Professional Development and Competencies in Paramount Hotel

Effective professional development and time management are crucial for achieving organizational objectives in the workplace. Paramount Hotel has implemented various strategies to address problems that occur at the workplace, including effective communication methods and time-management techniques.

PERSONAL AND PROFESSIONAL
DEVELOPMENT

TABLE OF CONTENTS
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................3
TASK 1............................................................................................................................................3
1.1 Approaches to self-managed learning...................................................................................3
1.2 Ways to encourage lifelong learning.....................................................................................4
1.3 Benefits of self-managed learning........................................................................................4
TASK 2............................................................................................................................................5
2.1 Evaluation of my skills and competencies: ..........................................................................5
2.2 Ways to improve my skills....................................................................................................6
2.3 Development opportunities to meet current and future defined needs.................................6
2.4 Personal and Professional development plan........................................................................7
TASK 3 ..........................................................................................................................................9
3.1 Processes and activities required to implement the development plan.................................9
3.2 Undertaking and documenting development activities.........................................................9
3.3 Critical analysis of my own learning against original aims and objective..........................10
3.4 Updated Personal and Professional Plan.............................................................................11
TASK 4..........................................................................................................................................12
4.1 Solutions to work-based problem of high employee turnover............................................12
4.2 Different types of communication used at Paramount Hotel..............................................14
4.3 Effective time-management strategies to reduce employee turnover.................................15
CONCLUSION..............................................................................................................................16
REFERENCES..............................................................................................................................17

INTRODUCTION
Personal and Professional development is the way through which an individual and
company get indulged in the process of learning to attain desired goals and meet challenges
effectually (Patti and et.al., 2012). This report is based on the case scenario of Travelodge Hotel
which is the UK’s largest independent hotel brand and Paramount Travel Hotel. This report
proposes the ways to encourage lifelong learning and evaluates the benefits of self-managed
learning. Along with that, it identifies the development opportunities to meet current and future
defined needs. Also, it discusses about the processes and activities required to implement the
development plan.
TASK 1
1.1 Approaches to self-managed learning
Self - managed learning is the process through which individual discovers ways and
methods of learning new things. There are different approaches to self-managed learning which
are described as below: Seminars and conferences: People can develop their personal and professional skills
through seminars and conferences. It is an effective tool as it gives opportunity to people
to present their ideas and knowledge in front of audience. It will help people to become
confident and improve their presentable skills. It will enhance their knowledge and
information about different topics (Blandford, 2012). They will learn to deal with distinct
people and answering different questions. However, people may not get instant answers
for every question and it is not necessary that the information shared in seminars is
absolutely correct. Social networks: People are spending high proportion of their time in social networking
sites like Facebook, Tweeter, etc. Through these sites, they meet and interact with
different people. It will help them to improve their interpersonal skills (López‐Pastor,
Monjas and Manrique, 2011). It depends on the person that he would use this medium.
Now days, social networking site is used as a source of information and keep themselves
updated with the latest news. People learn from the experience and knowledge of lives of
these people and thus, it acts as a means to succeed in their own careers. However, people

are using these websites in a negative way as they used to waste their time in chatting
with people.
 Internet: Internet is considered as an ocean of information and knowledge. Solutions to
every problem is available on internet. It contains knowledge of each field by accessing
academic journals that are available on internet (Little, 2012). Individuals can expand
their knowledge through internet which helps them to interact with any class of people.
Being an assistant manager of Travelodge Hotel, I use internet as an appropriate means of
developing personal and professional skills. It is the way through which employees can enhance
their knowledge and will learn to interact with different classes and sections of people. In this
sector, people need to communicate with different types of people and should try to build
connection with them (McArdle and Coutts, 2010).
1.2 Ways to encourage lifelong learning
Being an assistant manager of Travelodge hotel, I would encourage my lifelong learning
that would assist me to deal with the situation in my personal and professional life. So, different
ways are identified which I can use for lifelong learning for having personal and professional
growth at Travelodge Hotel. Some of them are: Self-evaluation: I can use self-evaluation technique to evaluate myself for lifelong
learning. I can identify my strengths and weaknesses that will help me to build my career
and improve in the areas where I am lacking (Borders and et.al., 2011). I can attend
seminars and conferences to improve my communication skills and build up my
confidence. My major weakness is that I am having knowledge but sometimes, I become
bit nervous to communicate it with my staff members.
 Feedback: Being an assistant manager, I can encourage lifelong learning by taking
feedback from my colleagues and my friends (Thomas and Beauchamp, 2011). I will
come to know my weaknesses and strengths through this means. It will help me to find
the way to work on my weak areas and learn from my mistakes.
1.3 Benefits of self-managed learning
I have learnt many things from self-managed learning. Being the assistant manager, I
have benefited from self-managed learning. I have learnt to get the work done quickly by my
staff in a way it is required. I have gained this learning from the life experience of people by

