Employability Skills of Hotel Manager: A Travelodge Case Study

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Employability Skills
Student Name:
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Executive Summary
The report analyses the responsibilities of a hotel manager with reference to Travelodge Hotel. It
develops solutions for work-based problems and identifies effective time management strategies
that can be employed by the manager. It evaluates the communication style adopted by the
manager at different levels. It discusses the different roles of team members and evaluates team
dynamic. It suggests ways in which the task can be achieved for the accomplishment of the
goals. Different tools and methods are analysed that are used for developing solutions and
strategies that will aid in the development of the company.
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Table of Contents
Introduction......................................................................................................................................5
Task 1...............................................................................................................................................6
Introduction..................................................................................................................................6
1.1 Develop a set of own responsibilities and performance objectives..................................6
1.2 Evaluate own effectiveness against defined objectives....................................................6
1.3 Make recommendations for improvement........................................................................7
1.4 Review how motivational techniques can be used to improve the quality of performance
8
Conclusion...................................................................................................................................8
Task 2...............................................................................................................................................9
Introduction..................................................................................................................................9
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 at
Travelodge Hotel (a written report).............................................................................................9
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..................................................................................................9
2.3 Identify effective time-management strategies in relation to the work-based experience or
your role as a manager at Travelodge........................................................................................11
Conclusion.................................................................................................................................11
Task 3.............................................................................................................................................12
3.1 Explain the roles people play in a team and how they can work together to achieve shared
goals...........................................................................................................................................12
3.2 Analyze team dynamics.......................................................................................................12
3.3 Suggest alternative ways to complete tasks and achieve team goals...................................13
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Task 4.............................................................................................................................................14
Introduction................................................................................................................................14
4.1 Evaluate tools and methods for developing solutions to problems with reference to your
chosen organisation or Travelodge Hotel..................................................................................14
4.2 Develop an appropriate strategy for resolving a particular problem of labour turnover with
reference to your chosen organisation or Travelodge Hotel......................................................15
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...........................................15
Conclusion.................................................................................................................................16
Conclusion.....................................................................................................................................17
Reference List................................................................................................................................18
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Introduction
Employability skills are essential for students as well as for professional as it will help them
handle their various activities efficiently leading to both personal and professional development.
Students need employability skills to help enter the employment sector by getting hold of a job
while professionals need to employability skills to increase their efficiency and potential
resulting in better performance at the organisation. Employability skills can be of different types
and allow people to identify problems and strategies successful solutions for them. The
assignment analyses various aspects of employability skills of a manager with respect to the
Travelodge Hotel.
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Task 1
Introduction
In this section of the report, the performance objectives and responsibilities of a manager has
been analysed to evaluate the effectiveness of Travelodge manager and the measures that can be
adopted for the further improvement of the skills. It discusses motivational techniques that can
be employed for the enhancement of the performance.
1.1 Develop a set of own responsibilities and performance objectives
Hotel managers are the pivotal point of organisations, who have the reins of the hotel so it is
essential for a manager to fulfill their responsibilities that will lead to the development of the
business. The manager with the internal and external stakeholders of the organisation maintains a
direct, as well as indirect relation. A manager should have effective decision-making skills so
that quick and successful decisions can be made to handle the difficulties or problems that arise
in everyday business operations (Armstrong and Taylor, 2014). The manager of an organisation
should be able to adapt accordingly to the changing business environment and handle the
changes effectively. They should be open to learning new concepts and methods so that it can be
implemented in practice for the development of the organisation.
The manager should also be aware of the various employability regulations and rights so that the
management of the organisation infringes none of them. It is the responsibility of the manager to
maintain an ethical work culture in the organisation for the overall development of the company.
The manager also has to determine the performance objectives of the employees and ensure that
they attain the standard performance (Cottrell, 2015). Different measures should be adopted such
as effective communication, training, appraisal systems and rating methods. The manager should
establish the appraisal criteria for the employees and provide them with appropriate rewards and
incentives when they meet the criteria.
1.2 Evaluate own effectiveness against defined objectives
Like the manager of every hotel organisation, the manager of Travelodge hotel has certain
responsibilities that should be fulfilled for the development of the business. The manager of the
hotel maintains a friendly and positive relationship with the internal and external stakeholders of
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the organisation by making appropriate decisions and adapting as per the situation to lead the
organisation in the correct direction. The manager ensures that the employment rights and
legislation are adhered by the workforce of the organisation to prevent any legal troubles for the
organisation. It is ensured by the manager that there is no form of discrimination in the
organisation and the employees are treated well by the management as well as their colleagues.
The manager maintains a good ethical culture in the organisation by maintaining a relationship
with the employees.
The manager skillfully determines the standard and objectives of performance that should be
attained by the employees. The manager also provides training and appraisal to their employees
so that they are motivated and encouraged to improve their performance. The manager adopts
different motivational techniques that allow the manager to push the employees to improve their
performance and attain the set standards for the overall development of the organisation (Bratton
and Gold, 2017). The manager provides feedback and communicates with the employees to help
them understand their mistakes and the ways in which they can improve their performance and
contribute to the development of the organisation.
1.3 Make recommendations for improvement
Nobody possesses all the skills and is perfect at it. Everybody needs to enhance or acquire new
skills to improve their performance so that they can facilitate their personal as well as
organisational development. The manager of Travelodge also needs to focus on certain aspects to
acquire and improve their skills. The manager needs to inculcate an open attitude so that they can
learn new things and methods that will enhance their knowledge and skills. Implementation of
new knowledge and skills in practice will help them improve their professional performance
(Gold et al., 2013). The manager should also adopt measures to improve the work environment
of the organisation as it can influence the performance of the employees. These measures will
allow the manager to lead to the development of the organisation.
