Work Based Experience Report: Hospitality Sector Analysis

This report delves into the concept of work-based learning within the hospitality sector, emphasizing its importance for enhancing skills and knowledge through practical experience. It begins by researching and evaluating suitable organizations like Hilton and Marriott hotels, which offer industry experience. The report then explores the process of negotiating work experience proposals with supervisors and recognizing business constraints. It further details fulfilling placement requirements, maintaining systematic records of work challenges, and revising initial plans for improvement. The report also covers monitoring progress, evaluating performance, analyzing learning outcomes, and making recommendations to enhance the overall experience. The core focus remains on providing career development opportunities and gaining practical experience in the hospitality field.

WORK
BASED EXPERIENCE

TABLE OF CONTENTS
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................3
TASK 1............................................................................................................................................3
1.1 Researching and evaluating suitable organizations that can provide industry experience ...3
1.2 Negotiate with work and academic supervisors a proposal for the work experience............4
1.3 Recognizing the business constraints on the work experience .............................................5
TASK 2............................................................................................................................................5
TASK 3............................................................................................................................................5
3.1 Fulfilling the specified requirement of placement conforming to all related codes of
practices.......................................................................................................................................5
3.2 Systematic record of work challenges...................................................................................6
3.3 Revising the initial plan.........................................................................................................7
3.4 Make suggestions for improvement ......................................................................................8
TASK 4............................................................................................................................................8
4.1 Monitoring progress against original goals ...........................................................................8
4.2 Evaluating the quality of own performance ..........................................................................9
4.3 Analyzing the learning taken place during the work experience...........................................9
4.4 Making recommendations on how experience can be enhanced. .......................................10
CONCLUSION..............................................................................................................................11
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INTRODUCTION
Work based learning is important concept that enable individual to enhance its learning,
skills and knowledge while it employed in an organization. It further involve wide range of
practices which facilitate company in getting a skilled and competent human inventory. It is also
regarded as knowledge based strategy that help students with actual work life experience so that
they can employ academic and technical efficiency and create their employability. The work
based learning provides career development opportunities to individuals. In this report, different
aspect of work based learning will be studied with reference to hospitality sector which is also
highest employment generating industry (Palan and et. al., 2012). In this report, different
organization that provide industry experience to individuals will be researched and evaluated.
Thereafter, negotiation with work and academic supervisors for proposal for the work experience
will be done. A systematic record of work undertaken will be produced. Thereafter, the quality
of own performance will be evaluated.
TASK 1
1.1 Researching and evaluating suitable organizations that can provide industry experience
Presently, I am studying and gaining knowledge of hospitality industry through hotel
management course offered by London College of hospitality and tourism. I can search different
reputed organization that can render best industry experience and assure my personal and
professional development (Nguyen, Boehmec and Mujtaba, 2012. By employed in recognized
entity I can gain work based learning which will lead to my overall development. It is feasible
for me to opt hospitality sector as it is leading sector at present and have ample number of
growth opportunities. In support of this aspect, I have identified and researched the following
entity for gaining industry experience.
 Hilton hotel and resort: It is international brand of hotels and resorts that provide wide
range of hospitality services to its guest. The brand operated more than 570 hotels and
resort properties in around 84 nations and territories across six continents. It is flagship
brand of Hilton Worldwide that was founded in 1919 and is headquartered in US. It is
further operational in around 100 nations with around 4700 properties with over 765000
lodging facility etc. The organization posses strong and skilled human inventory of
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164000 individuals. Recently, company is recognized among the Fortune 100 best
companies to work for. The entity is known as best place of work as it treats its
employees as key resource and ensure they are nurtured. Thereafter, it take various
actions to enhance employee satisfaction such as, it provide career development
opportunities, positive work conditions etc. It take help of loyalty program to enhance
commitment of employees. Thereafter, different types of rewards are provided to meet
the contrasting needs of employees. Therefore, it is best place that will provide me the
needed industry experience.
 Marriott Hotel: It is diversified hospitality business that manages and franchise a wide
portfolio of accommodation and other related facilities. It was further founded in 1993 in
Washington US. The organization further have property of more than 4000 in around 80
nations. The property also involve 697000 lodging and extra 195000 accommodation etc.
