Personal and Professional Development Report: Skill Evaluation

This report analyzes personal and professional development within the context of the Travelodge Hotel. It begins by evaluating different approaches to self-managed learning, such as seminars, social networks, and the internet, and proposes ways of lifelong learning including motivation, acquisition, search, and reflection. The report then evaluates the benefits of self-managed learning, such as improved communication skills and increased productivity, for the assistant manager role. The second task evaluates the skills and competencies required for a manager in the Travelodge Hotel, identifying communication, problem-solving, and teamwork as key areas. The report identifies development needs, suggesting activities like workshops and training sessions to address these needs. The report also discusses the implementation of personal and professional development plans, reflecting on learning objectives and goals, and updating the development plan. The report includes references and a conclusion.

Personal and
Professional Development

Table of Contents
Introduction......................................................................................................................................3
TASK 1............................................................................................................................................3
1.1 Evaluation of different approaches of self-managed learning ..............................................3
1.2 Proposing the ways of lifelong learning in context of personal and professional learning.. .4
1.3 Evaluation of benefits of the self-managed learning.............................................................5
Task 2...............................................................................................................................................6
2.1 Evaluation of skills and competencies...................................................................................6
2.2 Identifying the development needs and the activities to meet them......................................7
2.3 Identifying the development opportunities to develop current and future needs..................8
2.4 Devising the personal and professional plan for the identified needs...................................8
Task 3...............................................................................................................................................9
3.1 Discussion involved in implementing the personal and professional needs..........................9
3.2 Undertaking the implementation and documenting for the plans.......................................10
3.3 Reflecting own learning with the set objectives and goals..................................................10
3.4 Updating the development plan..........................................................................................11
Task 4.............................................................................................................................................12
4.1..............................................................................................................................................12
Conclusion.....................................................................................................................................13
REFERENCES..............................................................................................................................14
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INTRODUCTION
The personal and professional development refers to the process in which the
organization and the employee take part in learning for the challenges and the goals of the
company. Personal development means to come out with inner talents, increase potential,
improve the quality of life and lastly to achieve the dreams and aspirations of himself.
Professional development refers to learning at the professional grounds which includes
maintaining the academic records to meet the formal requirements, conducting a conference and
learning about different opportunities informally. The Travelodge Hotel in IIFORD is a valuable
hotel with the third largest hotel chain in UK. It is an ideal option for the visitors for the
accommodation.
This report includes enhancement of lifelong development through self-managed
learning. Further it assist in taking responsibility about personal and professional development,
to implement and keep a check on the PPD plan and lastly to determine the acquired
interpersonal and transferable skills.
TASK 1
1.1 Evaluation of different approaches of self-managed learning
Self-managed learning is a process in which the person takes the initiative to know about
their weak points and overcome it (Hopkinson, 2014.). It includes determining the needs, finding
learning goals, identifying the material which helps in learning, lastly choosing the best option to
learn and rise above our weak points.
There are many approaches of self-managed learning-
Seminars and conferences
Seminars and conferences are one of the most efficient methods for self-managed
learning. In these seminars, people share their views and experiences which provide knowledge
to people listening to it. They can adopt some ideas in the organization or can come up with
greater ideas by using the information conveyed there. It also assists in enhancing the
communication skills. Further, lectures in seminars also help to boost the self confidence of an
individual. Negative impact to this approach is that it is time consuming process which can delay
the work.
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Social networks
This has become the most used approach for the learning. Through learning, it has been
evaluated that that people are more engaged in social media than the physical meetings.
Individual can gain knowledge through various means. It can use social media sites like
Facebook, twitter etc. which can give a greater content about many topics (Lago, 2010). It also
has some negative point as we cannot get technical knowledge through social media.
Internet
Internet is the vast place which can provide best information about anything. We can
search about any topics related to our management like risk management, motivational theories
etc. A layman can also learn about the things and adopt it in the organization. Above all it
negative impact is that we may not get appropriate and reliable data for our search.
In Travelodge hotel, being a customer representative, I will use seminars and
conferences approach for self-managed learning. Using this, I can make a lot of people learn at
one place. It helps the staff to meet others in seminars which enhance their knowledge in
different context. It is liable for most as it does not include reading or searching process
(Desimone, 2011). Hopes and inspirations are sensed as the leaders use the examples of legends
which help people to come up with greater ideas and vision to see the things.
1.2 Proposing the ways of lifelong learning in context of personal and professional learning.
As a manger, I would propose the following ways of lifelong learning at Travelodge
hotel-
Motivation
It needs self-motivation to learn new things. The person should have the positive energy
towards the learning and ability to adopt new things. If there is an urge to learn things, then the
individual will make the best possible way to go with it.
Acquire
To learn effectively, the person should gather information from everywhere. It mainly
includes skills of reading, listening, experimenting etc. (Schoeman, and Mabunda, 2012).
Individual should acquire knowledge from everywhere and should come up with own ideas to
implement it.
Search
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Learning help the person to take the initiative to search different things which can
enhance their knowledge. Learning becomes waste if we do not implement it in our work. So we
should ask question to our self that the where would the learned fact are applicable and the
advantages of using it.
