Personal & Professional Development Report: TESCO Internship Analysis

This report details personal and professional development during an internship at TESCO, focusing on self-managed learning approaches, a personal skills audit, and a SWOT analysis. It evaluates different learning methods like conferences, social networks, and online resources, highlighting benefits such as improved teamwork, communication, and presentation skills. The skills audit assesses areas like budget control, accounting, time management, and technological proficiency. A SWOT analysis identifies strengths (communication, analytical skills), weaknesses (technological skills, aesthetic sensibility), opportunities (career growth in digital marketing), and threats (high competition). The report emphasizes the importance of lifelong learning and provides strategies for personal and professional growth.

Personal and Professional Development
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Table of Contents
Introduction......................................................................................................................................3
Task 1...............................................................................................................................................4
Task 2...............................................................................................................................................7
Task 3.............................................................................................................................................12
Task 4.............................................................................................................................................16
Conclusion.....................................................................................................................................21
Appendix........................................................................................................................................24
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Introduction
The objectives and goals of an individual can be achieved by overall personal and professional
development. It is essential for a person to identify their own set of skills and talents to perform
well in an organization. Proper understanding about the talents and skills of an individual is
required for handling, utilizing the resources and finishing the tasks within the time allotted. The
use of personal and professional development can be used to enlarge new opportunities and
convene the objectives.
The given assignment is based on my internship at TESCO. The report used Different
approaches and methods, which can be used for learning in both professional and personal
situation. It will also evaluate its own competencies and skills with reference to the standards of
professionals. A plan is also developed to highlight and analyze the personal and professional
skills of self. Different styles of communication are also evaluated to effectively manage the
strategies and to maintain own growth.
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Task 1
1.1: From the above scenario evaluate six different approaches to self-managed learning
that you have undertaken or you intend to take as part of lifelong learning either from
your work place or during your time of learning at LSST.
The process where an individual shows inventiveness to find out something new is known as self
managed learning (Cottrell 2015). In this procedure a person has to catalog the possessions
which will be required for learning. The entire process depends on the progress of learning looms
and its outcome evaluation. Prioritizing the resources is an important factor in the process of self
development. Specification of goals and objectives is required by the learner to properly evaluate
their development plan. The goals and objectives of an individual should be achieved within the
predefined time. The various approaches for self managed learning are as follows-
 Conferences and seminars- According to me, communicating with different group of
peoples can be very helpful for an individual to improve their own skills and talents. An
individual gets to know about the skill of other person (Zhang, and et al., 2015). My
confidence as an individual improved by communicating more with the people in th
conference.
 Social networks- in self manage learning, the social networks plays a significant part. In
my opinion, different kinds of experienced people can be contacted to expand their
knowledge. Different kinds of social networks like twitter, face book and so on can be
used by an individual to fill the gap of communication as well as for understanding the
current trends in the economy.
 Internet- different websites over internet is surfed over web by me to gain knowledge on
diverse areas (Jones and et al., 2015). Various sources of self learning over internet can
be analyzed for self development process.
 Press release boards- it is an attractive approach for self managing. In this approach an
individual notes down every activities on his board by defining self goals and objectives.
 Reading newspapers- I have various kinds of newspapers for knowledge which is to be
gained. It helps in developing their own minds about the current scenario of the country.
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 Group discussions- when I participated in various group discussions with different
groups of experienced people it served as an important factor for self development and
self learning. A lot of knowledge was gathered from different peoples.
1.2 Propose ways in which lifelong learning in your personal and professional contexts
could be encouraged-
Lifelong learning is a stimulating process for boosting the morale of a person. It is always
believed that a person stays young for a longer duration if they are continuously learning. In
order to advertise the enhancement of the skills and knowledge, it is significant to have a
platform to do so (Manuti et al., 2015). There are ways by which personal and professional
learning is encouraged which are the following:
Practical Study- The most important thing in life is to have the power of knowledge. According
to me when the person has the practical knowledge of the different theories read in life, its
implication becomes easy (Sessa, and London, 2015). The knowledge gained by books and
internet cannot be evaluated, as it was just theories. To actually implement the theories I need the
stage where that will be done.
