Personal and Professional Development Report: HND Business (Level 5)

This report delves into the realm of personal and professional development, focusing on self-managed learning approaches and their suitability in various contexts. It explores the processes involved in fostering lifelong learning, both personally and professionally, while highlighting the advantages of self-managed learning for individuals and organizations. The report analyzes a work-based problem at ASDA, proposing solutions and examining different learning styles to address issues. It also evaluates effective time management strategies. Furthermore, the report assesses current skills and competencies against professional standards and company objectives, identifies development needs and opportunities, and outlines a comprehensive personal and professional development plan. The report also details the execution of the development plan, including activities, self-learning progress, and plan modification after evaluation. The report provides a comprehensive overview of personal and professional development.

Personal and Professional
Development

Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................3
TASK 1............................................................................................................................................3
1.1 Analysis of certain approaches to self managed learning and their suitability.....................3
1.2 Process through which lifelong in personal and professional scenario could be entertained.
.....................................................................................................................................................4
1.3 Advantages of self managed learning to a person and firm..................................................4
4.1 Solution for the work based problem....................................................................................5
4.2 Learning style which has to be executed to improve issues at different stage......................6
4.3 Evaluation of the effective time management strategies.......................................................6
TASK 2............................................................................................................................................7
2.1 Own Current skills and competencies against professional standards and company's
objectives.....................................................................................................................................7
2.2 Operations which are required for meeting own development needs...................................8
2.3 Identifying the development opportunities to attain current and future goals......................9
2.4 Plan for personal and professional development................................................................10
3.1 Process which is required in order to executed the development plan...............................11
3.2 Handling the planned development activities.....................................................................11
3.3 Self learning against aims and goals set in the development plan......................................11
3.4 Modification of PDP after evaluation.................................................................................11
CONCLUSION..............................................................................................................................12
REFERENCES..............................................................................................................................13

INTRODUCTION
Personal and professional development is the growth of a particular person so that he or
she can achieve the targets which he set. Development can be in any form whether improving
personal behaviour and skills at personal and professional level. It is not always necessary that
this term is only defined to a common person but this can also be used by the enterprise. It
includes various activities like the self assessment, education and training personal abilities or
any improvement in these will be referred to as personal and professional development (Avalos,
2011). Development at personal and professional for each individuals vary and there are various
factors which are responsible for this. Everyone has its own way of learning new things and it is
the life experience which develops any individual. Companies give training to their employees to
boost the confidence of them so that they can be motivated and put their full effort in the work.
For better results this activity has become necessary as this helps the firms in gaining
competitive advantage.
TASK 1
1.1 Analysis of certain approaches to self managed learning and their suitability.
Following are some of the process which can be used to manage the personal skills:-
 Seminars and Conferences
This is the process in which those who has some ideas and knowledge they can present in
front of the gathering. If anyone is attending productive seminars than he or she can adopt the
lessons which has been delivered there. A person who has attended a seminar of the
organisational dressing and from there he learns how dress in firm and he then use those things at

their workplace (Bauer, 2010). Conferences boost the confidence of the people thus increasing
their communication skills.
 Social Networking
In this era almost everyone is on social media and this is the easiest way to communicate
someone and it does not depend where the person is there. Facebook, Twitter and other things
has been a big support to learn new things and it has transformed our life. A person who owns
some kind of business he or she can promote their business all around the globe.
 Internet
Internet is the real source of almost every kind of information and a person who wants to
gain certain data related to almost to this product or service can access through internet. They
don't have to pay fro this as most of the content available on the internet are They can look for
the research papers and journals on internet resources like Google Scholar. After learning certain
skills it can be implemented at the workplace.
1.2 Process through which lifelong in personal and professional scenario could be entertained.
SWOT analysis is the process through which someone can know their strengths and
weaknesses. If anyone wants to know himself personal this is the best process they can adopt as
it is the part of the self evaluation. I have a calm and friendly nature and always believed in
effective learning. These strengths can help me in grooming me so I need to maintain these
lifelong. But at the same time there are some weaknesses which is hampering my life as include
frustration (Cleary and et. al., 2011). I easily get frustrated from different suitable which I
consider as my weakness. Normally such thing comes when those people who are working with
me is not performing according to my instructions. I have also believed in managing things
according to me only so I have funded my education although my financial condition was not so
good. So in future this can become a threat for me but I know that with education which is like
an opportunity for me I can attain new heights.
There are various advantages attached to self reflective learning because through it
learning can be managed. With the help of this I can coordinate with my practical experience
which I have learned through socially and academically experience. Firms also wants that their

