Senior Manager Business Development
flydubai
Total years of experience :24 years, 4 Months
Senior Manager Business Development with flydubai from April 2015 till date, Dubai, United Arab Emirates.
Povided functional leadership and accountable for overall planning, direction, coordination of the sales and business development function throughout the network for holidays by flydubai. . Defined, developed and implemented sales framework, sales tools and templates designed to be used to manage existing and prospects customers comprising of distributors, travel agents and corporates globally to drive business growth and new business. Prepared, submitted and achieved annual and quarterly business development objectives and achieve revenue targets year after year.
1. Developed global business development plan and strategy for the implementation. Established sales and marketing structure defining functions, relationships, communications, roles and responsibilities. Sustaining a one sales team culture across the network. Assisted in developing market and segment specific marketing strategies and sales plans.
2. Provided direction coordination and support to the local and outstation sales team to sell and promote products of holidays by flydubai. Coaching and mentoring local and outstations teams to offer the product of holidays by flydubai as value additions and incremental source of revenue for the intermediaries.
3. Developed training strategy for the product and system orientation for the local and outstation sales team and travel agents. Increased expertise and skills for holidays within the sales function.
4. Worked and coordinated closely with internal colleagues and departments of holidays division in meeting and exceeding the expectations of the customers. Worked in close cooperation with different Commercial Managers throughout network to promote holidays.
5. Collected customer feed-back and market intelligence, understood customer needs, requirements and market trends, identified buying habits and influences for holidays product in different markets. Communicated regularly the market intelligence and competition practices with internal colleagues and departments so that it will identify and develop ‘holidays’ unique selling propositions and differentiators.
6. Presented and consulted with Senior Management on holidays business trends with a view to developing new products, explore new opportunities and guidance to get added benefits from the existing distribution channels. Worked with relevant Marketing Managers to increase the awareness of holidays products and services through participation in trade fairs, exhibitions and local events in different countries.
7. Developed and maintained close rapport and working relationship with the Distributor and Travel Agents throughout the network. Constant engagement and regular communication to promote and sell holiday products.
8. Prepared periodic reports and forecasts to provide a clear understanding on the various business development initiatives across the network for holidays business. Recommended and proposed corrective measures for the improvisation of the business.
9. Developed, maintained and analysed the data of various customer groups and use effectively for the account and relationship management. Ensure that all owned records (contacts, opportunities etc, ) are accurately up-dated.
10. Explored and quantified ways and means on regular basis to increase the market share of holidays by flydubai. Assess the monthly and periodic recorded performances, recommend measures to increase the market share.
Responsible for all the Business Units which comprising of a) GSA Business b) Corporate Travel c) Retail Travel and Holidays d) Destination Management Services e) Cargo and Logistics . A strong and motivated team of more than 150 professionals with 11 directly reporting.
Succeeded in getting associated with BCD Travel for Oman, a major global Travel Management Company.
Overseeing the Suppliers Relationship Management and Directional Selling Processes in the Company.
Actively involved in the selection process and contracting of various suppliers, hotels, card hire companies and other travel related service providers.
Instrumental in rolling out sales strategies in overseas regions and countries to increase the source markets for Inbound Tourism and Destination Management Services
Adapted a focused approach towards Group Travel and Outbound MICE
Working closely on a web-based reservation system for effective distribution and contents management
Introduced vibrant Retail and Shop Management Strategies throughout the company
Managed operations of the Travel Management Company of Planet Group under various brands namely Planet Travel & Tours LLC, Planet Travel & Tourism LLC, Global Travel & Tourism LLC and Global Holidays Travel & Tourism SAL (Lebanon) covering Retail Travel, Business Travel, Outbound Holidays, GSAs, Representation and Advisory Services.
Managed a team of 37 professionals and a distribution network spread across Dubai, Sharjah and Abu Dhabi.
Accomplished revenue and budgeted targets with steady growth year after year of the company.
Supervised overseas travel businesses of the Group in Lebanon and Turkey, apart from UAE.
Major Highlights
Launched the brand of “ Planet Vacations” to conduct the business of holidays / leisure travel
Signed GSA Agreement with Uzbekistan Airways
Signed representation agreement with National Tourism Company of Uzbekistan for the Gulf
Strengthened the distribution network by opening Abu Dhabi Office
Revamped the manpower equation and instil commercial culture among team members
Successfully conducted various training courses besides implementing on job and spot coaching methods
CRM practices are implemented and applied
Major Highlights
Generated accumulated revenue of AED 400 million from five operating countries.
Essayed a key role in the development of multiple SBUs within the company
Steered the organisation to attain new heights, with business diversification and customer relationship management being the critical factors.
Introduced online system as effective distribution tool
Multiple XML Links with leading wholesalers and suppliers to enhance the product range and reach
Representation agreement with Euro Disney for KSA, Qatar and Oman
‘Qatar’ was a success story in terms of sales and profit
Key Accounts Handles and Managed - BAE Systems, Saudi Aramco, Siemens, BAPCO, RAS Gas etc.
Many awards from leading group of hotels, airlines and suppliers for the growth and achievements
Heading Product Development activities for the entire network of Kanoo Holidays covering five countries in GCC (Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, United Arab Emirates and Oman).
Undertaking R&D initiatives for sourcing, designing and positioning leisure products in different markets.
Holding negotiations with hoteliers, tour operators, destination management companies, car hire, cruise companies and airlines for promoting the company’s services.
Major Highlights
Launched a comprehensive brochure range of five brochures - Middle East, Europe, Malaysia, Asia, , Australia & New Zealand
Stand alone brochure and tactical campaigns with different National Tourism Offices such as Singapore, Cyprus, Sri Lanka
Business tie-up with Amex Vacations for the Centurion Credit Card Holders
Strategical alliance with Accor Group, Hilton
Overseeing outbound business encompassing strategy & business planning, budgeting (revenue & expenditure), and establishing budgetary controls.
Setting up, managing and strengthening the distribution network.
Major Highlights
Holds merit for building & developing a strong team of 29 people across Bahrain
Essayed a key role in the implementation of new systems to enhance service standards
Credited with registering around 20% business growth in 12 calendar months
Profitability increased by 14%
Managing FIT and Group Travel (Outbound MICE) Business Operations. Leading four dedicated leisure travel sales outlets and a team of 15 members.
Handling additional responsibilities for:
Gulf Air GSA Operations with a team of 6 members and territory generating revenue worth AED 25 million.
Coordination with Woods Car Rental, UK (GCC Representative-Orient Travel and Touring Agency, UAE) as Marketing Manager (GCC).
E-business encompassing promotion of holiday products through the company’s website.
Major Highlights
Instrumental in generating revenue to the tune of AED 40 million during the fiscal year 2004 with an average gross yield of 9%.
Education and Training: A. Academic Qualifications: 1) Master of Commerce( M.Com) in Advanced Accounting and Financial Management from Bombay University, India – 1990 2) Bachelor of Commerce (B.Com) from Bombay University, India – 1988. B. Professional Qualifications: 1) Certified Travel Manager Qualifications from ATAQ ( Australian Travel Agent’s Qualification) , Australia – 1998 2) IATA / UFTAA Advanced Diploma rewarding International Travel Consultant’s Qualifications – 1990 3) IATA / FIATA Advanced Cargo Diploma – 1993 4) IATA – Certificate in Airline Marketing with distinction – 1993 5) Various Airlines Training Courses covering Customer Services, Fares , Ticketing and other aspects of trade.