Analyzing Talent Management Strategies: A Case Study of M&S

This report provides a comprehensive analysis of talent management strategies, focusing on a case study of Marks & Spencer (M&S). It begins with an introduction to the concept of talent management, emphasizing its importance in attracting and retaining skilled employees, especially within a competitive retail environment. The report outlines the project management plan, including deliverables, timelines, quality control, and resource allocation. A Gantt chart and network diagram are included to visualize the project schedule. The literature review explores key themes such as talent management processes, its significance within organizations, effective strategies, and associated challenges. Primary and secondary research methodologies are discussed, including qualitative and quantitative approaches. The report also covers data analysis techniques and presents key findings related to M&S's talent management practices. Finally, the report concludes with recommendations for M&S and a reflection on the research process. The report aims to understand the strategies employed by companies to retain skilled employees, using M&S as a practical example, and addresses research questions related to talent management processes, importance, strategies, and challenges.

Managing Successful Business Project
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Table of Contents
Table of Contents.............................................................................................................................2
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................3
PROJECT MANAGEMENT PLAN...............................................................................................5
Gantt chart.......................................................................................................................................6
LITERATURE REVIEW................................................................................................................6
PRIMARY AND SECONDARY RESEARCH..............................................................................9
DATA ANALYSIS.......................................................................................................................11
FINDING.......................................................................................................................................22
CONCLUSION..............................................................................................................................23
RECOMMENDATION.................................................................................................................24
REFLECTION...............................................................................................................................25
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Title- “What talent management strategies do the best companies use to attract and retain
people”. A Case study on M&S.
INTRODUCTION
In recently, the level of competition is high in marketplace because of the demand related
the talented employees. The biggest retailers have been focused on the targeting the talented
people those are handling the business complex situation or condition. Nowadays, organisations
are implementing concept of talent management in organisation which means that increase or
change the overall talent shortage, which in turn increase the competition of talent. Thus, it is
major effect on the entire organisations. The strategies of talent management plays important role
where improving transformational change in the business environment. Talent management is
one of the important factor in the organisation that help for achieving sustainable success
(Sánchez-Ibáñez, Guerrero-Romera and Miralles-Martínez, 2021). The failure of business is
depending on the business environment or culture in marketplace. A conflict issue may arises
among staff members in the workplace and impact on the overall business profitability.
Ultimately, talent management should consider as delivers the strategy and talent in order to
continuous achieve success. The quality of talent throughout the enterprise that are ultimately
leads to the creation and effective execution of successful strategy. Nowadays, different
companies are using talent strategies that help for identifying talented, skilled people, who have
ability to handle entire business complex situation or condition in proper manner. This is all
about the way in which enterprise can attract and retain people through talent strategies.
This documentation will discuss about the talent management strategies that will attract and
retain people within organization. in this report, it will represents the relevant strategies used in
talent management, in order to clarify and support the research topic. This report will discuss the
alignment of talent management strategy in further explained and develop a framework presented
at the chapter. Discussion on the primary and secondary method for gathering or collecting large
amount of information, finding accurate result or outcome with the help of data analysis method
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or technique. Moreover, this documentation will discuss about the project management plan
which include all essential resources, risks, time and quality. Therefore, it will help for
estimating the specific plan to complete research project. On the other hand, it will focus on the
data analysis while gathering or collecting information from questionnaires’’, identifying opinion
or view point for every respondents.
Aim
To understand importance of talent management strategies used by companies to retain skilful
employees- a case M&S.
Objective
 To understand the concept of talent management process to recruit and retain skilful
employees.
 To identify importance of talent management to make companies their workforce strong
and effective
 To evaluate strategies of talent management and their implementation within company.
 To understand challenges to implement talent management strategies
Research question
1) What is the concept of talent management process to recruit and retain skilful employees
for the company ?
2) Importance of talent management and its benefits to the organisation ?
3) Strategies of talent management and its implementation ?
4) What are the challenges companies can face to implement these talent management
strategies ?
Scope of research Significance of research
The study will be based on talent management strategies that are used by the organisation to
return skilful employees who can help them to be more productive and achieve goals and
objectives. it helps company to grow effectively and they can achieve success within the market
where their operating their business. The study will cover importance of talent management
strategies for the M&S. it is important for the researchers to study about talent management
strategies so companies can use these strategies effectively to take competitive advantages and
