Tuesday, June 30, 2015

Unit 42: Employability Skills



                                     

Assignment

Assignment front sheet

Qualification
Unit number and title
Pearson BTEC Level 5 HND Diploma Hospitality Management

Unit 42: Employability Skills

Student name
Assessor name

Godswill Osemeke
Date issued
Completion date
Submitted on
01/06/2015
27/06/2015



Assignment title
Assignment 1 of 1 : Can I have a job?

LO

Learning outcome
(LO)
AC
In this assessment you will have the opportunity to present evidence that shows you are able to:
Task no.

Evidence
(Page no)
LO 1
 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
2

1.3
Make recommendations for improvement
3

1.4
Review how motivational techniques can be used to improve quality of performance
4

LO 2
Be able to develop
interpersonal and
transferable skills
2.1
Develop solutions to work-based problems
1

2.2
Communicate in a variety of styles and appropriate manner at various levels
2

2.3
Identify effective time-management strategies
3



3.1
Explain the roles people play in a team and how they can work together to achieve shared goals
1

LO3
Understand the dynamics of working with others
3.2
Analyse team dynamics
2



3.3
Suggest alternative ways to complete tasks and achieve team goals


LO4

Be able to develop strategies
for problem solving
4.1
Evaluate tools and methods for developing solutions to problems
1



4.2
Develop an appropriate strategy for resolving a
particular problem
2



4.3
Evaluate the potential impact on the business of implementing the strategy
3



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 apply strategies to find appropriate solutions
An effective approach to study and research has been applied.

The methods of control problems have been explored with suitable examples given. Effective judgements whilst developing a set of own responsibilities and performance objectives Task 1 (LO1)
Effective judgements have been made and additional research was completed to address Task 3 (LO2)


M2
Select/design and apply appropriate methods/ techniques
The selection of methods and techniques/sources has been justified.
Appropriate learning methods/techniques have been applied.
Complex information/data has been synthesised and processed and effective judgements have been made
Task 3 (LO2)
The selection and use of methods were appropriate and justified and employed appropriate application of learning. Relevant theories and techniques have been applied to use effective time management strategies. Task 3 (LO4)

M3
Present and communicate appropriate findings
An appropriate structure and approach has been used (in the presentation and communication of your findings).
A range of methods of presentation have been used and technical language has been accurately used.
The communication is appropriate for familiar and unfamiliar audiences and appropriate media have been used.
The way the report has been communicated with the audience has been coherent and logical despite the unfamiliar context. Task 1 (LO1)
The communication is appropriate for familiar and unfamiliar audiences and appropriate media have been used Task 2 (LO2)


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.
The validity of results has been evaluated using defined criteria.

The report conclusions have been arrived at through synthesised of ideas and have been justified. Task 1 (LO1)
The reasons for select solutions to work-based problems were synthesised and justified. Task 4 (LO1)
 Innovation and creative thought throughout. Tasks 1-2 (LO2)
Realistic improvements have been proposed against defined characteristics for success in. Task 3 (LO3)
D2
Take responsibility for managing and organising activities
Substantial activities, projects or investigations have been planned, managed and organised.
The unforeseen has been accommodated.
The importance of interdependence has been recognised and achieved.

Convergent and lateral thinking have been applied during the justification of processes and activities required to implement the development plan Task 1 (LO3)
Substantial activities, projects or investigations have been planned, managed and organised. Task 3 (LO2)


D3 Demonstrate convergent/lateral/creative thinking


Interesting identifying development opportunities to meet current and future defined needs have been given. Lateral and convergent thinking has been applied. Task 3 (LO2)
Problems have been solved in time management strategies. Innovation and creative thought have been applied in the select solutions to work-based problems and it is evident that you have shown receptiveness to new ideas throughout the task. Tasks 1-3 (LO4)




Assignment brief
Unit number and title
Unit 42 Employability Skills
Qualification
Pearson BTEC Level 5 HND Diploma in Hospitality Management

Start date
01/06/2015
Deadline/hand-in

Assessor

Godswill Osemeke


Assignment title
Assignment 1 of 1 Can I have a job?
Purpose of this assignment
The aim of this assignment is to enable you to gain the opportunity to acquire honed employability skills required for effective employment.

You will develop an opportunity to assess and develop an understanding of responsibilities and performance in or when entering the workplace. Your learning will be underpinned by being able to determine and evaluate responsibilities and performance within the workplace environment.  You will gain an understanding the dynamics of working with others. You will be able to develop and analyse interpersonal and transferable skills You will also consider being able to develop strategies for problem solving.

Through this unit, you will gain knowledge required for general employment such as interpersonal and transferable skills, whilst understanding the dynamics of working with others in teams or groups, and the importance of leadership and communication skills. You will develop an everyday working requirement of problem solving, which includes the identification or specification of the ‘problem’, strategies for its solution, and then evaluation of the results of the solution through reflective practice.

When writing this assignment you must use font size 12, either Arial or New Roman Times, line spacing 1.5, all margins justified and fully Harvard referenced.




