Personal and Professional Development Report: HND Business, Apr 16

This report is a comprehensive analysis of personal and professional development, addressing key concepts and practical applications relevant to career advancement. It begins by examining self-managed learning, including various approaches like conferences, coaching, and visionary strategies, and explores learning styles such as Kolb's and Honey and Mumford's models. The report then identifies ways to encourage lifelong learning in both personal and professional contexts, evaluating the benefits of self-managed learning for individuals and organizations. It includes a self-assessment of current skills and capabilities against professional standards, pinpointing strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats. Furthermore, the report outlines a personal and professional development plan, detailing strategies for improvement in areas such as technological skills, team management, communication, and time management. Finally, it discusses the implementation process, including documentation of planned activities and performance evaluation, emphasizing the importance of continuous learning and adaptation to achieve professional goals.

PERSONAL AND
PROFESSIONAL
DEVELOPMENT

INTRODUCTION
To compete competitive situation, it is very important to consider Personal and
professional development for the every individual (Professional and Personal Development,
2017). The present report is based on the skills and knowledge that needed for individuals to
develop potential for managing personnel as well as professional life. In this context, self-
managed learning is discussed which is most suitable techniques that must be utilized by persons
to increase their skills and manage learning. In addition to this, lifelong learning in personal and
professional context for encouraging learning have been explained that provides clear
understanding of need of such development.
TASK 1
1.1 Approaches of self-controlled learning
Self-managed learning is considered as most significant technique for the individuals to
expand their competency in a particular task or job profile for the achievement of success in
professional and personal life (Moon, 2013). In this situation, there are some approaches that I
have considered beneficial for increasing potential and improvement of learning are as follows:
 Conferences: In the organization, an individual can increase his ability and skills by
attending and leading conferences that are organized by authorities. In this context, by
attending various conferences I will be able to improve my knowledge and skills.
 Coaching: Most important of all approach of self-managed learning is to get guidance
from the superiors or authorities that are working in organization and wide experience of
task that are to be performed in job profile (Elliott 2011). I will also take the guidance
from the superiors and improve my performance in order to develop professionalism and
achieve experience.
 Visionary approach: This is also a most important approach that enables an individual
to recognise trends in the future. Through this approach an individual can identify the
future needs and increase its learning.
Other than this, two important styles of learning is explained below:
Kolb’s learning style: This is the most important style which is utilized by organizations to
improve the acquisition of their workers at workplace. It is also recognised as experimental
learning theory which can be completed by four various stages, for example, concrete
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experience, reflective observation, conceptualization and experimentation, respectively. This
theory has helped the learner to gain the knowledge by going through these four stages in the
self-managed learning.
Honey and Mumford style: Also considered as important style which is formed after taking the
reviews from Kolb's LSI model, respectively. It is also used to evaluate the ability of individuals
by giving them questionnaire that has to be filled by each individual. This is the best model for
any person in order to make impressive decisions.
1.3 Ways to encourage the learning in personal and professional context
In order to improve the lifelong learning, several ways are present that must be adoptive
by individuals which helps in supporting them to attain growth in both the lives, i.e., personal
and professional (Hoyle and Megarry, 2012). From the above analysis, these two learning style
has also provided various other methods that I have determined below:
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Illustration 1: learning style
(Source: HONEY AND MUMFORD LEARNING STYLES, 2017)

Kolb's learning style
 Divergent style: This is reasoned as the best method of learning for those that have a
huge involvement as well as generating information. In this, I will also apply this method
and gain more experience by observing performance of others.
 Converging style: This style helps in experimental learning which is best suited for those
people who assist in encouraging their learning skills by picking challenges for
themselves or by solving critical problems (Sales, Traver and García, 2011). By resolving
various problems at workplace like decrease in sales, products quality etc. From this
style, it will help me in improving my learning and develop potential in order to achieve
success in working life.
Honey and Mumford model.
 Activist: This method helps in enhancing learning skills by improving the concentration
on challenges and issues (Pedder and Opfer, 2010). They accept different ways to deal
with learning as they will improve their ability through brainstorming, competitions, role
play etc.
 Theorists: This process helps an individual to get a chance to grasp difference activities.
Their choice of increasing their knowledge can include, models, stories, background
information etc.
1.3 Evaluation of merits of self-controlled learning
Some most important benefits of acquiring and establishing the individual or self-
managed learning is mentioned above:
Benefits to individuals: In the competitive environment, there is essential requirement for
individuals to increase their abilities in order to achieve key positions in organization ( Holmes,
Signer and MacLeod, 2010). Application of continuous learning will provide them various
benefits like:
 Achievement of desired goals and objectives that are developed in life.
 Helps in increasing the competitiveness to achieve key job profile.
 Develops personal branding in market or between international firms.
 Beneficial towards development of professionalism in particular task or job role.
