When I look at a calendar I can see that February is the shortest month but in my experience it is December that is actually the shortest month. Before you think I have had too many pre-Christmas drinks, let me explain.
If all goes well I can get commitments from people up until around 10th December, maybe 15th at a push, but then everything appears to stop. Now that could just be me and if your experience is different please let me know in the comments section below.
I am not complaining mind. This is traditionally a great time to draw breath, to do all those things I didn’t have time to do the rest of the year and of course to make sure my product knowledge is up to date.
You are of course spoilt for choice when it comes to the amount of product information you can find within Travel Uni with a wide-range of elearning programmes covering everything from airlines to attractions. In my opinion the best advice is to keep your learning to ‘little and often’ but of course you will have your own learning style. One of the best things about elearning is that it really doesn’t matter if the rest of the world is going into a mince-pie induced hiatus because you can dive in wherever and whenever you want and complete courses at your own pace.
You can move easily between categories too. Perhaps you have a particular interest in Asia or North America and clients who enjoy escorted tours across Europe. Product training for all these holiday types and much more is available online at the click of a mouse or tap of a screen.
Of course it makes sense, as a travel agent, to learn about those products that your clients are going to want to know about: after all, there is nothing like being the go-to-expert to help clinch a sale. But I believe it is important to spend time learning about places that you find interesting and fascinating just for the pleasure of it. You will find it easier to learn because you can enjoy the experience and you will be just as motivated as if the next sale depended on it. And the best part is that knowledge will not go to waste because tomorrow, next week or next year that next sale will depend on it because you will have someone wanting to know about that very place.
That is surely one of the most exciting things about being a travel professional: you just never know what that next enquirer is going to ask. And of course in the travel industry, you never stop learning.
For me then this short month of December is invaluable in getting ready for the post-Christmas bookings. And surely the very best part of eLearning is that you can eat mince-pies at the same time! And even better, complete a course on a tablet and there are no crumbs in the keyboard. Perfect!
What is December at work like for you?
