Consortium launches ‘buddy’ scheme
The Global Travel Group has launched a mentoring scheme where experienced agents can help new agents get to grips with their new career.
Called Global Buddies, the initiative will give new travel agency owners the chance to pair up with more established agents to share tips and advice.
It was launched at this week’s conference in Orlando after a few months’ trial among selected agents.
"There’s a lot of experience in our business so let’s get together and share it," said commercial director Cherie Richards.
"Global agents see themselves as part of a family and are always keen to help each other out and share best practice. Global Buddies will just put this advice on a more formal footing, so new members know they have a more experienced agent who they can turn to.
"Sometimes, just having someone to bounce ideas off or chat through issues with can make a world of difference."
To get the scheme off and running, members of Global’s executive team will each be assigned their own new ‘buddy’ to help during their first year of membership.
"To make this a success we do need our bigger and more experienced members to step forward," said Richards.
"We don’t see the buddy process as being something onerous – just catching up with your partner once a month by telephone or meeting for a cup of tea a few times each year is enough to make the relationship worthwhile. If buddies want to be in touch more often that’s fine too."
She also invited supplier partners to get involved by joining group mentoring sessions which will take place at venues up and down the country.
Established Global members who would like to offer their services as a mentor to a new agency can register their interest by emailing [email protected].
Richards also urged more agents to enter industry awards and to not be afraid to self-nominate.
"If you don’t try you’ll never win anything. I’ll even help you with your nominations," she said.
Her call came after two Global agents won accolades at this year’s TravelMole UK Awards.
SN Travel won Best Travel Blog and Bordessa Holidays won Best Use of Social Media.
Bev
Editor in chief Bev Fearis has been a travel journalist for 25 years. She started her career at Travel Weekly, where she became deputy news editor, before joining Business Traveller as deputy editor and launching the magazine’s website. She has also written travel features, news and expert comment for the Guardian, Observer, Times, Telegraph, Boundless and other consumer titles and was named one of the top 50 UK travel journalists by the Press Gazette.
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