Thomas Cook: Self-Managed Learning and Professional Development Report

This report delves into the concept of self-managed learning, examining various approaches such as seminars, social networks, and internet resources, as well as learning styles like Kolb's and Honey & Mumford's. It explores ways to encourage lifelong learning, including self-evaluation, continuous learning, effective leadership, and motivation. The report highlights the benefits of self-managed learning for both individuals and organizations, such as increased confidence, improved skills, and enhanced productivity. It also includes a self-assessment of current skills and competencies against professional standards, identifying areas for improvement, particularly in leadership, planning, and management. The report then outlines a personal development plan with specific activities to address these skill gaps, emphasizing the importance of effective communication, time management, and motivational skills. It also highlights the need for continuous learning and adaptation to meet evolving professional demands. Finally, the report addresses work-based problem-solving, communication styles, and time management strategies.

Personal & professional
development

TABLE OF CONTENTS
Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................1
TASK 1............................................................................................................................................1
1.1Various approaches to self managed learning .......................................................................1
1.2 ways in which life long learning could be encouraged.........................................................2
1.3 Benefits of self managed learning to the individuals and organizations...............................4
TASK 2............................................................................................................................................4
2.1 Own current skills and competencies against professional standards...................................4
2.2 Own development and activities required to meet them.......................................................6
2.3 Development opportunities to meet current and future defined needs.................................6
2.4 Personal and professional development plan based on identified requirements...................7
TASK 3............................................................................................................................................8
3.1 Process and activities required to implement the development plan....................................8
3.2 Document development activities as planned.......................................................................8
3.3 Reflection on own learning against aims and objectives set in development plan...............9
3.4 Transformation of development plan on the basis of Feedback...........................................9
TASK 4..........................................................................................................................................10
4.1 Solution to work based problems........................................................................................10
4.2 Variety of styles and appropriate manner at various levels................................................10
4.3 Utilization of effective time management strategies...........................................................10
CONCLUSION..............................................................................................................................11
REFERENCES..............................................................................................................................12

INTRODUCTION
Continuous and self managed learning is rapidly attained its relevance in both personal
and professional contexts. It is analysed as one of the most effective techniques of learning
which has increased one's ability to gather more knowledge and skills. It helps individuals in
working in organizations to achieve their short term and long term objectives. It is considered as
likewise about setting objectives through the assessment of reason for getting knowledge and
identification of ways through which the such objectives can be accomplished (Moon, 2013).
Present report is based on analysis of different approaches which can be used for self managed
learning (Blandford, 2012). As an employee of Thomas cook which is a travel and tourism
sector organization operating at international level, various important ways are identified through
which I will be able to encourage life long learning are discussed. Further, I have also evaluated
my own skills and capabilities against professional standards and personal development plan is
formulated to improvement those competencies and skills. In addition, various appropriate
learning style and use effective time management strategies have been covered in this report.
TASK 1
1.1Various approaches to self managed learning
Continuous and self managed learning is the process which helps the individuals to
identify and learn various important things and gaining essential experience which is important
for career development (Hadar and Brody, 2013). In this context, technology plays an important
role in self managed learning which force the employees in organisation to adopt technical
changes that occurs due to implementation of new technologies. It also provides opportunities for
people to come with new ideas and business strategy of continuous learning. While working as
employees in Thomas cook, I have also used various approaches to promote self managed
learning in professional life.
Some important approaches which I have used are mentioned below:
 Seminars: These are analysed as most important tools which I have used to learn different
things about personality. Workshops and group discussion has help me to end up with
more specific about taking openly and will additionally build up my presentation skills,
transferable aptitudes which can be valuable in a scope of hierarchical settings.
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 Social networks: In order to be socialize in respect of self managed learning whether it
will be in local communities or social networking sites such as Facebook and Twitter etc.
By having assess on social networking sites, I have achieved knowledge about
communication skills which has provided support in development of personality and
making networks with customers on social networking sites which helps in increasing
technological skills through communication and sharing of information (Zuber-Skerritt,
2013).
 Internet: There various sources of internet which helps in getting various information
about hospitality industry and assess various important articles. In Thomas cook, I have
also used internet as tool for increasing my knowledge and skills so that I can manage the
work effectively.
