Professional Development Plan: MBA, Skills, Goals, and Ethics

This report outlines a comprehensive professional development plan for an MBA graduate working in the retail sector. The plan begins with a self-introduction, followed by an overview of the current business environment, including global challenges and megatrends impacting the industry. It establishes personal and professional goals, assesses core competencies, and analyzes the need for skill development, encompassing socio-cultural, personal, managerial, and technical aspects. The report emphasizes professional values, ethics, and social responsibility, incorporating a SWOT analysis to identify strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats. The plan concludes with a preferred development strategy and recommendations for achieving career aspirations. The author aims to enhance skills in areas such as analytical and interpersonal abilities to improve overall performance, and strategic competencies to meet current aspirations. The report also addresses the importance of ethical decision-making, aligning personal values with organizational ethics, and the role of social responsibility in the professional context.

Professional Development and
Ethics

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
In the present study it outlines appropriate Professional Development Plan which helps
me to improve my targets and goals. I have completed my MBA and thus work in a retail
organization with the objective to improve my skills and capabilities so that competency could
be attained. I also possess better understanding and thus maintains effective communication with
my clients in regard to identify their needs so that best results could be attained. I also acquire
skills for accomplishing more complex projects and thus carry out strategic competencies in
order to meet my current aspirations.

Table of Contents
SELF INTRODUCTION.................................................................................................................4
SECTION 1: BIG PICTURE...........................................................................................................4
SECTION 2: MEGATRENDS AND CHALLENGES...................................................................5
SECTION 3: GOALS......................................................................................................................6
SECTION 4: PROFESSIONAL VALUES, ETHICS AND SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY...........7
SECTION 5: COMPETENCY ASSESSMENT – SOCIO-CULTURAL AND PERSONAL
COMPETENCE...............................................................................................................................7
SECTION 6: MANAGERIAL AND TECHNICAL COMPETENCIES........................................9
SECTION 7. COMPETENCIES NEEDED – TARGETS FOR DEVELOPMENT.....................11
SECTION 8: PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM ................................................12
SECTION: 9 SWOT ANALYSIS.................................................................................................15
SECTION: 10 PREFERRED PLAN.............................................................................................16
CONCLUSION..............................................................................................................................17
REFERENCES..............................................................................................................................18

SELF INTRODUCTION
Recently I have completed by MBA degree and thus I have gained several skills and
knowledge regarding market. However, after my several years of working I finally decided to
have an Masters degree so that it could give me enough exposure and thus I can work in
international market. As I was a working guy, I managed by MBA degree through attending
night class and thus it proved very helpful for me to gain wide knowledge which could be
applied by me in practical life. My masters degree helped me out in working internationally and
earn high income.
I started my career from working in a retail firm and thus I gained wide range of
knowledge and information about the subject area. There I improved my several skills such as
communication, presentation, leadership, time management which helped me in raising my
performance level. Thus, through working in such business I found that I lack in certain skills
such as analytical, interpersonal etc. therefore, I need to improve such skills by working in an
effective way. Thus, all such skills helped me to raise my performance and it improved my
overall working capability. While, working in a retail firm, I thought to have a master degree and
thus I joined MBA program and attended night classes. It helped me in giving a career guidance
and thus lecturers assists me in building my skills and personal development.
After completing my MBA program I applied in several MNC's and thus got a job offer.
Thus, working at Marketing executive in such big houses it helps in grooming my different skills
and capabilities so that I am able to compete in market. It also helped me in gaining a lot of
experience and thus implement trial and error method so that it helps me in bringing change so
that best results can be attained.
SECTION 1: BIG PICTURE
It has been evaluated that the world is facing unprecedented challenges because of
globalism and thus it has been found that there is financial crunch in the country. Also, it has
been noticed that power is been shifted from western to other parts of world. However, Western
countries are struggling for different reasons and therefore, they are taking help from different
Asian countries through obtaining demanding import from different countries. There are various
challenges being faced by workers such as uncertainty and lack of confidence (Nahavandi,
2016). The current society is focusing upon becoming more consumer driven and therefore, it is

