Developing Employability Skills: A Travelodge Hotel Case Study

Desklib provides past papers and solved assignments for students. This report analyzes employability skills at Travelodge.

Employability skills
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
Introduction......................................................................................................................................5
Task 1...............................................................................................................................................5
Introduction..................................................................................................................................5
1.1 Develop a set of own responsibilities and performance objectives.......................................5
1.2 Evaluate own effectiveness against defined objectives.........................................................6
1.3 Make recommendations for improvement.............................................................................8
1.4 Review how motivational techniques can be used to improve quality of performance........9
Conclusion.................................................................................................................................10
Task 2.............................................................................................................................................10
Introduction................................................................................................................................10
2.1 Develop solutions to work-based problems. You need to develop solutions to at least two
work-based problems identified during your work experience or in your role as a manager at10
Travelodge Hotel.......................................................................................................................10
Conclusion.................................................................................................................................11
2.2 Communicate in a variety of styles and appropriate manner at various levels. You need for
example to write a formal letter to senior management of the hotel to inform them about the
problem and a memo to all staff................................................................................................11
2.3 Identify effective time-management strategies in relation to the work-based experience or
in your role as a manager at Travelodge. Present your evidence as a written report to your line
manager......................................................................................................................................13
Task 3.............................................................................................................................................14
3.1 Explain the roles people play in a team and how they can work together to achieve shared
goals...........................................................................................................................................14
3.2 Analyse team dynamics.......................................................................................................15
3.3 Suggest alternative ways to complete tasks and achieve team goals...................................16
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Task 4.............................................................................................................................................17
Introduction................................................................................................................................17
4.1 Evaluate tools and methods for developing solutions to problems with reference to your
chosen organisation or Travelodge Hotel..................................................................................17
4.2 Develop an appropriate strategy for resolving a particular problem of labour turnover with
reference to your chosen organisation or Travelodge Hotel......................................................18
4.3 Evaluate the potential impact on the business of implementing the strategy. You should
consider both financial and non-financial impacts on the business...........................................19
Conclusion.................................................................................................................................19
Conclusion.....................................................................................................................................19
References......................................................................................................................................20
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LIST OF FIGURES
Figure 1: Maslow's hierarchy of needs motivational theory............................................................7
Figure 2: Time management strategies..........................................................................................11
Figure 3: Tuckman team development theory...............................................................................13
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LIST OF TABLES
Table 1: Self evaluation of defined skills and objectives................................................................4
Table 2: Recommendations for improvement.................................................................................6
Table 3: Letter................................................................................................................................10
Table 4: Memo...............................................................................................................................10
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Introduction
In the present competitive business environment, it is important to have an efficient skill set and
competencies to carry out the work operations and managerial practices (Agran, et al. 2016).
Employability skills are the capabilities and competencies that are required by any business for
any job profile. Thus, to work in the hospitality industry, it is necessary to have employability
skills.
The present report is based on identifying the skills and competencies that are required for the
manager of a hotel, Travelodge. Moreover, it also concentrates on the motivational tools and
techniques that influence the employees of the organisation to accomplish tasks and attain
objectives. Apart from this, the report also focuses on the numerous work based issues that
interrupt the productivity of the organisation.
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Task 1
Introduction
This task of the report emphasizes on the development of responsibilities and roles in order
undertake operations as a manager of Travelodge hotel. The major task of a manager of such a
renowned hotel is to satisfy customers, taking feedback and effectively meeting the standards of
hotel.
1.1 Develop a set of own responsibilities and performance objectives.
To meet the standards of the enterprise in such a competitive environment is a challenging task
for the manager of the company (Collet, et al. 2015). Also, as a manager of the Travelodge,
various skill set and competencies are required. The numerous skills that are required to develop
as a manager of Travelodge are:
 Creativity
 Problem-solving skills
 Time management skills
 Leadership
 Commercial awareness
 Effective communication skills
The first and foremost competency that is essential for the manager of Travelodge is to know
how to handle a particular situation and resolve a problem. The major purpose of the hospitality
industry is to emphasise on satisfying the needs and wants of customers. Thus, some key skills
and capabilities are essential. Hence, for the manager of Travelodge problem-solving skills are
significant to generate creative solutions effectively.
Furthermore, to identify the needs and demands of customers and to satisfy these demands
effective communication skills are required. To interact with clients, maintaining relationships
with the employees and other executives, effective communication skill is the key requirement
(Devambatla and Nalla, 2015).
Moreover, commercial awareness refers to the knowledge of business, organisation, competitors,
market, industry, and economy. This knowledge leads to the smooth functioning of work
operations. Leadership skills are also significant to inspire, encourage and motivate the
subordinates in attaining goals. Therefore, to work as a manager successfully, the skills
mentioned above are the essential requirements.
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The performance objectives can be set by considering SMART goals. It refers to specific,
measurable, achievable, and reliable and time bound. Thus, for the manager of Travelodge, the
performance objectives can be enhancing communication, improved feedback, supporting and
managing change, time management skills and improved employee retaining rates.
1.2 Evaluate own effectiveness against defined objectives
Self-evaluation or self-assessment can be done to identify the key strengths and weaknesses of an
individual. It can be done by evaluating job requirements and responsibilities. Thebelow-
mentioned table is the analysis of the required competencies and skills needed for the manager of
Travelodge.
Table 1: Self-evaluation of defined skills and objectives
Defined objectives Description of activities
undertaken
Result
Problem-solving skills It is the most needed skills to
work as a manager
successfully within
Travelodge. To resolve
conflicts, address various
work-based problems and
generating numerous creative
solutions, problem-solving
skills are required.
I am required to improve this
skill as I am not good at
finding creative and
innovative ideas.
Effective communication
skills
Communication skills are
required for every individual
within organisation, and for
manager, this is must develop
these skills. Manager of the
hotel is the individual who has
to deal and interact with
clients and customers.
I am quite good at
communicating with others.
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Leadership skills While working as a manager
of the Travelodge, leading and
motivating a team is essential
to inspire them to emphasise
on achieving the goals of
organisation. Furthermore,
directing those helps in the
successful accomplishment of
tasks.
High improvement is required.
Customer feedback Customer feedback and
reviews are taken to get ensure
that the services provided to
them are excellent and the
performance level of
employees is satisfactory.
Up to the mark
Time management skills Time management skills are
needed to prioritise things and
scheduling so that delegations of
tasks and timely
accomplishments of work can be
done appropriately.
My time management skills are
quite good, but still, there are
some improvements needed.
1.3 Make recommendations for improvement
To improve and develop certain competencies and skill set recommendations are mentioned
below:
Table 2: Recommendations for improvement
Responsibilities and
performance objectives
Recommendations for improvement
Problem-solving skills To improve the problem-solving skills, the major
recommendations are:
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 Using mind maps to help in visualising the problem
 Focus on solutions rather than problems
 Simplifying things
 List out various solutions
 Being simple but creative in generating ideas and solutions
Leadership skills  Get inspired
 Appeal to values
 Be transparent
 Taking on more initiatives
 Develop critical thinking ability
 Positive thinking
 Following the role model
 Learning from others
Time management skills  Delegating tasks
 Prioritising work
 Scheduling tasks
 Improving organisational skills
 Preparing in advance
Commercial awareness  Keep up to date with industry
 Know the organisation
 Understanding the changes in market and needs of
customers
 Analyse the competitors
 Understanding the economic environment
1.4 Review how motivational techniques can be used to improve quality of performance
Within Travelodge, some motivational techniques can be used to improve the morale of
employees and encourage them. There are various motivational theories present to motivate the
employees such as Maslow’s need hierarchy theory, McGregor’s X and Y theory, Herzberg’s
two-factor theory, etc. (Ghosh, 2017).
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Concerning the cited organisation, Maslow’s need hierarchy theory is the most effective theory
to implement in Travelodge. According to this theory, the five-stage model can be divided into
deficiency and growth needs. As per the views of Maslow, human needs can be of five types, and
a need emerges after the satisfaction of others.
Figure 1: Maslow's hierarchy of needs motivational theory
The physiological needs are the biological requirements for the survival of human beings such as
food, drink, shelter, sleep, etc. (Guilbert, et al. 2016). These are the needs without which the
human body cannot function properly, and the needs become secondary until these needs are
satisfied. After the satisfaction of physiological needs, the second need emerges is safety needs
that refers to the employment, job security health, property, etc. Then the needs are social, self-
esteem and self-actualisation (Hesk, et al. 2016). The manager of Travelodge can use this theory
as it is a simple yet effective motivational tool.
Furthermore, some other tools and techniques that can be implemented in Travelodge to achieve
the organisational goals can be:
 Monetary rewards and incentives are the major tool to enhance the motivational
level of employees, as financial needs are considered as the significant needs of
human.
 For effective accomplishment of goals, providing a positive work environment
and culture to employees provided by manager of Travelodge is another
technique.
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Self actualization
needs
Self-esteem needs
Social needs
Safety needs
Physiological needs

 Employees feel encouraged even when their small achievements get recognized.
Thus appreciation and awards are the tools to enhance the enthusiasm level of
employees.
Conclusion
Hence, from the above-completed task, it can be said that establishing the set of skills and
competencies and performance objectives for the job role is essential. It further helps in self-
assessment against the defined objectives. Moreover, motivational theories and various
motivational techniques can be adopted by Travelodge to attain organisational goals.
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