goMICE, don’t go without THEM!
Many of our blogs are about special trips and/or events we organise for our clients. On the one hand, we wouldn't be able to do that without our project managers constantly pushing their boundaries, and on the other hand, as a company we want to treat them just as well as we treat our clients.
Every year we welcome new colleagues. We are growing rapidly. One thing then becomes very important: that everyone embraces our culture and can convey the goMICE message.
How do we do this?
It is not only in our blood to let clients experience unique experiences, but also our project managers. This makes them even better: the figurative icing on the cake. As a project manager at goMICE, you must naturally be fond of travel, because you often go on a trip for an inspection or travel together with a group. A unique job for the travel enthusiast. If you then also go on a ‘ with each other a few times a year‘educational/inspirational trip’are going, then you really add something beautiful together.
We train our Project Managers at various destinations and in all aspects of the profession, but the ultimate pampering experience simply cannot be missed. After all, we are already at the destination and all the elements we add as a bonus are work-related. A win-win situation.
What we do it for
We notice that future Project Managers are finding this increasingly important. By no means all similar companies do this for their people. We, Rob and I as the management board, attach great value to our people feeling good and coming to work with pleasure. Hard work is required and we are happy to offer something in return.
So soon we are travelling with the whole team to a lovely destination. Including the four new Project Managers. Locking down a weekend remains quite a challenge, since on every day of the week there is someone on Group trip or inspection trip is.
On-the-job training‘
A fine programme is being drawn up in which we will include the various aspects of the profession. What sort of things will we be training in?
Upon arrival, we will explore the airport and the surrounding airport area. This is extremely important when landing here with a group. Where are the taxis and transfer buses located? The toilets and smoking areas will be located, because often the first question upon participants' arrival is: where are the toilets and where can I smoke?
Once we are on the bus, every project manager will have the opportunity to tell the group a prepared piece via the microphone. This can be about the surroundings, travel safety, the route, or the relevant programme. Our project managers are by now used to speaking into the microphone, but for the ‘newbies’ it can sometimes be a little nerve-wracking.
Grumpy chauffeurs v.s. the gems
Furthermore… you might not think it, but it is also always a good idea to find out ‘what kind of person you are dealing with’ when it comes to the coach driver. As within any profession, here too you have absolute gems as opposed to the grumpies. We have to deal with both. Often the drivers want to take matters into their own hands and start almost immediately about what cannot be done, rather than what is possible. For instance, some prefer to drop the group off outside the hard-to-navigate city centre, whilst the gems are happy to drop the group off at their destination, even if they have to drive through the narrowest streets. This is just one of many examples.
I explain to my colleagues how to win them over, so that they work for you instead of against you. What things are they sensitive to and how is best to tackle it – per situation? After all, I speak from experience: in my younger years, after my studies, I had the privilege of guiding worldwide tours for six years and during that time I experienced coach drivers of all shapes and sizes. Rarely did I fail to completely twist them around my little finger. Funny really, isn't it, that we also have to train on grumpy drivers?!
Other important components
Furthermore, we train what a good check-in should look like. What precedes it, for example. Checking in a large group requires good preparation and planning to prevent queues. Good arrangements with a hotel are therefore crucial!
In addition, we also train for procurement negotiations with suppliers, such as hotel managers, restaurateurs and others. Naturally, we want to negotiate the best price for our clients. We teach our newcomers how best to shape such a conversation. It's not just the newcomers who are trained: the seniors get their turn too. For them, we put the finishing touches to their skills.
Two heads are better than one
In addition, people eat and drink in the many different restaurants. We taste and teach them a lot about etiquette and local customs. A lot of information is exchanged among each other. Of course, we also just have a lot of fun together. We enjoy ourselves and I enjoy them. When I then hear the cheerful chatter on the way back home, it leaves me speechless. Once home, we are all tired but satisfied. A lot has been learned and exchanged.
I am proud, proud of them, but also proud that we can offer them this. And the great thing is, our relations will be able to benefit from all of this hereafter.
You can find out more about the entire goMICE team Here.