Learning Styles and Organizational Development

This assignment delves into the realm of learning styles, knowledge management, and their impact on organizational development. It examines research papers discussing various learning styles (visual, auditory, kinesthetic), Kolb's Learning Style Inventory, and the application of these concepts in educational and workplace settings. The analysis also touches upon flipped learning, service quality training, social support in the workplace, and strategies for successful organizational change.

PERSONAL AND
PROFESSIONAL
DEVELOPMENT
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Contents
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................1
TASK 1............................................................................................................................................1
1.1 Different approaches of self-learning...............................................................................1
1.2 Lifelong learning in professional development................................................................2
1.3 Benefits of self-managed learning....................................................................................3
4.1 Role of individual training in solving work based problems...........................................4
4.2 Implementation of different learning style.......................................................................4
4.3 Different time management strategies..............................................................................5
TASK 2............................................................................................................................................6
2.1 Current skill and competency against professional development....................................6
2.2 Personal and professional need and development plan to achieve it................................7
2.3 Development opportunity so that current and future needs can be obtained...................8
2.4 Personal and professional development plan...................................................................8
3.1 process for the implementation of development plan.......................................................9
3.2 Documentation of plan activity......................................................................................10
3.3 Learning through aims and objectives that are set in development plan........................10
3.4 Personal and professional development plan and evaluation.........................................10
CONCLUSION.............................................................................................................................11
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INTRODUCTION.
In order to survive in this diverse environment its necessary of the organisation as well as
of the individual to adopt self-learning and continuous development in their working.
Personal and professional development play really important role in the development of
individual that also help in their professional development. There are many problem and
challenges that an individual and organisation face in their daily work. PPD is a process
which help in the enhancing the competency of the person so that they can finance these
problems and can achieve their desire goals. In current report Tesco has been taken into
consideration the firm is one of the leading firm in UK. In current time the firm has made
major changes in their working by adopting non-food items in their sales. The firms is also
planning on expanding its business globally in developing countries. The current report
will provide with detail study on how promoting self-managed learning in their working
will help the cited firm in their development.
TASK 1
1.1 Different approaches of self-learning.
There are two principles on which the development of personal and professional
development depends i.e. self-learning and self-assessment. Self-learning is a process in which
an individual groom its own self (Nejabatkhah and Li, 2015). There are many organisations that
promotes self-management through social network, seminar, conference etc. This firms have
their own structure for the development of individual which they promote according to each
person such as self-assessment, learning from mistakes, self-observation etc.
Kolb’s style of learning Diverging: They learn through observing instead of doing things. Assimilating: They are practical and logical learners prefer concise and logical approach.
Converging: Learning by finding solution of practical knowledge by using owns knowledge
(Soflano, Connolly and Hainey, 2015).
 ccommodating: Its mostly depends on individual institution instead of logic.
This method of learning emphasis that a person can learn through different ways by
listening and observing. Kolb’s model can be used for the planning and training session for the
employees of Mark and Spencer Ltd.
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VAK learning style
Visual: In this the individual learn through seeing and observing such as graphs,
illustrations, diagrams, etc.
Aural: In this style individual learn by hearing, listening and by focusing on information.
Kinaesthetic: This learning is done by physical or practical knowledge by felling and
touching things.
Figure 1Vak learning style
(Source: :VAK learning style. 2015)
Verbal logical, visual, interpersonal are different ways which are included in learning
strategies. Mark and spencer can adopt kolb’s model so that they can provide their employees
with better training program that can meet everyone need. For personal development Vak model
can be adopted by an individual.
Approaches to self-managed learning
 Monitoring: - This is the method through which an employee can supervise his own work
in working process. It is consisted with the cross checking of self-work.
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 Seminars and coaching centres: - There are various medium through which an employee
or student can find number of ways for useful technique to make his working process or
applied knowledge better.
 'Use of internet: - Today’s world is surrounded in the web of net. Each and every single
thing could be located with the help of net. Now a day’s Google has become one of most
self-developing programme for employees through which they can make changes in their
working style. People in different organisation use this method as communicating
channel in order to convey their messages to each other.
