Personal and Professional Development Report - Travelodge

This report delves into the realm of personal and professional development, examining various approaches to self-managed learning and their benefits for individuals and organizations, specifically within the context of a Travelodge assistant manager. It explores diverse learning methods, including internet resources, seminars, and social networking, while emphasizing the importance of encouraging lifelong learning. The report evaluates current skills and competencies against professional standards, identifies development needs, and outlines opportunities for improvement, including interpersonal, leadership, and problem-solving skills. It details the creation of a comprehensive personal and professional development plan, incorporating activities to enhance skills and address critical incidents. The report further analyzes the implementation of the development plan, its alignment with original objectives, and the process of updating it based on feedback. Finally, it addresses potential challenges faced by employees and proposes solutions, focusing on communication, time management, and customer service. This comprehensive analysis provides a valuable framework for personal and professional growth, emphasizing the importance of continuous learning and skill development.

Personal and Professional
Development

Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................3
TASK 1............................................................................................................................................3
1.1 Different approaches to self managed learning.....................................................................3
1.2. Ways in which lifelong learning in personal and professional contexts could be
encouraged at Travelodge...........................................................................................................4
1.3 benefits of self-managed learning individual and the Travel Lodge.....................................5
TASK 2............................................................................................................................................6
2.1. Evaluation of own current skills and competencies against professional standards............6
2.2. Identifying own development needs and the activities required to meet them....................7
2.3. Identify development opportunities to meet your current skills..........................................8
2.4 Devising a plan for personal and professional development which is based on the
identification of skills..................................................................................................................9
TASK 3..........................................................................................................................................12
3.1 Processes and activities requiring for to implement development plan..............................12
3.2 Implementation of the developed plan................................................................................13
3.3 Learning against original objectives and aim which are set under development plan........13
3.4 Updating Development plan on the basis of Feedbacks and evaluation.............................14
TASK 4..........................................................................................................................................14
4.1 Problems employee faces and their possible solutions;-.....................................................14
4.2 Communicate with customers.............................................................................................15
4.3 Time Management..............................................................................................................16
CONCLUSION..............................................................................................................................17
REFERENCES..............................................................................................................................18

INTRODUCTION
In order to carry out various business operations it is very essential to develop personal
and professional plan. It is helpful in identification of skills that could be utilized for enhancing
business efficiency and performance. It should be framed in such a way that time required for
accomplishing it and ways by which it could be acquired can be analysed. It is required for the
individuals to analyse and examine their skills so that business operations and activities could be
conducted in effective manner (Cardno, 2005). For identification of skills and qualities, SWOT
analysis could be performed which could assist in finding strong and weak points and
accordingly modifications could be introduced. Organisations with talented and skilled
employees have potential to enhance market share by generating productive outcomes. In the
report, approaches for self managed learning will be studied along with its benefits for assistant
manager of the Travel Lodge. Different processes will be studied for implementing development
plan.
TASK 1
1.1 Different approaches to self managed learning
Learning process that could involve learnings from variety of sources. An individual tend
to learn from their experiences or by observing surroundings (Cardno, 2005). Several external
sources along with organisational resources are available by which learnings could be attained.
One of the best ways is to observe and analyse the situation. Decisions should be made on the
basis of observations only (Turner, 2010). There are variety of approaches available. Some of
them are listed below:
 By using Internet: it is the most common and effective way for gathering information
through surfing. Google is a search engine which has been widely used across the world.
Variety of websites are present that makes available data. Use of internet has brought
world together on single platform. Now it has
 Seminars and conferences: it provides platform for learning and gathering knowledge.
People from diversified culture with varied viewpoints come together and share ideas.
When learnings are acquired from varied sources, then chances of bringing innovations in
the work also gets increased. People also get assistance in developing confidence by

participating in group discussions and it makes them able to present themselves in front
of others.
 Social networking: Another way to gather information and knowledge is through social
networking (Uysal, Perdue and Sirgy, 2012). By talking with local community people
one could be benefited in learnings. Several social media platforms are available these
days that has benefited people to collect information on specific subjects. Some of them
are Facebook, Twitter, YouTube etc. It has been identified from the research that two
hours in a day are spent by the people on social networking websites conducting
surfing's. Opportunities of sharing viewpoints and perceptions has also been provided by
it.
1.2. Ways in which lifelong learning in personal and professional contexts could be encouraged
at Travelodge.
Make sure to encourage and reimburse professional development opportunities outside of
the office: At Travelodge there are several opportunities for professional development happening
every day. Whether its a conference, workshop, networking group activity, your employee
should be encouraged and reimbursed for their efforts in ongoing learning.
Be a company that offers support, even reimbursement, for college tuition: Our organisation
should financially support for further education, because no other ways are as bold as providing
financial support.
Intertwine learning goals into overall goals: Intertwining these goals show your employee that
the organisation is investing in their learning and development. We can also set team-wide
objectives for learning achievements like
attend one workshop per week
devote one hour each week to learning and professional growth
Host frequent lunch and learns: Organisation should host 'lunch and learn' where all the
employees attend an in-house workshop and eat lunch together.
Start 'In-office Library': We should also build a library in our working place because it's a clever
idea to promote ongoing and informal learning.

