Personal and Professional Development Report for HND Travel & Tourism

This report delves into the concept of personal and professional development, emphasizing self-managed learning as a crucial element for career advancement and effective decision-making. It utilizes ALDI as a case study to illustrate practical applications. The report covers various approaches to self-managed learning, including seminars, internet resources, and social media, while also exploring ways to encourage lifelong learning, such as self-evaluation, continuous learning, and effective leadership. It evaluates current skills and competencies, identifies development needs and opportunities, and presents a detailed personal and professional development plan. The report further outlines the processes and activities required to implement the plan, documents the development undertaken, and assesses learning against original objectives. It also addresses work-based problem-solving and communication strategies. The report concludes with an examination of effective time management strategies.

Personal and
professional
development

Contents
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................3
TASK 1............................................................................................................................................3
1.1 Approaches of self managed learning....................................................................................3
1.2 Ways in which lifelong learning could be encouraged..........................................................4
1.3 Benefits of self managed learning to organizations and individuals.....................................4
TASK 2............................................................................................................................................5
2.1 Evaluation of own current skills and competencies..............................................................5
2.2 Own development needs........................................................................................................6
2.3 Identification of development opportunities to meet current and future needs.....................6
2.4 Personal and professional development plan.........................................................................6
TASK 3............................................................................................................................................7
3.1 Process and activities require to implement the development plan.......................................7
3.2 Undertake and document development.................................................................................7
3.3 Own learning against original aims and objectives...............................................................8
3.4 Update the development plan...............................................................................................8
TASK 4............................................................................................................................................8
4.1 Solutions to work based problems.........................................................................................8
4.2 Variety of communication styles at various levels................................................................9
4.3 Effective time management strategies.................................................................................10
CONCLUSION..............................................................................................................................10
REFERENCES..............................................................................................................................11

INTRODUCTION
Concept of personal and professional development is very popular as under this an
individual take part in various events and learning programs to increase his knowledge. This
benefit him during process of his career development and make him able to take effective
decision to solve complex business problems (Hopkinson, 2014). Vast number of tools,
techniques and methods are there which can be used by an individual to ensure effective
implementation of his learning process. In order to achieve success it become necessity for an
individual to have skills and abilities. To achieve the same that individual can formulate a
development plan in order to increase skills. ALDI, multinational grocery retailer firm based in
United Kingdom is taken under this report for study. Different methods and approaches of self
managed learning and ways in which an individual can encourage lifelong learning is all detailed
under this report. Further, various time management strategies and solutions to work based
problems is also given in this.
TASK 1
1.1 Approaches of self managed learning
Concept of self managed learning refers to the learning under which an individual take part
in various programs of learning in order to enhance the level of his knowledge. Various
approaches for this are there which can be used by an individual for this. Further, in order to
enhance the level of information, an individual can carry out research and take help of
various resources such as books, articles, magazines and journals. Along with this, different
methods which can be used by an individual for increase the level of knowledge can be better
understood by following points:
 Seminars and conferences: An individual can increase the level of his knowledge by
take in different type of seminars and conferences. Main feature of this method is that
under this various individuals exchange ideas and thoughts which each other. This
help individual in increase his knowledge and increase his self confidence.
 Internet: Today internet is known as a tool which provide lot of information about any
topic. An individual can increase the level of his knowledge by use internet.
 With help of various social media sites: Due to technology development, different
type of social platforms are there which can be used by individual to enhance level of
knowledge. This help individual in understand what other think about a particular
topic an issue.

