Enhancing Professional Skills through Personal Development

The assignment discusses the importance of developing communication skills, including interpersonal skills, presentation skills, and planning and organization. The author reflects on their own experiences and identifies the need for further improvement in these areas. The report also highlights the value of adopting different approaches and methods to develop skills and talents that match professional standards. Additionally, it emphasizes the significance of identifying learning styles and acquiring various attributes and skills to establish a prominent position in an organization.

Personal and
Professional
Development

TABLE OF CONTENTS
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................1
TASK 1............................................................................................................................................1
1.1 Approaches to self managed learning...............................................................................1
1.2, 1.3 and 1.4 identifying learning methods, encouraging life long learning and benefits of
self managed learning.............................................................................................................2
TASK 2 AND 3...............................................................................................................................4
2.1 Skills require meeting the organizational goals and objectives........................................4
2.2 Personal and professional development needs.................................................................4
2.3 Development opportunities to meet the current and future needs....................................5
2.4, 3.1, 3.2.............................................................................................................................5
3.3...........................................................................................................................................7
3.4...........................................................................................................................................7
TASK 4............................................................................................................................................7
4.1 Work based problem in an organization...........................................................................7
4.2 Different ways to communication....................................................................................8
4.3 Effective time management and strategies.......................................................................9
CONCLUSION................................................................................................................................9
REFERENCES..............................................................................................................................10

INTRODUCTION
The dynamic nature of the market situations with the changing economic environment
induces the business organizations and the individuals working in the company to come with the
efficiency and proficiency in the skills. Individuals seeks to develop their talents and skills in the
continuous process adopting various methods and measures to fit in the organizational standards
set by the professionals (Wilson, 2004). This also enables them to establish the prominent
position in the market place. The report is prepared to elucidate the methods of self managed
learning and its benefits to the organization and individuals. Further, it throws light on the
methods to identify the current competencies and future needs of an individual to establish in the
volatile market and the personal development plan is prepared to enhance the skills.
TASK 1
1.1 Approaches to self managed learning
In order to make the strong presence in the market, an individual takes an initiative. The
self managed learning is the systematic and the planned way of acquisition of knowledge and
talents in the supervision of the expertise and the specialists. Different approaches is adopted to
pursue the process (Malm, 2009). It involves the step by step method as mentioned below. Initiation : With the willingness and realization of the need of the up-gradation of the
skills and talents initiates an individual to proceed with this systematic and planned
manner of acquisition of skills. Target and goal setting: With the analysis of the current personality traits, the clear goals
and targets are determined. Aims and requirements: With the above analysis, the future development needs are
realized and accordingly the personal development plan is prepared within the decided
time frames. The methods and approaches are decided with the help of the expertise and
the specialist in the field (Day and et.al, 2006). Implementation: The plan developed and the development opportunities identified are
then processed to achieve the targets.
 Self reflection: An individual also process the information from the surroundings. Self
reflection is the process of articulating the rationale of own practices.

1.2, 1.3 and 1.4 identifying learning methods, encouraging life long learning and benefits of self
managed learning
To imbibe the certain qualities in the personality and for the acquisition of knowledge
and skills faced paced learning process contribute significantly. There are certain methods and
process which helps to identify the learning styles which an individual uses to process the
information (Stenfors-Hayes and et.al, 2010). I have used VARK learning style method for the
purpose. This method with the help of a questionnaire and the score card, helps to know the
which sensory modalities is used to process the information. The VARK learning style
identification process is attributed to work conducted by Peter Fleming (1992).
Visual 8
Auditory 9
Read and write 10
kinesthetic 13
Total 40
RANK MY SCORE
1st Kinesthetic
2nd Reading/writing
3rd Auditory
4th Visual
By answering 40 questions in the questionnaire and prior experiences, analysis has been
made. According to which Kinesthetic approach and reading and writing approach get the top
most preference. While achieving academic credentials as well, two ways has helped in in
understanding the concepts more accurately are converting theories into action such as I have
lead the team in which we were supposed to present the models and plans taught in lectures
through applying it, in that process my learning got enhanced in significant way. Further, my
emphasis was always on thorough and in depth understanding of any subject for that purpose I
always prefer to refer authentic books and journals. Hence, reading and writing has been the
effectual and helpful approach till now in my learning process.
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With the above score card it can be inferred that I process the information with the practical
application of theories and concepts that is using them into real actions. With through
understanding of the theories and the concepts by reading and writing helps me to acquaint with
the concepts.