1.3 benefits of self-managed learning individual and the Travel Lodge
As an assistant manager I have learned to manage my learning skills through the process
of Self-managed learning (3 Simple Strategies for Better Time Management. 2014). This means
organizations can have self-managed learning programmers that fit within their structure and
ensure staff is developing in a certain direction; or individuals can take responsibility for
decisions about what and how they learn, and when and where they learn. Self-managed learning
programs can be designed and developed, allowing individuals to lead and manage themselves
through learning, so that can continue to extend their repertoire of capabilities without the need
to necessarily be reliant on another human resource to teach or manage their learning
(Sweetwood, 2010). It is a form of development where we take the initiative in learning new
skills, knowledge and attitudes with the support of the organization.
Benefits of self-managed learning to an individual:
Taking initiatives in managing their own learning.
For Instance: Individuals are taking initiatives in learning the skills which are
required by the organisation. Recently one of my staff member was trying to learn the book
keeping procedure to develop new skills and competencies (Uysal, Perdue and Sirgy, 2012).
Practical implications of theoretical knowledge.
For example: Individuals learn how to make a presentation using projectors which
gives them the chance to express their knowledge of what they have learnt from particular topic
and it also give them confidence to talk in front of others which become an advantage to the
organisation when been given a task to do that need to be presented to the manager and other
directors from the same company or of different company (Cardno, 2005).
Helps in developing new ideas:
Through self-managed learning individuals develop new ideas while learning them
selves and those ideas can be shared to others to create a positive synergy that will also enhance
organisational development.
Benefits of self-managed learning to an Organisation:
Strategic Decision making: Self-managed learning develop decision making skills of an
individual and making right choices is the key to successfully execute the process of
strategic decision making (Turner, 2010).

Helps in develop Organisational culture: It helps create a better work environment as employees
learn how to work effectively with others, also resulting in low staff turnover.
Self-managed learning results in increased profitability and growth in the organization. for
example Through Self-managed learning our employees have developed and enhanced their skill
sets in order to meet organisational goals and objectives effectively and efficiently (Cardno,
2005).
TASK 2
2.1. Evaluation of own current skills and competencies against professional standards
I am working as assistant manager at Travelodge Hotel. Cited firm wants to enhance its
sales volume and want to increase its market share. For that it is essential for me to have
necessary skills so that I can contribute well in achieving goal of the company. The different
skills which I require in order to meet organisational and personal goals are:
1) Technical skills: It includes knowledge and skills of specific field, such as engineering
science, computer science, social science and management accountancy or manufacturing. I have
good technical knowledge, I can operate latest software easily. that helps in in completing my
work with quality. Thus, I contribute well in accomplishing objective of cited firm significantly
because with the help of technical knowledge operations of the company held effectively.
2) Conceptual skills: It requires expertise in certain field to resolve industry problems,
identifying new opportunities and most importantly to understand the organisation's business
framework. I have this skill and being a manager I am able to resolve problems of Travelodge
Hotel. But when sudden changes in economy occur then it becomes difficult for me to resolve
these issues . At that time I need advice of my seniors.
3) Communication skills: It is a process through which people share their ideas and
understand each other. Communication requires excellent listening and speaking skills. I am
having a good communication skill and because of that I am able to communicate my ideas with
my peers and seniors.
5) Interpersonal skills: Interpersonal skills are the tools people use to interact and
communicate with individuals in an organizational environment. I am having a good set of
interpersonal skills and it helps me efficiently working in a team.

2.2. Identifying own development needs and the activities required to meet them
Identifying my own development needs can be challenging for my self. Often, I find
myself looking at what activities are available and deciding which of those would be most
helpful. In fact, it is better to try and identify what the development need is and then to work out
ways of meeting that need, which may or may not be a training course. Below is the list of my
skills which require development and the activities through which I can improve those skills.
Skill set which require developments. Activities through which I can improve the
required skill set.
Interpersonal skills Become an active listener
Consider co-workers feelings
Ask questions
Practice active participation
Avoid frequent negativity
Think before speak
Leadership skills Ice-breaker games
Discipline
Admit when you are fail and move on
Motivate others
Be passionate about every activity
Problem-solving skills  Dancing is a great activity to enhance
neural processing, possibly developing
new neural pathways to find new ways
 Work out your brain with logic puzzles
and games
 Participate in Yoga
 Use mind mapping to visualise the
problem
 Out door games can also develop new
neural pathways to enhance problem-
solving skills

