Q&A with our Business Development Manager, Domenico Forgione

We caught up with Business Development Manager, Domenico Forgione, and gained some insights into the solutions our lettings software, BookingsPlus provides our customers, the most popular features of the software amongst prospects, and what makes us stand out from our competitors.

Can you explain what your role as Business Development Manager involves?

I’m here to help any organisation who has space to hire, find an easy way to promote their facilities and manage their bookings, whilst generating income and increasing profit. My primary focus is on the education sector, that could be any type of individual, independent or special needs school, as well as those within Multi Academy Trusts. Kajima Community also work with community centres, churches, libraries, local authorities, across the healthcare sector etc, so anyone with a venue to rent out, could be interested in our solutions.

What is the main problem your prospects are trying to solve in relation to their lettings?

The biggest challenge is how time-consuming the lettings process can be. For many of our customers, managing lettings is not their primary responsibility but rather a secondary task that often demands more time and attention than they can afford.  Our BookingsPlus software addresses this challenge by streamlining and automating many aspects of lettings administration. With BookingsPlus, tasks that once took hours can now be completed in a fraction of the time.

“BookingsPlus will provide an easy-to-use system to manage our lettings and extra-curricular bookings which currently take our staff an inordinate amount of time and effort to manage manually.”

Jonathan Meehan, School Business Manager, Huntington School

What do you find is one of the most popular features of our BookingsPlus software?

Our BookingsPlus software has a comprehensive suite of tools designed to streamline operations and maximise lettings. Users particularly like the ability to input block bookings, which simplifies scheduling for recurring events. Also, the fully branded website feature helps customers effectively promote and market their facilities. The software also includes a document storage tool with expiration reminders, so essential documents are always up to date. With our newest version of the software, venues can also opt to take payments online and in advance of bookings – collecting payments upfront and no need for invoicing.

What do you find makes people choose BookingsPlus over our competitors?

Customers choose us because we offer something that really sets us apart—an individually branded website. Unlike aggregator sites, where listings are pooled together under a generic platform, our solution lets clients keep their unique, venue branding intact, from their colour palette to logos. It’s a more personalised approach that helps them be seen

Customers also like the fact that we’ve been in lettings for a long time – 20 years in fact. We have experience of managing lettings first-hand and we know what it takes to run an effective and profitable lettings programme. We’re a not-for-profit arm of a larger business and have the backing and support in terms of investment and resource which that brings.

Fusion School Services BookingsPlus homepage

What’s your favourite part of the role?

My favourite part of my role is the sense of community and support across the entire team – from marketing to finance, our in-house Developers, Bug-Testers and Customer Support team, the cohesive and collaborative environment makes my job not only easier but also fulfilling and rewarding.

If you could join another team or take on another person’s role in community, what would it be and why?

I’d be interested in working with the Software Development team. Having been involved in various roles, including marketing, I’ve developed a solid understanding of how our products come to life, and the technical side of things has always fascinated me. That said, I know working on different technical features requires a lot of patience – I’d definitely miss the fast -paced environment of sales!