Personal and Professional Development Report: Travelodge Hotel, Ilford

This report delves into personal and professional development, specifically within the context of Travelodge Hotel, Ilford. It begins by evaluating various approaches to self-managed learning, such as observation and self-initiation, and assesses their benefits for both individuals and the organization. The report then moves on to an evaluation of the author's current skills and competencies against professional standards and organizational objectives, identifying both strengths and weaknesses. Based on this assessment, a personal and professional development plan is formulated, outlining development needs and opportunities. The report further details the processes and activities required to implement the plan, including time management strategies and solutions to work-based problems. Finally, the author reflects on their learning's against the original aims and objectives, updating the development plan based on feedback and evaluation.

PERSONAL AND PROFESSIONAL
DEVELOPMENT

Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................1
Task 1...............................................................................................................................................2
1.1 Evaluate approaches to self-managed learning................................................................2
1.2 ways in which lifelong learning in personal and professional contexts could be encourage3
1.3- Evaluate the benefits of self-managed learning to the individual and organisation.......4
TASK 2............................................................................................................................................5
2.1 Evaluation of own current skills and competencies against professional standards and
organizational objectives........................................................................................................5
2.2 Identification of own development needs.........................................................................7
2.3 Identification of development opportunities to meet current and future needs................8
2.4 Personal and professional development plan based on identified needs..........................8
TASK 3..........................................................................................................................................10
3.1 Process and Activities required to implement development plan..................................10
3.2 Undertake and document development activities as planned.........................................11
3.3 Own learning’s against original aims and objectives set in the development plan........13
3.4 Update of the development plan based on feedback and evaluation..............................14
TASK 4..........................................................................................................................................15
4.1 Select solutions to work-based problems.......................................................................15
4.2- Communicate in a variety of styles and appropriate manner at various levels.............16
4.3- Evaluate and use effective time-management strategies...............................................18
CONCLUSION..............................................................................................................................18
REFERENCES..............................................................................................................................19
APPENDIX....................................................................................................................................21

INTRODUCTION
Personal and professional development is a standardized approach to enhance personal
performances at workplace. It includes strategic plan for analysing development needs and
Organizations must undergo the combination of overall strategic steps for continuous
development of its employees.
This report will evaluate approaches of self-management learning and its benefits to an
individual at personal and professional level. It will also highlight an individual's own skills and
prepare development plan for overall professional development of individual. All the tasks of the
report will be completed in the context of “TRAVELODGE HOTEL, IIFORD established in
1985. The study will also describe time management strategies and solutions to work based
problems and evaluation of the effective use included strategies.
1

Task 1
1.1 Evaluate approaches to self-managed learning
Self-managed learning is a strategy which is developed by individual or groups to learn
new things, in general this concept defines that the individual has taken ownership of their
learning (Cunningham and Bennett, 2017).
Approaches to self-managed learning are described as below:
Observation
This is considered as most effective approach that supports me in learning new things. By
observing others, I realised things that are good and others that are not good. This observation
supports me in developing my existing skills to great extent. The positive thing of observation
will be its timely learning as if anyone is observing other and try to learn from them then he will
not be taking too much time to do so. While on other hand it can decrease the frequency of
behaviour that was previously been learned.
Self-initiation of learning process
Many people are hesitant to learn from others, they feel it is demeaning. Employees of
Travelodge can learn a lot of new things from other members which can enhance their efficiency
as a professional. I like to discuss new things with others, this habit always help me in knowing
other’s perspective and learning new things. I as an Assistant manager have learned more new
things from my colleagues, which I was not familiar with. The way they manage time and finish
their work on time was very impressive and I had also learned ways to manage time from them.
With the help of this self-initiation learning person will not be able to track down what were the
goals and how they are achieved which is negative impact of this approach. While it could also
be noted that this approach will help in clearly setting out goals and objectives which will be
helping in achieving them all on timely bases.
I like to use internet, I read new books and look upon the new changes through searching.
Internet helps me in acquiring more knowledge which is being useful at workplaces. There are
many sites on the internet from where I had learned different information and ideas. By self-
initiation learning I have experienced there are many ways in which personal and professional
lifelong learning is encouraged.
2

