Personal Development

Student ID: 000107279

Submitted to

Birmingham City University (MBA)

Personal Development
Todays fast changing and much complex business world requires much more from a manager than it used to a decade ago, it requires almost a perfect individual. Some of the most important skills for a manager could be; time management, prioritizing the tasks, setting SMART objectives, and good communication skills.

1: Time Management:
Since business means value, then there is nothing valuable then time for business personnel. The amazing thing of Time Management is that the balance can be decided objectively and could be self-imposed through the use of the diary. A manager might simply decide that one hour a week should be devoted to personnel issues and would then allocate a regular block of time to that activity. If the factory is on blaze, or World War III is declared, the manager may have to re-allocate this time in a same, designated purpose. In same way time may be allocated for staff training. The total time spent in managing such long term objective is small, but without that proper planning it can not be achieved. Once the Personal Time Management is implemented, it is worth using some of that control to augment your own career. Some quiet weekend, you should plan out your own long term objectives and plan a route to them. As you set any long term objective, allocate time to the sub-tasks and monitor your progress. If you do not plan your destiny, you are unlikely to get there.

2: Prioritizing tasks:
To me once the time management skill is well developed this skill comes with it, its just to know how much time a task need. Definitely a manager should be capable of prioritizing the tasks for not to miss any valuable opportunity.

3: Communication skills:

Birmingham City University (MBA)

Personal Development
To be a good successful manager, you have to like people and be good at communicating both written and verbal. This is hard to deny, If you don't like interacting with people, it'll be hard or even impossible to manage them well. You must have good personal contacts in your organisation. You need relationships that does not mean necessarily personal friendships with a fair number of people, that include your own employees. You must encourage and motivate these people to tell you what's going on and give you feedback about what people are thinking about the company and your role in it as a manager.

4: SMART obejectives:
This means specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, time bound. This is what a sound minde manager must have. This is some sort of realistic approach evey manager should develop.

Leadership skills to support strategic direction of org: 1: A good leader has an exemplary character. It is of most importance
that a leader is trustworthy individual to lead others. A leader must to be trusted by subordinates and be known to live their life with honesty and integrity. Real authority is evolved from respect for the good character and trustworthiness of the person who leads.

2:

A good leader is enthusiastic about their responsiblity and also

about their role as leader. People respond more openly warmy to a person of passion and dedication. Leaders must be able to be a good source of inspiration, a motivator towards the achievements. The responsibilities and roles of a leader could be different, the leader needs to be seen to be major part of the team working towards the goal achievement. This kind of leader will not be scary to roll up their sleeves and get dirty.

Birmingham City University (MBA)

Personal Development
3: A good leader must be confident. To lead and set direction a leader
needs to appear confident as a personality and in the leadership role. Such type of person inspires others and draws out the trust and best efforts of the team to complete the task well. A leader who give message of confidence towards the proposed objective inspires the best effort from team members.

4: A leader also needs to function in an orderly and prooerlyl manner in

situations of uncertainty. People look to the leader for guidance during times of uncertainty and unfamiliarity and find reassurance and security when the leader portrays confidence and a positive demeanor.

5: Good leaders are tolerant of apresure and remain calm, composed

and steadfast to the main purpose. Storms, emotions, and all these crises come and go and a good leader takes these as part of the journey and keeps a cool head.

6:

A good leader allways keep the main goal in focus is able to think

analytically. Not only does a good leader view a situation as a whole, but is able to break it down into sub parts for closer inspection. Not only is the goal in view but a good leader can break it down into manageable steps and make progress towards it.

7: A good leader is committed to excellence. Second best does not lead

to success. The good leader not only maintains high standards, but also is proactive in raising the bar in order to achieve excellence in all areas

PERSONAL SWOT ANALYSIS :

1) STREANGTHS:

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Personal Development
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.

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 Im not behaving in proper way.

Birmingham City University (MBA)

Personal Development
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. 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.

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.

