Working with Others in a Business Environment: A Comprehensive Report

This report provides a comprehensive analysis of working with others in a business environment, focusing on key aspects such as team dynamics, individual responsibilities, and conflict resolution. The report begins by describing the education sector, specifically Imperial College London, and outlines the roles and responsibilities of an Assistant Academic. It then delves into the concept of team dynamics, comparing the benefits of working alone versus working with others, and includes a skills audit for both the individual and team members. The report further explores methods for leveraging individual strengths within a team, providing support to others, and the importance of giving and receiving feedback. It concludes by addressing potential sources of conflict within a team and suggests effective strategies for conflict resolution and prevention, offering a detailed plan to improve team performance based on feedback. References are included to support the analysis.

Learn and analyse the concept
of working with others in a
business environment

Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................3
TASK 1............................................................................................................................................3
1.1 Describe the sector that your organisation operates in.....................................................3
1.2 Describe the main responsibilities for your role within the organisation.........................4
1.3 Compare responsibilities across roles within the organisation using other departments as a
base.........................................................................................................................................4
TASK 2............................................................................................................................................5
2.1 Outline what is meant by ‘team dynamics’......................................................................5
2.2 Compare the benefits of working alone to working with others......................................5
2.3 carry out a skills audit for yourself and members of your team.......................................6
2.4 Suggest ways in which you can work together to make use of individual strengths.......7
2.5 Work with others, making best use of individual strengths.............................................7
2.6 Provide support to others..................................................................................................8
TASK 3............................................................................................................................................8
3.1 Explain the benefits of giving and receiving feedback in a business environment..........8
3.2 Provide others with feedback on achievement of objectives............................................9
3.3 Respond positively to feedback from others by writing a formal letter to your manager9
3.4 Create a plan to improve team performance based on feedback....................................10
TASK 4..........................................................................................................................................11
4.1 Give examples of possible sources of conflict within a team please describe the scenarios
where these conflicts arose...................................................................................................11
4.2 Identify ways to resolve conflict within a team..............................................................12
4.3 Decide on the most appropriate methods to resolve a specific conflict........................12
4.4 Suggest ways of preventing conflict from occurring.....................................................13
CONCLUSION..............................................................................................................................13
REFERENCES..............................................................................................................................15

INTRODUCTION
Business environment is defined as collection of both internal and external factors like
management, clients, customer need and expectations, activities by government, social trends,
market trends and so on (Abele and et. al., 2015). For working with other, it is important for
individual to conduct their activities and operations at business environment. There are various
factors which impact business and their performance because of dynamic surrounding. It
provides an opportunity to learn new things and enhance skills and knowledge to compete with
competitors. The assignment is based on Imperial College London which was established in
1851. It is public research university that provide technology, science and medicine courses to
students. This provides courses to both undergraduate and postgraduate to make their career.
Being the Assistance Academic various roles and responsibilities are assigned. The main purpose
of this assignment is to present report to Academic Manager by addressing sector, their
operations, roles and responsibilities. It also covers team dynamics, their benefits and skill audit
for team and members. There is discussion about benefits of receiving and giving feedback in
business environment and sources of conflict within team.
TASK 1
1.1 Describe the sector that your organisation operates in
The respective organisation operates business in education sector (Babu, 2012). It is
public research university that provide opportunity to student to perform research studies in
various subjects in effectual manner. This is regarded as global top ten university that provides
world class reputation in field of engineering, science, medicine and business. It is an old
university that was founded by Royal Charter in 1907 which has merged with Royal School of
Mines, Royal College of Science and City and Guilds of London Institute. Similarly, in 1988
Imperial College School of Medicine was made by forming with St Mary's Hospital Medical
School and in 2004 Imperial College Business School was established. Education sector is
regarded as most important that generates high profits margin by providing academic
qualifications to student to make their career for personal and professional growth and success.
The respective university is running various courses for students in different sectors for better
results.

