Report on Academic and Research Skills for Business Development

This report, focused on academic and research skills for business, begins with a self-assessment of strengths and weaknesses, followed by the formulation of SMART objectives for personal development. It then delves into a marketing case study on Mark and Spencer, investigating the impact of marketing and advertising channels on customer purchasing power. The research plan includes primary and secondary research methods, with a focus on questionnaires and online resources. The report also addresses the importance of note-taking as an effective study skill. The report emphasizes the importance of time management, problem-solving, and critical thinking in achieving business goals and objectives, concluding with references to relevant academic sources.

ACADEMIC AND
RESEARCH SKILLS FOR
BUSINESS

Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................3
TASK 1............................................................................................................................................3
1.1...........................................................................................................................................3
1.2...........................................................................................................................................5
TASK 2............................................................................................................................................5
2.1, 2.2 and 4.1.......................................................................................................................5
TASK 3............................................................................................................................................8
3.1...........................................................................................................................................8
3.2...........................................................................................................................................9
TASK 4............................................................................................................................................9
6.1...........................................................................................................................................9
6.2.........................................................................................................................................10
CONCLUSION..............................................................................................................................11
REFERENCES..............................................................................................................................12

INTRODUCTION
Personal development goes throughout the life as it includes acquiring of skills and
qualities that are required for attaining goals and objectives. In order to develop personal
development it is important that a person has self actualisation so that personal vision can be
made (Allen, Donham and Bernhardt, 2011). For running a business both academic and research
skills is very important as it assist an individual in executing a task in a better manner. Present
repost will includes assessment of own academic competences. An academic work will be
produced in this assignment.
TASK 1
1.1
In order to start a research, it is required that an individual who is conducting it is having
appropriate knowledge that are to be gained for evaluating a valid conclusion. Thus, in relation
with self if, want to their strengths and weaknesses than it is required that first they identify skills
and capabilities that are acquired by them and then work on it for polishing it for attaining goals

and objectives in a speculated period of time. Some of the strengths and weakness are mentioned
below for better understanding:
STRENGTH WEAKNESSES
 My major strength is to focus on same
amiable things which helps me in
taking appropriate decisions in
diplomatic situations.
 Other strong point is analytical thinking
through which I can make proper
decision for any circumstances and
help me out in coming out of problems.
 My communication skills is good
which further assist me in expressing
my views and interacting with others in
a better manner without any problem.
 My Another strength is I am flexible
towards any situation which support me
to take imperative business decisions
and accomplish working activities in
most effective manner. This skill helps
me out to concentrate on working areas
and take instant actions.
 My short tempered is my biggest
weakness as it sometimes creates issues
in listening to somebody else's' thought
and views.
 In addition to this, time management
and accomplishing task in speculated
time frame is a problem because of
which most of the work are not done
properly.
 My another weak points are poor
research as well as problem solving
skills. In which, weak research skills
hinder my future studies and I cannot
address problems properly. Beside this,
poor problem solving skills will also
affect my work as I cannot achieve my
career goals and objectives.
In order to overcome with weaknesses, individuals are required to identify certain
SMART objectives that relies upon four dimensions, such as -
 S – Specific or significant
 M – Measurable or meaningful
 A – Attainable or action oriented
 R – Relevant or rewarding
 T – Time bound or trackable
On this ground, my Smart objectives are stated as under -

