Report on Developing Manager Skills in Thomas Cook and TUI

This report provides an in-depth analysis of developing managerial skills, focusing on management styles, leadership characteristics, and organizational culture within the context of Thomas Cook Group and TUI Group. It examines various management styles, including directive, authoritative, and affiliative approaches, and identifies key leadership characteristics such as inspiration, focus, innovation, passion, and stoicism. The report also explores communication processes, both formal and informal, and their impact on organizational effectiveness. Furthermore, it delves into the importance of organizational culture and its influence on employee behavior and productivity. A self-assessment using SWOT analysis is included to evaluate personal strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats. Finally, the report outlines a career development plan, emphasizing the need for continuous skill enhancement to achieve managerial goals and advance within the travel and tourism industry. The report also includes the application of these skills and knowledge to the author's own career.

The Developing Manager

Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................1
TASK 1............................................................................................................................................1
1.1 Management styles................................................................................................................1
1.2 Leadership characteristics......................................................................................................3
1.3 Communication processes.....................................................................................................4
1.4 Organisational culture............................................................................................................5
TASK 2............................................................................................................................................6
2.1 Own management skills performance...................................................................................6
2.2 Analyzing personal ,strength, weakness, opportunities and threats......................................7
2.3 Set and priorities objective....................................................................................................7
Task 3...............................................................................................................................................8
3.1 Lead and motivate a team to achieve goal or objective.........................................................8
3.2 Managerial role to support achievement of goal or objective...............................................9
Task 4.............................................................................................................................................10
4.1 managerial and personal skill support the career development...........................................10
4.2 Review the current and personal development need...........................................................10
CONCLUSION..............................................................................................................................10
REFERENCES..............................................................................................................................11

INTRODUCTION
Business organisations function efficiently when appropriate management and leadership
styles are implemented. Thomas Cook Group and TUI Group are two private sector
organisations working in the travel and tourism industry. The basic management level position in
a company is of general manager. This person has to look after general ground level options that
are categorised in a company. Right from this level the entire functioning of business
organisation is developed and maintained. This report aims to provide knowledge about various
personality traits and career attributes of a manager in Thomas Cook Group and TUI Group.
This assessment will depict management styles and leadership characteristics which are
necessary for a person to acquire managerial positions in a company. Moreover, a self-analysis
will be provided for understanding the potentials and objectives of prospective managers. Once a
person gathers such managerial attitudes then it becomes easy to handle organisational
operations and employee relations. In this report, a career development plan is provided and
reviewed for enhancing one’s skills in order to grab appropriate position in a reputed company.
TASK 1
1.1 Management styles
Management is a kind of arrangement that is made in an organisation so that day to day
activities and business objectives are easily accomplished. There are various management styles
which have different impact on company’s performance (Cardinal, 2015). Following
comparative table depicts these management styles in Thomas Cook Group and TUI Group.
Management styles Thomas Cook TUI
Directive style Coercive or directive style of
management is used in
Thomas Cook. Basic
functioning of this style is
based on controlling
employees and subordinates
with close intervention of
managers. The company has
TUI group could not function
well with coercive
management style during the
foundational days because of
underdeveloped employees.
The essence of coercive
management style lies in
dictating orders but this is
1

witnessed great development
and growth with directive or
coercive management style.
effective only when crisis
situations occur or quick
decision is required.
Authoritative style Managers that adopt
authoritative style of
management which is implied
with a long term direction or
vision for other members of
the company. Thomas Cook
has authoritative style of
management at ground level
of organisation. In order to
fulfil ground operations
objective, authoritative style is
best with long term effects
(Mujtaba, 2013).
The ineffectiveness of
authoritative management
style is felt when people
require guidance or training
from managers and leaders.
TUI doesn’t function with
authoritative style because of
its interactive atmosphere.
Employees are given
induction training for smooth
functioning of operation.
Moreover, internal
environment of the company
is not structured to allow
authoritative management
style.
Affiliative style The main objective behind
affiliative management style is
developing peace and
harmony amongst employees.
Managers behave like
transformational people who
consider the needs and
requirements of subordinates
before individual preferences.
TUI functions with affiliative
style of management.
Managers depict this style and
help their subordinates by
counselling and guiding them
at each and every stage (Shin
and et. al., 2015). It helps in
performing business activities
efficiently but slows down the
developmental process. Often
conflicts that occur between
different individuals are
2

