Personal and Professional Development Plan for a Travelodge Manager

This report explores the personal and professional development plan of a Travelodge manager in the UK. It delves into self-managed learning approaches, evaluates current skills against professional standards, identifies development needs, and outlines a comprehensive personal and professional development plan (PPD). The report also examines the implementation process, critical reflection on learning, and the use of effective communication and time management techniques. The report concludes with a discussion on the importance of continuous development for both individual and organizational success.

PERSONAL AND PROFESSIONAL
DEVELOPMENT

TABLE OF CONTENTS
Introduction......................................................................................................................................1
LO1..................................................................................................................................................2
P1.1 and P1.2 evaluates the various approaches to self managed learning and proposes ways
for lifelong learning to encourage personal/ professional life.....................................................2
P 1.3 evaluate the benefits of self-managed learning to the individuals and organizations........4
Task 2...............................................................................................................................................5
P2.1 and P2.2 evaluate own current skills and competencies against professional standards and
organizational objectives and identify own development needs and the activities required to
meet them.....................................................................................................................................5
P2.3 and P2.4 identify development opportunities and devise a personal and professional
development plan (PPD) with specific development objectives.................................................7
Task 3...............................................................................................................................................9
P3.1 and P3.2 discuss the process and activities required to implement the development plan
and undertake and document development activities as planned................................................9
P3.3 and P3.4 reflect critically on own learning against original aims and objectives set in the
development plan and update the development plan based on feedback and evaluation..........11
Task 4.............................................................................................................................................12
P4.1 and P4.2 select solution to work based problems and communicate in a variety of styles
and appropriate manner at various levels..................................................................................12
P 4.3 Evaluate the application of effective time management approaches in various situations
in your own context...................................................................................................................13
Task 5.............................................................................................................................................14
P 5.1 appropriate methods of communication used effectively.................................................15
Conclusion.....................................................................................................................................21
References......................................................................................................................................22

LIST OF TABLES
Table 1: Self skill evaluation...........................................................................................................5
Table 2: My own strengths and weaknesses....................................................................................6
Table 3: Evaluation of own threats and opportunities.....................................................................7
Table 4: Personal and professional development plan....................................................................8
Table 5: SMART objectives..........................................................................................................10

LIST OF FIGURES
Figure 1: Kolb experiential learning cycle......................................................................................2
Figure 2: Prioritization approach...................................................................................................13

Introduction
PPD stands for the personal and professional development which is essential in the employees of
the organization so they can enhance their efficiency and achieve the organizational goals. This
report will discuss about the Travelodge organization which is dealing as the Tour operating
organization based in the UK and provides tourism services to their customers. This report will
discuss about the self-evaluation and personal and professional development plan through which
lacking skills will be identified and further plans will be created to overcome the issues. Own
reflection and SWOT will also be provided in this report. In the end, this report will discuss
about the various communication methods.
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LO1
P1.1 and P1.2 evaluates the various approaches to self managed learning and proposes ways for
lifelong
Self management is the skill which helps the individual to understand their own learning and try
to enhance or improve their learning. Monitoring, controlling and directive own skills are the
major points covered under self-managing learning. In the given scenario, the person is working
in the Travelodge tour operating organization based in the UK. This is related to identify the
individual self-learning and application of the cycle which is important for individual in the
various manners (Cunningham, 2017). There are some types of models or theories which are
covered under self-managing learning that are as follows:
Kolb experiential learning cycle
This is the learning model which works in the two levels such as- four stages cycle of the
learning and four separate styles of learning. This model is related with the learner internal
cognitive learning process. The learning model cycle covers concrete experience (having and
doing an experience), reflective observation (reflecting and reviewing own experience), abstract
conceptualisation (learning and concluding from own experience) and active experimentation
(trying and planning out about what have to be learned) stages (Cunningham and Dawes, 2016).
Figure 1: Kolb experiential learning cycle
(Source: http://www.bu.edu, 2018)
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Concrete experience: This is related to identify the individual learning with having and doing
the prior experience. Such as- the employee is required to learn the skills of communication and
in this case he has to interact with his colleagues and team members (Cowan, 2017).
Reflective observation: This stage of the model cycle include the own reflection about reviewed
and analyzed skills that is conducted by the individual in the Travelodge organization.
Abstract conceptualisation: The skills identification is followed in the stage so that next own
learning can be summarised to meet the experience.
Active experimentation: In this stage the individual make the effective plans and also evaluate
their loop holes that are important to enhance the skills and self-managing learning.