reading about them on internet. Also, it has helped me in learning the way to convince my
employees to perform in a better way. In holiday, when hotel has very high footfall, the work
pressure is increased (Stephenson and Yorke, 2013). So, I try to reduce the level of stress. I have
learned this technique by working with my seniors through which I learnt the way in which they
manage their stress level and maintain a friendly working environment. Reading books and
surfing internet has enhanced my knowledge that helps me to interact with my clients and
customers and in building professional relationship with them. These tools not only help in my
professional life but also assist me in dealing with my personal life. For example, my biggest fear
is to present the strategies and plans in front of clients. But, after attending various seminars and
workshops, I analysed people giving presentations and slowly, I also participated in these
seminars that help me to work on my presentable skills.
This self-managed learning not only proved beneficial for me but also benefited for
Travelodge. Hotel does not need to organize training session for enhancing the skills that people
have improved by self-evaluation. It ultimately contributes in attaining the goals and objectives
of organisation effectually.
TASK 2
2.1 Evaluation of my skills and competencies
I need to evaluate my skills and competencies to improve my performance as an Assistant
Manager. To evaluate my skills and competencies, I need to conduct SWOT analysis for self-
assessment. I have conducted my own SWOT analysis which is depicted as below:
Strengths: I am good in financial management which helps me to have effective control
on the investment and income generated. Also, I can manage and deal with the staff of hotel in
an effective manner which makes the work in a better way (Stephenson and Yorke, 2013). Apart
from that, I have strong interpersonal skills which is essential for working as an assistant
manager as our team has to build professional relationships with clients of Travelodge.
Weaknesses: I am lacking in communication skills that ultimately affects me to deal and
interact with different sets of people. I got bit nervous while presenting strategies and plans in
front of investors and banks. So, for the same, I need to work on my presentable skills to perform
better. In addition to this, I am not able to manage my team in an efficient manner as well as
most of the time, I am unable to accomplish my targets within specified time frame.

Opportunities: In hotel management stream, I have the opportunity to occupy higher
position by promotion (Kao, Wu and Tsai, 2011). I can grab this opportunity by keeping myself
updated with all the changes going on in this industry. Also, by the way of attending and
participating in seminars and conferences, I can come in the eyes of top level management to
achieve higher position.
Threats: I have the threat from my competitors and my team members who have more
knowledge than me.
I have identified my weaknesses and need to work on it to perform my duties and
responsibilities as an Assistant Manager in the best possible ways.
2.2 Ways to improve my skills
I need to find the ways and means to improve my skills. As stated above, I have
identified my own development needs. I don't have good communication skills so reading books
and surfing internet will be beneficial. Also, I will attend meetings and seminars where there will
be interaction and discussion with people that will improve my communication skill (Klieger,
Ben-Hur and Bar-Yossef, 2010). Along with that, I will watch films and will try to analyse their
communication skills and would adopt them in my life.
I have to work on my presentable skills by giving presentation in front of small number
of people will build confidence in me. Also, I can attend other PPT on internet and evaluate and
analyse the skills of people to adopt them practically. Also, participating in seminars and
conferences and giving lectures would improve my presentation skills. Apart from that, my
leadership skills are not efficient that put me into trouble while managing my team. I have to
learn about different leadership styles along with their pros and cons to manage the team in a
better way. I need to understand the needs and problems of team members in order to solve them.
I can organize events at a small level and tries to identify the areas where I am lacking behind. In
addition to this, attending training sessions to improve my leadership and team management
quality is required as well. Unable to complete my targets within specified time is also one of the
weaknesses of mine. So, I need to have time management skill by which will be able to divide
my work for the whole day by keeping all activities on priority basis that I need to do. For every
task, I will set deadlines within which I need to complete them. In case if I am not able to
manage my work, I will delegate the responsibilities to my team members who can perform
them. I will try to do my work with high concentration (Kesson and Henderson, 2010).

