Personal and Professional Development Report: Aldi's Employee Growth

This report provides a detailed analysis of Aldi's Personal and Professional Development (PPD) program, focusing on self-managed learning and its impact on employee growth. It begins with an introduction to the concept of PPD and its relevance in a dynamic business environment, particularly within Aldi, a global supermarket chain. The report then delves into the author's personal experiences with self-managed learning, including attending seminars, networking, and utilizing online resources. It assesses the benefits of self-managed learning for both the individual and the organization, highlighting increased career opportunities and reduced training costs. The core of the report includes a skill audit, identification of development needs, and a SWOT analysis to formulate a personal and professional development plan with specific career objectives. The plan outlines both short-term and long-term goals, along with strategies for implementation, such as enrolling in courses and seeking mentorship. The report also addresses work-based problems, communication methods, and time management approaches, demonstrating a comprehensive understanding of PPD principles. Finally, the report evaluates the PPD process, reflecting on achievements and reviewing the plan based on outcomes. It concludes by emphasizing the importance of PPD in fostering employee growth and organizational success within Aldi.

Personal and Professional Development
(PPD)

Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................................3
TASK 1..........................................................................................................................................................3
A) Various approaches to self-managed learning and lifelong learning in relation to own experience..4
TASK 2..........................................................................................................................................................6
A) Carry out an audit of own personal skills and competencies using the format and assessing the
skills needed to work professionally in an organizational setting...........................................................6
B) Analyzing personal SWOT factors and a personal and professional development plan with specific
career development objectives..............................................................................................................7
TASK 3..........................................................................................................................................................8
A) Implementing personal and professional development plan by making reference to the process
and key activities to be carried out.........................................................................................................8
B) Evaluting the process of reflecting on the achievement against expected aims and objectives and
reviewing the plan based on the outcomes............................................................................................9
TASK 4........................................................................................................................................................10
A) Work-based problem in work environment and solutions using appropriate communication
methods and styles at different level...................................................................................................10
B) Effective time management approaches in various situations.........................................................11
(Covered in PPT)...................................................................................................................................12
CONCLUSION.............................................................................................................................................12
REFERENCES..............................................................................................................................................13

Index of Tables
Table 1: Skill audit........................................................................................................................................7
Table 2: Identification of development needs ............................................................................................7
Table 3: Implementing personal and professional development plan.........................................................9
Table 4: Documentation of development plan..........................................................................................10

INTRODUCTION
In the modern era, business organizations are working in a change and dynamic world.
The reason for this change in the business organizations are because of constant change in
technologies and innovative thinking. The one such way is self managed learning. This is a tool
which will help in meeting with various challenges of the organizations by improving its
manpower. This is the reason for business companies to adopt Personal and Professional
Development Plan (PPD).
With the help of this report, the analysis and evaluation of Aldi in using PPD will be
made. Aldi is one of the leading supermarket chain which is operating at a global level. This is
Germany based organization with about 9600 number of locations at various places. Aldi is one
of the largest private owned organization in the world. Employees in this company are working
at higher than minimum wages (Aldi, 2015). The company is very much sincere and dedicated in
developing its staff. In this regards, this retailing organization empower and motivate its
employees to participate in personal and professional development (Blandford, 2012). The
objective of this company is to build and bring development of its manpower on continuous
basis. The core lies in emerging with team which can work on balancing their professional
working with respect to personal accomplishment of goals. The company give time to its
employees to engage them with their own learning as well. They are not always loaded with
work pressure and deadlines. Rather, there are leaders who support in providing them training
sessions such as personality development, knowledge and skill growth etc. With the help of this
business report on PPD of employees at Aldi, the efforts are induced in presenting the learners
ability to organize, manage and work on pract6icing range of approaches and methods that are
applied to improve self-learners and their contribution in career development. Along with this,
the report will also covers the tools such as skill audit, SWOT factor analysis, development plan
and its application by Aldi on their employees growth.
TASK 1
LO 1

A) Various approaches to self-managed learning and lifelong learning in relation to own
experience
As per my own experience, there is a presence of varied approaches to self-managed and
lifelong learning. These include
 Attending seminar – While working for Aldi, I have got a chance to represent my
company in varied seminars as a marketing manager. I have found that seminars have
increased my personal and professional learning. It has made me more confident and
knowledgeable as a person (Field, 2006). Further, I have been able to enhance my
professional expertise as well.
 Meeting people – As a marketing manager, my major duty has been to interact with
people. This has given me a chance to have a healthy exchange of ideas. It has thus led to
my personal as well as professional earning.
 Surfing internet – As per my understanding, I consider internet to prove me with a huge
source of learning. This is as it has made me a chance towards reading articles on new
topic as well as those that are of my interest (Kolb Learning Cycle, 2014). With the help
of varied social networking sites, I have been able to share my ideas with others. I have
also been able to connect with people through professionals like LinkedIn> hence all
these acts have made me sound as a person.
 Observation has been regarded as a crucial technique that has aided in my self-managed
learning. It is only with the help of observation that I have been able to learn small things
related to prevailing business situations. It has further given me a chance to analyze the
issues as well as undertake a thorough research about ongoing business environment.
 Coaching- Self managed learning can further be enhanced by taking coaching on areas in
which I am not perfect (Moore and Stanley, 2010). The coaching classes can help me to
learn the basic intricacies about subject matter. It will assist me in making myself through
on various topics. I can also solve my doubt related to it.
B) Assessing the benefits of self-managed learning to individual and organization

