Personal and Professional Development Plan for Travelodge Hotel Staff

This report analyzes personal and professional development within the context of Travelodge Hotel. It begins by evaluating self-managed learning approaches, emphasizing the benefits of conferences, social networks, and the internet for skill enhancement. The report then explores lifelong learning methods and their advantages for individuals and organizations, followed by an assessment of current skills and competencies against professional standards. A skills audit is conducted to identify strengths and areas for improvement, particularly in managerial skills and customer focus. The report details specific development needs and outlines activities to meet them, such as taking management classes and improving customer service techniques. Furthermore, it presents solutions to work-based problems, emphasizing effective communication and time-management strategies to improve performance. The conclusion summarizes the key findings and recommendations for continued personal and professional development within the hotel environment.

Personal and
Professional Development

Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................1
TASK 1............................................................................................................................................1
1.1 Evaluate approaches to self-managed learning................................................................1
TASK 2............................................................................................................................................4
2.1 Evaluation of own current skills and competencies against professional standards and
organisational objectives........................................................................................................4
2.2 Identification of own development needs and the activities required to meet them........5
2.3 Identification of development opportunities to meet current and future defined needs...6
2.4 Devise a personal and professional development plan based on identified needs...........7
TASK 3............................................................................................................................................9
3.1 Process and activities required in implementing development plan................................9
3.2 Undertaking and documenting development activities..................................................11
3.3 Reflect critically on learnings against original aims and objectives in development plan11
3.4 Updating development plan based on feedback and evaluation.....................................12
TASK 4..........................................................................................................................................13
4.1 Solutions to work-based problems.................................................................................13
4.2 Communicating in a variety of styles and appropriate manner at various levels...........14
4.3 Evaluation and usage of effective time-management strategies.....................................16
CONCLUSION..............................................................................................................................17
REFERENCES..............................................................................................................................18

INTRODUCTION
Personal and professional development is a concept in which an individual develops and
implements strategies for their growth (Chipchase, Johnston and Long, 2012). It is an important
aspect which helps a person to enhance their capabilities to work along with future opportunities.
This report is based on Travelodge Hotel which is a private organisation and operate its business
in the hotels and hospitality industry in UK. The company is famous for its hospitality services
and offers many holiday packages to its customers at affordable rates. It is essential for a
manager of hotel to manage their self-learning in order to enhance their future development. In
this project, professional development plan is considered by company to determine strength and
weakness of an individual. Along with this, interpersonal and transferable skills is also
demonstrated in this assignment which company need so as to achieve their goals and objectives
in allotted time frame.
TASK 1
1.1 Evaluate approaches to self-managed learning
Self-managed learning is an approach in which an individual manages their own learning.
It helps an individual to enhance their lifelong development and skills. This concept is also
considered by companies which helps them to develop skills of their employees by providing
training and knowledge (Pillen, Beijaard and Brok, 2013). By this, members can able to deal
with every problems and circumstances. In context of Travelodge hotel, this concept of self-
managed learning also helps the manager of company to achieve their goals. In this, they provide
training to their staff members which helps them to learn new things and accomplish their tasks
in time. It is related with goals setting and identifying purpose of learning to attain set targets. In
this context, there are some key approaches to self-managed learning which are helpful to cope
up with professional and environment, these are:
 Conferences and seminars: To attain goals and learn new things, this approach is a
better option which can manage self-learning. According to this, a person can gain so
much of experience and knowledge by attending conferences and seminars. By this they
can resolve their issues and also helps in gaining confidence. In context of Travelodge,
the manager of hotel can also develop and enhance their skills by attending conferences
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and seminars. This provides them opportunities to present themselves and share
knowledge achieved by them.
 Social network: Another approach by which an individual can gain and manage their
self knowledge is through social networking sites (Grima-Farrell, 2015). In order to
develop skills and learn new things, individual should engage themselves in social sites.
They should do video conferencing and share their opinions with each other which helps
them to learn a lot. The manager of Travelodge should also use social networking site to
gain knowledge and resolve their issues. By this they can also accomplish their targets in
assigned times.
