Personal and Professional Development at Travelodge Hotel

Desklib provides solved assignments and past papers to help students succeed.

PERSONAL AND PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
TRAVELODGE HOTEL

Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION............................................................................................................................. 4
TASK 1............................................................................................................................................ 5
1.1. APPROACHES TO SELF-MANAGED LEARNING.....................................................................5
1.2. WAYS IN WHICH LIFELONG LEARNING IN PERSONAL AND PROFESSIONAL CONTEXTS
COULD BE ENCOURAGED...........................................................................................................7
1.3. BENEFITS OF SELF-MANAGED LEARNING TO THE INDIVIDUAL AND ORGANISATION.........9
TASK 2.......................................................................................................................................... 10
2.1 CURRENT SKILLS AND COMPETENCIES AGAINST PROFESSIONAL STANDARD FOR A HOTEL
MANAGER AND AGAINST ORGANIZATIONAL OBJECTIVES.......................................................10
2.2 IDENTIFICATION OF OWN DEVELOPMENT NEEDS AND ACTIVITIES REQUIRED TO MEET
THEM....................................................................................................................................... 12
2.3 IDENTIFICATION OF DEVELOPMENT OPPORTUNITIES TO MEET CURRENT AND FUTURE
REQUIREMENT NEEDS............................................................................................................. 13
2.4. A PERSONAL AND PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT PLAN BASED ON IDENTIFIED NEEDS. .14
TASK 3.......................................................................................................................................... 16
3.1. DISCUSS THE PROCESSES AND ACTIVITIES REQUIRED TO IMPLEMENT THE DEVELOPMENT
PLAN THAT YOU PREPARED FOR YOURSELF IN ABOVE TASK...................................................16
3.2. UNDERTAKE AND DOCUMENT DEVELOPMENT ACTIVITIES AS PLANNED. IN THIS TASK,
YOU SHOULD IMPLEMENT THE DEVELOPMENT PLAN YOU PREPARED FOR YOURSELF AND
THEN WRITE DOWN HOW YOU IMPLEMENTED YOUR PLAN...................................................17
3.3 CRITICAL REFLECTION ON OWN LEARNING AGAINST ORIGINAL AIMS AND OBJECTIVES SE
IN THE DEVELOPMENT PLAN................................................................................................... 18
3.4 UPDATED DEVELOPMENT PLAN BASED ON THE FEEDBACK AND EVALUATION.................20
TASK 4.......................................................................................................................................... 21
2

4.1 & 4.2 SELECTING SOLUTIONS TO WORK-BASED PROBLEMS AND COMMUNICATING IN
VARIETY OF STYLES AND APPROPRIATE MANNER AT VARIOUS LEVELS...................................21
4.3 EVALUATION AND USE OF EFFECTIVE TIME-MANAGEMENT STRATEGIES.........................23
CONCLUSION............................................................................................................................... 25
REFERENCES.................................................................................................................................26
3

INTRODUCTION
Personal and professional development could be referred to as the continues process through
which an individual tries to attain the set objectives. The continuous development of personal
and professional skills is very important in the present competitive world. Therefore, this
assignment report will discuss the different aspects of personal and professional development
in the context of the Travelodge hotel. The different approaches to self-managed learning will
be evaluated along with the identification of ways to encourage life-long learning and benefits
of self-managed learning. The current skills and competencies against the professional
standards are evaluated with the identification of own development needs, activities and
opportunities to met the current and future defined needs. Moreover, the implementation and
continual review of the personal and professional development plan is performed along with
the demonstration of the acquired interpersonal and transferable skills.
4

TASK 1
Travelodge hotel is one of the best hotels in the UK. Being an assistant manager at the hotel, I
am responsible to manage and improve the performance of the hotel staff through the
development of required personal and professional skills within them. In order to encourage its
staff, Travelodge hotel has always embarked on engaging in self-managed learning. Here, I am
sharing my personal experience from two learning events including the approaches to self-
managed learning and ways in which lifelong learning in personal and professional context
could be encouraged.
1.1. APPROACHES TO SELF-MANAGED LEARNING
Self-managed learning refers to the way of creating a situation where learning is aligned with
organisational needs and is owned by individuals. In self-managed learning, individuals take
their own decision to learn and work forward with others to accomplish it. It involves the
process of clear goal setting by setting clear aims and requirements, Personal orientation
achievement goals, dates for achievement and self-reflection (Eldredge et al., 2016). The
individuals can apply Kolb's learning cycle style to ensure effective learning.
Figure 1: Kolb’s learning cycle
5

