Skills Development for Business Progress Statement and Development Plan - Essay Example

Student Name: Topic: Model (Skills Development for Business Progress Statement and Development Plan Course: Tutor: Department: Institution: Date Due: A personal development plan Goals Statement The following are my set personal goals; To get first class honors degree. To attend at least one social event every two weeks To be ready to accept and boldly face challenges that will come my way. Attending leadership workshops and seminars after every two months so as to acquire leadership and interpersonal skills Objectives Social development. Learning habits Financial independence Extra-curricular activities Time management. Communication skills Self assessment Strengths Very calm when facing a problem Fast to forget the problem Panic proof Not scared when facing a big problem Weaknesses Shifting attention while in class Finance Lazy to search for a part time job Where am I now? My academic performance during the semester has been at par with the other semesters. There has not been any remarkable difference in my performance, which is not satisfactory. I intended to improve academically every semester from my average performance to achieve exemplary performance and gain first-class honors in my degree. Therefore, I am required to be to dedicate more time for studies. I am required to achieve an average of 70% in the tests and assignments before the end of semester examinations by allocating more time for consultation with my lecturers and instructors as this will have a positive effect on my performance. One of my instructors said that what I needed more is practice, as opposed to theory (Shani & Docherty, 2003). To gain practical experience, I have planned to acquire a part time job during my free time so as to gain experience and practice in the field to aid the theory learnt in class. This step will be achieved by securing an employment in my field of specialization, with suitable job to ensure that experience is gained in the ideal field and job. In general, I have learnt that I have great abilities that I have not been utilizing. I have realized that time to engage in other activities besides class work can be created, and still perform exceptionally well. I can live a more holistic life without compromising on my studies. Planning has enabled me visualize what needs to be achieved and decide how to achieve it. I have learnt that my poor performance in school has resulted from lack of practice. It has also shown me that personal skills are important, and they are not as difficult to learn as I always think (Lorriman, 2004). Where do I want to be for the next four semesters? My current performance level is average and needs to be improved to exemplary, to ensure that I achieve first-class honors in my degree. Therefore, I will have to be spent more time on activities that improve the amount of knowledge gained during class time and outside the class. Practice is also required; therefore, time spent practicing the learnt skills will have to be increased over the next four semesters. My academic performance is the most important aspect of studies thus more time will be dedicated to it besides including other activities such as sports. I will record of the activities that am involved in concerning work experience, personal character development, and other life experiences. The main aim I have for making this plan is to achieve knowledge and skills that will match the requirements in the market (Utech & Hauck, 2004). Personal development My plan is an integration of academic development with personal development. Personal learning activities such as spending more time in the library to research on some important aspects of my professional field have been considered. This means that I will dedicate more time to find work that is in line with my specific field for experience gain. This experience learning will be aimed at learning from other people in the profession and encompassing the learnt ideas and methods into my skill set. Developmental changes are necessary to ensure improvement in the general success of my career prospects. I will encompass more involvement in social activities and situations to develop confidence. The goal is to attend at least one social event every two weeks. In addition, acquisition of leadership and interpersonal skills will be accorded attention since these skills are what the professional world requires. Learning habits Establishment of learning habits is a major part of the plan since life is about continuous learning. Motivational literature will form a significant part of my learning culture and habits. I will embrace proper time management to ensure that I read two or more motivational books every month. In order to improve employability and recognize the weakness points that I need to improve on, I will ask one tutor to become my mentor. Then I will ensure that I meet with the tutor at-least once every semester. During the meetings with the tutor, I will ask for feedback on my employability and the type of skills I need to develop more. I will also ensure that the tutor gets a chance to criticize my efforts and improvements and suggest areas of improvement (Lorriman, 2004). Financial independence Another important aspect of life that I have included in the development plan is the