BUS113 ICON College: Professional Practice and Research Portfolio

This portfolio provides a comprehensive overview of professional practice and research, focusing on the retail industry and personal development. It includes a research essay analyzing the impact of increasing competition in the retail industry, particularly concerning Tesco Plc, and explores strategies for attaining competitive advantages. The portfolio also features a digital showcase of self-reflection, detailing the student's experiences at London University, skill development, and challenges faced while working with a retail organization. Furthermore, it outlines a personal development plan aimed at enhancing skills in areas such as digital literacy, calculation, and motivation. The student reflects on their learning journey, highlighting the importance of communication, teamwork, and leadership skills in managing business activities and fostering professional growth. Desklib provides a platform to access similar solved assignments and study resources.

Crafting Your Future
Professional Practice
and Research

Contents
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................1
Research Essay ................................................................................................................................1
Background of the industry .........................................................................................................1
Element 2- Digital showcase of self-reflection ...............................................................................4
Element 3 ........................................................................................................................................6
REFERENCES..............................................................................................................................10

INTRODUCTION
The professional practice is the conduct and work of someone from a particular
profession. This is important for an individual to understand how they can gain knowledge and
skills in specific field. The professional body may set standards of ethics, performance
competence, insurance, training, and so on that met with profession. The person should have
proper knowledge and skills which can be used to conduct proper research and maintain higher
performance (Akkermans, Keegan, Huemann and Ringhofer, 2020). To understand the
professional practices Tesco Plc has been selected that is larger retailer in UK. The management
understand the needs of their customers and provide kind of products that can help to make feel
good and development of organizational performance. The company is facing the threat of
competitors that affected organizational sales and productivity. As a consultant it is advised to
organization to introduce new products and use effective marketing strategy that could support
organizational development. The report is divided into three sections such as research essay,
digital showcase of self-reflection, and personal development plan. The report will help to
develop understandings and skills of an individual and manage the work properly.
Research Essay
Background of the industry
Retail industry is defined as market where different types of activities such as selling of
goods and services, in contrast to wholesaling, and operating a business effectively. A retailer
purchases goods in large quantities from manufacturers directly or through wholesalers then sells
in smaller quantities to customers in order to earn profits. In UK, there are many retail
organizations who is selling range of products and services at retail prices that can help to
operate the business regularly. Tesco is operating its business in retail sector by offering variety
of products and services at retail cost. The industry is facing the issue of competition that
reduced organizational sales and productivity. The company needs to introduce new products
and use digital marketing strategies that can help to provide information regarding products and
encouraged to organizational effectiveness. The management should use different strategies and
plans to reach their potential customers and attain competitive benefits (De Vos, Akkermans and
Van Der Heijden, 2019).
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Aims of industry is “To analyse the impact of increasing competition in retail industry
that affected organizational productivity.” A case study of Tesco
Objectives: To determine the impact of increasing competition in retail industry that
affected production and selling of Tesco. To determine the strategies could be used by Tesco to
attain competitive and environmental advantages.
Literature review
To determine the impact of increasing competition in retail industry that affected production and
selling of Tesco.
According to (Tracy, 2019) Environment is changing day by day where it became
challenging for company to understand the needs and wants of their customers and provide
products accordingly. Due to changing environment selling activities of retail sector is
decreasing that affected the profitability. To operate a business, environment analysis is needed
as it brings changes in existing products and services that attracts people and make buying
decisions. In retail sector environmental changes and competition is problematic as it bring new
changes and innovation in their existing products as well as services. Competition has impacted
negatively on retail sector as it reduce customer base and decreased organizational sales. This
has impacted positively such as bring the improvement is quality of products and services that
can help to manage the business activities and develop performance. In relation to Tesco,
competition has affected the operation of organization by reducing customer base and having
more retailers that encouraged people to make buying decision from other company. This
became most challenging for company to regulate and operate their business in changing
environment and manage the business activities. It become most important for organization to
resolve retail sector issues and bring new strategy that can help to provide competitive benefits.
To determine the strategies could be used by Tesco to attain competitive and environmental
advantages.
As per view point of (Pikulík, and Starchon, 2020), Strategies and planning is the
organization's process that is used to determine its strategy, direction, and making decisions by
allocating resources that can help to operate a business regularly. If organization is having proper
planning and strategies then it can be used to overcome the competition and run a business
effectively. In UK, there is having many retail industries that has directly impacted on business
organization and its selling activities. In relation to Tesco, different strategies can be used by
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management to overcome the competition and attain benefits. Loyal customers are long-term
assets for a retail organization. The customers have emotional bond with retailer and it visits
websites on regular basis. The meaning of customer loyalty is customers are committed to
purchase goods and services as when required from retailer with threat of competitors. In relation
to Tesco, management can use customer loyalty strategy by offering better quality of products
and services at lower cost that can help to increase organizational productivity and performance.
