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news conference report
ttglive.com
Hays IG Conference 2008
November 28-30 ■ Marbella, Spain
Hays Travel Independence Group members heard how a new sales system could
help them beat the downturn. Rupert Murray reports from Marbella, Spain
Hays agents to get
Create goodwill
cost-effectively
iSell system – free
FINDING cost-effective ways of marketing and
creating goodwill is a key part of surviving
economic downturn, said Jane Schumm, Hays
HAYS TRAVEL is offering its Independence Group Travel’s general manager for the north-east.
members what it claims is the most advanced She told agents there were many cheap ways
booking technology ever created – for free. to encourage business, such as adopting a school.
John Hays said he decided to let members “By creating close links with a school you can
have iSell at no charge despite “enormous” create a great deal of business. Sponsoring a
development costs and a “high six-figure” cost to geography prize, which costs almost nothing, cre-
run every year. ates goodwill with pupils and parents,” she said.
“There was a gasp in the room when we told
Hays Beds for all IG members
Schumm stressed the importance of becoming
them it was free but the way we see it is that this part of the local community in any way possible.
will make our members more successful and Hays Beds is being made available to all For example, Hays has started using staff
therefore us more successful. I am confident it Independence Group members this month, members in their point of sale marketing tools
will more than pay for itself,” he said. after being tested with retail and call centre to make them known in the area.
Hays believes the technology, which was staff. The system searches other bed banks John Hays said when he set up his business he
developed with Traveltek, will save agents at but Hays Beds acts as the principal, offers gave a trophy to a local school. It cost him almost
least half an hour every time they use it, support for agents, and pays 15% commission. nothing, but was still used by the school and had
reducing the time they have to spend searching paid for itself “dozens of times over”.
and speeding up the process for clients.
The system puts together a DIY package, The system uses Hays Beds, ending the need
saving agents the effort of searching for the com- to search a variety of bed banks. Measure staff
ponents. It will also be used in Hays Travel shops. iSell will be with IG members this month. Hays
“iSell searches for flights, accommodation and claimed it will give them such an advantage that
productivity
transfers in one go,” said Hays. members of other consortia will want to switch.
MEASURING staff productivity is vital in ensuring
a successful business, according to John Hays.
PICTURE PERFECT: He said staff were a business’s biggest cost,
Perfect Weddings so measuring their performance could be the
Abroad, winner of TTG’s difference between success and failure.
The Big Idea, has joined Looking at conversion rates was key, he
Hays Independence said, adding that Hays Travel retail staff were
Group. Business partners converting at 44%.
Helen Doyle (seated This strong rate had been achieved through
far right) and Danny focusing on getting contact details and ensuring
Waine (standing far everyone was called back, said Hays.
right) attended the Hays
Independence Group
event for the first time For more of our exclusive news and pictures
since moving from TTA. from the Hays Independence Group conference
Doyle said: “Hays has in Marbella, go to ttglive.com/conferences
been very supportive.”
14 12.12.2008
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