Importance of Skills and Knowledge in Organizations

The provided document is a solved assignment on the importance of skills and knowledge in organizations. It emphasizes that every individual working in an organization plays a crucial role in providing maximum benefits to the company. The document references various books, journals, and online sources to support its arguments. It also outlines the key takeaways from these sources, including the need for HR professionals to possess specific skills and knowledge to enhance employee effectiveness and organizational excellence.

DEVELOPING TEAM AND
INDIVIDUAL AND
ORGANISATION

Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................1
TASK 1............................................................................................................................................1
P1 Appropriate and professional knowledge, skills and behaviour required by HR professional
.....................................................................................................................................................1
P2 Analysing personal skills audit to identify appropriate knowledge and skills for a given job
role...............................................................................................................................................3
TASK 2............................................................................................................................................6
P3 Difference between organisational and individual learning, training and development........6
P4 Need for continuous learning and professional development for sustainable business
performance.................................................................................................................................7
TASK 3............................................................................................................................................8
P5 Understanding of HPW while contribution in workers engagement and competitive
advantages according to organisational situations......................................................................8
TASK 4............................................................................................................................................9
P6 Various approaches to performance management with a valid example..............................9
CONCLUSION..............................................................................................................................10
REFERENCES..............................................................................................................................11

INTRODUCTION
Developing individual is very important so as to provide better growth to organisation
which is essential for developing business and sustain in the market for a longer period of time
(Berry, 2011). For this, it is crucial that firm make optimum utilisation of resources which will
assist business in providing competitive advancement. Whirlpool is a company that is taken in
this assignment and it is one of the most popular brand in terms of home appliances. Following
report will focus on evaluating knowledge that are needed by HR professionals for operating
business. Other than this, factors which are to be considered while implementing and evaluating
inclusive learning for taking business into a different level is also included in this report. In
addition to this, for understanding ways through which HPW contributes to employee’s
engagement and competitive advancement is involved in this assignment.
TASK 1
P1 Appropriate and professional knowledge, skills and behaviour required by HR professional
Whirlpool is a renowned company which is an American brand and mainly manufactures
electronic items that includes majorly home appliances. As per the case scenario, during the
period of 2011, company went through crisis and to overcome those, firm made some strategies
and plan of action. As a result, it assisted Whirlpool in reconstructing business in a new and
different way. Employees are working in together to achieving a common goal and set targets.
Therefore, it is helping company in having a better position at market area for a longer period of
time. Company built separate team for different departments according to their capability thus, it
is assisting firms in attaining set objectives and targets in given period of time (Ford, 2014).
Henceforth, for having growth in business there are some skills and knowledge that are to be
possessed by managers are explained below for better understanding:
Skills that must be acquired by HR professionals:
Skills are considered as an attributes that an individual develop throughout his/her life.
This assist them in performing their task in an effective manner and with perfection as well.
Skills for leadership and management: As company is going through crisis so it is important
that Managers of Whirlpool have appropriate knowledge about leadership skills so that superiors
can lead and guide its employees with proper direction for completing task in speculated time
frame (Knowledge and skills required by HR professional, 2016). Other than this, in a company
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manager's prime task is to allocated roles and responsibilities according to the capabilities that
are acquired by an individual and team as well.
Skills for having better communication: Every big companies incorporate effective
communication methods for interacting with staff members in a better manner. This helps firms
in providing framework under which they can complete within time frame. Whirlpool has given
liberty to employees where they can express their feelings or problem workers are facing while
performing their work (Gibbs, 2013).
Required knowledge that are to be possessed by HR professionals
Knowledge is defined as information which is acquired by an individual throughout the
process of learning that helps a person in gaining personal experiences. In relation to companies
if an individual have appropriate knowledge than he/she can guide staff members in a better
manner. Therefore, some of the required skills that are needed by HR professionals are given
below:
Business Knowledge: In order to run a business in an appropriate manner it is crucial that
a person has ample knowledge about by applying which strategies company can gain maximum
benefits. Thus, if company faces any difficulties while operating its business than they must be
aware through which present situations can be overcome. Therefore, managers should know
effective methods for carrying out business operations (Goetsch and Davis, 2014).
