Personal Reflective Journal Report: Enterprise & Opportunity MKT1003

This personal reflective journal report, submitted by a student for the Enterprise & Opportunity module (MKT1003) at the University of Northampton, explores key learnings from workshops focused on developing an 'enterprising manager.' The report delves into three core areas: teamwork, contextualisation, and development. The teamwork section analyzes the student's experience within a team, applying the Belbin team role model and discussing team leadership and management theories. Contextualisation examines opportunity recognition, exit strategies, and human resource management, drawing on sessions attended during the student's degree. The development section focuses on the acquisition of soft skills. The report provides insights into identifying business opportunities, exit strategies, and the practical application of theoretical concepts, offering a comprehensive reflection on the student's learning journey and personal growth within the context of the module. The report also includes a discussion on how the student applied the Belbin model during teamwork and how the team was managed using the discussed management theories.

Personal Reflective
Journal Report

Table of Contents
Table of Contents.............................................................................................................................2
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................1
MAIN BODY..................................................................................................................................1
Team work...................................................................................................................................1
Contextualisation.........................................................................................................................4
Development................................................................................................................................7
CONCLUSION................................................................................................................................9
REFERENCES..............................................................................................................................10

INTRODUCTION
Reflective journal could be defined as the reflective report in which an individual share
personal thoughts, feelings and experience with others so that they can also feel the same which
are felt by the individual during the situation. While sharing personal experience with others it is
very important for the people to make sure that they are using simple yet easy to understand
language because when the language will be tough to understand then others cannot relate. Apart
from this, it is also very important for all the individuals to make sure that they are sharing each
and every thing which was experienced by them in the event or the situation. It can help others to
relate with the situation and analyse that what they would have done if they were in the same
situation. It can also help them to evaluate the ways which could be adopted by the if they will be
in sae situation in future (Bruno and Dell’Aversana, 2017). A personal reflection could be
defined as the opportunity which can help people to reconsider all the thoughts, events and
feelings from a fresh perspective and relive them again. Present report is based upon personal
experience and the key findings for learning in the workshops regarding developing the
Enterprising manager. For this purpose, three different aspects will be discussed in this report.
These are teamwork, contextualisation and development. These three sections will be focused
with personal experience of working in a team, using team management theories, identifying
business opportunity and exit strategies. Apart from this the way in which soft skills could be
developed by the individuals is also covered in this report.
MAIN BODY
Team work
The method of interacting with a majority of individuals to attain a goal is known as
teamwork. Teamwork is also a vital part of a company, as teammates often have to work together
well and do their maximum in any situation. Teamwork ensures that people should seek to
collaborate without any political grievance between people, utilizing their individual abilities and
offering positive input. As per the module I achieve the opportunity of working in a team my
college sports I became a part of management team and played role of coordinator. That time I
was analyzed that working in a team requires multiple individuals to work together means
involving all people at the moment. I noticed that teamwork and communication between team
members is important when managing sports and working with teams. In our situation, there was
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little communication that exacerbated my willingness to collaborate with players on the team
because they did not listen or take notes about what others do. For me, it was hard to convey
details to all community members at about the same time so that they can function in more
efficient ways using other people's thoughts or opinions to generate report while creating
redundant or repetitive data. At the time of teamwork I can learn different things and improve
my skills in positive manner. All team members plays own role as per the Belbin team role
model in which classified nine roles into three sections.
Social enterprises are referred as a business which has specific social objectives which serve
its primary purpose. These enterprises seek to increase profits by increasing benefits to
environment and society. Social organisations apply commercial strategies to increase
improvements in environmental, social and financial well-being - this may involve maximizing
the social impact alongside the profits for co-owners.
In the management team, the team leader provides the role of every people according to
their skills and abilities. My team leader inspire by the Belbin model so accordingly provide the
team roles to team mates and provide the working activities to conduct in particular period of
time. My leader focuses on every things which is related with the sports event and provide
training to all members and ask to follow the Belbin model seriously. In this team people played
the role of implementer, coordinator, completer, resource investigator, planner, motivator,
specialist and any others. The sports teams depend on us because we were managing all the
activities systematically and effectively (Farrell, and Ives, 2015).
Planner: This member Adam, planning about the every activity that conduct in sports
activities and prepare schedules all the operations that conducts on particular day. Along with,
focus on the food, accommodations, game kit, sport dress and many others. In my team a planner
follows all the guidelines and introvert as per the description of Belbin model and prefer to work
apart from the team. Adam has poor communication and not easily talks with everyone and can
tend to neglect given measurement and constraints.
Team worker: This role played by the Otis, who was focusing on all the activities and
assure about the all team work activities. He is mainly focus on the team togetherness and all the
people are working in proper management and effectively. He is filling the role of negotiators as
per the team flexibility, perceptive and diplomatic. Otis is popular in the team because take all
the right decision n right time and dedicated for the team activities.
