Comprehensive Report: Personal and Professional Development at M&S

This report delves into the crucial aspects of personal and professional development, examining self-managed learning approaches, lifelong learning, and the benefits they offer to both individuals and organizations, specifically within the context of an M&S manager role. It evaluates current skills and competencies against professional standards and organizational objectives, identifying development needs and opportunities. The report outlines a detailed personal and professional development plan, encompassing document development activities and critical reflection. Furthermore, it explores solutions to work-based problems, communication styles, and effective time management strategies. The report concludes with a comprehensive development plan based on feedback and evaluation, offering practical insights for enhancing personal and professional growth. This assignment is contributed by a student to be published on the website Desklib. Desklib is a platform which provides all the necessary AI based study tools for students.

PERSONAL
AND
PROFESSIONAL
DEVELOPMENT

Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................4
TASK 1 ..........................................................................................................................................4
1.1 Approaches to self-managed learning...................................................................................4
1.2 Lifelong learning to be encouraged in context of personal and professional......................5
1.3 Individual and organizational benefits of self-managed learning.........................................5
TASK 2 ..........................................................................................................................................6
2.1 Current Skills and competencies against the professional standards and organisational
objectives.....................................................................................................................................6
2.2 Own development needs and required activities ..................................................................6
2.3 Development opportunities to meet the current and future needs.........................................7
2.4 Plan for personal and professional development based on the needs...................................7
TASK 3............................................................................................................................................8
3.1Process of development plan: ................................................................................................8
3.2 Document development activities........................................................................................8
3.3 Critical reflection of my own learning..................................................................................9
3.4 Development plan based on feedback and evaluation..........................................................9
TASK 4..........................................................................................................................................10
4.1 Solutions to work-based problems......................................................................................10
4.2 Styles of communication.....................................................................................................11
4.3 Strategies for effective time management...........................................................................11
CONCLUSION..............................................................................................................................12
REFERENCES..............................................................................................................................13

INTRODUCTION
The development of personal and professional skills is the key to achieve the individual
or organizational objectives. There are so many challenges in the way to achieve the goals, the
learning about the factors which are helpful to clear those challenges, are also the part of this
development process. M&S which is a retail company in the UK, the person who is working on
the manager profile in this company have to manage their personal and professional skills that
can help him to deliver a better service to the organisation to achieve their desired
objectives(Avalos, 2011). In this report the benefits of self managed learning approaches and the
life long learning approaches are discussed. The evaluation of the skills and competencies are
also outlined which are against the standard and objectives of the organization. Further the
opportunities and plan for the personal and professional development.
TASK 1
1.1 Approaches to self-managed learning
The self managed learning is defined as the process in which the person have to learn the
thing by their own. There are some approaches that a manager in M&S can adopt:
Seminars and conference: from the seminar and conferences a person can learn so many
things, its allows the people to stand on and speak about something and spread their knowledge
between others who wants to learn those things. The confidence factor is also developed in the
conferences as they do speak in front of so many people to present something also the skills of
presentation can be developed.
Social networks: The social networking platforms like Facebook, Twitter, Instagram,
Youtube, Tumbler and so many others, they all can be the medium to learn so many things.
People used to spent time on such social networking site, they shares their knowledge and
interact with the people through chatting and all which can be a better source to learn(Sutherland,
Howard and Markauskaite, 2010).
Internet: Internet is a medium which is used by each and every individual in the all over
the world. People can search there desired data through the Google which is a largest search
engine in the world. The people can also access the internet to get the data which could be
helpful to understand the working of their workplace.

There are some more approaches that linked to the self-managed learning which are
personal strategies, current needs of the individual and also future needs
1.2 Lifelong learning to be encouraged in context of personal and professional
Lifelong learning is a great thing in order to develop the things in an individual that is
used by him in personal and professional both life. The schedule that is adopted by an individual
in her daily routine, has to be proper, which can help him to manage its time for personal and
professional tasks and also gives the reason to their daily life. Participation in such activities that
are introduced in a group, is also a good approach of lifelong learning.
Individuals have read and learned so many things from the different sources, if he has
shared those things to others, that can also give a better outcome. The courses that are so long but
useful in future can be adopted for lifelong leaning(Thomas and Beauchamp, 2011). These
courses are soft skills, English improvement, practical work, communication with customers and
so on. The individuals of same profession can share and exchange their knowledge with each
other. This conversation can develop their personal and professional skills.
1.3 Individual and organizational benefits of self-managed learning
To meet the objectives the M&S company has hired the employees who have skills with
so much of potential as leadership skills, time management skills and those skills which are
required to achieve the organisation's objectives. There are so many benefits an organisation can
have from the self- managed learning and lifelong learning. The adaptability is increased in the
individual which means the changes can be adapted by the one who are going through the self
manages learning.
The new technologies and trends usually come to the market so a person will be aware of
such things. The issue which is related to money can come with the individual or the
organization, will be also adapted. The topics which are compelling their life, they can explore
them and its an opportunity for the lifelong learners(Ertmer and Ottenbreit-Leftwich, 2010).
After this learning process the body and mental stress can be so low and the individual can enjoy
the company of its family and the other events in its life.

