Travelodge Bromley: Assistant Manager's Development Report

This report details a personal and professional development plan for an assistant manager at Travelodge's Bromley branch. It begins with an introduction to personal and professional development, defining key concepts and the organizational context. Task 1 evaluates self-managed learning approaches, proposing ways to encourage lifelong learning and identifying the benefits of self-managed learning for both the assistant manager and the organization. Task 2 assesses the assistant manager's current skills and competencies against professional standards and organizational objectives, identifying strengths and weaknesses. It also outlines development needs, activities, and opportunities, culminating in a personal and professional development plan. Task 3 discusses the processes and activities required to implement the development plan, including setting goals and arranging training. Task 4 focuses on solutions to work-based problems and effective communication and time-management strategies. The report concludes with a reflection on the overall development process.

Personal And Professional Development

Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................3
TASK 1............................................................................................................................................3
1.1 Evaluate approaches to self-managed learning (Covered in Leaflet)...............................3
1.2 Propose ways in which lifelong learning in personal and professional could encouraged
(Covered in Leaflet)...............................................................................................................3
1.3 Benefits of self managed learning to Assistant Manager and organisation (Covered in
Leaflet)...................................................................................................................................3
TASK 2............................................................................................................................................3
2.1 Own current skills and competence against professional standards and organisational
objectives................................................................................................................................3
2.2 Own development needs and activities required to meet them........................................4
2.3 Development opportunities to meet current and future needs..........................................5
2.4- Devise a personal and professional development plan based on identified needs..........6
TASK 3............................................................................................................................................7
3.1- Discuss the processes and activities required to implement the development plan........7
3.2 Undertake and document development activities as planned....................................8
3.3 Critically evaluation of my own learning experience..................................................8
3.4 Update development plan based on evaluation and feedback....................................9
TASK 4..........................................................................................................................................10
4.1Select solutions to work-based problems........................................................................10
4.2 Communicate in a variety of styles and appropriate manner at various levels..............11
4.3 Evaluate and use effective time-management strategies................................................12
CONCLUSION.............................................................................................................................13
REFERENCES..............................................................................................................................14

INTRODUCTION
Personal development can be defined as an on-going process in which individuals assess
their skills and capabilities so that further growth can be taken by them. Apart from that,
professional development is a process in which they improve and increase their capabilities for
grabbing opportunities in their professional career. In addition to this, these both are
combination of practices which are used by individuals for earning growth and success in their
personal and professional career. Taken organisation for this project is Travelodge and whole
project is based on its branch which is situated in Bromley Town. Organisation was founded in
1985 by Lord Forte and now around 500 hotels are working under it. This assignment will be
discuss about approaches of self-managed learning that can be used for enhancing lifelong
development. Competencies, capabilities and opportunities which are required for development
will also discuss in this report. Process and functions for implementing development plan along
with resolving work-based problems will also discussed at the end of report.
TASK 1
1.1 Evaluate approaches to self-managed learning (Covered in Leaflet)
1.2 Propose ways in which lifelong learning in personal and professional could encouraged
(Covered in Leaflet)
1.3 Benefits of self managed learning to Assistant Manager and organisation (Covered in
Leaflet)
TASK 2
2.1 Own current skills and competence against professional standards and organisational
objectives
Professional standard can be defined as a set of principle that includes legal and ethical
code of practices for a specific profession so that roles can be performed effectively. Each
company have formed a proper standard for their working so as to achieving desired goals and
objectives. Travelodge hotel have also framed a professional standard for their managers in order
to achieving goals and objectives. Some professional standard which are formed by them are talk
politely, wear formal dresses that should be adhere by manager. Objectives are also framed by
Travelodge which are given as below:

 To minimise the complaints of guests from 100 to 30.
 To improve quality of food and other facilities.
As an assistant manager of Travelodge, I have to motivate my teammates and improve
their skills and performance so that they can deal with challenges and difficulties at workplace
easily. Current skills of myself are given as below:
Skills and Competencies Score Score from others Difference
Communication skills 7 8 1
Leadership 8 9 1
Negotiation 9 10 1
Problem-solving skills 8 6 -2
Time-management skills 9 6 -3
From the above skills and competencies, I have identified some strength and weaknesses
which are given as below:
Strengths Weaknesses
As per the above given score in personal skill
audit I have identified that my communication,
leadership and negotiation skills are strong
which are strengthening my personal career.
By determining score of personal audit plan,
some weak skills such as problem-solving and
time-management are also observed by me.
That are restricting me in getting desired goals
therefore, I have to engage myself in training
programmes for improving this.
2.2 Own development needs and activities required to meet them
From the above task, it has been identified that I have to develop myself so as to meeting
needs and activities of an organisation. For it, I have to frame personal skill audit of myself
which will support me in surviving within the firm (Van Driel and Baryl, 2015).
Requirements Personal
Audit
Rating
GAP Remedial
Actions/Strategy
Deadline for
remedial
actions

(Scale 0-10)
Time
management
6 I didn't completed any
work within the firm in
the given time-frame
due to which this score
was given to me by
seniors.
I have to improve
my time-
management skills
so that in future if
any work is given to
me will be
completed in given
time-frame.
1.5 Months
Problem solving
skill
6 I didn't participated in
any problem-solving
so as to proving myself
good in the firm due to
which this score was
given to me.
For making
improvements in
these skills, I have
decided to engage
myself in complex
situations so that
through solving this
situations I make
improvements in
these.
2 Months
There are some skills that should be improved by myself by chosing some ways for
achieving desired goals of organisation.
Skills need to be improved Ways to improve skills
Time management I have to make focus on value of time and make plans
accordingly.
Problem solving skills I have to engaging myself in each decision-making or complex
activity within the workplace so as to solving the problems.
2.3 Development opportunities to meet current and future needs
For surviving in competitive marketplace, I have to improve my skills for meeting with
current and future needs. There are several opportunities are present in market that should be

grabbed by Travelodge but for grabbing these, as an assistant manager I have to provide too
much support that can be possible when I will be improve my weak skills. Some needs have also
identified by me that should be improved in current and future period.
Current needs- As an assistant manager my time management and problem-solving
skills are week so that I have to engage myself in training programmes and complex situations
so as to improving these. Through which, I will be able in learning new skills and perform my
duties effectively (Olsen, 2013).
Future needs- Travelodge have made good brand image in UK which will be beneficial
for them in making expansion in new market areas in future. Therefore, it is important for
maintain workforce with full of skills and efficiencies whose efforts will be taken in future for
making expansion in new market areas.
Several opportunities are present inside and outside the hotel that can be grabbed through
developing present weak skills which are given as below:
Confidence and trust -Through this skill, management of travelogue will build healthy
relations with their customers due to which they will get more profitability in near future.
Time management - Through developing these skills, all tasks will be accomplish in
given time-frame which will automatically supports the organisation in making their expansion.
Problem solving skills – With the help of it, quick solution will be framed in complex
situations that will be beneficial for Travelodge in making their further expansion in new market
areas.
2.4- Devise a personal and professional development plan based on identified needs
Personal and professional development plan is essential as it helps individuals in
identifying skills along with strength and weaknesses. With the help of it, management of
Travelodge can easily get knowledge regarding the performance level of their employees. It also
provide the ways through which individuals can improve their weaknesses (Moon and et. al.,
2012).
S.
No.
Needed
Skills
Present
Proficiency
Target
Proficiency
How these skills
will be developed
Criteria for
Judging
Attainment
Time
Scale
1 Time 8 10 For developing these Managers or 40 days