 In order to become successful in my career, firstly I need to improving my time
management skills in period of 2.5 months. It aids me to accomplish all working
activities and tasks on or before time frame.
 I also have to focus on improving my leadership and managerial skills, it aids me to
become a strong leader and manager in future.
 To upgrade my research and problem solving skills, I have to attend different training
sessions and read out different articles. It gives me proper guidance to determine any
issue and its solution at the same time. I have to attend yoga and meditation classes
 To get over with my short tempered nature I have to attend yoga and meditation classes;
it keeps my mind calm and also boost up my critical thinking abilities.
 Although, I have good communication skills but to improve them in more effective
manner I can learn various languages and try to interact with more and more people.
1.2
Therefore, to cope up with difficult situations it is necessary that SMART objectives are
formulated which will help an individual in obtaining objectives and set targets effectively. Thus.
It is crucial that objectives that are formulated are so as to develop skills and knowledge.
SMART Objectives
 In order to improve skills of time management I am taking time of around six months.
Earlier, for accomplishing any kind of work, I use to take a ample time and gradually
after improving my skills of now the same task can is completed by me in less time
duration.
 Therefore, for overcoming my another weakness i.e. short tempered, in order to
overcome this I will take around 12 months and this will be done by taking Yoga Classes
and meditation. After taking proper training now a change in my attitude can be seen as I
have learned in controlling my patience level.
TASK 2
2.1, 2.2 and 4.1
As a marketing student, my chosen research topic will be, “To ascertain the impact of
marketing and advertising channels on customers purchasing power”. A case study on Mark and
Spencer.

A research plan has been made underneath:
Aim: To develop effective marketing strategies.
Introduction : Marketing in business world can be defined as buying/selling products and
services with the help of different advertising channels (Ways You Can Influence Consumer
Purchasing Decisions, 2018). In past few years, marketing has impacted positively on
purchasing power of customers. It has been found that promoting good over TV, Social Sites,
Radio, Newspapers has helped companies in delivering direct information to customers of goods
and services that has been offered by them. Therefore, it has become vital for organisations to
develop an effective marketing strategy through which company may gain number of benefits
(The consumer decision journey, 2018). Because adopting right marketing approach may aid
organisation in improving sales of customers or can be helpful in enhancing customer base
(Ways You Can Influence Consumer Purchasing Decisions, 2018). Apart from this, promoting
products and services using much effective marketing strategy may aid in becoming a famous
brand in all over world.
Several people organise research in order to collect adequate and upgraded information of
specific area of concern thus to boost up own competencies and abilities. In this relation,
research helps people to remain successful in market competition as well as also attain personal
goals and objectives (Beckman, 2011). A strong research knows how to acquire primary and
secondary information or data in his or her present study; the person also know to integrate
research with personal goals of individuals in cohesive way. There is discussed two main
research methods, such are stated as under -
 Primary research – This kind of research consists with that information or data which has
never published. Primary research implies to create fresh or new information in order to
meet novel goals of people. In addition to this, primary research is conducted via
interviews, questionnaire, surveys, observations, focus groups etc. Usually, the research
is made while past data is not befitted or suitable for existing situation or area of concern.
Thus, primary research is quite expensive and time consuming practice that tends to
provide better and efficient outcomes by having an aim is to determine problem statement
and answer accordingly. Moreover, primary research is done by statistical methods and
relies on the ground of individuals needs and wants.

 Secondary research – This kind of research entails with using pre-evaluated, interpreted
and summarised information which has already been collected by primary research
methods. In secondary research, information is previously gather by another researcher
and can be useful for someone else to make study (Chemers and et. al., 2011). Hence, in
this researcher only needs to identify their area of interest; here people can collect
information via books, labour unions, media, associations, government agencies etc. and
data will be assemble through pamphlets, reports, encyclopaedias, previously published ,
newspaper, journals etc.
Henceforth, investigator have used questionnaire which is an element of primary method
in order to collect the relevant data on set aim. On the the other hand, researcher have also used
secondary method and collected information from different online websites, books and journals.
After this gathered data will help investigator in coming to a conclusion in short period of time.
As a marketing student, my chosen research topic will be, “To ascertain the impact of marketing
and advertising channels on customers purchasing power”. A case study on Mark and Spencer.
Hence, while doing research on this specific topic investigator should prepare a systematic plan
that deliver right pathway to achieve all activities or tasks in a given time manner. There has to
be also prepared different strategies and policies which contribute to arrive at better conclusion.
Following is given certain stages which are getting involved in while making any research, such
as -
 Formulate research aims and objectives
 Research strategy
 Resource allocation
 Outlined activities
 Research support
 Preliminary studies
In order to obtain better and relevant information of given topic, it is essential for
researcher to draw up a proper plan which helps him to achieve career goals and objectives.
Research plan will render proper direction how to and when to accomplish all activities and
review all of them for better understanding of entire topic. I need to acquire my interpersonal,
analytical and critical thinking skills so as to prepare suitable plan. Below is defined stages of a
research plan, such as -