Source: Mukherjee, S., 2016
Honey and Mumford styles may be determined by completing an on-line survey of through 80
questions which helps a person to know their distinct learning style.
Activist: Who learn by doing?
Theorist: By understanding theory behind actions.
Pragmatist: Apply different ideas in situations as per their suitability.
Reflector: Learn by observing and thinking.
Methods to encourage the life long learning process
Learning is the continuous process which an individual practices throughout the life. This
became the effectual process to enhance the efficiency and the abilities of an individual to fulfill
the aspirations and desires in the personal life and to acquire the competencies in the professional
lives (Etherington, 2004). There are various ways through which it can be encouraged in the
significant manner.
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Illustration 1: Honey and Mumford learning style

 Academic credentials: The fundamental method which helps in the acquisition of the
skills and knowledge is formal means of coaching in the schools and colleges. Education
at school level creates the foundation of knowledge and information.
 Higher degree courses: To acquire the technical knowledge in the particular field can be
attained through higher degree courses. Government also supports students to pursue this.
For instance, Credit accumulation and transfer schemes issued by the UK government
helps to bridge for the higher professional courses (Moon, 2013). I have also undergone 2
years HND course in business which has developed skills in me to consolidate larger
stream of customers with organization.
 Seminars and conferences: Attending seminars and conferences helps to acquaint with
the advanced technology and upgraded world. This gives exposure with the world of
better knowledge and skills (Rees, Shepherd and Chamberlain, 2005). Attending
seminars and conferences has enabled me to improve my communication and interacting
skills. It has developed my critical thinking skills.
 Employment: The organizations understands the need to increase the knowledge and
skills of employees to make them fit in the volatile and improving market conditions. For
that purpose they conduct training programs and development sessions. In training and
apprenticeships at job I have learned advanced techniques and technology used in my
field of work. Further, it has developed my interpersonal skills such as decision making
and leadership qualities. Surroundings and self reflection: An individual takes decision and learns from his prior
learning and experiences. The adaptability of personality in different situations enables to
learn in many ways.
Benefits of self managed learning to the individual and organization
To individual
 The initiative taken by an individual to acquire know and skills in the planned manner
and systematic manner helps to fit in the professional standards (Glazer and Hannafin,
2006).
 With the help of the expertise and the specialists in the field, the individuals brings better
learning as the guide to adopting the recommended structured opportunities.
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 Person pursuing personal and professional development plan is endowed with wide range
of qualities are skilled to compete with the professional standards. An individual
processing these methods is able to bring adaptability with the volatile market situation in
better way.
To an organization
 It helps the organization to hire the employees with the better proficiency and the
capabilities that required in the organization to perform various task and fulfill duties.
 It reduces the cost of training as with the hiring of skilled labor the management's task of
enhancing their skills reduces. They already possess the skills that helps them to adapt
with the organization's rules, values, principals and the operational management.
 The entry of skilled labor and employees, brings innovative and creative ideas to process
the tasks and duties. Further, the better and resourceful methods' comes to resolve the
problems and issues (Wilson, 2004).
 The organizations realize the importance of the self managed learning and encourages
processing among the employees. The adoption of this planned and systematic technique
helps to earn more profitability by increasing the productivity of the employees.
Self managed learning has been benefiting the individual and organization on wider
scale.
TASK 4
4.1 Work based problem in an organization
The sector I am aspiring to work in the travel and the tourism sector operates by adopting
the integrated model that is operates with the vertical and horizontal integration with the other
organization working in the similar or the contributing organizations. Allocation of work among
the different group and teams is the effective criteria adopted by the tour operators adopt in the
industry (Desimone, 2009). But the manager endowed with the slew of duties and
responsibilities encounter so many works based problems. One such problem the organization
faces is the ineffective team management.
The identified learning style can be implemented to resolve the identified issue in the following
manner (Brinkerl, 2006).
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 The kinesthetic approach helps in resolving the issue in the considerable manner. That is
the adoption of the different models and techniques to make the effective management
and bring the attitude of team work among the members.
 The learning style helps to identify the strengths and weakness of the employees working
in the organization. This enables the manager to assign them the duties and tasks as per
their field of work which brings the better productivity to the organization.
 Adopting the different approaches the manager enables them to learn the different
techniques and abreast the new technology in the process of working which further
trickles down to increase the profitability of the organization.
