Personal and Professional Development

This document discusses the importance of personal and professional development in individuals and organizations. It covers approaches to self-managed learning, ways to encourage lifelong learning, benefits of self-managed learning, solutions to work-based problems, various communication styles, and effective time management strategies. The case study focuses on Hotel Marriott and provides insights into its growth and development.

PERSONAL AND
PROFESSIONAL
DEVELOPMENT

INTRODUCTION.................................................................................................................................3
TASK 1.................................................................................................................................................4
1.1 Evaluate approaches to self-managed learning............................................................................4
1.2 Ways to encourage life-long learning..........................................................................................4
1.3 Benefits of self-managed learning...............................................................................................5
4.1 Solutions of work based problems...............................................................................................6
4.2 Various communication styles.....................................................................................................6
4.3 Evaluate effective time management strategies...........................................................................7
TASK 2.................................................................................................................................................8
2.1 Evaluate own current skills and competencies.............................................................................8
2.2 Examine own development needs and activities..........................................................................8
2.3 Define current needs and future needs.........................................................................................9
2.4 Develop a personal and professional development plan.............................................................10
3.1 Process and activities required in implementation of PPD plan.................................................11
3.2 Document development activities as planned............................................................................12
3.3 Own learning aims and objectives.............................................................................................12
3.4 Update the development plan.....................................................................................................12
CONCLUISON...................................................................................................................................13
REFERENCES....................................................................................................................................13

INTRODUCTION
Personal and professional plays a very significant role in individuals as well as
corporate life. It helps people and employees to achieve career goals and objectives in an
effective manner. Personal and professional development is the process which is associated
with growth and development needs of workers at workplace, because it will be help for them
by improving current skills and knowledge (Avalos, 2011). The present assignment will be
based upon Hotel Marriott that is one of the most popular brands of hotel services and resorts.
The firm has almost 570 branches in all over the world. Apart from this, the report will be
described various approaches of self – managed learning and certain ways through which it
can be improved. There is an evaluation of current and future skills of individuals. A PPD
plan will be developed so as to meet desired goals in a certain time period. Readers will also
come to know work based problems and their solutions.

TASK 1
1.1 Evaluate approaches to self-managed learning
Self-managed learning plays a crucial role in individual’s life; it guides them so as to
attain success. Beside this, it is also useful for business entities, i.e. Hotel Marriott by
boosting up employees performance and productivity. Along with this, self-managed
learning is a never ending activity, which could lead in the accomplishment of desired goals
and objectives. By adopting this concept individuals can easily interpersonal skills,
communication skills, how to make proper utilisation of time as well as resources so as to
resolve problems and future challenges in an adequate manner. Therefore, it is essential for
companies to endorse certain approaches of self-managed learning for growth and
development of their employees.
 Seminars and conferences – Individuals can acquire by attending different seminars
and conferences. It gives a wide chance to employees as they can easily improve their
personal and professional knowledge (Mwalongo, 2011). In seminars, human beings
are shared their ideas and thoughts by adopting them other can learn new things.
 Social networks – Now these days, people are being used social media, i.e. Facebook,
Twitter etc. where they interacts so many other persons who have divergent cultural,
religion, values and belief. This will be helpful for them to get knowledge about
external environment and adopt new things in their own lives. People can gain a lot
from social medial channels.
 Internet - It is a good tool through which an individual can learn whatever he or she
wants as per the flexibility of their timing schedule. Internet provides vast data and
information about a particular topic. The refereed business organisation gives free
internet services to its employees as they can learn new working skills in the best
possible way.
1.2 Ways to encourage life-long learning
The term, “life-long learning consists with continuous learning; it motivates people as
they emphasised upon voluntary search towards particular information. Along with this, it
can not only boost up personal growth and social enclosure even though regular learning can
extend employability as well as competency skills of individuals in an effective way. Below
mentioned certain ways through which lifelong learning can be encouraged: -