SWOT Analysis- in the SWOT analysis, I will be able to get to know the strengths, weakness,
opportunities and threats. In order to encourage the learning outcome of me, there needs a
positive outlook about the things which would encourage me to be better in life which will help
me in personal as well as professional level.
Journals and Blogs- It has been believed that maintaining journals of life caters to know oneself
better. So it has encouraged me to be better by writing about my life in the form of journals. By
writing journals I have been able to continue and improved my writing skills. Writing Blogs have
made a great contribution in my personal development. Having a connection with the outside
world, with the social media has made a great impact in my life.
Employment- By joining the type of work which has encouraged me works hard and even
having the continuous knowledge by learning in the process (Marsick and Watkins, 2015). The
lifelong learning is made possible when the when I have been able to contribute my learning in
my job.
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1.3 Based on your answer on AC 1.1, evaluate the benefits of three approaches to self-
managed learning that you have undertaken.
Self managed learning is understood as the different ways used by the people to acquire the skills
needed at the workplace (Evans and Broome, 2017). The individual will benefit from the
learning only when it is used as a part to make the operations in the company better. The skills I
acquired by working in Tesco are the following:
Team work skills- the team work skills can be enhanced by attending and participating in the
seminars. It is even encouraged to participate in the group discussion to make the development in
the skills. The communication forum and conduct is changed when I participate formally in the
groups.
Communication skills- to have the knowledge and communicate the same are very different.
This is something I have understood in the long run (Cunningham, 2017). I have to make a
proper conduct in communicating the ideas to the people and interacting to make them
understand the point of view that I have. To make anyone understand is the hardest part of
communication.
Presentation skills- By presenting my ideas to a group of people in the group discussion as well
as conferences have given a rise in the confidence I portray. It has boosted my level of thinking
and acceptance of the others thought process. It has given me the platform to talk in front of an
audience.
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Task 2
a) Personal Skills Audit and rating with justifications.
In order to evaluate my personal skills, while I was interning in Tesco Plc, I conducted a skills
audit. I have presented the detailed results of the personal skill audit below, along with the
justifications for the ratings received.
Skill Area Description of Specific Skill Evidence of skill How I’m doing
Financial skills
Budget Control: it is quite
important to make the budget
in control. Otherwise, the
company is going to be out
of control that is not good for
the company.
I have the ability to do all the budget in
control. Otherwise, the company is going to
be out of control that is not good for the
company
I am doing fine in
this.
Accounting: It means that
keeping an account of the
things, which is required.
And making a note of that.
I have the ability to make the account
segment of all the reports which I was
assigned to do.
I am doing fine in
this.
Skill Area Description of Specific
Skill Evidence of skill How I’m doing
Organizational
skills
Time management: it states
about the factor of doing the
work within the allotted
time.
I was able to submit all the work at time.
There were no such delays in the work I
was doing.
I am doing fine in
this.
Decision making: this
state’s about the factor of
deciding something on the
right time.
I was able to take all those decision,
which was give to me. Then make
everybody convey to it.
I am doing fine in
this.
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Skill Area Description of Specific
Skill Evidence of skill How I’m doing
Technological
skills
MS Excel: It is software,
were most of the
calculation and statistical
things are done.
When we were showing some of the
presentation to the clients then I was able to
give solution to the entire problem they had.
I am doing fine
in this.
Databases: It is the segment
where all the data’s are
analyzed properly, it
requires the skills of
calculations.
I had all the record of accomplishment of
all the data based information and able to
make a data base properly.
I am doing fine
in this as well.
Skill Area Description of Specific Skill Evidence of skill How I’m doing
Communication
skills
Verbal communication: the
verbal communication is one
of the best skills I have, it
means when I am
communicating with a
number of people either face
to face or via any other
medium.
I have the ability to make the clients
understand what is the service Tesco
Plc is going to serve them, how it is
going to help them in order to aim for
a better future and so on.
They clients were
sounding quite
convened by the
skill of my
communication,
this is why I am
doing well in this
segment.
Skill Area Description of Specific
Skill Evidence of skill How I’m doing
Management
skills
Motivating Others:
motivation is one of those
works, which can make
wonders. It can make the
work way better then it is.
There are employees who got motivated
because of my good communication
skills. They were actually able to get the
work done in time.
