Unit 23: Personal and Professional Development at Travel Lodge

This report, focusing on personal and professional development, explores self-managed learning approaches, emphasizing lifelong learning within a business context, specifically Travel Lodge Hotel. It evaluates current skills and competencies against professional standards, identifies development needs (management, leadership, presentation, and problem-solving), and outlines a personal and professional development plan. The report details implementation processes, including documenting development activities, reflecting on learning outcomes, and updating the plan based on feedback. The analysis includes an evaluation of self-managed learning benefits for both managers and the hotel, addressing communication styles and strategies to reduce employee turnover and improve customer care, ultimately aiming to enhance skills and career growth.

UNIT 23- PERSONAL AND
PROFESSIONAL
DEVELOPMENT
1

Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................3
TASK 1............................................................................................................................................4
Evaluation of different approaches to self-managed learning................................................4
Encouraging lifelong learning in personal and professional context.....................................4
Evaluation of benefits of self-managed learning to manager and Travel Lodge...................5
TASK 2............................................................................................................................................6
Evaluating current skills and competencies against professional standards and organisational
objectives................................................................................................................................6
Identifying own development needs and activities for meeting them....................................8
Identifying development opportunities for meeting current and future defined needs..........9
Devising a personal and professional development plan.......................................................9
TASK 3..........................................................................................................................................11
Process and activities required for implementing the development plan.............................11
Undertaking and documenting development activities........................................................12
Critical reflection on own learning against original aims set in development plan.............13
Updating the development plan according to feedback and evaluation...............................14
TASK 4............................................................................................................................................1
CONCLUSION................................................................................................................................1
REFERENCES................................................................................................................................2
2

INTRODUCTION
Improving and developing various skills and knowledge helps in both personal and
professional life. Self-learning enables and ensures that individual improves its skills which
helps him to properly manage, organise and practice different activities and operations. Lifelong
learning means continuous learning which helps in improving and developing personal and
professional skills. Travel Lodge Hotel is an ideal option for visitors who are seeking for
accommodation facilities in sophisticated town and it is situated in London, Ilford. This report
includes various approaches to self-managed learning and ways to encourage lifelong learning.
Identification of development needs and development of personal and professional development
plan is made. Discussion of processes and activities required for implementing development plan
is made and development is updated on the basis of feedback and evaluation. Reflective report is
prepared on time-management strategies which reduces employee turnover and improves
customer care. Variety of communication styles are discussed which can solve work-based
problems.
3

TASK 1
4

Evaluation of different approaches to self-managed learning
Self-managed learning refers to a technique that ensures that individuals think and learn
regarding their own personal development and also focus on improving effectiveness in
business activities. This techniques used by individuals help them to learn new and different
things from their workplace, friends, society or surroundings. Individuals needs to first set goals
then identify purpose for learning and find ways for achieving those goals. Self-managed
learning ensures providing opportunities to individuals for developing own strategy within
learning process. Following are given different approaches of self-managed learning which
helps individuals to cope up with developing environment:
Seminars and Conferences: Individual can improve their knowledge and skills through
seminars and conferences as in this people share their experience from which one can gain
knowledge. The seminars and conference also helps in building confidence level and
presentation skills through public speaking and works best for staff of Travel Lodge Hotel.
Internet: The use of internet is growing day by day and it helps in developing self learning.
Internet allows to browse anything one wants to know and gain their knowledge. Different
articles or subjects can be accessed through internet which helps in developing own skills and
knowledge.
Social networks: This method also helps individuals to gain knowledge and improvise skills.
Social networking sites like Twitter, Facebook or Instagram allows individuals to get different
information about various subjects and fields and leads to developing knowledge in Travel
Lodge Hotel.
Bulletin boards: This is a surface where people post some messages, notes or information and
one can develop their skills and knowledge. This method can be used by Travel Lodge Hotel to
share new things on bulletin boards so that other can gain knowledge.
Learning through research: One can develop their skills and knowledge through researches
done by others. Individuals adopting to self-managed learning can develop skills through
reading research work of others.
Encouraging lifelong learning in personal and professional context
Individuals adopting to self-managed learning and lifelong learning develops their skills
and knowledge which helps them in both personal and professional career. Lifelong learning
5

