Posted 08 October 2015
Over four million people have now taken the leap to work from home. And the benefits are clear to see. Not only do you get to say goodbye to your commute, but you’ll have more time to spend with your loved ones, with the flexibility to achieve the perfect work-life balance. So it’s probably no surprise that the number of home workers is increasing year on year.
As a Travel Counsellor you can build your own travel business, and run it from your own home. Travel Counsellors is fully invested in its people – and if you join our family, we’ll make sure you’re equipped with all the tools and support you’ll need to be successful.
While you enjoy the freedom of working from home, we remain at your side to help you with anything and everything – be it PR, marketing, admin, finance or specialist bookings.
To get you started, here are 10 quick tips to consider when working from home as a travel advisor.
The ability to break free from the traditional 9-to-5 structure and create a working pattern that suits your lifestyle is one of the best features of working from home.
However, even when you’re the boss, it is still important to maintain a work schedule. With a regularly updated work schedule you can pencil in all the important things in your life – and create a calendar that works for you.
This might seem obvious, but it really is very useful. Making notes is one of the best ways to remain organised and on top of your work. Whether they be sticky notes next to your computer, reminders on your smart phone, or jottings on your calendar – notes are an essential part of managing your workload.
There are plenty of mobile apps out there to help you with this. Some of our favourites are Evernote, Catch Notes and Fetchnotes.
If you’re willing to run your own travel business, then it is clear you already have ambition. The average Travel Counsellor earns £8k a year more than an average high street agent, but to make the most of your uncapped earning potential earning it is important to set yourself targets. It’s only by challenging yourself that you’ll grow your business.
A great way to transition into ‘work mode’ at home is to have a designated office space where you work from. Much like a desk in an office, you’ll know when you’re sat down at your spot, it’s time to work.
Of course, the beauty of homeworking is that you can get up to run your kids to school, or sign for a delivery with ease, but having that fixed space can be really beneficial.
If you become a Travel Counsellor, you’ll never feel alone. We have ground breaking technology to enable you to access help and advice whenever you need it. We’re only ever a phone call away, with a 24/7 service to support you every step of the way.
Many homeworkers believe getting dressed for work puts them in the right mind-set for a successful working day. That said, if you feel more comfortable in a pair of slippers and a dressing gown then that’s fine too!
There’s no shortage of distractions online, especially from social media. If you want to stay focused, then it’s a smart idea to close any tabs which might offer distraction.
Of course, there’s a time and a place for these sites too. Facebook, for example, is a great way to interact with customers, and reach out to new ones too.
Just because you’re working from home does not mean you shouldn’t take breaks. It’s important to stretch your legs, and take your eyes off the screen every now and then. You can use these breaks to make a cuppa, take your dog for a walk, or water the garden. Then you can return to work refreshed and re-energised.
As a Travel Counsellor there’ll be no shortage of events for you to attend. Events are a fantastic way to meet people, having a great time while developing your skills. The Travel Counsellor family is not a gimmick, but a core value of our company. We want to make sure absolutely everyone feels welcome and appreciated.
You can find a list of our upcoming events here: http://recruitment.travelcounsellors.com/gb/our-world/events/
Although you’ll be working from home, there will still be plenty of opportunities to socialise with your co-workers. There are over 1,400 Travel Counsellors globally – any of whom you can talk to through our message boards, TCTV broadcasts and webinars. As mentioned above there will also be many events available for you to meet people face to face, including anniversary days, training days and the much anticipated Annual Conference.
If you’re interested in finding out more about working from home as a Travel Counsellor, get in touch with our friendly Careers team on 0800 987 0308.
