Evaluating Personal and Professional Development at Travelodge Hotel

This report details a personal and professional development plan for an HR assistant manager at Travelodge Hotel. It begins with an introduction to personal and professional development, followed by an evaluation of self-managed learning approaches such as training and development, social media, and problem analysis, with training and development being the preferred approach. The report then explores lifelong learning methods like academic growth, self-oriented learning, workshops, and professional development plans. A skills assessment is conducted, comparing current competencies against professional standards and organizational objectives, and development needs are identified. The report includes a curriculum vitae, analyzes skills, and proposes activities to improve skills such as communication, listening and leadership. The report also discusses the benefits of self-managed learning for both the individual and the organization. Finally, the report presents a personal development plan, outlines the activities and processes required for its implementation, and concludes with a critical discussion of the learning outcomes and an updated personal development plan.

Personal and Professional
development
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
INTRODUCTION................................................................................................................................3
TASK 1.................................................................................................................................................3
1.1 Evaluating approaches to self-managed learning......................................................................3
1.2 Proposing ways in lifelong learning in personal and professional contexts..............................4
1.3 Evaluating the benefits of self-managed learning......................................................................5
TASK 2.................................................................................................................................................5
2.1 Evaluating own current skills and competencies against professional standards and
organisational objectives..................................................................................................................5
2.2 Identifying own development needs and the activities required to meet them.........................7
2.3 Identifying development opportunities to meet current and future defined needs....................8
2.4 Devising a personal and professional development plan based on identified needs.................9
TASK 3...............................................................................................................................................11
3.1 Analysing the activities and processes required to implement an appropriate development plan 11
3.2 Documentation of development activities as planned.............................................................12
3.3 Critical discussion of own learning against aims and objectives included in personal
development plan ..........................................................................................................................12
3.4 Updated Personal Development Plan......................................................................................13
TASK 4...............................................................................................................................................14
4.1 Resolving work based problem................................................................................................14
CONCLUSION..................................................................................................................................14
REFERENCES...................................................................................................................................15
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INTRODUCTION
Personal development is a way by which people evaluate their skills and qualities by
considering their purpose in life. This process also includes setting goals in order to realise and
maximize their potential. It covers activities which improve awareness and identity, build human
capital and facilitate employability. Professional development embraces all types of facilitated learning
opportunities including certification such as academic degrees to formal coursework, conferences and
informal learning opportunities (How Do You Measure the Effectiveness of Professional Development?
2010). On the other hand, Professional development can be done through the various learning
opportunities which includes formal coursework, conferences and informal learning opportunities
which enhances the confidence in the individuals. For conducting the present research, Travelodge
Hotel has been chosen and the job designation is assistant manager in HR department. It is the largest
independent hotel brand in the United Kingdom. This company has its business operations in Ireland
and Spain. Organization constitutes with various aspects such as restaurants, coffee shops, bar cafe
restaurants and hotel. Furthermore, present learning is carried on the motive of personal and
professional development which addresses the learning styles, self-managed learning, lifelong learning
and time management. Further part comprises of purpose of Personal and Professional Development
(PPD) Plan which refers to my own Personal Development Portfolio (PDP).
TASK 1
1.1 Evaluating approaches to self-managed learning
Self managed learning can be defined as an effective process which assists in enhancing and
improvising the learning and management style of an individual in a proper manner. There are various
types of self managed learning which helps in the development of personnel as well as staff of
Travelodge hotel. Various self managed learning approaches are as follows: Training and Development: It is considered as one of the effective approaches by which
individual’s existing skills, knowledge and abilities can be enhanced. Through this, employees
become able to understand the work culture easily. Training and development can be enabled
through different sessions on learning skills, active participation in seminars and conferences,
books and journals, etc. Through these types of styles, people can seek maximum knowledge
regarding various aspects (Ceci and Iubatti, 2012). Social Media: It is also one of the most used approaches for self learning for the individuals.
This can be available through various sources such as social media, online books and other
social networking sites such as Facebook, Twitter, Google, etc. Here, this type of aspect helps
in communicating and assisting in knowing other’s personal experience and their views as well
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as ideas. Hence, Travelodge is also providing information about its hotel on their website so
that their staff would have proper knowledge as well as it will become familiar with company's
regulatory framework and work culture.
