Personal and Professional Development Report: Sainsbury's Analysis

This report examines personal and professional development within the context of Sainsbury's, focusing on self-managed learning. It explores various approaches to self-managed learning, different learning styles, and the benefits of this approach for both individuals and the organization. The report identifies major workplace issues, such as lack of communication and coordination, and proposes solutions including improved communication channels and team building. It analyzes personal skills and competencies, evaluating them against professional standards, and outlines a personal development plan. The report covers topics such as time management strategies, self-assessment, and identifying developmental needs and opportunities. It also includes an evaluation of the learning process and updates to the development plan based on feedback.

Personal and Professional
Development

Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................1
TASK 1............................................................................................................................................1
1.1 Approaches to self managed learning and different learning styles:....................................1
1.2 Ways which enables lifelong learning in personal and professional developmental context:
.....................................................................................................................................................2
1.3 The benefits of self managed learning to individual and organisation:................................3
4.1 Major issues at work place and their solution:......................................................................4
4.2 Learning Styles which can help in overcoming issues and communicating:........................5
4.3 Different time management strategies for individual and company:....................................5
TASK 2............................................................................................................................................6
2.1 Personal skills and competencies auditing and evaluation against the professionals
standards:.....................................................................................................................................6
2.2 Identification of my own developmental needs and ways to get them.................................7
2.3 Identification of my own developmental opportunities to meet current and future goals....7
2.4 Personal and professional developmental plan.....................................................................8
3.1 The process and activities required to implement the developmental plan...........................9
3.2 Undertaking and documenting development activities as planned.....................................10
3.3 Evaluating own learning against the set objectives and standards......................................10
3.4 Updating the developmental plan as per feedback and evaluation.....................................10
CONCLUSION..............................................................................................................................11
REFERENCES..............................................................................................................................12

INTRODUCTION
Personal and professional development refers to a process where an individual is focused
on attaining goals and objectives by enhancing his own skills vial self learning and experience.
This type of self managed development is very important and essential as this allows a person in
exploring various opportunities that are there in market. It is a term that is used in a wider
context and not to just a single individual (Avalos, 2011). With the assistance of self assessment
tools, education and training, a person can boost his knowledge, skills and abilities to a higher
level. This report is based on Sainsbury which is third largest retailer in UK and offers massive
range of products to households and consumers. In this project it will be stated as how self
managed learning enhance growth and development in individuals. It will also boost the
understanding of people as how interpersonal and transferable skills can be acquired.
TASK 1
1.1 Approaches to self managed learning and different learning styles:
There are different type of approaches which are used for managing leaning and
development. But the concept of self managed learning states that individual has to start
assessing his own capabilities and on the basis of his abilities he needs to prepare a plan. It is
very essential as a person has to engage in self learning for setting a path that can be followed to
achieve its objectives (Brody and Hadar, 2011). Today this concept has gained a lot of floor in
market and that is why even government is trying to formulate programs which boost this ability
into individual. Organisation want a person to track his own activities as well as plans so that he
knows what he is going to achieve. There are certain approaches which are used by Sainsbury:
Visionary approach: It is based on a long term vision and people are told to make future
plans in advance as to set a path.
Meta approach: This is a approach which is used for changing the mental framework of
individuals as to change their response and reaction in certain situation.
Strategic approach: It tries to install a strategic framework in a individual mind so that
he tries to respond to all situation in a strategic manner.
Seminars and conferences: Individual are sent off the job to attend these programs
where they are taught and enlightened about various new developments.
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There are different types of styles which are used by company to boost the learning
process of employees. They are as follows:
These are the styles which are used by Sainsbury to keep employees engaged in learning
process. They aid managers in focusing on each and every individual in a very effective manner
(Elliott, 2011). Every single person learns about different concept via a different learning style.
The most used concept is combination style where manager adopt different methods at once to
derive the best results.
1.2 Ways which enables lifelong learning in personal and professional developmental context:
The growth and development of individual is dependent on his own learning process. It is
very important that he focuses and manages his own learning so that he can grow his own
knowledge, skills and abilities (Hamza, 2010). Sainsbury utilises various methods as to ensure
that employees are able to adapt to new things and are able to face situations in a proper manner.
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Source 1: Ben Oldman, 2013