Actions for developing learning lifelong
The self-learning is the effective way to enhance the individual skills so that they can achieve the
benefits in their personal and professional life (Osborne, 2018). There are various types of ways
or actions that can be considered by the individual for lifelong learning which can be taken from
journals and books which provide the additional learning also. For example: through the meeting
the different types of the individual operations can be understand which is important for the
learning by their own and also helps them to manage their lacking areas. With the help of
learning procedure the individual at initial stage focus on the communication skill development
with their seniors and colleagues in the Travelodge organization. They can also use personal and
professional learning programs for own development (Steffens, 2015).
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P 1.3 evaluate the benefits of self-managed learning to the individuals and organizations
With the help of self-managing learning there are various types of benefits and advantages
achieved by the individual as well as organization (Sithole et al, 2017). Following are some of
the benefits that are achieved by Travelodge and an individual with the self-managed learning:
Benefits related to Travelodge
Through self-managing learning the Travelodge organization achieve competitive benefits,
effective team and their management, increased performance of the employees, improved
organizational culture and long term retention of their employees. These are some advantages
which are achieved by the organization with the help of the individual self management of their
own learning (Cunningham and Bennett, 2017).
Benefits related to individual
Through self-managing learning the individual can consider their specific needs. This will help
them to increase communication skills, decision making skills and leadership skills. For
example: the individual is weak in the communication but the department needs communication
skills so with this they can enhance the communication skills.
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Task 2
P2.1 and P2.2 evaluate own current skills and competencies against professional standards and
organizational objectives and identify own development needs and the activities required to meet
them
In the present time I am working as the Travel agency manager in the Travelodge organization
who is dealing as the Tour operator in the UK. This organization provides travel and tourism
services to the customers or tourist and my role in the organization is as the manager of the entire
agency. The updating of own skills and roles on regular basis is important to increase the
standards and skills so that aims and objectives of the organization can be achieved. It is
important and necessary to identify the current skills and competencies which support as to meet
the business objectives (Dixon, 2017). On the other side, in this type of evaluation there is no
scope of disturbance and compromise in the quality of their services. Following is the self-
evaluation of the own skills as the manager of the Travelodge:
Table 1: Self skill evaluation
No. of skills Types of current skills Marketing as per evaluation
1. Management of the people and employees 6/10
2. Working as a team 9/10
3. Appropriate knowledge with good communication
skills by knowing one or more language
5/10
4. Ability to deal with the emergency and critical
situations
8/10
5. Time management skills 6/10
6. Motivational and decision making skills 5/10
Self need of development and activities required to meet the needs
With the help of the above table it become clear few skills are effective to meet my own needs as
well as my organization but still need of improvement is required in me. It is identified that there
some areas lacking areas where I need to work so that I can develop my skills (Griffin and Care,
2014). Travelodge did not cover the tourism services but also include the satisfied services to the
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tourist who purchase their tour packages for travelling. By considering this fact, I evaluate my
strengths and weaknesses so that improvement scope can be identified.
Table 2: My own strengths and weaknesses
Strengths Weaknesses
Good team leader who manage the
team work
Understand the needs of customers and
treat them proper (Brownell, 2015)
I am good listener and a good problem
solver.
Sometimes I face problem in
communication
Weak in motivation to my team
members
Sometimes problems are faced by me in
effective decision making
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P2.3 and P2.4 identify development opportunities and devise a personal and professional
development plan (PPD) with specific development objectives
It is very essential for the individual to evaluate their own threats and opportunities so that they
can gain the needs and demands of their plans in the future or current time. Our own needs and
their development will be indentified with the help of the self-evaluation process that can also
provide the support to determine the own weaknesses and threats. On the other side, threats and
opportunities can also be analyzed through which they can overcome some of the lacking areas
to meet the future opportunities (Megginson and Whitaker, 2017). The evaluation of
opportunities and threats will support the organizational effective opportunities so that they can
overcome the future threats by developing the proper strategies.
Table 3: Evaluation of own threats and opportunities
Opportunities Threats
Own skills development and enhance
the interpersonal relationship and
individual efficiency within Travelodge
organization.
Enhance the managerial style by
attaining the learning programs and
events
Growth for the future career
development
Enhance the own reputation in the
organization by developing new
relationship with the colleagues.
Threats are related to the internal as
well as external competition in the
market.
Grievances of the tourist and internal
conflicts between the members
Threats are related to the external
business environment in which changes
are occurred such as- technology etc.
Personal and professional development plan
Personal and professional development plan is constructed so that improvements which are
required in me as the manager of the Travelodge can be done. The PPD plan will help me tom
identify the ways through which I can enhance my skills by which my personal and professional
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development will be done (Cottrell, 2015). Following is the personal and professional
development plan through which lacking skills can be improved:
Table 4: Personal and professional development plan
Required skills Process Time required
Time management skills Time management is the most important skill
through which activities and projects can be done
within the specified time duration. For this, Gantt
chart and prioritisation can be used by the manager.
