Analysis of Employability Skills and Team Dynamics at Travelodge Hotel

Desklib provides past papers and solved assignments. This report analyzes Travelodge's employability skills and team dynamics.

EMPLOYABILITY SKILLS

TABLE OF CONTENTS
Introduction..................................................................................................................................................1
Task 1...........................................................................................................................................................2
1.1 Develop a set of own responsibilities and performance objectives...................................................2
1.2 Evaluate own effectiveness against defined objectives.....................................................................3
1.3 Make recommendations for improvement.........................................................................................3
1.4 Review how motivational techniques can be used to improve quality of performance....................4
Task 2...........................................................................................................................................................6
2.1 Develop solutions to work-based problems.......................................................................................6
2.2 Communicate in a variety of styles and appropriate manner at various levels.................................6
2.3 Identify effective time-management strategies..................................................................................7
Task 3...........................................................................................................................................................9
3.1 Explain the roles people play in a team and how they can work together to achieve shared goals. .9
3.2 Analyse team dynamics...................................................................................................................10
3.3 Suggest alternative ways to complete tasks and achieve team goals...............................................11
Task 4.........................................................................................................................................................12
4.1 Evaluate tools and methods for developing solutions to problems.................................................12
4.2 Develop an appropriate strategy for resolving a particular problem...............................................12
4.3 Evaluate the potential impact on the business of implementing the strategy..................................13
Conclusion.................................................................................................................................................14
References..................................................................................................................................................15

LIST OF FIGURES
Figure 1: Maslow's hierarchy theory...........................................................................................................5
Figure 2: Team roles by Belbin's.................................................................................................................9