With the aid of self learning concept, an individual is able to track his own developmental
process and ensure that he is own right path. He has to address all the issues by assessing and
using various methods in a effective manner.
Self analysis and evaluation: This is the first method that will be used for managing
learning. It enables a person in identifying various strengths and weakness (Hopkinson, 2014).
He can focus on improving his abilities on the basis of assessment results.
Collaborative continuous learning: Organisation focuses on team building as to guide
multiple individuals in a same direction and enhance their learning abilities. Also in a team
people are able to share their idea and knowledge more freely which is used by others for
achieving goals. Basically team building and working ensures that every one is engaged in a
continuous learning process.
Leadership: The managers need to lead people by example. He has to show them that self
learning has enabled him in keeping his performance at par with requirements.
Communication and relationship: If the employee and management relations are normal
and the level of interaction is high then employees will perform better (Kumari, 2011). For doing
so they will undertake self learning.
1.3 The benefits of self managed learning to individual and organisation:
There are many benefits of self managed learning to individual and organisation. This
concept has enabled organisations in developing a force that is future ready and is capable of
overcoming various issues. While for individual, self managed learning assist in tracking and
setting his own performance standards. Various benefits of self managed learning are:
Benefits to employees:
Increase abilities and skills: The self managed learning is a concept where a person
engages himself in learning process which boost his own capabilities.
Better decision making: A person who has knowledge will be able to take right decisions
to overcome any issues that is hampering his working (Lago, 2010).
Enhances effectiveness and efficiency: With improvement in his own capabilities, the
effectiveness and efficiency of a individual will increase. He will be able to perform a lot better
than before.
Benefits to organisation
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Improved productivity: When workforce working in a organisation is future ready than
the productivity will always increase instead of decreasing.
Team building and working: People learn from one another when they work in a team.
The constant sharing of idea and knowledge enables them in increasing their capabilities to a
next level.
Enhanced employee relations: The self learning concept enables individuals and manager
in building up an environment where employee and management has good relations with one
another (Maskit, 2011). It motivates people working for company and improve its image in
market.
4.1 Major issues at work place and their solution:
There are many issues which are there in Sainsbury and one of the major issues is stated
below:
Collaborative working: In company there is lack of co-ordination and communication
which is increasing the cost of activities. It has to be solved as to boost optimum utilisation of
resources in a very effective manner (McNiff, 2010). There are many non-essential rules and
regulations which are hindering people ability to communicate and co-ordinate with one another
in a effective manner.
Solution- In Sainsbury, There are multiple solutions which can be used for solving this
major issue. It is important to sort it out for increasing the level of output and reduce resource
consumption. Following methods will be used:
 Developing communication channels: Sainsbury managers has to ensure that they create
more effective channels of communication for keeping the flow of information at par
with requirement (Moon, 2013). At present, the model used by company is pretty rigid
and will hinder growth and development.
 Reducing confusion regarding organisation structure: There is some doubts in the mind of
employees related to hierarchy and structure of company. This needs to be sorted out by
providing re-induction training.
 Team building and working: This method states that everyone has to work together in a
more effective manner and share their knowledge for achieving goals more effectively.
The people working in organisation will be able to gain more experience and skills with
this methods as they will learn from one another.
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4.2 Learning Styles which can help in overcoming issues and communicating:
There are different types of learning styles that can be used by organisation for
overcoming problems that are identified. Every single individual learns via different method and
the managers have to use these styles as to ensure that all employees are able to learn as per
requirements. Also they have to aim for changing mental framework of people so that they are
able to adapt to new changes in a more effective manner (Mwalongo, 2011). The new style will
be based on three styles, logical, solitary and verbal. It will assist in catering to the needs of
different types of individuals working in a organisation. Team building and working will also be
boosted by this approach.
There are well established channels which are to be used as to inform different level of
organisation in a effective manner. For example, to interact with operational level managers will
use direct instructions and controlling style of communication (Nicholls, 2014). While
communicating to the functional level, the manager will use supportive style as to garner support
for activities and at the time of interacting with strategic level he will use promoter or analyser
style to ensure that they understand his perception.
4.3 Different time management strategies for individual and company:
Tim management is very important as it will assist in completing every single task in a
more effective manner. The rate of efficiency is also boosted due to this strategy which aims to
complete all task in a set period of time. There are various time management strategies available
that are used by Sainsbury:
 Setting objectives: The first thing that has to be done is setting goals for organisation so
