Task 1

Task 1

With a career in IT, being unique and having employable skills is equally important, it is therefore necessary for you to:

a. Reflect on your own personal skills and competences against professional standards and that of Zedex’s organizational objectives to determine whether you are up to date and confident enough to match their expectations using the Career Edge questionnaire.

b.  Evaluate your own development needs and the activities required to meet them to be in a position to contribute to Zedex’s history of continuous innovation as well as the specific job requirements.

c.  Devise  a  personal  and  professional  development  plan  based  on  your identified needs.

d.  Reflect  on  own  developmental  progress  against  the  original  aims  and objectives set in the personal and professional development plan.

Task 2

In Project oriented organizations such as Zedex, ability to communicate and work to strict deadlines is essential.

a.  Identify the Communications need within an organizational context and come up with the appropriate styles to adopt within 3 levels of the organisation

b.  Demonstrate in writing how effective time management strategies will help your small team of three become efficient and comply with the “clear desk policy.”

Being    a part   of        banking   industry,    management      of     Zedex     gives   importance   on     hiring   young dynamic professionals   who will be able   to   meet       organisational     goals and   objectives    while achieving their own targets. Availability of advanced technologies     is    continuously increasing    to   the    organisations of     banking industry (Denning, 2012).  As    an impact,   organisations    operating   in    this    industry      also    give   importance       on using new   technologies for remaining competitive   in    market. It is evident    that   staffs     of    these   organisations    require being able to work   in   an   environment   where they    can upgrade    their knowledge continuously. With increasing availability of technology, organisations     doing    business   in        banking sector    are   getting   more    opportunities   for        expanding   their business   activities.   It   also    reflects    that   the   employees   working   in       these    organisations require     developing new skills    regularly so     that        they   can       meet       the   organisational    objectives. The    trends in     banking industry   indicate     that         competition    is increasing   among organisations     in this      sector. Managements     of    most     of       the   organisations     working    in   this industry give importance on providing   client   with services   of high   quality   within   less time (Emira, 2013). Discussion    on     this nature    of     organisations working   in   this sector     indicates that    the managements are    emphasizing    on recruiting     the   IT professionals    who will    be able to work   under   deadlines. However      the    companies    working    in   banking  sector also   gives   importance   on      implementing    innovations using  different  applications    of  IT  so       that   they   become able   to       provide   unique   products   and services     to clients.    As    the      nature    of     organisations is    changing   rapidly,    the   organisations are also   giving   importance     on    hiring   staffs that   will    be    able to    implement   innovation in existing   processes.     Apart     from    this, with   changes    in     IT industry    ,     working      culture     of   the      companies   operating     in        this   industry    is   also changing.    Analysis    on     nature    of   organizations     in IT   sector    indicates    that  most    of    the organisations    prefer to      develop teams     for     executing   tasks.     It    is evident   that   staffs        who  are    going  to  be  recruited   in        these    companies   such  as  Zedex  need   to   have   the  ability   of  working   in   teams.     Analysis    on     the   criteria     for    being   recruited in   Zedex   indicates    like     other      companies        working   in      IT    sector, Zedex management     also     gives      importance      on    hiring     those   candidates    who    will   be able to   apply   innovation   while executing    their tasks.  Management   of    Zedex also   gives   importance on    whether   the staffs    have ability     to learn new things.     In     Zedex    teams are      developed     to     execute different tasks.      It also   indicates     that    the       staffs      who are   going    to be    recruited    in    the   organisation     will   be able t    work effcinetly   within   teams.     Employees    working   in   Zedex are provided with adequate    opportunities     for       enhancing   growth    of   career.  Staffs   working   in    the   organisation    require   being highly ambitious   for    utilizing    these opportunities    effectively.