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they can show their presence within the market and achieve higher growth In the retail industry
(Hughes., 2018).
PROJECT MANAGEMENT PLAN
 Deliverables In
This project plan will help M&S to understand the importance of talent management within their
workplace and company will able to implement more strategies that can make their employees
more effective. in the end of the project successful workforce can be created by the company by
using the talent management strategies. It will help them to take competitive advantages within
the market where their operating their business and they will create a strong team who can help
them to achieve their goals and objectives. skillful employees means company will able to
produce quality products and services and also able to gain the loyalty of the customers.
 Time
Time management is all about using the amount of time allocated a project wisely in order to
meet the schedule deliverable and conclude all work by or before the project completion date.
To complete the project it will require required around three months of time so the outcomes
and full potential will be gained by the company. All the activities will be arranged according to
the time so better outcomes can be achieved and goals can be delivered for the M&S.
 Quality
Quality management planning determines the procedures and quality policies relevant to the
project for both deliverable an processes that helps to define who is responsible for what and
document compliance. To deliver a good quality of the talent management project manager will
use various methods like time management, research methods methodology strategies it is he
will be used by them so best to best deliverable can be created to make the project successful.
 Communication Risk
The risk of communication refers to the exchange of real time information, opinions and advice
between the expert and people facing threats to their health, economic or social well being the
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ultimate purpose of risk communication is to enable the people at the risk to take informed
discussion to protect themselves and their loved ones (Alsawalhah., 2020).
To work on the communication risk within the project, project manager will use various
strategies like group working strategies so the better outcome can be collected and all the team
members can work together to achieve the success and identify the importance of talent
management within the M&S So they can successful.
 Resources
Resources in the project are the people, goods and material and capital that is required to execute
and complete the whole project. to make this project successful proper research method will be
implemented and service will be done so for that funds will be required and that will be arranged
and also people will work within the project are also necessary to achieve the project objectives
and their work will be too make the project successful. good send material will be also required
to make this project successful an project manager will able to identify the importance of talent
management and use of talent management strategy for the company. It will help them to take
competitive advantages within the market where their operating their business and they will
create a strong team who can help them to achieve their goals and objectives. skillful employees
means company will able to produce quality products and services and also able to gain the
loyalty of the customers.
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Gantt chart
Again chart is the graphical description of the project schedule and it is the type of chart that
shows project starting dates Ann are there elements of the project that can also include task of
the project, milestones and dependability. it has to provide overview of the project that makes
easy for the project manager too create complex things into simple.
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NETWORK DIAGRAM
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LITERATURE REVIEW
Theme 1- talent management concept and Process
As per the view of (Borisova., and et.al., 2017) talent management is a systematic project that
helps to identify skilful and expert people, hiring the suitable person for the suitable position to
match the retaining and position aim to achieve long term business goals. the process of talent
management covers planning where HR team of the company identify the human requirements,
develop the key rolls. another step is to post advertisement on various job portals like LinkedIn,
naukri.com Etc to attract people. Another step is to selecting and recruiting where people give
tests and interviews and most suitable can rest profiled our search. another step is to retaining
that covers promotions in agreement, providing opportunities. In the end it covers existing
interviews when people leave the job.
However, (Gitonga., 2019) Argues that talent management processes hard to implement and it is
along process that needs time and money both. it is necessary for the human resource team to
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have knowledge of talent management concept and process so they can run effectively otherwise
they can get failed to implement.
Theme- 2 Importance of talent management within organisation.
According to the (Mahfoozi., and et.al., 2018) talent management is one of the important
process for the organisation because it helps too engage the employees, create skills and
motivation I allow them to work in the direction of companies goals and objectives that helps to
turn them into the increase customer satisfaction and business performance as well.
However (Dahshan, Keshk, and Dorgham., 2018) Argues that the talent management need to be
done effectively an all the function should be run according to the process so on the benefits can
begin. it can be a difficult for the human resource management team to run talent management
process all the time so most of the time they can deny 2 and the process.
Theme-3 Talent management strategies and its effectiveness
as per the view of (Tafti, Mahmoudsalehi and Amiri., 2017) There are various strategies that
Covers under the tell management one of them is to understanding the power of job description,
job description is one of the accentual part for the HR Department because it helps too elaborate
the type of job or type of person they are looking for, another strategy is to providing continuous
training and development opportunities so employees can create skills, talent management also
include rewards and recognition that helps to motivate.
However (Poisat, Mey and Sharp., 2018) Basic talent management strategies are followed by the
organisation but some of the studies that boost the productivity and effectiveness of the
employees are not performed effectively. one of them is providing them training and
opportunities. it is necessary for the companies to implement those strategies so they can make
