Applied Business Challenge: Skills for Career as a Manager

This report presents an applied business challenge focusing on a personal and capability audit. It identifies core personal values such as respect, persistence, honesty, self-control, and tidiness, and emphasizes their importance in both life and work. The report also outlines crucial hard skills developed during undergraduate studies, including computer skills, data management, scheduling, research skills, and financial skills, all essential for a management career. Furthermore, it discusses the significance of communication skills and teamwork, drawing from internship experiences and group projects. The graduate pitch summarizes the individual's qualifications, values, and skills, highlighting project management experience and a commitment to adding value to an organization. This document provides a comprehensive overview of the skills and values necessary for success in a management role.

APPLIED BUSINESS CHALLENGE 1
APPLIED BUSINESS CHALLENGE
Student’s Name
Course
Professor
Institution
Date

APPLIED BUSINESS CHALLENGE 2
Applied Business Challenge
Value Audit
Personal values include the things that one believes to be important in his/her way of life
and work. They ought to determine one’s priorities as they help in assessment of the progress
that one is having in his/her life (Ladhari, Pons, Bressolles and Zins 2011, p.951). On my part, I
get contented when the things that I do match my values. When things do not turn out as per my
expectations and precepts, I feel wrong and unhappy. In my undergraduate course, I have
developed personal values all along which have been a key determinant to my relationship with
others as well as how I handle my tasks.
 Respect
 Persistence
 Honesty
 Self-control
 Tidiness
In my career as a manager, I will need to exhibit the following hard skills that I
developed when pursuing my undergraduate degree:
 Computer skills: in our current world, almost everything is being
controlled through a computer thus the essence of knowing how to operate it (Zhang
2012, p.161).

APPLIED BUSINESS CHALLENGE 3
 Data management: every firm has data about its operations and progress. I
will require data management skills to navigate the information whereas extracting the
essentials.
 Scheduling: every business operation requires to run by the schedule while
utilizing the resources availed for the same effectively.
 Research skills: these skills are always needed in familiarizing with a new
industry, preparing for a job, making a work plan as well as gathering information
(Hendarman and Tjakraatmadja 2012, p.37).
 Financial skills: every company has a finance unit which encompasses
budgeting, accounting, cash flow management, financial planning… among others.
Capability Audit
The exhibition of communication skills is essential in carrying out duties in any
organization. Speaking to fellow colleagues, superiors and clients in the right way will reflect the
character that you possess, and your competency (Training 2012). During the course of my
internship, I get to interact with people of different caliber. My organization majors in service
sector whereby they believe in offering clients the best possible service. This exposure has
allowed me to learn how to respond to different situations and conversations. Paying attention to
the grievances of our customers remains to be the first priority in our organization. On the other
hand, my superiors require short and precise messages as they attend to many employees and
clients. Interaction with my classmates during my undergraduate also helped me distinguish
between friendly and professional conversations.

APPLIED BUSINESS CHALLENGE 4
My main duty involves clearing and forwarding. I have to counter check all goods
arriving for storage and take correct records. Once they are in the storage, it’s my duty to
administer to each and every driver in session the amount demanded by customers for them to
deliver. There are goods that have been in storage for long, new arrivals, ordered goods and
defected goods which I am required to make a distinction. Locations for the deliveries and
expenses to be met (eg. Fuel) are mine to administer. This has enabled me develop skills in
administration and organization. At first, the work is usually tough, but it gets easy once you get
used to it (Schalock and Verdugo 2012).
We all work in shifts due to the magnitude of the work. It would be hectic for one to
work the whole day. There are three shifts in a day which record six hours each. Once someone’s
shift is over, the other person takes over from where the other has concluded. Ability to follow
records made by a coworker reflects an ability to work as a team (Jackson, Sibson and Riebe
2014, p.11). Moreover, the coordination that exists between me and the drivers shows my team
work. We all respect each other and the positions that we hold in the organization. During my
undergraduate, we would team up when handling group assignments and projects and arrive at
the required solution without quarrel.
There are occasions whereby I have to deal with a client face to face or through the
phone. Most cases are usually application for deliveries, and few ones being complaints. It is my
duty to listen to everything that the client has to say and ask for clarifications where necessary
(Lucas 2012). This allows me acquire enough information to act upon in delivering my services.
Complaints on delivery delays are the worst as most customers will be full with range. I usually
have to use a polite tone to neutralize their temper as I enquire from the driver about his location.
There may happen to be some vehicle emergences causing the delay. A good explanation to the

APPLIED BUSINESS CHALLENGE 5
client proves my ability to offer remarkable service since most of them will end up calming
down.
In order to graduate, I was required to undertake a project. My group and I were able to
develop a new organizational system with regard to Information System Project unit. We made
correspondent budget required for the project, carried out related literature review and collected
data with purpose of analyzing the same (Kerzner and Kerzner 2017). Our combined effort
exposed us to skills on project management which will help me in my career as a manager.
Graduate Pitch
Hello. I am a recent graduate from the University of Victoria with a bachelor of business
in Information System Management. I am looking forward to working in your organization for I
believe I am competent for the job. So far, I have an eight-month experience on the field of
management thus the assurance of quality service. My main area of excellence was in Project
Management hence my desire to serve under the same category in your organization. Besides my
degree, I possess great values that have been my guide while relating to others and
accomplishing my tasks. My respect for my colleagues and superiors has enabled me maintain a
friendly working environment and personal relations. Persisting even when things are tough has
helped me achieve my goals day in day out. Pushing myself to the limits has been quite fruitful.
On the other hand, my honest has deemed me trustworthy to my friends, colleagues and my
superiors. Being able to control my sentiments during a hot argument has not only been
intriguing but also remarkable. Moreover, the tidiness of my work has laid an example for many
to follow as my supervisor always keeps on praising me. Besides my values, my hard skills will
be quite significant in delivering my best in your institution. I have acquired skills on computer,

APPLIED BUSINESS CHALLENGE 6
data management, scheduling, research and finance. I believe that my positive attitude at
workplaces and good communication skills will add value to your organization. I look forward to
your consideration.

APPLIED BUSINESS CHALLENGE 7
References
Ladhari, R., Pons, F., Bressolles, G. and Zins, M., 2011. Culture and personal values: How they
influence perceived service quality. Journal of Business Research, 64(9), pp.951-957.
Zhang, A., 2012. Peer assessment of soft skills and hard skills. Journal of Information
Technology Education: Research, 11, pp.155-168.
Training, M.T.D., 2012. Effective communication skills. Bookboon.
Schalock, R.L. and Verdugo, M.A., 2012. A Leadership Guide for Today's Disabilities
Organizations: Overcoming Challenges and Making Change Happen. Brookes Publishing
Company. PO Box 10624, Baltimore, MD 21285.
Jackson, D., Sibson, R. and Riebe, L., 2014. Undergraduate perceptions of the development of
team-working skills. Education+ Training, 56(1), pp.7-20.
Lucas, R.W., 2012. Customer service: Skills for success. McGraw-Hill.
Kerzner, H. and Kerzner, H.R., 2017. Project management: a systems approach to planning,
scheduling, and controlling. John Wiley & Sons.
Hendarman, A.F. and Tjakraatmadja, J.H., 2012. Relationship among soft skills, hard skills, and
innovativeness of knowledge workers in the knowledge economy era. Procedia-Social and
Behavioral Sciences, 52, pp.35-44.