Another aspect in which the manager of the Travelodge Hotel should improve is the rating
system and the appraisal criteria that should be used for analysing the performance of the
employees of Travelodge. The manager should develop standard appraisal criteria comprising of
personnel data, judgmental data, and production data etc (Oliver, 2015). A definite rating method
should also be employed such as paired comparison, ranking, checklist. These measures will help
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the manager to make the employees aware of the criteria and rating process employed so that
they can accordingly improve their performance to meet their personal and professional goals
leading to the development of the organisation.
1.4 Review how motivational techniques can be used to improve the quality of performance
Different motivational techniques are employed by the managers to improve the performance of
the employees, as they are aware of the fact that employee performance can influence the
productivity and performance of the organisation as a whole. The manager of Travelodge also
employs motivational techniques such as motivational frameworks, incentives, rewards,
appraisals etc. to encourage the employees and enhance their performance in the organisation
(Huq and Gilbert, 2013). The manager to identify the personal and professional objectives and
goals of the employees so that appropriate measures can be adopted to motivate them can use
different content and process theories of motivation.
The manager should also use other methods such as appreciation and feedback to help the
employees understand the ways in which they are lacking. It will help the manager to point the
mistakes of the employees and suggest them ways in which they can improve their performance
in the organisation. The manager should also provide awards and benefits to the employees that
perform well in order to encourage them further to achieve the reward by enhancing their
performance (Stern et al., 2012). The manager should also adopt measures to improve their
performance by setting personal rewards and incentives so that they enhance their performance.
The manager should also appreciate and appraise the employees for their efforts as it will help in
maintaining a positive attitude and encourage the employees to work their best for the
organisation.
Conclusion
The manager of Travelodge Hotel should adopt measures to improve their performance as well
as the performance of the employees so that there is overall development of the organisation. The
employees should be motivated, and the manager should be committed to their responsibilities so
that they improve their performance by employing various methods and measures.
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Task 2
Introduction
This section of the report identifies solutions for work-based problems experience by the
manager of Travelodge Hotel. It also reflects different manners in which the manager of the
organisation communicates at various levels. It further evaluates time management strategies that
can be used for better management of the various tasks.
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
at Travelodge Hotel (a written report).
Different measures are used by the manager of the Travelodge Hotel for the development of the
solution. The manager analyses the situation to identify the issues experienced in the workplace
and then generates different solutions that will help in solving the problem. A solution is selected
from the various solutions that will be most appropriate according to the situation, and it is
implemented in the organisation. The manager identifies two problems like communication and
teamwork that affected the performance of the organisation (Clark and Zukas, 2013). The
manager devised solutions for team working in the organisation by analysing the situation and
arrive at the conclusion that using Belbin’s team roles will help the manager in improving the
interaction between the employees and lead to better teamwork in the organisation. On the other
hand, the manager used communication models to understand the problems. ICT was employed
to improve communication among the employees as well as with the stakeholders of the
company. The communication system was made more open and responsive to facilitate better
transmission of the information. Team meetings were conducted to transmit important
information and ensure that all the team members receive the message. Formal and informal
communication was improved to maintain relations and enhance the productivity of the
operations (Moore and Morton, 2017).
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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
Every organisation should have an effective communication system at various levels so that the
information is transmitted effectively at all the strata of the organisation. The manager of
Travelodge Hotel when communicating at different levels adopts different styles and manners,
which is reflected through the formal letter and memo. The formal letter is addressed to the
senior management of the hotel while the memo addresses the employees of the organisation.
Formal Letter
To,
Senior Management
Travelodge Hotel
Subject: Lack of employees for catering to the increased demand
Respected Sir,
I would like to inform you that the vacation season has increased the demand for our services
manifold times, but the numbers of staffs in our organisation are inadequate to serve them in a
better manner. Currently, the staffs are working overtime, but I would request you to hire
seasonal staffs. It will help us in serving the customers better, and the workload of the employees
will be reduced resulting in better performance. I would request to consider the matter and recruit
employees for the organisation.
Thanking You,
With Regards,
Manager
Travelodge Hotel
Memo
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To: Staffs
From: Manager
Date:
Subject: Requirement for Extra Working Hours
The vacation season has resulted in unforeseen growth in the demand for our services and in
order to serve the customers in an improved manner, the organisation seeks the contribution and
cooperation of each employee by working extra hours for the organisation. The organisation will
ensure that your efforts are fairly remunerated and appreciated.
2.3 Identify effective time-management strategies in relation to the work-based experience
or your role as a manager at Travelodge.
Time management is essential for every person as it helps them to allot appropriate time for
every task and ensure that the tasks are accomplished before the deadlines. The manager of
Travelodge Hotel develops various strategies so that the various tasks are accomplished on time
and the tasks are allotted to the employees as per their expertise. The manager should divide the
work according to time slots and distribute the tasks among the employees so that the employees
do not feel overburdened (Tran, 2015). The urgent and important works should be prioritised so
that they are accomplished beforehand preventing missing of deadlines. The work objectives
should be set so that the tasks can be planned accordingly. The appointments should be made and
adhered so that the business operations are performed on time. Every task should be allotted a
time period through successful estimation of the time required to complete the task. The work
should be performed systematically and steadily instead of performing it erratically as it can lead
to mistakes (Lerman, 2013). Time should be allotted for learning new things as well for the
personal development of the employees.
Conclusion
The manager of the Travelodge Hotel needs to develop a solution for the various issues and
problems that arise in everyday business operations of the company. The manager when
communicating to the senior authorities and the employees of the organisation adopt different
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communication styles. Time management strategies are developed by the management to ensure
the effective accomplishment of the tasks.
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