 Analysing the problems: As per Kolb’s learning style, individual should identify his own
challenges and problems by analysing own-self. This can be done through taking feedback,
becoming good listeners, exploring analytical models, etc. Moreover, hey can analysed
through first understanding the problem or issue then trying to think the logical approach for it.
Here, the problems are those which are related to the workplace (Halinen, 2012). To overcome
from these problems, there are different ways which people use such as lecturers, conferences,
experiments, creative ideas, practical applications, etc.
Hence, by analysing the three above stated approaches, according to me, training and
development is the best approach which can suit to be the best to both; me as well as my staff of
Travelodge hotel. This is because, it is the most effective approach in which individuals can train one
self and helps in improvising the learning skills and processes which will further assist in developing
oneself. It is also helpful for me because it will assist in enhancing my knowledge and skills in the
respective field.
1.2 Proposing ways in lifelong learning in personal and professional contexts
Life long learning can be referred as the concept which is used as a learning for the long term
for an individual. In other words, it is the continuous process of learning in which individuals keep on
learning to enhance their skills and knowledge. Various ways which help in the lifelong learning of
individuals and through which people at Travelodge hotel can be encouraged are as follows: Academic growth: It is one of the factors according to which company encourages the staff to
gain more qualification and degrees that will help in their lifelong learning. Here, Travelodge is
providing sponsorship to those employees who want to study and want to develop their
academic career. Self oriented learning approach: It is considered as the most effective approach through which
individuals can develop their own personalities it would lead to learning attitude (Reeves,
2012). According to me, this approach can be analysed through personal assessment such as
identifying own strengths and weaknesses and try to overcome with it. Regular workshops: This approach is also good Travelodge hotel if it will use it on daily basis.
Here, Travelodge hotel can provide proper training sessions to their staff along with arranging
seminars for them. Therefore, it will help in enhancing knowledge and understanding regarding
organization and its work. Moreover, it will assist in gaining the positive learning attitude in
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various aspects as well.
 Professional Development Plan: It is one of the significant ways which help in monitoring and
establishing my development plan on daily basis (Desimone, 2011). In this, plan is made on
current strengths, weaknesses and issues of the individual and how to overcome with the
various challenges. Through this, individual can increase and improvise his knowledge and
skills in an effective manner. So, this will help in attaining lifelong learning successfully.
1.3 Evaluating the benefits of self-managed learning
Benefits of self–managed learning to an individual and to the organisation can help in making it
valuable for both the personal and professional development. Benefits to individuals will provide scope
of knowledge which helps me to explore more and ultimately, can improve my work performance. It
also helps an individual to gain information about the external world which is a great advantage of self
managed learning at the personal level (Jimoyiannis, 2010). Each person is different and has different
learning style which gives him the sense of responsibility to become liable for the pace and quality of
learning process. other benefits are the enhancement of independence, self dependency and less reliant
for guidance and direction. It also develops the creativity and critical thinking skills in me as well as in
my staff which helps us to become a successful professional in the organisation.
If employees are self learned then they will directly benefit Travelodge to increase their
profitability and improve performance. If employees are self motivated and take initiatives then it is
helping for continuous development. Then in this, company can establish and improve productivity in
the marketplace. Self managed learning also benefits employees of the organization in different ways.
If the staffs of Travelodge hotel are self directed then they will emphasize on up to date knowledge
about different areas (Noe, 2010). Moreover, they will adapt the changing circumstances and try to
learn new things quickly which is one of the major benefits to the chosen organization. Individual’s
self learning and organization's performance are interconnected with each other. This is because; if
staff is self motivating then, it will give positive benefits to Travelodge in terms of profitability and
productivity.
TASK 2
2.1 Evaluating own current skills and competencies against professional standards and organisational
objectives
The skills and competencies of the assistant manager of human resource department which are
to be needed to meet with the professional standards of the Travelodge hotel has some appropriate
skills. These types of roles comprises of brilliant communicators as well as motivators for the
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employees so that they able to inspired them to perform well (Cox, Bachkirova and Clutterbuck,
2014). Moreover, the skills and competencies of the assistant manager in HR department are comprises
of various abilities and skills which will further helps in me in the business enterprise. Here, the
various capabilities constitutes analytical skills, critical thinking, leadership skills and technology
savvy.
Curriculum Vitae of HR Hotel manager
NAME
Address
Phone No:
E- mail:
Objectives:
A highly motivated, hard- working and experience person in the field of the hospitality industry.
