Developing Management Skills Report: PPHE Hotel Group Analysis

This report examines the development of managerial skills within the context of the hospitality industry, specifically focusing on Park Plaza Hotels & Resorts (PPHE). It compares and contrasts participative and authoritative management styles, highlighting the leadership characteristics essential for su...Read More

Developing Manager

INTRODUCTION
Management is a crucial element of an organization's structure and culture. Managers are
responsible to plan, organize, staff, implement and monitor business plans and procedures.
Developing an individual in a very efficient and effective manager is quiet stressful yet
knowledgeable task (Hunt and Weintraub, 2010). It not only requires critical assessment of
individual’s strengths and weaknesses but need different measures to improvise the present
condition of the manager. Being a potential manager in Park Plaza Hotels & Resort (PPHE), a
brand hotel group owing, managing and franchising its hospitality services across Europe, US
and Asia I need to plan and develop my professional skills to enhnace my career grpwth
prospects within the economy (Craig and et. al., 2008). This assignment studies and evaluates
different career development prospective of a manager at individual and organizational level.
TASK B
1.1 Comparing and contrasting two different management styles in a hospitality organization
Management styles are crucial to coordinate the employees with their respective work
activities. There are different types of methods to manage the tasks but they depend upon the
characteristics of employees, business activities in which they are engaged in with respect to
organizational culture of the company. The hotel group mentioned above adopts two important
management styles at different levels of management, which are described below:
Participative management style
This is also referred as democratic style of management style as freedom to express views
and ideas are provided in the administration. The primary objective of this style is to build
commitment, closeness and consensus among the subordinates (Di Fabbrizio and Lewis, 2008).
PPHE ensures that the middle level management of group follows this style to communication
and share information, guidelines and suggestions in smooth manner. Managers and subordinates
of the company work as a whole to accomplish desired results. The employees are motivated by
a thought that their participation matters in decision making process of top management staff
which also benefit the company by their suggestions and feedback (Moore, Persaud and Torchia,
2015).
Authoritative management style
It is considered as a visionary style to manage and operate the organizational activities.
This approach provides long-term direction and purpose to the employees working under the
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management. Managers are firm and fair in nature to provide clear guidelines and code of
conduct to perform the work (Beamish, 2013). The lower level management of the hotel group
chooses this style as the assistants are underdeveloped and require guidance in carrying forward
the directions of their respective managers.
1.2 Leadership characteristics of a manager required in hospitality industry
A popular saying that 'Great leaders are born, not made' is true to some extent as
leadership is unconditioned. Still, managers can develop various leadership traits in them to
practice in their routine (Ghobakhloo and Hong Tang, 2013.). The hospitality group aims to
satisfy visitor’s needs and desires for which good leadership qualities are also required along
with managerial skills. Few qualities and traits of good leaders are given below to guide the
managers of PPHE: Self-assessment: Periodical analysis of personal capabilities and weaknesses is the key
feature of a leader. In the same manner, the manager of hotel group should ask questions
to himself like what makes me feel good and stronger, what are my areas of weaknesses
and more efforts should be made to improve the gain opportunities (Hackman and Farah,
2009). Vision: The purpose and goal to work for an organization should be clearly defined in the
mind of a leader. Manager should be aware about the overall objectives and mission of
the entity it is working in as he/she has to further translate these objectives to their
subordinates. Team build-up: Strength of a group is its team members as they are responsible to
implement the action plan. The leaders or managers need to encourage and motivate the
team members to inspire them in putting the best efforts for the company (Morse And
et.al., 2009).
 Sharp perception: Effective leaders should have honest communication with their peers
and team members in order to understand how they are perceived. The managers of hotel
group should build strong connection with the team members and develop the instinct to
sense upcoming events in the business.
2.1 Assessing own management skills and performance
Professional Skills Current
Level
5=strong
The Best Current
Example
Ways to Improve
2

