Analysis of Talent Management and Retention in Walker Transport

This report analyzes talent management practices at Walker Transport, a company focused on care, safety, reliability, and value in its services. The research aims to identify effective talent management strategies for managing and retaining talent in small to medium-sized businesses, specifically within Walker Transport. The study investigates the concept of talent management in small businesses, identifies challenges in retaining and managing talent at Walker Transport, and formulates strategies to maximize the effectiveness of talent retention. It covers project planning, literature review, research methodologies (qualitative and quantitative), findings from a questionnaire distributed to 30 respondents, and offers recommendations for improvement. Key findings include the importance of open communication, continuous performance measurement, employee motivation, and investment in learning and development opportunities. The report concludes by emphasizing the need for proactive talent management strategies to enhance organizational productivity and competitive advantage.

Managing successful business project

Contents
Introduction......................................................................................................................................3
Task 1...............................................................................................................................................4
Part A. Project Planning...................................................................................................................4
Project management plan for the research..............................................................................4
Part B – Conducting research..........................................................................................................6
Small scale research with the help of qualitative and quantitative research..........................8
Task 2 – Present findings.................................................................................................................9
Section 4- Findings........................................................................................................................10
Task 3 – Reflective practice...........................................................................................................14
Recommendations:.........................................................................................................................15
Conclusion.....................................................................................................................................17
REFERENCES..............................................................................................................................18
APPENICES..................................................................................................................................19

Introduction
Talent management is regarded as the concept that is used for the purpose of developing and
organising of talented employee’s so that it can posses positive impact on the organisation and its
overall productivity. In organisations it has become an important component for the purpose of
having adequate process for human resource management. Walker transport is a brand that is
serving the progress organisations related with care about services, safety, reliability and value.
The organisation is dealing in delivering of outstanding customer services for optimisation of
their business services and efficiency (Turner, 2017). In present report there is analysis of the
way talent management practises are to be used for the purpose of managing the overall business
process for attracting and retaining of talent in the organisation.
Aims and objectives of the research
“To identify the ways talent management strategies that can be used for the purpose of
managing and retaining talent in small and medium sized business”. A study on walker
transport.
Objectives:
 To understand the concept of talent management in small sized business
 To identity various challenges associated with retaining and managing talent in walker
transport
 To formulate strategies for the purpose of dealing with challenges and maximisation of
effectiveness of retaining and managing talent in walker transport
Questions:
 What is the basic concept of talent management in small sized business?
 What are various challenges associated with retaining and managing talent in walker
transport?
 What are some of the strategies for the purpose of dealing with challenges and
maximisation of effectiveness of retaining and managing talent in walker transport?

Task 1
Part A. Project Planning
Project management plan for the research
Time: it is the vital aspects that are to complete all the activities that have to be completed in the
particular identified time frame (Fahmi and Mohamed, 2020). For this purpose in the present
research report there is identified time period of three months to complete the research
report.
Cost: it is the amount and the total expenses that will take place while conducting the study. It is
very important for the respect to set up the budget in order to complete the study with
appropriate financial resources (Harsch and Festing, 2019). In preset study the required
budget will be approx 800$ to complete the work suitably.
Quality: It is regarded as the aspect in which adequate quality standards have to be followed by
applying of various perspectives (Gündüzalp and Özan, 2020). In the present study there
will be identification of the ways in which there can be retention of talented employees for
longer time period.
Communication: It is very important for the researcher to communicate all the research
outcomes to all associated stakeholders. In present report there is use of both written and
verbal communication methods for the purpose of communicating all the research outcomes.
Scope: It is related with managing the coverall scope of the research report. In this process there
will be formulation of suitable strategies that is required for the purpose of managing the
competent talent in small sector business organisation.
Risk: it is related with the various associated risk that may affect the process of achieve the
present laid aims and objectives in the organisation (De Boeck, Meyers. and Dries, 2018). It
becomes very important for the research to have adequate measures to identify such risks
and formulate plans to deal with so that there can be no negative impact of such identified
risks on the overall outcomes of the research.
Resources: these are the resources that are required essentially for the purpose of completing the
project on time. It includes major resources that are manpower, machine, laptop and other. It
is identified that all these resources have to be optimised usage in order to maximise the
effectiveness of present research work (Mangue and Gonondo, 2021).

