Oxford Brookes University: Personal SWOT Analysis and Action Plan

This assignment is a Personal SWOT Analysis completed by a student pursuing an MSc in Business Management at Oxford Brookes University. The analysis evaluates the student's strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats, focusing on skills like group work, critical thinking, and leadership. The document also includes a critical incident log, detailing a challenging group presentation experience, and a reflection on the lessons learned, including the importance of communication and flexibility. Finally, it presents a personal action plan outlining goals for the academic year, strategies for achieving them, and success criteria, with the ultimate goal of graduating with honors. The student aims to enhance presentation skills, improve time management, and foster better communication within groups.

PERSONAL SWOT ANALYSIS1
PERSONAL SWOT ANALYSIS
Student’s Name
Course
Instructor
University Name
City (State)
Date

PERSONAL SWOT ANALYSIS2
Strengths Weaknesses
Throughout this semester on MSc
Business Management, I have been in a
point to develop different skills, such as
group work skills, critical thinking
skills, and leadership skills.
Additionally, I have been in a position to
gain new ideas which I have implemented
in the semester as well as at my work.
Being an INTP on the MBTI profiling,
my main aim has been to attend all group
meetings as well as lectures, become
flexible, and a promoter of Team Work.
Following is my strength in the different
fields.
Group work skills
I am flexible to fit in any group
schedule. Whenever we have a group
presentation or meeting, I am flexible
enough to fit in the program. I try as
much as possible never to miss a group
discussion, presentation or session
Lastly, I trust, support and respect my
group team members
Leadership skills.
Being an INTP on the MBTI, I am
oblivious and usually unaware of the
objective environment. To add to, I am a
taciturn and shy whenever I have to speak
in front of a congregation. I am also
fickle, changeable, and lacks persistence
in general. Moreover, I have the
weakness of disliking intensely, which
has resulted in me having only a few
friends.
About my weakness as a leader, I am
not confident enough during
presentations or whenever I have to speak
to people. As a leader, I am supposed to
be confident enough for people to trust
and or rely on me. I received a notice
and feedback about this weakness after
my last presentation this semester. I was
not confident at all and found it difficult
to communicate with the audience as well
as use body language appropriately
during the presentation. My voice went
down, and I could not control my
nervousness.

PERSONAL SWOT ANALYSIS3
I am results-oriented with my main
aim being to get the best from the
group and or lectures.
Being a “Team worker and a coordinator”
on Belbin’s framework, it is my
responsibility to clarify the objectives and
goals of the group and to help identify
and set agendas. Additionally, I am also
aware of the importance of sequencing
items. Further, I also have the
capability of making the group
members focus on our objectives to
complete them successfully. I, too, can
encourage team members to be at their
best. Further, at times I find some
motivation or inspiration to keep my
group members moving.
Creative thinking skills
I am a problem solver. For instance,
whenever we argue our group, I find
solutions to curb the issue.
Being a “sharper” and according to
Belbin’s framework, I get frustrated
quickly whenever other do not confer
with my suggestions.
Furthermore, as a team member, I am
supposed to be a good communicator
by listening carefully to others,
expressing my feelings to others in a
non-threatening manner and asking
questions to clarify other people’s
ideas. Unfortunately, I am weak at
that. It is hard for me to listen to
others, or politely ask questions to
explain their views.
I, also, find it hard to be open to my
team members, which prove my
weakness in group work skills.
Opportunities Threats
As for me, I find it an excellent
opportunity to be a student at the
University of Oxford Brookes. I believe
My country through the Department of
Attaches and Scholarship offers me an
opportunity to do my Ph.D. if only I

PERSONAL SWOT ANALYSIS4
that doing this course at this University
will help improve my skills in different
fields including leadership skills and
problem-solving skills. Further, I think
that this course will enhance my ability to
apply my knowledge and understanding
of business and management to complex
business issues.
Moreover, I believe that this course will
help me improve my skills, experiences,
and attributes including presentation
skills, the will to accept authority and the
self-awareness of my strengths and
weaknesses.
Being at this University helps me
enhance my creative thinking skills. It
is because being here as a foreigner
poses some challenges for me which I
have to use creative thinking skills to
handle.
attain a first class (1:1) in my current
course (MSc business management).
Otherwise, I won’t get the sponsorship. I,
therefore, have to work hard to achieve
the first-class honors. To do this, I have
to complete my assignments on time and
get an overall grade of 70% and above.
However, I have found this difficult to
attain taking into consideration I have six
modules plus two other English support
classes. Moreover, the deadlines for most
of my assignments as well as the exams
are all in December. Furthermore, my
first language is not English which has
acted like a big challenge in classes.
Therefore, it seems hard for me to
achieve the first class honors I need in
this course.
Critical Incident Log
Log the event - the facts about what happened and why.
A couple of weeks ago, this semester, we were to do a group presentation for one of
the modules. Each group was supposed to have five students at least. The assignment

