Hrm case study Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1750 words

Hrm case study - Essay Example Conclusion 9 1.1 Purpose of Report The purpose of this report is to critically analyze the business operations of ‘High Street Heaven’ which is a high street retail store chain that has proved to be quite successful. Owing to the global economic scenario however, the retailer has been experiencing difficulties and facing problems in meeting its strategic goals. 1.2 Introduction The first part of the paper will discuss the problems being faced by High Street Heaven in meeting its strategic objectives, this discussion will be followed by recognizing the areas of strength for the retailer as well its opportunities. In conclusion, the report will put forward applicable plans of action and recommendations that are backed by extensive research and literature to suggest what the business can do in order to address its organizational issues. These recommendations and suggestions will specifically be in the context of how the Human Resources division of the business can contribut e in tackling the challenges being faced by the organization. 1.3 Strategic Objectives of the Business Before the problems and challenges being faced by High Street Heaven are identified it is important to establish the strategic objectives of the business, according to Bartol and Martin (2005) objectives and goals that are said to be strategic are extensive aims that are developed by the top management. Shrivastava (1987) suggests that the importance of these objectives is such that they include fundamental aspects related to the survival of even the most prolific businesses; therefore, the setting of strategic objectives is not only limited to small and medium enterprises but each and every organization, regardless of its size and scale of operations. From a market standing High Street Heaven seeks to focus on growth and expansion by stepping into the markets of 8 major cities in the United Kingdom by 2017. In analyzing the problems and challenges that the achievement of this stra tegic objective faces, it is imperative that the organizational and environmental factors of the retailer that are posing probable challenges should be analyzed. 2. Discussion of findings from SWOT and PESTLE analysis – Problems and Challenges A SWOT helps managers to understand the threats and weaknesses of a business along with its strengths and opportunities (Bartol and Martin, 2006). Anthony (2008) adds that another important tool in the overall assessment of the general environment is that of the PESTLE analysis, which focuses on political, economic, social, technological, legal and environmental factors that have a significant impact not only on the operations of a business but in the achievement of its strategic objectives. As this part of the report focuses mainly on the challenges being faced by the High Street Heaven, the threats and weaknesses of the organization would be assessed first along with an understanding of the shape of its general environment. 2.1 Proble m/Challenge A – The Global Economic Downturn From an external perspective, the business faces the global economic downturn which poses a grave threat to the prosperity of the retailer and its plans for expansion. Sloman (2005) reports that an economy in recession sees minimal growth or no growth and in turbulent scenarios the prevailing economic situation can even cause the overall output to diminish. This certainly is an alarming situation for the high street retailer owing to its primary