MD4060 Consultancy Project Reflection: UCLan, Lancashire, 2018-19

This document presents a reflective account of a consultancy project undertaken as part of the MD4060 New Enterprise Venture Development module at the University of Central Lancashire (UCLan). The reflection is structured around Kolb's Reflective Cycle, detailing the concrete experience of working in a team to develop a consultancy plan for Preston Market. It covers the formation of the team, the selection of the host organization, the division of roles and responsibilities, and the challenges encountered during market research and data collection. The reflection also explores the skills and competencies gained through the project, such as communication, time management, and team coordination. Furthermore, it discusses the lessons learned regarding conflict management, cultural diversity, and the importance of customer relationships. The report concludes with insights on how these experiences can be applied in future scenarios, emphasizing the value of effective planning, communication, and continuous improvement. The student provides recommendations for the Preston Market, focusing on modernization and business expansion. This document is available on Desklib, a platform offering a wealth of study resources for students.

Running head: PRESTON MARKET CONSULTANCY
Preston Market Consultancy
Name of the Student
Name of the University
Author Note

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Introduction:
The paper portrays my experience in conducting the consultancy project. The usage of
the Kolb’s Reflective Cycle is present in the paper for the effective and better portrayal of my
experience. Adding to this, the reflection is considered to be one of the best method for the
effective exchange of the information regarding a personal experience of an event or an
incident. Along with that, it provides the most effective way of learning from the experiences
and helps in the avoiding the same mistakes in the future cases or situations.
Kolb’s Reflective Cycle:
Kolb’s Reflective Cycle is considered to be one of the best suited method for
describing the personal experiences of an incident and event (Konak, Clark and Nasereddin
2014). The model was framed in the year 1984 and generally includes 4 steps which are the
concrete experience, reflection observation, abstract conceptualisation, active
experimentation (Kolb 2014).
At the concrete experience stage of the cycle, the experience is gathered. The
experience that we were able to achieve during the creation of the consultancy and
implementation plan, was the main feature of the module. The plan was to be framed for a
particular host organization. Our group was formed with 5 individuals. During the formation
of the group, I was able to understand the fact that the differences in the culture, social belief
and values amongst the members of the team had the potential to affect the team
performances owing to the concern of the generation of the conflict amongst the members of
the organization. However, the group assembled in order to decide regarding the host
organization and each of the members of the team were seen to come up with different
organizations in accordance to their knowledge and preferences. As a result we had a
discussion that led to the decision that Preston market of United Kingdom will be our choice
and the boxed market will be the main focus of our consultancy plan (Prestonmarket.com.

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2018). In addition to this, the formation of the roles and responsibilities in the team became
much needed and was done efficiently in order to manage the team in a better and make sure
that the appropriate completion of the tasks take place (Bassot 2016). Adding to this, the
effective formation was also important for the team in order to avoid the detrimental impact
of the conflicts in providing efficient work. The relationship with the customers was much
needed for our plan and for that, we put strong emphasis on gathering the feedback of the
customers. However, some of the customers were observed to be unwilling to comment
anything and on the other hand, there was no clear perspective in the comments of some of
the customers and that our life difficult in identifying the genuine perspectives and the
information.
Considering the reflection observation stage of the cycle, it was comparatively more
focused in the elaboration of the experiences that are gathered in preparing the consultancy
plan (Tomkins and Ulus 2016). It is pretty evident that the reflection provides the
opportunity to share an experience with the ones who have relatively less amount of idea
about that. However, the reflection is a pretty fine approach in saving the time and helping
other learners to have the chance to learn from the experiences that they have not gathered by
themselves. I conducted the market research and gathered significant amount of data on the
Preston market and suggestions depending on the collected data were passed by me to my
friends. We made sure that the completion of the work is achieved on time and that is the
reason responsible for the effective division of the work. However we did face some strong
challenges but also learnt the techniques for the effective management of sales of the Boxed
market with a precise focus on the increment of the sales.
In the abstract conceptualization stage of the cycle, the learning from the experiences
that are obtained, is portrayed. Due to the active participation in the group task, I was able to
improve my skills and competencies such as the efficient communication, effective

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management of the time, establishment of the improved coordination amongst the members
of the team, strong management of relationships and the proper analysis of the information.
With the experience of the task, I was able to understand the importance of the
effective management of the communication to avoid the creation of conflict and along with
that, was able to learn the techniques for the implementation of the evidential
communication. Apart from that, the urgency in the completion of the task made sure that I
be able to learn the process for the effective management of the time in conducting various
activities for the preparation of the consultancy plan. The identification of the relevant data,
the appropriate interpretation of the data and the creation of the correct assumption from the
information was significant improvement of my analysis skills. Adding to this, I was able to
understand the fact that the effective management of the members of the team was
significantly important for me in the efficient completion of the task. Hence I precisely
monitored the performances of the members of the team and the requirements of them in
meeting the desired performances. Along with this, I made sure that they proactively confess
to me about the incidents where they face difficulty to conduct their operations. Hence the
effective management of the diversified culture, social belief and values of the members of
the team were important lessons for me.
Considering the active experimentation stage of the cycle, it will be great for me to
use the experiences and the learning from the case in same scenarios in future. I will make
sure that I prepare a list of activities that are to be done in accordance to the priority of them
and adding to that, I will make sure that the communication and interaction with the
customers are improved to strengthen the relationship so that it be easier for us to collect the
data. Apart from that, I will recommend the governing authority of the market to focus on the
modernization and renovation of the boxed market to make it more attractive for the
customers and to expand the business for the B2B and B2C enterprises.

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Conclusion:
On a concluding note, it can be said that the creation of the consultancy plan was of
great significance for me in the improvement of my skills of leadership. It substantially
helped me in the improvement of my skills such as the interpersonal skills, the effective
management of the conflicts amongst the organizations, establishment of strong relationship,
improved analysis of the data, efficient management of the time and establishment of
improved team coordination. As it was the first major assignment for our group, we faced
considerable amount of issues in operating and are able learn from those incidents in
significant manner. This makes sure that we be able to be in a better position in case of the
same scenarios in near future and avoid the repetition of the same mistakes that we conducted
in this assignment.

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References:
Bassot, B., 2016. The reflective journal. Macmillan International Higher Education.
Kolb, D.A., 2014. Experiential learning: Experience as the source of learning and
development. FT press.
Konak, A., Clark, T.K. and Nasereddin, M., 2014. Using Kolb's Experiential Learning Cycle
to improve student learning in virtual computer laboratories. Computers & Education, 72,
pp.11-22.
Prestonmarket.com. 2018. Discover the hidden gems of your neighbourhood. - Preston
Market. [online] Available at: http://www.prestonmarket.com.au/
Tomkins, L. and Ulus, E., 2016. ‘Oh, was that “experiential learning”?!’Spaces, synergies
and surprises with Kolb’s learning cycle. Management Learning, 47(2), pp.158-178.

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Bibliography:
Brook, R., 2018. Roger Booth, Lancashire County Architect, 1962-83. The Journal of the
Twentieth Century Society (C20), (13), pp.130-145.
Wrigley, R.E., Galloway, T.G., Duncan, J.R. and Cook, F.R., 2017. A Tribute to William
Burton Preston, 1937–2013. The Canadian Field-Naturalist, 130(4), pp.355-358.

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Appendix:
Kolb’s Reflective Cycle