Personal and Professional Development: M&S Development Plan Report

This report explores personal and professional development, focusing on self-managed learning within the context of Marks & Spencer (M&S). It evaluates various approaches to self-managed learning, including training, research, and mentoring, and assesses their benefits for both individuals and organizations. The report identifies ways to encourage lifelong learning, examines different learning styles (Activist, Pragmatist, Theorist, Reflector) and applies Kolb's learning cycle. It then details a personal and professional development plan, covering skill evaluation against professional standards, identification of development needs, and outlining development opportunities. The report also includes documentation of development activities, critical reflections on aims and objectives, and solutions for work-based problems, incorporating time management techniques and communication strategies. It aims to provide a practical guide for enhancing skills and knowledge, ultimately improving career prospects.

Personal and professional
developments
1

Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION................................................................................................................................3
TASK 1.................................................................................................................................................3
1.1 Evaluate approaches to self-managed learning..........................................................................3
1.2 Ways to encourage lifelong learning in personal and professional context...............................4
1.3 Evaluate the benefits of self-managed learning to the individual and organization..................6
TASK 2.................................................................................................................................................7
2.1 Evaluate own current skills and competencies against professional standards and
organizational objectives.................................................................................................................7
2.2 Identify own development needs and the activities required to meet them...............................7
2.3 Identify development opportunities to meet current and future defined needs.........................9
2.4 Devise a personal and professional development plan based on identified needs...................10
TASK 3...............................................................................................................................................12
3.1 Processes and activities required to implement the plan.........................................................12
3.2 Document Development Activities..........................................................................................13
3.3 Critical Reflection on aims and objectives in the developments plan.....................................14
3.4 Updated development plan......................................................................................................14
TASK 4...............................................................................................................................................16
4.1 Solutions for work-based problems.........................................................................................16
4.2 Communication in variety of styles at various levels..............................................................16
4.3 Evaluation of effective time management techniques.............................................................17
Conclusion..........................................................................................................................................18
REFERENCES...................................................................................................................................19
2

Illustration Index
Illustration 1: Four types of learning styles .........................................................................................8
Illustration 2: Kolb's learning cycle .....................................................................................................9
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EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Personal and Professional development is necessary for an individual to improve one's
knowledge, skills and any shortcomings. A person can develop his personality with the help of self-
managed learning process, in which self knowledge will be gain through various ways. There are
many ways, by which a person can learn and develop himself. It can be done by attending many
seminars, conferences, coaching classes or by proper training and developments sessions.
Moreover, there are various learning styles via which an individual's strengths and weaknesses can
be analysed. The present module emphasise on how a person can improve his qualities and level of
skills. In addition to this, current skills and competencies of a person will also be updated according
to market trend in this unit. Furthermore, how a person can make effective development plan
according to his skills and desired goals will also discussed in this report, which will help him to
enhance his skills, qualities and knowledge. An appropriate documentation of development
activities with the critical reflection on the the aims and objectives a person will also studied, to
update current development plan. Moreover, for different kinds of work-based problems, solutions
are also provided. Apart from these, various time management techniques will also be discussed.
4

INTRODUCTION
Personal development is the process of improving awareness, knowledge and talents which
makes person able to achieve his or her goals and objectives. While, professional development
builds professional skills that provide huge assistance to enhance competencies through which
person can achieve success in the competitive arena. Present assignment aims at identifying self-
managed learning to enhance development. Moreover, different types of learning styles will be
discussed and assessed to improve the level of skills. In addition, personal and professional
development plan will be prepared to demonstrate required interpersonal and transferable skills. For
better understanding, Marks and Spencer (M&S) is taken into consideration.
