Sorry I haven’t been around the last week. We’ve been working on a kitchen and bath makeover here at the house that was behind schedule and over budget. The project is now complete and turned out better than either of us had envisioned.

Just before the project got started, I received an unexpected call from Jeff Scott of First Alliance Travel and a request to hook up while he was here in Atlanta.

Our hour long meeting was very informal, and quite candid. I can’t get into everything, and I don’t want to overstep my boundaries or speak for Mr. Scott in regard to the company’s direction and plans – but there were two main topics I came away from this meeting that I wanted to share.

First and foremost – “he gets us”.

I would venture to guess that we all at one point or another fall victim to the bizarre myths and perceptions associated with MLM. (Jeff was no exception.) We’ve seen time and time again that those who take the time to truly study our model and get to know our Founders and our people don’t just change their perception- they’re blown away.

Instead of cult like – he found genuine.

Instead of greedy – he found caring and compassionate.

Instead of lazy – he found driven.

Instead of dumb – he found business and marketing savvy.

Second – this was absolutely the best move for our company and those of us who are passionate about travel. We both laughed at how the travel bug never leaves you. It’s by far the most romantic, sexiest product on the planet. First travel Alliance has the ways and the means to offer more product and the best possible prices.

We couldn’t go over all of the upgrades and changes in a single hour – and there’s no telling when this transformation as a true powerhouse Host Agency will be complete. When it’s all said and done however, not only will YTB Travel Network have the best product offering, but we’ll have most competitive pricing the industry (and your clients) have ever seen.

This can and will be a reality.

Furthermore, there were real issues with really dumb people who could never grasp the concept that YTB Marketing and YTB Travel Network are two separate companies. That myth or idea is going to be a lot harder to pitch now that we have a veteran core consisting of true Travel Professionals running the Travel Department. (Under a completely separate roof I might add.)

New training – the likes the industry has never seen will also compliment our opportunity to attract a new breed of Travel Agent. The Travel Agent industry is not only aging – how travel is sold changing at a rapid pace. Gone are the glory days of “order taking” and making money despite any lack of business smarts or sales ability. (A big reason why so many Agencies went belly up over the last decade and why those who are left don’t want us around.) Not only is YTB a new bread of Travel Agent – we’ve proven we can change and adapt to the current economic and technological times. We don’t fight it – we embrace it.

And that’s what this industry truly needs.

Not everyone currently involved in our company will take advantage of the new features and benefits associated with travel. However, if you’re like us, and have a real passion for travel and a sincere desire to excel – this is it. I firmly believe Jeff Scott and this new partnership with First Alliance Travel has all the makings of lighting striking twice for another history making run.

In closing – I can’t tell you how impressed I am after meeting Jeff face to face. His willingness and desire to find out more about who we are and what makes us tick is stimulating. He also strikes me a one of us – and someone we can trust.

Hold on to your hats folks – while these upgrades and benefits will take some time to launch and implement, it’s going to be one fun (and extremely rewarding) ride!

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All week long I heard the same thing from every NFL expert out there on television and radio. My beloved Pittsburgh Steelers – despite being banged up, were nine and a half point favorites against Tim Tebow and the Denver Broncos. Sure we were beat up with a Quarterback on a gimpy leg, without his Pro Bowl Center, and a Running Back that had torn his ACL the week before to end his season. Even our Defensive Safety, who would have been healthy enough to play in 31 other stadiums that night, was out due to a rare blood disorder that threatened his life the last time he played in Denver.

None of that appeared to matter to all the experts as I watched and listened all week long. A David vs. Goliath showdown if there ever was one.

But that’s why we play the game.

I’m not going to lie to you, I wanted all these experts to be right. I’m a diehard Steelers fanatic through and through. In my view, there are 31 teams in the NFL, and then there are the Pittsburgh Steelers. But I’ve also seen and experienced the dynamic power of “belief” – and all week long, that one key element made me apprehensive and uneasy. It was a perfect storm, with Denver being at home, the Steelers being beat up, and a young Quarterback named Tim Tebow who doesn’t realize that he’s not the quintessential NFL Quarterback.

Turns out my fear turned into reality last night as the lowest rated NFL Quarterback threw just 10 completions last night – for 316 yards. Who does that?

Tim Tebow does – that’s who.

Tebow mania has been a top story even before he took over that starting position when the Denver Broncos were just one and four. Denver fans were clamoring to put him in to save their season because the knew better than the Denver management and staff – including Hall of Fame Quarterback John Elway. Tebow may not have the mechanics, the arm, or the experience to be a top rated passer in the NFL – and he may never have two of the three. None of that really matters when you have the belief and the faith that he does. He just knows how to will a win.

