Literature Review on Employability and Performance Management

The provided assignment is a literature review that focuses on the topics of employability and performance management. It includes an extensive list of references from various sources, such as journals, books, and online publications. The references cover a wide range of subjects related to employability, including its definition, importance, and required skills. Additionally, the assignment touches on performance management in higher education contexts, highlighting its development and assessment in different institutions. Overall, this literature review aims to provide an in-depth understanding of employability and performance management through the analysis of existing research.

EMPLOYBILITY
SKILLS AND
PROFESSIONAL
DEVELOPMENT

Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION ..........................................................................................................................1
TASK 1 .....................................................................................................................................1
Evaluation of Skills Audit ..........................................................................................................1
TASK 2 ...........................................................................................................................................4
A) Key interpersonal and transferable skills and analyse tools and techniques to enhance the
skills............................................................................................................................................4
B) Personal SWOT analysis to identify the strength and weakness...........................................5
C). Applying proforma for analyse individual appraisal............................................................7
TASK 3............................................................................................................................................8
Reflective Essay ............................................................................................................................10
CONCLUSION..............................................................................................................................13
REFERNCES ................................................................................................................................15

INTRODUCTION
Employability skills are the essential skill which enable an individual to thrive in any
workplace. However, employability skills can be defined as the transferable skills needed by an
individual to make them employable. Along with good technical and subject knowledge,
communication and initiative skills and many more which every employer requires from
subordinates for the enlargement of company in an effective manner. Employees are the asset for
company who contribute towards organisational goal by putting their full effort which improves
productivity and profitability(Adams, Akyol and Verwijmeren, 2018). Therefore, employability
skills are the traits and talents which makes an individual attractive candidate for job, so it is very
important for every employees to improve their employability skills through education, training
and practical application etc. By this, it enable them to stand firmly among competitive market
and can achieve pre determined goals(Sumanasiri, Yajid and Khatibi, 2015). Hence,
employability skills plays a vital in professional development because labour market is intensely
competitive, and employers looking for people who are flexible, take initiative and have the
ability to undertake a variety of tasks in different environment. In context to Harrods, a most

famous department store which is established in the year of 1849 and it is located in London,
UK. It offers wide ranges of products and services like clothing, electronics, jewellery, bridal
accessories, housewares etc. in with a good quality which satisfy and improve the morale of
customers. This report covers evaluation of skills audit, tools and techniques for enhancing
interpersonal and transferable skills, preparing personal SWOT analysis and imply appropriate
proforma to analyse individual appraisal. Finally, developing personal and professional
development plan and reflective essay(Bilsland, Nagy and Smith, 2014).
TASK 1
Evaluation of Skills Audit
A skill audit is essentially a process for measuring and recording the skills of an
individual or groups. The main purpose of conducting skill audit in an organisation is to identify
skills and knowledge which company requires, as well as skills and knowledge which an
organisation currently has. Skill audit are also usually done top determine training needs so firm
can improve employees talents and capabilities. However, it is also completed for other reasons
such as recruitment and deployment(Travers, Morisano and Locke, 2015). The outcome of skill
audit process is a skill gap analysis a it enable Harrods to identify its employees potentiality and
provide proper training and encouragement to overcome or tackle their skills gap. For analysing
and evaluating my performance as an Assistant Manager at Harrods, London which is one of the
leading department store in retail industry. As I am posted in this profile, I have several roles,
responsibilities and performance objectives which is described below:
Performance Objectives
Performance objective state what skills, knowledge and experience or behaviour results
from training intervention(El-Choueifati and et. al., 2014). In other words, it's a milestone on the
path to attain preparedness program goals for that objective should be developed for all aspect of
program like include hazard prevention or deterrence risk reduction, respond in an emergency
situation and effort towards business continuity. However, as an Assistant Manager in Harrods
my performance objective is ' This position displays leadership and cautionary behaviour and
also fulfil the duties in absence of general manager. I am responsible for design, develop and
implement an efficient, fair and transparent management system within retail store. Along with
this, ensuring sales team meets its goals of efficiency and customer satisfaction'. Therefore, with

