Key Challenges and Obstacles in Talent Management: Marks & Spencer

This report delves into the key challenges and obstacles Marks & Spencer faces in talent management. It begins with an introduction to talent management and provides an overview of the company. The report outlines project aims, objectives, and a project management plan. It includes a work breakdown structure and a Gantt chart for effective project management. The research employs both primary and secondary methods to gather data, presenting findings using appropriate tools and techniques. The report covers research questions, methodologies, and data analysis. It also discusses the importance of effective communication, resource management, and risk assessment within the project. The conclusion summarizes the challenges and potential solutions, offering recommendations for improving talent management practices at Marks & Spencer. The report covers the key challenges faced by the company, research objectives, research questions, project management plan, work breakdown structure, Gantt chart, research methods, data presentation, and a final reflection.

Managing a Successful
Business Project
1

Table of Contents
Topic: “What are the key challenges and obstacles faced by different business sectors in context
of talent management” ....................................................................................................................3
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................3
MAIN BODY...................................................................................................................................3
P1 Devise project aims and objectives .......................................................................................3
P2 Project management plan (PMP)...........................................................................................4
P3 Produce a work breakdown structure and a Gantt Chart ......................................................6
P4 Carry out small-scale research applying primary and secondary methods ...........................9
P5 Present findings and data using appropriate tools and techniques.......................................11
P6 Reflection.............................................................................................................................14
CONCLUSION .............................................................................................................................15
REFERENCES .............................................................................................................................16
Appendix........................................................................................................................................18
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Topic: “What are the key challenges and obstacles faced by different business
sectors in context of talent management”
INTRODUCTION
Talent management is process of developing and attracting and retaining employees,
motivating them and developing their skills and capabilities in order to improve there
performance at working environment. The primary objective of the talent management is to
create a motivated workforce and helps them to retain in business environment for long run. To
run for the long business it is important for the organisation to follow equality and diversity so
that business objectives and goals can be achieved at a definite time period (Ali and et.
al.,2018). The organisation which is chosen in this project is Marks and Spencer, it is the British
multinational retailing company which has a headquarter in London. The respective company, is
founded in 1884 by partnership between Michael Marks and Thomas Spencer. It has 959 stores
in United Kingdom. In this report all research objectives and goals are defined which helps to
find out the solutions of certain problems. Project management plan of Marks and Spencer is
prepared that consist all organisational goals to accomplished in pre defined time period with
having great quality and communication and reduce the rick and allocation of resource in
effective manner. Work break down structure and Gantt chart and all stages to their completion,
appropriate research method is very important to meet all research objectives are mentioned.
Present findings and appropriate tools and techniques of data using are covered, so data can be
effectively utilised to achieve organisational objectives. Effective communication and
recommendations plays important role to draw significant conclusion of organisation. Values are
helpful to achieve organisational objectives, evaluate their performance and able to improve
learnings, all aspects of value is covered in report.
MAIN BODY
P1 Devise project aims and objectives
Company overview
Marks and Spencer is the British multinational company which is situated in United
kingdom. Now it is operating in more than 1,463 stores in all over the world. Company was
founded in 1884 by Michael marks and Thomas Spencer. Company deals in selling clothes, food
3

products, home appliances etc. There are about 80,000 employees working currently in the
organisation.
Aim of research
“To determine the key challenges and obstacles facing by Marks & Spencer related to
talent management.”
Research Objectives
 To understand the concept of talent management.
 To determine the challenges faced by Marks & Spencer related to talent management.
 To identify the measures to overcome from talent management challenges.
Research questions
 What is the meaning of talent management?
 What are the challenges faced by Marks & Spencer related to talent management?
 What are the measures that can overcome from talent management challenges?
P2 Project management plan (PMP)
A project management plan is the plan which is a formal document that defines how a
project is going to be carried out. It involves scope, budget, goals and timeline and deliverables
of the project (Shrivastava and Rathod, 2017). It is essential for keeping an project into the track.
It is a written plan which is made to identify all the stages of the project in a very appropriate and
schedule manner. There are several stages that are to be used in making a project plan. These
starting initiation of the project, then execution and monitoring and controlling to closing of the
project. The main purpose of this project management plan is to develop a structure and
identification of all the information that is required for the project development. So that this will
be communicated to all the stakeholders of the company. Components of a project management
plan are discussed below:
 Scope: Scope refers to the documenting and determining of some aspects related to
projects. These are Goals, deliverables, task etc. Project aims at talent management and
this will helps the company in retaining talent management in the business environment.
On the another aspect, research is knowing about the challenges and barriers faced by the
company and how company can overcome from these barriers and challenges
(Dziekoński 2017).
4

