Reflective Report on Personal and Professional Development in MBA

This reflective report, written by an MBA student, provides a detailed examination of business management principles and leadership development. The report begins with an introduction to reflection and its importance in professional development. It then presents six tasks, including the student's career aspirations as a business manager, the development of essential skills such as time management and decision-making, and strategies for addressing staff underperformance. The report outlines a plan to improve staff performance through skill identification, accountability, monitoring, and team meetings, with specific activities and timelines. The student reflects on their learning and the practical application of management theories, offering insights into their personal and professional growth. This report serves as a valuable resource for understanding the challenges and opportunities in business management and leadership.

Reflective Report

Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................1
TASK 1............................................................................................................................................1
TASK 2............................................................................................................................................2
TASK 3............................................................................................................................................4
TASK 4............................................................................................................................................5
TASK 5............................................................................................................................................7
TASK 6............................................................................................................................................8
CONCLUSION..............................................................................................................................10
REFERENCES................................................................................................................................1

INTRODUCTION
Reflection refers to providing a detailed experience of a particular situation in detail. By
making its use a person will be able to ensure that the past experience is recounted so that the
guidance can be provided to the person who is reading the reflective account. Its use is made
extensively by the students. Through its use the detailed coverage of experience in the past can
be made (Alrashidi, Joy and Ullmann, 2019). Also its use has to be made by employees working
in an organization so that they can reflect on their experience in the right manner. Thus it
becomes quite important that through the use of reflection the people are able to identify their
strengths and weaknesses. Thus scope of improvement can be easily identified by making its use.
Thereby relevant improvements can be made. In this assignment, detailed focus will be made on
the ways different types of reflection can be made. This will help a lot in ensuring that the
identification of the way own experience can be used in the future is made. This will be covered
in detail as a part of this project.
TASK 1
Scenario- I am a student who is studying in the second year of MBA course. I plan to
become a Business Manager in the future and thus I need to make sure that I understand the
various aspects which are concerned and related with management so that I am able to achieve
the specific goals and objectives in the future. This will help me a lot in ensuring that the
management of the organization can be done in the right manner.
The role of Business Manager must ensure that the management of the different aspects
related to management can be done effectively and efficiently. Therefore due to these reasons I
am quite interested in taking up this particular role which will help me in maximizing my
efficiency and effectiveness without facing of problems and issues.
Plan of taking responsibility- I plan to take up the responsibility of my career role at my
workplace by making sure that I understand through the method of observation of how the
different aspects of the management work (Birello and Pujola Font, 2020). Therefore, In this way
I can make sure that I am able to achieve the different types of goals and objectives related with
my Personal and Professional Development effectively and efficiently. The following activities
can be used for this purpose-
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 Studying the staff manual- It is required that a manager is able to have a thorough
understanding of the staff members. For this purpose, it is quite important that the staff
manual is analysed in the right manner. This will be therefore quite helpful in ensuring
that the appropriate steps are taken properly. Thus, In my workplace I will study the staff
manual in detail so that I am able to identify the different types of rules and regulations
related to the staff and take appropriate actions.
 Interviewing senior staff- It is essential for the managers that they are able to interview
the senior staff in the right manner. Thus in this way the management can make sure that
it is able to identify the senior staff members in the right manner and take appropriate
actions (Chen and et.al., 2016). As a Business Manager, I will make sure that I can
interview the senior staff members and can decide on the actions to be taken which will
be quite helpful in the management in the organization.
 Conducting surveys of the customers- For the managers it is important that the survey
of the customers can be conducted in the right manner. If the customers have problems
and issues related to the organization then they can tell that easily (Chong and et.al.,
2020). As a Business Manager, it is quite important the surveys of the customers can be
conducted in a proper manner. Thus in this way it can be quite helpful in ensuring that the
goals and objectives related to the organization can be achieved without facing different
types of problems and issues.
 Feedback from senior managers and colleagues- The managers are required to obtain
this feedback which will be quite helpful in ensuring that the relevant improvements can
be made in a proper manner (Gelmez and Bagli, 2018). Thus as a Business Manager, My
role will be to ensure that I am able to obtain this feedback which will help in identifying
improvements and thus implementing them properly.
 Studying of relevant material- There is an availability of the relevant material in the
organizations because they are required to be used by the managers and staff whenever
required (Gibson and et.al., 2017). As a Business Manager, I will have a role of analysing
the way this material can be used so that I can learn more about the organization and the
way I can effectively and efficiently perform my duties in the right manner.
