Say hello to SuperControl’s Business Development Consultant, John Temke. If you’ve ever called us to have a chat about how our online booking and management system can work for you, there’s a 50% chance that you spoke to John.
Tell us about yourself!
It was the late, great film-maker Steve Sabol who once compared the pitch in American Football to a cross between a chess board and a battleground. To those who have played, it’s much more than just a game. I’ve been a part of our local Dumfries Hunters team since their early days and have been a fan of New Orleans Saints since I first discovered my love for the game. On the field, while playing four different positions (often all in one game), I learned a lot about myself but also how to put my faith and trust in other people.
Beyond football, I guess you’d call me a bit of a geek. I’ve always had a love for video games, films, TV and music. While not on the same level as someone like Stuart, I love going to gigs and shows. In the past year my better-half and I went to the Edinburgh Fringe, travelled to Denmark to see a favourite band and fitted in numerous other gigs in-between.
How long have you worked at SuperControl? How has it changed during your time here?
I am approaching my sixth year at SuperControl. Starting as a lowly teen on work experience, a lot has changed since I first started both in my role and the company as a whole. When I started, the team numbered in single digits, we had just moved to Castle Douglas from the Dundrennan office and I knew very little about the world of self-catering. How times have changed! I’ve watched us grow to a team of 30+, thoroughly fill out our premises to the point of seriously needing another relocation and learned more about the holiday rental industry every day.
Tell us a bit about your current role.
I speak to self-catering business owners and agencies who are interested in signing up and working with SuperControl. We discuss their needs and what’s most important to them in the system. Quite often I’ll be asked my opinions on aspects of industry and best practice. Drawing on my wealth of experience, I can suggest things that have worked well in the past for other holiday accommodation businesses, but this is always just advice as everyone is different. That’s what makes our business so fascinating.
What aspects of your job do you enjoy the most?
Speaking to people. Be it on the phone or, even better, at an event; it’s great to catch up and hear from our clients and potential clients.
What’s been your favourite moment during your time at SuperControl so far?
In 2016 a few of the SuperControl team went to Paris as guests of sponsors HomeAway, to watch the UEFA Euro 2016 tournament for Northern Ireland vs defending world champs Germany. While the game and atmosphere were fantastic (the Northern Ireland fans were amazing and have forever etched in our brains ‘Will Grigg’s on fire’), and something I will never forget, it was my colleagues and our discovery of the city that made the week truly special. Until they abandoned me in Paris (which I’m totally over and don’t hold against them at all).
What’s your favourite type of holiday? What do you look for in a holiday rental?
I’m very fortunate to work in the holiday industry as, like most people, I love a good holiday. Living in Scotland, top of my list for any getaway is sun, sea and sand. Second is culture and history. I love being amongst history, immersed in different cultures and learning new things so if I can be on a journey of discovery whilst being slow-roasted by the sun, even better. Third is price. As a twenty-something who is slowly learning what fiscal responsibility is, affordability is very important to me.
When it comes to self-catering properties, I love comfort and a good view. If I can see this clearly before booking, that’s a big plus for me. Being unable to book quickly and easily is a put-off for me. Our holidays are always well researched so it may be late at night before I find the perfect holiday rental property. I always want to be able to get it booked then and there.
