Personal or Professional Development: Skills, Competencies and Plan

This report delves into the realm of personal and professional development, examining self-managed learning approaches, lifelong learning techniques, and their benefits for individuals and organizations. It explores various learning styles and addresses work-based problem remedies, highlighting the importance of time management strategies. The report assesses current skills and competencies against professional standards, including a detailed CV description, and outlines personal development needs and activities. It includes a SWOT analysis and a comprehensive development plan, considering both current and future needs, and emphasizes the implementation process and evaluation based on feedback. The report also focuses on the importance of communication skills, friendly relations, and dedicated nature in achieving professional goals. The report mentions the case study of Mark and Spencer and its employee development programs.

Personal or Professional
Development

Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................1
TASK 1............................................................................................................................................1
1.1 Approaches to self-managed learning.......................................................................1
1.2 Techniques of lifelong learning in personal and professional development........2
1.3 Benefits of self-managed learning to individual and organization.........................3
4.1 Remedies for work based problems..........................................................................4
4.2 Variety of styles and appropriate manner at different levels..................................4
4.3 Use of time management strategies..........................................................................5
TASK 2............................................................................................................................................5
2.1 Current skills and competencies against professional standards and enterprise
objectives..............................................................................................................................5
2.2 Own development needs and activities needs to meet them................................7
2.3 Development opportunities to meet current and future defined needs................8
2.4 Personal and professional development plan..........................................................9
3.1 Process and activities required to implement development plan........................11
3.2 Document of planned activities.................................................................................11
3.3 Own learning against original aims and objectives set in development plan....12
3.4 Development plan based on feedback evaluation.................................................12
CONCLUSION.............................................................................................................................13
REFERENCES............................................................................................................................14

INTRODUCTION
Personal and professional development is a term which defines activities and
task which improve self-knowledge and skills to build employability skills. Main motive of
personal growth is to learn new and innovative things to develop an individual overall
personality by resolving challenges or problems. This report is classified into four parts
by defining various learning styles to improve lifelong learning skills which is beneficial
for self enhancement and encourage towards goals and objectives. Instead of this it
shows the effective role of employees working in a leading company named as a Mark
and Spencer. In additional this organization is popular for its trendy clothes and appoint
only skilled workers who have the ability of handling activities of an enterprise (Avalos,
2011). It also consist of an impressive development plan for achieving own personal
and professional goals. At last M & S conducted various improvement programs such
as training and development to motivate their employees towards private and
occupational objectives.
TASK 1
1.1 Approaches to self-managed learning
An individual may learn innovative things with the help of various useful
programs by managing itself in an efficient manner with the help of different approaches
which plays a very vital role in self management learning.
Some of the useful approaches are mentioned below:-

 Seminars and conferences :- According to this approach, an individual may
enhance its knowledge and skills by attending various seminars and lectures in
which there is an interaction between different peoples (Black, 2010).
 Social networks:- Due to emergence of advanced technology employees of a M
&S acquire fresh and creative things by using different social sites.
 Internet :- It is a technique which is used by youth in excess level as well as
whole society to complete their personal and professional work in a minimum
time period.
All these approaches are very much suitable while managing self learning.
Individual uses different learning styles to raise their skills:- Visual :- By using this style I can learn things by analysing pictures, images,
symbols to understand particular story. Aural :- According to this, skills improves with the help of sound and musical
things. Verbal :- Knowledge gain with the Use of words or verbal style.
 Physical :- Refer body signs like hands and touch.
1.2 Techniques of lifelong learning in personal and professional development
Lifelong learning is a continuous enhancement of an individual learning so that
they can perform its duty and responsibility in an effective manner (Plowright, 2010).
Employees of Mark and Spencer improves their skills for future by resolving their
personal issues with the help of SWOT analysis. It has been enumerated below:- Strength:- According to this method an individual can easily identify its power
and hidden talent through which they can perform its functions in a proper
manner. Therefore, it shows inner quality or talent of a particular person. Weakness:- Identification of negativity in an individual to eliminate obstacles of
their life. Opportunities:- It is very essential to learn about available opportunity at a
marketplace to learn new things (Bolton, 2010).
 Threats:- According to this, an individual try to know about their competitors and
available danger to take immediate actions accordingly.

