Personal and Professional Development Plan Report for Hilton Hotel

This report presents a personal and professional development plan, focusing on self-managed learning within the context of the Hilton Hotel. It explores approaches to self-managed learning, including conferences, seminars, and online resources, emphasizing its benefits for both individuals and organizations. The report evaluates current skills against professional and organizational standards, identifies development needs, and outlines activities required to meet those needs, culminating in a personal development plan. It also discusses the implementation process, documentation of planned activities, and ongoing evaluation and updating of the plan based on feedback. The report highlights the importance of lifelong learning and provides insights into how to achieve individual goals within a professional setting, using the Hilton Hotel as a case study. The report covers topics like written and verbal communication, flexibility, team working, leadership, planning and organization, investigating, analyzing and problem solving, numeracy and computing skills, and professionalism. It also provides a SWOT analysis, and discusses how self-managed learning boosts morale, improves decision-making, and reduces stress.

PERSONAL AND
PROFESSIONAL
DEVELOPMENT

TABLE OF CONTENTS
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................1
TASK 1............................................................................................................................................2
1.1 Approaches to self-managed learning..............................................................................2
1.2 Ways in which lifelong learning in personal and professional is encouraged.................3
1.3 Benefits of self-managed learning for individuals as well as organization......................4
TASK 2............................................................................................................................................5
2.1 Evaluation of my current skills with professional and organizational standards.............5
2.2 Identification of own development needs and activities required to meet them..............6
2.3 Development opportunities required to meet current and future needs...........................7
2.4 Developing personal development plan to achieve individual goals...............................7
TASK 3............................................................................................................................................9
3.1 Process to implement developed plan..............................................................................9
3.2 Documenting the planned activities.................................................................................9
3.3 Discussing own learning against aim and objective included in PDP............................10
3.4 Updating PDP based on feedback and evaluation..........................................................11
TASK 4..........................................................................................................................................11
Covered in PPT.....................................................................................................................11
CONCLUSION..............................................................................................................................11
REFERENCES..............................................................................................................................13
APPENDIX....................................................................................................................................15
ILLUSTRATION INDEX
Illustration 1: Hilton Hotel in UK....................................................................................................2

INTRODUCTION
Personal and professional development play a crucial role in everyone's life as it helps
individual to set peculiar goals, strategies and targets for an impressive learning. Learning has its
own significance in order to make a person stable and it helps person in enhancing their
knowledge and earning for coming time period. In order to find different ways of learning, there
is nothing good than the self managed learning. Due to sudden innovation in technology,
individuals are facing many new challenges (Back and et. al., 2003). For the purpose of
enhancing learning, they have to be updated with the information about all the new changes
which are taking place in the environment. Moreover, self managed learning helps individuals to
come up with new ideas in order to improve the learning strategy.
The present report focuses on having a detailed discussion to carry out a self-
development plan and also focuses on different ways that can be adopted by individuals in order
to remove hindrances. Further, this report will focus on a work based problem and also a positive
solution to overcome such problem as it can affect the performance and operations of business
enterprise. At last, different time management strategies have been discussed in order to improve
the working structure within organization.
For implementing all the steps, organization undertaken for the present study is Hilton
Hotel and Resort which is an international chain of full service hotels and resorts working under
the flagship of Hilton Worldwide. Mentioned organization has almost 540 branded hotels in 80
different countries in all over the world. These hotels are generally owned, managed or
franchised to different independent operators by Hilton Worldwide. Cited hospitality places the
market importance to both business class travel and leisure travel with different location in major
cities. Further, organization has their ventures near airports, convention centers, city centers and
has various resorts at different location in the popular vacation destinations around the globe.
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Illustration 1: Hilton Hotel in UK
(Source: Hilton Strathclyde Appoints Carlo Capaldi as New Hotel Manager. 2011)
Mentioned company has partnership with different companies like airlines, travel agents
and car rental companies as hospitality wants to provide more comfort and pleasure to its
customers. Further, company has taken a pro-active approach in many of the UK branches
regarding the energy efficiency and maintenance. Corporate has installed green controls for
doors and windows as an intelligent usage of energy which will depend whether rooms are let or
vacant.
