Report on Personal and Professional Development at Marks and Spencer

This report examines personal and professional development within the context of Marks and Spencer, focusing on self-managed learning approaches, lifelong learning strategies, and the benefits for both individuals and the organization. It delves into workplace problems such as employee efficiency and effectiveness, offering solutions like improved communication and training. The report also explores various learning styles to overcome issues and enhance communication, along with time management strategies for individuals and the company. Furthermore, it includes a personal skills audit and evaluation against professional standards, identifying developmental needs and proposing a personal and professional development plan. The report concludes with a discussion on the implementation, documentation, and evaluation of the development plan.

Personal and Professional
Development

Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................1
TASK 1............................................................................................................................................1
1.1 Different approaches of self managed learning....................................................................1
1.2 Encouraging lifelong learning in personal and professional.................................................2
1.3 Benefits of self managed learning for both organisation and individual..............................3
4.1 Major problems existing at workplace and their solution.....................................................3
4.2 Learning Styles which can help in overcoming issues and communicating.........................4
4.3 Different time management strategies for individual and company.....................................5
TASK 2............................................................................................................................................5
2.1 Personal skills auditing and evaluations against the professional standards.........................5
2.2 Identification of my own developmental needs or activities needed to overcome them......6
2.3 Identification of current needs as well as future needs.........................................................7
2.4 Personal and professional development plan on diverse needs............................................8
3.1 Process and activities required to implement the developmental plan.................................9
3.2 Undertaking documenting development activities as planned............................................10
3.3 Evaluate learning against the set objectives and standards.................................................10
3.4 Development plan based on feedback and evaluation........................................................11
CONCLUSION..............................................................................................................................11
REFERENCES..............................................................................................................................12