Rules and Regulations formulated by Government: Every regulatory body of a nations
develop different laws and legislations which are to be followed by companies for conducting
their business in a smooth manner. Thus, HR manager must provide proper guidelines to new
employees related to rules and regulations company are following. As a result it will help
company in executing plans in a better manner.
Appropriate Behaviour which must be acquired by HR professionals
Behaviour is considered as a human tendency which is developed since childhood, it
shows the temperament of an individual while doing any task and business operations. Basically
there are two kinds of behaviour that must be possessed by an HR professional and both are
explained below:
Ethical Behaviour: It is a kind of behaviour that assist companies in maintaining an
effective environment in an organisation. Many firm incorporates some code of ethics under
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which enterprise do their job. Thus, it helps company in evaluating a better way for overcoming
from issues and problems.
Skills of treating every individual equally: A person must be rational while doing his/her
job, biasses towards a person can creates problem in establishing mutual understanding at
workplace (Hirs and et. al., 2011). Whirlpool is giving opportunities to person who are capable
enough for a particular post or position. Currently, in this company more than 92000 workers are
working in order to provide maximum benefits to firm as a result it is assisting enterprise in
attaining a superiors position in market area.
P2 Analysing personal skills audit to identify appropriate knowledge and skills for a given job
role
According to current given scenario, there are various kinds of functions that are to be
performed by HR department for having a better conduction of business operations. For this, it is
crucial that managers know the needs and requirements of different departments for hiring new
and fresh candidates. Therefore, as I am the manager of this company so its my duty that I
organise and manage things in such a way that every conditions are fulfilled and office
environment is not hampered. But with the change in course of time new and advanced
technology has evolved thus, although it hampers working environment but my prime
responsibilities is to give adequate information about new technologies so that employees can
have knowledge for the same (Levi, 2015). Therefore, there might be some situations when I will
not be able to resolve problems thus, for such circumstances I have audited my personal skills
which will determine my strengths and weaknesses. As a result it will assist me in performing
my task in a better manner.
Personal skills audit is mentioned below as per HR professionals
Strengths: After taking proper classes of problem solving skills and management skills
now I am capable enough of resolving issues whatever situation is present (Schaubroeck, Lam
and Peng, 2011). Thus, while talking to Stakeholders I don't hesitate and express my views
regarding business operations so as to influence them for investing a large amount of money.
Weaknesses: I have to work more on skilled related to technology so as to explain every
new and latest technologies to my staff members.
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Personal Skills Audit
Strengths Weaknesses
 Good in problem solving which assist
me in taking effective decisions for
business operations.
 My level of confidence helps me in
expressing my views regarding
business which further assist in
providing better returns to the
company.
 I have appropriate business knowledge
which can be helpful in completing the
task in an effective manner.
 In terms of technology I am less skilled
which creates problem in explaining
things to my team mates.
Opportunities Threats
 Having skills related to problem
solving, I will get an opportunity for
participating in various important
process of decision making.
 If I will not develop my technological
skills than there might be a possibility
that I was being replaced by some other
person who is more skilful than me.
According to the job requirement I have problem solving skills and have effective
business knowledge. But there are some drawbacks that I have to work on so that better skills
can be developed such as I have to learn more about technology so that proper training can be
provided. Other than this, I have to learn more about business ethics so that as a manager I can
have better control over business activities whether it is being done properly or not.
Personal Development Plan
Serial no. Learning objective Current
proficiency
Target
proficiency
Development
opportunities
1 Problem solving
skills
4 5 In a big organisation like
Whirlpool, many
employees work together
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for a common goal so,
there might be a
possibility that workers
faces problems in
maintaining the same.
