Personal and Professional Development Report

This report explores the significance of personal and professional development, examining different approaches to self-managed learning. It analyzes the benefits of self-learning for individuals and organizations, outlining a comprehensive personal and professional development plan. The report also discusses effective time management strategies and communication styles for professional success.

Personal and Professional
Development

Contents
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................1
TASK 1 ...........................................................................................................................................1
1.1 Evaluate approaches to self-managed learning. ....................................................................1
1.2 Propose way in which lifelong learning in personal and professional context. ....................2
1.3 Evaluate benefits of self-managed learning for the individuals. ...........................................3
TASK 2 ...........................................................................................................................................4
2.1 Evaluate own current skills and competencies against professional standards. ...................4
2.2 Identify own development needs and activities.....................................................................5
2.3. Identify development opportunities to meet your current and future defined needs............6
2.4. Devise a personal and professional development plan based on identified needs................7
TASK 3............................................................................................................................................8
3.1. Discuss the processes and activities required to implement the development plan..............8
3.2. Undertake and document development activities as planned...............................................9
3.3 Reflect critically on your own learning against original aims and objectives set in the
development plan.........................................................................................................................9
3.4. Update the development plan that you prepared for self....................................................10
TASK 4..........................................................................................................................................10
4.2 Communicate in a variety of styles and appropriate manner at various levels....................11
4.3 Evaluate and use effective time management strategies......................................................12
CONCLUSION..............................................................................................................................13
REFERENCES..............................................................................................................................14
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INTRODUCTION
It is quite essential for the individual to learn various skills for developing and enhancing
its career in the best possible manner. Proper set of skills and knowledge helps the individual in
achieving long and short term goals in the effective and efficient manner. Personal development
helps in improving identity and human capital in the best possible manner. It is also useful for
increasing the potentiality and work life of the individual working in the organisation. With the
help of proper personal skills individual can make best use of the available opportunities, so that
assigned work can be completed in the systematic manner (Cruess, R.L., and et. al., 2016). The
organisation chosen in this report is Travelogue hotel which was incorporated in 1985. The
organisation majorly deals in hospitality industry. The major topics covered in this report are
various approaches for self-learning, need and importance of self-managed learning, personal
and professional plan for enhancing and improving current set of skills and the various time
management strategies for competing the assigned task in the best possible manner. With the
help of proper personal and professional development plan individual working the Travelogue
will be able to increase the satisfaction level of the customer's in the effective and efficient
manner.
TASK 1
1.1 Evaluate approaches to self-managed learning.
Self-managed learning- It is the continuous process of managing and learning proper set
skills. Under this method individuals make efforts to learn various skills from the society and
organisation. This is usually done to achieve goals in the effective and efficient manner. The
various approaches of self-managed learning are discussed below-
Learning through online research- Under this method the individual learns with the
help f research, literature review and current market conditions. Travelogue needs to provide
such opportunities to the individuals, so that they can learn and find new facts. This method has
its own advantages and disadvantages (Hildebrand, J., 2018). One of the biggest advantages of
learning through research is with the help of this individuals can easily learn from the researches
and can also apply it practically. Whereas the disadvantage of this method is individual might not
be able to deal uncertain situation.
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Watching training videos- Under this method the individual generally learn new things
by watching various videos of training. Travelogue can arrange various training programmes for
the individuals, so that they can learn through videos. Disadvantage of this method is individual
might not be able to use learning work in practical life. Whereas the advantage of this method is
individuals will attentive and dedicated to learn new things in the systematic manner.
Self-study from booklets- Under this method individual learn new things by reading
various kinds of books (Pennington, M. C. and Richards, J. C., 2016). This method might not be
a best suitable option for individuals working in Travelogue because hotel industry requires
practical knowledge rather than theoretical knowledge.
Mentoring- Under this method the experienced individuals of the organisation guides
and monitors the employees, so that they are able to complete the assigned task in the best
possible manner. This method will be most suitable for Travelogue because the employees will
get better guidance form the experienced persons. Due to this chances of error will be decreased
and the organisation will be able to achieve its goals in the best possible manner.