can be gained according to different levels and time as it is flexible in nature. Following are
given some ways by which lifelong learning can be encourages in Travel Lodge Hotel.
Align with career growth and promotion: Lifelong learning can be encouraged by linking
and aligning it with career growth and promotion of individuals. This will lead individuals to
focus on developing their skills, knowledge and also to adopt lifelong learning in order to gain
rewards, promotion and career growth.
Professional development programs: Travel Lodge Hotel can arrange training and
development sessions for its employees and staff so that they learn through these sessions and
gain knowledge. The development programs needs to be arranged regularly so that individuals
gets motivated for continuous and lifelong learning.
Linking higher education with industry: Individuals needs to be provided with the
opportunity of completing their higher education within industry as this will lead to motivate
and encourage employees for lifelong learning and also for self-managed learning.
Recognition of prior learning: This is an assessment process through which individual's
relevant prior learning is assessed. This is done in order to identify skills and knowledge of
individuals against qualifications by identifying and assessing knowledge obtained from non-
formal, formal and informal learning. This method can be used by Travel Lodge Hotel to
encourage lifelong learning.
Apprenticeship: This is referred to as on-the-job training provided to employees and staff for
improving their talent and skills. Travel Lodge Hotel can use this method for encouraging
lifelong learning in employees and staff for developing their skills and knowledge.
Evaluation of benefits of self-managed learning to manager and Travel Lodge
Self-managed learning leads to improve skills and knowledge which brings benefits in
both personal and professional career of an individual. Travel Lodge Hotel aims at encouraging
employees for adopting to self-managed and lifelong learning so that it can brings effective
benefits to individuals, which are explained as follows:
 Improved skills and knowledge: Self-managed learning enables and ensures that it
leads to bring improvements in performance of employees by developing their skills and
knowledge. Various interpersonal skills like presentation skills, communication skills
and management skills can be developed by self-learning.
 Promotion and Growth: Travel Lodge Hotel interlinks and aligns self-managed
6

learning with career growth that brings benefits to individual to gain opportunities.
Individuals improving their personal skills brings effectiveness in business performance
which leads to bring benefits of rewards and career growth.
 Team Work: Self-learning enables and encourages employees and staff of Travel
Lodge Hotel for developing various skills and knowledge and improve effectiveness of
business activities and operations. Employees develop their talent and skills and work
together in a team so that they can come up with effective results.
Following are given the benefits of self-learning to Travel Lodge Hotel:
 Customer Satisfaction: Self-learning ensures that it leads to improve and develop
various skills and knowledge of employees and staff. Communication, management,
presentation skills can be developed by self-learning which enable to develop customer
service and provides satisfaction to customers.
 Achievement of goals and objectives: Self-learning ensures that it brings improvement
in performance of employees that enables effective achievement of overall goals of the
Travel Lodge Hotel. Improved skills of employees ensures providing better services to
customers and leads to effective accomplishment of goals.
TASK 2
Evaluating current skills and competencies against professional standards and organisational
objectives
Individuals needs to have enough knowledge and skills for managing the operations and different
activities of business according to set standards of organisation. Following is given evaluation of
my own skills and competencies using skill audit:
Strengths:
 I posses good control over languages.
 I am flexible and patience in nature.
 I have effective time-management skill.
 I have good analytical skill.
 I have enough knowledge of business
operations.
 I am a quick learner.
Weaknesses:
 Lacks presentation skills.
 Not able to manage solutions for
different problems, lacks problem-
solving skill.
 Less control over employees due to
ineffective leadership and management.
 Lacks effective communication skills.
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Opportunities:
 I can work in any foreign organisation
as I have good command over different
languages.
 Flexibility and patience will allow me
to adjust in diversified and complex
nature of business.
 Quick learning skill and knowledge of
business operation will enable me to
gain higher position in workplace.
 Good analytical and time-management
skills will lead me to improve my
performance and boost confidence.
Threats:
 Technological advancements and up-
gradation and its involvement in
business activities.
 Changes in organisational process and
procedures.
 Intense or increasing competition in
hospitality industry (Almodovar,
Arlegui and Zuniga, 2018).
Skills and competencies against
organisational objectives of Travel Lodge
Hotel
Skills and competencies against professional
standards for a Hotel Manager
 Motivating and inspiring employees
and staff for doing their best.
 Managers needs to lead the overall
running of Hotel Travel Lodge.
 Needs to aim at increasing sales and
profits by accomplishing agreed targets
(Brockett and Hiemstra, 2018).
 Managers need to be intelligent
communicators who lead others
through example.
 Making sure that customers are happy
and satisfied with the services and also
ensuring that they will visit Travel
 Good and effective communication
skills.
 Operational knowledge (8 Skills Hotel
Managers Should Have, 2017).
 Good management and leadership
skills.
 Good interpersonal and problem-
solving skills.
 Ability to motivate and encourage
employees.
 Detail oriented and Confident.
 Flexible and Patience.
 Knowledge of building effective team.
8