Ironically, it’s not his arm or his pocket presence that makes Tebow so polarizing. It’s his faith. Tim Tebow is a Christian first, and an NFL quarterback somewhere after that. It’s a subject matter that gets all kinds of emotions stirring and those who can’t handle it seething. His faith has been mocked – been the brunt of jokes, and even a sketch on Saturday Night Live. And none of it appears to phase him one bit. (Of course it helps when you just ousted the Defending AFC Champions in your first Wild-Card win – ever.)

Like business, it appears to be tabu to bring your faith into the sports arena. His words and praise for his Lord and Savior have been mocked and maligned all year long by some, and praised by others who follow the same path. Like it or not, there’s no denying that it works for him, and his team and those around him elevate their game and their standard of living when they buy into what he’s got.

But make no mistake, that’s his faith and belief – not yours. While some protest that he’s shoving it down everyone’s throat, I simply don’t see any of that. Just because he thanks God for this opportunity at every Press Conference doesn’t mean he wants or even expects you too. He’s never mentioned that – once. Nobody but Tim Tebow was given this unique opportunity – and unless you just beat a Goliath in your first Wild Card game – there’s no ownership required by you.

Funny thing is – It’s not the first time I’ve seen a phenomenon like this occur. A group so polarizing that it stirs the pot and makes front page news for defying all the odds and the experts. A company that some just love to mock and frankly hate. But like Tebow, YTB faithful like me just ignore the nay-Sayers and do what we do because we believe differently. I do it not because I think it’s divine, but because I’m smart enough to know how it all works.

Lesson learned here.

For Tim Tebow and the faithful that follow him – I’d simply like to offer up my congratulations and say job well done. It wasn’t pretty, it wasn’t typical, but it was a “W” when it was all said and done. And frankly, that’s all that really counts as you move on to Divisional Round against New England next weekend.

Just as I believe the Pittsburgh Steelers organization is the Class of the NFL, Tim Tebow is one class NFL player.

Get ‘er Done.

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Business got cranked back up this week after a two week vacation with family over the Christmas Holiday. We hit what seemed like the entire East Coast with stops in Virginia, Pennsylvania, and South Carolina in our 14 day road trip. One of the best Christmas vacations in recent memory. After our hectic schedule working double time 6 weeks prior – it was a welcome and much need opportunity to just unplug – get away and enjoy ourselves.

While getting back into work mode this week, I was out visiting customers yesterday. I asked if Santa was good to them. One response really struck a chord with me.

“Better than I deserve.”

Aside from being one of the most unique answers I think I’ve ever heard – I loved this response because of its optimism. We hear so much “doom and gloom” and how everyone is struggling with “the poor economy” from the media, it was really refreshing to hear about someone who had a grand Christmas.

I can certainly relate in several ways and I asked if I could use the phrase – I’d even give them credit. The response was once again classic comedy and something Ron Head always kids about as well.

“Just give me credit the first three times. After that – feel free to use it as your own.”

In 2011, it felt like Santa was around all year long. We got the house painted, two new cars, brand new stainless steal appliances in the kitchen and personal trainers to help take our personal fitness to a whole new level. Christmas day wasn’t too shabby either. I’ll be doing a review in a week or so about one of the nicest presents I’ve ever gotten for Christmas. It wasn’t from Santa, but from my wife, who has once again managed to fulfill another dream of mine.

Thing is – we were able to do all this in 2011 because we have several vehicles that are firing on all cylinders right now. And no, I’m not talking about the two new Chryslers sitting out in our garage. I’m talking about business vehicles that gave us the opportunity to purchase both new rides.

One of the most important lessons I’ve learned over the years is that we create our own reality. In other words, it’s our own thoughts and actions that produce the results that actually show up in our lives at the present time. If you don’t like what’s happening right now, something you’re doing needs to change in order for it to change. The best way to do that is by making a small improvements or adjustments on a daily basis. Brian Tracy tells us that just a small 1% improvement each day can create dramatic effects over time. I can tell you from my own experience, that’s more true than most realize.

If things are cooking and life is really good like it is for us right now – what are the most important thoughts and activities of value that you’re doing to ensure that you keep the good times rolling? As a business owner you need to remember what Jim Rohn taught us – you don’t get paid for the hour. You get paid for the value you bring to the hour. The more value you bring to the table, the more income you’ll realize at the end of the day.

And there’s no cap or ceiling. Nobody actually dictates what you’re actually worth “per hour” other than you.

