Dear Stephanie,
Are there hosts out there without sales quotas? What if something comes up and I take a break?
-Matt C.
Hey Matt,
The simple answer is yes, there are hosts out there without quotas. However, as usual, I’m going to make the answer more complicated 🙂
A host agency is a business and they want producing agents, not hobbyists. To that end, many have written sales quotas into their agreement. Personally, I think it’s a great idea for both the host and their agents. With a sales quota, the host agency creates a stronger agent network – one that is more knowledgeable and productive because they’ve created a barrier to entry.
Now, what you’re talking about – something unexpected coming up – is a completely different situation than the situation of a hobbyist. You’re wondering what would happen if you had to take a leave of absence or you had to delay the creation of your agency, right?
If your host agency has a sales quota, its purpose is not to punish producing agents that run into unexpected life circumstances. For most hosts, a simple call letting them know what’s happening will buy you the time needed to ride through the storm.
My advice would be don’t choose your host based on if they have sales quotas. Even if you’re a beginner agent, the quotas I’ve seen are reasonable sales expectations for someone that is serious about their business.
If you’re still nervous, express your concern as you speak with prospective hosts. Ask them what their policy is if you don’t meet the sales quota because of unexpected life circumstances. I think you might be surprised what they answer.
For the rest of you, if you have any questions on host agencies, getting started in the travel industry, growing your home-based agency, etc. drop me a line: Stephanie@hostagencyreviews.com
Until next time,
Steph
After a 6 year stretch as director of a national host agency, Stephanie Lee started Host Agency Reviews – a resource website with host reviews and articles to help travel agents start and grow their travel agencies. She was awarded the ASTA’s Young Professional of the Year and Travel Agent Magazine’s 30 under 30 award. As time marches on, the dates of the awards have been surreptitiously left out to avoid drawing attention to the fact she’s aging. She’s not.
You can connect with Steph on Facebook, Twitter, and Google+.