Trigger
It is not possible for a person to remember all the things he learn from diferent places in
his life. We need to jot down the information which we feel is relevant and useful to us in the
long run (Little, 2012). This will help the person to gather lots of points which makes him
efficient
Examine
Learning not only concise to the jot down of points rather it should be examined and
implemented in various ways at different places. Communicating to others and learning their
point of view can have a powerful impact on our understanding.
Reflect
At last, we should reflect our learning. To know how and why we learned different
things. It include various topics and things which help us in enhancing our knowledge and lastly
we should try to learn from the mistakes we did in the past.
1.3 Evaluation of benefits of the self-managed learning.
As an assistant manager, there are a lot of benefits of self-managed learning at
Travelodge Hotel-
Better communication skills
With the leaning through different means like seminars, conferencing, meeting with
people etc. helps me to increase my confidence towards talking to different people. It also
increases my fluency in speaking language properly.
Interpersonal relationships
Meeting and communicating with others help me to make good relations with the other
individual. It helps me in long run when I communicate with others. It also increases my friend
circle which makes me socially active.
Time management
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Self managed learning assist me to manage my time efficiently. It makes me learn to do
right things at the right time. Time being as valuable as money is being able to learn by me and I
use this every time in my daily life.
Enhancement in knowledge
Self-managed learning helps me to gather vast knowledge about different topics from
various means like social media, search engines, friends etc. This makes me efficient to apply my
knowledge whenever it is required.
Self-managed learning gives a lot of benefits to Travelodge Hotel-
Increase in productivity
The enhancement in the learning of employees makes them more productive for the
organization (Goble and Horm, 2010). This will help the employees to identify better methods to
serve people effectively. The way of serving things can be modified in better way which
increases the satisfaction level of customers. For example, staff of the hotel coming with
innovative ideas can help in increasing the number of persons visiting the hotel.
Competitive advantage
Employees being efficient in knowledge make them competitive in the market. It make
them active in dealing in the market. For example, staff of the hotel can identify ways which are
attractive to the customers in different hotels. This can help them to do different things in the
several ways which are being attractive to the customers.
Profitability
Learning about different things to serve customers will make them a profitable
organization (Nicholls, 2014). The employees of the company should know the ethical and new
ways of serving people which can make the consumer happy so that they can often visit the
hotel. For example, staff should be efficient to connect with the customers so that they may feel
familiar with the hotel. It will make them come again and again in the hotel.
TASK 2
2.1 Evaluation of skills and competencies.
Professional standards of manager in Travelodge Hotel include the skills like having a
good communication level, confident and a motivated employee towards the work, helps in
enhancing the customer satisfaction etc. These all are required to reach the standards of the hotel.
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Every organization has its set goals and standards to achieve. The basic goals of Travelodge
hotel are:
 To satisfy the customers well
 To remain competitive in the market
 To increase the market share of the hotel
 Managing the operations of the hotel in an efficient way
Evaluation of own skills and competencies-
Communication
In context to communication it includes the listening, speaking and the writing skills
(Donnelly, 2010). To meet the standards the person should be competent enough to communicate
with the customers as well as the staff of the organization. I am having a good communication
skills which are meeting the requirements of the hotel. I can communicate in an efficient manner
to the staff and the customers.
Problem solving
In this the person need to have a good vision which helps him to know the ways in which
the problem could be solved. I am having low problem solving skills as compared to the
standards of the organization.
Teamwork
An individual should able to connect with every member of the staff properly. Willing to
share and receiving the information with the staff members and the customers should be his key
motive. This skill is lacking in me. I am not able to coordinate with others properly and not
efficient to meet the standards.
2.2 Identifying the development needs and the activities to meet them.
The development needs which I need to develop as a manager in Travelodge hotel-
 The first development need which I need to develop is problem solving. I am not able to
visualize the situation properly. This skill is not efficient in me to meet the standards of
the organization.
 The second need is the teamwork skill. I am not a social person. I am not able to
coordinate with the people around. I need to develop my teamwork skill to meet the
standards of the organization.
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Activities required to meet development needs-
 To develop the problem solving skill the person should first understand the problem
properly, than he should make a plan which can help him to overcome the problem
(McNiff, 2010.). Further, he should carry out the set plan and lastly to evaluate it that
where is the problem coming and try to overcome it. This helps in best way top get rid
with it.
 To develop the teamwork skill the person should start connecting with others. He should
become familiar with the people he is working with and try to understand each other
effectively(Moon, 2013). This will help to create team spirit in oneself and can help in
developing in the skill and meet the standards of the organization.
2.3 Identifying the development opportunities to develop current and future needs.
The following development opportunities which are required to meet my current and future
needs :-
Workshops
To overcome my development needs there are many workshops organized by the
organization. This gives me the practical knowledge about teamwork skills which is an
opportunity for me to come up to the standard of the organization.
Training sessions
Many institutes provide training sessions on increasing the problem solving skills which
is a great opportunity for me to overcome my development need. They give training on different
articles and topics which helps in understanding the things easily.
Seminars
The organization come up with a lot of seminars of management which makes me
understand the values and usage of management skills properly. This is a great opportunity for
me as to develop team working skills.