staff should have skills like time management, leadership and IT skills (Cooke, 2012) . I will also
ensure that I develop the skills at my personal and all the operations are done on time.
1.3 Advantages of self managed learning to a person and firm.
Self learning is related to the managing the learning so it can give lots of benefits to an
individual and the organisation. Every student who is passing from the university has a degree
which shows their specialisation and the skills they have. Whatever things they have learnt in the
university they it will give them a advantage at the workplace where they will be working (Croft
and et. al., 2010). The projects and presentation which they have done in team work will give
them fruitful results as they have gained knowledge about the team work. Giving presentation
with the help of projector will give them an extra advantage and will also build their confidence
as they are presenting themselves in front of a large gathering. Organisation wants that their staff
should have better communication skills so this can be gained from the self learning. With
certain skills and knowledge students will not find it difficult to adapt themselves in the working
environment (Desimone, 2011). But there are some skill like confident, flexible and etc. can only
acquired through the experience and interest of person.
4.1 Solution for the work based problem.
After the analysis of the ASDA company it was observed that most of the employees are
facing lots of issues which is deliberately impacting their business and this way they ar4e not
able to attain the gaols whi9ch they have set. In such scenario there are lots approaches which
can be taken into account to resolve the issue. To know the effectiveness of each approach so
that they can know which techniques will benefit them. The management of the firm should
ensure that the employees get platform where they can put forward their problems and any
suggestions which they think should be adopted. When such thing will happen the employees
moral will go up as they will think that they have been valued in the organisation in which they
are working (Elliott, 2011). When the staff will be happy then ASDA will experience a growth in
the profits. With the work related problems they can examine their learning skills and
capabilities. Following are some of the solutions with their problems:-
Quality Management: The staff working at ASDA does not have any knowledge about
the quality standards of certain goods. The consumer are not happy from the products they are
getting thus lowering their sales. The management of the company has finally failed in the
guiding the staff so that they can know how to check the quality.

Solution: Quality standards has again renewed and from now onwards this thing will be
done on regular basis.
Motivational Issues: As the staff of the company does not have any training so they feel
demotivated and the sales of the company is going drastically down. Manger at ASDA also
failed in the attempts he made to motivate their employees.
Solution: The one thing ASDA can do is to give certain incentives to the staff who are
performing well and putting their hard efforts in order to achieve the targets. Other than this they
can also conduct motivational seminars.
4.2 Learning style which has to be executed to improve issues at different stage.
To resolve the issues prevailing in the company various styles can be taken into account.
It depends upon the situation that which style will be more beneficial whether formal or
informal. Following are some of the styles which can be examined:-
Promoter Style: Those who has variety of ideas and socially they are more active for
them this will be preferred (Strategic Level).
Controller Style: This style will be used for upper level manager so that they can get
better outcomes. Managers will resolve the issues through looking at the situation (Gibson,
Dollarhide and Moss, 2010).
Supporter Style: Those people who are considered as the supervisor and are at the lower
level can use this so that they can support employees.
Analyser Style: This is for those managers who are at the middle level so that they can
analyse the performance of the employees on operation level.
4.3 Evaluation of the effective time management strategies.
In order to complete the work on time, time management can be adopted. This way time
can be managed properly so following are some of the strategies for time management.
Setting Goals: This is the initial stage in which those gaols which need to be achieved
will be decided. The reason behind this is that things will be more clear and there will be no
distraction. Only those things which will be on priority will be given importance.
Organising Resources: Through it they will make sure that there is no wastage of the
resources so for the all the resources. which they have will be utilized in proper manner (Maskit,
2011).