 Personal assessment – It involves observing one’s attitude and behaviour which
makes them different from others. In addition, personal assessment is depending on
the basis of an individual’s interest, skills, values, morals and further similar aspects.
It can be through SWOT analysis by identifying his or her strength and opportunities
which are helpful in attainment of desired goals and objectives (Reeves, 2012).
Further, self-assessment is also helpful in determining weaknesses and threats that
might be created problems in goal accomplishment.
 Self-reflective learning – Reflective learning is all about studying opinions and
judging them by personal understanding, then acting upon the same. It is accessible in
getting efficient and new skills within a business entity. Along with this, self-
reflective learning is also helpful in improvising personal as well as professional
competencies of an individual in order to manage their roles and responsibilities
which are assigned by managers at workplace. With this, I can easily people can
easily evaluate certain aspects of every situation and know how to deal with their in a
very facilitate manner.
1.3 Benefits of self-managed learning
Self-managed learning plays a very vital role for individuals as well as for the whole
organisation. In other words, it is helpful for both employers and employees. There is given
certain benefits of self-managed learning for individuals and business entities, such are
described as under: -
 Its foremost advantage is, it is assistive in improving workers’ skills and capabilities
as they can easily achieve goals and objectives of the company in a minimum time
framework. In addition, it will be contributing in team building abilities of people as
they can motivate and encourage their subordinates.
 It forces peoples towards continuous learning for life-long period and make more
independent and confident. It helps individual to gain better opportunities in their
career life cycle (Van Driel and Berry, 2012). For example- if he has effective and
attractive skills in his resume then they can grab different chances to grow up.
 Self-managed learning is also assistive in improving inter personal and professional
skills of people as they can tend towards accomplishment of organisational goals and
objectives. If people will be more productive and encouraged for their work then a
firm can achieve high competitive advantage from target market.

4.1 Solutions of work based problems
While working in a business entity, there are numerous problems and issues which are
being faced by employees and employers; it can also affect their production level. Along with
this, these work based problems also affect employees’ relationship with their colleagues and
managers. Problems are generated through miscommunication, misunderstandings and
confusions. Beside this, Harassment and bullying is one of the major work based problem; it
have to be taken as disciplinary offences and involves the behaviour of employers towards
their workers (Taylor and et. al., 2011). It is an ethical responsibility of the managers of
Hotel Marriott to prevent harassment by enhancing social gatherings through meetings or
parties. Below mentioned the effective solutions of work based problems: -
 In order to reduce issues and problems at workplace, higher authorities need to
emphasis on brainstorming of their employees. In this, management and its staff come
together and giving their opinions towards specific topic. Brainstorming is an
impressive way to input a variety of ideas from staff members (Roeser and et. al.,
2012).
 Another effective way to reduce work based issues are – monitoring performances. It
will be helpful in encouraging and motivating employees as they attain and retain for
long term period within a company. Performance evaluation is done so as to compare
actual performance of staff members with the desired goals and objectives of the
refereed Hotel.
4.2 Various communication styles
Effective communication is very essential part of a firm’s growth and success. It helps
managers and employees as they can effectively share their ideas and concepts in order to
improve their sales and profits in a certain time period. In addition, communication is
required at level at workplace, i.e. strategic, tactical and operational level. Furthermore, at
strategic level it renders overall guidance or direction. While implementing any business
strategies within company, managers are needed to communicate with their employees and
recognise their point of views or opinions. Apart from this, at tactical level communication
helps in identifying strong tactics and tools while creation of a business strategy (Lumpe and
et. al., 2012). In other words, communication supports to establish a linkage between specific
and strategic plan together, in the distinct areas of business organisation. For effective and

easier communicate, managers can use various communication styles such are stated as
under: -
 Upward communication- It consist the flow of communication from lower to upper
level. Upward communication could be in form of phone calls, emails, messages etc.
 Downward communication- It refers communication flow from upper to lower, i.e.
higher authorities to labour class workers. Notice boards, emails, town hall meetings
are the common examples of downward communication.
 Horizontal communication – It involves communication among same level of
employees. Horizontal communication is assistive in creation of healthy and positive
working environment at workplace. In this, employees can easily interact at through
face to face, chats and group meetings etc.
4.3 Evaluate effective time management strategies
It is necessary for every company to evolve and adopt crucial time management
strategies so as to run functions smoothly. Sometimes, employers are not capable to finish
their tasks and activities before or on their time schedule. This can take back from market
competition. Therefore, is must for them to determine different ways which are helpful in
adjusting daily tasks and working activities (Yeh, Huang and Yeh, 2011). Below mentioned
certain time management strategies –
 Set priorities – In order to complete work before its given time period, managers need
to set priorities or make to do list for important tasks which are urgent. It involves day
to activities and operations should be categorised into three or four quadrants. A time
management matrix will be easily explained what is important or what not.
 Get organised – Due to poor time management, managers get poor result; it will be
also affect their market position and effectiveness of functions. In order to get rid this
problem, managers needs to manage and organise all activities which are necessary in
the process of goal accomplishment (Eros, 2011).
 Schedule time approach – It relates with time commitment towards working
activities that are wanted by an individual. In addition, scheduling time approaches
are helpful for people in order to understand themselves. By using time log, people
can determine the time which is take by every task.

