Academic and Research Skills: Unit 325 Report on Personal Development

This report, created for Unit 325: Academic and Research Skills, presents a comprehensive analysis of the student's strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats (SWOT) in the context of academic and professional development. The report includes a detailed personal development plan, outlining strategies for improving communication and writing skills. Additionally, it features a research plan investigating the impact of training and development on employee performance within organizations, using Cafe Pod Coffee as a case study. The research plan outlines objectives, research questions, background information, research methods (qualitative approach using primary and secondary data), anticipated outcomes, and required resources. The student reflects on the research process, identifying areas for improvement in research skills. The report showcases a practical application of academic and research principles, providing insights into personal and organizational development.

Unit 325 Academic and
Research Skills

Table of Contents
MAIN BODY..................................................................................................................................3
Part A...............................................................................................................................................3
Question one................................................................................................................................3
Personal SWOT:..............................................................................................................................3
PART B...........................................................................................................................................5
Research Plan...............................................................................................................................5
PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT PLAN.......................................................................................7
CONCLUSION..............................................................................................................................10
REFERENCES................................................................................................................................1
REFERENCES................................................................................................................................2

MAIN BODY
Part A
Question one
Personal SWOT:
Strength: One of my greatest strength is that I am confidence, and I am able to stand for my
points and dedicatedly complete the task in order to get good results out. Along with this, I have
analysed that my collaborative skill is good, and I am able to make healthy relation with others.
It is one of the key skill that can be used to develop my career as I will be able to stay in
company for longer term (Zafar, 2020). Moreover, I have identified that my academic skill is
good and due to that I am able to get good grades in study and got an opportunity of job.
Although my creative skill has allowed me to find innovative ideas to deal with the challenges
and solving the problem easily.
Weakness: One of my major weakness is that I have poor communication skill and due to that
I am not able to share my thoughts and ideas properly to others. Along with this, I need to work
on it in order to build my personality and to improve my confidence (Waliszewski and Zięba-
Szklarska, 2020). Moreover, I have identified that I need to work on paraphrasing as most of
the time I am not able to think about new ideas while writing. My writing skills need to be
enhanced as I still make grammatical mistake and sometime sentence formation is not correct.
Although my English-speaking skill is good but I have to work on accent so that I can
communicate properly.
Opportunity:
There is various opportunity available for fresher and students in the market so in order to
develop my personal skill I will be participating in certified course of digital marketing. It is one
of the crucial diploma course and it is high in demand in the market area as most of the business
is working digitally. So this course will be helpful in making my CV look more attractive.
Although for developing my career I will be participating in internship program in the field I
want to go as it will provide me with the practical experience of doing business and improve my
skill. Furthermore, for personal development I will be joining personality development classes so
that can remove the fear of public speaking.
Threat:

One of the major threat that is creating hindrance in accomplishing my personal goals. Such as
my impatience and poor time management skill have created difficulties as my work is not
complete on time (Issayev, Masalimova and Magzumova, 2018). Due to this I lose motivation to
work and this lead in procrastination of work. In addition to this, whenever I am out with my
friends or family I tend to spend more money and due to this I am not able to save money for
future. Moreover, pandemic has created work from home which is very distracting.
Set target for self-development
For the self-development I will set goal for the long as well as short period of time that will
includes various objectives and goals in effective as well as efficient manner. For the short
period of time I will improve my communication skill which is specific for me. Due to which I
am able to develop my career and smoothen my objectives. Along with the communication
skills I will able to deal with the various communication barrier. With the communication skills
I am able to exchange the ideas and views with the other peoples and form the decisions. For
that in the long period of time my objective is to become a leader in the multinational
organisation as I am confident enough(Hendriarto, and et.al., 2021).My long term objective is
realistic because I am efficient to motivate the workers and lead them that bring the productivity
in the organisation. After the graduation in next 2 years I can become the leader in the human
resources department. Apart from that I can measure my performance and its effectiveness in
order to obtain more growth opportunity in short period of time.
Not taking
I have improved my skills with the assistance of the cornel not taking method which is quite
suitable for me. Due which I am able to obtain the various opportunity in effective as well as
efficient manner. It consist of the 5 elements which I utilized in the following manner:
Record: at the time of the lecture I record each and everything which is essential for my own
benefits which includes facts , ideas and figures of improving the skills in an appropriate manner.
Reduces: I shortlisted the essential points of the lecture and make notes for the further
utilization. It will support me strengthen my knowledge and skills for accomplishing the career
objective(Rahman, and et.al., 2021)
Recite: for the further development I recite the notes and determine my mistake that improved
my very well. Furthermore I try to understand the point of lecturers in my own term for the
effectiveness.

