Edexcel Level 5 BTEC Higher National Certificate/Diploma in Business Assignment Summary: Assignment front sheet: Qualification Unit number and title Pearson BTEC Level 5 HND Diploma in Hospitality Unit 42: Employability Skills Student name Assessor name Junaid Khurshid Date issued Completion date Submitted on Written Report: 08.12.2015 Group Presentation: 12.01.2016 Individual Reflection: 16.01.2016 Assignment title Employability Skills Learning Outcome Learning outcome Assessment Criteria In this assessment you will have the opportunity to present evidence that shows you are able to: Task no. Evidence (Page no) LO1 Be able to determine own responsibilities and performance. 1.1 Develop a set of own responsibilities and performance objectives 1 1.2 Evaluate own effectiveness against defined objectives 1 1.3 Make recommendations for Improvement 1 1.4 Review how motivational techniques can be used to improve performance 1LO2 Be able to develop interpersonal and transferable skills 2.1 Develop solutions to work-based problems 2 2.2 Communica te in a variety of styles and appropriate manner at various levels. 2 2.3 Identify effective time-manage me nt strategies 2 LO3 Understand the dynamics of working with others 3.1 Explain the roles people play in a team and how they can work together to achieve shared goals 3 3.2 Analyse team dynamics 3 3.3 Suggest alternative ways to complete tasks and achieve team goals 3 LO4 Be able to develop strategies for problem solving 4.1 Evaluate tools and methods for developing solutions to problems 4 4.2 Develop an appropriate strategy for resolving a particular problem 4 4.3 Evaluate the potential impact on the business of implementing the strategy 4 Learner declaration I certify that the work submitted for this assignment is my own and research sources are fully acknowledged. Student signature: Date:In addition to the above PASS criteria, this assignment gives you the opportunity to submit evidence in order to achieve the following MERIT and DISTINCTION grades Grade Descriptor Indicative characteristic/s Contextualisation M1 Identify and find appropriate solutions  An effective approach to Harrods responsibilities and research has been applied  An effective approach to study and research has been applied considering the key factors towards defined objectives. To achieve M1, An effective approach to study and research has been applied to develop a set of own responsibilities and performance objectives. Relevant theories and techniques have been Applied to evaluate own effectiveness against defined objectives. The appropriate structure and approach has been used to make recommendations for improvements. Coherent, logical development of principles /concepts to review how motivational techniques can be used to improve quality of performance. (Task 1) M2 Select / design and apply appropriate methods / techniques  Relevant theories and techniques have been applied  A range of sources of information is used To achieve M2, Design of methods /techniques has been Justified to develop solution to work-based problems. Relevant theories and techniques have been applied to identify effective time management strategies. The appropriate structure and approach has been used to communicate in variety of styles and appropriate manner at various levels. (Task 1&2)M3 Present and communicate appropriate findings  The appropriate structure and approach has been used  Coherent, logical development of principles /concepts To achieve M3, Coherent, logical development of principles /concepts has been used to evaluate tools and methods for developing solutions to problems. Relevant theories and techniques have been applied to develop an appropriate strategy for resolving a particular problem. The appropriate structure and approach has been used to evaluate potential impact on the business of implementing the strategy . (Task 3&4) D1 Use critical reflection to evaluate own work and justify valid conclusions  Conclusions have been arrived at through synthesis of ideas and have been justified  Realistic improvements have been proposed using defined criteria To achieve D1, Conclusions have been arrived at through synthesis of ideas and have been justified to develop a set of own responsibilities and performance objectives. Convergent and lateral thinking have been The unforeseen has been accommodated to make recommendations for improvements. Ideas have been generated and decisions taken to review how motivational techniques can be used to improve quality of performance. Realistic improvements have been proposed using defined criteria to develop solution to work-based problems. The importance of interdependence has been recognized and achieved to identify effective time management strategies. Innovation and creative thoughts have been applied to communicate in variety of styles and appropriate manner at various levels. (Tasks 1 & 2)D2 Take responsibility for managing and organising activities  The importance of interdependence has been recognized and achieved  Activities have been manage to a high standard To achieve D2, Realistic improvements have been proposed using defined criteria to analyse team dynamics. The importance of interdependence has been recognized and achieved to explain the roles people play in team and how they can work together to achieve shared goals. Convergent and lateral thinking have been applied to suggest alternative ways to complete tasks and to achieve team goals. Conclusions have been arrived at through synthesis of ideas and have been justified to evaluate tools and methods for developing solutions to problems. Ideas have been generated and decisions take to evaluate potential impact on the business of implementing the strategy. (Tasks 3&4) D3 Demonstrate convergent /lateral / creative thinking  Convergent/lateral/creative thinking has been applied.  