Effective Talent Management Strategies in a Selected Hospitality Organisation

Unit Learning Outcomes

LO1 Establish project aims, objectives and timeframes based on the chosen theme.

LO2 Conduct small-scale research, information gathering and data collection to generate knowledge to support the project.

LO3 Present the project and communicate appropriate recommendations based on meaningful conclusions drawn from the evidence findings and/ or analysis.

LO4 Reflect on the value gained from conducting the project and its usefulness to support organisational performance.

This year the theme, set by Pearson, is Talent Management in the Service Industry. Talent management (TM) is the process by which businesses and organisations recognise and develop talented people who can have a positive impact on their organisations and their productivity. It not only has become a key component of human resource management but also the responsibility of leaders and managers at all levels to manage talent within the business, with TM strategies being developed in line with the particular needs and structure of the business and industry.

Attracting, selecting, engaging, developing and retaining employees are the five main focuses of talent management in the hospitality industry where talented motivated employees can help differentiate one organisation from another and influence business success. An increasing number of businesses are rethinking ways to get the most from their staff. Rising costs, recruitment difficulties and changing employee attitudes mean that, for many employers, the traditional approaches to recruiting, training and retaining staff are being revisited to harness and develop talent and ultimately drive competitive advantage.

In order for companies to gain a competitive advantage, the demand for human capital will continue to drive talent management (Towers Perrin, 2003). Although pay and benefits initially attract employees, top-tier leadership organizations focus on retaining and developing talent (Lockwood, 2006). The talent management process is used to control certain events that each employee experiences in the workplace (Perrine, 2005).

The specific topic on which you will be focusing your research is: “Effective talent management strategies in a selected hospitality organisation”

Imagine that shortly after completing a HND in Hospitality Management, you are working for a small HR consultancy company. You are approached by a hospitality organisation that wants to know whether it currently conducts talent management effectively. In your role as a HR Consultant, you are also asked to give a Presentation of all the following activities.

To demonstrate your skills and understanding of the first stages of Project Management (i.e. Project Initiation and Project Planning), and that you are able to establish a project’s aims, objectives and timeframes based on the chosen theme, you need to:

Topic

1.1 Think about, write down, formulate and refine a Project Title and

1.2 Devise a set of Project Aims and Objectives that fit with the Scenario outlined above.

1.3 Produce a proper Project Management Plan, covering the following elements;

• The scope of the project – defining the extent and limits of the project,

• The risk to the project and how it may be reduced,

• The duration, cost and quality dimensions of the project,

• The resources you expect that the project will require,

1.4 a Work Breakdown Structure (WBS), preferably developed into a Gantt Chart, showing the overall timeframe and stages for completion; and if possible

1.5 What methods of material resourcing, data collection, and information gathering you should select as being the most appropriate.

2. Execution phase, to generate knowledge to support the project, you will

2.1 Carry out Secondary Research to address the topic of Talent Management in the Service Industry given earlier, i.e. Effective talent management strategies in a selected hospitality organisation.

In the secondary research, it is recommended that you consider the distinct phases that support a coherent and logical argument. You should be able to use this Secondary Research to inform a Primary Study. It follows that you must go on to select a hospitality organisation (of your choice), and then

2.2 Carry out a piece of Primary Empirical Research that goes towards the Consultancy issue identified earlier, i.e.;

Are employees satisfied with the current talent management strategies? While carrying out the research, you should apply both qualitative and quantitative research methods that are appropriate for meeting the aims and objectives of the project (as set by you in Activity 1.2 above).

In the field work, it is recommended that you consider carefully how you should select a sample from organisations, businesses or individuals; what sampling approaches and techniques are the most appropriate; and whether any ethical or other problems will arise. In addition to the above research, you should write a short section to

2.3 Evaluate the validity and reliability of the Research Methods you apply; or give your critical evaluation of the Research Methodologies you have applied.

In your role as a HR Consultant, you will be asked to present the Findings from your Research and the practical recommendations you would make to the hospitality organisation (i.e. the one that notionally approached you and that you in fact chose and had some access to). For this part of the presentation to be effective, you should:

3.1 Analyse your research and data, using appropriate tools and techniques,

3.2 Draw valid and meaningful conclusions from the research and data analysis,

3.3 Communicate appropriate recommendations.

If you can, you should additionally aim to

3.4 Justify or support your recommendations with an evaluation of the accuracy and authenticity of the research tools and techniques you used.

Finally, on your return to the Consultancy, you will carry out a Performance Review with your Manage (i.e. Tutor, who will prepare an Observation Record). In doing this, you will need to;

4.1 Reflect on the value of undertaking the research; and

4.2 Reflect on your own learning and performance.

• How well did the project go? How good were your project outcomes? Was the project useful for the local business? What changes or developments took place which went differently from the initial project management plan?

• How useful is the project management process for meeting planned objectives? Does it support the way that an organisation can perform in a sustainable way?

• Did you learn anything from the project management process? How valuable is the project management process as a tool for supporting your own learning or performance? Can you learn from it for the future?

• Did you learn anything from the research process or the use of quality research? How valuable is the research process as a tool for supporting your own learning or performance? Can it help you to meet your objectives? How?