Personal and Professional Development: Skills at ASDA, UK

This report provides a detailed analysis of personal and professional development, focusing on self-managed learning, lifelong learning, and time management strategies within the context of ASDA, a major UK supermarket. The report explores various approaches to self-managed learning, different learning styles, and the benefits of self-managed learning for both individuals and organizations. It also addresses ways to encourage lifelong learning in both personal and professional contexts. Furthermore, the report identifies a work-based problem related to communication gaps within ASDA and proposes the implementation of audio-visual learning styles to overcome this issue. The evaluation of different time management strategies and skills assessment against professional standards and organizational objectives are also discussed. The report concludes with a personal development plan, outlining development needs, opportunities, and a critical evaluation of the learning outcomes.

Personal and Professional Development

Contents
INTRODUCTION.....................................................................................................................................3
TASK 1 ...................................................................................................................................................3
a) Approaches of self managed learning and different learning styles..............................................3
b) Ways to encourage life-long learning in the personal and professional context...........................4
c) Evaluating the benefits of the self managed learning to the individual and organization.............4
d) Identifying one work based problem.............................................................................................5
e) Implementation of the learning style which can overcome the work based problem and
communicating the benefits of it at each level of organization.........................................................5
f) Evaluating the different time management strategies to manage the time more efficiently.........5
TASK 2....................................................................................................................................................6
a)Evaluating the current skills and competencies against the professional standards and
organizational objectives...................................................................................................................6
b) Personal and professional development needs and activities required meeting them.................7
c) Identifying the development opportunities to meet the current and future needs......................8
D, e and f) Personal development plan..............................................................................................8
g) Critical evaluation of the learning against the aims and objectives...............................................9
h) Updation of the personal development plan.................................................................................9
CONCLUSION.......................................................................................................................................10
REFERENCES.........................................................................................................................................11
INTRODUCTION
Personal and professional development is a key which helps individual in achieving
success in the dynamic business environment. Professional development can be defined as a

process which helps individual in learning the skills and competencies which helps them in
building the bright career in the desired field (McLeod and Julia, 2014). In addition to this,
personal development refers the development of self awareness, skills and abilities which
helps individual in achieving their set goals and objectives. It also helps individual in
maximize their potential to a great extent. The present report is based upon ASDA which is
the largest supermarket of UK. The present report will discuss the approaches of self
managed learning and life-long learning in the personal and professional context. Besides
this, it also highlights the benefits of the self managed learning to the individual and
organization. It also states the effectiveness of time management strategies in the competitive
business environment.
TASK 1
a) Approaches of self managed learning and different learning styles
There are several approaches which individual can use to develop their skills and
competencies which are enumerated below: Use of social networking site: Internet is the best tool which individual can use to
develop their potentials. In the present scenario people spends their lot of time on the
social networking sites. It provides opportunity to the individual to interact with the
large number of people (Abraham and et.al., 2015). In addition to this, by using social
networking sites individual are able share their views, ideas and suggestions with
numerous people. This approach proves to be more beneficial for the individual who
widened their knowledge base and skills. SWOT analysis: It is another most effective approach or technique which individual
can use to develop their proficiency level. By conducting SWOT analysis individual
can assess their strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats (Lee and Jo, 2014). It
enables individual to convert their weaknesses into strengths by undertaking effective
measures.
 Learning from mistakes: Further, individual can also learn from their mistakes which
occurred in the previous performance of them. It provides assistance to them in
preventing the mistakes in the current work performance.
As per the Flemings VAK model there are various types of learning style such as
auditory, audio-visual and kinesthetic learning style which individual can use to build
competencies among them. In auditory learning style, individual learn only through hearing
the aspects without any visual presentation. Where as in audio-visual learning style individual
get deeper insight about the respective area with the help of chart and graphs. It facilitates
better understanding towards the subject area. In addition to this, kolbs learning style includes
four learning stages such as concrete experience, reflective observation, abstract
conceptualization and active experimentation. This stage provides assistance to the individual
in developing the competencies among them.

