A key element I have always attributed to the identity of a brand or company is the feeling I get when I walk into one of their offices, and therefore I am always thinking of how to enhance our premises for the optimum customer experience and staff performance.
We strive to help our customers find their perfect holiday, matching personal interest and taste to their dream destination. I feel it is paramount to create the “holiday mood” in our shops and consistently live up to our mantra: “Explore. Dream. Discover”.
Our offices should be an expression of our values and facilitate a pleasant and informative booking experience to attract and retain clients.
As retailers in a dynamic, competitive market, I believe the rise of e-commerce and online bookable platforms has made the appeal of our shops more important than ever.
From an alluring exterior and welcoming interior, to a knowledgeable workforce, we value the creation of a professional environment.
And for the booking experience to be successful overall, this effective workforce is vital. I believe the staff are the biggest asset of any business, as the commitment and enthusiasm of highly driven employees is essential in the provision of excellence.
And it’s important to show how much you value your team by investing in them, heightening their sense of worth to the company and helping to boost morale.
Through refurbishment we can keep improving our offices to provide modern and functional workspaces, allowing staff to walk in every day with a sense of pride and leave with one of fulfilment.
I have always dreamt of having offices that I am proud to bring people into, giving them a sense of what our culture is all about.
We work very closely with our suppliers and we are very grateful of the time they take to visit us at our various locations. They too should be rewarded, by being welcomed into an atmosphere that promotes a positive working relationship. Through our office image we aim to convey our professionalism, commitment and devotion to quality.
The nature of the office “behind the scenes” is also important, as proper procedures should be in place to promote efficiency, cleanliness and safety. This helps to uphold company standards.
Office refurbishments and the investment in infrastructure allow a company to create consistency and evoke a strong brand image. We, as an organisation, have benefited greatly from this process.
The recent refurbishment of our Lisburn office has been very effective, allowing us to achieve business growth and our investment back within one year. I view this as positive endorsement from our customers.
A rolling plan of inward investment ensures our brand continues to evolve and set the pace in the marketplace.
Sandra Corkin is managing director of Oasis Travel
