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Signature announces new-to-industry training program

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Signature Travel Network’s initiative, Embark, offers a new, comprehensive approach to training new travel advisers.

In developing the Embark program, Signature addresses one of the biggest challenges facing travel agency owners today: finding and nurturing new talent.

Comprehensive approach

The Embark program provides a comprehensive approach, according to Nolan Burris, talent development consultant to Signature.

'One of the biggest challenges facing anyone joining the industry is the need to become successful and productive as quickly as possible. With common circumstances like unprecedented college debt, millennials don’t have the luxury of waiting three to five years to generate adequate earnings,' Burns said. 'Not surprisingly, agency owners are also eager to speed up the pace of new talent development.'

The Embark program includes strategies and programs for recruiting, coaching and training new travel advisers. The organization’s online learning platform, Signature University, is fundamental to the program.

Sales and marketing boot camp

One critical component of Embark is the five-day sales and marketing boot camp offered at Signature’s headquarters in El Segundo, California. With separate editions for employees and independent contractors, the objective of the intensive event is to provide a fast track to success. Relying on proven methods for sales, consulting, professional fees and marketing, participants will be 'immersed in strategies that absolutely work,' according to Burris.

The boot camp is part of a year-long program. It begins with online prerequisite courses and follows with ongoing coaching, mentoring and post-event training.