Developing Managers Report: Management Styles in Travel and Tourism

This report examines the concept of developing managers within the context of the travel and tourism industry, using Thomas Cook as a case study. It begins by comparing different management styles, such as autocratic and democratic approaches, and assesses their application within organizations. The report then delves into leadership characteristics, emphasizing the importance of communication, integrity, and team spirit. It evaluates the communication processes employed by Thomas Cook, including emails, meetings, and written communication, and analyzes the company's organizational culture and change management strategies. The report further assesses the author's own management skills through self-evaluation and SWOT analysis, setting objectives for personal and professional development. Finally, it explores strategies for leading and motivating teams, making managerial decisions, and planning for career advancement. The conclusion summarizes the key findings and recommendations for effective management practices in the travel and tourism sector.

Developing Managers

Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................3
TASK1 ..........................................................................................................................................3
1.1 Comparison of different management styles.........................................................................3
M1 Effective approach to study and research in comparisons of different management styles
in travel and tourism organisations.............................................................................................4
1.2 Leadership characteristic in the organization........................................................................4
1.3 Evaluate communication process in Thomas Cook..............................................................5
1.4 Analyse organisational culture and change in Thomas Cook...............................................6
TASK2.............................................................................................................................................7
2.1 Assess own management skills and performance.................................................................7
M2 Range of methods and techniques have been applied to assess one’s own management
skills............................................................................................................................................7
2.2 SWOT Analysis....................................................................................................................8
D1. Outcomes of Self assessment for evaluating conclusion on strength weaknesses...............8
2.3 Set and prioritise objectives and targets to develop own potential.......................................9
TASK3.............................................................................................................................................9
3.1 Leading and motivating team for achieving goals and objectives........................................9
3.2 Managerial decisions that support achievement of goals and objectives............................10
TASK4...........................................................................................................................................11
4.1 Own managerial and personal skills will support career development..............................11
4.2 Review of career and personal development needs and development of future plan.........12
M3 Appropriate approach and structure for career development plan......................................12
D2 Activities planned, managed and organised to present the carer development plan on time
...................................................................................................................................................13
D3. Self-evaluation to develop career goals and objectives.....................................................13
CONCLUSION..............................................................................................................................13
REFERENCES .............................................................................................................................14

INTRODUCTION
Developing manager is one the most important element in order to carry out all the
operations of business. Apart from, it different training and development programmes has been
organized in enhancing the skills and capability of mangers and their employees (Asogwa ,2012)
. Professional and experts manager can guide their workforce how they teach their employees
that adopting changes are beneficial for their career development which arises in external
environment. Under this assignment the company which is preferred I.e. Thomas Cook UK
based global travel operator expand their travel business in different countries. Company
comprises of 21,788 employees perform their job in different places so they need to update with
their taste, choices and preferences on the basis of which travel holiday packages is offered to
customers. Thomas Cook for improving performance of employees execute various programmes.
Further, it discuss about the different management styles, training development of employees,
cultural social development that create significant impact on behaviour and attitude of whole
internal staff.
TASK1
1.1 Comparison of different management styles
Every business organisation has followed their own management styles on the basis of
their vision and objectives. Effective management styles ensure the proper functioning and
planning of internal operation of business. The main objective behind under it is to improve the
behaviour and attitude of employees which create positive impact on whole business
environment (Bandura and Lyons ,2012). Further, duty of manager is to examine all the
characteristic and features of management styles and use this in such way that give utmost
benefits in the form of quality standard and profitability. Apart from it, main target of Thomas
cook is to choose such style that allow them to become top most travel company and presently
they choose active management style which focuses on fulfilling all the physiological needs and
self actualisation that motivate the employees to perform their task in effective manner. Here the
difference between two management style used in every organisation are described below:-
Autocratic management style Democratic or participative management style
Under this type of management style only one
manager take all the decisions wholly without
Under this style of management managers
allow their employees to actively participate in

