Personal and Professional Development Report: Skills, Goals, and Plan

This report provides a detailed analysis of personal and professional development (PPD), focusing on self-managed learning approaches, lifelong learning strategies, and the benefits of self-directed learning. It explores different learning styles like Kolb's, VARK, and Honey Mumford's, and assesses their relevance in a personal and professional context. The report includes an evaluation of the retail industry, specifically addressing a work-based problem at Marks and Spencer (M&S) related to declining sales due to employee training and productivity issues. It suggests solutions such as implementing training programs, improving communication, and employing effective time management strategies. Furthermore, the report includes a SWOT analysis to evaluate the author's skills and competencies, identifying developmental needs and creating a personal development plan (PDP) with specific objectives and activities to achieve career goals, particularly for a store manager position in the retail sector. The report also includes a detailed PDP with objectives, current proficiency levels, and development plans.

PERSONAL AND
PROFESSIONAL
DEVELOPMENT

Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................1
TASK 1............................................................................................................................................1
1.1 Approaches to self managed learning...................................................................................1
1.2 Evaluating life long learning approaches in personal and professional context...................2
1.3 Analysing benefits of self managed learning........................................................................3
4.1 Analysing work based problems and seeking effective solution for the same.....................3
4.2 Identifying learning styles and effective communication measures which can help in
overcoming the work based problem..........................................................................................4
4.3 Analysing different time manage strategies and its impact on individual............................4
TASK 2............................................................................................................................................5
2.1 Evaluating my personal skills and competencies..................................................................5
2.2 Identifying my own developmental needs and the activities required to meet them............6
2.3 Analysing the development opportunities to meet the defined goals for future ..................7
2.4 Developing personal development plan for attain intended goals........................................7
3.1 Process and activities required to implement the development plan....................................8
3.2 Undertaking the document development activities as planned.............................................9
3.3 Critical analysis of learning objectives..............................................................................10
3.4 Updated PDP.......................................................................................................................10
CONCLUSION..............................................................................................................................11

INTRODUCTION
The present era of conceptualization has developed wide demand for innovation and
creativity in the business environments. Companies presently are seeking qualified and
experienced team of employees in order to attain high measures for business growth and
development (Day and et.al., 2006). Personal and professional development is a process whereby
an individual seeks core value of oneself and find competitive means to enhance individual
competitiveness and employability in the economy. The present focuses on analysing different
means of personal and professional development in order to enhance individual value. It will
analyse the concept and significance of self managed learning, life long learning etc. to develop
skills and capabilities of a person. The PPD plan will undertake retail industry analysis and will
identify measures that can help an individual to attain high employment and growth
opportunities in the sector.
TASK 1
1.1 Approaches to self managed learning
Learning is a significant part of individual growth and development. It helps an
individual in attaining advanced knowledge to develop skills and capabilities of an individual. In
order to attain a managerial position in fashion retail industry of UK self managed learning will
help in understating core concepts and requirements of the sector and will contribute in
developing a competitive position in the market.
Different approaches which can be attained by an individual for sef managed learning
includes: Kolb theory of learning: David Kolb developed an effective means of experimental
learning which employs learning cycle for the creating deep and well developed learning.
This style involved four major phases of learning which include concrete experiment,
reflective observation, abstract conceptualization and active experiment (Cottrell, 2010).
The author analysed different individual needs and demands and designed a practical
learning model. VARK learning theory: Neil Fleming developed a model which focused on sensory
modalities which included visual, auditory, reading, kinaesthetic. According to the model
every individual has a specific preference which helps them in learning effectively and
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widely. Business units identifies the learning styles and provide relative training for the
same (Ogden, 2012).
 Honey Mumford's learning style: This is yet another learning model developed by Peter
Honey and Alan Mumford which was based on Kolb's learning style. The model
represented an overall learning cycle for an individual and developed an effective means
of leaning experience. According to the cycle four stages of learning involves activist
(having an experience), reflector (reviewing the experience), theorist (learning by
concluding the experience) and pragmatist (planning about what next should be done)
(Dolea and et.al., 2010).
The above learning styles reflects a clear and well developed means of learning for an
individual as per their own preference and characteristics.
1.2 Evaluating life long learning approaches in personal and professional context
Learning is significant for the personal and professional development of an individual. I
aspire to attain a managerial position in the retail industry. I analysed that I adopt Honey
Mumford's style of learning for developing a concrete experiences and attaining wide learning
lessons (Rämgård, Blomqvist and Petersson, 2015). Moreover, it helps me in retaining the
strategies and applying same in later phase of life. Life long learning is one of the most crucial
part of development as it helps an individual in attaining wide and well developed means of
growth opportunities. According to my learning style the life long approaches appropriate for me
will be: Self managed learning: This is one of the most effective common means of learning
where an individual can manage well developed learning and development styles to
enhance his/her own knowledge through different mediums. I will use books, journals,
biographies and internet surfing as a tool for continuous and self managed learning
(Moon, 2013). Apprentenceships: This is another measures which will help me in attaining practical
industry experience in the retail industry and create an effective impact for my life long
learning. This method will help me in attaining concrete work based and learning
experience (Beausaert and et.al., 2013).
