Employability Skills Report: Sales Manager's Performance at Travelodge

This report examines the employability skills of a sales manager at Travelodge Hotel, evaluating their responsibilities, performance objectives, and areas for improvement. It analyzes the manager's effectiveness in meeting objectives, recommending strategies for enhancement such as 360-degree feedback, self-assessment, and ranking methods. The report also explores motivational techniques like incentives, compensation, and clearly defined roles. Furthermore, it delves into communication styles, time management strategies including prioritization and delegation, and team dynamics. The report concludes by addressing problem-solving approaches, specifically focusing on strategies to resolve labor turnover within the hotel. The analysis offers a comprehensive overview of the skills needed to succeed in a managerial role within the hospitality industry.

Employability
Skills

Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................3
TASK 1............................................................................................................................................3
1.1 Set of own responsibilities and performance objectives........................................................3
1.2 Own effectiveness against defined objectives.......................................................................4
1.3 Recommendations for improvement......................................................................................5
1.4 Motivational techniques used to improve quality of performance........................................6
TASK 2............................................................................................................................................7
2.2 Communicate in a variety of styles at various levels............................................................7
2.3 Time management strategies.................................................................................................8
TASK 3............................................................................................................................................8
3.1 Roles people play in a team...................................................................................................8
3.2 Analyze team dynamics.........................................................................................................9
3.3 Alternative ways to complete tasks and achieve team goals...............................................10
TASK 4..........................................................................................................................................11
4.1 Tools and methods for developing solutions to problems...................................................11
4.2 Appropriate strategy for resolving the problem of labor turnover......................................11
4.3 Impact on the business of implementing the strategy..........................................................12
CONCLUSION..............................................................................................................................12
REFERENCES..............................................................................................................................14

INTRODUCTION
Employability skills refer to the ability required by individual for working in a business
enterprise and also accomplish assigned job roles. However, it is essential for individual to
continuously enhance their employability skills in regard to enhance the performance level and
attain desired objectives. Main focus of this study to helps individual to obtain honed
employability skills required for effective employment. Being working as a manager in
Travelodge hotel it is essential for them to own effective communication skills in order to
motivate and inspire their team to be the best (Weinberg, 2002). It also assists them to enhance
the sales and profitability of firm and meet desired targets. Above all skills are required to be
obtained by the manager of Travelodge hotel in order to maximize the needs of customers,
ensuring they are happy and visit Travelodge again and again. The present study is being focused
in order to obtain information regarding different aspects of employability skills. It also helps in
determining own responsibility and performance, development of interpersonal and transferable
skills, team dynamics and strategies involves to resolve problems.
TASK 1
1.1 Set of own responsibilities and performance objectives
Within Travelodge hotel, I have been appointed as a sales manager who is responsible for
attracting potential customers and turning them into successful sales. Following are my
responsibilities as a sales manager-
 Developing advertisement to attract potential customers for generating sales.
 Visiting regular business clients in order to inform them about current offer and schemes
on group booking and using other facilities provided by hotel (Trought, 2012).
 Designing price quotation as per the customized demand of clients.
 Collecting information about the market and customers in order to develop relevant
strategies.
 Presenting business at different platforms such as trade fairs, exhibitions etc.
 Assessing new market along with idea of expanding the operations in market.
 Recording the collected sales information and sending the same to hotel.

