How to work smarter, not harder, as an agent
Travel agents are such a hardworking bunch – nothing slips by you guys – but every so often, the workload can seem overwhelming.
So what’s an agent to do when they find themselves working a bit too hard? Work smarter, of course! Easier said than done, but luckily we’ve got some ideas.
Whether it’s hiring an assistant, or planning your day out a bit differently, there are a few tricks you can adopt to give yourself more time to build dream holidays and kick butt in the agent business.
Check out some of these tips, and let us know what you do to work smarter, not harder.
Take more breaks
Yes, you read correctly – to work smarter, we’re advocating you take more breaks, which helps you work more efficiently. In a book by Stephen Covey, The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, he tells the tale of a woodchopper whose saw gets blunter the more he chopped, making the work harder for himself.
If he’d just taken more breaks and sharpened the saw, the job would’ve been easier and saved both time and energy.
You see, on average, your brain is able to remain focused for only 90 minutes, and then you need at least 15 minutes of rest. If you push this boundary, trying to concentrate for longer periods of time, you’re just burning out your mental energy and slowing your workflow down.
To work more efficiently, you need to be able to schedule in little breaks – between client meetings, researching, or email catch-ups – to reset your attention span.
Designate a different place for different jobs
Have you ever worked in a new environment and noticed how much more efficiently you were able to work? There’s something about switching things up or changing your surroundings that puts the brain into a different gear, and gives it a renewed sense of focus.
Entrepreneur Joel Runyon shared a secret to his success, in which he moved locations and allocated specific jobs to each place, so that when he sat down in his new destination, he knew exactly what required his attention. Then when he was finished, he’d move on.
Now, not all of us have the luxury of café-hopping the day away, but perhaps try it out in your home office for a few days. When you’re catching up on emails in the morning, sit at your usual desk, then pick up your laptop and work on one client’s booking from the dining table. After you’ve finished that task, sit at a new desk in another room and focus on a different job there.
I mean, it helps if you’re a mobile agent for an agency like Travel Counsellors, where you can work from wherever you like, with all the support and technology sitting pretty on your laptop. Hell, if you’re into café-hopping, you’ve got the freedom to do so! Choose your own adventure.
How you sort out your task list is totally up to you, but the important part is having a clear finishing point based on your task list rather than the time. And when you move, walking is a good way to go, so your brain gets some space to chill out and reset.
Create a new email strategy
The constant notifications from technology are some of the biggest barriers to productivity, so why not tackle one of the worst – for many agents: the email. It’s a common problem that you’ll be tapping away at one job on your computer, then an email ‘ding’ pulls your focus, and before you know it, you’re down the email rabbit hole, with no idea what you were just working on.
One tip is to have designated times to check emails, which is hard when clients need you seemingly all the time. Create folders for each day of the week, and then during the designated time frames in your day for checking emails, either delete irrelevant emails or place them in the day of the week folder when you plan to respond.
You end goals is to never have any emails in your inbox, but have them all neatly tucked away in specific day of the week folders. And for your own sanity, turn the darn notification ‘ding’ off!
Enlist some help
If you’re lucky enough to have a few spare dollars to employ an assistant (ok, maybe a bit more than a few bucks) then it can do wonders for your productivity. There’s no greater feeling than palming off your arduous admin to someone else so you can focus on the meatier projects.
When you run your own business, you have the power to choose how to spend your time and when you start your own business with an agency like Travel Counsellors, for example, you’re part of a global business that pretty much tackles half your to-do list.
They provide benefits like access to a 24/7-crisis centre, greater buying power, IT investment and a vast network of agents. You literally get a local dedicated team that provides the support you need to get on with doing what you do best.
Even better is that with all that stuff taken care of, you can focus on your earning potential. 12.5 per cent of Travel Counsellors take home more than $160K!
Get out amongst nature
Whoever said nature does wonders for a productive mind – and there’s a lot of them – was completely right. Seriously!
