Last week at KarryOn we got all bird type-crazy on your $ss and wrote a wee little analytical piece on the flamboyant peacock Travel Agent. Here it is in case you missed it.
But we believe in animal equality as much as we believe that Travel Agents are pretty much equal to superheroes (we’d also add that BDMs can be lycra-wearing superheroes too), and so we had to dive deep (or should we say, soar high?) into the eagle agent and talk about the three character traits that you’ll find amongst all of these high flyers.
Equally as important, we’re also going to dish out some helpful advice to the eagles out there to help these natural born leaders stay on top (as we did last week with the peacocks).
So what are the three traits that all eagles have in common and how can they be even better at what they do?
1. You like to be the boss
Eagles like to soar high in their career, which is why you’ll find them occupying managerial positions in the store or office. If they’re not already in one of these positions, then they’re likely on their way up, with eyes set firmly on the prize.
But because of this ambition, many eagles can focus too much on attaining status and not on the process, and many have trampled over others in the industry to snag the position at the top. Consequently these agents can be simultaneously loved and hated.
ADVICE: Enjoy the journey and try not to put blind ambition ahead of human relationships.
2. You’re a goal setter
Give an eagle a goal, a time frame, and an encouraging work environment, and then sit back and watch as they chase their target and pull in the bookings. Eagles are the absolute go-getters of the travel industry, and no other bird type does better in turning their goals into results.
Yet again, this ability of theirs to focus in on a goal can take much of the fun out of their job, and ultimately they may find themselves going through the motions instead of actually engaging with their clients and building long-lasting relationships.
ADVICE: Don’t be too ambitious with your goals so that you have to fight tooth and nail to achieve them. Instead, set the benchmark a little lower so you can actually enjoy some of your consultations whilst still achieving your goals.
3. You have a lot of business clients
The no fuss and direct approach of the eagle makes them very popular with deep-pocketed business clients short on time. These clients appreciate the rather brief consultation style of eagle agents who would rather be spending their time making more bookings rather than wasting time with irrelevant conversation.
However, their short consultation style can seem rather curt to some clients and they may end up alienating themselves out of juicy bookings because they didn’t take the time to sit down with a potential client and build rapport.
ADVICE: Don’t be so quick to move onto the next customer. Spend more time in getting to know the person in front of you as they may turn out to be one of your biggest bookings of the month.
