Strategies for Personal and Professional Development at Asda

This report delves into the realm of personal and professional development, focusing on strategies applicable to employees at ASDA, a major UK supermarket. It explores self-managed learning approaches, analyzing their suitability with various learning styles such as auditory, visual, and tactile, and highlighting their benefits for both individuals and the organization. The report examines different learning and development methods, recommending suitable approaches to encourage lifelong learning in both personal and professional contexts. A significant portion is dedicated to a work-based problem at ASDA, addressing communication issues and proposing solutions. It also covers the implementation of learning styles to overcome problems, various time management strategies, and the importance of efficiency. Furthermore, the report outlines the skills and competencies required to meet organizational goals, identifies personal and professional development needs, and discusses opportunities for development to meet current and future requirements, culminating in a personal development plan to achieve intended goals.

Personal and professional development
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Table of Contents
Introduction................................................................................................................................1
Task 1.........................................................................................................................................1
1.1 Approaches of self-managed learning and its suitability with learning styles and their
benefits...................................................................................................................................1
1.2 Various learning and development methods along with recommendations for suitable
methods of development and encouraging lifelong learning in personal and professional
context....................................................................................................................................2
1.3 Benefits of self managed learning to individuals and the organization...........................3
4.1 Work based problem in ASDA with solution..................................................................3
4.2 Implementation of the learning style to overcome the problem......................................4
4.3 Different time management strategies and efficiency of an individual to manage it and
justify the effective strategy...................................................................................................4
Task 2.........................................................................................................................................5
2.1 Skills and competencies required to meet the organizational goals and objectives.........5
2.2 Identification of personal and professional needs and perform activities to meet them. .6
2.3 Development of opportunities to meet the current and future needs...............................7
2.4 Personal development plan to achieve the intended goal.................................................8
3.1 identifying Short term and long term objectives with the process and activities to
implement the development plan...........................................................................................9
3.2 Planned activities to improve skills..................................................................................9
3.3 Evaluation of own learning towards aims and objectives included in personal
development plan.................................................................................................................10
3.4 Personal development plan feedback and evaluation.....................................................10
Conclusion................................................................................................................................10
REFERENCES.........................................................................................................................12
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INTRODUCTION
Every individual needs to develop and enhance his work quality to meet the goals and
objectives of an organization. They have to improve in both the aspects that are personal as
well as professional. The success of organization critically depends upon the abilities and
performance of individuals. This report discusses about the employees of Asda that is a giant
supermarket of UK. It throws light on various learning styles that can be adopted to develop
the professional and personal behaviour of the individual. The skills and abilities which
individuals inherit is the result of cooperative and coordinating working to attain the
professional goals. Various strategies to identify and evaluate the present and future needs for
the development are also evaluated in this report.
TASK 1
1.1 Approaches of self-managed learning and its suitability with learning styles and their
benefits
Self-managed learning is the outline of work which helps the learner to attain
adequate knowledge about various work related activities (Abukari and Costley, 2015). It
helps the learner to gather information and enhance the level of understanding. There are
various approaches which can be utilized for the self managed learning as described below:
Internet: With the technological advancement, internet has been the best source to
learn and enhance the skills pertaining to any discipline. With the easy availability of
information on single click, it makes learning quick and convenient. Organizational structure
encounters the frequent changes in their work environment. Internet is the best suitable
source as the massive information is present in the context of change.
Seminars and conferences: These are efficient the sources through which the learner
can improve his skills and behaviour towards the work by sharing ideas and experiences. This
in turn improves the confident level and learns new things (Guo, 2014). It is quite suitable as
operations are carried out at various levels and innovation and new ideas are the requirement
of present scenario.
Learning can be inherited in individuals through various styles as the learning
behaviour varies among them. The learning styles are:
Auditory style: In this style, the learning is being done in the verbal form by hearing
and speaking. They use various techniques to learn more for increasing their knowledge
(Cooke, 2012). It benefits the individuals as they share their ideas and gather knowledge
about various other aspects which increase their efficiency towards work.
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Visual style: This style involves the visuals through which they are able to enhance
their learning by seeing graphics and other images. It is beneficial as it increases the level of
focus of individuals as they concentrate more on seeing rather than listening.
