London School of Science

and Technology
Pearson BTEC Level 5 HND
Diploma in Business

PPD
Unit 13: Personal and Professional
Development

Module Leader: ParisaSaadati

Internal Verifier: Dr. George Panagiotou
Issued on: 30th January 2017

Deadline: 26th May 2017

Submitted on:

Student Name:XYZ
Student ID:H1234567
Campus:Alperton
Pearson Registration Number:12345678

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London School of Science & Technology

Task 1: Written Essay

1.1 List five different approaches to self-manage learning in bullet point

and evaluate three of the approaches to self-Managed Learning.

Definition of Self-managed learning

Self- managed learning refers as the way that people can manage and organized their own
learning. Employees have their own decisions about what they learned and how they learn.
Self- l manages learning process makes the employees to develop a certain direction about
their own learning criteria. It also helps them to create capability in own decision making
process. This is a kind of developmental approach in where employees can take
responsibility and initiative to select learning process and learn new KSA’s. Individual can
foster their self- managed learning criteria in many ways. For example, internet is a good
option for self learning approach where employees can learn new objectives and skills related
to their job criteria (Bolton, 2011).

Approaches to self-managed learning

There are many different ways in which employees can use to manage and foster their self
learning process. Some of the self- managed learning approaches are given below:

 Learning through research

 Mentoring/coaching
 Seminars and conference
 Use of the internet
 Social network

Learning through research

Learners can discover various facts, structures and objectives of own-selves by

researching a particular object. It allows learners to discover the objects by own
instead of depending on others to collect the data for him. This approach can be use as
adaptive learning method by developing the high degree of conceptualization and
developing self-made KSA’s in novel situation where adoptive learning methods are

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pre- established ideals and knowledge. But in some cases adaptive learning methods
might be not accurate where learners need to master the basics and need to follow the
pre- established learning strategies.

Seminars and conference

Seminars and conferences are helpful methods of self- managed learning approach
because it is an effective way in which learners can share and present their experiences
and idea. This can help the learners to develop their personality and improve their
personal skills by sharing own ideas and knowledge about the circumstances. It also
helps the learners to improve their presentation skills as they are sharing their ideas in
with the public. But sometimes it can be not appropriate for those who are not willing
to speak in the public.

Social networks

Social networks are another way to develop and socialize the self-learning skills.
People can learn and share new skills, ideas and personality by using internet based
community like Facebook, Twitter and communicate with other. This can improve the
communication skill as well as personal skills by sharing the learning objects with
other. But sometimes it can create confusion as many criteria are related to this.

However, From above approaches, social networks might be most effective approach
for an employee who works as an assistant an agency. As this agency is engaged in
promotion of blocks of the new built apartments in the local market development, the
employee need to market and promote properties for sale. He also needs to build good
relationship with the prospective buyers. So he can foster his communication skills by
using internet based community and by sharing the ideas he can promote the content
(Dowson, n.d.).

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1.2 From the scenario propose 5 different ways in which lifelong learning in
personal and professional contexts could be encouraged.

Lifelong learning can be defined as a provision of formal and informal learning process in
which individuals can develop and improve their knowledge, skills, ability and competency
continuously throughout the life. Lifelong learning objectives can be attaining in two ways.
One way is personal perspective by analysing and indentifies strength, weakness, opportunity
and threat. And another is professional perspective by analysing the circumstances which are
relate to their job criteria. Five different ways of encourages lifelong learning are given
below:

Encouraging self-directed learning

Self- directed learning is a process in which individuals take the initiative to identify and
foster their learning needs, create learning goals, implement learning strategies and evaluate
learning outcomes. For example, an employee who works in an agency can encourage his
self- directed learning for creating the ultimate goal for working in this sector and making the
best outcomes of his work criteria.

Continuing professional development

Continuing professional development demonstrates the method of tracking and

documenting the skills, knowledge and experiences what an employee have gained
from his job both formally and informally. Thus process is ongoing processes which
continue the cycle of record the experience, learn from the experience and supply the
idea. For example, an assistant of any agency can develop their own capability by
working there and record all the experiences and learn how to promote and sell the
properties, what factors should be consider in order to make a good relationship with
the prospective buyers and so on.