According to me, there are various methods available which develop the skills
and supports in improving my own knowledge which is very beneficial for future growth.
Methods like training for encouragement towards personal goals, improvement
programs act as a useful tool in motivations (Brody, 2011).
1.3 Benefits of self-managed learning to individual and organization
It acts as an obligatory tool for both individual as well as Mark and Spencer due
to their positivity. Self managed learning is beneficial for both in many ways which are
explained below :-
Benefits for Mark and Spencer - Control extra cost :- Highly responsible and dedicated employees plays a very
eminent role for organization in safeguarding their cost of training and
development programs. Decision procedure :- Also take part in a decision making process (Hadar,
2011). Management :- Due to self managed candidates there is an increase in a
competency while launching new brand at a marketplace. Creativity :- Emergence of innovation due to presence of skilled employees. Motivation :- It encourage other unskilled candidates towards their personal and
professional goals.
 Togetherness :- According to this factor an organization may work in a team by
cooperating with each other while achievement of goals and objectives.
Benefits for individuals :- Personality development :- Self managed learning is very useful for every
individuals because it improves overall personality which may attract numbers of
customers (Desimone, 2011).
 Confidence :- Increases level of confidence which motivate employees to hedge
upcoming future risk.
 Improvements must reflect in both personal l and professional domain which act
as a biggest advantage for every individuals.

Mark and Spencer believes in motivating their appointed candidates with the help
of different techniques like conduct programs, appoint specialised and experience
persons to train their less knowledgeable employees.
4.1 Remedies for work based problems
While working in a multinational organization an individual has to face many
obstacles due to broad concept with complex nature (Dopp, and et. al., 2010).
Emergence of numbers of competitors at a marketplace is a major problem which may
arise at a workplace. Various obstacles that emerges while working at a leading
companies are explained below:-
 Communication issues
 Understanding problems.
 Stressful environment.
 Security and safety barriers.
 Technical problems.
To remove or resolve all these above barriers an organization or individual
needs to take an immediate actions or steps towards improvement (Ebert-May, and et.
al., 2011). Therefore various remedies are implemented which are given below:- Rectification :- Rectify the existing strategies. Selection of deserving candidates :- Appoint specialised and skilled persons to
plan effective policies. Surrounding :- Create a friendly and healthy environment by implementing a
mutual understanding in between supervisor and subordinates. Enhancement session :- Conduct improvement programs.
 Strategies :- Create a policies and extra facilities to get protected by exploitation
and any harmful affect.
4.2 Variety of styles and appropriate manner at different levels
Learning styles plays a very eminent role at different level of an organization to
overcome respective barriers of a company (Forte, 2014). Various learners are
available to acquire information and data to eliminate obstacles at workplace are
mentioned below:-

 Sensory learners :- According to this method an individual concentrate on facts
instead of becoming innovative and creative. Learn things from theoretical
information . Intuitive learners :- According to this learning styles employees resolve their
barriers with their inner intuition and thoughts (Flores, 2014).
 Visual learners :- To solve organizational problems an individual also acquire
information with the help of symbols , signs , pictures etc.
These learners plays a major role at a different levels of an enterprise by
eliminating their barriers which may arise while performing business task and activities.
4.3 Use of time management strategies
There are some time strategies which can followed by company, are described
as below: Attentive:- It is essential for manager to stay focus towards desired goals and
objectives, so that he or she can attain it in an effective as well as efficient way. Writing form :- Objectives must be written, thus, they can achieve it in a
systematic way. Interaction :- Develop proper communication, which will aid them to eliminate or
reduce unnecessary interruptions (Kalén, and et. al., 2010). Assessment of ability :- Work must be allotted to people according to their
capabilities, so that they can complete it adequately.
 Monitoring :- It is necessary for individual, to review their day.
All these strategies are very effective and useful in enhancement of my own
knowledge and skills to achieve objectives as soon as possible. I have adopted various
impressive schemes similar to above given time managements strategies.
For example-
 Preparation of appropriate plan to minimize errors and mistakes.
 Implement rules and regulation to conduct management programs in a efficient
manner.

TASK 2
2.1 Current skills and competencies against professional standards and enterprise
objectives
Self assessment is a very useful technique in improving my own learning to meet
the demand of professional standards by achieving objectives of an organization in a
effective way. According to me I have a quality of improving my knowledge and work
quality which is beneficial for formal as well as informal workplace. Various skills is
required to achieve the goals and targets of a Mark and Spencer which are stated
below:-
 Communication skills :- According to this, it is very indispensable to know how
to interact within organization with colleagues as well as higher authority.
 Friendly relations:- Healthy environment or mutual understanding in between
employees working in a Mark and Spencer is also one of a attractive quality of
mine.
 Attentive nature :- It is very essential to gain extra knowledge to improve my
own learning by listening things with full attention.
 Dedicated :- To complete any task or activity I need to dedicated towards my
work to remove errors and mistakes which might be come at the time of
performance.
All these above skills and talent plays a very eminent role in achieving personal
and professional standards by fulfilling the requirement of an organization.
Description of a C.V :-
1. General information
Name – XXX
Phone no. - XXX
E-mail id – XXX
2. Objectives:- Energetic marketing manager with expertise in communication and
research for education. Seek more and more opportunities which help in making a
overall development and growth.