 Managing journals of daily experiences: by adopting this approach I can manage a
regular learning and assessing habit. It will be effective for my growth and development
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in the competitive environment. Moreover, it will help me in developing short term and
long term goals and targets for further development (Dolea and et.al., 2010).
1.3 Analysing benefits of self managed learning
Self managed learning is the process whereby individual takes an active approach for
personal learning and development in this competitive environment and create an effective
impact on organizational growth and development as well. This is an effective approach for
developing a critical self analysis and analysing the personal strengths and weaknesses as well.
Self learning approach will be beneficial in the following ways: Enhance personal learning abilities: The stated approach will help me in attaining
efficiently in analysing and understanding the current issues in the industry and will help
me in evaluating the effective means to enhance by skills and abilities for the same. Self
managed learning will be helpful for me in developing my personal abilities to learn and
enhance my current capabilities and skills.
 Attain in-depth understanding about subject: Self managed approach is an effective
means of attaining wide knowledge and understanding on different subjects and
contexts. It will help me in brushing up my concepts on various subjects and issues
related to retail industry and working capabilities and will help me in attaining
considerable growth.
4.1 Analysing work based problems and seeking effective solution for the same
I aspire to work as a store manager in Marks and Spencer company which is a well
established retail business unit operating in more that 18 countries around the world. The
company is currently facing a significant issue of low sales and productivity due to lack of
effective training and development in the organization (Patton, Higgs and Smith, 2013). This has
resulted in demotivating employees and reducing the productivity for enhancing sales and
development. In addition, the company has not developed well defined means of training to deal
with employee needs to enhance their performance in the market. In order to efficiently deal with
the problem a well designed training and development program must be implemented in the
company. M&S must focus on analysing the individual capabilities and skills of the employees
in the business. Along with it the company must also evolute their performance and analyse the
types of training which may helps the employees in enhancing their current level of performance.
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Training and developing line managers for on the job training schedules will also help the
business unit in attaining high and valuable business results. Along with this amendment in the
policies of the company regarding training analysis and regular creating schedules for the same
will also contribute in developing concrete means of organizational development and growth in
the market. Moreover, developing an effective communication model will also be a useful
measure to resolve the prevailing organizational issue in the business.
4.2 Identifying learning styles and effective communication measures which can help in
overcoming the work based problem
M&S is currently facing the issue of declining sales due to low competitiveness and
productivity of employees. Providing a well defined training for the stated issue will help the
business unit in attaining valuable result for the organizational success. In order to effectively
develop a well developed means of working for the employees Honey and Mumford style of
learning will be appropriate for the business (Siebert and Costley, 2011). The learning cycle will
develop an in-depth knowledge about the prevailing business issue and will enhance employee
understating about the same. In addition to this, the selected approach will help in providing a
concrete experiences for the employees to enhance their performance in the company.
Communication also plays a significant role in the organizational development and
growth. It will help M&S in developing effective understanding about the subject within
employees. The company must adopt the following measures to enhance employee performance
through training: Verbal communication methods: This is a quick and effective communication means to
carry out formal as well as informal communication. Company must communicate
verbally with the employees by conducting meeting, through presentations, seminars or
video conferencing in order to enhance trust and loyalty within employees (Webster-
Wright, 2009).
 Non verbal communication methods: This method involves the written communication
along with communicating through actions and gestures. This method is useful for
targeting limited employees of the business. M&S must adopt written communication for
developing final organizational policies for circulating the policies in the company and
developing high productivity.
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4.3 Analysing different time manage strategies and its impact on individual
Time management is one of the most essential part of performance and management. The
effective time management strategies which may help an individual in attaining high growth
prospects within the economy includes: Prioritizing work: This is one of the most significant and crucial time saving strategy
which helps the employees in creating a well developed impact on work performance. I
adopt this I strategy efficiently in order to develop my priorities and work schedule
(Davies, 2008). Moreover, the stated strategy helps me in enhancing my strategic time
saving technique to attain high results for organizational growth.
 Adopting multitasking: This strategy is useful in managing huge workload at one point
of time. I adopt multitasking for simultaneously finishing many tasks and to save time for
important work. This strategy helps in enhancing my skill while managing work in an
efficient manner.
TASK 2
2.1 Evaluating my personal skills and competencies
I have attained wide range of experience in different sectors which has helped me in
attaining effective professional knowledge about retail industry and working measures as well.
Currently I am seeking an opportunity to work with Marks and Spencer as a store manager in
order to contribute in the growth and development of the company. In order to analyse my
current skills and competencies, SWOT analysis approach has been adopted.