the unemployed more effective and productive.
Theme- 4 Challenges for occurs related to the talent management
According to the (Narayanan, Rajithakumar and Menon., 2019) There are various challenges
that related to the talent management and one of them is lack of skilful employees and talent in
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the market. sometimes it gets difficult for the organisation to identify the skilful talent according
to their job roles within the company. another big problem that created rocker because of the
talent management is cultural issues. cultural issues can take place due to the different different
culture, employees language and misunderstanding create conflict situations within the
workplace,
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PRIMARY AND SECONDARY RESEARCH
Research methodology is based on the specific procedures or techniques that used to identify,
select, process and analyse the information about the research topic. In this research study,
methodology allows for reader to critically evaluate overall study’s validity and reliability
(Jindal‐Snape, Hannah and MacGillivray, 2020). Research method can be divided into different
types: - Qualitative and Quantitative. On the other hand, Data collection can be completed by
using different research methods.
In context of qualitative data collection, it is based on the exploratory in nature, which is
mainly concerned with gaining brief insights, understanding on underlying specific reasons and
motivations. Researcher will use qualitative method to emerge after it has become known that
traditional approach, which unable to express emotions and feelings. Basically, Qualitative
method is used different kind of techniques such as interviews, Observation, focus group and
other action of research. Moreover, it has been analysed the used of data collection in qualitative
studies (Whittaker and McCabe, 2020). In context of Quantitative research, it has been described
the collection of numerical data, exhibiting the view of relationship between theory and research
as deductive. Sometimes, prediction for natural science approach and having an objectivist
conception of social reality. This kind of method can be used Close ended questionnaires,
experiments, regression and other analysis methods.
In this research study, investigator will use qualitative research method by using
questionaries’ to find out the actual result or outcome.
Primary data collection- it is all about the response of different participants within research
study. It may be used qualitative or quantitative manner. It is completely depends on the analysis,
where investigator will apply in the study while identifying accurate result or outcome (Sánchez-
Ibáñez, Guerrero-Romera and Miralles-Martínez, 2021).. It ensure that handle or manage the
greater level of depth understanding, qualitative data collection include interviews etc.
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Secondary Data collection- Secondary data is a kind of information that has been already exists
in the form of books, magazines, online portals, journals and newspaper etc. these are becoming
consider as abundance of data or information available in different sources (Hasan, 2021). It is
all about the research area in the different enterprise studies
Ethical Considerations-
It is based on the accumulation of different values and principles that address questions of
different kind of good or bad in human affairs. Ethics searches for specific reason for acting and
refraining from various acting (Sánchez-Ibáñez, Guerrero-Romera and Miralles-Martínez, 2021).
It approved the way in which conduct, for believing or denying something about the vicious.
Ethical Considerations can be specified into proper manner but needs to be performed into
different research. There are different way to represent the important principles which applicable
in the research studies.
 Research participants should be maintained a proper coordination with other members,
therefore they are not subjected to harm in anyways.
 it is important to respect for dignity of various research participants and should give
prioritised
 At the time of research analysis, different respondents should participate on the basis of
informed consent. There is involvement of researcher in which provide an accurate
information and assurance about taking part to allows individuals.
 It should obtained from different participants that give prior to the study
 Investigator will try to maintain adequate level of confidentiality of research data and
should be ensured.
In order to determine specific ethical considerations aspect within research study in effective
manner. It would require for understand the specific need or requirement for different individual
people. At the time of research analysis, different respondents should participate on the basis of
informed consent. There is involvement of researcher in which provide an accurate information
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and assurance about taking part to allows individuals. This will help for improve more
understanding towards implication of participation. In order to reach accurate result or outcome.
DATA ANALYSIS
Questionnaires
Questionnaire
Q1) Do you think talent management strategies can help Companies
to achieve success within the market
 Yes
 No
Q2 Does mark and Spencer has any specific talent management
initiative within their business ?
 Yes
 No
Q3- talent management Strategies used by the M&S to retain skilful
employees within their workplace ?
A) Recruitment and selection
B) Training and development
C) Career development
D) All of the above
Q4- Do you agree, talent management practises run by HR
department of M&S effective ?
 Agree
 Strongly agree
 Neutral
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 Disagree
 Strongly disagree
Q5 – What do you think companies should improve their talent
management practises
Yes
No
Q6- what are the benefits of talent management practises
 Employee engagement
 Employees motivation
 Career development
 All of the above
Q7 - Rate on the scale of 1 to 5 according to the effectiveness of
talent management practises run by HR department of M&S
 1
 2
 3
 4
 5
Q8- what are the Challenges and implementing the talent
management strategies ?
A) Employees turnover
B) Lack of leadership
C) Lake of talent and skills within market
D) Cultural issues
9) Strategies to overcome challenges from the implementation of
Talent management strategies ?
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Q1) Do you think talent management
strategies can help companies to achieve
success within the market
Frequency
 Yes 20
 No 10
Total 30
Interpretation
On the basis above figure Question was asked about effectiveness of talent management 20 out
of 30 employees says that yes, It can be helpful for companies to be successful within the
16
· Yes
· No
Total
0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35
Frequency
Frequency