I am doing well in
term of motivating
the new interns.
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Supervising: it means the
supervision of the people
who is working under a
person
At the end of my internship there were
some new interns in marketing, I had the
ability to supervise them.
I am doing well in
term of supervising
the new interns.
Delegating work: the
employees who are joining
the company, they will be
in which the manager
decides position.
I understood the former delegated work.
I did not do this
work but I
understood it well.
b) SWOT Analysis to evaluate own current skills and competencies against professional
standards and organizational objectives. Identify areas for development and opportunities
to meet the current and future defined needs.
SWOT analysis
Strengths
 Strong communication and
interpersonal skills.
 Good analytical and IT skills.
 Able to organize and plan
 Creative mind with IT skills
 Able to analyze consumer preferences
and apply strategies to achieve
marketing plans and projects.
Weaknesses
 Needs improvement in
technological skills.
 Lags in aesthetic sensibility
 Unable to devise press releases
 Problems in event planning
Opportunities
 High career growth
 Opportunity in digital marketing
experience.
 Job prospects for various roles like
Threats
 Difficulty in interpreting
marketing report data.
 High competition in the field,
constant performance
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advertising account executive, Brand
Manager, Promotions Manager,
Market Research Analyst.
monitoring.
Evaluation of SWOT Analysis
Communication skill is the most important for any marketing professional. According to me,
communication and interpersonal skill is essential to work effectively. As my communication
skill is good, I will be able to coordinate with my team members and understand the preferences
and requirements of the customers. As I am creative, I can design new marketing strategies and
create advertisements to reach out to the targeted customers. Tesco is the largest supermarket
store in the United Kingdom. Customers prefer changes and new products. As my analytical skill
is good and I know how to plan and organize, I can reach out to the customers through marketing
skills and let them aware of the new products in the market. Tesco uses several technological
innovations like easy payment methods, social media and online advertising. For this reason
technological skill is important which I lag. I need to develop my tech skills and make event
planning to be a successful marketing professional. Marketing is a growing sector. There are
many opportunities in this field that will enhance my career growth. A marketing professional
has huge roles and responsibilities. As a result, I need to be cautious in interpreting and
analyzing marketing report data. Additionally, I need to be an efficient employee to keep pace
with the stiff competition.
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Task 3
2.2, 2.4, 3.1 and 3.2: Devise a personal and professional development plan by setting
SMART OBJECTIVES;
Specific Measurable Achievable Relevant Time
Objective 1: To
improve
technological
skills.
To ensure that
the technological
issues are
overcome by
getting
registered in
computer skill
classes.
I will try and
develop about
25% of the
technological
skills.
I will ensure that
I regularly attend
computer
classes.
I will be able to
improve about
20% of my
technical skills.
I will require a
span of 3 months
in order to
complete 20% of
the technical
skills.
Objective 2: To
develop
aesthetic
sensibility.
To ensure that I
read aesthetic
books on a
regular basis.
I will try an
increase my
aesthetic
sensibility by
about 20 %
I can achieve my
set target by
ensuring that I
read these books
on a daily basis.
I will be able to
improve 10% of
my aesthetic
knowledge with
the help of
books.
I will require
about a month’s
time in order to
ensure that I
improve
according to the
set target.
Objective 3: To
develop
professional
writing skills.
To read books
on writing skills,
read articles and
press releases
and also take
feedbacks from
seniors.
I will try and
develop my
writing skills by
25%.
I can achieve the
set target with
the help of
practicing
writing on a
regular basis.
I will be able to
improve only by
20% within the
given span of
time
In order to
improve, I will
need about 3
months.
Objective 4: To
ensure that I
don’t face any
issue in relation
to event
planning.
To undertake
event planning
internship.
I will try and
improve about
15% of my event
management
skills.
I will ensure that
I take internship
so that I am able
to manage event
successfully.
I will only be
able to improve
by 10% within
the given time
span.
I will require
about 2 months
in order
developing my
event
management
skills.
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3.3 Critically reflect on your own learning throughout this unit against the original aims
and objectives set in the plan.
