Analyzing Talent Management Strategies at Marks & Spencer

This report investigates the talent management strategies employed by Marks & Spencer, a leading multinational retailer in the UK. It aims to determine the innovative ways and new initiatives the company uses to achieve a strategic approach to talent management. The report outlines the research aim, objectives, and questions, followed by a project management plan that includes cost, time, quality, risk, communication, scope, and resources. It details the research methods used, including primary data collection through questionnaires and secondary data collection from journals and articles. The findings from the questionnaire, which surveyed 40 Marks & Spencer employees, are presented, covering topics such as awareness of talent management concepts, challenges faced, advantages of efficient talent management, and the impact of talent management on competitive benefits. The report concludes with recommendations based on the findings and an evaluation of the research process.

Managing a successful
business project

Contents
TOPIC: “What are the types of new initiatives and innovative ways of working do companies put
in place to achieve a strategic approach to talent management? A study on Marks and Spencer...1
Section 1- INTRODUCTION..........................................................................................................1
Research aim................................................................................................................................1
Research objectives.....................................................................................................................1
Research Question.......................................................................................................................1
Section 2- Project Management plan...............................................................................................2
Gantt chart and Work breakdown structure.................................................................................3
Section 3- Research Methods..........................................................................................................4
Section 4- Findings and Recommendations....................................................................................6
Section 5- Evaluation.....................................................................................................................10
Section 6- Conclusion....................................................................................................................11
REFERENCES..............................................................................................................................12
APPENICES..................................................................................................................................13

TOPIC: “What are the types of new initiatives and innovative ways of
working do companies put in place to achieve a strategic approach to
talent management? A study on Marks and Spencer
Section 1- INTRODUCTION
Talent management is undertaken as method which is adopted by firm to grab attention,
retain, develop, maximising talented and proficient personnel for long time duration. In addition
to this, it is essential for firms to concentrates upon retaining proficient staff as this aids to gain
high success at market area. Additionally, this is crucial for entities for concentrating upon
accomplishing staff requirements so that they would stay at business for longer term. For this
report, the undertaken company is Marks & Spencer which is known to be the leading
multinational retailer within United Kingdom. It is established in year 1884. They mainly deals
in food products, home products and clothing. The topics which are going to be discussed in this
report are aim, objectives, questions and project management plan. Moreover, research methods
and recommendation. Apart from this, reflection are also described depends on whole experience
obtained by researcher.
Research aim
“To determine the innovative ways and new initiative of working applied by organisation
to accomplish the talent management strategic approach”. A study on Marks and Spencer.
Research objectives
 To determine the effectiveness and concept of talent management.
 To evaluate the various innovative ways of working applied by M&S to achieve talent
management strategic approach.
 To analyse the several problems faced by company during implementing innovative ways
and new initiative of talent management into entity.
Research Question
 What are the effectiveness and concept of talent management.
 What are the various innovative ways of working applied by M&S to achieve talent
management strategic approach.
1

 What are the several problems faced by company during implementing innovative ways
and new initiative of talent management into entity.
Section 2- Project Management plan
It is a method through which plan is made to assist different activities occur during project.
In other words, it is a written document which consists of proper planning regarding work and
information to accomplish desire task. Project management plan is responsible for controlling all
kinds of task which are related to project like, allocation of resources, keeping records and many
more. To achieve desire aims and objective, researcher has to cover different elements which are
explained briefly below:
 Cost: It is one of the important aspects which any project management plan which
required completing task effectively. For conducting research, money is essential to
carry forward research activities. For this particular report £100 is the estimated amount
which is required throughout the project.
 Time:This indicates the time taken for the completion of work successfully. It is vital for
researcher to provide research work on respective deadline. This investigation process
will take around 5 week to cover task as per guidelines.
 Quality: Maintaining quality in the report improves authentication as well validity of
respective work. The quality refers to the data collected and information gathered from
the respective sources. Hence, researcher has to collect data which is realised and provide
crediblereferences to establish quality in the research.
 Risk: Information collected from the candidate may have risk which needs to be
identified by researcher. Apart from this, information collected from the different sources
haspossibility of risk and data cannot reliable.
 Communication: It is an effective tool through which researcher can gather information
which is useful in respective topic. Communicating with different customers, suppliers
and other department helps to provide better insight regarding research topic.
 Scope: This is considered as broader term and before starting any project scope is
decided. Furthermore, it assists management to focus on desire aims and objective which
helps in increasing productivity. It is important for any researcher to widen the scope and
have proper planning to avoid any kind of risk and uncertainty present in the report.
2

