Professional Development for Strategic Managers - Mark and Spencer PLC

This article discusses the importance of professional development for strategic managers in Mark and Spencer PLC. It covers the evaluation of personal and professional skills, preferred learning style, and creating a personal development plan. The article also includes techniques to assess professional skills and evaluate the results of a personal development plan.

Running Head: Mark and Spencer PLC 1
Professional Development for Strategic Managers
Application of Professional Development Skills to help organizations
realize their strategic directions

Professional Development for Strategic Managers 2
Contents
Introduction.................................................................................................................................................3
Task-1..........................................................................................................................................................4
1.1 Proper methods to evaluate personal skills..................................................................................4
1.2 Techniques to assess the professional skills.................................................................................6
Task 2..........................................................................................................................................................8
2.1 Evaluations of the strategic skills......................................................................................................8
2.2 Preferred learning style....................................................................................................................10
Task 3........................................................................................................................................................12
3.1 personal development plans.............................................................................................................12
3.2 technique to evaluate the results of a PDP.......................................................................................14
3.3 Impact of own learning....................................................................................................................16
Conclusion.................................................................................................................................................18
References.................................................................................................................................................19

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Introduction
Mark and Spencer PLC is leading British multinational company that headquarter is situated in
London. The company has around 78000 workers in 700 stores in the UK. It has number of
variety and stylish products, clothing and home products (M&S, 2018). It is vital for the strategic
manager to keep focus on the vision, mission and long term objectives of the company and it is
essential for the manager developing the personal as well as professional skills. To improve the
skills the manager should participate in the training and development program by M&S (Toms
and Zhang, 2016). The role of managerial skills is huge for the manager as it helps to manage
daily behavior and manage adverse circumstances to attain its aims. As an operation manager of
Mark & Spencer, I can use various tactics as well as tool to examination and to understand skills
I have and searching the skills require for further growth.

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Task-1
1.1 Proper methods to evaluate personal skills
Personal ability is vital requirement for every manager because the personality of the managers
have significant role that attract other employees to work together. Some personal skills are
defined below:
Time Management
Time managing is a significant tool that encourages completing the task within time frame. It is
essential for the mangers of M&S to direct its staff by adopting the time management tool to
attain objectives. It is possible for the mangers to oversee the time degenerate in the business and
handle with them effectively which will facilitates to straight them towards chosen task (Scott
and Walker, 2017). Along with that manager of the company must set the SMART Objectives
(specific, measurable, achievable, realistic, time-based) which will be helpful in bringing clarity
in the decision making process and provides direction. Strategic goals of the company can be
attained with this skill as the staff can perform their job effectively.
Communication skills
The skills of communication has imperial impact in the organization as it helps to define the
objectives, goals and the purpose the company with its employees in efficient manner. There
should be proper communication skill in the manager to deliver right information about the
company to the employees in various levels (Carroll, Levy and Richmond, 2008). Along with
that the manager has the potential to handle the conflicts in a significant manner.
Stress Management Skill

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There are number of unseen issues within the organization which can be matured and being the
cause of conflicts. In such condition, managers of the organization should have the problem
solving skills to handle the issue with purposeful solution. M &S was suffered by 0.9% of sales
reduces due to extremely spirited market builds stress among the people within the organization
(Cashman, 2017). Managers of the company should have developed the marketing approaches to
get progressed in its position (Chen, et. al., 2016).

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1.2 Techniques to assess the professional skills
It is necessary for the manager of the organization to use various practices to evaluate the
professional skills as per the requirements and objectives of the organization. Some of
professional skills are mentioned below to attain the strategic goals of the company.
Coaching and Counseling
There are a number of issues take place in the organization of M&S which are facing by the
employees of the company that impact the productivity of them significantly. There should be
proper mentoring, counseling and coaching skills used by the manager to give effective guidance
to employees (Walumbwa, et. al., 2008). It would be helpful to come out from the adverse
situations. The proper advice given by the manager to the employee can motivate them toward
performing work in well efficient manner (Eisele, Grohnert, Beausaert and Segers, 2013).
Mentoring
It is the skill of the manager which can be used by them to hold up their employees for
knowledge new executed systems in the M&S. It can be done by the manger with the help of
face to face short guiding on the job site, which is considered as the at ease to learn about the
new systems (Cooper, 2009).
Leadership Skills
The importance procedure of the company is change which can be adopted by the organization
because of the number of factors behind its environment like a change in the IT system, centrally
controlled budget and division structure (Kirkham and Mosey, 2017). The company can
overcome from this situation if the managers of the company adopt the good leadership style to

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lead the company (Erasmus and Schenk, 2008). The managers of M&S should ensure the success
of the business and create a learning environment. Managers are entirely liable for the growth of
the M&S that is why the adoption of the leadership skills is crucial for the mangers (Spears,
2010).
Along with above skills, it is required for the managers of the company to use conceptual tools to
recognize own strengths and limitations. The leader must develop the current as well as future
job roles in the company and focus on management development and Continuing Professional
Development (CPD) programme (Rego, Sousa, Marques and Cunha, 2012).