TASK 1
1.1 Evaluating approaches to self-managed learning
Self-management learning is the process of gaining knowledge of various things through
diversified ways (Approaches to self-managed learnings, 2015). It comprises self-initiation learning
process (intention to learn), deciding aims and objectives clearly, personal orientation achievement
goals, deciding dates for the achievement and self- reflection etc. Through this, individuals can put
their own efforts for the attainment of target objectives and enhance efficiency to accomplish it
more effectively. While, self-reflection is the process of evaluating own skills and development to
improve their talent. With reference to Marks and Spencer, there are various approaches available to
self-managed learning that are described below:
Training and development: Motivated workforce will perform their work with greater
efficiency as compared to other people. Hence, firm can conduct training and development
programmes for the employees to provide knowledge regarding their work profile. By this, they will
be able to do work efficiently (Arneson, Rothwell and Naughton, 2013). This method helps to
improve workers skills, knowledge and their talents which make an effective contribution towards
attainment of business targets and objectives of M&S. While, its disadvantage is it may be possible
that some of the employees do not want to learn new things by attending training and development
sessions conducted by M&S.
Learning through research: In the present time, internet access is effective way to get
knowledge of diverse things in different areas. Its advantage is M&S's employees can keep updated
their skills and abilities by searching on web. Social networking sites, Wikipedia, blogs,
newspapers, magazines etc. are the ways available to enhance learner's ability by searching on
World Wide Web. While, its disadvantage is some research skills are required in the workers to
track changes and develop skills accordingly.
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Learning through others: Coach provides assistance to enhance employee’s skills,
knowledge and ability. While, mentors offer help, proper guidance, support and suggestions to
maximize worker’s efficiency and effectiveness (Ford, 2014). Both the techniques like coaching and
mentoring provide advantage to build good relationship at the workplace of M&S. However, its
disadvantage is some of the workers may feel hesitation to ask questions from the seniors to
mitigate their difficulties.
Secondments: A temporary change in an individual's job role will explore new career
possibility and improve multi-skills. It provide advantage to the workers to develop new skills and
knowledge to complete work (Nicholls, 2014). On the contrary, some of the employees may not
have changing perspectives hence, they will not willing to perform different jobs.
Seminars and conferences: Seminars focus on specific topic by including lecture or
presentation. Whilst, conferences help to enhance greater degree of knowledge and it is a more
formal way. Contrary to this, it impose high financial cost and takes large time to conduct seminars
and conferences.
Interview: It helps to obtain information about interpersonal skills, problem solving skills
and work based knowledge of persons who are intended to work in M&S. High Confidentiality and
less time consuming are the benefits of it. Its disadvantage is applicants might be hesitate and afraid
to answer properly.
Internet, Intranet and Extranet: Internet provides worldwide information and Intranet
offers privacy to communicate information in M&S (Kanuka and Nocente, 2003). While, Extranet
allows chosen people to get access of business information like suppliers, customers, competitors
etc. Its advantage is employees can learn sufficient knowledge and enlarge their skills, efficiency
and competencies to a greater extent. Moreover, it ensure effective and faster communication
through networks. Further, it provide assistance to keep track of the consumer demand so that
employees can deliver excellent services to the consumers. On the contrary, security issues, good
network and time consuming process are the disadvantage of this.
On the basis of above evaluation, it becomes clear that internet, Intranet and extranet and
training and development are the most effective techniques of SML for M&S.. It is because through
training, workers can enhance through knowledge and skills and deliver better services to the
consumers. However, through internet, extranet and Intranet they can assure regular
communication with all the stakeholders and conduct operations without any difficulties.
1.2 Ways to encourage lifelong learning in personal and professional context
Learning is the process of acquiring new knowledge, modifying existing knowledge, skills,
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preferences or values etc. Lifelong learning is also called as Colloquialism which is an ongoing
process required to enhance knowledge for either personal or professional context. In Self-directed
learning (SDL), marketing manager can take initiatives to perform duties and responsibilities of his
job. Manager assesses and evaluates learning activities and applies it to accomplish work
effectively. While, continuous professional development (CPD) is the process to preserve and
expand knowledge by higher education, recognition of prior learning, apprenticeships, credit
accumulations and transfer schemes (Jung, 2014). For instance, linking higher education with
industry, further education, recognition of prior learning, apprenticeships, credit accumulation and
transfer schemes etc. With reference to Marks & Spencer, employees can develop knowledge by
further education about industry. Moreover, by transferring the job role of employees, it can provide
opportunity to develop multi-skills and talents to perform each kind of work efficiently.
