Please “Participate”
I wrote on Monday about Paul Henderson, who like me is getting just a little tired of the nonsense filling our in boxes, and the witch hunt that’s going on in our industry right now. There are those who believe that we as a group of MLM’ers can not call ourselves “Travel Agents”. The reality of the issue however is that not one association or group has been able to outline for us what type of qualifications are necessary to provide us with the proper definition or qualifications to be considered a “Travel Agent”.
IATA enables you to carry their card with a paid commission level of $5000. CLIA just upgraded their qualifications with training and a minimum of 25 cruise sales. Others have their own hoops to jump through such as a business license, or an approved host that you need to align yourself with.
Yet we are still left without one clear definition as an industry that everyone can agree on (or at least reference too) to become a real live “Travel Agent”.
Over the last couple of years YTB has made many changes in order to legitimize it’s model in the industry and become a respected member of the industry. We’ve listened to and responded accordingly. Some call it “reactionary” and that’s okay, because it’s the first step for some in noticing that changes ARE being made. Before any of this mess erupted back in October of 2007 with Royal Caribbean terminating it’s agreement with YTB, during a Funshine “Travel” Trade Show no less, YTB rolled out E-Campus, a course designed by one of the industries leading educators, Marc Mancini. YTB also revamped it’s certification program to First Class Training, and with that, changed both the level of commission percentages, and qualifications to book directly with vendors with it’s First Class Training Program. When you enter the industry with YTB you are an Affiliate, and without the proper training via either YTB or an indsutry associations no title of “Travel Agent” is bestowed upon you.
In addition to training, the company has made numerous changes in the way it actually books travel and helps customers secure the services we offer. The Convergentware upgrade with direct connections to GDS, suppliers and vendors has eliminated the need to “glean” numbers, and since we have enough staff now to handle our own calls in our expanded Home Office, the primary number in the help section is now directing customers to our own support center instead of pawning the responsibilty off on vendors.
In addition to the changes YTB has made, we’ve seen changes from suppliers such as Carnival Cruise lines, who implimented a minimum booking policy in eary 2008 before enabling anyone to enjoy a discounted cruise with them. We’ve also seen changes from Assoications such as CLIA who now requires not only training but actual production in order to have the privilege of carrying their card. While I’ve heard of rumblings of a loophole with this, YTB as a company, nor do I support or promote such a loophole.
This above snapshot of changes should provide for many that both YTB and the industry is serious about being a player in this industry. I for one am pleased with the response both the industry and the company has made. There are a select few however who either don’t want to talk about the issues or are incapable of communicating effectively what the real issues are.
I was amused this morning to find a comment, which I approved. In a very roundabout way, this TA finally got to the bottom of his issue after several days of comments and an entire post yesterday.
The real phobia for him and for the rest of this small group is “recruiting”.
I don’t know why it took so long or why he needed to go off on a tangent about Delta Airlines being the first to start cutting commissions in 1995, or that online companies such as Travelocity, Orbitz, Expedia and Priceline have call centers to support their initial design of self service booking. My guess is that he needed to show how smart he was and attempt to point out how little I know, thus disqualifying me as someone who is worthy of recruiting anyone into the industry the right way. If he feels that works for him, I have no problem with it, but he could have saved himself a couple days of ranting and badgering, and needless reading by me and just come right out and told everyone that he can’t stand the recruiting aspect and we need to dispose of it in order for him to personally accept me or YTB into the fold of brethren.
I suspect however that he certainly feels better now that he’s been able to vomit on two separate blogs.
Now that he’s fianally been able to get the real issue of the matter, he’s asked me to participate in a webinar that’s coming up at the end of the month. While I’m not sure if he’s cleared this with those who initially set this puppy up, but regardless if he actually has or not, I politely declined the offer to join the group and have chosen to participate instead in a Sail-a-thon with Princess Cruise Lines later that evening.
Be that as it may, I have to wonder why he feels this would benefit me or anyone else in the Travel Industry resolve the issue of “qualifications” and finally be considered a “Travel Agent”.
Here’s the outline of this little seminar and you tell me if this looks like it’s designed to talk about qualifications or if it helps the industry resolve the real issue here.
Card Mills. Instant Agent Programs. MLM Travel Companies. These entities spring up relentlessly, convincing consumers that anyone can be a travel agent. Card Mills disparage the professionalism of traditional travel agents and misrepresent industry “benefits” as a reason for joining.