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TASK 2
The role of a Business Manager within an organization is a very important one. It is quite
important that this role is played in the right manner within the organizations. Thus in this way I
need to ensure that I develop myself for assuming this particular role. The personal and
professional learning and development needs and competencies for this role which I need to
develop are as follows-
 Time management skills- As a Business Manager it is important that the management of
time can be done in the right manner (Gibson, 2017). Thus, it becomes highly crucial for
the different types of organizations that their work is managed correctly. Therefore, I
need to develop these skills as a part of my development in the future.
 Analytical skills- The role of Business Manager requires that a proper analysis of the
different types of situations can be made without facing problems and issues. Thus, it is
important for me to ensure that the analysis of the situations can be done in the right
manner thereby ensuring that the right decision is taken. Thus, due to this reason the
analysis can be done correctly.
 Interpretation skills- In the role of Business Manager it is essential that the
interpretation of the different types of situations can be done correctly. Therefore, it is
quite essential for me to make sure that the that I can use them properly. This will help
me in the achievement of the goals and objectives.
 Multi-tasking skills- In the role of Business Manager, it is important that the use of
multi-tasking skills and abilities is made in a correct manner. Thus in this manner it can
be quite helpful for me so that I am able to identify the different types of activities and
ensure that they can be appropriately used so that the efficiency and effectiveness of the
organization can be enhanced.
 Decision-making skills- The role of Business Manager requires that the different types
of short-term, medium-term and long-term decisions can be taken in the right manner.
Thus in this way these type of skills can be quite helpful for the companies so that the
appropriate decisions are taken by the management which can be useful for the
organization. I need to ensure that I can develop these skills in the correct manner.
 Motivation skills- In the role of Business Manager it is desired that the motivation can
be given to the people who desire it. In this way the desired help can be provided to the
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firms which will help them a lot in identifying the way the people can be motivated so
that the different types of goals and objectives can be attained. Thus I need to make the
use of theories of motivation so that I am able to identify the way the needs and
requirements of the staff members related to it can be met.
TASK 3
There are different types of reasons which can lead towards the staff underperformance.
The reasons for this underperformance is that the staff members are not paying appropriate
attention to the demands raised by the customers which affects their overall satisfaction level
(Hamilton, 2016). Thus by making the use of appropriate techniques the underperformance can
be removed. In my workplace, I have observed that the staff members are not performing well
and thus this is creating different types of problems and issues for the customers.
Scenario- In my company there is a particular type of problem which was being faced by
me. This problem is staff underperformance. Thus due to the impact created by this particular
problem the organization was facing problems as well as issues in the different types of
operational and functional areas. Thus as a Business Manager I undertook the following actions
in this case-
 Identification of the skills and competencies- Skills and Competencies of the
employees are quite important. Therefore as the Business Manager I was required to
make sure that the identification of these skills and competencies can be done so that the
work allocation was done according to the capabilities of the workers. This helps in
sorting out the problem related to staff underperformance.
 Fixing accountability of workers- As a Business Manager it is important that the
accountability of the workers can be fixed. As a Business Manager I was able to make
sure that I was able to fix the accountability of the employees appropriately so that the
operations of my company were handled smoothly. In this way the sorting out of the staff
underperformance problem can be done.
 Monitoring of the employees- For improving the cooperation and coordination between
the workers their monitoring is essential. As a Business Manager I was able toensure this
so that I am able to improve it which will be helpful in the attainment of organizational
goals and objectives.
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 Taking team meetings- Improvement of staff performance will require taking od
different team meetings. As a Business Manager I undertook these team meetings so that
I am able to improve the cooperation and coordination between the workers.
Thus, As the Business Manager I made sure that a specific and detailed plan is prepared
so that the efficiency and effectiveness of the staff members was enhanced. The plan is explained
as follows-
Plan for improving staff performance
Name of the
employee
Performance
assessment
Potential areas for
improvement
Application of
motivation
techniques to
enhance the
motivation
A Unsatisfactory Time Management,
Dealing with the
problems and issues of
the customers etc.
Counselling session to
identify the problem
areas and increasing
the motivation so that
the overall
performance can be
improved.
B Below Average Handling of problems
of the customers,
Ethical behaviour
Performance
Increment for
enhancing the overall
performance so that
the goals and
objectives can be
attained.