I still see close friends and neighbors who’ve been laid off or downsized that continue to look for another “job”. Why? Because they’ve been brainwashed into thinking that a “job” equates to “security”. Two of those neighbors here in the neighborhood lost their homes in 2011 because they were waiting for that steady – secure “job”. Every time I drive past both homes, I think to myself what could have happened if I opened up my mouth and told them what I was really thinking when they told me they where looking for that “steady income” and “security”.

More than likely it would have ticked them off because they’ve been brain washed into thinking another way. It also would have been seen as cruel and mean – but sometimes the truth can be cruel. I know, I’ve been there. I spent three years bouncing from one “secure job” to another. I got downsized by one company. I got locked by another by another company who got caught cooking the books and reported false earnings to the SEC. I got closed down by yet another company who decided to go they way of big box retailers. And the final straw was the one who filed for bankruptcy. All in the period of about 3 years.

That’s not security. That’s insanity.

I deserved better.

It wasn’t until YTB came along back in 2005 that I actually found something that provided the tools, the information, the leadership and the support system to not only change my thinking, but change my habits and work ethic to be self sufficient. It gave me a sexy product to market that I was passionate about and provided true leaders and mentors who could actually walk the walk – not just talk the talk. I simply took a little from “this” Founder, a little from “that” Director and made my own way to real security. So much security that by the time all the false claims and attacks that where thrown at YTB in 2007 and 2008 – I was more than capable and diversified enough to weather any outcome.

Of course, I was also intelligent enough, with enough business savvy at the time to distinguish between what was real – and what was mere perception.

Today, the false claims and the frivolous lawsuits seem like a distant memory when I look at my YTB business and booking engine today. All the fear mongering and wild speculation that went along with it by a few dysfunctional, self serving loud mouths who thought they had it all figured out.  My how time has a way of dishing out some true reality.

Truth is – I deserved better a far better outcome, and that’s exactly what I got.

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There’s an e-mail that has circulated for years every Christmas. Many of faith feel as if the true meaning of Christmas gets lost in all the hustle and bustle of the current day.

The e-mail states that Catholics in England during the period 1558 to 1829, when Parliament finally emancipated Catholics in England, were prohibited from ANY practice of their faith by law – private or public. It was a crime to BE a Catholic.

It also states that “The Twelve Days of Christmas” was written during this time in England as one of the “catechism songs” to help young Catholics learn the tenets of their faith – as a memory aid.

The songs gifts have hidden meanings to the teachings of the faith.

That was the 16th century – but in 21st century we see those who play “Scrooge” to ridicule and condemn those who want to not only remember, but celebrate the true meaning of Christmas.

Some have “pooh-poohed” the origins of this religious meaning and the song. They merely debunk this as an “urban myth” out of personal agendas, or have tried to discredit this account in the name of historical accuracy.

While they claim a religious meaning is nothing more fanciful modern day speculation – what is omitted is that there is no “substantive evidence” that will disprove it either.

For us – it’s not about believing what we see - it’s seeing what we believe.

The true “Spirit” of Christmas.

Regardless of the songs true origins, we need to remember why Christians celebrate this holiday with deep roots in Faith and the birth of God’s Son.

Perhaps more important is that today, Christians CAN celebrate their rich heritage, and God’s grace, through one more avenues this Christmas. Hopefully now, when you hear what was once thought as only a secular “nonsense song,” you’ll be reminded of the grace of God working in transforming ways in your own life and in our world.

After all, is that not the TRUE meaning of Christmas anyway?

So here the are: “The Twelve Days of Christmas” with a religious interpretation and meaning that puts “Christ” back into “Christmas”.

1. The partridge in a pear tree is Jesus Christ.
2. Two turtle doves were the Old and New Testaments.
3. Three French hens stood for Faith, Hope and Love.
4. The four calling birds were the four gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John.
5. The five golden rings recalled the Torah or Law, the first five books of the Old Testament.
6. The six geese a-laying stood for the six days of creation.
7. Seven swans a-swimming represented the sevenfold gifts of the Holy Spirit–Prophesy, Serving, Teaching, Exhortation, Contribution, Leadership, and Mercy.
8. The eight maids a-milking were the eight beatitudes.
9. Nine ladies dancing were the nine fruits of the Holy Spirit–Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Goodness, Faithfulness, Gentleness and Self Control.
10. The ten lords a-leaping were the Ten Commandments.
11. The eleven pipers piping stood for the eleven faithful Disciples.
12. The twelve drummers drumming symbolized the twelve points of belief in the Apostles’ Creed.

Merry Christmas!

