Employability Skills Report: Improving Performance at Next PLC

This report analyzes employability skills, focusing on their application in a marketing manager role at Next PLC. It begins with an introduction to employability skills and their importance, followed by an examination of the author's own responsibilities and performance objectives, including SWOT analysis and recommendations for improvement. The report then delves into problem-solving strategies, communication styles at different organizational levels, and effective time management techniques. It highlights solutions to workplace problems, emphasizing the importance of communication and collaboration. The report also discusses the use of motivational skills to enhance performance and achieve organizational goals. Key areas covered include self-assessment, communication strategies, team dynamics, and time management, all aimed at improving individual and team performance within the retail environment of Next PLC.

EMPLOYABILITY
SKILLS
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................3
TASK 1............................................................................................................................................3
1.1 Developing own responsibilities and performance objectives...............................................3
1.2 Own effectiveness against defined objectives......................................................................4
1.3 Recommendations for improvement in future.......................................................................5
1.4 Use of motivational skills to improve my performance within Next PLC............................6
TASK 2............................................................................................................................................6
2.1 Various solutions to work based problems...........................................................................6
2.2 Different styles of communication at different levels............................................................7
2.3 Identification of effective time management strategies.........................................................8
TASK 3............................................................................................................................................8
3.1 Roles played by team members and me.................................................................................8
3.2 Team dynamics......................................................................................................................9
3.3 Different ways to complete task...........................................................................................9
TASK 4..........................................................................................................................................10
4.1 Different tools and methods to develop solutions to problem.............................................10
4.2 A strategy for resolving a specific problem.........................................................................10
4.3 The impact of above strategy on Next.................................................................................11
CONCLUSION ............................................................................................................................11
REFFERENCES............................................................................................................................12
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INTRODUCTION
Employability skills refer to those abilities and competencies that are important for an
individual for getting, complying and being successful in a job. The major employability skills
are strong corporate communication, team working, analytical skills, self management, etc.
(Joanna, 2014). These skills further help an individual to perform work in the best manner, to
work appropriately with colleague, to make fruitful business decisions and thus, to become key
personnel for business entity. In this report, learning will be shown regarding the implications of
employability skills in improving the productivity of an individual at its workplace. Further, the
significance of team dynamics and time administration strategy in accomplishment of overall
goals of Next PLC will be detailed out. Next PLC is a UK based public company that is offering
the retail products and services to its customers.
TASK 1
1.1 Developing own responsibilities and performance objectives
In order to perform my work properly as a marketing manager of Next PLC, it is crucial
for me to develop the set of own responsibilities and performance objectives. Various roles and
responsibilities of mine are detailed out as below:
 Determining goals and objectives: The major duty of mine is to determine the
marketing goals for Next PLC. Further, I should align the corporate goals with the
marketing targets in order to ensure the attainment of overall objectives of organization.
Thereafter, the key objective is to promote new bricks and mortar store among customers.
 Ensure effective communication: Further, it is my duty to keep the stakeholders and top
executives informed about marketing objectives and plans. In this aspect, I can share the
marketing information through emails, memos, presentations, etc.
 Distribution of work: In order to avoid work burden and to attain the marketing targets
on time, it is important for me to divide work among my subordinates. However, it is
crucial for me to divide work as per the capacity and capability of individuals. Allocation of resources: It is important for me to allocate the resources that will be
needed to develop and promote new bricks and mortar store. The allocation should be
proper to ensure optimum utilization of resources.
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Performance objectives:
 To stay informed about current marketing trends and their application within business.
 To keep track of competitor’s marketing strategy to develop more innovative marketing
plan as compared to them.
 To ensure proper motivation and leadership among marketing team that will further result
in the attainment of marketing targets on time (Jackling and Natoli, 2015).
 To determine the work targets so as to accomplish the set objective within 8 months.
 To ensure self learning by reading marketing and other books, PDFs, journals, etc.
1.2 Own effectiveness against defined objectives
By determining my own effectiveness against the defined objectives, I will be able to
determine my competencies and calibre that will help me in overpowering my weaknesses.
Further, I can take effective steps that will help me in improving my skills as per the professional
standards. This can be further explained with the help of SWOT analysis which is explained as
below:
Strengths
 Strong interpersonal skills
 Strong leadership and motivational
skills
 Expert in handling direct and indirect
marketing channels
 Better in handling customer queries and
identifying their needs
 Strong self learning skills
Weaknesses
 Weak communication skills
 Poor technical skills
 Lack of time management skills
 Lack of analytical and decision making
skills
 Weak self confidence
Opportunities
 Participation in training and
development sessions
 Attending seminars, apprenticeship
Threats
 Intense competition in marketing field
 Recession resulting into job cutting
 Restricted career growth due to work
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programs, workshop, etc.