Store location and online shopping is also important strategy which can be used by organization
for the purpose of selling its products and services at different location in changing environment
that can help to develop the organizational performance and productivity. The management of
selected company can select best location and online stores to reach their targeted customers that
can help to operate a business effectively. Bring innovation and new technology is another
strategy that uses by organization for the purpose of introducing new products and services in
changing environment and maintain performance. Tesco can supply its products in different
country and region at lower prices with the help of new technology that could provide the
competitive benefits.
Analysis
Tesco is retail industry that wish to enter in terms of its direction and opportunities by
applying different strategies such as loyal customers, maintain proper store location, and use of
new technology that can help to develop organizational career as well as personal career by
improving skills and abilities to work. The researcher have improved its communication,
research, team work, and leadership skills that provides opportunity to manage all business
challenges and attain competitive advantages (Kraus, Breier and Dasí-Rodríguez, 2020) .
Tesco requires creative and ethical leadership skills such as innovation, cost leadership,
and motivation skills that can help to influence number of customers and encouraged to make
buying decision. Moreover, chosen organization can improve ethics of their operations by
providing training and helps to raise employee awareness by managing all functions and
activities (Oprea, Barzin, Vîrgă, Iliescu and Rusu, 2019) .
Methodology
Philosophy to research deals with the source and main development of knowledge tells
about how the data should collect and what type of data is used in the research. It includes
ontology and epistemology these are the approaches which is used by the researcher it provide
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authentic and appropriate data. Interpretivism refers to origin of the information and how
someone understand the existent whereas Positivism gives proper information which is required
for research. In relation to current research, positivism philosophy is used by researcher.
Research approach is a broader method of research it has inductive or deductive it is important to
clearly identify research approach as it helps in data collection and analyse in the study. In
inductive approach it has a small amount of knowledge so therefore research need to me
conducted to gather the information. On the other hand deductive approach starts with specific
hypothesis (Denicolo, 2020). The researcher has decided to use deductive approach about impact
of competition in retail sector. Time horizons is the time that tells how long it takes to come on
the conclusion and how long the plan take time before selling. Some financial goal are easily
achievable as compare to others it is basically two types which is cross sectional and longitudinal
. Cross sectional data is used when examination are for single point of time besides longitudinal
data implies survey for a variable available for quarters, months and days. The researcher will
use cross sectional method to conduct research (Kniffin and et.al., 2021). Data collection and
analysis explains briefly about the research and why the research is conducted, what type of
technique is used along with the sample strategies. And a brief discussion about the study area.
This involves qualitative and quantitative techniques. The researcher has decided to use
quantitative technique under secondary method to conduct analysis and manage the activities.
Element 2- Digital showcase of self-reflection
I was studying at London University where I have attended management and learning
classes on a regular basis that have improved my experience. In the description stage, I had been
looking for an opportunity where I could use the skills and knowledge that I have learned during
study. I analyzed that many businesses faced the challenge of changing environments and
technological changes that created a competition to operate their business. Where I have made
assumptions that I can resolve the problems by using my knowledge and skills in the
management field. My tutor was very good and kind of person who always supported me to
enhance my knowledge and apply it practically by taking opportunity. During the study, my
teacher has provided me an opportunity to work with a retail organization and come to know
how business problems can be resolved by managing all functions and activities. My tutor has
provided me a chance to work with a retail organization where I felt nervous that how would I
manage all business activities and functions to create sustainability. This was a challenging
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situation for me that helped me to deal along with my team members. The evaluation stages are
used by me to evaluate my own skills and knowledge for the purpose of handling all work and
challenges. I evaluated that I need to have good communication, collaboration, teamwork, and
leadership skills which I gained by have attending management and business classes. I evaluated
that to manage any task and work between members communication skill is important as it used
to share information and their opinions in relation to a particular topic. Collaboration skills are
needed to manage the work collaboratively by allocating work between members as per their
specialization (Sánchez-Cardona, and et.al., 2020). Teamwork and leadership skills are also
important for me to understand the problems of employees and others then lead them to perform
their roles and responsibilities. All skills I evaluated while learning and working in an
organization. The analysis stage is used by me to lack skills which I had and how I improved. I
analysed that I am much good in communication, problem-solving, time management, and
teamwork skills that are used by me to handle business activities and manage work properly. I
have used problem-solving skills to understand the problems of team members and solve them
properly by allocating work and getting work done effectively. I also analysed that I was not
good in digital skills, calculation, and motivation skills that have created challenges for me to
manage the assigned work and complete it properly. This was an opportunity for me to
understand the roles and perform it will by using my own skills and abilities. The skills in which
I was lack being improved by learning, and observing my seniors that have developed
understanding that how they manage their work and motivate others. From the above discussion
it can be concluded that I enjoyed this opportunity and work which have given by my tutor and
got appreciation in work (Sullivan, and Al Ariss, 2021). During learning I was upset that
multiple task I could have to manage while working that created challenge which I converted
into opportunity by improving skills. Action plan of reflection model used by me to implement
all learning and skills which I gained during learning, working in organization, and observing my
tutors that became opportunity for me to manage all work and get future employment.
