Evaluation of Personal and Professional Development at Nickell Company

This report analyzes personal and professional development within the context of Nickell Company. It explores self-managed learning approaches, diverse learning styles, and their benefits for individuals and organizations. The report identifies work-based problems, proposes solutions using a six-step model, and emphasizes the importance of effective communication. It evaluates various time management strategies and assesses current skills and competencies against professional standards and organizational objectives. The report also covers the development of personal development plans, the implementation process, and the ongoing evaluation of learning outcomes. The report aims to provide a comprehensive overview of strategies and methods to enhance both personal and professional growth, with a focus on practical application within a workplace setting.

Personal and Professional
Development

TABLE OF CONTENTS
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................1
TASK 1............................................................................................................................................1
1.1Approaches of self-managed learning and different learning styles that benefit the
individual................................................................................................................................1
1.2 Different learning & development methods which encourage lifelong learning in personal
and professional context.........................................................................................................2
1.3 Evaluation of benefits of self-managed learning to individual and organization.............3
4.1Identificaion of work based problem and its solution.......................................................3
4.2 Communication with different styles in an appropriate manner......................................4
4.3Evaluation of different time management strategies and its effective use........................5
TASK 2............................................................................................................................................5
2.1Evaluation of current skills & competencies against the professional standards &
organizational objectives........................................................................................................5
2.2 Development of the own needs and the activities required to meet them........................6
2.3 Development of opportunities that is required to meet the current and future needs.......6
2.4 Framework of the personal development plan to achieve the intended goals..................7
3.1 The process and activities that are required to implement the development plan............8
3.2 Documentation of the planned development activities....................................................9
3.3 Own learning against the aims and objectives of the organization..................................9
3.4 Personal development programme based on evaluation and feedback............................9
CONCLUSION..............................................................................................................................10
REFERENCES..........................................................................................................................11

INTRODUCTION
Personal and professional development of the individuals helps to enhance their
knowledge and skills in order to effectively manage their work and roles that are assigned to
them (Ball, Thames and Phelps, 2008). In order to sustain in an organization, individual needs to
be efficient enough in order to handle work and grasp new opportunities. Effective management
of the skills and competencies will ensure career growth over the work period. The present report
discusses about the various approaches that benefit the individuals and organization in
encouraging lifelong learning. Work-based problems are identified with the effective solutions
and appropriate strategies that can be adopted to manage work in an appropriate manner. Proper
evaluation of skills and competencies is being done to grasp more opportunities with the help of
effective personal development plan. Different processes are being carried out to plan activities
which are necessary for personal and professional development. For better understanding of this
report, Nickell Company has been chosen.
TASK 1
1.1Approaches of self-managed learning and different learning styles that benefit the individual
There are different approaches that help and benefit individual to manage the entire work
functioning in an effective manner. Various sources are presented that help an individual to
manage the entire working of Nickell in an effective manner:
Seminars and conferences: This is an effective approach through which an individual can
effectively manage the entire working (Bell, C., 2005). By attending seminars and conferences,
employees will be able to share the ideas and experiences with each other that will develop their
skills and boost their confidence to speak in public. This will benefit employees in enhancing
their presentation as well as communication skills.
Internet: Employees can also use internet to acquire knowledge as various articles are
available on various websites. By using this, they are able to know new things related to the
evolution of new technology. This approach benefits employees of Nickell to enhance their
analytical skills.
Mentoring: It is a conceptualized method that helps employees of Nickell to learn new
things from the experienced person and achieve their goals and the objectives in an effective
1