the consent or advice of professional and
experienced subordinates.
all working operations of business that leads to
rational decision making. The USP of this style
is that is ensuring of effective communication.
Proper controlled and managed by one person
only I.e. manager.
Under this style both managers and their
employees control on all operations and carry
operations effectively.
This style used by those companies which
regulate large scale business mostly seen in
retail sector. For example M&S adopt this style
only.
This style is used by Thomas Cook company in
order to motivate and improve the skill of
workforce.
M1 Effective approach to study and research in comparisons of different management styles in
travel and tourism organisations
It has been observed every tour and travel industry adopt their own management style according
to their suitability. Basically Thomas Cook is know for high quality of goods and services in
travel and tourism so on the basis of observation company adopt active management style where
they try to focus on satisfying their basic and self actualisation needs in order to motivate team
member to perform task appropriately. On the other hand TUI work in travel tourism also give
systematic travel services to their clients in order to motivate their staff members adopt
consultative management styles in which bot the manager and subordinate forecast activities and
predict the needs of training development which leads to effective communication.
1.2 Leadership characteristic in the organization
Their are different types of leadership style and approaches used by company that ensure
efficient utilisation of resources and reduce loss (Bloom and et. al. ,2010). In travel tourism
sector management take all the decision in relation to leadership style conduct in their working
process. Leader is a person who influence the behaviour of their subordinates through their act
and inspired work so it is important for manger to recruit such type of leader that effectively
communicate with their employees and able to conduct their business in appropriate manner.
Leader of Thomas Cook must comprises of following skills and capabilities which described
below:-

 Effective communication skills:- It is utmost duty of leader to effectively communicate
with their whole team at the time they lead them. This feature is essential because it
ensure that employees are understand how to conduct daily operation on the basis of
leader guidelines and instruction. Honesty and integrity:- Leader must posses honesty and integrity in their working
practices which ensure ethical principles among their employees at the time of achieving
daily targets of company. This features help in maintaining good brand image in the
society where organisation established and attract large audiences. Team spirit:- Effective leader help in building the team work among their staff member
which ensure the good relation among employer and employee because they
communicate their opinion and thought with each other and apply that idea which leads
to better outcomes.
 Innovate:- To survive in external market it is vital for leader to be creative and think out
of box at the time when they launch any new products an make changes in their existing
services. For example Thomas Cook leader need to become more creative and innovate
in this competitive market and come with such holiday packages that attract large
audiences.
Therefore, Thomas cook leader need to focus on above points that leads to effective decision
making and higher profitability.
1.3 Evaluate communication process in Thomas Cook
In travel tourism it has been seen that communication is one of the important medium
through which company deliver services to large audiences (Bolden ,2016). Communication is
consider as one of the phenomena that used for better interaction between management and staff
members for offering the information and getting the feedback in order to identify the issues and
problems and then formulate strategy of business. Following communication process that applied
by Thomas Cook in order to share and manage information which described below:- Email:- In present scenario Email is one of the innovative and fast moving application in
which messages has been send and receive within second. It is cost effective and easy
medium of communication. Thomas Cook utilise this source in exchanging data and
knowledge within their staff members and because of information flow from top to
bottom which have positive impact on travel tourism sector.

 Meetings:- It is another medium that used by Thomas Cook in their communication
process in order to developing and interacting with their workforce. The main objective
of this communication process is to assemble all the staff members at one place and
discuss them about all the matters related to changing in policies, strategies and any need
of organising training programmes that help in uplift the performance standard of
employees and helpful in creating good interacting culture that motivate staff for better
performance.
 Written:- This is an traditional method where all the data and information of company
are exchanged with the help of newspaper, notice and through letter heads to all the level
of management. For example Thomas Cook used this communication process in sharing
general data related to task and duties perform in specified time period and any specific
change made in organisation structure.
1.4 Analyse organisational culture and change in Thomas Cook
Organisation culture means particular framework and code of conduct followed by
particular corporate to maintain their better heritage image (Boso , Story and Cadogan 2013).
Therefore, it is important for every organisation to adopt such corporate culture which ensure
ethical practices in business and decision is taken on the basis of employee working coming from
different backgrounds so choose such culture that leads to better coordination in their
departments. Thomas Cook adopt such type of culture that is helpful in supporting , motivating
and guiding the employees to work as per as standards or norms prescribed by management.
Following points are suggested for effective culture to Thomas cook are define below:- Task culture:- According to this culture every staff member is assigned the task
according to their specialisation and responsibilities that will ensure effective working
operations in organisation. Role culture:- Under this type of culture set of role and responsibilities are assigned to
individual according to their personality which leads to better coordination and less
confusion at the time of performing task.
 Power culture:- Under this type of corporate culture organisation take the opinion from
their internal staff that facilitate rational decision making in whole business environment.