3. Qualification:-
MBA XXX XXX
BBA XXX XXX
Higher education XXX XXX
Secondary education XXX XXX
Skills:
1. Campaign planning
2. Design of marketing communication
3. Researching capabilities
4. Production supervisor
Achievement – Basketball winner at international level in 10th standard
1st prize in debate competition
1st Prize at Olympiad
Runner up at College presentation
Professional experience:
Marketing manager
Assistant product manager
Specialised in marketing philosophy
5. Personal details:
Father name – XXX
Mothers name- XXX
Date of birth – XXX
This above shows actual description of a resume which provide personal
information by showing special achievement.
2.2 Own development needs and activities needs to meet them
It is very indispensable to understand the need of a personal and professional
growth to improve learning skills which is used while doing particular job.

Strength Weakness Opportunities Threats
I am ready to face
challenges.
Hesitation in front of
new peoples as well
as strangers.
Removal of personal
and professional
barriers and feel free
while performing
task.
Lack of capital is a
major problem in
achieving my
personal and
professional goals
because fund is a
backbone to perform
any improvement
activities.
Good
communication
skills.
Anger is one of a
major weakness of
mine
I got various
chances to improve
my learning skills
due to emergence of
advanced facilities.
Restrictions by
family.
Easily mingle with
my friends and
colleagues.
Lack of decision
power is one of a
biggest barriers in
my own
development.
Establishment of
numbers of
companies provides
job opportunity.
Eager to learn new
and innovative
things.
Emotional and full of
sentiments.
I got the chance of
overall personality
development and
growth for attractive
look.
2.3 Development opportunities to meet current and future defined needs
While analysing of my strength and weakness I come to know about my current
and future requirements by identifying my growth opportunities. It is very indispensable

to determine needs to plan accordingly by considering all the major factors which plays
a very vital role while development process. Current needs:- According to above self assessment my present need is to
remove hesitate nature of mine so that I can easily mingle with others. Apart
from this one of a indispensable requirement is to remove short tempered
nature because it affects overall performance directly and indirectly.
 Future needs :- While evaluating my strength and weakness I come to know
about my various needs which does not required in present circumstances but
future is uncertain. It means may be in future demands changes due to
emergence of high risk and challenges. Future needs of mine are-
1. I need to be a strong person to face any worst and hectic circumstances in
future.
2. Learn how to handle or regulate decision making process by considering all
the essential factors.
Apart from this, future and current needs are analysed on the basis of my
weakness and learn how to overcome these barriers .
2.4 Personal and professional development plan
Growth plan is very much essential to overcome all the weakness of mine to
enhance my own knowledge and skills step by step. In fact development plan is all
about making strategies to eliminate obstacles which may arise while performing any
task and activities.
Learning
objective
Current
proficien
cy
Target
proficien
cy
Develop
ment
opportun
ities
Criteria
for
judging
success
Time
scale
Evidence
1 One of a main
objective is to
remove
shyness
nature which
Little bit
hesitation
while
interactin
g with
Need to
overcome
this
problem
in a
Attend
counselli
ng
classes
to learn
With the
help of
demo
classes.
2 weeks. Presence
of
managem
ent

act as major
obstacles
during
performance.
other. minimum
rime
period to
achieve
personal
and
professio
nal
objective
s.
how to
deal with
strangers
and
customer
s.
2 Another target
is to eliminate
short
tempered
behaviour.
Existing
of hyper
nature.
Be a
strong
individual
and
always
prepared
for
challenge
s .
By
conductin
g training
programs
.
Testing. 2 weeks. Colleagu
es.
3 Improvement
in
communicatio
n skills.
Lack of
knowledg
e and
skills.
Fluency
in
language
s.
Prefer
novels,
read
books
and
literatures
.
Interactio
n with
higher
authority
in
conferenc
es.
2.5
weeks
Books ,
novels,
magazine
s.
4 Ability to take
part in
decision
making
Not able
to
express
views.
Plays a
very
eminent
role in a
Take part
in a
decision
making
Analysis
of
personalit
y.
1.5
weeks
Managem
ent.

