Report: Personal and Professional Development at Travelodge Hotel

This report analyzes personal and professional development strategies, particularly within the context of the Travelodge Hotel. It begins by defining self-managed learning and exploring various approaches, including seminars, social networking, and different learning styles based on Kolb's theor...Read More

PERSONAL AND PROFESSIONAL
DEVELOPMENT

Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................3
TASK 1............................................................................................................................................3
1.1 Key approaches to self-managed learning........................................................................3
1.2 Propose different ways that help in lifelong learning in professional and personal context
................................................................................................................................................4
1.3 Benefits of self managed learning....................................................................................5
TASK 2............................................................................................................................................6
2.1 Competencies against organizational objectives and professional standards...................6
2.2 Determine own development needs and activities...........................................................7
2.3 Identify development opportunities to meet future and current needs.............................8
2.4 Prepare personal and professional development plan......................................................8
TASK 3..........................................................................................................................................11
3.1 Activities required to implement development plan......................................................11
3.2 Undertake document required in development activities...............................................13
3.3 Reflect own learning against aims and objectives..........................................................14
3.4 Update development plan...............................................................................................15
TASK 4..........................................................................................................................................15
Covered in poster..................................................................................................................15
CONCLUSION..............................................................................................................................15
REFERENCES..............................................................................................................................17
APPENDIX....................................................................................................................................19
QUESTIONNAIRE..............................................................................................................19

INTRODUCTION
Personal and Professional Development is a crucial element for an individual as well as
for business enterprise. These two components assist in developing effective skill and knowledge
that lead to achieve business goals and objectives in a systematic manner (Beach, 2012). It's
main purpose is to help a person in governing own growth and development throughout their
career. To ensure constant development, it is essential to update existing knowledge and skills
with passage of time and trend. The given report is based on Travelodge Hotel which is a UK-
based private company deals in hospitality and hotel sector. It covers different key approaches to
self managed learning, various learning styles and its advantage to individual and company and
identification of development needs and opportunities. Along with this, activities needed for
executing development plan, communicating learning styles and implication of effective
strategies are also discussed that provides right direction and guidance to person's professional
and personal career.
TASK 1
1.1 Key approaches to self-managed learning
Self-managed learning is a broad concept that deals in development and learning of an
individual. For gaining higher knowledge and experience in several ways, this method is
considered as the most effective method. In simple words, it can de define as way in which
person administer its own learning. This imply that company is having self-managed learning
programs that is in-built in their structure and that ensure employees are developing in a
particular direction. Such programmes are developed as per the different needs of individual.
Following are the approaches of self-managed learning which are mainly taken into account by
Travelodge are discussed below:-
Seminar and Conference: Any Person can learn or enhance its knowledge through seminars or
lectures. This approach is mainly used by large companies for effectively developing or
enhancing the existing skills or knowledge of its staff. It gives a platform where people needs to
demonstrate its own skills or knowledge in front of professionals and gain learning of other area
from different persons (Brody and Hadar, 2011). Along with this, it also boost confidence level
of an individual which help in their future growth and development.
3

Social Networking: An individual can likewise gain learning from different social networking
sites like Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn etc. Today, 75% of total population generally invest their
large proportion of time on surfing these websites.LinkedIn empowers the person to learn
creative, business and technological skills that help them in achieving both personal &
professional goal in an effective manner (Calderhead, Denicolo and Day, 2012).
Different Learning Styles:
Kolb's Theory: The Theory was proposed by David Kolb in 1984. He stated that learning can be
gained or acquire from past experience relying on the individual how they really sees it. Kolb's
recognizes four distinctive style of learning that exist in working environment and that help
personnel in gaining satisfactory knowledge. Discussed below are the description of four
learning style discovered by Kolb:-
1. Diverging: In this learning stage, individuals normally learn by viewing their other co-
workers. Such sort of individuals are imaginative and solve issues or problems via idea
generation process.
2. Assimilating: Under this learning style, individual acquire learning through reasoning
and watching approach. In general, these kind of people first investigate the situation and after
that think intelligently and logically amid the learning procedure.
3. Converging: In this style of learning, people use their knowledge while solving
problems. They more attracted to technical problems or tasks than inter-personal or social issues.
Person with this style of learning prefer to experiment with new ideas or thoughts.
4. Accommodating: An individual with this sort of learning style has confidence in their
instinct as opposed to think and respond practically to given situation.
From the above discussed various approaches and styles of learning, Travelodge must
adopt social networking approach and Kolb's model of learning style. Since the company deals in
hospitality sector, it is chiefly important for them to update themselves with current likes and
dislikes of target customer.
1.2 Propose different ways that help in lifelong learning in professional and personal context
An individual is for the most part concerned about gaining knowledge and learning as it
is important for lifelong goals. Lifelong Learning refers to the way in which a person can
enhance his/her skills that results in improving their profitability which last with them
everlastingly. It mainly include two key way of learning namely formal and informal way
4