1.2 Describe the main responsibilities for your role within the organisation
I am working as assistance Academic in Imperial College London where I am responsible
for Academic Processes and reporting to my Academic Manager. There is the relationship
among academic advisor and student (Berenson and et. al., 2012). There are various
responsibilities which I have to play for my role which are described below:
 Assisting and supporting academic counsellors for conducting their day to day tasks and
activities.
 Assisting campus dean for preparation and scheduling programs related with academic.
 Ensure timely supplying of materials and books to faculty members.
 Managing and maintaining inventory of educational materials, books and supplies.
 Preparation of academic records, reports, statistical statements as needed by faculty
members and dean.
 Interacting with each and every students in order to resolve academic issues in effective
manner.
 Providing better learning experiences to students in order to make them to enjoy more.
 Providing best practices for teaching methodologies in effective and efficient manner.
Therefore, these above are the main responsibilities which has to be performed by me for
achievement of goal and objectives of organisation. These responsibilities make clear to
academic manager for things required in University.
1.3 Compare responsibilities across roles within the organisation using other departments as a
base
The comparison of responsibilities across roles within organisation using other
departments as a base are described below:
Department Roles Responsibilities
Administration Department  Directing programming
work.
 Supervising and hiring
staffs and employees.
 Making budgets
 Making procedures and
policies
 Visiting directors
Training and Development  Increasing skills,  Arrangement of

Department knowledge and abilities of
staff for specified job.
 Development of students
career and growth.
training and
development for staffs
and students.
 Listing out all skills
which should be
provided to staff and
students.
TASK 2
2.1 Outline what is meant by ‘team dynamics’
Team dynamics are defined as unconscious and psychological forces which helps in
influencing direction of team performance and behaviour (Definition Of Team Dynamics, 2019).
They are considered as undercurrents in sea that are carried through boats in various direction to
single one in which they intended to sail. These are formed through nature of team work,
personalities within team, environment where they works and working relationships with
different types of people in effective and efficient manner. Team dynamics can be good as well
as bad which depends on nature of work. For example, when team members improve
performance of team and get best out of it within individual members then it is called good team
dynamics whereas if team is causing conflict, unproductive, demotivation and preventing team
for achievement of goals then it is called bad team dynamics. There is behavioural relationship
among member of group where assignment is given that is connected to tasks within company.
The team dynamics are affected through roles and responsibilities which has direct outcome on
productivity of business. Team dynamics can be boosted through addressing problems very
quickly, creating team charter, enhancement of team culture, building communication and paying
attention for each and every activities and operations of business in proper manner.
2.2 Compare the benefits of working alone to working with others
Working alone means when person perform activities and functions by themselves which
cannot be seen or heard by another person (Botha, Kourie and Snyman, 2014). Each and every
situations has to be considered very carefully. This includes all types of staffs who are going for
time period without having direct contact to co-worker.

Working with others is defined as ability to cooperate, manage, interact and collaborate
conflicts with other people for completing tasks and achievement of shared goals and objectives.
The comparison between benefits of working alone to working with others are:
Benefits of Working Alone Benefits of Working With Others
 It provide benefits in terms of working as
individual does not have to depend on
someone else and can decide by
themselves.
 There is high concentration and working is
fast as compared to work in group. When
similar task is performed then work can be
done quicker because there is no outside
interactions and extra meetings (Teamwork
vs Individual Work, 2019).
 The working with others helps in
increasing collaboration and allows
for brainstorming that leads to
enhance and improve productivity.
 When work is performed in group
then they can easily solve
problems, finish difficult tasks and
increase creativity.
2.3 carry out a skills audit for yourself and members of your team
Skill audit is defined as procedure in order to measure and record skills of both group or
individual (Boud, Cohen and Sampson, 2014). It is mainly conducted in order to identify
knowledge and skills which are required in organisation at current situation and future time
period. This skill assist business to perform in effectual manner for better outcomes. The skills
audit is prepared for myself and members of team with help of likert scale which are described
below:
Skills Audit for Myself
Skills Rating By Me Rating By Others Difference
Communication Skill 8 9 -1 (Strength)
Decision Making 7 5 2 (Weakness)
Problem Solving 9 10 -1 (Strength)
Leadership Skill 8 6 2 (Weakness)