Tactile style: This style involves on hand experience as the information is processed
while performing work. This also enhances their skills as they have to make quick decisions
related to the work (Quick, 2012). This style is beneficial for the individuals as they learn
while performing the task and modify the work as per their requirement. This gives an
opportunity to perform the work by them and increases their potential.
ASDA can identify different groups of employees and their training requirements.
Moreover, the best methodology as per the requirement of employees needs to be identified
on the part of company. The organization should impart training to its employees through
combination of various methodologies.
1.2 Various learning and development methods along with recommendations for suitable
methods of development and encouraging lifelong learning in personal and professional
context
There are various types of learning and development methods which focus on
increasing the potential of individuals to improve their skills and abilities. Each individual
has different characteristics to perform the tasks which are associated to them. Being HR
manager of Asda the various needs can be determined through the self assessment which has
formed the basis of the development plan. The data was gathered through articles, internet
and seminars and with the proper research as they enhance the work quality to be an efficient
HR manager (Reitman, 2013). Through proper analysis of present and future position of
Asda, it was easy to define the requirements and to initiate the learning methods which
developed skills and abilities to attain the organizational objectives. Learning ensures to
enhance our skills in the particular aspect which help in increasing the overall performance.
Learning and development is strategically formulated which leads to enhancement of
personality of the individual. The learning can be made manually or through set framework.
It entirely depends upon the behaviour and skills of individuals (Rao, 2014). Proper analysis
of roles and responsibilities helps individuals to determine the skills in which they lack and
with proper observations and review, they can effectively improve. Learning is an essential
element in the path of development of individuals. Through observations and surveys, the
individual can easily identify the development methods which enhance their potential to
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perform well to execute the set plans. The quantitative and qualitative aspects can help the
individual to identify the development methods to increase the potential of individuals.
Learning does not stop with the completion of qualification. It is the never ending
process which grows in the personal and professional context of individuals (Bratton and
et.al., 2003). It is the continuous process which is being carried out by the employees of Asda
to improve and enhance their skills which help to perform the life-long goals and objectives.
Delegation of authority according to their work also influences work attitude of employees of
Asda and brought diversification in their work culture. This in turn builds a positive
behaviour and enhances the potential them.
1.3 Benefits of self managed learning to individuals and the organization
Self management learning is beneficial to the individuals and organization as a
valuable tool (Vuckovic, 2008.). In Asda, individuals are able to build up the team-building
skills as they share and exchange ideas with others which help the individuals to grow while
working as a team and the tasks are accomplished within set duration in an effective manner.
In Asda, employees are able to enhance their skills through presentation of viewpoints
in front of other personnel which build up a positive behaviour (Roberts, 2001). This helps
them to create a positive work environment.
Through self-managed learning, employees are able to build confidence level through
which they also enhance their communication skills and feel easy while doing
communication which help Asda to come up with the concept of learning and sharing of
work among various employees which have a positive impact on the organizational
development.
4.1 Work based problem in ASDA with solution
Asda being a giant supermarket encounters various work based problems on the part
of employees as there is huge work force which is being employed to carry out the various
activities to attain the goals and objectives. Employees work in a flexible work culture. With
the increase in workforce employment, there were various issues which were encountered in
Asda and the major issue was the communication problem due to which performance of
employees was affected (Routledge and Carmichael, 2007). With improper communication,
the work flow was affected in such a manner that they were not able to attain the goals within
specific time duration. The communication problem can be resolved by adopting a proper
chain of communication so that communication would be done in an effective manner. The
employees are trained so that they can adopt proper ways to pass on the information without
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any modification. Asda ensures that the employees are aware of various forms of
communication so that they would attain the set outcomes effectually.
4.2 Implementation of the learning style to overcome the problem.
Asda comprises of strategic, tactical and operational level where various activities are
conducted in order to ascertain the goals and objectives (Wok and Hashim, 2013). The
implementation of auditory style of learning is adopted to overcome the problem of
communication as there are various levels and the work pattern is different at these levels.
Operational level: The employees are new at this level and they are not familiar with
the work policies and culture (Mastrangelo, Eddy and Lorenzet, 2004). With auditory
learning style; they can communicate the work related aspects to them.
Tactical level: The employees of this level ensure proper functioning of workers
(Sangster, 2000). With face-to-face interaction with them, they can allot the roles to workers
as per their potential.