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I love the Christmas Season. While I love the Season, it’s also the most hectic time of year for our family – especially this year.

The business venture we took over back in August has compounded our busy schedule but has also paid off in spades. We just finished up on a six week mission to reach out to and service every single location we have in time for Christmas. While we worked double time the last six weeks, the kids had several events going on with school and extracurricular activities that added to our busy schedule.

At times – we didn’t know which end was up.

The hectic schedule finally wound to a close on Friday, and by the time you read this, we’ll be off on a two week vacation with family. Long breaks like this is one of the many perks of the business, and it’s why we committed to working so hard that last six weeks.

While we’ll be vacationing the next two weeks, both Ronda and I are way behind on our goal setting that we do each and every year. It’s a habit that we’ve always done, but really didn’t take seriously until we got involved with YTB. It was one of the many tools we bought into in order to achieve success.

Overall both of us agree that 2011 far exceeded our wildest expectations and dreams. So much so – the future’s so bright…

We gotta wear shades.

(Oh COME ON! You had to of known it was coming.)

With the current year coming to a rapid close, we’ll be setting aside time the next two weeks to take a look at 2012 and beyond to dream and strategize about what we’d like to accomplish and what our world should look like.

Both Ronda and I are dreamers. On top of dreaming big – we also believe that somehow – some way the resources and avenues will find its way to us to make it happen. The most difficult part of the whole process is having the patience and persistence to follow through and take the appropriate action to make it all happen.

We’ve heard it time and time again, and I’m sure you have too at one time or another:

“Never – Ever – Give Up.”

I have to admit – there were times that a comment like that felt like lip service. I mean, I heard it, but the words didn’t have the impact that was intended, because I was still in the thralls of reaching for my goals but not quite achieving them.

If you’re feeling like that at this time of year, I want to ask you – actually I really need to beg you – “Never give up.”

Now – I don’t want to come across as hype or some pie in the sky dreamer. I can assure you, that I’ve been there – done that – and even have a T-shirt that says so. I know how the mind can play it’s tricks and that voice can be so loud that it can cancel things out.

But I want you to do this before the new year – because it’s probably one of the most important steps you can do to create a world that’s so bright – you’ll be wearing those shades.

I have a close friend who really helped me with this and most of you may remember Andy Cauthen. If you didn’t know Andy – you should have. Andy was President & COO of YTB Marketing, Inc. and a very dear and close friend. One of Andy’s legacies, was a popular series or course that he produced a number of years ago and caught fire on the subject of “Goal Setting“. It’s one of the finest and most thorough pieces we’ve ever read on the subject.

Andy not only goes into how to set goals, but the type of goals you should be thinking about. It’s a time to dream – and dream big.

Why is this step of goal setting so important? Try this exercise the next time you work on a jigsaw puzzle. Turn all the pieces over, and attempt to complete it upside down. Fact is – the pictures on the other side make a huge difference in completing the puzzle. And that’s what goal setting does – completes a picture. Think about it. You don’t take a trek across the country without a road map do you? You don’t build a house without a set of blueprints, right?

Far too many people actually plan to fail because the fail to plan.

If you want your future to be bright and full of promise – both Ronda and I want to invite you to take some time before the new year to set some goals and work out a plan. Neither one of us can truly express how much it’s meant to both of us. Not only in our professional lives – but our personal life including our family and our marriage.

If you’ve never done something like this – it’s time to start. But only if you really want to enjoy your life and be all you can be.

You only get one shot at this journey we call life – so why not take some time to plan it out so you can really – truly enjoy it?

Who knows you might be wearing the same shades and singing the same tune we are this time next year!

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Over the years, we’ve been told by some very irate and irrational “travel agents” that travel vendors despise our company. It’s part of a ploy in an attempt to rid the industry of a business model they don’t understand and actually fear because they can’t wrap their small minds around a very basic and simple business concept.

Because they feel this way – everyone feels this way. It ties into their self worth and identity as a “travel professional”.

I hate to break it to these clowns, but I really don’t have to ask. I’ve seen and heard enough from vendors themselves to know that they not only “get” our company and our model – they’re actually very impressed with what we do and how we do it. You need to realize that these vendors are far more business minded than any of these independent critics that you’ll see floating around slamming our company in order to save their own independent business.

I’ve also been told countless times that our company would never make it in it’s current form. This mantra ties right into the many myths and legends that have choked logical thinking for decades when it comes to Network Marketing. Funny thing is – at this time of year (when another year is almost over) these same critics who have been spewing that we’d never make it past 2008 – then 2009 – and then 2010 – they all lay pretty low right about now.