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Task 2
2.1 Evaluations of the strategic skills
A skill audit is considered as the evaluation of remaining skills and recognizes the skills needed
for potential leadership requirements like transforms in integration and acquisitions and changes
in technology and moreover. This assessment helps to find out the required skills for present role
to perform in well efficient manner for future leadership requirements (I Beausaert, Segers and
Gijselaers, 2011). As an operation manager of M&S, it is required for me to develop the strategic
tools for increasing the sales, market share and the profit maximization.
Steps to recognize my proficiency or skills
a. Recognition of my obtainable skills and knowledge
It is vital for the current position to have the efficient knowledge about my skills. I should note
down the various skills that I have and endeavor to develop significantly.
b. Recognition of my future skills and knowledge
It is required for getting the professional growth to fulfill me present as well as future career
prospects within the association.
c. Rating my capability
My present capability in the organization is rated on the scale of 1 to 5. 1= little proficiency =
Not adequacy capable to use 3 = some proficiency 4 = High level of proficiency = fully
capability.
d. Review my capability ratings

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I can ask my colleagues and subordinates to review the rating scores as it facilitates me to
understand the point of view of them towards my performance within the organization. With the
help of appropriate feedback regarding my skills from them, I can improve them in an efficient
manner for further development (Beausaert, Segers, Fouarge and Gijselaers, 2013).
e. Potential progress
By evaluating the entire knowledge regarding me, where I will get a little score need to
development for effective presentation.
The following table will be helpful to evaluate my present and future skills need to improve for
future roles.
List of information and skills which should
be developed while performing in the
organization for my present role
Rating of ability from 1-5
Communication skill
Self- development skills
Coaching and mentoring skills
Technological skills
4
3
4
5
List of knowledge and skills which should be
developed while performing in the
organization for my future role
Rating of ability from 1-5

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Application
Problem solving
Self learning
3
2
2
2.2 Preferred learning style
Learning styles are referred as the set of cognitive, characteristics, psychological and emotional
aspects that provide as a comparatively steady pointers. It would help to understand the
behaviour of learner that how they interact and perceive and respond to the learning
environment. There is an efficient tool ofHoney and Mumford that develop the learning styles on
the basis of the work of Kolb and explains four wisdom priorities such as Activist, Theorist,
Pragmatic and Reflector. These learning approaches are preferred by an individual to understand
the scope of learning and improving the skills for potential.
Along with this there is another model the Neil Fleming’s VARK model which is most ordinary
and extensively used learning styles. It entails for preferences of learning such as Visual, Aural,
Read/Write and Kinesthetic (Vark Learn, 2018). The learning preferences of both model is
similar features and I determined to choose VARK Questionnaire to recognize my preferred
learning styles. After filling up the questions, I have found that the highest scores of 8 in my
read/write which shows that my favored learning style is reading/Writing. Although I constantly
prefer learning through different skills by following specific reading, instructions and pertinent
theories, models and involve in the group discussion. I feel relaxed at the time of writing scripts
which is the way of communicating that helps me to share the information in more efficient

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manner. In addition, I can observe things in quick manner and learn them in an efficient way that
help me out to enhance the vital skills through reading textbook, relevant information and
guidelines.

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Task 3
3.1 personal development plans
A personal development plan facilitates to recognize the major district of learning and
development movement that would be facilitated me to acquire develop existing skills. Personal
development plan for 6 months (May to October 2018) are defined below in tabular form which
will be helpful to make better understanding about the skills, present capabilities, target
capability, development opportunity, criteria for judging process and evidence.
Skills Present
capabilities
Target
capability
Development
opportunity
Criteria for
judging
process
Evidence
Problem
solving skills
Efficient
knowledge in
development
and
systematizing
Be an
outstanding in
conflict
management
and organizer
by the end of
the October
2018.
Involvement
in the
discussion in
group with
expert
facilitator
Report on
effectively
handles the
issues wisely
and improve
the plan for
team
mobilization.
Show in a self
assessment
template.