Skills  required  for  being    recruited    in   Zedex	My       skills  and  abilities
Able  to   communicate      effectively     within     organisation	My communication   skill is    overall    good.   I can communicate   both    verbally and writing   for different purposes. However in  an     organisation ,  I  will   need  to  communicate    with  different  types  of  audiences.   I   require    communicating     with    different    types     of   audiences   while working    in an    organisation.     It   indicates    that    I   need   to      improve   my communication skill for communicating   effectively     with   staffs working     in different      level    of    an    organisation.
Being    able  to      work    in  teams	Analysis on   my current skills and abilities    indicates    that   I   can   work       with   other members     of a team. I    can understand      how   a process   is being undertaken quickly.    I      do not need close supervision while working       within a    team.  However     analysis     on   my skills and    abilities    also   indicates    that   I    face    difficulties sometimes    while      handling    issues     within   team.  It   reflects    that   I   need to improve    my leadership      skills   for     being    selected    in an organisation.
Being  able  to  maintain  integrity    in   teams	Although I do not face problems for   adjusting     with      other   members    of   the team, possessing     the   ability   of       managing    conflicts    within a    team    is     important    to maintain    integrity.   I     require        learning    new techniques     for    managing     conflicts   effectively.
Being     intellectually     able  to  learn   new   things    continuously	I can accept new ideas. I   have    adequate numeracy skills for working in an   organisation.   Although I can suggest    new idea    while working   in   a team.  However   I    need   to     improve    my ability    for    suggesting   new ideas    for   getting   more    opportunities.
Having     confidence	Analysis on current trends of   organisational    activities    indicates    that   application     of     different ICT   tools     is    increasing.      Although    I   can use     tools   of    ICT         confidently,   I    need   to   learn    about     new    tools    also.
Character Being    able  to  work      within   tight     deadlines  and    high  pressure    Being   adaptable  to    work    in  new  role  and   using  new    technology Being     able     to  apply    innovation	Analysis     on    my skills   and abilities indicates   that      I   can   complete my tasks   within   time.  However I need   to    improve    abilities    for handling   pressure.       I      am flexible    for working      in   different   situation.      As        the   nature     of    technological   tools  used    in     banking  sector   is  changing    rapidly,  I   need  to  have       ability     of  working      with  new  technologies      and    tools. As    the competition   in   banking sector     is    increasing,    organisations     working   in this    sector are focusing   on    providing   clients   with     new products    and   services.  As    a   staff   of Zedex   I also need    to   have     the ability of    applying   innovation    in    existing products   and services. Although   I can      give   new ideas, but   the skill for developing   realistic    goals requires being    enhanced.
Having     ability     to  developing   plan  and  organizing       tasks	Although   I   can   work  in teams  ,  often  I  face  problems       to  find  solutions  for    the     issues     generated  within   teams.     Analysis    on     my existing     skills and abilities indicates     that    I   need     to improve my skills for    planning   and organizing.
Having     ability     to    communicate  using  writing	I     am able   to express    my opinions using         writing     skills However    in an    organisation;    I need    to    communicate     with    staffs    of    different hierarchical    positions       for different purpose.   I   need to be familiar   with    different    writing styles     in   order to    communicate      effectively      within organisation.
Ability     for   making  decisions	Analysis on   my skills and    abilities    indicates   that    I   can take responsibilities     of     the decisions     taken    by me.   However    I   face problems while    making    decisions independently.

Task 2

 Table 1: Reflection    on performance     own     skills and abilities   on basis   of Career Edge   questionnaire

 As   availability of advanced technologies     is    continuously increasing    to   the    organisations of     banking industry, organisations      doing      business    in    this      sector  are      also    giving    importance       on using new   technologies  to     remain  competitive   in    market. It is evident    that     employees who are    working    in     these   organisations      need     to able   for working in   an   environment   where they    can upgrade    their knowledge continuously (Evans, 2010).   Discussion     on    my    existing     skills and    abilities    induces       that I can accept new ideas.   The    analysis    also    reflects    that   I   have      sufficient numeracy skills for working in an   organisation.   Apart from this, I can    develop    new idea       with    other   members   while working   in   a team.     Discussion     on     my skills     indicates    that I require improving     my abilities    for    suggesting   new ideas      so    that   I   can      get     new   opportunities.

With increasing availability of advanced    technological    tools, organisations    which are     operating     in    banking sector    are   getting   more    opportunities   for   entering    into   new business segments.   It   also   indicates      that   the     staffs     who are     working   in       these    organisations   need to develop   new skills    regularly so     that   they   can meet       the   organisational    objectives.  Analysis      on   the    trends in     banking industry      reflects      that         competition    is increasing   among organisations     in this      sector.   As    an impact, managements     of    most     of       the   organisations     working    in   this sector give importance on providing   client   with services   of high   quality   within   less time. Discussion on current trends of   organisational    activities    indicates    that     utilization of   different ICT   tools     is    increasing   rapidly (Ford, 2010). Being an   IT    professional      I   can use     tools   of    ICT confidently,   I require    gaining     knowledge    on       how to utilize    new    tools.

Discussion    on   the activities   of     organisations working   in     banking sector       reflects that    the managements are      giving     importance     on recruiting     the   IT professionals    who will      have    the   ability   to work   under   deadlines (Haines and Sumner, 2013). However      the    companies    working    in     this    sector   are also    giving   importance   on      implementing    innovations   using different applications    of IT so   that   they   become able   to       provide   unique   products   and services     to clients.    As    the        business    scope      of     organisations is    changing      continuously,    the      managements   are also   giving    emphasis   on    hiring   staffs that   will    be    able   for    implementing innovation in existing   processes (Hoch and Dulebohn, 2013). As    the competition   in   banking sector is    increasing, companies which are working   in this    sector are   giving   importance    on    providing   clients   with     new products    and   services (Jain et al., 2012).  As a   staff   of Zedex   I also need    to   gain     the ability for   applying   innovation    in    existing products   and services. Although   I can      generate     new ideas, but   the    ability for developing   realistic    goals requires being    enhanced.