manner. This helps them to obtain clear vision and develop their skills and competencies in the
personal and professional context.
There are different styles which help employees to identify different ways in order to
manage learning and develop skills in the personal and professional context. Different elements
of learning styles are discussed below:
Divergers: This aspect helps employees of Nickell to deal with critical situation in an
effective manner. Employees carry out detailed analysis of the different dimensions in order to
tackle the entire working in a systematic manner (Bennett, B., 2004). This benefits employees in
improving their experimental skills in order to learn more new things.
Convergers: This style helps employees of Nickell to strengthen their skills and ideas to
effectively manage the entire working with the practical application of the ideas. This benefits
employees to become more interactive and explore things through which skills and knowledge of
the employees will be enhanced.
Accommodators: This element helps employees to deal with the complexity of task in an
effective manner. This style is adopted by the employees to solve problem with the help of trial
and error method. This helps employees of Nickell to learn different things through practical
experience.
Assimilators: This style helps employees of Nickell to plan things before implementing
them for the attainment of goals. This assists employees in improving planning process and
carrying out the entire working in an effective manner.
Being Hr. manager at Nickell, different styles are adopted that help in enhancing my
knowledge in an effective manner. Attributes which are inherited in me are same as a theorist
and reflector. So, I learn new things by observing the key person who is expert in performing the
role. Proper analysis is being done by me before performing my role and assigning tasks to the
employees in order to manage the entire working in an effective manner.
1.2 Different learning & development methods which encourage lifelong learning in personal
and professional context
Different methods help employees of Nickell to encourage lifelong learning in the
personal and professional context. Here, employees can adopt Kolb's learning style to effectively
manage the entire working so that employees can learn new things while performing their job.
This style helps employees to develop their learning in the following manner:
2

Through experimenting, employees of Nickell are able to learn new things in order to
make proper plan to deal with different issues and find appropriate solutions. At Nickell,
employees are provided with all the appropriate facilities in order to plan things and take
necessary action for the purpose of attaining objectives (Malm, 2009). Experimenting with new
things helps employees to enhance their knowledge and skills in an appropriate manner. As the
concepts relating to the task get clear and they learn their job role while performing it on the
other hand.
Learning is an ongoing process and does not end with the qualifications. Learners learn
new things with the help of roles and the responsibilities which are assigned to them. Employees
of Nickell are very effective as they are focused on accomplishing task on time. This encourages
participative spirit among the employees to gain knowledge by performing different tasks in
order to attain the planned targets. This helps them to maintain their personal and professional
development in an effective manner.
1.3 Evaluation of benefits of self-managed learning to individual and organization
Self-managed learning includes various efforts that are made by the employees to
enhance their skills and competencies through learning. Employees develop smart objectives to
effectively evaluate the different benefits of self-managed learning which are present within
Nickell.
Through self-managed learning, individuals find appropriate ways to perform tasks that
are assigned to them (McNiff, 2010). This helps in identifying new opportunities which help in
enhancing their career growth. This increases satisfaction among the employees as per the roles
and responsibilities which are assigned to them. Employees build up confidence to perform their
new role which helps them in becoming multi-task performer.
Through self-managed learning, employees take appropriate decisions to avoid and
minimize the chances of ineffective accomplishment of the task which is assigned to them.
4.1Identificaion of work based problem and its solution
There are different problems which are encountered by Nickell while carrying out its
day-to-day operations. Problems affect the entire functioning and result in the poor performance
of the organization. The major problem which is encountered in Nickell is related to the work
culture as people frame different opinions on their self to perform the different task. This results
3

in the improper functioning of the employees of Nickell. There is a huge discrimination among
the higher level person for the lower level which effects the work environment.
The problem can be resolved with the help of the six steps model and will result in
building a healthy work environment within Nickell. Through this model, the problems are
resolved in a systematic manner with the follow up of these steps (SIX-STEP PROBLEM
SOLVING MODEL, 2008).
Define the problem: The first step help in the identification of the problem which is
encountered by the workforce while performing the task that is assigned to them. The symptoms
and issues are identified with the help of the effective implementation of tools and face to face
interaction with the employees at Nickell.
Determination of the root cause of the problem: With the effective use of all the tools, the
main root cause is identified which hinders the entire working of Nickell. Proper analysis is
being done to determine and reflect the causes that are addressed by the employees related to the
discrimination which is faced by them (Moon, 2013).
Developing Alternative solutions: As the problem is being identified, alternative solutions
are developed in order to overcome from the issue which is faced by the employees at Nickell.
Select the best solution: Effective solution is being selected in order to resolve the issue
that is encountered by the employees. The feasibility of the solution is being determined by
ensuring that it is acceptable by each employee at the workplace.
Implementation of the solution: Proper plans are framed to implement the solutions for
the issues which were faced by the employees. Action oriented approach is being adopted in
order to implement the equality among the employees.
Evaluation of the outcomes: Suitable evaluation is being done after the implementation of
the solution with the effectual performance of the employees by ensuring that those employees
are treated equally.
Therefore, the problem can resolved in an effective manner and the work can be carried
out in an effective manner.
4.2 Communication with different styles in an appropriate manner
There are various ways through which the communication can be done at the different
levels which are present at the workplace. Different styles can be adopted to resolve the issues
4