[Source: Kolb and Kolb, 2018]
 Concrete learning: it could be everyday experiences occurs in the personal, professional
and educational settings. It could be completed novel experiences such as new job role,
and new assignment (Kolb and Kolb, 2018).
 Reflective observation: after having new experiences, reflective observation could be
naturally occurring. It could be affected by leaned ideologies and preconceived notions.
It is important to constantly reflect upon experiences for developments and
improvements.
 Abstract conceptualisation: it focuses on channelling observations into a theoretical
approach or a set game plan (Kolb and Kolb, 2018).
 Active experimentation: it involves a process of testing existing ideas by creating a new
experience. It allows connecting strategic planning for practical implementation.
By following these stages, an individual can advance on learning through different approaches
as discussed below.
APPROACHES TO SELF-MANAGED LEARNING
An individual has an opportunity to learn from several different sources through research.
Learning through research could be as a part of their own work or an assignment issued by their
organisation. Learning through research involves learning from the analysing and observing
others. It can be done through different techniques such as:
Seminars and Conferences are an effective tool to learn new things as it provides an
opportunity to learn new things from the knowledge presented by other people. It also helps in
developing confidence and transferrable presentation skills that could be useful in empowering
an individual and organisation (Kotecha, 2019).
Internet is home to a wide range of information for any subject. a general internet search
allows an individual to access a wide range of information from different authors. It is an easiest
and instantly accessible learning source through which individuals can acquire significant
knowledge as per their wish.
6

Social networks are increasingly used by the majority of people. Different social media
platforms such as Instagram, Whatsapp, Twitter and Facebook provide a platform to share
knowledge and information from where people can learn so many new things.
The newsgroup is an internet based site where the individuals can involve in the discussion
about the particular subject. it provides a great platform to share expertise and knowledge
through which an individual can learn new things (Arslan, 2018).
For the staff at Travelodge, the approach of seminar and conferences should be more suitable
for self-managed learning through which the staff could gain relevant knowledge that would
enable them us to perform our duties and responsibilities more effectively.
1.2. WAYS IN WHICH LIFELONG LEARNING IN PERSONAL AND PROFESSIONAL CONTEXTS
COULD BE ENCOURAGED
Life-long learning is all about continuous learning within personal capacity. Individuals can
utilise self-evaluation as a means of life-long learning. Self-evaluation is the process of
systematic observation, analysis and value of personal and professional actions in order to
improve and stabilise it. Prior information about personal skills is very important for effective
learning. A SWOT analysis is the best tool for evaluating personal skills.
Strengths Weaknesses
 Good learning abilities
 Good communication and
Interpersonal skills
 Good observational and analytical
skills
 High sense of responsibility
 Good academic knowledge
 Worst time management skills
 Lack of confidence
 Introvert nature
Opportunities Threats
 Growth opportunities at the hotel
 Availability of internet technology
 Higher growth in the hospitality
sector
 Competition within the hotel
 Increasing inflation
Figure 2: Personal SWOT analysis
7

I have gained an overview of my personal and professional skills and abilities through self-
evaluation. This would support me in applying different learning tools to ensure life-long
learning.
WAYS IN WHICH LIFELONG LEARNING COULD BE ENCOURAGED
Self-directed learning is a process through which an individual initiates the diagnosis of their
learning needs and formulates learning goals by identifying human and material resources for
learning, choosing and implementing suitable learning strategies (Eteläpelto, 2017). It involves
the learning of new skills by developing personal skills through having responsibilities and task
assigned.
Continuous professional development combines ideas, approaches and techniques to develop
personal learning. It is a process of tracking and documenting skills, experience and knowledge
that could be gained in both formal and informal ways during work.
Linking higher education with industry would facilitate in completing the work efficiently.
Higher education brings expertise and develops the required skills and knowledge within an
individual (Rana et al., 2016).
An apprenticeship could also be used to develop desired skills. It is a system of training or a
profession or trade with on-the-job training accompanied by the study. It is a great way to
encourage lifelong learning.
In order to encourage lifelong-learning at Travelodge, I would emphasis on learning through
continuous professional development. I would encourage employees to identify their own
strengths and weaknesses and prepare a continuous development plan to mitigate their
weaknesses.
8