 Reviewing the sales information on regular time interval so that improvement can be
carried out in order to enhance the performance (Stoner and Milner, 2010).
Furthermore, following are my performance objectives such as-
 Being a sales manager, it is essential for me to respond on time consuming minimal time
so that I can transfer it into successful sales. However, if I fail to do so then potential
customer may shift to other competitors.
 I also need to enhance the rate of contacting every data so that more lead can be
generated which might results into end consumers. Thus, it helps in improving the
performance of business. While, if on any day less contact is made with the potential
clients then it gradually affects the sales and profitability of Travelodge.
 Arranging meeting with clients weekly or monthly basis so that revenue can be generated
(Martini, Judges and Belicki, 2015).
 I need to follow up my clients regularly so that I can attain my weekly sales target which
ultimately reflects in my performance.
 I own performance objective of developing price quotation as per customize needs
through identifying the needs of competitors. It helps in attaining high amount of
business.
1.2 Own effectiveness against defined objectives
It can be assessed that I need to fulfill my all the objectives assessed above in regard to
remain competent and also boost the overall sales of hotel. By considering this self assessment
has been carried out in regard to ascertain own effectiveness. Through this, it can be evaluated
that I am not able to respond on time because of high workload and mismanagement within
hotel. Thus, I need to improve upon this so that set objectives can be attained. Also, it is crucial
for me to make contact with potential customers on regular basis so that they could be converted
into final sales (Kalfa and Taksa, 2015). It will help me to improve my performance and make
contact with more number of customers in order to achieve growth and success.
Further, I am also not able to meet with the sales targets set by firm and thus it affects
whole sales volume of Travelodge hotel. It is because I need to focus upon strengthening my
contact with clients and improving the relationship so that success can be attained. It is also

essential me to follow up with potential customers on regular basis and thus it helps me in
developing healthy relations with them. Hence, it helps me in gaining business from these
customers by offering them schemes related to staying or organizing events within hotel. I also
need to provide timely service to clients whenever required so that I can satisfy their needs.
Further, I also develop proper quotation for my client as per their requirements so that it helps
me to convert them into successful sales. As per the above evaluation, it assesses that I lack on
different parts and thus which gradually affects my performance.
1.3 Recommendations for improvement
Appraisal system can be stated as the practice of periodic review of individual
performance and productivity as compared to pre-defined objectives. In context to this, following
are the recommended methods that needs to be taken into account by Travelodge hotel are as
follows-
 360 Degree Feedback method- It is the method that helps firm to conduct 360 degree
feedback in which feedback will be taken from superior, subordinate and colleagues so
that in-depth detail will be achieved. It also helps in obtaining information about the
loopholes where employees are lacking (Jones, 2013). Thus, it helps them to assess
information about the behavior of employees so that specific results can be attained.
Further, company needs to consider comments from customers for appraisal. It helps in
matching the actual performance with firm standards. For instance, Travelodge can
decide regarding the training that needs to offer to workers so that set targets can be
attained. It will eventually helps in boosting the morale of workers and thus assists in
encouraging them to attain success (Jacobone and Moro, 2015).
 Self assessment method- Further, it another method for improvement that helps
employees to assess their own performance so that ideas regarding their mind set will be
attained. Moreover, this will be reviewed by supervisor and manager that will add his/her
comments (Jackson, 2014). Thus, it is essential for individual to analysis will be done
that helps in attaining key information about the performance of individuals.
 Ranking and paired comparison- Moreover, in this method employee is ranked based
upon the review of co-workers so that performance of every employee can be evaluated
and compared in an effective way. It helps in identifying the high performing employees

so that proper motivation can be provided to them in order to enhance their growth factor
(Huemann, Keegan and Turner, 2007). Also, it can be applied by Travelodge firm in
regard to obtain high performance appraisal and achieve desired results.
1.4 Motivational techniques used to improve quality of performance
It can be assessed that from the scenario given regarding Travelodge hotel there are
certain employees who are de-motivated and therefore, it is required to engage different
motivation techniques in regard to enhance the performance and productivity. In context to this,
following techniques can be used by Travelodge for encouraging the sales team such as-
 Incentive and commission- It is considered as one of the key factor that helps in offering
monetary rewards to workers which helps in improving the sales of firm. In regard to
this, as per the performance of individual, employees are provided additional revenue of
they are able to achieve basic sales targets given for the month (Houston, 2005). Hence,
employees will be offered with set amount for every successful sales and thus it will help
in boosting the morale of workers. With the help of this, individual put extra effort that
helps them to enhance the overall sales of Travelodge and thus problem of declining
consumer gets over.
 Compensation and bonus- Moreover, it is another method that is offered with bonus or
compensation on regular basis so that individual morale and commitment level gets
enhanced. It helps in improving the sales in more effective manner (Hind and Moss,
2005).
 Defining and delegating roles and responsibilities- In the present time, there are no pre-
defined roles and responsibilities of workers and thus it is essential for them to fulfill the
needs of individual in order to make sure that they work as per the set targets (Finch and
Fafinski, 2014). Moreover, Travelodge needs to delegate certain responsibilities in regard
to improve the morale and also engage them to attain success. It helps in boosting the
performance in an effective way.
TASK 2
2.2 Communicate in a variety of styles at various levels
To,

