Travelodge Assistant Manager: Self-Managed Learning and Development

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PERSONAL AND PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

TABLE OF CONTENTS
Introduction................................................................................................................................1
Task 1.........................................................................................................................................2
1.1 Evaluate approaches to self-managed learning [M1].......................................................2
1.2. Propose ways in which lifelong learning in personal and professional contexts could
be encouraged at Travelodge.................................................................................................4
1.3 Benefits of self-managed learning...................................................................................6
Task 2.........................................................................................................................................7
2.1 Evaluate own current skills and competencies against professional standards and
organisational objectives [M1]...............................................................................................7
2.2 Identify own development needs and the activities required to meet them.....................9
2.3. Identify development opportunities to meet your current and future defined needs.. . .10
2.4, Devise a personal and professional development plan based on identified needs M3. 11
Task 3.......................................................................................................................................14
3.1 Discuss the processes and activities required to implement the development plan.......14
3.2. Undertake and document development activities as planned.......................................15
3.3. Reflect critically on your own learning against original aims and objectives set in the
development plan.................................................................................................................17
3.4. Update the development plan that you prepared for yourself.......................................18
Task 4.......................................................................................................................................19
4.1 Select solutions to work-based problems.......................................................................19
4.2 Communicate in a variety of styles and appropriate manner at various levels [M1].....20
4.3- Evaluate and use effective time-management strategies [M1].....................................21
Conclusion................................................................................................................................22
References................................................................................................................................23

LIST OF TABLES
Table 1: Current skills and competencies evaluation.................................................................6
Table 2: Areas of self development...........................................................................................7
Table 3: Personal and professional development plan...............................................................9
Table 4: activities of document development..........................................................................12
Table 5: Areas of documentation.............................................................................................13

LIST OF FIGURES
Figure 1: Kolb's learning cycle..................................................................................................4

Introduction
Learning in an organization is vital step towards becoming an efficient employee of an
organization. The personal and professional development plays an important role in
motivating employees and leading to career development. The current report will focus on the
case study of assistant manager appointed at Travelodge where learning is enhanced through
various approaches of learning and development. The report will also focus on the benefits of
self managed learning and professional development. The success of hotel industry depends
on how effectively the manager takes up various responsibilities. The manager is responsible
for motivating, inspiring and leading team so that profits are maximized and organizational
objective achieved.
1

Task 1
1.1 Evaluate approaches to self-managed learning [M1]
Travelodge in-house staff magazine
Self Managed Learning
By XYZ
Self managed learning is the process of learning adopted by individuals through experience
and team work so that the goals of the organization can be achieved. In the hotel industry, it
is vital to bring development in the self abilities so that customer interaction can be enhanced.
The approaches of self managed learning can be understood as follows:
Learning from observation:
The employees recruited at Travelodge pose different abilities and skills that support them in
bringing overall improvement in the services of the organization. As an assistant manager
the activities and operations of other staff members can be observed and their strengths can
be used to gain self learning. The manager’s activities and practical approach can be
implemented in real situations for more efficient results (Antonacopoulou, 2017).
Learning through research:
The resources such as books, journals and magazines support in enhancing the knowledge
and skill through reliable results of already conducted research. This will support them in
bringing necessary change in their style of working and gaining theoretical knowledge to
become an efficient Assistant manager at Travelodge.
Learning through sources of internet:
The sources of social media such as facebook and twitter are platforms that allow direct
interaction with the customers so that their requirements and feedback can be understood for
bringing necessary change in self abilities and skills. Also, the motivational videos and
content describing real life situations poses a positive impact on self learning and experience.
2

