The idea of a big digital company also doing brick-and-mortar locations to appeal to every segment of the market was attractive to me and I felt that it was very forward-looking. Expedia is a household name that has instant credibility and instant familiarity with our customers. That is a big differentiator from most of our competitors who don’t have a big brand for people to connect with.
We have a lot of what we call ‘Customers For Life’. Expedia Cruises’ training program has taught us how to create a system that will create a customer for life from the first time we reach out to them to the time they get back from their trip ready to plan the next one.
We follow the system. We send out flyers, build our 7SEAS database, attend tradeshows, and host cruise nights to spread the word in our community. I think the most important and powerful way to find customers is by building your Consultant team because they bring family, friends, and friends of friends, to your agency – and that doesn’t cost you anything.
I have always dreamed of owning my own business and had extensive experience in corporate America. The support of the Expedia Cruises franchise system allows me to capitalize on my experience while taking advantage of a proven system. I’m not left to re-invent the wheel.
You could say that I live the brand and the business. The recruitment marketing that Expedia Cruises offers on my behalf that generates recruitment leads for me! Even my Consultants are out there promoting and recruiting for us, they believe in the brand and our team.
Being order makers, not order takers – that has been the biggest change in our office since we delivered The Navigators Approach training. My Consultants are asking better questions, they’re listening and making notes, and in turn our clients are happier! They’re loyal and they’re going to refer us, which is the whole cornerstone of our business.