Reflection on personal skill and competencies against professional standards

Apart     from    this, with     rapid    changes    in      the    organisations      doing     business in    IT industry    ,     working      culture     of   the      companies     which are   operating     in        this   industry    is   also changing (Kaplan, 2012).    Analysis    on     nature    of   organizations     in IT   sector    indicates    that       most    of    the organisations    prefer to      develop teams     for     executing   tasks.     It    is evident   that      employees    who are    going to be hired    in the    companies   such  as  Zedex      require    having  the  ability       to  work  in   teams.     Discussion on     the   criteria     for    being     hired in   Zedex   indicates    like     other companies   working   in IT sector, Zedex management    is also   giving       importance      on    hiring     those   candidates    who    will     have the   ability to   apply   innovation   while executing    their tasks.  Management   of    Zedex also   gives   importance on    whether   the staffs    have ability     to learn new things. In Zedex    teams are     created to     execute different tasks.  It also      reflects     that    the    staffs that are   going    to be    recruited    in    the   organisation     will   be able to    work efficiently     with     other members     of     the    team.     Staffs   that   are     working   in   Zedex are provided with adequate    opportunities     for    increasing    growth    of   career.  Staffs   working   in    the   organisation   need    to be   highly ambitious   for    utilizing    these opportunities    effectively.

Discussion    on     my skills    and    abilities     indicates    that    I    have satisfactory   communication   skill.      Analysis     on    my existing    abilities    indicates      that    I can communicate   both    verbally and writing for different purposes. However in  an     organisation ,  I  will        have   to   communicate    with  different  types  of    people  while  working     within   a team.    Analysis      on      the    activities    being     executed    in   an   organisation    indicates      that   I     also     need to communicate   with   different people        of   different hierarchical     level    while working    in an    organisation.  The      discussion indicates    that    I   need   to      improve   my communication skill to increase effectiveness    of     the    communication    process with   staffs   while   working     in different      level    of    an    organisation. 

Discussion on   my current skills and abilities     reflects       that   I    have   the    ability     of    work       with   other members     of a team. I    can   easily   understand      how   a process   is being     executed quickly. I do not need to be supervised closely   while working       within a    team.  However   discussion on   my abilities   and skills     also      reflects      that   I    face    problems sometimes    while      handling      conflicts    within   team.  It     also   reflects    that   I   need to improve    my leadership      skills   for      doing    my tasks effectively     in an organisation. 

Although I do not     have problems   in order to adjust with      other   members    of   the team, having the skill   of   resolving conflicts    within a    team    is     crucial    to maintain    integrity    among members     of    the   team.    It    reflects     that I   need to learn new techniques       so   that    I can      find solutions     of   conflicts   effectively.

Skills required for being recruited in Zedex

 Discussion on    my skills   and abilities    also     reflects     that      I     have   the ability     of     completing my tasks   within     predefined   time.   However    maintaining quality   of    the   tasks      is   also    important       for      achieving     goals   of     the   organizations.    It  also     reflects    that   I need   to    improve       my  skills       so    that   I   can  handle  pressure   more effectively.I am flexible for    executing tasks   in   different roles.      As   the     types    of    technological     equipments     being  utilized    in     banking  sector   is  changing    rapidly,  I   need  to    develop   the   skill  of  working with  new  technologies   and    tools.

As    the level    of   competition   in   banking sector     is    increasing   rapidly,    organisations which are working   in this    sector are giving importance on   ensuring    that     the    clients are   being    provided      with    innovative    products and services.  As      an employee of Zedex   I also need    to   have     the ability of      implementing    innovation    in    existing products   and services   provided   by   our organisation. Although   I can      develop   new ideas, but   the   ability   for developing   realistic    goals requires being    enhanced   to manage other   members   of    team effectively.

Discussion on     my existing     skills and abilities also    reflects     that    I   need     to improve my skills for    planning   and organizing   tasks      which are    going to be executed    in an   organisation. I have the ability to express    my opinions using         writing     skills However    in an    organisation;    I need    to    communicate     with      employees    working     at     different hierarchical    positions       for different purpose.    Analysis       on    the   organisational activities    also     reflects    that   I   need to be familiar   with    different    writing styles     in   order to    communicate    with other staffs effectively within organisation. Analysis on   my skills and    abilities    also   indicates   that    I   can take responsibilities     of     the decisions     taken    by me.   However     it is   also    reflected    that   I   face problems while    making    decisions independently.  I    also   need  to  improve  my  decision   making  skills    for  getting    more  opportunities    of  career   growth    in   organisation.

