55-57_careers feature 4/11/08 16:07 Page 57
careers feature 57
“It’s a demanding role which requires patience and
the ability to deal with a certain amount of stress. But,
Top tips
thankfully, the crazy days of bands trashing hotel
L55473You must be flexible
rooms are on the wane.”
to survive in the job – the
But for all the flexibility, organisation and diplomacy
entertainment business
you must command, there is still a basic requirement
is 24/7
for good old accuracy. While making mistakes is not L55474 If you can’t handle stress,
really acceptable in any sector of corporate travel
then stay away!
management, MBA’s Ferguson believes there is
L55475 Client discretion is key
absolutely “no room” for error when booking for the
stars. “If you make one mistake with a large group and
L55476 Musicians are not always
their entourage has 100 people in it, then you have
experienced travellers, so
made 100 mistakes,” he says.
you must be patient
L55477 Don’t pay for expensive
Communication breakdown
media courses as a way of
“There is really no room for errors as they can be
breaking into this sector
extremely costly. Communication with the group must be
L55478 Be a good organiser, and
maintained at all times to pick up on possible problems.
be able to think on your feet
The problems themselves are unavoidable, but it’s how
you deal that is the key.
L55479 Musicians do get up to
mischief, so diplomacy skills
“Spelling mistakes are a classic example of what
are a bonus
should not happen. Names, maiden names, middle
names – it happens all the time. Some airlines are
flexible, but others are not. You have to ensure that
the error has not come from you in all cases. If the
client gives you the wrong name, then the wrong name
will be entered.”
Like any travel management company, consultants are
duty bound to find their travellers the best possible air
Lillywhite says reality TV programmes such as fares and hotel rates to suit their needs. But as money is
X Factor are to blame for creating a generation of not an issue for most stars – they’ll only ever travel first
people who believe success can be gained overnight, class and stay in five-star accommodation, while their
but warns that only a minute percentage actually ever crew will go economy – there is the small matter of
achieve that goal. client confidentiality.
But, as we all know, just being a hard grafter “There is often a lot of secrecy,” says Heath. “If you
doesn’t guarantee an easy path up the career ladder. deal with a band as well known as Razorlight, you have
So, aside from a flexible approach to working hours, to consider what impact they will have in certain areas of
what else must the consultant have in their tool kit? the world, and take into account which hotel you book
“Organisational skills,” claims Lillywhite. on that basis. It will have to be a hotel that can deal with
high-profile people in a professional manner.
Ain’t misbehaving… “Some veteran musicians, the likes of Jeff Beck or
“Handling an artist’s accommodation requirements can Roger Waters, are experienced travellers and therefore
involve jobs like arranging for a fridge to be replaced far easier to manage. They take problems, such as delays,
in a suite, changing a mattress that is too hard, or even in their stride. But some of the younger newer artists can
arranging for the hotel kitchen to be opened at 3am for get on their high horse and adopt the ‘do you know who
a hasty meal. So the ability to organise and think on I am?’ mentality.”
your feet is critical.” If booking travel for A-list celebs tickles your fancy,
And then there’s diplomacy. “Some bands can there has probably never been a better time to look for a
misbehave a little,” says Lillywhite, a subtle way of move into the arena. “It’s a lucrative business just now,”
saying that consultants sometimes have to deal with says Heath. “A lot of bands can’t live off of their CD
a perturbed hotel manager or irate airlines. “One sales any more because of the prevalence of [illegal]
band, who will remain nameless, put a hotel’s internet downloading. So it’s forced bands back out on
Christmas tree in a lift and then commandeered it the road to make a living. And, for the most part, the
for a couple of hours, going up and down having a credit crunch doesn’t really affect our clients. The big
party,” she says, recounting one personal experience. names will always have money to spend.” L52159
ttgbusiness.com a79 november 2008
Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37  |  Page 38  |  Page 39  |  Page 40  |  Page 41  |  Page 42  |  Page 43  |  Page 44  |  Page 45  |  Page 46  |  Page 47  |  Page 48  |  Page 49  |  Page 50  |  Page 51  |  Page 52  |  Page 53  |  Page 54  |  Page 55  |  Page 56  |  Page 57  |  Page 58  |  Page 59  |  Page 60  |  Page 61  |  Page 62  |  Page 63  |  Page 64