Benefits to organisations
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Firms at international level also encourage employees to utilise self-managed technique
of learning and provide support towards development their skills and potential at workplace. It
will also various benefits of these techniques that are described below:
 Achievement of responsible and competent personnel at key positions who are capable
of performing task and handling critical challenges (Florian, 2012).
 Helps in accelerating the presentation of existing workers.
 Helps in giving them job security and motivation to workforce.
 Lowers the cost of training and development.
 Creates innovation and development of skills of employees to perform the job.
TASK 2
2.1 Analysis of own present skills and capabilities against standards
Covered in PPT
2.2 Analysis of needs of own personal and professional development.
This process helps in evaluating own strength and weaknesses. This will be very helpful
in improving my personality as well. In present scenario, I evaluated that I have so many strength
and weaknesses that can be helpful for me for personal as well professional development such
as:
Strengths
 I have strong conceptual knowledge
that will be beneficial to influence the
top management or supervisors.
 Innovative and creative thinking
capability.
 I also possess good and effective
critical problems solving skills.
Weaknesses:
 Faced problems in making decisions in
group
 I am not effective in managing time for
the task and not able to meet deadlines.
 Weak planning and managing skills as I
won't be able to manage the team in any
group task.
Opportunities
 By attending various academic
seminars and educational sessions I will
have the chance to improve by ability.
Threats
 Weak management and controlling
skills will create problems for me to
manage team members and take
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 Through application of self-managed
learning process, I can increase my
performance at workplace.
 With effective problems solving skills I
have ability to resolve problems of
managers and can achieve key position
at workplace.
effective decisions.
 Strong competition at workplace is big
threat for me to achieve growth in
professional life.
2.3 Opportunities of development to achieve present and future needs.
Professional
standards
Present level of
performance.
Ways of
improvement
Ranking
Technological skills Effective technological
skills as I have learnt
various skills to
operates different
systems.
Through training
session and web
surfing I can increase
my technical
knowledge further.
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Team management I have faced problems
in managing team
work that creates
problems in
accomplishment of
task.
Through group
discussion I will be
able to improve these
skills and also take
guidance of superiors.
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Communication I have strong
communication skills
and always being
recognised for my
positive behaviour in
critical situations.
I will improve my
communication by
interacting with
superiors and
subordinates and
reading books.
4
Presentation By taking part in By learning and 4
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various seminars and
conferences I have
achieved this skill.
observation of others I
will improve my skills
of presenting the
work.
Leadership skills Taking part in various
team task and roles I
have achieved these
skills but sometimes I
face problems in
guiding other team
members.
I will take advice
from my superiors and
managers to improve
my ability and read
various articles of
leaders.
3
Time management Less effective in
managing time and
performing the task in
specific period.
Through proper
scheduling of task, I
will prioritize all the
important tasks.
2
Problems solving Effective problem-
solving skills as I have
taken various
challenges in my
personal as well as
professional life.
By acquisition various
theory on issues and
then applying them on
me in order to see
results.
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` As per above mentioned table, it is clear that these are some important skills
which I have to built in professional and personal life so that I will be able to make my career
and able to become a professional manager in the multinational organization. There are some
efforts like reading books, taking guidance from superiors and other research practices I have to
accomplish for which I have discussed by the personal development as well. Along with this,
there are also some important technological skill I need to improve, in order to accomplish and
manage the task in personal and professional life.
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2.4 Creation of personal and professional development plan
Covered in PPT
TASK 3
3.1 Needs of process to implement the personal development plan
It is very important to have a good personal development plan which can help in
achieving the present and future needs it is essential for the individuals (Huber, 2011).
Implementation of this plan includes various task that to be performed and interlinked with this.
In this context, various framework has been developed in order to accomplish the predetermined
plan which are as follows:
 Attending seminars and sessions: It is the most significant method of lifelong learning
that provides benefits to individuals to develop competencies in order to get job at key
positions (Little, 2012). At initial stages I will define the objectives that I have identified
and will have to be accomplished. I will achieve the goal of developing conceptual
knowledge and effective leadership skills by attending various seminars in college or at
workplace.
 Training and development: With appropriate training sessions, I will develop my skills
of managing the team and analyse the experience of trainer towards performing team
work. I will achieve my conceptual knowledge about various different task that are
required to be performed in organizations as a leader. It requires time but it will be very
helpful for development of my personal professional life.
 Internet: Through internet I will be able to improve my technical skills through effective
research and also be able to analyse the various experience of professionals. It will also
various ways to improve the skills and benefits in development of professionalism.
3.2 Documentation of planned activities and performance.
For successful achievement of skills and knowledge I will concentrate on actions which is
described below:
 Work Scheduling: I will divide my work in appropriate as well-fixed schedule and
determine specific time for each activity that I have to perform as per the priority with
which I will achieve my personal objectives.
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 Time management: It is considered as key to success and should be developed through
self-managed learning (Zhang and et.al., 2011). Moreover, I will also manage my time
through appropriate monitoring of task.
 Participation and involvement: With proper participation in the activities like case
study analysis, training sessions, activities, critical challenges and decision making I will
improve my knowledge and abilities so that it will help in professional development.