the help of this objective , it will enable me to create a positive working condition among sales
team and direct them to achieve their target in appropriate time in order to attain high
profitability(Tsitskari and et.., 2017).
Role of Assistant Manager
As the job title suggest my role is to supervise the team, providing training to team
members, scheduling employees and assign them to handle customer complaints as they often
work in a customer facing role. Some of the roles are discussed below:
 Monitoring the team: In this role, I supervised or observe the employee day to day work
and provide proper guidance so that they can work without any ambiguity. Along with
this, identify the potentiality and weakness and provide proper training to develop their
skills in order to achieve high productivity(Frese, Hass and Friedrich, 2016).
 Handling employees complaints: In Harrods, there is a process for employees to report
their problems to assistant manager. So, I have to listen their grievances or complaints
carefully and understand proper channel for getting them resolved quickly and
professionally.
With the help of these roles, it enable me to improve the overall performance of Harrods and
gain competitive advantage by monitoring the employees performance and take corrective
course of actions(Wang and Tsai, 2014).
Responsibilities as an Assistant Manager
As an Assistant Manager, I am responsible to help organise and run Harrods retail store
as well as ensures that the sales team meets their objectives or targets on time effectively and
efficiently. Some of the responsibility as an Assistant Manager are as follows:
 Hiring and training sales associate of Harrods so that its business operation function
smoothly and productively(Guilbert and et. al., 2016).
 Monitoring inventory and ordering merchandise based on demand so that there will less
wastage of product and maximise profit.
 Identify competitive product in market and analyse consumer behaviour to ensure that
Harrods meets or exceeds client expectations.
From the above mentioned responsibilities, it help me to understand the capabilities of
employees or staff and assign the work based on their skills which increase employees
satisfaction and enhance their morale. Along with this, it enable Harrods to retain their existing

employees and hire effective personnel in order to attain target on stipulated period of
time(Johnson, 2017).
I apply skill audit to evaluate my own performance and identify shortcoming in order to bring
productive and effective outcome for the betterment of Harrods business function which is
described below:
S.No Competencies
and Skills
Beginning Ending Variance
1 Training and
development
5 3 -2
2 Working to
deadline
4 3 -1
3 Decision making 3 4 1
4 Leadership skill 3 4 1
5 Communication 4 4 0
6 Problem solving 4 4 0
From the above mentioned table it shows several variance of my performance from the
beginning of the year to ending of year. In this negative variance are my weakness and positive
variance are my strength.
TASK 2
A) Key interpersonal and transferable skills and analyse tools and techniques to enhance the
skills.
Inter personal skills are generally related with the skills present with in the individual.
These types of skills generally motivates the individual to perform better. As this helps in
improving and developing the overall personality of the individual. Having a strong inter
personal skills will be lead actively taking part in the work of the organisation. So inter personal
skills in very much essential for the individual(Kusnadi and et. al., 2016). The various inter
personal skills necessary for the Assistant manager are discussed below-
Interpersonal skills

Communication skills- This is the most important skill required for exchanging ideas
and necessary information. With the help of this skill chances of conflicts and problems can be
reduced and better working environment can be created. So the Assistant manager manager must
have proper communication skills in order to achieve the desired task and objectives.
Empathy skill- This skill generally help the Assistant manager of the organisation in
understanding others situation or problem. As with the help of this skill individual's perception or
feeling can be easily taken into consideration. If the Assistant manager of Harrods have this skill
than the problems of subordinates can be easily known and individuals can be retained in the best
possible manner(Wilkins, Bernstein and Bekki, 2015).
Transferable Skills
Time management skills- This skill helps in planning various activities in the proper
order so that time can be saved. This skill directly helps in maintaining the efficiency and
productivity by managing the time. If time management skill is not present in the Assisant
manager than there will be mismanagement in the activities and due to this productivity will be
decreased(Law, Perryman and Law, 2015). So the manager must try to manage the time and
activities of the organisation in the best possible manner.
Leadership skills- This skill is related to leading or guiding the employees of the
organisation so that they perform better. Leadership skill is one of the most important skill which
the Assistant manager must have. As with the help of this skill better guidance can be given to
the subordinates which will directly result in retaining and motivating the employees.
Problem solving skill- This skill is related with solving the problem in the best possible
manner. The Assistant manager of the Harrods must know how to solve the problems and
disputes of the organisation. As in the absence of problem solving skill the chances of
miscommunication will be increased and the productivity will be affected.
Tools and techniques to enhance the skills
There are various tools and techniques can be used by the individual for improving and
enhancing the desired skill. Some of the major techniques are discussed below-
 The communication skill of Assistant manager can be improved by taking part in group
discussion or by addressing the gathering. As by doing this the individual will gain
confidence in communicating the goals and objectives of the organisation to the
employees(Lenz and Hahn, 2015).