The Senior Management
Travelodge Hotel
Subject- Several issues faced by the hotel.
Dear Sir,
This letter is to inform you that there are various issues and challenges faced by the hotel. The increasing
rate of worker attrition rate has become a serious issue for management and you are required to take
corrective action in order to lower down the same. It can be assessed that the identified problems are
required to be communicate with different styles at various levels so that problems can be overcome in an
effective way (Cuthbert and Molla, 2015). Being a manager in Travelodge hotel, I personally believe that
we are able to serve customers in satisfactory way because of the fact that employee morale and
motivation level is very low.
Thanking You
Yours Sincerely
Manager
Travelodge Hotel, UK
To,
All staff members
From; Manager
Date: 9th June 2016
Message:
We are organizing a meeting to develop strategies to deal with the issues of low employee morale and
high employee attrition rate.
Regards
Manager
Travelodge Hotel, UK
2.3 Time management strategies
Time is considered as the key constraint that helps in managing the work load so that
goals can be accomplished on time. It is essential for firm to obtain proper time management
strategies which helps in managing the time in an effective way. It is as follows-

 Prioritization of work- It is one of the best time management strategy that helps in
prioritizing the work and completing most crucial work first so that main work gets
accomplished on time (Curtis and McKenzie, 2010). Thence, employees of Travelodge
hotel need to set priority on the basis of time taken and nature of work. With the help of
this, whole work will be able to manage in the given time period.
 Delegation of work- It is another that helps in scheduling the work and delegating less
crucial work to subordinates so that they can enhance their growth. With the assistance of
this, different work gets accomplished on time and it also helps in saving a lot of time and
cost. Such method is crucial at the time when manager of hotel is facing issues regarding
over burden involving different responsibilities to be fulfilled (Cassidy, 2006).
 Checklist- In addition to this, workers are also required to develop checklist in which
details regarding the work needs to be accomplished within the day is entered. After this,
it is essential for them to start completing each work and marking completed work in
checklist (Branine, 2008). Thus, it helps in monitoring the work appropriately so that
work gets completed on time.
 Multi-tasking- Here, employees of Travelodge hotel is required to be able to perform
different set of work at the same time so that desired objectives can be accomplished. It
certainly saves time and cost in order to accomplish the work effectively.
TASK 3
3.1 Roles people play in a team
In a team there are different roles played by the individual on the basis of their skills and
abilities. However, all these individual share common goals of developing report in order to
submit for ISO 9000. In regard to this, following are the roles played by individuals as per
Belbin such as-
Action oriented roles
 Shaper- It is the person that challenges the team in order to develop effective report for
achieving ISO 9000 certification (Arthur and Boyles, 2007).

 Implementer- It plays a role of implementing new ideas and strategies for accomplishing
desired task.
 Completer finisher- He makes sure that the report is developed in the proper time.
People oriented roles
 Coordinator- It is the individual that acts as a chairperson who will monitor the
performance of each and every team member.
 Team worker- He is the person responsible for improving coordination and engagement
among team members towards desired objectives (Hofstrand, 2013).
 Resource investigator- He is the individual that will deliver unique ideas for the
preparation of ISO report and helps in achieving certification for the hotel,
Thought oriented roles
 Plant- He is similar as resource investigator in order to come up with new and innovative
ideas.
 Evaluator- It involves those individuals who will evaluate the ideas for preparing report
and supports in implementing the same to achieve desired objectives.
 Specialist- Individual possesses knowledge of different specialization and obtain
capabilities that will eventually help in developing the report so that best certification can
be attained for the hotel in terms of quality (Roles and responsibilities in a best practice
performance management process, 2016).
3.2 Analyze team dynamics
Team dynamics can be stated as the unconscious and psychological forces that impacts
upon team behavior and performance. However, team dynamics has been developed on the basis
of nature of work, personalities and working relationship so that results can be attained. Through
evaluating the scenario of Travelodge hotel it involves different factors that can make huge
impact upon the team dynamics of ISO 9000 in terms of affecting the quality of services
rendered by hotel (Weinberg, 2002). In regard to this, cultural diversity is considered as one of
the key factor that helps in driving the performance of team in order to attain desired objectives.
Thus, diversity needs to be managed that helps in managing the workforce by delivering them