 Internet: This can also be an another approach which helps an individual to increase
their potential at workplace. This also assist a person to assess different articles through
internet and gain knowledge. In context of Travelodge, the manager should also use
internet to attain required knowledge for personal and professional development. By this,
they can reach out their set goals and manage entire working of company.
Thus, these are the ways or approaches by which the manager of Travelodge can manage
their learning and enhance their skills to achieve goals.
1.2 Ways in which lifelong learning in personal and professional contexts could be encouraged
Lifelong learning is said to be a process of continuous learning in which an individual
contributes their efforts to reach their goals. It is an ongoing process which is undertaken
throughout life. The main aim of this learning is to improve knowledge, skills and competencies,
personal and professional life style and enhance career growth and opportunities (Elliott, 2012).
It is a broad term in education and development which is conducted after schooling. It is
voluntary and self-motivated in nature and depends on person to person that is totally rely on
individual. In this, a person learns new things which helps them to develop their personal and
professional growth. This process is also beneficial for the manager of Travelodge as by this they
can deal with all challenges and help employees in their projects. This also gives confidence to
accept face problems and accept challenges. It plays a vital role in individual as well as in
collective form and have many advantages that are as follows:
It helps staff members of company to gain qualification which give career advancement
when they have enough knowledge and skills that helps to reach at high peak of career. On other
hand it enhances employability and promotion aspects that gives them satisfaction and
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motivation. When an individual professionally capable enough then they have lot of
opportunities to earn many things in life. Lifelong learning gives advancement to broaden their
knowledge that helps in professional development and also give satisfaction in career. So
continuous and life long learning is very important in today's fierce competitive world to keep
oneself updated and knowledge enough to grab potential opportunities. There are various
methods in which manager of Travelodge should adopt to learn new things in day to day life to
remain competitive enough in today's scenario. Methods of life long learning are as follows:
Self-directed learning:
In self-directed learning, an individual is responsible and take initiative to study and
accept challenges without taking help of others (Hildebrand, 2018). It is the method in which a
person implements new techniques or strategies to achieve their goals. This method is also
advantageous for staff members of Travelodge, as by this they can expand their knowledge and
improve their skills.
Continuous professional development:
CPD is another way of continuous learning of an individual on a regular basis. It is
beneficial process which enhance personal and professional growth. This assists employees of
Travelodge to determine their strength, weakness and track skills. It aids them in upgrading their
knowledge and make sure about their growth along with future opportunities.
1.3 Evaluation of benefits of self-managed learning to individuals and organisation
Self-managed learning is a structural process through the help of which personnel takes
steps towards development and accomplishment of goals that are essential in a person's life. This
continuous process is largely significant for individuals as well as organisation as it is impacted
by performance given by employees. The two fold benefits of self-managed learning is as
follows:
Benefits to individual in Travelodge: It is a process which helps individuals in
developing certain essential skills and traits that are necessary for carrying out activities within
organisational premises (Hicks and et. al., 2014). The major benefit of this self managed learning
is associated with the flexibility of process as it helps individuals in becoming effective and
efficient for delivering performance in Travelodge. This assists personnel in developing ways to
deal with and tackle complex situations that may arise in business context. Also, this process
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enhances the decision making power of business persons operating in corporate world along with
increasing the productivity of individuals at workplace.
Benefits for Travelodge: A significant benefit of self-managed learning process in
relation to Travelodge is that it assists in reduction of cost of learning in an entity. Also, this
process helps the managers in enhancing and developing effective skills and knowledge to
manage the activities and functions of the company. When leaders and managers will be
effective, it implies that workforce will complete all the assigned tasks in a desirable manner
within due course of time (Macià and García, 2016). This reflects opportunities for company to
gain a strategic edge in market by way of competitive workforce and management.
TASK 2
2.1 Evaluation of own current skills and competencies against professional standards and
organisational objectives
Skills are the traits and competence that one needs to develop one's personal and
professional abilities to perform tasks (Kumari, 2011). Skills audit is a tool used to measure and
record skills of a personnel. The major purpose of conducting this in context of Travelodge is to
identify the skills and knowledge required by workforce to carry out tasks within the premises of
an enterprise. A skills audit is conducted by me to identify and assess my skills as per current
and future needs, as follows:
As an assistant manager in Travelodge, it is essential for me to evaluate my skills and
need for further improvement.