Therefore, it is important for Thomas Cook to establish such type of corporate culture in their
organisation that enhance their brand image at global level and attract more customers to avail
travel services from this company only.
TASK2
2.1 Assess own management skills and performance
Their are different types of management skills which need to be adopted by the manager
in order to carry out whole procedures of company in proper manner (Cusworth and
Franks ,2013). Skill and talent insert in own individual facilitates better and effective working
performance and apart from this these type of ability help in achieving overall objectives and
goals of organisation in proper and systematic manner. Being manager of Thomas Cook this is
essential for them to accomplishing their goals and objectives. Their is the assessment of own
management skills which described below:-
Skills Assessment
Communication skills Being the manager of travel tourism sector I
need to posses various skills and capabilities in
order to give proper information to their clients
as well as whole workforce.
Leadership skills I have found the team of at-least 25 members
to whom different work has been assigned
which required to conducted in effective
manner. Apart from it I must posses leadership
qualities through which I can guide employees
for their behaviour in order to accomplishing
task.
Correct decision making skills Being the manager of Thomas Cook I must
possess such ability and power that allow me to
take rational decisions which bring positive
results in future.

M2 Range of methods and techniques have been applied to assess one’s own management skills
Their are different range of methods and techniques which need to be adopted by
employees in order to enhance their own skills and capabilities. First of all proper planning
technique is required in tourism sector in which I have to planned in advice that what type of
strategies and tactics needed to perform all the task in effective manner. Second techniques may
be related to delegating task among team members according to specialisation which ensure to
all employees that to whom they have to report which leads to effective decision making and also
adopted interpersonal communication skill which I found most appropriate in order to transfer
order and instructions to other team members.
2.2 SWOT Analysis
Strengths
 Effective communication and better
accomplishment of work.
 Good listener and proper vocabulary at
the time of presentation and persuasive
skills. Compare past performance with present
performance and if any deviation occur
take corrective action through critical
thinking.
Weaknesses
 Quality time management must always
be striven by me and there is always
chance of improvement before project
completion date.
 Workforce always resistance towards
changes so it is hard for me to change
their attitude which lead to loss of
productivity and profits.
 Lack of education regarding the
modern innovation and technology
among workforce related to goods and
services.
Opportunity it is better for me to analyse my
personal skills that give the detail about
my strength and weaknesses.
Threats
I feel riskier at the time when I delegating the
responsibilities to lower level whether they
perform task in accordance to external
environment.

D1. Outcomes of Self assessment for evaluating conclusion on strength weaknesses
It is very beneficial for manager to evaluating their own strength and weaknesses that
give me chance to improve any shortcoming arises in my work which leads to effectiveness and
productivity (Drucker ,2012). Further on the basis of SWOT analysis I came to know what
changes I have to made in travel holiday packages which give attractive offers to costumers.
Apart from it continuous improvement in the personality of manager allow them to provide
quality of services to target audiences which satisfy them fully and helpful in the
accomplishment of objectives and long term goals of organisation.
2.3 Set and prioritise objectives and targets to develop own potential
It is essential for managers to establish their own objectives and goals which help them to
increasing their own potential and capabilities (Frost and Wallingford , 2013). Further problem
can be sort out by establishing SMART targets which allow them to optimally utilise available
resource and reduce the cost of production at the time of manufacturing goods and services.
Under this SMART stand in following manner:-
1. Their must be specific objectives at the time of setting up the targets for company.
2. Whatever the targets company set must be measurable by setting up benchmark for it.
3. Objective must be attainable and achievable within an specified time period.
4. Further, their must be relevant relationship between specific objectives and overall goals
of projects and programmes for achieving long term goals.
5. Last thing must be time bound features that must be present consider as final closure in
respect of all the activities executed and performed.
Therefore, this is the most effective way through which manager of Thomas Cook can enhance
their skills and potential which leads to accomplishment of their final targets in better and
appropriate manner. Further advance establishment of own goals and targets give me an idea that
at what manner action plan executed. Apart from it there is description regarding the SMART
objectives which discuss below:-
 Specific:- Under this it must be ensure that goals must be clear and specific otherwise
individual is not able to concentrate on their efforts and after that they need to be
motivated towards their objectives. For example Thomas Cook marketing manager must
have their own marketing goals in which they require to use their skills and abilities to
achieve goals.

