COURSEWORK ASSIGNMENT ON

APDMS SEPTEMBER 2009

SUBMITTED TO
UNIT 1: ADVANCE PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

1) INTRODUCTION TO MCB….………………………3

2) LEARNING STYLES........……………..…………....3

i)THE VISUAL LEARNING STYLE…………………4

ii)THE AURAL LEARNING STYLE…………………4
iii)THE VERBAL LEARNING STYLE……….………5
iv)THE PHYSICAL LEARNING STYLE…………….5
v)THE LOGICAL LEARNING STYLE………………6
vi)SOCIAL LEARNING STYLE………………………6
vii)SOLITARY LEARNING STYLE………………….7

3) SWOT ANALYSIS…….………………………………8

4) PERSONAL SKILLS AUDIT………………………..10

5) REFFERENCES………………………………………15

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To present my assignment in proper way, here Im sharing my experience of

working in a commercial bank named Muslim Commercial Bank (M.C.B)
which really helps me in my professional development.
1) Introduction to M.C.B:
The story of M.C.B of Pakistan is part of Pakistan’s struggle for
economic independent .When M.C.B of Pakistan came into existence in
September 1948, the country was facing a severe economic condition. The
newly established bank started its functioning at Calcutta open its offices.
The M.C.B of Pakistan sensing the duty of national cause came forward
gladly to established its off icing in cotton growing areas Sand extended
credit facilities liberally in order to meat growing demand of market and
restore stability in market the country once again plunged into crisis in
1951 due to crash in the prices of cotton in international market. Prices of
cotton crashed and touched the lowest level since independence following
the cessation of hostilities in Korea. The bank in collaboration with cotton
board provided the necessary credit facilities to the trade and helped
growers and ginners to tide over the crises.

2) Learning Styles:
Many people recognize that each person prefers different learning styles
and techniques. Learning styles group common ways that people learn.
Everyone has a mix of learning styles. Some people may find that they
have a dominant style of learning, with far less use of the other styles.
Others may find that they use different styles in different circumstances.
There is no right mix. Nor are your styles fixed. You can develop ability in
less dominant styles, as well as further develop styles that you already use
well.

Using multiple learning styles and “multiple intelligences” for learning is a

relatively new approach. This approach is one that educators have only
recently started to recognize. Traditional schooling used (and continues to
use) mainly linguistic and logical teaching methods. It also uses a limited
range of learning and teaching techniques. Many schools still rely on
classroom and book-based teaching, much repetition, and pressured
exams for reinforcement and review. A result is that we often label those
who use these learning styles and techniques as “bright.” Those who use
less favored learning styles often find themselves in lower classes, with
various not-so-complimentary labels and sometimes lower quality

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teaching. This can create positive and negative spirals that reinforce the
belief that one is “smart” or “dumb.”

By recognizing and understanding your own learning styles, you can use
techniques better suited to you. This improves the speed and quality of
your learning.

i) The visual (spatial) learning style:

If you use the visual style, you prefer using images, pictures, colors, and
maps to organize information and communicate with others. You can easily
visualize objects, plans and outcomes in your mind’s eye. You also have a
good spatial sense, which gives you a good sense of direction. You can
easily find your way around using maps, and you rarely get lost. When you
walk out of an elevator, you instinctively know which way to turn.

The whiteboard is a best friend (or would be if you had access to one). You
love drawing, scribbling and doodling, especially with colors. You typically
have a good dress sense and color balance (although not always!).

ii) The aural (auditory-musical-rhythmic) learning style:

If you use the aural style, you like to work with sound and music. You have
a good sense of pitch and rhythm. You typically can sing, play a musical
instrument, or identify the sounds of different instruments. Certain music
invokes strong emotions. You notice the music playing in the background

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of movies, TV shows and other media. You often find yourself humming or
tapping a song or jingle, or a theme or jingle pops into your head without
prompting.

iii) The verbal (linguistic) learning style:

The verbal style involves both the written and spoken word. If you use this
style, you find it easy to express yourself, both in writing and verbally. You
love reading and writing. You like playing on the meaning or sound of
words, such as in tongue twisters, rhymes, limericks and the like. You
know the meaning of many words, and regularly make an effort to find the
meaning of new words. You use these words, as well as phrases you have
picked up recently, when talking to others.

iv) The physical (bodily-kinesthetic) learning style:

If the physical style is more like you, it’s likely that you use your body and
sense of touch to learn about the world around you. It’s likely you like
sports and exercise, and other physical activities such as gardening or
woodworking. You like to think out issues, ideas and problems while you
exercise. You would rather go for a run or walk if something is bothering
you, rather than sitting at home.

You are more sensitive to the physical world around you. You notice and
appreciate textures, for example in clothes or furniture. You like “getting
your hands dirty,” or making models, or working out jigsaws.