which are present among the employees of Nickell. The ineffective work culture hinders the
entire performance and led to poor performance (Cooke, A.N., 2012).
With the help of cognitive style, all the aspects can be discussed as employees are made
comfortable to present the issues which are being faced by them and with the proper analysis the
issues are being resolved. Effective communication of code and ethics is being passed on at all
the level to enhance the functioning and resolve the issues.
4.3Evaluation of different time management strategies and its effective use
There are different time management strategies which can be effectively used to manage
the entire working in an appropriate manner:
Avoid multitasking: Proper analysis determines that employees must avoid multitasking
as it hampers the entire functioning of Nickell. The work will be managed in an effective manner
as the concentration of the employee is centred over the single task. This helps the employee to
accomplish the task within the time duration.
Set Priorities: Prioritizing the work will help the employees to effectively define the
work as per their requirement and will help employees to attain the information regarding the
completion of the task (Rees, Shepherd and Chamberlain, 2005). This will result in completion
of the task within the given time span.
Therefore, Nickell can adopt the 'avoid multitasking' strategies in order to accomplish the
task within the set duration by managing the entire functioning of the employees. This will help
the employees to attain the goals in more appropriate manner.
Through this matrix , Nickell can effectively adopt the 'prioritizing' strategies in order to
accomplish the task within the set duration by managing the entire functioning of the employees.
This will help the employees to attain the goals in more appropriate manner.
5

TASK 2
2.1Evaluation of current skills & competencies against the professional standards &
organizational objectives
To effectively carry out the entire functioning, it is necessary that the HR manager should
inherit the effective skills and competencies to manage the performance of the employees.
Effective skills and competencies against the professional standards & organizational objectives
are discussed below:
Planning skills: Proper planning will help to develop the effective ideas to accomplish the
task and attain the goals in an effective manner (Dwyer J., 2012).
Management skills: It is necessary to use the skills and competencies to achieve the
desired goals and objectives in an appropriate manner by dividing the work as per their
efficiency.
Communication skills: Effective communication is being done to coordinate the work in
an effective manner (Scardamalia and Bereiter, 2006). With the help of the effective means, the
information is passed on to the different level.
Ineffective planning skills act as a barrier in the entire functioning as appropriate
decisions are not being taken by the authorities in accordance to carry out the various operations
of Nickell.
2.2 Development of the own needs and the activities required to meet them
Human wants can be identified with the proper analysis of the core competencies and
functioning outcomes which are ascertained by Nickell and need to be attained by the
employees. It can be analyzed in following manner:
Strength
 Effectively motivate the employees to
carry out the work.
 Building up the effective support
system to manage the entire work.
Weakness
 Improper planning hinders the entire
functioning of the employees as they
are not clear with the goals.
 Poor reputation of Nickell also affects
the functioning of employees.
Opportunities Threats
6

