Report on McGraw-Hill Education: Strategic Analysis and Reflection

This report is divided into two parts. Part 1 analyzes the business problems faced by McGraw-Hill Education, an American learning company, due to the COVID-19 pandemic. It explores the impact of the pandemic on the educational sector, including challenges with digital learning and connectivity. The report uses PESTLE analysis to examine the political, economic, social, technological, legal, and environmental factors affecting the business. It then proposes strategic solutions supported by academic research, such as maintaining social distancing, installing hand sanitizing stations, and utilizing different management theories. Part 2 provides a reflection on personal and professional skills development using the Kolb reflection model, highlighting areas of strength and weakness and outlining an action plan using the SMART framework to improve skills. The report concludes with a summary of the findings and a call for action.

Report and
Reflection

Table of Contents
PART 1............................................................................................................................................1
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................1
Summary of the assignment ........................................................................................................1
Exploration of business problem ................................................................................................1
Impact of potential strategic solutions supported by published academic research:...................2
Solutions supported by published academic research .................................................................3
CONCLUSION................................................................................................................................4
REFERENCE...................................................................................................................................5
PART 2 (REFELECTION)..............................................................................................................7
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................7
Action Plan by using SMART framework...................................................................................8
CONCLUSION..............................................................................................................................10
REFERENCE ................................................................................................................................11

PART 1
INTRODUCTION
Management is the important for all organization which uses to conduct the all activities
and functions so that productivity can be maintain properly. The management theories address
how supervisors implement strategies to accomplish the organizational goals and objectives.
Different management theories are uses to organise all employees and activities timely that can
helps to operate a business and attain competitive benefits (Cajner, and et.al., 2020). This report
divided in two parts, first part is about McGraw-Hill Education that is American learning
maths company that provides customized educational content, software , and services that
increases learning. This part covers different management theories and basics of macro and
micro economics by involving decision making.
Summary of the assignment
McGraw – Hill Education is defined as American Learning maths company that is
considered as big educational publisher out of three. This organization provides reference and
trade publications for medical, business and engineering professions. This is currently operating
in 28 countries, has more than 5000 employees globally, offering products and services to over
135 countries. Currently, whole world is facing from Pandemic that is a serious diseases affected
the many businesses and educational system in many countries. The chosen organisation is also
facing a problem of running their education centre and how to operate all functions effectively as
government forced to stop the all activities. Due to this, life of students also affected negatively
as they are not getting any learnings and wasting their time. The COVID-19 has affected many
businesses badly where people are facing the problems in relation to learning, employment,
operation and etc.
Exploration of business problem
COVID-19 is a serious diseases in changing environment which has affected the many
businesses and countries as government ordered to lock down for consecutive period. Due to this
many problems are still facing by people and companies as their all source of income has been
stopped. McGraw – Hill Education is a educational sector that is facing the business problem
because of Pandemic and lock down in countries which impacted badly. The challenges which
are facing by chosen organisation is digital learning as students are not getting properly, network
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connection problem and connectivity that problems are facing by business (Krishnamurthy,
2020).
Impact of potential strategic solutions supported by published academic research:
To understand in a good way PESTLE analysis has been used:
PESTLE analysis: This is a tool which use by organisation to analyse the macro
environment that states how factors are affecting the business of an organisation. These are
uncontrollable factors which have chances to impact on business. The PESTLE analysis in
context to McGraw – Hill Education are as defined:
Political factor: The political factor is considering tax rates, political stability, foreign
trade, trade restrictions and fiscal policy. Due to COVID, government of all countries has forced
to be stop all business and education centre for certain period that ahas affected the McGraw –
Hill Education negatively as it is not operating its learning classes regularly. This also impacted
on students life as they are not utilizing their time in studies due to regulations (Kruger, Meaton,
and Williams, 2020).
Economical factor: To run a business it is important to know the condition of economy
and make the right business decisions. In American country and others, COVID attack has
affected their economy negatively. This has created the problem for McGraw – Hill Education
centre as students are not taking classes physically who resides at other country and takes classes
so they spend their money in daily need items and hostel. Due to Pandemic, such expenses are
reduced which affected the business negatively.
Social factor: This factor is related population growth, age distribution, demographic,
career attitudes etc. that affected the business negatively. The lifestyle of people is changing day
by day where it is important for organisation to focus on them and provide products accordingly.
In context to McGraw – Hill Education, career of students being affected negatively due to
Pandemic as they are not participating in learnings.
Technological factor: This factor is related to innovation and new technology that can
help a business to grow and attain the higher productivity. As all education centre has been
stopped during lock down where by using digital technology McGraw – Hill Education is trying
to operate effectively. By using online classes such organisation is providing different courses
that can help to bring the changes in people's life (Majumdar, Biswas and Sahu, 2020).
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Legal factor: This means different laws and regulations that are important to follow in a
business that supports to run a business. In context to McGraw – Hill Education, all rules are
regulation are needed to follow in case of operating and running their activities accurately. This
factor might be affected business as due to COVID all businesses is required to have sound and
functioning legal system that can protect both teachers and students that is difficult for business.
