Personal Development Plan for Marketing

This assignment focuses on creating a personal development plan for a prospective marketing manager. The plan outlines goals to enhance skills like self-awareness, time management, emotional intelligence, and people skills. It includes specific strategies for development, such as utilizing online resources, attending workshops, and engaging in reflective writing. A timeframe of 2 months for personal skill development and 6 months for enhancing people skills is proposed.

Managerial and
Professional
Development

Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION......................................................................................................................3
1. Evaluation of own learning approaches and critical consideration of of existing approaches
....................................................................................................................................................3
2. Reflective account on purpose and experience of studying the MBA ..................................6
Conclusion..................................................................................................................................8
References..................................................................................................................................9

INTRODUCTION
The present module particularly emphasis on the various approaches to learning and
development. This unit also focus on the key principles and ways of managerial and
professional development (Boud, 2013). Furthermore, there are various self-managed
learning theories and models will be discussed by assessing my own current skills and
qualities. Moreover, critical reflection will also be taken into account in order to demonstrate
my own abilities and potentialities to learn and engage in development activities. Moreover,
the present module also discuss about various methods and theories of learning that can be
adopted by me in a significant manner.
1. EVALUATION OF OWN LEARNING APPROACHES AND
CRITICAL CONSIDERATION OF OF EXISTING APPROACHES
In the changing environment of corporate bodies, it has become important for an
individual to possess working skills and knowledge and know the way to implement this
knowledge in personal life. As, I am working as assistant manager in a multinational retailer,
Marks and Spencer, which is specialised in selling cloths, luxurious products and home
appliances (Boud, 2013). Being a marketing manager in such leading retailer, I need to
update my knowledge and current skills by undertaking the aspect of self-managed learning
approach. Self-managed Learning approach is a learning technique, whereby an individual
can gain substantial amount of knowledge, improve current skills and quality of life with the
broad range of learning approaches. It is often known as self-initiation approach, in which
clear aims and objectives are stated which are to attained within a span of time. There are
various learning practices; with the assistance of which I can learn and enhance my abilities,
like Mentoring and coaching; Training and development; consultations; workshops; effective
learning booklets; conference and seminars and many more (Certo, 2015).
For a manager, it is very essential to manage its time, work and business activities and
properly utilizing available resources effectively. Here, coaching and mentoring are effective
approaches of learning which tend to affect my learning process by providing me guidance,
direction and suggestions to make my life better in both ways, in the context of personal and
professional development (Fee, 2012).
Moreover, in order to learn new concepts and theories according to the changing
business environment I can also attend training and development sessions of M&S. I can
successfully intensify my knowledge by undergoing through regular training programs.

Along with this, I can also boost myself by attending seminars and conferences held in the
organisation regarding motivational theories and approaches. As, it is my responsibility to
motivate and encourage my team members at regular interval of time, which is why is need to
acquire knowledge about various motivational practices that can be implemented within the
workplace. I can also attend several workshops, related to latest marketing tools and
techniques and models that can be implemented in the process of advertising, marketing and
sales of products and services of M&S (Ford, 2014). Furthermore, I can also learn through
research by assessing internet sources, like blogs, magazines, social networking sites and
other effective sites.
Lifelong learning is continuous approach of learning, to acquire latest knowledge and
improve existing skills, beliefs and values (Jung, 2014). There are many learning styles, with
the assistance of which I can successfully enhance my skills and learn new concepts of
marketing. In accordance to the Kolb's learning cycle, learning styles are categorised into
four parts, Activist; Pragmatist; Theorist and Reflector (Certo, 2015). Activist is form of
learning style, in which an individual learn by self practising and experiencing challenges by
doing new things. With the assistance of this technique, I can engage myself in doing new
practices of marketing and developing better experiences in the workplace. Pragmatist is
another style of learning, in which proper planning is done, new ideas and methods are
applied to attain better results. Being a marketing manager of M&S, I need to acquire
knowledge of latest marketing practices, theories, models and techniques, which can be done
with the help of various learning activities, like solving case studies, attending discussion
sessions and etc (Fee, 2012). Third learning activity is Theorist, in which with the use of
facts, models and various concepts, I can develop new marketing strategy and tactics and
effectively implement in the workplace of M&S. Fourth style is reflector, in which by taking
reviews of past events, examining their historical results, I can gather information and update
my knowledge and skills according to that. Moreover, with the help of this technique, I can
feedbacks and views from my staff-members and others, in order to bring improvement in my
personality and perception.

