| Journal: TWUK | Section: |
| Title: | Issue Date: 10/07/00 |
| Author: | Page Number: 33 |
| Copyright: Other |
Overnight sailings
P&OPortsmouth plans second training session
Report by JANEARCHER
P&O Portsmouth is to hold a second series of overnight training sessions on board the ferries operating the Portsmouth- Le Havre route. The sessions are scheduled for next spring after a successful trial for 210 agents.Agency sales executive Suzie Gray said the operator is also hoping to hold two this autumn.
P&O Portsmouth ran a total seven training sessions for both multiples and independents in May. Agents based outside the area were brought in by coach from cities as far afield as Cardiff, Bristol and Birmingham for the training, which started with a dinner on board the ferry and a night in a cabin.
“The coaches were a big expense but we wanted to make it as easy as possible for agents to take part in the training,” Gray said.
When the ferry docked in Le Havre, agents stayed on board for the return sailing to Portsmouth. The stay included a 1hr presentation about the ferry operator and its other routes and a treasure hunt to give retailers a chance to explore the ship.
Gray decided to organise the on-board training after taking part in Advantage roadshows last year where P&O Portsmouth had to compete for agents’ attention against other ferry operators.
“By holding the training on board, agents can see our product first hand,” she said.
The feedback was excellent, she said. “Every agent was impressed by the staff, facilities and cabins, and they all said they were more confident about selling the product,” she added.
Gray said that the spring sessions may be held in conjunction with a self-drive family holiday operator. “We are talking to some now,” she added. “Mobile-home operators have the same problems as us in that agents often have the wrong perception about the product.
“We could take the coaches to France, take the retailers to see a site in Normandy in the day and return to Portsmouth on a later sailing.”
Ferry drive: holding the training on Pride of Portsmouth allows agents to see the product first hand