1.2 Lifelong learning in professional development.
Lifelong learning is an ongoing process where an individual voluntary put their effort
toward self-learning and knowledge for personal and professional reason (DeCoux, 2016). It
plays major role in increasing the competency of a person and enhance their employability and
competitiveness in market. Eventually an employee could measure his working procedure by
evaluating how they are contributing in the accomplishment of ultimate goals and objective of an
organisation. This whole process aid in providing proper understanding of drawbacks and
shortcoming in the working operations. It is old saying that once you identify your obstacle then
you have won the half battle to rectify the problem out of your professional life cycle. In today’s
rapidly changing environment it is required by each and every employee to apply SOSTAC
which stands for Situation, objective, strategy, tactics, actions, control
Different way through which lifelong learning can be adopted.
Self-assessment is one of the way through which lifelong learning can be achieved. A
person can conduct swot analysis of his own abilities and can find its strength and weaknesses.
This way he can bring enhancement in his both personal and professional life. Other than this
life long learning can also be achieved through self-learning (Peterson, DeCato and Kolb, 2015).
It plays major part in the enhancement of one’s personal life. IT motivate person so that they can
adopt new skill in their learning and trait in their personality so that they can be more competent
in their working. It can include traits like better interpersonal skill, problem solving skills, new
language, talent etc., that can help person in their professional development Other than this there
are various factor that can help in the in achieving lifelong learning such as
Acquiring information: In order to promote lifelong learning its necessary of the individual to
acquire necessary information that can help in them in their development. Reading, seminal,
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training and workshop are few of the way through which knowledge can be acquire (Serrat,
2017).
Motivation: If a person find himself struggling that means he requires to learn more. Its
necessary of an individual to keep positive attitude toward learning, so that he can improve.
In a professional life I found self-assessment method most relevant. I can conduct self-
evaluation from time to time to see how much I have improved and if there is scope of more
development. This will help me in enhancing my competency and I will able to make changes in
myself so that I can find stability in this competitive environment. In order to increase my
efficiency and to identify my capability I have started taking various training program provided
by firm along with this I also have also taken new responsibility in my working so that I can
more experience and knowledge.
1.3 Benefits of self-managed learning
Self-managed motivate person to focus on their overall development and help them in
achieving it. Below some benefit of self-managed learning are provided.
Benefits for organisation
Better performance. Self-managed learning motivate employee to increase their current
competency and bring positive changes in their working. Learning help person in gaining
confidence and experience (Kasemsap, 2016). A person with good confidence and learning are
able perform better increasing the efficiency of overall firm.
Customer satisfaction: Self manged learning as discussed before help in overall learning and
enhancement of skill in an individual. Employee with better personality and skill will serve the
customer better and can help firm in achieving customer satisfaction.
Better working environment: This style of learning help in increasing the motivation of the
employees and encourage them to adapt changes which help in developing positive working
environment.
Benefits for individual
Boost Confidence: With the help of self-learning self-esteem of an individual increases they
become confident in their skill. It helps them in taking initiative in their working.
Interpersonal skill: This learning help in overall development, it helps individual in enhancing
their communication skill and improve their listening skills (Liebowitz and Frank, 2016).
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Personality development: This style of learning motivates employees to adopt new trait in their
personality so that they can become more self-sufficient.
Challenges in self managed learning
 Discipline For Learning - Many employees like the thought of self-directed learning but
when it comes down to it they find it hard to put it into practice.
 Providing Trusted Sources of Reference - Learners may find their own way to the
answers they require at their own speed and often using resources which are external to
the company. Therefore, there is a real danger that the information obtained is
misleading or inaccurate.
 Training - Most people come with preconceptions of what training is and what it means.
Many are familiar with formal training courses and therefore adapting to self-directed
learning can prove challenging.
4.1 Role of individual training in solving work based problems
Tesco is one of the leading firm that has to carry out various work on daily basis so that
whole process can be run smoothly. In current time the firm has received many complaints from
their customer regarding poor service. Through proper research it has come forward that
communication is one of the biggest problem that firm is going through (Baporikar, 2016). Lack
of communication is affecting the coordination in working and creating work based problem that
has exceeded to such a level that it has also affecting their customers. It’s necessary of the
management to understand this problem and try to solve this problem so that better solution can
be found. Miscommunication lead to misunderstanding that also influence the environment of
the firm.
