Self-reflection assignment: Discussion using Gibbs Cycle

Question

Task: Write a report on self-reflection assignment reflecting on the novel value proposition using Gibbs reflective cycle.

Answer

Introduction
Thisself-reflection assignment helps in understanding the manner in which a particular project has been prepared. It helps in understanding the knowledge derived and the application of the knowledge for future prospects. It also helps to evaluate the strengths and weakness that was displayed while commencing with the work. In this regard, the self-reflection is done within this self-reflection assignment using Gibbs’ reflective cycle. In the words of Gilbert (2016),the cycle helps in providing a framework for examining the experiences. It leads to having repeated experiences which allows for the proper learning, and planning of the activities that are required to be made.

Self-reflection using Gibbs’ reflective cycle
The application of the Gibbs’ reflective cycle explored in the segments of self-reflection assignmenthelps in bringing about an understanding of the knowledge gained from conducting the project. In my case, the assessment made about the value proposition that I had undertaken on McDonald’s had been depended on the application of the cycle and the repetitive learning experience that I seek to gain. The self-reflection is made using the six stages of Gibb’s reflective cycle so that full description can be provided about my experience. As mentioned in the self-reflection assignment, this can also help me to understand the improvement that I need to make so that I do not repeat the mistakes in the future.

Description
The incident that I am going to present herein self-reflection assignment had been about my evaluation of the novel value proposition assignment that I had undertaken to understand the innovation and the sustainable business development that is undertaken by McDonald’s. Relation had been with the business canvas of the company along with technical and the financial feasibility of the company. The analysis on self-reflection assignmenthad been made within my school premise and I had to undertake secondary research to understand the prospects that exists with McDonald’s. The reason for conducting a secondary research is due to the corona virus pandemic, which has hindered any chances of collecting primary data.This particular assessment had been a solo act that I needed to perform. It was an individual assessment and I had received the minimum required help from my lecturers and peers.

My role in this self-reflection assignment had been to analyse the technical, financial and business feasibility of McDonald’s. The assistance that I had received from the other people includes gaining lecture notes from my professors about the models to be used and its application.The outcome of the situation had been that I was able to gain effective knowledge about McDonald’s and the manner in which the company uses various competitive tools to understand the opportunity it has in the business.

The reason for taking up the assessment had been to improve my business knowledge about the different assessment tools that can be used to analyse the development of a business. This can help me to apply the tools in a practical manner in the future with the company where I may be involved.I wanted to gain positive results from my analysis and gain a thorough knowledge about my skills and responsibilities that I possess which can be useful in the future.

Feelings
During the situation, I had felt confident and had backed my ability to conduct a good research. I was feeling little low about the fact that I had to commence with only secondary research and had no opportunity of conducting a primary research. Before the commencement of my analysis on self-reflection assignment, I had been feeling confident and had ensured that I take steps to make a thorough analysis of the tools and techniques that exists with McDonald’s. At the same time, after the analysis had ended I had felt that I could have done more in gaining knowledge about McDonald’s and its impact in the business world.

I had not been involved in a group project. The assessment had been an individual task that I had undertaken and hence, there had been no such reactions about other people.My peers had congratulated me on my success and I had been able to gain encouragement from my lecturers in conducting the project. The help that I had received from the professors had been in plenty, which helped me to continue with my prospects in life.

During the analysis of the company, I had been thinking about ways by which I can enhance the level of research. I had pondered about including examples of other companies so that I can compare the application of the tools with that of McDonald’s and continue with my assessment of the situation.

After completing my work as mentioned in the self-reflection assignment, I think I did well in identifying the competitors of McDonald’s to gain an insight into the supply chain and technological advancement of the company. However, the majority of the assessment had been involved in assessing the activities undertaken by McDonald’s instead of comparison with its competition.

Evaluation
The good aspect of the experience had been the fact that I was able to identify the tools and techniques that are used by McDonald’s to commence with its business plan. The company has been in existence in the fast food restaurant sector for a long time and despite its controversies, the company has been able to commence with its business. The bad aspect of the experience had been that I was unable to make comparisons with other business organisations and had failed to collect primary data due to the corona virus threat. The aspects that had gone well in the analysis had been my research. As stated earlier I had received help from my professors to undergo the research. I had even managed to gain the required assistance and information on McDonald’s related to the use of the tools, its technical and financial feasibility. Overall, it can be said that I had been able to conduct an efficient analysis on the topic.

