Personal and Professional Development Report - HND Business Level 5

This report provides a comprehensive analysis of personal and professional development, focusing on self-managed learning approaches, lifelong learning strategies, and the evaluation of skills and competencies. It explores methods for identifying development needs and opportunities, including the creation of a personal and professional development plan. The report examines the benefits of self-managed learning for both individuals and organizations, emphasizing the importance of critical reflection, time management, and effective communication. The assessment includes an evaluation of current skills against professional standards, the determination of activities for skill acquisition, and the presentation of findings related to work-based problem-solving and the application of appropriate methodologies. The report also includes a curriculum vitae sample and addresses various aspects of professional development such as communication styles, time management strategies, and solutions to workplace issues.

Personal and Professional
Development

Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................1
TASK 1............................................................................................................................................1
1.1 Self-managed learning Approaches.................................................................................1
M1. Identify and apply strategies to find appropriate solutions.............................................2
1.2 lifelong learning in personal and professional aspect.......................................................2
1.3 Evaluating benefits of self-managed learning..................................................................2
TASK 2............................................................................................................................................4
2.1 Evaluation of competencies against professional standards.............................................4
2.2 Determining needs and activities for Acquisation............................................................4
2.3 Determining opportunities for meeting current and future needs....................................5
M3 Presenting the appropriate findings.................................................................................5
2.4 Personal and Professional Development Plan..................................................................5
TASK 3............................................................................................................................................5
3.1 Processes and activities for implementation of planning.................................................5
3.2 Documentation of development activities........................................................................6
3.3 Reflection on own learning against the goals and objectives...........................................6
D2 Taking responsibility for managing and organising activity............................................7
3.4 Updating Development plan based on feedback and Evaluation.....................................7
D3 Demonstration of creative thinking..................................................................................8
TASK 4............................................................................................................................................9
4.1 Solutions to work based problems....................................................................................9
4.2 Communicate in variety of styles and appropriate manner at various levels...................9
D1Use critical reflection to evaluate own work and justify valid conclusion......................10
4.3 Effective time management strategies............................................................................10
M2 Design and apply appropriate methods........................................................................11
CONCLUSION..............................................................................................................................11
REFERENCES..............................................................................................................................12

INTRODUCTION
In a business organisation, personal and professional development works for
development of both bodies which are an employee and company. In simple words, it is a
process in which knowledge is gained and skills are developed for career enhancement. While
working in an ethical organisational environment it broadcasts all types of opportunities. With
the help of several tools and techniques, thinking criteria can be improved in an effective way.
There are various ways by which personal and professional development can be
approached like coaching, technical development and monitoring. Under this assessment, ways
thorough learning style can be obtained and its advantages which can be taken from those styles.
Moreover, many elements which are stated under this assignment are that life long learning ways
which can be adopted for development in every aspect of life. In addition, how a development
strategies can be made through which it can be implemented and set of skills which will be
explored can be adopted. Certain more things are also elaborated in this assessment which are
approaches to self managed learning and the ways by which it can used for life long. Moreover,
Standards of self managed and organisational learning is also discussed and apart from it
professional standards are also discussed.
TASK 1
1.1 Self-managed learning Approaches
This technique aids an individual to be more adaptive and dedicated towards the task
allotted and improve her\his skills during the completion of task for amplification of success and
imply that set of skills in life to be more successful for a longer period of time. Various types of
approaches can be adopted by an individual for individualist managed acquisition and the major
one is having a visionary mind in which future trends can be seen and thus work can be done
according to it. Advantage of having visionary approach is that it can change mindset of an
individual and enable him\her to be flexible and dynamic so that future turns can be easily
managed by making effective strategy. Setting up of goal is another term which is used in self
managed learning and in this approach an individual sets up a task and focus on it to attain it
within tenure given but major drawback of this approach is that future trends are not visible
because of focusing in one direction (Desimone, 2011). A person who is an optimistic person
and have positive mindset then this can be an useful technique to prosper in economic and social

