So here we are, a couple of weeks on from the cancellation of ITB Berlin and we’re even deeper into one of the biggest challenges ever faced by not only the travel industry but also the wider world.
Initial concerns and frustration around big event cancellations, fewer bookings and stock market have been put into perspective when more than 7000 people have died and nearly 170 countries have confirmed cases. International travel is currently on hold.
A Bright Approach works with clients from across the travel sector, from event organisers to privately owned companies servicing the industry, to start up companies. Shortly after the ITB Berlin cancellation my business went into standby mode with all my clients moving into various levels of crisis management and contingency planning.
My services of creating “thought leadership” articles for my clients, or finding ways to enhance existing sales, marketing and PR strategies are not a priority right now. If anything, I advise my clients that I should be one of the first expenditures to cut. What kind of consultant would I be if I did not speak the truth now?
These are unprecedented times and right now companies need a survival strategy not a content calendar.
I continue to advise my clients where I can. Getting the tone and volume of their social media messaging spot on, discussing HR policies such as how to support employees, show leadership and take responsibility, making sure that contacts are maintained even if contracts are not being signed.
The industry can learn from each other. We need to be more agile, more accommodating and more transparent than ever before.
For now, I am grateful that I have a little pot of savings to fall back on and I’m looking into the support for SMEs proposed by the UK government. I am optimistic that my business will rise again, stronger than before, having learnt some new skills and ways of working during the crisis.
I’m also optimistic for the industry. People have had their right to international travel removed, and I expect that when the borders open again the pent-up demand will kickstart the recovery. If we plan well enough to get through the next few months, the good times will come again and we won’t take it all for granted.
Have you got the bug for homeworking?
I have worked remotely for the past two years now and have my routine. I timetable my working day to include rest, exercise (physical and mental), creativity, bird watching in my garden (picture) and cooking.
I’m right here and happy to guide you if you’re struggling to get the hang of home working.
Do work from home if you can please, let’s all protect the weak and elderly in our society. Take scientific information seriously. Together we’ll get through this.
We might even learn to appreciate our privileged lives a little more. Maybe we can all agree that would be a good outcome of this crisis.
5 tips to happy remote working:
1. Get up early – and embrace that you are not in rush
2. Incorporate a daily outdoor exercise routine – walk, cycle, run
3. Keep a calendar – if work is quiet add things like shopping/cleaning. Keep the diary full
4. Make time for lunch – enjoy it away from your workspace
5. Make lists and tick off when completed – very gratifying little exercise
A Bright Approach 