 Empathy skill can be enhanced by listening to the problems of others and also by treating
the individuals in the right manner. Building proper relation with the employees will also
help in improving empathy skill.
 Time management can be improved by preparing time tables for each and every
activities and operation of the organisation whereas problem solving skill can be
improved by deeply analysing each and every aspect of the problem and leadership skill
can be improved by getting the goals and targets and making plans to achieve it.
B) Personal SWOT analysis to identify the strength and weakness.
The SWOT analysis will help in knowing the strength and weakness of the individual so
that necessary steps can be taken for the improvement. SWOT Analysis is the strategic planning
process which helps the individual in knowing the probable areas of improvement so that
individual goals are achieved in the best possible manner. With the help of SWOT analysis I will
be able to make plans for improving the set of skills. As a assistant manager it is very much
essential for me to know my weakness and opportunities(Messum, Wilkes and Jackson, 2015).
Personal SWOT analysis is discussed below-
STRENGTH WEAKNESS
 One of my biggest strength is the
ability to take better decision at the
workplace. I can take appropriate
decision for completing the work on
time and in the desirable manner.
 Another major strength is leadership
skill. I can lead and guide people in the
best possible manner. As with the help
of this better guidance can be given to
the subordinates. I can also motivate
people to work in the desirable manner.
As with the help of this organisational
as well as individual goals are easily
 One of my biggest weakness is lack of
communication skill. I am not able to
communicate with the employees in the
appropriate manner. Due to this right
information is not delivered to the right
person at the right time.
Communication skill is considered as
the major skill required for the post of
Assistant manager. So this skill needs
to be improved.
 I am not able to complete the work
within the given time frame. This is
because of the lack of coordination in

achievable. the tasks and activities.
 The problem solving skill is also not up
to the mark. The problems and issues is
not able to solved by me in the best
possible manner(Mishra, 2014.). The
problems of employees are also not
solved in the appropriate manner.
OPPORTUNITY THREAT
 Proper training programmes can
attended to improve the skills and
knowledge. As this training will
directly help in improving the overall
performance in the coordinated
manner(Phadermrod, Crowder and
Wills, 2019).
 Motivational lectures and seminars can
be attended to boost the morale and to
achieve the goals.
 Uncertainty and risk might be a hurdle
in the achieving the targeted and set
goals
 unwillingness to communicate and
work will also be a threat. As due to
this work will be affected and chances
of duplication might increase.
C). Applying proforma for analyse individual appraisal.
Performance appraisal is one of the integral component in company which is related to
periodic assessment of employees job performance(Ridzuan and et. al., 2018). It is understood as
a act of comparing employees input and output with pre-established criteria and objective of an
organisation. Moreover, to examine the performance, a proforma of individual appraisal enable
them to evaluate their skills and potentiality in order to attain organisational goal in an effective
and efficient manner. This performance review offers employee skills and qualities, rating
system from poor to excellent. It is not an in-depth, qualitative review, but it provide a
framework of employee performance and can help or guide conversation between employer and
employee. Along with this, it include a separate section for additional comments or notes as it
include significant achievement or future goal(Sherwani, 2014). For evaluating or analysing my

performance of working as a Assistant Manager, I developed a proforma to analyse my
potentiality and compare those with the goal of Harrods are as follows:
Employee Name John Henry
123456
Assistant Manager
Department HR
George DavidEmployee ID Reviewer Name
Position Held Reviewer Title
Last Review Date - 10/04/18 Today's Date 15/04/19
Characteristics
Quality Unsatisfactory Satisfactory Good Excellent
Training and
Development
√
Working to
deadline
√
Decision making √
Leadership skill √
Communication √
Problem Solving √
GOALS
Achieved goal set in previous review?
In previous review I was able to meet my targets which was set by Harrods company but there
was issues during process in aspect of handling employees behaviour and finishing work on
stipulated period of time.
Goals for next review period
In next review company asked me to take corrective course of action and not be bias in nature
which improves the morale of employees and increase their satisfaction level.
Comments and Approval
Comments