factors. After viewing these point of view, it is clear that self managed approach is a contribution
towards both professional and personal development.
M1. Identify and apply strategies to find appropriate solutions
There are many problems faced being a leader and the most annoying issue is the late
coming of staff members and it hampers the tasks which are allotted to them in their respective
section. This in turn creates a red mark towards leadership of a leader and that is something
which can not be ignored(Elliott, 2011). Schemes can be implemented to find resolution like
conducting a group meeting with the regime along with team to discover root cause and then
giving warnings and making some adjustments as well and then if not applied by employees,
penalties should be deducted from salaries .
1.2 lifelong learning in personal and professional aspect
Many ways which can be discovered by which an employee or an individual can learn
through personal and professional learning. Moreover they are classifying short and long term
goals in which particular set of skills are nourished and can be provided an edge by which
several ways can be discovered for an individual so that scope can be improved of learning and
gaining knowledge for long span of time. In personal development, an individual creates a
development cycle to achieve every task which has been decided to complete. So, that enhance
an individual development and boos confidence in him\her for skills growth and advancement of
experience (Forte and Flores, 2014). In professional development, if an individual is not able to
attain any task he\she can try to attain it and this will increase confidence level and will also
gives experience for another difficult task to complete.
1.3 Evaluating benefits of self-managed learning
Benefits to Individuals
Person who has positive set of mind can achieve particular phases of life in effective
manner and this will enable them to set examples for others so that motivation can be provided.
If the self managed learning attitude is absorbed by an individual, then the competition level can
be improved and just not only competencies but also it will enable him\her to reach at higher
position by hard working in an organisation. Along with high position, a person gets advantage

of being an intellectual person which brings maturity and development in personality and also
increase morale level of organisation along with an employee.
Benefits to Organisation:
Trivago.com is an company which was established in year 2008 and majority of its shares
is owned by Expedia, Inc. and since then it has been operating in online travel company. An
employee can explore many things in this organisation including surviving in dynamic market
and gaining bag of knowledge. Authority involves employee in major decision making process
which in turn will enhance the trusting part and communication elements (Gamrat and et al.,
2014). If workers are encouraged within firm, then examples can be set for other employees and
can make them obtain attitude of self learning and efficiency of the organisation along with
productivity and profitability can be enhanced in an effective and efficient manner.
(Source: benefits of self managed learning, 2017)
Illustration 1: Benefits of Self managed learning

TASK 2
2.1 Evaluation of competencies against professional standards
Evaluating skills and knowledge against professional standard is very important as it
helps an individual to find out deviations which is faced by him. If the mind is frustrated, it
brings inability to perform a task completely and employee one's skill to its optimum utilization.
C.V
Curriculum Vitae
Name : Richard Cameron
Address: 53/999 San Francisso
Phone No. - 51045668
Objective -
Having a 10+ years of experience, my objective is to find out an opportunity to work with a
fastest growing company where I can explore myself and learn new things.
Educational qualification
B.com (Bachelor of Commerce)
Masters in business administration (Specialisation in sales and finance)
Skills :-
 Demonstrated leader in sales and marketing by having experience across culturals and
directly with senior managers.
 Good communication skills
 Team building skills
 Ability to work with under pressure.
Declaration – I hereby that, all the above information is true.
Date:
Place:
2.2 Determining needs and activities for Acquisation
Perfection is difficult and that is why it is regarded as an illusion. For making an
employee effective and presenting in tough market, there are certain set of skills which needs to
be innovative and developed (Hudson, 2013). Some common weak points of an organisation are

major changes, introduction of latest technology which can slow the performance level of an
organisation.
Personal Development Plan
Learning of Needed
skills
Activities for
developing skills
Determining
resources and support
Process' s Monitoring
Designing Checklists launching
and provision of tasks
which needs to be
sorted.
Effectual leading,
external support,
capability
understanding
Observing and
analysing of
constituted plan.
Decision making Critical analysis of
situation,
understanding view
point of different
people.
Assignment of tasks,
projects, providing
various choices to
students.
Monitoring taken
decision and check if
any development of it
is required.
Interpersonal skills Active listening,
positive body language
A social environment,
togetherness and
feedback form seniors.
To know and
understand various
people point of view,
various
communication
channels can be
adopted
Motivation Surveys, effective
communication and
knowing of wants.
Tasks should be
provided according to
the interests.
Resolving issues
which can improve
motivation level and
thereafter tasks can be
allotted according to
the abilities of person.

