Professional Development Portfolio: BPP University, MSc Management

This professional development portfolio reflects on the author's experiences during a part-time employment as a marketing manager while pursuing a Bachelor Preparatory Programme (BPP). It details critical learning events analyzed using the Gibbs model, focusing on micro-management issues, bad marketing strategies, and converting ideas into reality. The portfolio includes a skills analysis based on BPP Career Ready Skills, identifying areas for development in knowledge, skills, and behavior. Furthermore, it contains supporting documents such as a job description, personal SWOT analysis, personal development plan, and CV, providing a comprehensive overview of the author's professional growth and learning journey. The reflection highlights the development of resilience, communication, and problem-solving skills.

Professional
Development and
Practice

Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION ..........................................................................................................................3
MAIN BODY ..................................................................................................................................3
Introduction/ Background...........................................................................................................3
Critical Learning Events.............................................................................................................4
BPP Career Ready Skills Analysis..............................................................................................8
Skill, Knowledge and Behaviour................................................................................................9
Identify knowledge, skill and behaviour development.............................................................11
What different could have been done........................................................................................12
CONCLUSION .............................................................................................................................13
REFERENCES..............................................................................................................................14
APPENDICE..................................................................................................................................15
Job description..........................................................................................................................15
Personal SWOT analysis...........................................................................................................15
Personal development plan.......................................................................................................16
CV.............................................................................................................................................18

INTRODUCTION
The personal and professional development can be referred to as the process by which the
individual or the organization is engaged in a learning process in order to meet the desired goals
and overcome the challenges. It is mainly concerned with emphasizing on how an individual can
share its careers and also develop the skills. It mainly helps the students to acquire the skills and
knowledge for the career development and advancement but it also involves the elements of the
personal development. An individual can keep the record of its skills and what skill or
knowledge is required to be developed by it in order to improve the professional practice (Bager-
Charleson, 2020). This report will cover the background of part time employment, critical
learning events and reflection using a model. Further it will include the job description, skill,
knowledge and behaviour required to undertake the job role and areas of development using an
action plan.
MAIN BODY
Introduction/ Background
I have been undergoing the graduation of BPP, namely Bachelor Preparatory Programme
from the past 18 months and together with this, I was been engaged in the part time employment
wherein I am seeking an opportunity to improve my professional development. When I was
accessing my graduation, I began to do the part time job in the company as the manager wherein
I was required to manage the work. My main key responsibilities include the following-
 My main responsibility was to prepare for the innovative strategy of marketing so that the
offering of the company can be promoted and sold.
 Another responsibility was to manage my team and guide them throughout their roles and
responsibilities so that they can come up with innovative and creative ideas.
 Next responsibility was to prepare the creative content for the company so that the
marketing of the offering can be done effectively (Golding, 2018).
This part time job have helped me to expand my skills and knowledge so that I can get
prepared for my professional development. This job have given me the opportunity to identify
my strength and weakness so that I can identify my areas of development in order to get prepared
for my professional career development. One thing which was challenging for me was that it was

my first job experience wherein I did not have confidence to communicate my issues or queries
to the superiors but slowly and gradually I made improvement in it and developed my skills.
As I have been indulged in the part time job during my BPP, this academic experience as
well as part time employability have helped me in my professional development as I was able to
manage both altogether. This resulted me in managing my time and self. There were many
critical learning events experienced by me which have contributed in my professional
development as I was able to sharpen my existing skills and develop other skills and knowledge
needed to make the career in the sales. This academic program have helped me to learn the
knowledge and behaviour as to how to make communication with the team members, superiors
and colleagues as well as other people who are associated with the business. Hence, this part
time employability as marketing manager have helped me to grow my employability capabilities
and skills so that I can get prepared for my future career development.
When I was having my part time job, there were many issues being faced by me during
the performance of my job role. I got the opportunity to develop resilience power in me as my
manager was micro managing due to which its interference has affected my job and my
performance as a whole. Moreover, I was continuously being demotivated by my manager but
the support from my colleagues and superiors encourage and inspired me to give my best and
accomplish my set goals and targets. I was also given the chance to manage the team as well as
to convert the idea into the reality or the step by step plan which can help to convert the idea into
the practical plan for implementation. This gave the opportunity to enhance my practical thinking
as I have to conduct market research first which was very challenging for me as I have to
undergo field research. But overall my experience in the part time job was quite good and
positive as I got the chance to enhance my skills and knowledge.
Critical Learning Events
I am giving a self reflection and my experience on the critical learning events as it helped
me out to develop the future events and programs through which I had managed all my work
more efficiently. This reflection will be analysed on the basis of GIBBS model, this is the
general cycle which helps out to frame and examine experience. It consists of 6 important stages
in which the general examining of the individual's experience is opted (Pinn-Atkinson and
Woolloff, 2018).