Communication skill is necessary for the growth of Harrods and enable them to attain high
competitive advantage.
Employee
Signature
Reviewer
Signature
From the above discussed performance review, It enabled me to analyse and identify me
potentiality as well as shortcomings which was hindering my work process with employees. By
this, I came to know abut my weakness and help me to take corrective course of action which
improved working environment and build healthy relationship between me and with my team
members(Sherwani, 2015).
TASK 3
Personal Development Plan- It is the continuous process of creating and implementing a
action plan on the basis of values, skills, goals, objectives, etc. of the individual. With the help of
this plan individual can increase the skills and knowledge and better relationship at the
workplace can be maintained. The plan can be made after analysing various things in a
sequential manner. This plan will directly help the Assistant manager in knowing the strength
and weakness and ways by which it can be improved(Singh, 2014). Personal development plan
of the Assistant manager is mentioned below-
S.no Learning
objective
Current
proficiency
Target
proficiency
Developm
ent
opportunit
ies
Criteria
for
judging
success
Time scale Evidence
1 Communicati
on skills
The
communicati
on skill of
the Assistant
manager is
not up to the
mark. Due to
The given
target is to
communic
ate the
future
goals and
objective
To
improve
the
communic
ation skill
I have
attended
General
manager
2-3
months
General
manager

2 Working on
deadlines
this the
chances of
miscommuni
cation and
misunderstan
ding is
increasing.
As the
assistant
manager of
the Harrods I
am not able
to complete
the work on
or before the
deadline.
Due to this
the work is
not
completed
on time.
of Harrods
in the
board
meeting.
The
assigned
target is to
complete
the project
on time.
This also
includes
planning
each and
every
activity of
the project
after
analysing
various
task.
various
seminars,
workshop
s and also
taken
lectures
regarding
the
improvem
ent of the
communic
ation skill.
For
completin
g the
project in
the given
time
frame.
Time
table and
schedule
for the
activities
is made so
that work
can be
completed
in a
sequential
order.
General
manager
3-4
months
General
manager
and
colleagues

3 Decision-
making skills
As the
assistant
manager I
am not able
to proper
decision for
the effective
working of
the
organisation.
Taking
improper
decisions is
leading to
decrease in
the problems
in achieving
the task and
objectives.
The target
is to guide
the
subordinat
e by taking
relevant
decisions
for the new
project.
For the
improvem
ent of the
decision-
making
skills
analysing
power is
improved.
This is
done by
solving
puzzles
and cases
related to
the
organisati
on work.
General
manager
3-4
months
General
manager
Reflective Essay
As per my personal and professional development plan I came to know about my several
weakness which was hindering my work as well as it was disturbing the whole working
environment. One of my major weakness which I received from by company after doing skill
audit activity i.e. communication skill and meeting the deadlines. These skills were the two
major component for Assistant Manager in order to accomplish predetermined goal in an
effective and efficient manner. Due to this drawbacks, employees were getting mislead and they
were so confused or ambiguity towards the targets which created conflicts and disputes among
them and even few employees behaviour was rude other co workers. So, my General Manager
asked me to improve my shortcomings in order to create effective and productive working
environment. For improving my weaknesses I approached several tools and techniques to

improve my communication, problem solving, meeting the targets. Along with this, I prepared
personal and professional development plan which enable me to think, plan and overcome the
weakness as well as developing potentiality or capability. As my General Manager asked me to
take a presentation on next business meetings where I have to explain the whole strategy of
business operation and all techniques of achieving profit maximisation and gain competitive
advantage. One of the interesting thing was, my GM specially told me that in business meeting
some international guests also attending. So, convey your message or information properly so
that they can get clear all confusions and doubts. However, I attended several seminars,
conferences, group discussion in order to improve my communication skills as well building
healthy and good working environment. However, as the result of attending seminars, group
discussions it help me to perform well in my presentation and I was able to exchange my ideas or
views very clearly which improves the overall performance of company as well as it reduced
conflicts or confusions among employees and managers.
Furthermore, another issue which was hampering the whole process i.e. very poor in
meeting deadline which results delay in productivity. As an Assistant Manager, meeting
deadlines are very important for accomplishing small and big organisational goal in order to
increase high productivity and profitability. For capturing the marking among competitors,
meeting deadlines for projects plays a vital role for the success of Harrods business operation.
The main issue was arising when I was guiding my employees was that, they were asking me
back that even you know that missing the deadline won't have real impact on the business
operation of Harrods. I didn't had any single word to explain him and make him understand the
importance of meeting the deadlines. However, that time I understood the influence of not
working on deadline and how it effect the mindset of employees. Apart from this, my Manager
asked to prepare a business plan for the upcoming projects i.e. adopting innovative technology
for keeping or maintaining inventory in order to make minimise the wastage of product and
achieve maximisation of profit with the optimum utilisation of resources. Therefore , in order to
tackle this issue I attended workshops and seminars related to time management which help me
to understand the effectiveness of time management for the betterment of Harrods business
operation. Hence, as an outcome of those workshops it enabled me to prepare a productive or
impressive plan and helped me to finish my task on stipulated period of time. Along with this, it