I posses good time management skills and able to handle the team work easily. I looking for the job
where my potential can be utilized and understand.
Key Skills
 Good at communication and presentation skills.
 Developing HR plans and policies for the company's development plan.
 Developing the induction programmes for the new recruits.
 Identifying the training needs, developing training programs to ensure constant learning and
development of the staff.
 Establishing a effective organizational structure.
 Maintaining good internal communication within the company.
Achievements
 Settled the HR department for “PQR” company from scratch 2010.
 Recruited 35 candidates through campus placements for “ABC Co.” in 2010.
Employers
 Worked as Asst. Manager in HR department for “XYZ” from July 2008 – 2011.
Educational Qualifications
 MBA – Human resource from ABCD University
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Computer Knowledge Well versed with MS Office, Windows XP and Vista.
Personal Details
 Date of birth: 16 July 19**
 Languages Known: English, French, Spanish.
2.2 Identifying own development needs and the activities required to meet them
By analysing the the own current skills and competencies against professional standards for a
hotel manager against the organizational objectives of Travelodge hotel. For this, the activities table
will be evaluate in which it explains about my current level professional skills as well as abilities and
the ways to improve it.
Professional
Skills
Current
Level
5 = strong
1 = Weak
Best Current Example Ways to improve
Communication
Skills
2 My communication is not up
to the company's standard as I
can't able to express or speak
in front of others.
This can be overcome through
by taking part in the debates
as well as in group discussion
activities. The other ways can
be developmental courses,
seminars and workshops
which helps in improvise my
skills.
Listening skills 3 I have the moderate listening
skills which should also be
improved. In this, I avoid
listening to the view points of
other.
To improvise the listening
skills, I should have to listen
to others also and try to
implement in my life and my
work. Through which I able to
meet with the company's
standards.
Leadership
skills
3 In this, I able to managed my
my team properly but not able
to meet with organizational
In order to enhance the
leadership skills, I would have
to improve my other skills
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objectives. And I also lack the
experience in leading the team.
Through which my team
sometimes gets demotivate.
such as communication and
listening skills. Through
which I able to meet the
standards as well as able to
guide my team very well.
Presentation
skills
4 In this, I have considerable
skills because in this I am able
to provide better presentation
towards my colleagues. This is
because I have already come
prepared for my presentation.
But to meet with the excellent
presentation skills, I shall
focus on the attending
effective workshops and
training sessions which will
helps in the enhancement of
my presentation skills.
Problem Solving
Skills
4 It is is also one of my
considerable skills, which I
managed properly and able to
achieve the organization's
goals and objectives. I
constitutes good problem
solving approach by which I
can able to tackle my issues
effectively.
However, to establish a good
problem solving skills, I have
to emphasize more on the
other aspects such as active
participation in quiz and other
activities. As well try to
managed my work properly
on given time frame.
After evaluating this table, I need to focus on the various skills which I have to improve to meet
the organization's objectives as well as company's standards. These types of skills are communication,
leadership and listening skills which should be improve to meet the standards. The other two
considerable skills are presentation and problem solving skills also need some improvement so that
they meet the firm's expectations.
2.3 Identifying development opportunities to meet current and future defined needs
In order to analysed the development opportunities so that able to meet with the current and
future defined needs, the company will emphasis on the SWOT analysis of my overall personality and
these are as given below:
Strengths Weaknesses
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 Effective presentation skills
 Good at problem solving
 Good critical thing skills
 Effective time management skills
 Poor at communication skills
 Inadequate leadership skills
 no understanding of the online
marketing.
 Techno savvy skills
Opportunities Threats
 Skills can be improved through
solving puzzles and crosswords.
 Attending the seminars and
conferences to developed the
knowledge.
 Should take time for the article,
online sources and read the
newspapers on the daily basis.
 For the leadership skills, the leader
can taker timer out for the leadership
management courses.
 Manager should improved their
techno savvy skills also. This can be
done through visual videos, online
sources, participates in the seminars
and conferences etc.
 Intensive completion in the market
because of the global corporate
environment.
 Lack of understanding related to the
project related languages.
 More experienced colleagues which is
competing with me to become hotel
manager.
2.4 Devising a personal and professional development plan based on identified needs
The three issues which Travelodge are facing are:
 Should have the leadership skills so that able to managed the work and employees properly.