Learning styles are the approaches or ways to learn things based on individual's strengths,
weaknesses and preferences. As per Kolb's learning cycle, there are four types of learning styles
which are as follows:
Learning
styles
Description Learning Activities CPD activity
Activist Active person learns things
by self-working practices
and developing
experience.
They learn by
brainstorming, group
discussions and problem
solving activities.
Interactive learning, working
in team and attending
conferences.
Pragmatist These people apply new
ideas, theories and
methods to complete their
work.
They use case studies,
discussions, problem
solving and learning in
reality (Gonzales and
Lambert, 2014).
Discover current problems
and learning via practise.
Theorist They evaluate present
theories and use a logical
theory to employ it in their
learning process.
Models, quotes,
background information,
statistics and theories are
applied in this.
Review current models and
join debates etc.
Reflector They examine historical
results by reviewing and
developing new skills
through effective
Paired discussions,
questionnaire, feedback
from others, observation
of activities and self-
Review completed task and
work with experienced
seniors.
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examination of the past
(Blau and et.al., 2015).
analysis questionnaire are
used by reflectors.
Illustration 1: Four types of learning styles
(Source: Gonzales and Lambert, 2014)
As a marketing manager in M&S, pragmatist is the best learning style through which I can
attempt to use new techniques to enhance public awareness about company's products and services.
It helps me to complete challenging work of my job profile. Further, reflector also enables me to
understand customer attitude towards different marketing tools and techniques. Through this, the
best technique can be applied for marketing of M&S's products and services.
Kolb's learning cycle: As per this learning stylem, there are four stages to learn things that are
concrete experience, abstract conceptualisation, reflective observation and active experimentation.
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Illustration 2: Kolb's learning cycle
(Source: Jung, 2014)
Concrete experience: It is regarded as new experience on the basis of situation encountered
by the employees or a reinterpretation of existing experience.
Reflective observation: It refers to new experience by reviewing the situation which
indicates inconsistency between experience and understanding (Kolb's learning style, 2012).
Abstract conceptualisation: Reflection helps to develop new ideas, theories and concept.
Moreover, it helps to modify existing concepts by learning through experience.
Active experimentation: In this, developed theories and ideas will be implemented in the
business so see the results.
1.3 Evaluating the benefits of self-managed learning to the individual and organization
Self-managed learning mainly focuses on increasing worker’s efforts to effectively manage
their learning progress. As a marketing manager in M&S, I am accountable to develop a strategic
marketing plan and conduct it effectively to increase potential turnover. Through, self-managed
learning, as a manager, I can increase my skills and knowledge to do work with high efficiency.
With the assistance of Self-managed learning, both the marketing manager and M&S can take
following benefits, explained here as under:
Benefits of self-managed learning to marketing manager:
 Self-managed learning provides assistance to marketing manager to develop team work
skills. Learning approaches like seminar and group discussions develop a positive attitude in
the manager to work in a team.
 Self-managed learning also develops presentation skills which helps to increase confidence
level of the manager (Assignment for developing personal and professional development,
2012).
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 Self-managed learning also increases communication skills in the marketing manager.
Through this, manager can effectively express his knowledge in front of others.
 It provides opportunity to the marketing manager to create new career paths so that
individual can make career growth. It also enhances problem solving skills in the manager. Therefore, he will be able to solve
issues and difficulties by taking some strategic decisions and enhancing public awareness
about offered services of M&S (Bailey and et.al., 2001).
Benefits of self-managed learning to Marks and Spencer:
 Team working helps to get collaborative efforts of all the workers which aids to create better
working environment in M&S. Hence, co-ordination can be maintained in the organization.
This in turn, M&S can achieve its targeted business goals and objectives in an effective
manner.
 Self-managed learning develops and expands worker’s knowledge regarding work so that
1465980221they can increase their performance and do work timely (Raymor, 2013).
