Managing Talent at H&M: Innovative Approaches and Business Performance

This report delves into H&M's talent management practices, investigating innovative approaches and initiatives employed to achieve a strategic talent management framework. The study analyzes the impact of these strategies on business performance, including aspects like employee retention, and the attainment of organizational objectives. The research employs a mixed-methods approach, including a project plan, research methodology, and quantitative data collection through surveys. The findings highlight the different types of innovative ways used by H&M such as guidance to employees, assessment of performance, offering developmental opportunities and high compensation. The report also identifies challenges faced by H&M, such as time consumption and high costs, and offers recommendations for improvement, including better communication with employees and time management. The study concludes with an evaluation of the effectiveness of the implemented strategies and provides insights into how H&M can further enhance its talent management practices to drive better business outcomes.

MANAGING A SUCCESFUL BUSINESS
PROJECT
(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?)

TABLE OF CONTENT
SECTION 1- Introduction................................................................................................................3
Overview of the background:.................................................................................................3
SECTION 2- Project Plan................................................................................................................3
SECTION 3- RESEARCH..............................................................................................................5
SECTION 4- FINDINGS AND RECOMMENDATIONS.............................................................8
SECTION 5- Evaluation................................................................................................................11
SECTION 6- Conclusion...............................................................................................................12
REFERENCES..............................................................................................................................13
APPENDICES...............................................................................................................................14
Performance Review............................................................................................................14
Project Logbook...................................................................................................................17

SECTION 1- Introduction
Overview of the background:
Talent management is known as procedure and process in the organization that has full
focus and concentration towards managing, arranging and organizing employees (Al-Dalahmeh,
2020). Employees are known as one of the significant assets in the companies because they are
responsible for carrying out activities successfully (Gitonga, 2019). In the current professional
research report H&M is selected as organization which is a clothing retail organization
particularly for women, men, teenagers and children. It is selected because it deals under retail
sector as Labour & Wait Ltd.
Aim of the project: To investigate about the impact of different types of innovative ways
companies use for the successful achievement of strategic approach to talent management. A
study on H&M
Objectives of the project:
 To determine the different types of innovative ways and new initiatives of working do
H&M put with the motive of achieving a strategic approach to talent management
 To understand the impact on business performance after implementing new innovative
ways and initiatives of talent management within H&M
 To identify challenges faced by H&M while planning and executing talent management
strategies in the workplace
Questions of the project:
 What are the different types of innovative ways and new initiatives of working do H&M
put with the motive of achieving a strategic approach to talent management?
 What is the impact on business performance after implementing new innovative ways and
initiatives of talent management within H&M?
 What are the challenges faced by H&M while planning and executing talent management
strategies in the workplace?
SECTION 2- Project Plan
Project management plan is defined as plan for outlining different activities to carry out
activities in a proper manner. There are different types of components that are need in the current
project that include:

Cost
It is one of the important components because it provides necessary funds for conducting
different activities. Project manager has focused on developing budget so that no problem occurs
in future due to shortage of funds. Researcher would need dollar 300 to take out every process
and procedure of project (Team and et. al., 2018).
Time
Time is very as essential component to complete project. It helps researcher in
understanding the time needed to do every activity and task in a systematic manner. After
analyzing the needs and requirements, project manager has decided that for achieving all
objectives 5 months would be needed.
Resources
Resources are defined as needed things to complete project. Project manager would need
different types of secondary sources such as journals, publications, newspapers etc. and also use
respondents to collect primary data (Wajcman, 2019).
Quality
Project manager focuses on conducting every activity with the great quality. It is focused
towards taking out high-quality information. It has dependent on qualitative and quantitative data
so that reader could understand about the topic of the study.
WBS structure
Work breakdown structure is defined as structure that is concerned about dividing large
activities into small tasks because small targets are always easier to complete with great
efficiency and quality. It is the structure that makes complex projects very easy to complete and
assists in putting similar kind of activities into one group that ultimately saves the time of project
manager.

Gantt chart
Gantt chart is defined as chart that helps in classifying activities with the proper time
duration. In general terms it assists in understanding the activities and the time needed for
completing each activity. It clearly defines beginning and ending date in the chart about every
activity that ultimately assists project manager to stay in track (Brčić and Mlinarić, 2018).