C Below Average Problems and Issues in
Decision-Making at
important time
Small Goals to be set
for taking of decisions
so that this skill can be
developed.
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D Poor Lack of efficiency in
the handling of work
allocated in the
different types of tasks
Setting of Weekly
goals to assess the
overall performance
and use the techniques
to improve it.
Project for improving employee performance
Activities Start Date End Date
Counselling Session 08/01/20 15/01/20
Performance Increment
Exercise
16/01/20 23/01/20
Setting of Small Goals 24/01/20 31/01/20
Setting of Weekly Goals 01/02/20 08/02/20
Thus in this way the project was initiated in the right manner. The different types of
activities were started and were completed at an appropriate time. Thus it becomes quite
important for the people at the organization that they are able to make the desired adjustments
accordingly which therefore help in the attainment of the different types of goals and objectives
without problems and issues (Hanlon and et.al., 2020). As a Business Manager I was able to
make sure that I was able to work in the right manner for the purpose of attainment of goals and
objectives.
Thus setting of these activities on a weekly basis was helpful in the better planning of the
execution of these activities (Herder and et.al., 2018). This will not only help in the better
planning of the project but will also make sure that the attainment of a higher-level of efficiency
and effectiveness can be done without facing of different types of problems and issues thus
helping in the attainment of better performance from the employees.
TASK 4
As a Business Manager I have identified the different types of problems which were
being faced by the employees at my workplace. Thus, I had to ensure that I find a right solution
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to these problems which will thus help a lot in ensuring that the solution to these problems can be
found. The solutions to the problems which were being faced at my workplace were as follows-
 Better approach for dealing with the problems of the customers- In my workplace, I
made sure that there is a use of a better approach so that the different types of problems
of the customers were solved in the right manner (Launer, 2018). I ensued that through
making the use of appropriate customer management system the data of the different
customers is managed well and thus in this way the data can be managed effectively and
efficiently and thus the problems of the customers can be identified so that rectification
steps were taken for solving them.
 Making a proper Code of Ethics- A proper Code of Ethics was framed in the
organizations so that the Ethical behaviour was ensured in their overall processes
(Mikalayeva, Panov and Schleutker, 2020). This was needed to promote the ethical
behaviour in the organizations which can help them in becoming more ethical and thus
ensuring that the different types of activities are managed in the right manner by them.
Thus as a Business Manager I was able to make sure that I was able to frame an
appropriate Code of Ethics which will be thus ensure that the employees of the
organization are required to be come more ethical and thus are able to make sure that they
can deal with the customers in the right manner.
 Sessions for improving decision-making- Decision-making skills are quite important in
the organizations. This is so because it is important to assess the situation and take
decision accordingly (O’Loughlin and Griffith, 2020). Thus it became important for me
to make sure that I can identify the different types of decisions which can be taken so that
the goals and objectives can be attained without problems and issues. As a Business
Manager I ensured that I conducted these different types of sessions which will be helpful
for the purpose of bringing an improvement in the decision-making. Thus the workers
were able to learn the ways the different types of decisions are taken in an organization so
that they are able to take short-term, medium-term and long-term decisions can be taken
effectively and efficiently.
 Allocation of tasks according to capability- As a Business Manager, it was my
responsibility to allocate the different types of tasks. Thus in this way I was able to make
sure that the allocation of tasks was done according to the capability level. Thus in this
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way the achievement of these tasks was done which will contribute towards the
attainment of the sustainable level of success in the future.
Thus in this way by taking all of these above-mentioned steps I was able to make sure
that the solution to these problems was found out quickly which will be thus helpful in the
attainment of the goals and objectives. In this way the problems at the workplace can be found
out and can be solved. As a Business Manager, it was my responsibility that I was able to
allocate the tasks appropriately and thus ensure that the achievement of best performance can be
done. Also the different types of problems being faced at the workplace were identified by me so
that their solutions to them can be found out and applied.
TASK 5
Work based project should be evaluated all individual and group of people which states
that project will be completed in decided time and period. In the business industry and
environment there are different tools and techniques which can be use to evaluate and monitor
the progress of work project (Ramlal and Augustin, 2020). A project is like a assignment which
is assigned by top executives and manages by deciding goals. To attain the goals specifically
schedule should be plan as it can provide the steps and activities which is required to complete
on time and manage the all performance effectively. As a manager of organization I need to
monitor and evaluate the work base project of employees who are working as I was responsible
for all functions and activities to manage them properly. Monitoring is defined as systematic
gathering and analytical of information that can help to measure process of an project. I started to
keep records of all information and data which is important to complete the project by managing
funds and resources.