STRENGTHS
 Wide level of industry knowledge
 Strong financial knowledge
 Effective inter-personal relations
 Impressive academic qualification
 Wide retail industry knowledge
 Effective communication skills
WEAKNESSES
 Ineffective time management skills
 Low empathetic skills
 Resistance to change
 Limited knowledge about formal
presentation skills
OPPORTUNITIES
 Vast opportunities in retail sector
 High opportunity for managerial
THREATS
 Rising competition in the market
 Limited qualification
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position
 Wide scope for management and
leadership roles
 Lack of future growth opportunities in
the competitive market
2.2 Identifying my own developmental needs and the activities required to meet them
On the basis of the above analysis I analysed my goal and associated strengths and
weaknesses as well. My development plan for the same will be:
Objectives Modified
Objectives
Current proficiency
(Rate 1-5)
1 being lowest
Development plans
Communication
skills
Attain high
efficiency in
communicatio
n presentation
skills
3
Attend workshops to learn the formal
and informal presentation skills and
highly refined communication
strategies
Time managing
skills
Meeting
deadlines and
develop skills
to handle high
work pressure
4
Learn strategies to develop speed and
ability of multitasking. Also enhance
capabilities to meet deadlines by
developing and attaining short term
objectives
Decision
making skills
Enhance
ability to make
quick and
strategic
decisions
2
Update knowledge and attempt
business case studies to enhance
decision making skills.
Technical skills Learn MS
Office and
accounting and
5 Attending classes and lectured to
master MS office and learn other
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statistical
software
technical skills
Managerial
skills
Effective
management
skills
2
Enhance analytical skills and creating
high empathetic and people skills
2.3 Analysing the development opportunities to meet the defined goals for future
On the basis of above analysis it can be effectively determined that I have attained
effective and well developed knowledge and experience in the industry. My development
opportunities that have been analysed in the analysis are: Managerial skills: I have wide scope to enhance my managerial skills by focusing on my
analytical and problem solving skills. This will help me to develop effective leadership
opportunities and create wide impact on my management strategies and growth prospects
in the market. Decision making skills: This is a significant skill to create an effective and well
developed impact on the growth and development of the company. I can enhnace my
decision making skills in order to develop high and effective employability measures in
the competitive market.
 Presentation skills: Retail employees are the face of the business and to attain high
success in the economy employees need to establish effective presentation skills in the
economy. I can enhance my presentation and formal communication skills by attending
lectures and learning through internet as well. This will develop my knowledge about the
subject and create a valuable impact on organizational growth as well.
2.4 Developing personal development plan for attain intended goals
Current
performance
Future needs Opportunities Time Frame Learning activities
Need
development
in presentation
skills
Attain high and
latest knowledge
about body
language and
Will enhance my
communication
skills and develop
3 months Attend lectures, self
learning, coaching
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gestures and
etiquettes
self confidence
Decision
making skills
are not
satisfactory
Enhance
analytical and
problem solving
skills
It ill help me in
creating wide
impact on problem
solving and
enhance my
knowledge as well
6 months Self learning and
knowledge
enhancement, case
studies
Inefficient
time
management
skills
Develop self to
meet small
deadlines and
high work
pressure
Will help me to
meet objectives in
effective and well
developed manner
3 months Setting small deadlines
and meeting the same
Develop
managerial
and leadership
skills
Ensure effective
leadership and
management
Will enhance my
employability and
leadership skills
developing inter-
personal relations
as well
1 year Attain wide industry
knowledge and learn
tactics to manage tasks
3.1 Process and activities required to implement the development plan
In order to develop my skills and capabilities for my growth and development I will focus
on developing an affective and well developed plan to ensure consistency and effective
development measures for future. I will classify my plan in short term and long term perspectives
in order to effectively attain the set objectives and create a wide impact on organizational growth
as well. This will help me in attaining effective employment opportunities in the retail market.
The major activities required to implement the development plan effectively are listed below-
 Long term plan: In order to attain the managerial post in the retail market I need to focus
on developing well defined means of objectives for the growth and development in the
economy. I want to enhance my managerial and decision making skills which demands
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long term practice and development. To attain the stated objective I will develop a
disciplined regime of time management and self learning. I will try to create an
impressive personality and attain high knowledge of the sector. In addition to this
refining my decision making skills will demand me long term practice.
 Short-term plan: I will focus on enhancing my technical and presentation skills along
with developing communication skills. These plans will be attained in a short time frame
by analysing contemporary and new market issues in the market and analysing the same.
I will develop short term goals for the same and focus on developing work priorities to
attain the objectives.
3.2 Undertaking the document development activities as planned
My development activities will be undertaken in an effective and well defined manner. I
will create a definite impact on my personal growth and development by implementing regular
development plans. I will undertake coaching in for developing my technical skills and
communication aspects. It will help me in attaining a professional guidance in the field. Along
with it I will also undertake industry expert guidance. This will help in analysing the actual needs
and demands of the industry and will provide me practical scenario of the industry as well.
Moreover, I will focus on self study measure in order to enhance my knowledge, capabilities and
employability skills as well. Attending proper training sessions, conferences and workshop will
provide a great deal in developing my corporate image in the said company.
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