2.3 Determining opportunities for meeting current and future needs
There are several chances which subsist in social class for development of my own skills
as per professional standards. After this assignment I came to know about skills which are
required to develop for finer professional bearer. It can be classified into:
Current needs: There are some elements which needs to done for fulfilling the current
needs. I must be the part of an organisation and ensure that task allotted to me should be
completed in effective manner and smartly so that trust can be build up between me and
authorities and thus my Career can enhance under that organisation. Along with that I am
determined to improve the areas in which I lack and polish those in which chances of
development can be done. Grabbing knowledge and experience is also the major role which I
will follow.
Future needs: Needs and wants are those part in human being's life which are never
ending. I must turn myself into more flexible and dynamic so that upcoming situations can be
dealt with ease manner and thus knowledge can be gained for personal and professional
development.
M3 Presenting the appropriate findings
It is found that employees who used to reach office late and could not complete task on
time in given period of time which helped them to reach optimum potential and perform better.
The conducting of meetings and problem solving decision help them to reach optimum level of
productivity in organisation.
2.4 Personal and Professional Development Plan
The plan focuses on reducing the gap between current and ideal skill and knowledgable.
A plan has been prepared by me to enhance personal and professional development.
Personal Development Plan
Skill objectives Resources
required
Time scale
Planning To excel when it
comes to
formulating plans.
To plan my
Help can be taken
of study material
to understand the
planning
2 Months

personal life
effectively
measures and
cautions by
assessing various
methodologies.
Decision Making To understand the
various ways of
making decision
and ways of
assessment of
alternatives
To enhance my
knowledge,
reading effective
study material.
Participating in
decision making.
2 months
Interpersonal
skills
The feeling of
empathy,
understanding the
needs and
expectations of
people and
effective
communication.
Gather
knowledge on the
same,
communicate, and
active listening
2 months
Motivation To motivate self
and other to reach
an ideal position
in life.
Gathering
knowledge about
motivation,
conflict resolution
and various
techniques to
boost the morale.
2 months

TASK 3
3.1 Processes and activities for implementation of planning
Number of plans which are needed for applying the plan for development and they are as
follows:
SKILLS AIMS RESOURCES
NEEDED TO
ATTAIN MY
AIMS
TARGET DATE
FOR
ATTAINING
MY GOALS
ACTUAL DATE
OF
ACHIEVING
MY
OBJECTIVES
Decision making
and problem
solving
In the decision-
making process,
crucial role is
being played for
taking effective
decisions so that
effective outputs
can be attained
and prosperity can
be observed.
For enhancing
the knowledge
and process of
decision-making,
even there are
some famous
judges and cases
who can be
preferred as case
studies and law
books for making
effective
decisions.
Jan 2018 to June
2018
06/06/18
Time and
Organisation
management
Being a crucial
factor, time needs
to be managed in
appropriate
manner so that
certain objectives
For acquiring it,
studies and
conducting
research needs to
be done by me
on time strategies
Jan 2018 to June
2018
06/06/18