Skills and Competencies Score Score from others Difference
Good communication skills 8 9 1
Leadership skills 7 8 1
Negotiation Skills 8 10 2
Conflict resolution 9 6 -3
Time management and problem-
solving skills
8 6 -2
Customer Focus 7 4 -3
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From this skill auditing process, I have evaluated that my main strength point is my
communication skill. Through this skill, I am able to influence workers towards achievement of
common goal. Along with this, leadership and negotiation skills are also good points of mine.
But in context with time managerial, conflict resolution and customer focus, I need to make
some improvement in the same. For this process, I have to develop my personal and professional
skills for giving out better performance.
2.2 Identification of own development needs and the activities required to meet them
In context of any company, an Assistant Manager plays a crucial role in the management
of activities within the organisational context. In Travelodge, assistant manager works in
coordination with head managers and collaboratively guide and govern the operations being
performed in enterprise. To be an effective assistant manager, I need to possess good leadership
skills along with oral and written communication skills. Also, it is required to have a proper
knowledge of the roles and duties to be performed by me as well as the staff operating under my
supervision.
Thus, I have ascertained certain skills in which I need improvement so as to improve my
performance as an assistant manager in Travelodge. These skills are described below:
Skills to be Developed Methods of Development
Managerial skill As in big organisations like Travelodge, to
manage business appropriately, it is essential
for a manager to possess effective managerial
skill. Here, as a manager, I have evaluated that
in some situations, where quick decision-
making is necessary, I have failed for the same.
In addition to this, to resolve conflicts among
workers belong to different background.
Therefore, to develop such skills I will take
some management classes from affiliated
institution.
Customer Focus I am weak in customer focus which create
issues regarding products and services that are
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offered by me. For make appropriate
improvement in customer focus, I required to
satisfy my customer expectations where I need
to fulfil all needs and demand of buyers in
better manner. Along with this, I required to
manage customers complaints regarding
delivery goods and facilities. I should help
others in delivering customer excellence in
which I need to give priority to satisfy
customers needs and identify constraints. For
improving customer focus skill, I required to
find out more about customers and also
provide them best services or facilities.
2.3 Identification of development opportunities to meet current and future defined needs
Development is a process through which employees can be made skilful, competent and
qualified to complete the assigned tasks and duties in timely manner. It is an effective means for
developing the workforce in a desirable manner to perform the task in a manner that can provide
a strategic edge to company over its competitors (Patton, Parker and Tannehill, 2015). Some of
the development opportunities that helps in enhancing existing skills to meet current as well as
future needs are defined below:
Training: It is an effective tool by which employees of Travelodge can be trained
optimally so that they can perform as per the rules and regulations set by organisation as well as
law. This acts as a motivation as well as development approach for personnel as it assists in
making the employees competent to perform the roles assigned to them within their powers.
Here, colleagues, seniors and other business professionals impart knowledge so as to train
individuals to perform in corporate context. This is required for manager is to attend training
session where they learn to solve numerical problems in better manner. For example: By
providing on-the-job training helps Travelodge in making employees familiar with working
process. This would also give opportunity to employees to develop their current skills and
knowledge as per business requirement.
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Focus on customers – For make improvement in current skill regarding customer focus,
they required to analyse their customers expectations and needs and try to fulfil it. This will help
them in managing customers issues and complaints regarding delivering goods and services.
They also evaluate delivering of customer excellence and help others in satisfying their all
demand in proper manner. Therefore, by making more interaction with customers through
effective communication system, managers of Travelodge can provide better service.
Welfare Programmes: This is yet another impactful way in which individuals can
develop their skills and knowledge by learning these from line managers so as to work in
accordance with the needs and requirements of organisation and deliver performance to the best
of their potential. Also, it assists in making personnel carry out work in a formal and structural
manner within the premises of organisation so that there are least chances of failure of task.
Team leading: This is considered to be an optimum tool that which help me in lead the
team or group in right direction while they are carrying out roles and duties within organisational
premises. It is effective in developing individuals in a way that they can meet current as well as
future needs. Managers and leaders of an entity can use this practice to keep a check upon
employees so as to identify any discrepancy or variances between actual and desired
performance objective. For example: By engaging workers in group activities and assigning roles
and responsibilities accordingly, help in giving out best performances.
