SuperClubs

Reaches Out to

Home Based Agents

By Carol Eannarino

SuperClubs has been watching the trend toward home based agents for the last few years, said Jesse Ostrum, vice president-retail sales. Its conclusion? “They’re just as productive, if not more so, as those with storefronts,” he said.

In order for home based agents to get the most out of working with the all-inclusive resort chain’s vacation properties, SuperClubs has “three main keys,” said Ostrum.

First is a WebLink Program that allows agents to place a button or a link on their site to create a replica of the SuperClubs site — only it’s personalized with the agency’s contact information. A SuperClubs booking engine on the site is accessible 24 hours a day, so clients can make their own reservations anytime. A reporting system gives the agent up-to-date statistics, including the number of bookings made, along with their reservation details. All online bookings result in a 13% commission for agents, even if they’ve never sold SuperClubs before.

Next is a SuperAgency program — “one of the richest in the industry,” said Ostrum — which provides cash benefits and travel bonuses to agents who sell at different levels of production. For 2005, the program will also include bookings made at SuperClubs’ affiliated brands: Rooms, which recently opened in Ocho Rios, and Starfish Trelawny Beach in Jamaica, a family-friendly resort.

Perhaps the most exciting “key” to help home based agents is the new SuperClubs telecommunications team, which Ostrum said will be up and running within a month. “The team will supplement physical calls, calling out to all home based agents who either don’t wish to have or don’t have DSMs calling on them. This will provide us with an excellent way to network with home based agents and inform them of upgrades, place orders for collateral to be shipped to their homes and walk them through the WebLink and SuperAgency program, among other services.”

In addition, agents will be informed about group pricing opportunities when there is surplus inventory. Moreover, Ostrum added, there is no strict time limit on the calls.

While the program will be available to all agents, Ostrum said it will be particularly valuable to the home based. “We’ve found that the biggest issue most home based agents have is the difficulty in getting information. We wanted to support home based agents if they’re going to support us. And that means offering them the most current information and best assistance possible.”

The often negative connotation associated with home based agents in the “old days” is gone and, said Ostrum, SuperClubs is “ahead of the curve in supporting the new breed of at home agents.”

For more information, call (877) GO-SUPER or visit www.superclubs.com.