Their are so many learning events which are needed by the individual in their
organisational experience as it helps out to maintain the growth and the enhancement in the
individuals behaviour. As when I joined this part time employment in which I came to realised
that during my job as a Marketing manager I had gained so much of learning events which make
my skills and working behaviour positive for the future programs. Some of the major concerned
learning events are reflected on the basis of GIBBS model are as follow:
Micro management Discussion with manager Description: As I had started working in the organisation under the role of marketing
manager in which eventually was made to maintain all my work which was assigned to
me in proper manner, I had initially made everything to be in a systematic manner, but
after some time my manager use to micro manage all my given ask and the work which
was quiet difficult for me to be maintained on proper way. Feelings: While being micro managed by my manager this mainly made me feel terrible
while working as I was not happy with all the work and the issues that I was facing. I felt
under pressure to perform the task and that also affected my working experience. I
generally felt demotivated as I loose my confidence and also faced major issues in
working and making all my assigned work to be completed on time. Evaluation: The experience of working as the marketing manager and getting managed
for all the micro works which were assigned was really bad as I was not able to feel
confident about my work, and this also made to feel immense work pressure by the
strategies which were being made by them. Analysis: As in the initial stage I was satisfied with my job role and working but as their
was major involvement of the manager about the work and the things this made a
complete downfall in my performance. I was not able to give all my efforts in the
working areas and that made me demotivated towards the working. Conclusion: while working in the company I had gained the skill of Resilience as I had
made myself to recover from all the issues and the difficulties, I had managed to handle
all the tough situation in a better manner and also gained the habit in which all the issues
were being resolved by me in the general time period. I am now able to communicate
better as by being in the position of marketing manager I realized it made me more

confident through which I can maintain the general good communication with all the
individuals. Action plan: As I had gained much experience in this field and this made me realised that
all the issues and the nature are being implemented and this job experience has made me
to gain more advantages and strategy. When their was being seen that in future if I am
going to see any of such situation I will deal with it confidently as of now I am able to
communicate in better manner. and I can even maintain all my work to be done with full
dedication. I will make my manager to have trust on me by doing all the work in efficient
manner and also by implementing all the functions and the toughest situation to be
covered in easy approach.
Bad marketing strategy Description: While working as a marketing manager I had faced the major and the
critical issue was in customers experience and bad strategies which were implemented for
the welfare of customers.. As customers are the king of the market and all the things and
the product are being made according to their demands and satisfaction, so it is important
to maintain good relation with them. For opting the best strategy for the market I had
tried to manage all the better growth and the strategies through which growth of the
company can be enhanced. Feelings: During my working experience at time I had faced a major issue because of
some bad marketing experience as when I try to interact and make some better strategies
their has been seen that all my attempts were failed. I was unable to maintain some better
strategies through which I can uplift the growth and the production of the company, this
made me sacred and loose confident on myself, as I was unable to maintain all my goals
and the methods to be properly identified. Evaluation: In all such situations I have to behave in a well mannered and in polite
manner. And I can't loose my calm as in that situation which generated patience in me
while working. As sometimes managers and the members loose calm on me and put
immense pressure. They use such harsh words and rude language which demotivate me
towards working, but I somehow managed to be polite and calm in all such situations and
try to maintain my dignity while working. I really had a bad experience in managing all