Reflect: apart from that I start writing my own refection for determine the area of improvement.
Along with that I acknowledge with different plans of action as the alternative of developing the
communication skills.
Review: after the determination I spend at least 15 min. For reviewing the content I have return
as the notes for the better understanding and demonstrate what I have learned throughout the
session(Peasland, and et.al.,2019)..
.
PART B
Research Plan
Aim: To investigate impact of training and development on employees' performance within
organization and firm productivity. A case study on Café Pod Coffee
Objectives:
 To understand the concept of training and development.
 To assess the impact of training and development on employees' performance.
 To identify the challenges faced by Café Pod Coffee while conducting training and
development programmer.
 To suggest the best way through which challenges can be minimized related to
employee’s performance.
Research question
1. What do you understand by training and development programmer?
2. What are different ways through which Tesco is increasing their employee’s
productivity?
3. What are the challenges faced by the company while conducting training and
development?
Background: The impact of pandemic is very negative on business as there were work from
home policy, shortage of skilled employees and low sales. So in order to reduce the impact there
is need to keep employee engaged so that it can work more effectively. Along with this,
company can make use of various strategy in order to keep their employee engage effectively
and positively. Moreover, the present research has been based on Cafe Pod which is a small firm
and it is trying to expand their business so that it can enhance their profitability and overall
growth. It is well known fact that when the employees are engaged properly they are able to stay

longer in the organization and it feel more motivated (Al Thibaut and teal., 2019). In addition to
this, there are various benefits which company can have when their employees are engage such
as they help in building good culture within firm and brand value in the market also increase.
Moreover, the study will be more focused on understanding the concept of training and
development as well as its contribution in interacting and in building good relation with them.
Research methods: For making the research plan more authentic qualitative method has been
used as the topic is more related with theoretical approach. This type of study usually deals with
theories and facts. The present research plan has made use of both secondary and primary data
in order to collect information. Along with this, in order to collect primary method scholar has
made use of questionnaire in which 20 managers of Café industry has been selected. Although
the motive behind making use of this research method is to collected raw opinions of the
participant as it will help in making the research plan more authentic (Husni, 2020). On other
hand, secondary way of collecting the data books and journal has been used that are related with
training and development as well as articles and blog that has been related with impact of
training strategy in enhancing employee performance. The motive behind adopting for this
method is to collect opinions of various authors and to understand the theoretical method related
to it. It will make the research plan more supportive and make it effective.
Anticipated Outcomes:
Although throughout the finding of the research it can be identified that if Café Pod make
use of training and development then it will be able to improve their performance. Along with
this, it can be stated that many of the scholars has define this strategy as easiest way to keep their
employees motivated. Moreover, it can be anticipated that sales of the organization will increase
as employees will be able to work appropriately and will be able to keep their customer satisfied.
In addition to this, it has been found in the secondary research that if consumer is satisfied then it
will stay committed and loyal to organization that will contribute in improving the brand name of
company in competitive market area (Zafar, 2020). Moreover, it can be anticipated that training
will help in creating employee engagement which is very helpful in improving the overall growth
of the organization. It has been found that when employee’s area given opportunity for career
development stays longer in the organization as well as improve the performance of firm in
positive manner. Furthermore, training helps to acquire new skills, sharpen existing ones,

