Continuing Professional Development in ASDA: Analysis and Study

This report provides an analysis of Continuing Professional Development (CPD) within ASDA, a supermarket chain founded in 1949. The study aims to analyze the importance of CPD within the company, focusing on understanding the concept, examining its importance within ASDA, identifying challenges in implementation, and recommending ways to improve CPD. The research employs a qualitative approach, utilizing an inductive method and interpretivism philosophy. Data collection involves primary sources through questionnaires and secondary sources, with a sample of 30 employees selected randomly. Thematic analysis is used for data analysis. The report includes a SWOT analysis reflecting on personal strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats related to professional development, emphasizing the need for improved leadership skills, confidence, and interpersonal skills. It references various studies highlighting the benefits and challenges of CPD in organizational settings.

Personal and Professional
Development 2

TABLE OF CONTENTS
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................3
Background.................................................................................................................................3
Aim and objectives......................................................................................................................3
Rationale.....................................................................................................................................4
LITERATURE REVIEW................................................................................................................4
RESEARCH METHODOLOGY.....................................................................................................5
TIME PLAN....................................................................................................................................6
REFLECTION.................................................................................................................................8
REFERENCES..............................................................................................................................11

INTRODUCTION
Background
In this modern era there are many different changes which are taking place which can
affect the knowledge of the person. Hence, it is very important for the person to have a
continuous development. This continuous professional development (CPD) is referred to as the
ongoing process relating to development and maintenance of personal and professional
development. The present study is based on ASDA which is a supermarket chain founded in
1949 by Noel Stockdale and J W Hindwell. The current research will outline the importance of
having CPD within the company.
Aim and objectives
Aim
To analyse the importance of continuing professional development within the company. a study
on ASDA.
Objective
 To develop understanding relating to concept of continuing professional development.
 To examine the various importance of continuing professional development within
ASDA.
 To identify the various challenges which ASDA might face while implementing the
continuing professional development.
 To recommend some of the ways in which continuing professional development can be
improved.
Research question
1. What is concept of continuing professional development?
2. What is the importance of continuing professional development within business
environment?
3. What are the various challenges which are faced by the company in implementation of
CPD?
4. What are some of the recommendations for improving the CPD process in the future?

Rationale
The current environment includes many different changes and these need to be inculcated
within the person. In order to have a competitive position it is necessary that continuous
development is being taking place. Hence, the present topic is being selected in order to ensure
that everyone knows why CPD is important and crucial for the working.
LITERATURE REVIEW
According to Mlambo, Silén and McGrath, (2021) the continuing professional
development are different types of learning activities which engages in the development skills
and abilities. CDP enables the learning or becoming conscious and proactive which is a passive
and reactive for the cooperation of vocational, practical academical qualification for important
part of continually marking personal improvements in the organization.
Jin and et.al., (2021) explains that there is different importance of professional
development which allows an organization to improve its efficiency through more productive
and efficient individuals. A planned CPD approach helps the individuals to take charge of the
career development for aspirations. It can be said as that the benefits of this personal
empowerment is helpful for deriving from the professional autonomy which can increase the
confidence in the person’s efficacy and ability which is translated directly into improved work.
Efu, (2020) added to that by saying that CPD provides a panoramic view of the individual's skills
which are needed to be improved. This ultimately is boost of confidence and empowers the
individuals in being more proficient in their roles. This can be considered to be the equipment of
the latest demand skills which helps the employees to be adaptable in a very positive form of
changes which work in the industry requirements.
The analysation of Makopoulou and et.al., 2019 shows that an organization faces the
following challenges which is the lack of defined barrier which is set for a wider acceptance and
implementation so that the term of CPD emerges as the standard. The employees are not always
clear of what counts as CPD therefore the barriers are the difference in the opinion which
impacts the performance of development. Mlambo, Silén and McGrath, (2021) explains that the
CPD is the way in which it perceived the teachers CPD for the top to down process which is
normally run by school management for recent survey for tending the benefits which are often
viewed as the terms for the management of goals which can help the individuals for growing an
awareness which is imperative to the tailor CPD for improving the needs of the development.

RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
Methods Description
Research type The type of research is being defined as the
method through which the aim will be attained.
This can be done in two ways that is qualitative
and quantitative (Snyder, 2019). In the present
research, use of qualitative will be undertaken
as it will assist in increasing the theoretical
knowledge and information.
Research approach The approach involves the plan and procedure
which are used for selection of the method of
working. The approach involves inductive and
deductive. The completion of the present study
will be undertaken with help of inductive
approach as it involves making aim and
objective relating to study which provides a
base for completion of study.
Research philosophy The philosophy are beliefs and values on basis
of which the methods are selected which
involves positivism and interpretivism. The
current research will involve use of
interpretivism as it includes theoretical
information which is better for qualitative
study.
Data collection Data is necessary as whole study is based on
that only and in case data will not be reliable
the study will not provide reliable outcome
(Ørngreen and Levinsen, 2017). Thus, in the
present case, the use of primary sources that is
with help of questionnaire will be used. Further
this will be supported by secondary sources as

well.
Sampling The study cannot be completed in case the
population is large, so some sample are being
selected. The sample of 30 employees will be
selected on basis of random sampling. The
employees are selected as they know whether
CPD is essential for company or not and
whether company is implementing it or not.
Data analysis The analysis of data is very important as
without this the objectives and aim will not be
attained (Bairagi and Munot, eds., 2019).
Hence, in the present case of importance of
CPD the use of thematic analysis will be
undertaken.
TIME PLAN
Activity 1th
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k
2nd
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k
3rd
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k
4th
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k
5th
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k
6th
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k
7th
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8th
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9th
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k
10th
Week
11th
Week
Selection of
the topic for
research
Analysing
the different
literature
sources
Analysing
the methods

to be used for
completion
of the study
Preparation
of the
questionnaire
for study
Collecting
the data with
help of
questionnaire
Analysis of
the data
gathered
Concluding
the finding
and
providing
recommendat
ion for future
working
Submit the
final report.
REFLECTION
SWOT analysis

The SWOT analysis as a tool which assist person in evaluating and analysing oneself.
This tool helps the person in analysing the key strength and weakness being present within them.
Further this tool also helps the person in evaluating the external opportunities and threats being
present within the external environment. It is necessary for the person to evaluate the external
environment as well in order to improve the working efficiency of them. This SWOT analysis of
myself is as follows-
Strength
Also with the methodology it is clear that the
use of proper methodology is very important.
In case the methodology selected is not proper
then this will result in an effective attainment
of the objectives of research. The proper
selection of methodology is very important and
crucial for the success of the research.
In addition to this another send puzzles by me
is effective time management skill. This is
particularly estranged because I am able to
complete my entire task before deadline. The
task is being completed before deadline in
order to have a grace time in order to solve any
consequences.
Along with this another key strengths
possessed by me is good coordination skill.
This coordination is very essential in the
research as well as other activities. The reason
behind this fact is that in case for the work will
not be done in coordinated manner than
objectives of study will not be attained.
Weakness
Further the analysis the major weakness found
is that there is lack of confidence within me.
The reason behind this fact is that in case of
any contingency or any other situation where I
have to deal with some other person whom I
don't know makes it difficult for me to interact
(HERGÜNER, 2021).
Along with this another key weakness which I
possess is lack of good leadership skills. The
reason behind this fact is that as I am low in
confidence I am not able to read or explain
other people effectively.
Moreover in addition to this the key area where
I need some improvement is the interpersonal
skills. The reason behind these factors that with
respect to interpersonal skills as well I am not
able to communicate effectively with unknown
people.
Opportunities
Further with the swot analysis the opportunity
thing identified is to increase the knowledge
Threats
With the analysis the key threat being
identified with help of SWOT analysis is the

