HR Manager's Employability Skills Report for Travelodge

This report provides a comprehensive analysis of employability skills within the context of Travelodge, a hospitality company. It begins by defining employability skills and exploring the development of personal responsibilities and performance objectives for an HR manager, including time management and communication strategies. The report evaluates the effectiveness of these objectives and offers recommendations for improvement, including motivational techniques. Furthermore, it delves into problem-solving in the workplace, addressing issues like employee turnover and communication gaps. The report examines various communication styles and their appropriateness at different organizational levels, explores team dynamics, and suggests alternative approaches to task completion. Finally, it proposes strategies for resolving problems, evaluates their potential impact on the business, and concludes with a summary of key findings and recommendations. The report also includes an appendix with a traffic light skills audit plan.

Employability Skills

Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................1
TASK 1............................................................................................................................................1
P 1.1: Develop a set of own responsibilities and performance objectives.............................1
P 1.2: Evaluate own effectiveness against defined objectives...............................................2
P 1.3: Make recommendations for improvement...................................................................3
P 1.4: Review how motivational techniques can be used to improve quality of performance.3
TASK 2............................................................................................................................................5
P 2.1: Develop solutions to work-based problems.................................................................5
P 2.2: Communicate in a variety of styles and appropriate manner at various levels............5
P 2.3: Identify effective time-management strategies............................................................7
TASK 3............................................................................................................................................9
P 3.1: Explain the roles people play in a team and how they can work together to achieve
shared goals............................................................................................................................9
P 3.2: Analyse team dynamics..............................................................................................11
P 3.3: Suggest alternative ways to complete tasks and achieve team goals.........................12
TASK 4..........................................................................................................................................13
P 4.1: Tools and methods for developing solutions to problems.........................................13
P 4.2: Develop an strategy for resolving problem of labour turnover.................................15
P 4.3: Evaluate the potential impact on the business of implementing the strategy............16
CONCLUSION..............................................................................................................................17
REFERENCES..............................................................................................................................18
APPENDIX....................................................................................................................................20

INTRODUCTION
Employability skills are the set of skills, attributes and knowledge of a particular field in
the individuals for ensuring that they are effective within the work place and can perform their
work effectively. These skills are very essential for getting the work or job. These skills are also
important for employees to contribute their maximum efforts in accomplishing the mission of the
firm. The company taken in this assignment is Travelodge which is providing hospitality services
to their clients. The company was established in 1985 at England UK. This report will determine
the responsibilities and performance objectives of the HR manager of the taken firm. Also,
interpersonal and transferable skills will be developed in this report for effectively
communicating with employees of various level in a variety of styles. This report will further
evaluate the dynamics of working with others in a team along with some alternative ways to
execute tasks.
TASK 1
P 1.1: Develop a set of own responsibilities and performance objectives.
Own responsibility and performance objectives are mostly concerned with the self
evaluation. It is often refereed as the capabilities and skills of individuals to provide valuable and
desirable results. As a manager of Travelodge, I need to perform my responsibilities in an proper
manner for enhancing the profitability and productivity of the company. In Travelodge, manager
is responsible for planning, coordinating, staffing, organising etc. Also managers needs to
manage the various activities of different operation and process in an organisation (Andrews and
Russell, 2012). Some responsibilities and performance objectives are given below for manager of
Travelodge.
Own responsibilities
Time management: This is a major responsibility for managers through which they can
execute their work on timely basis. As a manager in Travelodge, I needs to manage my time
effectively so that I can deliver better results and outcomes in a timely manner. Through this, I
can achieve my goals and objectives in the given time period.
Communication with staff: This is also an important aspect for the managers. The
mangers needs to communicate with their employees effectively for determining their issues and
problems. As a manager of Travelodge, I needs to maintain good communication with my peers
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for effectively engaging with them. Through this, me and employees can share the ideas and
opinions with each other.
Performance objectives
Identify strengths and weaknesses: As a manager of Travelodge, I needs to identify the
weakness and strengths of employees for further improving them to enhance my working
efficiency and performance. When these weakness and strengths are identified, then I can work
to improve them for enhancing the productivity of the company as well as to increase my skills
and knowledge. These strengths and weaknesses can be determined only by effectively
communicating with the employees.
