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, M1, M3 Evaluate approaches to self-managed learning......................................................2
1.2, M3 Propose ways in which lifelong learning in personal and professional contexts could
be encouraged at Travelodge.......................................................................................................3
1.3, M3 Benefits of self-managed learning.................................................................................4
Task 2...............................................................................................................................................5
2.1, M1, M3 Evaluate own current skills and competencies against professional standards and
organisational objectives.............................................................................................................5
2.2, M3 Identify own development needs and the activities required to meet them...................6
2.3, M3 Identify development opportunities to meet current and future defined needs..............6
2.4, M3 Devise a personal and professional development plan based on identified needs.........7
Task 3.............................................................................................................................................10
3.1, M3 Discuss the processes and activities required to implement the development plan.....10
3.2, M3 Undertake and document development activities as planned......................................10
3.3, M3 Reflect critically on your own learning against original aims and objectives set in the
development plan.......................................................................................................................11
3.4, M3 Update the development plan based on feedback and evaluation................................12
Task 4.............................................................................................................................................14
4.1, M3 Select solutions to work-based problems.....................................................................14
4.2, M1, M3 Communicate in a variety of styles and appropriate manner at various levels....15
4.3, M1, M3 Evaluate and use effective time-management strategies......................................16
References......................................................................................................................................17
Appendix........................................................................................................................................19

Conclusion.....................................................................................................................................22

LIST OF FIGURE
Figure 1: Honey and Mumford’s learning.......................................................................................3

LIST OF TABLES
Table 1: Evaluation of own skills and competencies.......................................................................5
Table 2: Development need and methods........................................................................................6
Table 3: Personal and professional development plan....................................................................7
Table 4: Implementation of development plan..............................................................................10
Table 5: To do document for development needs.........................................................................11
Table 6: Skill Evaluation...............................................................................................................19

Introduction
Professional development can be defined as attainment of knowledge that contributes towards
personal development as well as support the individual to gain number of career opportunities.
Personal and professional development has higher focus over various types of learning
opportunities so that one can grow successfully while working in the business organization. The
current report will highlight the personal and professional development of an assistant manager
while working in the Travelodge that operates as a popular hotel in London. It will discuss
various aspects of self managed learning skills so that business targets can be achieved. It will
identify development opportunities that are required to implement the development plan.
1

Task 1
1.1, M1, M3 Evaluate approaches to self-managed learning
Self managed learning can be defined as the method that is beneficial for an individual while
learning number of things from surroundings. It focuses on setting objectives for learning,
determining main motive of learning as well as identifying ways to attain defined goals
(Cunningham, 2017). Being at the position of assistant manager in the Travelodge, it is essential
to evaluate the approaches to self managed learning which are as follows:
Learning through research: Research is widely used for enhancing the skills of the individual
by accessing various online and offline sources of research such as books, journals and articles as
well as accessibility to internet for searching information. For an example, learning of essential
skills for undertaking the responsibilities of assistant manager with the help of research plays an
important role.
Learning from others: Seeking the help of other is one of the important approaches to self
managed learning and for this various approaches are as follows:
 Mentoring: Coaches support enhancing the skills related to personal and professional growth
of the individual while mentors support by providing help, direction and contribute towards
maximising overall effectiveness of the individual.
 Seminars and conferences: These are type of small and large meetings that highlight the
importance of some specific topic for enhancing overall learning and associated skills.
 Secondments: Implementation of changes in ones job role in the similar organization will
help me to explore better career opportunities and the organization can also gain the
advantage of multi skill staff members (Fellows, 2017).
 Use of the internet and Social networks: This is considered as communication platform that
allows public to share relevant information. Being at the position of assistant manager I can
connect with other employees in the hospitality sector for gaining career opportunities.
As per the changing trends within hospitality sector, the utilisation of internet and social media
networks is considered as the most suitable approach for the staff of Travelodge.
2

1.2, M3 Propose ways in which lifelong learning in personal and professional contexts could be
encouraged at Travelodge
Lifelong learning can be encouraged by adopting the ways of self evaluation and self reflective
learning. Self evaluation can be done by focusing on undertaking SWOT analysis that supports
identifying own strengths and weaknesses. The method will support accessing available opportunities
while working in the Travelodge. It will help me to develop the plan so that threats can be
eliminated. Self directed learning support the individuals while taking initiative by seeking or not
seeking the help of others. This will support me in attaining skills while working at the workplace.
Continues professional development (CPD) can be defined as combination of techniques,
approaches, and opinions that supports professional growth and personal learning. This can be
enhanced by linking higher education with business standards, as well as further education (Miller
et.al.2016). As per the Honey and Mumford’s learning, various CPD activities are as follows:
Figure 1: Honey and Mumford’s learning
(Source: Honey and Mumford's model, 2019)
 Activist: Activities included are interactive learning, attending of conferences, as well as
working in groups (Honey and Mumford's model, 2019).
 Theorist: Development of theories as well as implementation of ideas.
 Pragmatist: Learning and practising at the same time along with identification of current
problems.
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 Reflector: Involves working and learning from other colleagues in the organization.
1.3, M3 Benefits of self-managed learning
Self managed learning is beneficial for both individual as well as Travelodge in following
manner:
Individual benefits:
Self managed learning supports the individual to gain new career opportunities and enhance
overall satisfaction towards the job. For an instance being at the position of assistant manager, it
helped me to develop team working, presentation and communication skills which further helped
me to gain higher position within the Travelodge (Gordon et.al.2016). Attainment of skill will
further help me to improve the overall quality of the workplace.
Benefits to Travelodge:
Self managed learning supports the organization to make better decisions by focusing on moral
and ethical judgments. Attainment of skills is crucial while attaining business targets. The
approaches of self managed learning help to gain the benefits of implementing innovative
strategies so that better customer satisfaction can be derived which turn support the organization
to gain competitive advantage in the market.
4