 Proper interaction can help in
enhancing the performance of the
employees at the workplace.
 High turnover is the biggest threat
which is being faced by Nickell due to
the improper functioning.
2.3 Development of opportunities that is required to meet the current and future needs
Professional Skills Current level (Good=5,
Fair=3, Poor=1)
Best Current Example Ways to improve
Planning skills 5 Capable enough to
plan all the activities
in the proper manner.
Should make efforts to
start and complete the
assign work on time.
Communication
skills
3 Lack of confidence at
the time of speaking/
coordinating with the
people.
By given presentation
and by making an
effects to build up the
confidence.
Management skills 3 Not able to manage all
the things properly.
Try to develop
leadership skills in
order to manage
people.
2.4 Devise PDP to achieve the intended goals
Short term goals Medium term goals Long term goals
Goals  Apply for job
 Attract more and
more customer
by providing
healthy and taste
pastry.
 Attract more
customers by
introducing
innovation in the
pastries.
 Expand the
business at
large scale by
40% in 2017.
 Became the
number one
7

 Reduce the cost
of manufacture
pastries.Generate
more income
pastry shop
Skills/knowledge
required
 Interview skills
 customer
relation skills
 communication
skills
 Intellectual skills
 communication
skills)
 Technological
skills
 employability
skills
How to acquire
skills and
knowledge
 Attend master
class on
marketing and
communication.
 Video interview
 Online interview
 Through research
 Attending
conference and
seminaries
 Understanding
the competitors
strategies
resources  Email
(John123@gmai
l.com)
 Money
 Time
 Raw material:- in
order to start up
the business
various raw
materials are
required like
choco power,
cream, and
various other
ingredients,
machines and
labour.
 Human resource
 I order to
achievwe the
long term goals
company
should select
the place of
center location
in order to
attract more
customers.
 Approx
£100000 to
£300000 of
capital is
required.
8

Time schedule
Start
Finish
 13/1/2016
 30/3/2016
 5/5/2015
 15/1/2016
 31/3/2016
 6/5/2016
 8/5/2016
 15/7/2016
 30/9/2016
 10/5/2016
 17/7/2016
 1/10/2016
 5/10/2016
 18/12/2016
 1/3/2017
 6/10/2016
 20/12/2016
 3/1/2017
Completion date 07/05/16 02/10/16 04/01/17
3.1 The process and activities that are required to implement the development plan
In order to achieve the desired objective and to improve my various skills I will taken
into consideration the following points
 I will first identify the resources that are to me to achieve my desired objective. I will
find out how much capital is required, labour , raw material, place to start the business
and so on.
 After that I will make an efforts to analyse the present market situation with that of my
desired objectives. This in turn will help me to somewhat find out the problems that can
be faced at the time of achieving the desired objective.
 After this I will divide my goal into various small tasks and will try to achieve the same
according to its importance.
 In order to achieve the desired objectives improvement of various skills is also
necessary. Therefore, in order to improve my communication, management and many
more skills I will start doing research on internet and will try to attact various classes,
conference and seminars. Improved skill will help me to easily communicate with
customers and manage all the activities related to finance, HR and marketing.
 After this I will make a plan to analyse the cost and time that are required by me in
achieving my desired target.
 At last, I will prepare a implement plan in order to evaluate the effects made by me in
achieving the desired objectives.
9

3.2 Documentation of the planned development activities
What I have
done
Why I do this What I have
learned
How I will use
these skills
Planning skills In order to
improve my
planning skills I
have start
organising
various activities
at small level.
I have done this
to improve my
planning skills so
that in future I
would be able to
quick plan
various activities
at large scale.
While improving
this skills I have
learned various
things like how to
plan all the things
in a proper way to
achieve the
success. Different
types of people
present in the
world and many
more things.
I will use my this
skill to plan and
organise various
activities at large
level in order to
achieve great
success in future.
Communication
skills
In order to
improve my
communication
skills I have
started learning
more English
words by
attending various
classes, through
internet and by
reading various
books.
I have done this
to easily
communicate
with the people
and will be to
make my
employees know
understand what I
want to tell them.
Along with this I
will also to
understand what
employees are
saying.
By improving this
skill I have learn
and talk to the
employees and
managers which
in turn help me to
satisfy them.
I will use this
skill to easily
communicate to
my employees
and customers.
Management In order to I have done to By improving this I will use this
10