through which an individual can grow and develop both personally and professionally. It is
constant procedure which empowers a person to learn and grow at whatever point they find an
opportunity. It is totally depend upon learner that the learning they comprehend is advantageous
for them or not. It is a fundamental component that help in personal and professional
development of a person. Some key areas are discussed below:-
 By reading newspapers, books and journals etc. life long learning in personal &
professional career and growth can be encouraged. It provide right direction to exploit
the opportunity in best possible manner.
 For determining strength, weakness, threats and all possible opportunities, SWOT
examination is useful to a person as well as for firm.
 By engaging in many social and cultural activities, adequate learning can be acquired that
help individual in their personal and professional career.
One of the major benefit related with concept of lifelong learning is that it hep an individual
to make his future much better then past and present. For an example if an individual lacks in
communication skills then with help of lifelong learning an individual can improve the same and
can take part in presentation and various other programmes.
1.3 Benefits of self managed learning
Self-managed learning is important for both individual and firm to acquire more success
and benefits. This learning is helpful in regulating information from various resources so to
achieve defined goals and objectives in an effective manner. It is beneficial for both Travelodge
and its employees. Discussed below are some of its key benefits:-
 Personal benefits: Self-managed learning is essential in the life of each person for
getting simple and consistent life. It helps with expanding the level of competitiveness
attain from different groups of people (Glogowska and et. al., 2011). It govern additional
support to a person so that they can cope up with challenging situations in an effective
manner. Self-learning helps with making great abilities and state of mind that can help a
person to increase high position. This may help in decreasing the proportion of conflict or
issue arises in professional and personal development of a person.
 Organisational benefits: For attaining higher growth and success, self-managed learning
plays key role in organization in term of hiring skilled and knowledgeable employees in
Travelodge. Effective recruitment and selection process is led by given firm with the goal
5

that the best hopeful will be enlisted who has certain abilities and information that meets
the criteria defined by company only. Key roles and responsibilities must be given to
employee on the basis of their skills and knowledge (Hadar and Brody, 2013). Along
with this, Travelodge also conduct various training and development session with an aim
to improve existing knowledge and competency of its workers.
Conclusion
From the above given information, it can be summarised that various approaches of self-
learning are there that can be utilise by an individual. Concept of self-managed learning offer
various benefits to both individual and organisation. Further, various ways are there that an
individual to professional and lifelong learning.
TASK 2
2.1 Competencies against organizational objectives and professional standards
State of mind of an individual depends on religion and culture. Each individual have their
own skills and capacities to attempt particular obligation and task develop at working
environment of Travelodge. Some of my core skills are listed below:-
1. Learning ability: I have great learning aptitudes that helps me in embracing tools and
technologies and make best utilization of them. I underline on adapting new things that
helps with managing benefits for both long and short term.
2. Listening ability: It is my significant quality that I have great listening aptitudes. It helps
me in doing work successfully according to the direction given by my pioneers. Through
this ability, I will have the capacity to accomplish objectives and targets (Moon, 2013).
3. Communication Skill: In my both personal and professional career, communication
plays great role as it help me in conveying any message or information in a clear manner.
This expertise is my significant quality by which I will viably speak with others
Curriculum vitae ( C.V.)
 Name:
 Address:
 Contact Number:
 Email ID:
6