 Time: It is the estimated time that is required for completing the project in appropriate
manner. For completion project work it is essential for a company to use Gantt chart and
WBS that is work break down structure. Researchers take 4 weeks to complete this
research but further it takes 4 weeks to complete the strategies designed by Marks and
Spencer company in establishing their products or services. It is important to know about
the definite time period that is required by them to complete a task or project work. Time
helps the person in completing task at definite time.
 Quality: It refers to quality of sources and raw material that is required to completed that
project. Secondary information of the project has been taken from the certified sources.
This assured a quality of work. For this company makes it confidential so that it cannot
be reveal to the other people. Quality is the most important component because if quality
is good of a product and services then customers are more satisfied by the company and
company can increase profits and revenues (Silvius and et. al.,2017).
 Cost: Cost is related to the amount that is required for the completion of project. For
completing this research, company has spend around £500 for information collected
through primary data. Company needs more £100 to conduct research thorough
secondary sources. So, it becomes more important to create a budget in advance. On the
other hand, company needs more than 100 pounds to conduct this reseach and gather
information that is required by them. This is important to know abut the cost or budget
which is required by the company to conduct a research.
 Risk: It involves the risk that can be associated with the research company is doing for
them. There are various types of risk that are involves in research projects. These are
limited sources, funds, inaccurate responses etc. Risk involves in this are lack of talented
staff members and inaccurate information analysis and data interpretation etc. On the
other hand it is essential for a company to know about its all risk involves in the research
process. These risks are lack of equality, unskilled staff members, lack of resources and
inaccurate information (Geraldi, and Söderlund, 2018).
 Communication: Communication can be written as well as oral. As for developing this
project research both the communications are necessary. HR department and
management staff of the company needs to make effective communication with the
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customers, staff members and other stakeholders. Effective communication is helpful to
develop mutual understanding between organisation and their employees.
 Resources: Resources that are used in this project is pen, paper, responses, time etc.
these are necessary for the completion of project and company needs other resources that
are talent employees and correct data. Human, physical as well as financial resources are
very important for an organisation, these should be properly maintained (Hassan, Bashir
and Abbas 2017).
P3 Produce a work breakdown structure and a Gantt Chart
Work Breakdown Structure is refers to transferable hierarchical decomposition of
determine work which is executed by project team to achieve all determined project objectives. It
contains effective planning of whole work, execute plan in effective way, control and monitor all
activities and at last prepare report over project (Sotiriadis, 2018).
Work Breakdown Structure– A properly designed WBS is able to describe outcomes
than the planned actions because outcome are desired result of a particular project. The structure
creates common understanding within the organisation about the project, hierarchy is followed
by organisation to define all level of work to complete it with efficiency. Each decreasingly level
of WBS hierarchy defines more detailed information about project. It should be expressive at
each level to create better understanding.
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Gantt chart – Gantt chart is introduced by Karol Adamiecki in mid of 1890. It is
generally used to manage a project, it is the useful and popular way to display all organisational
activities against defined time. Left side of Gantt chart all activities and on the top time is
mentioned (Stack, and et. al., 2017). Each and every activity is represented in the form of bar,
and position as well as length of bars defines the starting date, duration of activity and
completion date.
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Stages for management of projects with Gantt chart- Gantt chart is very useful to
plan a project and carry it with efficiency. There are numerous way to prepare Gantt chart.
Develop a work Breakdown structure- first step in preparation of Gantt chart is a development of
work Breakdown structure which break whole project in easily definable and understandable
objective. Then all task activities are analysed and dependencies of task is being evaluated. Next
step is share whole task with respective team members and execute it (Lenz 2019).
P4 Carry out small-scale research applying primary and secondary methods