Work breakdown Structure and Gantt chart
Work breakdown structure is a project management application that is used by the researcher for
the purpose of dividing all the activities in more manageable form (Wiblen, 2021). It is
effective technique that is used for breaking the work in smaller segments so that all the
objectives can achieve timely. It is mainly used for the purpose of achieving the project aims
and objectives in a simpler and effective manner (Greene, 2020).
Gantt chart:
Gantt chart is useful for the researcher to identify the overall timeline of the project. In this the
various project activities are shown on horizontal axis and the time required is shown on
vertical axis. It involves starting time and specific associated time for each activity so that
researcher is able to meet the targets and provided time frame.

Part B – Conducting research
LITERATURE REVIEW
The concept of talent management in small sized business
As per view points of Kai li chung (2020,) Talent management is one of the key strategic
strategies that are used by leaders in global organisations. It is related with exploring the
applicability of talent management as a concept of Human resource management in the
organisations. In small sector organisations because of limited availability of workforce it
becomes more important for the organisation to focus on effective practices of talent
management that can help in maximizing the overall contribution of employees (Vaiman,
Collings and Scullion, 2017). Apart from this talent management is also related with having clear

commitment towards training and development of employees. In present organisation talent
management practices is influenced by the day-to-day business scenario as part of the transport
industry (Talent management practices in small- and medium-sized enterprises in the hospitality
sector: An entrepreneurial owner-manager perspective, 2020).
challenges associated with retaining and managing talent in walker transport
As per view points of echelon (2020), in context of walker transport there are some of the
specific talent management challenges and issues that are affecting the overall business strategies
of managing talent. One of the issues is related with poor hiring strategies where there is
requirement of strong hiring so that there is sourcing of competent candidates. Another issue is in
experience with technology automation is very important for simplification of business
operations. For hiring competition talent there is requirement of effective Technology based on
proper applicant tracking system (Jais and et.al. 2021). There are also issues associated with an
effective leadership that may affect the process of developing talent. In walker transport the
organisation is also facing issues that are related to high employee turnover and may affect the
overall process of enhancing the talent management process (How Recruiters Can Help Solve
Talent Management Challenges, 2020).
Strategies for the purpose of dealing with challenges and maximisation of effectiveness of
retaining and managing talent in walker transport
As per views of Hannah Malmstrom (2021), For the purpose of having suitable talent in the
organisation there is requirement of effective talent management strategies. For this purpose
there is requirement of certain specific talent management process that includes having open
communication channels with employee (McDonnell and et.al., 2017). Measurement of progress
quarterly to identify the competent employees and managing their level of performance, Offering
employees with suitable mentoring and motivation techniques to enhance their present
motivation level, Investing in the learning and development opportunities of employees by
organising various on the job training programs. Offering employees with high visibility
assignments and retaining high performance employees starting with recruitment process (10
Talent Management Strategies, 2021).