SECTION 3- RESEARCH
Research Methodology
Research Philosophy
Research philosophy is classified into two significant parts known as positivism and
interpretivism philosophy. Positivism philosophy is chosen by manager as it focuses on number
data without taking longer time period (Volkova and et. al., 2018). It ultimately assists in
collecting data that is significant for attaining objectives of the project.

Research Approach
Research approach is one of the methodologies that concentrate on measuring
information and providing set of beliefs for measuring the relevant information. Inductive and
deductive are two approaches and from them researcher has selected deductive approach because
deductive approach focuses on measuring numeric data in a very limited period of time.
Research Choice
Qualitative and quantitative are two available research choices in front of project
manager. Project manager has focused on numeric data so they selected quantitative research
choice (Jooss, Burbach and Ruël, 2019). It is the choice is that concentrates on collecting and
gathering numerical data related to the topic of project. Quantitative choice collects great piece
of numerical information with high accuracy and relevancy.
Research Strategy
Research strategy provides different kinds of strategies that assist in collection of
information that is appropriate for the project. Grounded theory, action research, survey etc. are
some of the kinds of strategies but researcher has selected survey because it facilitates in
gathering valid numeric data. One of the biggest benefits of using survey is that it provides
collection of primary data from different types of individuals (Thomas, 2021).
Sampling
Sampling is defined as procedure to select respondents from large population. Probability
and non-probability are two kinds of sampling (Purgał-Popiela, 2018). Probability sampling is
selected by project manager because it facilitates in choosing large number of participants
without any expectations and requirements. 10 managers are selected from H&M to collect
information about the talent strategies used by managers to attract, retain and develop
employees.
Data Collection
Primary and secondary are two available kinds of data collection. The current project is
dependent on primary and secondary method of data collection. Primary is necessary for taking
out raw information which is not taken by anyone in prior times. This type of data is gathered by
selected respondents in terms of their opinions and views (Theys and Schultz, 2020). Secondary
is used to collect data from available sources like books, articles, newspapers, journals,
magazines and many more.

Secondary Data
What are the different types of innovative ways and new initiatives of working do H&M put with
the motive of achieving a strategic approach to talent management?
According to Brouwer (2018), H&M uses various types of new initiatives and innovative
ways of working so that they could attract those employees who have experience, great talent,
skill and qualification and retain such employees who are continuously contributing in achieving
targets of organization with great efficiency. Some of the different types of innovative ways used
by H&M are:
Guidance to employees: Managers of H&M has adopted the innovative way to talent
management that is guidance to workers. In this employees are provided guidance in every stage
of their operation so that they could do it effectively and efficiently. This increases the
motivation level of employees as they get guidance at right time.
Assessment of performance: It is one of the great initiatives of talent management as in this
evaluation of employee’s performance is done by managers of H&M. This evaluation assists in
differentiating employees who are working great and who are not working up to the mark.
Employees who have underperformed are provided with training so that they could improve in
their work.
What is the impact on business performance after implementing new innovative ways and
initiatives of talent management within H&M?
According to Sparrow (2018), with the implementation of new innovative ways and
initiatives H&M could have positive impact on its business performance. The positive impact
could be explained below:
Attaining objectives and targets: With the successful implementation of strategies employees
become more focused towards their job role and responsibility. Their expectations and needs are
fulfilled organization and ultimately in achieving entire pre-defined goals of organization.
Decrease in employee turnover: Strategies of talent management help in attracting employees
to stay in the company by different motivational ways. Managers communicate with employees
on continuous basis to understand their needs or problems. This encourages employees to stay in
the same company and work hard to achieve company’s objectives.
What are the challenges faced by H&M while planning and executing talent management
strategies in the workplace?

According to Holck and Stjerne (2019), there are various challenges that are faced by
H&M while planning and executing talent management strategies in the workplace, some of
them are:
Consumption of time: H&M faces various challenges while planning and executing strategies
of talent management is consumption of time. Managers take time to form strategies and their
attention diverts from other important work. This creates problem in dividing proper time to
conduct various activities.
High amount of funds: H&M faces issue in determining the exact amount for executing
strategies of talent management. This takes a lot of time and needs high rate of investment for
providing different compensation and benefits to employees.