Small- scale research- Research is a systematic process to collection, documentation,
analyse and interpretation of data according to suitable methodology. When the research is
conduct on small level which requires grate efficiency. Some methods of research are fol
Primary research- Primary research is refers as a methodology in which relative
information is collected by researcher direct from sources without depending on that data which
is collected by another researcher previously for specific research. It can be called own data of
researcher because it is collected by him first time. Primary research is conduct to find out
solutions of certain problems which requires depth analysis. Primary data can be collected by
conducting interviews, online surveys and observation (Yudina, 2017).
Secondary research- Secondary research method is refers to use that data or information
which is collected by other researchers for their own research. Existing data is gathered and
summarised to enhance effectiveness of research. It is collected from various sources such as
libraries, books, websites, data available on internet and from similar research projects. The
respective research is cost effective and quickly available.
Qualitative research- Qualitative research is refers as to gather and evaluate information
or data which is not is numerical term such as in form of text, audio and visual effects to
understand ideas, concepts, experiences. This research is used to gather depth evaluation of
problem to find out new ideas ans opinions for research. It is generally use in social science,
education and humanities sectors. There are various approaches can be use to collect qualitative
data such as grounded theory, ethnography, action research, phenomenology research and
narrative research. Observation, interviews, surveys and secondary research are the appropriate
method to collect data.
Quantitative research- Quantitative research is a method to collect and analyse data
which is in numerical terms such as facts and figures. The respective research can be used to
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make predictions, find out averages and to generalise all results in biology, economics and
marketing (Arando, and Bengoa 2018). There are various methods to collect secondary data such
as descriptive research, correlation al research and experimental research. Quantitative research
can be prepared by identifying research problem, then research questions are prepared and final
step to review them and develop a final research plan.
Sampling- Sampling is refers as a process of collecting statistical data or determined
observations from large group. It is random way to pick a single item from pool of items that
have same chances of selection, these sample represents whole group. Sampling could be done
by random sampling, cluster sampling and area sampling. An organisation can use sampling
method which are dealing in a number of products to know about customers point of view.
Questionnaire – Questionnaire is a instrument of research that includes a set of relative
questions in sequential way to gather data from relative respondent. Data collected by
questionnaire can be qualitative or quantitative (Doorley and Garcia, 2020). Questionnaire
perform important role in measuring behaviour of customers, their attitude, intension, opinion
and preferences are evaluated by using it which is cheap and quick method to collect data. It can
be quantitative or qualitative.
Questionnaire
Q1. Do you the meaning of talent management?
A. Yes
b. No
Q2. Is company is following talent management in working environment?
A. Yes
b. No
Q3. Do you know why employee leave from the company?
a. Dissatisfaction of working environment.
b. Poor salary
c. Not better growth opportunities
d. Management dissatisfaction
e. Other reason
Q4. Do you think retaining of employees can help the organisation in achieving their
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success?
A. Yes
b. No
c. Can't say
P5 Present findings and data using appropriate tools and techniques.
Q1. Do you the meaning of talent management? Frequency
A. Yes 40
b. No 10
Interpretation
This research is done on among 50 people. In the above graph it is finds that 40% of the
people are knowing about talent management and rest other 10% did not knowing about the
talent management in working business environment.
Q2. Is company is following talent management in working
environment?
Frequency
A. Yes 28
b. No 22
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Interpretation
it is essential for the company to follow talent management in their organisation to
increase employees and business productivity. In the graph it is seen that 28% people thinks that
company is following a talent management in working environment. Rest of the other people
22% thinks that talent management is not following in working environment of the Marks and
Spencer company.
Q3. Do you know why employees leave from the company? Frequency
a. Dissatisfaction of working environment. 12
b. Poor salary 8
c. Not better growth opportunities 5
d. Management dissatisfaction 5
e. Other reason 20
12
A. Yes
b. No