Discover ways to improve performance: As a manager of Travelodge, i needs to discover
new ways for improving the performance and productivity of employees and of mine. These can
be improved by training and development sessions. Even I can take attend classes and seminars
for improving the performance of me and the employees of firm. Also through, time
management, performance and efficiency of the workers and of me can improve when the
deadlines are met in proper manner.
P 1.2: Evaluate own effectiveness against defined objectives
I had above provided the responsibilities and objectives for Travelodge as a manager. It is
very important to evaluate the effectiveness of the defined objectives for enhancing my
capability and skills. It is very important to adapt to the changes and to be flexible in terms of
time. I needs to manage my time properly so that I can execute the assigned work on time. I also
needs to maintain a diary for knowing the deadlines and other important dates on priority basis.
As a manager of Travelodge, I also needs to improve my communication skills for properly
conveying the information to employees. I needs to improve listening skills as I take judgements
without listening the whole thing. My confidence level also needs improvements through which I
can properly give the presentation to the employees and my peers. I need to avoid the time
wastage during the work for increasing the efficiency. Also I needs to implement effective
strategies through the evaluation of effectiveness of my defined objectives. A traffic light skills
audit plan has also been prepared for providing own effectiveness against defined objectives in
the appendix.
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P 1.3: Make recommendations for improvement.
Some of the recommendations for improving the performance and efficiency are as
follows:
 As a manager of Travelodge, I need to improve my time management skills by specifying
the deadlines to the assigned work. Also I needs to avoid the wastage of time when
executing my work. Also I needs to use a diary for keeping the record of deadlines and
important work.
 I also needs to communicate with employees effectively for motivating and encouraging
them. My communication skills lacks sometimes due to which I am not able to listen to
the speaker effectively. I also needs to improve my confidence for effectively sharing my
ideas with peers and to give effective presentation during my work.
Through these recommendations, I as well as other managers of Travelodge can increase
their effectiveness against their predetermined objectives for effectively achieving the goals of
organisation. Managers can improve their working efficiency and can perform their work better
through these recommendations (Dhiman, 2012). Through these, I can also execute the work on
time and can also communicate with co-workers effectively with full confidence.
P 1.4: Review how motivational techniques can be used to improve quality of performance.
Motivation refers to the process of enhancing the skills and knowledge of the employees
using encouragement in terms of appreciation and appraisals etc. When the employees don't feel
motivated in their work then it can effect the performance of them selves as well of the
organisation. So, motivation is necessary top enhance the performance and productivity of the
organisation as well as of its employees. Through the motivation, employees can work
effectively by improving the performance and productivity. Motivation is very important for the
employees of Travelodge hotel to effectively perform their work. Some of these strategies and
policies are discussed below:
Offering positive working environment: Positive and healthy environment is very
essential in an organisation for motivating their employees (Gallagher, 2013). Through positive
working environment, employees can work effectively and even can share their ideas and
suggestions without any hesitation. Organisation must ensure that the harmony is maintained in
the working culture and organisational behaviour.
McGregor X-Y theory
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Theory X: This theory focus on the employees who feels lazy in their work and tries to
avoid the work. Such employees must be provided with rewards and punishment based on the
performance and productivity (Jackson, 2012). By the rewards and punishment, employees can
improve their efficiency and performance for effectively executing their work.
Positive impact Negative impact
 When provided with rewards,
employees feels motivated and
encouraged in their working which will
assist the firm to grow.
 Employees can improve their efficiency
and performance for getting high
awards and incentives.
 Negative impact is that the employees
can feel dissatisfied in their work when
punishment is given to them.
 Due to the laziness in their nature, they
often may ignore the important work or
can contribute their minimum efforts in
the work.
Theory Y: This theory states that the people are ready and confident enough to perform
their work with consistency. They feels motivated and ready to achieve the desired goals of the
organisation in the predetermined time period. Conflicts among such employees rises rarely due
to the confidence and motivation to do their work.
Positive impact Negative impact
 Such people are motivated in their
working due to which they gives their
maximum efforts for achieving the
goals and objectives.
 Motivated people have high degree of
imagination and creativity which can
resolve the issues of the employees.
 The negative impact of this theory is
that motivated employees work
continuously which can impact their
performance due to extra stress of
work.
 Also due to confidence and motivation,
such people wants to outperform other
which can impact the efficiency and
performance of other employees.
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Through these above discussed strategies, Managers of Travelodge can motivate their
employees for accomplishing the shared goals in an effective manner. Also the management can
use these strategies to improve the quality of performance.