 It helps to enhance motivational and satisfaction level of the employees. This in turn, M&S
will be able to serve better services to the customers with having greater worker’s efficiency.
 M&S will be able to take advantage of skilled and talented workforce which provides
assistance to enhance potential turnover and profitability by greater customer satisfaction.
TASK 2
2.1 Analysing own current skills and competencies against professional standards and
organizational objectives
Self-appraisal: It is an evaluation of own Strengths and weaknesses by the use of self-
assessment tools. Self-reflective learning is a useful tool through which marketing manager can
conduct self-evaluation and thereby, develop a plan to enhance required skills so as to perform
much better in future. My job role in M&S is of marketing manager, hence, I need diverse skills to
perform work effectively and efficiently. I need good communication skills to transform
information and messages to the employees (Five essential skills for future marketing manager,
n.d.). It will help me to convey marketing strategies and objectives to the subordinates of marketing
department. It enables me to provide proper guidance and support to the workers to conduct a
strategic marketing campaign by the use of different tools like advertisement, personal selling etc.
With the help of this, I can put the best efforts to enhance M&S's sales and profitability in the near
future to a greater extent (Porcerelli and et.al., 2015).
Moreover, my analytical skills make me able to understand changes in consumer’s demand,
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wants and desires through conducting research. Determining consumer perceptions towards offered
services makes me able to take suitable marketing decisions. Furthermore, discounts and offers also
play a major role in increasing sales. Therefore, marketing manager is accountable to assess impact
of discounts on consumer buying decisions (Sirgy, Johar and Wise, 2015). Through this, I will be
able to decide appropriate rate of discount to increase potential sales and profitability to a desired
extent. Apart from that, I am also liable to take decisions regarding different promotional tools. My
quick decision-making skills help me to analyse things and thereby, take suitable decisions. In
addition, it will help me to draft various marketing strategies to enhance awareness in the global
market. It will definitely influence M&S's sales and profit in a positive manner. Besides this, my
interpersonal skills help me to treat employees fairly and create friendly working environment. By
this, each employee will feel better to do work properly and timely.
2.2 Identifying own development needs and the activities required to meet them
In the present age of technology, it is essential for the marketing manager to have good
technical skills. Customer engagement through the use of advanced technology helps manager to
keep focused on fluctuation in customer demand and deliver excellent services. Moreover,
leadership skills play a crucial role in managing people effectively. While, time management skills
help to complete allotted work within decided time frame (Grissom, Loeb and Mitani, 2015).
However, critical thinking helps to analyse situations and assess their validity. It is the foundation to
take better decisions to fulfil work with high efficiency. On the contrary, analytical skills of the
marketing manager aid him to evaluate consumer demand, behaviour, buying decisions etc. as well
as assess the efficacy of different kind of marketing tools and techniques. By this, manager can pick
up on trends and patterns by putting successful marketing efforts (Griffith and Hoppner, 2013).
Besides this, marketing manager also has to deal with customer complaints. Therefore, marketing
manager also has to develop customer handling skills.
Skills required Activities Time frame Review date
Technical skills Workshops and seminars
will be attended to improve
my technical skills (Ghaderi
and et.al., 2015).
15/06/2016 to
31/07/2016
15/08/16
Leadership skills Working in a team and
attending role play will help
me to improve my
leadership skills (Dubrin,
15/06/2016 to
15/07/2016
20/07/16
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2015). Through this, I will
be able to provide proper
guidance to the
subordinates.
Time management
skills
Use of updated and
advanced software
packages like project
management will assist me
to manage work timely.
15/06/2016 to
15/08/2016
20/08/2016
Critical thinking Case study session will
provide huge assistance to
improve critical thinking
skills (Arora and Darzi,
2016).
15/06/2016 to
30/7/2016
10/08/16
Analytical skills Simulation technique will
enable me to assess the
potential impacts of
marketing decisions on
future business
performance.
15/06/2016 to
15/08/2016
20/08/2016
Customer handling
skills
Training sessions and
mentoring will help me to
deal effectively with
customers. It will provide
me practical knowledge to
resolve conflicts and
consumer complaints
effectively (Certo, 2015).
