I like to read other blogs, particularly other blogs that promote self improvement, responsibility, and discipline. If I’m going to spend my time reading, I would prefer to read something that enriches me rather than tears me down. Nick Pagano is a Level 2 Director up in Detroit, Michigan who I’ve gotten to know a little better over the last couple of trips up to Wood River and Red Carpet Day. I had the pleasure of having dinner with him and a select number of other Directors and Corporate Heads during my last trip to Wood River and upon my return I subscribed to his blog.

One of the coolest aspects about YTB is a willingness to share our experience and information with each other no matter who their upline or downline might be. Nick has provided insight on success that I admire. I’ve heard some of the stories he’s written before while reading other books and blogs. It’s refreshing to see someone who understands and appreciates the same principles about life and success as I do.

I received his latest entry yesterday and enjoyed it so much I wanted to share it here.

Confidence is a critical piece of the puzzle when it comes to success. If you you don’t believe you can do something, your own limitation will prohibit you from accomplishing it. Yet, self-confidence will enable you to achieve goals and dreams that others would consider impossible. (Even when others yell at you that you can’t.)

Nick provided 10 key things you can do to help you gain more self confidence while at the same time improving your image with others. By following this very simple and easy list, you’ll find your self-confidence soaring to new heights.

1. Dress Sharp

As evidenced by the show, clothes don’t make the man or woman, but they certainly affect the way they feel about themselves. No one is more conscious of your physical appearance than you are. When you don’t look good, it changes the way you carry yourself and interact with other people. Use this to your advantage by taking care of your personal appearance. In most cases, significant improvements can be made by bathing and shaving frequently, wearing clean clothes, and being cognizant of the latest styles.This doesn’t mean you need to spend a lot on clothes. One great rule to follow is “spend twice as much, buy half as much”. Rather than buying a bunch of cheap clothes, buy half as many but select high quality items. In the long run this decreases spending because expensive clothes wear out less easily and stay in style longer than cheap clothes. Buying less also helps reduce the clutter in your closet.

2. Walk Faster

One of the easiest ways to tell how a person feels about herself is to examine her walk. Is it slow? tired? painful? Or is it energetic and purposeful? People with confidence generally walk quickly. They have places to go, people to see, and important work to do. Even if you aren’t in a hurry, you can increase your self confidence by putting some pep in your step. Walking 25% faster will make to you look and feel more important.

3. Good Posture

Similarly, the way a person carries herself tells a story. People with slumped shoulders and lethargic movements display a lack of self confidence. They aren’t enthusiastic about what they’re doing and they don’t consider themselves important. By practicing good posture, you’ll automatically feel more confident. Stand up straight, keep your head up, and make eye contact. You’ll make a positive impression on others and instantly feel more alert and empowered.

4. Personal Commercial

One of the best ways to build confidence is listening to a motivational speech. Unfortunately, opportunities to listen to a great speaker are few and far between. You can fill this need by creating a personal commercial. Write a 30-60 second speech that highlights your strengths and goals. Then recite it in front of the mirror aloud (or inside your head if you prefer) whenever you need a confidence boost.

5. Gratitude

When you focus too much on what you want, the mind creates reasons why you can’t have it. This leads you to dwell on your weaknesses. The best way to avoid this is consciously focusing on gratitude. Set aside time each day to mentally list everything you have to be grateful for. Recall your past successes, unique skills, loving relationships, and positive momentum. You’ll be amazed how much you have going for you and motivated to take that next step towards success.

6. Compliment other people

When we think negatively about ourselves, we often project that feeling on to others in the form of insults and gossip. To break this cycle of negativity, get in the habit of praising other people. Refuse to engage in backstabbing gossip and make an effort to compliment those around you. In the process, you’ll become well liked and build self confidence.  By looking for the best in others, you indirectly bring out the best in yourself.

7. Sit in the front row

In schools, offices, and public assemblies around the world, people constantly strive to sit at the back of the room. Most people prefer the back because they’re afraid of being noticed. This reflects a lack of self confidence. By deciding to sit in the front row, you can get over this irrational fear and build your self confidence. You’ll also be more visible to the important people talking from the front of the room.

8. Speak up

During group discussions many people never speak up because they’re afraid that people will judge them for saying something stupid. This fear isn’t really justified. Generally, people are much more accepting than we imagine. In fact most people are dealing with the exact same fears. By making an effort to speak up at least once in every group discussion, you’ll become a better public speaker, more confident in your own thoughts, and recognized as a leader by your peers.

9. Work out

Along the same lines as personal appearance, physical fitness has a huge effect on self confidence. If you’re out of shape, you’ll feel insecure, unattractive, and less energetic. By working out, you improve your physical appearance, energize yourself, and accomplish something positive. Having the discipline to work out not only makes you feel better, it creates positive momentum that you can build on the rest of the day.

10. Focus on contribution

Too often we get caught up in our own desires. We focus too much on ourselves and not enough on the needs of other people. If you stop thinking about yourself and concentrate on the contribution you’re making to the rest of the world, you won’t worry as much about your own flaws. This will increase self confidence and allow you to contribute with maximum efficiency. The more you contribute to the world the more you’ll be rewarded with personal success and recognition.

Dr. Blueman
www.drblueman.com

Doug & Ronda Bauknight
AKA: TravelPro
Travel Agent / Networker
Phone: 678.458.5812

Learn How To Become A Travel Agent

Book Your Travel & Vacations With

Welcome to the next phase of YTB 2.0.

A year ago YTB announced the “contemplation of a franchise” in a press release issued just before last years convention. Today that “contemplation” moves one step closer to “reality”.