TASK 1
1.1 Approaches to self-managed learning
Self managed learning is treated as learning done by an individual as per his own
convenience and facility. It can be through any source. An ideal way to develop the self managed
learning is by observing the current business scenario where I am currently working (Hass,
Abdolmohammadi and Burnaby, 2006). Different approaches for self managed learning have
been discussed below:
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 Conferences and Seminars- Seminars and conferences are considered as the best way to
enhance self managed learning because in seminars and conferences individual shares
their ideas and experiences with each other. These ideas and experiences will help me to
improve my personal skills and enhancing the development of my personality. Further,
by analyzing the way how other person is speaking, it will boost my morale and making
me confident at the time of speaking in public arena.
 Internet- I will gain more of the knowledge by surfing different websites for articles
which is related to management studies, risk management and other topics written by
different authors. Further, being a management student I will focus on gaining more
knowledge related to management as well as leadership qualities. Further, social media is
another method of being socialized through virtual communities like Facebook, Twitter,
etc. (Zubizarreta, 2009). From a research, it has been concluded that matured person
almost spent 1 hour a day on social networking sites for sharing their ideas and thoughts
in order to cope up with new skills.
 Mentor- Mentor is the one who will guide me to accomplish knowledge about the
different aspects of personal and professional life. Further, mentor will be an inspiring
model in my life who will guide me to achieve my goals and objectives in a predefined
manner.
1.2 Ways in which lifelong learning in personal and professional is encouraged
Lifelong learning is defined as learning activity undertaken by an individual throughout
life in order to improve their knowledge, different skills and competencies. Perfect meaning of
lifelong learning is to extend and enrich the knowledge ever and forever. Human is a greedy
animal who looks for new learning and things ever and forever. This lifelong learning is a way of
learning personally with the help of different sources and techniques. It is further treated as a
concept where learning is considered as a continuous, self desired and self motivated process in
nature. Individual's learning should not end with school college, universities or workplace. It is a
life long process that ends with the death of person.
For encouraging lifelong learning, I have conducted SWOT analysis of my own and for
developing it in a successful way I took help of my mentor, close friends and family members
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who always guide me to make difference in right and wrong (Nightingale and O'Neil, 2012). My
SWOT analysis is given below:
 My core strength is that I am strongly dedicated towards my work and I do not leave
workplace till the time my task is not completed. Further, I have a keen interest to know
new things either through any source of internet or with mere discussion with friends. In
addition to it, I m friendly in nature and tries to make relation with new people in first
meeting. Further, I am also taking some actions in order to grasp some common practices
which are followed in hospitality organization in order to improve my performance as
well as standards.
 Weakness is my major drawback and my major problem is that I am very short tempered
and used to get tensed in some situations when I do not find any solution.
 Opportunities which I have in coming future in order to learn new things which will
generally increase my capability and extend my knowledge point (Cercone, 2008). This
will help me to get a strong position in coming time period in Hilton Hotel and Resort.
Further, being a human resource management student, my focus is to become a HR
manager of mentioned company.
 Threats will affect my overall performance as if I lack in some activities within
organization and I am unable to perform then I will get terminated from the workplace.
1.3 Benefits of self-managed learning for individuals as well as organization
There are various benefits and positive impact of self managed learning to individuals
and mentioned organization.
Benefits for individuals-
Self managed learning has generally boosted my morale and it has given me lot of
positive energy in order to fulfill and accomplish a particular task and duty within hospitality
organization. Further, these self managed learning has given me various benefits as it has
improved my decision making skills from all the experience which I had from varied sources.
Moreover, it has also helped me to get decision making skills from all the past personal and
professional experiences (Robertson and Robertson, 2012). Further, teenagers who are at early
age in their life can choose the subject of their interests and can explore new opportunities by
practically implementing these topics. In addition to this, individual who is working with
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positive and best of the interest will be less stressed in business organization and will be easily
able to deal with his personal and professional life.
Benefits for organization
Organization like Hilton prefers flexibility to their employees by assigning task and
duties of their choice without any personal commitments. Further, cited company has to try to
make sure that their SMART objectives are accomplished efficiently and effectively. This is very
much imported for Hilton in order to evaluate qualities and expectations they need from their
multi talented staff. Apart from this cited organization need individuals who have improved
leadership and time management skills and he must have capability of being a strong team
leader. Moreover, employees must possess writing and communication skills as these skills are
linked with aims and objectives of the cited hospitality. Moreover, Hilton will also get core
benefit as I have strong presentation skills. This will generally help me to give a healthy
presentation for all the task and duties which are assigned to me within the business organization
(Fallon, E. and Hausenblas, 2004). Further, hospitality organization cost will be reduced as they
can focus on multi skilled and talented employees in order to avoid the training and development
expenses.