 Resources: There are different resources which are required like money, time and
techniques. It is prime duty of investigator to analyse the requirement which is required
to complete the task on time. The main resources are primary as well as secondary data
for the finishing the entire research effectively. At last managingresources is important
which helps in researcher to accomplish common goal in a better way.
Gantt chart and Work breakdown structure
WBS
This is a methods which helps in dividing complex and large project into small parts.
Work breakdown structure is a tree hierarchical structure that break projects into manageable
portions. This is very helpful in assigning task and responsibility to different teams as well as
evaluating task performed by each and very team. Work breakdown structure helps large projects
by breaking down project into smaller components which leads to easily manage all task of
project. This is beneficial for organisation as it leads to reducing cost of projects as well as
determining timeline or schedule of project.
Gantt chart
It is a graphical representation which is used in large project to accomplish goal in
limited time frame. The method was introduced by Henry Gantt and it is widely use to break
down huge research or project into manageable task. The main objective behind using such chart
is to control production and make use of resources more effectively. There are different element
3

present in chart like, task milestones, starting and end date which is key factor for any work.
Apart from this, it is used to manage as well assist in planning task properly. In this particular
research work Gantt chart is used to describe the time taken for completing of work. The
graphical representation is provided as per the requirement which covers information like
research stating and completion date. This helps investigator to understand the entire research
process which the table.
Section 3- Research Methods
During the time of organising research, investigators adopt different methods in order to
draw meaning data and gain valid conclusion. Research methodologies help to gather as well as
determined information in a form that is benefited in improving valid conclusion. The methods
utilised through research in current report are as follows:
Primary data: Within this, researcher collects original and first hand information with a
view to collect brief and deep information. The diverse methods of gathering primary
information are observation, questionnaire, interview and so on. It is analysed that primary
information offers high authentication as well as relevancy due to which aims are achieved
efficiently.
Secondary data: It is generally a tool of collecting data already existing information or past
data that is accessible. The different tools of gathering secondary information are journals,
articles, newspaper and internet etc. It is determined that it has this assist research to gather
information in less time and cost. Along with this, it also assists in gaining insight about
preceding studies and organise primary study.
In the current study, both primary as well as secondary data collection method is utilised
through investigator. In context of collect primary data, a questionnaire will be developed
because it support in earning viewpoint of several individual on survey topic. On the other hand,
secondary information is collected through journals, articles, online polls and others. The key
reason behind topic due to which valid and relevant conclusion can be strained correctly.
Qualitative: Herein, investigator gathers non-numeric data that is utilised in order to
develop understanding of views. Additionally, data gathered by qualitative methods involve
human behaviour and is also supported on specific condition. The various tools of gathering
qualitative information data are group discussion, observation and others.
4

Quantitative: It is referred as a systematic form of gathering statistical data. It is analysed
that quantitative approach is accepted when population is large and consist of methods such as
sampling, correlation, survey and others.
In regards to present study, survey makes utilise of quantitative method because it help in
gathering data supported on facts and figures. Apart from this, it allow surveyor in executing in
depth determination of information so that proper findings can be presented in an appropriate
form.
Questionnaire: It is explained as a series of question that is developed by researcher in
context of gather primary information about research topic. The 40 representative is chosen as
participants and are the workers of Marks & Spencer. The questionnaire of present research are
as follows:
1) Do you aware with the conceptions of the talent management in
Marks & Spencer?
Frequency
a) Yes 24
b) No 16
2) What are the different challenges dealt by Marks & Spencer in
the process of talent management?
Frequency
a) Individual various background 20
b) Resistance to change 2
c) Issues in the process of implementation 9
d) All of the above 9
3) What are the advantageous of having efficiencies in the
procedure of talent management in Marks & Spencer?
Frequency
a) Decline of employee turnover 15
b) High amount of efficiency in policy functioning 12
c) Execution of proper practises of internal administration 4
d) Internal Clarity in organisational performance 9
4) Do you believe that talent management procedure workers in
can assist Marks & Spencer in accomplishment of needed rivalry
benefits in long term?
Frequency
5

