VRWS Leadership Interview of the Day
In approaching the 11th edition of the Vacation Rental World Summit, we’re releasing a series of interviews to leaders, key players and highly motivated people in our industry whose companies make a deep impact in our space and will be present at VRWS.
The aim is to get you some insight into these leaders and the company they founded, manage or work for, as well as getting some behind the scenes on their thinking, their motivation and their drive.
SHEILA MONTES
- What do you do for a living and which part of your job do you enjoy the most?
I am the Team Leader of the marketing team at Avantio, a vacation rental software company. I started working at Avantio three and a half years ago. When I joined the department, there were only three of us, and now we are a team of eleven people. This growth has been achieved thanks to a solid scalability strategy. From the outset, I have dedicated all my energy to thoroughly understanding the needs of the company and the industry. This approach has allowed me to design a multidisciplinary department with the ideal team members.
What I relish most about my job is bringing an idea to life. This may sound rather idealistic, but it involves a great deal of dedication and strategy. From aligning with the company’s management, collaborating with other departments, and coordinating the marketing team, to finally launching campaigns that started as mere ideas and have become significant sources of acquisition or loyalty, depending on their nature.
- How does your company innovate or adapt to the evolving needs of the vacation rental space?
Avantio’s extensive experience in the vacation rental management sector, spanning over 20 years, allows us to anticipate industry changes.
At Avantio, every department is attuned to the market: from those with direct customer contact to those more focused on product development. This enables Avantio to evolve its product in ways that property managers themselves might not yet realise they will need.
Being at the forefront of product innovation has a dual aspect: it positions us as a formidable brand in the sector, but it also means we are constantly striving to maintain our value proposition: global but local. This necessitates product adaptations with regional specifications as well as significant global developments.
- How do you view the various predictions about AI’s impact on society, ranging from dystopian scenarios to transformative advancements, and how does your company approach or integrate AI technology?
I believe that AI represents a revolution as profound as, if not more so than, the advent of the Internet. Any company, irrespective of its sector, should already be exploring ways to incorporate AI into their processes. Employing professionals who focus on the integration of AI tools to enhance products and services is essential for remaining competitive in today’s business landscape, much like having a website was once crucial for establishing an online presence.
At Avantio, we are fortunate to have a company ethos that embraces change. This forward-thinking attitude is reflected in the products we offer our clients. However, we take a cautious approach to development, ensuring that we focus on genuine advancements rather than getting caught up in “hype.” Exciting AI-driven developments are on the horizon for Avantio, but they are planned for 2025.
- What would you like to achieve by attending the Vacation Rental World Summit 2024 in Porto with your company?
The Vacation Rental World Summit is an excellent platform for interacting with property managers from many countries. It provides me with the invaluable opportunity to gain first-hand insights into their current interests and concerns. Engaging directly with your customers is one of the most valuable assets a company can have for making informed decisions, yet it is often undervalued. So, in addition to catching up with good friends in the industry, I use the Vacation Rental World Summit as a prime opportunity to uncover the real concerns of my target audience.
- What are your passions, including any hobbies or sports, that you enjoy discussing and sharing with others outside the professional setting?
From a young age, dance has been my passion. I slipped into a pair of flamenco shoes at the age of seven and have never taken them off since. I often say that dance is much more than a hobby for me; it’s my weekly therapy. Additionally, I’ve recently taken up running and am currently training for shorter races, up to 15km.
In general, sports and nature help me recharge and bring my best self to the professional realm.
You’ll have the opportunity to meet Sheila directly at VRWS in Porto