that a reason is established.
 Organise: This is a strategy where managers try to keep all resources in organised form
and use them in a effective manner.
 Scheduling: There are different schedules prepared in this strategy and all of them have
certain time limit for completion (Olsen, 2015).
 Time bound: All goals needs to be time bound so that they can be achieved in a effective
manner.
 Proactive: This is an approach where managers overlooks at all activities proactively as
to gain knowledge about performance and gaps.
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 Focused: The efforts of individuals are focused on a certain task as to complete it in a set
duration.
TASK 2
2.1 Personal skills and competencies auditing and evaluation against the professionals standards:
It is very important for individuals to keep on assessing them self as to identify all
strengths and weakness. People are able to identify opportunities in more effective manner. The
whole process of this evaluation is known as self auditing which has to be conducted by person
in order to gain knowledge regarding his own capabilities and future growth. As a store manager
there are certain skills which are required as to perform all the task in a appropriate manner. The
table below will act as a evlautrion table against professional standards:
Sl.
No.
Skills and Competencies Score Score from
others
Variances
1 Problem solving skills 7 8 -1
2 Team building and management 6 8 -2
3 Good listen and advisor 8 9 -1
4 Research about new methods and concepts 7 5 2
5 I provide motivation? 8 6 2
6 My effectiveness and efficiency 8 7 1
7 Quality standards? 7 8 -1
8 Good team member? 7 7 0
9 Type of leadership style? 8 6 2
All the negative values are my strengths while all positive values considered to be a
weakness. On the basis of this I have prepared my CV.
Name:
Address:
Telephone number:
Email:
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Carrier Objective: To keep on self learning as to boost career growth in the filed of interest.
Academic Qualification:
 Graduate Masters in HR
Experience: Working in Sainsbury from last one year
Personal skills:
 Team spirit
 Honesty
 Overcoming issues
 Management of time Leadership skills
Declaration:
I solemnly declare that all mentioned information is valid.
2.2 Identification of my own developmental needs and ways to get them
The analysis of own capability against professional standards has enlightened me about
my own competency level (Shagrir, 2010). There are certain needs which needs to be fulfilled, as
they will assist in developing my own abilities. They are as following:
 Improving managerial ability
 Utilisation of approaches
 Improving researching skills
 Acceptance and responsibility
There are different methods that will be used for improving the skills:
 Managerial guidance: The senior managers will be asked to provide guidance as to
improve decision making.
 Seminars and conferences: Attending these will enhance knowledge and skills as experts
will be stating about various factors in a brief mode.
 Simulation training: A virtual environment is created where a person is put into it as to
enhance his ability to identify and take right decisions.
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2.3 Identification of my own developmental opportunities to meet current and future goals
There are various opportunities that are important as to achieve current and future goals.
There are certain activities which will be attended as to achieve all long term and short term
goals. There are various developmental actions that will be taken:
 Engaging in decision making process.
 Participation in brainstorming sessions.
 Improving researching skills via using library.
 Setting objectives while using SMART criteria.
 Seminars and conferences aids in boosting knowledge skills and abilities.
These are the activities which will be undertaken for attaining various goals and
objectives in a very effective manner (Shortland, 2010). Also they will enable individual in
gaining more knowledge and experience which will make him more efficient and effective.
2.4 Personal and professional developmental plan
SL.
no.
LEARNING
OBJECTIVE
/GOAL
CURRENT
PROFICIENCY
TARGET
PROFICIENCY
DEVELOP
MENT
OPPORTU
NITIES
CRITERIA
FOR
JUDGING
SUCCESS
TIME
SCALE
EVIDENCE
1 Leadershi
p style
Currently
using
authoritarian
or parental
style.
Need to
improve and
be a
democratic
leader.
Learning
from
others and
senior
managers.
Simulation
training
and role
plays.
Senior
managers
judgement.
1 week Top
manageme
nt report.
2 Efficiency
and
effectiven
ess
Methods used
are not
effective any
more.
Adopting new
methods and
tools will
ensure better
Guidance
from
seniors
and on the
Performance
report will be
used.
3
months
minim
um.
Administr
ator
judgement
.
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results. job
training.
3 Motivatio
nal skills
I still have
little
negativity
inside my
head which
needs to be
removed.
Going through
theories of
motivation.
Motivatio
nal
speeches,
seminars
and
conference
s.
Subordinates
will judge
1
month
Colleagues
judgement
3.1 The process and activities required to implement the developmental plan
There are various process and activities that are required as to implement a
developmental plan. They are important to keep on changing or updating current skills and
abilities (Stenberg, 2010). There is a complete process that aids person in implementing the
required scheme in an effective manner. They process is stated below:
 Setting up time scale: It is very important to ensure that all activities are completed in a
limited time period. This boost efficiency and effectiveness of whole process.
 Assessment of KSA: A person needs to assess their own knowledge, skills and abilities in
a proper manner so that all task are achieved in a effective manner.
 Learning strategies: There are various styles and approaches which can be adopted. It
depends on person requirements as to which method will be more effective.
 Resources: There are different resources which will be required for completing learning
process (Sutherland, Howard and Markauskaite, 2010). Such as, books, internet, journal,
research material, guide, etc.
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