SECTION 4- FINDINGS AND RECOMMENDATIONS
Frequency distribution table
Q1) Do you have basic knowledge about the talent management
strategies?
Frequency
a) Yes 10
b) No 0
Q2) What are the different available types of innovative ways of
working do H&M put with the motive of achieving a strategic
approach to talent management?
Frequency
a) Guidance of employees 3
b) Assessment of performance 2
c) Offering developmental opportunities 3
d) High compensation 2
Q3) What is the impact on business performance after implementing
new innovative ways and initiatives of talent management within
H&M?
Frequency
a) Qualified and talented employees 2
b) Decrease in employee turnover 3
c) Attaining objectives and targets 3
d) Great brand image 2
Q4) What are the challenges faced by H&M while planning and
executing talent management strategies in the workplace?
Frequency
a) High amount of funds 4
b) Ineffective strategies 2
c) Demand from employees 3
d) Consumption of time 1
Q5) What are the suggestions you would give to H&M for mitigating
challenges that are faced while executing and planning talent
management strategies in the workplace?
Frequency
a) Communicating with employees 3

b) Proper budget 2
c) Research and development 2
d) Time management 3
Question 1) Basic knowledge about the talent management strategies
Q1) Do you have basic knowledge about the talent management
strategies?
Frequency
a) Yes 10
b) No 0
Interpretation: From the above data it is interpreted that the whole 10 respondents have
answered yes that they possess knowledge regarding strategies of talent management because
they have contribution in their formation.
Question 2: Different available types of innovative ways of working do H&M put with the
motive of achieving a strategic approach to talent management
Q2) What are the different available types of innovative ways of
working do H&M put with the motive of achieving a strategic
approach to talent management?
Frequency

a) Guidance of employees 3
b) Assessment of performance 2
c) Offering developmental opportunities 3
d) High compensation 2
Interpretation: With the shown data it is interpreted that there are different types of innovative
ways that are used by H&M for having great strategic approaches to talent management.
Question 3: Impact on business performance after implementing new innovative ways and
initiatives of talent management within H&M
Q3) What is the impact on business performance after implementing
new innovative ways and initiatives of talent management within
H&M?
Frequency
a) Qualified and talented employees 2
b) Decrease in employee turnover 3
c) Attaining objectives and targets 3
d) Great brand image 2

Interpretation: By the given chart it is interpreted that there is positive impact of different
strategies of talent management in H&M.
Question 4: Challenges faced by H&M while planning and executing talent management
strategies in the workplace
Q4) What are the challenges faced by H&M while planning and
executing talent management strategies in the workplace?
Frequency
a) High amount of funds 4
b) Ineffective strategies 2
c) Demand from employees 3
d) Consumption of time 1

Interpretation: From the shown information it is understood that H&M faces challenges at the
time of implementing strategies of talent management.
Question 5: Suggestions you would give to H&M for mitigating challenges that are faced while
executing and planning talent management strategies in the workplace
Q5) What are the suggestions you would give to H&M for mitigating
challenges that are faced while executing and planning talent
management strategies in the workplace?
Frequency
a) Communicating with employees 3
b) Proper budget 2
c) Research and development 2
d) Time management 3

Interpretation: With the pie chart it is observed that managers of H&M have given suggestions
so that challenges could be mitigated at right time.
Recommendations
From the above show information it is recommended that innovation and new initiatives are
necessary in talent management. Labour and Wait Ltd is suggested with some recommendations
that are given below:
 Labour & Wait Ltd should focus on providing flexibility in work so that they could easily
make balance in their personal and professional life. This would help in increasing
productivity of employees as well as organization because it would improve the level of
motivation among employees.
 Labour & Wait Ltd must provide with compensation as per the performance of
employees. This motivates employees that they are given importance in the organization
and they are getting right pay for their work.
There are some barriers that could be faced by Labour & Wait Ltd while adopting innovative
strategic approaches s there are various circumstances that have to be dealt by organization.
The current time period is pandemic situation so they have to make such strategies so that
they do not need to lay off employees.
SECTION 5- Evaluation
As per the present professional report primary and secondary data is used to achieve the
objective of project. Primary data has focused on collecting raw data about the topic by selecting