 Carrier objective:- Seeking for a platform where I can use my potential and skills to
achieve organizational objectives in an effective manner.
 Academic Qualification:
Bachelors of Commerce
Masters in Business Administration
 Experience:
Minimum 2 years of experience is required in Marketing Department as Marketing Head.
 Personal Skills:
Strong inter-personal skills
Effective communication skills
Positive attitude and high commitment towards work Declaration:
I hear by declare that all above informations is true in regard of my knowledge and experience.
2.2 Determine own development needs and activities
Keeping in mind the end goal to accomplish high growth and development, personal
learning of an individual is must. It includes assessing person's own particular strength,
weakness, threats and opportunities (Pallisera and et. al., 2013). It oversees appropriate
explanation about individual's development needs.
SWOT Analysis: -
Strength:  It characterizes as an ability of a person, that helps them in
accomplishing objectives and targets to reach at higher position.
 The manner in which an individual talk in a company impact its
working condition.
Weakness:  Lack of communication skills
 My technical skills are not so good.
 Further, I require to develop leadership skill.
 My writing skills are not up to the standard.
Opportunities:  I generally take an interest in social and corporate workshops. It
7

causes me in getting new information and face challenges
adequately.
 I generally stress on learning new things and innovation that is
useful in improving my aptitudes and capacity to perform well.
Threats:  My biggest threat is my hesitation that limits me to convey or share
my thoughts with others.
2.3 Identify development opportunities to meet future and current needs
It is vital for each person to determine the opportunities available for high growth and
success with a specific end goal to meet present and future needs adequately. These are:
Current needs: There are some specialization criteria on which I have strong command
It is important to distinguish current needs. Based on present needs, future needs are recognized
by considering standards and facts associated with current needs (Trede, Macklin and Bridges,
2012). In existing situation, it is hard to identify actual requirement and I do numerous efforts
keeping in mind the end goal to distinguish my necessities. Identification of actual needs gives
guidance to achieve objectives and targets of present and additionally future. Additional
aptitudes and information helps in creating imaginative thoughts. Individual and expert
improvement, compelling business arranging and participative administration helps with
managing right bearing keeping in mind the end goal to create aptitudes of an individual.
Future needs: There are some specific goals and objectives that has been set by an individual
for their future. So as to achieve these objectives, adequate efforts are made. Future needs are
assessed as circumstances that are produced in past planning to accomplish targets and goals in
systematic manner. It is important to determine future needs as it empower person's abilities and
knowledge in regard of attaining future goals.
2.4 Prepare personal and professional development plan
Personal and professional development plan is required by every single person.
Necessities and requirement of each individual contrasts according to their interest. Keeping in
mind the end goal to get high development and growth, people needs to do various efforts (Von
Haenisch, 2011). It is important to investigate ranges of abilities and knowledge so as to exploit
all possible opportunities in a better and planned manner.
8

Short term Medium term Long term
Communication skills
Writing skills
Leadership skills Technological skills
Short term goals
What How When (Start
date)
When (End date) Review
Communication
skills
Undoubtedly, I
take active
participation in
numerous
seminars and
workshop that
helps in
developing my
existing skills &
knowledge.
05 August 2018 05 August 2019 Review of peers
Writing skills In order to
improve my
writing skills I
will start to read
various journals
and articles and
after that I will
write some
useful material
on a relevant
topic in order to
improve my
writing skill.
01 October 2018 01 October 2019 Review of team
members and
peers
9

Medium term goals
What How When (Start
date)
When (End date) Review
Leadership skills By take part in
different type of
team activities
and by lead the
team.
01 July 2018 01 July 2020 Review of peers
Long term goals
What How When (Start
date)
When (End date) Review
Technological
skills
My core strength
is my range of
abilities and
learning about
new technologies
and innovation.
Basically I tries
to get data
concerned with
tools and
techniques for
viable and
proficient
utilization of
resources.
05 September
2018
05 September
2023
Review of team
members and
technical experts
10