relating to technical aspects. With respect to
research there are many New Technologies
thing coming which needs to be acquainted
(Leiber, Stensaker and Harvey, 2018). This is
very necessary because currently there are new
technology is being developing.
In addition to this another fortunately is to
analyse the work of others as well. This is
necessary because when the work of others is
analysed then there are different ideas which
can come up and can be used within the
research and output can be improved
effectively.
high competition within the research area. This
is the major threat because there are many
different researchers were conducting similar
research in the similar area which can affect
the research outcome.
In addition to this another thread to present for
scan affect the research is team fact that the
data keeps on changing very frequently. It
might be possible that the data taken in the
present research might get outdated within one
week time.
With the help of the swot analysis I was able to evaluate my strength and weakness and
the areas which means improvement. With the above analysis I concluded that there is
requirement of developing good leadership skills and to improve the confidence for stop and for
the improvement of leadership skills and need to try to increase my communication with others.
This is necessary because when I will be able to communicate with others without any hesitation
then I will be in position to lead them as well. When I will be capable of explaining other people
who are not known to me easily, than it can be assumed that leadership skill has been improved.
This is necessary because for leading a group or any person it is necessary that good leadership
skills are being present.
To do in addition to this it is also necessary to improve the level of confidence. This is
necessary because in case the person will not be confident then I will not be able to talk to any
person for stop moreover I will not be in position to present my feeling I thought to any other
person relating to any discussion. Thus for improvement is there is requirement of trying to
effectively communicate with others without any hesitation (Vijdea and Balan, 2019). This is
necessary because in case I will be in position to communicate with any person then it can be
stated that I am confident. It is very necessary to be confident relating to the research being

conducted. Series and then this fact is that in case I will not be confident relating to my work
then other people will not trust the research and will not rely on the outcomes of the research.
In addition to this for improving the interpersonal skill there is requirement for working on
changing the perception and attitude of myself to stop this is necessary because I am not in a
confident and because of this I take things negatively. Thus in case I will start looking everything
as a positive then the interpersonal skills will also be improved. For the move by improving the
interpersonal skill there is requirement of working on the theoretical knowledge as well. In
addition to this I also need to acknowledge the work of others while using it within the study.
This is necessary because it will improve the interpersonal skills and relation with others as well.

REFERENCES
Books and Journals
Bairagi, V. and Munot, M.V. eds., 2019. Research methodology: A practical and scientific
approach. CRC Press.
Efu, S.I., 2020. An evaluative inquiry into continuing professional development: understanding
faculty perceptions. Teacher Development. 24(5). pp.688-708.
Feldacker, C.,and et.al., 2017. Continuing professional development for medical, nursing, and
midwifery cadres in Malawi, Tanzania and South Africa: A qualitative evaluation. PloS
one. 12(10). p.e0186074.
HERGÜNER, B., 2021. Rethinking Public Administration Education in the Period of Pandemic:
Reflections of Public Administration Students on Online Education through a SWOT
Analysis: Rethinking Public Administration Education. Thinking Skills and Creativity,
p.100863.
Jin, X., and et.al., 2021. Learning from novice–expert interaction in teachers’ continuing
professional development. Professional Development in Education. 47(5). pp.745-762.
Leiber, T., Stensaker, B. and Harvey, L.C., 2018. Bridging theory and practice of impact
evaluation of quality management in higher education institutions: a SWOT
analysis. European Journal of Higher Education. 8(3). pp.351-365.
Makopoulou, K., and et.al., 2019. What sort of ‘inclusion’is Continuing Professional
Development promoting? An investigation of a national CPD programme for inclusive
physical education. International journal of inclusive education, pp.1-18.
Mlambo, M., Silén, C. and McGrath, C., 2021. Lifelong learning and nurses’ continuing
professional development, a metasynthesis of the literature. BMC nursing. 20(1). pp.1-
13.
Ørngreen, R. and Levinsen, K., 2017. Workshops as a Research Methodology. Electronic
Journal of E-learning. 15(1). pp.70-81.
Snyder, H., 2019. Literature review as a research methodology: An overview and
guidelines. Journal of business research. 104. pp.333-339.
Vijdea, A.M. and Balan, L.L., 2019. GENERAL REFLECTIONS ON SWOT ANALYSIS OF
GEOTHERMAL ENERGY LEGISLATION IN ROMANIA. In 6th SWS International
Scientific Conferences on social sciences 2019 (pp. 111-118).
Wong, R., and et.al., 2021. Paradox of Patient-Centered Care and the Implications for Patient
Involvement in Continuing Professional Development. Journal of Continuing Education
in the Health Professions.41(4). pp.238-246.