HR Professional Skills and Development Plan for Whirlpool

This report analyzes the essential aspects of individual, team, and organizational development, focusing on Whirlpool Corporation. It explores the crucial skills and behaviors required by HR professionals, including legal knowledge, workforce management, and recruitment. The report differentiates between organizational and individual learning, training, and development, highlighting their respective focuses and controls. It also examines the impact of high-performance working on employee engagement and competitive advantage, alongside different approaches to performance management. The report includes a personal skills audit and development plan, offering insights into strengths, weaknesses, and strategies for improvement. The report emphasizes the importance of continuous learning to sustain business performance and the need for HR professionals to facilitate growth and success within the organization.

Developing Individuals, Teams
and Organisations

Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION ..........................................................................................................................1
TASK 1 ...........................................................................................................................................1
P1 Professional knowledge, skills and behaviors required by HR Professionals...................1
TASK 2 ...........................................................................................................................................5
P3 Differences between organizational and individual learning, training and development. 5
TASK 3 ...........................................................................................................................................9
P5 Contribution of HPW on employee engagement and competitive advantage..................9
TASK 4..........................................................................................................................................10
P6 Different approaches to performance management........................................................10
CONCLUSION..............................................................................................................................12
REFERENCES..............................................................................................................................13

INTRODUCTION
Development refers to an essential aspect which is important for every individual, team
and organization for attaining growth and success in their professional as well as personal career.
It includes to gain better knowledge, education, learning and training for developing skills or
abilities to get better outcomes in organization (Belbin, 2012). The present report is based on
Whirlpool Corporation which is known as an American multinational manufacturer and marketer
of home appliances. It was founded by Louis Upton & Emory Upton in the year around 1911,
almost 106 years ago. This assignment will focus on appropriate skills required for HR
professionals and difference between organizational as well as individual learning. It also include
description about need for continuous learning to sustain business performance and impact of
high- performance working to engage staff members along with attaining competitive advantage.
TASK 1
P1 Professional knowledge, skills and behaviors required by HR Professionals
HR professional refers to an individual who recruit and manage staff members of an
organization. They conduct several events for employees such as education, learning, motivation,
rewarding and training to sustain them in company along with developing their skills or abilities
(Curtis and O'connell, 2011). In case of Whirlpool Corporation, they are required to select an
efficient HR professional through analyzing appropriate knowledge, skill and behaviors which
are necessary for carrying out desired roles in an organization. Some of relevant factors are
explained further -
(Source: HR Professionals, 2016)
Knowledge of HR professional
1
Illustration 1: HR Professionals

Legal Information – It consider information regarding legal rules and regulations which
are made by government authorities. However, it is mandatory for every business organisation to
follow legislation for conducting operations appropriately to earn desired profits (Liljenberg,
2015). In context of given firm, they are required to follow overall legal norms to avoid relevant
issues and fulfil requirements of employees properly and it is possible only when the HR of
organisation implements them in the company.
Management of Workforce – An HR professional is required to know about actual and
effective management skills through which they an manage staff members in an appropriate
manner. It is necessary to fulfil desired roles or duties in proper way and achieve goals and
objectives successfully of given company.
Recruitment & Selection – This refers to an efficient ability to determine an efficient best
candidate for particular vacant designation in an enterprise. Moreover, it also include to identify
required capabilities of people through appropriately evaluate to recruit more able individual for
specific position in selected firm.
Skills of HR professional
Motivational Abilities – This refers to those abilities which are helpful to motivate staff
members so that they will improve their regular productivity which facilitates to attain desired
targets. In case of Whirlpool Corporation, they are required to appoint an efficient HR manager
having capability to encourage employees boosting up their abilities as well as productivity.
Effective Communication Skills – The HR professionals are required to communicate
very fluently and clearly so that people can understand and obey their instructions properly. In
terms of selected company, an efficient HR is helpful in implementing new policies through
avoiding employees resistance (Anagnostopoulos, Byers and Shilbury, 2014).
Performance Management – This can be described as to calculate performance of
employees and then provide feedbacks to them along with effective methods for improvement.
Thus, Whirlpool Corporation should analyze working of workers and put efforts to determine
threats along with removing them to facilitate growth of business.
Behaviour of HR professional
Skilled influencer – The behaviour of HR professionals in given firm should be
influencing so that employees will easily obey their instructions as it is favourable for success of
an organisation.
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Polite and Fair – This include that an HR is required to remain polite while dealing with
people and behave in fair manner so that healthy environment of selected company can be
maintained properly (Pardey, 2016).