a) Yes 20
b) No 10
c) May be 10
5) What are the creative forms and new initiatives of working
utilised by Marks & Spencer to achieve a strategic tool to talent
management?
Frequency
a) On the job training techniques 7
b) Ordinary training programmes 18
c) Timely assessing the applicants 9
d) Monetary and non monetary inducement schemes 6
Section 4- Findings and Recommendations
1) Do you aware with the conceptions of the talent management in
Marks & Spencer?
Frequency
a) Yes 24
b) No 16
Interpretation: It is analysed from the above statistical information that while it was questioned
to 40 representatives about the basic concept of talent administrator 24 had an optimistic
response when 16 replied in a negative form.
2) What are the different challenges dealt by Marks & Spencer in Frequency
6

the process of talent management?
e) Individual various background 20
f) Resistance to change 2
g) Issues in the process of implementation 9
h) All of the above 9
Interpretation: This has been interpreted from the defined information that among the selected
40 people, 20 workers felt there is different background of people. While 2 representatives felt
that there is higher resistance to change to change. 9 had a view that there are issues in the
execution process and remaining 9 out of 40 at a view that all the challenges are affecting the
talent management procedure.
3) What are the advantageous of having efficiencies in the
procedure of talent management in Marks & Spencer?
Frequency
e) Decline of employee turnover 15
f) High amount of efficiency in policy functioning 12
g) Execution of proper practises of internal administration 4
h) Internal Clarity in organisational performance 9
7

Interpretation: When it was questioned to 40 representatives about advantages of having
efficiency in talent management procedure. 15 employees felt that it can assist in reduction of
employee turnover, 12 felt that there can be higher efficient and implementation of policy, 4 felt
that there can be functioning of proper internal management and remaining nine had a view point
that there can be internal clarity in the functioning.
4) Do you believe that talent management procedure workers in
can assist Marks & Spencer in accomplishment of needed
rivalry benefits in long term?
Frequency
a) Yes 20
b) No 10
c) May be 10
8

Interpretation: From the above when it was question to responders about the talent management
process assist in Marks & Spencer and competitive advantage. 20 representative at an optimistic
view point, 10 responders replied in a negative form when remaining 10 had a uncertain answer.
5) What are the creative forms and new initiatives of working
utilised by Marks & Spencer to achieve a strategic tool to
talent management?
Frequency
e) On the job training techniques 7
f) Ordinary training programmes 18
g) Timely assessing the applicants 9
h) Monetary and non monetary inducement schemes 6
9

Interpretation: From the above statistical information it was question about innovative ways of
talent administrative in Marks & Spencer. 7 responders felt that there can be utilise of on the job
training methods. 18 representatives felt that there can be digital training programs. 9 other felt
that there can be timely assessment of applicants and remaining 6 well that there can be fiscal
and non-fiscal schemes.
Section 5- Evaluation
Communication
This has been researched that strategies and plan of action associated to specialized
management adapted with assistance of researcher during specific section of term. Moreover,
this vital for sustainability of business as well as develops benefits affects upon individuals and
their improvement. Additionally, this is miles examined that in respect of chosen entity, this kind
of initiatives is decided as a enormous for maximizing base of customer as well as accomplish
activities at market area. In addition to this, there are several techniques related with talented
management that would be decided through the way of researcher to manage different form of
problems along with difficulties it is confronted with assistance firm because of managing
competencies in appropriate manner. This competencies and management approach assists to
develop staff capabilities as well as understanding and attaining effective role within
marketplace. Apart from this, there are various demanding circumstances that is enhances to hire
talented candidate, personnel improvement etc. This is essential for management team for
10