process decision
making
process.
process
of day to
day life.
3.1 Process and activities required to implement development plan
According to above mentioned personal development plan I come to know about
my long term and short term goals and learn how to achieve it in a minimum duration. Long term goals :- According to given plan of growth it has been understood
that in future I have to remove my sentimental feelings to become a strong
business person. Because while handling or regulating a big organization an
individual need to be a very practical towards their business so to deal with
difficult circumstances I need to become a straight forward person.
 Short term objectives :- After making a development plan I have learned about
my current goals for example I need to improve my communication skills as well
as shyness nature. Instead of this other short term target is to eradicate the
problem of short tempered nature which is very harmful while dealing with
customers or performing any task.
To implement a development plan proper steps and procedure must be followed
by organization or me while execution process. In fact all the activities and task and
designed in a proper manner to achieve its targets and goals by considering all the
essential terms and conditions. Apart from this development plan covers necessary
points which is indispensable to overcome all the short term and long term barriers.
3.2 Document of planned activities
After preparing a development plan its time to make an appropriate document for
set activities to achieve my own target and goals. Documentation of a planned task are
given below:-
 According to given plan first and foremost need is to learn how to make
effective decision because it will take minimum time period. I need to adopt
various strategies and useful policies to improved this problem.

 After evaluating overall development plan I need to focussed on communication
skills because overall business is depended upon interaction with customers and
people get attracted with attractive nature of communicating.
 I have to work on my shyness nature and learn how to get mingle with others by
sharing opinions and views.
3.3 Own learning against original aims and objectives set in development plan
According to me I have a unique qualities against aims and target set in a growth
plan for example I always ready to mingle with others without any problems. In fact it is
not easy task to handle or regulate a large organization like mark and Spencer which
required various business skills. Apart from this I have different qualities against aims
and objectives set in development plan are :-
 Ability to resolve difficult situation by taking appropriate steps.
 Generate innovating ideas by having a creative minds.
 Good sense of humour.
 Ability to hedge business and life risk which might be arise anytime.
 Capability of dealing with panic situation.
 Overcome the hidden barriers.
Instead of this, I have a quality of overall personality development which may
attract numbers of individuals and customers.
3.4 Development plan based on feedback evaluation
After evaluation of whole development plan I get aware about my weakness and
result of this strategy. It means after feedback process its time to modify existing
scheme of a personal development on the basis of requirement of changes. In fact
feedback process is very helpful in identifying the necessary changes to achieve goals
and objectives of a development plan in a given time frame. Reformation of a existing
plan based on feedback are mentioned below:-
 First step is to change the strategy by consulting with specialised and skilled
persons according to the demand.
 Secondly, sufficient budget is very much indispensable while planning process to
eliminate barriers which arises while fulfilment of a objectives and target of a
improvement plan.

 At last, it is very essential to consider all the essentials internal and external
factors while making plans and strategy by fulfilling mandatory terms and
conditions of a development plan.
CONCLUSION
By concluding this report, it is summarized that self evaluation is very much
important and indispensable to enhance our own learning skills to obtain personal and
professional objectives. In fact according to above information it has been understood
that every organization believes in appointing skilled and talented employees who have
a capability of hedging business as well as personal risk by improving its lifelong
learning. Therefore Mark and Spencer is a leading enterprise who wants to enhance
knowledge of their workers and entrepreneurs itself which is very much beneficial for
future achievements. On the contrary to this, it also throw some lights on development
and growth plan to remove barriers of personal and professional development to
achieve organizational goals in a given time frame.

REFERENCES
Books and Journals
Avalos, B., 2011. Teacher professional development in Teaching and Teacher
Education over ten years. Teaching and teacher education. 27(1). pp.10-20.
Black, P.E and Plowright, D., 2010. A multi‐dimensional model of reflective learning for
professional development. Reflective Practice. 11(2). pp.245-258.
Bolton, G., 2010. Reflective practice: Writing and professional development. Sage
publications.
Brody, D and Hadar, L., 2011. “I speak prose and I now know it.” Personal development
trajectories among teacher educators in a professional development
community. Teaching and Teacher Education. 27(8). pp.1223-1234.
Desimone, L.M., 2011. A primer on effective professional development. Phi delta
kappan. 92(6). pp.68-71.
Dopp, A.L., and et. al., 2010. A five-state continuing professional development pilot
program for practicing pharmacists. American journal of pharmaceutical
education. 74(2). p.28.
Ebert-May, D., and et. al., 2011. What we say is not what we do: effective evaluation of
faculty professional development programs. BioScience. 61(7). pp.550-558.
Forte, A.M and Flores, M.A., 2014. Teacher collaboration and professional development
in the workplace: a study of Portuguese teachers. European Journal of
Teacher Education. 37(1). pp.91-105.
Kalén, S., and et. al., 2010. Mentoring medical students during clinical courses: a way
to enhance professional development. Medical teacher. 32(8). pp.e315-e321.
Kumari, N., 2011. Personal therapy as a mandatory requirement for counselling
psychologists in training: A qualitative study of the impact of therapy on
trainees’ personal and professional development. Counselling Psychology
Quarterly. 24(3). pp.211-232.
Lago, C., 2010. On developing our empathic capacities to work inter‐culturally and inter‐
ethnically: attempting a map for personal and professional development.
Psychotherapy and politics international. 8(1). pp.73-85.
López‐Pastor, V.M., Monjas, R and Manrique, J.C., 2011. Fifteen years of action
research as professional development: Seeking more collaborative, useful and
democratic systems for teachers. Educational Action Research. 19(2). pp.153-
170.
Maskit, D., 2011. Teachers’ attitudes toward pedagogical changes during various
stages of professional development. Teaching and Teacher Education. 27(5).
pp.851-860.
Online
The difference between personal and professional development. 2014. [Online].
Available through: <http://brayleinolearning.co.uk/blog/2014/october/09/what-is-
the-difference-between-personal-and-professional-development/>. [Accessed
on 30th June 2017].
PERSONAL OR PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT PLANS. 2012. [Online]. Available
through: <http://www.faculty.londondeanery.ac.uk/e-learning/assessing-