perform better and increasing productivity and be better leaders. It also allows organization to
gain and retain top talent so that job satisfaction and productivity can earn more profit.
Resources:
The research plan has adopted for both secondary and primary method of data collection. In
case of primary research there will be resources required like first-hand accounts written by the
participant as it will help in knowing about their opinion. It can be done through conducting
questionnaire or unalloyed statistical data. This form of information contains raw material and
information as well as original work (Alpi and Evans, 2019). In addition to this, it is one of the
important method of collecting the data as it3/*+present facts and figures as well as original
opinion of participant that makes research more authentic. However, in case of secondary data is
known as discussion, and analysis. For collecting this information company will be making use
of resources like books and journals, articles and blog related to topic. Moreover, other resources
like computer and internet has been used in order to complete the plan on time.
Reflection:
Throughout the research plan I have found that my research skills are moderate and I
need to work on finding the right information in short time. Along with this, I was feeling bit
nervous while selecting for the method earlier as I was confused that such research tactics will be
useful or not. Moreover, I have taken guidance from the seniors and tutor in order to make the
study look appropriate.
PART C
PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT PLAN
Skills Strategy Resources Time bound
Poor
communication
Adequate content, communicate
with the people, determination of
others ideas and way of delivering
resources, adequate resources for
communication, availability of
modes of resources, involvement
with the people, bring one-to-one
communication, listening carefully
to the speaker, collection of the
Tools of
communication,
modes of
communication,
books, internet
facilities with the
software
questionnaire,
It will not require
too much time it
will only
consume 2
weeks.

feedbacks, noting down the key
points of the speaker at the time of
discussion, maintenance of body
language, proper framing of the
sentences, build confidences of
specking and utilization of
communication tools, concentration
notes, notepad, pen
Writing skills Lots of reading, determination of
writing styles, discussion with tutor
or mentor, improving the
researching capabilities, read
widely, guidance’s, bringing the
creativity and innovation. Writing
journal writing, framing of
sentences with the identification of
the proper language and format of
witting.
Books, novels,
internet, computer,
laptop, mobile,
guidance book,
internet connection,
diary, practice
book journal
reading newspaper
It will require at
least on 1 month
for the perfection
in the writing.
Justification
As I personally observed my weakness so it is important to bring the effectiveness in the work.
Communication is one of the effective way of exchanging the ideas and point of views with each
other in effective as well as efficient manner. With the assistance of the that I can share my
values and belief with the variety of the people and increase my skills as well as knowledge.
According to my personal analysation I need to work on my communicational skills. For
improving the communication skills, I need to work on my skills in adequate manner. For
bringing the adequate communication I should make sure that the delivering content is the
adequate or effective for performing the work. For the improvement of the communicational
skills I will discuss the ideas with the variety of the people and acknowledge the way people
interact in adequate manner(Rimmer, 2018). Along with that I will observe other how they are
able to handle the situation and what are the points they considered will communicate with the
other peoples in an appropriate manner. With the assistance of the communicational skills I am
able to acquire or provide the guidance’s to the people and form the strategies. It also

contributes largely in the taking essential decision related to the personal as well as professional
life. For bringing out the communication skills I will discuss my problems with the friends,
family and mentor in adequate manner.
Beside this it helps in boosting my confidences for performing the job role and responsibility in
an appropriate manner. Basically the confidences and communication are partly b depend on
each other. For instance, in order to increase the confidences, it is good to interact with the
people and avoided the hesitation and for the communication it is good to talk confidently with
the people for improving the communication. For the effectiveness of the communication I
noted down all the essential points of the speaker with the help of the notepad and pen. Along
with that I will make research on the way of communicating people which involves formal or
informal manner of interacting. During three communications it is important to maintain the
body language and expiration(Kivimäki, and Meriluoto, 2018). So in context to that while
communicating I will focus on the body language I am using for communicating and sharing my
views with the other people in order to inform them. Along with that I will frame the sentence by
considering the grammatical elements. Furthermore, I will collect the review with the peoples or
teacher for the further area of development. For improving my communication skills in future I
should build the habit of contributing in various debate competition and participate in other
curriculum activity as it involve interaction with the the participants. Apart from that I should
work on the personal development classes for that I can join the personal development classes in
order to bring effectiveness in my life in order to smoothen my career path. For improving the
goal
Moreover, for improving the writing skills I will read the variety of books in order to determine
the manner of writing and sentence framing. With the assistance of reading I will enhance my
skills and knowledge for the further development and career path. Along with that I will discuss
the idea of writing with my mentor and teacher in order to gain all the guidance. Along with that
I will note down each and every points or information deliver by the teacher in context to used in
the future. Furthermore for the development and area of improvement I will make research and
read the content available on the internet for bringing the effectiveness in my writing skills.
Beside that I will start writing my own journal in order to make practice or habit of writing. On
the other hand I will go through all the journals in order to determine the area of progress in
adequate manner (Aubakirova, and Zeinullina, 2019). Moreover I will work on my language for

