MG408 - Reflective Report: Skills Development in Graduate Challenge

This report reflects on the development of professional skills through participation in three challenges: Apprentice, Presentation, and T-shirt design. The author identifies improvements in communication, teamwork, time management, and business skills. Each challenge is examined from a business perspective, highlighting the importance of branding, finance, and operations. Tuckman’s theory on teamwork is discussed, and a SMART goal for improving communication skills is presented. The author concludes that professional development is crucial for career advancement and that the challenges provided valuable learning experiences.

ASSESSMENT

Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................3
MAIN BODY...................................................................................................................................3
Challenge of Apprentice........................................................................................................3
Challenge of Presentation......................................................................................................4
Challenge of T-shirt................................................................................................................5
EXAMINE OF EACH OBSTACLE FROM A ANGLE OF BUSINESS AND KNOWLEDGE
INCREASE FROM ABOUT HOW BUSINESSES WORKS.......................................................5
Branding.................................................................................................................................5
Finance...................................................................................................................................6
Operations...............................................................................................................................6
Tuckman’s Theory on Teamwork..........................................................................................6
PLAN OF ACTIONS......................................................................................................................6
CONCLUSION ...............................................................................................................................7
REFERENCES................................................................................................................................8

INTRODUCTION
Professional improvement referred as the improvement and the enhancement in their
skills which will assist in meeting their necessities. It provide assistance in enhancing the skill
sets and the knowledge to the people so they can achieve. The professional improvement aids in
formulating a aim for the triumph and requisite knowledges, skill sets and the ability to get
successful. In regards of developing the career, it is essential to acquired a skill sets so that the
negotiation and planning can be executed and the networking can be built. This paper is covering
the reflections of all the three challenges.
MAIN BODY
Challenge of Apprentice
This challenge objective is to enhance the communicating skill set and also motivate the
squad and the groups to came up with the several ideas(Wong, and et. al. 2022) . While pursing
the studies from the London School of Science and Technology (LSST) , I came to know about
the challenge at my college. While doing the challenge, I formulated few abilities-
 Communication skills- it is essential for the scholars to have this ability. Being a
scholar, for having this skill I have really hard to gain it and this skill will assist me to
communicate within the team mates. It is the communication skill which assist me to
accomplishing this challenge. While doing my task, this skill assist me to communicate
effectively among the team members.
 Teamwork- According to me, being a student working in team is very essential as it
develop the how to coordinate the task with the members. It assist me in diverting the
pressure of the challenge which at the end aid me in working effectively. At the initial
phase of the challenge, my teamwork skill set is very anaemic but while pursuing the
challenge I develop this skill set(England,2020).
 Time Management skills- at the academics phase this skill is considered as very
crucial. It assist me in developing discipline in my private as well as professional life as I
am able to accomplish projects at the assigned time.
 Business skills and competencies developed- Being a scholar acquiring this skill is
very challenging for me. It associate several skills set and the ability which assist me in

complete the challenge successfully. After developing this skill it assist me in taking
effective as well quick decisions. Furthermore, I will develop the problem solving skills
which will assist in eliminating the future obstacle.
Challenge of Presentation
It is a procedure of presenting the theme in front of the audience. While I were employed
at the Tesco Plc, I was assigned a challenge to present where I have to convey the mentioned
info to the consumers(Emblen-Perry, Nichol and Ross, 2020). Tesco is a huge organization and
they are dealing in groceries and generic good, so I was assigned to run into the customers and
assist them with our services.
 Communication skills- As the employee at the Tesco, I have formulated the
communication skill set which will assist me in conveying the informations to the
individual who will came a our shops. It played a crucial part in my occupational
improvement as I was capable to complete the assigned task.
 Teamwork- It is considered as one of the crucial skill set in the world of professionals.
As a employee at the Tesco organisation, I have developed this skill set by
communicating with the other teammates in order to clearing their doubts(Zegwaard, and
et. al. 2019) .
 Time Management skills- Time management is very crucial while working. At the
Tesco, because of the time management I was able to accomplish my task at the assign
time. This skill were formulated at the time when I have to gave presentation as well as
manage the customer's who visited the organisation.
 Business ability and competencies formulated- Under the life of the professional,
business ability and competencies have a crucial duty. At the Tesco, I were assigned
presentation which I have successfully completed with the assistance of the businesses
competencies in which it comprises skills like problem solving, decision-making,
leadership etc. while handling the customer's, I were narrate the product descriptions so
those competencies was develop while I was encounter with the questions of the
customer's(Braidman, Regan and Humphreys, 2018).

