COMMENT: Do former holiday reps hold the secret for success?
It’s not unusual to find a former holiday rep in the senior ranks of a travel firm – in fact, it’s expected. But does it give you the edge?
TravelMole’s Graham McKenzie spoke to the Stella Travel Group where Andy Botterill, CEO of Stella, Andy Freeth CEO of Travel 2 and Andy Stark, CEO of Global Travel Group all started out in resort.
Does working as an overseas rep for a tour operator give you a major advantage in climbing the corporate travel ladder? Surely the experience of dealing with three hundred bleary eyed Brits coming into Benidorm at six in the morning after a night entertaining the departing group has its benefits?
Both Andy Stark and Andy Freeth suggest teamwork is the key element of overseas life that transfers to the corporate world.
Stark said: "We almost had a military like discipline and team ethic. The job had to get done and we just had to get on with it. Today we have to do the same. Make sure the client is happy and use all elements of the team to ensure we do it to the best of our ability."
Freeth added: "Working as an overseas rep gives you that team player philosophy. You know if you don’t do your job correctly you are letting your mates down. That applies for the rest of your career."
Freeth claims that the lessons and disciplines learnt abroad are key for the future.
He said: "Getting the job done and knowing what was expected of you were key factors in the field and still are today.
"At Travel2 all my direct reports know exactly what is expected of them. They all have a set of KPI’s (Key Performance indicators) which we return to day after day. Their rewards and mine are measured by them. Good if we meet them bad if we don’t.
"It was no different when I was overseas but of course when you are younger nothing seems quite so important but the lessons and disciplines were learnt and I have no doubt that for me it was an important education."
Stark believes dealing with the ups and downs of life in resort can also help you prepare for later career pressures.
He said: "Some days you may have had to deal with serious, possibly life threatening illness one moment and then welcome new arrivals the next.
"The ability to deal with tough circumstances and the ability to handle the pressure I have no doubt gives you the resolve to deal with some of the challenges presented by managing within a corporate environment. It makes you grounded and realistic."
What do you think the key lessons learnt in resort are? Post your comment below and let us know.
Diane
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