Just like taking a break every 90 minutes or moving between work stations, slotting in some outdoor time is paramount to keeping your brain fresh, and working smarter in shorter working periods.
Spending time in nature (whether it’s an inner city park or just your backyard) gives your mind a chance to fully relax and unwind, meaning you can focus longer when you return to work.
Get a business coach
Sometimes, you just want someone to swoop in and tell you how to better manage your business, and believe us, there’s plenty of people out there willing to help.
A quick Google search of ‘marketing business coach’ will open your eyes to all the professionals who can help make sure your business is running as smoothly and efficiently as it can. You can even download simple DIY business plans to give you a nudge in the right direction.
Alternatively, if you are running your own travel business with a partner like Travel Counsellors, you can turn to your head office for support in this area.
With business coaches by your side to mentor you and help develop your business and a booking system where you are in control of your margins, you will be able to build a successful business of your own and maximise your earning potential.
And let’s not forget at Travel Counsellors, you also have a direct line to the CEO if you really want some advice or to troubleshoot some issues.
Email the Travel Weekly team at traveldesk@travelweekly.com.au
-
Latest comments
Latest News
Voyages celebrates 40 years at Uluru with two new immersive experiences
No plans for celebrating your 40th this year? Here's a hot tip from us.
SkyDeck: The inflight entertainment you could never have imagined
Forget those external cameras you can live stream while in the air... With SkyDeck you can check it out for yourself.
Second Boeing whistleblower dies of ‘mystery infection’
Joshua Dean died from a fast-growing mystery infection on Tuesday.
Aussie winners of American Airlines ‘Sell Your Way to the USA’ announced
Show me the money! For the winners, Sell Your Way to the USA was worth getting involved in.
ANZCRO celebrates 30th with special edition of iconic New Zealand Book
Choice bro! ANZCRO celebrates its 30th with a special edition of its iconic New Zealand Book. Chur!
Room to move at Cairns Harbourside Hotel with ‘spacious’ new family package
Moody teens can eat two-minute noodles while younger brothers and sisters get to eat free with mum and dad. Win, win!
A&K unveils lavish around the world wildlife adventure in private jet
The kind of holiday that if you need to ask the cost, you probably can't afford it.
Flight Centre and Reforest hit one million trees target early
Nice one Flight Centre, we think you've earned an early Friday knockoff.
New cruise options spearhead stacked APT 2025 program
Just in case you thought you were running out of cruise itineraries, APT's here with a fresh batch.
Travel Weekly announces a new team to helm Australia’s No.1 travel trade title
Some shameless self-promotion from us, but we thought you needed to know who's bringing you the news.
IHG reveals plans for Brisbane’s first Kimpton in 2028
Just another reason to book that trip to Brisvegas. But don't jump the gun, it's not open until 2028.
Cruiseabout’s first store in five years opens in Perth
Perth gets a break from being behind the rest of the country with the addition of the first Cruiseabout store.
ATAS complaints process acknowledges non-economic loss
A High Court case win over 'disappointment and distress' on a cruise gone wrong prompts ATIA complaints change.
Cunard previews new Queen Anne
Yep, this one does exactly what it says on the tin.
Bunnik Tours unveils latest expansion to Iceland
Just as the Icelandic vikings did many years ago, Bunnik is expanding into new territories.
Australia’s first glamping retreat turns 25
25th anniversary gifts usually come in silver. Ours comes in the way of a news story.
Embrace the journey: Traversing the world with the Shokz OpenRun
If you’ve been on the wrong side of a final call in the airport, or missed the stop on rail journey, it might be time to invest in a pair of Shokz OpenRun headphones. Originally marketed as headphones for fitness fanatics, runners or cyclists with a keen to steer clear of a prang with a car, […]
Tourism Western Australia MD Carolyn Turnbull departs
Turnbull hints her new role will see her staying in the tourism and hospitality industry and who can blame her?