Challenge of T-shirt
It was the challenge in which we have to launch a new T-shirt. I was assigned with a part
to show the brand name and trademark of the organisation. This challenge developed particular
skills which are discussed below-
 Communication skills- As I were employee at the enterprise, I were entrusted with this
opportunity for launching the t-shirt. Communicating skills set were formulated by me
while I was commencing the task. At that organisation I were working at the department
of marketing, there I have to perform research in regard of market(Morris,2019).
 Teamwork- The skill were formulated where I were working with the marketing unit. I
were coordinating with the other members of the team and working with them for
accomplish the given challenge. The market research is shared among the team members
so the strategy can be formulated to deal with.
 Time Management skills- in course of working at the T shirt challenge, this skill were
developed as I have to accomplish the assigned task in accordance with the given time. I
formulated this discipline while working for my boss as my boss were rigid about the
punctuality so it developed at that time because of my boss (Moxey and et. al. 2022).
 Business skills and competencies developed- while doing the challenge, I developed
professionalism in me while interacting with the customer's and persuade them to buy the
T-shirt. These skills of businesses was develop while performing the challenges as I have
make quick decision.

EXAMINE OF EACH OBSTACLE FROM A ANGLE OF BUSINESS AND
KNOWLEDGE INCREASE FROM ABOUT HOW BUSINESSES
WORKS.
Branding
While doing the presentation, I develop ability in regard of communication which assist
me in branding of my products. At that time I was busy in entertaining the customer's so I have
to posses this skill so that I can covey my information clear to everyone. So, it is the skill which
assist me in doing my assigned task for branding(Hamshire, Fontaine, and Soldaat,2019).
Finance
T-shirt challenge was allotted to me, so I develop the skill of time management. It is the
skill which I have utilized in the unit of finance where my task was to create a cost planning
within the mentioned time. This skill also assist me in the making of budget for the division so I
have to convey and coordinate with the members while doing the preparation for the budget.
Operations
While doing work for the division of operations, I implemented my time managerial
skills which assist me in accomplishing the task successfully. When I were working in the
division of production, I were completed my assigned task in the given time which eventually
bring the efficiency at the workplace.
Tuckman’s Theory on Teamwork
It is theory which has concentrated on the five phases of the team improvement which
laid down by the Bruce Tuckman in 1965. the team development stages has been discuss below- Forming- At this phase, the squad is created and every squad members have to interact
with each other as it will be the introduction of the team. Storming- At this phase, the squad members are able to knowing about the
distinctiveness of the members of the squad. Norming- in this phase, the members of the squad acknowledge the strength of the
members of the team and begin to recognise each another. So, each and everyone
contributing in the work as a cohesive unit.

 Performing- At this phase, members of the team are self-self-assured, motivated and
positive for the assignment for which the team is created and can work without any
supervision.
 Adjourning- At this phase, the assignment is completed and the members of the team is
disperse after the objective is executed. It pertain the covering of the concluding project.
PLAN OF ACTIONS
The SMART goal for development for the communicating skill are- Specific- The objective is to formulate the ability of communication so that I will assist
me in improving my skills of presentation. Measurable- This objective will be measured by execution of mine where I have
implement this skills for future betterment. Achievable- I will accomplish this ability set by doing the few courses so that my
efficiency can be improved and further, it will better my communication skill. Relevant- For ensuring their reliability, I have to take many certificates for proving its
relevancy.
 Time frame- I will develop those skills sets within 6 months.
CONCLUSION
This report is concluded that the professional development is very crucial for the peoples
for developing their careers. The three challenges have been taken, which assist in formulating
the different skill sets such as teamwork, communication, time management and the skills related
to businesses. Those skills will be utilised effectively in functions of the business such as
branding, operations and the finance. Furthermore, the Tuckman theory is being discussed in
regard of the development of the team and a SMART goal in regard of of the improvement of the
skills of the communicating which will assist in future improvement of the ability of
presentation.

REFERENCES
Books and Journals
Wong, B., Chiu, and et. al. 2022. A mapping of graduate attributes: what can we expect from UK
university students?. Higher Education Research & Development, 41(4), pp.1340-1355.
England, L., 2020. Crafting professionals in UK higher education: Craft work logics and skills
for professional practice (Doctoral dissertation, King's College London).
Emblen-Perry, K., Nichol, L. and Ross, C., 2020. Does commuting to university influence
students’ personal and professional development and the likelihood of graduate level
employment?. The International Journal of Professional Management, 15(5).
Zegwaard, K.E., and et. al. 2019. Professional development needs of the international work-
integrated learning community.
Morris, D., 2019. Student voice and teacher professional development: Knowledge exchange and
transformational learning. Springer International Publishing.
Moxey, M., Lowe, and et. al. 2022. The Postgraduate Certificate & Master's in Student
Engagement in Higher Education: a professional development opportunity to critically
examine and influence research, policy and practice. All Ireland Journal of Higher
Education, 14(1), pp.1-13.
Hamshire, C., Fontaine, D. and Soldaat, L., 2019. Exploring staff perceptions of first-generation
students to enhance professional development of academic staff.
Braidman, I., Regan, M. and Humphreys, J., 2018. Personal and professional developments.
In Wellbeing in Higher Education (pp. 147-160). Routledge.