Personal and Professional Development Report: Aldi Grocery Retailer

This report delves into the realm of personal and professional development, focusing on self-managed learning approaches, lifelong learning encouragement, and the benefits for both individuals and organizations, using ALDI as a case study. It explores various strategies for time management, communication styles, and solutions to work-based problems, including collaborative working challenges. The report evaluates current skills and competencies against professional standards, identifies development needs, and outlines development opportunities. It also presents a personal and professional development plan, detailing implementation processes, activities, and reflection on learning outcomes. The analysis includes an evaluation of skills, identification of development needs, and strategies for improvement, concluding with a comprehensive overview of the development plan and its practical application within the context of ALDI's operations.

Personal and
professional
development

Contents
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................3
TASK 1............................................................................................................................................3
1.1 Approaches to self managed learning...............................................................................3
1.2 Ways in which lifelong learning could be encouraged..........................................................3
1.3 Benefits to self managed learning..........................................................................................4
TASK 4............................................................................................................................................5
4.1 Solutions to work based problems.........................................................................................5
4.2 Communication at various levels in variety of style.............................................................5
4.3 Effective time management strategies...................................................................................6
TASK 2............................................................................................................................................6
2.1 Evaluation of current skills and competencies against professional standards.....................6
2.2 Identification of own development needs..............................................................................7
2.3 Identify development opportunities.......................................................................................8
2.4 Personal and professional development plan.........................................................................8
TASK 3............................................................................................................................................9
3.1 Processes and activities required to implement the development plan..................................9
3.2 Document development activities..........................................................................................9
3.3 Reflection of own learning against original aims and objectives.......................................10
3.4 Update the development plan based on feedback................................................................10
CONCLUSION..............................................................................................................................10
REFERENCES..............................................................................................................................11

INTRODUCTION
Personal and professional development is a process under which individual take part in
different learning programs and sessions with the aim of gain knowledge. All this help individual
in find better solutions of complex problems. Self managed learning is one of the best way to
find different ways of learning (Personal and professional development. 2015). Before setting
goals it is very essential for enterprises to first find out the learning skills of employees. In an
era of technology advancement people face lot of challenges and concept of self learning give
them a chance to come up with innovative ideas. ALDI one of the leading grocery retailer is
taken under this report for study. Different approaches of self managed learning and various
ways through which lifelong learning can be encouraged is all detailed under this report. Benefits
to both organizations and individuals with the help of self managed learning is also include in
this. Further, different strategies of managing time and communication at variety of level is all
mention under this.
TASK 1
1.1 Approaches to self managed learning
Basically self managed learning is a process where an individual do various efforts to
increase level of his knowledge. Different approaches are there which can be used by an
individual for this. Learning with the help of research is one of the best way. An individual
may research and analyze different sources such as journals, books, websites and magazines.
Different methods which can be used by an individual for gather information and enhance
self managed can be better understood by following points:
 Participate conferences and seminars: Number of seminars and conferences take place
on personal and professional level by attend these seminars an individual can increase
his knowledge. In seminars number of individuals take part and share their
information which each other which help an individual to gather information.
 Internet sources: Today internet is known as a source of unlimited knowledge on any
topic. This help an individual in gather information on particular topic and help in self
managed learning. An individual can learn or collect information on any topic.
 Participation on social media sites: Number of social platforms are available today
where individuals interact with each other and share information. All this help an
individual in get information about different facts and figures.
1.2 Ways in which lifelong learning could be encouraged
Lifelong learning is about learning which can be personal or can be a professional one.
This type of analysis boost self confidence of individual and enhance its communication skills