respondents from the chosen organization (Nangia and Mohsin, 2020). It has helped in collecting
data in terms of opinions and views of participants in specified period of time. Secondary data
has collected with the motive of getting in-depth data related to the topic from sources like
books, journals, articles and many more. These methods have helped in getting appropriate and
relevant information at right time as primary has given numeric information about topic and
secondary given qualitative information (Islam and et. al., 2018).
SECTION 6- Conclusion
From the shown information it is summarized that talent management is must for every type
of organization. So, companies take different initiatives and innovative ways to attract new talent
and retaining existing employees. There are various types of innovative strategies like guidance
to employees, developmental opportunities etc. These strategies motivate employees to work
harder and smarter for the benefit of organization.

REFERENCES
Books and Journals
Al-Dalahmeh, M.L., 2020. Talent Management: A Systematic Review. Oradea Journal of
Business and Economics. 5(special), pp.115-123.
Brčić, M. and Mlinarić, D., 2018. Tracking predictive gantt chart for proactive rescheduling in
stochastic resource constrained project scheduling. Journal of Information and
Organizational Sciences. 42(2). pp.179-192.
Brouwer, A.J., 2018. Systems-oriented talent management: a design and validation study.
Gitonga, A.G., 2019. Influence of Human Resource Capability in Relating Talent Management
Strategy and Competitive Advantage. Journal of Human Resource Management. 7(4).
p.120.
Holck, L. and Stjerne, I.S., 2019. How Inclusive Can Exclusive Talent Management Be?.
In Managing Talent: A Critical Appreciation. Emerald Publishing Limited.
Islam and et. al., 2018. Talent Management for Organisational Performance Development in
Bangladesh Private Industry Context. International Journal of Human Resource
Studies. 8(4). pp.21-34.
Jooss, S., Burbach, R. and Ruël, H., 2019. Examining talent pools as a core talent management
practice in multinational corporations. The International Journal of Human Resource
Management, pp.1-32.
Nangia, M. and Mohsin, F., 2020. Revisiting talent management practices in a pandemic driven
VUCA environment-a qualitative investigation in the Indian IT industry. Journal of
Critical Reviews. 7(7). pp.937-942.
Purgał-Popiela, J., 2018. Global Talent Management: Current State of Research and
Trends. Human Resource Management/Zarzadzanie Zasobami Ludzkimi. 125(6).
Sparrow, P.R., 2018. Macro talent management in the UK: Patterns of agency in a period of
changing regimes.
Team and et. al., 2018. Preliminary Research.
Theys, N.A. and Schultz, C.M., 2020. A qualitative perspective of Talent Management. Journal
of Contemporary Management. 17(1). pp.64-85.
Thomas, C.G., 2021. Research methodology and scientific writing. Springer Nature.
Volkova and et . al., 2018. Concept in the trans textual space of artistic discourse. Literature
study research methodology. Modern Journal of Language Teaching Methods. 8(6).
pp.13-31.
Wajcman, J., 2019. The digital architecture of time management. Science, Technology, & Human
Values. 44(2). pp.315-337.

APPENDICES
Performance Review
PERFORMANCE REVIEW
● What was the project supposed to accomplish?
The current project was based on the topic called “To investigate about the impact of different
types of innovative ways companies use for the successful achievement of strategic approach to
talent management. A study on H&M”
Every objective is achieved because appropriate information has been collected at right time.
● Did the project succeed in its aims?
Yes the current professional research has received success because every objective is
taken out with great process and procedure.
How do you know? Specifically, please outline any evaluation and assessment
undertaken.
I know this because I had focused on collecting information from all the available sources
so that each objective could be determined.
● 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.
As per my experience this project was great because I had tried to stay on track
according to the plan made in early stages of the project.
One of the best thing while doing project was project management plan it has assisted me
a lot in carrying out various activities with all the available resources like funds,
secondary and primary sources. This plan helped me to guide in every stage of the
project.
Another thing in the project was collection of secondary information from different