using correct words and utilization of the grammar. Apart from that I will bring the innovative
and creativity with the utilization of internet. With the help of research I can determine different
ways of writing and follow the specialist in a area. Along with that I acknowledge myself with
the correct format of writing in effective as well as efficient manner. Along with that in order to
deal the weakness I will work on mistakes and collect the feedbacks from the teacher for the
further improvement. Apart from that I have opportunity to read and write the articles and
stories in my own language. Along with that I will make research on the variety of the articles
written by my favourite writer and try to rephrase them in order to bring my own creativity of
writing and increase my efficiency in an appropriate manner.
CONCLUSION
From the above report it has been concluded that personal SWOT helps in analysing strength and
weakness of an individual as well as external opportunity that can contribute in improving the
weakness and dealing with threat. Moreover, in the second section of the report it has been
summarized about research plan on training and development and its impact on building
company performance. Lastly study has summarized about personal development plan and
reflection.

REFERENCES
Books and journals
Al Thobaity, A. And et.al., 2019. Exploring the necessary disaster plan components in Saudi
Arabian hospitals. International Journal of Disaster Risk Reduction. 41. P.101316.
Alpi, K. M. And Evans, J. J., 2019. Distinguishing case study as a research method from case
reports as a publication type. Journal of the Medical Library Association:
JMLA,.107(1). P.1.
Aubakirova, G.T. and Zeinullina, D.N., 2019. Development of academic writing skills at
students. European science, (6), pp.50-53.
Hendriarto, P., and et.al., 2021. Understanding the Implications of Research Skills Development
Framework for Indonesian Academic Outcomes Improvement. Jurnal Iqra': Kajian
Ilmu Pendidikan, 6(2), pp.51-60.
Husni, H., 2020. The effectiveness of the social responsibility program for Islamic religious
education through the participatory action research method. The Social Studies: An
International Journal. 6(1). Pp.103-116.
Issayev, T., Masalimova, A. And Magzumova, R., 2018. SWOT-ANALYSIS OF
PROFESSIONAL-PERSONAL COMPETENCE OF ECONOMISTS IN MEDICAL
ORGANIZATIONS. Georgian medical news. (276). Pp.1143-1153.
Kivimäki, V. And Meriluoto, S., 2018. Holistic perspective to individual study plan: Personal
Development Project Plan. In Transforming our world through design, diversity and
education (pp. 514-526). IOS Press.
Peasland, E.L and et.al.,2019. The influence of fieldwork design on student perceptions of skills
development during field courses. International Journal of Science Education, 41(17),
pp.2369-2388.
Rahman, M.M., and et.al., 2021. Impact of practical skills on academic performance: A data-
driven analysis. IEEE Access, 9, pp.139975-139993.
Rimmer, A., 2018. How do I prepare a personal development plan?. BMJ, 363.
Waliszewski, K. And Zięba-Szklarska, M., 2020. Robo-advisors as Automated Personal
Financial Planners–SWOT Analysis. Finanse i Prawo Finansowe. 3(27). Pp.155-173.
Zafar, N., 2020. Understanding the role of personal development in undergraduates. Pakistan
Review of Social Sciences (PRSS). 1(1). Pp.93-115.
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REFERENCES
Books and journals
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