Investigating Talent Management Approaches at Marks and Spencer

This report examines talent management strategies at Marks & Spencer (M&S), focusing on new initiatives to achieve a strategic approach. The introduction highlights the importance of employees and talent management for business success. Task 1 outlines project aims, objectives, and a project management plan including time, cost, quality, scope, communication, risk, and resources. It also presents a work breakdown structure and a Gantt chart. Task 2 describes the research methodology, using a quantitative approach with primary data collection through questionnaires. Task 3 involves data analysis and recommendations based on the findings, followed by Task 4 with a reflection on the project. The report concludes with references and appendices, including a logbook and a performance review template. The research aims to understand talent management frameworks, its importance, and new initiatives within M&S, providing insights into strategic talent management practices and their impact on organizational goals.

Managing a successful
business project

INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................3
TASK 1............................................................................................................................................3
Project aims and objectives for a chosen scenario.......................................................................3
Project management plan.............................................................................................................4
Work breakdown structure and a Gantt chart..............................................................................6
TASK 2............................................................................................................................................8
Research methodology.................................................................................................................8
TASK 3..........................................................................................................................................10
Data analysis..............................................................................................................................10
Recommendations......................................................................................................................15
TASK 4..........................................................................................................................................16
Reflection...................................................................................................................................16
CONCLUSION..............................................................................................................................16
REFERENCES .............................................................................................................................18
APPENDICES...............................................................................................................................19
Logbook.....................................................................................................................................19
Performance review template....................................................................................................21

INTRODUCTION
For an organisation employees are considered as their foremost asset as they are
contributing to business success and growth. Their efforts are helpful for the business to get
higher growth opportunities and inhale required market prominence as well. For gaining higher
contribution of employees this is significant to provide them such measures and environment by
which they feel happy, valued and satisfied as well (Järvi and Khoreva, 2020). There are various
strategies that could be used by the business in order to take out maximum efforts from their
employees and amongst this talent management strategies are prominent to be used. Talent
management is defined as the process which can be used by the organisation for the major
purpose to develop talented people and to get positive implication on overall productivity. The
present report is prepared for gaining knowledge regarding such innovative ways and initiatives
which can be used by organisations to attain strategic approach within talent management. The
present report is based on Marks and Spencer which is engaged in providing clothing range,
accessories and eatable products to wide range of customers. The report is going to discuss aims
and objectives within project management plan and with the help of research methodology and
data analysis overall interpretation of gathered data will be performed.
TASK 1
Project aims and objectives for a chosen scenario
Overview of the Research: The current research is based on analysing f new initiatives
and innovative ways that can be used by organisations in order to attain strategic approach of
talent management. M&S is highly emphasised over including strategies of talent management in
order to develop strategic approach to the business and to attract talented workforce as well.
Using talent management strategies overall working capabilities of the business can be enhanced
and at the same time motivation can be received by employees (Wilcox, 2016). M&S is one of
the prominent multinational organisations which are known for their highly fashioned clothing
and variety of packaged food. Using talent management strategies significant edge can be
received by the business in relation to develop market prominence. Thus in the respect of the
above objective of achieving strategic approach to talent management the report is helping the
researcher to develop their way of framing research.

Aim: “To investigate the new initiatives and innovative ways of working used by
companies to attain a strategic approach within talent management”. A case study on M&S.
Objectives:
 To understand basic framework of talent management strategies used within business.
 To examine the importance of talent management as a strategic approach within business. To analyse the new initiatives used by the businesses to attain strategic approach in talent
management.
Research questions:
 What is the basic framework of talent-management within an organisation?
 What is the importance of talent management as strategic approach?
 What are the new initiatives used by the organisation to achieve strategic approach in
talent management?
Project management plan
The project is defined as the study which has been taken up in the form of research for drawing
some specific results out of it. The project management plan is defined as the detailed inclusion
of processes and aspects which are going to be used within research for gaining desired
objectives thereon (Gallardo-Gallardo and Thunnissen, 2019). With the help of project
management plan definite outcomes can be focused by the researcher during the research so that
within provided time frame overall objectives can be accomplished. The project management is
associated with several phases such as initiation, planning, execution, monitoring and closing.
Within this research various components are added within project management plan which is
elaborated as under:
Time: The time is regarded as one of the prominent component of project management
plan. The overall project is required to be carried out in such a manner that within timeline the
overall processes can be completed and at the same time objectives can be accomplished. The
project is required to be carried out within a certain time frame so that to avoid delays and
mismanagement situations. For initiating a project in effective manner firstly a time plan is
prepared in which completion time of each activity is mentioned. In the context of current project
3 months has been decided as timeline which is required to finish the project.
Cost: Cost is defined as the sum of overall funds which are needed in order to carry the
overall project in effective manner. The allocation of funds for each activity is necessary as this