1.2 Ways in which lifelong learning could be encouraged
Learning on continuous level is known as lifelong learning which can be either personal
or can be professional (Stenfors-Hayes and et. al., 2010). Advantage of this type learning is that
knowledge level of person and at the same time ensure development of various skills and
abilities in a person. All this improve communication skills of individual guide him how to
communicate in variety of situations. Main methods by which an individual could encourage
lifelong learning includes the following:
 Self evaluation: This is a process under which an individual analyze own strengths,
weakness, opportunities and threats as this guide in formulate an effective development
plan. This contribute in achieve positive results of development program. SWOT of an
individual can be understood by example:
Strengths are good leadership skills and effective communicative style.
Weakness are rude behavior.
Opportunities are different opportunities for growth.
Threats are recession.
Continuous learning: This is another way in which lifelong learning of an individual can be
encouraged. In this individual learn various things and methods from his own past experience
and life events. Main feature of this type of learning is that it guide individual in set goals and
objectives (McNiff, 2010). Employer can use various methods such as coaching, workshops and
training programs in order to increase learning and skills of employees.
 Effective leadership: Leadership is a trait under which an individual use various tools and
methods to direct the behavior of others. This help a person in learn how to find better
solution of complex business problems by encourage the behavior of workers.
1.3 Benefits of self managed learning to organizations and individuals
One of the main advantage of concept of self managed learning is that it provide various
benefits to both individual and organization. For individuals it direct and guide them in how to
make the process of decision making more effective. Under this concept various type of workers
who work in enterprise do discussion with each other in order to find the better solutions of
business problems. During this, every workers share their ideas and information with each other.
This increase both knowledge and self confidence of an individual also help him in take better
decisions at workplace. Further, enhance knowledge and skills of workers ensure effective
execution of various business activities which provide advantages to enterprise. further benefits
of self manages learning to both individuals and organizations are states below under following
points:
 Team work skills: Various activities covered under the concept of self managed learning
encourage an individual to take part in different type of conferences and seminars. This
enhance level of knowledge of person and at the same time develop his ability to work in

a team. All this encourage working of team in enterprises which directly increase
productivity and profits of enterprise.
Presentation skills: Self manage learning programs increase knowledge of individual which
directly enhance his self confidence and boost up his morale (Moon, 2013).With this an
individual learn how to behave and give presentation in front of other people. All this create a
positive and healthy working environment at workplace and provide various long term benefits
to company.
 Communication skills: Another advantage of self managed learning is that this improve
both writing and oral communication of individual. Increase knowledge encourage
workers to come up with new and innovative ideas and help enter[rise in find better
solution of complex business problems.
TASK 2
2.1 Evaluation of own current skills and competencies
It is very essential for every individual to adopt a right approach to develop right skills
and qualities. It is very important for that person to be better aware about his strengths,
weakness, opportunities and threats. Every ob require some kind of skills and abilities to perform
that job in an effective way. Capabilities which must be there in a person to perform the role of
store manager are given below:
SL no. Competencies and
skills
Score Score from peers variances
1 Problem solving
skill
6 7 -1
2 Development of
team and
management
9 10 -1
3 Listening skills 5 4 1
4 Research skills 5 7 -2
5 Motivation skill 9 7 2
6 My own
effectiveness and
efficiency
3 4 1
7 Quality standards 5 5 0
8 Good team
member
6 6 0
9 Leadership style 6 9 -3
All positive points are showing my weakness while negative marks are indicating my
strengths. On basis of this I prepared my CV

Name:
Address:
Graduation
Masters in HR and marketing
Work experience: Working in ALDI from last 8 months.
Strengths:
Research skill
Good member of team
2.2 Own development needs
Comparison helps me identify the areas I need to develop or work on. Special skills
which I need to develop in me are:
 I need to enhance my leadership skill
 I need to improve my motivation ability
To develop the same main tools which can be used by me include the following:
 Conferences and seminars: In order to improve my skill of leadership I can participate
in various seminars and conferences.
 Managerial guidance: I can take guidance of my seniors in order to guide me during
my development program.
 Simulation training: This is a tool under which an artificial situation is create in order
to make the individuals able to learn how to react under different situations.
2.3 Identification of development opportunities to meet current and future needs
In order to make the development plan a successful one and to develop skills and
required abilities in, it is very essential for an individual to have number of opportunities.
Further, in order to develop special skills it is very essential for an individual to participate in the
following:
 Individual should enhance his participation in decision making process.
 By participate in various sessions of brain storming.
 Individual can carry out research in order to gain information about a particular topic.
 With help of SMART goals.
 With use of various social media platforms.
With help of all these an individual can achieve the set goals and objectives of development
plan.
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 of
autocratic
Need to
adopt
Learning
form top
Top
executives.
5 days Formal
report

