Employability Skills Report: A Case Study of Thomas Cook

Desklib provides solved assignments and past papers to help students succeed.

qwertyuiopasdfghjklzxcvbnmqwertyui
opasdfghjklzxcvbnmqwertyuiopasdfgh
jklzxcvbnmqwertyuiopasdfghjklzxcvb
nmqwertyuiopasdfghjklzxcvbnmqwer
tyuiopasdfghjklzxcvbnmqwertyuiopas
dfghjklzxcvbnmqwertyuiopasdfghjklzx
cvbnmqwertyuiopasdfghjklzxcvbnmq
wertyuiopasdfghjklzxcvbnmqwertyuio
pasdfghjklzxcvbnmqwertyuiopasdfghj
klzxcvbnmqwertyuiopasdfghjklzxcvbn
mqwertyuiopasdfghjklzxcvbnmqwerty
uiopasdfghjklzxcvbnmqwertyuiopasdf
EMPLOYABILITY SKILLS
5/15/2019

Table of Content
Introduction:....................................................................................................................................2
LO1:.................................................................................................................................................2
1.1: Develop a set of own responsibilities and performance objectives:.........................................2
1.2: Evaluate own effectiveness against defined objectives:...........................................................2
1.3: Make recommendations for improvement:...............................................................................3
1.4: Review how motivational techniques can be used to improve quality of performance:..........3
M1:...................................................................................................................................................3
M3:...................................................................................................................................................4
D1:...................................................................................................................................................5
LO2:.................................................................................................................................................5
2.1: Develop solutions to work-based problems:............................................................................5
2.2: Communicate in a variety of styles and appropriate manner at various levels:.......................5
2.3: Identify effective time-management strategies:.......................................................................6
M2:...................................................................................................................................................6
D3:...................................................................................................................................................6
LO3:.................................................................................................................................................7
3.1 Explain the roles people play in a team and how they can work together to achieve shared
goals:................................................................................................................................................7
3.2: Analyze team dynamics:...........................................................................................................8
3.3: Suggest alternative ways to complete tasks and achieve team goals:......................................8
M2:...................................................................................................................................................8
M3:...................................................................................................................................................9
D1:...................................................................................................................................................9
LO4:...............................................................................................................................................10
4.1 Evaluate tools and methods for developing solutions to problems:........................................10
4.2: Develop an appropriate strategy for resolving a particular problem:.....................................10
4.3: Evaluate the potential impact on the business of implementing the strategy:........................11
M1:.................................................................................................................................................11
2

D1:.................................................................................................................................................12
D3:.................................................................................................................................................12
Conclusion:....................................................................................................................................12
Reference List:...............................................................................................................................13
3

Introduction:
The primary aim of the assignment is to discuss of the required skills in order to call an
employee to be fit for a particular job role in tour and travel industry. In order to illustrate the
aim in a broader spectrum, example of Thomas Cook has been used in the assignment. The
company was officially founded in 2007 by joint collaboration with Thomas Cook Ag and
MyTravel Group plc. The company was earlier known as Thomas Cook and Son which was
founded in 1841, making it the oldest organization in the industry. In the last financial year the
company made around £163 million. The company is headquartered at London.
LO1:
1.1: Develop a set of own responsibilities and performance objectives:
In travel and tourism industry, an employee needs to perform unique set of roles and
responsibilities which is to be fulfilled in a specific manner. The main goal of the industry is to
allow the travelers to have safe journey within their fixed budget. Hence, the owner of Thomas
Cook needs to hire sincere individuals who can fulfill this vital demand. It is also crucial for the
travel agency to maintain transparency during the financial transactions with their customers and
to highlight all the additional charges at the initial stages of agreements. This activity allows
them to gain the trust of their customers. Such job ethics has remained as the foundation stone
for Thomas Cook to maintain their superior position against their rivals in the industry.
1.2: Evaluate own effectiveness against defined objectives:
The productivity of the employees is all dependent on their training method. It is the duty of the
higher management of Thomas Cook to expose their new recruits to adequate frequencies of
training which allows the new recruits to become aware of their roles and responsibilities. Along
with this, training also allows the existing employees to handle latest technology at the
workplace. However, the most critical skills that an employee belonging to this particular
4