educational-needs/personal-or-professional-development-plans>.[Accessed on
30th June 2017].
ANNEXURE 1
Skill audit
SKILLS TYPICAL
DESCRIPTIONS
SPECIFIC COMMENTS
Communication skills Need to interact with
colleagues
As a part time bookman
I need to improve my
interaction skills by
removing hesitation.
Friendly relations Spend time with staff
members for creating a
mutual understanding.
I have to create friends
by interacting with
others which is
beneficial for me in
future.
Concentration level Attentive and focussed
towards job role.
I m very studious and
dedicated towards my
studies my managing all
the activities in a proper
manner.
Decision making Assessment of suitable
solutions for making
decisions.
According to me
students are liable to
take major decisions
while solving questions
in examination hall .
Therefore I am trying to
improve my confidence
level for making
effective decisions.

Planning Set goals, lead a team
or group, assigning of
task as per skills and
talents.
Initially I thought that I
am a perfect organizer
and planner but after
interacting with students
from other colleges I get
aware about my
drawbacks and strength.
Thus, I think have to
lead a team according to
situational demand.
ANNEXURE 2
Personal Swot analysis
Strength Weakness Opportunities Threats
I am ready to face
challenges.
Hesitation in front of
new peoples as well
as strangers.
Removal of personal
and professional
barriers and feel free
while performing
task.
Lack of capital is a
major problem in
achieving my
personal and
professional goals
because fund is a
backbone to perform
any improvement
activities.
Good
communication
skills.
Anger is one of a
major weakness of
mine
I got various
chances to improve
my learning skills
due to emergence of
advanced facilities.
Restrictions by
family.
Easily mingle with
my friends and
Lack of decision
power is one of a
Establishment of
numbers of

colleagues. biggest barriers in
my own
development.
companies provides
job opportunity.
Eager to learn new
and innovative
things.
Emotional and full of
sentiments.
I got the chance of
overall personality
development and
growth for attractive
look.
ANNEXURE 3
Personal or professional development plan with time scale
Learning
objective
Current
proficien
cy
Target
proficien
cy
Develop
ment
opportun
ities
Criteria
for
judging
success
Time
scale
Evidence
1 One of a main
objective is to
remove
shyness
nature which
act as major
obstacles
during
performance.
Little bit
hesitation
while
interactin
g with
other.
Need to
overcome
this
problem
in a
minimum
rime
period to
achieve
personal
and
professio
nal
objective
s.
Attend
counselli
ng
classes
to learn
how to
deal with
strangers
and
customer
s.
With the
help of
demo
classes.
2 weeks. Presence
of
managem
ent

2 Another target
is to eliminate
short
tempered
behaviour.
Existing
of hyper
nature.
Be a
strong
individual
and
always
prepared
for
challenge
s .
By
conductin
g training
programs
.
Testing. 2 weeks. Colleagu
es.
3 Improvement
in
communicatio
n skills.
Lack of
knowledg
e and
skills.
Fluency
in
language
s.
Prefer
novels,
read
books
and
literatures
.
Interactio
n with
higher
authority
in
conferenc
es.
2.5
weeks
Books ,
novels,
magazine
s.
4 Ability to take
part in
decision
making
process
Not able
to
express
views.
Plays a
very
eminent
role in a
decision
making
process.
Take part
in a
decision
making
process
of day to
day life.
Analysis
of
personalit
y.
1.5
weeks
Managem
ent.