achievement of financial goals. This is one of my main areas of weakness. I intend to be financially independent by the end of the four semesters. This will be achieved by ensuring that I foster a habit of saving. I will be saving half of the money earned during vacations and aim to save at least $ 5,000 every vacation. The savings will cover living expenses upon completion of my course until I get a permanent job. I will achieve these goals by ensuring that I change my spending habits to only spend on the activities and things that are necessary. Avoidance of unnecessary and non-value adding activities will be the main weapon against this vice. Interpersonal skills Social development is part of my PDP; I discovered that I lack soft skills in relation to other people. The importance of these undermined skills in the work place is significant, and I required developing them during my training to avoid cases of skills mismatch in the professional arena. I have to improve my interaction with other people by changing the way in which I relate with people whereby I will allocate more time to interact with people. Communication skills I will achieve this by seeking an elective post as a representative in one of the professional clubs in the school. Acquiring this leadership position is important for my development of leadership skills and motivation. Acquisition of this post will help me become a good communicator since I have to communicate the needs and issues of the members to the club leaders. It will make me a good listener and more focused due to the idea of having other responsibilities besides schoolwork (James, 2002). Extra-curricular activities I also intended to improve my social interactions within and outside the campus. One effective way that I chose to achieve this goal is by getting involved in extra-curricular activities. However, choosing a sport or club is not easy because am not normally physically active or athletic. However, I know its importance thus I have decided to join the badminton team and become an active and competent badminton player over time. Having an extra-curricular activity and a social group outside the classroom will enable me to deal with stress more effectively. It will provide an opportunity to relax actively and live a more productive life. Joining the badminton team will to be helpful and with all round benefits. Time management On the issue of time management, I plan to make a weekly schedule of the things I will be doing every week in order to take audits and ensure that I don’t fall behind schedule. The weekly schedules will facilitate the overall achievement of goals set for the semester. Although the semester-time schedule overcrowded I will execute all the programs without compromise, all the milestones must be achieved by the end of each semester such as reading inspirational books. Inspirational literature is very important for motivation therefore I must be able to complete the planned books within the planned time for holistic development (Gallen & Backle, 2001). Why am I doing this course? The general management training qualification that is recognized worldwide is the Master of Business Administration. The course is important in that; managers are given the concepts and methods to accomplish tasks at senior levels in international companies and organizations. Personal improvement and development was my intention for learning the course. It relates with my critical goal for this course i.e. my personal fulfillment as well as career development. I work progressively throughout the course, rather than waiting until the last minute. By doing my work progressively, I am able to polish my skills and gradually improve in the weak areas, after careful analysis of the evidence I try to reach my own conclusion. I’m quite organized and systematic about my study schedules. For me to understand everything I put more effort in trying to learn the important details. I’m determined to achieve what I want to get out of this course. I would like to attain excellent results in the course as it will help me in the acquisition of proper management skills to grow and benefit the organization in which I will work. What are the benefits of this course to the Organizations/ Service? In this course the application of knowledge and skills in business situations and problems are catered for. The course enables one to cope with new and unfamiliar circumstances involved in various circumstances and problems that need adaptation, innovation; those that need to cope with unforeseen events, and to be managed in unpredictable environments. The learnt skill would give me the ability to handle all situations which will be beneficial to the organization in which I will work (Ferras, Rohin, & Smith, 2007). In this course the learning includes both, the "hard skills" of economics, marketing, finance, management, operations, and accounting, as well as the "soft skills " of leadership, teamwork, ethics, and communication. As an MBA student, I acquire these skills inside and outside the classroom. They are very critical as well as important for effective management and the business functions seem to be impossible without them. In today’s dynamic world, organizations need to have employees to can quickly adapt to changes and bring innovation to provide the organizations with a competitive edge since the competition is increasing day by day. Therefore, competent and skilled employees who have learnt the management skills and their application are very beneficial for the organizations and their business. Are there any other qualifications I have that are relevant to this Course? Before starting this course, I have done BSC in technology and e-commerce from Middlesex University London. The course has given me an opening to specialize in the new areas of electronic commerce and learn the different e-com technologies which are useful in to achieving competitive advantage.  