Scheduling: In includes the activities in which priority will be set of those task which has
to be done first.
Timely Finish: It needs to be ensured that things are done in time so that no further
expenses can be faced by ASDA.
TASK 2
2.1 Own Current skills and competencies against professional standards and company's
objectives.
It is necessary to know what are the factors which are affecting the professional life so
this way the weaknesses can be addressed to the managers so it can be improved. I am employed
as a store manager at ASDA and I have certain abilities which is necessary for performing all the
operations in better manner. Through analysis of certain skills I can improve my professional
work.
Professional
Skills
Current
Level
5=strong
1 =
weak
Best existing Example Process to Improve
Communication
Skills
3 In the situation where
the management has
very less
communication with
the employees so
things will become
little difficult.
For the improvement
feedback system, meetings
on timely manner can be
done.
Professional
knowledge
3 I have less information
about the quality of the
products because I am
not aware about the
quality standard.
For knowing the quality of
the products a training
sessions will be organised.
Team work 5 Team work reduces the
work load and improve
the efficiency thus
increase in the
productivity.
A coordination will be made
through allotting more
projects or work and this
way quality will also be
maintained.
Leadership Skills 4 Various business
activities has been
To resolve the issues which
are acting as hurdle for the

performed in time and
the reason behind this
is the improvement in
the leadership.
company a regular analysis
of the store will be done.
Curriculum Vitae
Personal Information
Name: Peter Green
Address: D7, East House
Tel. No: 845-4825
Date of Birth: 26 August, 1988
Nationality: UK
Marital Status: Single
Education
1991-2003: Ramton School
2003-2006: Mits College
Qualification
 Graduation in Marketing & Accounting Process
Experience
 Working as Assistant store manager at Tesco for 3 years.
Strengths
 Leadership Skills;
 Potential to manage a team;
 Friendly nature.
After evaluating the above things there has scope of improvement in the communication
skills and knowledge about the quality of the products. These qualities can be improved through
learning experiences only. The management of ASDA will conduct training sessions to enhance
the knowledge (Zepeda, 2012).

2.2 Operations which are required for meeting own development needs.
When someone learns new things it makes them more efficient and flexible. When I will
try to improve my existing qualities this will make me more dedicated and experienced. To attain
the goals all should be well versed with their strengths and weaknesses.
Strengths
 Team work is always part of my
working style so I will ensure that all
the employees get equal treatment.
 I try to develop a bond with the
employees of the company where I am
working as this way their moral can be
boosted up.
 I am pretty aware about how to deal
with the things in tough situations.
Weakness
 I need to put more focus on the quality
management abilities.
 I need to bring new communication
skills through which proper
communicative relationship can be
maintained.
Opportunities
 There are scope of new communication
strategies.
 Whatever is done at the workplace
should be transparent.
 Focus on attending training sessions.
Threats
 In the condition when there are lost of
staff in a particular store of ASDA.
 Appointment of the new store manager.
 Less productivity.
 Learning through Training: With the help of the personal learning there can be
improvement in the quality analysing skills.
 Motivation Abilities: Certain skills concerned to the motivation is important as it is
observed that motivated staff will put more efforts (Watts, 2010).
2.3 Identifying the development opportunities to attain current and future goals.
In the business environment there are certain opportunities which can be grabbed to
achieve the future goals.

Current Need:- At the current situation I have less knowledge about the quality of the
goods and I face issues in communication problem.
Future Need:- To grow myself at the personal and professional level I continuously need
to evaluate my daily habits and I need to develop the habit of personal learning. This way I will
experience better results (McNiff, 2010).
There can be short and long term goals depending upon the situation and at the same time
I need to ensure that I increase my communication with subordinates (Sutherland Howard and
Markauskaite, 2010). To groom my skills I will attend more training sessions and conferences.
To know what all things have to be given priorities a market analysis will be done.
2.4 Plan for personal and professional development.
Any thing can be achieved if there is proper planning of the goals and objectives which
has to be achieved. With the personal and professional development plan I can mould my career
towards a positive side (Moon, 2013). I will ensure that the plan is prepared by taking strengths,
weaknesses, opportunities and threats in mind. In the development plan there will be emphasis
on the things which has to be achieved and through focusing on what areas these can be
developed. Other than this what time will be required for those skills.
SL.
no.
LEARNIN
G
OBJECTI
VE/GOAL
EXISTING
PROFICIENC
Y
TARGET
PROFICIE
NCY
DEVELOPM
ENT
OPPORTUNI
TIES
CRITERIA
FOR
JUDGING
SUCCESS
TIME
SCALE
EVIDENC
E
1 Quality
Manageme
nt
I have issues in
knowing the
quality of the
goods.
To know how
what are the
things which
is taken in
scenario to
know the
quality of the
products.
To use certain
tools to know
the quality
standards.
My knowledge
with be judged
by the higher
officials.
3 month Evaluation
by the
higher
officials.

