Self-Assessment of Skills for Business Development

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Academic and Employability Skills
Task 1
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Executive Summary
The provided report has the introduction on the skills such as hard skill and soft skill. The
academic skill as well as the employability skill has been defined. Reflection has been presented
on the personal skills that are required in the management of workplace. The importance of each
skill has been assessed concerning the business development. The affects of deficiency of the
skills have also been presented along with the emphasis on the activities that are required for
development of the mentioned skills. The goals have been discussed related to the skills in the
personal development plan as well.
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Table of Contents
Introduction......................................................................................................................................4
Write an appropriately structured academic report in which you analyse your own academic and
employability skills by referring to in-class exercises and published literature. You will also need
to include scanned copies of in-class exercises and the feedback you received in the form of an
appendix...........................................................................................................................................5
Conclusion.....................................................................................................................................10
Reference List................................................................................................................................11
Appendix........................................................................................................................................13
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Introduction
Skill is the capability to perform something in a proper way. Skills are divided into soft and hard
skills. The former are the traits of a person such as communication, leadership, and such while
the latter are the technical skills such as knowledge about specific subject (Matteson et al.,
2016). The employability skills include skills of communication, problem solving, team
management, and such. The academic skills are the approaches that are applied to the process of
learning. The academic skills involved critical thinking, academic writing, note making,
researching, and others.
The present report will have discussion on the personal skills that would affect the individual’s
learning as well as employability either positively or in negative way.
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Write an appropriately structured academic report in which you analyse your own
academic and employability skills by referring to in-class exercises and published
literature. You will also need to include scanned copies of in-class exercises and the
feedback you received in the form of an appendix.
Skills that I possess
Time management skill
I have the time management skill that has made me complete the task in proper time with no
delays. I have been punctual in performing the work of the project by making proper plans and
scheduling every task within specific period. In a workplace, there is utter need of time
management skill to complete the project to gain success in the business (Jackson, 2015). As
mentioned in the profession development plan provided in the appendix, I have put the time
management skill as the short-term goal that would be developed by me within six months. The
development of this skill can be attained by indulging in study modules to improve the time
management skill. In order to carry out this activity, I would need free time to provide myself
some moments of learning. In this way, I will be able to improve the skill of time management
that would enable me in using time efficiently.
However, the insufficient time management skill would lead to loss in the business, as the tasks
would not be planned in a structured way that will result in delaying in the completion of the
work (Harrison and Lock, 2017). Thus, the business will suffer loss when the products are not
supplied to them in a proper time.
Organisational skill
Organisation skill is the skill of organising the tasks in a proper way and using the physical space
as well as energy in efficient way to avoid wastage. Organisation skill refers to the skill of
thinking effectively for development of the business and having concern of every aspect of the
various departments including engagement of workers and proper functioning of every area
(Bhardwaj, 2016). I have been effective in managing the workforce as well as the workplace of
the enterprise. In the organisation, I have taken consideration of management of every section
by making proper acknowledgement on the business’ development strategies. This skill can be
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developed within two to three years. Running a business successful needs time and patience
therefore, I have put this skill in the section of long term goal in the personal development plan.
In order to meet the goal of running business successful, I would need to open a business at first
and then develop the leadership skills to lead the human resources in an effectual manner.
The lack of organisational skill would have hindered proper organising the tasks that would
affect the operations in a negative way (Scott and Davis, 2015). The deficiency in using the
resources would have resulted in wastage of resources as well as the physical space would have
been under or over utilised due to lack of organising skill. This might have affected my business
in a severe way.
Researching skill
Researching skill is the capability of searching, analysing, collecting, interpreting, and evaluating
the data for gathering vital information about a specific subject (Mason, 2017). I possess the skill
of researching that has enabled me in searching about the ways of development of business. This
capability has assisted me in researching about the market for assessment of the preference of the
consumers. Through proper researching, I have been capable of enhancing the work process of
the organisation. The researching skill is one of the academic and hard skills that are needed for
business improvement. This can be fulfilled by using information technology. Creation of online
website would help in running the business effectively as well as evolve the knowledge with
gathering of information collected from internet. Development of this skill would require period
of around two to three years for better implementation in the organisation. The activity that will
be required for development of this skill is researching the topic of the subject through using
keywords to get better relevant information. Articles and journals reading will also assist in
getting reliable information.
Insufficient knowledge of researching would become an obstacle in the development of business.
The organisation will not be able to meet the requirements of the market without proper market
research (Hair et al., 2015). There is also need of internet connection to collect data from various
journals and articles.
Skills that I do not possess
Language skill
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Language skills refer to the communication skill that includes presentation of the ideas and
thoughts in correct form of words to others (Abeer and Al-Zoubi, 2018). Due to insufficient
language skill, I have been failed in communicating with the members of the firm. Delivering the
information and making other understand the concepts become difficult due to lack of
communication skill (Coffelt et al., 2016). It has become difficult at time to convey my feelings
to others due to lack of knowledge of vocabulary that would enable me in informing the
members in proper way about my thoughts. However, I would not face much difficulty in
developing this skill as it can be learned by performing the activity of studying and learning
modules to develop language. I have thereof put it as the short-term goal in the plan of personal
development. After achieving the goal of improving the learning skill, I will be able to
communicate properly with the staffs of the company. I would be able to deliver messages
regarding the development of business with appropriate use of words so that they would not face
problem in understanding the concepts.
Academic writing
Academic writing skill involves usage of precise words for enhancing the quality of writing. This
includes creative writing with appropriate usage of vocabulary and proper sentence structure.