You typically use larger hand gestures and other body language to
communicate. You probably don’t mind getting up and dancing either, at
least when the time is right. You either love the physical action of theme
park rides, or they upset your inner body sense too much and so you avoid
them altogether.

When you are learning a new skill or topic, you would prefer to “jump in”
and play with the physical parts as soon as possible. You would prefer to
pull an engine apart and put it back together, rather than reading or looking
at diagrams about how it works.

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The thought of sitting in a lecture listening to someone else talk is

repulsive. In those circumstances, you fidget or can’t sit still for long. You
want to get up and move around.

v) The logical (mathematical) learning style:

If you use the logical style, you like using your brain for logical and
mathematical reasoning. You can recognize patterns easily, as well as
connections between seemingly meaningless content. This also leads you
to classify and group information to help you learn or understand it.

You work well with numbers and you can perform complex calculations.
You remember the basics of trigonometry and algebra, and you can do
moderately complex calculations in your head.

You typically work through problems and issues in a systematic way, and
you like to create procedures for future use. You are happy setting
numerical targets and budgets, and you track your progress towards these.
You like creating agendas, itineraries, and to-do lists, and you typically
number and rank them before putting them into action.

Your scientific approach to thinking means you often support your points
with logical examples or statistics. You pick up logic flaws in other peoples
words, writing or actions, and you may point these out to people (not
always to everyone’s amusement).

You like working out strategies and using simulation. You may like games
such as brainteasers, backgammon, and chess. You may also like PC
games such as Dune II, Star craft, Age of Empires, Sid Meier games and
others.

vi) The social (interpersonal) learning style:

If you have a strong social style, you communicate well with people, both
verbally and non-verbally. People listen to you or come to you for advice,
and you are sensitive to their motivations, feelings or moods. You listen

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well and understand other’s views. You may enjoy mentoring or counseling
others.

You typically prefer learning in groups or classes, or you like to spend

much one-on-one time with a teacher or an instructor. You heighten your
learning by bouncing your thoughts off other people and listening to how
they respond. You prefer to work through issues, ideas and problems with
a group. You thoroughly enjoy working with a “clicking” or synergistic
group of people.

You prefer to stay around after class and talk with others. You prefer social
activities, rather than doing your own thing. You typically like games that
involve other people, such as card games and board games. The same
applies to team sports such as football or soccer, basketball, baseball,
volleyball, baseball and hockey.

vii) The solitary (intrapersonal) learning style:

If you have a solitary style, you are more private, introspective and
independent. You can concentrate well, focusing your thoughts and
feelings on your current topic. You are aware of your own thinking, and you
may analyze the different ways you think and feel.

You spend time on self-analysis, and often reflect on past events and the
way you approached them. You take time to ponder and assess your own
accomplishments or challenges. You may keep a journal, diary or personal
log to record your personal thoughts and events.

You like to spend time alone. You may have a personal hobby. You prefer
traveling or holidaying in remote or places, away from crowds.

You feel that you know yourself. You think independently, and you know
your mind. You may have attended self-development workshops, read self-
help books or used other methods to develop a deeper understanding of
yourself.

You prefer to work on problems by retreating to somewhere quiet and

working through possible solutions. You may sometimes spend too much

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time trying to solve a problem that you could more easily solve by talking
to someone.

You like to make plans and set goals. You know your direction in life and
work. You prefer to work for yourself, or have thought a lot about it. If you
don’t know your current direction in life, you feel a deep sense of
dissatisfaction.

3) SWOT ANALYSIS :
1) STREANGTHS:

 I can communicate very well, this really helped me a lot during my

work at M.C.B and my clients admired me due to this quality at bank.

 I can work as a leader this quality proved to be helpful in group

discussions at work and study as well particularly in group projects
assignments and presentations.

 I know the psyche of my clients, this really polished me during my

job at M.C.B and it also enhanced my professionalism, which is must
in practical life.

 I can follow the guidelines strictly of bosses, this helps to remain

close to bosses and one who is job holder can really understand that
how important it is.

 I have good self control, during job this helps a lot when guiding the
clients this quality keeps me in limits of any situation.

 I can work long hours continuously.

 I always plan my work effectively before starting even a single action

towards it.

 During work I met with different people from different backgrounds

and culture, this enhanced my understanding about cultures.

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2) WEAKNESS:

 I am a bit weak at mathematical manipulation and I really felt this

during my job because I was working with an organization dealing
with money, so I remain to much cautious during my job.

 I am sometime a slow worker so it became a hurdle to meet the

deadlines and this also brings some criticism form other colleagues.

 I take some time to adopt new things this is because I always like to
know deep about anything coming new in my way.

 I am a bit low tempered person so sometime others may feel that I’m
not behaving in proper way.

 I can not tolerate any kind of rude behavior from any one.

3) OPPURTUNITIES:

 During work at M.C.B I really learned a lot from my seniors from

professionalism point of view.