We touched on this with Sunday’s newsletter and wanted impress on you how this phase of YTB 2.0 will change how many perceive our model. By this time you have come across people who have a difficult time understanding and accepting Network Marketing as a legitimate business model. People don’t actually know that the nations oldest Network Marketing Company started as the California Perfume Company back in 1886. (In 1939 they changed their name to Avon.) Mary Kay is another example of a very powerful and stable MLM that not only markets to the same demographic, but was founded 46 years ago in 1963. Neither company has run out of woman to recruit, while basically limiting both companies to half the world’s population. (There may however be a few males mixed in with either company.)

Yet there are those that fear that someone will be crushed by a huge pyramid when there is no one left.

The suit filed by California was a perfect example of the ignorance our society has surrounding MLM Models. Without verifying, without even looking at our two models, the “Description of the Action” in the settlement stated “Defendants’ marketing scheme effectively requires participants to purchase a website from Defendants and pay monthly fees for the opportunity to recruit others”.

You know that’s not true; we know that’s not true. (Not to mention illegal.) The fact remains however, that because California said so, a portion of society will take this as fact instead of verifying if a statement has value.

Even now, with California behind us, with YTB still standing, still sending out checks, still winning awards, still growing as a travel company, there are those that still allow a tiny portion of society to dictate what they think and what they believe.

If you’re reading this right now you have endured a smear campaign of ignorance and fear mongering that included false claims of a gigantic pyramid scheme which both pro and con believed would finish the company. We want to congratulate you for holding on to your dreams, your vision, and your beliefs. Nobody should have the power to take that away from you, and we know many have tried.

It’s time to raise the bar. It’s time to look for better quality, better intelligence, and better business minds.

We now have a tool in place that can turn the tables, promote professionalism, character, and strength and it starts with you.

Moving forward, all potential California participants are required to wait 14 days before they are able to purchase a YTB Travel Store, or become an Associate who sells Travel Stores. So what does the 14 Day cooling off period have to do with Franchises? We’re glad you asked. (And even if you didn’t we’re going to tell you anyway.)

During this time, potential participants will be given all the facts and figures concerning the purchase of a franchise. In the settlement agreement which was filed with the courts the Description of the Action it states:

“Defendants have operated an on-line travel agency franchise without having registered as a franchise with the California Department of Corporations, in violation of California Corporations Code Section 31005 et seq.;”

We didn’t realize that we bought an on-line travel agency franchise until this was documented in the settlement. This is however a claim (Description of the Action) documented in the settlement filed with the courts.

We found the following reference in Franchising for Dummies by Michael Steid, and Dave Thomas. We’re NOT using this reference because we consider you a dummy, but because of its ability to describe franchising in a clear concise manor that we believe everyone will understand.

“Included in the regulations governing the sale of franchises is a cooling-off period called the ten-day rule. Franchisors are required to give their prospects a copy of the UFOC the first time they have a “personal” face-to-face meeting to discuss the purchase of the franchise, although most franchisors will provide the UFOC much earlier in the course of their discussion with a prospect. Franchisors must wait a minimum of ten business days after giving a prospect the UFOC before allowing the franchisee to sign the franchise agreement or pay any money to the franchisor. The purpose of the ten-day rule is to give you time to think about your decision.”

Please note that the 10 day rule requires 10 business days to expire. During the course of 10 business days you will have two weekends during that time for a total period of 14 days. If you would like to describe this as “10 business days” instead of “14 days”, you are welcome to do so, just as long as the word “business days” is made clear not to include Saturday or Sunday. (Six of one; a half dozen of the other.)

As we moved forward, the Settlement made with California also states:

8. Registration as a Franchise

No later than 30 days from the entry of Judgment, Defendants shall see the approval of the California Department of Corporations (DOC) and shall make their best efforts to obtain approval from the DOC to sell franchises. Any additional conditions or restrictions that my be required or imposed by the DOC for Defendants’ operation of a franchise shall also be required of or imposed on Defendants as part of this Judgment. If the DOC grants its approval for Defendants to sell franchises in California, Defendants shall begin offer such franchises for sale no later than 90 days from the date of the DOC approval. Neither the decision by the DOC regarding Defendants’ application to sell franchises in California, not the timing of that decision shall affect Defendants’ obligation to comply with any of the previsions of this Judgment.

There are 14 States that require Franchise Disclosures which include California, Hawaii, Illinois, Indiana, Maryland, Minnesota, New York, North Dakota, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Virginia, Washington, and Wisconsin. Because of the one time expense of creating such materials, and our belief that a franchise model will increase retention because of it’s perceived value, YTB is moving forward with a franchise model both nationally and internationally.

This will take some time, and we do not know the exact date of the National completion at this time. However, once complete, YTB will be the largest franchise in history.

Some of you may be able to remember the 1984 Presidential Election between Walter Mondale and then sitting President Ronald Reagan. During the course of the debates that led up to the election, Mondale began to make Reagan’s advanced age an issue. President Reagan was the oldest President in history, and some of his staff commented that he was tired after the first debate with Mondale. In their second televised 90-minute debate in Kansas City, Reagan and Mondale debated on international policy and national defense.

Again the issue of age came up during the debate.

Reagan in his best awe shucks tone said, “I want you to know that also I will not make age an issue of this campaign. I am not going to exploit, for political purposes, my opponent’s youth and inexperience.“

Many didn’t like Ronald Reagan. (And you may be one of them.) Ronald Reagan was however a master in reframing and turning the tables on his opponents both within the political arena and around the world. Successful people and businesses turn apparent weakness into strength. They change history, and they change lives. We see California’s weakness and have now turned it into a strength moving forward.