I firstly set goals and learn new ways to achieve them with efficiency. I develop the
structure and order of work to complete it in given deadlines. I had learned to view my problems
as challenges, not as hurdles.
Self-reflection is a way to assess more about myself and looking on ways of working for
building self-awareness. It also helps to develop skills and assess its effectiveness, instead of just
carrying it the way it is been already done.
The major aim of personal orientation of mine in Travelodge is to gain commitment of
employees, reduces hesitation and will help them in understanding what organization is
expecting from them.
Approach more suitable for Travelodge and for me
Approach suitable for Travelodge is goal setting; this may help company in analysing weak
point among employees and taking action to improve their skills. For me as assistant manager,
observation would be suitable approach. This will always aid me in developing my skills.
1.2 ways in which lifelong learning in personal and professional contexts could be encourage
Lifelong learning in personal and professional contents could be encouraged by:
Self-directed learning
In self-directed learning I as an Assistant manager of Travelodge, would motivate adults
to learn from their past and apply these experience at their existing workplace. By this way
people will be motivated and will keenly monitor their mistakes and will not repeat these
problems in future.
Continuing professional development
Continuing professional development is a way by which Assistant manager of Travelodge
would ensure that knowledge and skills of employees get improved. By building quality and
belief to do a work and demonstrating efforts and achievements they can support in enhancing
life-long learning of people in Travelodge hotel.
Lifelong learning-
This is defined to as all learning activities which are undertaken all through life of person with an
aim of improving skills, competence and knowledge (Cunningham and Bennett, 2017).
Continuous professional development will be very much helpful in lifelong learning process as
3

person will got to into what are the skills which they are having and in what are they lacking
behind.
1.3- Evaluate the benefits of self-managed learning to the individual and organisation
Benefits for organisation
Self-managed learning aid organisation in reducing cost of business because entity needs
not to conduct training sessions for employees to raise their skills. If people learn by own then
they would be more responsible towards their work and will analyses their issues self. This
would help company in gaining success in market. Self-learned workers always work with full of
positivity, they realise their mistakes and take immediate action to resolve it rather than creating
conflicts in business. If the worker is having required knowledge of what they should do and
what are the learning or development areas then this will be helpful for company to set goals
according to that. The training cost of company will not be very high as the employees could be
self-learnt only. All the self-learned workers will be self-motivated as well as they could be
having more control over what they learn and how they learn it all.
Benefits for individual
Improve ability range with personal learning
Self-learned techniques give benefit to individual in improving their ability. As an
Assistant manager I had improved my employee's ability by staying organized, establishing new
learning techniques, completing my assignments on given deadlines, by creating satisfactory
performance at workplace, increasing belief, motivation level, capability to take new
responsibilities. For example It has helped me to create good relations which can introduce new
ideas shared by other employees, and finally owning effective understanding about business of
Travelodge Hotel.
Responsibilities and assertiveness
By self-managed learning individual reveals intense awareness of responsibilities by
making my learning more meaningful and monitoring them. I had started viewing my difficulties
as challenges and enjoy learning, and has also developed skills because of which my creativity
and flexibility of working has been hiked up.
Increase efficiency
4

Self-learned techniques are helpful in raising working efficiency of person and individual
may perform well at workplace. In Travelodge I am asked to take feedback from my employees
so that they must feel wanted, which also improves work performance, improves employee
retention, raise employee loyalty. If the feedbacks are positive and given in effective manner it
will surely provide intense results and also increases sales.
Learning achievements
Self-managed learning supports formulation of relationships in numerous ways within the
organisation. This is being possible because of paying concentration on learning and watching
the growth of organisation's success (Ayyildiz and Tarhan, 2015). An example of relationship
building in the organisation would be connection with colleagues and ex-colleagues as I can
learn new techniques by evaluating how they self-manage and approach learning and also how
they achieved progress and improve their learning skills in which they were weak.
TASK 2
2.1 Evaluation of own current skills and competencies against professional standards and
organizational objectives.
Managers of all the functional areas in hotel face different challenges and to resolve those
challenges, they must have certain qualities.
Evaluation of my current skills is presented as below:
My current skills Professional Standards Travelodge objectives and
job role
STRENGTH
Strong Interpersonal skills: I
have strong Interpersonal skills
and efficient verbal
communication skills that help
me to deliver clear messages to
my subordinates.
A strong interpersonal skill,
for efficient delegation of
responsibilities to subordinates
and feels comfortable in
communicating with a group.
There is high expectation of
Delivery of continuous quality
of services and experience to
customers.
5

commitment which need to be
engaged with continuous
learning and professional
development (THE CODE OF
PRACTICE, 2014).
Time management: I am
good at prioritizing the tasks
and assign necessary tasks as
per defined deadlines.
Effective time management to
deliver customer services and
desired results on time. It is
very much important to meet
the competence which is
related to standards,
knowledge and learning. Like
that of networking and
learning from conference
To Drive for results and
prompt actions for quick
services
Adaptability: I am adaptive
and always prepared for
different situations like
conflicts, complaints by
customers, demands of
suppliers etc.
Being adaptive with different
situations and be ready and
attentive to face sudden
alterations. The Chartered
management Institute will be
having code of practice which
included that of honesty and
integrity which maintence of
high standards of professional
conduct (THE CODE OF
PRACTICE, 2014).
To care about people,
customers and Adapt the
situation to work effectively.
WEAKNESSES
Emotional Intelligence: I do
not have sufficient emotional
Strong emotional intelligence
to support workforce fully and
To promote good relations
with customers and employees.
6

