Travel Agent - February 16, 2009 - (Page 60)

BUSINESS OPER ATIONS CONTINUED FROM PAGE 58 change and so do clients’ needs. Perhaps their kids have gone off to college; they’ve retired; their personal financial situation has shifted (loss of job, worries about a 401(k), housing woes); they’ve changed careers; an elderly parent has come to live with them; they’ve gained a new hobby; or bought a new vacation home. Never assume clients’ desires today are what they were a year ago. I GATHER INTEL FROM YOUR CUSTOMERS: What are their personal thoughts on the economy and how it impacts them? What’s happening in their personal world? What type of vacation appeals this year? Has their mindset changed? What services would they like your agency to provide that you don’t? Where would they like to travel and why? I SPREAD YOUR WINGS: Add new revenue streams. Start with what you do well and narrow the focus to also include a more specialized niche. For example, if you sell family travel, consider becom- ing an expert in single-parent travel. Or if you specialize in ski vacations, build your client base with a learn-to-ski package for novices who might be future ski clients. I REEVALUATE YOUR BUSINESS EFFICIENCY: Is your technology doing what you need? Are you spending too much time on back-office tasks and not enough on selling? Evaluate the potential benefits of a consortia or host relationship. Add operational changes into your business plan. I CREATE QUANTITATIVE MILESTONES: Build milestones into any plan. Quantify the steps whenever possible. For example, you might add to your plan: “Make 10 new community contacts by July 31 and send out an introductory packet.” Or, “Increase destination wedding sales by 6 percent by December 31.” I REVIEW RESULTS: Use a software program like QuickBooks to easily create financial reports and comparisons throughout the year. Look at variances between projections and results. Shift your busi- ness plan accordingly. Even if a long-term strategy is expected to deliver immediate results, ensure you’re not blindly following a strategy based on incorrect assumptions. I NEVER STOP: Finally, never say, “I’m done.” Keep revising. Keep fine-tuning. A finished plan is a dead plan. Going through the motions of a plan revision will help you continually view your business operation in a systematic way. Need more help? SCORE (www.score. org), a group of retired executives, has free business plan templates online. The U.S. Small Business Administration (www.sba. gov) offers a free online course on creating a business plan. States and local municipalities can often assist; for example, the Florida Small Business Development Council (www.floridasbdc.com) provides free counseling and a low-cost course on writing a business plan. Trade membership organizations such as the American Society of Travel Agents (www.asta.org) have online financial tools. I GROW YOUR BUSINESS BIG. Whether you’re new to the industry or a seasoned veteran, we’ve got everything you need to take your business to the next level. UNIGLOBE Travel Center (UTC) offers you a variety of programs that are tailored to support your home-based business. The UTC Mentorship Program provides training and mentorship to new agents, while the UTC Premier Program helps cruise and tour agents maximize their bookings and commissions. The UTC Pro Program is designed for seasoned professionals to step up their leisure and corporate business. If you’re a seasoned corporate/leisure agent, the UTC InHouse program can give you the tools, technology and name brand recognition to help you realize your business goals. Put our people and programs to work for you today by calling 1-800-863-1606, ext. 9070. WE HAVE JUST WHAT YOU NEED TO www.uniglobetravelcenter.com 60 | TravelAgent February 16, 2009 Interested? Request #011. http://www.score.org http://www.score.org http://www.sba.gov http://www.sba.gov http://www.floridasbdc.com http://www.asta.org http://www.uniglobetravelcenter.com

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Travel Agent - February 16, 2009

Travel Agent - February 16, 2009 Contents Small Luxury Hotels of the World Launches Agent Portal Affluent Travelers Aren't Slowing Down Agents Speak Out on MIMs Royal Hideaway Expanding Caribbean Resorts Continue Renovating From the Editor From the Publisher Europe Pacific/Asia Las Vegas Mexico Los Cabos Caribbean, The Bahamas & Bermuda Cruises Weddings Cover Story: The Travel Society Business Operations Economic Uncertainty is One of the Top Challenges Cited by NSBA Survey Respondents Keeping a Business Plan Up-to-Date is Constant Task Technology Education Offers Opportunity During a Downturn Editorial Index Agent Access In The Spotlight Advertising Index Special Supplement: Brazil Specialist