Scenario
You have been appointed as an operations manager for an underperforming and demotivated team in a 5* hotel where customer satisfaction levels are very low. The previous manager did not use appraisals, objectives, constructive feedback and ignored problems. Your director of operations is dissatisfied and needs you to take immediate action requiring you to turn the team around and solve associated problems.

You need to present your proposals for change in the form of a report to the director of operations; this report must respond to all aspects of learning outcomes 1-4.




Task 1 : (LO 1: 1.1, 1.2, 1.3 1.4 and M1, M2, M3, D1 D3)

The first section of the report develop a set of own responsibilities and performance objectives (1.1)
From your research you should mention some of the concerns around personal responsibility; direct and indirect relationships and adaptability, decision-making processes and skills; ability to learn and develop within the work role. What is it that you set out to achieve and how. Clearly define your role and responsibilities. Remember to use SMART objectives when examining performance objectives and keep them realistic.


Furthermore, the reports second section should evaluate own effectiveness against defined objectives (1.2) You should for this task reflect on how you are going to effectively monitor your performance objectives. You should discuss how this will be implemented.

PPD 2.1 evaluate own current skills and competencies against professional standards and
organisational objectives
You need to evaluate through self-reflection on your currents skill sets and competencies against that of an assistant Food and Beverage Manager of a 5* Hotel This can be cross referenced with 4.3.

For this section of the report you need to make recommendations for improvement for all staff (1.3) You  should consider the uses of performance appraisals eg salary levels and bonus payments, promotion strengths and weaknesses, training needs; communication 

Finally, the report should discuss the process of how to review motivational techniques can be used to improve quality of performance (1.4). You should mention possible outcomes of application and appraisal of motivational theories and techniques, rewards and incentives.

·         For M1, An effective approach to study and research has been applied. The methods of responsibilities and performance objectives have been explored with suitable examples given. Effective judgements as to how performance objectives can be achieved.

·         For M2 the way the report applies appropriate methods/ techniques. Relevant theories have emerged from your research with regards to setting and monitoring performance objectives. Examples and detailed explanations of techniques for implementing performance objectives

·         For M3, the way the report has been communicated with the audience has been coherent and logical despite the unfamiliar context.

·         For D1, the report conclusions have been arrived at through synthesised of ideas and have been justified.

·         For D3, interesting ideas to control methods have been given. Lateral and convergent thinking has been applied.
You should consider;
Own responsibilities:
personal responsibility; direct and indirect relationships and adaptability, decision-making processes and skills; ability to learn and develop within the work role; employment legislation, ethics, employment rights and responsibilities
Performance objectives:
setting and monitoring performance objectives Individual appraisal systems: uses of performance appraisals eg salary levels and bonus payments, promotion strengths and weaknesses, training needs; communication; appraisal criteria eg production data, personnel data, judgemental data; rating methods eg ranking, paired comparison, checklist, management by objectives
Motivation and performance:
application and appraisal of motivational theories and techniques, rewards and incentives, manager’s role, self-motivational factors



Task 2 (LO 2: 2.1, 2.2, 2.3 and M2, M3, D2, D3)
Your Operations Manager has been pleased so far with the way that the way that you have implemented the staff now owning their responsibilities with their improved performance. You need to construct further training, in the form of a presentation to various managers and team members where you are researching a particular problem that has been brought to your attention. To achieve 2.1 and PPD 4.1, you will be given two problems. You will have 3 hours to research the problem, consider outcomes and develop solutions to these work-based problems. You should cultivate these solutions not just identify them.

You will then present your findings and solutions whilst being recorded as evidence for 2.2 and PPD 4.2. Therefore, consider the communication methods and to whom you are communicating to and use at least two methods of communication.
.

Finally, to achieve 2.3, as part of your presentation you will identify your time management strategies and to gain PPD 4.3 you should evaluate these strategies by explaining how you managed your time and the methods you chose.

You will have to make sure that you thoroughly research your identified problem, analyse ideas of how to implement change, manage your time effectively and present your findings.

PPD
There is also the chance to cross reference your work with PPD LO4 4.1, 4.2, 4.3.
4.1 select solutions to work-based problems
4.2 communicate in a variety of styles and appropriate
manner at various levels
4.3 evaluate and use effective time management strategies

  • For M2, Complex information/data has been synthesised and processed and effective judgements have been made
  • For M3, The communication is appropriate for familiar and unfamiliar audiences and appropriate media have been used
  • For D1, : Innovation and creative thought throughout
  • For D2 Substantial activities, projects or investigations have been planned, managed and organised


Consider the following:
Effective communication:
verbal and non-verbal eg awareness and use of body language, openness and responsiveness, formal and informal feedback to and from colleagues; ICT as an effective communication medium; team meetings
Interpersonal skills:
personal effectiveness; working with others; use of initiative; negotiating skills; assertiveness skills; social skills
Time management:
prioritising workload; setting work objectives; making and keeping appointments; working steadily rather than erratically; time for learning; reliable estimate of task time
Problem solving:
problem analysis; researching changes in the workplace; generating solutions; choosing a solution



Task 3 (LO3 3.1, 3.2, 3.3 and M1,D1,)
The hotel has now started to communicate well within each department and as a business and as a result the hotel manager has congratulated you on what you have achieved so far. The manager has now asked for you to develop team work to work alongside communication.
From your research you need to explain the roles people play in a team and how they can work together to achieve shared goals (3.1). You should analyse nature and dynamics of team and group work, purpose of teams and groups and being a team player, and the commitment to shared beliefs.