7 months
Communication skills Use the verbal communication style as compare to
the written communication. It is important to carry
out the scholars, web articles and books so that more
interaction can be done with the senior staff
members. Take part in the group discussion so that
participation in the organization can also increase.
9 months
Decision making skills Decision making skill is required in the manager
which can be applied as per the understanding.
Decisions can be taken by considering the secondary
sources such as- books and journals.
5 months
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Task 3
P3.1 and P3.2 discuss the process and activities required to implement the development plan and
undertake and document development activities as planned
For implementing the PPD plan it is important that the procedure and activities are need to be
connected with others. Following are the activities which need to be considered:
Current status
The status will encompass with the improvement and development in the areas related to the
SWOT (strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats). Under this, strengths of the individual
is related to time management, effective communication, customer care services and decision
making so that employment commitment can be achieved by the individual. Being a good
listener and the problem solver is the major strengths (Megginson and Whitaker, 2017). On the
other side, the priorities of the organization are connected with the communication, time
management and meeting of the demands in the premises by maintaining the organizational
cultural.
Professional opportunities
Peer group, informal communication and interest group are some of the opportunities areas
covered in the Travelodge organization. The development plans include the tasks or activities
which generate the sales and revenue of the organization. With the help of marketing
management they can enhance their customer base and provide the quality of services.
Skills and experience
The development and growth plan will be prepared for determining the requirements of the
individual through which they can easily frame the skills (Baldwin, 2016).
Required action plan
Action plan is required for supervising the activities of the transactions regarding bookings,
payment and cancellation. As the manager of the Travelodge it becomes essential to make the
action plan for achieving the objective of the organization. This will be based on the SMART
objectives which are discussed as follows:
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Table 5: SMART objectives
Elements of SMART Detailed description
Specific (S) This will includes the promotion of the managerial skills in the manager
and also include the tourism sector business and time management.
Measurable (M) Increase in the wages, improvement in the interaction areas, time
management and gain the knowledge to achieve the level of
understanding (Kyndt et al, 2016).
Achievable (A) This can be achieved with the hard work, enthusiasm, proper training,
service provision and skills
Realistic (R) Good communication, growth security and professional and personal
growth confirmation.
Time frame (T) Short time, long time and medium time.
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P3.3 and P3.4 reflect critically on own learning against original aims and objectives set in the
development plan and update the development plan based on feedback and evaluation
Personal and professional development helps me to understand my skills, capabilities, efficiency,
priorities and potential along with the strengths and opportunities in the professional career.
These are the internal skills which I need to be kept in mind while preparing and implementing
the plan. The action plan is required to be formulated as per the skills of the individual so that set
objectives of the Travelodge organization can be achieved. I also show the SMART objectives
and my loop holes areas so that I can work on it and improve my lacking areas. The areas of
improvement can be determined by me only that will give me the assist to carry out the plan and
implement in the most effective manner. With the help of the personal and professional
development plan I am able to identify the additional and specific requirements along with the
collaborative efforts (Baldwin, 2016).
In addition to this, I have also understood the style and pattern of working in the Travelodge
organization so that I can also contribute to manage the organizational culture. Communication
and listening are the skills which are improved in me over the time. To formulate the knowledge
and skills I have also made my efforts through which I can easily achieve the professional and
personal purposes. As per the PPD and self-evaluation plan I am able to identify the strengths
and weaknesses in me and ways to overcome them for further improvement. This is the reason
behind I regularly update the plan and identify the lacking areas for improvement (Megginson,
and Whitaker, 2017). The plan of my self-evaluation provides me the support of understanding
my learning level and expands my professional capabilities with the help of PPD plan.
Through the evaluation plan, there are some of the changes which are identified in me that are
required to be carried to evaluate the existing liabilities:
Enhance the understanding about the tourism facilities, accommodation and tour
operating services to the customers.
Supportive and effective customers care services with the help of verbal communication
skills (Kyndt et al, 2016).
Use the latest and advanced technologies to maintain and manage the quality of their tour
operating services towards their customers which maintain the organization brand image.
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Task 4
P4.1 and P4.2 select solution to work based problems and communicate in a variety of styles and
appropriate manner at various levels
Within the different types of organizations there are various types of the issues which are
identified in the Travelodge organization and that are related to the quality of services and
communication. These types of identified issues are creates impact on the performance of their
employees and working environment of the organization. The problems and its reasons can be
identified with the help of quantitative research which is conducted by the Travelodge
organization and their research team (Savery, 2015). The organization and its team take the
feedback through e-mails for their improvement in the tourism facilities and this will provide
more comfort to the customers. Communication and Interaction are the important skills required
in the employees for which training sessions are organized for their further development.
Within the training sessions the employees can get to understand the way to address the
expectations of the customers with the help of communication. Tools and techniques are used to
identify the problems which can lower and remove the complaints and issues of the customers.