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Coordinator: In the team this role played by me because I’m able to coordinate with each
team member in the team effectively. I am famous in my team as traditional team leader who
referred as the chairmen. I can guide to all team members for their role and attain the objectives.
I have skill of good listening and naturally capable to identify the value of every team members
(Sinclai and et.al, 2016). Along with I can notice every work that done by the each team member
and delegate for the each task efficiently.
Implementer: This team member, follow the instructions of the planner and do work
according to schedule. This member can implement all the ideas into action and take suggestions
from the planner how to improve the activities in better manner. In my team, this member is
discipline for her work and never like to mistake in their work. She is managing all the working
activities in systematic manner and follows the management theory based on the team
development.
Structure provider: This person focus on the Belbin model in which provide all the skills
of this people and try to grab them to improve his work. He is good to face all challenges and
finding the best methods to sort out them. This person has courage to see all the problems and
push on when others feel like quitting (Achour And et.al, 2015).
Data collection: When college organizes the sport event so for this require collecting all the
information properly and this responsibility give to us. Thus, for this require to make a member
as resource investigator who collect all the information about all the sports which are conducted
in the event. This member is curious and intelligent in her work because she likes to explore new
things and collect them. She is investigating all the available alternatives, set new contacts and
negotiates for resources as per the team requirement. It is a big responsibility because on the
basis of collect information the planner works for the event and the implementer carry out the
planning into action. She is extroverted and receptive for her ideas and overly optimistic.
Observation: This person has responsibility to monitor all the activities that conduct by the
all team members. In my team Martha is god supervision skills and provides guidance to all the
team members according to their understanding. She is quiet intelligent and plays most important
role in my team. She carefully focuses on her strength and weakness after that take right decision
in regard of the team.
These are most important roles which are playing by the leaders and also other team
members play their important role but they are depended on us.hem to conduct other activities.
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Accordingly they are working and reporting us for the improvements. In the process of my team
development we are following Belbin model properly and set the members role accordingly.
Along with apply the management theory of team role that helps to manage and lead member’s
roles as per the requirement and achieve good results (Sultan, 2015).
Contextualisation
While studying in the university different sessions are conducted for the students by the
college staff in which different lecturers from various universities around the world share their
views with students and motivate them to achieve their career goals. While completing my
degree different sessions were attended by me in the university. These were focused with
opportunity recognition, exit strategies, human resource management etc. While planning to
meet career goals and objectives it is also very important for all the students to make sure that
they are able to use the knowledge of the session practically (Cheng, 2020). When I was studying
in the college, I attended various sessions which helped me to enhance my knowledge regarding
the way in which ability to recognise business opportunity could be developed. I attended all the
sessions properly which helped me enhance my entrepreneurial skills.
I have gained the knowledge about the way in which I can identify the business
opportunity if I will be willing to establish my own business in future. For this purpose, current
market trends could be analysed by the individuals which can help to determine the main
requirements and wants of customers. By analysing them it will be very easy for the individuals
who are willing to run their own business to develop a new business idea and establish their own
business. Apart from this, the new and innovative ways to make daily routine easy for all the
individuals could also be focused by the individuals while planning to identify a business
opportunity. As a student I was also focused with my career goals and objectives and I was
willing to establish my own business in future and become an entrepreneur. For this purpose, I
paid full attention in the sessions that were conducted in the university. All of them facilitated
me to develop understanding regarding all the key aspects that are required to be focused by me
in future so that I can run my own business.
Apart from this, these sessions also facilitated me to understand that if a person is willing
to become entrepreneur in future then it will be very important for that person to work in a
company so that understanding regarding the way in which tasks are handles could be enhanced.
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After gaining this knowledge I decided to work in a company so that I can experience all the ups
and downs that may affect the business (Donyaie and Afshar, 2019). Additionally, I also made
sure that I interact with all the staff members so that I can understand their major concerns and
wants from the organisation. With the help of it, I was able to make sure that when I will be
running my own business then I will fulfil all the requirements of human resource as they are the
main resources who can help me to run my business properly and meet all the long-term goals.
When a business is established by the individuals then there are two possible ways or
direction where the business can move. These are failure or success and it is very important for
the owners to make sure that they are able to make their business to move towards success. If the
business will not be able to establish itself successfully in the market then the owners can use
exit strategies so that possibility of becoming insolvent could be ignored. I also attended one
session on exit strategy during my college time. That session helped me to enhance knowledge
about different types of exit strategies that should be focused by me or other businesses when
they will not be able to run their business successfully. The strategy which is focused by a
business owner to sell the business or the ownership to others is known as exit strategy. It is the
way which could be focused by the entrepreneurs to make sure that they are able to liquidate
their stake in business and pay all the debts (Dumlao and Pinatacan, 2019).