TASK 2
P 2.1: Develop solutions to work-based problems
Problem solving at work is very necessary to tackle the various problems of employees
which are adversely impacting the performance of the employees and organisation. Travelodge is
facing various problems such as employees turnover, lack of communication skills etc. which are
also effecting the functioning of the firm (Jackson, 2014). Manager must needs to resolve such
issues as soon as possible using different methods such as problem analysis, researching changes
in workplace etc. Some problems and the method for resolving them are discussed below:
Problems:
 Employees turnover is increasing due to the ineffectivand ye working environment.
 Employees of Travelodge are from various cultural backgrounds which is creating
communication gap among them.
Some methods for resolving such issues are given below:
Problem analysis: In this method, proper analysis is done for determining the problem,
its cause and its effect on the various functions (Jones, 2013). Travelodge can use this method for
resolving the problem of employees turnover and can provide suitable solutions to them using
this analysis.
The problem of communication among the employees can be eliminated by providing
them training regarding the communication skills. Through this, they can communicate with each
other in an effective manner. When the employees can communicate with each other without any
problem, then the issue of labour turnover can also be eliminated. With proper communication,
employees can communicate with each other and even can support other employees in their
problems and issues.
Above discussed strategies are useful for me to choose the right solution for the
problems. For instance: problem of employees turnover can be resolved using green hat rule
whereas communication issues can be resolved by blue hat rule.
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P 2.2: Communicate in a variety of styles and appropriate manner at various levels
Communication plays a critical role in the smooth running of operations of an
organisation. It is useful in conveying the information to employees and higher level authorities
regarding thoughts, ideas, etc. Communication is essential in workplace for conveying the
information regarding the strategies, policies, plans and the organisational objectives. When the
communication is not effective then the employees find it hard to understand the conveyed
message. For effective communication, several methods are used for building effective
relationship among the employees and consumers as given below:
Verbal communication: It is the method of expressing the information through language
which includes grammar and words. Verbal communication use sound, word, pitch, etc. for
conveying the information. In Travelodge, employees practice verbal communication for
sharing their perspectives and ideas. Such type of communication is important in hospitality
industry as individuals from such industry faces different types of customers in performing their
daily activities.
Non verbal communication: It is the method of communication without any spoken or
written word and includes body language, gestures, facial expressions, etc. Body language is
very useful for the workers of Travelodge (Lim, and et. al., 2016). It is helpful in building a
good welcoming and respectful reputation in-front of customers. Non verbal communication
plays a critical role in meetings and other professional communication.
Letter
Address:
Date: 16th January, 2019
The Senior management
Travelodge, London
Respected Sir,
According to my research, firm is facing issues of labour turnover and poor communication
skills of workers. Both of these issues are effecting the working of the hotel. These issues can be
eliminated by providing training sessions to the workers for enhancing their way of
communication. With proper communication skills, workers can effectively coordinate with
each other and also they can deal with consumers in a more efficient manner. Also the issue of
employee turnover can be resolved by maintaining a healthy working culture and environment
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in which the employees are able to support each other and can coordinate effectively with each
other.
Sincerely
Name
Memo
Travelodge Hotel
To: Lower level employees
From: Manager
CC: HR manager
Date: 15th January, 2019
Subject: Major issues of Travelodge
The purpose of this memo is to give you the information regarding the issues which few
workers are facing in communicating with each other. This issue is due to the poor
communication skills as well as due to the different cultural backgrounds. As a result,
employees are leaving the firm which is a major concern for managers as the labour turnover is
increasing. Both of these reasons are are hampering the productivity and functioning of firm.
Both of these issues could be resolved by providing training for effective coordination among
the workers. Through this training, the employees can coordinate with each other in an effective
manner and also they can be able to handle the clients in proper way. Also the issue of
employees turnover can also be mitigated through such training as this is arising due to
unhealthy competition among the employees. As a manager, I had decided to reduce this
unhealthy competition by assigning proper roles and responsibilities to the workers. Also I
decided to provide performance based incentives to employees. Employees must try to maintain
healthy working environment in the company for coordinating each other in effective manner.
P 2.3: Identify effective time-management strategies
Time management is the process of properly utilising the available time on the basis of
priority of the activities. Time management is an essential part of managers in order to perform
the different activities and tasks in the predetermined time period with the required efficiency.