determining those challenges as well as effective tactics for confronting challenges in specific
way.
Reflection
This has been analyzed that researcher would concentrates upon providing direction which
assists me to enhance effective method which is followed through firm in respect of developing
sustainability at marketplace. Moreover, through utilizing the usage of investigation, I become
competent to develop effective functionality which is associated with determining time
management, evaluation of statistics and many others. With assistance, I also become proficient
to tackle various form of issues that arise during performing appropriate strategies. additionally,
this is advantageous to accumulate records related to individuals because of the fact they doesn't
has any form of effective results in efficient way which ought to be performed through utilizing
appropriate time frame techniques. Along with this, the cause associated with developing mind
set due to enhancement of pandemic situation; individuals concentrate upon social distancing as
well as obviate person interactions with its behavior. Therefore, this has been determined that
those kinds of capability assist me to develop into personal and professional existent. This would
be assists in attracting opportunity for maximization into professional career in upcoming time
duration. Also, the improvement in this kind of skills assists to implement several accountability
in effective manner which allows to attain objectives in stipulated time duration.
Alternative methods
For researcher, this has been tough to opt suitable research methods in respect to attain
beneficial outcomes. Additionally, there are several types of statistics which is evaluated through
utilizing investigator in order to accumulate results from selected respondents.
Section 6- Conclusion
As per the above report, it has been concluded that talent management plays essential role
as Talent management is undertaken as method which is adopted by firm to grab attention,
retain, develop, maximising talented and proficient personnel for long time duration. In addition
to this, it is essential for firms to concentrates upon retaining proficient staff as this aids to gain
high success at market area. Additionally, this is crucial for entities for concentrating upon
accomplishing staff requirements so that they would stay at business for longer term.
11

REFERENCES
Books and Journal
Alziari, L., 2017. A chief HR officer’s perspective on talent management. Journal of
Organizational Effectiveness: People and Performance.
Arias-Pérez, J., Velez-Ocampo, J. and Cepeda-Cardona, J., 2021. Strategic orientation toward
digitalization to improve innovation capability: why knowledge acquisition and
exploitation through external embeddedness matter. Journal of Knowledge
Management.
Armstrong, M. and Taylor, S., 2020. Armstrong's handbook of human resource management
practice.
Berger, L.A., 2020. Talent Management: Handbook. MGH.
Bhowal, M. and Saini, D., 2019. Employee engagement strategies with special focus on Indian
firms. In Management Techniques for Employee Engagement in Contemporary
Organizations (pp. 165-179). IGI Global.
Gomez-Trujillo, A.M. and Gonzalez-Perez, M.A., 2020. What do we know about organizational
sustainability and international business?. Management of Environmental Quality: An
International Journal.
Kannan, S. and Miah, S.J., 2019. Integration of knowledge management and business
intelligence for lean organizational learning by the digital worker. In Applying Business
Intelligence Initiatives in Healthcare and Organizational Settings (pp. 130-140). IGI
Global.
Pessima, J.D. and Dietz, B., 2019. Global Talent Management. The Wiley Handbook of Global
Workplace Learning, pp.155-170.
Sehatpour, M.H., Abedin, B. and Kazemi, A., 2021. Talent management in government
organizations: identification of challenges and ranking the solutions to address
them. International Journal of Productivity and Performance Management.
Srivastava, R.V. and Tang, T., 2021. The Matthew effect in talent management strategy:
reducing exhaustion, increasing satisfaction, and inspiring commission among boundary
spanning employees. Journal of Business & Industrial Marketing.
Zinkin, J., 2019. Planning Succession; Managing Talent. In Better Governance Across the
Board (pp. 219-246). De Gruyter.
Thunnissen, M. and Gallardo-Gallardo, E., 2017. Talent management in practice: An integrated
and dynamic approach. Emerald Group Publishing.
12

