PADI Business Academy, Bangkok

Key Tips to being a successful PADI Professional

This is the first in a series of short blogs by IDC Koh Tao’s PADI Course Director; Matt Bolton, offering some tips for success in the scuba diving industry.

Business Academy

Most people associate a career in the scuba diving industry with the sun, sea and lots of fun. This of course is true – meeting people, travelling, experiencing different cultures and spending most of our time exploring the underwater world is a large part of the exciting life lead by a PADI Pro. But to be successful, there are other important aspects of the industry a PADI Professional must master. One key to success is having a solid understanding of the “Business of Diving”.

Power Up with Proven Business Practices

PADI is an industry leader in developing programs that support its member’s needs in modern day 21st century business techniques. To meet these needs, PADI has developed “The PADI Business Academy”, a two day program that arms attendees with the tools necessary to implement cutting edge marketing and sales strategies, most valuable to PADI dive centres and related scuba industries.

Informing- Advancing – Increasing – Connecting   Subjects at this year’s Business Academy, conducted in Bangkok May 11th and 12th, include the latest techniques for website building and SEO, managing your social media, successful blogging and online marketing. Pre-Business Academy consultations, conducted on a personal one-to-one basis (PADI staff > PADI member) sets the tone.   This is followed by two full days of seminars, presentations and workshops. Action items are agreed with each individual participant and PADI’s marketing team follow these up, advising and assisting with implementation in the following weeks.   This year’s event was lead by Tim Hunt, Manager of Field Services, and Brandon Scott, Manger of Marketing. Staff from PADI’s Asia Pacific marketing team, Sheridan Hatcher & Kate Humphries, supported by their colleagues from Field Services, Andy Auer and Giovanni Cacchione, completed the PADI team who worked alongside the 35 participants in a relaxed and participant focused environment.   This was the fourth consecutive PADI Business Academy I have personally attended and I have seen the tangible benefits the Business Academy provides for my business. PADI AP’s Manager of Field Services, Tim Hunt is currently touring the region with PADI’s Business Academy. This week the team is in Bangkok where Thailand Regional Manager Giovanni Cacchione is supporting Tim and the Marketing team from the AP office.