intelligence, to understand the
emotions of employees at my
workplace.
provide them adequate
guidance for any issues at
workplace.
Leadership style: I do not
have effective mentoring style
and leadership qualities.
Good leadership qualities will
deliver me sufficient
confidence.
To give attention to details of
employees performance.
Technical skills: I am lagging
behind in completing the
technical responsibilities
allotted to me. I am inefficient
to handle newly designed
business intelligence system
and project management
software.
Excellent technical skills to
achieve competitive advantage
for the industry and conduct
different business analysis.
To align with emerging
technologies for advanced
growth.
2.2 Identification of own development needs
Skills to be developed Methods of development
To enhance technical skills  I will do rigorous and continuous practice of handling
the software
 Asking for Suggestions and guidance from senior and
experienced employee regarding particular software.
 Coaching regarding detailed guidelines of new software
To strengthen emotional
intelligence
 I will undergo self-awareness assessments
 Training and Coaching
To enhance leadership skills  Training
 Attending conferences
 Guidance from Seniors
7

Time Management  For improving this skill I will be prioritising all my work
and planning according to this only.
 Setting goals as per time and then trying to achieve that
must also done
Adaptability  For this I will learn how to adjust myself with different
type of people.
2.3 Identification of development opportunities to meet current and future needs
After analysis of my strength and weakness, it is important to identifying available
opportunities to overcome the weaknesses and improve the skills. As a professional I always
need to look around the opportunities given to me at workplace to maintain the effectiveness for
executing the activities at Travelodge.
At Travelodge hotel, I will be given an opportunity to go through different “management
training program”. I may take the help of “Employee Assistance Programme” of the hotel to
increase emotional intelligence
To enhance emotional intelligence skills, I will attend EQ training programs and it can be
done by regular practise and trainings under guidance of my seniors (How to Increase Your
Emotional Intelligence ― 6 Essentials, 2014). I am looking forward to other certain related
opportunities that would help me to upscale my emotional intelligence.
The learning and development advisors of Travelodge are extremely supportive and will
help me to improve my leadership style by training and providing me opportunity to learn
different leadership strategies. Along with it, I will acquire much possible learning’s from
seniors to improve and enhance my technical skills. I will observe successful leaders and read
tactics of leadership. To enhance my technical skills I will collaborate with various team
members of Travelodge and join short courses to develop the skill. Furthermore, I have
opportunity to take support of internet and reading material to raise my knowledge. I have
analysed that I will get my own development through taking advantage of reading different
journals, magazines, books, newspapers and websites to strengthen my skills. For me it is also
8

important to develop certain level of skills like that of time management and adaptability so that
I could be able to develop in professional manner.
2.4 Personal and professional development plan based on identified needs
Developme
nt
Priorit
y
Activities to
be
undertaken
Resources Target
start date
Target
end
date
Criteria for success
To develop
Technical
skills
Very
high
Coaching,
Guidance
from seniors,
Regular on job
training
Online
tutorials,
Computers,
Internet
28/11/18 13/01/19 Accumulate
feedback from
seniors and regular
guidelines from
colleagues.
To enhance
Emotional
Intelligence
High Coaching,
Senior
guidance,
Self-
regulations
Webinars,
Books, EQ
trainings
16/01/19 30/01/19 Responses of
employees and
seniors.
To improve
Leadership
skills
High Practising
people
management
and conflict
resolving
management.
Guidance
from Senior
manager
2/02/19 17/02/19 Analysing the
behaviour of
subordinates,
meetings with
experienced
employees.
time
managemen
t
High Setting
priorities and
planning for
the same
Task
planning
1/02/19 10/02/19 Doing work
accordingly
9

adaptability Mediu
m
Meeting
different
people
Understanding
their culture
Booklet to
know culture
of others
1/03/19 10/03/19 Reduce in conflicts
with other people.
TASK 3
3.1 Process and Activities required to implement development plan
REQUIRED ACTIVITIES
Planning:
The managers/individual must plan all the resources required for the implementation of
plan. For me this will be possible to find out suitable software packages and meeting with my
line manager to discuss with him all my plans and gaining approval (Haldane and Greene, 2015).
For instance, the assistant Manager of Travelodge hotel predefines the time for tutorials and
smart learning procedures without hurdling rest of the employees.
Developing:
A proper standardised and feasible plan should be develop for effective outcomes. The
plan must be developed further with fixed deadlines to manage the time constraints. For instance,
manager must consults with other experienced employees of Travelodge to develop successful
plan with proper deadlines.
Monitoring:
The manager of the hotel must track the proper functioning of plan with all the including
equipment and aids. The manager of Travelodge hotel monitors ongoing functions and results of
the development plan by assessing further requirements.
Recording:
They must record minute details of progress received from the plan for proper evaluation.
For example, manager record the improvements and feedbacks received by employees related to
the development plan for further measurement.
Evaluating and responding to feedback:
10