There is no one-size-fits-all approach to for your business. By working with me directly, you will get coaching designed around your specific goals. Leverage my experience working with some of the world's most progressive vacation rental owners & managers.

 

I may be old fashioned, but the term consultant still conjures up an image of a self-proclaimed expert who can make great presentations, generate recommendations and leave you to do the hard work of implementation. This may work for big companies who have specialized staffs, but it doesn’t work for startups and small businesses who are already understaffed and overloaded.

 

Startups need outside experts who can do the work, as well as provide training on what needs to be done. That’s called leading by example, and it is actually appreciated by businesses of every size. In my view, it’s time to eliminate the term consultant, as well as focus on activities and approaches that appeal more to the growing volume of small businesses today:

 

It’s time to move from traditional consulting to a freelance execution role as a hands-on interim professional or executive.

 

defining yourself as a specialist or professional minimizes the stigma of a consultant role (think marketing specialist or staffing professional)

 

Google and social media have transformed the business world. There are expert blogs and curation sites, like this one, covering every aspect of business and leadership. With a few Internet searches, anyone can find all the recommendations and advice that even the best consultants have at their disposal today. All that is missing are the skills and experience to execute.

 

The startup world today doesn’t need consultants, but they do need specialists and professionals with experience and expertise who can do the job, and provide coaching while producing results, at a predictable cost.

 

APPLYING COMMON SENSE TO INDUSTRY EXPERTISE
Most companies start out with efficient processes in place. But over time, those processes become less clear, eventually leading to gross inefficiencies. Our experience helps us to more easily spot problems and resolve them using the right methodology for your industry. Plus, our industry insight helps us grasp the bigger challenges you face, and then communicate solutions in language you understand.

With Dana you will:

- Clarify goals and priorities.

- Identify obstacles and enjoy incredible breakthroughs.

- Manage time more effectively.

- Gain new insights on things you’ve been stuck in or struggling with.

- Experience sustained life changes.

Reach your full potential.

 

SUCCESSFUL ORGANIZATIONS BUILD ENGAGED TEAMS, CREATE FOCUS, AND CULTIVATE ACCOUNTABILITY.

 

WHAT DO COACHES DO? 

• Help people set better goals and then reach those goals.

• Ask their clients to do more than they would have done on their own.

• Focus their clients better to more quickly produce results.

• Provide the tools, support and structure to accomplish more.

 

Coaching and Mentoring

One of my leadership mantras is: ‘You can’t give to others what you don’t have yourself.’ It is essential for your personal and professional growth to constantly develop your own leadership skills.

 

Organisations whose leaders invest in mentoring and coaching programs see an increase in job satisfaction, retention of the best people, increased employee commitment, elevated professional capabilities and improved business results. Having a mentor also provides an opportunity for your business to be looked at with fresh eyes.

 

All coaching and mentoring programs include a free initial consultation to discuss your needs, understand your challenges and are tailored to set and meet your goals. Programs can be 3, 6 or 12 months in duration, depending on individual circumstances and the desired outcomes. 

 

Tailored workshops

Utilising the leadership and business philosophies that I have developed and implemented over the last 25 years, I have created a range of workshops aimed at helping fulfill all of the important attributes necessary for a successful business that delivers results.

 

Below is a selection of short workshops I have found to be most useful, relevent and purposeful in today’s business environment. Each workshop is fully  tailored to the needs of your business. Contact me today to discuss your organisations specific needs.

 

Reservation Sales Agent Coaching and Training

Utilising the leadership and business philosophies that I have developed and implemented over the last 25 years, I have created a range of workshops aimed at helping fulfill all of the important attributes necessary for a successful business that delivers results.

 

Secret shopping

Utilising the leadership and business philosophies that I have developed and implemented over the last 25 years, I have created a range of workshops aimed at helping fulfill all of the important attributes necessary for a successful business that delivers results.

 

Business Growth and Planning

Utilising the leadership and business philosophies that I have developed and implemented over the last 25 years, I have created a range of workshops aimed at helping fulfill all of the important attributes necessary for a successful business that delivers results.

 

Homeowner aquisition

 

Mentoring

Utilising the leadership and business philosophies that I have developed and implemented over the last 25 years, I have created a range of workshops aimed at helping fulfill all of the important attributes necessary for a successful business that delivers results.

 

Revenue Management

Utilising the leadership and business philosophies that I have developed and implemented over the last 25 years, I have created a range of workshops aimed at helping fulfill all of the important attributes necessary for a successful business that delivers results.

