Role: Regional Sales Manager
Company: Royal Caribbean International
Track Record: A natural career progression led Michaela Banks to her role as regional sales manager for Royal Caribbean
HOW I BECAME A REGIONAL SALES MANAGER
Give a brief outline of your career to date.
I started my career in travel as a consultant with Thomas Cook while working towards my associate dance teaching examinations. I had been with them for a year when our store was transformed into a Royal Caribbean Cruise Concept Store and it was from this experience that my passion for cruising and Royal Caribbean was born. I now work as their Regional Sales Manager for Ireland.
What was your favourite subject at school?
Sport science was my favourite subject. I’ve always preferred a mixture of class time and being out and about and active, which is probably why my current role suits me so much.
Did you go on to further/higher education, if so what did you study and where?
Yes, I continued on to 6th form college and I studied Sports Science and Psychology.
How did you get into your area of work?
I always had an interest in travel and it was important to me that I would be able to balance my job and finishing my studies, which my role with Thomas Cook allowed me to do. It was during the transition to the Royal Caribbean Cruise Concept Store that I undertook the brand training programmes and from the first level of training, my eyes were opened to the opportunities that a cruise holiday offers, as well as the dedication and passion that Royal Caribbean has for cruising and for their brand. It was a team I definitely wanted to be a part of and when we were lucky enough to visit Oasis of the Seas, I was sold on a specialist cruising career.
Is this what you always wanted to do?
While I was always passionate about travel, I never knew for certain where my career path would take me. However, people say that the travel industry is a very addictive one and that’s even more applicable once you get into cruise holidays.
Were there any particular essential qualifications or experience needed?
When it comes to my role, it’s important to understand how travel agents work and what they go through on a daily basis. Having that experience and knowledge is invaluable.
What are the main personal skills your job requires?
Passion for the product and the brand is essential as it allows a natural enthusiasm during sales. There is so much competition within the cruise industry that it is very important to have a competitive edge. Self-motivation and drive are also key attributes for this type of role.
What does a typical day entail?
My role is essentially a roadshow! I am on the road four days a week. While each day is different, the essentials are the same; visiting seven or eight travel agencies per day and keeping them up to date with the latest campaign information, incentives with our award winning loyalty programme Club Royal and making sure we have good brand visibility in agencies. Overall, it’s building and maintaining important relationships with our trade partners and spreading the word about Royal Caribbean.
What are the best and most challenging aspects of the job?
Being on the road four days of the week can be tiring and the geography of the region can be very challenging, however it’s very rewarding being able to visit agents who are always incredibly welcoming and engaging. I am also lucky enough to attend some wonderful events including ship launches, conferences and awards – the Northern Ireland Travel News host some of the best events in the industry.
Why is what you do important?
Our trade partners are very important to us and the regional sales manager role allows us to work closely with them and gives us a presence on the ground within the travel agency network across the island of Ireland. I visit every travel agency and encourage and support them to grow their Royal Caribbean business. It is also means that when agents contact us, they have met us before and they know the person who is at the other end of the phone.
What advice would you give to anyone looking to follow a similar career path?
Travel is a competitive space so the most important advice I can give is to believe in what you’re selling. A genuine passion for Royal Caribbean means that I really believe what I am saying. I would also say that the old adage that hard work pays off definitely applies. Sometimes it may take longer than you’d hope but if you keep at it you will see the results.
If you weren’t doing this what would you like to do?
I have always had a passion for dance and teaching. Dance has always been an important part of my life but it has never been my job or part of my career. If I didn’t have the job I do now then I would like to think I would have followed the path to being a dance teacher.
What is the one piece of advice you would give yourself on the first day?
Every individual will do the role differently and will have opinions in terms of how it should be done; no one will do it exactly the same way as you will and that’s why it’s yours. Make sure you own your role.
What is the key to any successful job search?
Choose a career path you enjoy for it will take up a huge part of your life, and recognise that any job search you embark on is the next phase in your career. If you keep what you enjoy and what your overall career goals are in sight, success and fulfilment will follow.
Describe your ideal day off
My ideal day off would be relaxing, a spot of shopping and taking part in a dance class.