1.2 Propose way in which lifelong learning in personal and professional context.
Lifelong learning- It is the ongoing and self-motivated process of improving personal and
professional skills. This method is helpful in increasing and improving self-sustainability and
competitiveness in the systematic manner. This method will help Travelogue in providing new
ways of learning to its valuable employees (Macià, M. and García, I., 2016). Lifelong learning
directly helps the individuals in growing and enhancing their career in the best possible manner.
It can be said that is quite essential for the individuals working in Travelogue to take necessary
steps for improving lifelong learning. As with the help of these major goals and objectives will
be easily achievable.
Lifelong learning can be easily encouraged among the employees of Travelogue. As this
method will help in increasing the current skills of the individuals. Employees will be able to
perform the assigned task in the systematic manner. Some of the major ways through which
lifelong learning can be encouraged are discussed below-
Higher education- This will help the individuals in taking better and effective decisions.
With the help of higher education employees of Travelogue will be able to learn various new
things in the systematic manner.
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Apprenticeship- Under this method training is provided to the employees while working
in the organisation. With the help of this method employees of Travelogue will be able to
complete the task in the professional manner.
After lifelong learning employees of Travelogue will be motivated to work in the systematic
manner. As with the help of this their overall development of the individual can be done.
Travelogue can also provide various kinds of financial incentives, so that morale of the
individual are boosted.
1.3 Evaluate benefits of self-managed learning for the individuals.
Self-managed learning is concerned with taking necessary steps for improving own skills
and knowledge. Under this process the goals and objectives are generally decided by the
individual itself.
Benefits of self-learning for Assistant manager- Some of the major benefits of self-learning
for the Assistant manager working in Travelogue are discussed below-
Communication- Self managed learning will directly help the Assistant manager in
communicating the goals and objectives to the subordinates in the best possible manner. As with
the help of this manager can easily communicate necessary information in the coordinated
manner (Kroll, J. F. and Dussias, P. E., 2017). This will also help in reducing chances of
miscommunication among subordinate and assistant manager.
Presentation skills- The presentation skill of Assistant manager will also be improved as
with the help of self-managed learning manager will be able to handle the complex task in the
systematic manner. It is essential for the Assistant manager of Travelogue to be presentable, so
that positive influence can be emphasised on other employees.
Benefits of self-learning for Travelogue- The major benefits of self-learning for the
organisation are briefly discussed below-
Motivation and confidence level- With the help of self-managed learning employees of
Travelogue will be motivated to work in the best possible manner. As they will be encouraged to
give their best output.
Team Work- The individuals of Travelogue will know how they are supposed to work in
the team. As self-managed learning will provide them guidelines for managing various tasks of
team. With proper management of work in the team organisation can easily achieve long and
short term goals in the systematic manner.
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TASK 2
2.1 Evaluate own current skills and competencies against professional standards.
Professional standard is the set of principles which is concerned with the legal and ethical
code of conduct. With the help of these standards individuals can easily perform its assigned
roles and responsibilities (Vangrieken, K., and et. al., 2017). Each and every organisation has its
own professional standards to perform the activities in the proper manner.
Self-assessment is very much important for the individual as with the help of this strength
and weaknesses can be easily known. Plans for the improvement of some skills can also be
known if the individual is successful in performing its self-assessment in the proper manner. The
major objectives of Travelogue are discussed below-
 Complaints of the customer's must be reduced, and
 Better services must be offered to the customer's, so that their satisfaction level is
increased.
My current set of skills for the post of Assistant manager in Travelogue are briefly discussed
below-
Skills and Competencies Score Score from others Difference
Good communication skills 8 9 1
Leadership skills 7 8 1
Social Skills 8 10 2
Confidence and trust 9 6 -3
Time management and problem
solving skills
8 6 -2
From the above table my strength and weakness are discussed below-
Strengths Weaknesses
As per my personal skill audit my current
strength will directly help me in achieving
better results for Travelogue. Some of my best
strength are communication, leadership and
As per the skill audit my weaknesses can lead
to problems in achieving goals and objectives
in the best possible manner. I am not able to
solve the problems of the organisation in the
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social skills. best possible manner. I also lacking in
confidence and trust skills.