and relations with other. Main methods which can be used to encourage lifelong learning include
the following:
 Self evaluation: With the help of SWOT analysis an individual can get benefit in his
professional learning. This help an individual in get know about its strengths, weakness,
opportunities and threats. For example:
Strengths are “good learning skills, friendly behavior”.
Weaknesses are “leadership skills, high tempered etc”.
Opportunities are “Better environment and opportunities of growth”.
Threats are “recession”.
 Continuous learning: This means personal and professional growth from events and
experiences. This can be apply to individuals, groups and organizations. This is one of
the key point for an individual to be successful and achieve set results and goals. For an
individual this type of learning could be done with the help of training, coaching and
workshops.
 Effective leadership: Basically leadership is a quality or skill of influence an individual
and is a part of learning process. Under this , an individual learn how to influence the
behaviors of others further, this help an individual in find better solutions to complex
problems.
1.3 Benefits to self managed learning
Self managed learning provide number of benefits to both individual and organizations as well.
This enhance decision making ability of an individual through his past professional and personal
experiences (Stenfors-Hayes, and et. al., 2010). When different individuals gather together to
solve a problem in enterprise then different type of skills as problem solving skills can be learned
with the help of self managed learning which are transferable in nature and can be learn from
coworkers at workplace. From the concept of self managed learning an individual can be
benefited from following advantages:
 Team work skills: Concept of self managed learning encourage an individual to
take part in different seminars and conferences and all this develop team working
skill in an individual. When number of individuals work in a team then it increase
productivity and profits of firm and provide number of advantages to
organization.

 Presentation skills: When individual take part in different seminars and
conferences than this increase the level of his knowledge which results in increase
his self confidence. All this enhance or improve presentation skills of individual
and employee learn how to present or express ideas in front of others and this
provide benefits to organization.
 Communication skills: Self managed learning help in increase both writing and
communication skills in an individual. It help an individual to work independently
as a result of this individual come up with new ideas and concepts all this help in
create a good working environment and provide number of advantages to
organization.
TASK 4
4.1 Solutions to work based problems
Different type of enterprise small, medium or large face some kind of problem (Kumari,
2011) All this create unnecessary hurdles in execution of business operations that’s why it is
very essential for managers to identify the main cause behind problem and solve the same to
achieve desired results. Presently main issues face by ALDI is:
Collaborative working: ALDI execute its operations on global level so number of people
from different culture work in it. Lack of communication among different departments is
creating unnecessary delays and is increasing the cost of business activities. So it is very
essential for managers to firm to solve this issue so that firm can utilize all its resources at
maximum level ( Hopkinson, 2014). One of the main cause behind this problem is lot of rules
and regulations of company which increase both time and cost of communication process.
Solution: To solve this problem main methods which can be used by managers are as follows:
 Team building and working: Under this, different techniques and methods are used by
manager to build effective teams in enterprise for execute complex tasks. One of the main
feature of this is that it enhance knowledge of workers.
 Development of effective communication channels: For working effectively it is very
necessary that there must be effective communication channels in enterprise.
4.2 Communication at various levels in variety of style
Communication is the process of send message from one individual to another for fulfill a
basic purpose or objective. Various style of communication in an enterprise can be better
understood by following points:

 Verbal communication: Under this type of communication sender take the help of various
symbols and words to send his message. This is informal in nature and mostly take place
at lower level of organization. To achieve main objective of communication it is very
essential for sender to use effective words during the process of communication.
 Non verbal communication: Use of gestures, symbols, facial expression and body
language is done by sender to send message to receiver (Moon, 2013)
 Written communication: This is another type of communication, under this, sender write
his message on a piece of paper and then send it to receiver. This is very lengthy process
of communication.
 Public communication: Under this an individual give speech in front of large number of
people to inform or to persuade them.
4.3 Effective time management strategies
In today’s competitive business world it is very essential for every enterprise to complete
all the task and business operations in given time frame as this help firm in get competitive
advantage. Main strategies of time management which can be used by the managers of ALDI are
stated under the following points:
Setting goals: This is one of the effective strategy of managing time (McNiff, 2010). Under this
managers set final goals and objectives as this help and provide direction to workers in complete
the task in given time frame.
 Organize: Under this manager allocate all resources in a way so they can be utilize at an
optimum level.
 Scheduling: Under this managers formulate a schedule for all activity and set a given
time frame to complete it.
 Time bound: In this new methods and process are introduced by manager to complete all
activities in minimum time.
 Proactive: Under this manager evaluate the performance of employees with the aim of
identify gap in actual skills and standards skills.
 Focused: In this manager direct all activities of firm toward a particular direction.
All these are the main strategies of managing time which can be used by the managers of
ALDI gto complete all the tasks in given time frame .
TASK 2
2.1 Evaluation of current skills and competencies against professional standards
Before finalize the main approach of learning or for the process of development it is very
essential for an individual to first identify its strengths and weakness. This process is known as
self evaluation and self auditing as well. Special qualities which must be there in an individual
to perform a duty of a store manager can be understood by the table given below:

SL no. Competencies and
skills
Score Score from peers variances
1 Problem solving
skill
7 8 -1
2 Development of
team and
management
8 10 -2
3 Listening skills 5 5 0
4 Research skills 6 7 -1
5 Motivation skill 10 7 3
6 My own
effectiveness and
efficiency
2 4 2
7 Quality standards 5 5 0
8 Good team
member
6 5 -1
9 Leadership style 6 9 -3
Table is the evaluation of my current skills against set criteria. Negative marks are
indicating my strengths while positive marks are showing my weakness. From the basis of above
analysis I prepared my CV.
Name:
Address:
Education:
Graduation:
Masters in marketing
Experience:
Working in ALDI form last 6 months
Strengths:
Problem solving skill
Research ability
Good team member
Skill of team development
2.2 Identification of own development needs
Comparison of my current skills with the standards skills required to perform a job help
me in identify my development skills. Following are the main skills which I required to develop
in me for ensure future success.
 There is a need to improve my motivation skill.
 I have to enhanced my leadership quality.
For develop these particular skills I can use the following tools:
 Conferences and seminars: I can attend or take part in different seminars as this will
give me an opportunity to improve my leadership skill.

 Simulation training: Under this method an artificial environment as per the current
situation is develop an individual is put under that environment in order to learn how
to behave in complex situations.
 Managerial guidance: I can take guidance or help of my senior managers to develop
special skills in me.
2.3 Identify development opportunities
For develop required skills in order to achieve end results, it is very essential for an
individual to have number of opportunities so he can enhance his knowledge and can attain both
current and future goals. For all this an individual can take part in the following:
 Participate in decision making process.
 Take part in different sessions of brain storming.
 With the help or use of library individual can improve his research ability.
 Adoption of SMART objectives and goals.
 Take part in conferences and seminars.
 Use of different social media platforms.
All these are the main activities which can be done by an individual to achieve end results.
2.4 Personal and professional development plan
SL
no.
Learning
goal and
objective
Current
proficiency
Target
proficiency
Development
opportunities
Criteria for
judge
success
Time
period
Evidence
1 Leadership
skill
Use
autocratic
style of
leadership.
Need to
apply the
concept of
democratic
style of
leadership.
Learn from
the managers
working at
top level.
Top
executives.
7 days Written
report
made by
top
managers.
2 Motivational
skills
Currently is
use
traditional
models and
theories of
motivation.
This is the
time I need
to consider
or approach
new models
of
motivation.
Seminars,
conferences
and different
events
related with
the topic of
leadership.
Employees
working
under me.
5 days Judgment
of peers.
3 Efficiency
and
effectivenes
s
Method and
process
which I used
currently are
not that
much
effective.
Adoption of
new process
and methods
to increase
effectiveness.
Guidance
from top
executives.
Written
report.
2
weeks.
Judgment
of lower
level
managers.

TASK 3
3.1 Processes and activities required to implement the development plan
Formulation of effective development plan is possible if individual follow some certain
steps. These steps can be understood by the following points:
 Setting time scale: This is the first step include in the process of development t plan. In
this individual decide or set time period for each activity to ensure completion of
activities in time.
 Assessment of knowledge, skills and abilities: Before implement the final plan it is very
essential for individual to analyze his own current skills an abilities.
 Learning strategies: Different strategies are there which can be used by an individual to
learn new things. Learning strategy must be finalize by individual by consider all factors
and set standards.
 Resources: Implementation of any strategy require number of resources so it is very
essential that all resources must be there so different activities of learning program can be
implement effectively.
 Evaluation and feedback: At last, whole process of development must be evaluated so
that all obstacles can be removed and effective action can be taken by individual.
3.2 Document development activities
Remove the gap between actual and standard performance is very necessary to achieve
end results in an effective way. For this main activities which can be undertake by managers of
ALDI are as follows:
 Training: Under this managers of firm conduct training and development to improve
skills of workers. All this increase profits and productivity of company.
 Management of change: Today, change is become one of the necessary part of
organization activity so it is very essential that whole process of change must be
effectively execute by firm. Leaders and managers play a big in this (Patrick and et. al.,
2010).
 Learning strategies: Various strategies are used by managers to increase level of
knowledge of workers.
 Research: Under this top authority of enterprise formulate plans on the basis of collected
information to achieve more effective results.
 Monitoring and evaluation: This is the last and one of the most important step. This guide
manager in do variation and necessary changes in the development plan.