Will everyone see it? Absolutely not. We were right on mark with the resurgence of activity and excuses on the forums, boards and blogs. Some still want to take your dreams and the power we talked about earlier. Some will still insist that YTB is nothing more than a “pyramid scheme”. Some will still laugh at you. If you want to give them that power, that’s entirely up to you. Why anyone would be willing to let others control and dictate what you think and how you feel is a completely foreign concept to us. Especially in a country such as ours during a weekend when we celebrate our Independence.

Remember, we need to raise the bar, not lower it. We joined YTB to pursue dreams not crush them. In the course of pursuing our dreams of owning a Home Based Business we bought into an MLM. What we’re going to end up with is a franchise.

The way we see it Scott was right…we’re bigger – stronger – superior in every way.

Who knew?

Doug & Ronda Bauknight
AKA: TravelPro
Travel Agent / Networker
Phone: 678.458.5812

Learn How To Become A Travel Agent

Book Your Travel & Vacations With

I’ve written about a company called PhoCusWright here before which measures online travel sales. I’ve also written about BurstMedia as recently as a few weeks ago, which looked at consumer research for travel related spending. Another company that measures on-line spending is a company called eMarketer who came out with a report last week which forecasts some significant growth once we get past this recession.

The Retail E-Commerce Forecast reports and tracks current online sales and then forecasts what will happen in the future based on the data collected. The current forecast indicates that online sales will begin to rebound in 2010 and hit full stride in 2011. A trend in greater spending by online buyers is the key to eMarketers forecast of continued e-commerce growth. Currently some 152 million individuals will shop online in 2009.

The report also goes on to state that many consumers opt to buy online for convenience, price and broad product selection. It also states that over 80% of online shoppers are also online buyers. According to PriceGrabber.com, the tough economy is driving consumers online to compare prices, look for retailers that do not charge sales tax or shipping fees, seek discounts and avoid impulse buying.

It should be noted that PhoCusWright and eMarketer specialize in two separate segments of online sales. Online travel sales are so large and significant in this day and age that it’s broken out into its own category of B2C e-commerce. The remaining group of sales, whatever that may be, is left in the hands of eMarketer.

We’ve heard Coach, Scott and Kim this year quote that $0.42 out of every dollar spent online is spent on travel.  YTB brought Aisle 19 on board at the beginning of the year to capture the other $0.58 of that dollar. If you have ever wondered where that statistic comes from you now know it comes from PhoCusWright and eMarketer who work together to bring you and me a complete picture of the online shopping market. In 2008 $95.3 billion of the total sales volume spend online ($227.6 billion) was spent on travel.

Yes, I know that traditional travel agents want to stake a claim to the $95.3 billion in travel that’s spent online in an attempt that they are changing with the times. The claim; they too book online. Mind you, Expedia, Orbitz, Travelocity and Priceline take up more than half of the $95.3 billion with $50.1 billion on their own. (As documented in last weeks 2009 Power List rankings.) If you’re wondering if this is nothing more than a desperate attempt to keep traditional agents in this changing and evolving game you can bet on it.

A few weeks ago I documented BurstMedia’s findings with how consumers are using the internet for travel research and spending. That article got a considerable amount of attention from various massage boards, forums, and blogs. (As noted in stat reports I read that document not only what people are reading, but where they are coming from.) The findings from the BurstMedia research upset many traditional agents, and the excuses started to mount. One traditionalist went as far as personally attacking YTB and myself in some feable price match to show that booking with him would prove to be a better value. I’m not sure how that one example will change the entire scope of consumer research and spending, but I will tell you that the traditionalist who spent days ranting over the issue has successfully relieved himself from any anxiety he once had.

If someone wants to point out that people still value traditional travel agents, they are free to do so. I’m fairly certain that there are independent reports out there that they can use. I’d certainly find an independent source far more credible than some self generated price match consisting of one obscure flight to prove my point however. Yet a simple copy and paste price match appears to be all some need to keep their dream alive that they’re still wanted or needed. Or even better, that they use an age old excuse that they too use the internet to purchase travel for thier customers which factors into the large online booking numbers we’re now seeing in the reports that are documented here.

I’ve yet to generate enough interest in proving this point, but I’m fairly certain from past reports that PhoCusWright puts out that it’s not calculating B2B as it would be in the case of a travel agent booking with suppliers, but B2C with suppliers booking directly with consumers online. B2C after all is what this and many other reports document rather than the other way around.

I’ve been shopping online for years because of it’s convenience and ability to search for the best price I can find. Three years ago I was in the market for a brand new digital camera and went to the internet for a match of what I was looking for. I already knew the specs I desired, already had a budget in mind, and was already willing to purchase the camera online. What I found was the Fuji FinePix S9000 and it’s been one of my most enjoyable investments I’ve ever made.

When I do get a call from a client (as opposed to a booking just showing up in my back office) these clients already know the dates, times, and have a budget in mind because of the research they’ve done online. Some still refrain from buying online due to security and privacy concerns or the inability to touch and feel products. Others will go ahead and book or purchase themselves because they’re comfortable with the medium.

With almost nine out of 10 Internet users browsing and researching to compare products online this year as documented in this report, it’s yet another example via independent research of the bright future of online retail.

And YTB appears to be right in the thick of it. In more ways than one. ;-P

Doug & Ronda Bauknight
AKA: TravelPro
Travel Agent / Networker
Phone: 678.458.5812

Learn How To Become A Travel Agent

Book Your Travel & Vacations With

Before we venture into today’s topic, I need to make something perfectly clear. When owning any business and using portions of that business for tax deductions, you need to consult a CPA on what can and can not be used as a deduction with the IRS. I’ve written several articles over the years on the possible advantages of owning a home based business when it comes to taxes. We’ve always considered our experience with YTB a business and have treated it as such from the very beginning. For us, owning a business requires added responsibilities, and additional checks and balances that come with the territory.