will lead the project to move in smooth manner. With the help of appropriate budget allocation
overall action plan can be prepared and in this manner under this research £800 will be needed
for carrying out the project in significant manner.
Quality: The quality deliverable is defined as the consideration which is going to be
maintained so that to manage proper quality within project (Pocztowski, Pauli and Miś, 2020).
The quality standards are holding appropriate aspects within research so that benchmarking can
be uphold. Each business are having quality standard for the business in order to gain
prominence within the project.
Scope: The scope is associated with such features and functions that are helpful for the
project in order to gain prominence with the project. The scope is associated with such area of
the project in which support is attained by the project in order to gain its objectives. With the
help of deciding goals, time and resources scope of the project can be attained. The scope is
undertaking the objectives, activities and plans so that to get prominence within research. With
the help of understanding scope of the project all the activities can be exerted in optimal manner
and this is the reason that this part is considered as the crucial aspect of the research.
Communication: After deciding of research objectives and scope the other step is to
communicate the same with all the parties associated with the research in order to align them
with attaining of research objectives in optimal manner. When communication gap arises within
the project this may create barrier in focusing on the path of project and resultantly delay is the
major issue that can be faced (Smither, Houston and McIntire, 2016). In this manner continuous
feedbacks are required to be taken so that effectiveness can be maintained and in smooth manner
project may lead to its success.
Risk: The risk is regarded as the negative aspect within research project which are
required to be identified so that preventive measures can be taken on appropriate time. Risks
within project may tarnish the efforts given by researcher and other people so in order to
minimise its impact this is necessary to prepare for a backup plan so that progression of the
research do not get hampered.
Resources: The resources are defined as such aspects or elements which are used within
research in order to complete the project in well-defriend manner (Baile and et. al., 2018). The
resources within project are created and allocated for the major purpose of carrying out the
overall project in effective manner. The major resources for the research are manpower,

stationary, funds and many more. These are helping the researcher to execute their efforts
aligned with research objectives.
Work breakdown structure and a Gantt chart
Work breakdown structure
The Work breakdown structure is defined as an effective tool which is helpful in carrying
operations. In WBS is associated with breaking down of various activities so that to attain overall
objectives of the project (Burghate, 2018). This is defined as the technique in which activities are
broke down so that to gain efficiency. This approach is logically divides all the activities so that
in effective manner project can be simplified.
Gantt Chart
A Gantt chart is emphasising over timeline of the project. This chart is divided into left side
shows so that project activities and in this manner time frame can be met of the project. The
length of chart is providing activity chart time so that to accomplish objectives (Brčić and
Mlinarić, 2018). This is pictorial depiction in order to evaluate progress of the project. This is
very helpful in measuring activities in most effective manner.