industry can develop are their communication skills. This is due to the fact, without adequate
communication skills, the employees who have to interact directly with their customers on a
daily basis, can never understand their exact requirements (Fletcher et al. 2018).
1.3: Make recommendations for improvement:
In order to improve the employability skills, especially for an organization such as Thomas
Cook, the very first step is to maintain an effective tool of communication. Along with this, the
employees who are attending the travelers need to have better perception regarding the spot
chosen by their travelers. This would allow them to suggest the best alternatives for them. By
doing so, it allows them to set up a better connection with their customers. Along with this,
maintaining transparency during financial interchange is mandatory. The agreement between the
agency and their customer’s should be excluded from any hidden charges.
1.4: Review how motivational techniques can be used to improve quality
of performance:
Maintaining a higher productivity of the employees all through their duration in any organization
is critically important for the overall growth of organization. This is also applicable for Thomas
Cook as well. There are a number of theories of the very purpose. Maslow’s requirement theory
is one of the best suited for improving the performance level of the employees. As per this
theory, the higher management of Thomas Cook needs to satisfy the basic needs of their staffs in
order to witness constant growth in their productivity. Another effective motivational theory is
Herzberg’s model, which lays a heavy emphasis on the quality of supervision. With the
combination of these two models, the higher management of Thomas Cook can improve the
performance quality of their employees.
M1:
The profitability of the workers is all reliant on their preparation strategy. It is the obligation of
the higher administration of Thomas Cook to uncover their newcomers to sufficient frequencies
5

of preparing which enables the newcomers to wind up mindful of their jobs and duties. the
absolute initial step is to keep up a successful device of correspondence. Alongside this, the
representatives who are going to the explorers need better discernment in regards to the spot
picked by their voyagers. This would enable them to recommend the best choices for them.
Thusly, it enables them to set up a superior association with their clients.
M2:
Keeping up a higher efficiency of the representatives all through their term in any association is
fundamentally significant for the general development of association. This is material for
Thomas Cook also. There are various hypotheses of the very reason. Maslow's necessity
hypothesis is a standout amongst the most appropriate for improving the exhibition dimension of
the representatives. According to this hypothesis, the higher administration of Thomas Cook
needs to fulfill the fundamental needs of their staffs so as to observe steady development in their
efficiency. Another compelling persuasive hypothesis is Herzberg's model, which lays an
overwhelming accentuation on the nature of supervision. With the mix of these two models, the
higher administration of Thomas Cook can improve the presentation nature of their workers
(Nerstad et al. 2018).
M3:
In order to maintain better productivity of the delegates all through their term in any affiliation
is on a very basic level huge for the general advancement of affiliation. There are different
speculations of the very reason. Maslow's need theory is a champion among the most suitable for
improving the presentation measurement of the delegates. As indicated by this theory, the higher
organization of Thomas Cook needs to satisfy the central needs of their staffs in order to watch
consistent improvement in their productivity. Another convincing enticing speculation is
Herzberg's model, which lays a mind-boggling highlight on the idea of supervision. With the
blend of these two models, the higher organization of Thomas Cook can improve the
introduction idea of their specialists (Abualoush et al. 2018).
6

D1:
As per my assumption, the productivity of the employees can be only enhanced when the
motivation of the employees are kept high. It is important to note that, simply applying various
motivational theories is not enough. I can state that, the very first step towards motivating the
employees is by establishing a strong bond at the first place.
LO2:
2.1: Develop solutions to work-based problems:
For a company as large as Thomas Cook, and it numerous branches located across the globe,
there are some significant issues which are acting as a major barrier for the overall development
of the organization. For example, when a customer of the company is visiting to its one of its
branches the instructions given to them in that particular branch is somewhat different when the
same customer is attending the branch nearest to their destination. To explain in simpler terms,
there is a huge communication gap between its branches. It is known fact that, in travel and
tourism industry, communication is an integral part of the organization. To deal with this issue,
first of all, proper communication tools should be installed in each of the branches.
2.2: Communicate in a variety of styles and appropriate manner at
various levels:
It is crucial to understand the fact that, the process of communication is varies with different
hierarchical structure of Thomas Cook. For examples, the process of communication at the
highest levels is kept extremely formal, while at the middle levels various seminars are
conducted to pass on the message. In the lowest level of the company the process of
communication adopts a mixed process with both formal and informal used extensively. In order
to make sure that the information well circulated in the lowest level, the higher authority of the
company needs to maintain mostly informal ways, thus allowing the relation between the
subordinates and the seniors to be well maintained. The best ways to establish communication
7