Using a CPA the last four years when filing our taxes is part of that responsibility.

What I have also come to realize from talking with and communicating on various forms, blogs, and social networking sites is this: Not everyone feels the same type of responsibility, or has the same understanding about tax deductions and the role of the IRS.

Average individuals will make claims of what you can and can not deduct based on what they perceive to be true, or what they’ve heard is legal or illegal. I would advise in this case that you either thank them politely or simply tell them to go pound sand. (I’d prefer the later for some individuals) Unless you consult a CPA, I’d be suspect of anything you read or hear when it comes to deductions, taxes and the IRS.

We’re all very well aware of the industries fascination with YTB. Not a week goes by without some trade magazine, news publication or both publishing something about YTB. As predicted, there has been plenty of kicking and screaming this week from those few critics I spoke about surrounding Travel Weekly’s Power List publication. It looks as if the same tired old questions will continue and excuses will persist for another year. If you question why there has been no resolution to the questions and the excuses after three years of debate, it’s not really about resolution. It’s about keeping the questions active for as long as possible in order to keep their own perceptions about YTB and its place as a second (third, fourth, fifth) rate host agency alive.

Granted, a resolution would end that game, but so would the daily participation on blogs, forums, and daily discussions which take up so much of thier time. By simply asking (and never resolving) these same tired questions, they are able to deflect the attention to someone or something else instead of looking at their own issues or looking a solution.

Another question that keeps popping up, but never seems to get resolved in our industry are taxes. Apparently if you are not involved in a Home Based Business, you are not aware of the literally hundreds of sources available that provide information on the tax benefits of owning a business like YTB. Yesterday, Mark Murphy with Travel Pulse brought up a situation that questions a broader effect tied to how a traditional travel business is perceived by the IRS. He writes:

Could the proliferation of travel hobbyists, who are in it for the “free travel” perks, be part of the problem? That’s a question being raised by Gawne and other legitimate agents around the country. The challenge comes down to distinguishing between someone who is running a travel business and someone who is simply trying to run around the world, albeit at a discounted or tax-deductible rate. Where does the line get drawn?

The disconnect here is the term “hobbyist”. A word used to paint a picture because of the MLM arm and the misconceptions and myths surrounding it. It’s not about travel for them, it’s about all the recruiting. Because of the ignorance, Mark and others do not consider my business anything more than a “hobby” and therefore I do not qualify for deductions as any other business would. Unfortunately for everyone who paints this picture they fail to realize that the tax code does not specify, nor is the IRS responsible for determining proper deductions because one is a traditional business and the other is an MLM business.

The editorial came very close but never mentions the term “profit motive” which would go a long way in clearing things up. “Profit Motive” is actually what the IRS looks at. But few are willing to accept the anyone in YTB can actually make a profit using the YTB business model.

Jeff Miller, a travel attorney in Maryland who is also a columnist for Agent@Home magazine helped specify for everyone that the IRS looks at deductions as “ordinary and necessary” as part of it’s qualification. According to Jeff, the types of expenses involved such as FAM’s are legitimate business deductions based upon the type of business activity conducted. Since YTB sells the same type of travel as any other agency would, I have my doubts that the IRS would make any type of distinction between the two business models simply because one has an MLM arm and one does not.

If, and this is a really big “if” here: If the IRS does consider YTB nothing more than “hobbyists” who pose as “travel agents” and we are using travel as a deduction, the industry has no one to blame but themselves for blowing this whistle. I’ve seen countless posts, blogs, and forums that not only link to the IRS but instruct anyone with a keyboard and internet connection with how to report what they believe to be improper deductions. As a result, there could be an entire class of occupation (Travel Agent) that is now a red flag for the IRS to investigate further. Their own fears, phobias, and misconceptions surrounding our business model and desperate attempts to rid their precious industry via any means they can think of is more than likely the reason if this is in fact the case.

Again, it’s doubtful that the IRS is actually doing this. But once again, the industries focus on what they perceive to be the problem not the solution would be the reason for any red flag here. Unless the IRS has a listing of which agency is MLM and which is traditional, there is no way you an expect the IRS to not lump everyone into the same category.

If some of these traditionalists would educate themselves and actually participate in the vast amount of webinars and courses available surrounding tax deductions and whats required to claim and document the deductions it would certainly help in resolving their issue. Mark did go as far as checking with someone who is actually qualified, but doesn’t appear to make any connection with what’s legal and ethical because he can’t get past an MLM stereotype, which Mark and others apparently have determined as unethical.

Using the IRS is nothing more than a ploy to cast doubt and fear when it comes to Travel MLM’s. Mind you, the traditional agent in question here should be able to document legitimate business deductions based upon the type of business activity he is involved with. A qualified CPA can address the issues directly with the IRS and explain how this is ordinary and necessary in the travel industry. As a result, the IRS will allow the deductions.

No harm, no foul.

So why is this even a concern? It’s not.

It is however another example of ordinary myths and misconception and the actions they feel are necessary to feed the anger and resentment towards YTB and Travel MLMs.

Doug & Ronda Bauknight
AKA: TravelPro
Travel Agent / Networker
Phone: 678.458.5812

Learn How To Become A Travel Agent

Book Your Travel & Vacations With

I don’t know if you saw one of the headlines on the front cover of Travel Weekly’s Power List issue on Monday or not. If you didn’t because you were too caught up in the Power List rankings, I certainly can’t blame you. Regardless of whether you saw the headline or took the time to read the story, it’s another example of why we need to conduct our own due diligence when making any decision.