4.2 Different ways to communication
In an organization, the employees functions at different levels of stratum. The continuous
communication between the different levels helps the organization with perfect feasibility.
Different methods of the techniques are adopted to communicate at different levels. This is
categorized in the following manner (Hunzicker, 2011).
 Strategic: At this level there is the board of directors who frame strategies and policies to
function and is delivered to the subordinate levels for the implementation and execution.
The managers at this level are endowed with so much of pressure of work and
responsibilities hence have limited time to go through every detail. At this level the
communication is formal and verbal in the form of presentations and oral dictation.
 Tactical: The administrative level of the organization where the execution of strategies
framed is done. The delivery of orders from the upper level is in the form of both verbal
and written communication. This includes the formal communication but between the
horizontal levels of employees there is informal communication (Clark and Harmer,
2006).
 Operational: The very subordinate level of organization is the organizational level. At
this level the communication is done informally in the verbal manner. At this level
training is also conducted that is through seminars and conferences.
Learning styles such as VARK model and Honey and Mumford model helps to identify
the strengths of employees and accordingly they are assigned their task and duties.
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4.3 Effective time management and strategies
The responsibilities of so much of work to the manager sometimes bring the haphazard
way of management. To pursue the work in the smooth and effectual manner there are certain
strategies and ways to be adopted. The implementation and execution of the stragies can be done
in the following manner:
 Planning effectively: To manage the slew of works and tasks in the hassle free manner,
the planning of the tasks and work is very crucial. For that purpose, with the use of the
resourceful planning tool the management of work and task can be done. Such as using
the electronic planner helps the organi9sation to manage the work.
 Prioritizing: arranging and executing the tasks as per the priority and the importance
enables the hassle free working and the functioning. As per the preferences and the
importance the numbering of the task is assigned. Arranging the time frames is also kept
in consideration (Professional and personal development, 2013).
 Stopping procrastination: The delaying of the tasks and work for tomorrow creates the
clutter of work of the organization and manager. By avoiding the delays in work and
procrastination the work can be executed smoothly.
Among the above mentioned methods using planning tool is the appropriate method as it
is a comprehensive way to manage time. With the proper use of this time can be managed in
lucrative manner.
TASK 2
2.1 Skills require meeting the organizational goals and objectives
I am an associate degree holder in the marketing management. I aspire to pursue my
career in marketing as the marketing manager in travel and tourism sector. To comply with the
professional regulatory organizations, certain competencies are required to be enhanced. To
facilitate the employability in travel and tourism sector, the following skills and attributes are
needed to be posses (Loucks-Horsley and et.al, 2009).
 Proficiency in the verbal and written communication skills.
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 The intimate knowledge of the marketing principals and their applicability.
 Leadership skills.
 Decision making skills
 Technological knowledge
 Planning and organizing
 Time management.
By scrutinizing my current personality traits, I have identified that I possess strong
decision making skills, good planning and organizing and also acquainted with the leadership
qualities (Alsup, 2006). I have also inferred that to enhance the career progression and to
improve the professional competence, I need to improve my technical knowledge of marketing
principles and their applicability, imbibe technological advancements in my processes and also
bring proficiency in the effective communication.
2.2 Personal and professional development needs
Marketing manager at travel and tourism is endowed with the slew of duties and
responsibilities. To practices this efficiently, there are certain qualities that are needed to be
possessed. To identify the personal and professional needs, I have performed the SWOT analysis
(Meijer, Morine-Dershimer and Tillema, 2005). Strengths: Good leadership skills, decision making and better planning and organizing of
the tasks and duties assigned are my strengths. Weakness: Less acquaintance with the technological advancements and communication
skills below the benchmark set by the organization are my weakness. Opportunities: Working in the travel and tourism sector gives imminence opportunity to
enhance the skills and upgrade the persona to establish the prominent position in the
market place. Further, the training programs, development sessions, apprenticeships,
seminars and conferences in the sector gives exposure to the employees with better and
advanced world and it also creates opportunities for career advancements.
 Threats: The organizations working in the travel and tourism industry works with the
high degree of standards and it employee the applicants with higher proficiency and
adaptability with the profession. To sustain and survive, individuals are required to come
up with better skills and talents (Webster-Wright, 2009).
