Professional and Personal Development Plan: Travelodge Hotel

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MSTF-COSMIN-PPD TTM

Table of Contents
Introduction......................................................................................................................................3
Organisational overview..................................................................................................................3
LO1: Self managed learning in lifelong development.....................................................................3
1.1 Evaluation of approaches.......................................................................................................3
1.2 Ways to encourage lifelong learning.....................................................................................4
1.3 Benefits of self managed learning..........................................................................................5
LO2: responsibility for personal and professional development.....................................................6
2.1 Evaluations of current skills and competencies.....................................................................6
2.2 Identification of own development needs..............................................................................6
2.3 Identification of development opportunities........................................................................7
2.4 personal and professional development plans........................................................................7
LO3: implement and revision of personal and professional development plan............................9
3.1 Activities to implement developmental plan.........................................................................9
3.2 Documentation of developmental activities...........................................................................9
3.3 critical reflection of own learning........................................................................................10
3.4 update of developmental plans.............................................................................................10
LO4: demonstration of interpersonal skills...................................................................................11
4.1 solutions to work based problems........................................................................................11
4.2 Communications in various styles.......................................................................................12
4.3 evaluation and use of time management strategies..............................................................13
Conclusion.....................................................................................................................................14
Reference list.................................................................................................................................15
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Introduction
Professional and personal development planning (PDP) can be referred to as formal plan through
which an individual prepares objectives, outcome and strategies of training and learning. The
term personal development refers to more life focused skills such as self-confidence, strength,
faith and discipline. On contrary to that, professional development skills orients towards career
or education such as money, power, status, finance, jobs or degrees. This study emphasises on
discussing effective ways through which employees of Travelodge can enhance their
professional and personal skills. Transferable, interpersonal and communication skills that are
necessary in professional context also need to be discussed in this study.
Organisational overview
Travelodge Hotel is a prominent hotel operating in United Kingdom since 1985. There are about
11000 staffs working in 500 hotels aiding in generation of £637.1 million annual revenue in 2018
(travelodge.co.uk, 2019). Organisational vision involves increasing its competitive advantage in
the national and global markets, while mission is to serve its customers in best possible manners.
LO1: Self managed learning in lifelong development
1.1 Evaluation of approaches
There are various approaches for personal and professional skill development like online
researches, watching various training videos and self study. Those have deep impact on the
learning of various effective skills and competencies. Online learning has changed the learning
system in the workplace. According to Cunningham, (2017) it improves efficiencies which can
increase the workflow through effective collaboration. Online learning provides flexibility to the
employees so that they can learn something new from anywhere and anytime. This provides
them great opportunities to flourish their skills in workplace. This helps to improve workplace
productivity and retention of employees. However, online learning courses has some
disadvantages also as it not always provides relevant training facilities to the learners. Employees
have to work according to the need at workplace which can vary from place to place and time to
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time. Whereas, online learning courses only provides learners just a brief overview on the course
that learners intended to learn.
On the other hand, learning new skills through watching various training videos also a way. New
candidates who are intended to get a job in hospitality sector sometimes watch various training
videos so that they can get a brief overview about the procedure their going to learn in the
workplace (Finkelstein et al. 2017). This helps to them to learn those skills efficiently as they
have an idea about the training. Knowledge about the work culture before joining any job in the
hospitality sectors also increase the recruitment chances as recruiters understands that candidates
have some knowledge about the work cultures and workforce (Corrall et al. 2019). So that they
choose relatively knowledgeable candidates over others which is huge benefit. Also some
candidates prefer self studying using booklets or handouts which are also another effective ways.
However, in booklets there is no updated knowledge as hospitality sectors are updating almost
every day. This provides a huge disadvantage to the learners who are wanted to know about the
current trends of the market.
1.2 Ways to encourage lifelong learning
Lifelong learning is a voluntary and self motivated process through which an individual learn
something new for personal and professional reasons. This results in increasing self
sustainability among the learners though active employment and personal development in the
workplace of hospitality sectors. There are various different ways through which lifelong
learning can be encouraged. Managers and leaders of Travelodge Hotel are trying to encourage
their employees through providing financial incentives. Managers are giving incentives to the
employees who are efficiently learning those skills and effectively using them at the workplace
which ultimately increase the productivity of the organisation (Cruess et al. 2016). Sometimes
they also provide foods and other various benefits to the employees who are joining their training
campaigns to increase their knowledge and skill sets. Lifelong learning can also helps in career
progressions as effective learners can use their skills in the workplace while handling a client or
mitigating workplace challenges effectively. In order to encourage their work sometimes
managers of Travelodge Hotel promote their efficient employees so that they get motivated.
