These days, more and more people are working from home, at least for part of their week, and doing so offers tremendous freedom. As an independent travel agent for Cruise Planners, you’ll have the opportunity to structure your entire work week from home as you leverage our time-tested business model and grow your franchise. But being a home-based business owner requires some planning; creating a workspace that fuels your passion for travel and fosters productivity is essential. This blog will look at a few ways to do that.
Not everyone has a spare room to dedicate solely to work. But don't worry! Even a cleverly carved-out corner can become your dedicated workspace. You’ll want to factor in lighting, especially natural light — a mood booster and a sight-saver. If a sunny spot isn't available, invest in good-quality lamps. Choose a location that minimizes distractions like foot traffic or loud noises.
You’ll also want to measure your essential furniture and equipment, allowing enough room for furnishings and movement. You'll need space to spread brochures, research destinations, or plan itineraries. And while you’ll want a space that encourages your focus and attention, you may want to infuse it with your love of travel. Display world maps, framed travel photos, or souvenirs from past adventures. This is especially important if you occasionally use your space to meet with clients.
However, working from home would not be nearly as efficient without digital technology — and as a work-from-home travel agent, your Cruise Planners franchise will rely on it. Below are some tech essentials you’ll need to power up your travel business:
Robust, integrated technology is essential in travel, and Cruise Planners franchisees benefit from our industry-leading software. This software allows them to analyze travel data to deliver client-tailored recommendations, check for new itineraries and price reductions, generate content for engaging marketing resources, newsletters, blog posts, and much more!
A cluttered workspace can lead to a disorganized mind. An organized home office is vital, and spending time laying out an efficient space and relying on intelligent storage solutions goes a long way toward growing your franchise. Use filing cabinets, shelves, drawers, or a wall organizer to store brochures, travel documents, and client files. Take full advantage of cloud storage for non-essential files. Utilize desktop folders or tags to keep digital documents organized.
Managing your time is also essential. Whether you use a digital calendar or a paper planner, choose a system that allows you to block out time for appointments, research, marketing, and client calls. Consider a large wall calendar where you can color-code destinations, track booked trips, and visualize your travel goals!
Your Cruise Planners home office should be a place that sparks creativity and fuels your passion for travel. It should also be a place you love to be in. The most productive small business owners look forward to going to work — to them, it’s not work but what makes them feel alive — and a home office you look forward to spending time in can do that.
Invest in an ergonomic chair with good back support. Consider a standing desk if that works for you. If you’ve got a bit of a green thumb, surround yourself with houseplants; they can boost focus, create a sense of calm and well-being, and purify the air. Tack up some of your favorite inspirational quotes from travel writers, adventurers, or famous world leaders to ignite your wanderlust and motivate you. Other things you should remember to do include:
It's important to remember that work is only part of your life. Many of our franchisees became independent travel agents to achieve a better work/life balance. Establish clear boundaries between work hours and personal time. This is important for your well-being and can prevent burnout.
A Cruise Planners low-cost franchise is an industry-leading investment with plenty of training and support. To find out more, get in touch today!