Thus, its my
responsibilities to use
appropriate skills in order
to resolve problems. But in
some situations where
conditions are totally
different I find it difficult
to provide effective
solutions (McCormack,
Manley and Titchen,
2013).
2 Skills related to
Information
technology
4 5 Company, Whirlpool is
best know for its
manufacturing home
appliance and goods for
this firm uses innovative
technologies. This is
enabling company in
maintaining their brand
image in front of its
customers. As a HR
Manager in Whirlpool and
have adequate amount of
knowledge related to
technology, it is assisting
me in hiring skilled and
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eligible candidates for the
company itself (O'leary,
Mortensen and Woolley,
2011). Therefore, as of
now firm has ample
number of employees who
are skilled in technology.
Henceforth, it is providing
firm with an opportunity
of manufacturing goods
and commodities that are
new and innovative.
3 Communication
skills
3.5 5 Managers must be good in
communication skills as it
is very essential for
establishing a better
workforce in an
organisation. For
explaining roles and
responsibilities it is
helping me out in
delivering appropriate
information (Pinjani and
Palvia, 2013). But instead
I found sometime difficult
in communicating with
stakeholders. For
improving my skills I am
taking classes and
attending seminars,
workshop which is now
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working as an aid and now
I am much confident while
explaining my views and
thoughts.
4 Supervisory
management
3.5 5 Company like Whirlpool,
in this there are different
departments who
performed their work in
order to provide maximum
benefits. As being a HR
manager it is essential that
I have good management
skills and in some cases I
am lacking behind and for
improving this I am taking
training session and
different seminars etc.
Therefore, after evaluating evaluating and going through above mentioned points I have
identified the areas where I am lacking behind so on the basis of this strengths and weaknesses
are mentioned below:
Therefore, in context with Whirlpool, it is assisting me in accomplishing my work in an
organised and well manner.
Professional development Plan:
Skill to be developed Source Time duration Criteria for evaluating
Problem solving skills Attended various
seminars and
workshops. Therefore,
for this, I am taking
classes for developing
23 January to 28
January
Learned skills are used
in various situations
like handing clients
who are having
problems related to the
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my skills related to
problem solving for a
speculated period of
time.
company policies and
norms.
Supervisory
management
Attending different
management
programmes
conducted by various
institutions.
29 January to 3
February
For analysing this
strength now I am
conducting meeting
which constitute a
large amount of people
so as to know whether
I have succeed or not.
Communication skills Reading books,
journals and
magazines
4 February to 10
February
In order to know what
I have gained I am
now taking part in
seminars and different
workshops so that I
can interact with
people in better
manner and I analysed
that time duration was
sufficient for the same.
In order to fulfil job requirements some of the criteria are mentioned above related to
skills and knowledge which will be required for fulfilling the post. Therefore, whatever
recruitments will be done it will be fully based on knowledge acquired by an individual than
he/she is selected.
TASK 2
P3 Difference between organisational and individual learning, training and development
Learning is a process that goes through out the life time, and as with the intense
competition at market area company are now making different kind of strategies for making
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themselves unique from others. Providing appropriate training to employees will help
organisation in upgrading their skills and knowledge in field they are capable (Seibert, Wang and
Courtright, 2011). In addition to this, it will enable workers in performing their day-to-day
working. Further learning can be classified into two categories individual and organisational
learning and these are explained below:
Individual Learning: It is considered as a personal ability that defines capability of an
individual of grabbing information and knowledge in given period of time. Thus, it can be said
that individual learning is associated with improvement in skills so that abilities can be enhanced
as per the given situation and circumstances. As Whirlpool, is a technological based company
giving appropriate knowledge related to new technologies will helps employees in understanding
of procedure of performing a task. Thus, it will assist company in delivering goods that are best
in qualities and as per the needs and wants of customers. For example: Whirlpool has adopted
CPD (Continuing Professional Development), for improving the skills and knowledge of
individual who are working within the organisation. As a result, it is unlocking potentials of
persons so that they can give best performance in workplace.