TASK 2
2.1 Current Skills and competencies against the professional standards and organisational
objectives
To get the objectives of an organisation like M&S which is a retail company. Basically
the firm provides the clothing, food products and home products and has so many stores in UK
and international thus they want so much of employment for their store. The staff should be
skilled and for the employees that are already exist, the organisation makes the effort to organise
training and development program. There SMART theory is preferred by the M&S in its system
which is abbreviated as specific, measurable, achievable, realistic and time bound. The writing
and communication skills should be so good in the employees of the M&S, the organization's
objectives can be possible if the employees will have these skills.
Personal skills are also required in the employees of such organization. The expectations
of the organisation can be met with some good had writing of the employee, also they should
have the better listening ability to better listening of the instructions of the management. The
quality of listening is so important for an employee because he works as per the instructions of
company regarding their various operations(Dabbagh and Kitsantas, 2012). The employee should
have the team spirit which allows it to work in a team and share their ideas and skills with other
team members.
2.2 Own development needs and required activities
The employees who know how to manage the time, must needed in the Mark& Spencer.
It is required with the timer management skills to manage the time for different work within the
working hours of the organization. It should have the leadership skills as if the employee si
working on the manager post so he should have the ability to charge their team members thus
they have to work as per the objectives of the company. The information technology is an
important factor in the retail industry, so the employee should have the better communication
skills and he should know about the latest communication techniques that are being used in the
system. These skills can be developed by attending the training and sessions for developing the
aspects of personality.
There are some strategies which can be helpful to enhance the personal skills of an
individual who is working in that retail company. News papers reading can be a good thing to

increase the knowledge of an individual. Its is also so helpful to skills development that are
related to communication(Johnson and et.al., 2012). The PEST(political, economical, social and
technological) analysis is a external environmental audit which can be a medium for personal
development.
2.3 Development opportunities to meet the current and future needs
If I am working in a Mark&Spencer as a manager the current needs depended on the
personal and professional development of me, the employee has know about my own level on
which I am working because now I have the adaptability to stand in any situation what is given
to me. Now the culture of the workplace suits me and I can work with more durability. But I
want to get improvement in some skills like decision making, communication skills,
management of time, leadership skills and to build and maintain a relationship.
My personal development have to be maintained in a way that I can understand the things
around me. There are so many skills which should be appropriate in an employee to make
successful career in the coming year. I believe in future I need to upgrade myself so many
features such as leadership quality, planning with proper strategy, my commitment should inpire
the people, any kind of change could be managed by me, the employees of organisation has to be
developed, my personal life should be balanced with professional one.
2.4 Plan for personal and professional development based on the needs
In every side of life either it is personal or professional, planning is so essential to be
anything or to make anything. As per my objectives I can draw a layout with the requirements.
The plan is so helpful to make sure about the prospective of future. The every single thing should
be included in the plan, the sensitive one and the insensitive also. If I am working is M&S, then
I must have a plan as per the company's requirements, which can be fruitful for the future
development of the organization. In each stage of life modification is very important and also the
modern technologies and knowledge about the new theory must required to achieve the desired
objectives of organization(Dolea, Stormont and Braichet, 2010). The SWOT analysis has its
focus on the strengths in me, weaknesses which can affect my performance, opportunities that I
can get in the future and threats which can make an impact on the strategy of the organisation. It
is the reflection of such needs and on the basis of those needs the plan has to be made.

TASK 3
3.1Process of development plan:
In their as firstly management will identify the internal manpower weakness and than select
employees for their improvement. Moreover, discussion with top management to take permission
about the conducting above sated programs and also established short tern objectives. Al last
evaluated and implemented all these plan.
requisites of development plan
Development plan is a essential of the any organisation for meet their future needs and
goals accomplishments. Development plan is a way to develop their skills and knowledge about
their products. Development is necessary for the meeting new demands. There are various
activities which is essential for development:
Training: Training is most essential for all employees where training is provide proper
knowledge about the skills and working practise. Training is a way to improving their skill and
knowledge. Training aid to develop their individual skills and knowledge.
Workshop & seminar : Workshop & seminar will be help to interacting with each other
employees. Training and workshop are conducting for the improvement their performance.
Seminar are help to increasing confidence towards their works(Dolea, Stormont and Braichet,
2010). Training and workshop both are the development tool which are conducting for the
improving their knowledge and it will be helpful to increasing organisational performance.
3.2 Document development activities
as per the above state development I have monitored my progress report where t can be
necessary to develop with the help of action plan I evaluate my performance ability where I ca
improved it. Firstly I compare my past performance with present performance. So In that case I
made regarding the changes enquired to fulfil my objectives. With the help of swot analysis I
recognise my strength and weakness. Where I can improved my skills all these terms which are
concluded with the context of SWOT analysis . As sated above discussion I improve my decision
making power and communication skills . It can be useful for goal accomplishment. With the
help of all these activities I can also improve my presentation skills, writing skills. Where it can
be helpful to me for future consequences. Writing skills are help me to provide proper
information in written form and communicate all over the employees. I have attend coaching