1.3. BENEFITS OF SELF-MANAGED LEARNING TO THE INDIVIDUAL AND ORGANISATION
Self-managed learning brings several benefits to me as well as to the overall Travelodge hotel.
The key benefits of self-managed learning are:
 Improvement in personal learning abilities: self-managed learning enables an inner
motivation of learning among the individuals (Yildiz et al., 2015). Through this, the
personal learning and observation abilities of an individual are increased that supports
the achievement of new skills and knowledge. For e.g.
 Improved personal and professional skills: self-managed learning approach like
internet, seminars and social media enables an individual to develop desired skills from
learning from the knowledge of others. For e.g. by preparing a continuous development
plan, I can mitigate my weaknesses such as my weakness of worst time management
skills could be mitigated by preparing a continuous development involving SMART
objectives (Yildiz et al., 2015).
 Developing new skills and knowledge: Through the consistent application of self-
managed learning, an individual can effectively develop new skills and knowledge by
applying different ways of self-managed learning.
9

TASK 2
2.1 CURRENT SKILLS AND COMPETENCIES AGAINST PROFESSIONAL STANDARD FOR A HOTEL
MANAGER AND AGAINST ORGANIZATIONAL OBJECTIVES
MY OWN CURRENT SKILLS AND THEIR COMPETENCY AGAINST SET STANDARDS
MY CURRENT SKILLS COMPETENCIES AGAINST
PROFESSIONAL
STANDARD
COMPETENCIES AGAINST
ORGANISATIONAL
OBJECTIVES OF
TRAVELODGE HOTEL
Problem-solving skills Ability to access the problem
and use creativity to find out
the solution to the given
problem (Megginson, D. and
Whitaker, 2017).
Even after managing a large
workforce, the given assistant
manager should try to figure
out a solution to the given
problems
Communication skills Good communication skills
would increase the expressive
power of the managers in
conveying their ideas in an
effective manner
An assistant manager’s
communication skill should be
faultless enough so as to deal
with their customers and
subordinates in an effective
and appropriate manner
(Travelodge, 2019).
Leadership skills This skill focus on
understanding the need and
requirement of the individual
employee
It is required for the leaders
working in the Travelodge
hotel to act as a role model
and have regular interaction
with their team members
Relationship building
skills
There is a requirement of
direct interaction in the
service industry with the
clients so as to create a
cordial relationship with their
customers in an effective
manner
A good relationship with
customers would enhance
loyalty among them and
should help the assistant
manager to increase their
rapport with them so as to
reap benefits
Time management skills Time management helps in
improving service quality and
also helps in prioritizing tasks
It is required for an assistant
manager to manage their
time in an effective manner so
that they would be able to
accomplish their task in an
appropriate manner
10

(Travelodge, 2019)
11

2.2 IDENTIFICATION OF OWN DEVELOPMENT NEEDS AND ACTIVITIES REQUIRED TO MEET
THEM
SKILLS TO BE DEVELOPED METHODS OF DEVELOPMENT
To become an effective
communicator
In order to boost my confidence, I would give more
presentation so as to improve my speech. Besides, I
would also bring improvement in my eye contact and
improve voice clarification so that I would be able to
express myself in the most suitable manner
Improving time management
skills
I have prepared a list containing some essential task and
quickly started to work on it so as to avoid
postponement of the given task
To improve creativity To improve creativity, I would enhance my knowledge
base by frequently reading books associated with
renowned authors and also memoirs and
autobiographies of famous persons
To be a better team player I would create a cordial relationship with the team
members which would help in improving my
coordinating skills. Furthermore, I would also participate
in some Team building exercises which would help me to
understand my team members in an effective manner
12