APPENICES
13

Project Logbook for the chosen
organisation:
Name of the learner: Name of the Supervisor:
Project Title: “To determine the
innovative ways and new initiative of working
applied by organisation to accomplish the
talent management strategic approach”. A
study on Marks and Spencer.
Date:
Update of weekly research/ tasks achieved
(Account for a minimum of six weeks with
dates)
 What have you completed?
 Did you fulfil Task requirements?
 Are you on track and within
deadlines set?
 Did you need to make any changes to
your project management plan?
I actually have completed my task on
the subject of “To determine the innovative
ways and new initiative of working applied by
organisation to accomplish the talent
management strategic approach”. A study on
Marks and Spencer.
Yes, the entire task is finished.
Yes, all tasks is terminated as per given time
period.
No.
Any risks and / or issues identified?
 Did you identify risks/issues with a
lack of skills required for
undertaking research tasks?
 Did you identify any additional
risks/issues that have an impact on
No, The overall work is applied nicely and
systematically with assist of powerful talents.
Yes, staying adhered to time stage.
14

the project management plan?
Problems encountered
What barriers did you face?
How did you overcome them?
Gathering of records from representatives.
With the assist of powerful communication in
addition to communication competencies.
New Ideas and change of project direction
What Have I learnt about myself this week?
How did I feel when I had to deal with
tasks/problems?
How well have I performed? What did I
contribute?
What can I improve on next week?
How might this learning apply in the future?
I felt coordinative and at ease at the time of
managing troubles.
By the help of my abilities as well as
expertise, I carried out it in a proper way.
By enhancing the talents and make decisions
properly.
By mission destiny studies systematically.
Tasks planned for next week
Which tasks are priority?
Have you set aside sufficient time for
completion?
Task of records series and interpretation holds
the importance in examine.
Yes, by way of the use of Gantt chart and
Work breakdown shape.
Project plan status to date (on, ahead,
behind)
Supervisor comments to address
15

Signature of the Supervisor and date:
Template for Performance Review to be attached with the report by the
learner:
1. What was the Project supposed to accomplish?
Aim: “To determine the innovative ways and new initiative of working applied by
organisation to accomplish the talent management strategic approach”. A study on Marks
and Spencer.
2. Did the project succeed in its aims/ how do you know? Specifically, please
outline any evaluation and assessment undertaken.
The project is a hit in fulfilment of the overall laid goals and ambitions by way of the use
of number one resources and secondary assets of facts. This procedure has helped in
determine the innovative ways and new initiative of working applied by organisation to
accomplish the talent management strategic approach”. A study on Marks and Spencer..
This process assisted in assessment of the subject and for the reaching closer to relevant
tips and conclusions inside the designated time period.
3. What things do you think worked well and why? Evaluate all aspects of the
project (e.g initial inception, project activities and project outcomes) from a range
of perspectives.
The main difficulty that get up within the route of found in seek became related to
dealing with the coordination and cooperation stage among various group members.
Another problem changed into a number of the individuals had been no longer
willing to proportion the data. I made proper disclosures and adhered to moral
considerations to control all of the statistics furnished by way of the respondents.
4. What problems emerged during the project and how were they tackled? Was
there timely identification of issues and resolution during the project process?
The fundamental trouble become associated with difficulty in dealing with some
of the crew members for this I used battle resolution competencies. Some of the
respondents were reluctant in sharing the records which turned into additionally a
first-rate issue that rise up inside the direction of amassing primary facts. Another
16

barrier that I feel changed into associated with now not having proper communique
talents to talk with the target respondents.
5. What did you learn from undertaking the project?
The basic mastering from the mission is associated with improvement of my
communique and interpersonal abilities that are going to assist me within the course
of future research paintings. I have focused on maximizing my gift learning talents
this is supporting me in the direction of understanding one-of-a-kind factors related
to the studies.
6. How would you rate your performance as a management consultant leading
the project?
I rate in my opinion is 8/10
7. What strengths and weakness of your performance did you identify?
My power within the route of present research paintings is communication
talents and collaborative operating practices. My weak point inside the gift
research paintings is associated with not having proper management and control
competencies associated with the report.
8. How will this inform and support your continuous professional development?
My present conflict decision abilities have helped me in dealing with all the
troubles that arise inside the route of dealing with the team individuals. This is
likewise going to assist me in future professional development.
17