15/06/2016 to
15/07/2016
20/07/2016
2.3 Identifying development opportunities to meet current and future defined needs
There are numerous ways available to meet current and potential needs which are required
to perform my work. Development opportunities are the ways to enhance the skills and knowledge
which makes a significant contribution towards attainment of M&S's goals and objectives. In order
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to improve technical skills, I will attend workshops and seminars. It will help me to get expertise in
technical knowledge regarding my work. On the contrary to this, leadership skills can be improved
by working with a team and conducting role play sessions. It will enable me to provide proper
guidance and support while working as a marketing manager so that work can be finished in timely
manner (Lussier and Achua, 2015).
Use of advanced and updated software packages such as project management will provide
huge assistance to improve my time management skills. It is essential for me as a marketing
manager to take correct marketing decisions at right time. Otherwise, it may impact M&S's
operations in an adverse manner (Anderson and Bolt, 2015). While, case study sessions will assist
me to think critically. Such critical evaluation ability will help me to understand customer attitude
so that better services can be rendered to the consumers.
On the other hand, analytical skills also plays a vital role in becoming a successful
marketing manager. Through analysis and evaluation of historical results about sales, marketing
manager will be able to identify the potential trends and movements as well as thereby, take
appropriate decisions (Zakarevičius and Župerkienė, 2015). Simulation techniques will be used to
enhance analytical skills so that I can do work properly. Contrary to this, customer handling skills
such as patience, attentiveness, full knowledge about M&S's products and services, acting skills etc.
can be improved by attending training programs and mentoring.
2.4 Devise a personal and professional development plan based on identified needs
Personal and professional development plan reflects skills that an individual needs to
improve within given time period through different planned activities.
Learning
Skills
Short term
goals
Development
opportunities
Criteria for
judging
success
Time
scale
Way to
achieve goal
Technical skills My goal is to
improve my
technical
knowledge.
I will read
technical books,
online tutorials,
technical
magazines, as
well as attend
classes to
improve such
I will judge
these skills
by review of
my seniors.
3 Month Reading
technical
magazines and
online tutorials
are the
effective ways
to enhance my
technical
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skills. skills.
Leadership
skills
My objective is
to guide
subordinates in
a better way.
I will take expert
advices and
suggestions of
my senior
professionals to
increase my
leadership skills.
Feedback
from
subordinates
will be taken.
1.5
month
Following
experts
advices will
help to
enhance
leadership
skills.
Time
management
skills
My goal is to
complete
assigned work
on right time.
Work
prioritization and
scheduling will
help to complete
work timely.
Comparison
will be done
between
allotted
deadline and
work
finished by
me.
2 month Setting work
according to
the preference
is an effective
way to remove
hurdles from
multiple works
at single time.
Critical
thinking skills
My goal is to
examine
situations
effectively.
Reading online
articles and
questionnaire are
the opportunities
available to
improve critical
thinking skills.
Outcome will
be derived
from the
marketing
decisions
taken.
2.5
month
Lateral
thinking and
critical
evaluation of
the articles are
the better ways
to enlarge
critical
thinking skills.
Analytical
skills
My goal is to
analyse
consumer’s
taste and
preferences.
Active reading of
books, surveys,
statistical
techniques, brain
games etc. will
be used.
Success of
the decisions
taken will be
measured by
the
examination
of previous
reports.
2 month Knowledge of
statistical tools
like central
tendency and
dispersions
with the help
of SPSS and
knowledge of
Excel is an
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effective way
to analyse data
and thereby,
take suitable
decisions.
Customer
handling skills
My goal is to
handle
consumer
complaints.
Customer
interaction,
making effective
strategy as well
as policies and
assessment of
consumer
complaints etc.
Feedbacks
from the
consumers.
1.5
Month
Regular
consumer
interaction
helps to create
better
relationship
and solve their
issues.