with the customers should make on direct attempts or through the official website of the
company (Bryson 2018).
2.3: Identify effective time-management strategies:
In an organization such as Thomas Cook, it is quite natural to carry out a number of operations to
be carried out on a daily basis. The most important aspect of managing this enormous number of
operation is by performing it on synchronized manner. To achieve this synchronicity the very
first step is to come with better strategies to manage the timing of each of the operations. The
operations which are most critical should be placed higher in the strategy with a decreasing
approach. Along with this, it is important to make sure that the employees who are in charge of
this operation are carrying out this operation as per the given schedule. In Thomas Cook, there
are several operations which are perceived by another one, and without completing such tasks,
other cannot be executed. Hence, in such scenario, maintaining an effective time management
strategy can actually work wonder for the company (Ocasio et al. 2018).
M2:
It is essential to comprehend the way that, the procedure of correspondence is shifts with various
progressive structure of Thomas Cook. For models, the procedure of correspondence at the
largest amounts is kept incredibly formal, while at the center dimensions different workshops are
led to pass on the message. In the most reduced dimension of the organization the procedure of
correspondence receives a blended procedure with both formal and casual utilized widely. So as
to ensure that the data all around coursed in the least dimension, the more recognizable expert of
the organization needs to keep up for the most part casual ways, hence permitting the connection
between the subordinates and the seniors to be very much kept up (Kanki 2019).
D3:
In an association, for example, Thomas Cook, it is very normal to do various tasks to be
completed once a day. The most significant part of dealing with this tremendous number of
activity is by performing it on synchronized way. To accomplish this synchronicity the absolute
8

initial step is to accompany better techniques to deal with the planning of every one of the tasks.
The tasks which are most basic ought to be put higher in the technique with a diminishing
approach. In the least dimension of the organization the procedure of correspondence receives a
blended procedure with both formal and casual utilized widely. So as to ensure that the data all
around flowed in the least dimension, the more recognizable expert of the organization needs to
keep up for the most part casual ways, subsequently permitting the connection between the
subordinates and the seniors to be very much kept up. The most ideal approaches to set up
correspondence with the clients should make on direct endeavors or through the official site of
the organization (Lewis 2019).
LO3:
3.1 Explain the roles people play in a team and how they can work
together to achieve shared goals:
In any large organization, the higher authorities have a natural tendency to merge a number of
employees having similar goals into a single team. This allows the overall objective of the
organization to be grasped with lesser effort. The productivity level of the individual employees
of a well functioning team is enhanced several folds when they are working with a corporative
team. The entire team can be divided in tow broad spectrum: first are the people oriented goals,
and second is the though oriented goal. The first half included actual team members, who have a
unique role to play in the team such as resource investigator, who makes sure that the integrity
within the team is well maintained. They also provide all the resource based support to the team
as well. The second half of the team is responsible for supporting the entire team with
intellectual support such as innovative and unorthodox solution to achieve the objective much
faster (Holtom et al. 2018).
9

