Personal and Professional Development Plan for Travelodge Hotel

This report details a personal and professional development plan designed for an individual working within Travelodge hotel. It begins by evaluating various self-managed learning approaches like seminars, internet resources, and social networks, emphasizing their benefits for both the individual and the organization. The report then explores lifelong learning processes, including continuous professional development and apprenticeship programs. A significant portion of the report focuses on evaluating skills and competencies against professional standards and organizational objectives, using a personal audit to identify strengths and weaknesses. It also identifies development needs and activities, setting specific goals for improvement in areas such as confidence, time management, and leadership skills. Finally, the report outlines the processes and activities required to implement the development plan, including reflection and plan updates based on feedback and evaluation. The report concludes with the selection of solutions to work-based problems and communication strategies.

Personal and
Professional
Development plan

Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................1
TASK 1............................................................................................................................................2
1.1 Evaluate approaches of self managed learning.....................................................................2
1.2 Lifelong learning process in personal and professional context..........................................2
1.3 Benefits of self managed learning to the individuals and organisation................................4
TASK 2............................................................................................................................................5
2.1 Evaluating skills and competencies against professional standards and organisation
objectives.....................................................................................................................................5
2.2 Identifying development needs and activities to meet organisation objectives....................6
2.3 Development opportunities to meet current and future needs..............................................8
2.4 Devise a personal and professional development plan based on identified needs................8
TASK 3............................................................................................................................................9
3.1 Process and activities required in implementing development plan....................................9
3.2 Undertake and document development activities as planned.............................................10
3.3 Reflect critically on your own learning against original aims and objectives set in the
development plan. ....................................................................................................................12
3.4Update the development plan based on feedback and evaluation........................................12
TASK 4..........................................................................................................................................14
4.1 Select solutions to work based problems............................................................................14
4.2- Communicate in a variety of styles and appropriate manner at various levels..................15
4.3- Evaluate and use effective time-management strategies...................................................16
CONCLUSION..............................................................................................................................16
REFERENCES..............................................................................................................................18

INTRODUCTION
Personal and professional development refers to the gaining of skills and knowledge by
the individual in order to enhance career development opportunities. It is a formal way by which
an individual sets strategies for the outcome of learning and training (Cooke, 2012). It also
improves job performance of employees within organisation by assigning to them high duties
and responsibilities. Continuous professional development is important for maintaining ongoing
progress of employees which makes them competent in its profession. Present assignment will
be based on Travelodge hotel. It is a private company operating in the hotels and hospitality
industry in United Kingdom. The report will going to analyse the various approaches of self
learning for life long development as well as evaluates current skills and competencies against
professional standards. Moreover it also determines personal development portfolio such as
processes and activities required to implement development plan.
1

TASK 1
1.1 Evaluate approaches of self managed learning
Self managed learning is a continuous and gradual process in which individual takes
initiative to analyse their learning needs, formulates learning goals and implement appropriate
learning strategies accordingly. This helps the individuals to enhance their self development. It
is also known as learning by motivation. Their are different approaches of leaning which are
discussed as follows-
Seminars and conferences- Seminars and conferences are regarded as an effective tool for
self managed learning. When the employee or the individual attend the seminars it provides
opportunity to learn new and different things. It makes the employee to share ideas and self
experience which creates a dynamic business environment and allows them to improve their
presentation and communication skills. While sharing of knowledge and ideas it creates
confidence of speaking in public. This type of learning benefits both the organisational and
individual in performing work (Dixon and et. al., 2014).
Internet- Internet is the source of large amount of data. Learners can access journals,
articles, online books , google scholar top gather relevant information over different topics.
such which the learners can access in order to gain and enhance their knowledge. It will be
helpful both in personal and professional development of learners to gain high information
about the topic which ultimately helps them to succeed in their business performance.
Social networks- These are very important in self managed learning processes. Their are
various social networks such as twitter, Facebook and many more which helps learner to gather
different information from sites and can improve their communication skills. Information
gathered can be applied to their own performance which helps in succeeding of career.
From the above mentioned approaches of self learning, seminars and conferences will
definitely help the employees of Travelodge to improve their learning process and self
development of individuals which would benefit the respective organisation in efficient
performance of work (Floyd, 2012).
1.2 Lifelong learning process in personal and professional context.
Life long process is a type of learning activity undertaken by individuals through out their
life with the aim of improving knowledge, skills and competencies. Managers of Travelodge
2