The sessions which were attended by me during the college time helped me to improve
knowledge about various types of exits strategies. These are liquidation, selling business in open
market, selling business to another business, IPO, selling the business to the managers or
employees etc. With the help of all of them a business owner will be able to exit the business
from the market and pay all the debts.
First strategy of exiting the business is liquidation which is the sell all the assets and close
up shop strategy for closing the business. It is mainly focused by small businesses that are highly
dependent on the performance of single individuals. It can help them to sell the business easily
and exit it successfully. It is one of the easiest, simple and quick way to wound up the business.
If it will be selected by the businesses then it may also result in some of the drawbacks. One of
the is the low rate of return on the investment for the owner of business. When it will eb selected
the money could be generated only from selling the assets of the business. If the business will be
having creditors then the money which will be generated by selling the assets will be claimed by
them first (Guce, 2017).
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Selling the business in open market is also a exits strategy which could be adopted by a
businessman like if the business will not be able to sustain in the market. It is one of the most
popular strategy in which the owner sale the business in open market and any interested party
can buy it for the specific amount which is decided by the owners. If the profitability of the
business will be high then it will attract more buyers and the business will be sold quickly. The
main disadvantage which was analysed by me while attending the sessions was that the valuation
of business could be difficult and the selling prices could be very low which is expected by the
owners.
Selling the business to another business is also an exit strategy which could be adopted
by the businesses that are willing to exit from the market. There are various businesses that are
willing to buy or acquire other businesses so that they can expand their own business so if the
business will be sold to another business then it can help to get higher funds from other business
(Sahin, Sen and Dincer, 2019). When there is high level of competition in the market then the
competing business will show high level of interest in the business and will buy it for various
reasons such as easy expansion, making quick profits and sales. One of the key disadvantages of
this option is that if there will be no interested buyer or purchaser in the market then it can affect
the ability of business to sale itself.
Initial public offering is also an exit strategy in which a business can offer its shares to
the general public and transfer the ownership. It is suitable to the large businesses as small
businesses will not be able to attract public for buying their shares. If it will be selected by
entrepreneurs then it can help their business to enhance the profitability because the public
businesses have extreme profits. Apart from this, the main disadvantage of it will be that if the
business will become public then the cost of it will be very high and all the businesses are not
able to bear that mush cost (Vicary, Young and Hicks, 2017).
Selling the business to the interested managers or employees is also an option which
could be selected by businesses that are willing to exit from the market. If current staff members
are interested in buying the business then owners can sale the business to them which can help to
exit from market easily. It is beneficial for business because the employees will get a well-
established business and they know how to grow it by making efforts. Apart from this, the key
disadvantage of this exit strategy is that the clients may have issues with the new management or
changes in direction of the company. Due to this, the loyal client base may get affected.
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From all the above described options used the selling the business to another business in
real life business case. It has helped to exit from the market successfully and pay all the debts to
the creditors. Apart from this, before establishing the business I was willing to work in an
organisation so that I can get aware of all the key aspects that are required to be focused by me to
run my own business. For this purpose, I started a job in an organisation and worked as a human
resource manager (Zulfikar and Mujiburrahman, 2018). I got appraisal for my job because I was
working properly and performed impressively. Due to my higher level of dedication the
managers promoted me to the senior human resource manager which was my greatest appraisal.
Development
Soft skills are a mixture of employees' abilities, social skills, communication skills, behavior
or personality traits, attitudes, career attributes, emotional awareness and emotionally intelligent
quantitative measurements, among others, that allow people to manage their atmosphere,
communicate well with each other, function well and succeed. To get the success in the business
require applying soft skills that helps to promote at the work place and learn new things. As per
the theory of Scaffolding learn different things and use the knowledge independently. To build
my soft skills take some steps such as:
Develop a learning mindset: To build soft skills require setting a mind as per learning bass
so accordingly mind run and catch things. I have poor communication skills so I follow these
steps that help me at work place. For this require to I can change my mind to learn soft skills and
accept all the problems that are coming during the learning process otherwise it impact me in
negative manner. The communication skill helps me to improve my performance at the work
place and get promotion easily. For this focus on these things such as, actively listening all the
requirements, implement in the daily routine. As a result open their minds in regard soft skills
training to come (Joyce, 2017).
Encourage self reflection: Without self reflection I can’t build soft skills because it is
mandatory to know which soft skill requires improving and which not. Sometimes peoples are
expert in the time management, communication, adaptability and some are not. So my weak soft
skill are communication and time management. I am not talking properly in English with
everyone and I felt hesitate at the time of presentation in front of clients. As a result it impact on
my performance in negative manner. It is required to reflect on me that how to improve my skill
and which stage I felt low and over come from them. For this require to use different methods for
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communication and use methodologies like talk in front of mirror and many things (Chang,
2016).