TASK 2
2.1 Evaluation of my current skills with professional and organizational standards
Organizational standards evaluating the way in which business is to be conducted by
considering the plans and policies followed by business venture.. Currently I am working in
Hilton Hotels and Resorts as a junior manager as I look towards proper functioning in the
hospitality. Further, to be a HR manager of mentioned company I should possess healthy written
communication, verbal communication, flexibility working in changing environment,
investigating- analyzing and problem solving, numeracy skills etc. moreover, by developing all
those skills I will be able to achieve my individuals as well as organizational goals (Baker and et.
al., 2005). Other proficiency and competencies required in hospitality sector are as follows: Communication skills- Interacting with travelers in a healthy manner which will show a
good impression of mentioned hospitality organization. Confidence level- I have to be confident while interacting with customers as I have to
make a proper eye contact with them and have to get in a strong conversation with them.
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 Financial skills- As I was a management student, I usually lack in financial stuff as I
have to cope up and need to have better understanding of cash flow, profitability and tax
liabilities (Hunter, Laursen and Seymour, 2007).
From the case study it is inferred that currently I am standing on this level and after
getting all the relevant information, I will improve all the mentioned skills in a significant
manner.
Professional Skills Current Position Desired Target
Written communication 22 30
Verbal communication 29 37
Flexibility in working 15 19
Team working 28 30
Leadership 24 30
Planning and organizing 21 30
Investigating, analyzing and
problem solving
25 34
Numeracy skills 29 30
Computing skills 16 27
Developing Professionalism 24 30
2.2 Identification of own development needs and activities required to meet them
In order to develop the mentioned skills, knowledge will play a crucial role in my life as I
can overcome all the mentioned skills by proper and effective learning through varied sources.
For getting a healthy position in Hilton I have to work really very hard in order to attain the
mentioned skills. For improving the written communication, I will look towards the letter writing
format and content (Malm, 2009). This will be learned through by engaging in coaching class
and also by seeing the formats of letter writing which is available on internet.
Further, verbal communication having its own significance and as I am working in a
hospitality venture, I have to overcome all the issues in a precise way to attain the goals and
objectives of the cited firm. For improving this I need to start talking to my subordinates, friends
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and family members in polite manner. Further, by reading newspaper, articles and journals like
The Times, Mirror Online and Guardian etc. as it will help me to strengthen my vocabulary and I
will be able to speak with lot of comfort and ease with the client as well as other members. Team
work and leadership skills are very much gained as I just need to have a proper control on it by
implementing proper discipline in the organization (Day and et.al., 2006). This skill will be
overcome by reading books and novels related to the top leaders. Planning and organizing will
require some time as it need to be effectively achieved. By gaining effective knowledge on
planning and organizing, it will help me to complete a required task on a desired time. This will
be improved by taking proper guidance from superior members of the mentioned company as
they have lot more experience (Stenfors-Hayes and et.al., 2010).
Furthermore, computing skills consists of using word processing skills, database
spreadsheets, designing the web pages and different programming skills. These are the technical
skills and it will take lot more time as compared to the other skills. Nothing is impossible in this
world and I will overcome this by getting a proper coaching from coaching institute.
2.3 Development opportunities required to meet current and future needs
For making a successful career in hospitality sector and to meet the current and future
needs, there are many ways through which I can satisfy my individual as well as organizational
goals (Moon, 2013). Moreover, I can focus on different development opportunities which will
help me in getting good and desired position in desired job. Some basic sources are as follows: Books- Books are usually considered as a physical source of developing new analytical
knowledge as it will help me to improve the major areas where I lack the most. Books
will further help me to gain more of the knowledge on specific topics which will help me
to improve the skills in a well definite manner. Coaching institutions- There are many coaching institutions who provide coaching for
certain subjects. For overcoming the computing skills these coaching institutions will
play a crucial role as it will give me practical knowledge to enhance my knowledge
regarding the spreadsheet, MS- office and other tasks (Rees, Shepherd and Chamberlain,
2005).
 Internet- Internet will provide me excessive and extensive knowledge of each and
everything. During the coaching session, if I skipped any of my lesson and if I am not
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able to understand the core concept, I can see that on internet in a predefined way.