P2 Personal skills audit to identify skill and knowledge as well as a Professional development
plan
The person skills audit can be described as to evaluate own skills or abilities along with
certain issues in performance so that efficient efforts can be putting to remove threats properly.
Moreover, it is important to determine strengths as they can used to increase productivity and
analysis of problems will help to make strategies for reducing threats of performance
successfully. In context of Whirlpool Corporation, they are required to make different and
effective strategies or policies winch are helpful to develop individuals and teams which results
into attaining better results in business. Several strengths and weaknesses are as under –
Strengths
 I have an ability of quick learning and remaining careful while conducting any task.
 I have better knowledge in my specialized field and fulfill relevant tasks with perfection.
 I am very focused person and working comfortably with others.
 My communication skills are very effective and influencing.
Weaknesses
 I am not comfortable while working in team due to lack of concentration.
 My decision making skills is weak because of having no idea about correct method of the
same.
 I am not able to sort out problems or issues at a time of performing specific task.
 My technical abilities are not good due to lack of knowledge of the same (Anne
Loewenberger, Newton and Wick, 2014).
Personal development plan – The personal development plan is required to first observe
and analyze self strengths and weaknesses so that strong abilities can be utilized and weak points
can be removed properly. It is necessary to make an appropriate plan of action to reduce threats
from capabilities and put efforts to gain new skills or learning which helpful in achieving better
outcomes in career. A personal development plan is given below -
S.
No.
Learning
target
Present
Proficiency
Target
Proficiency
Development
Opportunities
Criteria for
Judging
Time
Scale
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Attainment
1 Decision
making
skills
6 10 By observing and
learning about
methods of right
decision making and
gain knowledge for
factors considering in
the same.
Senior manager 60 days
2 Team
working
5 10 Through putting
better efforts to
perform continuously
with team or group to
generate ability of
establishing an
effective cooperation
as well as
coordination with
team members to
complete targets
successfully.
Peers or
colleagues
80 days
3 Technical
Knowledge
6 10 By joining several
classes for required
technical courses to
gain knowledge
about the same so
that different relevant
tasks can be
complete in an
appropriate manner
with desired
Superiors and
colleagues
120
days
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outcomes.
The strengths & weakness are required to be determine so that strong points can be utilise
more effectively in working whereas weak aspects can be overcome by putting efforts properly.
It is important to know about strength and consume them in working as they provide help to
improve regular productivity and efficiency for future growth. The above plan of overcoming
weaknesses can be considered as significant in order to overcome with threats of performance in
order to increase effectiveness of working which provide support to gain success.
TASK 2
P3 Differences between organizational and individual learning, training and development
There are various kinds of educational and learning programs which are required to be
carried out in every business organization to increase overall efficiencies. It is necessary to
organize several desired and effective events to boost up knowledge or abilities of people which
facilitates to attain better outcomes on regular basis (O’Boyle, 2015). The overall efficiencies to
staff members and effectiveness of overall machines or equipment are combine organize an
organizational strength. Moreover, in context of Whirlpool Corporation, they are should analyze
needs of training & development in company and organize an appropriate event for improving
knowledge or skills of employees so that operational procedures can be carried out properly
along with achieving better results.
Learning – This can be described as a procedures of acquiring fresh or modifying
present knowledge, behaviors, skills, values and preferences. It is helpful to generate better ideas
or abilities for carrying out more effectively as well as efficiently to gain desired outcomes. In
case of given company, they are required conduct appropriate learning events to improve
knowledge of employees which helps to develop their skills or abilities.
Training – The term training refers to educational programs which are task oriented and
targeted on achieving a change in attitude, skills and knowledge in particular field (Wesselink
and Wals, 2011). It is important for different organizations like Whirlpool Corporation are
required to conduct training events to improve and develop practical knowledge of performing
and information to conduct any specific tasks properly for completing desired goals.
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Development – This can be explained as to carrying out more effective as well as
efficient educational or learning programs for increasing knowledge and working abilities of
staff members. Thus, it will facilitates to develop their capabilities which provide support to
achieve success in business of Whirlpool Corporation.
Difference between Individual and Organizational Learning
Basis Individual Learning Organizational Learning
Meaning This include to focus on
education and learning for
boosting up knowledge or
skills of an individual.
This refers to concentrate on
overall organizational
education to improve skills for
attaining goals or objectives.
Focus Individuals focus on their own
tasks and learn several aspects
to complete desired targets
through attaining better
outcomes (Firth, Maye and
Pearson, 2011).
Whirlpool Corporation can
conduct learning events for
improving their overall
efficiencies in order to achieve
vision of business through
generating desired results.
Control An individual can be
controlled through applying
several strict rules or
regulations and bound them
within certain specific
procedures to conduct required
tasks for attaining targets
successfully.
