It focuses the mind and makes you think about everything you do. It helps you to recognise areas that need working on. I’ve introduced a lot of new things and since doing the course; we are now a proper travel agency, rather than just pretending. Previously, the thinking was: ‘Here’s today, here’s tomorrow – we will do exactly the same’. Now the business is planned and more structured. I’ve introduced a lot more training and have employed a dedicated trainer. Unless you’re already a millionaire, which most agents aren’t, anyone who wants to make something of their business should go on the course.

Bridget Keevil, Owner, Travel Stop

Two branches near Ipswich and Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk

I heard about the course 10 years ago through my local Business Link and as far as I am aware, I was the first travel agent to do it. I’d spent 15 years building my business before I found the course. It made me work much harder at looking after my best customers and retaining them. Holding on to clients is much more effective than going after new ones. It taught me to keep the whole team involved in strategy, rather than just sitting on my own in my ivory tower. We started to specialise in cruise and appointed a member of staff to oversee cruise for the seven branches. I doubled my turnover and more than doubled my profit. I sold my business to United Co-op in 2001.

Barbara Collins, Former Owner, Soluna Travel

Seven branches in Sheffield and Chesterfield

I heard about the course at the Triton conference last year. What interested me was the challenge: 'what if you could put 1% on your bottom line?' The course is excellent because you get away from the office and you can see the wood for the trees. You are with other people in similar businesses. It enables you to examine what’s making you money and what isn’t. It helped me to understand reading a balance sheet. I thought that would be the part I enjoyed least, but it was well worth it. The structure allows you three weeks to put what you’ve learned into practice, and then discuss developments.

Willie Stewart, Managing Director, Stewart Travel

Five branches and two call centres in Scotland

The course was invaluable and I couldn’t wait to complete it. I put everything that was said or done into action and it has paid dividends. What struck me was that the course tutors talked about that extra 1%. It gets you thinking about everything that goes into making up a business plan. One of the things I took from the course was to have a meeting every week with the staff. Now, every Thursday morning, I close the shop from 9am to 10am. We go through the previous week and what’s booked for this week. That’s been really effective because everybody knows what’s going on and it keeps us focused.

John Garbutt, Owner, Thorpe Travel

Norwich