I as well as my organization have benefited a lot due to my adherence with the concept of
self-managed learning. These have taken place in the following manner;
Benefits to me as a marketing manager of Aldi
 Increased chance of promotion – Due to the concert of self-managed learning; I have got
an increased chance to seek promotion with the company. This is as I did not depend on
the internal resources for making me learn about things. I soon got in a position to train
others in varied areas.
 Increased career growth – I feel that it is only on account of my left managed learning
that I have been able to reach at the position of marketing manager (Genkeer and et. al.,
2002). This has been taken place due to my increased knack towards learning and being
in a position to guide others.
 Self-learning has further increased my morale. It has aide me to be more confident about
any kind of responsibility that can be bestowed on me.
To Aldi
 Less resources on training – Aldi had to spend very less amount of its resources, time as
swell as money on my overall training. The management further had to face many issues
while managing my overall work. They have to underact less training activities for my
development.
 Self-managed learners often get a chance to be A players within the company. This may
help Aldi in form of enhance profit as well as sales figures (Gijselaers, 2013). Moreover,
such employees are often loyal towards company. This it saves the firm from any
resources wasted in recruitment and selection.
 Self-managed learners play a key role toward maintains the overall sustainability of
company. This is as such employees ensure to be with the company for longer run and
hence can play a strategic role in a short while of time.

TASK 2
LO 2
A) Carry out an audit of own personal skills and competencies using the format and assessing the
skills needed to work professionally in an organizational setting
In an order to attempt the organizational objectives and goals of Aldi, I will work on
improving my skills and abilities. These are inclusive of decision making skills, communication
ability and interpersonal skills (Cooke, 2012). By assessing them using audit method, I will
move towards making of right decision. I am intended to develop as a Marketing Director at Aldi
in my future. For that I believe in adopting some ways that help and support my growth. Given
below is an audit presentation of my current skills as a marketing manager and skills required to
become marketing Director.
Table 1: Skill audit
Current skills as Marketing manager Skills required as Marketing Director
 Time management skills
 Organizational abilities
 Technological skills
 Team building ability
 Communication and listening skills
 Analytical abilities
 Leadership skills
Identification of development needs
Table 2: Identification of development needs
Analytical skills Being working as a marketing manager at Aldi, I work to provide best of
customer services. It needs proper analysis of market area research and
evaluation tactics.
Leadership skills According to my position at Aldi, I feel need to take right decision. By
monitoring team, issues such as conflicts can be handled.
Communication
and listening
These types of skills are improved at best on self-efforts basis. I will make
use of resources such as magazines, books, newspaper, audios listening etc

skills to work on my abilities.
B) Analyzing personal SWOT factors and a personal and professional development plan with
specific career development objectives
There is a need to carry out identify my personal SWOT factors by conducting SWOT
analysis. These will aid me to asses my Strength, weakness, opportunity as well as threats
(Cunningham, 2006). The identified areas are likely to assist me in making my own personal and
professional development plan. While making the plan, emphasis will be given by me towards
specific career development objectives.
Strength
Good learner
Good listener
Have a command over verbal
communication
Weakness
Lacks in written communication
Not punctual
Lacks in planning of activities
Opportunity
To explore myself in area other than
marketing
To work on my weaknesses
Threat
Employees who are good verbal as well as
written communicators
Areas Activities to be
undertaken
Time span Resources required
To increase my
written
communication skills
Take grammar
classes
Surf internet
6 months Grammar books
Tutor
Stationery
Internet connection
To explore the area
of green marketing
Surf internet
Talk to colleagues
who are into green
marketing
2 months Internet connection
Books on green
marketing
To learn French
language
Take French tuition
Refer internet for
French tutorials
1 year French tutorials
French tutor
Stationery
Internet connection
To increase my time Prioritize my work 3 weeks Clock