essential for companies to become more marketing oriented. The current market is consumer
driven and therefore, it impacts upon the businesses in regard to identify the needs and wants of
customers and thus make crucial changes so that long term sustainability could be attained. Also,
due to high global financial crisis it affects several countries and industries and led them to
obtain debts on high number.
Thus, it majorly impacted on my life as well due to economic recession it led to decrease
in employment opportunities and thus it impacts upon income level within country. It decreases
the jobs in the country and thus it affects my opportunities. Due to such economic viability it
decreases several projects introduced by companies, their expansion plan and deductions in staff
level. Further, it has been experienced huge growth in several industries and therefore, it helped
in improving my current level of skills and capabilities (Ward, 2016). Companies have also
experienced huge growth and thus due to lack of resources individuals have been employed
below their competency level. Thus, government of country needs to bring influential changes so
that it could help in expanding the work and thus fill the space so that desired results could be
attained. However, in such market environment, companies are focusing upon cutting their
budgets and thus decreasing the staff level and hiring low skilled people at low cost. Hence, it is
one of the effective weakness of firm and thus they are exposed in market (Grainger, 2014).
SECTION 2: MEGATRENDS AND CHALLENGES
It has been assessed that return on investment and financial viability has become one of
the crucial aspect and thus faces challenges in regard to carry out the operations. Also, quality ha
become more crucial aspect rather than quantity. Companies are required to make proper
financial decisions so that they can secure their funds which is crucial for them in regard to
expand the business functions appropriately (Arguelles and Bay, 2014). They are also obtaining
funds from different institutions in order to solve different problems and improve the efficiency
as well. It is essential for government to attract investment and make their market more open so
that long term growth could be planned. Here, the challenge will be regarding competition and
attracting investment that influences the market activities. Globalization has made it possible for
investors and skilled staff in regard to attract the economy that offers the best return on
investment and value for money (Kolb, 2014).
PEST analysis is been conducted that helps in exploring the industry and thus identify
mega trends and challenges within retail firm. Political factors greatly affects the market due to

introducing different policies and regulations by government bodies. Therefore, it affects the
operations of firm in market. While, economic factors also affects the viability of country as due
to increasing economic pressure in country (Pedler, Burgoyne and Boydell, 2013). Due to
recession in the country it decreases the purchasing power of consumers and thus it affects the
businesses. Further, socio-cultural factors influences the society due to change in taste and
preferences of consumers and thus affects the business operations. Therefore, it is essential for
business to assess the social trends of consumers and then prepare the product accordingly so
that success could be attained. While, technology factor assesses that company needs to adopt
innovative technology and thus implement the same so that best results could be attained. It is
essential for business to implement effective technology that helps in upgrading business so that
firm can compete in international market (Paesai, 2015).
SECTION 3: GOALS
Currently I see myself as a frustrated employee due to economic condition and heavy
pressure of business. It is all because management possess certain expectations on me that I need
to improve my working abilities and bring new clients within firm. Thus, my project manager
expects a lot from me which obstructs my capabilities. However, I obtain several skills,
competency and experience to progress to a higher position but opportunity for growth is very
limited. Main goals of my company to expand its operations internationally as well as recruit
skilled workers. Thus, I energetically work in that directions and thus empower my subordinates
to develop proper career goals so that desired targets could be attained. However, the company in
which I work is overstaffed and thus due to bad economic condition in the country, company
aims to reduce the size of workers and thus it also affects my prospect of promotion. Also, all the
financial decisions are made by the management itself and thus it does not involve employees in
them that affects my morale and capability to continue working in such business.
While, there is some positive side as well such as firm helped me in growing my
capabilities and thus experience effective decisions so that best results could be attained.
However, it makes the business very efficient and thus financial decisions are made by the
individuals who are directly impacted (Nahavandi, 2016). Company also involves a lot of
mentoring and culture of being part of team who is experienced. The market environment is very
tough and competent which helps me in identifying my capabilities and skills so that business
operations could be carried out effectively. The current goals of employer is to expand its

business functions and thus enhance the customer base. Therefore, I am more focused towards
that as it helps me to improve my experience and thus leads towards attaining success.
SECTION 4: PROFESSIONAL VALUES, ETHICS AND SOCIAL
RESPONSIBILITY
Personal values, beliefs, ethics play a vital role in developing the professional and
establishing the future. Business organization have to follow social responsibility so that they can
strike a balance between their profits and the benefits to the society. Some of the values and
ethics are related to the dedication, commitment, integrity and so on.
All the employees have to follow the strategies in order to increase the welfare in the
society (Parkay, Stanford and Gougeon, 2010). So in order to develop the future I have to follow
all these values and ethics so that decisions can be made in an efficient manner. Along with this,
I will made my decisions on the basis of some principles so that all decisions affect others in an
effective manner. I will put myself on the place of the people who got affected due to my
decisions. In the current era, people have their different values and ethics so it is very complex to
match with the others opinion. For this, I have to identify the needs and demand of others and
than I will make my ethical decisions so that overall growth of the company can be enhanced.
It is necessary for the staff members to match their own value system with the enterprise
and their customers. If conflicts arise in the organization then it is very difficult for an employee
to improve their growth at the workplace. So, it is important for me to perform my work after
analysing the values and principles of the firm. If these beliefs are different then I will not be
able to work in an efficient manner and societal benefits will not be achieved.
I have to made my own decisions so that overall performance of the company will be
achieved. Along with this, I have to set my own principles and values so that the satisfaction
among all the other members can be enhanced. If they will feel towards the decisions that are
made by the higher authority then their overall goals can be accomplished.
SECTION 5: COMPETENCY ASSESSMENT – SOCIO-CULTURAL AND
PERSONAL COMPETENCE
Competencies are related to the skills, knowledge, experience, attitude, beliefs in the
employees. Through these core competencies, they will be able to improve their growth at the
workplace. For this, they have to follow some social cultural and personal competence.