sources such as articles, newspapers, books and many more.
Another challenging activity in the present project was collecting data from respondents
but it has also done greatly as I had collected required information.
● What problems emerged during the project and how were they tackled? Was there
timely identification of issues and resolution during the project process?
There were many problems that I had faced while doing project because of my
incomplete knowledge and lack of skills.
The first problem that I faced was not able to communicate properly because of my low
confidence and thinking that other people have great knowledge.
Another problem was issue in managing time properly. This had made me to suffer with
many problems as I was not able to complete the activities on time.
● What did you learn from undertaking the project?
I have learnt that time and communication is very necessary in conducting project. They
both hold great importance in real life also because time management helps in completing
every activity on time and the other one is communication it is necessary to gain
knowledge from others.
● How would you rate your performance as project manager?
I will give 9 out of 10 because I had learnt new things out of this project by overcoming
challenges.
● What strengths and weaknesses of your performance did you identify?
Strengths are:
I am capable enough to resolve problems and issues.
I am good in understanding the importance of various things.
Smart working as well as hard working.
Weaknesses are:

Poor time management skills
Low confidence in communicating with people.
● How will this inform and support your continuous professional development?
This would help in future where I would be able to complete my role and responsibilities
on time.
● The success of the project and its usefulness in supporting your chosen
organisation’s organisational performance;
With this report Labour and Wait ltd would know what strategies are great for them to
adopt.
● Your own performance.
I think my performance was as per my expectations.
QUESTIONNAIRE
Q1) Do you have basic knowledge about the talent management strategies?
a) Yes
b) No
Q2) What are the different available types of innovative ways of working do H&M put with the
motive of achieving a strategic approach to talent management?
a) Guidance of employees
b) Assessment of performance
c) Offering developmental opportunities
d) High compensation
Q3) What is the impact on business performance after implementing new innovative ways and
initiatives of talent management within H&M?

a) Qualified and talented employees
b) Decrease in employee turnover
c) Attaining objectives and targets
d) Great brand image
Q4) What are the challenges faced by H&M while planning and executing talent management
strategies in the workplace?
a) High amount of funds
b) Ineffective strategies
c) Demand from employees
d) Consumption of time
Q5) What are the suggestions you would give to H&M for mitigating challenges that are faced
while executing and planning talent management strategies in the workplace?
a) Communicating with employees
b) Proper budget
c) Research and development
d) Time management
Project Logbook
PROJECT LOGBOOK
Name:
Project title: Project Aim:
The current project was based on the topic called “To investigate about the impact of
different types of innovative ways companies use for the successful achievement of strategic
approach to talent management. A study on H&M”
Update on weekly research/tasks achieved

Points to consider: What have you completed?
I had completed research on different talent strategies.
Did you fulfill task requirements?
Yes
Are you on track and within deadlines set?
Yes
Did you need to make any changes to your project management plan?
No
Any risks and/or issues identified?
Points to consider: Did you identify risks/issues with a lack of skills required for
undertaking research/tasks?
Yes problem in communication
Using precious time.
Did you identify any additional risks/issues that have an impact on the project
management plan?
No
Problems encountered
Points to consider:
What barriers did you face?
Managing time
Lack of confidence in interacting with various people.
New ideas and change of project direction
Research through quantitative method would be conducted.
What have I learnt about myself this week?
Great in resolving issues.
Points to consider: How did I feel when I had to deal with tasks/problems
I had worked with great patience.

Did I find it useful to complete the tasks?
Yes, I do.
How well have I performed?
I had performed well.
What did I contribute?
My contribution is I collected information about talent strategies.
What can I improve on next week?
By improving skill of communication.
How might this learning apply in the future?
It would help in creating great carrer.
Tasks planned for next week
Points to consider: Which tasks are priority?
Analyzing primary information.
Collection of secondary information.
Have you set aside sufficient time for completion?
Sufficient time was set.
Project plan status to date (on, ahead, behind)
Supervisor comments to address