2.3 Development opportunities to meet current and future defined needs
I have to identify development opportunities available in or outside the hotel to meet my
current and future needs. Some of these opportunities are: Training and development: I can attend the training session organized by Travelodge to
improve my skills and build confidence in myself to interact and deal with hotel's
customers and clients. These training programme will help me to meet the current and
future requirement to become a good manager. This will motivate me to perform my
duties and responsibilities with greater efficiency (Leahy and Wiliam, 2012). I can
participate in the activities organised by Travelodge. This will help me to understand the
people who are working and make friendly relationship with them. Seminars and conferences: There are various seminars related to management skills
organized by hotel. I can attend those seminars to improve my communication and
presentation skills that is essential in my field (Fullan, 2014). In seminars and
conferences, I will meet with different people and make professional relationship with
them that would help me to build my career.
 Reading books and journals: I can read books and journals to improve my knowledge and
keep myself updated with all the amendments in this field. This will help me in
communicating with different class of people in the firm and will try to learn from the
experience shared by people in their books (Eros, 2011). This tool can enhance my
theoretical knowledge and help me to find solutions of my questions.
2.4 Personal and professional development plan
I have prepared my personal and professional development plan as depicted in the table
given below:
Needed Skills Ways to develop skills Time period to develop skills
Communication skills  Reading books and
journals
 Surfing internet
 Attending meetings
and seminars.
 Watching films and
I can improve my
communication skill in 3
months.

trying to analyse their
communication skills
Presentation skills  Attending presentations
given by other people
 Participating in
seminars and
conferences
 Giving presentations
and lectures at a small
level
I can develop my presentation
skills in 2 months.
Leadership skills  Learning about
leadership skills
through books and
internet
 Interacting with my
team members to
understand them better
(Klieger, Ben-Hur and
Bar-Yossef, 2010).
 Attending training and
development sessions
 Learning about
leadership styles with
their pros and cons.
I can improve my leadership
skills in 3 months.
Time-management skills  I will learn time
management skill
through internet.
 Set deadlines for the
tasks assigned.
It will take around 2 months to
work on my time-management
skills.

 Discuss with my
colleagues that how
they manage to
complete their targets
within specified time.
 Attend seminars on
time management.
 Try to be more focused
towards my work.
TASK 3
3.1 Processes and activities required to implement the development plan
The processes and activities which are considered to be important to implement my
personal and professional development plan are:
First step is to identify my development skills that need to be focused for the growth and
development of my personal and professional life. As stated above, I need to work on my
communication skills to interact with clients and customers to increase the sales and meet my
targets (Fullan, 2014). I have to improve my presentation skills to convince investors and banks
to invest in Travelodge hotel. It is important for the manager to manage and guide his team. But I
am lacking in leadership skills that sometimes put me in trouble to manage my team. Being an
Assistant Manager, I have some duties towards my hotel and need to accomplish them within set
time-limit.
Next step is to take measures by which my development skills can be improved. For the
same, I have to read books and journals to study in detail about the way of developing these
skills. I will attend and participate in seminars and conferences to improve my communication
and presentation skills. Also, I can implement my plan by attending training sessions that would
help me to work on my presentation skills. Before managing large number of people, I should
start with a team of small number of individuals (Gallagher and et.al., 2011). With that, I can
improve my leadership quality by interacting more to understand them better. To accomplish my
task within specified time, I need to learn time management skills and study about it in books
and internet. I will determine time slots for each task that needs to be performed and will set