Expand knowledge and understanding: To effectively communicate with people require
increasing my knowledge power that provides me confidence in positive manner. Conduct
seminars, workshops in broad manner to understand that how increase communication skills and
easily talk with people without any problem. For this I can take online training from my senior
and learning management system that build of soft skill fun and engaging.
Learn online: There is no particular reason to take off from the office to learn skills online
because without office we can’t understand that how to handle situation effectively and deal with
them. I can continue to go office and learn different things from my office mates. Along with I
can apply for the online course of soft skills which are engaging, accessible and interesting for
learner. At this course provide different live examples that help to understand that how improve
communication skill positively and take right decision at right time (Rodríguez-Triana And et.al,
2017). ELearning has demonstrated to be one of the most successful ways to improve soft skills
needed and has supported numerous businesses educate active, scattered staff.
Provide opportunities for practice: Practice makes a man perfect. According to this phrase
to get success in building of soft skills requires to maintain continue practice at the work place. It
provides many opportunities to people and explore new ways to get in. Practice! That is how the
workers develop social skills. After all, improving the interpersonal skills of the workers and
then isolating their job duties would be futile. Offer them the chance to take advantage of their
new abilities for a short drive, rather. Portable expeditions offer an atmosphere that is fun and
risk-free to learn soft skills such as teamwork, coordination and communication. Opt-in tasks
provide an opportunity for staff to develop problem-solving and creative thinking skills. Or,
exploit the LMS functions, such as simulation and splitting simulations, to provide workers with
life-like environments even without typical threats. If I do not practice in daily manner to it take
long time to learning communication skills so it is required to continue basis keep learning and
follow all the tips that learn from senior and from E-Learning (Bauer, 2015).
Offer feedback: To improve communication and time management skill take feedback from
others after that apply all the modifications as per the requirement and also take initial steps.
Improve time management skill: To improve time management skill requires to delegate for
the task and prepare my all the schedule in systematic manner. This schedule help me to
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complete my all the task on time and manage my time. To improve this skill provides priority to
those works which is most important as per the requirement. After that make a schedule of
important work and set up the deadlines of all the work as per priorities. For better time
management make three list that categorized into work, home and personal. Ignoring
procrastination can be challenging for many. We prefer to stay busy whenever we feel frustrated
or stressed. Seek to plan during the day to end things the more demanding tasks in fewer,
enjoyable events (Izadinia, 2015). This could help keep you on track. For multiple people, stress
takes various forms, but some effective ways of coping with stress could include:
 Moving out
 Workout
 Exercising meditation
 Summoning a mate
 Participate in your own
 Album listening or a radio
To complete work on time require to start early that helps to complete all the work on time and
increase productivity.
CONCLUSION
From the above project report it has been concluded that personal reflection is a process
which is focused by individuals to share their personal views with others. While writing
reflection it is very important for all the persons to make sure that they are able to use clear and
easy to understand language so that other can experience all the events, feelings and thoughts of
the individual. There are various types of aspects that could be shared by the individuals while
reflecting on the events that are experienced by them. While working as a leader it will be very
important for the individuals to use effective team management and leadership theories such as
Belbin Theory. Apart from this, while planning to meet career objectives such as establishing
own business it will be very important for the individuals to be aware of the way which can help
to recognise opportunity. It will also be very important to get proper knowledge of exit strategy.
Apart from this, the individuals are also required to make sure that they are aware of the way in
which soft skills could be developed.
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REFERENCES
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Cheng, T. L., 2020. Student Teachers' Perception of Reflective Journal Writing in Placement
Practicum: Experience from a Hong Kong Institution. Asia-Pacific Journal of Research
in Early Childhood Education. 14(2).
Donyaie, S. and Afshar, H. S., 2019. EFL Teachers' Reflective Journal Writing: Barriers and
Boosters. Iranian Journal of Language Teaching Research. 7(3). pp.71-90.
Dumlao, R. P. and Pinatacan, J. R., 2019. From Practice to Writing: Using Reflective Journal
Instruction in Enhancing Pre-Service Teachers' Professional Development. International
Journal of Instruction. 12(4). pp.459-478.
Guce, I. K., 2017. Investigating College Students' Views on Mathematics Learning through
Reflective Journal Writing. International Journal of Evaluation and Research in
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Sahin, F., Sen, M. and Dincer, C., 2019. Early Childhood Preservice Teachers' Experiences with
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Vicary, S., Young, A. and Hicks, S., 2017. A reflective journal as learning process and
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