Not every one is honest about how they are trading in this climate – and it is refreshing when people are. It can also help to stimulate discussion and innovative ideas about how to increase business. We have had a few meetings with hoteliers and airlines in the last couple of weeks and as a result you can view some good offers on our web site. As I write this, I look back and consider what I have done in the past fortnight – time goes so quickly and I am sure for all of us you cannot believe how much ground you have covered every week. Though I am positive, optimistic and have an open mind about a lot of things, I must admit sometimes I am sceptical about all these courses that are available for leadership, strategy and so it goes on. Some friends of mine who founded ‘Every Woman’ asked if I would like to go to an afternoon taster of an Executive Challenge course. I went on their recommendation. They run a 9 day course which is a day every month for 9 months with prepping and homework in between the days. So Mrs Cynic turns up for this 4 hour course to find it is one of the most powerful things I have ever done. I believe the business will benefit so much for me going on this course. So what was so different and isn’t business about common sense anyway and can’t I work all these things out for myself. Well yes, business is of course a lot to do with common sense and yes of course we work on strategy but what the course does is focus you on a particular business challenge and works on how you as a person will make this a reality. If you ever want to be introduced to this course get in touch with Karen Gill or Maxine Benson at everywoman.

With a team of us working on two major tenders it has meant a lot of late nights to complete them in time which was Friday just past. Now we await the news of whether we have been successful. More about this if indeed we do get awarded the business.

In the knowledge the tenders had been safely delivered on Friday afternoon I went to a wonderful party hosted by a travel agent with a difference – called Quality Travel. They do this to thank all the suppliers they work with. It is a very generous and ingenious way of creating a much greater bond and is particularly appreciated as being a tour operator it is usually us that would entertain travel agents.

Now we commence with a series of meetings on product initiatives and pricing for 2010. There are going to be some amazing changes which of course I will talk to you about very soon.

Bye for now.

Mandy

About Mandy Nickerson

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Mandy endeavours to share her travel experiences (where she will 'tell it like it is') and also detail the latest exciting projects that she is involved in. Mandy welcomes your feedback - please feel free to submit your thoughts, queries, comments and theories below.