Linking higher education with industry

This is use to make a strategic leadership of business and promote the higher system in order
to create efficient employee to compete with the competitors and ensure the social well-

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being. This practices starts from the universities to grooming the potential students who can
contribute in nation’s economy.

Further education

Further education fills the gap between accredited qualification and required
academic base to cope up with the professional criteria. Further education can be
make an employee efficient by developing KSA’s required in the professions. If any
employees does not complete the formal education that the company required then
he can join in some diploma courses to fulfil the requirements. On the other hand, if
any candidate who wants to work in real state agency can go for the work based
learning in order to attain the knowledge and skills in this sector.

Apprenticeships

Apprenticeship encourages the learning process by giving work based training in real
situation under a professional management in order to teach and develop his skills and
knowledge about the work criteria. This will help beginners to learn about objectives
of the work and improve the interpersonal skills (Johnston-Parsons, 2000).

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1.3 Evaluate the benefits of self-managed learning to the individual and

organization.
Self- managed learning is the process of how individual can develop and manage own skills,
knowledge, experience and capability. Self- managed learning enhance the ability to take
own decisions about the learning criteria and initiate the activities which can foster the
knowledge.

Benefits of self-managed learning to individual

Individual can be benefitted broadly by self- manages learning process. They can
execute their set goals which help them to compete with the outside world. It reflects
in their attitudes which help them to get higher position in the organization. Thus the
ability to make right choice and minimum errors in life phrase can be increased. The
improvement interpersonal ability will reflect in both personal and professional life.
For example, the prospective candidate who wants to join the real state agency can
fulfil the requirement of the job by exercising self- managed learning process. He can
improve his interpersonal skills and competency and also foster the confident to
present his idea with the people.

Benefits of self-managed learning to organisation

Organization can get highly efficient and responsible person will work dedicatedly for
the company with the capability to hold higher authority and duties. The real state
agency can get skilled employee by encouraged him to get self-managed learning in
order to increase the competency and better outcomes. Employees can be gain ability
to fulfil the requirements that is essential for the organization to achieve the goal.

Benefits of coaching and mentoring

Coaching and mentoring teach the employees about the utmost competency and KSA’s
requires in both personal and professional life. It helps individuals to leave the behaviour
which is appropriate i certain situation. However self- managed learning is most effective
way for the employee who work in real stare agency and it is also beneficial for the
organization because it develop and improve the competency of the person which is needed
also in professional life (Kruckeberg, Amann and Green, 2011).

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Task 2

2.1 Evaluate own current skills and competencies against professional

standards and organisational objectives.

2.3 Identify development opportunities to meet current and future defined

needs

Self-Assessed Skills Audit form Imad Guenane

Name and ID: Date:

The Self-assessment skills on a five point scale:

5 = wide experience 3 = a little experience 1 = Don’t Know

4= some experience 2 = no experience

1. a critical, analytical and creative thinker

1 2 3 4 5

 relate and compare data from different sources, identify √

issues and obtain relevant information
 reason and apply decision making processes and consider √
how to find solutions to problems
 identify appropriate data sources √

 review a range of different points of view and select the √

most appropriate conclusion
 distinguish between different types of information to √
inform conclusions
 capture key information from written or verbal sources √

 Identify significant opportunities and be pro-active in √

putting forward ideas for problem solving.