the strategies through which the company can gain more customers. I was not being able
to maintain the growth and the evaluation through which it can be performed. Analysis: In the initial days I was much more confident but later on when my strategies
of Working on failed I somehow loose confidence and was not able to maintain and gain
then trust of my seniors. Conclusion: All such helped me as better learning event by making me more calm,
composed and patience in my working areas and in normal life. As I gained the habit of
making all my work to be done with full dedication and also not implying or making any
such work or any such language which will effect the general individuals. I have to keep
in mind that customers are the most important asset of the company and I have to
convince them and behave in well manner with them. Action plan: In this job I had gained the problem solving skills and now can able to adapt
all the creative thinking approach through which I can easily manage all the working and
can also eventually analyse and maintain the innovative approach through which all the
working can be made in proper manner and will help to analyse future strategy and
programs.
Converting idea into reality Description: The most important thing in all the organisation is to make themselves
prepared for all kind of events. Their seems that all the companies tends to make backup
plan in which they make their work to be done in proper manner and also try to focus on
all the backup options if their seems any kind of downfall. My manager made me to make
some innovative ideas that will help out to execute in future events and programs. Feelings: This responsibility of converting ideas into different knowledge has made ,e to
channelise my strength towards different areas and working. And also made feel
responsible for all the work being given. Evaluation: Working as a marketing manager has developed my inner skill of making
myself ready for all kind of future issues and with a future plan. As they teaches me to
make a better plan in case Analysis: I feel satisfied with my working and the job role with the given identity and
the plans for future. I make myself prepare for some more extra efforts and some critical
thinking approach which will make me feel more confident.

 Conclusion: This also helped me for all the future jobs as I can make optimum plans for
the future and prepare myself. In-spite of loosing the confidence with the downfall I can
enthusiastically approach towards new better ideas of working. I am able to manage all
sets of target works in easier manner and is ready for all the future issues with better
implementation and plans.
 Action plan: This responsibility given by the manager has made me to prepare ,myself
for upcoming future events as now I can easily work on my goals and the establishment. I
opted the critical thinking approach through which I can manage all my work with better
ideas and planning.
BPP Career Ready Skills Analysis.
Skills Self rating Action using the STAR(E) technique
Communication
skills
High I have developed this skill by undergoing the training
program so that I can improve my verbal as well as
non-verbal skills.
Time management Moderate I have developed the time management by skill by
undertaking the training program which taught me to
become self manager. I also scheduled my activities
against the time so that I can manage the time
effectively.
Team working Low I will develop this skill by undergoing the theory of
Belbin team roles model which have identified nine
team roles and have categorized it into three different
groups which includes people oriented, action
oriented and the thought oriented.
Management and
leadership
High I have developed this skill through by academics
wherein I learnt the concept of management and
leadership in detail. I took detailed understanding of
the management and leadership theories which helped
me in clearing my concept.

Problem solving Low I will develop this skill by practising to solve the
problems by identifying the issues first and then
identifying solutions and evaluating the options in
order to solve the issue.
Resilience Moderate I have developed this skill by experiencing some
tough time at the time of my part time employment
wherein my manager tortured me and I developed the
ability to recover myself from the tough times.
Likewise, this ability was developed in me.
Skill, Knowledge and Behaviour
In order to maintain the standard of work there is important to have some important
skills, knowledge and behaviour which will help out to outgrow the performance. As I am
working as the marketing manager there are some important skills which are required in order to
make the work much easy and productive some of which are mentioned there under: Communication skills: This is generally vocal and written skills in which the individual
have the strong conveying of thoughts and ideas through which they can share their
feelings in an effective manner. This skill helps in in building my confidence while
communicating with other and also made me to share all the thoughts and the ideas lied
in me. It creates a positive approach in my behaviour as this skill generate active listening
and also maintain the clarity of through which all the work and the general culture and
working can be simplified. As in the role of marketing manager it is important to have
good communication with the employees and this can only be generated if the person I
confident in it. And while working in the company I boost my confidence and is now able
to manage all the general meaning and methods through which communication can be
framed. This skill helps me to make all the events of work to be expressed among all and
also to maintain friendly relation with everyone. Problem solving: It is important to be clear in the mindset and this can only be possible if
the person is able to analyse solution of every problems. This is generally the method in
which the person can easily resolve all the issue that are related to the organisation or in

general. It helps out to make the person ready for all the issues in future events and also
make them to work with full confidence and knowledge. As while working in the
organisation I was able to gain this skill as it made me to be more confident towards my
working areas. In initial days I use to feel scared in solving any issue but now it is easy
for me to find solution for all the problems lied on between. This skill is b=generally
being developed by analysing all the scenarios and the possible methods through which
the issue can be resolved. This is generated with the true sense as by applying all the
strategies and the behaviour in vary nature. It made me feel confident as now I can
analyse and solve all the issues in easy manner. Teamwork: It means that when the employees use to come together in order to complete
any assign task or to complete some important project with better co-ordination and
functioning together for the common goal and objective. As according to Belbin theory
their has been given 9 major roles through which the team roles are being identified as it
focus on giving all the strength and the weakness of the team and make them different
teams in the basis of their skills like shaper, coordinator, monitor, specialist,
implementer, plant, resource investigator, completer, evaluator (Rosenbaum, 2021). All
these are generally being made in order to make the growth and these classes are divided
according to the skills of the person and their performance. As my team-working
experience has made me more friendly and confident in working I can now able to grab
all the different manner through which growth can be made and this also generates the
idea in which I am able to maintain good relations with my team member as this build
trust and confidence between us. This also will help me to make good relation in the
work place and to analyse the perception and the methods of working of different
individuals in working areas. Innovation: It provides the method in which the new ideas, techniques and the
uniqueness is opted in persons behaviour. This generally means the strategy in which the
person can opt and maintain the working to be with the help of creative thinking. As
according to all the nature and the working culture it is being seen that market and the
customers need new ideas and innovation in their products and in order to make the
profitability it is important to attract customers with the help of innovation. As by joining
as a marketing manager I gained this innovative behaviour in which I am now able to

generalise new ideas and methods through which all the functions can be opted and their
can be given the ideas behind the working nature. This made me to make my thinking
capability in different directions and with wider prospective. As this will help me out in
future working when their seems to be important to do all the work with innovative
approach and ideas. It will help me to make some new strategies for the future post and
job roles where I can evaluate the needs and the demands and can satisfy the customers
with my innovations.
 Decision making: It cover the important skill in which the person is able to find the
better decision for their issues. This is the evolutional of the proper solution for all the
problems in order to anticipate all the solutions and the issues in which the logical
consequences and the working can be made. This skill helps out to concern with all the
quantitative analysis and making the proper reasons. As I had joined the work I am now
able to maintain the growth and work my implementing proper decision making and also
by analysing all the methods in which the issues can be solved on early basis. This
generated the logical consequences in my behaviour and made me ready for the future
issues and problems.
 Management and leadership: It is an ability to choose the best leadership and
management style and apply the the theories and models in the working. By having
certain knowledge of the management and leadership, an individual can manage and lead
the team in effective manner. There are different styles of leadership which can be opted
by an individual such as autocratic style wherein the leader makes the decisions on its
won and the members are bound to follow it. Another style is participative wherein the
leader engages the members while making any decision and have respect for the opinion
of others. By developing this, I can make enhancement in my performance as it will be
able to choose the right style of leadership in order to lead the team in right direction. As
a marketing manager, it is important to have this ability as the manager has to lead and
direct the team in the right way and at right direction. As to maintain the growth I further
developed management in my working behaviour and also outgrown my inner talent and
strength. This management and leadership will help me to make my future growth and
management with better coordination.

Identify knowledge, skill and behaviour development
From the above discussed skills and knowledge, there are few skills which are required to
be developed in me in order to enhance my performance as the professional practitioner. These
are illustrated below- Team work: Nowadays, it is the trend of working in the team or groups so that the work
is carried out on mutual basis. Working in a team can help in mutual understanding as
well as sharing the responsibilities so this by developing this skill, I can get prepared to
enhance performance. Problem solving: This is such area of professional development which requires solving
the complex problems as it helps in searching for solutions which can enhance the
success of the organisation and inculcating such skill can help in the professional
development as this skill is an essential criteria in today's time.
 Decision making: It is the complex skill as it enables an individual to take opt for the
best solution out of many. It is important for an individual to develop such ability which
can help in taking the right decision at the right time. This skill will help me in my
growth and development as the professional practitioner.
What different could have been done
After making the analysis of the personal development report, I can say that it is
important for me to develop the skills which can enhance my performance as the professional
practitioner. By developing the decision making, team work and problem solving skill, I can
enhance my ability to manage the work effectively. As a marketing manager which is my
evolving role, these skills will help me to carry on my job roles and responsibilities in an
effective manner. By analysing the strength and weakness of me, I was able to identify what I
can do with the help of strength which can help in grabbing opportunities and mitigating the
threats which may become hurdle in my performance. As marketing field is the vast area wherein
an individual can get success with the correct set of skills and knowledge and by inculcating the
knowledge and skill which are weak in me, I can enhance my grow in this industry and get
success.