b) Ways to encourage life-long learning in the personal and professional context
In order to assess the suitable learning and development method I undertake research
activity. It provides assistance to me in the selection of best method which aids the
development of my skills and abilities. Besides this, I take suggestions from my family and
friends who helps me in indentifying the best learning and development method.
Improvement in skills of an individual are highly depends upon the effective learning
methods which helps individual in achieving success. Along with it, individual can learn the
development method with the help of training session (Visser, Evering and Barrett, 2014). It
develops understanding regarding the learning methods and style through one can easily
select the suitable method of learning in accordance with their developing needs.
Lifelong learning can defined as a activity undertaken by an individual throughout the
life in order to improve the potential, skis and competencies (Lifelong learning, 2015). There
are several several ways through which I can encourage lifelong learning in the personal and
professional context. Internet surfing is the best tool and technique which makes contribution
in the life-long which helps me in the both personal and professional life. Internet is the huge
collection of books, journals, research paper and articles. It provides information to the
individual about the current trend of the business area. Through this individual is able to
coping up with the ever changing business environment (Haarhoff, Thwaites and Bennett‐
Levy, 2015). Besides this, coaching and mentoring is also one of the best way through which
individual can develop their skills and competencies. It helps individual in getting expertise
in their desired field and there by fulfill the dreams of them. Thus, it plays a significant role
in the lifelong learning of the individual.
Along with it through apprenticeship and technological coaching or classes also helps
individual in learning the skills and abilities. Apprenticeship provides opportunity to the
individual to get practical exposure of the work. In addition to this, it also give chance to the
individual to get revenue during their learning. Further, by attending the technological
training session individual can also develop knowledge in relation to the technical field or
area. It enables individual to build the bright career in the eever changing business arena.
c) Evaluating the benefits of the self managed learning to the individual and organization
Self managed learning provides several benefits not only to the individual but also to
the organization. Through self managed learning individual is able to perform their activities
more effectively and efficiently which proves to be more fruitful for ASDA. It reduces the
possibility of high level of mistakes. Besides this, if personnel possess the complete
knowledge in relation to their field then they do not face any difficulties in serving the
customers. Along with it, employees of ASDA are encouraged to deliver the satisfactory
services to a large extent.
In the retail industry, success of an organization highly depends upon the skilled and
efficient workforce (Shaw and et.al., 2014). If individual have the expertise then they are able
to serve the needs wants and desires of the customers in an effective manners. Customer
satisfaction and loyalty highly depends upon the quality of the services offered by the service
personnel. Thus, by hiring the skilled and competent workforce ASDA can maximize their

sales and profit. In addition to this, by converting the weaknesses of the employees into
strengths organization can build and sustains competitive advantage over their rivals
(Hardcastle and et.al., 2015).
d) Identifying one work based problem
I am working in ASDA from last six years which is one of the largest supermarket of
London who delivers quality services to their customers. During the work I have identified
that there is the wide communication gap between the upper and lower level managers of an
organization. Implementation of policies and strategies an organization is highly dependent
upon the effective communication which takes place at the all level of an organization.
Effective communication is the key of success which makes contribution in the
organizational growth and development. In order to overcome this problem ASDA needs to
conduct training and development session which facilitates better communication within an
organization. Seminar and conferences are the best way through which organization can
reduce the communication gap which occurs in the corporation. It provides deeper insight to
the employees of an organization about the ways through which they effectively
communicates with each other (Galliers and Leidner, 2014). Besides this, it also entails the
benefits of the effectual communication to the organization and employees themselves. Along
with it, by conducting the regular meeting organization become able to reduce the
communication gap. It helps organization in communicating the strategies to the employees
in an effective manner. This aspect makes contribution in the organizational growth and
development.
e) Implementation of the learning style which can overcome the work based problem and
communicating the benefits of it at each level of organization
In order to resolve the problem of communication ASDA can undertake audio visual
learning style. It provides more assistance to the organization in convey the benefits of
effective communication which resides at workplace. Seminar and conferences provides
opportunity to the employees to develop their communication skills (Russell and et.al., 2014).
In seminar, individual speak up in the large public which build up confidence among the
employees and there by improves their communication skills (Ambrósio, e Sá and Simões,
2014). In order to convey the benefits of audio visual learning style at strategic, tactical and
operational level I make use of different communication channels. In order to encourage the
strategic level mangers I organize the meeting in which I convey the benefits which they get
by attending this session. In contrary to this, to communicate at tactical level I make use of
written form of communication such as email and written memo. In addition to this, I place
written notices on the notice board to provide the information about the audio visual learning
style to the employees who works at operational level.
f) Evaluating the different time management strategies to manage the time more efficiently
There are various time management strategies are available to the individual which
they can use to manage their time more effectively and efficiently. Prioritization of work,
avoidance of multi-tasking ability, planning tool, delegation of the role and responsibilities
and software are the better time management techniques. These tools facilitate timely
accomplishment of the work performance. By prioritizing the work in accordance with their