 Overview of research plan
 Having an adequate title
 Identification of aims and objectives
 Formulating a research strategy
 Innovation and approaches
 Tracking budget
 Analysing progress
 References via sources
 Review entire findings
 Have narrative
TASK 3
3.1
Note Taking is an effective process which can adopt by an person so that they can have a
note of task that are to be performed by them. As I am a student therefore, it is important that I
master this skills because through this work can be done in a systematic manner without any
chaos. After making this an habit person will can enable himself/herself in writing down of key
points which will assist them in performing the task in a better manner (Ewing and at. al., 2012).
Moreover if a person makes notes for every task than he/she will be confident enough ion
guiding and learning new things. Such in case: a person who is preparing for management
courses while attending seminars and workshop can make notes of thoughts and views given by
eminent personality. As a result this can be further used in future activities. For example: while
interacting with other person it is crucial that proper eye to eye contact must be maintained as it
will show interest of that individual. Henceforth, note making is determined as an important
process that must be incorporated by an individual as his/her habit from school days because it
will assist them attempting a task in effectively.
As given by Raymond, (2005), patients that got operated in the hospitals might get severe
infections (Staph) and may affect their healing capacity. This scenario has raised number of
issues for emergency rooms and hospitals which impacted heavily on mortality rate of
Americans. Here, some of essential points that has been identified are given below :

 Hospitals and emergency rooms of America, failed in controlling the infection which was
spreading after a surgery.
 Drugs/antibiotics which were given to patients secure were too late or too early. Thus, it
did not affected much on condition of patient.
 Self-medication can be considered as a crucial element that may impact positively on
patients health after and before treating with a surgery. Prior antibiotic therapy would
have helped patient in curing himself/herself from Staph infection.
 44% out of 100% patients did not received antibiotics in an hour after getting a surgery
which was very much needed in order to prevent from infection.
3.2
According to Raymond, (2005), Hospitals of America have failed from controlling the
infection from surgical site. In a whole new study it is given that, 44 out of 100 percent patient's
which has been operated in all over United States did not received antibacterial medicines in an
hour which was very much important. It has been analysed that, 60 minutes target was being
considered as a standard that may help reducing patient's chances of getting surgical-site
infection. On the other hand, it has also been found that from 2 million Americans around
300,000 patients acquire infection from hospital in every single year. Although, Dale Bratzler
who is a doctor in Oklahoma Foundation for Medical Quality stated that “Diligent who were
getting antibiotics/drugs were late or early, from getting operated. Therefore, these issues or
mistakes may lead patients to deal with staph infections.
This scenario have impacted over number of things like it raised cost, increase in
mortality rates and many more. In order to come over this situation, self-medication process can
be used where a patient get to know about surgery is going to perform on him/her than this may
help in building up a prior antibiotic therapy. Through this, patient can tell his/her medical team
to inject drugs right on time. This would be helpful for diligent in reducing chances of getting
surgical site infections.
TASK 4
6.1
Personal Skills: In many companies managers lookout for persons who are skilled and
have qualities of interacting with other individuals at workplace or any other circumstances. I am