TASK 3
3.1 Processes and activities required to implement the plan
In accordance to meet the present and future growth opportunities, being a marketing
manager of in Marks & Spencer, I need to develop an effective Personal and professional
development (PPD) plan to become senior marketing manager in upcoming 4 years. A PPD plan is
an action plan in which individual is responsible to meet his or her objectives and attain success. So,
company needs to make efforts to develop skills in their employees or managers to achieve desired
goals (O’Grady, 2013). I should possess the attributes and skills to perform my responsibilities and
obligations in an effective manner to attain growth in the company. There are several processes and
activities required to implement my personal and professional development plan. Analysis of these
activities are given below: To find target time frame: A time frame needs to be made to decide when strategies will be
implemented in the PPD plan according to current market trend. I have designed a time
frame of 2 years for overall improvements.
 Assessment of knowledge and skills: In order to achieve my goals and objectives, I need to
do SWOT analysis which will help me to know my strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and
Threats. It can develop new skills and improve my potentialities. SWOT analysis is as
follows:
STRENGTHS
 Learning capability is strong enough.
WEAKNESSES
 Need to work upon time management
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 Punctuality.
 Enthusiastic to do all work.
 Having knowledge of current market
trend and competitive business policies.
skills.
 Lack of presentation skills
 Need to develop leadership skills.
OPPORTUNITIES
 I can acquire high business school degree
from known university of London.
 I can increase my contact network.
 I can acquire 1465980221the opportunity
to work in multinational companies of
UK.
THREATS
 Threat of other skilled and talented
people in the competitive business world.
 Lack of job in marketing and advertising
field due to recession.
I need to strengthen my skills and talent as well as overcome my weaknesses to sustain in
competitive business environment. Learning strategies: Employees will be given responsibilities to implement certain
strategies and tactics so that they can test their capabilities within the organisation. Learning
strategies can include knowledge of many modern tools and techniques that need to be
adapted by employees to incur changes (Pedler, 2011).
 Learning Resources: There can be many learning resources such as education paperwork,
internet, computer and books. The staff of M&S is required to make effective use of these
resources to gain knowledge and implement these knowledge in the development strategies.
Moreover, I can also develop personal portfolio in which all activities and actions will be
included that need to be performed within a time limit. It is also necessary to maintain it in
accordance to current market trends and developments. However, I also need to update my resume
and transcripts so that it will be easy to acquire opportunities at right time.
3.2 Documentation of development activities
Training and Development sessions: Proper training can be provided to employees about
latest market trends and techniques in order to adapt revolutionary changes quickly. Using various
knowledgeable sources and tools, the staff of M&S can be educated and gained some knowledge to
attain growth as well as success.
Organizing and studying the groups: The present staff of M&S can split into different
groups and communities to do the same type of work. Productive outcome will be gained if
16

marketing manager works on particular areas jointly.
Mentoring and Supervising: Employee's capabilities and expertise will be tested and they
will be supervised and guided according to their weaknesses to make improvements (Pritchard,
2013). Moreover, they should also try to make advancement in their skills according to current
market trends and developments in the competitive world. With the help of proper guidance,
employees will be able to improve themselves and attain sustainability within the organisation.
Consultations: Employee can also consult and discuss their issues with consultants
regarding business. By consulting with others, employees and other staff-members will be able to
enhance their skills and knowledge to a great extent. Moreover, there are also many other people
like line managers, senior marketing managers and other professionals through which I can easily
acquire knowledge and implement in my personal and professional development plan.
Company needs to observe and evaluate the activities of employees so that feedback can be
provided to them in order to make effectiveness. Once feedback is provided to them then they will
be able to assess their weaknesses and threats in the market as well as according to which, adequate
actions can be taken. Furthermore, PPD cycle can also be repeated to monitor and plan the activities
in a significant manner.