The solutions to the problems can be shared through providing the equal opportunities and use of
proper leadership style to the individual by having the PPD plan (Head, and Alford, 2015). On
the other side, the communication plan is effectively required in the tour operating organization
as they need to share the information with the visitors. The top level of the can communicate
with the video conferencing or emails. Managerial level of the employee use mobile devices and
telephones to share the information. The use of the communication tools helps to reduce the gap
of understanding between the employees (Schön, 2017).
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P 4.3 Evaluate the application of effective time management approaches in various situations in
your own context
Prioritization approach is the best tool and technique which can be used by the organization to
remove the issue of time management. The delay while solving the issues and problems of the
customers can be handled by the organization in effective manner through which they can
influence the customers towards their services and enhance their brand image in the market. This
approach is effective for Travelodge to apply the effectiveness of time management for resolving
the conflicts at the critical stage (Kirillov et al, 2015).
The prioritization approach is used to make the list of all the activities according to the action
and priority required after comparing with each other. This approach is recommended to the
team of the Travelodge so that they can arrange the activities in proper sequence and complete
the task as per the identified priorities. This will also assist the activities which are least
important and which require maximum time. Under this, production cost is lower down to
complete the activities on time (Forsyth, 2016).
Figure 2: Prioritization approach
(Source: foldingburritos.com, 2018)
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Task 5
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P 5.1 appropriate methods of communication used effectively
Consider body language
This is also used as the communication method by the members in their professional life. This is
also known as the non-verbal communication style which shows the physical attitude of the
person. This is used to express any message or idea to the other person by using different types
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of gestures which provide the information and text. In this, eye posture, body language, touch etc
can be used.
Communication style
Written and verbal communication styles can be used to share the information and thoughts with
other person. Under this, the professional standards the written communication styles are mostly
used with the written messages, official ids or emails. If the employees are discussing about their
personal ideas or thoughts then they can use verbal communication style. Some of the
organization uses both the styles as per their requirements.
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Use technology
With the help of technology in communication the organization can share their thoughts and
ideas with their stakeholders with no efforts and risk. The plans and information can be shared
between the departments or customers with the help of emails, social sites or official sites.
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Conclusion
This report is all about the personal and professional development in the employees which is
required for the benefits or individual as well as organization. This report has discussed about the
Travelodge tour operating organization which provide the tourism services to their customers for
which they need skilled managers and other employees. This report has provides personal and
professional development plan for the future improvement in the person so that they can enhance
their performance. This report has provide the self-evaluation which help to identify the SWOT.
Further, this report has provides the ways through which communication can be effective done
between the members.
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References
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level Abilities. Journal of Perspectives in Applied Academic Practice| Vol, 5(1).
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 Cunningham, I. and Dawes, G., 2016. The handbook of work based learning. Routledge.
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solution. Routledge.
 Dixon, N.M., 2017. The organizational learning cycle: How we can learn collectively.
Routledge.
 Forsyth, P., 2016. Successful time management. Kogan Page Publishers.
 Griffin, P. and Care, E. eds., 2014. Assessment and teaching of 21st century skills:
Methods and approach. Springer.
 Head, B.W. and Alford, J., 2015. Wicked problems: Implications for public policy and
management. Administration & Society, 47(6), pp.711-739.
 Kirillov, A.V., Tanatova, D.K., Vinichenko, M.V. and Makushkin, S.A., 2015. Theory
and practice of time-management in education. Asian Social Science, 11(19), p.193.
 Kyndt, E., Gijbels, D., Grosemans, I. and Donche, V., 2016. Teachers’ everyday
professional development: Mapping informal learning activities, antecedents, and
learning outcomes. Review of educational research, 86(4), pp.1111-1150.
 Megginson, D. and Whitaker, V., 2017. Continuing professional development. Kogan
Page Publishers.
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 Megginson, D. and Whitaker, V., 2017. Continuing professional development. Kogan
Page Publishers.
 Osborne, M., 2018. Inclusivity and Lifelong Learning: An Introduction.
In Entrepreneurial Learning City Regions (pp. 295-298). Springer, Cham.
 Savery, J.R., 2015. Overview of problem-based learning: Definitions and
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legacy of Howard S. Barrows, 9, pp.5-15.
 Schön, D.A., 2017. The reflective practitioner: How professionals think in action.
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 Steffens, K., 2015. Competences, learning theories and MOOCs: recent developments in
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Online references
 Prioritization approach, 2018 [Online] [Assessed through]
<https://foldingburritos.com/product-prioritization-techniques/>, [Assessed on 29th May,
2018]
 Kolb experiential learning cycle, 2018 [Online] [Assessed through]
<http://www.bu.edu/ctl/guides/experiential-learning//>, [Assessed on 29th May, 2018]
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