2.2 Identify own development needs and activities.
With the help of personal skill audit I will be able to know various ways for overcoming
my weaknesses in the best possible manner. For sustaining in the organisation for longer period
of time I must learn new skills, so that organisational standards are fulfilled in the best possible
manner.
Requirements Personal
Audit
Rating
(Scale 0-10)
GAP Remedial
Actions/Strategy
Deadline for
remedial
actions
Confidence and
trust
6 I was unable to attend
various classes and
lectures for the
improvement of work.
Due to this I am not
able to build proper
trust and confidence in
myself.
This problem will be
overcome by
interacting with
more and more
individuals. I also
need to inherit
positive thoughts, so
that trust can be
build up.
Here, deadline
for a remedial
action is 2
months.
Time
management
6 Lack of time
empowering skills, it
was challenging for me
to undergone proper
working and managing
even personal with
work simultaneously.
This will be helpful,
if I would go for
moral lectures from
business lecture on
how they use to
manage their along
with making the time
chart.
Remedial
time for
developing
time
management
skill is 1
month
Problem solving 6 During working as Here, remedial Time deadline
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skill manager, I was less
able to solve problem
or critical asking, as
because of lack of
critical thinking or an
appropriate
information. Also, still
I am working on
application of this skill
to bring the harmony
in my job role.
action will reading
philosophical book
to create a kind of
will power to go for
it. Doing regular
basis of aptitude test,
solving
mathematical skills,
Sudoku to build a
kind of change and
development in this
skill
for improving
this skill is 1.5
months.
2.3. Identify development opportunities to meet your current and future defined needs
In every hotel industry, manager always has an opportunity and scope for rise current skills
along with development of better skills to work effectively in that role for prosperous aim or
targets. In context with Travelodge hotel, it will be essential for me as hotel manager to check
out future opportunities internal or external organisation, in such a way that timely action plan
will be taken to accomplish defined targets in given period of time, In this situation, it is essential
to analyse current and future needs and approaches to meet development of skills.
For me, both internal and external opportunities will be productive to led improvements
in skills for getting its benefits in performance of this or any future job opportunities. In this
assessment, development opportunities will be measured in order to perform career either in
Travelodge or any other organisation. The development opportunities is as follows:
Development
opportunities
Current need rating
of skills
Future rating of skills Action for an
improvement
Time management 5.5 9 To improve time
management, I will
go for listening to
business leader on
how they used to
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manage time. Also,
I or other staff
people should
make time chart
and structure to
identify proper
time allocation.
Problem solving skills 5.3 9.5 In order to improve
this skill, it is
essential for me
and other staff
members to
optimise their time
and resources in
reading books,
doing aptitude or
solving Sudoku.
In response, I have several internal opportunities such as career progression to get utilisation of
skills development along with the recognition on what skills such as problem solving I have and
receiving feedback or opinion from other staff or customer etc.
2.4. Devise a personal and professional development plan based on identified needs
After identifying development opportunities in skills or competencies, Here, I need to prepare a
developmental plan for personal & professional skills to be needed to work effectively in the
Travelodge hotel (Avidov-Ungar, O., 2016). This type of plan is needed to check three issues
such as what, how and when. In my context, this will be on matter opportunities for development
of an identified skills of me and other staff while working in the Travelodge hotel. This
comprehensive plan is as follows:
‘What’ are your needed
skills
‘How’ are you going to
develop the skills
‘When’ are you going to
develop intended skill
Personal effectiveness This needed skill will be get This skill will be develop
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 Problem solving
enhanced by doing certain
activities such as classroom on
problem solving techniques,
solving aptitude power along
with solving problem based
queries to enrich it to raise to
develop this skill.
just after its notification or
any info that, it is risen up.
Along with time period of 1
month will be taken to cover
this skill.
Business skills
 Time management
This skill will be enriched by
listening to business leader on
how they manages their own
time along with making time
chart to manages time in a
productive time or manner.
In order to develop this
skill, time period of 1.5
months are required along
with strategic planning on
how this skill will be
improve effectively.