Kola's learning style: Experimental theory of learning which involves various learning style
which could be used by organisations to increase potential of employees at workplace (Trede,
Macklin, and Bridges, 2012). In this, learner will achieve knowledge by going through four
different stage of self managed learning. Such as concrete experience, reflective observation,
conceptualization and experimentation etc.
Honey and Mumford learning style: It is also important learning model which is has been
made after analysis of Kola's learning theories. In this, manager in Thomas cook will utilize
requirements of employees by using questionnaire and development appropriates strategies to
increase their growth and development at workplace.
1.2 ways in which life long learning could be encouraged.
Life long learning involves learning of individuals for improvement of strengths and
helps in personal perspective. It involves two important aspects such as personal capabilities and
usage of professional context (Reeves, 2012). In this context, I have also analysed various
important ways through which I have been able to understand new and effective learning method
through which I have able to achieve self managed learning. Following are the ways through
which individuals will be able to encourage life long learning.
 Self evaluation: It involves analysis of personal skills and attributes which provide
support in development of career in industry. It involves personal SWOT analysis
because by evaluating strengths I will get ability for evaluating the professional learning
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with the help of professional learning tool and especially the self managed learning and
continuous professional development (Hudson, 2013).
Strengths
 Good communication skills
 Effective in development and
evaluation of goals
 Interdependent thinking skills.
 Good knowledge of IT software
Weaknesses
 Less effective in time management
 Faced problem planning and
coordinating business activities.
 Strategy formation
Opportunities
 Increasing leadership skills.
 Continue to higher education '
Threats
 Continuous increasing demand of
qualified employees.
 Influence of employers.
 Continuous learning: It is also important method through which life long learning
professional context could be encouraged. In Thomas cook, there are various training
sessions, events and seminars are organisation by management in order to encourage
professional development (Calderhead, Denicolo and Day, 2012). I have also achieved
and improved my various skills and competencies that provide support in increasing
problems and competencies. Effective leadership: By leading a team in organisation, a person can improve and
courage life long learning because there are various in which organisation which are
required to be faced by employees (Gamrat and et.al., 2014). By facing problems and
critical situation in Thomas cook, I have also achieved learning and knowledge.
 Motivation and achievement: Development and increasing motivation is also an
important tool which helps to encourage life long learning in organisation. Motivation is
an important key that will increase performance of individuals at workplace. For the
achievement, it is necessary to have objective which make feel good at time of
achievements (King, 2014).
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1.3 Benefits of self managed learning to the individuals and organizations.
Continuous and self managed learning in organisation provides various benefits to
individuals and organisation. Basically this self managed learning has been associated with
learning of past and personal experiences which can be effectively applied to organisation for
achieve of goals and objectives (Hoyle and Megarry, 2012). While working in Thomas cook , I
have also encouraged and adopted continuous learning method in order to achieve goals and
objective in professional context. However, it has provided various benefits to me and
organization which are mentioned below:
Benefits to individuals
Self managed learning has provided confidence to individuals by increasing various
important business skills and competencies. It helps in increasing communication skills and
learning new ideas which can be implemented at workplace. It has provided ability of
independent working in which candidates are required to present their ideas in front of
employees of organisation (Lumpe and et.al., 2012). In Thomas cook, I have also presented
various new business ideas in meeting to board members and I have achieved this ability
through continuous learning and development of skills. Internet surfing and assess on social
sites have increased my knowledge about strategies applied by competitors in market to promote
products and services. This independent working improves strengths and capabilities to
formulate strategies along with management of business activities effectively.
Benefits to organisation
Improvement in skills and competencies of employees is identified as major benefits for
organisation because it increases productivity and performance of organisation. Having qualified
employees is considered as competitive advantage for organisation on its competitors. This will
help them to grow in competitive business in market and increasing opportunities of employees
to achieve growth at workplace (Little, 2012). By promoting self managed learning at
workplace, organisation needs to improve self managed learning at workplace. It helps increase
motivation of staff which also provides support in increasing employees' performance.
TASK 2
2.1 Own current skills and competencies against professional standards.
Professional
standards for skills
Present level of
performance
Present capabilities Ways to improve
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Technical Operating various
important technical
software and
improvement of skills
(Hadar and Brody,
2013).