TASK 2
Research methodology
The research is defined as the process in which systematic activities such as data
collection, documentation, analysis and interpretation. With the help of using such approaches
appropriate conclusion can be attained. The research is associated with depth analysis in order to
gain conclusion of the research. The effective research is helpful in accomplishing project
management results. There are two types of research methods such as:
Qualitative Research: The qualitative research is based on non-numerical aspects. This
research is emphasised on opinions, thoughts so that the same can be expressed in words. This is
generally focused on person based responses in order to gain research outcomes (Yates and
Leggett, 2016). In this manner asked questions are open ended and at the same time thoughts and
observation are also included.
Quantitative Research: The quantitative research is associated with numerical manner
so that in terms of statistical manner. The quantitative research is expressing data analysis in the
manner of numerical manner. The responses are close ended in which in numerical manner so
that overall objectives can be attained.
Data collection: The data collection is defined as the process in which data is collected
in which overall results can be attained. There are two types of data collection method which are
elaborated as under:
Primary Data: The primary data is based on first-hand information so that reliable
information can be collected. The primary data are reliable so that accurate information can be
collected. The reliability of data is helpful in reaching to accurate conclusion in appropriate
manner.
Secondary Data: The secondary data is defined as the techniques so that using existing
sources data can be collected. The sources under secondary sources are journals, magazine,
government publication. In this manner overall objective of the research can be attained. On the
other hand this data collection method is time consuming (Plonsky, 2017).
Under this research quantitative research methods are used and on the other hand primary
method of data collection are used so that to draw conclusion in effective manner.

Sampling: This is regarded as the process in which analysis on the basis of observation is
performed. Sampling is defined as taking out of desired people out of population so that
efficiency can be gained within research. This is the method in which effective understanding
can be rendered in order to gain prominence. Under this research the sample size is taken as 30.
Questionnaire
Quantitative questions
Q1) Do you have understanding regarding talent management practices within your
organisation?
a) Yes
b) No
Q2) Do you think that talent management strategies are helpful in gaining strategic intent
within business?
a) Yes
b) No
Q3) As per your opinion does M&S work for inhaling talent management strategies?
a)Yes
b) No
Q4) What are the prominent talent management strategies that can be used by M&S for
gaining their strategic intent?
a) Providing complete job description
b) Providing proper path for continual success
Q5) What are the significance of talent-management in M&S for their strategic objectives?
a) Attracting and retaining talented human resource capital
b) Intensification of performance
c) Speedy recovery over risks
Q6) What are the practices used by M&S in respect of talent management?
a) High amount of motivation
b) Providing job satisfaction to employees
c) Intensified interpersonal skills of employees
Q7) What are the new initiatives and ways used by M&S within talent management?
a) Rotation of jobs

b) Training and development sessions
c) Using multi-channel activities
Q8) What are the consequences faced by the business when they are not empathisesd on
talent management?
a) Rising cost of recruitment
b) Changing of employee attitude
c) Higher employee turnover
TASK 3
Data analysis
Q1) Do you have understanding regarding talent management
practices within your organisation?
Frequency
a) Yes 20
b) No 10
Interpretation: From the above research this can be analysed that out of 30 respondents, 20
have said that they have ample knowledge regarding talent management whereas 10 have have
denied for this.
Q2) Do you think that talent management strategies are helpful in
gaining strategic intent within business?
Frequency
a) Yes 25

b) No 5
Interpretation: From the above data this can be concluded that out of 30 respondents, 25 have
said that talent management strategies are helpful in gaining strategic intent whereas 5 have
denied for the same.
Q3) As per your opinion does M&S work for inhaling talent
management strategies?
Frequency
a)Yes 27
b) No 3

Interpretation: From the above data this can be concluded that out of 30 respondents, 27 have
said that M&S is following various practices of talent management whereas 3 have denied for
the same.
Q4) What are the prominent talent management strategies that can be
used by M&S for gaining their strategic intent?
Frequency
a) Providing complete job description 15
b) Providing proper path for continual success 15
Interpretation: From the above graph this can be said that out of 30 respondents, 15 have said
that providing job satisfaction is the major strategy of talent management whereas 15 said that
providing continuous success opportunity is the major strategy.
Q5) What are the significance of talent-management in M&S for their
strategic objectives?
Frequency
a) Attracting and retaining talented human resource capital 10
b) Intensification of performance 10
c) Speedy recovery over risks 10