Too often, travel agents are left without the tools necessary to successfully educate consumers and market effectively against the Card Mills.
No longer.
Join Richard Earls, publisher of Travel Research Online, in a webinar that will turn the tide by providing traditional travel agents with effective strategies, press releases and marketing tools to educate their clients on the fallacies of the card mill phenomenon.
You will receive materials after the webinar that will assist you in combatting Card Mills in your own communities.
A panel of experts will assist travel agents with arresting the Card Mills in their tracks.
By the way…the emphasis here is not mine, it’s theirs. This seminar is nothing more than the “witch hunt” that both Paul Henderson and I both abhor. Why on God’s green earth would I have any interest learning how to spew negative propaganda about a company that I support? There is nothing about this recruiting message that talks about the issue of qualifications, training, or customer support to enable me to be a better travel agent.
What it does appear to teach however is how belittle me in press releases, marketing tools, and seminars. (Something that I’ve grown quite accustom to, and expect as a rebuttal to what I write here.)
Oh Joy!
According to some, I’m the one who doesn’t offer “value”, and I’m being ridiculous for not wanting to spend my afternoon rolling in this very large pile of horse dung.
I do find it serendipitous that while this group of professionals attempt to educate the world that all we do is focus on recruiting so anyone can be one of these Travel Agents, the lead company they will be talking about and slandering is actually doing what they should do…selling travel and supporting the hand that feeds them.
Now there’s a novel idea!
I’m sorry gang, but I have to state for the record once again. I don’t find this “get together” the least bit productive, or see how it answers any of the issues we talked about on Monday.
The answer is still “no thanks”.
But that just me.
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Doug & Ronda Bauknight AKA: TravelPro Travel Agent / Networker Phone: 678.458.5812 |
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Tags: ASTA, CLIA, Critics, IATA, MLM Myths, Paul Henderson, Travel Agent Issues, Travel Agent Training, Travel MLM, TRO
March 11th, 2009 at 7:33 am
No rebuttal here Doug, just an observation.
In your post, you say When you enter the industry with YTB you are an Affiliate, and without the proper training via either YTB or an indsutry associations no title of “Travel Agent” is bestowed upon you.
IF YTB is not bestowing the title of “Travel Agent” on anyone, why do you refer to yourself as one in all of your communications?
Doug & Ronda Bauknight
AKA: TravelPro
Travel Agent / Networker
and then again in your link:
Learn How To Become A Travel Agent
Have you personally completed all of the Mancini modules to call yourself a “Travel Agent”? Somehow I doubt it because YTB has not paid for the remaining modules.
As to why you might show an interest, (and for the record, you are welcome to attend and your attendance needs no permission) some people do take an interest in their industry outside of the narrow scope of their individual companies. I have no interest in joining YTB or any other MLM, but I have taken an interest and gained a lot of knowledge about the operations of several MLM companies because of my interest in the greater industry of “travel”. If there is a bunch of bad press and PR coming your way, it might seem that it might be in your best interest to get a heads up and maybe craft a response if you disagree. But by putting your head firmly in the sand accomplishes nothing. If you feel that the industry is restricted to what Tomer tells you in the Coach’s Corner and on the Saturday Morning phone calls, that is your decision.
When something began to affect my livelihood and my industry, I did something about it–I expressed my opinion and shared what I had learned. So, that leads me to think one of two things…either that you have no true and real interest in the travel industry or that you do not consider the travel industry “your” industry.
March 11th, 2009 at 8:33 am
Doug, Doug, Doug. Aren’t you doing the same thing you accuse the TTA’s of doing by not participating? You always accuse us of not knowing what we’re talking about in regards to both ytb and MLM in general, yet here is a perfectly good opportunity for you to discover our concerns, yet you refuse to participate. You use the excuse of having to do the Princess Sail-A-Thon, yet that event is taking place a full 3 hours AFTER the TRO webinar! Whether I am “cleared” to ask you to participate in the webinar or not is of no matter. All are invited to participate, both TTA’s and MLMers. I do, however, have the feeling that no one of any importance from an MLM will participate, because they don’t want to hear the truth of what the issues are, and why there is a consensus of why there need to be some major changes.
You also state that I, in a “very roundabout way” got to the bottom of the issue. No, I didn’t get there in a roundabout way, as I have always stated from the get go what the issue is. If you would take the time to actually read and comprehend what I have been saying all along, you would know this.
