"The popularity of this article was at first surprising and indicates the strong desire of hotel sales people to streamline and retool their processes," says Carol Verret. "The internet has exploded exponentially and provides simple prospecting tools and resources that enable a sales person to locate companies and organizations most likely to require the services that their hotel has to offer,"

Topics to be explored include:

• The Latest Reports on the Industry.  When is recovery likely to begin?  What segments will come back first and what will a recovery look like.  The trends identified will assist in deciding which segments and prospects to pursue.

•  Google Tools.  While other search engines have at least some of these functionalities, Google's tools remain the most robust and least expensive tools that hotel sales people can deploy.  We will explore how to use search, Google alerts, Google maps and other tools most effectively in the sales process.

• Web-based Qualifying Tools.  These tools are subscription based but may be available to interface with your internet based sales database.  They are sophisticated databases of qualifying information and contacts with the contact info you need.

• Market Specific Web Sites. These are especially applicable for the SMERFE and association markets. There are multiple sites for associations, religious groups, military reunions, class reunions, weddings, etc.

• Social Networking Sites.  Social networking sites can be used to qualify a prospect and even make initial contact.  How to do this and which sites to use are areas that will be explored.  We will explore which social networking sites are effective in accomplishing this and the etiquette of using them.

At the end of this web cast, participants will have tools and links to locate and qualify new business prospects in all market segments.  This web cast should be attended by Revenue Managers, Directors of Sales, Sales Managers and GMs that manage the sales process who need to quickly identify, qualify and approach new business prospects in the corporate transient, meetings and social group sectors of the economy.
 

Carol Verret And Associates Consulting and Training offers training services and consulting in the areas of sales, revenue management and customer service primarily but not exclusively to the hospitality industry. To find out more about the company click on www.carolverret.net. To contact Carol send her an email at [email protected] or she can be reached by cell phone (303) 618-4065.  Visit www.hotelsalesblog.com.