Terry Jones

Terry Jones founded Travelocity.com. He led the company as President and Chief Executive Officer from its founding until May 2002. Previously, Jones served as Chief Information Officer at Sabre Inc. In his 24 years at Sabre, Jones held various executive positions including President of Decision Technologies, Vice President of Applications Development and Vice President of Product Development.

Prior to Sabre, Jones joined American Airlines in 1978 as Director of Product Development when American Airlines acquired Agency Data Systems, a Florida-based mini-computer accounting systems company. He became president of the division when it moved to Dallas/Fort Worth.

A graduate of Denison University in Granville, Ohio, Jones entered the travel industry in 1971 as a travel agent with Vega Travel in Chicago. He later served five years as a vice president of Travel Advisors, a company specializing in business travel to Eastern Europe and the USSR, with offices in Chicago and Moscow.

Jones is managing principal of Essential Ideas, a consultancy he co-founded to help companies in their transition to the digital economy. He serves on the Board of Directors of Rearden Commerce, EarthLink and Smart Destions. He is Chairman of Kayak.com and is a special venture partner with General Catalyst Partners.

Leadership In A Wired World

It’s a new world out there…

A world where ‘the office’ is anywhere and communication is constant; where the pace of change is staggering and the ‘wired generation’ is entering the work force. In this new world, how do you lead?

The basic principles of good leadership haven’t changed in hundreds of years; but, in this new world, how we APPLY them MUST change.

Terry Jones has led both large corporations and small startup companies. As a CEO, a board member, and a consultant, his innovative leadership style has helped reshape the travel industry. In this program, he offers concise and actionable insights into how leadership is changing in this new technology -driven world.

Innovation in a Corporate Environment

The story of the entrepreneur in the garage is well known. But how does one build a startup inside a huge corporation? How do you successfully innovate in large and sometimes bureaucratic organizations?

Terry started Travelocity.com as a department inside the multi billion dollar Sabre Corporation. Starting with an idea and a team of ten he grew the department into a three billion dollar public company with over 35 million members and 1200 employees.

Intrapreneurs face different challenges than entrepreneurs. Competitors are as likely to be internal as external. In this world who you report to can be as important to an intrapreneur as building a brand is to the entrepreneur. His story of how one navigates the corporate power structure to turn an idea into a company has applicability for anyone with a new product or a new idea.

21st Century Marketing

Today ecommerce is no longer a craze nor a bubble but a requirement for all businesses. Large companies and small are finding the right techniques to become true multi-channel marketers. The growth of on line search is forcing companies to compete at the product rather than the brand level and understanding how the ‘wired generation’ is going to shop and buy is key for tomorrow’s winning companies. Jones, whose company remained profitable as the dot com bubble burst discusses the essential ideas that companies must apply for success in the wired world. He provides a clear vision of how the internet will continue to change the way products are marketed and sold.

Customer Relationship Management in a Multi-Channel World

Terry learned early on that the internet added a new dimension to direct marketing and CRM. In the past, managing your customer required a combination of deep data mining with great marketing flair. The internet added the ability of pinpoint targeting at very low cost. Learn how Travelocity.com built a loyal customer base and found ways to target its member base and get the latest view of how to utilize customer information on the web and in all your customer contact points. Jones discusses the latest techniques for emarketing, the evolution of search, and how broadband is changing consumer behavior on line. It’s a multi channel world today, with 35% of consumers shopping all channels (phone, web and store). Today’s customers require seamless service in all channels, and companies who can provide that experience combined with deep knowledge of the customer will lead tomorrow’s marketplace.

You rated so high it will be tough to find someone comparable — SciQuest

Your presentation was perfect! Your marketing approach rather than technology approach really hit home. You were the perfect guy to start the dialogue in this industry -- I can't thank you enough! — International Car Wash Association

Your remarks were inspiring and I'm simply delighted that our technology leaders had the opportunity to glean your insights. — IBM

His willingness to share his knowledge and his ability to open the minds of our audience and focus on their future in the online world was remarkable. — ADP