Lodge again.
Identifying own development needs and activities for meeting them
There are various skill and competencies that need to improved for bringing better results
and outcomes for both personal and professional career. I can develop my skills and
competencies through self-learning, research, conferences, seminars or learning from others in
society, workplace or surroundings. I need to develop my skills and knowledge in order to
improve my performance level and gain opportunities available in the environment (Ahmed,
2018). Following are given some skills which needs to be improved and also ways to improve
them:
 Management skills: I need to focus on improving my management skills in order to
properly manage the employees and different activities of Travel Lodge Hotel. I cam
improve my management skills by maintaining effective communication with staff,
reading management books and taking guidance from professional (Bennett-Levy and
Finlay-Jones, 2018)s.
 Leadership skills: I can develop my leadership skills by focusing on to resolving
conflicts, managing and organising task and activities of Travel Lodge Hotel. I can take
recommendation and feedbacks from my colleagues, staff and seniors and also by joining
a leadership course (Artetxe, Labaka and Agirre, 2018).
 Presentation skills: As as assistant manager, I need to be more presentable and confident
in order to lead other employees and staff effectively. I can develop this skill by attending
different seminars, presentations and meetings. Being more confident makes person more
presentable.
 Problem-solving skill: I need to develop and improve my problem-solving skill in order
to come up with effective solutions to problems happening in the organisation.
Developing this skill will help me to properly handle the queries of customers as well. I
can develop this by involving in team activities, taking different responsibilities and
handling feedbacks from customers.
9

