My Study Skills - Coursework Example

Initial Reflection (Formative) The last two years have been particularly a learning moment for me. This is because, having graduated with a degree in a different field, I had a passion for undertaking a business course. However, learning business and learning other disciplines are different, since there are few areas of generalizing in the field of business. Each aspect of a business venture is unique to the business entity, based on several factors (Robbins, 2008 p14). Therefore, the factors that make one business thrive and flourish and those that make another one fail are unique to those entities and can only be generalized to a smaller extent. Thus, the first year was characterized by major assessments of my business learning ability. Here, my areas of strengths and weakness were to be determined, so that it could be known how my goal of learning business could be achieved (Robbins, 2008 p33). The assessment majorly involved eliciting the basic business and management principles that I uphold, so that the learning objectives of the course could be tailor-made to suit my learning needs (Robbins, 2008 p19). This was then followed by a series of workshops, where I had to learn various practical business applications, which are the fundamentals of business management. This was followed by class sessions where I learnt the foundation of management principles required to form a formidable basis for understanding management aspects of a business (Robbins, 2008 p25). Thus, the first year was marked by a series of learning experiences which ranged from theoretical to practical basis of establishing, running and managing a business through various stages of its growth (Robbins, 2008 p30). After completing the series of learning activities, I was awarded a professional management designation, which allowed me to join my first year in the university and undertake a degree in business management. There are many lessons that I have learnt during the last two years. First, I have come to understand and appreciate the fact that a business cannot be referred to as successful, without the directing and controlling aspects of the management team (Robbins, 2008 p46). Thus, management is a central component of a business that gives it direction and focus, leading it to the achievement of the set targets and goals (Robbins, 2008 p20). Further, I realized that a business without an effective and efficient management initiative is bound to fail at some point, since it will eventually lose direction and meaning. Notable is the fact that running a business is a matter of daily interventions and adjustment to goals, targets, policies and philosophies of the business, since the business world is a competitive one (Robbins, 2008 p17). Therefore, without the management function in a business, nothing can possibly be achieved. This is because, all the factors of production that include land, labor and capital cannot achieve anything without the organization and leadership initiatives of the management team (Robbins, 2008 p56). Thus, a production system can only function where there are factors of production operating under the direction and control of the management function. Additionally, the survival and success of any business venture depend mainly on the creativity and management principles of the management team, more than it depends on the available factors of production (Robbins, 2008 p41). Thus, besides learning, the last two years have been marked by considerable personal growth in various aspects. Management principles apply not only in business but also in personal life. For example, time management, which is a vital aspect of management, is also applicable to personal life, where the achievement of an individual’s goals depends on how well he/she manages time (Robbins, 2008 p67). The welfare of the people and world economy entirely depends on how well the affairs are managed, starting from the individual levels to the global platforms. When the affairs of individuals are managed effectively, such individuals will achieve their goals. This also influences the achievements of his/her immediate relations such as the family. The achievement of one family affects the overall achievement of a community, which is also reflected at the national level (Robbins, 2008 p23). Thus, where the management of an individual’s affair is done appropriately, it will build on the family achievement, which in turn determines the achievements of a community that has a bearing on the overall achievement of a country. Thus, management is a continuum of activities that determine how the world is shaped in political, economical and social perspectives (Robbins, 2008 p62). However, in the course of learning, it has emerged that I possess ample leadership and communication skills that are central to management. Additionally, it is observable that I have commendable financial discipline, which majorly determines the achievement of one’s objectives, based on his/her ability to plan for the available resources (Robbins, 2008 p50). I also happen to demonstrate excellent time management skills, which are central for any meaningful achievement. Time and financial management skills are directly related to the general discipline of an individual (Robbins, 2008 p35). However, one weakness that has affected my ability to learn is lack of sufficient English language skills. There are many improvements that need to be done in my study skills, more so regarding learning language skills, which are relevant for understanding the management courses that I will be undertaking (Robbins, 2008 p50). Most significant of these skills are the reading and writing skills that I committed to improve to enable me undertake my courses without any difficulty. To improve my language skills, I have enrolled for English skills class, which I will be attending for the next 3 months. Another area of improvement is in communication and customer service skills. Communication and customer service skills are the fundamentals of business management (Robbins, 2008 p48). Therefore, I have committed to learning communication skills through attending communication classes. Additionally, I will learn customer service skills through attending a four months internship in a customer service firm, where I will learn how to address customers efficiently and effectively (Robbins, 2008 p65). Besides, I need to improve my leadership skills within the next 6 months, a goal that will be achieved through enrolling in different clubs and societies, where I can exercise my skills through taking part in leadership forums. This I will achieve through organizing different functions and participating in different activities as a follower. Thus, engaging in different clubs will help me develop my leadership skills through both leadership and followership (Robbins, 2008 p55). Reference Robbins, S. P. (2008). Foundations of management. Frenchs Forest, N.S.W., Pearson Education. Read More