Travel Agent - February 16, 2009

Travel Agent - February 16, 2009 - Travel Agent - February 16, 2009 (Page Cover1) Travel Agent - February 16, 2009 - Travel Agent - February 16, 2009 (Page Cover2) Travel Agent - February 16, 2009 - Travel Agent - February 16, 2009 (Page 1) Travel Agent - February 16, 2009 - Contents (Page 2) Travel Agent - February 16, 2009 - Contents (Page 3) Travel Agent - February 16, 2009 - Contents (Page 4) Travel Agent - February 16, 2009 - Contents (Page 5) Travel Agent - February 16, 2009 - Affluent Travelers Aren't Slowing Down (Page 6) Travel Agent - February 16, 2009 - Affluent Travelers Aren't Slowing Down (Page 7) Travel Agent - February 16, 2009 - Caribbean Resorts Continue Renovating (Page 8) Travel Agent - February 16, 2009 - Caribbean Resorts Continue Renovating (Page 9) Travel Agent - February 16, 2009 - From the Editor (Page 10) Travel Agent - February 16, 2009 - From the Editor (Page 11) Travel Agent - February 16, 2009 - From the Publisher (Page 12) Travel Agent - February 16, 2009 - From the Publisher (Page 13) Travel Agent - February 16, 2009 - From the Publisher (Page 14) Travel Agent - February 16, 2009 - From the Publisher (Page 15) Travel Agent - February 16, 2009 - From the Publisher (Page 16) Travel Agent - February 16, 2009 - From the Publisher (Page 17) Travel Agent - February 16, 2009 - Europe (Page 18) Travel Agent - February 16, 2009 - Europe (Page 19) Travel Agent - February 16, 2009 - Europe (Page 20) Travel Agent - February 16, 2009 - Europe (Page 21) Travel Agent - February 16, 2009 - Pacific/Asia (Page 22) Travel Agent - February 16, 2009 - Pacific/Asia (Page 23) Travel Agent - February 16, 2009 - Pacific/Asia (Page 24) Travel Agent - February 16, 2009 - Pacific/Asia (Page 25) Travel Agent - February 16, 2009 - Las Vegas (Page 26) Travel Agent - February 16, 2009 - Las Vegas (Page 27) Travel Agent - February 16, 2009 - Las Vegas (Page 28) Travel Agent - February 16, 2009 - Las Vegas (Page 29) Travel Agent - February 16, 2009 - Mexico (Page 30) Travel Agent - February 16, 2009 - Mexico (Page 31) Travel Agent - February 16, 2009 - Mexico (Page 32) Travel Agent - February 16, 2009 - Los Cabos (Page 33) Travel Agent - February 16, 2009 - Caribbean, The Bahamas & Bermuda (Page 34) Travel Agent - February 16, 2009 - Caribbean, The Bahamas & Bermuda (Page 35) Travel Agent - February 16, 2009 - Caribbean, The Bahamas & Bermuda (Page 36) Travel Agent - February 16, 2009 - Caribbean, The Bahamas & Bermuda (Page 37) Travel Agent - February 16, 2009 - Caribbean, The Bahamas & Bermuda (Page 38) Travel Agent - February 16, 2009 - Caribbean, The Bahamas & Bermuda (Page 39) Travel Agent - February 16, 2009 - Cruises (Page 40) Travel Agent - February 16, 2009 - Cruises (Page 41) Travel Agent - February 16, 2009 - Cruises (Page 42) Travel Agent - February 16, 2009 - Cruises (Page 43) Travel Agent - February 16, 2009 - Cruises (Page 44) Travel Agent - February 16, 2009 - Cruises (Page 45) Travel Agent - February 16, 2009 - Weddings (Page 46) Travel Agent - February 16, 2009 - Weddings (Page 47) Travel Agent - February 16, 2009 - Cover Story: The Travel Society (Page 48) Travel Agent - February 16, 2009 - Cover Story: The Travel Society (Page 49) Travel Agent - February 16, 2009 - Cover Story: The Travel Society (Page 50) Travel Agent - February 16, 2009 - Cover Story: The Travel Society (Page 51) Travel Agent - February 16, 2009 - Business Operations (Page 52) Travel Agent - February 16, 2009 - Business Operations (Page 53) Travel Agent - February 16, 2009 - Business Operations (Page 54) Travel Agent - February 16, 2009 - Business Operations (Page 55) Travel Agent - February 16, 2009 - Economic Uncertainty is One of the Top Challenges Cited by NSBA Survey Respondents (Page 56) Travel Agent - February 16, 2009 - Economic Uncertainty is One of the Top Challenges Cited by NSBA Survey Respondents (Page 