Administrative skills  Develop Your Technical Skills
 Practice Time Management
 Find a Mentor
 Seek Out Leadership Roles
 Attend Training Seminars
2.3. Identify development opportunities to meet your current skills
Current Skills Rank Current level of
skills(1 being weakest
and 5 being strongest)
Latest Critical incident Development
opportunities(internal
and external)
Leadership 4 I have successfully
completed many
projects that required
my leadership skills I
lead my team members
well that is why they
are happy working with
me. But sometimes
when they over burden
is here then I become
unable to lead them
efficiently.
Out door games like
playing cricket and
football are a great
development
opportunities.
Interpersonal 5 I had recently solved an
interpersonal conflict
with my staff members
Playing Management
games like role
playing, simulation
games, In-basket
training.

Technical 3 day before yesterday,
because of my average
technical skill I was
unable to rectify
technical faults in the
maintenance process
Learning and
Development,
education, coaching,
are some of the
methods for
improvement
Emotional Intelligence 2 Recently I had allowed
half of my staff to go
out and celebrate a
festival. Which lead to
loss in business.
Training and
Development provided
by Human Resource
department and by
developing a grip on
our own emotions and
feelings.
Strategic thinking 4 During Off-seasons I
have started to organise
occasional private
parties to increase
profit.
Strategic thinking can
be improved by regular
and active participation
in management
decisions.
2.4 Devising a plan for personal and professional development which is based on the
identification of skills
Set goals by an individual, which contains strategies and other learning outcomes that
will help him to achieve success in his business. It consists of several activities like self
awareness, a sense of direction, motivates, it provides greater resilience with his improved and
effective focus and others. By this it will help me to achieve more fulfilling in relationships and
resources to deal with current market conditions. Here are some professional and personal
development plan that can be taken by me as a manager of Travelodge Hotel in order to own
personal development and letting me come to know about the changes I should make to develop
new skills and extend my performance graph.
S.no Learning goals and Details about Target to be Strategies for Time taken to

Objectives current ability
or skills
completed the
Development
achieve
objectives
1 Communication Skills I Can
encourage and
provide details
about the tasks
to employees
and but
maintaining
relations
communicatio
n is little tough
for me
Want to
provide full
information
about running
strategies to
the employees
of hotel and
encouraging
people to visit
Hotel
These skills
can be develop
by asking
customers and
employees
about the
feedback and
polishing of
my speaking
skills and
listening and
analyzing
situation well
45 days
2 Enhancement of
technical skills
Its little hard
for me to deal
with technical
tasks and
having lack of
knowledge
about current
updates in
technical
resources
I want to
enhance my
technical
knowledge
and to have
full updates
relating to
current
techniques and
assets being
used in market
By reading
technical
books and
online tutorials
about running
techniques
widely used
by hotels and
training
programs will
provide fair
results
60 days
3 Critical thinking Its little hard
to understand
and analyses
To enhance
the ability to
think
It can be
improved by
identifying
50 days

the current
situations
rationally in
different
conditions and
to make right
decision.
purpose and
analyzing
them
concerning on
every single
impacts

TASK 3
3.1 Processes and activities requiring for to implement development plan
On analysing about the current market condition and studying from different successful
managers I come on a conclusion that I can improve my personal communication skills with
which I would be able to give encourage other employees of the hotel and different stakeholder
to work according in the successful direction of the hotel. Other technical skills can also be
developed by which can I would be able to accomplish different tasks such as mathematical,
scientific and other computer related duties and other tasks which makes relation with
technology. Improvement of my technological skills will let me work with more efficiency and
effective techniques. Also, there is need to improvement in Critical thinking skills which will
enhance my abilities to rationally and clearly think about new future work and strategies and
decision-making. Developing these techniques can improve my logical thinking and in
understanding connection between different ideas.
Communication skill can develop by firstly proper analysing what the second person is
willing to say and then analysing it accordingly and then giving my thoughts. This skill can be
enhanced by proper listening, I should focus ad put attention on when the second person is
speaking something, it can also be improved by finding the ways to put attention of others when
I am trying to put my point of view. Face to face meeting and having positive body language will
definitely help me to communicate properly, by treating everyone equally in point of suggestion
can also improve strategies and communication in a hotel.
By searching for the challenges, and testing for new tools, techniques, solutions and the
methodologies result in the improvement of my technical knowledge. These skills can also be
enhanced by making maximum use of current modern and upgraded techniques which are being
used by other more successful hotel and management system.
By getting information and regularly collecting feedbacks from my colleagues and other
customers could be helpful in managing and developing my critical thinking. By challenging
myself to develop even deeper thinking and understanding abilities towards the company
regarding to strategic planning. By using multiple sources for the collection of data and
analysing each factor can improve my skills of critical thinking.