Reflective Essay on Group Business Plan - University Name

This reflective essay examines a student's experience in a group project to develop a business plan for an elderly day care facility. The essay details the student's personal reflections on the team dynamics, including initial challenges in team formation and the eventual development of a cohesive working environment. The student discusses the process of market research, the assignment of roles, and the application of marketing strategies. It highlights the importance of teamwork, communication, and the value of diverse perspectives in achieving a common goal. The essay also explores the student's learning process, including the acquisition of research skills, the application of business theories, and the development of critical thinking. Furthermore, it evaluates the project's outcomes, identifies areas for improvement, and reflects on the overall impact of the experience on the student's professional development, particularly in relation to teamwork and the practical application of business principles.

Reflective Essay 1
Reflective Essay on Group business plan
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Reflective Essay 2
Personal reflection
I have prepared this report as a reflective essay on my group’s business plan. I have focussed
on presenting how the team related while undertaking this project with a specific address of
my experience during the entire period. As part of the assignment, the tutor asked each
member of the team to prepare a reflective paper on their role as a researcher, critical thinker,
presenter, reporter, and analyser of the whole experience.
I was part of a team of (INSERT THE NUMBER) members who undertook a business plan
for elderly day care. In a team of five, we focussed on developing a business plan on
launching an elderly day care business in (INSERT NAME OF THE LOCATION). Other
team members were (INSERT THEIR NAMES). Although I had wished to form a team with
my close friends, the tutor took upon himself to allocate members randomly. At first, I
objected the tutor’s decision but felt in love with the group as time passed by. Luckily
enough, one of the members was my close friend, while another one was part of my previous
study group (Ekanem, 2017, p. 32). The opposition that I held initially about the group slowly
faded away. However, our good working environment and cooperation did not come without
challenges and disagreement considering that we were from different societies and
backgrounds. Considering the enthusiastic and friendly nature of the team, we managed to
solve all the problems amicably. As a student of business management, I understood that we
were more capable to succeed as a team compared to working as an individual (Williams, et
al., 2012, p. 35).
We called for a meeting three days after teams had been assigned. I took upon myself to be a
team leader during the first meeting. Members discussed the task at hand where members
shared different ideas as well as possible problems and challenges we were likely to

Reflective Essay 3
encounter. We also used the meeting to know each other as well as discussing the best
approach to use in tackling the assignment (Bolton, 2010, p. 67). Personally, I believe that it’s
easier to work in a friendly and casually environment which other members opposed; other
members were more reserved and wanted a strictly professional relationship. In the end, I
succeeded in convincing in adopting my approach. After resolving, all the arising issues,
members were given an opportunity to present their plan and thoughts about the assignment
(Bolton, 2010, p. 71).
After an extensive discussion, constructive arguments and careful planning, we agreed on
developing a business plan for elderly day care. Our decision was based on the increasing
demand for daycare centres in the UK. We noticed that our neighbourhood hardly had a
modern adult day-care centre despite the increasing demand (Consumer Dummies, 2015, p.
88). This business is also a lucrative in nature with maximum profit. However, the vital fact
should not be ignored that there is lots of work pressure and the people should be adequately
satisfied. Setting up or establishing the daycare centre can lead to deal with adults that may
be very old and unfit. Therefore, it is important to hire competent and skilled people.
Adequate care should be provided by the skilled nurses and employees (Kalman, 2008, p.
71). The employees should be highly experienced to provide quality services to the people.
The return on investment is huge enough is if the customers are provided maximum
satisfaction, the people will willingly come back to the daycare centre. We agreed that we
were capable to operate and effectively manage a daycare for the elderly (Lyons, 2010, p.
51).
After agreeing on the topic followed the assignment of tasks based on each member’s
strengths and capabilities. We all agreed that to foster positive energy and effective work
environment, the team set up ethical standards and behaviours. All members of my team were
equally motivated and committed to their roles (Ekanem, 2017, p. 89). Considering that I

Reflective Essay 4
have a strong capabilities in marketing, I was assigned to collect, analyse, and evaluate the
marketing aspects for the proposed business. Despite our individual roles, we encouraged
each other to keep in contact and work closely. Likewise, members were encouraged to seek
for assistance from each other when faced with problems such as lack of experience on
research process. Members agreed that all the arising issues concerning the business plan
would be resolved jointly to promote consistency in our presentation (Jasper, 2007, p. 61).
All through the assignment, I have learned that teams can be successful when members have
common goals and synergy. Teamwork was a necessity for the team’s tasks, priorities,
objectives, and goals which were larger than those of individual members. Each member of
the team was important because they brought unique experience, skills, and knowledge
(White, 2005, p. 75). Likewise, each members brought determination, passion and drive to
the group. From my experience as a team member, I have learned that working as a team
provides an opportunity of learning new things and relate well with each other. Therefore,
working together increased an opportunity for success and greater results. Members tackled
issues together with confidence because we understood the importance of collective strength
in addressing the arising problems (Jasper, 2007, p. 78).
My experience, understanding, and knowledge
I did not understand the relevance of team theory before working as a team. Today, I can
confidently say that there exist a correlation between business plan assignment and the team
theory. The management unit I undertook preciously came handy; I managed to easily relate
with each other (Bryman & Bell, 2007, p. 112). Previously, I had never took teamwork
seriously but through my experience, I have obtained knowledge on the importance of
teamwork. Towards the end of the project, coordination between members increased.
Coordination and teamwork helped us improve our communication skills which was evident