I’ve told people for years “don’t believe a word I say, unless you can verify it on your own to be true”. I wish I could take credit for such an insightful quote, but I have to give credit where credit is due from individuals who are far more successful than I. I first read this quote at the beginning of “Secret’s of The Millionaire Mind” by T. Harv Ecker, and while I have not listened to Neal Boortz and his syndicated radio show in quite a while, he also quotes this same phrase continually.

With the advent of internet information and the ability to find reviews and opinions on just about any subject you can imagine, it’s not all that difficult finding something you can trust as truth these days. Long before I got involved in YTB I would frequent and post on Cruise Critic. I found it a great resource to ask questions and obtain information about a particular ship, a port of call, or things to do and see while enjoying my favorite form of vacation. Back in March, Cruise Critic and Royal Caribbean came under fire for what Tripso called “paid cheerleaders” who manipulated the board for personal and financial gain. The entire ordeal caused such an uproar that one blogger went as far as calling the Royal Champions “shills” and Royal Caribbean “puppet masters” in his blog.

Now TripAdvisor is facing some of the same issues about the integrity of some of its consumer hotel reviews. It may or may not be of interest that Cruise Critic is a subsidiary of TripAdvisor, but to find this type of manipulation out in the open once again should be noted. News broke about TripAdvisor in early June when another blogger found the following notices, posted in red type above the flagged property’s TripAdvisor rating.

“Message from TripAdvisor: TripAdvisor has reasonable cause to believe that either this property or individuals associated with the property may have attempted to manipulate our popularity index by interfering with the unbiased nature of our reviews. Please take this into consideration when researching your travel plans.”

In all, 92 such notices where found on TripAdvisor, and it has stirred questions concerning how many more reviews have been compromised on the site. When TripAdvisor uncovers hotel employees writing glowing reviews, trashing competitors, persuading guests to remove negative reviews or providing incentives for customers to write positive reviews, it posts the notices. In addition, Travel Weekly reports that TripAdvisor posts this notice regardless of whether TripAdvisor and the property have an advertising relationship.

Both Cruise Critic and TripAdvisor have gained considerable notoriety and respect over the years for its unbiased reviews and opinions when traveling. (Even from me.) Regardless of all the fuss and attention over YTB and claims about being uneducated, untrained, and unqualified to promote destinations, sites like Cruise Critic and TripAdvisor have been regarded as viable sources to collect information to form opinions. Truth of the matter is, people value other peoples experience and the relationships they form either with a site or a person. I’ve participated on a number of forums and sites like Cruise Critic and have used sites like TripAdvisor when researching any subject.

What this all boils down to is integrity. I’ve sat here for several minutes in an attempt to communicate just how we as readers can pinpoint and sense integrity or the lack thereof. It’s a gut instinct that most anyone should be able to ‘out’ when reading. (At least I know I do.) While participating in any forum or blog, I can quickly form opinions on who I can trust and who is blowing smoke simply to manipulate my own beliefs and opinions. If you truly need to understand how all this works, head over to Scam.com or over the NoTravelMLMs and in about two seconds you’ll know what I mean.

Both sites are full of doting parents who need to save you because they don’t believe you have the capability of finding or forming your own opinions. Unlike Cruise Critic or TripAdvisor, if you do form an opinion that differs from theirs…about all I can tell you is good luck with defending it. (Been there, done that, and have a T-shirt they gave me that says so.)

There are many oddities in the Travel Industry and being a doting parent appears to be one of them. While I can appreciate the concern, the way this industry gets all wrapped up in saving everyone goes beyond anything I’ve ever seen. Far too much focus and attention is geared on what’s wrong here, instead of what TripAdvisor has done in attempts to correct the issue.

We are after all adults, and adults should be able to make thier own choices and decisions be it an occupation or a vacation. If the wrong choice is made, we should take responsibility for that choice instead of playing the role of victim. It’s sad to see, especially in a country such as ours that was founded on freedom of expression. Yet there are those who spend all thier time and energy being a watchdog for everyone else and manipulating how you should think and act.

You as an individual have every resource and ability to form your own opinions and choices, especially in this day and age. If it differs from others, so be it. Who’s to say that they’re right and you’re are wrong? (Or vice versa) It’s your life and your choice and that’s what matters most.

I’m okay with that.

Are you?

Doug & Ronda Bauknight
AKA: TravelPro
Travel Agent / Networker
Phone: 678.458.5812

Learn How To Become A Travel Agent

Book Your Travel & Vacations With

The annual Power List from Travel Weekly currently ranks YTB International #25 for 2008 out of a record number of agencies this year with 62 companies with travel sales of more than $100 million. All of the agencies in this years Power List faced a common enemy during the latter part of the year, that being the economy. As we are now at the half way point of 2009, many on this years list are not as optimistic as they once were about travel sales and expect a decline anywhere between 15% – 25% between 2008 and 2009.

The economy is one thing, but when a company such as YTB has to endure fear based attacks from a small, yet extremely loud group of critics who desperately need to control free enterprise and exaggerate every move the company makes, is another. With the legal attacks combined with the mud thrown up on the internet via blogs, forums, and message boards, a year over year increase of any amount should show the stability and resolve of our model for anyone who has two wits about them.

Regardless of which side of the fence you reside, the following numbers appear in Travel Weekly’s 2009 Power List.

– 2008 Sales: $424.1 million
– Employees: 317
– Previous Ranking: 26
– ARC sales of $2.76 million
– 85% of sales from leisure travel
– Hosts 92,383 travel sellers
– Owns Rezconnect Technologies Inc.
– Publicly held

True, some spent the last year focused on creating excuses and never gave YTB a chance to survive and/or make this years Power List. Accusations of bankruptcy or being prohibited from conducting business outright started the second claims were filed by the State of California which magically appeared the day before the YTB’s National Convention in August of 2008. Its sad, but some appeared to have missed or simply forgot that there was a legal process that needed to take place. As we’ve seen so many times before, relying on negative speculation rather than facts can damage ones credibility as some sort of expert.