TASK 3
3.1. Discuss the processes and activities required to implement the development plan
After completion of the development, I realised that various processes are required in respect of
activities that need to be carried to implement development plan in an effective manner. These
processes are as follows:
 Practice based personal skills development is understood in contrasts to the classroom or
theory based learning. This can be considered as work based learning for workplace or
centre. UK higher education and US K-12 learning is best way to enhance professional
learning for practice rather that work.
 Knowledge-based process has been understood as ongoing process to build knowledge
based skills or competencies such as time management, analytical abilities which are
some of the business skills for me.
 Combined process is a process in which both theory and practical learning is used to be
taken to build skills such as leadership & management skill etc.
Apart from this, I have undergone and experienced several activities while implementing this
development plan which are as follows:
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Mentoring: This is an important process for implementing this development plan and meet
defined organizational & personal objectives (Körkkö, M., and et. al., 2016). By using mentoring
activity, I would get perfect assistance of an experts from different area of working in same
organisation or other professionals to execute the activities as per the plan.
Training: For implementation of this development plan, training is an effective process
which assists in performing various tasks in accordance to given plan along with facilitating
direction for leading change. Moreover, this will assists me in carry out this plan with right
intention or purpose.
3.2. Undertake and document development activities as planned
Personal and professional development plan is most necessary to identify skills which meant
to be enhances or develop for any purpose either development credentials or profile working on
any designation. In my context, scope of the PPD plan is to bring discipline and regulation for
bringing any skills to stage of development. I also realised that PPD plan has certain effecting
factors such as time regulation, response of an individual person or lack of proper resources
which can effects its implementation. The relationship between PPD plan and its effecting factor
is reverse to each other. This plan has gave positive on business performance of the Travelodge
by getting productive outcomes along with increased suitability for future skills of mine to
handle designation of the hotel manager. I have implemented this development plan by getting
info on what skill personally needed to bring effectiveness in professional status to perform job
role of hotel manager effectively. Also, before its implementation, I have gone through what
resources are required to make and time is sufficient or not. This given development plan will be
implemented for purpose to enhance my own skills to increase suitability to sustain in the
Travelodge hotel for longer period of time.
3.3 Reflect critically on your own learning against original aims and objectives set in the
development plan
With help of this whole assessment, I sets out an aims to build skills such as time
management, problem solving along with leadership to bring an entire development in me. In
response to this, I realised an actual development of skill which I wished personally. Also, these
skills were fit on my defined objectives or goals to develop it for accomplishing defined goals or
targets. Also, its decides an aim to lead it’s continue development along with learning of some
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new skill’s such as people management and complete interaction abilities. Also, I learnt few
things such as how to manage different people at one point of time. But as a hotel manager, I
also learnt leadership skill and team working to bring effective outcomes in business goals or my
personal goals.
3.4. Update the development plan that you prepared for self
It was realised that various parties such as peers, family members or colleagues even rated
me out of scale 10 on about my skills or competencies, out of which results are high positive or
aimed at greater side (Korthagen, 2017) My senior of the Travelodge person has given feedback
first on PPD what I had made and evaluates it with taking short interview to check how much I
have developed. This has built my confidence and motivation at top level to bring own learning
more. Also, I got scope to update this PPD plan with adding column of a time tenure required to
fulfil activities in order to build these skills at a greater side. With time, I will get in future how
other skills can be develop and also in how much time period. This plan needs to be made with
correct measurements and resource allocation to find suitable outcomes.
TASK 4
4.1- Solution to work based problem
Problem that create a barrier in performing company activities in the present working
environment are known as work-based problem. In the context of travel lodge employee's faced
different problems to achieve their task. Several techniques are mention as follow that help
manager to identify problems:
Reduce workloads- In a hospitality sector, hotel or travel agency has to provide different
services to satisfy the demand of customer. This service are large in number so employees has to
face to bear more work load to complete their job responsibility. In circumstances of travel lodge
employees has responsibility such as to clean rooms, quality food etc. For this all employees
need to follow sequential steps. It help company to make produce effective result for company.