The main areas specified in the assignment have been critically analysed in terms of theory and practical application supported by appropriate examples To achieve D3, Learner needs to demonstrate convergent, lateral, creative thinking on the subject matter in their writing. Exceptional display of originality in your discussion should be evident in your work in terms of being able to create presentation involving business documentation: letters, memos, reports, agendas, and minutes for the event. Additionally, It should be vividly evident in your work the reflection of opportunities and you will discuss the importance of information technology and the influence of internet, emails, video links, mobile phones, applications software. Excellent display of originality in analysing the discussion should be evident in your work. (Task 1)Assignment brief Unit number and title Unit 42: Employability Skills Qualification Pearson BTEC Level 5 HND Diploma in Hospitality Start date Deadline/hand-in Written Assignment Deadline: 8th December 2015 Assessor Junaid Khurshid Assignment title Employability Skills Purpose of this assignment Learners will be able to explore their understanding of responsibilities of an organisation. It will also allow the learners to apply their knowledge and understanding of the key factors affecting work based problems, time management as well as being able to identify the various ways communication can be used in an organisation. Learners will also be investigating marketing in the context of one of today's competitive business / service industries. Scenario For this assignment, learners are provided with a freedom to assess the discussion in a form of report from secondary sources like books, journals, articles and so on based on a situation below. As an organisation develops, it creates working practices within the business that reflect its way of doing things. These practices become embedded in decisions and operations. The way of doing things guides and influences employees as they carry out their work. However, when organisations develop a new business strategy this creates a process of change. This leads to different ways of working. A survey was conducted to find out how Travelodge Managers feel the company treats them and whether they are appreciated. All of the below information comes directly from job reviews written by Travelodge employees.Average Ratings Based on all Travelodge employee reviews How would you describe your job in 2-3 lines? Being responsible for the efficient and safe running of operations 24 hours a day. Achieving sales and occupancy targets, minimising spend and ensuring the team offer good customer service. What do you actually do on a day-to-day basis? No two days are the same and you can't describe a typical day as much of the role is reactive and problem solving. Every day you will interact with guests and team members. Support functions are only available on week days, so evenings and weekends you have to deal with any problems that arise in house. You are in control of such tight budgets that you will need to be able to do a great job motivating staff etc. What are the main positives and negatives to your job? There is complete flexibility over your working hours but you can never have a day off without dealing with problems at the hotel. No matter how organised you are, there is always a maintenance problem. In this company you are the only person allowed to deal with many situations. What qualifications and skills are needed to be great at this job? You need to work well under pressure and deal with a changing environment quickly. You will be working on your own with little support so you need to be able to think on your feet. Most importantly you need to be very mentally strong and brave. Or you can have no standards what so ever and be able to not feel guilty for this. I would suggest you move next to the hotel as you will spend very long hours here. You need to be sure that your only care in the world is your career because you will not have time for anything else. Responsibility 5.0/5 Career Progression 2.5/5 Work Life Balance 0.5/5 Training 0.5/5 Environmental awareness 0.5/5 Colleagues 0.5/5 Compensation and benefits 0.5/5 Enjoyment 0.5/5 Company Culture 0.5/5 Overall Rating 1.2/5You can get training for the job, of sorts so no previous qualifications are necessary, only to give them your mind, body and soul. What advice would you give to candidates applying for a similar role at this company There is no standard interview; it is up to the Manager in charge at the time. You will be asked questions to test your willingness and flexibility. They will look for people with experience in the budget hotel industry and you need to read up on the Travelodge brand thoroughly. Go to the interview with some ideas on how to improve the hotel within brand restrictions. Ask to do some trial shifts and ask the team some questions before you sign your life away so that you can be sure you are making the right decision. Salary Comments External candidates generally get paid more for management positions than internally promoted ones. There are no extra perks, you even have to pay full price to stay in your own hotel. The hotel is open 24 hours a day 365 days a year. You do not have any management except yourself per hotel so you can expect calls 24 hours of the day. You do not get cover for holidays or days off, so when you are taking calls at home every day, it is very hard to switch off. You are very restricted on the amount of people that you can recruit so there is little back up if someone calls in sick, you could be called in to cover at any time of day or night with no notice. With the benefit of hindsight, would you choose to do this job again? Definitely not. Reference: The Job Crowd. Hotel Manager at Travelodge. Last accessed at 24th July 2015, at 15:37pm: http://www.thejobcrowd.com/employer/5441/reviews/5442 Learning Outcome Tasks Mode of Assessment Learning Outcome 1 Be able to determine own responsibilities and performance 1a) Explain the meaning of Personal Responsibility and develop a set of responsibilities and performance objectives for your chosen company. (AC 1.1) 1b) Construct the steps which your chosen company can use to evaluate their own effectiveness against defined objectives. (AC 1.2) 1c) Based on the methods and techniques currently Group Presentation Deadline on: 12th January 2016 Evidence required: - Planning agenda of meetings - Research notes ofused by your chosen company towards their employees, Select and Support how they can make improvements to help develop the skills of their employees. (AC 1.3) 1d) Review how your chosen company can use a motivational theory to help improve an employee's quality of performance. (AC 1.4) You are also required to hand in any notes or materials you have used during the preparation of your presentation. three meetings - Group Log - Peer review for group Learning Outcome 2 Be able to develop interpersonal and transferable skills 2a) Construct a procedure for developing ideal solutions to work-based problems for Travelodge. (AC 2.1) 2b) Communicate in a variety of styles and appropriate manner at various levels. Analyse the barriers to effective communication and how to overcome these barriers. (AC 2.2) 2c) Analyse time management strategies and outline which you believe to be the most effective for Travelodge to use. (AC 2.3) Written Report Deadline on: 8th December 2015 Learning outcome 3 Understand the dynamics of working with others 3a) Reflecting on your group presentation, explain the different roles in a team and how they can work as one in order for your chosen company to be able to achieve their objectives. (AC 3.1, 3.2) 3b) Recommend alternative ways for your chosen company to complete their tasks and achieve team goals. (AC 3.3) You are also required to hand in any notes or materials you have used during the preparation of your presentation. Individual Reflection Deadline on: 16th January 2016Learning outcome 4 Be able to develop strategies for problem solving 4a) Assess the effectiveness of SWOT analysis and Brainstorming in developing solutions to problems in Travelodge. (AC 4.1) 4b) Establish appropriate strategies to resolving particular problems within business organisations. Please assess the potential impact from the implementation of your chosen strategy in Travelodge. (AC 4.2, 4.3) Written Report Deadline on: 8th December 2015Evidence checklist Summary of evidence required by student Evidence presented Task 1 A presentation using appropriate media should be carried out to audience which sho uld include 1.1 develop a set of own responsibilities and performance objectives 1.2 evaluate own effectiveness against defined objectives 1.3 make recommendations for improvement 1.4 review how motivational techniques can be used to improve quality of performance Task 2 As stated earlier in a form of report in a sequence you should be able to prepare 2.1 develop solutions to work-based problems 2.2 communicate in a variety of styles and appropriate manner at various levels 2.3 identify effective time-management strategies Task 3 A presentation using appropriate media should be carried out to audience which should include 3.1 explain the roles people play in a team and how they can work together to achieve shared goals 3.2 analyse team dynamics 3.3 suggest alternative ways to complete tasks and achieve team goals Task 4 Similarly, in a sequence as expected in a form of report 4.1 evaluate tools and methods for developing solutions to problems 4.2 develop an appropriate strategy for resolving a particular problem 4.3 evaluate the potential impact on the business of implementing the strategy Submission Guidelines: Your submission should be in a report format. 2500 words for individual assignment. Excellent Formatting: Preferred writing styles Arial, Calibri, and Times New Roman Line spacing 1.5, Font Size 12 Consistency in Heading Scheme, bullets and numbering Consistency in top, bottom and left, right margins Alphabetical Harvard referencing and bibliography Report Structure  Cover  Title Page  Contents page.  Acknowledgement (optional)  Abstract/Executive Summary  Main Body (Tasks) Conclusion.  References (including weblioreferencing)  Bibliography (including webliography)  Appendices *For Late Submission policy, please refer to your student course handbook available on Live Campus. Plagiarism Rules and Regulations o No plagiarism is accepted in assignments and students are advised to do the referencing correctly according to the Harvard Referencing System. o Reduce your plagiarism by not sharing assignments and doing in text citations of sources used, using the Harvard referencing method What is Turnitin? 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This means that if you have shared your assignment with anybody and they have submitted part of it or the full assignment the initial report your friend got would've indicated the similarity, but your report would've remained unchanged. This is because the report is refreshed every time that you upload your assignment and then finally after the deadline. After the deadline their plagiarism will be high as well as y our own. What can you do to avoid getting a high Turnitin score? · Do not copy pieces of work from any book or website. It needs to be rewritten in your own words and proper in text citation should be done according to the Harvard referencing method · Do not share your assignment with any friend, not even to assist them Plagiarism Plagiarism is passing off the work of others as your own. This constitutes academic theft and is a serious matter which is penalised in assignment marking. 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