Anna Melling, regional sales manager for Midlands Co-op Travel, tells Travel Weekly how she reached her current position
What was your first job in travel?
Trainee sales consultant for what was Pickfords Travel, just before the name changed to Going Places.
How did you climb the career ladder?
I progressed to assistant manager with Going Places then moved to Midlands Co-op Travel 10 years ago. Since then I have worked my way up from assistant manager, to shop manager, to my current position of regional sales manager.
What does it take to be good at your job?
You have to be organised. You have to apply your people skills to a wide range of people including internal and external customers. You must keep up to date with everything happening around you and be ready to adapt to situations quickly.
What are the big challenges in your job?
Getting managers, all in different places, to perform without having face-to-face contact with them every day.
What’s the best part of your job?
Sharing my knowledge. I get a real buzz when I know I’ve helped others to be successful.
And the worst?
I have still yet to find out what the worst thing about the job is.
What’s the best piece of career advice you have ever received?
Don’t ever give up on what you want to achieve.
If you weren’t working in travel, what would you be doing?
Working with animals, but only the furry type.
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