 Self learning
 More job vacancies
politics
 Lack of availability of time for
attending seminars, training, etc.
From the aforementioned SWOT analysis, it can be concluded that I should focus more
on my weaknesses that will help me in improving my performance. Thereafter, I can use my
strengths to overpower my weaknesses and can take the best advantage of upcoming
opportunities. To improve my effectiveness in terms of communication, time management,
technical areas etc., I can take part in group discussions, training sessions and workshops.
1.3 Recommendations for improvement in future
From the critical analysis of own work, it has been figured out by me that my weaknesses
are obstructing my growth within Next PLC. Therefore, it has become crucial for me to amend
my performance so as to match it with the industry standard. This will also assist me in attaining
my key objective of building new bricks and mortar store within 8 months. However, due to my
weak time administration skills, I am incompetent to attain the work targets due to which my
superiors are not happy with my performance. Therefore, the project is still held up and I am
getting work pressure from superiors to complete the task on time. The major cause of this is my
poor communication skills due to which I am not able to communicate the projects properly to
respective the team members. Further, the use of traditional communication is also the major
cause of problem. Therefore, it has become important for me to take effective steps to improve
my performance.
To improve my communication skills, I can take part in group discussions and give
presentations. Further, I should use modern communication techniques like emails, instant
messaging, outlooks, etc. However, feedback should be obtained from the team members after
communicating task so as to confirm that they have interpreted the project properly and
understood their duties as well. To improve the technical skills, workshop and apprenticeship
programs can be attended by me. Thereafter, to intensify my time administration skills, I can
prepare a work schedule and rank my work as per its priority.
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1.4 Use of motivational skills to improve my performance within Next PLC
The motivational skills will assist me in amending my performance within company. The
motivational skills will further help me in identifying my potential and working beyond my
capacity. This will further lead to growth in my career and ensure my productivity within
organization. With the aid of motivational skills, I will be able to work hard to attain my
objective of building new bricks and mortar store of Next PLC and can attract large number of
customers for it. Therefore, it is important for me to encourage myself by remembering the past
achievements in work. The key benefit of self motivation is that I can learn from my past
mistakes and ensure their non repetition in future. The motivation skills will also assist me in
developing optimistic attitude that will stimulate me to take new challenges every day. Further, it
will improve the quality of my performance and will help me in getting good remarks from
superiors. Further, self motivation skills can be used by me to boost the morale of my
subordinates, juniors and encourage them to attain the organizational goals and contribute in the
success of Next PLC.
TASK 2
2.1 Various solutions to work based problems
After examining my own work, I have identified that my performance within company is
affected due to various factors. I am facing many issues while working with my team. The major
problem is lack of coordination and cooperation among me and team members. This further
leads in the delay of work and non-accomplishment of marketing targets. The team members do
not give proper feedback due to which I am unaware of the progress in project. The problem of
lack of trust and personal issues among members is affecting the performance of team. Further,
due to my weak communication skills, I am unable to communicate the projects properly and
cannot allocate task to responsible personnel. Presently, I am using traditional communication
methods which are not effective and resulting into distortion and delay of information.
Thereafter, I am not able to give proper presentation due to which my superiors are not satisfied.
Further, the lack of time management skills within me and my team are affecting the overall
performance of Next PLC and causing distress among the top level executives.
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The aforementioned problems can be solved by taking effective measures. In addition to
this aspect, firstly, I should prepare work schedule and allocate work as per its priority. Further, I
should divide the work among my subordinates and juniors so as to reduce the work burden.
Thereafter, to improve the communication process within team, I should use modern techniques
like emails, instant messaging, meetings, etc. The same can also be used to take feedbacks so that
I can know that whether members have interpreted the project properly or not. Further, the group
discussions should be held so that members can share their view points, issues, etc. This will also
help in identifying the conflicts. However, it will also enhance my communication skills. The
team members should be motivated to work together in cooperation and collaboration. Further,
informal meeting should be held to improve the interpersonal relationship among members. This
will further improve the trust and confidence among team members.
2.2 Different styles of communication at different levels
To ensure smooth functioning of organization, strong communication within Next PLC is
important. The strong communication at various levels will assist in communicating the projects
among team (Cassidy-Rice, 2014). Further, it will also assist the members in communicating
their problems, view points, information and suggestions. It has been identified that poor
communication is the root cause of major work problems therefore, it should be improved first.