style of
leadership.
democratic
or free rein
style of
leadership.
managers. develop by
managers.
2 Motivational
skills
Adoption of
traditional
theories and
models of
motivation
Use of
modern and
more
effective
models of
motivation,.
Participation
in learning
programs.
Workers
working
under me.
3 days Peer’s
judgement.
3 Efficiency
and
effectivenes
s
Current
methods of
complete
work are not
that much
effective.
New tools
and
techniques
can be apply
to complete
the work.
Managerial
guidance.
Written
report.
2 week. Judgment
of lower
level
mangers.
TASK 3
3.1 Process and activities require to implement the development plan
It is very essential for an individual to formulate a effective development plan which can
be done with help of various steps:
 Set time period: In this, individual decide every activity which must be included in
development plan and then set specific tie period for every activity.
 Assessment of knowledge, skills and abilities: Evaluation of own skills, abilities and
knowledge is done by individual in order to formulate development plan.
 Learning strategies: Number of learning strategies are there which can be used by
individual during implementation of development plan.
 Resources: For achieve effective execution of various activities it is essential for
individual to identify the resources required and collect the same to get positive results.
 Evaluation and feedback: Under this, individual first evaluate every step include under
development plan and then introduce necessary changes in order to get the best results.
3.2 Undertake and document development
It comes under one of the main responsibility of managers to enterprise to identify the
gap between standards and actual skills of employees and fulfill the same so company can
achieve end goals and objectives in an effective way. Main activities which can be execute by
manager for this is stated below under following points:
 Training: Under this method, managers conduct training programs for employees in order
to develop their skills and qualities so they can complete the assign work in an effective
way.

 Learning strategies: Various strategies are developed and used by managers under this to
encourage continuous learning of employees.
 Research: In this method, managers conduct different type of research in order to collect
more information and then they use the same information during formulation of various
business plans.
 Monitoring and evaluation: In this manager introduce required changes identified on the
basis on monitoring.
3.3 Own learning against original aims and objectives
Evaluation of learning program can be done by individual by analyze the improvements.
Main tools and techniques which can be used by an individual can be better understood by
following points:
Formal meetings: Under this, individual conduct formal meeting and give invitation to all senior
managers to participate in the same (Kumari, 2011). After that progress report of individual is
shown before all managers and they evaluate the main findings of research and give their
recommendations for improvement.
 Own motivations: Own motivation of individual play a big role in whole process of
learning, without this a person cannot develop required skills and capabilities in himself.
So it is very essential to be excited and enough motivated to learn new skills and abilities.
3.4 Update the development plan
It is very essential for manager to introduce changes in various aspect of learning
program in order to get more positive results. Main areas in which manager can introduce change
include the following:
Training methods: If existing methods of training are not effective then can change the old
methods of training or can do some variations in existing methods of training (Avalos, 2011).
 Approaches: Right and effective approach must be choose by enterprise in order to make
the learning program of employees more effective.
TASK 4
4.1 Solutions to work based problems
Every organizations face different kind of problems during executions of various
business operations (Elliott, 2011). It is very essential to handle all issues and problems in order
to better achieve set objectives and goals. Analysis of problem and identification of main cause
of problems is very essential to find better solution of issue. Due to operating at a global level, at
present ALDI is facing the following issues:

