Reflective Review on Personal Skills for Self-Employment

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Managing Enterprise in the 21st century
Assessment Component 2- Reflective Review
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Table of Contents
Introduction......................................................................................................................................3
Main Body.......................................................................................................................................4
Conclusion.....................................................................................................................................10
Reference List................................................................................................................................11
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Introduction
The following task will have a reflection on the personal skills in the context of self-
employment. The skills will be discussed that would be essential for the business idea. The
learning journey will be reflected that has been arisen from the business plan interaction. The
development of personal skills will be reflected that is vital for self-employment. Gibbs’
reflection will be utilised for conducting the reflection on the experiences.
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Main Body
Students will produce a reflective report of 2,000 words, which demonstrates an awareness
of the learning journey they have undertaken during the team business plan interactions.
They should also reflect upon the development of their personal skill set for self-
employment.
The following reflection will be based on the reflective model of Gibbs. According to this
model, there are six stages of reflection, in which an individual can reflect about its past through
proper analysis. These are description, feelings, evaluation, analysis, conclusion, and action plan
(Martin, 2016).
Figure 1: Gibbs' reflective cycle
(Source: Martin, 2016)
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Description
In the PIGG PLC, I had to take an agenda item in the team meeting after three weeks of my
joining in the same. In the meeting, I had to talk about the project that I have been allocated with
that is the creation of database for the information system of management. I have presented a
presentation that has gone wrong in many ways. Even the interruption from the boss has affected
me in presenting the presentation in a negative way. However, my colleagues have later said that
it is my boss’s habit of intervening during the presentation. I have talked about with the
presentation problem with the boss later on to understand the areas of mistakes and rectify them
for better in future.
Feelings
I was quite nervous during presenting the presentation, as it has been my first presentation in the
company. I have been presentations of the colleagues as I was sure that I would be effective in
presenting the same. However, at the time of presenting the presentation in the meeting, my
confidence level has waned and my voice was instable in answering the questions that were
asked from me by the members. My self-esteem has become low, as I knew that I was
performing not well at least the way that I have practised. I was scared and worried, as I was not
delivering the presentation in a proper manner. Due to hesitation, I have not been able to answer
the questions clearly. Even while discussing my ideas, I have not been able to speak
unmistakably, as the colleagues have asked me several times what I meant to say what I said
already.
I was not comfortable with the way the presentation has been done by me and it has left a bad
impression on my self-esteem and confidence level. However, my colleagues have said it later
that I seemed to be calm during the presentation even after being so nervous. This positive
remark has not made me feel satisfied with my performance in the meeting. Before the
presentation has begun, I thought that I would meet the expectations of everyone and get
applause from every individual present in the meeting room. However, things went south and
have not been able to impress anyone as well as the patronising words of the boss have made me
panic and I lose confidence in a further way.
Evaluation
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I can evaluate from the experience that has been discussed above that the good points that have
occurred during the presentation are that I have been effective in controlling my emotions from
being reflected on my face. However, I have lost confidence and have been disturbed with the
uncomfortable patronising of the boss. I have been able to put calmness on my gesture and
behaviour in spite of the nervousness that I have felt all through the time I have been presenting
the presentation. There are many negative or bad points that have occurred during presenting the
business idea of the database information system of management. I have not been able to
communicate effectively with the members presented in the meeting hall.
My voice was not clear to the members due to nervousness. My answers presented to them were
not clarified as I relied upon the data but could not evaluate the points to answer the questions
of the team members. Initially I have been able to gain confidence due to my acting skills but
the pressure of questions, interruptions have made me uncomfortable, and I went nervous in
continuing with presenting the presentation. I have prepared figures so that I would be able to
answer the questions in the meeting however, lack of clarity of answers as well as deficiency in
confidence due to hesitation, I have not been able to perform well in presenting the presentation.
However, I have good relationship building skill that has gained me the support of my colleagues
(Colbert et al., 2016).
Analysis
It can be analysed from the experience that I have been through that the members present in the
meeting room were expecting clarification of the data that I have prepared for the presentation.
Interaction with the team members is essential to gain knowledge from each other and have the
support of them during need (Schabram et al., 2018). My answers were not up to the mark
because they have lacked clarification of details as it only contained data. It can be sensed from
the situation that the boss has not been partial in commenting over my presentation as she always
does this with other members of the company as well during presentation. Presenting the data
has been correct but without clarifications of the information, the figures have not been able to
affect positively the impression on the team members (El Sabbagh et al., 2015).
In addition to that, lack of communication skill has made it difficult for the listeners or the
members present in the meeting in understanding what I have been saying. I have been too
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confident in the acting skills that I have not practised it in a proper way to have positive
outcomes. On the other hand I have relied upon the data and figures that I have collected from
various sources to answer the questions. Therefore, the presentation has been a failure because I
have not been able to present the presentation, as it should be rather I have just put the data on
presentation to influence the members (Jackson, 2015). Through this mistake, I have not been
able to clarify the details to the members in efficient way related to the database management
information system.
Conclusions
I can conclude from my personal experiences that the presentation of data and figures would not
be valuable if proper clarification is not given for the same in the presentation. I must have
faced the obstacle that is interruption from the boss during the presentation through proper
judgement on the details that I have provided related to the subject of presentation. Presentation
should have been informative, clear, and interesting so that every discussion would have been
clear to the members of the firm (Morgan, 2016). Too much confidence upon the personal skills
have ruined the presentation therefore, overconfidence should be avoidable (Fitzsimmons and
Atkins, 2017). Communication skills would have been better if I have been comfortable in
presenting my ideas and discussion on the database management information system. The
presentation would have been better if I had practised for the same among the colleagues prior
presenting in the meeting room. I would have been able to present my ideas and thoughts
concerning the subject of the presentation if I would have developed a clear concept of
presenting the details.
