Read the project scenario below and answer ALL the questions that follow. SCENARIO You are the HR Manager at Remarkable Insurance. Established in 2020, Remarkable Insurance is a relatively new insurance company in South Africa. The company offers a comprehensive range of products including life insurance, home insurance and car insurance. Remarkable Insurance has recently embarked on a growth strategy. So as to support the implementation of the growth strategy, the Remarkable Insurance Management Committee have identified that the company needs to boost sales while keeping costs as low as possible. Note: In preparing answers to the various project questions, learners are required to read beyond the scope of the MANCOSA Module Guide. Consult a range of sound academic sources (such as textbooks and academic journal articles) in completing this project. QUESTION 1 (25 marks) In the past, HR has not been held in high regard at Remarkable Insurance, and it has never been considered to be of any strategic value. You aim to change this perception of HR through making the Management Committee aware of strategic human resource management (SHRM). As HR Manager, write an email to the Remarkable Insurance Management Committee in which you discuss how strategic human resource management (SHRM) can assist the company in effectively implementing its strategy of growth. Include examples, relevant to the context of Remarkable Insurance, in your email. QUESTION 2 (25 marks) At a recent Management Committee meeting at Remarkable Insurance, the following discussion took place: The CEO, Ayanda Nkosi, commented, "We've been discussing our growth strategy for the coming year, and it's clear that in order to expand our market reach, we need to strengthen our sales force." Everyone nodded in agreement. The discussion then turned towards the challenges of reaching new clients in an increasingly competitive market. "It's time to think outside the box," remarked David Chen, the Chief Financial Officer, tapping his pen against the table thoughtfully. You, the HR Manager seized the opportunity to present your proposal. "I suggest we tap into the pool of recent matriculants," you suggest, your voice infused with enthusiasm. "Specifically, we could hire them as junior sales assistants to focus on cold calling." You highlighted the advantages of employing matriculants as they would be 'fresh talent', who are eager to learn and adaptable to new technologies. "They may lack experience, but they bring energy and enthusiasm to the table," you added persuasively. "It would also be cost effective, as we would pay the junior sales assistants entry-level salaries." Ayanda's interest was piqued by your proposal. She nodded thoughtfully, intrigued by the potential of tapping into a new talent pool. However, the rest of the Management Committee appeared sceptical, their brows furrowed in uncertainty. Themba Makeba, the Chief Marketing Officer, voiced his concerns. "Cold calling requires finesse and experience," he argued, his tone sceptical. "Are these junior sales assistants equipped to handle the challenges of engaging with potential clients?" Other members of the committee nodded in agreement, echoing Themba's apprehensions. You listened attentively, sensing the resistance from your colleagues. However, you remained steadfast in your belief in the value of your proposal. "I understand the concerns, but we can provide development, training and mentorship to ensure the success of these junior sales assistants," you countered, your voice unwavering. "Their fresh perspective and eagerness to learn could inject new energy into our sales efforts." Ayanda weighed the arguments carefully, torn between her intrigue in your proposal and the scepticism of her colleagues. After a moment of contemplation, she addressed the committee. "Let's not dismiss this proposal outright," she suggested in a diplomatic tone. "HR please prepare a report in which you provide us with further information regarding this proposed initiative." In your role of HR Manager, prepare a report for the Remarkable Insurance Management Committee in which you detail how human resource development (HRD) processes can be strategically applied to develop the skills which the matriculants require to effectively perform in the position of junior sales assistant. QUESTION 3 (25 marks) "Organisational learning as a strategic tool has been proposed in the field of modern management for gaining competitive advantage and stabilising organisational success. The aim of learning is not only enhancing employees' knowledge and skills but also the growth of the organisation and building a flexible dynamic learning organisation" (Saadat and Saadat, 2016). Eighteen months have passed since you first proposed the Junior Sales Assistant Development Programme f o r matriculants to the Remarkable Insurance Management Committee, and it has proven to be very successful. Remarkable Insurance is still pursuing a growth strategy. You have proposed that Remarkable Insurance become a learning organisation as this will facilitate its ongoing growth, and the CEO has approved your proposal. Your first task in facilitating Remarkable Insurance's transition to becoming a learning organisation, is to educate the workforce. Prepare a speech which you are to deliver to the Remarkable Insurance workforce at the next general staff meeting, in which you provide an overview of the concept and characteristics of a learning organisation as well as an implementation plan to facilitate Remarkable Insurance's transition into a learning organisation. QUESTION 4 (25 marks) Remarkable Insurance's growth strategy has not only brought about increased business and increased profitability for the company, but also an increase in the size of the Remarkable Insurance workforce. The workforce has grown from 150 employees to 280 employees within the space of two years. As HR Manager, you realise it would be beneficial to introduce electronic human resource management (E-HRM) at this point in the organisation's growth. However, first you will need to get approval to do so from the Management Committee. As HR manager, prepare a report to the Management Committee, in which you introduce them to electronic human resource management (E-HRM) and discuss the benefits that it will bring about for Remarkable Insurance.