Interpretation: From the above graph this can be concluded that out of 30 respondents, 10 have
said that talent management strategies are useful in attracting talent people, 10 have said that
talent management strategies are helpful in increasing performance. At last 10 have said that
these are helpful in speedy recovery over risks.
Q6) What are the practices used by M&S in respect of talent
management?
Frequency
a) High amount of motivation 15
b) Providing job satisfaction to employees 5
c) Intensified interpersonal skills of employees 10

Interpretation: From the above graph this can be concluded that out of 30 respondents, 15have
said that rendering motivation is the major practice of talent management strategies used by
M&S, 5 have said that providing job satisfaction is the practice used under talent management
and at last 10 said that increasing interpersonal skills of employees are considered as the major
talent management strategy.
Q7) What are the new initiatives and ways used by M&S within talent
management?
Frequency
a) Rotation of jobs 10
b) Training and development sessions 15
c) Using multi-channel activities 5
Interpretation: From the above graph this can be said that out of 30 respondents 15 have said
that the major new initiative within talent management could be organising of training and
development sessions.
Q8) What are the consequences faced by the business when they are
not emphasised on talent management?
Frequency
a) Rising cost of recruitment 10
b) Changing of employee attitude 10
c) Higher employee turnover 10

Interpretation: From the above graph this can be concluded that out of 30 respondents, 10 have
said that the major consequence of talent management is associated with rising cost of
recruitment.
Recommendations
From the above analysis this can be said that talent management is defined as one of the
most influential aspect in which talented people are attracted towards the organisation in order to
meet strategic objective of the business (Jehangir and Khan, 2018). For a business their major
motive is to meet their business objectives by setting out strategic path in such a way that overall
development can be inhaled. There are various complexities which are seen by the business and
these are having direct negative impact over productivity of the organisation. In this manner
M&S is required to adopt such practices by which complexities can be minimised and business
operations can be executed in easy and smooth manner. Some of the recommendations given to
M&S are enlightened as below so that to gain business benefits:
 M&S is requisite to provide long term goals to their employees in order to acquire
prominence in their strategic objectives and to attain prominence in using talent
management strategies. These approaches will be helpful for the company to render
growth and development opportunities to their employees so that they get involved in
business activities in immense manner. On the other hand these approaches could lead in
developing motivation in employees so that to engage them in organisational working in
significant manner.

 M&S should emphasis on various training sessions to their employees so that they may
get assistance in enhancing their skills and competencies in most defined manner. These
enhanced skills could be helpful in gaining organisational goals and objectives in timely
manner.
TASK 4
Reflection
I am glad to take participation in this research as this gave me immense knowledge and
experience regarding the topic of talent management and such new initiatives used by the
businesses in order to attain their strategic objectives. Using various methods I completed the
above research with utmost understanding and flexibility. In the current report primary methods
of data collection has been used in order to gain realistic and accurate information. For primary
method questionnaire has been selected so that to garb views of different people (Frost and
Kalman, 2016). This was helpful for me in gaining diversified views on given research topic
which led me to draw significant conclusion as well. During this research I analysed regarding
my strengths and weaknesses so that I can improve the same for getting prominence within
future researches. I analysed that I am required to work over my communication and persuading
skills as during the research I came in contact with people of different cultural background and
this created issues for me in communicating with them. Using various seminars and
communication learning I am going to sharpen my communication skills for getting
improvement in future projects. On the other hand I am required to work on management skills
as I felt failure in coordinating with people and this has given negative impacts on completing
the research. In addition to this I am good in dealing with level of motivation in individual so
that lesser conflicts can be created in dealing with delegated tasks to individual.
CONCLUSION
From the above information and discussion this can be concluded that talent management is
integral part of the business in which self-dependency can be created within the organisation
towards their employees. With the help of talent management strategies strategic intent to the
business can be provided and in the same manner goals and objectives can be accomplished
without facing any prominent barrier. In order to analyse the concept of talent management
researches can be organised by the business so that they can study about the concept in depth

manner. There are differential dimensions for research such as primary data collection, Gantt
chart, quantitative research and many more. Using these dimensions as accordance to the need of
research overall objectives can be attained.

REFERENCES
Books and journals

APPENDICES
Logbook

Performance review template