Travelodge Hotel: A Personal and Professional Development Plan

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Personal and Professional Development
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Table of Contents
Introduction................................................................................................................................4
LO1............................................................................................................................................5
1.1Evaluate approaches to self-managed learning.................................................................5
1.2 Propose ways in which lifelong learning in personal and professional contexts could be
encouraged.............................................................................................................................6
1.3 Evaluate the benefits of self-managed learning to the individual and organisation........7
LO2............................................................................................................................................8
2.1 Evaluate own current skills and competencies against professional standards and
organisational objectives........................................................................................................8
2.2 Identify own development needs and the activities required to meet them.....................9
2.3 Identify development opportunities to meet current and future defined needs..............10
2.4 Devise a personal and professional development plan based on identified needs.........11
LO3..........................................................................................................................................12
3.1 Discuss the processes and activities required to implement the development plan.......12
3.2 Undertake and document development activities as planned........................................13
3.3 Reflect critically on own learning against original aims and objectives set in the
development plan.................................................................................................................14
3.4 Update the development plan based on feedback and evaluation..................................15
LO4..........................................................................................................................................16
4.1 Select solutions to work-based problems.......................................................................16
4.2 Communicate in a variety of styles and appropriate manner at various levels..............17
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4.3 Evaluate and use effective time-management strategies................................................18
Conclusion................................................................................................................................19
References................................................................................................................................20
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Introduction
The assignment is delivering information regarding the personnel and professional
development of an individual. With the help of the assignment some factors are reviled that
can help in professional development an individual. The assignment is written in the regards
of Travelodge Hotel. The respective organisation is one of the most renowned organisations
based on hospitality and tourism operations. The hotel is responsible for providing
remarkable services to its guests. It provides the opportunity to its visitors to get luxury
services in the urbane cities. The assignment is based on the reflection of the assistant
manager of the respective firm. The content of the assignment is delivering a variety of
factors that can help in building the identity of an effective manager. With the help of the
assignment, the importance of management and leadership is justified. Aside to this the
concepts of communication and motivational skills are reflected in the assignment in the most
effective manner.
The primary objective of the assignment is to identify the characteristics of an effective
manager. With the help of the assignment the individuals can develop their identity and can
grow them as a successful entrepreneur. The assignment likewise incorporates professional
development plan which is based on the types of skills that are required by a manager or the
skills that will help in enhancing the potential of a manager in the organisation.
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LO1
Introduction
Travelodge Hotel is associated with tourism and hospitality services. The hotel is responsible for
providing remarkable services to its guests. It provides the opportunity to its visitors to get luxury
services in the urbane cities. The hotel is planning to start a program in which the employees enhance
their skills by self-learning or self-evaluation with the help of varied approaches. Being the manager
of the concerned hotel, I will be managing this activity in the most appropriate manner (Bakker-Pieper
and de Vries, 2013). With the help of this report, the significant features of self-managed
learning can be highlighted.
1.1Evaluate approaches to self-managed learning
Self-managed learning refers to an activity in which the individuals try to develop expertise
in them by the process of self-evaluation. In other words, it can be said that it is a process in
which the individuals tries to evaluate their skills to improvise them as per the demand of the
situation. Under this scenario, the managers of Travelodge Hotel tries to start self-managed
learning program in which they will try to train their subordinates for enhancing their skills as
per the demand or condition of the organisation (Carnevale and Smith, 2013). Self-managed
learning program is based on some approaches. Being a manager, I must understand these
approaches and apply them most effectively to conduct the task. The approaches related to
self-managed learning are as follows:
 Seminars and conferences
Seminars or conferences provide a platform for individuals for learning and grasping
new ideas and knowledge. It is a platform where different individuals express their
thoughts and ideas as per their thinking. The information grasped from seminars can
help in personality development.
 Social networking sites
With the help of social platforms, the individuals can enhance their area of knowledge
by studying different articles and reports as posted by the trusted authors. Social media
or internet is a platform that helps in connecting people from all over the world. With
the help of this platform, the individual can study the thinking of every individual and
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can develop their expertise accordingly.
 Research
As per my thinking, this is the fascinating approach of self-managed learning. Under
this method, the individuals can enhance their area of knowledge by going through to
the opinions of some individuals. With the help of this method the skills of individuals
can surely be nourished (Carnevale and Smith, 2013).
1.2 Propose ways in which lifelong learning in personal and professional contexts could
be encouraged
Lifelong learning is basically referred to as a process in which the individuals start the
process of learning from their initial times. Under this process, the academic world of the
individuals gets interlinked to their professional world. It is a continuous development
process with the help of which the skills and expertise of the individuals can be nourished.