Knowledge of various
digital technologies
and software which
are requirement for
storing business
information and
generating reports.
Participation in new IT
courses and use of
software will provide
support in increasing
technical skills.
Leadership Facing problems in
managing team and
resolving issue of team
member.
Lack of effective
problems solving
capabilities.
By taking superiors
advise and analysis of
various leadership
style will provide
support in
improvement of skills.
Communication Effective
communication skills
as I have achieved
various opportunities
in organisation to
present my view and
ideas on increasing
business performance
in market.
Excellent gramme and
Laguna skills through
I have been able to
develop various
organisational reports.
Attending seminars,
conference and group
discussion organised
by different
organisation in
hospitality industry.
Motivational Good motivation skills
as I have been
recognised by my
supervisors in Thomas
cook because positive
have been provided by
team members.
Good communication
and coordination with
team members have
provided support in
motivating team
members at workplace
in order to increase
Communication with
supervisors and team
members will provide
support in
improvement of this
skills
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their performance.
Planning and
managing skills
Less effective in
planning and
controlling various
business activities in
specific time
durations.
Less effective business
process and solutions
that needs to be
improved by
organisation.
Participation in
various team task of
planning and
controlling holiday
packages.
2.2 Own development and activities required to meet them
Planning for development individuals provides support in differentiating individual's
professional improvement objectives and the methodologies for accomplishment of objectives.
Analysis of skills which I have accomplished on the basis of my abilities and competencies
against professional behaviour and organisational objectives will define two important areas in
which I have to make improvement these are analysed as leadership and planning and
management skills (Hudson, 2013). In this competitive business environment, it is essential for
individuals to manage team work and communicate effective ideas in corporate world. To
deliver new idea the skills which the each and every employee of enterprise should possess is
identified as strong leadership skills. This ability involved effective coordination team members
providing guidance and resolving their problems. It is also helpful in presenting view and getting
opinion of team member on topic. Effective leadership skills will help in managing employee
performance at workplace. Planning and management of business activities and responsibilities
assigned to team members is important as it provides support in increasing growth opportunities
at workplace. I have also worked in other organisation and I was facing same situation. I will be
able to develop these skills with of guidance from superiors and participation in team tasks.
2.3 Development opportunities to meet current and future defined needs.
There are various employees in Thomas cook that work together for accomplishment
common objective. While hiring of employees at workplace managers needs to prefer the
candidates that posses fresh talent in order to meet the goals and mission of enterprise. The
major problem which arise is considered as diversity within nature, culture, gender just because
of diversified culture in region which arise as main regions of conflicts (King, 2014). It is
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analysed basic requirement of organisation that they will issue between the worker in order to
develop coordination. In this, problems and conflicts will be removed through understanding the
culture of each other which helps in gaining good communication skills. Moreover, good
conduct and providing respect to the culture of each other will also strengthen relationship with
employees at workplace. Hence, team can be developed and work will accomplish when every
employees in Thomas cook will respect the culture of each other.
2.4 Personal and professional development plan based on identified requirements.
Requirements /
objectives
Short term goals Long term frame Requirements /
objectives
Development of
leadership skills and
effective
communication skills
Participation in team
task and attending
various meeting in
organisation will
provide support in
development effective
leadership skills.
Objectives and
business opportunities
of organisation can be
effectively
accomplished
Development of
personal and
achievement of
position in hospitality
industry organisation
Strategic planning and
organisation skills
Superior advice and
analysis of various
other employees in
organisation will
provide support in
development of
strategic planning and
organisational skills
Development of
teams and effective
business opportunities
that needs to adopt
business opportunities.
Effective business
opportunities and
analysis of problems
capabilities.
Time management
skills and
improvement of
technical skills
By undertaking
course and proper
scheduling of activities
I will be able to
develop these skills
and competencies.
Strategic business
opportunities and
challenges that needs
to be accomplished by
managed which aims
at achievement of
Professional
development and
growth in business
opportunities
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business objectives.
TASK 3
3.1 Process and activities required to implement the development plan
There are various important process involves various important business opportunities
that needs to be accomplished by management. These major steps are mentioned above:
 Initial stage: At this stage, I have developed objectives and plans through which I will be
able to achieve those objectives. In this, there are various important skills I have
analysed which I need to develop through accomplishment of business operations.
