Human Resources Development Assignment - Case Study - Boots

Transforming a company from a multi-activity operation into a more defined business can mean major changes for managers and staff. How these are dealt with can be crucial to the future success of the organization. During the year 2002-03, Boots engaged in a programme of focus group meetings for all of their retail employees, with the aim of informing and engaging everyone in the business; this involved more than 52 000 staff. The key objective of the meetings was that all staff develops a better understanding of Boots' markets, customers and competitors. Dealing with staff and union negotiations over redundancies in 2003-04 and beyond, will be a more serious test of Boots' attitude to human resource management. The omens do not look good at the time of writing. In mid-January, Amicus, the UK's largest private sector union which represents Boots' staff was less than impressed with the lack of consultation over the planned 900 redundancies at the company's Nottingham headquarters. The union had a series of complaints about the planned job cuts: It seems as if a ‘Getting in Shape’ run the risk of alienating the very people on whom Boots relies to improve the company's performance: its employees. TASK ONE An organization can use any learning style and justify it according to their expectations. However the suitability of organizational learning style selection will be not considered as mandatory fact in this decision making by most of the organizations and will be gaining no business benefit after an expensive training session. You are newly appointed as the Human Resource Development Manager in a Group HR department in the above named organization.  You are requested to develop a documentation differentiating different learning styles available in the world to you Board of Directors as an explanation of theoretical value reflected in business decision making. Prepare a document detailing difference between different learning styles. (Considered as a pre task delivered within the course and finished by students.)

Learning Outcome	Assessment criteria for pass
Explore a range of differing learning theories and learning styles	Differentiate between different learning styles

  TASK TWO Once after the successful presentation of information to the Board of Directors as requested in Task one, you have been asked to further emphasize the viability of using them in planning and designing of learning events and their contribution on each situation. Further they request you to explain the significance of guarantying the transfer of learning to the workplace and the implications of the learning curve in such a situation. Prepare a manuscript to be presented to them detailing the above expected criteria.

Learning Outcome	Assessment criteria for pass
Explore a range of differing learning theories and learning styles	Analyze learning theories and explain their contribution to the planning and design of learning events. Explain the implications of the learning curve and the importance of ensuring the transfer of learning to the workplace.

TASK THREE It is identified that the Boots organization needed to be shaped with proper training initiative to avoid its labour cut down and new recruitment minimization. Further it is noticeable in most of the success stories of training and development, the utilization of systematic approach will always result fruitful benefits 360^o. Critically evaluate the approaches to training can be utilized by Boot’s, elucidating the vital factors taken in to the account when planning such event. Illustrate a model of systematic approach that could be used within the organization highlighting the training cycle stages, explaining how training contributes the achievement of the above organizational business objective and further in future. However while explaining all these to the management you may have realize that the Boot’s unavailability of Training policy is one of the mandatory facts of causing most of these issues. Detail the Training and development policy in an Organization and advantages that could be gained out of implementing it.

Learning Outcome

Assessment criteria for pass

Critically evaluate the planning and design of training and development

Explain how training contributes to the achievement of business objectives and the role of a training and development policy Explain and describe a systematic approach to training and development using a model and outline each stage of the training cycle Critically evaluate the factors to take into account when planning a training and development event Evaluate an organization’s approach to training

TASK FOUR According to the specification of previously explained task the Board of Directors has given you the permission to start your implementation of the training and development programme. However they suggested that they will be delighted if you could present them the evaluation mechanism planned to practice along with following information as a report to the board of Directors for further green lights. The importance of the evaluation process along with the key stakeholders within it and their role in the training life cycle. The evaluation process system mapped with training and development life cycle. The available evaluation techniques and advantages and Disadvantages of them. Use of evaluation models in Boot’s training and development plan and expected complicatedness in practice. How these evaluation process lend a hand to training and development marketing with in the business. This should be given in the format of report.

Learning Outcome

Assessment criteria for pass

Explore the role and purpose of evaluation and evaluation techniques

Examine the importance of evaluation and how it can help to market the contribution of training and development to the business Explore the way that evaluation needs to be on-going and systematically planned for at each stage of the training cycle Review the key stakeholders in the evaluation process and the roles that they play Compare and contrast a range of evaluation techniques and the pros and cons of these Analyze the contribution of evaluation models and the difficulties that these can pose in practice

TASK FIVE It has been realized that the government initiatives also help hand the establishment of training and development in the commercial world and body’s such as NVQ and Vocational qualification providers too are in crafting of their courses shaping according to the organizational needs. Critically evaluate the backgrounds affecting the government training and development initiatives. Review the developments of such Institutions in line with organizational requirements and capability enhancement out of them. It has been further recognized that Lifelong learning and continues development too plays a major role labour market and its mounting more each day.   Evaluate the reasons for this enhancement and advantages of it.

Learning Outcome	Assessment criteria for pass
Examine a range of government-led initiatives aimed at developing skills in the labour market	Analyze the context influencing the role of government in training and development and the growing emphasis on lifelong learning and continuous development Review the development of NVQs, MCI and the competency movement

TASK SIX Employees are much motivated with modern ways of learning and studying than clipped in to conventional learning methodologies all the time. Initiatives such as simulators, virtual labs, and experience gaining more practical approaches in training are much appreciated by learners but limited due to various factors affecting such as cost and time.   Design a presentation and present it to your colleagues about assortment of up to date and modern training initiatives introduced by the both UK and Sri Lankan government for the training and Development.

Learning Outcome	Assessment criteria for pass
Examine a range of government-led initiatives aimed at developing skills in the labour market	Examine a range of contemporary training initiatives introduced by the UK government