2 Communic
ation skills
It is observed
that there is
certain barriers
which are
reducing the
effectiveness of
message.
New
platforms of
the
communicati
on will be
analysed.
Knowledge
about the other
platforms of the
communication
can be gained
through
training
sessions.
Through
suggestion and
review process
it can be
identified
whether
changes has
came or not.
4 Month Feedback of
lower level
staff
3.1 Process which is required in order to executed the development plan.
The objective of the plan is eliminate the weaknesses and bring improvement at the work
place. I will ensure that a coordination with the higher level employees and staff is set to get
better outcomes. Any loophole in the communication system will be improved and a
communication process with better flow will be followed (Olsen, 2015). To ensure there arises
no dispute situation comes in the way different motivational seminars for the employees will be
conducted. I will deeply analyse the quality of all the products at ASDA so that I can gain
knowledge about it.
3.2 Handling the planned development activities.
Training the Staff:- Staff will be given training and this way communication can be
improved as those workers who are working under me are trained.
Supervising:- The administration will look for the operations which include negative
things (Stenfors-Hayes and et. al., 2010).
Feedback:- To know the effectiveness of the PDP then suggestion of the employees
which be taken on certain time period.
3.3 Self learning against aims and goals set in the development plan.
With the help of self learning and managing the skills any individual can identify what
are the things which a enterprise wants. It is observed that any changes written down in the
development plan impacts the company and the individual. Effectiveness of the plan will be
identified through knowing the the tasks which need to be done (Shagrir, 2010). For this this
insight from the directors and management will be taken because they regularly conduct
inspection. After that again feedback from the lower rank workers will be taken. Through these it

will be analysed that what things has been done or need to be done. Knowing the outcomes from
others give better insight about the plan.
3.4 Modification of PDP after evaluation.
Feedbacks from the directors and the lower level staff will play a key role in knowing the
changes which has to be done in the personal and professional development plan. In this the
managers and the directors have high expectations so they look from different angels. Lower
rank employees who have certain task to do only analyse at their level only. There will be
modification in the current plan only so that better outcomes can be gained (Shortland, 2010).
There can be different situation so according to it things should be changed in the plan and
regularly analysis should be done.
Learning the Needed
Skills
Activities to
Acknowledge and
Develop skills
Knowing Resources
and Support
Monitoring the
learning and skills
development process.
Management Skills Frame a record of
certain targets on daily
basis and considered
activities set for the
upcoming days.
Through the following
things this will help
me in doing so:-
 Books and
journals other
articles which
are on
management
issues.
 Local library
and Google
would provide
me lots of
contents and
examples on
management.
 Inspecting the
activities
which are
completed and
the scheduled
goals and
outcomes
which has
come from
this.
 Based on the
feedback the
effectiveness
of my skills
can be
analysed.
Communication Skills  Try to interact To learn from various  Assess the

as much as I
can and this
way I will able
to deal with
various people
who are from
different
backgrounds.
resources and gain
support on how to
motivate and increase
the moral at personal
and professional level.
 Joining
personality
improvement
classes and
taking the help
of certain
experts who
are from same
field.
performance
on weekly
basis after
setting the
goals and
objectives.
 Getting
feedback from
the team which
I am leading.
CONCLUSION
From the above report it has been analysed that with the personal and professional
development there are various advantages attached to it. In the era organisations only recruit
those candidates who has certain skills which can help them in adapting to the business
environment. So it is necessary that students should develop themselves and learn new things.
With analysis of the strengths and weaknesses self evaluation can be done and whatever areas
where improvement is required need to be done.

REFERENCES
Online

Creating Your Professional Development Plan: 3 Surprising Truths. 2011. [Online]. Available
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October 2017]
How to Manage Time Effectively?. 2011. [Online]. Available through:
<http://www.planetofsuccess.com/effective-time-management/>. [Accessed on 6th
October 2017]