The HR strategy of Michael Page has some significant gaps that should be addressed. First of all, the company does not have an HR department, and the functions of human resource management are performed on the local level by Country Directors and various departments, including legal and training. This is an important problem because the lack of structure can affect the performance of the HR function, compliance with essential policies, and communication on HR-related issues. Secondly, although the general approach to performance management and talent planning appears to be in place and working, there is evidence that the company benefits from its multinational talent pool by rotating employees around its branches, which necessitates global talent planning as a formalised process. Therefore, despite the fact that the firm’s HR function at the time of composing the case was deemed sufficient by the senior management, it restricted HR practice within the company, impairing its performance.
Based on answers to the previous question, the company needs to address two key issues affecting the recruitment market: diversity and global mobility. Building competency in these areas and helping clients to navigate these environmental challenges requires an effective internal HR strategy targeting these problems. Firstly, the firm’s HR strategy should be to enhance the diversity of its workforce by recruiting more people from underrepresented backgrounds. The company should also create a positive organisational climate for diversity through policies and team management. Secondly, Michael Page needs to develop and establish a framework for global talent management and sourcing, which would improve the rotation of workers between the company’s branches and support international HR practices. To implement both components of HR strategy, the company has to create a separate HR department and establish HR functions in all of its branches to support local implementation.