Seminars and events:
The Travelodge organization conducts various events and seminars to encourage innovation
and creativity of skills. But these events and seminars require careful observation and is a
complex learning process.
The above approaches are helpful in enhancing self learning practices, but the most suitable
approach is the learning from others as this method enhances practical knowledge and
supports in bringing improvement in skills. The report uses various approaches and strategies
that support in professional development. The method of self managed learning will support
in personal growth of individual. Further, using proper methods of learning must be adopted
so that personal skill is in alignment with the objectives of the organization.
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1.2. Propose ways in which lifelong learning in personal and professional contexts could
be encouraged at Travelodge
The concept of lifelong learning is concerned with enrichment of strengths so that it leads to
both personal and professional development. There are various approaches of lifelong
learning that can be adapted by the assistant manager at Travelodge so as to bring career
enhancement.
Continuous learning:
The process of learning has no end and the manager needs to focus on continuous brushing of
personality and traits. The experiences and events assists in learning and skill development.
The business environment where the Travelodge operates is contingent and hence as an
assistant manager it is vital to bring regular changes in the skill, behaviour, personality and
aptitude to be able to be competitive enough (Sessa and London, 2015).
Self evaluation:
I need to analyse the various attributes that assist me in achieving organizational aims and
objectives. SWOT analysis is an effective means of understanding personal strength,
weakness, opportunities and threats. This will support me in identifying the areas of
weakness and overcoming them with probable strength and grabbing the right opportunity. A
self reflection report is developed that points out self attributes, functionality, characteristics
and judgement.
Kolb’s learning cycle:
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Figure 1: Kolb's learning cycle
(Source: simplypsychology.org, 2019)
This is a four stage learning cycle that involves guiding the staff members about how learning
can be enhanced through the process of observation and experience, while then allowing
them to self analyze their progress (Dixon, 2017). The next stage involves motivating the
employees’ for improving the level of efficiencies and experience. The last involves
implementation of experience to the real work so that professional development can be
achieved.
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1.3 Benefits of self-managed learning
The benefits derived from the experiences of self learning while being in Travelodge can be
understood through the following points:
Job enrichment:
The self learning approaches supports in development of skills and abilities that will directly
lead to increasing career opportunities and promotions to a higher position as the ability to
take responsibility is enhanced. Self managed learning inculcates skills of problem solving,
team building and communication that is vital to manage multiple task in the hotel industry
and achieve job satisfaction through customer service.
Self actualization:
The method of self managed learning will allow me to gain knowledge about the skills and
abilities that I have been able to retain and the areas of improvement so that further personal
and professional development can be achieved.
Goal setting:
The method of self learning assists in analysing the weak points of staff members and self
that needs improvement, this will support in setting up of targets so that the opportunities can
be grabbed and further improvement in strengths can be made (Sithole, et. al., 2017). This
will provide guidance to the organization towards a common direction.
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Task 2
2.1 Evaluate own current skills and competencies against professional standards and
organisational objectives [M1]
The process of skill audit has supported me in gaining knowledge about the current skills that
I have. The skill audit is a vital step to bring alignment in the required skill and standard that
needs to be achieved. It will support in matching the actual standard with the required
standard by manager at Travelodge.
Table 1: Current skills and competencies evaluation
My Current Skills Professional standards Travelodge and job role
objectives
1. Time and self
management:
I am efficient enough in
maintaining schedules
through proper recording in
diaries. Also, skill audit
suggest that I am able to
handle multiple activities
effectively
Time management is vital to
complete activities
effectively and reduce the
risk of work delay. Also self
management ensures
competitiveness (Bharwani
and Talib, 2017).
The objective of the
organization is to provide
timely service so that profits
can be maximized with
customer satisfaction.
2. Critical thinking and
problem solving:
I am good at understanding
the problems of staff and
employees ad determining
effective solution but I need
to work upon my skills of
critical thinking so that
innovation can be enhanced.
The capability of problem
solving supports in
understanding organizational
requirement and minimizing
conflicts.
The problem solving
capability of mine will
support in managing
conflicts of team and
bringing improvement in
performance of employees.
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3. Oral communication:
I am currently facing the
issue of speaking out my
thoughts aloud with
confidence.
Effective communication
supports in delivering
essential information to the
audience at large so that
targets can be achieved.
The process of oral
communication plays a vital
role at Travelodge to
motivate and guide
employees towards set
targets.
Personal skill audit supports in analysing the areas of skill that require improvement and the
strengths that can be used to enhance opportunities. Proper implementation of time
management strategies and methods of communication will support team work (Hildebrand,
2018).
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