resolved easily using this style
of management.
1.2 Leadership characteristics
Leaders are individuals who develop functioning path for the company to meet respective
objectives. It is important that Thomas Cook Group and TUI should consider following
characteristics of leadership before selecting a leader (22 Qualities that make a great leader,
2017).
1. Inspiration: Leaders are perceived with an inspirational image. If a leader has such
characteristics with positive attributes and attitudes then, follower will tend to behave in
the same way and thus reflecting better efficiencies to the company.
2. Focus: It is important for great leaders to be focused and target oriented. Distractions
shall occur but the capacity to handle such barriers in developmental path and being
aligned with set objectives is the attribute of good leadership (Ates, Garengo and Bititci,
2013). TUI and Thomas Cook have focused leaders that help in meeting their business
objectives.
3. Innovation: Travel and tourism is a sector with finite sources. Companies working in this
sector have to find infinite ways in which these resources can be used in earning profits
and customer share. This competency of both firms is innovation. Leaders portray
innovation as a major trait of their personality. Several aids and supportive techniques
can be used for enhancing innovative strategies by a leader. It can be technology or
creativity amongst working employees.
4. Passion: Success is assured when individuals enjoy their work and the working
environment. Thomas Cook and TUI companies have leaders that are passionate towards
their work. This kind of characteristic trait is considered to be essential for organisational
success. Leaders when depict passion towards their work, followers also get this cheerful
essence which adds an overall increase in productivity (Ha-Vikström and Takala, 2016).
5. Stoicism: Failures can occur in any circumstance. It is the responsibility of leader to
accept that his/her decisions have caused this failure and monetary loss to the company.
Thomas Cook should select individuals that have stoicism as an important quality of
3

leadership because this quality is rare. Very few people have the capability of accepting
and anticipating in unfavourable situations.
1.3 Communication processes
Communication is an integral part of business functioning. Effective communication
process is said to be the one which involves a sender, receiver with a medium of communication
and appropriate feedbacks. Organisations cannot achieve their objectives and goals if
communication is not present (Edwards, Turnbull and Gill, 2015). There are two types of
processes for communication in business enterprise:
 Formal
 Verbal and non-verbal
Thomas Cook Group uses formal communication system in the form of inland letters and
newsletters which are forwarded to employees every weekend and month end. This type of non-
verbal communication is formal and unidirectional. The sender sends information which needs to
be delivered to employees and other members working in the organisation. On the other hand,
TUI group has emails and notices as medium for formal communication. The need or
requirement of employee or senior managers decided whether respective communication process
is unidirectional or cross linked. The non-verbal and formal mediums of conveying business
strategies in both the companies are meetings, seminars, group discussions and conversation
sessions (Shields and et. al., 2015).
Transfer of information has to be considerate because entire operations of every industry
are dependent on communication. For instance: Thomas Cook Group and TUI group want to
come up with a joint venture in UK. This set up can only be implemented into reality when
certain communication process is formulated. A meeting or seminar in which discussion can be
made regarding proposed idea should be organised. In this session, all the advantages and
disadvantages can be evaluated (De Waal, 2013). The above stated example depicts that
communication helps in creating effective decisions.
Thomas Cook and TUI have to consider that information transfer in professional
environment should be safe and secure. The encoding and decoding of messages within sender
and receiver must be convenient and effective so that purpose behind formulation of process is
4

served. Other channels through which companies can use are reports, bulletin boards,
teleconferences, social media websites, etc.
1.4 Organisational culture
The beliefs and behaviour of employees towards organisation makes the company’s
culture. Charles Handy proposed four types of cultures that are prevalent in business
organisations. These are power, role, task and people culture. Thomas Cook has emerged as an
influential brand in the travel and tourism market because of power culture. In such type of
working atmosphere the decision making authority is given in hands of selected individuals.
Power culture helps in achieving business objectives quickly and efficiently. Despite of this
attribute, employees face some disadvantage in this type of workplace. People cannot provide
their views and opinions to authorities which limits innovation and scope of transformation
(Ates, Garengo and Bititci, 2013). Thomas Cook functions extremely well with power culture in
UK.
On the contrary, TUI exhibits role culture. Roles and responsibilities are efficiently
distributed in this type of culture. Decision making process is made up of innovation and
creativity because involvement of employees and their views. There are certain authorities at
power but they do not dictate entire functioning of the company. The selection of person at
power is based on his qualities, knowledge and experience rather than any reference or influence.
Role culture though has slow growth but conflicts and disagreements in this culture are less
(Buckingham and Goodall, 2015).
Culture plays a significant role in maintaining productivity and profitability of
employees. It is the responsibility of company leaders and managers that organisational culture is
not disturbed by external or internal influences. Certain aspects like discrimination on the basis
of religion, gender, caste, creed or sacred object, negative politics, grudges, ego and self-
obsession need to be evaluated. Some individuals may have a tendency to create negativity in
working atmosphere (Van Dooren, Bouckaert and Halligan, 2015). When monitoring and strict
supervision is provided with help of legal policies and framework helps in maintaining the
standard balance in culture (Pettinger, 2013). Moreover, educational trainings can be given by
Thomas Cook and TUI to their employees so that their acceptance level towards other people
and their beliefs will help in better functioning. Travel and tourism sector companies should have
5