Birmingham City University (MBA)

Personal Development
SKILLS AREA I CAN DO THIS WEL L OK, BUT I NEED MORE PRACTIC E I CAN T DO THIS PRIORITY DEVELOPMENT OF THIS SKILL 1 = very important, 2 = quite important, 3 = not important 1

ORGANIZATION OF LEARNING I have strategies to help me to plan and manage my time I am able to effectively prioritise my tasks and activities I am able to work to deadlines I am aware of what makes my learning more effective (e.g. place to study, time to study etc)

1 2 2

INFORMATION SEEKING SKILLS I am able to find a specific book or journal in the library using the on-line catalogue (Talisprism) I am able to use a variety of different sources to find information (e.g. journals. books, electronic resources) I am able to access and search electronic resources (on-line databases, electronic journals CD-ROMs) I am able to use search gateways on the Internet to find information I am able to evaluate the information I find READING AND NOTEMAKING 2 1

2 3 1

Birmingham City University (MBA)

Personal Development
I can decide which parts of a book I need to read I have a system for recording where I find information (e.g. book, author, date) I can select and use different reading strategies (e.g. skim, scan, in-depth) I can make effective notes when reading I can make effective notes when listening (e.g. during lectures) I have a system for recording and storing my notes 1

1 1 2 1

Skills Area

I Can Do This Well

Ok, But I Need More Practice

I Cant Do This

Priority Development Of This Skill 1 = Very Important, 2 = Quite Important, 3 = Not Important 1

WRITING SKILLS I can analyse assignment (essay, report etc) questions to determine what is expected I understand the difference between an essay and report I can produce a written plan to answer an assignment question I can punctuate, use grammar and spelling correctly

2 1 1

Birmingham City University (MBA)

Personal Development
Skills Area I Can Do This Well Ok, But I Need More Practice I Cant Do This Priority Development Of This Skill 1 = Very Important, 2 = Quite Important, 3 = Not Important 1 1 2

I am confident I can express my ideas clearly in written form I am able to adapt my writing styles to suit the appropriate media/audience I understand the need to reference my work to avoid plagiarism SPOKEN COMMUNICATION I am able to express my views verbally I am confident speaking in front of a group of people I can prepare, plan and deliver a presentation I can use visual aids to support a presentation I work well as a member of a group or team I am able to listen to and appreciate the views of others
INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

1 1

Birmingham City University (MBA)

Personal Development
I am able to use a word processing software package to produce my assignments I can use a variety of different computer software (e.g. Word, PowerPoint, Excel, Access)
WORKING WITH NUMBERS

I am competent in making simple calculations I can present numerical information accurately I can competently use a variety of numerical techniques (e.g. percentages, fractions, decimals) I can interpret and present information in graphs and illustrations

REVISION AND EXAM TECHNIQUES

I am able to plan my revision time I am able to set myself goals I am able to use a variety of different revision techniques (e.g. practicing questions, mind mapping etc)

1 1 2

Birmingham City University (MBA)

Personal Development
I can select and use techniques to help me retain and recall information I use strategies to help me in the exam room (e.g. planning time, coping with anxiety)
STRESS MANAGEMENT

1 1

I know what causes stress I am aware of my personal symptoms of stress I can use strategies to help me cope with my stress

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PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT PLANNING

I am able to identify my personal goals I am a good judge of what my strengths and areas for development are I am able to identify opportunities for learning outside my course, e.g. clubs, societies, employment I am able to plan for my personal development

1 1 2

Positive

outcomes

of

PDP:

Some positive outcomes of taking a personal development approach to your studies are:

Birmingham City University (MBA)

Personal Development

It helps in gaining a clearer focus to your learning. Helps to keep yourself motivated towrds goals. Provises better understanding of how you learn and how to improve your performance. More enjoyment and less stress and confusion from your learning as you become consciously skilled. More awareness of how to apply your learning to practical life and solving new problems and contexts. Professional thinking skills that can strengthen academic performance.

Benefits of PDP to professional life

Makes ideas more clear about the kind of life and work you want. Brings greater confidence level in the choices you make. Greater confidence in the skills developed, brings qualities and attributes to the career of your choice. Being in a better position to compete for jobs. It helps you to be able to discuss your skills, personal qualities and competences with employers. Better problem-solving and planning skills. It develops the positive attitudes and approaches in personality associated with successful professional life.

Benefits of PDP to personal life

A better understanding of yourself and how you tick. Being in a better position to make appropriate choices to meet your aspirations. Greater awareness of your needs and how to meet these. Greater awareness of the unique contribution you can make. Developing a positive, forward-looking approach.

REFRENCES:
Wiziq education online (2008). Study skills Audit [online]. Available from http://www.wiziq.com/tutorial/93902-Study-Skills-Audit

Birmingham City University (MBA)

Personal Development
Nasir, M. Saeed (2004). Introduction to business. Imtiaz Book Depot. Nasir, M. Saeed (2002). Skills to prosper. Imtiaz Book Depot. Decenzo, A. David & Robbins, P. Stephen (2007). Fundamentals of HRM. Wiley India.

Birmingham City University (MBA)