Task 2
2.1, M1, M3 Evaluate own current skills and competencies against professional standards and
organisational objectives
Table 1: Evaluation of own skills and competencies
My Current Skills Professional standards Travelodge and job role
objectives
Problem Solving Skills: I am keen enough
to find out solutions for the specific
problems however the outcomes are not as
per the expectation (Hesse et.a.2016).
Problem solving skills are
beneficial in dealing issues at
present as well as in future
related to employees and
customers
The man objective is to
enhance the customer
satisfaction by handling
conflicts
Oral and written Communication: Skills
depict my ability to communicate with my
team members while sharing my ideas and
opinions
Skills are as per the
professional standards as my
presentations are recognized
by senior authorities
Customer satisfaction
and team motivation
Presentation Skills: I posses presentation
skills and I am able to encourage my team
members while enhancing their knowledge
however I face challenges because of lack of
confidence.
Skills are important for
discussion of ideas with
employees at all the levels in
the organization.
It is to make sure that
organizational goals and
objectives can be
attained.
Time management Skills: I possess the
skills that support me to fulfil the demand of
customers within the time constraint
(Grissom et.al.2015).
Skills are important for
satisfaction of customers as
well as to gain better
managerial position
To meet the objectives in
terms of customer
satisfaction
Team Building: Team building skills are
important for improving the business
productivity but I lack behind in motivating
my team members to share their ideas and
opinions.
Team building support to
accomplish the assigned task
in more innovative manner
Encourage employees to
work as a group so that
customers can be served
effectively.
5

2.2, M3 Identify own development needs and the activities required to meet them
Table 2: Development need and methods
Skills to
improve
Methods of development
Problem
Solving Skills
The skills can be improved by active listening and analyzing the problem. This will help
me to understand the issues in effective manner so that solutions can be identified. In
addition to this problems must be break up into smaller parts so that alternative solutions
can be identified. In addition to this solutions can be identified by observing the actions
of other managers.
Presentation
Skills
This can be improved by participating and undertaking more and more presentations so
that confidence can be built up. Reviews and feedbacks from managers are also
beneficial while improving the lacking areas such as clear tone, eye contact, etc.
Team
Building
Skills
Team building skills can be improved by encouraging employees to share ideas as well
as by providing equal opportunities to all the team members to handle the challenges.
Recognition for their hard work is another important method for development of skills
(Noe et.al.2017).
2.3, M3 Identify development opportunities to meet current and future defined needs
Travelodge provides number of development opportunities for meeting the current and future
needs. For the enhancement of skills participating in conferences, seminars, online courses, etc
are effective in attaining and future needs of the organization. Travelodge has higher focus over
motivation of team members so that they can work their hard for maximising their profits and
sales. It provides reward to its employees so that performance of the employees can be enhanced
which can further contribute towards providing higher customer satisfaction. For an example, life
assurance facility is provided for enhancing the overall job security. Pension schemes are also
provided to protect their life after retirement (Careers at Travelodge, 2019). In addition this,
Travelodge Hotel provides employee assistance programme that supports employee to boost up
their confidence by providing confidential counselling as well as information service.
6

It conducts ‘Aspire Traveller Programme’ that encourages employees to develop their skills so
that they can perform well at their current job role as well as by acquiring higher position in the
organization. Employees can also seek for better career opportunities outside the organization.
This is an internal development programme that either support growth at current role (The
Discoverer) or by undertaking more responsibilities at the Travelodge (The Traveller) by joining
the structured training programme (Sonnenstuhl and Trice, 2018). This also supports gaining
higher position than assistant manager (the Adventurer) by up scaling the leadership skills.
2.4, M3 Devise a personal and professional development plan based on identified needs
Table 3: Personal and professional development plan
Developmen
t Objectives
Priority Activities to
be
undertaken
Resources Target
Start
Date
Target
End Date
Criteria
for
Success
To improve
problem
solving skills
High Skills can be
improved by
focusing on
active
listening skill
so that
problem can
be analysed.
Breaking up
of problem
will also
support me to
identify
appropriate
solutions.
Detailed
analyses as
well as
Feedbacks
and
manager’s
suggestion to
identify the
lacking areas
as well as by
accessing the
online
sources for
enhancing
self learning.
15/3/2019 20/5/2019 Positive
reviews
of
managers
by
observin
g the
positive
outcomes
.
7