Identifying development opportunities for meeting current and future defined needs
There are various opportunities available in the business and external environment that
can be achieved by improving and developing various skills and knowledge. After identification
of own skills, competencies and weaknesses, one needs to focus on identifying development
opportunities that can meet current and future needs.
 Current Needs: I need to make efforts for developing and improving my own skills and
knowledge that will allow me to gain opportunities available. I have to focus on
improving various skills such as, problem-solving, management, organising and
leadership skills. As I am quick learner I can manage to develop needed skills to gain
opportunities.
 Future Needs: There are various opportunities and chances for developing own skills
and knowledge which needs to be taken. Travel Lodge Hotel aims that its employees and
staff improve various needed skills and effective provide services to customers and
satisfy them. Various interpersonal skills like leaders and management will help me to
develop in my professional career (Guskey and Yoon, 2009).
Travel Lodge Hotel aims at developing talent and skills of employees and staff so that
they can effectively meet organisational goals by satisfying customers. Therefore, it provides
various training and development programs to its employees and staff so that they can improve
their skill and knowledge. Various seminars and conferences are arranged so that people learn
presentation and communication skills (Training and Employee Development Activities, 2019).
Customer service training, performance management training, building effective team training,
development program for making effective decisions, job performance development programs,
etc. are arranged by Travel Lodge Hotel for improving skills and knowledge of employees.
Devising a personal and professional development plan
A personal and professional development plan is made which guides me to develop my
personal skills and knowledge that will bring benefits me in my personal and professional career.
Improving my skills and competencies would help me to properly organise and manage different
activities of Travel Lodge Hotel and also to meet organisational and professional standards
(Hildebrand, 2018).
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Skills needed to be improved
and developed
Ways for developing needed
skills
Time for improving needed
skills
Leadership Skills  Can be developed by
joining leadership
courses.
 Taking guidance and
advice from
professionals.
 Observing style of
leadership of seniors
(Desimone And et.al.,
2012).
3-4 months
Communication Skills  Involving in team
activities and being
friendly.
 Reading books and
novels.
 Joining communication
courses and being
confident (Faris, 2018).
4-5 weeks
Management and Organisation
Skills
 Reading and learning
various theories of
management and
organisation.
 Observing skills of
professional and
seniors.
 Involving in different
activities and managing
it properly.
3-4 months
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Presentation Skills  Attending other
presentations and
meetings
 taking help and
guidance from seniors
and colleagues
 being confidence while
public speaking
4-5 months
Problem-solving Skills  Solving conflicts
within team
 handling feedback
from employees or
customers
 listing obstacles and
finding solutions
accordingly
2-3 months
TASK 3
Process and activities required for implementing the development plan
For improving and developing own skills and knowledge, one needs to form a
development plan that guides in developing needed skills. Firstly target needs to be set which
guides and directs individual to bring improvement and developing skills. Various steps and
process needs to be taken in order to effectively implement the development plan prepared.
Mentoring: This will help me to improve my knowledge and skills required in various areas.
Mentor will instruct and guide me to effectively implement plan and take actions as in proposed
manners. Senior Manager of Hotel Travel Lodge will mentor me and guide me in developing
leadership style, management skills and how to effectively solve problems (Shen, Liu and Fu,
2018).
Formal Learning and Training: Various training programs are arranged by Travel Lodge Hotel
in order to improve skills and knowledge of employees and staff so that they effectively manage
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the business activities and improve their performance. I need to attend those sessions in order to
improve my presentation and leadership skills.
Seminars: Different seminars held by Travel Lodge Hotel or by any other institution will help
and guide me to gain confidence of public speaking. The seminars can also lead to improve my
communication and presentation skills (Lindvall, Helenius and Wiberg, 2018).
Tutorials: This can effectively help me to improvise my skills and knowledge and implement
the development plan made. Tutorials helps to increase knowledge and improve the performance
level which can bring effective benefits in both personal and professional life (Rubens and et.al.,
2018).
Guidance from seniors: This will help to develop and improve own skills and knowledge and
bring effective outcomes in both personal and professional career. Guidance from seniors will
help me to develop presentation, leadership and management skills which will further improve
my performance level towards achievement of development plan and organisational objectives.
Feedback: Seniors, colleagues, team members, line managers and professionals providing
feedback will help me to effectively implement the development plan prepared. The feedback
given by them directs me to bring changes and improve the skills and knowledge (Ost And et.al.,
2018).
Undertaking and documenting development activities
Various activities needs to be taken in order to effectively implementing the development
plan. Following is given the undertaking and documentation of activities related to
implementation of development plan:
Skills and knowledge to
develop
Ways of implementing/ actions
taken for developing skills
Time taken and Feedback
Presentation skills I attended different sessions and
seminars and also took guidance
from line managers and
professionals.
3 months.
Seniors and team members
provided me feedback that I
still need to improve my
presentation skill in order to
gain future opportunities.
Management and I read management books and 4 months.
13