Environmental factor: This is another factor which involves health and safety, pollution
and green house, changing in climate and weather and carbon effects that affected a business
negatively. In context to McGraw – Hill Education, changing climate and spreading out of virus
known as Corona affected a business negatively (Darras and et.al., 2020).
Therefore, all mentioned all macro factors affected the businesses due to COVID attack
that created many problem as reduction in economical condition, increasing unemployment, low
development of country and others.
Solutions supported by published academic research
For solving the problems and issues that occurred due to COVID-19 there is need to take
some measures and precautions which can help to solve the problems and give a good solution.
The Academic research such as McGraw – Hill Education should maintain the social distance by
adhering regulations in public areas, hand sanitising station should be installed at the lobby and
across the common areas of hotel and learning classes. Contact less seat will be arranged for all
students and temperature would be check regularly. If some one is feeling symptoms of Covid
then a special arrangement like isolation should be provided.
Different types of management theories such as scientific management, administrative
and system management theory should be use by researcher for solving the problem as it will
help to manage all activities and operation by assigning work between employees and getting the
work done effectively in certain time. The management theories uses to manage the activities
and function by developing the research and bringing new ideas to bring improvements
(Androniceanu, 2020).
These all measures is taking by chosen academic centre which can help to solve the
problems and negative impacts that has affected the business negatively. Moreover, by using
new technology different activities will be manage in contact less that will help to keep safe and
healthy in such challenging environment. The health communication committee should be
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available at there for all time which can help to check the all students and provide them right
suggestions that needs to take while running all classes effectively.
CONCLUSION
From the above discussion it has been analysed that different factors are available in
business environment that needs to consider while running a business which affected the
activities and functions. COVID attack is a major problem which is facing by academics and
other organisations as their all operational activities are totally stopped and using the digital
activities which are not working properly. To reduce the negative impacts there is need to take
some measures and precautions which can reduce the negative impacts and increase the business
performance.
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REFERENCE
Books and Journal
Cajner, T., and et.al., 2020. The US labor market during the beginning of the pandemic recession
(No. w27159). National Bureau of Economic Research.
Krishnamurthy, S., 2020. The Future of Business Education: A Commentary in the Shadow of
the Covid-19 Pandemic. Journal of Business Research.
Kruger, H.M., Meaton, J. and Williams, A., 2020. Pandemic Continuity Planning: will
coronavirus test local authority business continuity plans? A case study of a local
authority in the north of England. Emergency Management Review. 4(1). pp.4-27.
Majumdar, P., Biswas, A. and Sahu, S., 2020. COVID-19 pandemic and lockdown: cause of
sleep disruption, depression, somatic pain, and increased screen exposure of office
workers and students of India. Chronobiology International. 37(8). pp.1191-1200.
Darras, K. E., and et.al., 2020. Undergraduate radiology education during the COVID-19
pandemic: a review of teaching and learning strategies. Canadian Association of
Radiologists Journal, p.0846537120944821.
Androniceanu, A., 2020. Major structural changes in the EU policies due to the problems and
risks caused by COVID-19. Administratie si Management Public. (34). pp.137-149.
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PART 2 (REFELECTION)
INTRODUCTION
Reflection is the change in direction and behaviour of person as well as organisation
which can help to increase the skills and professional ability of individuals for their future
abilities. This states how things are managing and going on and how to improve themselves
(Bialek, and Pennycook, 2018)). This report covers reflection by stating personal and
professional skills that helps to improve abilities effectively. As I attended lecture week 1 to 5
where I improved my knowledge and skills that helped me to bring the changes and complete the
project on time. All skills in which I was weak being improved through this lecture that can help
to implement in future activities.
In studying and getting the lectures during week 1 to 5 I observed many things which are
important to consider while working any work and managing the projects. Skills and talent is the
main activity which should be have in a person as it helps to face the challenges and make efforts
to overcome them. Without skills and knowledge it will be difficult for people to manage the
work and develop their performance. By using the Kolb reflection model, different skills have
been analyse by me during the lectures. Kolb reflection is a learning cycle that states how people
are analysing themselves and bring the changing by overcoming the problems. The first stage of
reflection model is concrete experience which used by me in deciding the taking part in lectures
and getting a assignment to complete it on time. In this stage I felt that how I will manage all
work and gain my knowledge. The second stage is reflective observation in which I observed
that my numerous skills are good and some skills are lack. I noticed that I am much good in ICT
that is information communication technology as I used the microsoft office and word during
unit that helped to manage the work and keep records of them properly. As environment is
changing, where people is required to have good knowledge about ICT that can be use in any
workings. I also notices that my communication skills, problem solving skills and numeracy
skills are weak where in faced the problem to share with team members and getting the work
done from them effectively. To manage the all workings and activities there is need have good
knowledge and talent which develop the learnings and maintain the good performance (Thudt,
Hinrichs, Huron and Carpendale, 2018).
