On the Move: Selling Travel From Anywhere!
by Penney Rudicil, ECC

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This past week, my wonderful children decided that they wanted to take me away for my birthday. No, it wasn't to a relaxing spa or on an exotic cruise -- they took me to Cincinnati! Yep, two fun-filled days at Kings Island, an amusement and water park. Because we didn't want to fight the huge crowds, we decided to go midweek. However, this would mean being away from the office for a couple of days.

As an independent contractor, I have the privilege to take time off when I choose, and because I have such a reliable team behind me, I know that if something comes up that needs attention I can count on them. So, taking a few days off was not a problem.

Although I had a few things pending, I didn't even need to worry about taking any files with me, because I have my client files electronically in my database. I packed up my laptop computer, forwarded my office phone to my cellular phone, and off we went.

When we travel, either by car or sea, I usually take my laptop to stay in touch with clients and the agents on my team. However, I had not planned on working a lot on this trip. After all, we were taking a family holiday and I knew that it would be loud with so many kids and the amusement park rides and music. I had planned to check email and voicemail in the evenings when resting (recuperating from the roller coasters). I had not planned to carry my cell phone into the park -- but, by force of habit, I did. When the phone rang, my daughter gave me "that look" (the one that says "Don't answer that!") But, have you ever tried to ignore a ringing phone, especially when you know it is probably a business call?

So while in line for "The Beast," one of the best roller coasters there, I answered the phone. It was a woman calling about taking her family on a cruise. She knew exactly when they wanted to go, which ship, and what type of cabins. We talked for a few minutes; however, I led her to believe that I was in the car and asked if I could call her back when I got to a place where I could take some notes. Of course, she agreed.

Because my phone is also my PDA (personal digital assistant), I actually had a place to store all the particulars that the prospective client had given me, along with the cruise line information and a calendar.

After getting off the fabulous roller coaster, I found a quiet place (in an amusement park, now that is a trick in itself!), sent the kids out to ride some more, and got down to work.

I called Royal Caribbean and got a quote for five cabins on the "Freedoms of the Seas." Since they only had 2 junior suites left, I held both of them along with three oceanview staterooms as the client had requested. Because the cruise is just a month away, the cruise line would only give me a 24-hour hold on the cabins.

When I called the client back, she was thrilled with how quickly I had been able to get her a quote. As we were talking, I admitted to her that I was not in the office but at an amusement park with my family celebrating my birthday. I told her that her business was very important to me and I was happy to take her call.

My client was thrilled with the price, and right there she gave me full legal names of all passengers, dates of birth, and full payment! As I already have a credit card authorization on file for this client, I was able to call the information in to the cruise line right then.

A few minutes later, the family came back to take me to lunch. I told them that lunch was on me, since (within the 45 minutes that they were playing) I had just made a $19,000 cruise sale!

So, you see, it does not matter where you are -- whether you are sitting in a brick-and-mortar office, your beautiful home office, or the line for a roller coaster, you can be a travel agent anywhere if you have the right tools!