After taking the course I have gained experience in how to use of the faster and smarter new technologies which play a very important part in the today’s development of organizations .I can think logically and take initiatives to solve problems. I have learnt the management skills that are being very helpful and applicable in this course. Currently I can comfortably interact with people and work in groups and teams, due to an improvement in communication and interpersonal skills. I am able to appropriate use of the capacities of other group members and make clarification on tasks. I have also studied the systems analysis and design techniques to enable the translation of business objectives into a systems requirement, which is very useful when applied in the organizational context. I am able to show ideas and inventiveness in problem solving. I have also learned and applied the techniques for resolving conflicts. I can act autonomously in planning and carrying out duties at a professional or equivalent level, where I am able to make decisions in difficult and unpredictable situations (Amar, Chris, & Dixon, 2003). Personal development plan No Details of my objectives How I intend to achieve my objectives How will I measure my progress towards achieving my objectives? Who will I consult for help and advice in achieving my objectives How often will I review my progress towards achieving my objective? Initial dateline for achieving my objectives 1 Learning habits: I intend to establish my learning habits since life is about continuous learning. Reading Motivational literature to enable me in learning culture and habits. I will embrace proper time management to ensure that I read two or more motivational books every month. In order to improve employability and recognize the weakness points that I need to improve on, I will ask one tutor to become my mentor. I will ensure that I meet with the tutor at-least once every semester. During the meetings with the tutor, I will ask for feedback on my employability and the type of skills I need to develop more. I will ensure that the tutor gets a chance to criticize my efforts and improvements and suggest areas of improvement My tutor Once every semester One month 2 Interpersonal skills: for Social development to acquire soft skills in relation to other people improve my interaction with other people by changing the way in which I relate with them I will allocate more time to interact with people Assessing my relationships at the end of everyday My friends My tutor Once in a month One week 3 Communication skills :to ensure that I am a good communicator I will seek an elective post as a representative in one of the professional clubs in the school. Coming up with a personal assessment form and allow members of the club to asses my performance Club members My course mates Twice every semester One month 4 Extra-curricular activities: to improve my social interactions within and outside the campus Getting involved in extra-curricular activities. I have decided to join the badminton team and become an active and competent badminton player over time. Allowing the sports patron and my team captain to asses my performance Team members Team captain Sports patron Four times in a semester Two weeks 5 Time management: to facilitate the overall achievement of goals set for the semester To make a weekly schedule of the things I will be doing every week I will execute all the programs without compromise. take audits and ensure that I don’t fall behind schedule My mentor My tutor My friends One week Daily 6 Financial independence: Ensuring that I foster a habit of saving. Changing my spending habits through avoidance of unnecessary and non-value adding activities Making a personal budget and strictly following it My mentor My friend One week daily References Amar, R., Chris, F., & Dixon, S. (2003). Personal development plans for dentists: the new approach to continuing. Abingdon: Radcliffe Medical Press Ltd. Ferras, A., Rohin, F., & Smith, E. (2007). The Foundation Programme for Doctors: Getting In, Getting on and Getting Out. Abingdon: Radcliffe Publishing Ltd. Gallen, D., & Backle, G. (2001). Personal and practice development plans in primary care: a practical guide to Getting started. Jordan Hill: Butterworth- Heinemann. James, D. (2002). Team and Personal Development. Wiltshire: The Institute of Financial services. Lorriman, J. (2004). Continuing Professional Development: A Practical Approach. London: The Institute of Electrical Engineers. Shani, A., & Docherty, P. (2003). Learning by Design: Building Sustainable Organizations. Berlin: Blackwell Publishing Ltd. Utech, K., & Hauck, p. (2004). Recapturing the growth track: correcting leaders' disempowering behaviors. Westport: Praeger Publishers. Read More