are using various ways for life long learning process of its employees which would increase
their knowledge and it would be beneficial for the employees as well as the organisation. Their
are various life long learning process adopted by the managers of Travelodge which are
described below-
Continuous professional development- It is life long and systematic process to develop
and enhance skills and abilities of individuals. In general it refers to the process of tracking and
documenting the skills and knowledge required for life long learning. It helps the manager
within the respective organisation to properly manage and develop individual skills and
knowledge which helps them to perform their job task properly.
Further learning- In an organisation if the managers of the respective company allow
their employees in continuing their education to enhance their knowledge which would
produce highly skilled and knowledgable workforce. It will provide an opportunity to the
individuals to enhance their career opportunities and increase their quality and standard of life.
Apprenticeship- This is the most successful method of learning for employees as it
provides an opportunity to employees to learn continuously during their job. Employees are
provided on the job training which enhances their capabilities of performing task effectively. It
is very useful for employees and organisation to attain their objectives (Hildebrand, 2018).
Self directed learning- It is life long learning process in which individuals selects and
manages their own learning activities which can be pursued at any time irrespective of age. It
benefits the individuals to meet their career goals as they can increase their knowledge which
enables them to achieve organisational goals.
By this way manager of Travelodge can encourage life long learning process among its
employees for the betterment of individuals as well as organisation.
3

1.3 Benefits of self managed learning to the individuals and organisation.
Self managed learning is a process by which individual takes initiative to identify their
learning needs and sets learning goals accordingly. This learning is beneficial both for the
employees as well as the organisation as it influences individual performance effectively.
Various benefits of self learning to individuals and organisation are described below-
Benefits of self learning to individuals in Travelodge- Self managed learning is an
effective way of learning which allows the individuals to learn specific skills for performing
business task efficiently. It is flexible in nature which makes the employees comfortable to
learn and which is readily accessible to all its employees (Moon, 2013). It increases the
individual capacity to deal in complex situation, thereby increasing their work performance
which is beneficial to individuals and organisations. For example apprenticeship programmes
adopted by Travelodge provide on the job training to its employees which enhances their job
performance provides a good opportunity of self learning to its employees.
Benefits to Travelodge- Most important benefit of self managed learning to the
respective organisation is that it will hep the managers to reduce the cost of learning process of
its employees. Managers doesn't have to spend more on learning skills of its employees. It will
help organisation to get knowledgable work force which have the ability to take more
responsibilities to solve the problems as well as introduce new ideas and suggestions to perform
its work (Elliott, 2012). This will also create a healthy relationship between employees and
management. For example when Travelodge hires new employees, it becomes their duty to
provide training to their employees but when the organisation adopts practices such as
continuous professional development and further learning it will reduce the budget for training
its employees and helps the organisation in getting knowledgable workforce.
4

TASK 2
2.1 Evaluating skills and competencies against professional standards and organisation
objectives.
Skills are the self assessment of individuals own abilities and qualities which needs to be
modified according to requirement. Travelodge ensures that employees should have enhanced
skills and competencies in order to have improved performance of work. Objectives for
Travelodge is to attract large customer base by providing them services which provide
maximum satisfaction. In order to analyse one's own skills and competencies assessment of
personal audit has been conducted (Zepeda, 2013).
Personal Audit- It is a way in which individual identifies one's own strength and weakness
which needs to be developed in order to compete in healthy atmosphere. It is a very useful
method which allows people to keep themselves on career track and develop ways to remove
weakness.
Professional standards- These are the set of principles or the ethical code of conduct in order to
perform roles and responsibilities within organisation. Standards are set by every company to
perform work. Their are some professional standards set by Travelodge such as proper dress
code for staff members and as to interact politely with employees as well as customers.
Organisational objectives for Travelodge hotel to provide all the facilities to its customers and to
provide good customer care service thereby reducing the complaints of customers.
As an assistant manager of Travelodge, motivation of staff is necessary in order to
increase and improve their skills. Current skills are described below-
Skills and Competencies Score Score from others Difference
Personal and interpersonal skills 8 9 1
Leadership skills 7 6 -1
Negotiation Skills 6 8 2
Confidence and trust 7 5 -2
Time management skills 9 6 -3
From the above evaluation strengths and weakness can be easily identified.
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Strengths Weaknesses
According to personal skill audit identified
strengths are good personal and interpersonal
skills, and negotiations skills .They help me in
achieving organisational goals efficiently by
providing better services (Trede, Macklin and
Bridges, 2012).
From personal skill audit, my weaknesses
create problem in achieving goal and
objectives. I have to work on it for better
results. My weaknesses are confidence and
trust, time management as well as leadership
skills which needs to be corrected in order to
achieve personal as well as organisational
goals.
2.2 Identifying development needs and activities to meet organisation objectives
As an manager in Travelodge, it is needed to develop skills and abilities in order to meet
desired objectives of organisation. It could be developed by analysing weaknesses from personal
skills audit and learn more skills and knowledge in order to meet organisational standards.
Identified
weakness
Personal
Audit
Rating
(Scale 0-10)
GAP Remedial
Actions/Strategy to
improve skills.
Deadline for
remedial
actions
Confidence and
trust
5 I did not gave attention
when classes for
developing skills and
knowledge were
provided. As well as I
haven't work alone
with my confidence,
required guidance in
doing work. This leads
to lack in trust and
confidence in
performing work.
I should take actions
to improve my
confidence and trust
by performing work
alone rather than
taking much
guidance. I should
also start
communicating with
other employees in
order to create
confidence and trust.
2 Months
6