market and mark and Spencer can also use to make their employees more effective. on the other
side 10 employees says no that it couldn't help.
Q2 Does mark and Spencer has some
specific talent management initiative
within their business ?
Frequency
 Yes 25
 No 5
Total 30
Interpretation
17
Frequency
· Yes · No Total

On the basis of above chart employees were asked that does mark and Spencer had some specific
talent management initiative within their business. 25 out of 30 employees says yes an five
employees says no. according to them the initiative makes their workforce strong and provide
opportunities for their career development.
Q3- talent management Strategies used
by the M&S to retain skill employees
within their workplace ?
Frequency
A) Recruitment and selection 10
B) Training and development 15
C) Career development 2
D) All of the above 3
Total 30
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Interpretation
On the basis of our chart, they are showing that mostly mark and Spencer is using training and
development strategies that part of talent management. 10 out of 30 says that company run
recruitment selection to retain skilful employees within their company. 2 out of 30 says that they
are helping employees in their career development that helped them also to retain skilful
employees within the workplace who helped them to achieve objectives and three believe that all
are effective strategies that are used by the company.
Q4- Do you agree talent management
practises run by HR department of M&S
effective ?
Frequency
 agree 10
 strongly agree 8
 neutral 4
 disagree 5
19
A) Recruitment
and selection B) Training and
development C) Career
development D) All of the
above Total
0
5
10
15
20
25
30
35
Frequency
Frequency

 strongly disagree 3
Total 30
Interpretation
On the basis of a figure 10 out of 30 employees were angry with the tenant management
practises provided with by the HR department of M&S. 3 were strongly disagree, four of them
were neutral. on the other side 5 out of 30 employees were disagree and they believe that
practises provided by the HR Department are not that effective and they need some improvement
and three were strongly disagree and they believe there is no positive impact of talent
management practises.
Q5 – What do you think companies Frequency
20
Frequency
· agree · strongly agree · neutral
· disagree · strongly disagree Total

should improve their talent management
practises
 Yes 15
 No 15
Total 30
Interpretation
As per the above graph opinion was taken from the employees if company requires any kind of
talent management practise improvement. In the result half of the employees says that yes
company need to improve their practises where to do talent management and half of them says
no they are perfect. results are showing that practises provided by the M&S are average.
21
· Yes
· No
Total
0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35
Frequency
Frequency

Q6- what are the benefits of talent
management practises
Frequency
 Employee engagement 5
 Employee motivation 5
 career development 5
 All of the above 15
Total 30
Interpretation
On the basis of above figure employees were asked to tell about benefits of talent management
practises, 15 out of 30 employees says that all benefits that were shown and the figure are the
result of talent management practises. it means that the talent management has various benefits
like employee engagement, employees motivation and career development. it is helping the
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· Employee
engagement · Employee
motivation · career
development · All of the
above Total
0
5
10
15
20
25
30
35
Frequency
Frequency

company to take competitive advantages within the market where they are operating their
business and show their presence within the industry.
Q7 - Rate on the scale of 1 to 5 according
to the effectiveness of talent management
practises run by HR department of M&S
Frequency
 1 3
 2 2
 3 5
 4 12
 5 8
Total 30
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Interpretation
On the basis of above histogram , employees were asked to give rate between 1-5 , according to
the effectiveness of talent management practises. Mostly employees give rating on 4 and figure it
is 12 out of 30, 8 employees give reading around 5, there were some who gave rating off 3
another word two and three. it means that the HR department of M&S Run effective talent
management practises that is helping employees to be more effective and they are able to achieve
goals an objective for the company.
Q8- what are the Challenges and
implementing the talent management
strategies ?
Frequency
A) Employee turnover 10
B) Lack of leadership 15
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Frequency
· 1 · 2 · 3 · 4 · 5 Total

