PPD, 2026-2027

Year 2, semester 3

The first semester of year 2, from the kick-off on 31 August to the assessments in January. Six assignments, the skills I chose to work on, and the dates that matter.

In progressAug 2026 to Jan 2027
Evidence added
8 of 29
Reflections written
0 of 6
Assignments done
0 of 6

  1. Assignment 1: Leadership and project management

  2. Assignment 2: Presenting, before and after

  3. Assignment 3: In-depth course

  4. Assignment 4: CV and LinkedIn

  5. Assignment 5: Personal branding

  6. Assignment 6: DISC deepening

Six assignments, one page each.

Every page follows the same structure: what the assignment asks, how I approach it, the evidence, and my reflection. The skills it links to sit at the top of the page. Nothing is marked done before the evidence is there.

How to read the status

  • PlannedNot started yet. The date it starts is on the page.
  • In progressStarted. Some evidence is in, some is still coming.
  • DoneAll evidence and the reflection are in.

  1. Assignment 1

    Leadership and project management

    One week as project manager of my group: agenda, notes, tasks and follow-up.

    • Leadership and self-regulation
    • Sense of responsibility
    • Collaboration
    In progressSep to Nov 20260 of 5 evidence

  2. Assignment 2

    Presenting, before and after

    Eight minutes on the VOC, filmed twice, with a presentation workshop in between.

    • Communication
    • Perseverance
    • Adaptability
    In progressSep to Oct 20261 of 5 evidence

  3. Assignment 3

    In-depth course

    A course of 10 to 15 hours, a certificate, and a short video on what I learned.

    • Curiosity
    • Future agility
    • Communication
    In progressSep to Nov 20262 of 5 evidence

  4. Assignment 4

    CV and LinkedIn

    A visual CV and a LinkedIn article about the course. Then: what happened after I posted it.

    • Communication
    • Initiative
    • Pro-activity
    PlannedNov to Dec 20261 of 5 evidence

  5. Assignment 5

    Personal branding

    What makes me different as a marketing manager: my values, my drive, and what I do that others don't.

    • Creativity
    • Initiative
    • Future agility
    In progressSep to Dec 20262 of 4 evidence

  6. Assignment 6

    DISC deepening

    The certified DISC training at Q4 Profiles, my profile, and what it changes in how I work with my group.

    • Relationship awareness
    • Collaboration
    • Mental flexibility
    In progressSep to Oct 20262 of 5 evidence

The skills I chose to work on.

The Commercial Economics profile lists sixteen skills. You don't have to work on all of them. I picked six I actually need next, and every assignment links back to them.

  1. 1

    Leadership and self-regulation

    I run my own studio, but I have never led a project group for real. Assignment 1 makes me.

  2. 2

    Communication

    Two presentations, a LinkedIn article and this whole site. Every assignment leans on it.

  3. 3

    Collaboration

    The semester is one long group project with a real client. Being useful in a team is the job.

  4. 4

    Relationship awareness

    DISC and the 360 feedback show how I come across. I want to use that, not just read it.

  5. 5

    Initiative

    Nobody makes you build a portfolio site or publish an article. You do it or you don't.

  6. 6

    Future agility

    AI is changing marketing faster than the programme can. I want to be the one who sees it coming.

Highlighted: the ones I focus on this semester.

Generic skills

  • Critical thinking
  • Creativity
  • Curiosity
  • Communication
  • Collaboration
  • Initiative
  • Perseverance
  • Adaptability
  • Leadership and self-regulation
  • Sense of responsibility

Change skills

  • Ethical awareness
  • Relationship awareness
  • Pro-activity
  • Future agility
  • Mental flexibility
  • Showing leadership
What each skill means
Critical thinking
Analyse information, question the obvious, and come up with substantiated solutions.
Creativity
Come up with original solutions and experiment with new approaches.
Curiosity
Actively want to learn and investigate new developments in the field.
Communication
Communicate professionally and purposefully with different audiences, written and spoken.
Collaboration
Work effectively in different contexts, align roles, and contribute constructively.
Initiative
Act proactively and take steps yourself to reach your goals.
Perseverance
Keep going when it gets hard, learn from mistakes, and show resilience.
Adaptability
Be flexible in behaviour and think constructively about change.
Leadership and self-regulation
Direct your own development and know how to inspire or guide others.
Sense of responsibility
Act professionally and reliably, and stand by your own choices and results.
Ethical awareness
Recognise moral dilemmas and make considered decisions with an eye for integrity.
Relationship awareness
Understand and influence social dynamics, show empathy, and build lasting relationships.
Pro-activity
Anticipate developments and take action on your own.
Future agility
See trends and translate them into opportunities for innovation or improvement.
Mental flexibility
Adjust your thinking and behaviour when the situation asks for it.
Showing leadership
Dare to take responsibility, give direction, and inspire others.

The semester at a glance.

Where each assignment lands between the kick-off and the assessment.

A winding clay path over hills with six small flags along the way

  1. 31 Aug

    Kick-off

    PPD semester 3 starts.

  2. 7 Sep

    Project management

    The class behind assignment 1.

  3. 21 Sep

    Digital portfolio

    Class on building this site.

  4. 22 Sep

    DISC training

    Full day at Q4 Profiles, assignment 6.

  5. 6 Oct

    Presentation, first attempt

    Eight minutes on the VOC, filmed. The workshop follows.

  6. 19 Oct

    Presentation, second attempt

    The same talk, rebuilt after the workshop.

  7. 26 Oct to 23 Nov

    LinkedIn, CV and branding

    The classes behind assignments 4 and 5.

  8. 14 Dec

    Portfolio deadline

    Everything for this semester, submitted.

  9. 4 and 11 Jan

    Assessments

    10-minute presentation, then the group discussion.

Looking ahead.

What I want to be able to say in January that I can't say now.

A small clay telescope on a tripod next to a compass
1

Prepare early, present calm.

Last year I built the Kahoot on the day of our workshop. It worked, but I felt it. Both presentations this semester are finished and rehearsed a week before.

2

Lead with structure, not volume.

One week of project management is the assignment. I want the group to keep the agenda and the task board after my week is over.

3

Follow up on every contact.

A contact means nothing if you never speak again. Everyone I meet at an event or through the article gets a message within a week.

4

Explain AI to people who don't build.

The course, the video and the LinkedIn article are one test: can I make a technical topic clear to a marketing manager? If yes, that is my edge.