The skill of academic writing enhances the presentation quality of a specific project as well as
appeals the readers in a positive way (Bruning and Kauffman, 2015). Due to lack of academic
writing skill, I have failed in paraphrasing the words appropriately. I would try to develop my
writing skills through the activity of paraphrasing as well as learning vocabulary to improve the
quality of the writing.
I would need free time to conduct this activity for personal development. This skill will be
enhanced within six months therefore; I have put it in the section of short-term goal. I would
require resources such as internet to learn vocabulary. Paraphrasing practice can be done with the
help of a coach who would guide me in improving the skill as well as provide me with feedback
for the same. After development of academic skill, I will be able to enhance the quality of project
prepared by me. In business development, academic writing skill will be helpful in defining the
purpose (Howson et al., 2019). It will be significant in informing decision in a precise way to the
members that has been made by me.
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Knowledge about business
Knowledge about business is required to run the business successfully. I do not have much
knowledge about the business that has hinder the growth of the firm. I would need to develop the
knowledge about the business with the use of internet for proper research about the business
management concepts. The resource that will be needed for achieving this skill is the existence
of business to implement the knowledge gathered in the business’ operations. I will be able to
develop the knowledge about the business in a proper manner within two to three years. I will be
able to lead the business towards success through this way. Leading the team members will not
become difficult after acquiring the knowledge about the business (Sekaran and Bougie, 2016).
I have prepared the personal development plan in which I have set some short-term goals, mid-
term goals, and long-term goals. In the short-term goals, I have mentioned that I want to
accomplish the skill of learning and studying. In the mid-term goals, I have put that I want to
improve my skills of problem solving. While in the long-term goals, I have mentioned that I
want to improve my ability of running the business. I want to develop the business through
online method by creating an official website of the company, Global Crypto Consulting, of
which I am the entrepreneur.
I want to apply the skills on directing the operations of the coffee shop that is located in
Romford. The skills that I want to attain by six months are time management, team leading, and
communication skill. I want to achieve the skill of leadership within 2-3 years. I would meet the
short-term goals by dedicating time in studying the module. The mid-term goals will be attained
by development of project of selling online products. The long-term goals will be achieved by
evolution of the acquired skills and finding solution that would assist in living a better life.
One of the shortcomings that I have is the lack of knowledge of running business; however, I
am involved in trading products through the online mode. I also need to improve my language
that is communication skill, both writing and verbal. I lack the knowledge of new things;
therefore, I need to indulge myself in studying. The resources that I will need in development of
my skills by learning new things is free or leisure time. The mid-term goals of acquiring skills of
problem solving, team leading, communication, and time management can be accomplished with
funding and support of finance.
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However, the ability to run a business that is the long-term goal would be fulfilled by opening a
new business. Some activities are important in gaining the skill of time management; they are
solving problems and personal evolution meeting. The former is urgent therefore; it needs to be
done first while the latter is not urgent therefore, it can be delayed. While there are few activities
that are not important for achieving the goals such as project reception at the end of project and
calling clients for getting updates. The former should be minimised and the latter should be
avoided completely.
I have given the opportunity of paraphrasing to assess my skill. This has been conducted to
assess my language skill that is of academic writing. I have been provided with sentences that I
would need to paraphrase in order to avoid plagiarism. I have been able to paraphrase the
sentences but due to the lack of language skills, I have not been able to use appropriate
vocabulary to paraphrase every word. In this way, I have not been effective in words formation
in a proper manner. Due to the lack of academic writing skill, I have not been able to perform
well in the project.
I would try to develop the skills as per the personal development plan. In the course of learning
modules and regular writing practice, I would be able to improve my academic writing skill so
that paraphrasing would be done in an appropriate manner. I will be able to develop my
understanding about the business and new things through proper research and learning by using
the internet for business management.
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Conclusion
It can be deduced from the provided report that the personal skills have been analysed as well as
the skills have been described that are required in the business. The reflection has been provided
on the professional development plan as well as the goals that have been created for developing
the skills. Activities are explained with every skill that would be required to develop the skills in
a further way.
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Reference List
Abeer, A.G. and Al-Zoubi, S.M., 2018. How to Develop Writing Skill through Constructivist
Design Model. International Journal of Business and Social Science, 9(5).
Bhardwaj, A., 2016. Assessing planning and administration competency of working managers: A
preliminary study. International Journal of Advanced Research in Management and Social
Sciences, 5(7), pp.46-56.
Bruning, R. and Kauffman, D.F., 2015. Self-efficacy beliefs and motivation in writing
development. Handbook of writing research, 2, pp.160-173.
Coffelt, T.A., Baker, M.J. and Corey, R.C., 2016. Business communication practices from
employers’ perspectives. Business and Professional Communication Quarterly, 79(3), pp.300-
316.
Hair Jr, J.F., Wolfinbarger, M., Money, A.H., Samouel, P. and Page, M.J., 2015. Essentials of
business research methods. Routledge.
Harrison, F. and Lock, D., 2017. Advanced project management: a structured approach.
Routledge.
Howson, K., Barnes, L. and Long, W.R., 2019. Writing-The Development of a Necessary
Professional Skill.
Jackson, D., 2015. Employability skill development in work-integrated learning: Barriers and
best practice. Studies in Higher Education, 40(2), pp.350-367.
Mason, J., 2017. Qualitative researching. Sage.
Matteson, M.L., Anderson, L. and Boyden, C., 2016. " Soft Skills": A Phrase in Search of
Meaning. portal: Libraries and the Academy, 16(1), pp.71-88.
Scott, W.R. and Davis, G.F., 2015. Organizations and organizing: Rational, natural and open
systems perspectives. Routledge.
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Sekaran, U. and Bougie, R., 2016. Research methods for business: A skill building approach.
John Wiley & Sons.
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