can be achieved
within allocated
time in effectual
manner.
which can be
utilised by
companies and
entrepreneurs.
Planning Planning is a
process which is
priority of every
company who is
manufacturing
products for
customers in
market place.
Various tools and
techniques
should be
adopted by me in
order to make
effective
strategies for
planning so that
expected
outcomes can be
observed.
Jan 2018 to June
2018
06/06/18
Written
communication
Written records
and database
needs to be kept
for the information
which is vital for
company.
From the other
companies
guidance can be
taken of various
records which
are being kept by
company.
Jan 2018 to June
2018
06/06/18
3.2 Documentation of development activities
Planning is being done on various kind of activities and thus they are given below:
PERIOD OF
WORK
ACTIVITY
UNDER TAKEN
WHAT IS
LEARNT UP
TILL NOW
WHAT TO DO
NEXT
WHEN TO DO
Week 1 Process of Determination From this process , Same week

analysing is being
done in the starting
on each and every
shortcomings.
of the cause due
to which the
problem has
been caused and
happened as
well.
the people who are
being affected
should be helped
and appropriate
guidance should be
given for the same.
Week 2 Monitoring and
regulating should
be done in next
week where the
development is
needed.
On Planning,
research and
study is being
done.
Activities should
be operated in
written manner.
Same week
Week 3 Main focus in this
week is on
enhancing the
skills
Inspection
should be done
on certain
elements which
are presented in
front of staff
members
On needed
capabilities, if
there is scope of
development it
should be done.
Same week
Week 4 Gathering of
Feedbacks
Withdraw of
checklists are
being done on
applying of
tasks.
Effective decisions
should be taken
Same week
Week 5 By the help of
feedbacks,
enhancements
should be done
Conduction of
essential
enhancements.
Everything should
be reviewed.
Same week

3.3 Reflection on own learning against the goals and objectives
This report has assisted me to determine several characteristics which I wont be able to
determine . To identify pros and cons of myself, I conducted SWOT analysis so that actual
scenario can be known which requires development. Learning methods can be adopted according
to my abilities so that I can develop and train myself for future turns. To be a competent manager
in current scenario, four major things which needs to be adopted for an effective outcome and
they are planning, making of decision, interpersonal skills and motivation. (Olsen, 2015). Now I
am able to complete tasks in allotted time due to possessing of sound knowledge about planning
and due ton which stress level has also reduced.
In business, one of the fundamental function is motivation. Motivation is even considered
as essential because if it is not present in nature of an individual then hard work will not be seen .
I planned for my future and thus it led me to pick up that sector in which I have personal interest
and that enabled to me work hard with positive mindset and this motivated my colleagues and
friends to choose the field in which they have sheer interest. (Reeves, 2012).
D2 Taking responsibility for managing and organising activity
There are several elements which needs to be considered while organising the task.
Firstly it should be considered that how the plan should be implemented in effective and
appropriate manner and for that factors which are crucial, I will identify them and ensure that
they are included in the project.(Roeser and et al., 2012). After planning when it comes to
execution I will lookout towards allocation of resources and dividing task according to the
abilities of employees and I will establish effective communication skills which will let me to
present my ideas and visions to subordinates. In last, by applying motivational theories I will try
my level best to make my subordinates work in comfortable environment.
3.4 Updating Development plan based on feedback and Evaluation
Feedback is a tool which helps in analysation of current performance. Below discussed is
the performance level of an individual.
Scholarship
objectives
Current
proficiency
Quarry
Proficiency
Improvement
Opportunities
Duration
Planning Improved Not attained While planning
the approaching
2 months

duty and plan for
the administration
there are Plenty
of possibilities.
Decision Making Improved Not attained Many
opportunities
while making of
any decision
which will help in
choosing of best
plan for
achievement of
aims and
objectives.
3 months
Interpersonal
skills
Improved Attained Listening with
effectiveness and
communicating
with several
experienced
person.
2 month
Motivation Improved Attained By giving
effective
performance one
can motivate
himself and also
subordinates who
needs motivation.
2 month