manageme
nt skill
skills, i have to make
small components of
each activity as per
the given time-
frame.
Supervisor
2 Problem
solving skill
9 10 In order to improve
these, I have to
engage myself in
complex situations
that will be
beneficial in solving
problems.
Mentor and
managers
60 days
TASK 3
3.1- Discuss the processes and activities required to implement the development plan
In order to developing the skills which are identified in previous task I have decided to
frame some effective activities and processes which will be beneficial for me in getting success.
There are some activities that will be beneficial in implementing development plan which is
framed in previous task some of these are given as below:
Define goals – This is the first part of process in which I have to determine the goals that
where I have to reach by implementing this plan.
Understand your strengths – In this, I have to analyse my strength on personal level
which will support me in improving weaknesses. Along with it, I have to determine those skills
also which are required to improve as per the demand of organisation.
Arrange training – In order to improve weak areas I have to take training effectively as
it is beneficial for implementing development plan easily. By engaging myself, my weaknesses
will get improve that is beneficial for fulfilling demand of organisation.
Set a deadline – After completing all the above phases, I have to set an effective deadline
for implementing development plan as through implementing I will get motivated and provide
more efforts for improving my weaknesses.

From the above stages of implementation of development plan, it has been identified that
I have decided short-term or long terms goals along with a proper time-frame. So that, I have to
work according these goals which will be beneficial for me effectively completing my pre-
determined objectives in given time-frame (Lumpe, 2012).
3.2 Undertake and document development activities as planned
all documents that are related with development activities are given as below:
Time
Period
Action Interpreted What is learn till
now
What is required to
do next
Estimated
time
4 months For developing my
problem solving skills
I have selected to join
training programmes
so as to improving my
problem-solving
skills.
It assists me in making
effective decisions
that will beneficial for
me in achieving my
pre-determined goals.
It is important for me
to attend seminars and
conferences so that I
can get knowledge
regarding solutions
that can be taken in
complex situations.
3–4 months
6 months In it, I have decided to
take support from
WBS structure and
Gantt chart so as to
improve my time-
management skills.
With the help of it, I
am able now in
managing my tasks
effectively as WBS
helps me in managing
tasks and Ganntt chart
helps me in managing
tasks as per the
deadline.
In future, I will be use
these both methods in
my daily working as it
will be beneficial in
completing given tasks
in effective manner.
5-7 months
3.3 Critically evaluation of my own learning experience
As per the above Professional development plan, i have to improve my Time-
management and problem solving skills. Because due to shortages of these skills i was not able
in performing my given tasks effectively which are leading me back in professional career. For
improving these skills, i have also decided to engage myself in training programmes, seminars.
Along with it, i have also take support of WBS for improving my time-management skills that is

prove beneficial me as it supports me in managing my each task effectively. Whereas, some
major problems are detected by me that have hindered me in implementing development plan.
Experienced and skilled tutor was not available within the conferences due to which short-term
goals were not achieved by me easily (Little, 2018). For ovecoming these problems i have taken
support from online sources becase a wide number of tutors are always available that have
provided effective support to me in making quick solutions for complex situations. Through
overcoming all these problems i have learned new skills such as good communicaiton and
decision-making that will assist me in taking growth and success in my personal and profesional
career.
3.4 Update development plan based on evaluation and feedback
Objectives Why objectives were
not achievable at the
first time
Requirements to
undertake in
achieving objectives
Time period
Time-management I didn't adopted
effective techniques
such as WBS and
Gantt chart and make
focuses on traditional
techniques that have
restricted me in
achieving my goals
(Hildebrand and et. al.,
2014).
My online tutor have
guided me that I have
to adopt some
effective time-
managing techniques
such as Work
breakdown structure
and Gantt chart as it
will prove
advantageous for me
in achieving my pre-
determined objectives.
3 months
Problem-solving skills I become
overconfident when
the communication
skills were developed
by me.
My superiors and
tutors have guide me
that I have to engage
myself in more
complex situations and
4 months