The management of Tesco need to find the solution to this problem so that efficiency and
services of the firm do not get effected. The firm can adopt different learning method so that best
training that can be implemented that can help firm in bringing efficiency in their working. By
implementing different learning style, the knowledge of the employee will increase that will help
them to learn how they can work well in team (Burke and Noumair, 2015). They will also learn
to coordinate their work. They can also provide them with better training programme through
which they can increase their communication skill and can serve the customer better.
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4.2 Implementation of different learning style
From the above analysis it’s clear that lack of communication skill can hindrance the
working of whole firm. Without it proper coordination is not possible. Implementation of
various learning style can help employees in learning better and enhancing their skill.
Visual: Manger can use picture and presentation to make employee understand where they lack.
Along with this they can also use this method to pass the information among employee. The
workers will get better understanding of task and errors will be decrease. It also enhances the
learning ability of a person (Hwang, Lai and Wang, 2015).
Aural: The employees can use music or sound to coordinate work among them. This will not
only help them in coordinating better but will also help them in increasing their communication
skill.
Verbal: Oral and written communication is one of the best and most adopted method of
communication in the firms (Anderson, 2016). Tesco can also adopt this method in their
working. Writing and speech also help in promoting learning and growth in individual.
In order to work properly its necessary that each information passes correctly from top
level to bottom level. Miscommunication lead to improper transformation of process that
hindrance the working of the firm. Markov planning can be implemented by Tesco in order to
attain their objectives.
Strategic level: Top management of the firm is responsible to come up with different strategies
that can help them in achieving their goal and objective (Dhar, 2015). They are accountable for
any change in the policy of the firm and is also responsible to communicate it to different part of
organisation.
Tactical level: This management work as a bridge between Strategic and optical level and is
responsible for the proper implementation of the strategies and policies that are implemented by
the firm.
Operational level: It make sure that all the necessary information regarding the changes are
passes correctly to all department if the firm and also make sure that no type if
miscommunication or error has occurred (Massenberg, Spurk and Kauffeld, 2015). It tries to
remain cautious at the time of delivery so that problems and misunderstanding can be avoided.
Tesco uses mail to transport all the necessary information.
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4.3 Different time management strategies
In order to be successful its necessary of the firm to manage their work on time so that
efficiency can be brought in the firm. Time management is essential not only at personal level
but also at professional level. In order to manage time different tactics can be used some of
which are mentioned below
Setting priorities : Its necessary to set priorities to maintain the quality of work. By dividing the
task on the basis of importance provide individual with enough time to give important attention
on the important work so that quality of management can be maintained. It helps in utilising the
time in the best way possible, the goals can be achieved efficiently by using this strategy, it also
has some weaknesses or limitation as it can not be possible every time to set the priorities when
all the task are equally important.
Managing log book: Keeping record of done work help the person in managing their work
properly. This method can be very beneficial for the professional development. It helps in
developing professional attitude among employee. It helps an individual to maintain a
professional skill or quality of recording things, writing or managing a log book helps in
monitoring the time and activities that are important, The major of weakness of this strategy is it
also needs time to develop a mange a log book.
Stop procrastination: Leaving work later only lead to more problem and increase work load. Its
necessary of the person to complete its work on time instead of delaying it for later. It also does
not look good on professional level (Peppard and Ward, 2016). Time management is one of the
important skill that is required by a person in professional world. It helps to develop efficiency
and effectiveness in the quality of work performed by an individual, it also helps in maintaining
a good professional image. The weakness of this strategy is it increase the stress level and also
affect the personal life.
From the above mention strategies, I find setting priorities to be best suited to me, it will
not only help me in managing my time but also with help me in improving the quality of my
work.
TASK 2
2.1 Current skill and competency against professional development.
In order to survive in this competitive environment its necessary of individual to have
enough competency that it can contribute in the success of the firm. In order to do so its
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necessary of the individual to have specific skills which can assist him in achieving its goals and
objectives. Some of my skills have helped me a lot in professional career.
Team work: Team work has always been my strong point. A team require to have great
relationship that can help them in working in unity (Nejabatkhah and Li, 2015). I try to maintain
good relationship with my team mates I am always eager to help them and provide them with
any type of assistance that they might need. This also help me in enhancing my leadership skill.