Some of the time management strategies are discussed below:
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Setting objectives: Objectives must be set by the managers for executing the work in a
proper manner. Managers of Travelodge must set the objectives and clearly define these
objectives to the employees (Mehrotra, 2014). Through this, the workers can work accordingly
and can perform the activities in a proper way.
Time for learning: It is also an important aspect which states that individuals needs time
to learn specific skills and this time period must be given to them for improving their skills and
knowledge (Rosenberg, Heimler and Morote, 2012). For instance: The communication skills of
employees at Travelodge are weak and they require minimum 2 months for improving these
skills. This time must be given to them by the management.
Illustration 1: Time Management quadrant
Source: Time management quadrant. 2018
Time management quadrant: This tool is consist of 4 quadrants which are used for
identifying the spent time and to prioritise the work, goals and roles. The 4 quadrants are
discussed below:
Quadrant 1: This is also known as Quadrant of Necessities. In this, reactive tasks needs to
be done are executed at last minute. Time spent in this quadrant can't be avoided.
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Quadrant 2: This is also known as the Quadrant of Quality. In this, the proactive tasks are
done which are often habitual and needs to maintain for improving the quality of work and life.
Quadrant 3: This is also known as the Quadrant of Deception. In this, the people spent
their time into non-meaningful activities without knowingly.
Quadrant 4: This is also known as the Quadrant of Waste. It starts out as restful time as
quadrant 2 and The tipping point comes when the time was spent doing mindless things.
Advantage Disadvantage
 Through this tool, time can be utilised
accordingly and can be managed
accordingly on the basis of quadrants.
 This tool is helpful for determining the
priority activities which needs to be
done on time.
 The disadvantage is that the when using
the tool, the objectives may not be clear
which will leads to mismanagement of
time.
 When obstacles are faced in using this
model, then these obstacles also needs
time to resolve which will impact the
time management process.
TASK 3
P 3.1: Explain the roles people play in a team and how they can work together to achieve shared
goals.
Team is the group of people which is formed to execute an assigned task or project in an
efficient manner. Team is necessary in an organisation for effectively achieving the desired and
shared goals. Through the team, individuals get the support and guidance from their team
members through which they can finish their work in an effective manner. When team members
are specified with the clear roles in the team, then workers can effectively execute their work by
coordination and communication with each other in the team. Travelodge has recently recruited 3
new employees for the vacant position. These new employees are provide with roles of team
coordinator, team manager and marketing executive. The roles of these are discussed below:
Team coordinator: The team coordinator position was assigned to a newly recruit who is
having wide knowledge and excellent skills for carrying out the task smoothly. The main role of
team coordinator is to coordinate between the work and various functions for ensuring that the
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operations of the firm run smoothly. In Travelodge, their responsibility is to study the various
method and implement them for resolving the arose issues which can hampers the operations of
the firm.
Team manager: The one of 3 newly recruit has been provide the role of team manager
due to having knowledge in managing the employees, overseeing their operations and supporting
the team members. In the Travelodge hotel, a manager is responsible for setting the goals and
objectives of the team and also he is responsible for assigning the work to the members. The
manager is also responsible for providing the training sessions to the members according to the
requirements for enhancing their skills and knowledge in order to perform well at work place
(Suleman, 2016).
Marketing executive: The marketing position is given to this candidate due to having
extensive knowledge in the field of marketing and can assist the marketing manager in
developing and implementing new marketing strategies. The marketing executive can do
research of market regarding the taste, culture, needs and requirements of the customers. In
Travelodge hotel, the marketing executive can accomplish the predetermined goals of the firm by
providing the research data regarding the trends and preferences of clients.
The team can work together by agreeing on a clear objectives and become committed to
achieve the shared objectives. Leaders of team needs to allow the team to give their suggestions
and opinions and need to set objectives which must be implemented by the managers. Managers
needs to ensure that their objectives are measurable. The priority of the work must be conveyed
by the manager to effectively execute the work.
Belbin team roles
The team work and roles can be further understood using the Belbin team roles. These
roles are provided by the Belbin for forming an effective team. Using these roles, workers can
effectively do their work without any problems. The belbin theory is mainly classified in 3
categories as discussed below:
People oriented role: These people are segmented as co-ordinator, team worker and
resource investigator. Co-ordinator is responsible for coordination among the team members for
supporting each other. Team worker is responsible for supporting the team members and also
assigns the roles and work to members. Resource investigator is responsible for managing the
resources to get the information and data for executing the work.
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