INTRODUCTION
Personal and professional development is very vital for an individual as well as
organisation as it will enable the person in serving consumers more effectively. It is used for
offering different types of specialised and professional training which helps in administering as
well as in improving people knowledge, attitude and skills. It assist in increasing essential skills
and knowledge which plays an important role in organisation. Professional and personal
development helps in achieving goals and objectives which provides growth in the career of an
employee. It includes skills which supports in managing team members, inspire an individual. It
is needed to control or manage skills in effective manner (Avalos, 2011). Marks and Spencer is
multinational retail company and its headquarter is situated in city of West minister, London.
The firm offers products and services such as clothing, home appliances, and food products to
their customers. Currently, firm has approx. 959 stores in UK in which they sell food products.
The purpose of this report is to study various models or approaches which will help in managing
learning process and identify benefits of self managed learning, and also describe time
management. Style of learning need to understand by employees or workers and assist in
gaining skills and knowledge.
TASK 1
1.1 Different approaches of self managed learning
Self managed learning is an activity which provides skills and abilities to an individual
and also learn new things within an organisation that helps in achieving goals. There are different
approaches of self managed learning are as under:
 Seminars and conferences- It is an effective approach which provide knowledge on
specific topic and also helps in exploring new things. It is laid by presenter who expert in
his field. . In Marks and Spencer company, seminar and conferences are organised for
enhancing employees knowledge and build confidence to speak in front of huge audience
(Bjork, Dunlosky and Kornell, 2013). This approach develop workers presentation skill
which are needed in business operations.
 Internet- The internet help people in searching any type of information. It permit person
to access data and gain knowledge on different topics. Self management learning
provides knowledge for different topics information which enhance ability to the person.
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 Social networks- It is that approach which helps in connecting with other people living
around the world. An individual can learn how to use different social sites for gaining
knowledge and became successful person like Marks Zuckerberg (Bourner, 2011). Some
person apply this knowledge in their life to attain higher growth levels in their career.
There are Three Phases which need to be followed for self managed learning:
 Planning- It is an activity which has to be implemented in advance. So that different
resources are easily organised and manage to assist various types of business activities. It
helps in achieving goals and objectives (Different Approaches to Self – Managed
Learning. 2017). Planning is used to expand in business growth and development.
 Self- monitoring- It is the personal knowledge and skills that provides control an ability
to mange a persons behaviour which need in dealing with social conditions.
 Control- It is that power to convince people behaviour or act or events and also mange
their action in an effective manner.
1.2 Encouraging lifelong learning in personal and professional
There are different ways by which lifelong process can be managed in Marks and
Spencer company. It is important to firm that they develop employees who are interested in
learning new things or knowledge which provides growth and development to their organisation.
It is used to manage employees personal and professional life. There are some methods which
assist in motivating workers for learning on their own within or outside of organisation:
Internet- An individual gain knowledge to analyse different sites for a topic which are
related to management practical or theories, risk management. Some person research on specific
topic which is written by different person, all other benefits or knowledge of individual which
can share with their co-workers at other locations.
Social networks- It is another way of lifelong learning. Research show that an individual
spend their lot of time in social networking in which they share different ideas or thoughts and
also communicate with other people (Bunderson and Boumgarden, 2010). This helps them in
learning new knowledge or skill which develop personality of an individual and improve
communication skill that are used in professional life.
Research- It enhance skill and knowledge of people which helps in managing business
operations. It is used to improve learning skill and motivate employees to learn new things. It
assist in maintaining lifelong learning process of an employee.
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1.3 Benefits of self managed learning for both organisation and individual
Self learning assist in gaining knowledge and also motivate individuals for cooperating
and developing group learning process. Marks and Spencer provides aggregate power to learn
new things to their employees within an organisation.
Benefits to individual- The main benefit for an individual is that they can set an example
for their new workers. An employee learn new things and knowledge and also share with their
co-workers which provides growth and development to the organisation. The company's
employees enhance personal relation with their colleagues which provides benefits of lifelong
learning process (Elliott, 2011). The organisation higher ability and capability of worker which
enhance confidence and provides skill and knowledge to deal with their competitors. The
improvement can be shown in both personal and professional life which are activated for
managed self learning for an individual. This type of power connects with the people of the
company and scan whole environment that assist in learning skills and share knowledge with
their co-workers. It found continuous learning in their cultural differences.
Benefits to organisation- The benefits that are required by organisation is that they get
responsible and dedicated person who is capable of giving better performance. An enterprise
controls learning cost in efficient manner that helps in managing budgets (Kumari, 2011). Marks
and Spencer needs to hire employees who have better skill set and knowledge that will assist in
running business. It is important for an organisation to provides self managed learning to their
employees and enhance abilities of company leader.
4.1 Major problems existing at workplace and their solution
Today, market is a very dynamic place which causes multiple issues to organisation like
Marks and Spencer. They also hamper workplaces and disturbs environment prevalent in
company (Kumari, 2011). Due to certain changes there are different issues that occurs, and they
have to be managed by organisation effectively. The problem prevalent in Marks and Spenser is
as follows:
 Efficiency and effectiveness of employees
This is a major issue which is hampering organisation and its productivity. The
employees are failing to deliver required level of performance due to lack of training and
communication. They do not know how to tackle different types of task and complete them
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efficiently. This issues has to be solved by the managers in a specified manner which is stated
below:
Solution
 Developing right communication channels: The top management has to find ways to
ensure that each and every employees is informed, so that he can perform his task
effectively.
 Reducing confusion related to hierarchy: There is need to conduct events which will
reduce any doubt people have related to hierarchy (Lester and Costley, 2010). People
tend to get confused when they have to communicate to a certain level person and this
has to be reduced by regular interaction.
 Providing training and development opportunities: It is very important for managers
to ensure that each and every employee have right skills and for that they have to be
given training.
4.2 Learning Styles which can help in overcoming issues and communicating
It is very important for managers to solve issues with a proper learning style, so that each
and every individual will learn in a proper way. If the method that is employed to solve queries is
not at par with employee needs then it will hamper their ability to perform in future. Also
different learning events (conferences and seminars) needs to be conducted by manager for
ensuring right enhancement of skills. In present case, managers of Marks and Spenser will use
tools like, audio, visual, logical methods to approach people, and change their mental framework.
The issues determined in this report is related to efficiency and effectiveness of
individuals working for an organisation. The manager is supposed to use combination style
(logical, audio, visual and kinaesthetic as a tool (Lin, 2012).He will need to communicate to
different levels effectively. There are 3 major styles which will be used for informing each level
of management:
 Controller style: This is a style where manager will formally present his report to top
managers as to get due permission for future events.
 Analyser style: Various information regarding activities will be stated to the
departmental heads as to ensure that they monitor them properly.
 Supporter style: All supervisors and workers will be informed by memo for making sure
that they do not have doubts (Learning styles. 2017).
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Manager should use these learning styles which helps in providing growth and
development to their employees. It assist in overcoming problem of performance within an
organisation. It includes verbal, visual, musical, physical, combination, solitary, social and
logical styles of learning.
4.3 Different time management strategies for individual and company
Time management is important and it has to be adopted by every single individual and
organisation as this will enhance their efficiency level (McNair and et. al., 2011). A effective
strategy will have this feature of less time consumption and minimum resource input. It will also
aid in achievement of targets and goals in most efficient way. There are different types of time
management methods which can be adoptive by company as well as individual:
 Preparing to do list: This is a list which will have all the task listed as per their
importance and priority (Time management strategies. 2017.). There are different task
which will be have to be completed in a set time period and they have to be prioritised.
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Source 1: Learning styles