Why did I need to go off on a “tangent”? Because you contine to state things as fact, when in reality you are putting incorrect information out there for the world to read. As I asked yesterday, why is it okay for you and your cohorts to correct any TTA, but it isn’t okay for one of us to correct you? That’s being a bit hypocritical, isn’t it?
You also say that ytb has made many changes in order to “legitimize” itself in the industry and to become respected in the industry. Why has it had to do this? Why wasn’t it “legitimate” to start off with? Why have they had to make so many changes? Couldn’t they look at successful travel companies and model themselves after them from the beginning, instead of having to make so many changes? Why did ytb for so long tell clients to call a vendor directly for any issues that may arise? Why wasn’t it the responsibility of the RTA or ytb corporate to take care of the clients? Why couldn’t or didn’t ytb have all their ducks in a row before making all the outlandish claims they have?
Another thing that you state that I find to be out there, is the fact that with ytb one must take the “proper training” with ytb or an industry association before the title of travel agent is bestowed on a ytb member. That may be the way ytb wants it to be, but you and I and everyone else knows that in actuality there are many, many people in ytb that call themselves a travel agent before any training is even thought about.
All of the changes that you have mentioned are valid and for the good, but until the emphasis within the MLM’s remains on the recruiting and selling of websites, then there will always be dissention. While the emphasis remains of building teams and not on the sale of travel, there will be issues. If ytb and ptn and traverus and world ventures want to be TRAVEL companies, then they need to focus strictly on that aspect, and have the team building as a far second. As long as members of MLM’s continue to think of and use FAM trips as personal vacations and not as work, then there are going to be issues.
March 11th, 2009 at 9:45 am
Doug, I don’t believe it really is just about the “recruiting” for the critics because they change the reasons they are upset all the time. They make an argument and as soon as they feel they are losing the argument they say it’s about “recruiting” or “fam trips” or whatever else. It’s anything that is different than the way they do it. For some reason they feel threatened but instead of taking up the banner that Paul is promoting (change the industry qualifications and make them standard for everyone) they attack the people who do it different than them. (Notice how they attacked you yesterday instead of attacking the issue that Paul wrote about? Why? Also, haven’t we been saying the same things about standardizing the industry also for quite some time?) I feel that they want to bring down the MLM’s because if they actually changed the industry standards to be the same for everyone the MLM’s would champion it and comply. Then they would have really nothing to stand on and then what? They might have to change their beliefs and that would be just plain too hard. I believe it was Einstein that said “You can’t solve a problem with the same mindset that caused it”.
March 11th, 2009 at 12:30 pm
Guys,
Do not attempt to spray a bunch of perfume on this pile of horse dung and call it a flower.
Read your own description of what this webinar is designed to do.
How does that educate me in servicing my clients? How does that help me sell more travel? How does it help me become a better person, a better mentor, and leader to others?
Who among you have been successful (or even been involved in any MLM) to qualify yourselves as an expert in the MLM industry?
This is nothing more than a bitch session on what wrong with MLM and how to recruit more people so they too can hate the MLM industry.
If you want to resolve a problem, you don’t focus on the problem, you focus on the solution.
Change that, and I might consider spending some time working on a solution with you. But until either of you are willing to use the two ears you have instead of the one mouth, the answer is still “NO”.
March 11th, 2009 at 3:47 pm
Just a quick comment to Firemedic…there are many reasons and they really have not changed too much. Some even went away with the elimination (on the part of YTB) of the buy a site get a card program. But the reasons (multiple) remain and they are brought up when appropriate. Here are some of them..recruiting…FAMS…false claims…poor service levels…lack of serious intent…abuse of perks…overall devaluation of the profession. The list is not inclusive, but that will give you a start.
You also say that Paul Henderson has made an attempt to affect change in the industry and everyone should laud him. Yet when I attempt to affect change in the industry, you decide to classify it as attacking. Maybe you need to warn us which side of your mouth you will be speaking from.
Doug, the intent of the webinar is clear and I am glad you picked up on that. But just because it is about a topic you do not necessarily embrace, that means it is not worth you investigating? I am not losing any sleep if you are not online, but when the two largest organizations in travel are participating in a webinar that may ultimately not be good news for you, I would think there might be some level of interest. But as I said, if you prefer to listen to a singular voice while sitting in the Coach’s Corner, that is entirely your prerogative. Besides, I bet Andy will let the TSOs know what went on–of course with his own spin. WOW!
March 11th, 2009 at 6:04 pm
Singular voice?