Interpretation
Employees are the most important stakeholders of every company. There needs and
demands should be fulfils by every company. In the above diagram, it is mentioned interpret that
12% of people thinks that employees leaves because of the dissatisfaction of working
environment. 8% of people thinks because of salary and 5% people thinks that Marks and
Spencer did not provide good growth opportunity. Another 5% people thinks that employees are
not satisfied by the management company is providing to them. 20% have their own reason.
Q4. Do you think retaining of employees can help the organisation
in achieving their success?
Frequency
A. Yes 30
b. No 12
c. Can't say 8
13
a. Dissatisfaction of
working
environment.
b. Poor salary
c. Not better growth
opportunities
d. Management
dissatisfaction
e. Other reason

Interpretation
If employees are retained in the business environment then there is the chance of
increasing company success and growth. This will helps the organisation in increasing their
productivity and their profits. So, in above diagram it is mentioned that 30% of the people thinks
that retained employees in the company for long run can help the company in achieving its
success. But 12% of employees thinks that retaining employees will not help the company in
growing its sales and profitability.
Any other recommendations for improvements:
There are some of the recommendation that are to be provided to Marks and Spencer
company. Company should provides equal opportunities to the each and every employee or
worker working in the business environment. Company should follow talent management in the
business environment. This will enhance employees skills and capabilities and there ability too.
P6 Reflection
As it was the first time I conducted any research work. For that I had faced various issues
and problems in conducing this primary research and achievement of my goals and objectives.
By this research work I have analysed by strength and weaknesses that helps me in managing my
project work. My strength includes leadership skills, communication skills and proper decision
making. But some of my weakness is that I lack in managing my thinks and take more stress.
This research helped me in improving on my weakness and learning new skills and knowledge.
This will also helps me in my career growth and opportunities. Research helps me in managing
the performance of myself and time management. I will be able to mange my time and risk and
my stress. Stress management helps me in working so smoothly and relax. This will increase my
productivity and learning skills. Then my time management I will be able to mange my time in
14
A. Yes
b. No
c. Can't say