C) Lake of talent and skills within
market
3
D) All of the above 2
Total 30
interpretation
on the basis of above graph employees were asked to tell about challenges that can face company
during the implementation of parent management strategies, 15 out of 30 employees believe that
lack of leadership can create talent management challenges , 10 employees say that it can lead to
the employee turnover and some of them says that lack of talent and skill within the market can
be failure of talent management strategies.
9) Recommendation for overcome challenges from the talent management strategies
There are various strategies that can help to overcome the challenges from time management.
One of the effective strategy is to understand the needs of jobs within the company, human
resource management or team of the company should identify job roles that need to be fulfilled
25
A) Employee
turnover B) Lack of
leadership C) Lake of
talent and
skills within
market
D) All of the
above Total
0
5
10
15
20
25
30
35
Frequency
Frequency

and recruit skilful employees according to the needs. leader should implement effective
leadership skills so they can lead effectively employees and help them in their career
development. skill and development programmes should be implemented so employees can be
more effective in their work and they will support the talent management within their
organisation.
FINDING
On the basis of a about research, investigator of the project has been identify importance of
talent management by using the various research tools and methods like primary and secondary
methods through the survey. It has to collect the information that how effective strategies used
by the M&S Are helping the company to make that workforce most more strong. competition is
highly talented employees became almost as fierce as competition for potential consumers.
Every company within the industry Attract skilful and effective implies. to be identified
attractive employers and employees. Nowadays, organisations are implementing concept of
talent management in organisation which means that increase or change the overall talent
shortage, which in turn increase the competition. (Al-Serhan., 2020). Thus, it is major effect on
the entire organisations. The strategies of talent management plays important role where
improving transformational change in the business environment. Talent management is one of
the important factor in the organisation that help for achieving sustainable success. It has been
identified these strategies that can also be used by the organisation Stewart each achieve success
within their business, strategies like recruitment selection, employees career planning, training
and development can Help M&S To make their workforce more stronger and they can show
their presence as a strong bread with skilful employees who are more productive as compared to
the other companies within the market. It had also identify some of the challenges they can
26

occur due to the implementation of talent management strategies and affect the overall
performance of the company and strategies can also be get failed. one of them is lack of
leadership, it is necessary for the company to have effective leader who can read implies
effectively an implement the talent management strategies effectively otherwise it can get failed
and company will not able to create a good result from the talent management practises and
strategies.
CONCLUSION
As per the report has been Some of the challenges that cankered study of the M&S and
discussed about the talent management strategies that helps in attract and retain people within
organization. In this report, it has been represented the relevant strategies used in talent
management, in order to clarify and support the research topic. This report has been discussed
the alignment of talent management strategy in further explained and develop a framework
presented at the chapter. followed by the organisation but some of the studies that boost the
productivity and effectiveness of the employees are not performed effectively. one of them is
providing them training and opportunities. it is necessary for the companies to implement those
strategies so they can make the unemployed more effective and productive. Discussion on the
primary and secondary method for gathering or collecting large amount of information, finding
accurate result or outcome with the help of data analysis method or technique. Moreover, this
documentation has been discussed about the project management plan which include all essential
resources, risks, time and quality. Therefore, it will help for estimating the specific plan to
complete research project. On the other hand, it has been focused on the data analysis while
27

gathering or collecting information from questionnaires’’, identifying opinion or view point for
every respondents.
RECOMMENDATION
It is necessary for the companies to implement talent management strategies return skilful and
talented employees within their organisation. most importantly for the Companies like M&S.
One of the strategy that can make their tell management practises effective can be a skill based
training, leaders and managers of the company can provide a skill based training to their
employees so employees will be more effective in their work and they will get chance to develop
new skills so they were able to be more effective in their work and they can also able to develop
their career as a professional. Rewards and Dictation can also be a good talent management
strategy that will motivate employees to be give their best within the task so they can achieve
those rewards and satisfy their personal needs. It will help them to be more productive in their
work and company will able to achieve success within the market where they are operating their
business and show their presence effectively (Al-Serhan., 2020).
There are various strategies that can help to overcome the challenges from time management.
One of the effective strategy is to understand the needs of jobs within the company, human
resource management or team of the company should identify job roles that need to be fulfilled
and recruit skilful employees according to the needs. leader should implement effective
leadership skills so they can lead effectively employees and help them in their career
development. skill and development programmes should be implemented so employees can be
more effective in their work and they will support the talent management within their
organisation. The strategies of talent management plays important role where improving
transformational change in the business environment. Talent management is one of the important
factor in the organisation that help for achieving sustainable success.
28

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APPENDIX
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