3.3 Critical consideration of own knowledge against original aims.
For the analysis of performance, it is essential to consider the own learning and needs
which are described in plan of personal development (Blandford, 2012). In this context, by
analysing the plans I have identified the need of acquiring skills such as:
 Organizing the task: In this, I had make an effective distribution of task in different
aspects and also completed the other task properly.
 Effective time management: I will manage my time effectively and follow the schedules
that I will develop for specific period.
 Attending training sessions: I was difficult task for me to manage the time for training
and completing the work and it will not be possible for me to complete both task at same
time.
 Making decision: It was also a critical task for me to take the decisions while working in
a team and helping other team members to accomplish the job.
3.4 Amendment of PDP
Skills Task period
Management and Planning
skills.
For this, I will take help from
my seniors. This will help in
developing a good
understanding on this skill.
1 to 2 months
Time control. By prioritizing the task and
developing plan I will manage
the learning and work.
3 to 4 months
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Team management By analysing the way of
superiors towards managing
the work, This will help me to
manage team members
effectively.
2 to 3 months
From the above mentioned table, it is also clear that there was requirement to make
changes in the personal and professional development plan because I have realized that some
issues will arise in the future when I will execute the previous personal development plan. In this
table, I have clearly stated that I have a need to develop planning and management skills which
will be developed by taking guidance from the superiors where I have accomplished my training
program within 1 to 2 months which is less than which was mentioned before. Other than this, I
also need to time management skills and through effective prioritizing and scheduling of task I
will be able to achieve this skill. Further, I will also develop team management skills by taking
part in different types of group activities and will develop leadership skills so that I will be able
manage my team members in group business projects in organization.
TASK 4
4.1 Analysis of one work based problem and appropriate solutions
There are many issues that arise at workplace. These issues have to be resolved in order
to maintaining the smooth functioning of work and development of their workers (Minott, 2010).
In this context, I am working as executive in the ASDA which is a retail sector organization,
from past 2 years and I have identified various issues that are very common and arise at
workplace such as issues in communication, no proper leadership and no proper learning etc. It is
also analysed that employees in organization come from different culture and their thinking are
also different from other employees. It creates various problems in accomplishment of activities
on time as the employees will not provide importance to each other. In order to resolve such
problems, I have identified various solutions. These are explained below:
 Group discussion: This can have a huge impact on any organization. This will help to
make their employees feel important in the organization. Discussing any issue or work
with them will make them confident as well. From this discussion, every employees will
able to understand his or her fellow workers and can share their thoughts and ideas. This
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process or method will also assist in improving their relationship each other which will
help in maintaining a good and healthy environment in the organization.
 Providing Training: This is another approach which is very beneficial for the
organization in order to improve their production and sales, respectively. Providing their
employees training will help them in enhancing their working performance as well. This
process will also help in analysing the capabilities of their staff members effectively.
4.2 Application of learning style that will be beneficial in resolving problems.
There are various applications of learning styles which can be used by the organization in
resolving their issues, which is described below:
 Promotional Style: This process helps in removing the barriers between their employees.
In this method, these employees can directly communicate with each other. This can have
a huge positive impact on their organization.
 Supportive Style: In this process, it helps the organization by providing them effective
support and equality in the working place. In this way each employee will feel safe and
secure. Employees at operational level in the firm will communicate in the supportive
style. This will help in reducing any conflicts between their workers.
 Converging Style: This method helps employees who are working at strategic level in
the organization. With the help of this style, issues or problems can be resolved by
making effective communication with their employees in order to understand their issues
more precisely.
4.3 Analysis of effective time management strategies
In order to accomplish the work at given time slot, some effective strategies are there
through which I will manage the time in personal as well as professional life. These strategies are
explained below:
 Setting priorities: This strategy will help the organization to set their priorities as it will
assist in reducing the burden of work on their employees. This will analyse the utilization
of their time in any particular task which is assigned (Chetcuti, Buhagiar and Cardona,
2011). I will make sure to set priority of all the work to my employees in order to
improve the time management.
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 Preparing plans: This process will help in achieving organization's objectives and
targets effectively. Having a plan strategy can have a huge impact on the performance of
the organization and employees as well.
 Controller style: This process is useful for controlling all the work in the organization.
Having a managed work environment can help in giving a better result.
These are some effective strategies which can be used by the organization in order to
manage their time management effectively.
CONCLUSION
From the above report it can be concluded that personal and professional development
plan has a huge impact on an individual in order to improve their personality. This helps in
analysing all the strengths and weaknesses that is present in them and can improve them
accordingly. This report has also helped in explaining opportunities of development to achieve
present and future needs for any individual. Other than this it has focused on documenting
planned activities and performance as well. Analysis of work based issues and its appropriate
solutions is being addressed in the last section of this report. In which it has described
application of learning style that will be beneficial in resolving problems for the organization
effectively.
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REFERENCES
Books and Journals
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