 Measurable:- It is essential for business to measure their goals effectively and after that
assessing the progress that help in focusing on the goals and objectives both.
 Achievable:- The goals which has been formulated must be relevant and realistic to
make it successful in future. After that they must be able to identify all opportunities in
which they use the resources adequately.
 Relevant:- Whatever the goals and objectives must be formulated shall be relevant and
ability to provide better outcomes in future. Further all the activities must be observe on
daily basis for checking progress and continuous development.
 Time bound:- Objective that has been formulated must be time bound I.e. it must be clear
to whole team that whatever the objectives made by company must be achievable on
stated time period. For example Thomas Cook team management fix the time period on
the basis of which all activities has been carried out for ensuring success in future.
TASK3
3.1 Leading and motivating team for achieving goals and objectives
It is very important for organisation to motivate their employees in order to increase the
performance and productivity of whole workforce (Ganpat and Nagendra ,2011). Manager
require to perform their role and responsibility by setting up the different aspects that are to be
consider in that function. In order to motivate the employees manager offer them both monetary
and non monetary incentives and both have their own feature and characteristics which related to
it. It has been analysed that motivating employee are more energetic and efficient as compare to
non motivated employees. Therefore, to motivate the employees of Thomas Cook different tools
and mechanism has been used are stated below:- Opportunity for self development:- It is important for organisation to give proper
opportunity to their employees for their own development. Further organise different
training development programmes in order to update them with all the latest technologies
and innovative creativity in their products and services. Ethical corporate culture:- In order to achieve the goals and motivating the employees
Thomas Cook require to establish good ethical culture which ensure fair trade practices
and positivity in environment that leads to enhancement in skill capabilities of
employees.

 Reward recognition policy:- It is the utmost duty of HR manager to establish such
policies in organisation according to which employee performing best must be rewarded
with better incentives that motivated employees which lead to accomplishment of
objectives.
 Team building:- Working in team is very helpful in accomplishing mutual objectives
through which employees maintain good relation with their superior and leads to
coordination and harmony at the time of providing services in tour travel industry.
Models of team developments
Here the models of team development given by Belbin are describe below:-
 Resource investigator:- Under this inquisitive nature is there in order to bring back the
team for better outcomes.
 Team worker:- In this stage all the work members must be versatile in respect of
performing activity and require to complete it on behalf of team members for good
productivity.
 Co-ordinator:- It is utmost duty of manager to focus on all team objectives and lead the
whole team in such manner in which they delegate the work among departments which
facilitate coordination and cooperation.
 Plant:- Establish such plant which is highly creative and able to solve all the problems in
complex situations.
 Monitor evaluator:- Under team development logical eye must be provided so that
impartial judgements can be formulated for the purpose of team work and better
productivity.
 Specialist:- Brings in depth knowledge of key area for team performance.
 Shaper:- Under this provide drive which is necessary to ensure that team keeps moving
and do not lose focus on momentum.
 Implementer:- Require to plan strategy which is workable for the purpose of carried out
effectively.
 Complete finisher:- Under this case company require to complete their tasks effectively
and if there is any error then try to solve it and maintain high quality standards for goods
and services

3.2 Managerial decisions that support achievement of goals and objectives
Managers are most important asset of company that set the benchmarks for whole
organisation. They perform their duty by establishing goals and objectives in Thomas cook and
perform various managerial decisions in order to achieve the vision and mission of company
(Kennett-Hensel , Sneath and Hensel ,2010). It is utmost responsibility of strategic level to take
all the crucial decisions related to finance and implementation of upcoming projects. Following
decisions are described below:- Strategic planning:- In order to conduct activity of business appropriately it is important
to develop and evaluate all the plans for operational plans. For better planning and
delegating roles and responsibilities systematic tactics must be applied. By considering
different factors of external environment I can make decisions related to communication,
monitoring and delivering the services related to travel tourism. Apart from it continuous
improvement in all the services of holiday after getting the feedback and review of
customers. Relationship Building:- For effective managerial decisions it is important for Thomas
Cook to build the long term relationship with their daily customers. For this they can use
CRM techniques in which data of all tourist must be maintained who either take the
holiday packages and planning to take in future.
Recommendation:-
Their are some changes and alterations which are required in whole working process that
lead to effective decision making. Following points consider in suggestions are described
below:- Improved organisation system through controlling the performance of employees:-
This has been recommended that employees performance must be observed on daily basis
that help the Thomas Cook to have professional and skilled employees that control
overall performance of workforce.
 Managing salary system:- To provide salary to the employees in proper and appropriate
manner benefits the company in the form of getting high level of performance from their
workforce. It also helpful in establishing long term relationship and retention of
employees for longer period.