very good at my own personal skills. This will assist me in interacting with people more
effectively. Personal skills are determined as soft skills and constitutes factors like intangible
qualities, traits which are essential for me, If I am applying for a job (Hewson and Stewart,
2016).
Academic Skills: These skills are required in order to get successful in schools, this
includes certain factors like grabbing new information,dealing with assessments etc., In addition
to this making a proper note of activities that were conducted in class is required. Further, all
these skills will help an individual in performing his/her activities in a better manner and in a
speculated time frame. In term of my English language skills I am good in that but needs some
rectifications as I am willing to improve my vocabulary knowledge as this will assist me in
communicating with other individuals effectively. For example: while giving my project
presentation it will assist me in interacting with my supervisors whatever I want to communicate
about my project.
Academic English Skills : It has been analysed that speaking English in a seminar a
person can easily be filled with confidence. But, it stays a little different when a person it out. It
is required for me to have proper academic English skills but while reading a suffer from
different issues as it is very much complex from daily English.
6.2
Area for
improvemen
t
Action(s) to be
taken
By
when
Monitoring
of progress
Evidence of
improvemen
t/ success
Further
Action

Poor
listening
skills
Lack of time
management
skills
Poor writing
skills.
Practice
paraphrasing
and
summarising
speech in class
and from you-
tube
Ask my
manager to be
responsible for
Preparing work
plan and duty
rota at work
Ask my tutor
for advice and
also to give me
writing
exercises.
For six
weeks
A month
For three
months
Weekly
Weekly
weekly
I now listen
actively
without
interruption
when
someone is
talking.
I have not
been late for
work for two
weeks.
I am
beginning to
write clearly
now.
Continue for
two more
weeks.
Ask my
manager to
give me
another
month of
responsibility
to prepare
work plan.
Ask tutor for
extra writing
exercise.
CONCLUSION
From the above-mentioned report, it get concluded that academic and research skills
plays a crucial in individuals' life which makes them to grab more and more knowledge thus to
accomplish career aims and objectives. The report has defined strength and weaknesses of people
and SMART objectives which helps out students in providing right direction. On the other hand,
a personal and professional development plan has been prepared which makes easier the process
of attaining individuals’ goals and objectives.

REFERENCES
Books and Journal
Allen, D. E., Donham, R. S. and Bernhardt, S. A., 2011. Problem‐based learning. New directions
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Beckman, A. A., 2011. Aural skills pedagogy: From academic research to the everyday
classroom.(Doctoral dissertation).
Chemers, M. M. and et. al., 2011. The role of efficacy and identity in science career commitment
among underrepresented minority students. Journal of Social Issues. 67(3). pp.469-491.
Ewing, H. and at. al., 2012. Enhancing the acquisition of research skills in online doctoral
programs: The Ewing model©. Journal of Online Learning and Teaching. 8(1). p.34.
Hassanbeigi, A. and et. al., 2011. The relationship between study skills and academic
performance of university students. Procedia-Social and Behavioral Sciences. 30.
pp.1416-1424.
Hewson, C. and Stewart, D. W., 2016. Internet research methods. John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Linn, M. C. and et. al., 2015. Undergraduate research experiences: Impacts and opportunities.
Science. 347(6222). p.1261757.
MacCann, C. and at. al., 2011. Coping mediates the relationship between emotional intelligence
(EI) and academic achievement. Contemporary Educational Psychology. 36(1). pp.60-
70.
Metcalfe, L. A., Harvey, E. A. and Laws, H .B., 2013. The longitudinal relation between
academic/cognitive skills and externalizing behavior problems in preschool
children. Journal of educational psychology. 105(3). p.881.
Rardin, R. L. and Rardin, R. L., 2016. Optimization in operations research (p. 919). Prentice
Hall.
Worthy, J. and et. al., 2013. Spaces for dynamic bilingualism in read-aloud discussions:
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Online
Ways You Can Influence Consumer Purchasing Decisions. 2018. [Online]. Available through:
<https://www.socialmediaexaminer.com/5-ways-brands-can-influence-consumer-
purchasing-decisions/>.
Ways You Can Influence Consumer Purchasing Decisions. 2018. [Online]. Available through:
<https://www.socialmediaexaminer.com/5-ways-brands-can-influence-consumer-
purchasing-decisions/>.
The consumer decision journey. 2018. [Online]. Available through:
<https://www.mckinsey.com/business-functions/marketing-and-sales/our-insights/the-
consumer-decision-journey>.