Organisational Learning: Along with individual learning, organisational learning is also
important. This will assist company in gathering people for making a team who can work for a
common goal so that company can get better results. Thus, it will provide firm with maximum
benefits because task will be completed before time due to which things will be delivered to
respective customers on time. For example: In relation with Whirlpool, they have eliminated
communications with president under “End run” , this means that employees can easily interact
with superiors and present their views and thoughts. As a result, for performing any kind of task
workers doesn't have to wait for long period of time.
Therefore, in terms of whirlpool they are using both learning and organisational learning,
former one is assisting them in creating innovative and unique products which is increasing its
brand value whereas latter one helps firm in maintaining a better environment at workplace.
Individual Learning Organisational Learning
 This training assist employees in
developing skill and knowledge as per
their requirements. It will gradually
boost the morale of individual and a
 This is very helpful in developing
personal relations so, managers of
organisation conduct group task for
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better growth can be seen (Werner and
DeSimone, 2011).
 This assist managers in giving
appropriate training to staff members
and other subordinates as a result it will
help workers in eliminating their
weaknesses.
 It is applicable in small organisation as
employees who are working are small
in number but as size of company
enlarge it is quite difficult to provide
training as per the needs and wants of
workers.
 In relation to individual learning NAR
staff members are conducting special
off site meetings for increasing
knowledge of individual.
maintaining better relation.
 For increasing knowledge of an
individual company focuses on
providing appropriate training to its
employees so that they can garb
opportunities that are present in market
area.
 If a company has large number of
employees than implementing
organisational learning can consumes
much time as compared with individual
learning.
 In context with company they are
conducting meetings on a regular basis
so as to resolving issues faced by an
individual.
P4 Need for continuous learning and professional development for sustainable business
performance
Continuous learning is a process that assist individual in minimising their drawbacks and
enhancing their skills and knowledge without any interruption (Williams, Muller and Kilanski,
2012). Through this procedure, a person can improve knowledge and experience which can give
them better results in future business operations.
Professional Development: This is a kind of learning through which a person can
improves his/her professional skills which is required for operating business and providing
solutions for different circumstances in an effective manner.
Henceforth, in big company like Whirlpool, managers are focussing on hiring individuals
who have continuous and professional knowledge. Thus, it provides business competitive
advancement and enable company in giving tough fight to rival companies. According to the
given scenario, firm is focussing on providing training programmes to new and existing
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employees so that they can improve accordingly (Goetsch and Davis, 2014). In accordance to
this, managers of Whirlpool are providing their workers with different kinds of training
programmes through which they gained skilled knowledge. In order to know the performance an
individual while doing and working in an organisation it is necessary that managers keep an eye
and monitor task done by employees on a regular basis as it help superiors in evaluating whether
training programmes that was implemented has provided desired results or not. In addition to
this, it will assist high authorities in developing a better relation with other staff members. As a
result, Whirlpool is now one of the leading company around the globe and has become the first
preferred choice for home appliances and household products. Some of the advantages of
learning process are explained beneath:
It makes an individual more confident: If employees are given appropriate training than
it will help them in achieving targets in speculated time frame as a result their morale will be
boosted and gradually confidence level will be higher (Hirst and et. al., 2011). So, it is required
that short time targets are made which will help them in increasing worker's confidence level.
Improves overall performance: Learning always helps firm in increasing overall
performance of a person and in terms of Whirlpool it is providing liberty to employees in work
as per current market situation so that maximum benefits can be gained.
Kolb's learning Styles
This learning style was developed by David A. Kolb in the year around 1984. Kolb's
experimental learning Styles provides a progress of how an individual is learning and developing
with the change in course of time. Further it includes four steps and these are explained below
for better understanding:
Concentrate Experience: This is the first stage in which in which an individual starts
doing something by their own. Therefore, Whirlpool during this initial stage can provide
adequate information to its employees so that better results and outcomes can be gained. Thus,
this stage requires active involvement of the person who is involved in the activity.