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1.3 Benefits of self managed learning
Self-directed or managed learning can be defined as process of generating a condition where
learning need to be owned by that particular individual and coordinated with organisational
needs. In self-managed learning conditions, individuals are liable for their own decisions
regarding learning or work with others. Self-managed learning is a composite learning ability to
gain knowledge in time management, leadership qualities, presentation skills, communication
and teamwork skills (travelodge.co.uk, 2019). In addition to that, it teaches an individual about
how to make decisions effectively and timely.
Figure 1: Benefits of self managed learning
(Source: Created By Researcher)
Team work: Effective team management is only possible when team members learn to commit
to be loyal to a work community. It has been observed that, team members when learns through
their self, they become more responsible for their actions. Self-oriented learning not only gives
motivations but also enhances compatibility between employees and employers. Entire team
becomes mutually supportive and it gives rise to peer learning or coaching ability. In these way
team members does not need to rely on team leaders for any decision.
Communication: Communication skills are some capabilities that are useful in receiving and
giving certain information (Zhang and Chao 2016). Self-managed learning options give wide
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TeamworkCommunicationPresentationLeadershipTimemanagement

opportunity to learn professional and better communication. It involves empathising and
observing people communicating effectively. Online courses or video tutorials can also be
helpful in learning this kill.
Presentation skills: Good presentation skill refers to a skill to present one’s opinion or thoughts
across. Self-directed learning in improving presentation skills helps in achieving organisational
success. It is very crucial skill in context of hospitality as principal objective of them is to make
customers content and satisfied with their performance (Vangrieken et al. 2017).
Leadership skills: There are various aspects of leaderships which can be learned through
practicing discipline and developing situational awareness. Self-directed learning also motivates
employees of Travelodge to resolve conflicts and be discerning listener.
Time management skills: Management of time effective is an important skill that is often
learned by own. It can be mediated by minimising distractions and prioritising workloads and
overcoming procrastinations.
LO2: responsibility for personal and professional development
2.1 Evaluations of current skills and competencies
Self-evaluation or assessment helps in providing proper insight into employees’ true
comprehension. In addition to that, it helps in recognising lacks as observed in their
understanding or knowledge. Advantages of these types of self-evaluation process are to identify
areas of strength in one self and areas which still need to be improved. It helps in generating
significant meta-cognitive skills which are in essential to gain professional as well as personal
growth. The skills that are needed to be an effective employee of Travelodge Company are
technical skills, managerial skills entrepreneurial skills, social skills and communication skills.
As an employee of Travelodge hotel, the skills that have been identified as strength in me are
technical skills and communication skills (Sumantri et al. 2018). I also have sufficient
understanding about professional standard. Management of resources is also an area of expertise
in me. On the other hand, I still need to work a lot in managing time professionally. In hospitality
industry it is very essential to have command over several languages to effectively communicate
with people from different spheres. I have very little knowledge on languages of other countries.
Decision making power also needed more strength to flourish.
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2.2 Identification of own development needs
From above evaluation of personal skills, it can be commented that there are several key
features or skills in which I have to work on. Application of technical tools, apprehension of
hospitality functions; understand leadership and global standard and time management are my
own needs that required being developed (Setlock, 2017). Although I have some of these skills
but they need to be improved as per current organisational standard of Travelodge Hotel. It is
mandatory to attain higher positions at Travelodge Hotel. In order to make noticeable
improvement in my skills, I am planning to take online courses, video tutorials and review of
former activities. Training in related areas and observation from seniors can also be helpful in
this context. In such a way, I can gain better understandings and knowledge about new strategies
to accomplish tasks assigned to me. Own developmental needs can also be improved through
personal reading, use of web contents and critical observations at workplace (Salter and Rhodes
2018). Drawbacks in communication skills can be conquered by regular practising and
observation. Planning of function and operations, managing of resources and attaining
understanding about global trends related to hospitality functions can be improved by online
sources.
2.3 Identification of development opportunities
Development of professional as well as personal skills can be improved by identifying external
and internal opportunities. These aforementioned skills are need to be developed to an optimum
level to avail promotion opportunities. It is also required in order to be an example to other junior
and future employees of Travelodge Hotel. In order to assess quality of own work in a hospitality
industry, feedback from customers and peer staffs are helpful (Ringelberg et al. 2016). It not
only motivates to work better but also helps in identifying one’s own skills and competencies.
Additionally, as an employee betterment of skills and capabilities in professional level gives me
strength to search for better employment. Improvement in certain skills benefits one individual to
be eligible for other similar professions. Leadership skill can be improved by gathering
knowledge about great leaders and observing professional activities of hierarchy managers.
Scheduling methods and prior planning can help in work on time management skills. Planning of
hospitality works requires review regarding previous activities and obeying rules and guidelines
of senior management (Richardson et al. 2019). Enhancing interaction with other staffs in
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Travelodge can help in crafting team management skills. Being active participants in conferences
and meetings can aid in meeting team management skills in me.