TASK 3
3.1 Activities required to implement development plan
Development Plan is important for each person keeping in mind the end goal to build up
their own personal and professional development plan. Some vital prospect that are fundamental
for implementing development plan are discussed below:-
 Time frame: It is essential and imperative aspect for each activity. A legitimate time plan
regulate right heading to detail an arrangement in which particular day and time is
characterized for the consummation of work.
 Identification of skills and knowledge: In Travelodge, it is important to assess capacities
and abilities of its workers. This procedure helps the firm to assign specific task to
correct person who have suitable learning about how to perform it (Cleary and et. al.,
2011).
 Learning Strategies: Effective training and development sessions are led by Travelodge
for its representatives keeping in mind the end goal to build up their skills and
knowledge.
 Identify resources: Resources are essential element of each task. It is important to
remember it before playing out any task. HR are fundamental piece of an association.
 Getting criticisms or feedback: It is extensively used process for gathering data about
workers. Travelodge takes suggestion and review from clients in the wake of providing
services.
Key performance indicators (KPI): This is a type of performance measurement and this help
enterprise to examine the success of an enterprise of a specific activity. Further, it can be
11

summarised that KPI is a measurable value that demonstrate how effectively a company is
attaining its business objectives. This is use by business entities to examine their success at reach
goals. This can be utilising by an individual to attain his set objective against personal
development. Cycle of key performance indicators can be understood by the following given
points:
 SMART objective: To improve my communication skills in coming 1 year.
To improve my technical skills in 2 years.
To improve my leadership skills in 5 years.
 Key performance indicator: In case of communication skills the KPI will be the how I
communicate with my peers and how I present my views when I take part in meeting.
In case of technical skills, KPI will be my knowledge about different technologies use
at workplace. In context of leadership skill KPI will be how able I am to my a team or
their work.
 Time line
Communication skill 1 year
Technical skills 2 year
Leadership skill 5 year
 Review:
Communication skill Review of my superiors
Technical skills Review of team members of technical team
members
Leadership skill Review of my peers
 Intervention:
Communication skill For improve my communication skills I
will take part in debates, presentation and
seminars.
Technical skills To improve my technical skills I will try to
perform my job role with help of new
technology.
Leadership skill In order to improve my leadership skills I
will take part in various team activities.
12

3.2 Undertake document required in development activities
 Employees Training: It is one of the fundamental component of an association in which
the representatives are being prepared for polishing and shaping their aptitudes and
abilities with the goal that undertakings and targets can be accomplished in solid way.
Skilled employees are being recruited who can take active participation in decision
making process (Calderhead, Denicolo and Day, 2012).
 Consultation: The fundamental duties of specialists and administrators are to plan fitting
measures and steps with the goal that at whatever point there is circumstance of rising
issues and clashes, it can be resolved.
Period of work Activities What is learnt till
now
What to do next When to do
Week 1 I start read
various books
and important
articles that help
enhance my
knowledge and
are useful for me.
I learn about
various concepts
and theories that
are necessary
related with
working in
enterprise.
I require to take
part in team
activities in order
to learn more.
Same week
Week 2 In second week, I
started use
different online
sources in order
to explore new
things and to
perform
effectively.
I learn about so
many new
theories and
models of
leadership.
I require to take
part in
communication
process with
other
departments in
order to maintain
flow of business
activities.
Same week
Week 3 In third week, I
carry out
research in order
I identify the
elements that
bring change at
I require to keep
a continuous
check upon the
Same week
13

to collect
information
about the trends
exist in market in
order to do
modifications as
per that.
workplace. elements exist at
workplace and
external
environment in
order to do
changes
accordingly.
Week 4 Collection of
feedback and
evaluation
Identify the gaps
between actual
and standard
results.
Continuous
review
Same week.
Week 5 Take corrective
actions.
Evaluation is
very necessary
for business
success and
growth.
Learn about
different
methods and
tools that help in
increase
effectiveness
Same week.
3.3 Reflect own learning against aims and objectives
Each individual have its own particular targets and goals that should be achieve in certain
day and age. Travelodge employed me based on my capacities and abilities. My principle
objective as a specialist of inn industry is to regulate powerful and best support of the clients in
given day and age. My fundamental point is to make great association with customers and
partners so individual and hierarchical objectives are accomplished.
 Meeting preparation: I learn new procedures keeping in mind the end goal to represent
my ideas and thoughts before administration in the gathering. I pick up learning about
new apparatuses and procedures from my work (Cleary and et. al., 2011).
 Motivation & anticipation: My past execution urge me to perform assignment in fitting
way to accomplish focused on goals
3.4 Update development plan
Companies are underlined on defining properly systematic plan which depends on
feedbacks or suggestion collected from clients. Keeping in mind the end goal to assess
14