Previous experience in travel company has also provided support in identification of
various activities that needs to be accomplished by management (Thomas, 2015).
 Key activities: At this stage, key activities that needs to be performed for achievement of
objectives are identified such as attending seminars, training, team working and research
etc.
 Prioritizing: It implies to effective scheduling practice that needs to be accomplished by
management for the purpose of accomplishment of business objectives. I have also made
proper schedules and log book for maintenance of activities which I need to perform for
achievement of objectives.
 Monitoring: I will analyse the results and apply effective ways to monitor my
performance so that gap between expected and actual performance will be analysed.
3.2 Document development activities as planned.
Activities which are mentioned in development plan are important for me in my
professional career because it helps to recognise the activities which I have learnt and
information gathered while working as employees in Thomas cook. Moreover, these types of
activities are also to be hired by employees with an aim of getting high profitability at workplace
(Megginson and Whitaker, 2017). Besides this, documentation of planned activities like taking
superior guidance, undertaking new activities. Performing challenging, research and undertaking
IT courses will also help in accomplishment of business objectives. Moreover, I have
documented almost all experience which I have achieved at workplace such as information from
superiors, projects and customers contacts and technical software that needs to be achieved by
organisation.
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3.3 Reflection on own learning against aims and objectives set in development plan.
Personal and professional I have developed to achieve various skills which provided
support in development of career in hospitality industry. There are various challenges which are
faced by organisation which I have identified through market research and analysis of business
performance. I have also realized that for improvement of skills there are various important
activities which I need to perform such as undertaking and participation in various academic
courses for development of communication skills. Leadership skills will be developed by taking
guidance from superiors and also undertaking various important business activities that requires
coordination of team members (Kanarek and Lehman, 2013). I am practising to improve my
areas of time management and technical skills so that I will be able to achieve my objectives of
being a manager in hospitality sector organisation. Through proper scheduling of activities and
performing on specific time duration I will be able to achieve the level of performance and skills.
Through effective time management strategies I will be able to manage my task at workplace and
achieve business responsibilities. Many problems will arise at workplace for solving it is
problem solving skills.
3.4 Transformation of development plan on the basis of Feedback.
Skills Task period
Team management Effective delegation of
authorities and responsibilities
to team members at workplace.
2 to 3 months
Leadership skills Adopting various challenges
and functions that needs to be
accomplished by management
effectively.
2 to 4 weeks
Time management Proper guidance from
supervisors and employers will
provide support in managing
task effectively at workplace.
1 to 3 months
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TASK 4
4.1 Solution to work based problems
There are problems which can be occurs at workplace between employers and
employees, employees and employees that needs to be resolved by taking effective measures and
achievement of objectives. In this context, various issues have been considered between
employees at workplace due to difference in culture and perception of employees. There are
various solution to work based problems such as:
Identification of issues: Effective mangers in organisation needs to provide more emphasize on
analysis of issues which creates issues in management of employees and business operations at
workplace (Blandford, 2012). Through effective communication, managers will be able to
identify problems which are faced by employees in Thomas cook.
Solutions: In order to resolve the problems, manager needs to organise group discussion and
team meetings in order to analyse requirement of employees and fulfilment of objectives.
Negotiation and group discussion is identified as best tool for resolution of problem of employee
turnover.
4.2 Variety of styles and appropriate manner at various levels.
Diverging style: Under this style, individuals posses ability to consider at things within
their own business perspectives. Further, they also need to gather information from observing
others and listening rather than doing things. These individual are considered as sensitive
personalities who take guidance from other to remove problems (King, 2014).
Assimilating: It is different as compared to other because this style is relevant for those people
who requires proper explanation and practical knowledge. They also posses effective
understanding about things and then they will also implement in best and effective manner. In
this. I will also focus on achievement of personal objectives (Thomas, 2015).
Planning tools: It implies to source of learning that helps in achievement of objectives however,
it is recommended to organize work and accomplish the task in time which is specified for its
completion.
4.3 Utilization of effective time management strategies.
It is considered as essential for individual to manage effective time for better
development of personnel growth. Further, there are some effective time strategies are mentioned
below:
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