In addition to this brand, own human inventory of around 200,000 employees that are
expert in hospitality industry. The mission of company is to become leading hospitality
industry of the globe and maximize the revenue of its shareholders.
1.2 Negotiate with work and academic supervisors a proposal for the work experience
In order to gain the industry experience, it is important for me to negotiate with
supervisors in Hilton and my academic institute for the proposal of the work experience. I can
use various methods for negotiation (Lathia and et. al., 2013). Such as, I can write letters, email,
use telecommunication, social or official sites etc. The best possible methods that can be used by
me are discussed as follows:
 Official website of Hilton: In order to discuss the proposal of work experience, I can
take help of official site of brand. It will further furnish information about vacant job post
roles and responsibilities of such position, criteria for getting job etc (Kim and Phalak,
2012). With such information, I can match my ability, knowledge with the job
requirement and determine for which job post I can apply for.
 Email: I can directly send a email to the HR executive of Hilton and express my
willingness to work for the company. I can ask my different queries and get them
resolved through email (Ramirez, Bulitko and Spetch, 2013).
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Thereafter, academic supervisor will help me in upgrading my skills so that I can match the
industry standards. I can request for various trainings that will be provided by academic
supervisors to improve my contrasting skills that are must for getting employed in recognized
entity like, Hilton. Such as, Communication skills: The corporate communication skills are very important as it will
help me in serving the customers of hotel. I can use these skills for developing sound
relationship with my co-workers, supervisors, customers etc (Lindgren Packendorff, and
Sergi, , 2014). Time managements skills: The academic supervisors will assist me in getting knowledge
about different ways that will assist me in managing my work and set priorities. It will
help me in completing the assigned work in provided time frame.
 Self learning skills: These skills will assist me in ascertaining my learning requirements
and choose different effective steps for gaining more knowledge without much
dependency on others. Therefore, I can read various books, journals and theories, PDFS
etc (Kolb, 2014).
1.3 Recognizing the business constraints on the work experience
The business constraints means those limiting elements that have direct consequence on
the work efficiency and competence of an employee and restrict its best performance within
company (DuBois. and Miley, 2013). The business constraint act a biggest barrier in overall
development of employee. Therefore, various approaches can be used by the management of
Hilton to lower down the impact of business constraints. Such as,
 Training and development session: The inadequate skills can impact the work ability of
employee. Therefore, it is important for management to determine the training needs of
employee and thus improve the lacking skills. With the help of constant training and
development sessions learning, skills and efficiency of employee can be enhanced
(Dong, Seo and Bartol, 2013).
 Employee engagement: It is important method that help in enhancing employee
commitment level by assuring its maximum participation in business decisions. It will
foster creative thinking and decision making skills of employees (Bachkirova and
Clutterbuck, 2014).
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TASK 2
In PPT
TASK 3
3.1 Fulfilling the specified requirement of placement conforming to all related codes of practices
In order to ensure smooth flow of operations, it is important for company to assure its
employees execute their work in accordance with prevailing regulations, code of practice and
provided training etc. This will also help employee in meeting the expectations of company and
complying with the industry standards. By following up the prevailing laws and regulations,
Hilton hotel will be able to maintain its positive image in market and also avoid the interference
of government within its functions (Davies, 2005). In this respect, the major laws that must be
adhered by HR department are,
Equality act 2010: It is important act by Parliament of UK. As per this act, employee must be
protected from different kind of discrimination based on age, gender, sexual orientation, religion,
disability, colour, nationality etc (Sahlin and et. al., 2012). Therefore, Hilton hotel must provide
equal employment opportunity to all the capable candidates In addition to this aspect, equal pay
must be there for employees doing same type and quantity of work.
Health and safety act 1974: It is important act that help in safeguarding the employee from
physical harm while employed in any organization. As per this act proper action must be taken to
reduce risk exposure ratio of employees by management of entity. Hilton must assure hotel have
necessary safety equipments like, fire extinguishers, fire alarms, gloves and helmet for workers
etc (Cox, Bachkirov and Clutterbuck, 2014). The premises must be cleaned with disinfectants
and chemicals used for same must be stored at safe place.