3.3 Critical Reflection on aims and objectives in the developments plan
It is essential to evaluate one's personal and professional development plan in accordance to
desired goals, aspirations and ambitions. Critical reflection on the learning activities of personal and
professional plan helped me to identify various loopholes in my personality from which I was
unaware. From reflective learning, I also came to know about different aspects of personality of an
individual in the professional as well as in personal life. Moreover, I will also be able to know about
my thoughts, experiences, ideas and knowledge that how these can be more creative and improved
in future. Self-managed learning provides particular knowledge about ourselves, our strengths and
weaknesses which need to be maintained and overcome. From the Development plan, I will also be
able to know about my weaknesses, like I am lacking in presentation skills which needs to be
improved within a particular time period. I also have deficiency of leadership skills which is a big
hindrance in my growth and successful future. Therefore, I have given first priority to it in my
development plan.
Moreover, there is also need to overcome my shortcoming regarding effective decision
making process and other various issues. Furthermore, I will also be able to know that what
improvements need to be made, when and in which field, training has to be taken as well as what
will be the final result of this plan. Once, the goals and objectives are attained then it needs to keep
in mind that learning process must be continued. By sharing my problems with any mentor or
17

consultant, it will become easy for me to achieve desired set of goals.
3.4 Updated development plan
By taking reviews from personal reflections, personal and professional development plan
needs to be updated and changes accordingly. Aims and objectives are required to change with the
changing market trend by satisfactory research (Schmeck, 2013). It is also to be analysed that what
is more significant to change as well as update and why it requires to change. There are many points
like relationship with other colleagues, present skills as well as knowledge and many others which
need to be updated in line with current market trend. There are some skills which can be updated on
the basis of evaluation and feedback provided. These are mentioned in below table:
Learning
Skills
Short term
goals
Development
opportunities
Criteria for
judging
success
Time
scale
Way to
achieve goal
Leadership
skills
To develop
leadership
attributes in an
effective way.
It can be done
with the help of
role pay where I
can act as an
active leader.
Evaluation
can be done
on the basis
of my
leadership
qualities
within the
workplace.
2
months
It can be done
by taking
guidance and
proper training
from
supervisors or
consultants.
Time
management
skills
To complete
my work on
and before time
so that no
pending work
will be left
over.
With the help of
scheduling
techniques like
diaries,
electronic
calendars and
Pomodoro, it can
be developed.
It can be
judged by
measuring
difference
between
actual work
performed
and desired
work done
within a
particular
time limit.
2.5
months
By removing
hurdles while
performing
task that is to
minimise the
use of time
waste
resources like
mobile phone
and chit chats
in the office.
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Communicatio
n Skills
To enhance
communication
skills in a
significant
manner.
By taking
training,
seminars, demo
presentations and
communicate
with other
employees
within the
workplace.
On the basis
of developed
presentations
skills and
communicati
on skills.
1.5
months
Face to face
interaction
with staff-
members and
managers
within the
workplace will
help to
improve
communicatio
n skills.
TASK 4
4.1 Solutions for work-based problems
With the help of PPD, I am able to know about my shortcomings in various area which need
to be improved. I am facing issues in managing my work at time due to which I spend lot of time on
projects and excessive of work is pending. So, I need to work upon my time management skills with
the help of many techniques. Also, I am facing issues to communicate with any person in the
workplace. I am trying the best to improve my communication skills with the help of many tactics
such as tutorial and coaching. One more trouble that I am facing in the workplace is poor leadership
quality. To become an active leader, I need to develop all the leadership attributes like I need to
improve my communication skills, develop ability to make right decisions, support others and
promote a clear vision. Although, I am a very dedicated marketing manager but there is need of
some improvements to become an effective professional of M&S.
In order to improve these issues, I need to make suitable steps for bringing enhancements. In
order to improve my communication skills, it is required to develop interpersonal skills for which I
requires to get engaged with employees, staff-members and other people in the organisation. I am
also required to build confidence for the betterment of communication skills. Moreover, with the
help of role play also, I will be able to enhance my skills. However, time management skills also
need to be improved which can be done by playing many games. There are many video games and
online games by which I can improve my time management skills effectively. If there is lack of
these skills then I will have to face many serious consequences which will directly affect my growth
within the company. Moreover, with the help of many possible ways, these work-based issues can
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be overcome like taking tuitions, coaching, consulting from any advisor and many more ways.