Competency assessment is related to the self analysis of an individual person. This is the
assessment of my current competency level:
competencies Description
1.Teamwork I know how to work in a team so that overall
objectives can be achieved. Apart from this, I
need learn how to learn more techniques so
that overall team performance can be
improved.
2.Leadership I have some leadership skills so I can lead a
team by proving them proper guidance but I
am unable to direct a large number of people.
3.Problem solving I am good in solving the issues that are faced
by the people in an organization. But I have to
work more on this so that trust can be build
between the employees.
4.Innovative and creative I am not good in innovation and creative
thinking so I need to develop some skills so
that customers will be able to get the
innovative products.
5.Communication My verbal and written communications are
good so I am able to communicate with other
members in an efficient manner.
6.Time management I can manage the time as per the work but
when work pressure is more then I will not be
able to manage my time. So for this, I have to
make strategies so that time can be managed.
7.learning I can develop more learning skills through
experiential learning process. But apart from
this I have to follow some learning approaches

in order to enhance my knowledge.
8.Self direction I am highly self motivated but I will not be
able to analyse the self motivation of the team
members.
9.Adaptability to change I can adapt the changes very easily but I can't
motivate my team that you have to adapt these
skills or not.
Column B: Core competencies
Column C: Target
SECTION 6: MANAGERIAL AND TECHNICAL COMPETENCIES
These different kinds of competencies should be their in an individual so that they can
perform their operations in different areas. There are some different areas that are stated below in
the table:
Area Description
Professional management 1 I have good knowledge of what is required in
the professional development and what are the
rules that are made by the government. Apart

from that I unable to manage the large projects
which require high skills.
Professional management 2 I know that how an organization will be able to
achieve their objectives by increasing the
motivation level among all the staff members. I
have to build my scope in the area of human
resources.
Professional management 3 I have to develop some strategies in the
organization that how customers will be able to
get the quality and innovative products from
the company.
Professional management 4 I need to develop some of the strategies related
to the time management and problem solving
techniques so that overall performance of the
enterprise can be improved.
Information and technology Information is the way through which
organization will be able to get the success in
the business environment. I have to learn more
about the technologies that can enhance the
growth of the enterprise at the workplace.
Leadership management I have to build more skills so that overall team
members will be able to achieve their goals. I
have to adopt an effective leadership style as
well as enhance my learning.
Strategic management I am lack in strategic management. Along with
this, I have to use some approaches so that I
can enhance my performance.
Develop project based organization I am able to develop the projects in the
organization so that overall performance of the

firm can be improved. I am lack in
implementing the strategies.
Finance management I have good knowledge in the finance field so I
can perform well. Apart from this, I need to
develop my scope in implementing the projects
as per the given scenario.
Project delivery system management I have a little knowledge in this area so I have
to develop my scope in this area.
SECTION 7. COMPETENCIES NEEDED – TARGETS FOR
DEVELOPMENT
In order to increase the scope in these areas I have to develop some of the competencies
in order to develop the professional management. There are different fundamental areas which
requires the knowledge of the person (Kolb, 2014). So, here I have to develop some scope and
enhance my learning and knowledge in a particular area. In the field of information and
technology, I have to develop my creativeness and innovative ideas so that overall performance
can be improved in an efficient manner. In the area of leadership management, I have to enhance
Illustration 1: Competency level

my leadership skills. For that I have to adopt a leadership style as per the situation at the
workplace.
In the field of financial management I have to increase my knowledge in the finance
related area. Through this, the organisation will be able to generate more revenues as compare to
other competitor firm. Apart from these. I have to develop some of the skills related to the time
management so that I can perform well in every area. Through the time management skills, I will
be able to accomplish my objectives in a particular time period. Some of these are targets for the
areas that are specified in the above section. Every department needed some of the effective
skills so that they will be able to improve their growth and profession development can be
established.
SECTION 8: PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM
A professional development plan helps to a person or an employee to make an
improvement on their loophole which are becoming a hinder to progress in their career (Pedler,
Burgoyne and Boydell, 2013). So it is essential for me to improve my weak points which can be
reduce my ability to perform working in an organisation. This personal development program is
having focus to increase the skills which helps to me to perform my work as per my education.
Professional development program is having a list of activities which can helps to improve and
develop core skills which helps in the performance which creates an indirect impact on the career
development also. It works on skills which are essential for me to increase my career graph and it
has a potential to reach out on my dream position in my future. It enhance skills which enhance
on the goals which I want to achieve in my career. A professional development program is here
which is targetting on the loophole which can reduce my work ability while working in an
organisation;
Competencies which
I have to improve
How can I improve
this
Time to develop skills Success criteria
UNIT 1
CORE SKILLS
Team work I have to participate in
those games which
plays in team, so I
60 Days When I will make
victor for my team
from my effective