I’ve tried Marc Mancini, but he’s now labeled a trader. I’ve tried the Davidoff’s who attempted to educate, but their only in it for the money. I’ve tried CLIA who came out with new requirements, but all I hear about is this damn loophole. I’ve tried Carnival who came out with minimum booking requirements, but we STILL end up costing them money. I’ve tried Travel Weekly who invites Kim Sorenson to participate in a webinar, but Kim knows nothing about travel and he’s too fat to be considered credible.
Do I really need to go on? ANY voice I attempt to listen to other than what John Frenaye approves of is never good enough because unlike John, they actually attempt to work out a solution with MLM’s instead of trying to wipe them off the face of the earth.
I’ll pass this back to you John, and would appreciate an honest answer.
Regardless of how “Big and Bad” the presenters are, how will this help me or anyone attain the title of “Travel Agent”?
How will this educate me to sell more travel?
How will it enable me to better service my clients?
How will this make me a better person, a better mentor, a true leader in the industry?
If you, IATA, and the ASTA can’t help me like the names above do, I see no reason why I should have an interest. It’s doesn’t get me any closer to figuring out what type of requirements are involved to be considered a true “Travel Agent”.
I’m sorry I’m looking for a true leader in this industry.
Those who only know how to complain and create ways to belittle and condemn one another in public need not apply.
March 11th, 2009 at 9:07 pm
Talking out of both sides John? You say you are trying to “change” the industry? Nah. Seems to me is you are trying to keep it the same as you have always known it. There seems to be very little room for change in your book. And show me one credible, respected leader in history that actually made any positive changes merely by slandering and tearing people they really don’t know down. And as long as you look at the people of MLM, especially travel MLM (which is merely a business distribution model) as less than yourself, do you really think you are somehow going to be truly rewarded? If so I feel that is the apex of self deception.
March 11th, 2009 at 10:24 pm
You’ve seen the comments here, and I’ve received a few more e-mails as well voicing how I should be a part of this as the voice of YTB.
One e-mail wants me to confront my accusers if I don’t like it. Confront? I don’t understand why we need to come from a perspective of being confrontational to begin with. That’s something people resort to when they don’t have any other options, and it rarely resolves anything and leaves a bitter taste in the mouths of everyone involved.
We’ve been confrontational far too long. It’s old, it teaches me nothing new, and I need some actual substance to keep me interested.
Besides, you could say that I’m confronting them NOW that I don’t believe the way this is being presented (and who it’s presented by) is an effective tool for the change that they clam they want.
You can see how far that’s gotten me.
They know better. They ALWAYS do. ;-P
March 12th, 2009 at 10:45 am
I don’t see how anyone could make the argument that one minimum standard for the qualifications of a travel agent are a bad thing, no matter which side of the fence you are on.
The issue that agents have had all along with the mlm model is the lack of manditory training. So it comes as no surprise that ASTA, IATAN, and others are gathering together to try to find a way to settle this matter once and for all. Had the mlm model had at least required their “agents” to pass the TAP test, I don’t think we would be having this conversation at all.
Things are going to change in the industry, and I believe those changes will be for the better for everyone concerned.
March 12th, 2009 at 12:21 pm
Laura;
If the ASTA and IATA were looking to settle this matter with a minimum standard with training or requirements, I’d be all over it like white on rice. I’d love to see it, and I’ve fully supported anything that requires agents to be more accountable and more productive in our industry. CLIA’s ACC Accreditation was received extremely well, Carnivals minimum booking requirements also applauded, and Marc Mancini’s E-Campus was supported here and promoted as positive change in our industry.
Unfortunately John has stepped in and is promoting his Dumb Ass Den to the masses with ASTA and IATA support. John considers it fun to embarrass MLM’ers with Press Releases, News Media, and outlets to malign and slander the MLM industry in an attempt to give the illusion that one would indeed be a Dumb Ass to consider joining the ranks of a Travel MLM.
John also realizes that no real training or accreditation is required other than being mad as hell, and unwilling to take it any longer. That’s all the justification one needs for approval from the ASTA and IATA.
Since John, along with a few others are incapable of acting or thinking any other way, it’s the best solution they’ve been able to come up with.
Just find some mud, sling it anywhere and everywhere you can, and hope that something sticks.
That’s why I oppose what is about to transpire, and because I oppose it, I’m a member of John’s Dumb Ass Den and told to go sit in the corner with the rest of the MLM’ers.