3.2 Systematic record of work challenges
In order to meet the job requirements and accept work challenges in organized manner, it
is important for management and employees to keep systematic record of each and every
activity. The record keeping will also help in managing the time as per the different functions.
Following methods can be used:
 Log book: It is configured mode that assist employee in recording different activities
learned while performing different task. Therefore, employee can keep a record of its
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routine activities. It will enable employee in jotting down the issues faced by them and
corrective measures taken during such state. It will help in resolving the similar issues in
future (Davies, 2005).
 Spreadsheet: It is a computerized programme that assist in maintaining the records of
processed information. It also assist the executive of Hilton in maintaining the up to date
information of its human resources, such as personal data, date of joining-leaving,
performance as far, availed salary etc (Driessen and van Tartwijk, 2013). On the basis of
this information decision regarding job enrichment, promotion, pay structure and
recruitment can be taken.
 Diary: The employee can be asked to maintain a diary where they can prepare a to do
list. It will guide employee regarding all the task it is required to perform in a day, with
the urgent and important task at the top of the list. It will prevent individual from missing
the important task (Eisele and et. al., 2013).
3.3 Revising the initial plan
The foremost plan developed by Hilton was centred more on the aspect of time
management and amending the skills of these skills of employees using prioritization and other
such approaches. The initial plan developed by HR executive of hotel short which lasted for the
time frame of 5 months (Freese and Samaras, 2006). Since, now the objectives are attained and
employee has gained knowledge about time management strategies, focus can be given on other
areas. In this respect, executive of Hilton can render knowledge to employees about different
aspect like, communication skills, decision making, analytical, self managed learning skills etc
(Gribble and et.al., 2014).
In order to improve the communication skills, employee can take part in various group
discussions, brain storming sessions, corporate debate competition that provide platform to
individual to speak and express its views. This further improves the confidence level of
employee which is very important for facilitating sound communication (Hadar and Brody,
2013). In order to improve the decision making skills of employee, it can be asked to solve at
least 1 case study each day. In addition to this aspect, individual can follow its superiors and
check the decision taken in different situation and learn from them.
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Furthermore, to facilitate self managed learning among employee various methods can
be used. Such as, employee can be stimulated to read various management, motivation and
leadership theory. In this respect, learning theories can be focused upon. Such as, VARK theory
enable learner to use its preferred ability like visual, auditory,reading and kinaesthetic for
gaining knowledge. Therefore, visual learner can gain knowledge through power point
presentation, spider diagrams etc. on the other hand, auditory learner can attend brain storming
session, seminar, lectures for enhancing its learning (VARK Modal. 2016). Thereafter, readers
can learn from vast amount of information available on internet. It can read presentation, books,
PDFS, reports etc. At last, the kinaesthetic learner can gain knowledge from doing practical
task. Therefore, ity can solve case study etc.
3.4 Make suggestions for improvement
In the aforementioned plan, the technical skills are not focused upon which are very
important for improving the productivity of employee within the organization. with the help of
these skills, employee will be able to handle technical operations while ensuring there is minimal
wastage of resources. In this respect, various off the job and on the job training and development
session can be organized for employee (Bachkirova and Clutterbuck, 2014). Such as,
apprenticeship program can be used which will enable new employee in learning new skills
from the experienced employee. Thereafter, job rotation can be used which will allow employee
to perform different job roles by moving at contrasting position, division and locations. It further
help in boosting the knowledge and competence of employees. Likewise, job enrichment can be
used which will help management of Hilton in redesigning the jobs so that they become more
interesting and challenging. It prevent employee from doing monotonous work for long time.
Further, with the help of such training career development opportunities for employee can be
increased.
Other than this, to improve the communication skills stated in revised plan, it is suggested that
employee should be asked to improve its learning skills also which will help it is listening
properly before communicating. In addition to this aspect, individuals must be trained to use
gestures and postures while communicating which will further enhance the effectiveness of
gained communication skills (Dong, Seo and Bartol, 2013).