Schön's theory is the theory of reflection which is used by me to share my experience and
work by managing all functions and activities. This model is based on one during and one after
activity or event. As an event of career program was held in my college where I came to know
the benefits of such event and what has been done during the event. The college has invited
many scholars to share their knowledge and learning experience that helped them to become
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good lecturers and business concerns in their life. During the event, I analyzed that education is
most important for students as it supports them to grow and develop, become good people, and
get a better-paid job. The aim of students is to get well educated and grab future opportunities by
showing their talent and ability to work. This became most important for individuals to take part
in different activities and functions as it can help to develop understanding and knowledge about
particular topics (Kooij, Zacher, Wang, and Heckhausen, 2020). During this event, I felt more
energetic and curious to learn new things where I decided to improve my learning and manage
future activities as well. During the event, I improved my communication, thinking, and
problem-solving skills in which I was weak. This event supported me to focus on myself and
brought changes in my existing knowledge. After the event, I started to work on learning and the
knowledge which I gained in the event. I have improved my communication and teamwork skills
by working in groups and sharing my own ideas with others that made me confident. This career
development program became an important part of my study where I applied skills to set my own
start-up of the small cafe by using skills and build an effective team. After the event, I analysed
that I am very much confident to convert theoretical knowledge into practice by establishing my
own business and managing all activities effectively. I have learnt so many things and skills from
this event that also provide me opportunity of establishing my own business. This was good
experience for me as I managed all functions and activities effectively (Adeani, Febriani and
Syafryadin, 2020).
Element 3
Personal development plan is defined as process of creating action plan based awareness,
values, reflection, and goal setting activities that proposed to manage the future task and develop
performance. When an individual is able to work by using their skills then an analysis requires to
be done properly (Minhas, Pan, Sze, Pareek and Miller, 2020). In other words, personal
development plan is a framework that is used by an individual to identify the areas of strength
and weakness that come up with new ideas and capitalize their existing skills and capabilities.
Personal analysis is a stage of training needs analysis where individual take participation in
learning and meeting to desired performance and goals. By using the Element 1, working in
Tesco as manager a personal analysis has been conducted.
A. Personal Analysis
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STRENGTHS OPPORTUNITIES
As I have worked with Tesco as a manager
where I organised and managed the all
activities appropriately. In initially, I felt
nervous and hesitate to become responsible of
all activities but my learning and skills
encouraged me to take this opportunity and
perform well. My skills and motivation
behaviour was greatest assets for me which I
used to understand the competitors which is
running in retail sector and provided
opportunity me to handle the business
properly. I improved my communication and
collaboration skills by working in organization
and bring changes in existing performance.
I analysed the challenges faced by organization
where I advised to management that make the
use of different strategy such as innovation,
cost leadership, opening of stores at right
location and participation in corporate social
responsibility that provided me opportunity to
grow their business by managing all functions
and activities in changing environment. This
became strength for me to identify the
problems and resolve it effectively by
organising all resources and optimise it
properly.
ASPIRATIONS RESULTS
On the basis of element 1, my short term
aspiration is to improve communication skills
which I done by taking part in different
programs and seminars. I achieved this goals
within 6 month by sharing information and
completing task.
My medium term aspiration is to complete the
business management course that will be done
in 2 years. This helped to improve team work,
and business research skills.
My long term aspiration is to establish my own
business which I achieved to managing all
activities and resources as well.
If I feel all work has been completed within
time period and set business properly by using
strength and opportunity then would be
understand that aspiration has been achieved.
This also helps to develop personal skills and
abilities to work continuously and maintain
higher performance (Ardian, Hariyati, and
Afifah, 2019).
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B. Setting Goals
What do I want
to learn?
What do I have to
do?
What support
and resources
will I need?
How will I
measure my
success?
Target date for
review of results.
I wants to learn
time management
skills as I faced
problems to
manage work and
activity.
For improving
time management
skills I need to
give preference to
particular activity
out of multiple
tasks.
I will need to
have proper time
and thinking
skills that can
help to make right
task and give
priority.
To manage all
work and
preparing
schedule
according to
priority basis.
1 year
To learn
motivation skills.
For improving
motivation skills I
need to focus on
needs and wants
of employees and
other person so
that good level of
motivation could
be provided.
