Become a Home Based Travel Agent

Do You Have 2011/2011 Vision?
By Cory Andrichuk

2010 was quite a year!  A rollercoaster to most of us…  It is safe to say that the new normal is constant change. The industry saw more new mega-sized ships come to market.  Travel consortiums, associations, online and home based business models grow even larger.  Facebook and other social media tools captured our attention even more, moving into mainstream marketing and becoming very prevalent in the business of selling travel and cruise. 

With this obvious constant change taking place before us, how are you changing or shall I say adapting?  How are you feeling and how is your business feeling as a result of such constant change?  To say we are overwhelmed at times would be an understatement… A saving grace and a constant that should not change is your vision.  Do you have one?  Is it written down in your business and marketing plan?  Is it posted where you can see it every day?  Do you share it with others like family, friends, colleagues, and your customers?  If not, you should.  It will feel better with the constant change taking place around you, as it reminds you of your focus! 

A vision is a sight, insight and/or a dream.  It is a picture of what you see your business becoming in the future.  A vision offers you clear direction for your future activity.  Vision is part emotional (the product of your imagination, hunches and values) and part rational – based on your analysis.

People who do not have a vision tend to make things up as they go along.  A partial plan is ineffective when you hit a road block or obstacle because you don’t know where to go from there and consequently may give up.  That is why it is important to have a vision!

Your vision needs to be:

• Powerful enough to generate commitment. 

• Coherent enough to integrate your goals, strategies and actions to complete a recognizable picture and it must be

• Achievable within a reasonable timeframe.

A favorite saying of mine is "VISION without action is a day dream…Action without vision is a nightmare…"

Successful travel entrepreneurs plan their vision by writing it down and then setting goals to achieve it daily.  Set a goal this year to find your vision… Take the time to create an idea of what you would like to become in the future, and then write it down.  Send it to me to review if you wish.  Talk to others about it.  Do not get defensive about such feedback, and remember to be flexible.  The next step is to then influence or shape your company’s vision to what makes sense to your business and your future.  Maybe this process will take you to a new business concept, an entirely new venture, or maybe even a new brand?  

Whatever does happen, you can never lose when you spend time on you and your priorities.  Start your 2011/2011 vision today for a better feeling tomorrow.