¶ … WORKPLACE LEARNING AND MANAGER'S PERFORMANCE IN THE HOSPITALITY INDUSTRY Relationship between Workplace Learning and Managers' Performance in the Hospitality Industry

Relationship between Workplace Learning and Managers' Performance in the Hospitality Industry

Manager's Role as a Leader

Workplace Learning

Why is Workplace Learning Important

The 'ideal' Workplace Learning Situation

Methods of Workplace Learning

Hospitality Industry Supports and Values Training and Learning

Management Skills in Workplace Learning

Manager's Role in the Hospitality Industry

Optimize Communication between Managers and Employees

Effective Managers in Hospitality Industry

Relationship between Workplace Learning and Managers' Performance in the Hospitality Industry

Hospitality Manager

Impact of Managers' Performance

Why Should Managers be Involved in Workplace Learning in Hospitality Industry?

Skills Learnt in Workplace Learning in Hospitality Industry 13

Conclusion 13

References 15

Abstract

There is a direct relationship between workplace learning and manger's performance in a hospitality industry. This paper deciphers the roles and responsibilities of the manager in this industry and why his performance has a significant impact on the workplace learning. This paper also describes why hospitality industry is dependent on its manager to such a great extent.

Introduction

Hospitality industry includes various forms of service industries like restaurants, event management, theme parks, lodging and many aspects associated with tourism industry. This industry is basically dependent on availability of leisure time and extra income. These hospitality units comprise of multiple groups such as direct operation, marketing, management and maintenance. This industry is basically dependent on satisfying the customer. The greater the staff and management satisfies its customers, the greater is the earnings. Thus, management's and employees performance are directly related to income generated. The hospitality and food sectors are active industries which are of great significance to the economic growth and development of the partner countries (Barrows & Powers, 2009).

As an effective manager in the hospitality industry, one must show skills with the intention to achieve a diversity of management objectives. The manager's role is significant and varied. His influence on the workforce plays a significant role in the success of a hopitality industry. Hospitality industry is the essential and basic component of service industry. The system and working of this industry is still composed of traditional methods with less involvement of technology. It comprises of many layers of authorities. Although the world has tremendously evolved with technology but this industry is still composed of services that are delivered personally through the behaviour of employees interacting with customers. Thus, improvement in employee behaviour and outcome play a vital role in service delivery (Ashton & Sung, 2002). Thus to flourish in this industry, managers performance plays a significant role in promoting learning in any industry including hospitality industry. He must be influential enough to direct people to attain better performance from the workforce.

Manager's Role as a Leader

The basic trait of influential and expert managers is their superb processes in place, they have the skill to build cooperative relationships and have a deep and thorough understanding about the strategies of the company. They have acute senses to judge situations. They know when to act as a manager and when to respond as leaders. They have the skill to differentiate management from leadership. The manager must perform the tasks like handling complex situations, making strategies for the proper working of an organization, setting clear goals and targets for the employees to accomplish, communicate with the workforce on regular basis about goals and targets, build a high performing culture that supports the strategies and brings them to life, give a regular feedback and constantly evolve with changing trends (Ahu & Ozbilgin, 2009).

Workplace Learning

Workplace learning is defined as training undertaken at the workplace which includes on-the-job training under routine operations and tasks and on the site training that is usually conducted away from the work process. Most people are of the view that workplace is the best and most appropriate place for them to learn because of multiple reasons. Firstly, the work place is familiar so they have developed a comfort level. Additionally, employees respond positively to the opportunities that are made available at workplace even if they involve learning. Lastly, employees are more enthusiastic and motivated if they feel that they are being invested in with learning breaks or skills training (Rowden & Conine, 2004). Workplace learning is a significant tool in todays evolving competitive world. This is the era which involves survival of the fittest. Service industry is flourishing tremendously and the organizations with the best services will be able to survive...

With the increased globalization and advancement in all fields of life, it has gained a broad and diverse meaning. It has become a significant part of all kinds of workplaces. Every organization has fixed some portion of it's budget in order to improve workplace learning through different means. The rapidly increasing competitiveness of the economy, occupational and workplace change, have had a noteworthy influence on the nature of the workplace. Ithas given rise to the perception and practice that skills of the employees need to be improved drastically (McIntyre, Harvey, & Moeller, 2012).
The 'ideal' Workplace Learning Situation

The ideal workplace situation is where learning is intendedtoenhance and improve innovative capacity in organizations. Organisational culture supports and values training and learning. Additionally training and learning are a part of business and are involved as an important part of thestrategic planning (Watkins, 2000). Training and learning in all forms are valued and used according to the appropriate circumstances ( Theresa, Blackbourn, Hussey, & Linda, 2009). Lastly, training is customised to individuals and to upturn work competence

Methods of Workplace Learning

Workplace training methods vary significantly depending upon the industry and the types of tasks and targets involved. The factors that need to be considered while conducting a workplace training session are the target audience, number of employees involved, their understanding of the new and advanced methods, their motivation level and their existing skills.The training methods that can be used for productive and effective workplace training are project work, team tasks, appointing certain specific tasks, practical demonstration, external seminars, learning sessions, workshops using internal and external trainers, certifications, learning manuals, networking, audio conferences, webinars and outdoor development programs (Alasoini, 2008).

Hospitality Industry Supports and Values Training and Learning

It is a well-known truth that hospitality industry needs a well organized and managed workplace learning. There are multiple factors that has led to increased significance of workplace learning in the hospitality industry. Following are the reasons that have made workplace learning important in hospitality industry:

It is needed to survive in this era of increased competition where tourism has gained significance in the life of every individual and countries greatly depend on the revenue generated by tourism industry.

Communication and problem solving skills are of great importance in hospitality industry so learning these skills at the workplace are important as it they can be demonstrated practically as well ( Lucas, Employment Relations in the Hospitality and Tourism Industries, 2003)

Learning teamwork, customer service skills and information technology are greatly significant in hospitality industry so learning these skills at the workplace can be very effective

Management Skills in Workplace Learning

Management plays a significant role in the proper working of any organizations. It has the most significant role in the rise or fall of any industry. It is the true asset of the organization and without it's proper functioning an organization can incur heavy losses. Effective management can take the organizations to great height (Carroll, 1993). The role of management in workplace learning is to improve the individual skill levels. Many skills need to be improved by the management for the growth and success of any organization. It aims to increase organizational efficiency by supportingemployees to increase their generalexpertise in areas such as people skills, analytical thinking and attitudes. Managers needs to practically demonstrate the learning process and provide a regular feedback to the workforce in order to enhance and improve workplace learning.

Manager's Role in the Hospitality Industry

A manager must make the guest special by welcoming them appropriately. An atmosphere of liberality and good will plays a vital role in making the guest comfortable with the surroundings. This in only possible in service industry when the staff co-ordinate well and promotes a healthy and friendly environment. The more efficient the manager is, the more responsible will be the workforce. It is the role of the manager to comprehend the demands of the guests. It is his duty to make things work for the guests according to the demands. For instance, food must be served according to the instructions given, beds must be properly made and room must be clean and tidy, all services must meet the expectations of the guests. This industry requires a lot of effort and work and it is the responsibility of the manager to carefully monitor the work.A manager must be careful and wise enough to keep the services perfect while generating profit. Expenses need to be handled in the way that profit margin is maintained. Liberality and…