Reality hit these guys pretty hard recently when they finally figured out after a couple of weeks what Sixth Scott, LLC actually was and what it meant for YTB Travel Network. Not only was this a big blow to their spin pointing at this notion that YTB Travel Network isn’t a legitimate travel business, it also threatens to overturn the one company that went out on a limb for these guys back in 2007.

Fast forward to the end of 2011 and we find ourselves with a brand new booking engine thanks to our new partnership with Sixth Scott – but we find yet another travel vendor who has recognized YTB Travel Network as a top producer in the travel industry.

For those of you who appreciate YTB the way I do – please enjoy the following press release.

For those who don’t – it’s yet another example of how you just can’t admit that you don’t have a clue about who we are and what we actually do.

And to Travel Impressions – Please remember that any backlash you may get from recognizing a solid, viable, and legitimate Travel Host is indicative of how badly we not only need new blood in this industry but updated minds in business in order to thrive in these changing times.

YTB TRAVEL NETWORK RECOGNIZED AS A TRAVEL IMPRESSIONS’ ‘BEST OF THE BEST’ TRAVEL AGENCY

FARMINGDALE, NY (Dec. 8, 2011) – YTB Travel Network was recognized recently by Travel Impressions (http://www.TravelImpressions.com), one of the country’s largest tour operators selling destinations worldwide, as a “Best of the Best” travel agency which is given to top performing agencies and consortia partners. YTB Travel Network was invited to attend Travel Impressions 16th annual “Best of the Best” gala event, held Nov. 30 – Dec. 3, 2011 at the Fiesta Americana Grand Coral Beach in Cancún, Mexico.

“Best of the Best” honors are bestowed on a limited number of agencies that are top producers for Travel Impressions, and that are considered to be its best partners.

“We are honored to be recognized as one of Travel Impressions’ Best of the Best travel agency partners,” said Shelly Coppersmith. “We are committed to providing our clients with the very best vacation experience and working with Travel Impressions ensures a high level of customer satisfaction.”

In attendance at the Best of the Best four-day event from YTB Travel Network was VP Shelly Coppersmith. She was able to hear an industry update from Travel Impressions’ President and CEO Steve Gorga as well as participate in round table networking sessions with attending suppliers. A golf tournament and spa pampering at the Coral Beach Gem Spa were also offered.

There were many sponsored events and activities including a welcome dinner hosted by the Cancún Convention & Visitors Bureau and The Riviera Maya Destination Marketing Office, a dinner reception on the second evening sponsored by the Dominican Republic Ministry of Tourism, and the gala cocktail reception hosted by Mexican Tourism Board.

A performance by The Village People, best known for the disco hits YMCA, Macho Man and In the Navy, was a highlight of the “Best of the Best” gala celebration.

In the spirit of holiday giving, YTB Travel Network participated in Travel Impressions charity program by donating a variety of school supplies to the Palace Resorts Foundation’s Education Committee for distribution to school children in Cancún.

Travel Impressions
Founded in 1974, Travel Impressions is one of the nation’s largest leisure tour operators and a wholly owned subsidiary of American Express. The company offers FIT vacations to over 200 destinations in the Caribbean, Mexico, Central and South America, Europe, the Eastern Mediterranean, Dubai, South Africa, Australia, New Zealand, Fiji, the Islands of Tahiti, Canada, Hawaii and the Continental U.S., and features more than 2,800 resorts, hotels and luxury villas. Travel Impressions has received multiple industry awards for outstanding customer service, best overall operations, best technology, most knowledgeable reservations staff and leading marketing materials – all dedicated to better serving travel agents and their clients.

For more information about Travel Impressions, call 1-800-284-0044 / 631-845-8000, or visit the website: http://www.TravelImpressions.com. Find the tour operator on Facebook http://www.facebook.com/travelimpressionsvacations and follow on Twitter at http://twitter.com/travelimp.

YTB TRAVEL NETWORK
YTB International, Inc.’s travel subsidiary, YTB Travel Network, Inc. was recognized as the 34th largest seller of travel in the U.S. in Travel Weekly’s 2011 Power List, based on 2010 annual retail value of travel services booked.

YTB, based in Wood River, IL, provides e-commerce business solutions for individual consumers and home-based independent representatives in the United States, Bermuda, the Bahamas and Canada. The Company operates through two subsidiaries: YTB, Inc. (formerly ZamZuu, Inc., YTB Marketing, Inc. and YourTravelBiz.com, Inc.) and YTB Travel Network, Inc.

Learn more about YTB at http://www.ytb.com or http://www.ytbi.com.

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