Home » News » Day two of Club Med’s home-based agent conference talks future proofing and digital success

7 November, 2024

Day two of Club Med’s home-based agent conference talks future proofing and digital success

By Zach Havard

Day two of Club Med’s home based agent conference showcased practical ways travel agents and small business owners future-proof their operations.

With a focus on adaptability, business optimisation and social media tips, the sessions gave attendees with an opportunity to think about their business strategy and steps for stand out in a competitive market.

Catch up an all the action below:

Club Med kicks off industry first home based agent conference in sunny Bali

Jorge Fernandez – Future-proofing your business

Jorge Fernandez is dedicated to empowering travel businesses and his keynote address he emphasised the importance of ‘making more with less’ by positioning small businesses as valuable assets.

His advice catered to owners planning to transition out of their businesses in the future and those wanting be prepared for a possible stressing proactive preparation as key.

“You’ve got the time, you’ve got the resources, things are going quite well. Let’s not wait until it’s too late,” Fernandez urged.

He outlined essential annual practices for business owners, including:

Taking Time for Strategic Reflection: Regularly step back to assess the current market, business direction, and growth plans.
Utilising Strategic Planning Tools: Tools like the Balance Business Scorecard (BBS) and SWOT analysis were highlighted as effective methods to identify key areas for improvement.

One of the session’s key moments focused on the BBS’s “People” section, where Jorge challenged attendees to reconsider their approach to work-life balance. He even suggested creative tactics, such as claiming housekeeping as a business expense, as it supports personal well-being.

“Start thinking like entrepreneurs, not just people working from home,” he said.

Belinda Jennings – Social media trends and AI tools for sucesss

Social media expert Belinda Jennings, founder of MumCentral, brought fresh perspectives on creating engaging content, optimising short-form video, and leveraging AI for efficiency. Noting that 35 per cent of consumers turn to social media for travel inspiration (with this number jumping to 53 per cent for Gen Z), Jennings urged agents to embrace the power of online platforms.

Some of her social media insights included:

The Rise of Short-Form Video: Short videos under 90 seconds can retain up to 50 per cent of viewers, while videos under 15 seconds are even more engaging. Jennings shared that short-form content earns 2.5 times more engagement than long-form video, encouraging agents to keep it brief and impactful.“If you really want to grow your audience, it’s not hard to do if you have the tools and follow the process,” she said. For agents with video content from FAM trips and special experiences, she reminded them, “Every post is an opportunity to grow.”
Outsourcing for Enhanced Efficiency: Jennings recommended platforms like Upwork and Fiverr to find freelancers for graphic design and virtual assistance. She also suggested using AI tools like ChatGPT for copywriting support, Pixlr for image creation, and generative AI for video enhancements.

“Don’t think that you can’t do it because you don’t know how to do it,” Jennings said.

Lisa Bacon – The art of selling ski with Club Med

Lisa Bacon, Club Med’s Head of Sales, provided a deep dive into Club Med’s ski offerings and shared strategies for selling these popular packages. Australia ranks as the fourth-largest market for Club Med ski products, with a notable 20 per cent increase in ski revenue this year and a 72 per cent year-on-year increase in Japan ski sales during spring.

She highlighted that Club Med offers the world’s largest ski resort portfolio and discussed the all-inclusive ski package, which includes essentials like accommodation, lift passes, gourmet meals, and kids’ clubs.

“Make use of the longevity of Japan’s ski season,” she advised, reinforcing the advantages of promoting Club Med’s comprehensive packages that simplify holiday planning.

Adela Backhouse – leveraging resources for client success

Adela Backhouse rounded out the day by sharing her personal journey and insights into maximising resources to create memorable travel experiences for clients. After her own eye-opening trip to Europe, Backhouse knew she wanted to bring her passion for travel to others. Her love of Club Med comes from their ease of booking and high client satisfaction. “I can book an amazing holiday for my clients and know they will be looked after,” she said.

Backhouse recounted a successful group ski trip to Club Med Japan, which led to even more families booking the following year – a to Club Med’s impact on building loyal clients. She encouraged agents to use these experiences to foster long-term relationships, ensuring that their clients enjoy unforgettable vacations while generating repeat business.

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