management skills on a daily basis
Setting deadlines for
myself
Stop watch
TASK 3
LO 3
A) Implementing personal and professional development plan by making reference to the process
and key activities to be carried out
In relation to the above stated PPD, short and long term objectives which are defined by
me as a part of my working at Aldi are listed out below:
Long term objectives:
 To work on strengthening my communication skills for getting higher post and
addressing my team (Jensen, 2013).
 To learn leadership skills in order to motivate others to achieve targets at Aldi.
 To work on analytical abilities so that any problem at Aldi can be met easily.
Short term objectives
 To develop verbal and non-verbal learning method at own personal level.
 To develop my abilities for team building so that work can be accomplished on integrated
basis.
 To enhance decision-making capabilities for brighht Aldi's future.
The above key objectives will be attained through:
Table 3: Implementing personal and professional development plan
Join and upgrade through course program for increasing communication, listening,
analytical and leadership abilities.
Discussions with the other Directors and present my knowledge and skills in front of
them.

Generate skill growth through the use of academic resources such as books and online
articles.
Documentation of development plan
According to the above mentioned PDP and development plan, documentation of
activities that are part of development plan has been made as follows:
Table 4: Documentation of development plan
Development of leadership skills in the long
run.
 I have completed reading working on
my reading and writing skills.
 Engaged in team work with use of
team building theory.
Emerging as a good communicator with both
verbal and non-verbal tools
 I worked on attending meetings and
conferences.
 I have joined communication classes
for six months (Marquardt and Loan,
2006).
Developing my analytical skills  I learned various tactics for problem
solving in Aldi.
B) Evaluting the process of reflecting on the achievement against expected aims and objectives
and reviewing the plan based on the outcomes
Evaluation of own learning against aims and objectives in the PDP
Thew main significance of conducting these activities as a part of my PDP plan is to
work on my personal and professional skills and development. Given below are points that
shows my development need and abilities up gradation as follows:
1. I have effectively developed my confidence level towards improvement.
2. I am now able to make good and proper decision in respect to my personal as well as
professional life (Dent, 2011).
3. I have formulated my attitude and behavior towards good working at Aldi.

However, there are still some areas where there is need to work for bringing more
improvements. These are stated in following points:
1. Need is there to work on meeting the gap of conflict management and team building
requirement.
2. Requirement is there ti infuse and bring improvement to my interaction skills. I still feel
there is need to equip and work on more in this regards.
3. In regards to my analytical skills, I still want to accelerate improvement to bring more
better work analysis and evaluation tactics.
Revision of PDP based on evaluation of progress and objectives
Reviewing and evaluation of self learning is very important. There are various
dimensions and sections where evaluation is required to be made. PDP is a way to work on areas
such as feedback and monitoring practices that helps to know about loopholes where demand for
further improvement is required. Personal and professional development plan is a tool which is
used to work on for meeting future need and development (Elgar, 2010). There is need for
learning various skills such as presentation skills, interpersonal abilities, communication,
marketing tactics in order to aim and occupy the post of marketing head at Aldi.
TASK 4
LO 4
A) Work-based problem in work environment and solutions using appropriate communication
methods and styles at different level
While working on the position of marketing manager, I found the issue with respect to team
work. It was because the marketing department of Aldi has employees from varied cultural
backgrounds who also spoke different languages (Ball, 2008). It was my duty as a marketing
manager to make sure that work went on a sound manner and there was a prrs4nce of proper
coordination with the employees. Hence this issue affected the overall team work. In this regard,
the need is to suggest solutions by making use of communication methods and styles at varied
levels.

 At strategic level – I found a need to communicate with the senior management as well as
top authorities so as to make them aware about the team work issue faced by me and the
employees under me. In order to communicate with them I made use of face to face
interaction and video conferencing. This helped me to make them aware about the
ongoing issue.
 At operational level – I ensured to undertake proper communication by making use of
telephonic communication technique as well as email. This generated many queries form
there party that were solved by making use of face to face interaction with them. There
issues were noted down through written communication.
 At tactical level - I ensured to undertake one on one interaction with the employees at
tactical level; It thus gave me a chance to understand the complexity of issue.
The above given methods of communication aided towards getting a proper solution for
the work based issue. I arranged English languages class for those who were not so sound in
English. It was instructress to the tutor to make them thorough with concepts of language so that
they are at least in position to communicate with each other (Hurst and Patterson, 2014). One of
my subordinate was through in Chinese language. Hence all Chinese speaking employees were
kept under him. This aided to bring an issue under control.
B) Effective time management approaches in various situations
I have always felt a need to learn time management approaches so as to manage my
activities and undertake less stress. The approaches are as follows;
 Being punctual to office – Write now I am facing the issue of non-punctuality. Hence
coming to office on time may save me from problems faced in planning and organizing.
It may also assist in making me less stressful at the day end (Burke, 2002).
 “To Do Lists”,
 postpone unnecessary activities,
 personal planning tools (electronic planners, computer, and pocket diaries)
LO 5