 Focus strategy: This strategy is used to accomplish certain task in a more effective
manner by focusing resources at one place.
 Organisation and delegating: Different resources are organised and delegated to various
functions as to achieve right level of output. It is very effective method of completing all
task with minimum resources.
TASK 2
2.1 Personal skills auditing and evaluations against the professional standards
It is very important for an individual to measure themselves against organisation
standard. As a manager, there are some knowledge and skill which can be improved for
performing task in a efficient way (McNiff, 2010). On the basis of these abilities or capabilities, I
will control my personal and professional skill that includes problem solving, team building
ability and motivation, achievement of goals, encourage subordinate and quality standard. These
skill are for retail company manager:
S1.
No.
Skills and Competencies Score Score from
others
Variances
1 Managerial skills 8 9 -1
2 Leadership skills 7 8 -1
3 Problem solving skills 9 8 1
4 Motivational skills 8 7 1
5 Researching skills 8 9 -1
The negative value are consider as my strength and positive values shows my weakness.
As per this analysis I have prepared my curriculum vitae.
Name:
Address:
Telephone number:
Email:
Career Objective: To create a carrier in your developing company, by which my abilities get
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developed and I can work with more and more attempts in accomplishment of targets.
Academic Qualification:
 Graduate
 Masters in marketing
Experience:
 Fresher
Personal skills:
 Capable to look every state
 Unit spirit
 Honesty
 Compete in every condition and catch possibilities to grow
 Negotiate time decently
 Leading power
Declaration:
I solemnly announce that entire information are entirely true.
2.2 Identification of my own developmental needs or activities needed to overcome them
An individual need to learn new skill and abilities which assist in developing career
growth (Moon, 2013). Each person have some strength and weakness that should be highlight its
opportunity and development in career, Swot analysis helps in identifying my personal issues.
Strengths
 I am good team leader
 My problem solving skill is good
 I am able to take right decision
 I have managerial skill
Weakness
 I need to improve my researching
abilities
 I have change my style of leadership
 Work on motivational skill
Opportunities
 Improve researching skill
 Learning new things
 Managerial abilities
 Improve effectiveness and efficiency
Threats
 Employee bitterness
 Less productivity
 Skill administration
 Fear of capable worker
These are some areas in which I can improve my skill:
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 Motivational skill- This is that skill which assist in creating positive environment in an
organisation (Sitzmann and et. al., 2010). It is used to improve employee performance.
 Leadership style- I need to improve my leadership style which change difficult
situations and turn them into simpler ones..
 Researching abilities- This skill need to identify external strategies and techniques
which should be adopted by company.
There are certain things which helps in evaluating these issues or problems are as under:
 Participate in managerial decision decision making process- I have to participate in
organisation decision making process because it provides scope to solve different types of
problems.
 Seminar and conferences- I will attend different seminars and conferences functions
which assist in building confidence to speak in front of audience.
2.3 Identification of current needs as well as future needs
Current Needs -
This consist of those areas in which require immediate changes. These elements help me
in accomplishing goals and objectives that have been set in order to develop in effective way.
This enable the ability of facing entire situation and issues that occur in my life when my fellow
get stress over the same issues (Stenfors-Hayes and et. al., 2010). Team work enlarge my
confidence and enhance my working skills as well as performance. Through attaining the basics
of needs and requirements, achievement can be easy to meet.
Future Needs -
For the future development and keep evolving with time, I need to change my
weaknesses into strengths. This strategy can help me grow stronger and more skilful. It is the
requirement of my further life. Also, I should identify upcoming opportunities which enables me
develop and meet my career gaols (Von Haenisch, 2011). So in order to attain this, I have to
work over my professional and personal activities and enhance my skilled areas. Also
improvement in my communication is essential thing to develop.
This is evaluation of compression between my current and upcoming needs which can
take place.
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2.4 Personal and professional development plan on diverse needs
S.
No
LEARNING
OBJECTIVE/GOA
L
CURRENT
PROFICIE
NCY
TARGET
PROFICIE
NCY
DEVELOP
MENT
OPPORTU
NITIES
CRITERIA
FOR
JUDGING
SUCCESS
TIME SCALE
1 Develop the
communication
abilities.
My verbal
communic
ation skills
are not
good but I
have
effective
writing
abilities.
To create
strength of
attractive
communic
ation with
people.
Adding
the
effective
interaction
skills in
With the
assistance
of this
improvem
ent, I able
to
communic
ate each
and every
informatio
n in an
effective
manner.
With
identificati
on by
family,
fellows or
other
authorities
.
Half Month.
2 Boredom I often get
bored of
everything
which I do
which is
one of my
weakest
point.
To work
on this
factor
through
which
determinat
ion of
achieveme
Identificati
on of
entire
factors
that make
me feel
this way.
By
working
on those
factors
which is
need to
develop.
11 Days.
9

nt which
make the
work more
convenient
.
3.1 Process and activities required to implement the developmental plan
It is an important process which improves as well as change the skill and knowledge of
an employees (Williams, Karousou and Mackness, 2011). An individual needs to follow some
rules and regulations which will help in implementing plan in a proper manner. This is the step
which applied in developing plan and it is stated below:
Goals Short term Mid term Long term
My goal is to achieve
setting target
objectives to the
organisation.
Short term goal is to
achieve desired goal
which is necessary.
Mid term goal is to
enhance performance
of worker.
Long term goal is to
reach target goals and
objectives.
Skills and knowledge
to be
learned-
I have improve my
motivational skill
Need to work on
researching abilities
Analyse new
techniques to develop
effective target
How am I going to
acquire the
skills and
knowledge?
To adopt knowledge
through television and
newspapers
Gain idea by
magazines or books
Observe other person
skill and learn from
them
What resources do I
need?
Attending conferences Seminars Research new learning
What is my time
schedule?
3 months 6 months 10 months
Start When will I 1st March 2018 1st September 2018 1st January
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