importance one can easily meet the deadline of the work. In this, individual give rank to the
each aspect of the work and perform the work first which are more important to the
individual rather than the other work (Ding and Liu, 2014). However, it is to be critically
evaluated that by prioritizing the work one cannot achieve their goals.
In order to perform the work and activities in an efficient manner individual needs to
avoid multi tasking ability. It is usual that when individual make focus upon the more
activities then they are not able concentrate and accomplish the work with high level of
efficiency. Besides this, individual can also use the planning tools such as calendars and
diaries to manage their time as per the activities they required to perform (Falk, 2014).
Further, by delegating the role and responsibilities to the individual one can accomplish their
work more effectively and efficiently (3 Better time management strategies, 2015).
I undertake prioritization strategy on the basis of the above benefits. It helps me in
managing my time in accordance with the activities which I required to perform. It provides
more assistance to me in attaining the predetermined aims and objectives. In addition this, it
also prevents duplication of work and efforts which provides more benefit to me.
TASK 2
a) Evaluating the current skills and competencies against the professional standards and
organizational objectives
ASDA is the largest supermarket of UK whose one of the main objective is to
maximize the sales as well as profit by delivering the quality services to the customers. As a
marketing manager of an organization I require to possess several skills which enable to
provide cost effective and satisfactory services to the customers (Moog, 2014). As in service
industry customer satisfaction is closely affected by the product and services delivered by the
service personnel. Loyalty of the customers towards the product and services are highly
dependent upon the workforce because it represents the organization while serving the
customers. As a marketing manager I require to have effective communication, leadership,
customer handling, decision making, time management and critical thinking ability. By
assessing these skills with my current level I have identified that I have leadership skills
which helps me in influencing the decision making of others.
Besides this, I possess quick decision making ability which helps me in building
distinct image in the target market mind. Nevertheless, I have determined that I have lack of
effective communication skills which are required to convince the customers. In addition to
this, I face difficulty in handling the complaints and problems of the customers. In order to
build the bright career in the field of marketing individual requires possessing effective
customers handling skills. Further, I have found that I need to improve my time management
skills which make contribution in organizational success. I also need to improve my critical
thinking ability. It enables me to deliver quality and innovative services to customers.
Name: HENRY JORZ

Email id: [e-mail]
Contact no: 0045863291
Career objective: I wish to work in the growing business environment where I can get
opportunity to enhance my knowledge and skills.
Academic qualification
Qualification University Year
Masters in Business
Administration
London university 2005
Bachelor degree in Business
Administration
UK university 2008
Skills
 I possess effective leadership skills.
 I have better decision making ability.
 I am good in research and development.
Achievements
 Won the first prize in role play activity.
 I had an good academic background.
b) Personal and professional development needs and activities required meeting them
One the basis of the above assessment of my current skills against the professional
standard and organizational objectives I have found many deficiencies in my marketing
skills. In order to remove these deficiencies I need to be taken into consideration several
activities to improve my skills and competencies. Below mentioned activity provides
assistance to me in increasing productivity and profitability of ASDA.
Skills required Activities needed to improve
the skills
Time taken to develop the
skills
Communication skills In order to improve my
communication skills I
undertake on the job training
method. I attend seminars
which helps me in
developing the effectual
5 weeks