 

Consulting Services

We offer a vast offering of tailored packages that target specific challenges within your organization, while taking into consideration your size and duration in business. We touch many small start-ups (an individual starting a vacation rental business or boutique hotel, for example) to established resorts (with employee development opportunities). Below are general services offered, please reach out to us for more tailored services and fees. We are happy to help for an hour, week, month or project.

• 1 Hour Business Guidance Session (via phone or skype)

• New Vacation Rental Planning & Development

• Existing Business Assessment & Recommendations

• Long-term consulting with contractual hours/month

 

Leadership Development

Today’s tough business environment demands exceptional leaders; those that can lead through the quagmire and mobilize their teams during times of change. Volo has the below hospitality leadership development packages designed to help you focus on a specific issue or goal, create an action plan, and begin building you (and your teams) capabilities.

• 1 Hour Individual Leadership Session

• 1 Day Thought Leadership Program (in-person only for individuals or teams)

• 3 Day Change Leadership Program (in-person only for individuals or teams)

We first understand your needs before determining how you will most benefit from our work together, and before developing our process strategy. 30 minute to 1 hours sessions are typically done via phone or skype, but in-person arrangements can be made in our office or yours, if it’s most suitable for you. 1-3 day Business Assessment and Leadership programs are typically done at client locations for optimal results. If that is not an option, we work with you to reach a practical solution that still enables us to communicate freely and solve core issues. Our customized and long-term consulting solutions are formed on a case-by-case basis. We’d love to hear from you to better understand your needs and show you how we can help! info@volovantage.com

 

guest experience

Before the days of online reviews, people typically stuck to brands they were familiar with. Hotel chains ruled the hospitality industry because they were able to master this seemingly small, but very important, task. Not only does there need to be a consistent product offering (your home amenities, condition and cleanliness) for every guest, but also consistent communication, brand, and booking processes.

 

Marketing strategy

The best vacation rental owners do more than list their homes on a few listing sites (such as Tripping.com, Airbnb and VRBO) and wish for the best. While you can probably achieve a seventy percent seasonal occupancy rate by doing just that, the best managers view their home as a business, not a hobby, and drive a ninety plus percent annual occupancy.

Your occupancy directly affects your ROI, so it's critical to have a robust marketing plan that is evaluated often. A great way to analyze your marketing sources is to divide the cost of each source into the rental revenue obtained. Listing sites also have insights into the number of times your listing is viewed and provide inquiry demographics. Compare these numbers to have a firm understanding which sites are working best, how adjustments made to your ad (and marketing) impact traffic, and who your guest is.

Lastly, team up with local businesses! You are a community and local businesses can also benefit from increased occupancy. Successful vacation rental owners don't hesitate to call nearby restaurants, parks, music venues for discounted (or free) coupons to add to your vacation package.

 

Hospitality Best Practices

This topic is congruent with mastering a consistent guest experience but is different enough to speak to specifically. Luxury hotels have, for decades, mastered the art of receiving guests and making them comfortable throughout their stay. As modern travelers opt for vacation rentals over hotels (due to practicality, affordability and the desire for more authentic experiences), real estate investors have the potential for a lucrative business.

The most successful vacation rental owners are well acquainted with hospitality best practices and willingly accommodate their guests at every step of their stay.

 

Authenticity

Modern travelers want to feel connected to an authentic experience. These travelers are booking vacation rentals over hotels and owners are in the perfect position to feed this desire. The most successful vacation home investors willingly share insider knowledge of the local community with guests through their home 'guide', website FAQ and personal communications.

In addition to fluidly implementing these five secrets, I have learned that the most successful vacation rental owners have also built a solid business foundation. The industry is getting more competitive each day, but if proper attention is given to the details from the start, you will build a profitable vacation rental business.

 

Technology Recommendations

 

The Vacation Rental industry is filled with hundreds of tools and resources that make running your business more profitable and less time-consuming. However, finding the right solutions for your business can take months of costly trial and error.

 

INCREASE YOUR BOOKINGS
REFINE YOUR STRATEGY
REVIEW YOUR WEBSITE
STAND OUT FROM THE CROWD
REGAIN INDEPENDENCE FROM LISTING SITES
MAXIMIZE YOUR RENTAL PROFIT
...AND WHATEVER ELSE KEEPS YOU UP AT NIGHT!

• Pricing Strategies

• Investing in Profitable Vacation Rentals

• Leveraging Technology to Streamline Management

• Using Advanced Market Data to Gain Competetive Advantages

• How's and Why's: Building a Private Website

• Dangers of Relying on AirBnB & HomeAway 

• Creating a World Class Hospitality Brand

• Effective Marketing Distribution