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2.3 Development opportunities to meet the current and future needs
In order to escalate the skills and proficiency in the above described competencies, the
following are the development opportunities. Through this the current and future needs can be
met. Communication skills: Communication skills can be improved by joining the
professional degree course in the verbal and the written communication skills. Further, by
increasing the intensity of reading books and engaging more in the group discussions
increases the quality of communication and brings proficiency. Attending CIPR internal
communication diploma makes communication effective and improving public relations. Marketing skills: The technical knowledge of marketing principles can be enhanced
through the higher degree courses. Further, with the practical use of models and mixes in
the real projects under the guidance of senior managers and specialists in the field better
understanding can be gained. For the enhancement of marketing skills, attending diploma
in professional marketing is beneficial as it teaches different ways to adopt strategies and
apply it in pragmatic manner.
 Technological advancements: Recognized as the era of information technology,
technology is improving with the fast pace. To be equipped with such advancements, the
research and the better connectivity with the sources will help (Penuel and et.al, 2007).
2.4
After completion of my academic education, I have found several skills which are
required for the position of marketing manager. On the basis of same, personal development plan
has been prepared which is as follows:
Skill you want to acquire How will you acquire it? Timescale
Marketing skills Improving marketing skills
demands pragmatic approach
such as attending higher
professional and diploma
courses and application of
theories and models into
reality and convert it into
2 Years that is 1 year for
learning and another for
practical application.
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action. Improving marketing
skills in the given reference of
time will ensure the better
holding in market place and
accrue positive results.
Team work Consulting expertise and
specialist in field for the use of
different team building models
such as Tuckman and other.
After completion of academic
courses training will provide
the required experience to
supervise people.
1 year 2 months
Leadership skills Adopting ways such as
identifying attributes of team
members, understanding their
issues and using systematic
and planned approach.
1 year
TASK 3
3.1, 3.2
Professional Skills Best Current Example Ways to improve
Communication Skills Efficiently communicate to the senior
management and the subordinates.
Communication skills
can be improved
through reading books
and more engagement
in group discussions
and seminars.
Leadership Skills Manages my team to accomplish goals with By increasing more
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good strategy and motivation. involvement with
employees and come
up better ideas and
innovation.
Time management Need improvement in time management skills. By using electronic
planning tool, setting
priorities, avoiding
procrastination and
delays and setting
priorities.
Team work Require improvement. Team work is
improved by
identifying individual's
strengths and
enhancing
coordination.
Problem solving Resolve problems with better solution. Group discussions
increases creativity
and bring better ideas.
Planning and
organizing
Organizes the work assigned in systematic
manner in a planned manner to accomplish it
timely.
By using planning
tools and maintain the
proper records of all
the work done and
need to be
accomplished.
Presentation skills Uses better techniques to present the report to
senior management and subordinates through
visual and verbal presentations.
By using virtual
platform to present
reports, by using
auditory medium to
communicate the other
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employees,
presentation skills can
be improved.
3.3
Comparing against the learning needs and target achieved following inferences can be
made.
 My communication skills enhanced but still need improvements
 The interpersonal skills have been enhanced but with the application of new techniques
and models it can be further improved.
 I have achieved the desired goals of presentation skills, presentation skills and planning
and organizing (Avalos, 2011).
So far adopting different approaches and methods to develop skills and talents to match
the professional standards has enabled me to imbibe attributes such as communication,
interpersonal skills, presentation skills and planning and organization. Through identifying
learning styles, process of learning gets enhanced. Along with saving time, it makes better
learning. Through this acquisition of different talents helps a person to establish a prominent
position in organization.
3.4
Professional Skills Ways to Acquire Time scale
Communication Skills Enhancing communication
with group of people and
applying knowledge earned in
professional courses. After
having formal coaching at the
professional courses
undergoing training sessions
provide the exposure for the
implementation of learnt
1 year
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theories and concepts.
Leadership Skills Following efficient leaders
such as senior management and
the expertise in field provide
the learning about the
applicability of models and
theories. Assisting leaders
enable the learning for getting
the work done by team.
1 and h15 days
CONCLUSION
With the above report prepared in can be inferred that the development plan helps to
enhance the skills and efficiency in the systematic and planned manner by building the
development plan. Through different models learning style has been identified to speed the pace
of learning. Further, development plan helps in acquiring other required attributes and skills.
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REFERENCES
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Meijer, P.C., Morine-Dershimer, G. and Tillema, H. eds., 2005. Teacher professional
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Online
Professional and personal development. 2013. [Online] Available
Through:<http://www.criticalthinking.org/pages/professional-and-personal-development/800>,
[Accessed on 18th December, 2015]
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