TASK 2
2.1 Evaluate own current skills and competencies
Professional
skills
Current level
5 = Strong
1 = Weak
Best current Example Ways to improve
Communication
skills
4 Due to my poor
communication skills, I
am not capable to talk
with others and I also feel
hesitated while presenting
my ideas in front of my
senior managers.
In order to improve my
communication skills, I need to
read more and more newspapers
this would improve sentence
making capability. Apart from
this, I also need to speak
English with everyone.
Problem solving
skills
3 My poor problem solving
skills also put a huge
impact on my leadership
skills. With this, I cannot
manage my team
effectively and efficiently.
In order to improve my problem
skills and be a good leader in
my career life; I need to focus
on determining certain problems
in a systematic manner.
Afterwards, I also be a part of
group discussions and meetings;
this will helps me to finding
several ways so as to deal with
negative situations.
Presentation
skills
4 My presentation skills are
not so poor but sometime
due to improper
communication I cannot
share my ideas and
concept with people in
right way.
For improvising my this skills, I
need to make more and more
presentations and rehearse them
before giving them.
2.2 Examine own development needs and activities
In order to identifying my development needs and wants, I have to make a SWOT
analysis so as to find out my strength, weaknesses, opportunities and threats.

SWOT analysis
STRENGTH
 My foremost strength is team
building skills. as I have capability to
manage or organise a team in an
effective manner.
 I have a good command over
influencing people easily due to my
attractive nature.
 My strength is I have good
professional knowledge; this would
help me to grow and diversify in my
career.
WEAKNESSES
 I don’t have good communication
skills; through which I cannot interact
with other persons.
 Mine another weaknesses is I have
lack of problem solving skills; this
could put a negative impact on
managing or organising team in
effective manners.
 I have lack of time management
capabilities; I need to make more
efforts in order to resolve my this
skill.
OPPORTUNITIES
 I have good educational qualification;
this will be helpful for me grow and
diversify in external market.
 Now these days, there will be huge
demand of HR professional.
Multinational companies are paying
attractive salary packages to HR
managers. This would be a good
opportunity for me in future.
 I am started to focus on improving
my soft skills, i.e. team building,
writing, presentation, training etc.
THREATS
 Increasing competition level among
people.
 Family restrictions would be another
threat for me.
2.3 Define current needs and future needs
In order to meet my career goals and objectives, I have to make differentiation
between my current as future needs. With this, I can easily emphasis upon my short term and
long term targets.

Current needs – In order to become a successful person in life, I need to determine
certain short team goals and linked them with my current needs. At present my current needs
are improving my communication and team building skills. This would helpful for me to be a
good leader at workplace; it also enhances my current skills and competencies in a minimum
time of period. Apart from this, I observed this I need to develop my knowledge in other
sectors, such as- personal development, leading people, strategic planning, problem solving
skills, participative management etc. Due to good learning skills, I have to emphasis upon
improvising my knowledge towards other subjects.
Future needs - Future opportunities are a good chance of evolving a person’s level of
understanding. In forthcoming period, I need to renovate my current skills and abilities. As I
want to become a successful HR manager in my life therefore I have to acquire more
knowledge in this same field. In order to accomplish my life goals I have to develop the way
of thinking towards a particular topic or subject.
2.4 Develop a personal and professional development plan
Learning
outcomes
Current
proficiency
Target
proficiency
Development
opportunities
Criteria for
judging
success
Time scale
Excellent
communicatio
n skills
4 5 If I have good
communication
skills then I
can easily
interact with
people in an
effective and
efficient
manner. For
this purpose, I
have to read
English novels,
Determine
the level that
is observed
by public in
my speaking
way. I can
also take
help of my
friends and
colleagues.
2 months.

practising
speaking all
the time.
Problem
solving skills
3 5 If will be
capable to
resolve all
problems and
issues of
employees in
an impressive
way then it can
easily be a
good HR
manager very
soon. This will
open many
doors of
opportunities
for me.
I can take
feedbacks
and reviews
from my
managers
and higher
authorities.
They will
provided me
better
guidance
and
directions.
3 months.
Presentation
skills
4 5 This will be
helpful for me
as I can easily
share my ideas
and thoughts in
front of others.
By personal
assessment
or analysis.
2.5 month.
3.1 Process and activities required in implementation of PPD plan
A personal and professional development plan is a set of action. It is essential for
individuals if they want to achieve their goals and objectives. While implementing a PPD
plan, I need to conduct an analysis of my current skills and knowledge. For this purpose,
people need to firstly find out those areas which they actually want to improve. They can also
measure the future advantages of these improvements. Apart from this, in context of business
organisations, managers need to evaluate that whether or not skills are able to meet