organising skill theories, took tutorials and also
joined classes of management
subject. I also took help from
professionals and seniors.
Professional personnel and line
managers suggested me to
further focus on improving
management and organisation
skills.
Problem-solving skill I got involved in various business
activities and focused on resolving
conflicts happening between
employees. I also managed to solve
customer's feedback.
3 months.
Feedback from mentors, line
managers and other employees
was positive and said that I
have improved my problem-
solving skill.
Communication skill I focused on being confident while
public speaking and attended
different classes. I took effective part
in business activities and was being
friendly with team members.
2 months.
Team members and mentors
gave feedback that I am
confident and better in
communication.
Leadership skill I took guidance and help from
mentors and professional and also
observed their style. I attended
several sessions of leadership
courses.
3 months.
Mentors and professional gave
feedback that I have improved
my leadership style and skill
but I need to bring more
improvements.
Critical reflection on own learning against original aims set in development plan
The original aims and objectives were set in way that it leads to meet future needs and also
brings effective results in both personal and professional career. The targets were set achievable
and didn't seem to be over enthusiastic in nature. Different process was followed and steps were
taken for improving skills and knowledge according to meet set standards of business and
organisational objectives (Won, Wolters and Mueller, 2018). According the plan of
development, I needed to improve my leadership, management, communication and problem-
14

solving skills within 5 to 6 months. The development plan was made in order to make
performance better and accomplish personal and professional objectives. After taking steps for
implementing the plan, next step is to take feedback that guides about development and
improvement in performance level. Feedback taken from line managers, seniors, professional
and other employees guides about performance improvement due to self-learning. The feedback
from colleagues and mentors were positive regrading communication and problem-solving skills.
The feedback suggested that I need to put more focus on developing my leadership and
management skills. I need to take formal and informal learning so that I can achieve goals and
objectives which were set in the development plan. Team members, mentors and senior's help
and guidance will support me to attain my objectives and developing various skills. Continuous
and lifelong learning will help to accomplish goals and objectives set in development plan and to
implement that effectively (Torrisi-Steele, 2018).
Updating the development plan according to feedback and evaluation
After implementing the development plan and developing own skills and knowledge, I
was able to effectively solve problems and communicate effectively. But according to the
feedback and self- evaluation, I still needed to work on my leadership, presentation and
management skills. Therefore, I need to update development plan according to evaluation and
feedback so that I can achieve targeted goals and objectives and also meet set standards of Travel
Lodge Hotel. The updated development plan will guide me to further improve skills and
overcome weakness and threats.
Skills to be improved Required resources and steps Time - frame
Presentation skill  Attend different
meetings and seminars.
 Online and offline
tutorials.
 Guidance from mentors
and senior.
2 months
Management skill  Organising different
activities.
 Setting goals and
5-6 weeks
15

achieving them within
time-frame.
 Take professional
guidance and help.
Leadership skill  Taking guidance from
professional, mentors
and also observing
them.
 Reading theories,
books of leadership and
online tutorials (Xiong,
Cao and Yu, 2018).
1-2 months
16