In case of selected
organisation, they are required
to be controlled by vision,
culture and technology in
terms of implementing
strategies or techniques to
attain vision of business
properly to achieve growth of
the same.
Therefore, it can be analyzed that there are necessary to improve performance of
individual by providing learning to them so that productivity can be enhanced. Organization
required to focus on employees development for enhancing their skills, abilities and knowledge
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so that predefined goals can be accomplished. Therefore, they conduct training and learning
session for employees that directly linked with organizational productivity.
P4 Need for continuous learning and professional development
The continuous learning and development is necessary in an organization to overcome
with changing trends of market and remain capable to fulfill modified demands of people. It is
necessary to observe and analyze actual requirements of conducting learning or training
programs to boost up skills of staff members on order to gain their higher wok performance
which facilitates to attain desired goals successfully (Chung and Jackson, 2011). In context of
Whirlpool Corporation, they can organize an appropriate training events for increasing working
efficiencies of employees for boosting their regular productivity by improving knowledge or
skills properly. Moreover, it is important to conduct learning and professional development
activities for welfare of given organization in which some of benefits are explained further -
Increase Productivity – The increased efficiencies and skills of staff members are
helpful in order to boost up overall productivity of an organization to fulfill demands of
customers in proper manner. Meanwhile, completing actual desires of people facilitates to
increase profitability of Whirlpool Corporation and develop growth opportunities for achieving
success of business. Thus, professional development supports to get real views of clients and
work on them to fulfill their desires through modifying services which results into improve
number of consumers of brand in market (Cherubini and Nielsen, 2016).
Retaining Employees – This refers to retain employees by increasing their skills or
abilities to provide growth opportunity for them in same organization which is expected by every
individual. Moreover, it render help to save cost of recruitment and expense of training which
can be utilized for some other essential activity for further growth. The given company can
achieve high performance of employees and reduce employee turnover which is beneficial for
the same.
Achieve Goals & Objectives – There are various kinds of goals or objectives are set
which are required to achieved by making several effective strategies or techniques. It is
important to thoroughly analyze desires of particular goal and then establish an appropriate plan
of action for fulfilling it successfully. In context of Whirlpool Corporation, they also organize an
educational event before starting new project to gain better performance of employees along with
achieving desires objectives properly.
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Improve Brand Image – This can be described as to put efforts towards abilities of staff
members in order to conduct more attractive promotional activities or influencing people to
purchase products of particular company (Shah and Jain, 2017). It is essential to make an
appropriate plan to gain more people to wards brand for boosting up number of sales which
facilitates to attain more profits share by given company.
Improve performance level: There is required to consider continuous learning that
facilitates in improving the current job performance and achieve higher outcomes with effective
performance in well manner. Company have to focus on enhancing employees capabilities,
abilities and skills for the purpose of professional development.
Prepare employees for advancement: Continuous learning is essential in preparing every
individuals for advancements and support in making entire work with more easy manner. They
can able to adopt such advancements and handle any techniques with help of adequate
knowledge and skills that support in performing any tasks so that better outcomes can be
obtained.
Kolb's learniong theory – According to this theory, the learning involves an acuqisition
of astract concepts hwihc can be im plemented flexible in a range different conditions. However,
the impetusfor the development of of new concepts is provided by new exoperinces. In context
of Whirlpool, the y can utilised this theory in oredr facilitate continuos leraning and professional
development in organsaion for improving overall efficiency to gfain vetgter profits.
Concrete experience – This involves the new exoperience gianed by an individual or
their fresh interpretation about existing experiences. It is new learning in both aspects which
improve efficieny of a person in Wirlpool.
Reflective Observation of the New Experience – The importance of inconsistencies
between experience and understanding which facilitate to enhance performance of an individual.
Abstract Conceptualization – This include reflection of an individual about specific
aspects which is responsible for creating fresh idea or modification in current abstract from
which they can learn new aspects from their experience.
Active Experimentation – This involves the implementation of new ideas by learners in
order to create new concepts by analysing fresh things happen through applying own thoughts in
working.
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TASK 3
P5 Contribution of HPW on employee engagement and competitive advantage
High Performance Working (HPW) is to be considered as the higher involvement and
commitment of employees to achieve high level of performances. It is a approach in which
employees put their efforts and time as well as utilize the skills which they possess for
enhancement of growth within organization. The high performance working of staff members is
beneficial for organization in order to deal with certain peak loads and generate desires outcomes
in given period of time along with completing specific project in an accurate manner. It is
necessary top involve employees in several meetings relevant to their task and take suggestions
from them. However, it will facilitates to gain better alternative choices to select best one for
making more effective decision and make them feel valuable in organization which motivates
them to work efficiently. In case of Whirlpool Corporation, several profits can be achieved
through high performance working of employees which are given below -
Resolve Conflicts – This can be described as to make an appropriate strategy to reduce
conflicts between staff members helps to avoid negative impacts of the same on targets. It is
necessary to make them feeling valuable in company and apply similar procedure which should
be followed by every person to complete their desires tasks (McKenzie, van Winkelen and
Grewal, 2011). Moreover, it helps to reduce differences among them which are usually create
issues and helps to generate desired profits on given firm.
