If there’s one thing I absolutely love about YTB – it’s thier willingness to not only listen to the field, but make significant changes and upgrades based on field input and ideas. I spent many years in the corporate world with both large and small businesses and have never been able to communicate with an Owner or Executive Team the way I have with YTB. It’s one thing to have an “open door” policy in place (which is complete BS for most companies) and another to not only open your doors, but make policy and corporate changes based on ideas and wishes you’ve talked about with your peers.

Over the last year and a half, YTB has created a very thorough and streamlined system of taking field input and ideas – categorizing them by department – then listing them in order of importance – and implementing the thoughts and ideas to make them a reality.

I’ve never seen anything like it. And after seeing it in action – have no idea why nobody else does it like this. It’s by far the most effective and democratic way of getting things done. The following enhancements – some large and some small – all came from the people and have been implemented for the people of YTB.

1.)   Sales System Sign-Up Process – YTB has simplified the sign up process for Reps and Associates and sale of IBCs (Internet Business Centers). One of the most significant changes: instead of going to one site to register affiliates (Reps and/or Associates) and then a different site to process IBC sales, both of these functions will now be found on one, user-friendly site.

Training videos are already loaded in the back office for both the Reps and/or Associates and the sales process for IBC sales. Even if you’re not in California, you should take a look at the California videos the company produced. (One for each Reps and IBC’s) The process is not only very simple, but very cool in the way it counts down and educates new prospects into the business over the 14 day grace period.

While I (and you should too) understand why the company designed and implemented the two separate sites – one for our free referral program, and another site for the sale of the Internet Business Centers – it confused both the prospects who were looking at the opportunity and the field. (Not to mention extremely cumbersome and time consuming for everyone involved.) When questions would arise concerning why these sites are separate and California’s claim of a “gigantic pyramid scheme” came up – the two words most used by prospects in reaction to the reason was “That’s stupid”.

More and more of our society have a very clear understanding of what a referral or affiliate program is. (YTB Marketing) Most also know what an Internet Business is. (YTB Travel, shopYTB, YTB Golf, YTB Romance, YTB Outdoors, YTB Flowers…etc.) From what I’ve seen (or rather heard) is the idea of “pyramid” in this new era of business is becoming more and more outdated and old fashioned.

YTB has not only modified and updated the process for today’s business minds so they can see both opportunities from one site (but still required to register separately for each) but also updated the phrasing and terminology for the type of internet marketing environment they’ve become accustomed to. Business has changed drastically over the last decade and YTB is simply keeping up with the way people think and view business opportunities.

For the dinosaurs who desire to keep the old fashioned “pyramid” ideas alive – they’re more than welcome to do so. It’s becoming less and less relevant in these modern times. If you run into a outdated or uninformed business mind – I’d suggest that you either ignore it – or simply respond with my favorite line. It simply and clearly states that these outdated concepts in today’s business environment is no longer relevant…”Thanks for sharing”. 

2.) shopYTB – YTB is adding reports to both the Back Office and Travel Portal so that commissions generated by customers will now appear. Specifically, IBC’s will be able to see into thier customer chain. For example, when looking at the report in the Back Office or Travel Portal, IBC’s will see the name of the person who purchased, what city they are from, and the commission that was generated from that sale.

3.) Site Owner Commission Structure – YTB will be adding a brief message to the Travel Portal banner that indicates the Site Owner’s current commission level. With commission contracts ranging from 50% to 100% based on both training and performance levels, Site Owner’s will not only see what commission contract they’re currently under but have easy access to the training and tools available to increase thier current commission contract.

4.) Travel Portal Update - YTB will be adding payment history reporting to the Travel Portal that will be found under your “My Account” tab. This can be very useful and important for your CPA come tax time.

5.) Paycards - IBC’s will now have the ability to purchase a YTB Paycard from the Travel Portal and have your travel commissions loaded on it. I’ve been using the Paycard for years and it’s not only very convenient but use online statements for my CPA and tax purposes. Previously, the YTB Paycard was only found in the YTB Marketing back office.

I’m going to save the best news for tomorrow. (Also because it’s not available until tomorrow.) It’s one more advancement or rather “step” towards the total transformation YTB is going through right now. All because of input brought to them by the field.

That my friends is a REAL open door policy.

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

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Tags: YTB Home Office, YTB News

This entry was posted on Thursday, November 12th, 2009 at 7:00 am and is filed under Home Based Business, YTB, YTB Marketing, YTB News, YTB Training, YTB Travel Network. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.