Introduction
Employability skills is the set of skills, knowledge and attributes that the participants of labour market
should have to assure that they have potential of being useful at the workplace by giving benefit to own,
employer and to the economy. In the present study, the organization Travelodge will be taken to assess
own responsibilities and performance along with developing the interpersonal and transferable skills.
The report will also highlight on the importance of team dynamics working along with creating the
strategies for solving the problem that will support in plan, implementation and evaluation along with.
Travelodge is the UK leading hotel in the hospitality sector including 50 hotels across UK and Iceland.
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Task 1
1.1 Develop a set of own responsibilities and performance objectives
The skills in the individuals can be developed with taking into account the continuous cycle. The cycle
works in five steps that starts from awareness continue to practice, feedback, and reflection, refine and
backs to awareness. But before handling the responsibilities I should posses several skills such as proper
communication, flexible for change in environment, team working, planning and organizing and time
management. Being the assistant manager in the hotel I need to follow own responsibilities with
considering the objectives of the hotel and performance of the employees.
Responsibilities
The organization foremost objective is to create the employment relationship in the firm which helps the
firm to meet the competitive edge without any criticalities. The next thing is that to have the decision
making in the industry that supports the Travelodge in achieving the business objectives and aims.
Further, the firm also gives various opportunities to all employees on regular basis as the wide scope in
the industry is seen. On this account at huge scale, I shall necessarily take personal responsibility,
flexible working, good decision making, career planning, adaptability, learning ability along with
considering the legislation, employment rights and workplace ethics (Davis et.al. 2018). Being the
assistant manager, I should solve the problem with giving solutions and taking responsibility as well.
Performance objectives
Own responsibilities, organization objectives and business needs are dependent on the performance
objectives. The performance objectives shall be dependent on initial assessment, performance quality
evaluation, determining the weaknesses and strengths and finally discovering the ways of improvement
in performances. Being the assistant manager in Travelodge, the first thing is to track the achievements
with the resources available in the organization. The objectives are categorized into parts that are short
term and long term objectives (Bowie et.al. 2016). The criteria for getting the objectives shall also be
real as well. The self evaluation and feedback will be taken by me. Self evaluation through regular
assessment of own and feedbacks through customers and employees supports in offering the
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improvements. Finally, the rating will be given on the performance I have done and improvement will
be identified.
1.2 Evaluate own effectiveness against defined objectives
As assistant manager in Travelodge I had considered various aspects of the employees and on this basis
few of the processes are to be taken for increasing the effectiveness for the determined objectives.
Development and training: In the training sessions the assurance for the effectiveness shall be made by
the assistant manager. The justification for taking the training is to raise the team performance and
understanding that helps the team to take the challenges taking place at workplace.
Team member’s responsibility: it is the duty of the assistant manager to take the responsibility of the
members and allocate them the job according to the experience and capabilities (Hodari and Sturman,
2014). It will support the employee to complete the task timely. It reflects the team efficiency
accordingly.
Performance measurement: To give the information to the employees that their performance will be
evaluated is necessary in organization. On this basis, I have taken initiative to bring the evaluation sheet
on consistent basis so that appraisals of performance can be managed on the employees.
Policies and regulations: The effectiveness in the team is ensured through motivation and motivation
should be given timely to the employees to get the higher performance. The motivational policies shall
be executed and the employees should be aware about it (Zvyagintseva and Avramenko, 2015). The
regulations are binds by laws that mean organization has to give the rights related to employees to feel
them that they are part of the Travelodge business.
1.3 Make recommendations for improvement
For bringing the improvement in the skills needed in assistant manager, the following recommendation
had been offered that are mentioned below:-
Table 1: Recommendations for improvement
Skills Present condition Recommendation on
improvement
Motivational Low For providing the motivation to the
employees the use of motivational
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theories shall be done like
Maslow’s hierarchy theory or
Theory X and Y factor or other.
Leadership Medium The use of correct leadership style
shall be done like democratic or
situational leadership style to bring
efficiency in employees to meet
business objectives (Hesse et.al.
2015).
Problem solver Good The application of numerous
advance technologies shall be
conducted to give solutions to the
problems to the Travelodge
employees.
Communication Strong It is quite strong as dealing with
customer’s takes places majorly and
it is skill that every individual
should have in the Travelodge and it
can be increased more through
carrying out group discussions
(Gorton et.al. 2018).
Time management Weak The application of correct technique
is done in this context like use of
critical path technique or time
management approaches such as
prioritization etc.
1.4 Review how motivational techniques can be used to improve quality of performance
The motivational techniques and tools can be taken by assistant manager for improving the quality
employee performance in the organization.
Motivational theories: The use of Maslow’s hierarchy theory can be done in the Travelodge to address
the basic needs of the employee’s along with identifying the esteem and self actualization needs. This
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would support the manager in meeting the customer satisfaction (Ganta, 2014). Further, contribution and
employee’s commitments are essential for quality improvement of performance.
Figure 1: Maslow's hierarchy theory
(Source: Maslow’s hierarchy of needs, 2019)
Incentives and rewards: The appraisal of the employee is important for having the employee
commitment in getting the quality work. The incentives such as cash, salary increment and other non
financial rewards like employee hard work and other initiatives (Šimková and Holzner, 2014). It will
increase the efficiency of the employees that will be shown by getting the suitable outcome.
Self motivation: The organization assistant manager gives healthy working environment to the
employees that supports in giving self motivation and results in better performance outcome. The
