Name: Deborah Potts
Company: Summit Advisory
Title: Director
Website: www.summitadvisory.co.uk
Tell us about your company:Sell, build or buy? What’s your business strategy?
Summit Advisory helps travel business owners grow, re-finance, re-engineer or sell your business. We also advise on business acquisitions within the Travel Industry. As a sister firm to Elman Wall Travel Accountants, we’re supported, as required by in-house Tax, Accountancy and Wealth Management teams – all experts in the Travel Industry and probably frustrated tour operators….
How did you get into your line of work?
Took a summer job as a Club 18 -30 Rep after graduating from Cambridge and never looked back…..
What do you do day-to-day?
Hopefully I help business owners sleep better at night! I listen to the challenges and opportunities they face, help them stand back, identify their options and together, compile an Action Plan.
What’s the most exciting part of your role?
Opening doors and creating opportunities
Give us an overview of what you’ll be discussing at ABiC:
Business fundamentals vital for building value in your business.
What type of companies/individuals will find your talk relevant?
Anyone responsible for delivering profit especially business owners
How will they benefit from it?
Remember the importance of seeing the wood, not just the trees?
In your field, what exciting developments will 2012 bring?
More destinations for existing and new tour operators as repressive regimes have crumbled, expansion of ‘experience’ holidays and more niche online businesses too. The country needs an ‘entrepreneur led’ recovery and the Travel Industry continually reinvents itself. As a Londoner, I’m very excited about the Olympics though dreading my tube journeys.
How best can the travel industry use social media and the internet?
It’s not one size fits all. The opportunities are immense. Ensure you understand them and establish your own strategy.
What’s your favourite travel destination?
South Africa’s stunning.
Where’s your favourite place in London?
My rooftop terrace
Sum up the capital in five words:
As variable as my moods