proficiency of plan, firm gather data and information from its clients by the method for input.
This procedure is useful in distinguishing non profitable and significant attributes of
representatives (Glogowska and et. al., 2011). As indicated by the new and changed
arrangement, I feel that my insight increments persistently step by step and my abilities are
additionally improved. My apprehension and delay is diminished and it turns out to be simple for
me to impart my contemplations and perspectives to any one. By the assistance of reflection and
yoga, my anger is controlled.
Learning Needs Priority Activities to
be Undertaken
Resources
Required
Target
deadline
Proof of
Achievement
Time
management
skills
Create Taking active
involvement in
various
programs or
workshops
Time 15/07/18 Completion
document
Communication
Skill
High Take initiative
in discussion,
presentation
etc.
Actual
organization
05 August
2019
Outcome of
undertaken
project
Writing skill Create By write
information on
relevant topics
and with help
of various
sources.
Various
sources such
as internet and
many more.
01 October
2019
Feedback of
my seniors.
15

Listening skill High By keep
attentive and
by learn about
new languages
and concepts.
Various
activities and
programmes
help on a
relevant topic.
01 July 2020 Review of
peers
TASK 4
Covered in poster
CONCLUSION
From the above report, it can be concluded that that there are two main aspects which are
exceptionally fundamental for an association and that are close to home and expert advancement.
This is fundamentally identified with a representative and to an association too. There are
different devices and strategies which can be connected keeping in mind the end goal to extricate
the best for upliftment of an individual and association too. In this report, SWOT investigation is
being done from the setting of a person to decide the present position. Aside from that PDP can
be connected in the earth of an association with the goal that points and destinations can be
accomplished in an effective manner.
16

REFERENCES
Books and Journals
Beach, R., 2012. Can online learning communities foster professional development?. Language
Arts. 89(4). p.256.
Brody, D. and Hadar, L., 2011. “I speak prose and I now know it.” Personal development
trajectories among teacher educators in a professional development community.
Teaching and Teacher Education. 27(8). pp.1223-1234.
Calderhead, J., Denicolo, P. and Day, C., 2012. Research on Teacher Thinking (RLE Edu N):
Understanding Professional Development. Routledge.
Cleary, M., et. al., 2011. The views of mental health nurses on continuing professional
development. Journal of clinical nursing. 20(23‐24). pp.3561-3566.
Desimone, L.M., 2011. A primer on effective professional development. Phi delta kappan. 92(6).
pp.68-71.
Ebert-May, D. and et. al., 2011. What we say is not what we do: effective evaluation of faculty
professional development programs. BioScience. 61(7). pp.550-558.
Floyd, A., 2012. ‘Turning Points’ The Personal and Professional Circumstances That Lead
Academics to Become Middle Managers. Educational Management Administration &
Leadership. 40(2). pp.272-284.
Gallagher, T. and et. al., 2011. Establishing and sustaining teacher educator professional
development in a self-study community of practice: Pre-tenure teacher educators
developing professionally. Teaching and Teacher Education. 27(5). pp.880-890.
Glogowska, M. and et. al., 2011. How ‘blended’is blended learning?: Students' perceptions of
issues around the integration of online and face-to-face learning in a continuing
professional development (CPD) health care context. Nurse education today. 31(8).
pp.887-891.
Hadar, L.L. and Brody, D.L., 2013. The interaction between group processes and personal
professional trajectories in a professional development community for teacher
educators. Journal of Teacher Education. 64(2). pp.145-161.
López‐Pastor, V.M., Monjas, R. and Manrique, J.C., 2011. Fifteen years of action research as
professional development: Seeking more collaborative, useful and democratic systems
for teachers. Educational Action Research. 19(2). pp.153-170.
Moon, J.A., 2013. Reflection in learning and professional development: Theory and practice.
Routledge.
Pallisera, M. and et. al., 2013. Personal and professional development (or use of self) in social
educator training. An experience based on reflective learning. Social Work Education.
32(5). pp.576-589.
Trede, F., Macklin, R. and Bridges, D., 2012. Professional identity development: a review of the
higher education literature. Studies in Higher Education. 37(3). pp.365-384.
17