company’s objectives. Furthermore, every individual has a vital position within workplace;
so that current skills of workers have to be measured as per organisational values and
standards.
Apart from this, managers have to establish the aims and objectives which they want
to achieve from development plan. These targets have to classify into short and long term
goals. At last all activities and tasks are identified should be monitored in an effective
manner. Each task is being tracked in terms of its growth and progress.
3.2 Document development activities as planned
There is required several tasks and activities while implementing personal and
professional development plan. In order to fulfil specific requirements of a development plan,
managers need to perform all activities and tasks in an impressive manner.
Development activity Strategy for monitoring and control
Making a to do list Conducting group meetings and discussions
so as to evaluate employees’ performance.
Be a part of training program Assessing the knowledge which I have
gained in training activities.
Development of time management Activities should be measured on weekly or
quarterly.
3.3 Own learning aims and objectives
As per this personal and professional plan, I am capable to improve my
communication skills with this I can easily interact with people in an effective manner. For
improving my skill I have to focus on reading newspapers. During this learning process, I
have been determining that I need to conduct a SWOT analysis that is helpful for me to attain
my career objectives. I also need to take feedbacks and reviews with higher authorities they
will provide me better guidance and direction towards any problems.
3.4 Update the development plan
Individuals need to regular update their personal and professional development; this
would help me to evaluate my career objectives which I have set for myself. This would
motivate me to do activities in an effective manner. I also have to evolve an action plans so as
to work can be done in proper way. When I got feedbacks and update my regular plan I can

easily become a good HR manager so as to achieve my career goals and objectives. When
people are taking right assessment they can see significant changes in themselves.
CONCLUISON
From the above mentioned report, it has been concluded that personal and
professional plan is assistive in improving individuals skills and compentences. It aids people
as they can easily attain their life goals and objectives in a certain time period. Under this
report, there is described need of self-managed learning; there are several ways that motivates
life-long learning. Apart from this, a personal and professional development plan in order to
achieve career goals and objectives. Managers are required to deal with work based problems
and issues in a very effective manner. For this purpose they need to adopt some time
management strategies for accomplishment of activities before their time schedule.
REFERENCES
Books and Journal
Moon, J. A., 2013. Reflection in learning and professional development: Theory and
practice. Routledge.
Avalos, B., 2011. Teacher professional development in teaching and teacher education over
ten years. Teaching and teacher education. 27(1). pp.10-20.
Mwalongo, A., 2011. Teachers' perceptions about ICT for teaching, professional
development, administration and personal use. International Journal of Education
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Reeves, D.cB., 2012. Transforming professional development into student results. Ascd.
Van Driel, J.cH. and Berry, A., 2012. Teacher professional development focusing on
pedagogical content knowledge. Educational Researcher. 41(1). pp.26-28.
Taylor, M. and et. al., 2011. Teacher professional leadership in support of teacher
professional development. Teaching and Teacher Education, 27(1), pp.85-94.
Roeser, R.W. and et. al., 2012. Mindfulness training and teachers' professional development:
An emerging area of research and practice. Child Development Perspectives. 6(2).
pp.167-173.

Lumpe, A. and et. al., 2012. Beliefs about teaching science: The relationship between
elementary teachers’ participation in professional development and student
achievement. International Journal of Science Education. 34(2). pp.153-166.
Yeh, Y. C., Huang, L. Y. and Yeh, Y. L., 2011. Knowledge management in blended learning:
Effects on professional development in creativity instruction. Computers &
Education. 56(1). pp.146-156.
Eros, J., 2011. The career cycle and the second stage of teaching: Implications for policy and
professional development. Arts Education Policy Review. 112(2). pp.65-70.
Little, J. W., 2012. Professional community and professional development in the learning-
centered school. Teacher learning that matters: International perspectives. pp.22-
46.
Ebert-May, D. and et. al., 2011. What we say is not what we do: effective evaluation of
faculty professional development programs. BioScience. 61(7). pp.550-558.
Carreira, M. and Kagan, O., 2011. The results of the National Heritage Language Survey:
Implications for teaching, curriculum design, and professional development. Foreign
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Macdonald, J. and Poniatowska, B., 2011. Designing the professional development of staff
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Online
PERSONAL OR PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT PLANS, 2012. [Online]. Available
through: < http://www.faculty.londondeanery.ac.uk/e-learning/assessing-
educational-needs/personal-or-professional-development-plans>. [Accessed on 22nd
october 2017].