Few have also knocked the legitimacy of the Power List with any excuse they could come up with. It was last years list with a huge jump from #35 to #26 and 84% growth that more than likely had something to do with the desperate pleas posted for anyone who would listen to in order to stop YTB from co-existing with names like American Express, Carlson Wagonlit, Expedia, Travelocity, Orbitz, and Priceline.

With so much press and attention on YTB it’s not surprising that Travel Weekly once again made special note of our company in this years list.

One company that has seen its share of headlines recently is YTB (No. 25), a publicly traded multilevel marketer with and ARC appointment and a reported $424 million in travel sales, most of it through a network of tens of thousands of small hosted, work-from-home recruits.

A source of unending controversy since it first gained national attention a few years ago, YTB recently settled an action brought by the State of California that accused the company of operating an illegal pyramid scheme. Even if YTB succeeds in transforming itself into a franchise operation and fulfilling the other terms of the California settlement, the company is likely to remain a galvanizing force for friends and foes alike.

For the purposes of the Power List, however, only one thing matters: total sales. Although this number is not included in YTB’s annual financial report to the Securities and Exchange Commission, it is consistent with a company statement to the SEC.

“During fiscal 2007, the aggregate value of retail travel services that have been booked by our RTA’s and independent franchises surpassed $400 million”. YTB reported in the statement.

The company has stated that the total represents retail travel sales and excludes revenue from other activities.

Like it or not, YTB continues to make headlines in this industry because YTB is a major player when it comes to actual travel sales. A few clearly don’t understand the difference between gross sales and actual income generated from those sales reported in our SEC filings. If some can’t comprehend that it takes $424 million in sales to generate $27 million in actual revenue in the travel industry, I’d question how much they truly understand thier industry. However, because there’s a very clear and distinct fear surrounding MLM and recruiting, all focus and attention points directly at revenue generated from recruiting compared to income generated from travel. Those of us that can make the distinction between the two revenue streams have understood for years how silly such comparisons are. Why the perceptions between apples and oranges and these fears persists after all these years is a question I’ve long given up asking. 

I couldn’t possibly tell you what type of excuses will come from this years list. You can be assured that like other years, something will be pointed out here that will attempt to question the validity and accuracy of this report when it comes to YTB. In order to come up with these excuses however, desperate critics will need to toss out the fact that YTB is one of very few that are publicly traded companies who answer to the SEC. They will also toss out YTB’s appearance on this list for it’s third straight year. And lastly, the special notes surrounding YTB in Travel Weekly’s introduction, like last year will be completely ignored and the beliefs and opinions of these few critics will appear to some as an overriding and dominant fact, instead of desperate pleas for attention to make all things right with thier own little world.

There comes a time when you should stop and look at the reports such as this and compare them with all the excuses we’ve seen over the years. Demands for clarification or additional questions directed at YTB and Travel Weekly have played out for far too long. Both YTB and Travel Weekly don’t appear to be all that concerned, and continue to stick with the same qualifications they always have despite the pleas and concerns.

Some will continue as they always have because changing thier beliefs would be far too upsetting and create too much turmoil. Others however, will begin to see things for what they truly are. If you’re of the latter, I welcome you to the idea of MLM and Travel as major player in the Travel Industry.

Doug & Ronda Bauknight
AKA: TravelPro
Travel Agent / Networker
Phone: 678.458.5812

Learn How To Become A Travel Agent

Book Your Travel & Vacations With

Out with the old and in with the new.

It may come a surprise to some that YTB has been able to acquire another small group of Board Members. When news came last month that two of our Board Members would not be with YTB after the annual stock holder meeting held at the beginning of the week, a few questioned what YTB would do.

My initial thought was that we would replace them.

I know that sounds like one of those “Duh” moments, but if you don’t understand the mentality of critics who spend time commenting on every move YTB makes in a negative light you’ll quickly realize that what’s obvious to most will escape a small few.

The perception these few critics want to convey to everyone is that YTB is crumbling and has lost it’s luster. With all the mud that’s thrown around and the bantering about this, that and the other, those small voices always look at what they want to believe, never how YTB answers any of the outrageous claims and accusations.

The largest blunder to date was California’s claims of a gigantic pyramid scheme with an attached price tag of $25 million dollars. The day before our National Convention in St. Louis, the clock began to tick on just when YTB would face it’s final judgment and cease operation.

While all the focus and attention was on YTB simply because it’s an MLM, nobody talks about the Expedia judgement of $184 million, nor do the care that Expedia has ceased selling hotel rooms in Columbus, GA because they skimped on taxes. (Upheld by the Georgia Supreme Court by the way.) While I’m quite certain that the issues surrounding Expedia are over, I doubt they’ll be able to fair any better than paying less than $125K back to consumers.

Like Expedia that will most likely move on, so does YTB as evidence of our new Board Members.

The election of YTB’s new Board Members is yet another step to move past the hype and continue with it’s goal of building a stable viable business. Below is a small snippet taken from the Press Release posted yesterday of their credentials and accomplishments. They include finance, accounting, entrepreneurial business development, legal services to corporations and governmental bodies, and heath care in regards to physical rehabilitation. Most importantly they are smart and experienced business minds.