Furthermore the report requires you to analyse team dynamics (3.2). You should evaluate the selecting of specialist roles, skill and style approach mixes, identification of team/work group roles, team building and loyalty, stages of team development.

Finally in this outcome you are required to suggest alternative ways to complete tasks and achieve team goals (3.3). You need to look at coaching, setting direction, standards, motivation, innovation, being responsive and an effective communicator.

  • For M1, Effective judgements have been made and additional research was completed to address task 3.

  • For D1 Realistic improvements have been proposed against defined characteristics for success

Consider the following:
 Working with others:
nature and dynamics of team and group work; informal and formal settings, purpose of teams and groups eg long-term corporate objectives/strategy; problem solving and short-term development projects; flexibility/adaptability; team player

Teams and team building:
selecting team members eg specialist roles, skill and style/approach mixes; identification of team/work group roles; stages in team development eg team building, identity, loyalty, commitment to shared beliefs, team health evaluation;
action planning; monitoring and feedback; coaching skills; ethics; effective leadership skills eg setting direction, setting standards, motivating, innovative, responsive, effective communicator, reliability, consistency


Task 4 (LO 4: 4.1, 4.2, 4.3 and M2, D1, D3)

Within the hotel, the staff are now communicating and understanding each other better. The Operations Manager has been informed of the general improvement and now you need to concentrate the last part of the report that you need to submit to the Operations Manager that has strategies for problem solving.

From your research you should evaluate two tools and methods for developing solutions to problems (4.1) You need to understand what is the definition of the problem is; how to analyse and clarify problem-solving methods, tool identification and the assessment of various alternative outcomes

Furthermore, within your report you should develop an appropriate strategy for resolving a particular problem (4.2) You also should  identify sources of information; solution methodologies and the selection and implementation of the best corrective action/s eg timescale, stages, resources, critical path analysis.

Finally, your report should evaluate the potential impact on the business of implementing the strategy (4.3) You need to look at the evaluation of whether the problem was solved or not; measurement of solution against specification and desired outcomes and its sustainability



  • For M 2 The selection and use of methods where appropriate and justified for the appropriate application of learning. Relevant theories and techniques have been applied to use effective time management strategies.

  • For D1 The reasons for selected solutions to work-based problems were synthesised and justified.

  • For D3 Problems have been solved using time management strategies. Innovation and creative thought have been applied in the selecting solutions to work-based problems and it is evident that you have shown receptiveness to new ideas throughout the task.

Consider the following;
Specification of the problem:
definition of the problem; analysis and clarification Identification of possible outcomes: identification and assessment of various alternative outcomes
Tools and methods:
problem-solving methods and tools
Plan and implement:
sources of information; solution methodologies; selection and implementation of the best corrective action eg timescale, stages, resources, critical path analysis
Evaluation:
evaluation of whether the problem was solved or not; measurement of solution against specification and desired outcomes; sustainability


Evidence checklist
Summary of evidence required by student
Evidence presented
Task 1
Typed report on a word document submitted via My Page

Task 2
Verbal, paper-based and ICT presentation to a variety of managers and team members

Task 3
Typed report on a word document submitted via My Page

Task 4
Typed report on a word document submitted via My Page
All items should be on the one word document and submitted via My Page
.

Sources of information

Management and Organisational Behaviour, 10th Edition | 978-0-273-79264-2

ISBN-13:  Author: Laurie J. Mullins

People Skills, 3rd Edition | 978-0-230-22112-3
ISBN-13:  AuthorNeil Thompson
Brilliant Employability Skills | 978-0-273-74993-6

ISBN-13:  Author: Frances Trought

Hospitality Management and Organisational Behaviour, Fifth Edition | 978-0-273-75837-2 ISBN-13:   Author(s): Laurie J. Mullins; Penny Dossor


















Achievement Summary


Qualification
Pearson BTEC Level 5 HND Diploma in Hospitality Management

Assessor name

Godswill Osemeke

Unit Number and title
Unit 42: Employability Skills

Student name




Criteria Reference
To achieve the criteria the evidence must show that the student is able to:
Achieved?
(tick)
LO 1


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

LO2


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

LO3


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

LO4


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


Higher Grade achievements (where applicable)


Grade descriptor


Achieved?
(tick)

Grade descriptor

Achieved?
(tick)

M1: Identify and apply strategies to find appropriate solutions



D1: Use critical reflection to evaluate own work and justify valid conclusions


M2: Select / design and apply appropriate methods / techniques


D2: Take responsibility for managing and organising activities


M3: Present and communicate appropriate findings


D3: Demonstrate convergent/lateral/creative thinking

Feedback will be given via My Page.