TASK 4
1
Travelodge Ilford
Selecting solutions ton work-based problems
Travel Lodge Hotel faces high employee turnover that leads to affect customer care services and also
affects the brand image and reputation. Hotel needs to focus on motivating and encouraging employees
so that they feel satisfied and retain in Hotel. Motivating employees brings effective results of reduced
employee turnover, improved performance level and also effective customer care services. Following
are given solutions to different problems faced by Travel Lodge Hotel.
Excessive workloads: The managers needs to focus on proper allocation of task and activities.
Managers needs to focus on removing unwanted or time wasting activities as this will lead to reduce
workload activities. By doing this workload will be reduced and employees will not get stressed over
and remain in Hotel.
Low staff Morale: Employees needs to be motivated and encouraged so that they improve performance
and increase productivity level. Managers needs to be provided with training to effectively motivating
and increasing employees morale. Encouraged employees retain in organisation and bring effective
outcomes.
Low employee motivation: Employees needs to be encouraged and motivated through both intrinsic and extrinsic
methods. Rewards, benefits and promotions needs to be provided to employees for motivating them. Various
monitory and non-monitory benefits provides motivation and satisfaction to employees and they come up with
improved performance level which helps in providing better customer care services.
Low job satisfaction: Managers needs to focus on developing working environment and motivating employees so
that it leads to provide satisfaction to them. Managers can focus on employees effective involvement in business
activities and decision making process. This can lead to solve problem of job satisfaction of employees and makes
employee retain in Travel Lodge Hotel.
Ineffective communication: Travel Lodge Hotel needs to make sure that effective methods of communication are
being used at every level of management so that it does not employees dissatisfaction. Effective communication
brings benefits of effective employee relationship, satisfied employee, reduced turnover and satisfied customers.
Unrealistic targets: Unrealistic or over enthusiastic targets makes employees feel dissatisfied and increases
employee turnover. Manager needs to set realistic targets for employees so that they feel motivated to achieve them
and come up innovative ideas and bring effectiveness in business activities.
Communicating in different styles and appropriate manner at various levels
Verbal Communication: Communication can create long gap between subordinates or employees
within an Travel Lodge Hotel. Effective verbal communication can reduce the communication issues
that Hotel faces such as, ineffective communication, unhealthy competition and unrealistic targets.
Verbal communication can be done in different forms. Such as face to face, telephone, radio or
television and other media. This method helps employee to meet their own development growth and
fill the communication gap. Overall, this process can help to promote different opportunities and goals
through company can set their own effective performance. Face to face communication can solve the
employees query in more effective manner at different levels of management. Face to face and
informal or formal meeting is the best way to accomplish the communication or employee goals
within Travel Lodge Hotel.
Non – Verbal Communication:
Non-verbal communication can also be very helpful to merge communication gap and also to help
meet out the objectives and goals of Travel Lodge Hotel. Non-verbal communication entails
communicating by sending and receiving wordless messages like e-mail. These messages usually
reinforce verbal communication that meet out the possible action plan. Overall non-verbal
communication includes methods such as, Physical non-verbal communication, Paralanguage, visual
communication. These kinds of non-verbal communication can make effective communication and
reducing the excessive workload, ineffective communication and other problems. Making effective
use of ICT helps Travel Lodge Hotel to reduce communication gap and increase employee morale and
satisfaction. This will bring effective results in achieving overall goals and objectives of the Travel
Lodge Hotel.
REFERENCES
Salter, M. and Rhodes, P., 2018. On Becoming a Therapist: A Narrative Inquiry of Personal–Professional
Development and the Training of Clinical Psychologists. Australian Psychologist. 53(6). pp.486-492.
Olsen, B., 2015. Teaching what they learn, learning what they live: How teachers' personal histories shape their professional
development. Routledge.
Brody, D.L. and Hadar, L.L., 2015. Personal professional trajectories of novice and experienced teacher educators in a
professional development community. Teacher development., 19(2). pp.246-266.

CONCLUSION
Personal and professional plan helps in developing various skills and knowledge that
brings effective benefits. Self-managed and lifelong learning are the process by which one can
develop and improve skills and talents. Improving various skills brings benefits in both personal
and professional career. Skills audit tools and techniques helps in creating development plan that
can be used for improving the performance level. Different process, activities and resources are
required to effectively implement the development plan and increase knowledge. Solutions to
different work based problems are discussed which can bring effective results in form of satisfied
employees, reduced employee turnover and better customer acre services.
1

REFERENCES
Books And Journal
Online
8 Skills Hotel Managers Should Have. 2017. [Online]. Available through:
<https://espmetalcrafts.com/blog/entry/8-skills-hotel-managers-should-have>
Training and Employee Development Activities. 2019. [Online]. Available through:
<https://www.managementstudyguide.com/training-and-employee-development.htm>
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