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2. a flexible team worker

1 2 3 4 5

 build and develop working relationships with academic √

staff, peers and colleagues
 work effectively with others to complete tasks and achieve √
results
 empower others to work together as part of a team or √
group
 recognise and understand when compromise and √
accommodating others is necessary
 interact well with others and work co-operatively as a √
team member
 understand how to gain the attention of others in a team or √
group when required
 understand how to contribute effectively and √
cooperatively with others even if they do not share the
same ideas and ways of working
 express self effectively in a group and in one to one √
situations
 have an understanding of team roles √

3. a problem solver

1 2 3 4 5

 use an appropriate approach to questioning in order to gain √

information from which to draw conclusions
 use an objective approach to relate to others in order to √
achieve goals
 make good use of verbal reasoning skills, able to handle √
complex data and make selective use of information
 explore more than one solution in order to solve a problem √

 consider the ideas of others to help solve problems √

 manage the process of problem solving over a period of √

time
 demonstrate resilience and lateral thinking abilities when √
applied to problem solving

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4. an accomplished communicator

1 2 3 4 5

 understand the differences in presenting types of documents, √

e.g. reports, essays, dissertations, summaries
 check written work for errors before submission √

 use a range of ICT packages to support work √

 express and convey ideas appropriately and accurately in √

writing
 successfully give a presentation or demonstration √

 demonstrate that information being received is understood by √

using a range of verbal and non-verbal signals
 understand when people have taken account of your views √
and you of theirs

5. an efficient planner and time manager

1 2 3 4 5

 aspire to and maintain a results-driven approach where √

appropriate
 plan day in order to manage time more effectively √

 apply suitable approaches and put in extra effort if required in √

order to meet tight deadlines
 prioritise own and others’ work √

 identify resources required to complete a set task √

 harness motivation and hard work to assist in the completion √

of work objectives

The Rate of Scale from Skills Audit

5 = wide experience 3 = a little experience 1 = Don’t Know

4= some experience 2 = no experience

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Evaluation own current skills and competencies against professional standards and
organizational objectives

Skills: Professional Evaluation

standards/organisational
objectives

Numeracy Able to understand and works in Efficient in understanding in

number. number.

Flexibility and Understand how to contribute Can make strong relationship

Adaptability effectively and cooperatively with co- workers and work in a
with others even if they do not team.
share the same ideas and ways of
working.

Problem Make good use of verbal Able to identify the problem

solving reasoning skills, able to handle and search for the solution.
complex data and make selective
use of information.

Planning An efficient planner and time Plan for the long time and save
manager. time.

Leadership Strong leadership power to direct Got confused between lead and
and control the subordinates. direct.

Work in a team Empower others to work together Can make own efforts to work
as part of a team or group in a team.

Customer Collect and review customers Able to give service to the

service feedback and listen complain. customers according to their
requirement.

Communication Strong communicator with the Communicate with the

prospective buyers and other customers and present the
stakeholders. knowledge.

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Motivation Establish a course of action for Recognise self achievement

self and evaluate own and set own goal for
performance. improvement.

Reliability Make valid and reliable outcomes The results of the task are up to
of task criteria. date.

Initiative Take initiative for the novel Sometimes become slow to

work. take initiative.

IT skills Comfortable using Able to use commuter,

computers, including operate company
different applications in website.
context

SWOT Analysis for Current Skills

Strengths Weaknesses
* Have good understanding power. * Poor presentation skill.
* Flexible team worker. * Weak in leadership.
* Capable in learning new skills. * Poor in time management.
Opportunities Threats
* Better work environment and job * Create confusion while presenting
position. any topic.
* Opportunity to enhance new skills * Hinder the ability to lead and control
and manage the talent. the workforce
* Ability to build and develop good * Hinder the work efficiency.
relationship with co workers.

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Development Opportunities for present needs

A development opportunity helps individuals to evaluate the existing capability, identify the
weakness and present the ways how to improve and enhance further knowledge, skills and
competency. In order to identify the development opportunities, first individuals have to
understand the present and future needs of the development. In given context, employee who
want to join real state agency need to fulfil the requirements that needs for the job. He has to
be strong in his interpersonal skill, increase the ability to communicate with the prospective
buyers, good understanding power of marketing techniques and appropriate work efficiency.
To fulfil these present need employees can develop self- managed learning approach and
improve the competency

Development Opportunities for future needs

Employee who works in real state agency can develop the opportunities for future needs to
fulfil the requirement the organizational position. First he needs to identify what are the
future requirements are applicable for the future position of job are, what competencies will
help him to improve his ability and promote his in top position. In order to get the better work
position in future, employees need to improve their interpersonal skills and increase the
leadership to handle the organization and the workforce. Employees need to develop good it
skills and property management skills which can be filled by further work based learning
(Pearson and Wilson, 2001)

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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

What are my Priority What activities What Target date Actual date of
development do I need to support/resources for achieving my
objectives? undertake to do I need to achieving objectives
achieve my achieve my my
objectives? objectives? objectives

Increase 5 Take Positive attitudes, 2nd March, 28th February,

leadership responsibilities attend classes. 2017 2017
and initiatives,
build clear
vision, and serve
as a role model.