deadline so that I will be able to perform my duties in an efficient manner. I need to review my
implementation plan in 2-3 months so that I can take corrective measures at right time and can
monitor my performance.
3.2 Undertaking and documenting development activities
To improve my communication skills, I need to read books and journals, attend meeting
and seminars and watch movies. To implement this plan, I need to search and need books that I
can read to improve my communication skills. Along with that, I will require a hall to organise
meetings and seminars and a tutor who can guide and give me feedback regarding improvement
in my skills. Apart from that, I need pen and notebook to note down my research and findings
along with the areas in which I need to work.
To improve my presentation skills, I need to look and go through various PPT on internet
and require to attend live presentation (Borders and et.al., 2011). Initially, I have to give
presentations at a small scale that can boost up my confidence. To implement these measures, I
need resources like a computer and good internet connection (HOTEL MANAGER, 2016). I have
to give presentation o small group of people in front of whom I can present my views and ideas.
To work on my leadership skills, I need to attend training sessions and read books and
journals to learn about different leadership styles and their pros and cons. For that, I need good
books on leadership and team management skills for which I will be needed to go libraries.
Along with that, I need to request my seniors to organize training session for which a room and a
trainer that can help me to improve my leadership skills will be required.
To fulfil my duties and responsibilities within set timeframe, I need to learn time-
management skill by reading and studying about it in books and internet. Setting deadline for
each task assigned to me and manage them effectually is necessary (McArdle and Coutts, 2010).
To put them into action, I will need a book where I can plan out my schedule for the entire day.
3.3 Critical analysis of my own learning against original aim and objectives
I critically analysed my own skills against the set aim and objective and I came to know
that I have improved my skills but not at that level I have planned for. Through this analysis, I
have come to know that I have improved my communication skills. Now, I can interact with my
colleagues and clients both verbally and non-verbally but not in a fluent manner as I have
decided (Patti and et.al., 2012). I still take time to communicate my views and knowledge to

them. Through this plan, I can give presentation in front of my staff members but not to investors
in the same manner as I am still not confident to present my views.
By comparing the actual results with my plan, I came to know that I can understand my
team members very well but I still face problem in managing them. If I need to perform in teams,
I am not able to coordinate with others which creates confusion and mismanagement. There is
improvement in my time management skill according to which now, I can complete my work
within set timeframe.
3.4 Updated Personal and Professional Plan
There are some loopholes in the plan that I have prepared earlier. So, I need to update my
plan with some modifications:
Needed Skills Ways to develop skills Time period to develop skills
Communication skills  Reading books and
journals
 Practicing to
pronounce words
correctly
 Attending meetings
and seminars
 I need to make eye
contact with the
listeners.
 Developing listening
skills
I can improve my
communication skill in 4
months.
Presentation skills  Attending other
presentations.
 Learning to add
innovative ideas on the
presentation.
 Giving presentation
I can develop my presentation
skills in 3 months.

and lectures at a small
level.
 Having study on
audience.
 Working on taking
pauses between
presentations
Leadership skills  Learning about
leadership styles
through books and
internet
 Interacting with my
team members to
understand them better
 Attending training and
development sessions
 Trying to involve team
members in decision
making and discussing
problems with them
I can improve my leadership
skills in 4 months.
As I have implemented the previous PDP plan, now I can accomplish my assigned task
within a time limit. So I don't need to add time-management skills in updated PDP plan.

TASK 4
4.1 Solutions to work-based problem of high employee turnover
Being an assistant manager of Paramount
Travel hotel, I investigated through survey
that there is one major problem related to
the workplace assessed that is, high
employee turnover (Thomas and
Beauchamp, 2011). The reason behind this
problem is related to excessive workload,
low employee motivation, low morale
among them, unhealthy and unrealistic
competition, ineffective communication,
low job satisfaction, etc. From the above, it
is clear that the employee’s turnover is
increasing because they are not getting
suitable environment for the working. It
shows less interest of employees towards
their work.
There is a negative impact on hotel's functioning.
It affects the customer care service badly.
Through high rate of turnover of workers and
employees, hotel's brand image is also going
down. It also affects the market availability of
products used by it. It is the duty of hotel
management to provide effective customer care
(Gallagher and et.al., 2011). But, through
increase in labour turnover, productivity of hotel
gets harmed. By occurrence of this problem,
required number of workers are not available to