• Thomas B. Baker, Jr., of Edwardsville, Illinois, currently serves as President and founder of Summit Development & Holdings, Inc. and Summit Capital, Inc., and has extensive experience in finance, accounting, and entrepreneurial business development. He also currently serves on the Advisory Board for the Accounting Department of Illinois Wesleyan University and serves on the alumni focus group of its St. Louis chapter. Mr. Baker has previously served on the Board of Directors of Hoyleton Children’s Home and the Advisory Board for EVCO National, a national painting company.

• Jack H. Humes, Jr., of Edwardsville, Illinois, founded the Humes Law Office on May 1, 2000 after having been associated with the firm Burroughs, Hepler, Broom, MacDonald, Hebrank, & True (now Hepler Broom, LLC) since 1986. Mr. Humes currently provides legal services to corporations, governmental bodies and individuals related to various real estate issues, focusing on land and right-of-way acquisition, construction, contracting and project financing. Mr. Humes is a member of the Missouri Bar, the Illinois State Bar Association, the American Bar Association, the American Institute of Certified Planners and the American Planning Association.

• Patricia S. Williams, of Wildwood, Missouri, is Senior Vice President General Counsel and Corporate Secretary of RehabCare Group, Inc., a leading provider of physical rehabilitation program management services in over 1,200 hospitals, skilled nursing facilities and other long-term care facilities throughout the United States. Ms. Williams previously held the position of Vice President General Counsel and Corporate Secretary of Thermadyne Holdings Corporation, a multi-national manufacturer of welding and cutting products. Ms. Williams serves on the Board of Directors for White Drive Products, Inc., a leading global supplier of hydraulic motors and drive system products for mobile and industrial applications.

I welcome these new Board Members as TSO and a stockholder of the company. It’s nice to see some fresh faces that could bring some new ideas and energy to the group.

Doug & Ronda Bauknight
AKA: TravelPro
Travel Agent / Networker
Phone: 678.458.5812

Learn How To Become A Travel Agent

Book Your Travel & Vacations With

You’re well aware by now how much I appreciate the internet and the information that flows on this puppy. I can find information on just about any subject I care to look into. This technology has become so ingrained into our culture we’re tweeting about subjects we find interesting and important to us. We’re able to communicate with people from all over the world instantly at all hours of the day and night.

We hook up with “tribes” on the internet, and share our experience and knowledge. We read blogs, newspapers, and even prefer to watch news and sports clips on the internet rather than TV.

I was an early adopter of the internet and have been using this medium as a source to gather information and educate myself on a variety of subjects. Today, one of the first places most people go to research is the internet.

There are a number of companies that specialize in gathering information about internet use and combine statistical data based on what they find. I’ve written about PhoCusWright a number of times on this blog, and love how it corrects the many many myths and misconceptions that others put out there. I don’t know why a few stragglers spend thier time twisting and spinning, or why they’re so afraid of the truth. Some do spend a considerable amount of time trying to distract you with thier own perception and opinions rather than sticking with the facts. I guess it works for them.

Me, I like facts from independent sources. Travel Weekly has done a terrific job in documenting for us the last couple of years. I found another company yesterday while reading the trades that has once again corrected the myths about self service travel. Travel Agent Central did a piece on Burst Media who publishes Online Insights which highlights emerging trends in online media and eCommerce. One of the most recent being summers travel plans.

Would it surprise anyone in YTB that 80.3% of “summer travelers” say they will use the Internet to help plan their summer vacation? Maybe because that’s a lot higher than what we’ve discovered in the past. (Even from PhoCusWright) But once again, we find statistical data from independent companies who don’t have any motives to bend or twist the truth for personal gain.

I also find in rather interesting that the higher the income, the more likely they are to use the internet for research. (As depicted in the graphic in the article.) Right or wrong, many correlate income with how smart someone is, and based on that belief, (or meme) the smarter someone is the more likely they are to use the internet for planning their summer vacation. The most popular features among the respondents was destination information and the ability to check flight, hotel and car rates and availability.

Respondents were asked what features and content of a travel website make them return they specified destination information (46.3%), the ability to check flight, hotel and car rental rates/availability (45.2%), and travel promotions and specials (44%) as reasons. Quite honestly, I can see this as a huge benefit for most consumers who are planning because a good portion of the Traditional Travel Agents are spending more time posting on blogs and message board forums than they are answering phone calls or talking with walk-ins who visit thier establishments.

You also have to wonder, with so many “consumers” researching rates, promotions, and destination information on thier own quite comfortably, why there’s a need for all the specialized training we wrote about Monday. Based on this report, most consumers don’t need no stinkin’ Travel Agent because they’ve been able to find all the information they need on thier own via the internet.

Which brings us back to the beauty of YTB. For someone like me who’s been a pied piper of sorts on the features, advantages and benefits of cruising for over a decade now, YTB gave me the opportunity to get paid when I told someone about why “a cruise was the best vacation money could buy”. It’s not rocket science folks, it’s travel and vacations. Travel is something that everyone does, and vacations are something that everyone loves.

All I have to do is open my mouth and tell someone that I we own an Online Travel Agency and the very next thing out of thier mouth is “Really, can you get me a deal too ______________?” We would more than likely talk about it what we have to offer, but the vast majority of the time, I simply hand them a business card with my website address, and if they find my prices competitive, I’ll find a booking in my back office without doing anything further.

Why, for the very same reasons Burst Media pointed out in their report.

Consumers are actively using the Internet as an information resource and a place to make travel purchases. Take advantage of the Web’s ability to target specific travel audiences – such as families and the affluent – with content that is highly meaningful and engaging to the viewer. Also, take advantage of the Web’s ability to deliver information by utilizing advertising creative the user can interact with, draw information from, and possibly complete a travel transaction.

