Harriet Fallon, regional sales manager – London and south for Royal Caribbean, on creating volcanic eruptions and her love of Buffy the Vampire Slayer
What’s your typical week?
The great thing about my job is that no two days are the same, and there is no such thing as typical. My general weekly structure is one day working from home and four days on the road, racking up around 700 miles every week.
How big is your sales team?
It has expanded to nine people, covering the whole of the UK, Ireland and the Channel Islands – so pretty much everywhere! This means we are spending time face-to-face with agents on a regular basis, understanding their needs and ensuring we are working towards them.
What’s in your car?
I always have my phone charger with me, because I never want to be caught short with no battery. I’ve also learnt the hard way that my Royal Caribbean jacket is a necessity – I’m always getting caught in the rain. And plenty of food and snacks.
And what’s on the radio?
I’m always listening to something different depending on my mood – anything from Clean Bandit to Michael Buble!
What snack keeps you going on the road?
I love Krispy Kreme donuts and I’m always trying to track them down when I’m on the move. Luckily, there are lots of shops that sell them in my region.
What’s the silliest thing you’ve ever done as part of a sales visit?
I think it’s safe to say that the best is yet to come! I have big plans for the upcoming Wave campaign so watch this space. A recent highlight would be recreating science experiments onboard in our agent training sessions. You’re never too old to create a miniature volcanic eruption.
Who would be your ideal driving companion?
I’m a huge Buffy fan and would love to have Sarah Michelle Prinze on a long journey with me. I think she’s a fantastic entrepreneur and businesswoman, so it would be great to get some tips and inspiration from her.
What’s the most lost you have ever got?
I get lost on a daily basis! I always seem to struggle in Hampshire because there are so many old country roads, which are tricky to navigate. I once got lost on my way to an agent visit in Lymington and found myself in the New Forest for an hour and a half. On the plus side, I got to see some lovely wild horses.
Favourite destination that your company sells?
The Caribbean. I like the fact that every island is different and love that there are exclusive island paradises just for Royal customers such as Labadee. It’s beautiful there.
What key messages do you try to convey in an agent visit?
I always talk about Club Royal because it’s the best loyalty programme in the business and offers brilliant incentives and rewards for agents who work hard. It’s only been running for two years and has won multiple awards, showing how valued it is within the industry. I also focus on Cruising for Excellence, which is our in-depth training programme. This is a really valuable tool for agents because it provides them with the knowledge to bring a Royal Caribbean holiday to life when selling to customers.
What’s your advice for agents who don’t currently sell your product but are keen?
A Royal Caribbean holiday offers something for everyone. We have 25 ships visiting more than 250 destinations around the world, and when you combine this with our onboard innovation it means that every type of customer can enjoy an extraordinary holiday.
Read all our Meet the Rep profiles at ttgmedia.com/ontheroad