Develop time 2 Make list, set Use of own 15th 1st February,
management deadlines, set downtime, To do January, 2017
ability. the priority. list, reminders. 2017

Increase self 3 Think about Self- managed 10th March, 15th May , 2017
motivation achievement, learning, seminars 2017
positive and conferences,
thinking, set the focused goal.
short- term goals
regularly, rely
on own strength.

Review Date: 1st January 2018

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3.3 Reflect critically on own learning against original aims and objectives set in
the development plan

Own progress on areas of development:

After learning according to set development plan, I become able to understand the factors on
which I have to focus during giving the presentation. Also I have gained IT skills and
improve the ability to manage the time during the task. Before starting any activity,
preparation is very important to doing the task perfectly. It helps to create an overview of the
task.

(1) Short term objective needs

The ability to enhance self-motivation helps to higher the confidence level in all the work
criteria which increase the competency and efficiency of the performance. Time management
skills help to complete the task during the accurate time. But in order to develop leadership
skill, there might confusion happen between lead and direct.

(2) Long term objective needs

Presentation skill helps to give a clear idea about the knowledge and experience to the people.
It helps in the long run by make a clear understanding of the situation. On the other hand,
motivation and anticipation helps to make self- development plan which needed for
upgrading the current position in the long run (Silhanek and DeCenzo, 2002).

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3.4 Update the development plan based on feedback and Evaluation

Objectives Success criteria Actions Implementation

What do I want to be How will I recognise success? What methods will How will I practise
able to do How will I review and I use to achieve my and apply what I
or do better? measure my improvement? learning objectives? learn?

Increase presentation Whether I give clear Self- managed Attending seminars

power. presentation and understand learning. and conferences and
people what I want to share. present the ideas and
experiences.

Communication skill. Whether I can make a good Involve in group Making effective
relationship with the co- discussion, communication and
workers or not participate in social build strong
networks and group relationship with
chatting. internal and external
people.

Increase IT skills. Whether I can operate and Attend classes, Design web sites and
design websites or not. Read online article, online pages for the
watch tutorial. company and
promote product and
service.

Leadership skill. Whether I can lead and direct Attend classes, Join Leading the labour
the subordinates and farther work based force to work in
workforce or not. learning, self- effective manner and
managed learning. give direction for
this.

Unit 13: Personal and Professional Development – January 2017

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Task 4

4.1 Select solutions to work-based problems

Problem identification

The scenario is presenting some critical problems which have been raised because of
inefficient business workers. In order to solve the problems, first one needs to
identify the problematic area. Here, the prime problem is existing employees are not
performing according to the planning because of lacking work based skills and
motivation. They have lacking in communication skills. As a result they found it
difficult to exchange knowledge each other and increase their competency.

Generating alternative solutions

In order to solve the problems, state agency should provide training and developing programs
to all the staff based on work criteria. All the staff should be trained in order to develop and
improve knowledge, skills and ability for the tasks. Self- managed learning approach should
be encouraged to all the employees so that they can identify their lacking by own and develop
the way to mitigate the lacking. Continuous professional development plan for staffs is one of
the effective ways to develop employee’s interpersonal skills and increase their productivity.
Organization can sponsor for further education of the employees and send them specialise
colleges in order to learn work based skills.

Evaluating

One of the cost effective way to solve the problem is to encourage the employees in self-
managed learning. This will allow individuals to find out their own limitations and work on
it. Giving skill based coaching and monitoring is another easy way to improve employee’s
competency. But sponsorship of further education is a costly method and also time
consuming (Throop and Castellucci, 2011) .

