Personal and Professional Development
40 articles
Personal Development
In this section, we are going to look at how personal development and the creation of a Personal Development Plan (PDP) contributes to more effectively managing ourselves.
We will explore the reasons why personal development is crucial, before examining the key stages in the planning process and the methods available for its implementation, before finally discussing how to review and evaluate its effects.
"I am" Script for Personal Change
Some simple words to help self–belief, personal happiness and fulfilment.
8 Personal Development Books You Should Read
Inspirational and motivational books for personal and organisational development - books on work-life-balance, self–awareness or negotiation skills.
Academic Referencing (Harvard, Vancouver)
Here, we explain both Vancouver and Harvard referencing, how to write in–text citations, and how to build a reference list (bibliography).
Academic Writing Styles
Here we outline a few of the various writing styles employed in academic writing, when they are appropriate, and how you would use these to full effect.
Accessing Academic Literature
Without a full understanding of the key research and academic studies to date, you cannot define your own research questions.
Being Assertive and Self–Confident
Building self–confidence and assertiveness through our simple methods and techniques – knowing the facts, being prepared – read here for the rest!
Campling's Aspects of the Work Psyche
Matthew Campling's theories on Age/Work Arc, workplace anger, ego, depression and ideas for anticipating and making the most of new career direction changes.
Career/Business Planner
Planner template for career, self–employment or new business start–up, a process for turning passion into profit, for life balance and success.
Careers Advice – Free Resources
Careers Advice training from Businessballs.com. This course contains the resources needed to begin and grow your career.
Careers Advice – Free Resources
Careers Advice training from Businessballs.com. This course contains the resources needed to begin and grow your career.
Careers Advice – Free Resources
Careers Advice training from Businessballs.com. This course contains the resources needed to begin and grow your career.
Critical Thinking: Tips and Techniques
Critical thinking is an invaluable tool which can be applied to subjects to develop an objective understanding of ideas, and to make an informed decision.
CV Writing: Templates, Examples, and Tips
A Curriculum Vitae proves you are suitable for a role. Use our online samples, styles and formats to display your skills, knowledge and experience!
Demographics
Free social grade definitions and demographics classifications and geodemographic classes.
Edgar Schein's Career Anchors
Schein's career anchors are a set of values and priorities around which individuals structure their approaches to work and development.
Free Job Search
Free job search tool from BusinessBalls.com. Use this page to search for the career of your dreams.
How to Identify Further Reading
Sometimes just reading one article isn't enough. Further reading around a topic can be invaluable, but it can be identify what you need to be looking for.
How to use Qualitative Research Methods
Due to it's nature, qualitative research can be difficult to tackle, and should only be approached with a full understanding of methodology.
How to: Complaints Letters
How to write an effective complaints letter, including free examples, samples, templates and guides for you to use yourself.
Job Hunting in Tough Times
A guaranteed to be successful, direct process for job–hunting when you've tried all the usual methods, plus tips, method and tools for implementation.
NVQs
History and development of NVQs – NVQs structure, definitions, terminology – full lists of NVQs and other national framework qualifications.
Personal Development
A modern alternative to traditional self-development covering modern integrated methods, self-discovery, self-help, motivation and achievement psychology.
Personal Development
Free online Personal Development course. This course will give you the knowledge and skills to identify gaps and plan your development journey.
Personal Development Plans
Personal development plans are vital for objectively mapping out the future of your personal development.
Quantitative Research Methods
One of the two major styles of research, quantitative research revolves around the collection, analysis and interpretation of numbers and other statistics.
Resignation Letters: Templates and Examples
How to write resignation and retirement letters - accepting and withdrawing resignation. Free samples, formatting, templates and examples.
Salary Negotiation Tips
Free tips and help when negotiating pay, and handling requests for pay increases, plus more free techniques and theories.
STAR: How To Answer Interview Questions
Situation, Task, Action, Result. The STAR Technique provides you with a simple framework to prepare for, and answer behavioural questions in interviews.
Stress and Stress Management
Free stress reduction techniques for the workplace and personal stress relief, stress management and an outline of the causes and susceptibility to stress.
Summary of Seven Habits of Highly Effective People
A review and summary of Stephen Covey's Seven Habits Of Highly Effective People, plus more free training, tools, techniques and diagrams on self-management.
The 70:20:10 Model
70:20:10 is a simple framework used in leadership learning to describe the ratio of different developmental inputs to aid learning within organisations.
The Art of Finding Meaningful Work
A short article offering insightful tips into getting more meaning out of work.
The Four Agreements – Don Miguel Ruiz
Don Miguel Ruiz's The Four Agreements book provides an inspirational code for life, his ideas come from ancient Toltec wisdom.
The Key to Effective Note–Taking
Effective notes are important for the retention of information, allowing you to re–digest and use content at a later date.
Theory of Human Development – Erik Erikson
For child development and adults – explanation of Erik Erikson's Psychosocial Theory of human development, biography, diagrams, terminology, references.
Tips for Academic Reading
Here we will discuss ways to avoid falling at the first hurdle in research, and how to get the most from your reading.
What are "Soft Skills"? – Free Leadership Training
Explore soft skills' significance in personal and professional development, how they differ from hard skills, and uncover tips to enhance your abilities.
What are Transferable Skills? | Free Leadership Training
Discover the essence of transferable skills in our insightful article. Free Leadership and Personal Development training at BusinessBalls.com.
What is CPD?
CPD stands for Continuing Professional Development. It encompasses all of the training you complete after induction and onboarding, and how you document it.
Workplace Well–Being
Workplace well–being theory and management – tips, methods, ways to improve emotional health and stress reduction at work for employers and employees.