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TASK 4
4.1 Monitoring progress against original goals
It is important for me to monitor own progress and against real objectives set by me. This
will help me in identifying the issues that are impacting my performance. Thereafter, own
effectiveness can be ascertained with the help of continuous monitoring. Also, the loopholes can
be identified on proper time so that corrective actions can be taken so as to facilitate attainment
of various goals. It will further help me in identifying the gap between actual performance and
desired one. Such as, as mentioned in my original proposal, it is important for me to improve my
self managed learning, communication and time management skills. From monitoring the
progress, it has been identified that my communication skills are still lacking as I was not able to
give effective presentation in meeting and class. Thereafter, due to lack of availability of time, I
was not able to facilitate self managed learning and complete 1 book in one month time framed
as determined by me. Therefore, it can be stated that monitoring the own progress will help me
in examining the achieved objectives with the original proposal. Therefore, it will help me in
enhancing my ability and knowledge so that my overall development can be measured in actual
terms. The root cause for poor performance and not attaining the desired outcome will be
identified. Furthermore, observation of my actual progress has helped me in accomplishing
craved success and thus improving my performance that assisted me in learning and developing
my own experience.
4.2 Evaluating the quality of own performance
It is crucial for me to evaluate and amend the quality of own performance so that
desirable objectives can be achieved in best possible manner. Besides, it is necessary to me to
attain the set industry benchmarks and determine the own performance so that best outcome can
attained. It also help me in making critical evaluation of own performance against actual
proposal (Gribble and et.al., 2014). In this respect, remark and evidence provided by work
supervisors also assist me in improving my performance so that craved outcomes can be attained
by improving the quality of own performance. By observance the quality of own performance
can determine by future learning needs and ask employer to provide me respective training.
Therefore, I can assure quality of my work is continuously improved so that I meet the
benchmarks developed within the hospitality industry. Therefore, I will be able to attain my own
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objective of career development along with the business purpose of enhanced productivity with
the Hilton hotel (Freese and Samaras, 2006).
4.3 Analyzing the learning taken place during the work experience
It is viable for me to analyse the learning that I have gained as part of my work
experience. Therefore, I can ascertain my own effectiveness and my strength and weakness
within the organization. On the basis of this, I can take important decision like, need for more
learning in future, mode, source and style of learning etc. on the basis of critical analysis of my
learning, it has been identified that, my communication, interpersonal, self managed learning and
technical skills are improved to large extent. This will help me in improving my productivity
within the organization (Hadar and Brody, 2013). However,now it is important for me to focus
on development of other skills such as analytical, critical thinking skills which will help me on
focusing on positive and negative aspect before taking any important decision.
4.4 Making recommendations on how experience can be enhanced.
The work based experience can be made more resourceful and lucrative with the use of
certain measures and improvements at the selected organization Hilton Hotel Groups.
 It is required to have the systematic and planned approach, with the inclusion of proper
strategies and policies in the defined manner. Such as systematic planning leading to the
proper understanding of current competencies, required steps to be taken and effective
utilization of resources.
 In order to establish the prominent position in market it is imperative to adopt
technologically advanced procedure such as digital learning and other related to make the
work based experience more useful for the organization and the employee itself.
 By seeking external support from the related companies such as companies that extends
the training and development courses for employees belonging to different functional
areas in scientific manner enables the achievement of desired goals and targets. With this
efficiency and productivity of the procedures adopted can be enhanced significantly.
 By making frequent assessment of the working done on the quantitative and qualitative
grounds, improvements can be made in precise manner. It enables the organization to
inculcate required amendments on timely manner. With this approach growth and
development can be brought in the organization in appropriate manner.
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CONCLUSION
Summing up the entire report, it can be concluded that learning is very important for
improving the productivity and performance of employee within organization. On the other hand,
it enhance the employability chance for the students. From, the industry research it has been
identified that Hilton is among best organization that provide top grade industry experience to
individual. Further, it has been ascertained that to negotiate with supervisors various methods
can be used like, official website, email, telecommunication etc. further, it is important for
employee to keep proper record of challenges faced while working. It can use spreadsheet,
logbook, diary for recording important things. Thereafter, by monitoring own performance
learner will be able to learn from past mistake and ensure they are not repeated in future.
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