support and motivation from the senior executives raises the employee’s self confidence. This
motivation enhances the quality performance and manages internal culture of the hotel.
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Task 2
2.1 Develop solutions to work-based problems
The main problems in work based solutions are the major communication gap and interpretation
problems in Travelodge. These issues can be solved by taking the problem solution cycle process as this
cycle will give suitable suggestions and recommendations. It is important to first determine the
employee’s skills and on that subject role distribution is done to solve work base issues. The work based
problems happens when the employees feel high work pressure or work conflicts that places negative
impact on the individual minds (Devins and Jones, 2017). In the hotel by amending the activities and
functions, it is been easy to lower down the issues. Furthermore, by implementing the proper
communication lines, the communication gap can also be minimized.
In hospitality sector, to give the quality services is important and this does not result as non-experienced
and unskilled employees are more that creating the issue of communication gap and interpretation
lacking. High work pressure in Travelodge gives the employees dissatisfaction and staff turnover finally.
But these issues can be solved by taking their feedbacks and surveys so that work can be managed
overall pressure can be minimized (Cunningham and Dawes, 2016). Further, by giving the growth to the
employees in terms of financial and non financial will encourage the team so as improve the level of
efficiency. The execution of the solution can be beneficial to the Travelodge to reduce the turnover of
employees.
2.2 Communicate in a variety of styles and appropriate manner at various levels
To: Senior team management in hotel Travelodge
Subject: Work Based Problems
Dear, senior authorities of management and employees
I will be sharing few of the important and significant points in respect to work based issues that are
taking place in Travelodge hotel. On these issues, the business performance and operations of the
organization is highly impacted. On analyzing everything, I have seen that the major issue is in relation
with the communication gap. The gap in communication enhances the chances of conflicts in the
employees by which quality service is also hampered. The use of proper communication process from
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sender to receiver will manage the internal relationship, business efficiency, service quality, team
working and hotel profits as well to sustain in competitive environment.
According to my suggestion, it is important for the Travelodge management to use effective
communication form that includes verbal or written communication or both. I also think that written
communication such as reports, mails, articles or memos are the standardized ways for eliminating the
communication as it gives the evidence. Proper communication channel use can also be done and focus
on use of ITC should be done to conduct the online meetings and seminars to save the additional cost.
Further, according to the top, middle and lower level of management the different communication style
shall be adopted as per my opinions depending on the confidentiality level of information shared.
Thanks,
Travelodge Assistant Manager
2.3 Identify effective time-management strategies
The number of time management strategies is mentioned below in context with Travelodge:-
Planning: In this strategy, it is important for the individual to first set the personal objectives that they
want to achieve. Further, the objectives set should be real and achievable. The individual while planning
should also keep some time for the unexpected results as it is impossible to plan every single activity.
Assessing: In this approach, the individual should actually calculate their time they are taking in present
and the reason for this is that it supports in identifying the areas of improvement or knowing that which
activity is consuming the maximum time (Yang et. al. 2014). For identifying this, make the short term
plan with small targets and then identify that whether proper time is used as decided.
Organizing: In organizing, firstly list out the number of activities that individual needs to meet in
specific time period. After doing this, tasks grouping can be done and do not worry about the
unachieved tasks. If they are present, it shall be directly added to the next day list and complete it first.
Prioritizing: In the organization, individual have various activities at one time or multiple overlapping
objectives and if it seems like it will not complete on time in the list prepared. On this concern,
employees need to do task prioritization on the basis of urgency. Priorities are categorized into four
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categories such as urgent and important (Necessities), urgent but not important (Deception), important
but not urgent (quality) and not important and not urgent (waste).
Scheduling: The last approach is to place the list and start working on the things to do into the schedule
created. But make sure that every minute cannot be planned (Morden, 2016). Individual should left the
time for breaks and the schedule is of no use if it is not followed correctly.
Barriers
There are few of the barriers that are faced by the Travelodge assistant manager in the completion of
project. Time management is the major barrier that hampers the whole functioning of the project.
Further, negative behavior of employees and giving ineffective outcome are the additional barriers that
impact the Travelodge working environment. But with positive implementation of time management
process all barriers can be removed.
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Task 3
3.1 Explain the roles people play in a team and how they can work together to achieve shared goals
A team role is the positive contribution and interaction with one another for completing the goals. In
Travelodge, the main objective of team role working is to get the better performance and results. On this
account, it is important to make use of Belbin’s team role that gives the team leader and manager’s role
in main three categories that are elaborate below:-
Figure 2: Team roles by Belbin's
(Source: Nine Team Roles for High Performance Teams, 2019)
Action oriented roles: It includes the role of shaper, implementer and finisher. The manager will take
the role of sharper as developing the objectives for the employee’s according to the Travelodge goals.
The work allocation will be done further and making sure those employees is implementing the
objectives as per set schedule, in this role manager needs to motivate the employees for implementation
(Meslec and Curşeu, 2015). Finally, the role of finisher will take place in which manager will try
eliminate the maximum errors to make the activity complete.
People oriented roles: It includes coordinator, resource investigator and team worker. Manager will
coordinate to the employees about the objectives and tasks allocated to them. Coordination also includes
guiding and directing the employees. The team leader motivates the team to work in group for meeting
the business objectives. They also need to investigate and manage the resources and identifying the
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