1 = weak
Communication Skills 4 Good command over
language and use of
proper channel of
communication with the
higher officials peers and
associates.
Developing effective
communication skills
by referring magazines,
books and journals.
Listening Skills 4 Patiently gain instructions
from top management and
ready to accept
suggestions from the
subordinates.
To retain listening skills
and practice exercises
related to meditation.
Leadership Skills
3
Lack of making
perception about the
upcoming events.
Initiatives to be taken to
develop leadership
qualities in the
company of higher
officials and leaders of
the hotel group.
Planning and
Organizing
3 Conducting various
business events and
seminars for the
businessman in
satisfactory manner.
Making use of different
planning and organizing
strategies to perform
certain task. Time
management plays a
key role here.
Presentation Skills 4 Presenting views and
suggestions with the help
of images, audio notes
and videos.
Technological
developments like 3D
technique provide better
virtual experience about
the proposal.
Problem Solving 3 Solutions to the queries of
employees and
subordinates in
satisfactory manner.
Motivation and training
should be provided by
the manager for the
loopholes of employees.
Professional knowledge 3 Acquired two year degree
course in hotel
management that helps in
acting more effectively.
To enhance professional
skills, good amount of
knowledge related to
industrial policy and
employee rights should
be acquired.
Self- Management 2 Average standard is
maintained to accomplish
goals and objectives.
Discipline and stress
management should be
undertaken to gain
better results.
Team work 3 Team members are basic
element to implement
plans and strategies.
Motivating and
promoting measures for
employees to have
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better coordination.
Technology Skills 3 Knowledge of word
processor, spreadsheet,
presentation softwares
along with internet basics.
Acquire six months
computer course to
make benefits out of
internet.
Time Management 3 Satisfactory efforts in
organizing and managing
tasks according to
prescribed time.
Try to make optimum
utilization of time and
priority to important
tasks first.
2.2 Analysis of personal strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats
Given below tabular format provides SWOT Analysis of a manger in Park Plaza Hotels
and Resorts.
Strengths Weaknesses
 Good and effective oral and
written communication skills.
 Skills to manage time according to
the respective tasks assigned.
 Possessing technological skills to
implement it in communicating
plans to the employees and
advertising in front of consumers
respectively.
 Provide effective suggestions and
solutions to solve problems i.e,
good problem solving skills.
 Lack of leadership and managerial
skills as well as qualities.
 Decision making power is time
consuming and sometimes, situation
of confusion and chaos is formed.
 Presentation skills are not up to the
mark which hinders the process of
conveying ideas and suggestions to
the higher officials.
Opportunities Threats
 Chances to improve technical
knowledge and internet utility for
the promotion of hotel group.
 To get promoted at a higher
position in the hierarchy of
management.
 Understanding the importance of
team work and coordination with
associates in the hospitality
industry.
 Threat of changing business
environment of the hotel group.
 Responsibility to satisfy customer
needs according to current business
trends and preferences of them.
 Competition with the colleagues and
peer puts pressure to perform well in
the hotel group.
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2.3 Set and prioritize objective and targets to develop your own potential
After assessing own management skills and preparing SWOT Analysis, manager should
set priorities and objectives to develop own potential (Ellinger, Beattie and Hamlin, 2011).
Following are the few targets that need to be achieved by the manager of PPHE hotel group:
Presentation skills: The first priority of manger is to improve his skills to present the
ideas and innovations in front of company’s top management. For this, manager can make the
use of new technologies like preparing PPT slides with images, speaker notes and videos.
Self-assessment: Secondly, manger should make regular checks and assessment of his
merits and demerits. Self-assessment brings sense of self-actualization among the individuals
which ultimately turns into boom for the manger. It also brings new ideas and creativity in
performing assigned tasks.
Technological skills: In the hospitality industry, usage of computers, database
management and internet are the common things (Schein, 2009). To cope with enhancing
technological advancement, manger needs to get enrolled in computer diploma courses or
acquire certificates for the same.
Leadership skills: Another objective of the manger is to develop leadership qualities like
team build up, optimistic approach towards critical situations etc. which help to achieve
organizational goals and vision (Watson, 2009). Manager should make a good analysis and study
of leadership theories and approaches in order to build these qualities in him.
4.1 How own managerial and personal skills will support career development
In an organization like Park Plaza Hotels and Resorts, there are many opportunities and
scope for an individual to grow and prosper. Through personal and managerial skills, manager
could enhance his career development in the organization (Royston, Altman and Vergouwe,
2009). Personality traits include behavior, punctuality, strong determination and IQ level. While,
managerial skills involve time management, professional skills, stress management, teamwork
and presentation qualities (Teare and et.al., 2011). Combination of both these factors provides
better consequences in career development which are as follows:
 It builts feeling of self-actualization to the manger in order to put more efforts in
developing his career. Individual focuses on their strengths and weaknesses which helps
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them to monitor the overall performance (Torres, 2014). This learning process also helps
in developing innovative ideas and creations for a manger.
 Managerial and personal skills build good decision making sense with the course of time.
By experiencing various critical situations, capability to take proper decision at right time
automatically develops in the individual as it also makes person aware about the
organizational structure, culture and objectives.
 Another benefit of this concept is that it improves leadership qualities present in an
individual. As it is known that leaders are not made they are inborn still a person can
develop leadership qualities (Tuan, 2011). It helps to raise a step ahead in career building
process. However, individual develops an optimistic approach towards captious
conditions.
 In today's competitive world, time and stress management are necessary to act
effectively and efficiently. Through enhancement of managerial capabilities, manager is
able to learn traits and techniques to hold stress in work environment.
4.2 Reviewing personal development plan
LEARNI
NG
OBJECT
IVE/GO
AL
CURRENT
PROFICIE
NCY
TARGET
PROFICI
ENCY
DEVELOPM
ENT
OPPORTUNI
TIES
CRITERIA
FOR
JUDGING
SUCCESS
TIM
E
SCA
LE
EVIDE
NCE
1 Presentati
on skills
2 5 Regular
practice,
taking
initiatives,
formal course,
observation
Increase in
confidence
level, taking
initiatives,
6
month
s
Groome
d
personal
ity, high
confiden
ce
2 Self
managem
ent skills
2 5 Self discipline,
continuous
learning, anger
management
Better
results,
growth
prospects,
target
achievemen
t
6
month
s
Self
motivate
d and
result
oriented
personal
ity with
ability
of
multitas
king
3 4 Diploma, Better 3 Enhance
6