The aspects that I had not done well are the fact that I had not made any comparisons between McDonald’s and the competitors. I had mentioned the names of the competitors but had not made strategic analysis on the tools used by these companies. Hence, the recommendation made had been ways to improve the internal capabilities of McDonald’swithout providing it with a benchmark to conduct its business prospects.

The contribution that I had made for the assessment is that I needed to take up intense research on the tools and the application of it, which are suitable for McDonald’s. However, my ability to take up more responsibility in terms of initiating the research can be considered as negative as I had been dependent on the assistance of the Professors and the lecture notes.

Analysis
The reason for the assessment to go well is the assistance and support that I had gained from my Professors. The lecture notes and the encouragement provided had been a positive influence on me and with that, I had been able to commence with my assessment and continue with the assessment without having to think about any negative aspects related with the topic.

However, as stated earlier there had been situations in which the project had not been done well. The justification of this is the fact that only secondary data had been available and I feel that primary research could have helped the research undertake a different turn. Along with this, I had failed to analyse the prospects of the competitors as I failed to gather the required data from the competitors to implement and compare with it McDonald’s.

The sense that I can make from this assessment is the fact that I need to make a thorough research on my project before commencing with it. I need to understand the purpose of my research and apply every technique that can help me to enhance the quality of the research. I have identified my strengths and weakness based on which I can continue with my individual projects in the future.

The knowledge that has gained from this assessment is that application of business tools and techniques is necessary for the development of a company. Despite being a successful company in the restaurant industry, McDonald’s continue to implement innovative tactics to satisfy the customers. It is mentioned in the self-reflection assignment that this particular continuous development attitude is the knowledge gained about continuing to learn to improve oneself.

Conclusion
From the analysis made, I had learned many things about the manner in which business can be done. It can be seen that conducting an external analysis along with attaining a better market position is not easy. I have also learned that taking self-responsibilitycan be considered as a way of gaining proper knowledge about a topic and can help in conducting more individual assessment related to the topic at hand. This particular self-reflection assignment had a positive impact on me, as I was able to understand the activities that I needed to be involved in to become a successful businessperson. I had understood the application of the tools and techniques used by McDonald’sto conduct it business prospects along with its positive intent for the business. Thus, it can be said in the self-reflection assignment that positivity about the topic can be felt from the analysis of business prospects of the company.

What skills do I need to develop for me to handle a situation like this better?
However, in order to continue with commencing with individual projects, I need to make certain changes in my approaches. I need to take more responsibility of my research and rely less on the lectures provided by the Professors. The lecture notescan be used as supporting materials with the research that I had undertaken. I also need to ensure that primary collection of the research is undertaken so that direct analysis of the application of tools and techniques can be understood. I could have conducted an online interview with the manager of any McDonald’s franchise in my locality. I could have also made a thorough analysis of the secondary data by making comparisons between McDonald’s and its competitors.

Action plan
If I had to do the same thing, again there are certain things, which I need to do differently. One such aspect is the fact that I need to make proper comparisons with the competitors so that I can enhance the quality of my research. Currently the research conducted lacks the quality that helps in the comparison between the organisations and provides an analysis of the tools and techniques. I would also try to ensure that I engage in case study or primary research so that I can gain first-hand experience about the topic.

The required skills that I need to develop are my ability to conduct efficient research. The reason for the failure identified in the self-reflection assignment to make the comparison is that I had not been able to conduct proper research on the tools and techniques used by the competitors of McDonald’s. In the future, I would like to undertake intense research in trying to analyse such information. I would also look to improve on my knowledge related to the topic more so that at the initial phrase of my research I do not have to rely on the assistance of my Professor and my peers.

I can ensure that I act differently next time mainly by undergoing a self-belief course in which I need to gather encouragement for myself. I also need to undergo skills to learn the art of searching for detailed secondary data so that I can commence with the research efficiently. These skills need to be improved upon so that in the future I can complete successful individual projects.

Conclusion
From the analysis of the reflection and the experience that I have gained, an overall conclusion on self-reflection assignmentcan be made which may be considered as a way to improve my stature in the future. The analysis done within this self-reflection assignment have showed me that I managed to gain enough knowledge that may be considered as helpful for starting a career in business. However, more experience about leading or taking responsibilities need to be improved so that I can continue to grow in the industry. At the same time, the reflection provided through this self-reflection assignment has helped me to understand my strengths, which I can use to overcome such drawbacks in the future.?

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