DriveAway launches Brit-Euro Blitz campaign
If agents can put the foot down quick enough and get involved, there are some great prizes to be won.
Fly and Stay Free with the Great Southern
Unlike those dodgy scam phone calls you're getting more and more of, there's no strings attached to this deal.
Sober travel and TikTok guide Australian Gen Z trips
Can you call it a sober holiday if you enjoy a few glasses of red on the flight? We think yes.
Travel DAZE Exec Agenda REVEALED: top execs to speak on airline competition
As the industry reels from Bonza's implosion, it is more important than ever to ask the big questions.
TTC: Deals are driving up demand for September trips
The latest market research from TTC Tour Brands shows interest in international leisure travel remains high for 2024, with 77 per cent of Australians over 18 still planning trips this year. Notably, 28 per cent of those travellers are eyeing September for their journeys. Europe continues to be the most popular destination, with 68 per […]
Skroo says Rex will need deep pockets to fill lost Bonza slots
The door is open for Rex, and anyone else who wants to launch a regional Aussie airline...
Sno’n’Ski Holidays unveils 2025 mega famil to Colorado!
Let the games begin - this is certainly not a famil that you will want to miss!
Walk Japan launches Kyoto: Mountains to the sea walking tour
There are two types of people, one who enjoys walking on holiday and another who enjoys sipping Mojitos by the pool.
Which destination had a 48% boost in bookings following 10 MILLION TikTok views?
Here's a clue: it's not Malabar Beach.
Asher Telford appointed General Manager of SeaLink Whitsundays
Telford has plenty of reasons to smile after SeaLink doubles down and makes him GM after buying his tourism operation.
Qantas ‘working urgently’ to fix app data leak
Qantas is looking into customer reports that passengers have this morning been able to access other passengers’ personal information on the airlines app. X user Lachlan posted that he was able log into different accounts every time he opened the app. My @Qantas app logs me in to a different person each time I open […]
Hilton Expands Presence in North Queensland with the signing of Hilton Garden Inn Townsville
Heading to a North Queensland Cowboys clash? Hilton Garden Inn Townsville is set to open, but not until 2026.
Rail Europe ANZ: making dream journeys come true
Rail Europe's running a lottery! You're not going to win millions, but you might just snag a free holiday.
UPDATE: Bonza hole deepens as administrators investigate financial affairs
Administrators dig deeper as struggling airline unlikely to be revived.
Revamped Wailoaloa Beach hotel opens as Crowne Plaza Fiji Nadi Bay Resort & Spa
Crowne Plaza Fiji Nadi Bay Resort & Spa is open and ready for bookings after the first phase of a multi-million-dollar transformation. Part of IHG Hotels & Resorts’ premium collection, the transformation has seen the completion of 106 guestrooms showcasing contemporary interiors reflective of the premium Crowne Plaza brand and is a first for the […]
Nielsen Data reveals brands spending big to attract Aussie tourists
Trip A Deal, Virgin and Ignite Travel walk into a bar, blow their cash on travel advertising instead of the pokies.
Kamalaya Koh Samui clinches clutch of wellness awards
Kamalaya Wellness Sanctuary & Holistic Spa has so far clinched five prestigious awards in 2024, including being inducted into the ‘Hall of Fame’ at the World Spa & Wellness Awards in London. Founders of the Koh Samui sanctuary and spa John and Karina Stewart expressed their heartfelt gratitude for the awards. “We are profoundly honoured […]
Jetstar offers 200,000 return for free flights to celebrate 20th anniversary
Jetstar hits 20 and everyone else gets the presents with free return flights to domestic and international destinations.
Hi –
Can you please link to the “workstation Popcorn” method you mentioned so people have context for it?
https://impossiblehq.com/workstation-popcorn/
TC’s can save up to an hour per enquiry when using Tour-Atlas to research organised tours for clients.