Small scale research with the help of qualitative and quantitative research
Research methodology is a process that involves various activities for example data collection
data interpretation and documentation of data to reach towards valid conclusions. It becomes
important for researcher to specify a method to conduct the study based on overall outcomes.
Some of the specific research method used in the present context is mentioned below.
It is regarded as the method that is based on non-numerical information. In this there is collection
of ideas thoughts opinions of individuals that involves observation open ended questions.
Quantitative method: It the method that is based on numerical terms and various facts and
figures. It involves various closed ended questions that are in numerical form. In the present
research work researcher is using quantitative method for the purpose of gaining knowledge
based on identified figures. It helps in the process of collecting data in a more cost-effective and
as per identified time period.
Primary data: In this method is order is collecting first and original information so that their
evil together in depth knowledge. There are various methods of collecting primary information
that includes interview questionnaire observation. Primary data is used for the purpose of
reflecting prominent conclusions and validating the overall information base.
Secondary data: it is a method that is used for the purpose of collecting information based on
previous studies and existing sources. There are different methods of collecting secondary
information that includes articles, journals and magazines. It helps researcher in collecting
information so that they are able to further achieve the laid objectives.
Justification: In the present research both primary and secondary data will be collected. There
will be use of existing knowledge related to topic that can help in development of reliable and
valid conclusions. For the purpose of collecting primary data questionnaire will be used and for
secondary data purpose journal articles will be considered.
Questionnaire: Questionnaire is regarded as a research instrument that will be used by the
researcher to gain insights about the viewpoints of individuals. It will also help in getting in-
depth knowledge about the overall process of retaining and managing talent in the small sector
business organisation. In present study there is selection of 30 respondents on random basis that
will form the basis of research.

Task 2 – Present findings
Questionnaire:
Q1. Are you aware with the overall concept of talent management
process in the organisation?
Frequency
a) Yes 22
b) No 8
Q2. As per your view point what is the basic role of effective talent
management in small and medium sector organisations?
Frequency
a) retention of employees 8
b) Managing of talented workforce 7
c) Developing a brand image 8
d) Enhancing the performance level 7
Q3. What can be some suitable strategies that can help walker
transports for having proper measures of retaining and managing
talented workforce?
Frequency
a) Offering various digital training programs 6
b) Continuous measurement of employee performance 7
c) Offering monetary appreciation and rewards 8
d) Offering competitive pay 9
Q4. As per your views, what can be the long term effect of strategies
that will be used by walker transport for talent management on the
organisation productivity?
Frequency
a) Positive impact 20
b) Negative impact 6
c) Neutral 4
Q5. What are some of the challenges faced by walker transport in the
process of implementing suitable talent management strategies for
retaining and managing of talent?
Frequency
a) higher cost 9

b) lower employee motivation 8
c) No proper communication 7
d) Disagreements between employer and employees 6
Q6. As per your views, effective talent management can help in
attainment of strategic approach and competitive advantage at
Walker transport?
Frequency
a) Yes 23
b) No 7
Section 4- Findings
Q1. Are you aware with the overall concept of talent management
process in the organisation?
Frequency
a) Yes 22
b) No 8

Interpretation: it can be said that while it was asked to 30 respondent’s about the basic concept
of talent management in organisation. 22 respondents had a positive view point while remaining
8 replied in a negative manner to this question.
Q2. As per your view point what is the basic role of effective talent
management in small and medium sector organisations?
Frequency
a) retention of employees 8
b) Managing of talented workforce 7
c) Developing a brand image 8
d) Enhancing the performance level 7
Interpretation: It is interpreted from the above graph that when it as asked about the
basic role of effective talent management in small and medium sector business organisations. 8
employees had a view that it helps in retention of employees. 7 respondents felt that there can be
management of talented workforce. 8 had a view that there can be development of required brand
image. And remaining 7 had a view point that this efforts will lead towards enhancement in the
level of performance of employees.
Q3. What can be some suitable strategies that can help walker
transports for having proper measures of retaining and managing
Frequency

talented workforce?
a) Offering various digital training programs 6
b) Continuous measurement of employee performance 7
c) Offering monetary appreciation and rewards 8
d) Offering competitive pay 9
Interpretation: From the above graph when it was asked to 30 respondents about the
suitable strategies that can help walker transport in having proper measures of retaining and
management of workforce. 6 respondents felt that there can be various digital training programs.
7 had a view that thee can continuous evaluation of employee performance level, 8 felt that there
can be offering of rewards and appreciation while remaining felt that there can be offering of
competitive pay to employees.
Q4. As per your views, what can be the long term effect of strategies
that will be used by walker transport for talent management on the
organisation productivity?
Frequency
a) Positive impact 20
b) Negative impact 6
c) Neutral 4