Strategic level: They are the high level personnel who delegate the work and ensure
that the work environment is created in such a manner that it meets the challenges which are
encountered at the tactical and operational level. They communicate various plans through
emails and face to face interaction so that the information would get floated in an efficient
manner.
4.3 Different time management strategies and efficiency of an individual to manage it and
justify the effective strategy
Time is the important element in order to complete various tasks. In Asda, the work
environment is very complex as there are various levels to perform different roles and
responsibilities (Bennett, Cunningham and Dawes, 2000). There are several strategies which
can be adopted to learn the time management skills such as organizing, scheduling,
delegating, avoid multitasking and so on. In Asda, employees are able to manage the work
efficiently as the work is being planned in a proper manner as they prioritize the work as per
the time duration. Working environment at Asda is properly organized as the work is sorted
at various levels. They properly delegate the responsibilities so that they can complete the
work within the specific time duration. The delegation of authority has proved to be
beneficial because the role and responsibilities gets distributed among the employees of the
Asda. Each personnel are assigned with the specific task in which they are expertise (Wok
and Hashim, 2013). This helps the employees to obtain goals in an effective and efficient
manner. The work is delegated equally and extra burden is not laid on the employees in order
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to avoid multi tasking of the workers at the workplace so that they can complete the work
within the set duration and are able to meet the deadlines which are set for them. In Asda, the
employees are treated as a valuable asset and the firm also ensures that that workers work by
following proper time management strategies.
TASK 2
2.1 Skills and competencies required to meet the organizational goals and objectives
CV which reflects the competencies; now-a-days each and every single element plays a
vital role to attain goals and objectives of the organization (Caprino, 2012.). Asda employs
large work force to carry out various activities to maximize sales and generate maximum
profits. They ensure that the employees pose skills to meet the set goals. Being HR manager
it is very essential to inherit various skills to handle the workers and make them work towards
attainment of the goals. The skills which are required by the employees are discussed below:
Conflict handling skills: In Asda it is necessary to resolve various conflict issues
which occur between management and employees in an efficient manner to attain the goals
and objectives (Throop and Castellucci, 2010).
Communication skills: It is very necessary that one should have the ability to convert
the idea in the real form and implement it with the help of other employees to meet goals and
objectives of Asda.
Team-building skills: It is necessary to effectively manage and contribute in
completing the task with proper co-ordination with participation of every individual and also
organize the work in such manner that the set standards are attained in an effective manner
(Llopis, 2013).
The inefficiency in communication skills affects the work and the task gets delayed as
the things are not communicated in the proper form which affects the attainment of goals and
objectives of Asda. Clarity in communication will enhance the performance to meet goals and
objectives.
The inefficient conceptual skills results in improper recruitment of the talented
employees which will affect the performance of Asda. It is necessary to be step ahead to
recruit right talent for the organization.
Curriculum Vitae
Personal Details
Name: Jane Blogg
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Address: 208, South Land. Lead West. United Kingdoms
Work Phone: [phone]
E.Mail:[e-mail]
Employment History
Date Appointed: HR MANAGER
Asda / Human resource department
134, South land. Lead west, United kingdom.
Roles:
Recruitment and selection
Training and development
Key Achievements
Awarded as best performer in the field.
Education:
Bachelor's in Business Management (2012)
Master's in Business administration (Human Resource).
Well versed with MS Office.
Interest / Hobbies:
Interaction with new people
Learn new things.
Competencies:
Strategic thinker
Leadership
2.2 Identification of personal and professional needs and perform activities to meet them
Strengths Weaknesses
 Proper allocation of task as per the
efficiency of employees.
 Gaps in attainment of goals on time.
 Poor communication skills.
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 Proper strategies formulation to
meet goals and objectives.
Opportunities Threats
 Can conduct team-building
activities to overcome the problem
of delay in work.
 Delegation of authorities to avoid
multi-tasking.
 The employees may use the authority
in wrong manner which may affect
the performance of the organization.
2.3 Development of opportunities to meet the current and future needs
Professional Skills
Current
Level
5= Strong
3= Average
1 = Weak
Best Current
Example
Ways to Improve
Technical skills 3
Not much familiar
with the new
technology.
Attending the workshops
to learn new techniques.
Communication
skills 3
Not able to
communicate well
with the senior
management.