Being a marketing manager of Marks and Spencer, I can attempt to use pragmatist
technique effectively, in relation to enhance my knowledge and awareness about
organisation;s services and products. Furthermore, I can also adopt reflector learning style,
which will help me to develop new skills for the welfare of M&S. So, in this way, I can
enhance my skills in significant manner.
It is very necessary to evaluate my own skills and qualities by examining my strengths
and weaknesses (Zakarevičius and Župerkienė, 2015). Being a marketing manager of M&S, I
need to evaluate myself and determine, which skills are lacking and need improvements.
With the help of many learning approaches, I used to learn and gain knowledge. I am a very
good communicator and know several ways to influence customers and clients of M&S, by
attending coaching classes and regular participating public speaking competitions. Moreover,
I am enthusiastic enough and quick learner, due to which I can do my work appropriately. In

addition to this, I can also conduct meetings, make future plans and effectively implement
them within the organisation (Certo, 2015). As, I used to self-practice and conferences held in
M&S. Apart from this, I lack somewhere in time management skills, which is considered to
be very important while running a meeting. To effectively manage time and work is very
crucial task for a manager, so I need to overcome from this shortcoming. I have tried many
method and strategies to develop time management skills, but not able to sustain this, which
is why I tried certain management techniques, like to-do lists, electronic planners and etc.,
which enhanced my skills to some extent (Fee, 2012). I also got to know that, I need to work
upon my leadership skills, which has becoming a hurdle in the growth process of my career.
However, my logical and analytical skills help me to understand customer desires and wants,
as a result of which I implement various strategies for proper conduct of business operations
of Marks and Spencer. But, there are some more skills, which I need to improve, like decision
making skills and interpersonal skills. So, I need to learn and adopt various approaches of
self-managed learning.
Earlier, I used to learn from others, by observing them and taking their guidance, but
it was not appropriate way. I also used to research and tried to update my skills. As per my
view, learning through seminars and conferences are best practices, as it renders me ample of
opportunities to present my skills and knowledge. Seminars and conference also increased
my confidence level (Sirgy, Johar and Wise, 2015). It has also been analysed that, training
and development approach is most effective method, as I acquired practical knowledge of
latest marketing tools and technologies. I also got to know about many new concepts and
approaches of marketing and sales and convince people to purchase products and services of
M&S.
2. REFLECTIVE ACCOUNT ON PURPOSE AND EXPERIENCE OF
STUDYING THE MBA
Doing MBA in marketing has proved to be my best decision ever. The entire two
years have been very interesting, as I have learnt a lot and involved in many activities and
discussions. Many times, I had to face challenges and issues to learn new concepts and
strategies (Sirgy, Johar and Wise, 2015). Moreover, to learn the aspect of managerial and
professional development is very important task, it is required to learn to manage our time
and work and other activities practically, which can be done my acquiring the knowledge of
many subjects in MBA (Schmeck, 2013). Many authors have cited that, the main aim to
pursue the MBA degree is to learn new skills, such as initiative skills, action skills, goal-

setting skills, planning, decision-making, organising time management skills, leadership and
quantitative skills. By pursuing MBA, I have gained all these skills I very effective manner.
However, there are some skills left which I need to develop in order to sustain in competitive
marketplace.
It has been found by many researchers that, it is very necessary to pursue the MBA
degree, as it has great impact on managerial and professional life. In the global marketplace,
which is full of competition, it is necessary to acquire various skills and knowledge by
studying MBA. According to my point of view, I have become excellent in presentation
skills, as I used to present many topics in my class during MBA. Moreover, I have also
gained adapting and information analysis skills by reading various journals, books,
newspapers and other study materials (Sirgy, Johar and Wise, 2015). By studying MBA, I
also got to learn planning and organising various activities in an effective manner. Apart
from this, it has been studied that over 50% of candidates study MBA from distance learning
and half of them pay their tuition fees (Learning Approaches. 2016). As, an individual's
learning ability can be highly affected by acquiring MBA. I have developed many skills,
which are now utilizing in my work activities in M&S. I have gained quality and quantity
knowledge fro MBA and learnt many approaches of managerial and professional
development. Managerial and professional development aspect need to posses by each
individual who is seeking for great career opportunity (O’Grady, 2013). In accordance to my
point of view, I am now able to deal with customers who have different natures and attitudes
and successfully able to convince and influence them to buy M&S products and services.
However, there are still some skills which I lack, like time management skills and
interpersonal skills. MBA degree provide only subjective knowledge to a person and does not
provide any opportunity to learner to practically implement these approaches. It provides
only theoretical knowledge, that's why I also lack some skills, which is creating a gap in
between my work potentialities and career growth (Nicholls, 2014). Supporting the fact,
some researchers also stated that just by acquiring theoretical knowledge, one can not gain
appropriative knowledge of management and professional skills. Hence, it is required to
obtain proper understanding of practical knowledge of managerial and professional
development. Furthermore, it has also been stated that the purpose of studying MBA should
be fulfilled by obtaining all aforesaid skills (Sirgy, Johar and Wise, 2015). Apart from this, it
can also be argued that MBA enhanced my analytical and behavioural skills. Now, I can

