There has never been a time like this one – and we all hope there never will be again. COVID-19 has dealt an unfathomable blow to our industry. But thousands of us are toughing it out. I have been in self-isolation for six weeks and like many of you am struggling with the confinement.

How can you keep your business going when there is no business (or very little) to get, when we all agree it’s not appropriate to come across in hard-sell mode?

Many of us have been forced to transform into daycare workers, school teachers or college profs while doing our “day jobs.” And everyone I know is complaining about how difficult it is to focus.

If you can, carve out a time of day for your business and close the door to distractions. Set a timer if it will help you to focus. During that time…

1. Call one client a day just to say “Hi and I hope your family is well and you are managing all right.” Not selling anything, just checking in.
2. Use your social platforms to inspire and inform rather than sell. Several advisors I know are posting recipes – you could post photography or packing tips, how to choose a cruise or an all-inclusive.
3. Think back to before this and what you would have given anything to have the time to do. Clear out your email. Take time to update your accounting skills, your contact list, your documents and excel spread sheets.
4. Or take that training class you know you always wanted to take, learn a new computer skill or memorize a few foreign phrases handy for travellers.
5. Learn something from Google. Look up top 10 airports in the world or check out a city or and island you do not know much about. There is plenty to be learned during this time in our industry that will make clients, eventually, re-engage in travel.

Our government is working hard to flatten the curve and we all need to continue to do our part too. I wish you and your families the best of health.

Lynda Sinclair, CTM, is the Senior Vice-President – Leisure at Vision Travel, which has an ever-expanding and vibrant program for independent agents. With 35 years in the Canadian retail travel industry Lynda “lives and breathes what goes on at the front line” and can be reached at lynda.sinclair@visiontravel.ca.