08h00 - 09h00
As a Consultant at Thompson's Corporate, you start your day ensuring that you have your magic box of client profiles so as to when you receive the call everything from the boss's preferred seating to special meals etc is easily at hand. The most important thing in most corporate travellers' lives is their frequent traveller programmes like Voyager/Protea or Southern Sun numbers so you constantly reassure them that you have the details at hand. Most days, the voice is easily recognisable but the mood not so therefore, as efficiently & friendly as you can, you ask how you can help today & to where will your boss be winging his way.

09h00 - 10h30
As the day progresses the pressure mounts on your turn around time as many corporates' have a service level agreement in place with us. You know you must respond within that allotted time or the possibility that they may call back is imminent. New bookings are constantly coming in & at all times you must be aware of which preferred agreement the company holds with which airline/car rental company & hotel group. The next challenge is to ensure you have mailed them the 2 domestic options or 3 international options for their travel bearing in mind- Time, Cost & potential to earn those rewards.

11h00
Oops - now the troubles starts - phoning around for a car as his normal car company cannot assist or his regular hotel cannot help. Well finally Thompsons Outbound to the rescue as they pull all cats out the bag to get an Avis car or good old Holiday Autos who take the sting out of telephoning around to all the car hire companies. In all this, there's an urgent flight booking & you must immediately confirm over the phone, quote the price & issue the air ticket - now quickly mail the E ticket & car voucher as he's leaving for the airport - he's rushing out the door.

12h00 - 13h00
Phew - finally I can take that breather & leave my colleagues knowing full well that they have all the details & can help if anything happens while I take that well-deserved lunch break - it seems like I've worked all day!!
Okay, so today has been hectic & the best break is to visit the Pav & remove yourself from the buzz of the busy office.

13h00 - 16h00
New bookings keep pouring in and yay that challenging international with new exciting areas & yes they need accommodation. You call Thompsons Outbound - can they help with an IT fare on this or will it be a land only quote. Simple point to point internationals are normally quick & easy to provide 3 options however, as we get to the more complex ones we have to have a brain sharing session. Look at the best possible cost & time routings & always bear in mind where miles/points will be earned. In between, more domestics are coming in & the stress levels are slowly rising - oh well we've survived the day and we are still smiling and so are our happy, satisfied customers.

16h00
It appears things are quietening down and now we must ensure all the invoicing is done, outstanding refunds & that odd administration query you had in the morning are sorted. It's time to follow up on any outstanding quotes from the Tours department & prepare your 'TO DO' list for the following day so as not to miss the 24 hour turn around on International bookings.

16h30
Well now, knowing you have followed all the right steps to ensure the Emergency phone will only ring in an extreme & genuine emergency, you shut down your system which has thankfully behaved in the day. It's time to go home & savour the luxury of relaxation so that you can build your energy for another busy & fulfilling day at Thompsons Corporate.