 Working in financial organization helped me to the rules strictly and

efficiently.

 With so many clients to deal with it also brought me the confidence

to tackle the different kinds of situations arriving with every new
client.

 Working underpresure also grabbed some stamina to my personality

and helped to improve my low temper habit.

 As a new graduate and with good knowledge of new gadgets used in

modern banking I helped my seniors to make them understand new
technology this also created respect for me from my seniors

4) THREATS:

 Political interference in organizations is creating some problems for

talented employees.

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 Due to political approach some un qualified persons are becoming

part of business which creates a low quality and standard of work.

 Mostly these jobs are contract based this brings limited time to
remain in organization with fear of job loss.

 Technological factor sometime also brings problem for employees

because of less staff in physical appearance.

4) Personal skills audit:

It is a simple work one just has to make a list of what one is good at and
then simply what one need to improve them more.

SKILLS AREA I OK, BUT I I PRIORITY

CAN NEED CAN’ DEVELOPMENT
DO MORE T DO OF THIS SKILL
THIS PRACTIC THIS 1 = very
WEL E important,
L 2 = quite
important,
3 = not
important
ORGANIZATION OF LEARNING
 1
I have strategies to help me to plan
and manage my time
I am able to effectively prioritise my  1
tasks and activities
I am able to work to deadlines  2

I am aware of what makes my learning  2

more effective (e.g. place to study, time
to study etc)

INFORMATION SEEKING SKILLS

I am able to find a specific book or  2
journal in the library using the on-line
catalogue (Talisprism)

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I am able to use a variety of different  1

sources to find information
(e.g. journals. books, electronic
resources)
I am able to access and search  2
electronic resources (on-line databases,
electronic journals CD-ROMs)
I am able to use search gateways on the  3
Internet to find information
I am able to evaluate the information I  1
find
READING AND NOTEMAKING
I can decide which parts of a book I need  1
to read

I have a system for recording where I  3

find information (e.g. book, author,
date)
I can select and use different reading  1
strategies (e.g. skim, scan, in-depth)
I can make effective notes when reading  1

I can make effective notes when  2

listening (e.g. during lectures)
I have a system for recording and  1
storing my notes

Skills Area I Can Ok, But I I Priority

Do Need Can’t Development Of
This More Do This Skill
Well Practice This 1 = Very
Important,
2 = Quite
Important,
3 = Not
Important
WRITING SKILLS

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Skills Area I Can Ok, But I I Priority

Do Need Can’t Development Of
This More Do This Skill
Well Practice This 1 = Very
Important,
2 = Quite
Important,
3 = Not
Important
I can analyse assignment (essay, report  1
etc) questions to determine what is
expected
I understand the difference between an  2
essay and report
I can produce a written plan to answer  1
an assignment question
I can punctuate, use grammar and  1
spelling correctly
I am confident I can express my ideas  1
clearly in written form
I am able to adapt my writing styles to  1
suit the appropriate media/audience
I understand the need to reference my  2
work to avoid plagiarism

SPOKEN COMMUNICATION
I am able to express my views verbally  1

I am confident speaking in front of a  1

group of people

I can prepare, plan and deliver a  2

presentation

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I can use visual aids to support a  2

presentation

I work well as a member of a group or  1

team

I am able to listen to and appreciate the  1

views of others

INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

I am able to use a word processing  1

software package to produce my
assignments
I can use a variety of different computer  3
software (e.g. Word, PowerPoint,
Excel, Access)

WORKING WITH NUMBERS

I am competent in making simple  1

calculations

I can present numerical information  2

accurately

I can competently use a variety of  3

numerical techniques (e.g.
percentages, fractions, decimals)
I can interpret and present information  2
in graphs and illustrations

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REVISION AND EXAM TECHNIQUES

I am able to plan my revision time  1

I am able to set myself goals  1

I am able to use a variety of different  2

revision techniques (e.g. practicing
questions, mind mapping etc)
I can select and use techniques to help  1
me retain and recall information
I use strategies to help me in the exam  1
room (e.g. planning time, coping
with anxiety)

STRESS MANAGEMENT

I know what causes stress  1

I am aware of my personal symptoms of  2

stress

I can use strategies to help me cope with  1

my stress

PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT PLANNING

I am able to identify my personal goals  1

I am a good judge of what my strengths  1

and areas for development are

I am able to identify opportunities for  2

learning outside my course, e.g. clubs,
societies, employment

I am able to plan for my personal 

1
development

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5) REFRENCES:
1: WWW.MCB.COM.PK

2: Internship Report on professional development by Mir Sajjad Ali.

3: “Entrepreneur” a publication by IBA University Of Sindh Jamshoro.

4: Personal time support by Sir Asad Ansari.

5: Support by Colleagues MR Abdul Aziz Dal & MR Abdul Ghaffar

Soomro.

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