Motivate Employees – This refers to conduct several activities which provide support to
encourage staff members for performing more effectively which impacts positively on
profitability of an organization. Additionally, it will facilitates to make them convinced to
improve their regular productivity which is helpful to retain them for along time and reduce
employee turnover of selected organization.
Increase Productivity – There are various kinds of educational events which should be
organized by Whirlpool Corporation to boost up skills or abilities of employees for increasing
their regular productivity. Thus, it is helpful to grab more customers and gain better profits share
in market along with maintaining strong position as compared to other competitive firms.
Improve goodwill – This include to conduct more effective promotional activities in
order to attract new clients towards brand along with retaining the current ones for increasing
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profitability (McKenzie and Aitken, 2012). Moreover, it provide help increase goodwill of given
organization which facilitates to boost up profits share of brand in market.
As per the case study of Whirlpool, it has been analyzed that HPW helped in higher level
of engagement as staff members have committed to align their behaviors where they ready to
improve their skills to accomplish particular goals. Those individual who previously worked in
relative isolation has decided to engage with another before taking certain decision as well as
actions so that better relationship can be build. It is essential for team members in engaging
transparent communication and embrace personal ownership for better team performances.
At the other hand, high performance working (HPW) provide support to engage
employess by gaining their ideas to increase productivity which facilitate to boost up overll
efficiency of Whirlpool company. However, it will provide support to produce better quality of
good in oredr to satisfy actual needs and demands of customers which helsp to attain competitive
advantage in market place. For example, if cutsomers demands new features in product of
Whirlpool in reasonbale price then they can collect innovative ideas fron staff members and
apply more appropriate concept in business to fulfil desires of people in order to achive
competitive advantage succcessfully.
TASK 4
P6 Different approaches to performance management
The performance management refers to observe and analyze actual working of
employees in terms of generating outcomes for determining threats in the same. However, it will
facilitates to make an effective strategy for removing issues of performance which results into
achieving better outputs . It basically include top set standards of performance and measure real
working of individuals to compare gap between them. Meanwhile, it is done by superiors and
provide appropriate feed-backs to people along with providing effective techniques to reduce
threats of performance efficiently. In context of Whirlpool Corporation, several approaches can
be utilize for carrying out performance management which are given below -
Comparative Approach – This method refers to evaluating performance of an
individual by comparing them within a group. Meanwhile, it an be implemented by Given
organization in order to analyze their working comparatively so that they get motivated to
improve their working with top workers.
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(Source: Approaches for measuring performance of employees, 2018)
Quality Approach – This can be explained as to observe and analyze quality of working
of individuals including their skills, creativity and internal & external factors. Thus, selected firm
can apply this method to manage performance of employees to complete targets on desires
period of time (Payne and Calton, 2017).
Attribute Approach – In this part, several parameters are considered to evaluate
performance of an individual which involve problem solving abilities, teamwork,
communication, creativity and innovation. Additionally, given firm can utilize them for different
tasks through analyze certain specific factors to evaluate working of people.
Result Approach – This include to focus on four perspectives including financial,
customer, internal & operations and Learning or growth. The selected enterprise can adopt this
method to observe and mange working of employees properly in order to attain targets
successfully.
Behavior Approach – This involve several vertical scales for analyzing performance of
employees and give rank as per their working. In case of Whirlpool, they can utilize this
approach for analyzing and managing performance of workforce to gain desires results.
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Illustration 2: Approaches for measuring performance of
employees

CONCLUSION
The above report had conclude that developing individuals, teams and organizations is
necessary in order to achieve desired profits which facilitates to attain success in career. It
include different knowledge or skills of an HR professional including legal information,
management, recruitment & selection, motivational abilities, effective communication,
performance management, skilled influencer as well as polite and fair. Moreover, a professional
development plan is mentioned to improve several abilities such as decision making, team
working and technical knowledge. It involves various benefits of conducting continuous
development including improve productivity, retaining employees, achieve goals & objectives
and improve brand image in market. Additionally, engagement of employees in meetings which
provide support to gain high performance which helps to attain competitive advantage.
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