PERSONAL SWOT ANALYSIS5
held 50% of the total mark of the module hence. We, therefore, had to agree on the
best way to handle the task. We decided to meet at least thrice a week since we were
running out of time.
At the end of the assignment, we're supposed to submit a 2500 words report.
Unfortunately for us, one of our group members did not attend the first two meetings
and never replied to our emails. We were, therefore, forced to share the workload
among the four of us. However, he attended the third group meeting without any
reason for his absenteeism during the first two meetings. We gave him some small
work to handle to help in the project. He did not come to the next three group
meetings and came during our sixth meeting with the reason that he had been ill. At
that time, we had already finished our project and were preparing for the presentation.
During our next meeting, we were supposed to sign the declaration form and submit
the report. The group members had a serious discussion on whether to let him sign the
report or not.
Record your reaction – note down what you felt, how you thought and how others
felt and behaved.
A couple of weeks ago, this semester, we were to do a group presentation for one of
the modules. Each group was supposed to have five students at least. The assignment
held 50% of the total mark of the module hence. We, therefore, had to agree on the
best way to handle the task. We decided to meet at least thrice a week since we were
running out of time.
At the end of the assignment, we're supposed to submit a 2500 words report.
Unfortunately for us, one of our group members did not attend the first two meetings
and never replied to our emails. We were, therefore, forced to share the workload

PERSONAL SWOT ANALYSIS6
among the four of us. However, he attended the third group meeting without any
reason for his absenteeism during the first two meetings. We gave him some small
work to handle to help in the project. He did not come to the next three group
meetings and came during our sixth meeting with the reason that he had been ill. At
that time, we had already finished our project and were preparing for the presentation.
During our next meeting, we were supposed to sign the declaration form and
submit the report. The group members had a serious discussion on whether to let
him sign the report or not.
Think about what you have learned. What might have influenced the event –
previous experience, external factors, the situation?
From this incident, I have learned that when looking into any situation, it is good for
one to look at it from different perspectives. It is because in our case the absentee
might have been seriously ill or have other serious personal problems. If we did not
let him sign the declaration form, there is a probability he will fail this module.
However, I think he needs to learn how to manage his time effectively, be
punctual and responsible.
For my previous experience, I have faced similar situations in my study and work, and
I managed them smoothly.
What changes you are going to make? Pull out your learning experience – what
would you do differently next time, how have your values changed.
From this experience, I have learned the importance of planning unexpected
events and becoming more flexible to fit in any schedule. For him, maybe he
would not have been adjustable to fit in our program hence the absenteeism.

PERSONAL SWOT ANALYSIS7
Additionally, I learned the importance of communication skills. In our case,
communication was not as effective as we only used emails to communicate. The
changes I am considering to make include creating a WhatsApp group for
assignments, talk over voice calls, use emails and meet in school to discuss face to
face after lectures. Furthermore, I will try to seek the help of a tutor whenever we
have an issue in a group. I will change my view of people where I will need to
understand them first before reacting.
My values have improved as a result of the incident. For instance, the event has
enabled me to be more of a critical thinker whenever a problem arises to try and
come up with a solution. Moreover, the incident has helped me understand that
people have different characters and backgrounds.
Personal Action plan for2018/2019
Goal: what do
I want/need to
be able to
do/learn
How will I
achieve this?
What
resources or
support will I
need?
What will my
success
criteria be?
Target dates
for review
and
completion
Graduate with
First Class 1:1
in order to get
sponsorship
from my
country to do
PHD
I will have
work hard, put
myself under
pressure and
study
effectively. I
also need to be
in a point to
I will need
lectures
seminars,
individual
studies and
group works in
all modules. I
will set Google
When I have
my MSc
degree with
First Class
mark, I will get
the chance to
do PHD. In
addition, I will
Some of my
assignment's
due on
November and
December
2018 and the
others on April
and May 2019.

PERSONAL SWOT ANALYSIS8
manage my
time well.
Calendar
deadlines for
all assignments
and exams
be able to
demonstrate
my knowledge
and skills
Then I have
the
dissertation's
due on
September
2019. So, I will
finish this
course by then.
Improve my
presentation
skills and
become more
confident in
order to
present my
work to people
without panic
I will study the
material well
and practice it
before the
presentation. I
will also
practice the
PowerPoint
slides in
advance. Start
the
presentation by
breaking the
ice with small
joke to create a
rapport with
the audience.
I will watch
ways to have
an effective
presentation on
YouTube, Ted
Talks as well
as use what I
have learned of
DSBL module
and read more
about it online.
Also, I will
learn more
skills from
lectures and try
to attend more
presentation
I will be able
to master my
presentation
skills and
present in front
of an audience
confidently.
Also, I will
improve my
performance
whenever I
present. It will
help me to
confidently
present my
dissertation.
The target date
is the end of
September
2019. That is
when I will
hand in my
dissertation

PERSONAL SWOT ANALYSIS9
Arrive early
and start the
presentation
with happy
face.
events running
at the
University.
References

PERSONAL SWOT ANALYSIS10
Business Skills & Software. (2018). Leadership Skills List | Examples of Good &
Effective Skills. [online] Available at:
https://www.businessphrases.net/leadership-skills-list/ [Accessed 22 Nov.
2018].
Centre for Teaching Excellence. (2018). Teamwork Skills: Being an Effective Group
Member Centre for Teaching Excellence. [online] Available at:
https://uwaterloo.ca/centre-for-teaching-excellence/teaching-resources/
teaching-tips/tips-students/being-part-team/teamwork-skills-being-effective-
group-member [Accessed 22 Nov. 2018].
Doyle, A. (2018). Why Employers Value Creative Thinking. [online] The Balance
Careers. Available at: https://www.thebalancecareers.com/creative-thinking-
definition-with-examples-2063744 [Accessed 22 Nov. 2018].