4.2 Communication in variety of styles at various levels
Knowing various communication styles in the workplace can effectively help me to convey
my thoughts and ideas effectively (Personal Development - Techniques, Theories and
Opportunities, 2009). While working in M&S, every professional should know the significance of
communication system within the organisation. In order to run the business smoothly, there should
be good communication system. If there is lack of proper communication policies then many
adverse effects can be come into result. There are different kinds of communication style according
to different levels of management. Generally, there are two kinds of communication, verbal and
non-verbal.
In verbal communication, with the help of spoken words and written document,,
communication will be occurred. For instance, conversation with colleague within the workplace
and likewise many communication can be happened in the organisation regarding business
activities. On the other hand, in non-verbal communication, with the help of language, gestures,
expressions and posture, communication will be done. Communication is two-way process which
can be processed in many directions. In M&S, on the basis of different levels, communication
system has been decided, these can be stated below: Strategic level: It is the top management of the company in which all the important
decisions are taken by senior authorities and then passed to other employees. Here,
communication can be done with the help of meetings, Intranet and memos (Schmeck,
2013). Middle level: At this level, decisions need to be implemented in an effective manner by
consulting with other employees and staff members. In this management level, feedback will
be given to top management level by understanding the thoughts of employees. With the
help of presentations and meetings, these decisions can be communicated. So, I also need to
develop effective presentation skills to communicate with others.
 Operational level: At this level, various functional decisions are made in the divisional unit
to communicate in an effective manner. Functional activities include different processes like
marketing, production, financial management, research and development etc. where
communication is done with workers, employees and other staff-members.
4.3 Evaluation of effective time management techniques
Time management is an important factor to organise activities of the company in an effective
way. Employees who are efficient enough to manage their time according to their task can easily
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attain growth and success within the organisation. There are many activities to perform in M&S so I
need to set priorities according to specific objectives and goals (Arneson, Rothwell, and Naughton,
2013). There are many time management strategies which will help me to manage my time in an
effective manner. Some of these are mentioned below: Planning tools: There are many personal planning tools that can be used to plan activities in
an effective way. These tools can be pocket diaries, electronic calendar, to-do list and other
equipment by which I can plan and schedule my daily routine/activities. By having a
realistic picture of attaining objectives, I can easily able to manage my time and work.
Moreover, these activities will be allotted with a particular time limit under which desired
objectives will be obtained. Setting priorities: It is very necessary to prioritize the workload and organise the work
according to to-do lists (Dubrin, 2015). Difference between actual activity and desired
activity performed needs to be taken into consideration so that an accurate idea of how much
work is to be done can be acquired. Listing of all important things needs to be done on the
scale of commitments so that I will be able to get the sense to control and manage my work. Manage external time waste elements: There are many elements which consume maximum
time of a person and distract him or her to perform activities within a time limit (Ghaderi
and et.al., 2015). These elements can be meetings, messaging, phone calls and other
elements. So, I need to manage my activities in an effective manner despite of all these
disturbing elements.
 Pomodoro Technique: In this technique, tasks can be divided into short and break can be
taken while working. By taking break in the task, I will be able to restart my work with
refreshing mood. This technique includes 4 steps:
◦ Decide what is to be done.
◦ Set an alarm to go back to work after completing 25 minutes, this period is known as
'pomodori'.
◦ Take a 5 minutes break, when alarm goes off.
◦ Take 35 minutes break, after completion of four pomodori.
CONCLUSION
From the above report, it can be concluded that there is great role of personality
development to enhance the skills of individuals and gain knowledge. Moreover, by the effect of
many factors related to personality like intellectual power, thinking power, leadership skills and
presentation skills, personal and professional plan can be made. It can also be recommended that
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with the help of many techniques and self- managing learning programmes, an employee can be
able to improve his or her capabilities and skills. Furthermore, impact of personal and professional
development plan can also be seen with the improved qualities of an employee of M&S.
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education-essay.php>. [Accessed on 13th June, 2016].
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