the hotel which is affecting the hospitality of it.
Hotel is receiving negative feedback and reviews
of customers because of poor services provided
to them.
Being an assistant manager, I have to find
the solution to these problems. First of all, I
have to make plan to overcome from these
issues. Problems can be solved with the
help of various methods such as training
and development program, motivation
techniques, division or work and labour,
effective communication and a positive
working environment. Under training and
development session, employees are trained
by the experts to make it effective for both
hotel as well as for employees. Through
division of work, workload will be
decreased. Employees should be motivated
time to time from their superiors which will
help in increasing the morale of employees
and also, support in better productivity.
4.2 Different types of communication used at Paramount Hotel
Communication is the process of exchanging thoughts, ideas, information, emotion, etc.
In the process of communication, sender sends the message to receiver. There are four types of
communication methods used by Paramount Hotel which are discussed as below:
Verbal communication: It is such form of communication in which information is
transferred verbally. It is done by the spoken words. This method is simple and easy to
communicate and understand. In the business world, it is very useful. Paramount Hotel uses this

type of communication to communicate with both employees as well as customers. It is further
divided into two categories: Oral communication: It includes face-to-face, video and telephonic conversations. The
main advantage of this method is that it brings feedback quickly (Gallagher and et.al.,
2011).
 Written communication: In this, written signs and symbols are used. The written message
can be in hand-written or printed form. Information can be transferred via emails, memos,
letters, report, etc.
Non-verbal Communication: Paramount Hotel also uses this type of communication
style to interact with the employees of company effectively. It is the communication other than
the verbal or oral and written. It involves body language, gestures, posture, facial expressions,
etc. to exchange the messages. This is used by the management of Paramount Hotel to judge
appearance, body language and tone of the speaker.
Formal Communication: In the formal communication specific rules and regulations are
followed. It is used for the official purposes. It requires the use of slang, correct pronunciation
and foul language. This is generally followed to communicate between management and
employees of hotel.
Informal Communication: This communication is used by individuals working at the
same level or departments. It is not necessary to be in formal way. This communication will help
the employees to communicate with their customers freely and help in understanding the
situation to both.
4.3 Effective time-management strategies to reduce employee turnover
Being an assistant manager, I have to apply some effective strategies related to time-
management to overcome from the problem of employee turnover. There are following strategies
for effective time-management:
Set Priorities: To manage the time, it is very necessary to first differentiate between the
important and urgent work. For this, management has to make to do list for the employees. In
this list, work will be differentiated on the bases of their priority. (Kao, Wu and Tsai, 2011).
Use of planning tool: After setting up priorities, it is essential to note down them in the
form of notes, diaries, charts, etc. This will help in focusing on priorities.

Scheduling time appropriately: Scheduling means making deadlines for the work
assigned. By making the time schedule properly, it will help employees to complete the task
within specified time limit.
Stopping Procrastination: Under this, work is divided into sub parts that will be helpful
in performing organisational operation effectively. Work is assigned according to the time
provided for each task (Klieger, Ben-Hur and Bar-Yossef, 2010). It enables employees to
perform activities effectively and within a set time limit
Know How to Spend Time: A time log will be very helpful to determine the way in
which time has to be managed and spent. For this, first of all, recording things that need to be
done is important along with prioritizing them and allotting time for each activity. After that,
final results have been brought which enables in identifying the most time consuming tasks.
Through this, manager may determine that whether employees are investing their time on
important things or not.
CONCLUSION
In the above report, professional and personal development program is explained along
with the approaches of self-managed learning. Reasons and benefits of learning are also
described in the report. Complete report is based on the activities that is required to be performed
to develop personal and professional skills. (Leahy and Wiliam, 2012). This report also
describes about various skills and competencies of professional standards which help in
achieving the organizational objectives effectually. It shows various problems that occur at the
workplace with different solutions to it. It gives brief knowledge about different effective
communication methods and time-management strategies that are being used by Paramount
Hotel to solve the work-based problems.

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Online
HOTEL MANAGER. 2016. [Online]. Available through:
<https://nationalcareersservice.direct.gov.uk/advice/planning/jobprofiles/Pages/
HotelManager.aspx>. [Accessed on 27th July, 2016].