Therefore, different communication styles that can be adopted at different organizational levels
of Next PLC are as follows:
 Top level: The major problems faced with top level executives are that I am not able to
give proper report about the progress of new bricks and mortar store. Thereafter, the lack
of time management skills are causing non completion of work targets and resulting into
distress among top level executives. Further, I can improve my corporate communication
skills that will help me in communicating properly. I can take the help of meetings to
share information about the new project. To attain the targets of time, I can prepare work
charts and perform the work as per its priority.
 Middle level: The main issue faced by me with middle level executives and subordinates
is regarding lack of cooperation and coordination. Also, there is lack of trust and conflict
of personal interest among members which also results into unhealthy work environment.
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The informal communication can be used to build trust and resolve issues. One to one
meetings and group discussions should be used to improve the communication at this
level. Further, to take feedback, I can use emails, instant messaging etc.
 Lower level: The overburden of work is also an issue faced by manager therefore, some
tasks should be allocated to lower level members. To communicate information with
them, notice boards, memos and formal letters can be used.
2.3 Identification of effective time management strategies
In order to accomplish the desired objective of new bricks and mortar store within 8
months only, it is crucial for me to consider the time management strategies. Therefore, various
time management strategies that can be adopted within Next PLC are as follows:
 Preparing work chart or schedule: In order to attain the work targets, I can prepare the
work chart that will assist me in planning the work as per its priority and urgency. It will
also assist me in performing the right task at right time.
 Division of work: To reduce the work burden, important task should be delegated among
team members according to their competencies and capacities. Further, proper follow up
should be taken after such division so as to ensure the progress of work. This will further
result in timely performance of work and attainment of work targets.
 Setting the deadlines: The deadlines for each and every allocated task should be set. The
team members should be asked to strictly meet the deadline and if they fail to do so then
disciplinary actions can be taken against them (Time management strategies, 2013).
TASK 3
3.1 Roles played by team members and me
Various roles played by team members and me are as follows:
 Coordinator role: Coordination plays an important role in smooth functioning of Next
PLC. By working in team, the cooperation and coordination skills can be built among
members. I play role of coordinator by resolving the issues, taking the follow up of every
task and dividing the work according to the potential of employees.
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 Conflict solving role: I also perform the role of conflict solver and thus, build healthy
work environment within team. Thereafter, by resolving conflicts the issues, members
can be motivated to work in cooperation and collaboration. This will further help in
attaining the overall goals of Next PLC.
 Advisor: Being a manager of company, I also play the role of advisor and give advice to
my subordinate that further help in improving their work performance. The new
employees are given with proper guidance and advice so that they would perform their
work effectively (Butterwick and Benjamin, 2006).
Further, it can be suggested that it is important for the team to work in proper
collaboration and cooperation. This will further assist in working in a team. The employees and
manager should motivate each other for attaining the overall goals of organization. There should
be strong communication that will also impact the interpersonal relationship among members
positively.
3.2 Team dynamics
Team dynamics refers to mutual relationship among members of team that further help in
attaining the shared goals. It is important for Next PLC to consider the team dynamics as it has
direct impact on the productivity and profitability of organization. Team dynamics represents the
behaviour of individual at workplace (Understanding Team Dynamics, 2000). The main
advantage of team dynamics to Next PLC is that it helps in retaining the competent employees
within company. In context of Next PLC, there is overall negative impact of team dynamics.
Therefore, the analysis of team dynamics is as follows:
 Lack of coordination: There is lack of cooperation and coordination among members.
This further result into non performance of task on time and failure in meeting work
targets.
 Poor interpersonal relationship: By critically analysing the team dynamics of
company, it has been identified that members share lack of trust among them. Thereafter,
personal conflicts of members are also impacting the performance of members
(Wickramasinghe and Perera, 2010).
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 Increasing turnover: Due to unhealthy work environment, the dissatisfaction among
members is increasing because of which many people are leaving their jobs.
3.3 Different ways to complete the task
 Setting Objectives: The objectives should be set and communicated among team
members so that they are aware of their roles and responsibilities (Courtney and et. al.,
2007).
 Enhancing motivation: The motivation level among members should be improved to
stimulate them to work towards attaining the organizational goals. The strong motivation
will also help in retaining the competent employees within organization.
