October 04, 2024

Data Imports, Payment Automation, and A Website Design Refresh

34 minutes

In this episode of the Flight Path Podcast, Tern CEO David Shull is back with co-hosts Molly Johnson (Head of Product) and Brad Turner (Lead Designer) to discuss the latest product updates, feature rollouts, and an exciting sneak peek at Tern’s upcoming projects. After a brief break from their regular programming, the trio dives deep into what Tern users can expect next and how the platform continues to evolve based on user feedback.

(01:31) Week in Review:

Molly and Brad talk about their week of refining new features, including working through the complex world of payment automation for group travel and simplifying importing historical booking data for agency owners. Molly shares insights on her extensive research into the compliance requirements around handling funds for group travel—a key focus area for Tern as it expands its functionality.

(07:00) Data Import Features:

Molly dives into the upcoming historical data import tools. These features will allow travel advisors to seamlessly transfer old bookings and trip data into Tern’s platform. This includes importing agency-wide bookings and associating them with the correct agents, which greatly simplifies commission reconciliation and reporting. Brad highlights how the design team has worked to make this process as smooth and integrated as possible.

(12:19) Design Highlights & Responsive Tables:

Brad shares updates on responsive tables within Tern, giving users a better experience on mobile devices and improving data display with less scrolling. Plus, a sneak peek at Tern’s upcoming website redesign with a focus on user experience, simplified navigation, and a more cohesive look to showcase the value of Tern without relying on outdated screenshots or overwhelming details.

(15:48) Preparing for Fall and Wave Season:

David reflects on how fall is a critical time for advisors to rethink their tech stack before wave season hits, emphasizing how Tern’s evolving feature set is designed to help advisors and agencies streamline operations before the busy season. A fall webinar is also announced, where the team will recap all recent product releases, including the expanded support for groups.

(20:06) Sneak Peek: Tern’s Website Overhaul:

Brad gives listeners a first look at the brand-new website, designed to better showcase Tern’s broad range of features for travel advisors and agencies. This redesign includes simplified pages, updated styling, and a more user-centric approach to telling the story of how Tern empowers agencies to scale.

(29:36) Double Referral Bonus Announcement:

To celebrate the new website and support advisors preparing for the busy season, Tern announces a limited-time double referral bonus. From now until October 15th, referring a friend to Tern will earn both the referrer and the new user $20 off their next Tern subscription.

(31:50) Upcoming Features & Email Integration:

The episode wraps up with Brad and Molly previewing Tern’s upgraded email integration, making it easier to manage availability and improve workflows for advisors. They also hint at Tern’s next big focus—group travel functionality—which will dominate development for the remainder of the year.

Group travel payment automation and the complexity of handling funds securely and compliantly.

Historical booking data imports—what they are, how they work, and why it’s a game-changer for agency owners.

Behind-the-scenes of Tern’s new website and how it’s designed to grow with the platform’s evolving features.

Special referral promotion—double the bonus for you and your referred friends until October 15th.

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