Reflective Essay 5
during our presentation. I understood that each one of us would comfortably accomplish their
part of the assignment, in line with the common goal, without having a distinct leader
(Bolton, 2010, p. 90).
Although each member had a distinctive role to play, I kept in touch and consulted with the
entire team when the need arose. Constant consultation helped me in understanding their
approach which have really helped me in writing this report. Without working on the
business plan I would not have learned about making an official reflective report. I have also
learned on conducting research and practically applying different theories in the business plan
(Saunders, et al., 2009, p. 115).
As part of my marketing assignment, I researched a lot on marketing penetration strategies
which were most appropriate to the business. I was to come up with the target market and
how marketing theories and models would be used to explore the market feasibility. This role
has helped in sharpening my knowledge on marketing strategies. I have learned the
importance of analysing the potential market, the targeted consumers, and the competitors
before making and entrant into the market (Kotler & Armstrong, 2009, p. 73). The study have
also helped me on the importance of conducting a feasibility study on the market, to
understand the consumers’ behaviour the trend, the market share, the competitive level and
strategies used by the competitors. These knowledge enabled me to formulate critical success
factors, core competencies, costing and marketing strategies for the business. Although I did
not play any role in the financial and staffing aspect of the business plan, I advanced my
knowledge on resources allocation and financial reporting (Kotler & Armstrong, 2009, p. 91).
Evaluation
Although all of us collectively planned the task together and assigned tasks based on each
member’s strength, we encountered several problems. Given another chance, I would change

Reflective Essay 6
my approach of the assignment. First, I would concentrate more on motivation and time
management issues. Likewise, I would improve my market assessment and analytical skills.
Although the assignment helped in perfecting our presentation skills, there is still room for
improvement (Bolton, 2010, p. 109). During the presentation, I realised some weaknesses
from each member. Our presentation skills needed improvement. Team members just read
their respective parts during the presentation which was quite boring. The tutor later stated
that we failed to attain the maximum grade because of our presentation. Through my
experience during the business plan, will help me in improving on the above-mentioned
challenges in the future (White, 2005, p. 121).
There are several factors and aspects that assisted me executing my marketing role. First,
lectures and workshops sharpened my approach of the assignment. My past experience
enabled me to choose the most appropriate research method for the plan. Second, the meeting
held by the team helped me in strategic planning, decision making and problem-solving.
Having completed the business plan, I have learned about to argue better during a discussion
using examples and facts. The project taught us about the importance of teamwork,
cooperation, and assistance. My researching skills have improved tremendously as well. Even
though skills are not perfect still but compared to the skills I had before undertaking the
project, I have progressed well. The business plan have taught me on the importance of
applying critical thinking, analytical skills and the application of theories I real life. The
whole experience have allowed me to put what I have been learning through workshops and
lectures into practice.

Reflective Essay 7
References list
Bolton, G., 2010. Reflective Practice: Writing and Professional Development. Hoboken, NY:
SAGE Publications Ltd.
Bolton, G., 2010. Reflective Practice: Writing and Professional Development. London: Sage.
Bryman, A. & Bell, E., 2007. Business Research Methods. Chicago: Oxford University Press.
Consumer Dummies, 2015. Starting a Business All-In-One For Dummies. New York: For
Dummies.
Ekanem, I., 2017. Writing a Business Plan: A Practical Guide. London,UK: Taylor &
Francis.
Jasper, M., 2007. Professional development, reflection and decision-making. New York:
Wiley-Blackwell.
Kalman, C. S., 2008. Writing to Learn: Reflective Writing. Dordrecht: Springer.
Kotler, P. & Armstrong, G. M., 2009. Principles of Marketing. New Jersey: Prentice Hall.
Lyons, N., 2010. Handbook of Reflection and Reflective Inquiry: Mapping a Way of Knowing
for Professional Reflective Inquiry. London: Springer Science & Business Media.
Prayson, R. A., 2014. Perspectives on Learning and Business Plans—More in Common Than
Meets the Eye. Journal of Graduate Medical Education, p. 6(1): 15–17.
Saunders, M. N., Thornhill , A. & Lewis , P., 2009. Research Methods for Business Students.
New York: Pearson.
White, L., 2005. Writes of Passage: Writing an Empirical Journal Article. Journal of
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Williams, K., Woolliams, M. & Spiro, J., 2012. Lynn White. New York: Palgrave Macmillan.