounts, etc (Rajendra, 2016).

The reward system of Marks & Spencer Group plc boost their motivation to work above of
their capability. Mark and Spencer introduced a 'Spotlight' programme to recognize the exceptional
service of retail staff. This rewards highly impact the performance of employs by rewarding them
with gold, silver and bronze cards which can be exchanged for a range of rewards from prize
catalogue Quix and van der Kind, 2016).These awards increase the sense of ownership of
employees and hence helps them in boosting their morale. The company provides monetary rewards
like bonus, free annual gifts, stock options and non - monetary benefits such as promotion,
appraisal, free meals to its employees to boost their morale and improving their performance. If
organisation provides reward and recognition to its workers, then people feel so good and it fulfil
their needs. By this way they become loyal towards the brand and put hard efforts to accomplish the
goal of business unit (karim Suhag and et.al., 2017). It raises their contribution and performance
both. If enterprise fails to offer such additional rewards, then employee may feel unhappy and in
such condition either they leave their job or do not perform well (Bullock, Stritch and Rainey,
2015).
Training and Development
Training and development of employees helps in personal as well as professional
development of employees. It increases the working effectiveness of workforce and also boost their
overall growth. Training in Mark and Spencer provides a pool of planned learning activities for
individuals and raise their competencies and skills. Training of employees improve their efficiency
and provide value to their work processes. The development of employees aids their personal
growth too and fulfil their needs and ambition. Through a trained and developed workforce, it
delivers a competitive advantage to Marks & Spencer Group plc (Bullock, Stitch and Rainy, 2015).
Marks & Spencer Group plc uses on the job training method such as coaching, job rotation
and off the job training methods such as case study method, role play, in basket training and
simulation to train and develop the employees to make the employees more skilled and valuable.
The training provided by organisation improves the creativity, critical thinking, problem solving
skills of employees and make them more competent. It builds their career graph stronger day by
day. Training synchronises and coordinates the efforts of employees and provide them a better work
place environment (Nandonde, 2019).

Task 2
Carried out an audit of HR personal and professional development which he expect to achieve
from a work environment of Marks & Spencer Group plc company.
In Marks & Spencer Group plc company I am working as an HR human resources department and
for my personal development how I changed my personality as an individual in organisation has
described in form of swot analysis.
(1) Swot analysis of HR head human resources management of Marks & Spencer Group plc
company
As an HR Marks & Spencer Group plc company. My strength is I have the ability to do the
work whatever is given to me I finish the work quickly on the given period of time. I am very much
flexible and a good organiser and have ability to work under pressure .In this company I quickly
learn new technology and have a positive attitude towards my work. I have a very good
understanding with my colleagues and have an ability to cooperate with them patiently so this are
the qualities which changed me as an individual personal of Marks & Spencer Group plc company.
As I know every person has some weakness. My weakness is I m very emotional person and weak
in communication during meetings of Marks & Spencer Group plc company. I have very less
leadership qualities and don't have a experience in making presentation as well.. But sometimes I
failed to coordinates my work with other department because of miscommunication. And I m not
good in time management as sometimes I failed to reach office on time. And during board meeting
I have less confidence to speak in front of my seniors.
Marks & Spencer Group plc uses on the job training method such as coaching, job rotation and off
the job training methods such as case study method, role play, in basket training and simulation to
train and develop the employees to make the employees more skilled and valuable. The training
provided by organisation improves the creativity, critical thinking, problem solving skills of
employees and make them more competent. It builds their career graph stronger day by day.
It increases the working effectiveness of workforce and also boost their overall growth. Training in
Mark and Spencer provides a pool of planned learning activities for individuals and raise their
competencies and skills. Training of employees improve their efficiency and provide value to their
work processes. The development of employees aids their personal growth too and fulfil their needs

and ambition. Through a trained and developed workforce, it delivers a competitive advantage to
Marks & Spencer Group plc.
(1) This are the various quality which have changed the individual personality of employee
1. Strengths
 As an HR head of Marks & Spencer Group plc
company. My strength is I have the ability to do the
work whatever is given to me .I finish the work quickly
on the given period of time.
 I am very much flexible and a good organiser and have
ability to work under pressure .In this company . I
quickly learn new technology and have a positive
attitude towards my work.
 I have a very good understanding with my colleagues
and have an ability to cooperate with them patiently so
this are the qualities which changed me as an individual
personal of Marks & Spencer Group plc company.
2. Weakness  As I know every person has some weakness. My
weakness is I am very emotional person and weak in
communication during meetings of Marks & Spencer
Group plc company
 . I have very less leadership qualities and don't have a
experience in making presentation as well..
 I failed to coordinates my work with other department
because of miscommunication.
 And I m not good in time management as sometimes I
failed to reach office on time.
 And during board meeting I have less confidence to
speak in front of my seniors.

3. Opportunities  Promotions
 Medical facilities
 Tours and travelling facilities
 incentive and carrier growth
4. Threats  Language barriers during communication
 threat of attending board meetings
 Threat of making presentation.
 Threat of working with other department.
(2)This are the various skills and knowledge which is require for the professional development
Basic Skills : Requirement Reasons Special support
requirement
Time duration
(1) Time
management
skills
Maintain digital
diary.
and need to give
priority to work
first.
More work loads I need to focus on
task at hand and
need to stay away
from unimportant
work and turn key
task into habits.
15 days
(2)
Communication
skills
Need to read
English book and
journals.
And more
communication
with colleagues
and seniors.
Proper guidance I need to join
English speaking
classes and need
to do writing and
reading practice.
Six months of
course
(3) Presentation
skills
Need to be
creative in
designs.
Lack of new ideas I need to to get
guidance from
expert peoples.
Two months of
training

(4) Coordination
skills
I need to
coordinates my
work with my
colleagues and
need to express
my views to get
some feedback.
Less confidence
to express my
views.
Work with others
and get feedback
and learn quickly
and make better
decision making
by asking them
right question.
One month
(5) Leadership
skills
Need to be more
socialised and
build trust. And
need to generate
motivation.
Lack of open
communication.
I need a personal
training and need
a self check
before
4 moths

Conclusion
In this above report we have discussed about the business environment of Marks &
Spencer Group plc company .This reports shows how the employees of company develop their
individual skill and discussed about the various steps which can be good for empowerment of
employee. And giving a brief description regarding how the employee can improve their skills
on the basis of their job post. This above statement tells about the strength, weakness
opportunities and threats of Marks & Spencer Group plc and the swot of HR Head. Training in
Mark and Spencer provides a pool of planned learning activities for individuals and raise their
competencies and skills.

REFERENCES
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Online
Marks & Spencer Group plc. 2019. [Online]. Available through <
https://www.swotandpestle.com/marks-and-spencer/>

Reference