Building and Strengthening your Relationships as a Travel Professional can Make your Business Soar!
Written By: Jackie Friedman, President – Nexion Travel Group
As we move into the latter half of summer and look ahead to future events, I find myself filled with excitement. It’s truly one of my favorite times of the year because I know it means rekindling old friendships and making new ones. It reminds me of precisely what I love so much about our Nexion community: the lasting relationships that are forged between hard-working people at every level of the industry.
It’s always worth remembering that travel is, at its core, a relationship business that requires deep connections with other people. Our mutual success is dependent upon our ability to connect and empathize with others. It’s a good time to ask yourself what sorts of relationships you’re cultivating. This will certainly be a boon to your business, and can also enrich every aspect of your life. With that, let’s take a moment to think about the types of relationships you’re building in the industry.
Clients
It should go without saying that your clients are the foundation of your business. But you need to ask yourself an important question: Are you seeking a longer-term relationship with the clients you serve? Is your goal to build a relationship that isn’t purely transactional, but rooted in an established sense of trust? These are the clients that you can count on to stick by you, recommend your services to others, and stay loyal to you for years to come. These invaluable people are much more than just clients, and they should be treated accordingly.
Advisors
What about your relationships with other advisors? Another thing I love about the events Nexion Travel Group puts on is that they are a source of connection and community for advisors all over North America. There’s nothing that makes me happier than seeing friendships blossom between advisors who view each other as collaborators, not competitors. Some of the most valuable lessons I’ve learned in my years in the industry have come from others with more experience, or simply a different type of experience from my own. Even the smartest individual can only learn so much about so many things. Some of the most successful advisors I’ve seen are also the most humble in terms of realizing what they stand to learn from others.
Suppliers
Take advantage of supplier relationships, but remember that it’s okay to be more specific and selective here. Seek out supplier partners you are committed to working with who offer products you know you want to sell. Don’t try to be everything to everyone. We’re so fortunate at Nexion to have the network of supplier partners we have, and all of them certainly have something to teach you, but again, you really want to focus specifically on the suppliers you see as having a potential long-term relationship with your business, as they will help you carve out your niche within the industry.
When we build these lasting relationships, everyone wins.