In the initiation of the plan that I had formulated with the original aims and objectives I was
subjected to a number of positive and negative drawbacks. These proved to become a learning
factor for me as I learnt the idea effective management. I visited various workshops to enhance
my ideas on the Personal and Professional Development. I was subjected to number issues such
as the lack in technological skills. I learnt that I could enhance on my technological skills by the
inculcation of authentic practice in MS Excel. I could overcome my technological problems by
setting correct targets to attain my aim.
In order to ensure the better communication skills for the betterment of the interaction with the
individual I had formulated a plan to improve on about 20% of my communication skills.
However I was able to achieve 10% of the plan that I had initiated. I can enhance my
communication skill by reading a lot of book and articles to improve on my knowledge. With the
visits that I made to the workshops I learnt the art of enhancing my writing skills. I had made a
target of improving 15% of my report writing skills. I attained 10% of my estimated target and
got the idea that I can improvise on my writing skills by making an attempt to write on a daily
basis.
With the various visits I made to the workshop I also learnt the art of writing an important report
for better interaction. In order to achieve this target I made an attempt to write on a regular basis.
Writing and reading reports would help me to make better plans for the other reports. Initially I
attained 15% of my target out of the 20% that I kept for myself. I was able to comprehend my
area of weakness due to the increase in the knowledge of report writing. I also formulated
various strategies to write on a daily basis which could further enhance my skills.
3.4And D2 based on your self-criticism on the original aims and objectives reset your aims
and objectives by updating your action plan (PDP 2)
Specific Measurable Achievable Relevant Time
Objective 1: To
learn MS-Excel in
a proper and
To ensure that I
learn using MS-
excel properly
I will try and
develop about
10% of my MS-
I will ensure
that I attend
computer
I will be able to
improve about 5%
of my MS-Excel
I will require a
span of about 1
month in order
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precise manner. by going to
computer
classes
regularly.
Excel skills. classes
regularly.
skills to develop.
Objective 2: To
improve verbal
communication
skills.
To ensure that I
read books on a
regular basis so
that I develop
my verbal skills.
I will try an
increase my
verbal skills by
15%.
I can achieve
my set target by
ensuring that I
read these
books on a daily
basis.
I will be able to
improve 10% of
my verbal
communication
skills
I will require
about 2
month’s time in
order to ensure
that I improve
according to the
set target.
Objective 3: To
improve writing
skills.
To make sure
that I write on a
regular basis
and ensure that I
practice with
utmost
seriousness.
I will try and
develop my
writing skills by
15%.
I can achieve
the set target
with the help of
practicing
writing on a
regular basis.
I will be able to
improve only by
10% within the
given span of time
In order to
improve, I will
need about 1
months.
Objective 4: To
improve report
writing skills.
To undertake
measures so that
I can improve
report writing
skills with
proper practice.
I will try and
improve about
20% of my
report writing
skills.
I will ensure
that I take
serious measure
so that I develop
my report
writing skills.
I will only be able
to improve by
15% within the
given time span.
I will require
about 3 months
to develop my
report writing
skills.
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Task 4
4.1 Based on the scenario above Select work based solution on various situational
Problems.
There is different type of situational problems in the sector of marketing. There are some of the
major problems that are faced by the interns of the marketing department. Some of the situational
problems are mentioned below.
Difficulty in the interpretation of the marketing data
The difficulty in the interpretation of the marketing data is one of the major problems that is
faced by the intern of the marketing. The major reason after this is, the general lingo of
marketing has a thing of constant changing. In each year, marketing includes a number of new
strategy and emerges new ideas. As an intern who is new to the entire corporate industry, it is
difficult to understand all those new reporting data. At the same time, the right kind of
information should be there for the report. The intern need to be updated with all the updated
information of marketing, otherwise he/she will not be able to cope.
Difficulty in team work
The scenario of college project teams and the marketing management team in Tesco Plc is two
different things. The primary problem that the intern faces, that is the collaborative projects.
There are various projects such as idea pitching, notes of the meeting, primary data of a new
project, modulation idea of a new project; all this needs a huge amount of research work and
patience. This requires proper kind of coordination between the team members. Often there are
situations where the ideas of the interns and the employees clashes to each other. At this time the
interns’ ideas often faces rejection. Here patience is the only key to solve this kind of problems
(Piercy, 2014).