To follow
motivation theory
such as Maslow
need of hierarchy,
Herzberg and
Goal setting
theory
(Sekarwinahyu,
Rustaman,
Widodo and
Riandi, 2019).
To recruit and
retain top talented
people in
organizational
working.
6 month
Problem solving
skills
To manage all
working and
challenges I need
to have problem
solving skills
which I could
used to solving all
problems and
To take proper
rest, doing regular
exercise, focusing
on problem, and
managing the
activities properly
by formulating
effective
To see that each
work is
happening
properly and
people giving
their positive
feedback
(Shaheen and
2 years
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maintain higher
performance.
strategies. Hameed, 2020).
C. Personal Objectives
Short-term goals (next six months)
My short term goal is to keep a journal on quarterly basis while working in an organization that
will be complete by keeping daily records.
Medium Term Goals (next 2 – 3 years)
My medium goal is to complete master degree in digital transformation that will help me to brig
new changes and attain competitive advantages. The will be complete within 2.5 years.
Long Term Goals (following 3 to 5 years)
My long term goal is to set own business of retail sector that will be complete more than three
years because I need to arrange resources, capital, select a best location, creating relationship
with suppliers and creating loyal customers that will help me attain competitive advantages.
CONCLUSION
From the report it can be concluded that personal and professional practices is used by an
individual by deciding their goals and starts to work on them. The retail industry faced the
competition challenge due to having many retailer in UK marker where it became important for
Tesco to apply effective strategy to overcome the challenge of competition and maintain higher
performance. The innovation and use of new technology became good opportunity for me which
is used to solve the problems and attaining competitive advantages by influencing number of
customers and providing them better quality of products and services. Reflection is the activity
of sharing knowledge and experience of one person which gained during worked and complete
task. Personal development plan is prepared to highlights on skills in which an individual is weak
and improve it by using appropriate learning.
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REFERENCES
Akkermans, J., Keegan, A., Huemann, M. and Ringhofer, C., 2020. Crafting project managers’
careers: Integrating the fields of careers and project management. Project management
journal. 51(2), pp.135-153.
De Vos, A., Akkermans, J. and Van Der Heijden, B. I. J. M., 2019. From occupational choice to
career crafting. The Routledge companion to career studies, pp.128-142.
Tracy, S. J., 2019. Qualitative research methods: Collecting evidence, crafting analysis,
communicating impact. John Wiley & Sons.
Kraus, S., Breier, M. and Dasí-Rodríguez, S., 2020. The art of crafting a systematic literature
review in entrepreneurship research. International Entrepreneurship and Management
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Oprea, B. T., Barzin, L., Vîrgă, D., Iliescu, D. and Rusu, A., 2019. Effectiveness of job crafting
interventions: A meta-analysis and utility analysis. European Journal of Work and
Organizational Psychology. 28(6). pp.723-741.
Denicolo, P., 2020. Productively confronting dilemmas in educational practice and research.
In Changing Research and Practice (pp. 56-65). Routledge.
Kniffin, K. M., and et.al., 2021. COVID-19 and the workplace: Implications, issues, and insights
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Sánchez-Cardona, I., and et.al., 2020. When the job does not fit: The moderating role of job
crafting and meaningful work in the relation between employees’ perceived
overqualification and job boredom. Journal of Career Assessment. 28(2). pp.257-276.
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transitions: A review and agenda for future research. Human Resource Management
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Kooij, D. T., Zacher, H., Wang, M. and Heckhausen, J., 2020. Successful aging at work: A
process model to guide future research and practice. Industrial and Organizational
Psychology, 13(3), pp.345-365.
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IN MAKING REFLECTIONS OF LITERARY ANALYSIS. Indonesian EFL
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Pikulík, T. and Starchon, P., 2020. Insight into PDP challenges of data transfer in wireless
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(Akkermans, Keegan, Huemann and Ringhofer, 2020) (De Vos, Akkermans and Van Der
Heijden, 2019) (Tracy, 2019) (Kraus, Breier and Dasí-Rodríguez, 2020) (Oprea,
Barzin, Vîrgă, Iliescu and Rusu, 2019) (Denicolo, 2020) (Kniffin and et.al., 2021)
(Sánchez-Cardona, and et.al., 2020) (Sullivan, and Al Ariss, 2021) (Kooij, Zacher,
Wang, and Heckhausen, 2020) (Adeani, Febriani and Syafryadin, 2020) (Ardian,
Hariyati, and Afifah, 2019) (Sekarwinahyu, Rustaman, Widodo and Riandi, 2019)
(Shaheen and Hameed, 2020) (Minhas, Pan, Sze, Pareek and Miller, 2020) (Pikulík,
and Starchon, 2020)
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