I would have enhanced my presenting skills before presenting the presentation to the members of
the meeting through practices (Smith, 2016). This would have improved the communication skill
that would have assisted me in delivering the presentation clearly to the members and get
applause from them. I must have looked in the manual of PowerPoint and use the PowerPoint
presentation as a tool for presenting the ideas and concepts of database management
information system. I would not have let it dominate the presentation of the same as it has
hindered my capabilities in a negative way, as it has made me dependent on this tool for getting
praises. I would have used PowerPoint presentation as a medium for enhancing the ideas that I
should have discussed with the members. I would have developed some questions prior
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presenting the presentation that would have made it easier for me to deal with the questions
asked by the team members in the meeting. Pondering about the ways of presenting presentation
before the implementation on the same would have enhanced the quality of presentation as well.
Action plan
In the future if I would get another opportunity of providing presentation concerning any topic
among the members of the organisation, I would present it in a proper way. In order to do this, I
have to develop some strategies for improving my personal as well as professional capabilities. I
will try to improve my communication skills so that in the next presentation, I would be able to
communicate with the members effectively. This would make them understand what I will
speak or discuss the topic of the project with which I will be allocated. I would develop my
learning through delving deep into the topic and clarifying the subject to the listeners or the
members presented in the meeting room. This would help them to understand the ideas and
concepts that I have to present. This will enhance the quality of presentation and enhance my
image among the members of the organisation. I should not rely upon my acting skills solely and
put effort into enhancing the professional skill of presenting the presentation through lot of
practices.
Practices for the same with the colleagues or friends will help me in delivering presentation
among the members of the company as well. This would develop my confidence level and
enhance the presentation’s quality. I would be able to present the presentation before the
personnel without fear or hesitation if I will be experienced in doing the same before my
colleagues. I will try to enhance the quality of the presentation by clarifying every topic of
discussion with critical evaluation (Middleton, 2017). The prior practice of the same will be
effective in delivering a good presentation. I will be able to answer the questions of the members
asked during the meeting in a proper way; I would research for the expected questions and
answers a long time before the meeting and practice for the same (Schutt, 2018). I should
enhance the PowerPoint presentation quality, by learning about it and align the discussion with
the facts that I will present. I should try to avoid interruption by proper engagement of words.
However, in the case of intervention from the boss or any other members I should have gained
confidence in answering properly to their queries.
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I should use words according to the questions asked and structure the answers in a systematic
way. I should enhance the boss’ confidence concerning me by enhancing my presentation skills
with proper evaluation of every answer. I should calm myself before presenting the presentation
so that I would not get a nervous breakdown or feel hesitated during the time of performance.
In the deliverance of presentation in coming days, I will try to improve my performance. I should
learn about the ways of presenting the presentation from internet and the ways to gain
confidence before the boss (Greener and Wakefield, 2015). I should maintain my confidence
level before and during the presentation. I should develop relationship with my colleagues so
that they would assist me in improving my performance level (Fowler, 2018). I should not be
hesitated by the questions asked from the team members during the presentation and answer
them steadily and in professional tone.
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Conclusion
It can be deduced from the provided task that the skills have been discussed that are required for
employability. The reflection has been made on personal experience of the individual concerning
the personal skills essential in the development of the business idea. Effective business
interactions strategies have been discussed at the end of the project. Gibbs’ model of reflection
cycle has been utilised for conducting reflection on personal experiences.
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Reference List
Colbert, A.E., Bono, J.E. and Purvanova, R.K., 2016. Flourishing via workplace relationships:
Moving beyond instrumental support. Academy of Management Journal, 59(4), pp.1199-1223.
El Sabbagh, A., Nishimura, R.A., Killu, A.M. and Warnes, C.A., 2015. The art of presentation: a
valuable skill in a contemporary era.
Fitzsimmons, A. and Atkins, D., 2017. Rethinking Reputational Risk: How to Manage the Risks
that Can Ruin Your Business, Your Reputation and You. Kogan Page Publishers.
Fowler, J., 2018. Colleagues, communication and your practice culture. Dental Nursing, 14(4),
pp.170-171.
Greener, S. and Wakefield, C., 2015. Developing confidence in the use of digital tools in
teaching. Electronic Journal of E-Learning, 13(4), pp.260-267.
Jackson, D., 2015. Employability skill development in work-integrated learning: Barriers and
best practice. Studies in Higher Education, 40(2), pp.350-367.
Martin, M., 2016. A reflection on using play to facilitate learning. International Practice
Development Journal, 6(1).
Middleton, R., 2017. Critical reflection: the struggle of a practice developer.
Morgan, P., 2016. The Business Student's Guide to Study and Employability. Sage.
Schabram, K., Robinson, S.L. and Cruz, K.S., 2018. Honor among thieves: The interaction of
team and member deviance on trust in the team. Journal of Applied Psychology, 103(9), p.1057.
Schutt, R.K., 2018. Investigating the social world: The process and practice of research. Sage
Publications.
Smith, K., 2016. Reflection and person-centredness in practice development. International
Practice Development Journal, 6(1).
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