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Abstract conceptualization is the third stage that means thinking which is important in
logical analysis of ideas and acting on intellectual understanding of situation. This can help to
operate all activities and functions accurately. For managing activities and project timely it is
important to have good knowledge that can be used to operate a business effectively and develop
the employability skills. Skills can be defined as abilities and capabilities that uses in
understanding the task and completing it effectively by managing all activities. This stage is used
by me in completing the lecture as I was weak in communication, problem solving and
numeracy. In between I decided to use Belbin typology which is team development theory uses
to getting the all employees together and managing the work assignment. This us effective theory
which uses to develop the team and own skills as how to handle the work by assigning between
working team. This typology help me out to increase my learning as well skills in which I was
lack. As taking classes collectively I have improved my numeracy skills that supported me to
calculate all mathematics and calculation easily. My communication skills has been improved by
sharing work, assigning them roles and responsibilities, and participating in all debate. For
improving the communication skills and problem skills I made many efforts and get success. My
team members supported to complete the lecture and academic skills as I done properly. The last
stage is Active experimentation that uses to getting the things done by influencing people and
managing events. This stage helped to complete the task and function in given time as all
problem have been solved by optimising all resources properly and working with team members
who supported me to solve the issues and manage the all task. Therefore, by using the learning
cycle model I entered in learnings or academics that make me good in professionally and
personally as it got positive feedback from my tutor and team mates. My teachers has given
proper respond me when ever I faced the problems as well as my team members was very
supported who helped me to cope up with lacks and change in to opportunities that will help me
anywhere to get higher opportunities (Boer, Hanke, and He, 2018).
Action Plan by using SMART framework
SMART Framework is a tool which uses by people and individual for running their
business and improving the skills which can help to bring the improvements and attain the goals.
This is important for organisation to analyse the own skills which person is weak and formulate
action plan by involving specific, measurable, achievable, realistic and timely. I used this
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framework in evaluating my skills and bring the improvements which are important that are
designed below:
Specific Measurable Achievable Realistic Timely
Lack of
communication
skills
While going
through lectures I
analysed that my
communication
skills is weak as I
was unable to
share my ideas
with all and
feeling hesitate in
giving the
answers.
To improve the
communication skills
I need to improve my
skills by sharing and
talking with all team
members, teachers
and others.
Moreover, proper
respond should also
be given (Alemi and
Tajeddin, 2020).
For this, I started to
take part in GD,
debate, competition
and other events
that will surely help
me to improve the
communication
skills and manage
the task.
3 Months
Numeracy skills My calculation
and numeracy
skills is weak as I
faced the problem
in preparing
budget, reporting
all expenses and
preparing the
financial
statement that is
important for any
workings and
task.
To improve the
numeracy skills I
need to analyse the
my calculation skills,
learn the abacus,
using tricks of maths,
taking online classes
and managing the all
records of expenses
can help to achieve
the goals and
objectives.
In this, I started to
take online classes,
sharing with people
and working as
team can be help to
improve my
numeracy skills
effectively (Clarà,
Mauri, Colomina
and Onrubia,
2019).
6 months
Working with
others
During the Unit I
analysed that my
team work skills
For this, there is need
to take part in group
discussion,
I started to work in
a team by using the
Belbin typology
2 months
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is also not good
as many conflicts
were raised
during team
members and me
that needs to be
solve effectively.
understanding the
problems, using
Belbin typology and
team development
theory being used for
bringing the changes.
where I can
improve my ability
to work in different
roles and
responsibilities so
that I can work can
assign task and
manage properly.
Therefore, by using this framework I improved my skills and abilities in which I was lack
that analysed by me during unit and lectures. This plan has increased my learnings by
formulating plans and complete the research that will help to get future employment
opportunities.
CONCLUSION
From the above report it can be concluded that refection is the activity uses to bring
improvements in skills and abilities which can help to attain the goals and objectives. Kolb
reflection model is being uses to share my experience in taking the part of classes that state how
to face the problems and manage them. SMART frame work is uses to evaluate the skills and
bring improvements in specified time period that helps to complete the task and increase future
employability skills.
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REFERENCE
Books and Journal
Bialek, M. and Pennycook, G., 2018. The cognitive reflection test is robust to multiple
exposures. Behavior research methods. 50(5). pp.1953-1959.
Thudt, A., Hinrichs, U., Huron, S. and Carpendale, S., 2018, April. Self-reflection and personal
physicalization construction. In Proceedings of the 2018 CHI Conference on Human
Factors in Computing Systems (pp. 1-13).
Boer, D., Hanke, K. and He, J., 2018. On detecting systematic measurement error in cross-
cultural research: A review and critical reflection on equivalence and invariance
tests. Journal of Cross-Cultural Psychology. 49(5). pp.713-734.
Alemi, M. and Tajeddin, Z., 2020. Reflection and good language teachers. Lessons from good
language teachers, pp.41-53.
Clarà, M., Mauri, T., Colomina, R. and Onrubia, J., 2019. Supporting collaborative reflection in
teacher education: a case study. European Journal of Teacher Education. 42(2). pp.175-
191.
Online
Kolb reflection model. 2011. [Online]. Available through:
<http://www.nwlink.com/~donclark/hrd/styles/kolb.html>
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