Benchmarking – This is effective tool which mainly uses by companies to know the
situation and formulate effective plans after compare to others. This is the process of measuring
the performance of organizational products, service and the process which can help to increase
the performance. I can use this technique to evaluate and monitor the performance of project and
employees which helps to increase insights as what changes are required in existing plans or
strategies which can help to maintain higher performance and profitability. In other words, it can
be said that comparison tool which uses to compare with other then plan effective strategies
which supports to attain the business goals (Paul, Niewoehner and Elder, 2019).
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Critical path technique – This can be explained as amazing procedure of monitoring
and evaluating the project at different task by scheduling and plan to work activities. This
technique is also in conjunction with programme evaluation and review technique method. I will
use this technique to detect and confirm the longest path for the task to be performed. In this, I
will monitor the each stage of employees after assigning work between them that would help to
know what barriers are can arise while handling the project. If all activities are managing and
organised properly then it will be opportunity for all tat goal has been attained in effective time
period (Pınarbaşı, Galparsoro and Borja, 2019).
Key performance Indicator – This could be explained as best method of evaluating the
performance and process of employees who are working at a workplace and wants to be develop
their skills by adopting the changes. I would use this tool in improving the performance of
employee who works on specified project that will help to maintain all functions and activities
effectively. This tool consider financial and non-financial activities which increase the insights
how to manage separately so all functions and activities be on certain time. While deciding the
project and goals I thinks it is good good to use which helps to know that in what time period and
budget the project will be completed on time (Ostrom and Wilhelmsen, 2019).
Therefore, these tool should be use by individual and management to know ascertain that
the project will be completed on time by monitoring and evaluating the performance of people
who are engaged in activities that can help to formulate the planning and develop the business
performance in relation to completion of project. These are beneficial technique which supports
to bring changes and manage the all functions effectively.
TASK 6
At my workplace, I have learned a lot. When I started my career at my workplace I
started off at a position at initial level (Sasidharan, 2018). Thus by using my experience correctly
I have made sure that relevant progress can be made in the right manner. Thus I have become
Business Manager now. I am in charge of the management of the entire organization and
handling of its different types of operations in a proper manner. I will make the use of Gibbs'
reflective cycle so that I am able to ensure that I can reflect back on my past experience in the
right manner.
The application of the model can be done in the following manner-
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Step 1: Description- This refers to the describing of the situation in detail. While
working at my workplace I have faced different types of situations (Shum and et.al., 2017). In
these situations I have had to ensure that I analyse what is happening in detail and accordingly
decide the appropriate action which is required to be taken. In some situations I have also had to
take the side of the employees and In some situations I have had to take the side of the customers
so that I am able to maintain a fair balance and ensure the proper functioning of the firm.
Stage 2: Feelings- This refers to the feelings which are felt during a particular
experience. While working at my workplace I have different types of feelings. These feelings are
according to the particular experience which I had in that situation. Sometimes in a situation I
have felt positive because I felt that I have done my best in that situation. However sometimes I
also felt negative in a particular situation as I thought that I have not done my best in that
situation. Thus a mixture of these feelings takes place during the work.
Stage 3: Evaluation- This means something good or bad during a particular experience
(Sweet and et.al., 2019). At my workplace I have had experiences where I was good in dealing
with the customers. However there were experiences where I could not behave well with the
customers. Thus I have evaluated that I need to be more better in dealing with these type of
situations in a highly effective manner.
Stage 4: Analysis- This refers to making the sense of a particular situation. In the
situations of my workplace I have identified that there are many positives and negatives in the
actions which are taken. Thus it is required that the both the experiences are managed in the right
manner so that the right decisions can be taken in the future.
Stage 5: Conclusion- This means concluding on the experience. At my workplace, there
are different types of factors which affect the learning experience. I have made sure that I learn
according to the influence of these factors which will be helpful for me in the taking of decisions
in the right way in the future.
Stage 6: Action plan- This refers to determining the actions to be taken for the future
(Timizar-Le Pen and et.al., 2020). At my workplace, there have been situations where I have not
been able to take the right decision. Therefore, I will make a proper action plan to be used in the
future so that the better actions are taken in the future by me in similar situations which will be
not just helpful for me but also for the organization.
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