3.2: Analyze team dynamics:
The entire concept of team dynamic can be better explained using the Tuckman model. The
model includes four main stages mainly forming, norming, storming and performing. Forming
includes the initial stages of building up a new team. In this stage, the members of a particular
team start to get familiar each other. Storming is the next stage where the team mate starts to
become familiar with each other goals. Norming is the stage where the member tries to
understand the individual potential of their team members. Performing is the last stage which is
related to achieving the goals as per the previous stages.
3.3: Suggest alternative ways to complete tasks and achieve team goals:
Along with traditional ways to achieve team goals, it is nothing wrong to look out for alternative
ways. This is due to the fact, traditional methods is not always effective to meet the sudden
changes of the requirements of the customers. Hence, in this scenario, unorthodox thinking can
actually be quite fruitful indeed. However, in order to make sure that the alternative ways for the
very purpose to deliver expected results, the initiator needs to convey the messages in the most
appropriate ways in which their team members finds it easy to grasp it. Hence, maintaining
correct communication ways is the fundamental of applying alternative way to achieve team
goals. Along with this, the alternative ways must also satisfy all the criteria required to carry out
all the required actions to meet the objectives (Zakaria et al. 2018).
M2:
In any huge association, the higher experts have a characteristic inclination to combine various
workers having comparable objectives into a solitary group. This permits the general goal of the
association to be gotten a handle on with lesser exertion. The profitability dimension of the
individual representatives of a well working group is upgraded a few folds when they are
working with a corporative group. The whole group can be partitioned close by wide range: first
are the general population arranged objectives, and second is the however situated objective. The
principal half included genuine colleagues, who have a one of a kind task to carry out in the
group, for example, asset agent, who ensures that the honesty inside the group is all around kept
10

up. They additionally give all the asset based help to the group also. The second 50% of the
group is in charge of supporting the whole group with scholarly help, for example, imaginative
and unconventional answer for accomplishes the target a lot quicker. The whole idea of group
dynamic can be better clarified utilizing the Tuckman model. The model incorporates four
fundamental stages for the most part framing, norming, raging and performing. Framing
incorporates the underlying phases of structure up another group. In this stage, the individuals
from a specific group begin to get commonplace one another. Raging is the following stage
where the colleague begins to get comfortable with one another objectives. Norming is where the
part attempts to comprehend the individual capability of their colleagues. Performing is the last
stage which is identified with accomplishing the objectives according to the past stages (Magpil
et al. 2018).
M3:
Alongside conventional approaches to accomplish group objectives, it is nothing incorrectly to
pay special mind to elective ways. This is because of the reality, customary techniques isn't
constantly compelling to meet the abrupt changes of the prerequisites of the clients.
Consequently, in this situation, unconventional reasoning can really be very productive without a
doubt. In any case, so as to ensure that the elective ways for the very reason to convey
anticipated outcomes, the initiator needs to pass on the messages in the most fitting manners by
which their colleagues thinks that its simple to get a handle on it. Thus, keeping up right
correspondence ways is the central of applying elective approach to accomplish group
objectives. Alongside this, the elective ways should likewise fulfill every one of the criteria
required to complete all the expected activities to meet the goals (Mathieu, et al. 2018).
D1:
In order to build up a tam, the very first criteria according to my studies, the role of a functional
leader plays the most critical part. This is due to fact, after going a number of similar case
studies, it is the leader with their decision making skills and the ability to set up strong examples,
maintains the integrity of the team.
11

D3:
Regardless, in order to guarantee that the elective ways for the very motivation to pass on
foreseen results, the initiator needs to pass on the messages in the most fitting habits by which
their associates believes that its easy to understand it. In this manner, keeping up right
correspondence ways is the focal of applying elective way to deal with achieve bunch goals.
Nearby this, the elective ways ought to in like manner satisfy all of the criteria required to finish
all the normal exercises to meet the objectives (Mone et al. 2018).
LO4:
4.1 Evaluate tools and methods for developing solutions to problems:
The owners of Thomas Cook needs to make sure that they focus on a number of key aspects
which is mainly related to finding solution to a number of current issues which is acting as a
barrier for their growth. In order to do this, the higher management of the company needs to
identify the root cause of the issues. One of the most critical issues that the company is facing is
the moderate level of employee turnover. The root cause of the problem is there is definite low
communication between the senior management and their subordinates. One of the best ways to
mitigate the issue can be brain storming (Aguenza et al. 2018).
4.2: Develop an appropriate strategy for resolving a particular problem:
In order to mitigate the issue, the very step which is to be initiated by the owners of Thomas
Cook is to install proper communication mechanism and understand the issues which are making
the current workforce quit the company. A good way to do so is by using a feedback procedure
to collect the expectation of their employees. In the travel and tourism industry the employees
serves as the most critical asset for the company, depletion of the workforce is a major concern
for the company. It is the duty of the senior management to establish a strong connection with
their subordinates. This would allow them to freely express their issues with their seniors. In
general, the owners of the company need to create a better working atmosphere where the
12