 Should able to communicate well with the customers so that able to attract more guests
(Dickmann and Doherty, 201).
 Should listen to the employees so that employee turnover can reduced in the organization.
For this, personal and professional development plan will be made to overcome from these
issues and they are as follows:
Learning
Objectives/
Current Target Development
Opportunitie
Criteria for
judging
Time scale
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Goals Proficiency Proficiency s success
Communicat
ion Skill
Current = 2
Benchmark=
5
To be
proficient in
both verbal
and written
communicat
ion and fit
in the
professional
standards
set.
It can be
solved
through the
participation
in the
seminars and
conferences.
And to able
to meet with
the
company;s
standards.
Also able to
attend
professional
courses and
training
sessions.
Feedbacks
from the
senior
management
at Southwark
Council and
customers
2 months
Listening
skill
Current = 3
Benchmark=
5
To be
endowed
with the
skill having
good
listening
through
increased
concentratio
n and
attention.
Through
counselling
and
mentoring.
Other can be
online books
and
resources,
training
courses etc.
Improvisatio
n through
listening to
subordinates
Comparing
the degree of
retention of
instructions
provided by
senior
management.
Quantum of
work
accomplished
as stated by
high
authority.
4 months
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Leadership
skills
Current = 3
Best= 5
Effectual
managemen
t of team
members
with proper
delegation
and work
managemen
t
Reading
books and
adopting
scientific
approach that
is different
theories.
To have a
time
management
skill, try to
take lessons
from
superiors.
Resourceful
team working
3 months
Presentation
skills
Current = 4
Benchmark=
5
Good
presentation
of
information
to clients
and
managemen
t
Using
electronic
media such
as projectors
and learning
through
internet.
Able to
communicate
the audience
in effective
manner.
1 month
Problem
solving
skills
Current = 4
Benchmark=
5
Resolving
all problems
encountered
Developing
critical
thinking
Ability to find
optimum
solution
1 months
TASK 3
3.1 Analysing the activities and processes required to implement an appropriate development plan
There are four types of processes in implementing the development plan. These include need
identification, evaluation of needs, other alternatives and implementation. In need identification, one
has to identify his needs through SWOT analysis. The second step is evaluation of needs in which the
needs identified by SWOT analysis are evaluated. Through this, individual will know about his
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strengths and weaknesses. In third step, the other alternatives that can be chosen for the development
plan are considered and in all, the best alternative will be chosen. In last step, implementation and
monitoring will be done on the development plan (Jardeleza and et.al., 2011.). The short term goals for
developing the plan will be able to meet the industry standards are to improvise the communication
skills and listening skills because this will not take much time as compared to others. The mid term
goals would be identify the risks as well as leadership skills. This will take much time but I will try to
complete in 3 months time. Moreover, the long term goals for me is to listen to my subordinates and
considered them to provide me with effective ideas and views to make effective decisions for the hotel.
This will led to the improvising the analytical skills and technical abilities.
3.2 Documentation of development activities as planned
In order to enhance and raise my skills I must document all the activities in the planned manner
so that I can easily acquire the required learning against the aims and objectives. With the help of
implementing formal training and acquiring learning from expertise and professional I must acquire
relevant and decent information related with the marketing field. Therefore, it will support me in
rendering effective services while devising the marketing strategies for Travelodge hotel. Despite of
this, I can also take active part in training plans and program that are organized by the organization in
order to enhance my knowledge and to gain the experience that further impact my performance in the
positive way. However, in order to enhance and develop the leadership skills I must focus on self
directing so that I can guide and lead the employees and staff within the organization.
In addition to this, with the help of taking feedback or responses from peers, subordinate as
well as team member it support me in understanding individual performance level in the Travelodge
hotel. Furthermore, to amend my leadership skills I must document the activities related with reading
books and journals supported on acquiring leadership skills that assists me in improving my leadership
skills.
3.3 Critical discussion of own learning against aims and objectives included in personal development
plan
Through implementing the personal development plan, there are some skills which should be
improved to enhanced my capabilities and these are as follows: Communication skills: For the hotel manager, it is necessary to haver a communication skills
through which they can attract large number of guests. This helps in communicating with the
customers effectively and able to provide effective services to them (Travelodge, 2016). So to
enhance this skills, I have to take up the development sessions as well as to participate in
seminars.
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