good working culture. This will help them in managing better customer relations which in turn
will result in achievement of sustainability.
TASK 2
2.1 Own management skills performance
To deliver efficient performance in a company, it is important that managers or
prospective managers have sufficient skills and talents. I have been working as the general
manager of Thomas Cook Group since past one year. My performance has been supported by
management skills which are as follows:
 Time management helps in administrating and scheduling daily operations (Johnston and
Marshall, 2016). I have been using this effective strategic approach in achieving my daily
targets and objectives. This skill has also helped in managing chaotic situations when
large demand from customer side is gathered.
 Communication is another important management skill which needs to be developed in
every person who wishes to be a manager. I have great communication skills and
specifically listening. Many subordinates have developed better professional connections
with me due to convenient communication skills of mine.
 I have been observant regarding problems and consequential situations which often arise
in the team during work pressure and mismanagement periods. Effective recognition of
problems and appropriate solving of these problems is necessary for a manager to meet
his objectives in time (Küpers, 2016). My performance has never witnessed any
disruption due to such situations or conflicts.
 Managers also have to inspire and motivate subordinates at different points when
strategies have been implemented. It is possible that some individuals can face anxiety or
nervousness or get discouraged due to bad performance. I have been applying effective
strategies that will help in instigating motivation and inspiration amongst such
individuals.
6

2.2 Analyzing personal ,strength, weakness, opportunities and threats.
My own SWOT (Strength, weakness, opportunities and threat) are as follow
 Strength : My strength is that is have best communication skill, this help me in
convincing tourist to buy product and services. I can easily communicate with anyone
without losing my confidence. Along with this my leadership skill is also very good
which help me handling different type of team member in team. I manage team issue and
solved their issues and problems.
 Weakness: my time management skill is very poor because I cannot manage my work on
time. Along with this, I cannot make quick decision and take too much time at the time
of making decision. Moreover, I am not confident at the time of making decision.
 Opportunities: I have opportunity to improve my different skill in which I am too much
weak. I can improve my presentation skill by attending the seminar and conferences .
through this I got opportunity to improve my skill and present much better in front of
other. Apart from this I also have opportunity to improve my technological skill so that I
can manage my work on computer and laptop by using different software.
 Threat: I am unable to complete my all work on time due to my carelessness. Along with
this I always get angry fast and react on any situation without thinking. This become
threat for me.
Aforementioned are my strength and weakness which affect on work at the firm. There
are my some weak skill on which I need to work and improve them. This help me in getting
success in organization. Along with there are various opportunities in front of which help in
getting high position at work place. That is can improve my technological skill by attending
training and seminar. Apart from this, I need to control my anger and try to leave always
calm. I have not enough time to improve my skill so I need to work hard on my all skills.
2.3 Set and priorities objective
If I set priorities and agreeing with them help them in playing important role. It help
manager in achieving company goal and objective on time. If priorities are set for each work
then it help in completing goal and objective on time. Along with this it help Thomas cooks
manager in making decision quickly and right. If manager of organization make effective
decision then it can easily increase the sale of company and earn profit. Apart from this it also
help employee in understanding their work and they can work easily according to the set
7