Two methods can help in encouraging the lifelong learning process, these methods are:
 SWOT analysis
With the help of SWOT analysis, the individuals can evaluate their capabilities and skills.
They can justify their strengths and weaknesses. With a sight of their strengths the
individuals can take a step forward in enhancing them, and along with it, they can take a
step to reduce the level of their weaknesses (Kyllonen, 2013). Aside to this, the
individuals can evaluate their opportunities and threats. With the help of these factors, the
professional behaviour of the individuals can be enhanced.
 Self-reflection learning
Under this method, the individuals enhance their skills with the help of responsibilities
assigned to them in their workplaces. In other words, it can be said that it is a process in
which the individuals learn from the work that they are doing on a daily basis either
personally or professionally.
As per my experience, it can be said that the method of self-reflection is more powering than
the SWOT analysis. With the help of this method, individuals can learn with the help of their
responsibilities. Being the manager of Travelodge Hotel, I will try to assign new and
challenging duties to my subordinates to enhance their skills and learning capabilities
(Kyllonen, 2013).
1.3 Evaluate the benefits of self-managed learning to the individual and organisation
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Self-managed learning is a process of evaluating personal skills and capabilities. It is process
that helps in identifying the area of improvisation in an individual. There are some significant
features of this process; these are as follows:
 Presentation skills
Self-managed learning helps in improving the presentation skills of the individuals. It
helps them in evaluating the behaviour of their customers and stakeholder and enhances
their capabilities to interact with them (Carnevale and Smith, 2013).
 Communication skills
Self-managed learning likewise assists in improvising the communication skills of the
individuals by providing them the confidence in delivering their point of view to the other
stakeholders.
 Solution to the issues
With the help of enhanced skills and capabilities, the individuals or subordinates can
solve or handle the issues of the organisation in the most productive manner (Kyllonen,
2013).
Conclusion
With the help of above information, it can be concluded that individuals can attain a
remarkable success in their professional life if they follow the process of self- managed to
learn. With the help of this process, they can enhance their skills and can be better
entrepreneurs in future.
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LO2
2.1 Evaluate own current skills and competencies against professional standards
and organisational objectives
For being the manager of Travelodge Hotel it is extremely essential to have skills related to
leadership, controlling, directing, motivating and communication etc. with the help of all of
these skills the manager can enhance the sales of the hotel and can enhance the goodwill of
the organisation in the market. The primary objective of the managers of Travelodge Hotel is
to fulfil the aspirations of their customers. With the help of this ability, the managers are
capable of enhancing the potential and productivity of the organisation (Kyllonen, 2013).
The primary objective of the organisation is to maximise its sales and productivity. These
factors can be enhanced with the help of an effective manager. Being the assistant manager of
concerned organisation I think that I do not possess all the required skills. For being an
effective manager it is essential for me to enhance my management and leadership skills. The
manager must guide, inspire and motivate their subordinates. For inspecting the tasks of the
subordinates having good leadership and management skills are essential. Aside to this, I
believe that my communication or interaction skills are sufficient for being an assistant
manager (Carnevale and Smith, 2013). Aside to this I likewise have the skills of handling the
problems or issues of the organisation. I can handle the visitors in the most empathetic and
respectful manner. Aside to this, I have good evaluating and analysing skills. I can analyse
the demands of the stakeholders and the consumers and can take my steps accordingly. With
the help of these skills, I can enhance the productivity of the organisation. But on the other
hand, it is essential for me to develop good management and leadership skills in myself.
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2.2 Identify own development needs and the activities required to meet them
After evaluating own skills and capabilities, I conjectured that I lack in the path of leadership
and managing the organisation. Aside to this I likewise have average motivation and inspiring
skills. Motivation is the essence of management (Kyllonen, 2013). Without motivating and
fulfilling the morale of potential employees the organisation cannot sustain growth in the
market. Hence it is extremely important for me to develop my motivation and leadership
skills. With the help of these skills, I will be able to guide and direct my subordinates in the
right direction for enhancing the potential of the organisation. There are some ways with the
help of which I can improve my leadership and motivational skills. These methods or
processes are as follows:
1. For being an effective leader, I will try to participate in all the activities of the
organisation. This will help me in understanding new things and will help in
enhancing my capabilities as a leader
2. I will try to participate in the activities of inspiring other. I will try to face all the
challenges of the organisation and will try to inspire others to do the same.
3. Aside to this, I will try to take initiatives in resolving the issues and conflicts of the
organisation. I will try to maintain decorum in the organisation and motivate my
subordinates to build a healthy environment in the organisation (Kyllonen, 2013).