57) Travel Agent - February 16, 2009 - Keeping a Business Plan Up-to-Date is Constant Task (Page 58) Travel Agent - February 16, 2009 - Keeping a Business Plan Up-to-Date is Constant Task (Page 59) Travel Agent - February 16, 2009 - Keeping a Business Plan Up-to-Date is Constant Task (Page 60) Travel Agent - February 16, 2009 - Technology (Page 61) Travel Agent - February 16, 2009 - Technology (Page 62) Travel Agent - February 16, 2009 - Education Offers Opportunity During a Downturn (Page 63) Travel Agent - February 16, 2009 - Editorial Index (Page 64) Travel Agent - February 16, 2009 - Agent Access (Page 65) Travel Agent - February 16, 2009 - Agent Access (Page 66) Travel Agent - February 16, 2009 - Agent Access (Page 67) Travel Agent - February 16, 2009 - Agent Access (Page 68) Travel Agent - February 16, 2009 - Agent Access (Page 69) Travel Agent - February 16, 2009 - In The Spotlight (Page 70) Travel Agent - February 16, 2009 - In The Spotlight (Page 71) Travel Agent - February 16, 2009 - Advertising Index (Page 72) Travel Agent - February 16, 2009 - Advertising Index (Page Cover3) Travel Agent - February 16, 2009 - Advertising Index (Page Cover4) Travel Agent - February 16, 2009 - Special Supplement: Brazil Specialist (Page BCover1) Travel Agent - February 16, 2009 - Special Supplement: Brazil Specialist (Page BCover2) Travel Agent - February 16, 2009 - Special Supplement: Brazil Specialist (Page B1) Travel Agent - February 16, 2009 - Special Supplement: Brazil Specialist (Page B2) Travel Agent - February 16, 2009 - Special Supplement: Brazil Specialist (Page B3) Travel Agent - February 16, 2009 - Special Supplement: Brazil Specialist (Page B4) Travel Agent - February 16, 2009 - Special Supplement: Brazil Specialist (Page B5) Travel Agent - February 16, 2009 - Special Supplement: Brazil Specialist (Page B6) Travel Agent - February 16, 2009 - Special Supplement: Brazil Specialist (Page B7) Travel Agent - February 16, 2009 - Special Supplement: Brazil Specialist (Page B8) Travel Agent - February 16, 2009 - Special Supplement: Brazil Specialist (Page B9) Travel Agent - February 16, 2009 - Special Supplement: Brazil Specialist (Page B10) Travel Agent - February 16, 2009 - Special Supplement: Brazil Specialist (Page B11) Travel Agent - February 16, 2009 - Special Supplement: Brazil Specialist (Page B12) Travel Agent - February 16, 2009 - Special Supplement: Brazil Specialist (Page B13) Travel Agent - February 16, 2009 - Special Supplement: Brazil Specialist (Page B14) Travel Agent - February 16, 2009 - Special Supplement: Brazil Specialist (Page B15) Travel Agent - February 16, 2009 - Special Supplement: Brazil Specialist (Page B16) Travel Agent - February 16, 2009 - Special Supplement: Brazil Specialist (Page B17) Travel Agent - February 16, 2009 - Special Supplement: Brazil Specialist (Page B18) Travel Agent - February 16, 2009 - Special Supplement: Brazil Specialist (Page B19) Travel Agent - February 16, 2009 - Special Supplement: Brazil Specialist (Page B20) Travel Agent - February 16, 2009 - Special Supplement: Brazil Specialist (Page B21) Travel Agent - February 16, 2009 - Special Supplement: Brazil Specialist (Page B22) Travel Agent - February 16, 2009 - Special Supplement: Brazil Specialist (Page B23) Travel Agent - February 16, 2009 - Special Supplement: Brazil Specialist (Page B24) Travel Agent - February 16, 2009 - Special Supplement: Brazil Specialist (Page B25) Travel Agent - February 16, 2009 - Special Supplement: Brazil Specialist (Page B26) Travel Agent - February 16, 2009 - Special Supplement: Brazil Specialist (Page B27) Travel Agent - February 16, 2009 - Special Supplement: Brazil Specialist (Page B28) Travel Agent - February 16, 2009 - Special Supplement: Brazil Specialist (Page BCover3) Travel Agent - February 16, 2009 - Special Supplement: Brazil Specialist (Page BCover4) 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