proper induction and rating the team members so that they can be give best services to
consumers.
Moreover, team is required for developing document for ISO 9000 and possesses
different specialization individuals to deliver their best services within hotel. It also helps in
using their skills and abilities so that best results can be attained in minimum time frame. With
effect to this, it raises the chance of dispute and conflict among team members that needs to be
managed in an appropriate manner (Trought, 2012). However, it obstructs the team performance
and thus it could be managed by providing high level of support. Also, team for ISO will be
arranged formally so that key goals can be attained in an effective way and optimum utilization
of resources is done. It helps in minimizing the changes of duplication of work as well as
attaining the objectives.
3.3 Alternative ways to complete tasks and achieve team goals
In regard to accomplish the operation of developing the document for ISO 9000 so that
best quality services can be rendered to customers, there are certain alternative ways as well. In
context to this, Travelodge outsource other company to accomplish this work who is specialized
in making such document. It will help them in developing the document in more precise way
from which firm can gain ISO certification in effective way. Hence, for this hotel is required to
make connection with their lawyer and business consultants so that specific information can be
gained by them in regard to carry out the work (Stoner and Milner, 2010). Also, these specialized
people closely work with the employees in order to develop the document and render best
services to guests.
Further, gaining knowledge from specialized people assists in obtaining defined
objectives set by Travelodge i.e. delivering quality services to customers. Apart from this, cited
organization can also involve other workers in their team so that best support can be obtained
from them. It helps in achieving common goals effectively and efficiently. Thus, company
involves employees in decision making with the aim to provide best services and satisfy their
needs. Hence, it encourages ISO 9000 team to develop document in terms of presenting the hotel
services as quality benchmark and attract high class people to utilize the services and gain
satisfaction (Martini, Judges and Belicki, 2015). ISO set standards for working and thus same

needs to be followed by hotel management so that results can be attained. It helps firm in leading
towards growth and overall performance of firm increases.
TASK 4
4.1 Tools and methods for developing solutions to problems
It can be stated that firm is facing serious issues of employee turnover. It is so because
there is no particular defining of job roles and responsibilities to employees from which it faces
problems in attaining objectives. Thus, such situation within Travelodge to decrease in employee
encouragement and affects the overall firm performance. In context to deal with such issues, it is
required for firm to undertake different tools and techniques by the firm. Thus, firm focuses upon
identifying the loopholes in the employee performance and for that self-assessment and feedback
from employees could be obtained (Kalfa and Taksa, 2015). Another method that can be adopted
is checklist that helps in identifying the factors that are missing presently.
Moreover, observation method is another technique that helps in employing by the
managers of Travelodge in order to obtain information regarding employee behavior. With the
help of this, strategies can be formulated for rectifying the behavior of workers so that problems
can be overcomes effectively (Jones, 2013). Thus, such identified factors help in developing the
solutions for encouraging employees to remain in hotel for long time period.
4.2 Appropriate strategy for resolving the problem of labor turnover
Through considering the given case, it assesses that Travelodge faces issues regarding
employee attrition; they need to obtain appropriate strategy for resolving them. These are as
follows-
 Target setting- Travelodge need to set targets for each and every employee along with
distributing the roles and responsibilities so that they can focus upon specified goals.
With the help of this firm can motivate employees and decrease the employee attrition
rate (Jacobone and Moro, 2015). Here, employees will be clear regarding their roles and
responsibilities from which they will be performing appropriately.
 Follow Up- Further, at the time when employees are performing very poorly therefore,
firm must follow up with every employee so that they can feel pressurize. In regard to