training and workshops which help me to overcome my problems. With the help of some
seminars and workshop I improve my knowledge and skills towards my performance level. I also
improve my decision making problems where I take better strategic decision for the company.
3.3 Critical reflection of my own learning
presently I am working as a manger of M&S company where I deal with various task at
a time . To become a competitive advantage I can improve my skills so it would be helpful for
achieving organisational goal . I am good in many things like I have a managing skills towards
my work. I properly managed my work as according to the time. And I also managed whole
organisational working methods and practices which they all are used. I stay cam with my work
and I use to to a participative nature in work. Where I helping to other one's with there work. I
overcome my weakness with the help of training session and workshops which can b e help to
improving my skills and knowledge so that I can achieve my desired goals(Mann, 2011). Even I
started reading article and books where it can be aid to develop my writing and communication
skill. I also improve my decision making process where I took strategic decision for the company
to create a competitive advantages over the other companies.
3.4 Development plan based on feedback and evaluation
on the basis of above development plan I have received some feedback from my trainer
regarding my improvement. As, I have attended coaching to improve my writing skills at this
point my trainer said I am doing well and learning well. And with the help of some training
session I have got positive feedbacks. It build up my confidence and willingness towards my
words. There are the updated development plan:
Skills Ways of
developments
Source of
Feedback
Aims & objectives Result

Decision making
skill
writing skills
management
skills
Generate Proper
information
about current
market and
customer needs.
Reading proper
books, articles
and blogs.
Generate
information
about the
management
studies and
working
practices.
From higher
authority
From trainer of
respected
training institute.
From higher
authorises.
To take better
decision for the
organisation goal
accomplishment.
Improvement in
writing skills where It
can help to
communicate proper
information in Wright
manner.
Management skills are
help to provide
effectiveness in
management and help
to increasing
performance level in
an organisation, and it
can be build better
work force
environment.
With the help of
some training program
decision making skill
has improving well.
With the help of
reading books and
article still improving
writing skills.
With the help of some
management studies
properly gained
knowledge about the
management
practices.
TASK 4
4.1 Solutions to work-based problems
In an organisation there are various problems will occur. Work based problems are
affected to business performance level there I some big problems there I identify one big
problem which is related to team management . In an organisation such teams are not managed

properly and also they are not performing well in team work. manager have so many problems
related to employees their work so that they want to some improvement in workforce situations.
There are various solution overcome their problems:
Identify the issues: in an organisation firstly identify the issues and list out the possible solutions.
Motivations: most of the time motivation increase their workforce confidence and performance
level in towards employees(Maister, 2012). Motivations are help to increasing their performance
and moral in workforce. So that they can build proper workforce environment .
rewards and compensation: Providing proper rewards and compensation are also increase team
performance and workforce efficiency in their organisational level. Rewards and compensation
plan are help to create a healthy environment and also build equality in an organisation towards
there employees.
These all techniques are helpful to reducing workplace problems and improving
organisational environment. It can be assistance for develop their team performance which is
helpful to improving organisational productivity.
4.2 Styles of communication
The business communication is basically done in two ways, one is oral and the another
one is written. The oral communication can be seen between the subordinates of the
organization. In Mark& Spencer they do conduct so many meetings of their authority members
or the other team members, the process of interview is also a type of oral communication. The
oral communication is done horizontally ion the organization, the employee have the general
conversation, which is also a horizontal communication and they should have the respect for
each level of employment. For example Grapevine is an informal business communication.
There is one more approach to communicate with the higher authority of the
organization. When some official information has to be circulate in the organization, the written
communication is the only way. The company have its agenda, different reports, different
manuals for the customers and employees(Hung and Yuen, 2010). These all have done in the
written style of communication. This communication is processed vertically, from top level of
organization to bottom.
4.3 Strategies for effective time management
Time management strategies are the way to managed work as per the time . Time
management is essential for any working practices. With the help of time management employee

had to improve in their working efficiency and laid to increasing their performance level.
Effectiveness of time management is help to balanced their professional life and social life.
There are various time management strategies which are help to managed their work efficiency
and also time management strategies are help me to manage time as per according to work
distribution. There are the strategies which are help to managed time :
work based priorities: In this strategies set some priorities is helpful to reducing work load. In
this strategy complete those task once which are more important(Hong, 2010). Work based
priorities are made for reducing work load . In this point person set work distribution as
according to time where it is help to completing work n time and prioritisation of work is laid to
reducing workload and that is more important to increasing their work performance and boost
working efficiency. This is the one of the best time management strategy where organisation
improve work efficiency.
CONCLUSION
By this report we have concluded that there are so many approaches for self-managed
learning and individual can also have the benefits as they have adopted them. There is also a
discussion on the personal and professional skills and a reflection on my own skills and needs
has also explained in this report. The needs for the personal and professional development and
the respective opportunities are also described. The various activities regarding the development
plan are so very essential. A critical reflection of my own learning have a outline in this
summary. In the end communication styles and the strategies for effective time management is
mentioned.

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