Communication- In the service industry, most of issue are generated because of
ineffective communication channel. There is always need to create healthy communication
between employee's and management. In most of cases employ are not able to convey their
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problems with top management. Like in Travel lodge customer convey it need to lower
management.
Problems that are related with work in Travel lodge
Lack of authority- In travel lodge, employees are not able to match their goals with
company target. Top management provide many responsibilities to the company staff while
authority does not match with employee responsibility. With such a issue company is not able to
match their target with company goals.
Clear goals- The major task of company is to provide clear goals to their employee's. For
case of Travel lodge management is not able to define their vision to different employees. It
create a barrier for company to match their goal with different team members. As per the
guideline of hospitality sector company need to develop their goals for a longer term.
Identification of problems- For case of company it is a need to identify different
problems that are faced by company to operate their day to day activities. This create obstacle in
company to grow their business in different sectors. Travel lodge has to face different issue while
performing daily activities that are different from its past experience.
Solution of problems that are faced by company
 The first problem that is identified in case of travel lodge is the lack of power to take a
decision in case of company. For this problem, management focus to provide those job
responsibility to an employ that is according to their job responsibility. Like lower staff
has to interact with clients on daily basis for this there is a need that they hold some
power to take quick steps to provide effective services to the customer.
 For second problem which is that company has not defined goals. Management of travel
lodge develop goals but they not match with company vision. So in this case senior or
supervisor need to modify company goals and explain them clearly to its employee's.
This will beneficial for company employee's as now they achieve job task while matching
with goals of company. It is also beneficial as now company delegate their goals to
employees according to company needs.
 For third problem company need to set different benchmark by which they introduce their
product according to different benchmark that are faced by company.
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4.2 Communicate in a variety of styles and appropriate manner at various levels
In contrary, there are different communication styles such as formal and informal which
can be used by the management of the Travelodge hotel to make changes recommended in an
effective manner. These kind of styles can be vary from lower level to top management which
suites best for the Travelodge hotel. Generally, on top level, non-verbal is mostly used which is a
professional way of doing business work. Communication can be verbal or non-verbal or formal
and informal in which meetings, executive information as well as mails can be considered. The
explanation over different styles are as follows:
Emails: This is a most formal way of communicating, in which one single person can
share information with another using electronics manner of system. With help of this,
management can simply go for communicating to top level about skill development of staff
people of Travelodge hotel. This source of communication is convenient and also cost saving for
firms.
Meeting: With help of this style of communication, this will assist management to reveals
board people about skill development that has been made to staff of the Travelodge hotel. Along
with this, meeting is suitable to call upon large people in an organisation. This is both formal and
personal style of the communication, in which a formal kind of meeting is used to be consider.
Also, this way of style is necessary to make proactive strategy to improve these skill
development in an effective manner.
This is manner is beneficial for me to get informed top level management about what skill
I have gained and what skills are current progress of learning.
4.3 Evaluate and use effective time management strategies.
Management of time and skills is very much essential for the overall development of the
individual and achievement of organisational goals and objectives. There are some factors which
directly and indirectly help in the achievement of targeted objectives. These factors are discussed
below-
Setting inclinations or preferences- Individuals requires proper inclinations so that
goals and objectives can be attained. This will help the individual in learning new skills and
gaining knowledge. Appropriate set of information can be gathered and plans can be made for
the achievement of goals and objectives.
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Utilizing structuring setup- Various individuals in the organisation aims at using
different methodologies for the arraignment of goals and objectives. These process and
methodologies helps the individual in increasing the profitability and sale of Travelogue. With
the help of this organisational structure can be maintained and target can be achieved.
These techniques will help the individuals in managing the activities in a sequential
manner. As with the help of this goals and target can be easily achieved. Major changes in the
organisational structure can also be done by using these techniques in a appropriate manner.
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CONCLUSION
From the above report, it is concluded that personal and professional development is necessary to
build own exposure & credentials to accumulate working based regulation for longer time
period. Along with personal and professional plan has been proved right way of structure with
help of skills can be improved with the support of specified activities or task based performance
in given period of time. Skill development is required to have correct implementation of a
policies or structure which are implemented to make skills more developed along with making it
perfect for getting right future job opportunities.
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