To build up confidence to
communicate at every
level.
Presentation skills 5
Present the work in the
best manner.
Can enhance it by
learning more innovative
techniques.
Team-building
skills 3
Not able to make the
employees work
together.
Can conduct activities in
which they have to
perform task in a team.
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Decision making
skills 5
Assign the work as per
their skills so
employees’ feels
motivated.
Involvement of
employees in small
decision making will be
beneficial.
2.4 Personal development plan to achieve the intended goal
Learning
Objective/Go
al
Current
Proficiency
Target
Proficienc
y
Developmen
t
Opportuniti
es
Criteria For
Judging
Success
Time
Scale
1
Communicatio
n skills
Ability to
efficiently
communicate
with peers.
However,
inefficient in
communicatin
g with
superiors
Build up
confidence
to convey
things in
more
effective
manner.
Communicat
e with each
personnel to
understand
their
behaviour.
Set the
benchmark to
ascertain
proper
communicatio
n flow.
By the
end of
the
month.
2
Team-building
skills
Moderate as
the others are
not ready to
compromise
their ideas
with the best
idea.
To build
up the
team spirit
among the
individual.
Assigning the
task in
groups.
By
monitoring
that the goals
are achieved
within the
duration with
proper
coordination
By the
end of
the task
assigne
d.
3
Leadership
skills
Average as to
the certain
extend lacks
in assigning
To be
more
effective
leader so
Allocating
the tasks as
per their
skills and
By the end of the year.
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the task and
managing it
properly
that the
employees
are
influenced
.
abilities as a
team.
Feedbacks
from the
employees
will help in
measuring
the
satisfaction
level
3.1 identifying Short term and long term objectives with the process and activities to
implement the development plan
Development is a very important aspect as it links the employee with the personal and
professional development. An action plan helps to visualize the accurate process through
which the short and long term objective can be attained. The short term objective such as
improvement in communication skills will be beneficial for Asda as the employees would be
able to communicate the work related issues to their superiors (Megginson and Whitaker,
2003). Through mails and face to face interaction communication will be done with the
employees of various levels to sustain in long run (Vuckovic, 2008). Employees shall be
allotted with certain authority and they will feel responsible towards their job and will further
adopt the changes frequently as they will feel the part of the organization. With the help of
seminars and conferences the employees would increase interaction between each other and
this would help them to attain long term objectives in an efficient manner. The PDP is much
focused on short objective such as technical skills which assist in working in present scenario
with the new techniques. Asda follows a sequential process to delegate the work as per the
skills of the employees (Doyle, 2000). Moreover, workshops are conducted for employees to
enhance their skills which will help to attain the long term objectives.
3.2 Planned activities to improve skills
SKILLS ACTIVITIES TIME DURATION
Technical skills To develop the technical skills; I
attend workshops that will enhance
my proficiency and meet up the
It will require 4 to 5 weeks
duration.
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technological challenges.
Communication skills
The interaction with others in
seminars and conferences will
enhance the communication.
It will require 2 to 3 week to
improve the ability to
communicate with every
personnel who are working in
the Asda
Team-building skills
Task allocation is done in group so
they are able to build up team spirit
among themselves.
It will require a week to
enhance the skills in more
efficient manner.
3.3 Evaluation of own learning towards aims and objectives included in personal
development plan
It is very important to evaluate the working and progress in the direction of aims and
objectives. With the proper planning and using learning in an effective manner will always
help in developing overall perspective as an individual (Roberts, 2001.). Enhancing
communication skill will help me in properly communicating the work plan to employees.
Asda comprises of large work force and being the HR manager I will ensure the personal
development of the employees that has impact on their work profile. The previous knowledge
and experience can help to critically examine what changes have been done as it is reflected
in the overall performance.
3.4 Personal development plan feedback and evaluation
Taking the continuous reviews from employees and also examining as per own view
point will help in improving those area in which they are lacking behind (Llopis, 2013). The
work culture is totally diverse in Asda as the tasks are planned before allocation has been
done. The proper feedback is given to the employees so that they can improve and make sure
that they efficiently attain organizational goals.
The proper evaluation of employees gives the clear picture about what they have
achieved. This helps in identifying the strength and weakness which can be overcome
through proper training and development. It can be said that both personal and professional
development helps to review the individual’s potentials and ability.
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