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Self-Learning Having
effective
knowledge
about learning
and self-
awareness
along with the
study skills.
Expert in self
learning and
awareness
along with the
study skills
by July 2018
Utilizing my
leisure time in
reading
various books
and articles
related to self
awareness by
which my
skills will be
amplified.
Aptitude in
gaining
adequate
information
about self
learning and
study skills
Increase my
capability in
self learning
by which the
performance
in the
organization
will be
enhanced.
Applications Temperate
skills in
interpretation
as well as in
calculation of
budget as
well as in the
project
presentation.
Attain more
capable in
forecasting
budget and
better
interpreter by
the end of
October 2018.
Discuss and
share the
information
with finance
director and
international
team leader.
Able to make
the finance
projects for
the company
on the latest
one.
Indicates in
the template
of self
assessment
and the
growth of the
business due
to have the
effective
leaders in the
organization.

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3.2 technique to evaluate the results of a PDP
Personal Development plan is considered as the crucial tools for the professional development
which facilitates me to measure my aptitudes as well as my skills to attain the personal
objectives. With the help of Personal development plan, I am able to assess my firm capabilities
and high competencies of my personal skill and taking essential steps to enhance in feeble areas.
The above mentioned personal plan reflects that all skills which have mentioned above are
required to be attained through the end of October 2018. There are some methods mentioned
below which are suitable to assess the outcomes.
Reconsidering and monitoring
The function of self reconsidering is a significant technique to assess the precise presentation of
the proposed plan, when review shows some flaws behind outcomes to enhance a new plan
which can be attained. In case of not accomplishment of self learning skills due to engagement
in other activities, the time period will be extended for more 2 months for attaining those skills.
Continuously evaluating the working pattern and make the working document in which the daily
records of daily activities should be recorded. This worksheet will be able to define what has
been done and what need to be done.
Evaluation
After utilizing the adequate table on skills requires for improvement and constantly keep records
of improvement in various stages, the comparison is made by comparing the latest data withhold
one. Assume I am capable to make superior preparation for innovative product development and
made budgetary process as per standards requirement, it will indicate that attained skills is
followed the organizational standardized for that level. The increment in sales due to effective

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performance of the team which is my under, showed that the results of my skills development is
satisfied.
Portfolio
The method of Portfolio is well-efficient method to assess my personal development plan. It
represents that my personal skills are developed in specific level and in some kinds of skills are
required to be improved. It shows that my weaken area should be improved with the help of right
suggestion in specific areas regarding my work objectives (Mittendorff, Jochems, Meijers and
den Brok, 2008). It is considered as the form of operational document which facilitates me to
increase my skills for novel careers.

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3.3 Impact of own learning
Learning is crucial for the enduring attainment of the strategic goals of the organization. The
managers should understand the procedure of learning to make certain that the requirements of
individuals are met. Theories of learning can act in the form of structure for managers to
facilitate in the recognition and examination of concerns. It provides me wide range of ideas and
considerate the use of various strategies in an execution of changes in M&S. It has influence on
me significantly by which I was proficient to make the effective environment where employees
were gained knowledge about the system and accepts the amendments like organizational
structure, IT systems and role and responsibilities. Hence, it facilitates me to formulate
effectively for attaining the strategic aims of sustainability in the present scenario and
technological amendments in the store. I come to know that employees of M&S have not
effective customer service skills. However, I recommended management of the company to
implement the effective program of training and development program in customer services. I
endeavored to make them understand that the changing behaviour with the customers can
influence on increase sales of the company. Although M&S attained its planned goals of boost
market share and productivity.
It helps me to understand that how performance and the efficiency of the management can be
maintained for a long time as it directly influences on decreasing the cost of the product in
heading towards the quality of services as well as productivity. The sales of the company are
increased by 2% with the help of implementing the skills.
Along with that it helps me to understand the concepts of learning process and theoretical
knowledge regarding to the problem solving.

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Conclusion
In the limelight of above discussion, it can be concluded that the major aim of the skill review is
evaluating the professional as well as personal skills for the managers of the organization.
Personal development plans help to formulate skill development plan for fix time that reveals the
clear picture for require attaining. Various techniques have been discusses in this assignment by
adopting this technique, number of issues of the company can be resolved on the spots. After
accomplishment of my study, I am able to recognize my needed skills and understand my
learning style.

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