very effective and efficient manner. I have learnt new thinks such as talking to people by taking
their feedbacks through questionnaire. Questionnaire is the most important task for taking any
information about the company. Company will help me in knowing about the employees and
customers who are the participants of company.
CONCLUSION
From the above report it can be concluded that project management is a important task
for an organisation's success, that includes conducting appropriate research and investigation to
achieve determined goals and objectives. Marks and Spencer should explain objectives and aims
of particular project to make mutual understanding within the organisation and their employees,
so, these objectives can achieved in defined time period with efficiency. Effective project
planning is introduced by company to reduce risk. The respective company, should choose the
appropriate method of research which provides reliable data for effective management of
project. The company, adopt respective values to complete task, enhance performance and to
achieve determine objectives.
Recommendation
 It is recommended that Marks and Spencer is effectively using talent management in the
business organisation.
 Company is following all rules and legislations that are to be used in running successful
business.
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REFERENCES
Ali, I ans et. al.,2018. Moderated effect of value co-creation on project
performance. International Journal of Managing Projects in Business.
Arando, S. and Bengoa, I. A., 2018. Inter-cooperation mechanisms in Mondragon: Managing the
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Cubero, J. N., 2018, June. Managing integration of disruptive innovations in ambidextrous
organizations. In ISPIM Innovation Symposium (pp. 1-10). The International Society
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Doorley, J. and Garcia, H.F., 2020. Reputation management: The key to successful public
relations and corporate communication. Routledge.
Dziekoński, K., 2017. Project managers’ competencies model for construction industry in
Poland. Procedia Engineering. 182. pp.174-181.
Geraldi, J. and Söderlund, J., 2018. Project studies: What it is, where it is going. International
journal of project management. 36(1).pp.55-70.
Hassan, M. M., Bashir, S. and Abbas, S. M., 2017. The impact of project managers’ personality
on project success in NGOs: The mediating role of transformational leadership. Project
Management Journal. 48(2). pp.74-87.
Lenz, R., 2019. Managing Distributed Ledgers: Blockchain and Beyond. Available at SSRN
3360655.
Lugangila, V., 2019. Institutional factors contributing to the ineffectiveness of school
committees in managing primary schools’ development projects in Kahama town
council (Doctoral dissertation, Mzumbe University).
Mainga, W., 2017. Examining project learning, project management competencies, and project
efficiency in project-based firms (PBFs). International Journal of Managing Projects in
Business.
Miterev, M., Mancini, M. and Turner, R., 2017. Towards a design for the project-based
organization. International Journal of Project Management. 35(3). pp.479-491.
Müller, R., Zhai, L. and Wang, A., 2017. Governance and governmentality in projects: Profiles
and relationships with success. International Journal of Project Management. 35(3).
pp.378-392.
Shrivastava, S. V. and Rathod, U., 2017. A risk management framework for distributed agile
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Silvius, A. G.and et. al.,2017. Considering sustainability in project management decision
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256.usawir, A.U. and Ali, M., 2018. Impact of knowledge sharing and absorptive
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Appendix
Performance review
 Should the project is supposed to accomplish?
Yes, project was accomplished on the given time period and I performed very well in
accomplishing this project in order to achieve my objectives and goals.
 Did that project achieved its aim? Mention the evaluation and assessment that is
undertaken in this project to complete.
The objectives of this research is to identifies various strategies and challenges that are to be
faced and manage by Marks and Spencer and to finds the measures that can help overcome from
talent management changes. I think project has achieved its aim and objectives by taking
feedbacks from customers on regular basis.
 Which strategies does well and how?
There are various task that is given to me in definite time period. And I have completed those
task through strategies of feedback and questionnaire. This will helps me in managing my time
framework according to the given multiple task and I can able to perform multiple task at a given
time period.
 What problems and issues has emerged at the time of research and how they can be
tackled? Was there is timely identification of solving a problems in a project
process?
The main problem that I face in this research project is time period as it is difficult to collect all
the information and conduct research among 50 people in a given short period of time. For
tackling this problems or issues I have made a a schedule for every task I perform so that I can
able to mange my work and time accordingly. I have find solutions for those challenges that are
to be faced by the company. Solutions like future focused and practise on talent management can
be done in an organisation to enhance talent management (Cubero, 2018).
 What do you learn about this project?
I have learned various skills in performing this project. I have enhance my communication skills
much better, then I able to manage time with multiple task at same time and didn't take stress. By
this I have worked on my weaknesses.
 If you are a project manger then how much you will rate yourself?
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Being a project manger I will rate myself as 8 out of 10 for the performance and task I have done
in this research report. Because I have lack my knowledge in some areas.
 Identify your strength and weakness in performing research project?
I have identifies my strength and weakness by doing this research. As my main strength is
decision making strategy and communication and leadership skills. These helps me managing
my work and on the other hand my weakness is lack of time management and stress
management. I have improved on my weakness.
 How will this enhance your current profession development?
This research has helped me in analysing my strength and weakness and being improved on
those weakness.
Project Logbook
Week 2 Week4 Week 6 Week 8 Week 10
Update on week basis
Have you completed your
daily task?
Yes No Yes Yes Yes
Have you fulfil the
requirement?
No Yes Yes Yes Yes
Identification of risk?
What are the issues and
problems you have faced at
the time of research?
What challenges do you
face?
Time Cost Communic
ation
Decision
Making
Resources
Overcome from those
challenges?
Work
division
Making
budget in
advance.
By reading
books and
participatio
n
Taking
proper
decision
Allocation
of task
What you learn about
myself?
Did this research is useful No Yes Yes Yes Yes
19

for me or not?
How well I have performed? Not good Good Needs to
improve
Better Excellent
How did I contribute? Skills
and
ability
Efforts Capability Knowledge
and
developme
nt
Experience
How this learning will help
me in future?
Completi
on of
work
Participatio
n in
activities
Achieveme
nt of goal
as well as
objectives
Work
performanc
e
Time
manageme
nt
Project status: On,
Ahead,
or
Behind
On, Ahead
or Behind
On, Ahead,
or Behind
On, Ahead,
or Behind
On, Ahead,
or Behind
Signature of Tutor
20