Presentation and written skill: In the professional world presentation is one of the important
skill that is required of an individual. In any firm presentation are used to present the idea to
others. Its also an important tool that is used by firm to pass information among employees. In
order to present effective presentation its necessary of a person to have great writing skill so that
he can write necessary information in precise and understandable way. My writing skills help me
in avoiding error and presenting good idea.
Communication skill: In order to work efficiently its necessary of the firm to have proper
coordination among employees. Communication skill help in avoiding any type of
misunderstanding that can affect the working of the firm.
CURRICULUM VITAE
Name:
address:
mobile:
objectives:
educational qualification
MBA in international marketing from XYZ college in year 2012 (Marks: 85%)
BBM in human resource management from XYZ college in year 2009 (Marks: 82%)
Experience
2 year working experience as marketing manager in M&S Ltd.
Skills
 Time management – I can effectively manage time, it's my strength that I can manage
and utilise my time in the best way possible.
 Communication skill – I have an attractive and strong communication skill, interacting
with people is also my key skill.
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 Team working skill – I can easily and effectively work in a team or group to achieve a
common goal or objective.
 Self learning – I can learn on myself, I have a good knowledge of self managed
learning. Multitasking – I can perform various tasks with the helps of my knowledge and
experience.
Declaration:
I declare that all the information mentioned above are authentic and true.
Signature:
2.2 Personal and professional need and development plan to achieve it
Constant development help individual in gaining competitive advantage as it help
individual in increasing their knowledge and help in developing personal and professional skill.
Development plan will help in enhancing my abilities so that I can become competent in my
working.
Skills current level activities Challenges
Analytical
skills
medium In order to be effective leader
its necessary of me to have
good analytical skills,
conference and lecture and
workshop will be quite useful
to me in developing this
particular skill.
Lack of time
Communicati
on skills
medium . In order to improve my self I
have decided to partake in
different presentation which
require me to present my view.
Change in language or
communication channels
Leadership
skill
good In order to become effective
leader I plan to seek the help
Improper support from the
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from my superior and ask for
their guidance so that I can
improve myself. I also plan to
attend seminar.
juniors.
Knowledge medium By doing more research and
attending various seminar and
webinar i can gain more
knowledge and
Lack of time and resources
Technological
skills
Low In order to enhance my skill I
can attend different training
and development programmes.
In current time when
technology is part of everyday
life its necessary of me to have
better knowledge of it
Lack of knowledge and
experience in technology
2.3 Development opportunity so that current and future needs can be obtained.
For efficient working its necessary of a person to develop those skill which are hindrance
its growth. Identifying one own current and future need of development help individual in
achieving its goals and objectives. My current leadership skill is good but their still chances of
improvement one of the major problem is that I can handle more than 5 employees under me,
this does not look good for my future and professional goals. In order to overcome this problem,
I plan to seek the guidance of my superior so that this problem can be solved.
Technological skills: I have poor technology skill I am still unaware about the latest technology
in market. In addition to this I also require double time than any normal person to understand it’s
working. I plan to attend workshop so my knowledge and skill both can be enhanced.
Self-managed skill: I have good self manged skill but I am still trying to improve this skill so
that I can become more efficient in my working. For this I plan to do more research and gain as
much experience as possible.
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2.4 Personal and professional development plan
Skills required level Target Opportunities Time
Leadership skill Good have all the
necessary
requirement only
problem is
number of people.
Want to improve
my skill so that I
can easily handle
ten members
under me.
Guidance from
superior ,
feedback from
peers and
Seminar.
1-2 months
Time
management
I have Medium
level of skills I
am good at
multitasking and
managing time
but in the time of
workload it
became quite
difficult.
Efficient working
at the time of
workload.
Workshop, expert
help can help me
in improving
these skills.
4 months
Organising skill Unable to
organise large
event
coordination
becomes a
problem
Want to arrange
the event at
industry level
Plan to attend
seminar and
conference so that
I can learn from
the experience of
others.
2 months
3.1 process for the implementation of development plan
In order to be successful development, plan its necessary that through it I not only
achieve short term objective but also long-term objectives.