3.3 Reflection of own learning against original aims and objectives
Evaluation of learning is done by individual for identify improvements in own skills
against set criteria (Blandford, 2012).Main methods which can be used by an individual include
the following:
 Formal meetings: Conduct formal meeting is one of the main and effective method of
evaluation. Under this progress report of individual is presented in front of its seniors.
After that, they assess the findings of report by evaluate the skills of individual. At last,
senior managers guide or recommend ways in which individual can improve his kills.
 Own motivation: Motivation is one of the factor which play an effective role in whole
process of learning. Without motivation or in case of lack of motivation no individual can
increase the level of his knowledge (Croft and et. al., 2010). So adequate amount of
motivation must be there in an individual to learn new things and to improve outcome.
3.4 Update the development plan based on feedback
Collect feedback from different individuals and do necessary changes in development
plan is very essential to achieve effective results (Elliott, 2011). Main elements under which a
change can be introduce include the following:
 Change in methods of training: If present training method are not much effective than
managers of ALDI can use different methods or mix of on the job and off the job training
methods. This help in make the process of learning more interesting.
 Different approaches: Company use different approaches to encourage the learning
process of individual (Avalos, 2011). Change can be introduce in this also to achieve
better outcomes from learning programs.
 Motivation required: It is very essential for individual to maintain an optimum level of
motivation. Without this he can not increase the level of his knowledge and can not learn
new methods of doing a work.
CONCLUSION
From the above information it can be summarized that concept of personal and
professional development help an individual to increase level of his knowledge. This provide
number of advantages to both individual and enterprise as well. Different approaches of self
managed learning are there which can be used by the employees of ALDI. Various ways are
there through which lifelong learning of an individual could be encouraged. An individual can
formulate a personal and professional development plan to keep check on his learning and to do
necessary modification in the plan. Number of activities are required to implement the
development plan. Effective solutions to work based problems and different time management
strategies can be used by the managers of ALDI to complete all tasks in time and to get
competitive advantage. Communication take place in an enterprise at different level it is very

essential that this must be take place in an effective manner as this help in clear roles and
responsibilities of all employees.
REFERENCES
Books and journals
Hopkinson, C., 2014. Personal and professional development. Becoming a Nurse: A Textbook for
Professional Practice, p.383.
Stenfors-Hayes, T and et. al., 2010. Being a mentor for undergraduate medical students enhances
personal and professional development. Medical teacher, 32(2), pp.148-153.
McNiff, J., 2010. Action research for professional development: Concise advice for new action
researchers. Dorset: September books.
Moon, J.A., 2013. Reflection in learning and professional development: Theory and practice.
Routledge.
Kumari, N., 2011. Personal therapy as a mandatory requirement for counselling psychologists in
training: A qualitative study of the impact of therapy on trainees’ personal and professional
development. Counselling Psychology Quarterly, 24(3), pp.211-232.
Avalos, B., 2011. Teacher professional development in teaching and teacher education over ten
years. Teaching and teacher education, 27(1), pp.10-20.
Elliott, J. ed., 2011. Reconstructing teacher education (Vol. 221). Routledge.
Croft, A and et. al., 2010. Job-Embedded Professional Development: What It Is, Who Is
Responsible, and How to Get It Done Well. Issue Brief. National Comprehensive Center for
Teacher Quality.
Blandford, S., 2012. Managing professional development in schools. Routledge.
Patrick, F and et. al., 2010. The importance of collegiality and reciprocal learning in the
professional development of beginning teachers. Journal of education for teaching, 36(3),
pp.277-289.
Online

Personal and professional development. 2015. [Online] Available through:<
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on 7th November 2017].