3 Technolo
gical
skills
certification, E
learning
knowledge
of
technology
month
s
d
Resume
4
Leadershi
p skills
3 4 Taking small
initiatives,
learning about
new things,
strategic
thinking
process
Taking
initiatives,
better
knowledge
about issues
problem
solving
12
month
s
High
influenc
e of
people
and
ability to
generate
results.
5 Problem
solving
skills
3 5 Enhancing
mental ability,
involve in
positive
discussions
Better
solutions for
problems
3
month
s
positive
and
calm
attitude
6 Profession
al
knowledg
e
3 4 Formal
education,
diploma,
certification
Better
employabili
ty and job
prospects
15
month
s
Higher
qualifica
tion
7 Team
work
3 5 Developing
group
dynamics and
enhancing
involvement
in team
Better
formal and
informal
relations
6
month
s
Better
knowled
ge and
high
8 Time
managem
ent
3 5 Learning
tactics of
quick working
and
multitasking
Timely
work
managemen
t and better
results,
effective
deadline
meeting
3
month
s
Well
manage
d work
and least
chaos
and
confusio
n
CONCLUSION
The above report clearly reveals an in depth analysis of the skills and attributes required
to become a successful manager in the hospitality segment. It efficiently defines different
7

measures and strategies to enhance the professional skills of an individual. Moreover it creates
an effective impact on the personal growth of the person as well. Developing manager defined a
balanced growth and development approach by an individual for understanding and attaining the
set goals. The study effectively helped in analyzing high prospects for an individual to create
success in the sectopr.
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REFERENCES
Books and Journals
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using modular spoken-dialog components. U.S. Patent 7,421,393.
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handbook of coaching. pp.257-270.
Ghobakhloo, M. and Hong Tang, S., 2013. The role of owner/manager in adoption of electronic
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