From the above analysis, it can be concluded that I have some strengths and weaknesses.
I have good communication and problem solving skills whereas I lack decision making and
leadership skill. I should focus on improving my weaknesses for better achievement of goal and
objectives of business.
Skills Audit for Members of Team
Skills Rating By Me Rating By Others Difference
Coordination Skill 6 7 -1 (Strength)
Understanding Skill 8 5 3 (Weakness)
Adaptability 8 9 -1 (Strength)
Problem Solving Skill 9 6 3 (Weakness)
From the above analysis, it can be concluded that my members are good in coordination
and adaptability skill which is required in business (Falloon and Khoo, 2014). Similarly, they
lack in understanding and problem solving skills so they have to focus on improving it. The
organisation can arrange training and development program for member of team.
2.4 Suggest ways in which you can work together to make use of individual strengths
It is the most important for respective organisation to analyse strength of individuals and
work together with them in effective and efficient manner so that better outcome can be
achieved. There are various ways which can help organisation to work together to make use of
individual strengths. Here, they have to identify and analyse positive points of individual for
work performance. For example, if individual carry good communication skill and problem
solving skills then we can work together with them where more communication and problem
solving skills are required in effective and efficient manner to achieve results.
2.5 Work with others, making best use of individual strengths
Each and every individuals working in an organisation have some strength with
themselves which is required in business (Hasle and et. al., 2012). These strength can assist firm
to achieve goal and objectives. If all the member of team work together then they can make
optimum utilisation of resources in proper manner. There are various ways in which we can work
with others making best use of individual strengths. They are mentioned below:

Project Work- In every organisation, project work is assigned to each and every
individual. There are different types of project related with various subject such as science,
business strategy, human resources and so on. In such case, team is formed by the higher
authority as per skills and knowledge of individual and project is assigned to them which should
be completed within given time period. Therefore, through this way, individual strength can be
used properly for achievement of results.
Group Assignment- In this group assignment is given to every individual working in an
organisation (Hwang and Wu, 2012). It is given for two to three days and within that time period
it should be completed. As per wish of employees they can included members for group
assignment. With help of this way, individual strengths can be used in effectual manner.
2.6 Provide support to others
There are large number of employees working in an organisation, so it is the
responsibility of manager to provide them support for positive outcomes. The support can be
provided to other through following ways:
Believe in Them- It is very important for manager to believe in others which them to
work for betterment of business (TOP TEN WAYS TO SUPPORT SOMEONE IN BEING THEIR
BEST, 2019). Motivation plays an important role in improving oneself and give their best. If we
believe in others then it is value for them to show their talents in best manner.
Encourage Them- It is also the another way to support other by encouraging them that
they can do any work assigned to them. The encouragement goes for long way which can help
others in staying with organisation for longer time period. This helps in achievement of better
results.
Tell Truth- It is also the support which is given to them by telling them truth for each
and every thing. For example, if they lack skills then truth should be told to them so that they can
improve themselves. Most of them avoid telling truth to others which does not make them to
improve themselves. Therefore, this method can help them to improve as well as support others
in proper manner.

TASK 3
3.1 Explain the benefits of giving and receiving feedback in a business environment
The individual received feedback from manager during probation period for performance
improvement which is very important to work effectively in organisation. The benefits of giving
and receiving feedback in business environment are mentioned below:
Feedback Increase Motivation- It is very important for manager to evaluate continuous
performance monitoring through regular feedback in order to produce optimal outcomes. With
this manager can know about strengths and weakness of individual in order to grow and develop
agency for increasing motivation to get success.
Feedback Enhance Performance- It is essential for manager to provide feedback which
should be frequent and high quality and they should be honest to give feedback (4 REASONS
WHY GIVING AND RECEIVING PERFORMANCE FEEDBACK IS IMPORTANT, 2019). The
personal review helps individual to grow and success at competitive market.
3.2 Provide others with feedback on achievement of objectives
Each and every organisation has to set goal and objectives in an effective and efficient
manner for achievement of effective outcomes (Jackson, 2015). The objective of University is to
create and implement different rules and regulations for solving problems of students within five
months. There are various feedback provided to others on achievement of objectives in
efficacious manner. They are:
Focused and Specific- The manager should be focused and specific for providing
feedback to others in order to attain goal and objective of business. If they are given accurate
feedback then they can improve themselves. For working for achievement of objectives, they
should be very focused and specific.
Listen- The others should listen to each and everyone working in business for positive
outcome. It is the aim of every organisation to accomplish their pre-determined objectives in
appropriate manner by providing feedback to others on regular basis.
3.3 Respond positively to feedback from others by writing a formal letter to your manager
It is essential for individual to respond in positive manner for feedback provided by
others (Lans, Blok and Wesselink, 2014). For that letter is written to manager which is described
below:

Formal Letter
Imperial College London,
United Kingdom
26th October, 2019
Subject: Respond of Feedback
Mr. John,
Manager,
Imperial College London
Dear Sir,
This email is written to inform you that we have analysed feedbacks which we received from
other related to our performance. As per evaluation we have received mostly positively
feedback like our teachers are well educated and experienced, our students are hard working
and so on.
This feedback shows that our institute i.e. Imperial College London is working effectively
according to our set standards required in University.
Thanks and Regards,
XYZ
Feedback team
Imperial College London
3.4 Create a plan to improve team performance based on feedback
After receiving feedback, it is very important to make plan for improving team
performance (Laurillard and et. al., 2013). The smart objective is to develop and implement rules
and regulations in order to solve problems arise in University with five months. The plan is
explained below:

Plans Objectives for Improving Team Performance
Training and Development It is very important to provide training and development to
working force after receiving feedback from higher
authority. The main objective is implementation of rules
and regulations for solving problems of students. This can
be done by conducting regular training and development
so that they can improve themselves.
Clearly Communicate
Expectations
The performance of team need to be evaluated on regular
basis through proper communication with them to achieve
desired goal and objectives (Lee, Kao and Yang, 2014).
When they receives feedback, it is important for manager
to communicate effectively with all team members to
enhance their performance and skills effectively and
efficiently.
Ensure Work Provide Learning After receiving feedback from others, team performance
can be enhance and improved through learning various
style that is required in respective organisation. This plan
assist both organisation as well as individual to achieve
their set objectives and goals in proper manner.
Therefore, these plan assist in improving performance of team for accomplishment of
business goal and objectives in proper manner. It is the manager responsibility to regularly check
performance of their working force for positive outcomes.
TASK 4
4.1 Give examples of possible sources of conflict within a team please describe the scenarios
where these conflicts arose
The various sources of conflict within a team are described below:
Interpersonal Relations- Human being is regarded as social animal having own region,
preferences, religion and way of working (Real, Roldán and Leal, 2014). This helps in bring

creativity at workplace that leads conflict among group or people. This hamper production of
organisation that decline profits. For example, when new employees is joined in the organisation
then there is high chances of conflict.
Communication Breakdown- It is the most important source of conflict when there is
miscommunication among individuals then there arise disputes. For example, when department
ask other about some data and information then other does not respond properly then there is
high chance of conflict among each others.
4.2 Identify ways to resolve conflict within a team
Conflict is defined as the situation where person perceives threats in terms of emotional,
status, power, physical to human being (Sok, O’Cass and Sok, 2013). This is also called
opposition or friction which results from perceived or actual incompatibilities and difference. It
is very common to business and team where conflict can arises and create problem for
achievement of goal and objectives. The different ways for resolving conflict within team are
described below:
Talking Together- In order to resolve conflict, it is very important for manager to talk
with their team in polite and effective manner so that they can realise that they are doing wrong
which can hamper performance of organisation. In this case, they should not blame each other
and listen to one another in positive way for accomplishment of goal.
Listening Carefully- It is also the another way to resolve conflict among team members
(6 Strategies to Resolve Conflict at Work, 2019). As they have to listen to carefully to their
manager without interrupting in between other person. They should be able to receive message
the way manager has send to them for solving conflict among each others. Listening is the way
of gaining and understanding things in positive way.
Providing Guidance- The manager of organisation has to mediate work conflict. As they
don' t take side rather than that they have to help team to come out from problems. For conflict
resolution, proper guidance should be provided to team in effectual manner to get positive
outcomes.
4.3 Decide on the most appropriate methods to resolve a specific conflict
There are different types of methods which are used in order to resolve particular conflict
arise in business. Some of the appropriate methods are as follows: