Career Growth & Management Development Plan at Thomas Cook

This report provides a comprehensive analysis of management and leadership within Thomas Cook, a UK-based travel company. It compares different management styles, including autocratic, paternal, democratic, and laissez-faire, highlighting Thomas Cook's use of democratic and paternal approaches. The report evaluates the leadership qualities of senior managers, emphasizing traits like strong leadership, problem-solving, and collective responsibility. It also examines the company's communication processes through social media, email, and vocal communication, as well as its organizational culture and recent market segmentation changes. Furthermore, the report includes a personal SWOT analysis of a trainee manager at Thomas Cook, identifying strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats, and sets prioritized objectives for personal development. Desklib offers a variety of solved assignments and past papers for students.

Career Development plan and Management
Development
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Table of Contents
Introduction........................................................................................................................3
Task 1................................................................................................................................4
Task 2................................................................................................................................8
Task 3..............................................................................................................................11
Task 4..............................................................................................................................14
Conclusion.......................................................................................................................15
Reference List..................................................................................................................16
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Introduction
The term “Management” is known as the organisation and synchronisation of various
employees working for the efficiency of a business company in accordance with its aims and
objectives. Management is considered as the incorporation of the collaboration, planned
strategies, and exercise of power and control over the organisation’s assets. The study will
critically assess the different management styles that work for the synchronisation of the
organisation. The study will make an extensive analysis on the managerial style of the company
Thomas Cook. It will give an underlined study of the various management skills that are
required for the better operation of the company.
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Task 1
Compare the different management styles that you may have observed and discuss the
leadership characteristics of the senior managers (1.1 & 1.2)
1.1 Management Styles
Management style refers to the ability of the management leader of a particular organisation to
lead their employees and work in synchronisation at their place of work (Clegg.et al., 2015).This
is known as the Management style. The study will now discuss on the various styles on the
theory of Management.
Autocratic Style of Management
Autocratic style of management works in accordance with their set of established ideas as they
are incorporated with the sole accountability of decision-making (Scase, 2017). Therefore the
managers do not take in the opinions of their junior employees. The junior employees are
usually under the strict observation of the Manager. They are not liable to take any decisions
without the permission of their superiors. The junior employees are reliant on the managers of
the organisation and are not liable to voice their opinions. The employees are subjected to the
established aims and objectives set by their managers. This style of management often leads to
inefficiency in the organisation as the employees are not enthused with motivation to work for
their managers.
Paternal Style of Management
Paternal style of Management is concerned with the senior managers who are accountable to
devise best strategies for the efficiency of their employees working for the benefits of their
organisation (Ward, 2106). The manager formulates certain policies for the benefit of their
organisation. The opinions and suggestions of the employees are taken into consideration. This
style of management enthuses motivation and reliability on the employees to work for their
organisation. The junior employees are not subjected to burden and work efficiently
Democratic Management Style
Democratic style of management involves the effective collaboration between the employees
and managers to formulate strategies and objectives for the well being of the organisation
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(Bryson, 2017). This style of management encourages the opinions of the employees by the
organisation of meetings .The collaboration between the managers and the employee’s aids in
the effective working of the organisation.
Laissez Faire Management Style
Laissez Faire style of management is often considered to be ineffective in the management of
the organisation (Einarsen.et al., 2016). The managers do not take any interest in the efficient
working of the organisation. The employees make their own decisions and are not liable to the
manager of the organisation.
The study will now provide a brief outline on the management styles incorporated by a UK
based Tours and Travel Company termed as Thomas Cook.
Incorporation of Management style by Thomas Cook:
Every company or business organisation works in accordance with the synchronisation of the
employees in accordance with the aims and objectives (Bosch, 2108). They incorporate various
management styles for the efficient working of the organisation. Thomas Cook is a UK based
company and specialises in Travels and Tourism. It incorporates the Democratic style of
management and Paternal style of management for the efficient working of the organisation.
The company believes in the cooperation and synchronisation between the employees and the
managers. They are quick in answering to feedbacks and are a well organised team that
believes in the objectives and aims set by the managers.
1.2 Leadership Features of Senior Managers
A well harmonised business organization is incorporated with a Senior Manager who is
essential for the achievement of aims and objectives laid down by a particular organisation.
Senior Managers are essential to mentor the newly hired employees and poor performance
employees (Laudon, 2016). The essential features of a senior manager are briefly discussed
below:
Strong Team Leader: Senior Managers are essential to exhibit strong leadership qualities in
order to lead their employees. They lead by assessing the flaws of the previous managers and
avoid making mistakes in their style of management,
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Problem Solver: Senior Managers are often expected to be reliable and smart enough to lead
their employees. They resolve problems and conflicts that disrupt the harmony in the
organisation through the implementation of smart strategies.
Collective Responsibility: The Senior Mangers of a particular company is subjected to
shoulder collective responsibility and often partake of the failures and achievements of the
organisation (Wood, 2015).
Effective Guidelines for the Organisation: The Senior managers of a particular organisation
set effective guidelines for the proper operation of the organisation (Scott, 2015). This aids the
employees forming knowledge on working towards the goals of the company.
Leadership Features of Thomas Cook
The leadership features exhibited by the company Thomas Cook are reliable and efficient for
the working of the organisation. The senior manager of the company exhibits strong leadership
skills. The manager is expected to be smart and witty to lead the employees to the betterment of
the organisation. The leaders are self confident to establish their set of ideas which aids the
working of the employees (Northouse, 2018). They shoulder responsibilities of the employees
are also partake to the achievement and failures of the organisation (Beijer, 2016). Their zeal
and passion are evident in the efficient working of the organisation. The leaders are zealous
about providing their customers with the best travel deals. This adds to the satisfaction of the
customer and aids in lucrative gains.
Evaluate the communication process within the chosen organization (1.3)
Communication Process by Thomas Cook
Every organisation has a set of communication devices in order to reach out to a wide range of
audiences. Thomas Cook has an established set of communication devices to promote its deals
to the masses. The process of communication is briefly discussed below.
Social Media: The Company promotes its deals through the platform of social media. The use
of social media is prevalent in the effective working of the company (Fan, 2014). It markets its
products to its customers through its website and attracts them by offering the best deals.
Emails: The organisation also communicates to its employees through the use of emails. The
communication through emails plays an essential role to assist the various guidelines and
objectives to the junior employees.
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Vocal Communication: The employees in the company benefit through the vocal assistance of
its mentor. They are able to follow the various guidelines set by their mentors and are free from
doubts.
The company makes the use of these communication devices to clear the understanding of the
employees which increases the productivity of the employees and maintains efficiency of the
organisation.
Analyze organizational culture as well as the process of change that is currently taking
place in your organization. (1.4).
Organisational Culture of Thomas Cook
Every business organisation is subjected to a reliable organisational culture. Organisational
cultures contribute to the efficient working of the business organisation (Landy, 2016). It is
incorporated with the philosophy and objectives that aid the behavioural patterns of the
employees. The company Thomas Cook exhibits an efficient organisational structure that
pinpoints the major reason for the synchronised system of working. The environment is friendly
and the managers are committed for the betterment of the employees. The roles and tasks are
well distributed among the junior employees motivating them to work resourcefully.
The following changes have been noticed ever since the implementation of a better
organisational culture among the employees of the company. The company has gone though a
recent change of market segmentation. Thomas Cook has brought targeted the promotion of
their services into segmented sections. This change has brought good results to the market as it
the efficiency of market has experienced a radical change. This has further led to the
resignation of the thirds of the seniors in the company.
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Task 2
Assess your own management skills and performance using the format provided by the
tutor and analyse your own strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats. (2.1 & 2.2)
Effective management skills are essential for the proper functioning of the business organisation
(Kerzner, 2017). A Trainee Manager from the company Thomas Cook incorporates various
management skills for the smooth functioning of his company which are briefly discussed below.
Self Confidence: Self confidence is a vital characteristic to attain a respectable position in a
workplace as a trainee manager. The manager of the company should be an effective speaker
to interact with its junior employees (Sekaran, 2016). They must exhibit coherence in their
articulation to reach out to their employees. Therefore the trainee manager should incorporate
this skill to enhance the working of the organisation.
Time Organization: Time and tide wait for no one therefore time management is integral for the
smooth functioning of the company. A trainee manger should shoulder the responsibility of
efficient time management. Allocation of tasks at an appropriate time to the employees will
result in better implementation of work. The company follows a time frame and the trainee
manager is subjected to the work in accordance with time.
Problem Resolver: The Company believes in establishing cooperation and harmony in the
operation of their company. A trainee manager should shoulder the responsibility of their
company. He should resolve problems and conflicts operating within his company. This would
lead to the productivity of the organisation.
Strong Leadership Quality: Strong leadership quality is a vital characteristic exhibited by a
manager of the company. A trainee manager should exhibit this quality as it tends to the
progress of the organisation.
Professional Standard: The Company believes in maintaining its brand standard for the sale of
its products. It is the job of a trainee manager to maintain the professional brand standard of the
company by implementing strategic plans to attain their objectives.
Personal SWOT analysis
The Personal SWOT analysis critically assesses the strengths and weakness of the Trainee
Manager from the company called Thomas Cook
Strengths: A trainee manager should exhibit the strengths of coherent communication skills
and strong management skills. These skills will ensure the manager to strategise various plans
and objectives and work for the betterment of the organisation.
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Weakness: A trainee manger can also have flaws that can decrease his productivity to work for
a better economy. The trainee manager exhibits flaws related to mismanagement of time. Time
organisation plays a vital role in the implementation of work. Mismanagement of time can
decrease the productivity of the employees.
Opportunities: A trainee manager is subjected to have knowledge on various management for
the skills better working of an organisation. Having a basic knowledge on management skills will
enable the trainee manager to assists his subordinates with efficiency. This will make him a
good representative of the company.
Threats: A trainee manager can be subjected to various threats on the grounds of inarticulate
communication skills. Communication gap can degrade the working of the employees. This
would lead to conflicts in the future.
Set and prioritize objectives and targets to develop your own potentials (2.3)
The Trainee Manager of the Thomas Cook Company should inculcate various targets and set
smart objectives to develop his potential and improvise on his working skill. These skills would
include:
Prioritization of Goals: The Trainee Manager should prioritize on an established set of goals
and objectives to attain his target for the betterment of the team. This would be beneficial as it
would boost his potential to reach better targets. He should give significance to the guidelines of
the company.
Extensive Research: The trainee manager should exercise on extensive research on the
objectives and prospective of the company. In order to yield better results the manager should
invest his time on avid reading of the history of the company, its achievements and failures in
order to implement better strategies for the future.
Practice is Ideal: Practice is an integral skill that every manager should imbibe within
themselves. Extensive practice of skills will boost the manager’s productivity to meet the
expectations of the company. The manager should practice on the knowledge gained from the
extensive research.
Meeting Deadlines: Deadlines are vital for the smooth and timely functioning of the company.
The manager should be able to practice what he preaches to his employees. Meeting deadlines
are vital for the employees as it would boost the productivity of the company by producing high
quality work. The employees will further learn the importance of time management and organise
their work on the basis of dividing their tasks into a given timeframe.
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Critical Recruitment of Employees: The trainee manager should make critical recruitment in
the selection of new employees for proper operation of the company. These selections should
be made on the basis of individual knowledge in the field of travel and tourism. Having efficient
and skilled employees can increase the productivity of the company and lead to better results in
the company. Skilled employees will decrease the number of risks and dangers in the company
through the incorporation of their knowledge in the field of hospitability. This would ensure better
implementation of work in the environment.
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Task 3
Lead and motivate a team to achieve an agreed goal or objective [3.1]
The Trainee Manager is appointed to work for Thomas Cook tours and Travel Company. It is a
reputed company that specialises in the sale of tourist deals to prime customers. The job of a
trainee manger would enforce the leader to have positive goals for the functioning of the
company. It is essential to incorporate certain aims and guidelines to guide the team to work
proficiently. Therefore he can guide his team to achieve his objectives and aims which are
critically discussed below:
Clear Goals and Purpose: The aim of every company is to set established guidelines for the
smooth working of the company. The trainee manager can lead his employees by setting clear
guidelines about the working of the company. This is of assistance to the employees as it leads
to better function of the employees. The employees are able to comprehend the prospects of
the company and are able to synchronise in accordance with it.
Motivational Drive: The manager of the company should act as a motivator to his employees.
He should be instrumental in inspiring his employees to attain better targets. This would serve in
the purpose of retaining the employees to work to their potential. A motivational drive is
essential to assist to the doubts and fears of the newly hired employees. The employees should
be trained with the given skills and encouraged to work for better result
Amiable Environment: The trainee manager should play an instrumental role in organising an
amiable environment for its newly hired employees. This would boost the behavioural patterns
of the employees and attract them to work for the betterment of the company. A hostile
environment filled with ongoing conflicts has a negative impact on the working of the
organisation. Therefore the manager should ensure a friendly environment in the respective
workplace.
Effective Collaboration and Teamwork: Collaboration and teamwork is an effective and
integral aspect of a good management theory. The trainee manager should inculcate the skills
of organising an effective teamwork. Organising the employees in a team will benefit the
company as it will reap sustainable results. Collaboration will further enhance the interaction
between the manger and the employees
Good Communication Skills: In order to achieve the guidelines and aim of the company it is
vital to have good communication skills. Communication skills aid the employees through the
extensive practice of coherent articulation and active listening. This could lessen conflicts and
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lead to a better synchronised interaction between the manager and the employees.
Communication gap could prove to be fatal to the proper working of the company. Therefore it is
essential to incorporate group activities meetings and discussions in order to lead the team
efficiently.
Time Management: Time management is a vital characteristic of a well operating company.
Mismanagement of time will lead to inefficiency in the working environment. It is essential to
foster the importance of time in a working environment to meet deadlines of a specific project.
The trainee manager should incorporate this particular skill to lead his team on the journey to
progress and efficiency. The trainee manager should set underlined targets and deadlines to
increase the productivity of his team. This would foster to the growth of the company.
Moral Code of Principles: Ethics are considered necessary to the aspect of working in a
company. Ethics constitute as a basic fundamental component to the proficient working of an
organisation. The trainee Manager should incorporate the basic ethics for the smooth working of
his team of employees. The employees should have a voice in their company. Respect falls
under the professional behaviour of a company manager and his employee. The trainee
manager should not degrade the self esteem of his employees. This skill aids the working of the
company.
Decision Making Skills: Decision making skills are an integral aspect to the proper functioning
of the company. Being appointed as a trainee manager implies shouldering intricate amount of
task. The trainee manger should be decisive and rational in his decision making skill this would
aid the company and promote better results.
High Quality Work: The trainee manager should access the quality of services provided by the
employees of the company. The services provided by the company should attract potential
customers and lead to lucrative gains in the company. The recruitment of better employees for
the benefit of the company is essential for the efficient working of the company. Better
recruitment ensures high quality services to the prime customers.
Therefore, in order to steer the company to receive better lucrative gains and to motivate the
employees it is essential for the trainee manger to adopt these skills in his managerial post.
These would ensure better results by the employees as they would yield better results.
Justify the managerial decisions you may have made or you would make to support the
achievement of agreed goals and objectives and recommendations for improvements
(3.2)
In the previous paragraph, it has been stated that the managerial team of the company has
come up with key points that would help to in order to meet the defined goal of the company. In
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order to successfully determine and meet the organisational goals and objectives, the
management of Thomas Cook needs to implement the above discussed points. As a manager,
one can definitely borrow ideas from the various components of the workforce such as the
employees (Reason, 2016). Also, one can always ask for ideas from the senior management as
well. As stated in the previous paragraph, the employees of the organisation need to inculcate
the goals and objectives of the company. This can be done by providing them with efficient
training and various sessions with the upper management. Also, they need to be motivated in
order to extract the best out of them. Only when the employees of Thomas Cook are giving it
their best shot for the company, the company shall witness effective functioning.
The need to have an amiable environment is a must for the proper functioning of any company.
It is no different for Thomas Cook. The UK based company needs to have a suitable working
atmosphere in the office campus. Research has it that the working atmosphere of a company
has a significant impact on the mindsets of the employees (Seibert et al., 2016). If a company
fails to have a suitable and amiable environment scenario in the office area, the employees and
even the higher management shall fail to deliver the optimum performance. The employees are
a treasure for any organisation. It is the responsibility of the management and top officials to
look into it that they are given their rights and are satisfied. As a manager of Thomas Cook, one
of the key roles shall be to employ all the factors in the organisation which shall result in the
better functioning of the organisation.
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Task 4
Explain how your own managerial and personal skills will support career development
and set the agenda for future (4.1)
The managerial skills as well as personal skills of a manager can bring in wonders for a
company like Thomas Cook. Even in this highly competitive market comprised of fierce rivals
and almost infinite substitutes, if a manager has skills such as professional behaviour, a positive
attitude, a set dedication and the required sincerity towards work, then not only will it succeed to
generate more business for Thomas Cook but shall also help to build and enhance of the
careers of the employees working in the company (Anholt, 2016). To support career
development and set an agenda for the future, the manager of the company shall strive towards
the betterment of the following qualities:
Better and Enhanced Decision making:
One of the key responsibilities of a manager is to take decisions. There arrives a time when
quick and instant decisions need to be taken by the managers. For instance, during any sort of
crisis, it becomes the responsibility of the managers to improve the situation of the company.
The reputation of the company often comes into their hands (Den Hond et al., 2016). So as a
manager of a firm, one has to have enough self confidence and idea about the possible
outcomes. They need to be ever-ready.
Opening to learning Processes:
As a manager, one always has to learn. By learning it does not mean bookish knowledge. One
can always learn from experiences and situations. Managers need to learn and take into
account things and components that shall help them to properly run the organisation (Grant,
2016). Whenever faced with any sort of a problem or turbulence, a manager must dig deep into
the issue and learn about it properly.
Developing personal skills:
An individual can always improve one’s personal skills. For a manager, personal skills such as
inter personal communication and better command of the language can always be improved.
Doing so would help them properly manage the employees as well as the clients if required.
Enhance leadership skills:
Specific leadership skills and such as better perception, enhanced motivational skills, one’s own
assessment skills and various team building skills shall be always enhanced for the better
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management of companies such as Thomas Cook. The managers, if they regularly polish and
enhance their managerial skills, it shall be crucial to the careers of the employees.
Review career and personal development needs, current performance and future needs
to produce a development plan with career goals and objectives (4.2)
It always is one of the primary tasks for a manager to keep a check on one’s own performance
and outcomes (Block, 2016). This is a very crucial step when it comes to one’s own as well as
organisational development. If the manager manages to provide applicable plans for
development for the organisation, he or she may easily monitor their personal as well as career
needs. Also, the requirements in the future and trends to be expected can be predicted easily.
Doing this shall also help to meet up with the organisational goals as reviewing the performance
of the recent times shall be a good analysis. Also by doing this, the manager of the company
shall successfully inculcate various learning experiences that shall definitely help him or her for
the better management of the organisation in the future.
Conclusion
As a manager, if one has efficient skills and quality, it can shape and support the careers of
many subordinates working beneath. Also, comprising proper managerial skills shall help the
managers of the companies to meet up with the organisational goals easily and successfully. In
this study, the main aim has been to pen down the objectives and procedures managers need
to follow in order to enhance the working standards of the company. Various ways to meet up
with the organisational goals have been provided. Lastly, the reader of this report shall be well
aware with the skills managers and senior managers need to have in order to run the
organisation efficiently.
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