Growth & development activities and tutorials: This is another significant tool by which
individuals can enhance their existing skill set as well as knowledge to suit the requirements of
enterprise and deliver performance within due course of time in a desirable manner. Also,
tutorials can help personnel to gain ideas about how to deal with complex situations that may
arise in current or future context. This implies that personnel will be able to meet their goals and
objectives in a timely manner without much variance from desired performance.
2.4 Devise a personal and professional development plan based on identified needs
Personal and professional development plan is a strategic means used by individuals
through which they can set their goals, strategies to develop skills and find variances in actual
and desired proficiencies (PERSONAL OR PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT PLANS, 2012). It
assists in evaluation of one's strengths and weaknesses. For this purpose, I have developed a
personal and professional development plan so as to overcome my weaknesses, given below:
Developmen Priority Activities to be Resources Target Target Criteria for
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t Objectives undertaken Start
Date
End Date Success
Conflict
resolution
High By working
under guidance
of seniors and
upper level of
management, I
can understand
how to resolve
conflicts among
workers
I will
engage in
some group
related
activities
and observe
how seniors
make
decisions to
develop an
effective
team and
resolve
conflicts
among
them.
01/02/19 01/04/19 Meet with
technical team on
regular basis.
Take feedback
and response of
managers and
colleagues while
doing working.
Customer
Focus
Very
high
It is required for
me is to focus on
my customers
where I need to
gain attention of
large number of
customers
towards desired
goods and
services. I need
to analyse
customer
The
resources
which assist
me in
acquiring
desired
products
and also
satisfying
their buyers
demand. I
required to
21/01/19 22/03/19 Feedback from
customers and
company
manager.
8

expectations and
work on fulfil all
needs and
demand of
people. This
skill can be
improved by
managing
customers
complaints that
occurs regarding
providing
commodities.
adopt new
strategies
and policies
in order to
gain
customer
focus on
required
goods and
services.
Managemen
t skills
Very
high
To develop this
skill, I will take
managerial
classes from
affiliated
university.
I need time
and proper
budget for
taking
classes
under
university.
01/04/19 22/12/19 Feedback from
senior managers
TASK 3
3.1 Process and activities required in implementing development plan
Strategic planning process of Travelodge is not going as per plan. So, to solve this issue, I
have set a development plan so that activities can be conducted within organisational premises in
a formal and structural manner. This ensures that work is done with greater efficiency and skills.
Therefore, to implement development plan, some activities are required as:-
Define goals – It is essential for an individual to define proper goals or objectives before
developing a professional plan. This would in analysing what have to be achieved and the
process for same.
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Understand your strengths and weaknesses – For developing a plan, it is also essential
for an individual to evaluate own strengths and weaknesses. This would help in analysing which
abilities are needed to be improved for performing more better.
Arrange training – To reduce weaknesses, the another step is to arrange training program
for developing such skills. These trainings are majorly focused on business demand and goals
that are needed to achieved.
Set a deadline – The development plan can be implemented more appropriately if all
mentioned activities would complete in set time frame.
Clearly define objectives of plan – For implementation of development plan, there is also
essential define objectives in clear and precise manner. These objectives are related to time
period such as short term, midterm and long term, as shown below:-
Goals and
objectives
Short Term Mid Term Long Term
Timely
achievement of
goals and targets.
I need to enhance and
develop my skills.
In mid-term, it will help
employees in developing
their skills and talents by
training.
In this part, timely
achievement of goals
and objectives has been
mentioned.
Acquiring more
skills and
knowledge
Here, I need to
enhance my
knowledge so that I
can achieve goals and
objectives.
Knowledge can be
enhanced by training
sessions, seminars etc.
Training helps me in
timely achievement of
goals and objectives.
Learning new
skills and
technologies.
Learning new skills
and technology
improves knowledge.
Working with improved
skills motivates for
future development.
Herein, new
advancements and skills
will help an organisation
in achieving their goals
and objectives in
efficient manner.
Time- 3 months 7 months 1 year
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