easily adjust with all employees working in the M&S, as I have learnt employee
engagement, so this study helped in a significant manner.
In essence, it can be concluded that MBA degree enhanced my personal and
professional skills (Kanuka, and Nocente, 2003). With the assessment of my current skills
and knowledge, I can make improvements and modifications in my skills, knowledge,
perceptions, beliefs and values (Sirgy, Johar and Wise, 2015). Being a marketing manager of
M&S, I have successfully adopted self-learning approach, in order to enhance my
personality. Moreover, MBA degree also provided me great help to implement strategies and
concepts that I have learnt during my MBA Program.
CONCLUSION
In this assignment, different aspects of managerial and professional development has
been analysed, there are many skills, like interpersonal skills, customer management, meeting
planning, time management and presentation skills are required to possess by a manager. In
this report, conclusion has made to improve and enhance these skills with he implications of
different learning approaches. By gaining substantial amount of knowledge and enhancing
my skills, I can successfully grow and prosper in M&S. Furthermore, it has been also
concluded that, each organisation should make effective steps to enhance the skills and
qualities of its employees.

REFERENCES
Books and Journals
Boud, D., 2013. Enhancing learning through self-assessment. Routledge.
Certo, S., 2015. Supervision: Concepts and skill-building. McGraw-Hill Higher Education.
Fee, K., 2012. Delivering e-learning. A complete strategy for design, application and
assessment. Development and Learning in Organizations: An International Journal. pp.
27(1).
Ford, J. K., 2014. Improving training effectiveness in work organizations. Psychology Press.
Jung, C. G., 2014. The development of personality. Routledge.
Kanuka, H. and Nocente, N., 2003. Exploring the effects of personality type on perceived
satisfaction with web-based learning in continuing professional development. Distance
Education. 24(2). pp.227-244.
Nicholls, G., 2014. Professional development in higher education: New dimensions and
directions. Routledge.
O’Grady, A., 2013. Lifelong Learning. Routledge.Pritchard, A., 2013. Ways of learning:
Learning theories and learning styles in the classroom. Routledge.
Schmeck, R. R., 2013. Learning strategies and learning styles. Springer Science and
Business Media.
Sirgy, M. J., Johar, J. S. and Wise, S. A., 2015. The Role of Anticipatory Self-Evaluation in
Consumer Purchase Motivation. In Proceedings of the 1993 Academy of Marketing Science
(AMS) Annual Conference. Springer International Publishing. 15(8). pp. 69-73.
Zakarevičius, P. and Župerkienė, E., 2015. Improving the Development of Managers’
Personal and Professional Skills. Engineering Economics. 60(5). pp.45-60.
Online
Learning Approaches. 2016. [Online]. Available
through:<http://www.skillsyouneed.com/learn/learning-approaches.html>. [Accessed on 28th
July 2016]
Personal Development - Techniques, Theories and Opportunities., 2009. [Online]. Available
through: < http://bricester.hubpages.com/hub/Personal-Development-Opportunities>.
[Accessed on 28th May 2016]].

Watton, P., Collings, J., and Moon, J., 2001. Reflective Writing. [Online]. Available
through:<http://www.exeter.ac.uk/fch/work-experience/reflective-writing-guidance.pdf>.
[Accessed on 28th July 2016]

Appendix:
Skills required Strategies Time taken
I am looking forward to
developing my personal skills
such as self awareness, time
management and emotional
intelligence
This can be developed by
using the concept of self
learning. Here I can read and
lean things over internet and
by using various books,
journals and online sources
Development of required
personal skills will take 2
months of time period
Being a marketing manager, I
am also required to develop
people skill so that I can
handle conflict and lead
people from the front
In order to carry out
development of people skills,
I need to focus on and visit
seminars and workshops.
There I can learn different
tools and techniques to deal
with people and manage them
In order to enhance my
people skill, a period of six
months will be requited