Employees help create successful agencies 
The Team at McMinnville Travel 
Cover

Agents save the day
An open letter of encouragement 
Page 3

Get muscle tone without the groan
That’s right, simple effective fitness tips 
Pages 4,5

Giving five star service
Valuable lessons from everyday experiences 
Pages 9, 11

Sell to the top and sell more
Keys to selling to top executives 
Page 16

A new competitive advantage
Powerful hotel single-search and booking utility 
Page 18

Evolution and revolutions in travel reservations
Technically-savvy approach to the future 
Page 19, 21

Best available rates...BAR
Floating rates with benefits 
Pages 24-26

Stacy House has been in the travel industry since 1984 and for the last 10 years has been an Agency Owner and Manager of Travelwise, in McMinnville, Oregon. 

When Stacy purchased Travelwise, she inherited a staff of three experienced, mature and well-traveled agents. Stacy realized immediately that these professional travel agents knew as much if not more than she did. Since then Stacy’s team has remained with her for over 10 years. Early in 2004, Stacy sold her agency to Kathy Lambert of McMinnville Travel, McMinnville, Oregon. Stacy and her entire team are still working together and looking forward to more growth in the future. It is interesting to note, that there were five Travel Agencies in McMinnville at the time, now there is only one, McMinnville Travel. We asked Stacy why her agency survived, when others did not. Stacy replied. “It was because of my long standing employees, their skills and the loyalty of their clients.” 

WOW, that says something and we wanted to find out more about how employees help create successful agencies. We asked questions, and received some very helpful tips: 

Q: Stacy, how would you describe your employees? Reply: I strongly believe the key to success, is to treat your employees as you would want to be treated. Teamwork makes the difference. Creating the team in a positive environment is probably the most important aspect of keeping supportive, dependable employees. 
In a small business, it is not always realistic to offer salary increases. So, instead I offer incentives, and also understand what matters to my employees.  

Brainstorming with the employees and including them in decisions can be beneficial. Being the decision maker is not an easy task, although keeping your options open can be rewarding.

Ongoing training is also important; we take advantage of vendor training in our surrounding area. We take turns in attending various events and training sessions. We have a commitment to one another, to share information when each of us returns. 

Another aspect of success is that no one can do it alone. A manager needs to be open to options and ideas. Stacy had a great comment; “When you give your employees wings, they offer great ideas that can be adopted by the company. In a small business this is so valuable”.
Q: What is in the future for McMinnville Travel? 
Reply: As a team we are looking to increase our group sales. In the past, we have had great tours, such Cooking throughout Italy, Polar Bears and the Northern Lights. We are looking into group destinations and offering Escorted Tours. We are going to succeed, because we love what we do, and are passionate about travel; we enjoy each other’s company and want to succeed— as a team. 

An Observation
 I have worked in a small office where the staff did not always get along, the amount of energy and effort it took to keep the office together was amazing. I always wanted to work in an office that fostered teamwork and support. The rewards to the individuals and to me, the owner have been wonderful.