Reflective Observation: In this, an individual takes a close look to the work they are
performing and think whether they are doing in an effective manner or not. Therefore, Whirlpool
has developed a separate panel to whom employees can ask questions if they are having any.
Thus, vocabulary plays a crucial role in this and assist in interacting with other person
effectively.
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Abstract Conceptualisation: This is a process of making sense thus, by coming onto the
stage a person reflect on the work what they have done and things they know. Hence, managers
of Whirlpool help employees for knowing what they are doing right and in what sections
workers have to work more in order to get effective results and outcomes.
Active experimentation: In this final stage, learner consider what they have learned and
how it can be put in certain actions or practice. Therefore, Whirlpool company after train its
employees in technological field they can wait for the results whether it is being done effectively
or not.
TASK 3
P5 Understanding of HPW while contribution in worker’s engagement and competitive
advantages according to organisational situations
HPW is a process is a procedure through which managers and leaders evaluate
performance of productivity going through an organisation. High performance indicates a
general process that a company is using for managing and organising entire task in a better
manner. Thus, through this process, managers engage employees to remain committed towards
their company and ensure that they can perform their task in a better manner without any
complications. In addition to this, superiors make sure that all resources are used appropriately so
that nothing is wasted (Levi, 2015). In terms of Whirlpool, company is using available resources
for manufacturing new and innovative products which can increase their sales and profitability
and increase their market value as compared to other companies. Therefore, to accomplish this,
managers tries to collaborate different teams and guide them to work together so that company
can achieve their set targets and objectives in given period of time. Henceforth, it can be said that
entire process is helping company in attaining their desired goals so that better results and
outcomes can be evaluated. There are certain factors that are required by a company so that they
can get competitive advancement and these are mentioned below:
Team building: For gaining a better position at market area it is necessary that company
builds a string team who share same skills and knowledge. Thus, it can be said that for high
performance working manager's prime role is to develop a squad who can work for a common
goal. Therefore, a team helps in maintaining a balance between individual as there can be some
situations when a person may fail to perform their task.
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Share duties: When workers work in a group than it is crucial that mutual understanding
is developed. Imposing a single task on an individual can put pressure and because of which
work can get hampered (McCormack, Manley and Titchen, 2013). Thus, it is important that
managers distribute task according to the roles and responsibilities so that pressure can be
released from an individual.
High Employee retention: As Whirlpool is providing better benefits to employees which
is enabling them in retaining their employers loyalty. Therefore, workers are working with
enthusiasm and because of which an increase in sales and profitability can be seen.
Higher customer satisfaction: Whirlpool is a big organisation as they are manufacturing
goods and products according to the needs and wants which is gradually improving customer's
base and attracting a large number of customers towards their company.
For example: Manager of Whirlpool company after analysing all these factors
mentioned above they can gain competitive advancement. For instance: with the help of effective
team building company can execute all their plans and get into a profitable state. On the other
hand, if there is higher workload than working in a team this can be reduced and pressure can be
released on the same time. As a result, this will enable company in retaining its employees for a
longer period of time.
TASK 4
P6 Various approaches to performance management with a valid example
Performance management is said to be a process that helps an individual in developing
his/her skills so that he/she can put their efforts in improving performance level of their
company. Managing performance of an individual is generally done by managers by monitoring
the task that are performed by a person in an organisation. Further it will assist managers and
superiors in providing a better and effective workplace to employees moreover criteria that are
involved in performance management is explained below for having a better understanding:
 Formulating an appropriate recruitment plan for selecting eligible candidates.
 For enhancing performance, company can hire experts who can take seminars and
appropriate trainings so as to improve skills and knowledge of an individual (O'leary,
Mortensen and Woolley, 2011).