Von Haenisch, C., 2011. How did compulsory personal therapy during counselling training
influence personal and professional development?. Counselling and Psychotherapy
Research. 11(2). pp.148-155.
Online
Essential time management skills. 2017. [Online]. Available through:
<http://www.coachingpositiveperformance.com/17-essential-time-management-skills/>.
[Accessed on 26 July 2017].
18

APPENDIX
QUESTIONNAIRE
1. I resolve issue in systematic order.
2. I think about outcome of act.
3. I do not think of futuristic results.
4. As per my view strict policies restrict working style.
5. As per people I am straight forward.
6. I give preference to emotional aspect also.
7. I favour to work in systematic manner.
8. I ask in public about their perception.
9. What affects most while working in practical.
10. I love to seek new opportunities.
11. I love to work under dynamic environment.
12. I take care of my diet plan, routine work, etc.
13. I work to initiate hard job roles.
14. I am practical person.
15. I give views after interpretation of data.
16. I perform proper analysis of alternatives before giving final decision.
17. I give emphasise on practical knowledge.
18. I believe in preplanning.
19. I do not accept alterations frequently.
20. My operations are supported by rule.
21. In meeting I do not talk illogical.
22. I believe to make legal relations at work place.
23. I am capable of dealing with modifications.
24. I am fun loving person.
25. I analyse every aspect before giving conclusion.
26. I get problem in making new strategies.
27. I am straight forward person.
28. I take time before giving conclusion.
19

29. I believe in information which is authentic and relevant.
30. Immature people affects my working style.
31. I heard other people also.
32. I act at open book about my feelings.
33. I take care of team member's reaction while discussion.
34. I plan things according to situation.
35. I rely to work with practical management approaches.
36. I got worried if work has deadline of nearby date.
37. I predict people on their practical knowledge.
38. I don't like to work with quiet people.
39. People perform work improperly affects me in adverse way.
40. I do not give importance to present and past.
41. I do not take decisions on presumptions.
42. I want to become all-rounder.
43. In seminars I am pro- active to give ideas and thoughts.
44. I give more practical examples as compared in conferences.
45. Rules are made to broken.
46. I generally avoid to take part in controversial situations.
47. I can analyse flaws in individual's thoughts and ideas.
48. I am a good speaker.
49. I am a practical person.
50. I believe in making to the point reports.
51. From my point of view logics and reasons are more reliable.
52. I believe to directly communicate to concern person.
53. Practical concept is more reliable as compared tom theoretical.
54. I become arrogant due to irrelevant discussion.
55. I feel draft are most reliable instrument before presenting end most data.
56. I favour hit and trial approach to get best option.
57. I favour logics in my working style.
58. I talk a lot.
59. I have some logic behind every idea.
20

60. I properly evaluate alternatives before giving final decision.
61. According to public I am passionate.
62. High profile does not attract me.
63. I have visionary for long term.
64. I am not afraid of being fail.
65. I avoid impractical and illogical approach to give some decision.
66. I believe to prepare strategies before implementation.
67. I give proper time to listen before sharing ideas.
68. I do not favour people who talks about illogical facts.
69. Justification is the best way to believe in write and wrong.
70. I perform business operations by shuffling business operations.
71. In believe in completing task at any cost.
72. I prefer to party frequently.
73. I complete my job by hook or crook.
74. Methodologies, theories, etc. in work makes in bored.
75. I believe in analysing practical approaches to organise event.
76. I am eager to know perception of various people.
77. Before organising event I want proper agenda related to it.
78. I work within concept of topic.
79. Critical situation evokes best of me.
80. As per thoughts of other people I have familiar nature.
9
6
15
8
11
10
16
35
32
31
22
37
34
33
53
45
41
47
53
45
46
65
71
62
68
69
2
7
21

12
19
17
25
14
21
23
28
18
27
24
29
20
Activist
26
44
38
36
30
49
40
39
42
50
43
41
47
Reflector
51
54
48
52
57
56
58
55
61
59
64
60
63
Theorist
1
5
4
13
3
72
66
75
70
74
67
77
73
Pragmatist
22