Time
management
6 I am unable to
complete my work
within the set time
frame, because of
handling multiple
work at a single time
I am unable to manage
work in the
organisation because of
poor management
skills.
I should be able to
complete task within
the set time frame
work by allotting
time to every activity
of the job which
needs to be
completed within the
definite period.
1 Month
Leadership skills 6 Due to lack of
confidence and trust I
am not able to guide
their employees
effectively.
I can increase my
leadership skills by
having a clear vision
towards the company
as well as set goals
timely and execute
them in proper
manner and by
utilizing my
strengths in a proper
manner
(ForteandFlores,
2014).
3 Months
Skills need to be improved Ways to improve skills
Confidence and trust I should be able to handle multiple task at a time which build
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confidence and trust on me.
Time management I need to allot time to every task and understand the value of
time.
Leadership skills I should understand clear vision of the company and makes
plans to guide other employees in a proper manner.
2.3 Development opportunities to meet current and future needs
Their are various opportunities in the market which needs to be grabbed by the company
in order to meet current and future needs. Development is an ongoing process which enhances
employees contribution in achieving organisational objectives. Organisation should capture
maximum opportunities for their survival and sustainability (Reeves, 2012). Current as well as
future needs are discussed below-
Current needs-Their is a current need and requirement of skills such as personal and
interpersonal skills as well as well as leadership skills to perform business activities properly.
Travelodge should be able to grab the opportunities in order to develop themselves.
Future needs- When there is a need to develop skill for future time, they are referred to
as future needs. Travelodge should focus on improving the skills of their employee for the
achievement of results effectively and efficiently.
Their are various development opportunities available in order to improve the skill development
needs which are described below-
Increased duties and responsibilities- When employees are given higher authority and
responsibility for performing work , it increases their skills and knowledge in performing work.
It will enhance current as well as future needs which will help to increase leadership skills and
creates high confidence and trust in performing work.
Mentoring and coaching- Proper coaching and mentoring should be provided to the
employees in order to enhance their skills and knowledge and the identified weakness such as
time management and personal and inter personal skills can be converted into strengths which
helps in the proper employee growth and development.
These are the identified opportunities which are present inside the hotel and helps in the
development of current and future needs (Blandford, 2012).
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2.4 Devise a personal and professional development plan based on identified needs
Personal and professional development plan is essential to identify skills and their
strengths and weaknesses. With the help of this plan it helps in overcoming the weaker areas.
S.
No.
Learning
target
Present
Proficiency
Target
Proficiency
Development
Opportunities
Criteria for
Judging
Attainment
Time
Scale
1 Learning
skill
9 10 It can improve their
learning skills by
handling multiple
task efficiently which
helps to develop
onfidence and trust
on themselves as
well in guiding other
member
Supervisor and
co- employees.
40 days
2 Time
manageme
nt skill
8 10 Improve
Management skills of
time by alloting time
to each activity in
performing work
efficiently (VanDriel
andBerry, 2012).
Leader,
manager
30 days
3 Leadership
skill
8 10 Resolving conflicts,
motivate to
employees, delegate
their roles,
responsiblities.
Moreover setting
goals and making
plans to achieve
Managers and
supervisors.
70 days
9