communication skills.
Customer handling skills I undertake mentoring
method to develop the
customer handling skills. It
helps me in dealing with the
problem of the customers in
an efficient manner and there
by evolve satisfaction among
them.
3 weeks
Time management skills To improve my time
management strategies I take
active participation in the
role play activity. It provides
more assistance to me in
improving the skills which
enables me to manage my
time more effectively and
efficiently.
3 weeks
Critical thinking ability I attend case study sessions
which help me in developing
the critical thinking ability.
4 weeks
c) Identifying the development opportunities to meet the current and future needs
There are various development opportunities are available to me which helps me in
enhancing the desired skills and abilities. I attend seminar and conferences which are
organized by ASDA. In seminar and conferences individual interact with the large number of
people. In addition to this, it provides opportunity to them to represents their view and take
part in the discussion among the wide group. It build up confidence among the individual an
there by improves the communication skills of them. In addition to this, mentoring is also the
best technique which helps people in improving the customer handling skills. Mentoring
method provides deeper insight to the individual about the real work place. In this, learner
works under the supervision of the higher authority which reduces the possibility of mistakes.
In addition to this, role play session also provides opportunity to the individual in
relation to the learning of time management (Batchelor and Lautenbach, 2015). Time is the
key of the success which helps individual in building competitive position over others. It not
on helps individual in professional life but also helps in the personal life. Along with it,
company needs to deliver unique or innovative services to survive in the dynamic business
arena. Case study sessions develop the critical thinking ability among the individual so they
become able to deliver cost effective services to the customers (Merriam and Kee, 2014).
Along with it, by doing the Higher national diploma organization can develop theue
competency level. Further, by attending technological classes and session individual can lear
about how to deal with the technological aspects. It is more vital to achieve success in the
highly technological environment.
D, e and f) Personal development plan

Skills required Activities needed to improve
the skills
Time taken to develop the
skills
Communication skills
To complete my HND
programme
To improve the
communication I attend
meetings which are
organized by ASDA. Besides
this, I join coaching classes
which helps me in
developing the
communication skills.
4weeks
Customer handling skills
 To become a manager
 To complete and
submit all
assignments on due
dates
 To develop my
leadership skills
In order to handle the
problems of the customers in
an effective manner I
undertake research activity
which helps me in
understand the customer
perception, preference and
attitude towards the products
and services offered by them.
Besides this, I take training
from the senior manager
which assists me the ways
through which I become able
to serve the customers in an
effective manner.
3 weeks
Time management skills I take participation in the
management games which
helps me in managing the
time according the activities.
3 weeks
Critical thinking ability In order to develop critical
thinking ability I need to
make efforts solve case
studies which develop the
thinking ability of me.
Besides this, I play
management games which
enable me to think something
rather than others.
4 weeks
g) Critical evaluation of the learning against the aims and objectives
By assessing my own skills against the predetermined aims and objectives I have
found that I have attained success in developing the time management skills. Management
games and role session proves to be more beneficial for me. Through this, I am able to
manage my time more effectively and efficiently. Besides his, I have also developed critical
thinking ability which helps in getting the desired output. Through this, I am able to offer
unique product and services to the customers as compared to the competitors. Nevertheless, I
have still lack of effective communication skills which closely impacts the revenue of an
organization. In addition to this, mentoring methods helps in building the customer handling

skills to the large extent. But still I have lack of customer handling skills which I need to
improve for the we being of ASDA. In addition to this, I continuously make efforts to assess
my skills and abilities which helps me in taking the effective measures to develop my
proficiency level. Skills which are required to develop my potentials are clearly examined in
the updating plan.
h) Updation of the personal development plan
Instead of making high level of efforts I am facing difficulties in managing the
customers more effectively and efficiently. Thus, I need to update my personal development
plan which helps in improving my skills and potential to the large extent. Activities which I
required to undertake to remove the deficiencies in the skills are enumerated below:
Skills required Activities needed to improve
the skills
Time taken to develop the
skills
Communication skills In order to strengthen the
communication skills I attend
coaching classes which
involve one to one discussion
about the topic. It helps me in
getting the expertise in field
of the communication.
Besides this, I attend
conferences which also
provide assistance to me in
developing the effective
communication skills.
4weeks
Customer handling skills To improve the customer
handing skills I need to
undertake simulation
exercise. In simulation I
perform the activities in the
artificial environment which
prevents the negative impact
of my activities on the image
of the organization. It is the
best tool through which I
understand and learn the
ways which helps me in
reducing the mistakes of real
life.
3 weeks
CONCLUSION
From this project report, it has been concluded that approaches of self managed
learning pays a significant role in the growth and development of individual. It can seen in
the report that internet as well as coaching and mentoring helps individual in developing
lifelong learning in the personal and professional context. Besides this, it can be concluded
that self managed learning provides several benefits to the individual and ASDA in terms of

high productivity and profitability. It can be inferred that time management strategies helps
individual in building strategic position over their competitors. In addition to this, it can be
articulated that individual needs to possess the competent marketing skills which aid in the
sales and gross revenue of an organization.
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