D3 Demonstration of creative thinking
Art is to complete task in unique and different manner so that while attaining activities and
tasks , I prefer to use motivation rather than nature of an authority . The outcomes were more
good then expected as all subordinated were comparatively happy and due to that comfortable
and peaceful environment was created within workplace (Taylor and et al., 2011). It was
concluded that motivation plays an important role in getting tasks done from the employees.
TASK 4
4.1 Solutions to work based problems
Skills of effective extraction of resolution of issues makes an employee to determine
lacking areas and analyse them to compute effect of alternative solutions. Designing of
framework in an organisation helps an employee to improve solving skills and thus it will enable
to make organisation's environment more comfortable and work efficiency will enhance regard
to customers, partners and other third party. Participants utility of allocated inventiveness to
figure out problems with effectual conclusion as they are trained for problem resolution (Van
Driel and Berry, 2012). Some prime stairs which are crucial for problem solving skills: Determining problems: Participants are paired while they are in basic training and
workshop which are being conducted of development and after pairing them problems are
being given so that they can analyse them and extract the possible and effective solutions
so that situation can be sorted and overcome can be done. These kind of activities will
teach them to work together and enhance their skills for upcoming of difficult situations
in effective manner. Proposing best solutions: From the knowledge possessed and experience gained,
generally people provide various solutions after making list of issues which they are
facing. Motive of the workshop conduction is that employee who are less trained in
proposing solutions are trained and polished by proving them various tools and
techniques in which they can learn to generate new innovative ideas by using appropriate
solutions for effective results. Candidates are taught to make documentary on the
methods by which problems can be avoided and resolved and along with that risk and
benefits associated with them (Yeh, Huang and Yeh, 2011).

 Evaluating and Implementation: Successful implementation can be stated only when
problems have effective solution for long period of time and it minimizes the chances of
happening again. For that effective tools and techniques can be applied whenever needed
for better outcomes.
4.2 Communicate in variety of styles and appropriate manner at various levels
There are variety of learning styles which can be adopted to find the solution which are
being faced but in those variety there are 8 best solutions which can be proved as effective and
adopted by organisation for resolving of issues. Audio and Video are two effective ways by
which learning can be obtained and thus communication skills can be enhanced for passing of
critical information. Leverage is being provided by Trivago for their employees so that task
allotted to them should be achieved in given tenure and if not then warning are being given and
even after that if policies are not being followed then strict action can be taken (Zepeda, 2012).
D1Use critical reflection to evaluate own work and justify valid conclusion.
I conducted a meeting in which employees who were coming late were addressed and
they were asked to give reason behind coming late but none of them gave proper reason. So they
were give warning and after certain amount which was 15 Euro will be reduced from their salary.
This decision was finalised after the consultancy from authorities and thus this new rule cam e
into action.
4.3 Effective time management strategies
A person becomes successful only when he or she knows how to manage and utilise time
(17 essential time management). There is great saying which is universally accepted and that is
Time is money so the person who applies it have more chances to be successful and attain
personal goals and objectives . Various number of time schemes which an individual should have
to use:
 Managing of time according to the work allotted and priority which needs to be set so
that chances of error can be reduced and work can be managed more effective.
 Be conscious and outspread cognisance and self motivation so that goal and objectives
can be obtained for effective productivity.
 Decisions which should be taken with cool mind and peace so that effectiveness can seen
after decision making and thus skills can be polished over the time of flexibility.

(Source: Effective Time Management, 2016)
M2 Design and apply appropriate methods
Meeting conducted with higher authorities for the suggestions and implementation of
actions for example penalties reduction for late coming and no leaving of office without
achieving of task allotted if extension is not provided. Thus this can be effectual for issue facing
by leaders.
CONCLUSION
From this assessment, it can be stated that individual and occupational group
improvement are very necessary. Various number of learning styles can be adopted within
professional environment so that quality of work can be enhanced. Individual development plan
has an equally importance for an individual which helps them to obtain their strength and
weaknesses. Basically they can do SWOT analysis on their own to find best of them. Various
factors which aids an individual to manage and sustain in personal and professional environment
efficiently.
Illustration 2: Effective Time Management

REFERENCES
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