reduced delay in work and helped Harrods to retain employees by providing them proper
training.
Moreover, with the help of proforma of individual appraisal I came to identify that my
training and development skill was not so good which was creating issue among employees as
well as it leads to conflicts and disputes among them. However, my manager asked me to
provide training and development program for Harrods employees and also some other
employees from other company. Thus, I attended some conferences which was on the
importance e of training and development skill for the success of company. However, as the
result of attending conference it helped me to provide proper direction to employees as well as to
identify their potentiality.
As per my personal development plan it has drawn that I am facing the problem in taking
relevant and appropriate decision at the workplace. Due to this the work of the organisation is
getting disturbed and it is becoming tough for me to achieve the targeted goals and objectives.
To improve the decision-making skill I was asked to deeply analyse various activities in the
coordinated manner. Communication skill also help me in communicating the ideas and task of
the organisation so that better decisions can be taken with the help of the subordinates and other
colleagues of Harrods.
With the help of Personal development plan has I was able to know gap between my
weakness and opportunities. The plan also guided in bridging the gap between strength and
weakness. Because of lack and inability in solving the problem on the organisation I have faced a
issue which was related to the conflicts among the two individual in Harrods. As I was having a
chance of giving promotion to one of the employee in the organisation on the basis of their
performance in the organisation. But I was unable to choose the best employee among the tow of
them. So I asked the employee to mutually decide who is best at performing the task. But my this
decision proved me wrong because both the employees started facing issues.
So to overcome this the superior has asked me to plan a personality development plan so
that I can improve my skills and the working environment of Harrods. The personality
development plan has not only helped me in improving my personality but has also helped in
managing various tasks and activities in the best possible manner. My motivation and confidence
level was increased because my interpersonal skills were continuously improving. With the help
of this I was also able to boost the morale and confidence of my subordinates because after the

formulation and implementation of the plan I was able to overcome by weakness and problems
in the effective and efficient manner. Due to this individual and organisational goals were easily
achievable with less wastage of time and resources.
SWOT analysis has also helped me in knowing the areas of improvement and the
methods by which the available opportunities can be used in the best possible manner. My
internal strength and weakness were more as compared to the opportunities and threats available
with me. So it was one of the difficult task for me to maintain by strength and improve my
weaknesses. This is because there were less opportunities available with me and the risk and
threats were resulting in increasing the hurdles and barriers in the path of goals and objectives.
Improvement of these skills directly helped in motivating me to perform even better and to
manage various task in the effective and efficient manner.
It is very necessary for the individual to continuously improve the personality in order to
achieve the long term and short term goals of the organisation and individual as well. As this will
directly help in guiding the subordinates to complete the task in the appropriate manner. With the
help of this chances of employee turnover can be reduced. Better plans for retaining the
employees can also be made in the sequential and coordinated manner. Through all these process
I was able to accomplish organisational goal in an effective manner and it increased high
productivity and profitability.
CONCLUSION
From the above report it can be concluded that personal development of the individual is
very necessary for achieving the individual long term and short term goals. These skills can be
developed by communicating with the individuals in the best possible manner. If the individual
is having proper set of skills than person will be highly motivated at the work place and will also
encourage others to perform in the coordinated manner. SWOT analysis of the individual can be
done to know about the current strength and weakness. So that better plans can be made for the
improvement of the set skills. Proper personality development plan will also help the individual
in enhancing the growth of the individual. With the help of this plan the work can be coordinated
in the sequential and desirable manner.

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