You’ve heard the expression “when the going gets tough, the tough get going.”  It’s a truth that applies to all areas of our life, both personal and professional. 

COVID19 has taken us all by surprise.  Without a doubt, “the going is tough.”  Today’s focus, however, is on “when the tough get going”.  And while it may feel that the sky is falling, it’s important to remember that what we are experiencing now will pass.  More importantly, what you do today will directly impact how quickly the return to normal is for you. 

So, for now, we encourage you, the tough, to get going.  Avoid the immobilization that comes from uncertainty. 

• Call your clients, those with and without current travel plans, empathize with them and let them know when the time is right you will be there for them  
• Take time to work on your skills by taking all the training you can – whether it is destination, supplier or business skills – learn the destinations, programs, software and business applications that you always wanted to get to but didn’t have the time 
• Write the business and marketing plans you’ve neglected – yes, it is okay to market now if you use the right message
• Visit asta.org/COVID19 for up-to-date information
• Share your success stories
• Work on your website and change your messaging to inspirational stories and considerations, and share with them that you will be there for them when they are ready.
• Continue with social media, pulling images from past trips and using appropriate messaging
• Keep a sense of humor
• Take care of yourself
• Look to your host for guidance, positive messaging and assistance with suppliers

Just one more thought before I go… have you ever considered that the expression, “when the going gets tough, the tough get going” also applies to your host agency?  While I’m a firm believer that “If it’s not broken, don’t fix it,” I also think it is times like these that will prove the value of your host agency.  Ask yourself these questions:

• Are they there for me?
• Are they keeping me updated?
• Are they responding to my calls and questions?
• Are they helping me with supplier issues and supplier policy changes?
• Are they providing me with messaging and general information for my business?

Answers to the above questions will help you determine if you have a problem that needs to be “fixed.”

In the meantime, hang in there; we are all in this together.

You’ve heard the expression “when the going gets tough, the tough get going.”  It’s a truth that applies to all areas of our life, both personal and professional. 

COVID19 has taken us all by surprise.  Without a doubt, “the going is tough.”  Today’s focus, however, is on “when the tough get going”.  And while it may feel that the sky is falling, it’s important to remember that what we are experiencing now will pass.  More importantly, what you do today will directly impact how quickly the return to normal is for you. 

So, for now, we encourage you, the tough, to get going.  Avoid the immobilization that comes from uncertainty. 

• Call your clients, those with and without current travel plans, empathize with them and let them know when the time is right you will be there for them  
• Take time to work on your skills by taking all the training you can – whether it is destination, supplier or business skills – learn the destinations, programs, software and business applications that you always wanted to get to but didn’t have the time 
• Write the business and marketing plans you’ve neglected – yes, it is okay to market now if you use the right message
• Visit asta.org/COVID19 for up-to-date information
• Share your success stories
• Work on your website and change your messaging to inspirational stories and considerations, and share with them that you will be there for them when they are ready.
• Continue with social media, pulling images from past trips and using appropriate messaging
• Keep a sense of humor
• Take care of yourself
• Look to your host for guidance, positive messaging and assistance with suppliers

Just one more thought before I go… have you ever considered that the expression, “when the going gets tough, the tough get going” also applies to your host agency?  While I’m a firm believer that “If it’s not broken, don’t fix it,” I also think it is times like these that will prove the value of your host agency.  Ask yourself these questions:

• Are they there for me?
• Are they keeping me updated?
• Are they responding to my calls and questions?
• Are they helping me with supplier issues and supplier policy changes?
• Are they providing me with messaging and general information for my business?

Answers to the above questions will help you determine if you have a problem that needs to be “fixed.”

In the meantime, hang in there; we are all in this together.