priorities (Van Dooren, Bouckaert and Halligan, 2015). At the time of setting priorities company
can firstly focus in urgent task then move toward the important work. This also help solving the
problem of employee and at any tough situation working systematically help in removing
unnecessary barrier from achieving the goal and objective on time. Apart front this it is necessary
to form policy so that any type of conflict not take place within the organization. It help
employee in understanding their roles, responsibilities toward the work and company. It is so if
any issue or conflict take place between the manager and employee then proper solution can be
taken out and all work can be manage within the organization at the hotel it is necessary that
feedback and review from employees taken on time because it play significant role within the
organization. This also help manager of the organization in improving the their skill and
knowledge which help in success of firm. Moreover, if there is proper communication process
then it will reduce the conflict between different department and prevent from occurring
miscommunication. If manager not done any type of discrimination between employee then it
help in avoiding any type of conflict and this will help in increasing the overall productivity of
the firm. Apart from this it is necessary to make improvement on the feedback taken from the
employees and customer. If manager take feedback from its employee then it help in identify
problem of customer and try to improve it so that company can earn profit. Furthermore, if
manager provide employees training then they become enough capable for making innovative
product and services for customer. It help in fulfill the needs and demand of employee on time. It
also help in satisfying the needs and wants of customer on time. Manager can easily resolve
conflict of its employee it help in creating self confidence in manager and also help in improving
skills. Manager can adopt various learning skill such as kinesthithic skill, visual skill and
auditory skill etc. it is so because it help manager on focusing on goal and help in achieving goal
and objective on time
Task 3
3.1 Lead and motivate a team to achieve goal or objective.
According to the given scenario, I am working as a team leader for Thomas cook
company. Their I need to lead and motivate employee so that goal and objective of tour company
can achieve in time (Cardinal, 2015). For achieving goal and objective on time it is necessary for
to share vision and mission of company with team member. It is necessary that employee know
the objective of company because it help them in working more effectively and efficiently.
8

Along with this, leader need to involve team member in decision making process because it help
them feel that they are valuable for the organization. There are different way which leader can
use for motivating its employee such as appreciation method. If employee are appreciated for
their best work it help in achieving goal and objective of company on time. Workers work hard
for the company if they are not given appreciation for their hard work then it may demotivate
them. Along with this employee need to delegate work according to their skill and experiences so
that they can work more effectively and efficiently. This also best way to achieve company goal
and objective on time. Leader can also solve the conflict of employees without making any
discrimination so that they not feel dissatisfy. It is necessary for the team leader to listen each
and every team member issue carefully and make decision so that employee feel satisfied.
Rewarding and providing incentive to employee is also help in motivating employee
because every employee have some need and wants, they also want some benefit from its team
member so that employee can feel safe and secure at work place (Shin and et. al., 2015). Along
with this if employee are involved in decision making process then it help Thomas cook
company in getting new and innovative idea which help in achieving goal and objective on time.
Team leader also need to help employee at the time of work load. If employee feel over loaded
from work then it can impact the quality of work and also demotivate employees. so team leader
need to make sure that employee work is shared so that they can achieve objective on time. Last
but not least leader can provide training and development facility to its team member so that their
skill and knowledge can be improve. This help employee in working complex and tough task
easily at work place
3.2 Managerial role to support achievement of goal or objective
At the Thomas cook tour company it is necessary to make various type of decision so that
goal and objective of company can achieve on time. There are various role which manager paly
at work place such as formulating polices, motivating employee etc. some of them are discussed
below
Manager always try to motivate its employee by providing them reward and monetary
and non monetary incentives. It help in accomplishing company goal and objective on time.
Along with this it also need to maintain strong relationship with different stakeholder such as
employee, customer, suppler etc. this help in collecting information related to their needs and
9

wants. There are some goal and objective of Thomas cook company which can be achieved by
highly skilled employee (Johnston and Marshall, 2016). For this purpose, it is necessary for the
manager to recruit highly experiences candidate who can make innovative product and services
for its customer. Along with this, it need to delegate work to employee according to their need
and demand so that employee not get demotivate from their hard work. Manager can hire
employee who can work part time at the time of work load so that employee not feel overloaded
because it may demotivate them.
Recommendation for improvement;
Manager of company can take feedback from its employee and make improvement
according to their feedback. It can also try to solve the issue of its employee so that they not feel
dissatisfied. Along with this manager can make formulated strategy which help company in
achieving goal and objective on time. Manager can give reward to its employee on their best
performance or can promote them this motivate another employee to work hard for getting
higher position.
Task 4
4.1 Managerial and personal skill support the career development
There are development program which help in improving various type of skill.
Managerial skill are very helpful in accomplishing a task on time and fore achieving goal and
objective on time. Along with this it is necessary for manager to focus on the personal skill so
that it can increase the company profit and also help in growth and development of firm. In
personal skill their are some skill involve such as behaviour, attitude and aspiration. This all
characteristic employee should have for getting success. For example if attitude of employee
toward its customer is not good then it can impact the sale of company. It is necessary that
manager can make quick decision whenever required for the firm success. Moreover, manager
need to be more responsible toward the work so that company may not suffer from loss
(Qualities that make a great leader. 2017). For this it need to make quick and achievable
decision. It is necessary that communication of manager must be good so that it can effectively
and efficiently communicated with employee as well as manager. If manager is unable to
communicate confidently with its customer then it cannot achieve target on time.
10