Greetings Nexion Travel Group members,

As you know, CoNexion is right around the corner. It’s truly one of my favorite times of the year because I know it means rekindling old friendships and making new ones. It reminds me of precisely what I love so much about our Nexion community: the lasting relationships that are forged between hard-working people at every level of the industry.

It’s always worth remembering that travel is, at its core, a relationship business that requires deep connections with other people. Our mutual success is dependent upon our ability to connect and empathize with others. It’s a good time to ask yourself what kinds of relationships you’re cultivating. This will certainly be a boon to your business, and can also enrich every aspect of your life. With that, let’s take a moment to think about the types of relationships you’re building in the industry.

Clients

It should go without saying that your clients are the foundation of your business. But you need to ask yourself an important question: Are you seeking a longer-term relationship with the clients you serve? Is your goal to build a relationship that isn’t purely transactional, but rooted in an established sense of trust? These are the clients that you can count on to stick by you, recommend your services to others, and stay loyal to you for years to come. These invaluable people are much more than just clients to you, and should be treated accordingly.

Advisors

What about your relationships with other advisors? Another thing I love about events like CoNexion is that they are a commonality you have with others travel professionals across the industry. There’s nothing that makes me happier than seeing friendships blossom between advisors who view each other as collaborators, not competitors. Some of the most valuable lessons I’ve learned in my years in the industry have come from others with more experience, or simply a different type of experience from my own. Even the smartest individual can only learn so much about so many things. Some of the most successful advisors I’ve seen are also the most humble in terms of realizing what they stand to learn from others.

Suppliers

Take advantage of supplier relationships, but remember that it’s okay to be more specific and selective here. Seek out supplier partners you are committed to working with who offer products you know you want to sell. Don’t try to be everything to everyone. We’re so fortunate at Nexion to have the network of supplier partners we have, and all of them certainly have something to teach you, but again, you really want to focus specifically on the suppliers you see as having a potential long-term relationship with your business, as they will help you carve out your niche within the industry.

Nexion Staff

Nexion staff are here to help you develop your business. They’re also some of the nicest, most good-natured people I’ve had the pleasure of knowing. Events like CoNexion are a great opportunity to get to know the team behind the phone calls and emails, the backbone of Nexion Travel Group. They’re not only happy to help you, but happy to connect and learn more about your business. This helps our staff be the best they can be at their jobs and live up to our reputation as the travel advisor’s host agency.

When we build these lasting relationships, everyone wins.

Jackie