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Selecting an alternative

In order to solve the mentioned problem from the scenario, two most effective methods can
be implemented. One is coaching and mentoring, other is Apprenticeships.

Implementing

After identifying the lacking of each staffs of the company, the authority need to design a
coaching plan for the different criteria and give coaching to the staffs as different category
according to their lacking. Apprenticeship can be applied for those staffs who are new in the
position and who need to guidance and experience by real life work.

Following up on the solutions

After implementing the methods to solve the problems, staffs are become more active and
productive towards the organization and their competency level has been increase
accordingly. Some staffs still have some lacking in their confidence level. In order to boost
up their confidence and interpersonal skills, they should be encouraged in self- managed
learning. Seminars and conference should be arranged for these employees to increase their
confidence level (Tomlinson, 2004).

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4.2 Communicate in a variety of styles and appropriate manner at various

levels

Resume of

Mithila Salmin
4 Osborne Rd, Bournemouth BH9 2JL, UK
Cell no.
E-mail:
Career Objectives:
I have the will to hold my Career in that type of organization and environment where a vast number
of opportunities of self assessment and serving others are available and where both individual and
team based work is offered by using one’s skills and experiences that will help in true development
and where I have scope to utilize my gathered knowledge.

Educational Qualifications:

Level 5
Institution : London School of Science and Technology

Experiences:
Working at Freelance & Outsourcing Group.
Had join administrative coaching classes
Had Worked as an apprentice in a marketing firm.

IT Skill:
Application System : MS-Word, MS-Excel, MS-Power point.
Others : Internet Browsing, E-mail, etc.

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Organizational Skill:
● Able to organize any project work efficiently.
● Have organized different cultural programs at the school level.
Time Management Skill:
● Able to do any kind of work within given time.
● well practiced in time management.
● Able to do work with great speed.

Team Management Skill:

● Able to do any kind of work within given time.
● well practiced in time management.
● Able to do work with great speed.

Language Competency:
● English- First language
● French- Able to communicate both in speaking and writing.

Extra-Curricular Activities:
● have participated in a stage show at school.
● have taken part in essay writing competition in school.

Reference:

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4.3 Evaluate and use effective time management strategies.

Time management Strategy is a process of planning and implementing strong

control over the quantity of time spend in a specific task in order to increase the
efficiency and develop productivity.

There are some basic factors which should be considered while plan and
implement time management strategies. First of all, prioritising workload which
helps to evaluate what should be dome immediately and what can be done later. Setting
work objectives will illustrate the ultimate goal where have to reach in a specific time.
Using time effectively help individuals to complete the entire important task in a given
time. Making and keeping appointments helps to organize the time in every division.
In order to produce an effective output in accurate time, reliable estimates of task
time should be ensured in the entire situation which relate with the task. Individual
should be focused on high value activities and get the other job done in short time so
that they can spend more time in high value task. The most effective way to manage
the time effectively is to get the job done in right time by using right method (Wilkins,
1997).

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References

Bolton, G. (2011). Write yourself. London: Jessica Kingsley Publishers.

Dowson, P. (n.d.). Personal & professional development for business students.

Johnston-Parsons, M. (2000). Collaborative reform and other improbable dreams. Albany,

N.Y.: State University of New York Press.

Kruckeberg, K., Amann, W. and Green, M. (2011). Leadership and personal development.
Charlotte, N.C.: IAP, Information Age Pub.

Pearson, M. and Wilson, H. (2001). Sandplay & symbol work. Camberwell, Melbourne:
ACER Press.

Silhanek, B. and DeCenzo, D. (2002). Human relations. Upper Saddle River: Prentice-Hall.

Throop, R. and Castellucci, M. (2011). Reaching your potential. Boston, Mass.: Wadsworth /
Cengage Learning.

Tomlinson, H. (2004). Educational leadership. London: Sage Publications.

Wilkins, P. (1997). Personal and professional development for counsellors. London: Sage
Publications.

Unit 13: Personal and Professional Development – January 2017