 Effective Leadership skills: The strong leadership skills will help in improving the
relationship among members and in influencing them to work in coordination and
collaboration. This will further help in attaining the work targets and improving the
overall productivity of company (Singh and Singh, 2008).
TASK 4
4.1 Different tools and methods to develop the solutions to problem
It has been identified that poor communication is the major problem that is affecting the
overall productivity and profitability of company. It is also a major reason for non completion of
task on time. Therefore, it can be resolved by the following methods:
 Group discussions: The group discussions should be held from time to time to improve
the communication level among team. Further, the members should be asked to share
their problems so that proper solution can be found (Houston, 2005).
 Informal meetings: The informal meetings will help in developing trust among members
and further, it will help the members in knowing each other personally apart from work.
This will reduce the personal issues and develop an understanding among members.
4.2 A strategy for resolving a specific problem
The members of Next PLC are facing a problem of lack of motivation among them.
Therefore, to resolve this problem, a strategy can be prepared by the manager which is as
follows:
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 Defining the problem: Manager can determine the main reason of less motivation
among members that is also affecting their performance.
 Identifying the solutions: To resolve the aforementioned problem, motivational needs of
employees should be identified. Therefore, motivational tools as per the needs of
employees should be used to boost their morale. For instance, social and safety needs of
employees are neglected (Mason, Williams and Cranmer, 2009).
 Implementing and evaluating: The identified result should be implemented within
company. However, management of Next PLC can evaluate the positive results in terms
of improved productivity and performance of members.
4.3 The impact of above strategy on Next PLC
 Increase in employee motivation level: The motivation level of employees is improved
as they are motivated according to their motivational needs. Further, they are motivated
to work more than their potential to fulfil their higher level needs (Raybould and Sheedy,
2005).
 Increased productivity: The productivity of employees is improved as they are
stimulated to work hard for the success of organization. Therefore, performance of
members is improved.
 Healthy work environment: By solving the issue of less motivation among members,
communication between employees and management is improved (Cassidy, 2006).
Therefore, members share their problems and viewpoints that help in building a healthy
atmosphere.
CONCLUSION
From the above report, it can be concluded that, employability skills are crucial for an
individual to get desired job and career opportunity that will further define its standard of living.
By determining own responsibilities, I am able to perform my work duties properly and ensure
career growth within organization. The new strategy helps in improving the productivity and
profitability of enterprise.
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REFFERENCES
Books and Journals
Butterwick, S. and Benjamin, A., 2006. The road to employability through personal
development: A critical analysis of the silences and ambiguities of the British Columbia
(Canada) life skills curriculum. International Journal of Lifelong Education. 25(1).
pp.75-86.
Cassidy-Rice, J., 2014. NLP promotes personal development and professional success: Process
gives the edge to both companies and individuals. Human Resource Management
International Digest. 22(3). pp. 38-41.
Cassidy, S., 2006. Developing employability skills: Peer assessment in higher education.
Education+ Training. 48(7). pp.508-517.
Courtney, S. H. and et.al., 2007. The Dynamic Organic Transformational (D.O.T.) team model
for high‐performance knowledge‐worker teams. An International Journal. 13(1/2).
pp.34-46.
Houston, D., 2005. Employability, skills mismatch and spatial mismatch in metropolitan labour
markets. Urban Studies. 42(2). pp.221-243.
Jackling, B. and Natoli, R., 2015. Employability skills of international accounting graduates:
Internship providers’ perspectives. Education + Training. 57(7), pp.757–773.
Joanna, P., 2014. Do real estate courses sufficiently develop graduates’ employability skills?
Perspectives from multiple stakeholders. Education + Training. 56(6). pp.562–581.
Mason, G., Williams, G. and Cranmer, S., 2009. Employability skills initiatives in higher
education: what effects do they have on graduate labour market outcomes?. Education
Economics. 17(1). pp.1-30.
Raybould, J. and Sheedy, V., 2005. Are graduates equipped with the right skills in the
employability stakes?. Industrial and commercial training. 37(5). pp.259-263.
Singh, G. K. G. and Singh, S. K. G., 2008. Malaysian graduates’ employability skills. UNITAR
e-Journal. 4(1). pp.15-45.
Wickramasinghe, V. and Perera, L., 2010. Graduates', university lecturers' and employers'
perceptions towards employability skills. Education+ Training. 52(3). pp.226-244.
Online
Time management stratgies. 2013. [Online]. Available through:
<https://www.ag.ndsu.edu/burkecountyextension/home-and-family/10-strategies-for-
better-time-management>. [Accessed on 16th December 2015]
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