There you have it. Another independent source with practical information and data you can use to build your business that documents stats and facts, not a bunch of hype and spin. It’s rather simple to implement if you know how to do it.

Doug & Ronda Bauknight
AKA: TravelPro
Travel Agent / Networker
Phone: 678.458.5812

Learn How To Become A Travel Agent

Book Your Travel & Vacations With

Over the years I’ve read how my travel training is sub-par simply because I’m involved with YTB. In all the years I’ve seen those comments I’ve wondered two things.

One…how in the world would anyone outside of YTB even know what kind of travel training is available to those involved in YTB?

And two…can CLIA, TAUniv.com, TheAcademy.com or supplier specific training be any different from what other host agencies are able to acquire?

In my weekly newsletter I write each week for TSO’s, a good portion of that newsletter is dedicated to the subject of travel training. When I see folks like CLIA, Travel Agent University, The Academy, and a number of suppliers and vendors who promote training courses and webniars, it makes me wonder if I’m missing something. Are the Traditionalist getting something through osmosis that I’m not? It’s especially interesting when these trainings are live (like CLIA’s this summer) how this happens.

I consider myself somewhat observant and a smart enough guy. How this specialized training and knowledge has slipped past me all these years is very odd. It could be a case of more mud that’s thrown up in the hopes that it will stick for anyone who is looking into becoming a Travel Agent. If you find it via Google, it’s got to be true right? The tag line here is: because it’s YTB, somehow, you just can’t get the same type of quality training because it’s MLM. 

Truth be told, it’s not the lack of training that’s available in this industry that’s the problem. The problem for those that are caught up in all the “issues” with YTB is that the individuals involved in our company don’t appear to have any interest or care to participate in the training that’s available. What we have come to understand over the years however, is the “issues” are more or less “illusions”. Remember, the mud thrown up is to make it look like the majority care only about “recruiting”. Yet, the last two years of Income Disclosures document a very small number recruit. (Fact is, about 10% actually do.)

So what’s available to the other 90% who got involved with YTB?

When writing a newsletter like mine, a key to it’s success or failure is knowing what your readership likes. What pushes thier buttons. A big reason why I put so much travel training information in my newsletter is because my readership responds to it. I not only track, but I pay close attention to open rates and click rates to see how effective my information is. (It’s all part of proper marketing and building trust.) Every week, without fail, travel training consistently ranks very high in clicks.

For example, I mentioned CLIA’s TrainingFest which will tour 12 cities this summer. While I’ve promoted this in my newsletter for several weeks now, each week this live course for Cruise Counselor Credits ranked extremely high from my readership. (Out numbered 2 to 1 over any other piece I wrote the first week I promoted it.) They, like me, have a keen interest in learning and growing in the travel industry.

In addition, new 2009 CLIA applicants are required to be enrolled in, or to have achieved a designation (ACC, MCC, ECC, ECCS) in CLIA’s Cruise Counselor Certification Program. Attainment of an ACC designation requires a program of mandatory and elective training options as well personal cruise experience, shipboard inspections and 25 cabin sales within the two year enrollment period.

What about Travel Agent University? US Airways is offering a Vacations Specialist Course this week through this program that looks to be the same course offered to Traditionalists. These “home-study” programs by the Education and Training Division of Travel Agent Magazine offer a wide variety of programs and courses for anyone interested in learning about destinations and suppliers. There are dozens of programs and courses to choose from within this particular training program. Since these courses are designed by the staff of Travel Agent Magazine, again, I can’t imagine a special course just for YTB, and another for Traditionalists.

Another high click rate the past two weeks have been Apple Vacations and their Agent Academy now in year two of the program. These 10-unit educational course on selling Apple Vacations expands on what we learned in year one. Of course, those who are new to YTB and Apple Vacations have an opportunity to take year one, and then move on to year two in order to get you up to speed. I can’t imagine how or why Apple Vacations would have one course for Traditionalist and another course for YTB.

We can’t forget OneSource from Princess and Cunard either. This Travel Agent Training center is most likely the strongest from any supplier in the industry. (At least ones not offered through programs like Travel Agent University or TheAcademy.com) I’ve heard many times over how much others have learned through this course, and how the curriculum found there can lead to more cruise sales across the board.

And of course there’s YTB E-Campus. While E-campus appears to be an exclusive YTB training, it’s not designed by YTB at all. Instead, we left that up to the most respected and well known trainer in the industry, Dr. Marc Mancini. Dr Mancini and his firm are the creative force behind some of the best-known and most successful training programs in the business including training programs for CLIA, AAA, and NTA. While there has been quite a bit of speculation that all 10 courses would never be rolled out, YTB is currently in need of one final program, (Course 110) to complete the entire library of training.

E-Campus is a considerable investment for our TSO’s who desire to become “Travel Agents”. Word is with the completion of this 10 course series, we’ll be able to drop the “R” from “Referring Travel Agent” and be considered “Travel Agents”.

There will always be a few stragglers who simply won’t accept anyone involved in YTB as “Travel Agents”. You need to keep in mind that these are the same people who won’t accept YTB as a seller of travel period. If they want to get caught up in the myths and spin surrounding a company like YTB, I’d simply allow them to do so. What I’d recommend instead is getting yourself plugged into something like my newsletter to keep you up to date on the abundance of travel industry training available.

You’ll quickly learn that the industry is an “equal opportunity trainer” and most suppliers, training centers, and specialized courses offered in this industry could care less about who you might be tied to as a Host Agency. It’s apparent to me that there’s an abuandance of training available if you simply know where to look.

Doug & Ronda Bauknight
AKA: TravelPro
Travel Agent / Networker
Phone: 678.458.5812

Learn How To Become A Travel Agent

Book Your Travel & Vacations With