Development     objectives	Priority	Activities   needed    to  undertake     for   achieving     my    objectives	Resources   are   required    for   achieving   targets	Target   date   to  achieve  my    objectives
Improving    communication    skill	1	Increasing       communication     with    people	Opportunity     for   working   in  a group	Within   3  months
Improving       ability    of  working   in  teams	2	Increasing    interaction   with     people Increasing    participation    while  working    in  team	Opportunity     for   working   in  a group	Within   6 months
Being  able  to  maintain  integrity    in   teams	3	Increasing   participation       in   the     process   of   conflict     resolving	Opportunity     for   working   in  a group	Within   6  months
Being     intellectually     able  to  learn   new things    continuously	4	Continuously    up  dated knowledge    in  new    technologies	Information   on  recent  developments    in technology	Continuous    process
Being    able  to  work      within   tight     deadlines  and    high  pressure	5	Setting  own  schedules     for    completing   tasks	Guidance    for     developing     time  schedule	Within   6  months
Ability     for   making  decisions	6	Increasing    participation    in  decision    making    process     while    working   in  a  group	Opportunity     for   working   in  a group	Within   6  months

 Table 2: Personal   and    professional   development   plan

Analysis    on     the   personal and    professional    development     process   indicates     that    my   skills   and abilities   are   being   improved   due to execution     of   the      professional    development   activities.  As   I started   communicating     with    other    people,   communication    skill   improved     significantly. I    started     collecting     information     on   recent    developments   on technology and it enabled   me to  increase     knowledge    on      new tools and techniques.    However    the   skills related with   team    handling and    conflict    managing  needs    to   be developed.

Communication      in    an    organisation    is important    for   promoting     motivation.   However    the communication among employees of the organisation is    also   important     for     clarifying    tasks to     staffs   of    the   organisation. The    style    of communication        in    an    organisation depends    on target   audience. Kellerman, (2013)  opined    that the     communication   within     an      organisation    is     also    used    to   provide guidance   to   employees     on         the process    of   improving    performance    of   staffs.  

Analysis on   the   organisational   activities    also   indicates     that   the      communication       is   also   used     for       reporting    to    different       hierarchical   levels   within    an organisation (Marler and Fisher, 2013).  However   staffs   of an organisation also   use communication   for    developing    the    business   strategies also. Use    of   communication    is effective     to   analyse    the     alternative   courses   of   actions   while developing strategies (McDonnell, 2012).  Behaviour    of employees   impacts   significantly    on   the     performance   of an   organisation (Morrison, 2013).   Use    of     proper communication     style      is   important   to    impact    on   the      attitude   of staffs (Probert and Turnbull James, 2011).    Presence   of   effective     communication   technologies      is   also     important     for    maintaining    integrity     of   the   organisations.     Discussion   on    the   activities     being    conducted   within   an   organisation   also indicates   that     communication   is   important      for controlling    the   tasks        which are   being    undertaken    within   a   communication (Raelin, 2011; Stone and Dulebohn, 2013).     However    analysis    on    the      nature    of communication within     an organisation   indicates   that    the style   of   communication   varies according to    the     target   audience.  However    the   purpose    of communication also    impacts    on   the      style    also.  Riley, (2013) stated    that      often people   use formal communication    style    for     reporting   any information   to higher    authority.     However    formal   approach    is not used always   while    communicating     with   staffs    of same level    or    lower level   at     organisational hierarchy.

The   time   management    policies   of   an organisation are   developed    to ensure   that     the employees   are   able    to work     within      specified     time (Roche and Teague, 2012).      Profitability     of    an organisation    depends   on     timely completion   of tasks (Thompson, 2010).   Analysis    of    the    organisational     activities indicates    that     management    of   a company    needs      to develop suitable time management    policies    so   that    the   staffs become able   to       finish their tasks   within    time (Zafar, 2013).   Development    of time management   policy is also   important   for    prioritizing    tasks (Vargaâ€ÂAtkins, Qualter and O’Brien, 2009). Use    of   time management    policies    also    enables   the   management    to prioritize    tasks.     Development of   time management     policies   is   not   only    effective    to reduce   cost    for    conducting organisational    activities    but also    for increasing    productivity   of    workforce (Collings, 2012).

The   clean  desk  policy  can  be   considered   as      a  directive  provided  to   staffs   of  an   organisation        to    ensure   that   all papers   and  important  documents   are   organised  before  they   are  leaving    office (Collinson, 2012). Implementation    of    clean  desk  policies    reduces     the time for  executing    tasks.