Introduction

In this writing, a personal self evaluation of personal attributes, skills and competencies will be presented. The evaluation will be based on the context that I will take a future career in international management related job. Thus, the self-evaluation plan will be based on the topic related to international management practices and cross cultural issues. After the personal self-evaluation is presented, a SMART development plan in the next six months will be presented. The strengths as well as weaknesses of the personal development plan will be identified as well. Lastly, the writing will choose the two most pressing areas for personal development purposes and outline the specific actions to be taken or implemented for achievement of these goals.

Self Evaluation on Personal Attribute, Skills and Competencies

International Management Practices and Cultural Issues

International Management is increasing becoming a hot topics and subject widely taught in business classes around the world, due to the globalization effects and the emergence of information technology in the recent years. Nowadays, corporations have to move across border, to tap into larger market shares as well as opportunities available beyond domestic country. Thus, a study on such a subject is essential for a manager to become competent in managing business internationally as well as able to cope with the complex cultural issues arise in the context of international management.

Knowledge and Skills Required

To become a truly effective manager in the context of international management, a manager must possess successful and effective managerial skills as well as leadership skills. For this, it is important for an effective manager to have deep knowledge and experiences in leadership skills, planning and execution skills, goal setting skills, able to act professionally, have relevant cultural intelligence, possess negotiating skills, be a fast learner, talented in inter-personal relationship development, able to motivate and engage workforce as well as flexible to deal with the daily challenges due to operational issues in a company.

Particularly in the context of international management, cultural intelligences, or perhaps more accurately defined as the ability to understand cultural differences and to handle or manage or lead workforce from multi-cultural background effectively as well as to understand the different cultural setting of consumers around the world is particularly important. An effective manager will need to understand the different beliefs, basic assumptions and the perceptions of people from different regions or countries. To achieve these, the manager should be equipped with proper understanding and competency in using the various cultural analysis tools. Not only that, the manager should be an avid reader that read widely on the many aspects of social and cultural differences between people around the world.

Besides, possessing fast learning ability is also critical to become effective international manger, as the current business environment is changing fast and dynamic. By becoming a fast learner, then only the manager can cope with the demanding managerial requirements for an effective management in the international context. It is critical for somebody to have fast learning ability to learn up all the necessary management skills as described in the first paragraph above before they can practice effective management and leadership skills in a company.

Evaluation of Personal Attributes, Skills and Competency

It is crucial for me to undertake a proper evaluation on my personal attributes, skills an competency as before an in-depth understanding on myself is performed, it is hard for me to plan a proper strategy to further enhance my skills in terms of international management.

After some deep reflection on my personal attributes, I found that generally, I am a quiet person. Besides, I have very little experience in management and business. In the past, I have been spoon-fed for whatever I required and I needed. This in turn makes me less able to cope with the complexity of life, particularly in such a complicated management subject such as international management. Besides, as I never really learn English before, I am not able to communicate well in English. I am not able to understand what others talk in English some of the time, and worst, I found it so hard to speak fluent English with others. Not only that, I have trouble reading books or materials written in English language and must heavily relying on English dictionary. Many of the difficult words must be translated into Chinese before I can understand the true meaning conveyed by a book or article. Not only is that, the various business theories and management skills taught also different from those I was exposed to when I was in China. The many frameworks used are new to me, and I have a lot of work to do to catch up with the new materials.

However, there are some good points on my personal attributes. I believe that I am willing to work hard and learn new things. I am relatively open minded, and can be very persistent and committed to follow through a challenging task or to achieve a certain goal. I always believe in living a life with passion, and I am willing to sacrifice my personal time and interest for achievement of great and more meaningful goals. Not only that, I am willing to admit my mistakes. I have been very critical on my personal habits and my behaviors. I am honest with myself, and if I am not performing and not doing a great job, I understand and acknowledge such a fact, and then will make relevant changes to improve myself.

Identifying the Areas for Improvement

As discussed above, international management and cultural diversity are complex subjects. Coupled with my personal weaknesses on several areas, such as bad communication skills, weak command of English language as well as relatively unexposed to business and management theories and framework, I have identified several areas of improvement.

Communication skills. I am a quiet person, and thus, it is critical for me to enhance my communication skills. This is critical as almost all issues in management, particularly on the international context, can and should be solved with proper and effective communication skills. Communication skills would include both listening and talking skills.

English language skills. As I am not familiar with English language, particularly when listening to the fast and different English speaking styles by people from local England. This is causing me a lot of issues in understand what is required or taught by lecturer. Many of the time, I simply cannot catch what is being conveyed in class and very soon to lost attention and energy to continue listening to the lecturer. Thus, it is critical for me to enhance my command of English as soon as possible.

Business theories and management skills. I am lacking on understandings as well as the application of various business management theories and framework into my daily life and assignment. Thus, it is critical for me to read widely on the business management subject and to make notes to memorize the framework as soon as possible. It is important for me to understand how the framework is being applied in the arguments or business writing in the real and academic world.

Cultural intelligence. Cultural differences and the topics related to culture is a complicated one. However, in today business environment, it is important for a manager to be able to manage a diverse workforce. Thus, a manager should be equipped with proper and accurate understanding on the perceptions, believes system, mindset, attitudes, lifestyle and habits of different people that he is managing.

Speed reading skills. As I am going to improve my knowledge and understanding on the wide and complex business management subject, it is important for me to fasten my reading skills and speed. Only by enhancing my reading skills, I will be able to read as fast as possible to absorb as many knowledge in the process as possible.

Fast learning skills. Apart from fast reading skills, it is critical also for me to learn new knowledge, skills and habits fast. Only with a fast learning ability, I am catch up with the many areas I am lacking in terms of international management skills.

Personal SMART Development Plan

SMART Development Plan Defined

A SMART development plan is a development plan that is formulated according to five dimensions or criteria as follow, namely: specific, measurable, achievable, realistic, and time-bound. All of these dimensions can be explained as follow:

• Specific: any plan, goal or strategy must be specific, and should be clarified by the person setting that goal, strategy or plan. Without a specific plan, human mind does not have a proper or clear direction to move towards. Thus, it is important that any plan should be formulated as details as relevant – so it is clear on what goals are to be achieved in the end of the day.
• Measurable: the maxim that ‘if you can’t measure it, you cannot improve it’ is not uncommon. This is because for plan to be relevant and for the progress of the plan to be track-able, it is important that proper measurement on the key success factors or relevant dimensions of the plan to be measurable. This is critical for people to understand that if the dimensions or success factors measured is improving or degrading in the plan implementation process.
• Achievable: any plan should be achievable, or else it will de-motivate the person implementing that plan, and ultimately hindering the person from follow through to the successful execution or achievement of the goals.
• Realistic: the plan or goal should be realistic, so that people understand that such a plan is viable and indeed achievable.
• Time-bound: any plan or goal must have a time schedule attached to it, to avoid people from continuously procrastinate to the achievement of that goal.

Outline of the Personal SMART Development Plan

The personal SMART develop will take a total time of 6 months. As there are actually six skills or areas in which I am planning to improve on, it is therefore planned that each of the skills to be learned will take 1 month. The details and the actions to be taken under such a plan are summarized in the table below.

Strengths and Weaknesses of the SMART Development Plan

The strengths of the development plan are that it is specific and achievable. Indeed, it is a viable plan because it is formulated according to the SMART principle. Specifically, the plan is specific, measurable, achievable, realistic, and time-bound.

Besides, the development plan formulated is a simple one – and thus, is motivating and encouraging. It is important for any improvement process to be continuous, but should take one step at a time. And a simple step successfully completed will further encourage me to take more tiny steps to further improve myself in the future.

Not only that, that development plan is also beneficial to me on daily life. It is not merely designed to improve my skills as a manager in the international management context, but indeed will enhance my communication and interpersonal skills, which is often useful in our daily life, no matter which field we intend to engage in.

However, it is also acknowledged that there are some inherent limitations on the development plan. Firstly, it is found that such a plan is just formulated to move me towards better equipped with necessary skills a manager should have, but it is not designed to prepared me in a comprehensive manner to become a successful effective manager after the plan is completed. This is because there are too many things to learn to become a truly effective manger, and constant improvement is indeed required. Many of the other areas, such as leadership skills, the presentation skills, and the ability to motivate others are not included in such a plan, as the plan is designed as simple and as achievable as possible.

Apart from that, the plan does not have a proper evaluation and review process, to judge if it is being carried out properly. This is because after the plan, it is presume that another plan will be formulated to further enhance my skills. However, it is understood that a plan should have the respective follow up or review sessions to understand how it can be further improved and redefined.

Conclusion

A plan is already being formulated, and it is a good plan. However, it is critical for me to follow through to the successful completion of the plan. I would like to encourage myself with the famous saying from Ray Kroc, the founder of Mc Donald, as follow:

“Nothing in the world can take the place of persistence.

Talent will not; nothing is more common than unsuccessful men with talent.

Genius will not; unrewarded genius is almost a proverb.

Education alone will not; the world is full of educated derelicts.

Persistence and determination alone are omnipotent.”

References

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