2.4 personal and professional development plans
Short term Mid term Long term
Personal effectiveness
Decision making Observation of
people those are
efficient in decision
making
Analysis of previous
decisions
Practically
application of
decision making
skills in a real
situational context.
Communication
skills
Attaining basic idea
from online classes
through internet
(Patton et al. 2015).
Joining classes for
practising
communication with
other individuals.
Continuously
practising
communication
skills with
customers and
international
visitors
Business Skills
Planning Collecting
appropriate and prior
knowledge about
requirements of
clients.
Preparing effective
strategies through
which goal can be
achieved.
Following up
procedure of
scheduling and
planning (Meijern
et al. 2017).
Controlling skills Working on
communication skills
and being positive
environment.
Being flexible in
decisions and
listening to others.
Motivating other
employees to
follow command
and providing
positive feedback
on achieving goal.
Motivating skills Observing key
factors that are
necessary to make
Taking with
employees about their
requirements and
Keeping positivity
in the workplace,
setting measurable
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employees
motivated.
searching online
about motivational
factors.
and small goals.
Making positive
feedback for
performance of
employees (Matt et
al. 2015).
Leadership skills Reading books on
quality leaders.
Learning from
meticulously
observing senior
employees as well as
employers.
Following this
process and
learning from
regular
observations.
Table: Development plan for professional and personal skills
(Source: Created By Researcher)
LO3: implement and revision of personal and professional development plan
3.1 Activities to implement developmental plan
Planning is mandatory for making improvement in professional and personal knowledge and
qualities before initiating any large project or work. Moreover, I must make effective plans in
coordination with available time and resources to accomplish daily operations as well. Some
activities or processes I should follow to hone skills in personal and professional aspect.
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Figure 2: Activities to implement developmental plan
(Source: Created By Researcher)
Practice-based development of personal skills:
Personal skills such as self-control, self-motivation, decision making and adaptability can be
mastered by practising meditation. It helps in maintaining balance between development plan
and work. Work related stress can lead me to do several mistakes at professional level.
Meditation can effectively relieve stress and give reinforcement to craft improvement.
Knowledge-based methods for development of business skills:
Knowledge skills such as understanding of networking, customer, sales and marketing services
can be attained through regular monitoring. In such a way, future objectives of Travelodge Hotel
can be met. Financial management skills and project management skills are also a matter of
learning through observation (Macià and García 2016). Time management and delegation can be
honed by scheduling workloads as per available time and resources.
Combined method of development of leadership skills:
Leadership skills can be improved by proficient training and observation. Leadership also
includes analysis of relevant matters in a situational context. It can be improved by confronting
and handling real situations in practical life.
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Practice-baseddevelopmentpersonalskillsKnowledge-basedmethodsfordevelopmentbusinessskillsCombinedmethodofdevelopmentleadershipskills

3.2 Documentation of developmental activities
There is a huge scope of prior planning and analysis of skills related to personal and professional
aspects in terms of organisational growth and personal growth. Professional characters like
management, leadership, time management, financial regulations requires advanced planning to
be regulated successfully. Making appropriate plan not only provides motivation but also gives
satisfaction in accomplishing work according to plan. PDP plan affects in interpersonal,
professional and organisational context (Matt et al. 2015). At interpersonal level, employees get
to avail life-long learning, decision making, communication and improved interactions with
other staff members. At organisational context, PDP planning provides proficient utilisation of
resources, monitoring, accumulation of feedback in real time and team work planning. On the
other hand, at professional level, planning gives improvement in leadership qualities. It also
helps in keeping a good understanding of cohesive team working, distribution and planning of
resources and time management. On employees of Travelodge Hotel, PDP planning impacts
greatly at personal skill development. In long run, they can aid in growth and success of a
business organisation. They can also search for better work opportunities with enhanced skill and
knowledge.
3.3 critical reflection of own learning
In order to be promoted in higher position in work and bring improvement in skills, I have
obeyed developed plan activities in threadbare. Moreover, I have also worked on certain areas
such as decision making, planning, leadership qualities and communication. In spite of that, there
are some qualities that need to be more enhanced to reach up to goal. Further evaluation of my
development characters were supported by valuable feedbacks from mentors and staff members.
As per their comments and suggestions, I have made noticeable alteration in the plan. Above
analysis also revealed that, leadership, team working, controlling skill and management of time
are not raised as per expected standard. Hence, I like to bring changes in that development plan.
In addition to that, I like to add several constructive activities in order to enhance current skills of
mine. Despite all suggesting feedback I have also received some appreciating feedbacks about
planning and communication with employees. As per their comments, I have developed better
skills in convincing subordinate employees. I need to make many efforts through implementing
alterations in existing development plan.
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