Collaborative working: ALDI is operating in different countries and number of workers in its
various outlets which belongs from various religion, culture, state and culture. Main issue which
is facing bye firm at present is lack of communication among employees and various
departments of company (Croft and et. al., 2010). This result and create unnecessary cost and
delay in execution of business activities and at the same time hamper the quality of product. To
better achieve end results it is very essential for managers to remove this as this will help in
clear roles and responsibilities of enterprise and at the same time bring coordination among
various activities of business. Research reveals that one of the main reason behind this is huge
number of rules and regulation at workplace.
Solution: Main tools and techniques which can be used by top managers of ALDI to solve
this problem can be understood by following points:
 Encourage team development and working: In this method, manager of firm encourage
employees and motivate them to work in a team. This provide an opportunity to
employees to understand others and working in a team increase profits and productivity
of company.
 Develop effective channels of communication: It is prerequisite of every enterprise to
have effective communication among various departments and functions. This help in
maintain the quality of company’s product and at the same time ensure completion of
business operations at time.
4.2 Variety of communication styles at various levels
Communication is a procedure under which one individual communicate with other with
help of some words, symbols and figures for a pre defined purpose. This take place in enterprise
at various level of enterprise in variety of style which can be understood by following points:
Verbal communication: In this form of communication, sender take help of various words and
symbols to communicate with other party known as receiver. This is informal in nature and
mostly take place at lower level of firm (Patrick and et. al., 2010). To get positive results it is
very essential for sender to use simple symbols and easy words.
 Non verbal communication: Various elements such as gestures, body language and facial
expressions are use sender to communicate with receiver.
 Written communication: This type of communication is formal in nature and take place at
top level of enterprise. Under this , writer write the message on a piece of paper and then
send the same to receiver.
 Public communication: This is another type of communication under which sender give
oral speech in front of large number of individuals.
4.3 Effective time management strategies
In today’s business world completion of business activity in given time is very important for an
enterprise to achieve the given set objectives and further aims. This helps the enterprise to get

competitive advantages and get various other benefits also.
Mostly used and popular effective strategies of time management are stated below:
•Set proper goals: Under this point the manager of the company set specific objectives which
are needed to be achieved by the company in a given time. Complete the complex and hard tasks
in given time employees are given proper direction to do it.
•Organizing the resources: Under this, firstly the resources are identified by the managers
required at different departments of the company and allocate all the resources to ensure that it
is properly utilized at optimum level (Blandford, 2012).
•To schedule the tasks: In this, a written schedule is made by the manager which includes the
proper relevant activities of enterprise that includes the completion the task in the specific time
period.
•Bounded by time: Main plans of this is to complete all business operations and activities in
given specific period of time. For this various methods have been developed by the manager to
complete the old task with the new technology and method in lesser time.
• Proactive: Under this manager performs the evaluation of employees by identifying the gap
between standard work and actual skills of the workers.
• To be focused: In this, managers need to focus more on business operations to be executed in
an effective way.
All these are the most important strategies of ALDI used by the managers to complete all
the business projects in given time.
CONCLUSION
From the above project report, it can be summarized that various factors are there which
contribute in increase the level of knowledge of an individual. A person can participate in
various events and different type of seminars, main advantage of this is that in increase self
confidence and decision making ability of an individual. Own motivation of an individual play a
big role in whole process learning so it is very essential for an individual to have enough
motivation to learn new things and skills. Various strategies are there which can be used by
managers of ALDI to encourage learning of employees and to make them able to accept the
future challenges of business, further, various time management approaches are there which can
be used by managers of ALDI to ensure completion of business activities in time. It is very
essential that implementation of various activities should be done included in learning programs
to ensure effective learning of person.

REFERENCES
Books and journals
Avalos, B., 2011. Teacher professional development in teaching and teacher education over ten
years. Teaching and teacher education, 27(1), pp.10-20.
Blandford, S., 2012. Managing professional development in schools. 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.
Elliott, J. ed., 2011. Reconstructing teacher education (Vol. 221). Routledge.
Hopkinson, C., 2014. Personal and professional development. Becoming a Nurse: A Textbook for
Professional Practice, p.383.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Online
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