2.4 Devising the personal and professional plan for the identified needs.
The personal and professional plan required to develop the the identified needs-
Skills needed to be developed Activities required Time frame
To build up problem solving It involves attending various This process will require 2
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skills seminars and the training
sessions.
months to be completed.
To develop the teamwork
skills
Attending workshops which
are engaged in team building
practices.
At least 3 months are needed
to learn the practices.
TASK 3
3.1 Discussion involved in implementing the personal and professional needs.
The following process is involved in implementing the personal and professional skills-
Linking it with the business objectives
I will implement the plan by managing the connection between the individual needs and
the organizational goal and objectives. Proper balance with the organization should be
maintained as the needs to be developed are to be used in the organization (Ruddy, Thomas-
Hemak, and Meade, 2016.).
Obtaining seminar and training
I would search for better training programs and different seminars which can help me out
to develop my needs. Training would help me to develop the problem solving as it helps in
working with practical examples. Seminars are very useful as the people uses the examples of
the great people which help me in learning the teamwork advantages efficiently (Mendes and
et.al., 2016).
Short term and long term goals
Some of the skills require more time to learn as compared to others which can be learnt in
lesser time. As problem solving skills are difficult, it require a long period to achieve the goal as
per the standard. The teamwork goal can be understood and learned with little guidance so this
can be achieved in short term (Eaton, 2016.).
Time management
I should manage the time properly and efficiently. With the development of my personal
skills I should also focus on the organizational needs as I have to work in the organization in the
long run. Time management is a key part of implementation as it will help me to do the things
properly and at proper time (Doherty and Jarvis, 2016.).
Communication
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The most important is to implement what skills are being learned. I should make sure that
the skills learned are used in the organization. As the best learning if to learn by the practical
work and learn from the mistakes.
3.2 Undertaking the implementation and documenting for the plans.
For implementing the planned skills I have joined several training programs and seminars
which can help me to develop my needs. In training programs there were several processes
which helped me to develop my skills. I regularly documented the plan by jotting down all the
points which could help me out in future. I attended several seminars which were very useful to
make my views clear about the advantages of the teamwork. They helped to coordinate and
communicate with others in personal life as well as in professional. I also attended workshops
on management skills which helped me to gain the practical knowledge about dealing with the
skills like problem solving skills were taught by making me work under various projects. I
learned a lot from my mistakes in the workshops. This helped me to get away with my skills. The
various key points for managing the skills were taught which helped me to develop the personal
and professional skills. Their they not only made me learn the skills at personal level but also to
implement at the professional level.
3.3 Reflecting own learning with the set objectives and goals.
My own learning against original aims and objectives set in the development plan was
critically done by attending various seminars, training and several workshops. For problem
solving skills I attended training programs. However, I was not able to learn at a greater extent.
At the initial level I am able to solve the problems in the organization but when it comes the
problem of higher level I am not able to solve them. Solutions to the problem was also not
specific at many times which make me failure at times. Hence, training was not sufficient for
getting my skills developed properly. I should also attend various other programs and strategies
to improve my skills as a whole.
The next objective of plan was to develop teamwork skill. For this I joined workshops as
well as I have attended many seminars for developing my skills. However, I was not succeeded
fully to develop my teamwork skill. I was comfortable with my colleagues but whwn it came to
the employees of different department I was not able to coordinate with them properly. At times
I was not able to manage with the customers and failed to serve them well. Hence, the workshops
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and the seminars were not enough to cope up with my skills properly. I need to attend several
other programs which can help me in developing my skills efficiently.
3.4 Updating the development plan.
To develop my skills at higher extent I need to update my plan again as I was not able to
succeed in the determined goals and objectives.
The following is the updated personal and professional development plan:
Skills needed to be developed Activities required Time frame
To build up problem solving
skills
Different strategic games
should be used.
It may require 1 month for
learning.
To develop the teamwork
skills
Attending coaching classes to
improve my skills.
I will require at least 2 months
to work on teamwork skills
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TASK 4
4.1
RECOMMENDED STRATEGY FOR EMPLOYEE RETENTION
 Delegating responsibility: Recommended strategy for reducing work load is dividing work
equally between employees according to their skill in Paramount Travel Hotel. By delegating
responsibility to each employee, worker can perform work effectively and without a stress of
work load by this strategy individual not face a problem of work load.
 Encouraging team spirit: By offering a flex-time to employees in their work schedule is one a
way providing a team autonomy and trust, which helps to improve productivity and job
satisfaction. Employees can freely communicate with manager on any issues regarding their work
problem it encourage employee team spirit. By motivating employees: Recommended strategy for motivating an employee by appreciating
them or by giving them a reward on their best performance. Two types of incentives monetary
and non-monetary which can motivate employees for motivating the employees to perform best
for Paramount Travel Hotel.
RECOMMENDED STRATEGY FOR IMPROVING CUSTOMER CARE
 Effective communication: At Paramount Travel Hotel employees are required to give training facility so
that, they can properly communicate with customer. It is important to hire skilled employees who know the
multiple languages. It helps employee to understand customer language and can properly communicate with
different culture customer.
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