Purpose Required activity
Develop Time management skills I will try to prioritize my work so that I can
manage my time while maintaining the quality
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of my work. I also plan to attend seminar so
that my skill can improved.
technical skill In order to improve this skill I plan to seek
expert advice along with this I will try to
update my self with latest technology so that I
can improve.
Communication skills Presentation and work shop are best way
through which I can enhance my current skill.
To become head of marketing department In order to achieve my long-term objective of
becoming head of marketing department. I plan
to seek the adopt self manged learning so that I
can eliminate weaknesses in me.
3.2 Documentation of plan activity
In order to improve its necessary of me to manage my growth through different activity.
Self learning: Self learning is one of the best way through which knowledge can acquire that will
help me in meeting my future need. I can seek knowledge from books magazine, journals, etc.
Monitoring: Regular assessment and evaluation will help me in achieving my goals and
objectives. Monitoring will help me in bringing efficiency in my working.
3.3 Learning through aims and objectives that are set in development plan
With the help of this plan I was able to bring proficiency in my working. It has helped
me in enhancing my leadership and technical skill through the constant guidance of my superiors
and peers. I was also able to improve my oral and written communication skill by gaining more
and more experience. Before this plan there were many places where I was needed improvement,
this plan has helped me in eliminating my weaknesses.
3.4 Personal and professional development plan and evaluation.
The above plan has helped me a lot in enhancing my skill but there are still some skills
that can be improved. For this new development plan has been formed.
Personal objectives Current activities Additional measures to
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improve it
Time management skill Training session I plan to seek expert advice so
that I can manage my time
properly.
Technological skills Keeping up to date to
technologies and attending
workshop
For this I plan to attend
professional training program
and workshop
leadership skill Seminar and conference I plan to seek the advice of
experience person who can
guide me properly.
CONCLUSION
The above report provides detail study on how self-learning and continuous development
help in bringing competency in the person. It helps person in achieving its short term and long-
term objective. With the help of self-assessment person can know about their weaknesses and
can plan a development plan that can help them in their improvement.
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REFERENCES
Books and Journals
Soflano, M., Connolly, T. M. and Hainey, T., 2015. Learning style analysis in adaptive GBL
application to teach SQL. Computers & Education, 86, pp.105-119.
DeCoux, V. M., 2016. Kolb's learning style inventory: A review of its applications in nursing
research. Journal of Nursing Education, 29(5), pp.202-207.
Peterson, K., DeCato, L. and Kolb, D.A., 2015. Moving and learning: Expanding style and
increasing flexibility. Journal of Experiential Education, 38(3), pp.228-244.
Serrat, O., 2017. Building a learning organization. In Knowledge solutions (pp. 57-67). Springer
Singapore.
Kasemsap, K., 2016. The roles of lifelong learning and knowledge management in global higher
education. Impact of economic crisis on education and the next-generation workforce, pp.71-
100.
Liebowitz, J. and Frank, M. eds., 2016. Knowledge management and e-learning. CRC press.
Baporikar, N., 2016. Lifelong Learning in Knowledge Society. Impact of Economic Crisis on
Education and the Next-Generation Workforce, pp.263-284.
Burke, W. W. and Noumair, D. A., 2015. Organization development: A process of learning and
changing. FT Press.
Hwang, G. J., Lai, C. L. and Wang, S. Y., 2015. Seamless flipped learning: a mobile technology-
enhanced flipped classroom with effective learning strategies. Journal of Computers in
Education, 2(4), pp.449-473.
Anderson, D. L., 2016. Organization development: The process of leading organizational
change. Sage Publications.
Dhar, R. L., 2015. Service quality and the training of employees: The mediating role of
organizational commitment. Tourism Management. 46. pp.419-430.
Massenberg, A .C., Spurk, D. and Kauffeld, S., 2015. Social support at the workplace,
motivation to transfer and training transfer: a multilevel indirect effects model. International
Journal of Training and Development. 19(3). pp.161-178.
Peppard, J. and Ward, J., 2016. The strategic management of information systems: Building a
digital strategy. John Wiley & Sons.
Online
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Gohliani, 2015. VAK learning style. [Online]. Available through: <
https://rainielianni.wordpress.com/2015/08/13/visual-auditory-and-kinesthetic-learning-
styles-vak >.
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