through using brain I
have to providing
quick solutions in the
given deadline.
Through which I
become able in finding
solutions for decisions.
TASK 4
4.1Select solutions to work-based problems.
The Travelodge Hotel is suffering from a high labour turnover issue which causes
various problems in work. The manager is concerned as it is impacting on customer experience.
Being an assistant manager, it is my responsibility to find solution for the problem which are
occurring due to high labour turnover. There are some solutions which are recommended-
 Reduce Workload- The work provided to worker should be according to the ability and
capability of worker. The workload causes frustration, ignorant etc and to reduce all
these problems the work allocated should be less which makes worker feel free and it do
not cause burden on them.
 Increase morale- Morale is important to perform work effectively. I will apply strategies
to increase the morale of employees. The strategies like providing recognition and
provide respect to manager and have face to face interaction with workers and provide
training and support to them. The consideration of pay and reward is an another factor
which affects the morale of employees so the equal pay is to be applied.
 Increase motivation- The process of generating motivation provide motive to workers.
The motivation can be done through intrinsic and extrinsic and their effectiveness depend
upon the need of the worker. If the worker possess monitory need then monitory way of
motivation will be more effective whereas worker want to be recognised then providing
recognition can be applied.
 Effective Communication- Communication allows people to express their ideas to the
receiver. I will allow worker to communicate freely so they can communicate their issues

to their superiors. This will result in lesser conflict between co-workers and their
superiors (Gamrat, 2012).
 Provide Job Satisfaction- Job satisfaction refers to the acceptance of job with pleasure
of doing it. It refers to providing people job which increases their satisfaction and
motivating them to perform. I will detect the issues which are not allowing worker to
perform and I will take steps to remove them.
4.2 Communicate in a variety of styles and appropriate manner at various levels.
Communication is the way to express the ideas, thoughts or message from sender to
receiver. Communication plays an important role in better operation of hotel. Each person
possess unique personality and communication style which is essential in organisation for
execution of order and maintain proper functioning of business effectively and efficiently .
Business communication is required to be apply effectively so that it provide benefit to the
Hotel. The basic styles of communication are-
 Controller style- The controller is easy to find as they just want fact due to this
sometimes it involves being rude towards employees. This style is not effective in giving
task or project and make them complete at given time duration as they don't make plan
before doing. In this style, the detail of project is not required as they are only interested
in conclusion. The productive employees through effective introduction and focusing on
achieving objective of travel lodge make it reached at high scale (Elliott, 2012).
 Promoter style- This style involves the people who loves to do work and talk. They
motivate others to do work effectively and efficiently and formulate plan before doing
the work. They possess attractive personality and considered as important element of
organisation. They are enthusiastic, curious and express their ideas. This makes
conduction of the scale of travel lodge hotel in more professional way.
 Supporter style- The individual who possess Supporter communication style tend to be
patient and happily reconciled with life. They support the workers even they are not
doing work according to the standard as they don't like to be involved in conflicts. They
tend to manage the section of travel lodge effectively by conduction of appropriate tool.
 Analyser style- The individual who possess this style are interested in facts and figures
and want to organise things carefully. They are analytical, deep, thoughtful and
purposeful. They don't form decision if facts related to workers are not given. The

information and abilities are provided to workers in basic circumstances which lead to
solve the problem of middle stages.
4.3 Evaluate and use effective time-management strategies.
Time management refers to the ability to use time productively and efficiently. Time
cannot be managed, what we can manage is our attention. Managing time and skills is essential
for effective working. The effective management of time leads to attainment of organisational
objective. There are few time management strategies which can be used by travel lodge for
effective time management-
 Prioritize- There are certain activities or task which are required to be completed
immediately and other have certain limit. The worker is required to understand the
difference between important work and not so important work. According to that
decision is to be taken. The travel lodge is providing information regarding the urgent
work which has to be complete early which results in utilisation of time.
 Chunk activities- It refers to breaking a big activity into smaller activity as the activity
which will take longer time to accomplished. This result in completion of bigger task in
lesser time. This will help travel lodge is managing the activities in more appropriate and
strategic manner (Calderhead and et. al., 2012).
 Avoid Procrastination- Procrastination refers to a feeling that arises from fear of failure.
You should not run from the procrastinate. The person is required to face it and perform
the activities and if you think it will take more time to perform then check average time
and compare with it and take decisions to reduce the average time. The travel lodge
conducts training programme to get rid of the problem of procrastination which will
result in effective time-management.
 Time estimator- When you estimate accurately about time require for doing a activity
helps in building the skill of time management. This makes you aware about the time
which will be requiring to perform a certain activity. The travel lodge provide time
estimation with task as it is essential to know that how much time a particular task will
take as it helps in managing the time.