Further, I can refer to articles and journals in order to improve my vocabulary as well as
communication skills. Internet is considered as the simplest and best source of learning
(Glazer and Hannafin, 2006).
2.4 Developing personal development plan to achieve individual goals
Goal Learning
Objective/
Goal
Current
Proficiency
Skills That Are
To Developed
Available
Opportunities
Criteria For
Judging
Skill
Development
Time
Scale
G1
Written
communic
ation
Good in
writing
Developing
argument in
logical way,
developing
summary notes
Through
practicing,
learning from
superiors,
internet
By measuring
performance,
Oral or
Written Test
4
Month
s
G2
Verbal
communic
ation
Good in
listening and
able to
summarize
what other
are
communicati
ng
Effective
communication
with staff
members as well
as with
customer’s
Continuous
communication
with peers and
family
members,
attending
seminars and
conferences
Oral test,
performance
feedback
2
Month
s
G3
Flexibility
in working
Can think
quickly in
sudden
situations
Keeping calm in
case of
difficulties,
future planning
when things go
wrong
By seeking
help from
mentor,
working under
superior as
they are more
experienced
Performance
feedback, by
putting a
person into
situation
7
Month
s
Team Listening Learning from By reading By
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G4
working
And
leadership
others,
working
cooperatively
constructive
criticism, taking
initiative
books on
motivation and
leadership,
reading story
of great leaders
positioning
individual as
a team leader,
performance
feedback
6
Month
s
G5
Planning
and
organizing
Can set
achievable
objectives
Managing time,
setting priorities
Reading books,
internet,
getting help
from mentor
Performance
feedback
3
Month
s
G6
Numeracy
skills
Usage of
calculator,
calculating
percentage
Managing a
budget,
Arrangement of
finance
effectively
Practically
implication,
journals and
books on
savings
Practically
test
1
Month
G7
Computing
skills
Word
processing
skills
Excel, Database
access, designing
web page and
programming
skills
Coaching
class, internet,
books
Performance
feedback,
written test
7
Month
s
TASK 3
3.1 Process to implement developed plan
Personal Development Plan has been prepared in earlier point and in order to follow it
efficiently and effectively, planning process will help in achieving all the mentioned skills to
achieve individual goals and objectives. Further, by considering the above plan, it is clearly
stated that the verbal communication, numeracy skills and planning and organizing are the short
term objectives and these will be perfectly achieved in limited time period (Loucks-Horsley and
et.al., 2009). By continuous communication with subordinates and family members, I will be
able to do effective verbal communication.
Moreover, seminars and conference will also help me to overcome the verbal
communication skills. In the same context, numeracy skills will get better by self practicing the
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questions relating to the percentage and simple interest. Moreover, internet and books will also
help me to get the best of the results.
On the other hand, long term objectives like team working and leadership, flexibility in
working and computing skills will require more of the time in order to get perfection. I will
majorly focus on coaching lessons as well as different articles and blogs which will really help
me to produce best of the result within small time period. For practically seeing the result, I will
get involved in written test as well as see my performance by competing with the expert. This
will generally boost my morale and I will be able to reach my dream position within the
hospitality organization (Webster-Wright, 2009).
3.2 Documenting the planned activities
For overcoming all the issues, I have to frame some predefined goals and objectives and
have to adopt them in a significant way to improve all the skills which has mentioned above. The
goal which has been documented has been stated below: Preparation of self notes- In order to learn the topic in a summarized manner, I will
prepare notes which will help me in identifying and recalling the content of the topic.
Further, with the help of this I will enhance my knowledge and writing the content will
give a brief impression that what content is telling. Attending every class- For developing computing skills, I will attend each and every class
as computer knowledge is a chained program which is generally linked with one another
(Penuel and et.al., 2007). If one class is missed then whole of the flow will be broken up
and my doubt will get amounting. However, other skills also require the same dedication
and I will effectively concentrate on each and every topic no matter for what skill I am
learning. Once the flow is broken, then it takes hell lot more time to cope up the things
back to the track (Avalos, 2011). Smart sessions- I have not restricted my learning till class only as by reaching home, I
have searched more on taught topic with the help of internet. Further, I have refereed
some more books for a particular topic in order to get fluency in particular skills. Organized- I will divide my tasks in several parts and according to it I will determine
time period with in which I will complete each and every sub task.
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