Lack of coordination with the sales team
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There are certain rules and regulations with the sales team; here the marketing interns need to
make coordination. The department of marketing and the department of sales are interrelated to
each other. Here there are high chances of a marketing intern who is new to the company, that
he/she may not understand the difference between the work of marketing and sales. The
reporting managers can only solve this problem. They need to explain and differentiate all the
work, which the marketing people do, and the work that the sales person’s do. Then only the
intern will be able to understand what to do and not to do (McDonald and Wilson, 2016).
4. 2 And M3:One of the ways to demonstrate acquired skills that you have developed
during your work or studies is to communicate in a variety of styles and appropriate
manner at various times.
Name: Michael Taylor
Phone No: [phone]
Email Address: [e-mail]
Residential Address: 12, North Hill, Heswall, Bournemouth, BH1 2CD
Career objectives
Short Term Objective:
 To achieve a position in marketing department in a reputed company
 To be able to get involved in planning and execution of various marketing
campaigns
 Develop professional relationship with other team members and learn from the
head of my department
Long Term Objective:
 To achieve a leadership position in the marketing department of a large multi-
national organization
 To be able to communicate more effectively and influence my team members to
achieve their individual goals
 To be able to work in collaboration with the members of the other departments
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and achieve the objective of the company together
Work experience:
 Served as an marketing intern in TESCO
 Conducted small marketing campaign for a local music band
Educational qualification:
 High School: St. Mary High School
 College: University of Exter
 Diploma: Pearson BTEC Diploma in Marketing
Certificate courses:
 9 months certificate course on International Relationship and Organizational
Behavior
 3 months certificate course on Conflict Resolution Skills
 6 months certificate course on Effective Intercultural Communication
Skill Sets:
 Communication and inter-personal skill
 Creative Skill
 Organization Skill
 Campaign Designing Skill
Hobbies
 Reading
 Participating in debate and interactive sessions
 Swimming
References: Will be provided if asked
AC: 4.3 AndD3 Evaluate effective time management strategies that can help you manage
your time effectively to manage the problem identified in scenario 4.1
In any organization where the number of employees is more time management is very
essential. Proper time management can increase the efficiency of the team and help
them achieve their aims and objectives on time.
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In section 4.1 the researcher has discussed issues faced by the interns while working at
the company. Following are the strategies that can be applied in order to improve time
management in the company:
 Difficulty in team work
Lack of efficiency in time management can lead to misunderstanding among the team
members. In any team the every member has particular job responsibility and it works
like a chain system (Il-Hyun et al., 2015). If one of the members fails to submit their
assignment on time, the next member who is supposed to deliver the next step will also
fail to do his assignment. In order to solve this issue, the management should devise a
proper time frame for every project and ensure that all the members follow it religiously.
This will give the members a clear idea of the responsibility and also give them a fair
idea about the time limit by which they can achieve their individual job goals within time.
The management can also encourage the employees to learn to delegate work. So that
one particular person does not put under too much pressure and fail to complete their
assignment on time. This will also strengthen the bond between the team members and
ultimately boost the teamwork.
 Difficulty in the interpretation of the marketing data
Flawed time management system can lead to various issues in a marketing project
(Victor, 2017). When the team faces time shortage, the team members tend to finish
their work haphazardly. Naturally they do not have enough time to spend on the
research or review their work, resulting into incorrect outcomes. This often led to wrong
interpretation of data collected through research. To resolve this issue the management
of the company should allocate specific time for various level of the work and also
practice prioritizing the work based on their importance. So that the members have a
clear understanding as to which part of the assignment needs to be done first and which
part can be completed later. Once the members are aware that how much time they
have been allocated for their work, they can concentrate on their particular responsibility
and have enough time to analyze the data in proper manner without making any
mistake.
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18

Conclusion
This above report of personal and professional development sustains on various skills, such as
the financial skills, Organizational skills, Management skills, Communication skills,
technological skills and so on. The scenario of college project teams and the marketing
management team in Tesco Plc is two different things. The primary problem that the intern faces,
that is the collaborative projects. The difficulty in the interpretation of the marketing data is one
of the major problems that is faced by the intern of the marketing. The major reason after this is,
the general lingo of marketing has a thing of constant changing. Hence, the patience is the only
key to solve this kind of problems
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Appendix
Task 4.2
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