by Norma Rodriguez
Business Solutions Manager, Southeast
Travel Leaders Network

Travel agencies of all sizes have one thing in common: they need to stay profitable. This ever-growing demand affects every aspect of their businesses, and it should. Turning your agency into a growing profit-center takes a 360-degree, holistic approach that cohesively engages your staff, your consortia, and your business goals. Here are key steps you can take to get profits soaring.

BECOME ORGANIZED

Implement business tools and programs that help simplify and streamline your processes. Office Accounting and Client Relationship Managers (CRM) tools help keep you on track and pave the path to accurate invoicing, bookkeeping and an updated client database that will facilitate your marketing initiatives.

LEVERAGE YOUR MEMBERSHIP BY USING PREFERRED SUPPLIERS

If you belong to an agency group, then you have strong relationships with a certain set of suppliers. These suppliers demonstrate their commitment by offering improved commission tier levels, exclusive offers and promotions. At Travel Leaders Network, our suppliers also deliver special value-add programs (such as Distinctive Voyages, Amenity Departure Date, Culinary Collection, Private Car & Driver), and they also fund for personalized direct mail pieces and email marketing initiatives through our Engagement program, where contacting your agency is the only call to action.

MAKE YOUR PRESENCE KNOWN

In addition to taking advantage of consistent marketing tactics, which helps keep you top of mind with your clients, take the steps to find a lead generation program that works. Travel Leaders Network members attract new business through lead generation by publishing an attractive and effective profile via Agent Profiler on our consumer website, Travelleaders.com.

STAY AHEAD OF THE COMPETITION

Keep up with preferred supplier product information, become a Certified Travel Specialist in a niche market, and take educational and familiarization trips. These educational efforts take time, but it’s time well spent, because they help differentiate your services from your competitors.

OFFER EXCLUSIVE SERVICES

Take advantage of any exclusive program your agency group provides to set your services apart even more. For example, through Travel Leaders Network’s Apex program, created in collaboration with American Express®. After approval and training, participants can become an authorized Membership Rewards® Pay with Points agent, earn incentives for referring new American Express Card Members, and access value added amenities from The Travel Collection for their clients.