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 Whether new and existing employees providing them with proper guidance and showing
right direction will assist them in attaining goals and objectives in speculated time frame.
 Keeping an eye on the performance of employees on a regular basis will help superiors in
identifying nature and behaviour of individual towards work and organisation as well.
 Lastly, providing best workers with compensation and rewards will enhance their
performance level in addition to this, it will keep them boosted.
Along with this, there are some approaches as well that are explained below:
Comparative approach: In this kind of approach managers and leaders give rank to
employees per their capability of an individual how he/she is working in an organisation i.e.
from high to low. Thus, this process helps superiors of managers in providing rewards and
bonuses. For example: Providing ranks will aid employee in knowing their performance and
skills on which they have to work on and skill in which they are better. This will assist workers
in improving their skills and knowledge in speculated time frame.
Attribute approach: Through this methods, ranks are provided as per the parameters that
are set by superiors. This is evaluated from the way a person solves problems, how he/she
interacts with other individual.
Behavioural approach: It is considered as an oldest approach in which managers of
Whirlpools optimises BARS techniques with the help of which scaling is given from 1 to 10
respectively (Pinjani and Palvia, 2013). Therefore, it is an effective approach in order to know
where an individual stands and what is his/her position within an organisation. This is very
effective in boosting the morale of a person and motivating them for booting their limits.
CONCLUSION
From the above report, it has been concluded that every person who are working in an
organisation play a crucial role in giving maximum benefits to an organisation. There are some
skills and knowledge that a person must a possess if he/she is working in a multinational
company. Therefore, it will assist firm in providing competitive advancement because of which
managers now take appropriate decision for taking their business in forward direction. In terms
of employees they are motivating and encouraging workers so that they can push their limits and
achieve set targets and objectives in speculated period of time.
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REFERENCES
Books and Journals
Berry, G. R., 2011. Enhancing effectiveness on virtual teams: Understanding why traditional
team skills are insufficient. The Journal of Business Communication (1973). 48(2).
pp.186-206.
Ford, J. K., 2014. Improving training effectiveness in work organizations. Psychology Press.
Gibbs, G., 2013. Reflections on the changing nature of educational development. International
Journal for Academic Development. 18(1). pp.4-14.
Goetsch, D. L. and Davis, S. B., 2014. Quality management for organizational excellence. Upper
Saddle River, NJ: pearson.
Hirst, G. and et. al., 2011. How does bureaucracy impact individual creativity? A cross-level
investigation of team contextual influences on goal orientation–creativity relationships.
Academy of Management Journal. 54(3). pp.624-641.
Levi, D., 2015. Group dynamics for teams. Sage Publications.
McCormack, B., Manley, K. and Titchen, A. eds., 2013. Practice development in nursing and
healthcare. John Wiley & Sons.
O'leary, M. B., Mortensen, M. and Woolley, A. W., 2011. Multiple team membership: A
theoretical model of its effects on productivity and learning for individuals and teams.
Academy of Management Review. 36(3). pp.461-478.
Pinjani, P. and Palvia, P., 2013. Trust and knowledge sharing in diverse global virtual teams.
Information & Management. 50(4). pp.144-153.
Schaubroeck, J., Lam, S. S. and Peng, A. C., 2011. Cognition-based and affect-based trust as
mediators of leader behavior influences on team performance. Journal of Applied
Psychology. 96(4). p.863.
Seibert, S. E., Wang, G. and Courtright, S. H., 2011. Antecedents and consequences of
psychological and team empowerment in organizations: a meta-analytic review. Journal
of Applied Psychology. 96(5). p.981.
Werner, J. M. and DeSimone, R. L., 2011. Human resource development. Cengage Learning.
Williams, C. L., Muller, C. and Kilanski, K., 2012. Gendered organizations in the new economy.
Gender & Society. 26(4). pp.549-573.
Online
Knowledge and skills required by HR professional. 2016. [Online].Available through:<
https://workology.com/top-5-work-hr/ >.
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