4. Rather than imposing my thoughts over my subordinates, I will try to listen to their
thinking and will welcome their initiative in the organisation. Rather than being an
autocratic leader I will try to possess the qualities of a democratic one.
With the help of all of these activities, I will be able to enhance my motivation and leadership
skills which will help in promoting the growth of the hotel (Carnevale and Smith, 2013).
Motivational and leadership skills will help in enhancing the scope and potential of my
organisation and me. Motivational and leadership skills will help in enhancing the
productivity of the employees and the organisation. It will help in enhancing the goodwill of
the firm in front of the entire stakeholder and the consumers. With the help of these qualities,
I will be able to develop myself professionally and enhance the scope of myself as the
assistant manager of the respective firm.
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2.3 Identify development opportunities to meet current and future defined needs
Availability of development opportunities is essential for me to boost the potential of my
professional career. Some opportunities are available to me while working in the
organisation. I can try to enhance my skills by participating in training and development
programmes. With the help of these programmes I can enhance the level of knowledge and
can learn a variety of information from my seniors. In the training programmes, I will try to
perform everything practically. Practical knowledge will help in accelerating the pace of my
capabilities and will help in improvising my management skills. Learning the skills from the
high-level managers will help in acquiring information regarding the working of the
organisation. This information will help in taking and future steps or making any changes in
the organisation (Gerhart and Fang, 2015).
Aside to this, I can also try to participate in all the management operations of the hotel. This
will likewise help me improvising the practical knowledge of the management scenario. By
practically participating in every activity I can learn new concept regarding leadership and
can apply them to enhance my potential as an assistant manager (Kyllonen, 2013). I will
likewise try to participate in the activities performed outside the boundaries of the hotel. This
will help in enhancing my evaluation and annalistic skills. With the help of these skills, I can
enhance the capabilities of evaluating the changing needs of the consumers and the risks
taking over the organisation (Carnevale and Smith, 2013).
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2.4 Devise a personal and professional development plan based on identified
needs
Developing a personal and professional development plan is very crucial to enhance the level
of skills and capabilities. The figure provided below is reflecting a personal and professional
development plan that is designed for developing me professionally based on the identified
improvement areas (Gerhart and Fang, 2015).
Area of improvement or
development needs
Priority Activities to be undertaken
Leadership skills 1  Participation in all the operations
 Support from senior management
 Resolving the conflicts from the organisation
Motivational skills 3  Inspiring the subordinates
 Solving the issues of the organisation
 Welcoming initiatives from the subordinates
 Listening to the needs of the subordinates (Kyllonen,
2013).
Managing skills 2  Initiating in planning and monitoring activities
 Participating in training programmes
Presenting skills 4  Interacting with the stakeholders and customers
 Analysing the changes in the market
Table 1: Personal and Professional Development Plan
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LO3
3.1 Discuss the processes and activities required to implement the development
plan
The development plan as prepared in the report above requires some activities to be executed
in the most effective and precise manner. Developing skills is essentially required for
fulfilling the strategic goals of the organisation (Carnevale and Smith, 2013). With the help of
this process, the individuals can be inspired to take responsibilities of the organisation. This
step can be conducted with the help of some activities; these activities are as follows:
1. By conducting the process of skills audit to analyse the skills and the area of
requirement
2. By framing the policies to enhance the identified skills in the most appropriate
manner and by taking assistance of the skilled managers in executing this process.
3. By conducting the step of personal SWOT analysis to analyse own strength,
weaknesses, opportunities and threats (Gerhart and Fang, 2015).
From all the above-stated functions conducting SWOT analysis is the best practice as it will
help in evaluating own strength, weaknesses, opportunities and threats which will help in the
planning and strategising process. With the help of this step, I will be able to develop
impressive leadership and motivation skills in myself. With the help of SWOT analysis, the
individuals can evaluate their capabilities and skills. They can justify their strengths and
weaknesses (Gerhart and Fang, 2015). With a sight of their strengths the individuals can take
a step forward in enhancing them, and along with it, they can take step to reduce the level of
their weaknesses. Aside to this, the individuals can evaluate their opportunities and threats.
With the help of these factors, the professional behaviour of the individuals can be enhanced.
As per my experience, it can be said that the method of self-reflection is more powering than
the SWOT analysis. With the help of this method, the individuals can learn with the help of
their responsibilities. Being the manager of Travelodge Hotel, I will try to assign new and
challenging duties to my subordinates to enhance their skills and learning capabilities
(Lazaroiu, 2015).
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