We had an accident with one of the laptops a few weeks ago. It was dropped by our son and cracked the LCD screen.  After hooking the laptop up to our Hi-Def set in the family room, it was a quick and simple matter of ordering a new screen and replacing it ourselves. (It’s really pretty simple.)

The new display came a week or so ago, and quickly replaced without much trouble.

Then the question occurred – what to do with the broken LCD display?

That’s when we did a little research and found the Best Buy program which came to the rescue. Best Buy has a great policy: No matter where you bought It, Best Buy will recycle it.

Most everyone has a Best Buy location close to them, and the easier it is to recycle, the more likely it is that items such as our broken LCD will be disposed of properly instead of ending up in a landfill somewhere. While out running some errands the day after we got the new LCD installed, we took the old LCD into the store and dropped it off without any hassle.

And you know what? It felt pretty good.

Then this weekend our washing machine went down. A logical and obvious choice for us was Best Buy for two reasons. One, of course is the cash back option through ZamZuu – and two, we’d be assured that the old washer wouldn’t end up in some landfill somewhere and disposed of properly.

While visiting the site we also found a way to properly dispose of an old television and broken refrigerator that’s been taking up space in our garage. While we’re having Best Buy deliver the new washer, we’ll have them take away our outdated and broken items for a nominal fee at the same time.

While I read about this program and thought it was cool that a company like Best Buy would actually do something like this – after our experience in disposing of these large items the right way – I had to write about it and tell everyone. In our opinion, it’s a much needed service – and Best Buy should not only be congratulated – but they’ve earned our business by going above an beyond when it comes to helping the environment.

For us – this is a big deal.

Oh, and one last thing – there is a catch. (If you can actually call it a “catch” – but you should know.) Things that you drop off like the LCD or a television. There’s a nominal fee of $10 to drop it off. But get this – they give you a $10 gift card in return for a future purchase in the store. Yes, I know it’s a wash when it’s all said and done – but from marketing perspective, it’s a brilliant marketing concept. I mean – where else are you going to spend a Best Buy Gift Card but at Best Buy – right?

Sure there will be those who will consider it a hassle – or even misleading – but we all know that idiots like that get their jollies from complaining over petty crap simply as an excuse to complain. Seen it for years in our own business and frankly I don’t see them offering anything of worth themselves – ever.

If Best Buy doesn’t take the item your looking to recycle, you can also use the widget we shared over on OurSharedEarth from 1800Recycling.com to find the proper service to recycle any item your looking to dispose of.

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I’m the type of person who believes that you can find both lessons and inspiration from just about anywhere. All you have to do is be aware of what’s going on around you. Movies for example are used primarily by most for pure entertainment. I’m not saying there’s anything wrong from the escape that movies provide – we all need that too. But like life, too many of us aren’t aware of the messages and meanings that can really aid us in our own journey we call life.

Someone not only found but took the time to compile “words of wisdom” from 40 films. Most of the clips from these films you’ll probably recognize. There are plenty of Star Wars clips, and my son knows all these quotes. (We’ve watched the entire Star Wars Trilogy countless times.) You’ll also find some very famous quotes that you may have heard at one time or another if you hang out with the right type of people. One of the reasons I like MLM – because they are aware and tuned in to this type of stuff. Although, none of these films have anything to do with Network Marketing or MLM – just life lessons in general.

Enjoy!

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While watching the NFL this past weekend, I witnessed a group of “manly men” wearing hot pink.

No joke. For the second straight year, the National Football League has brought a tremendous amount of attention and awareness in supporting Breast Cancer Awareness Month with gear at NFLShop.com. In addition, arm bands, head bands, shoes, and gloves worn by NFL players showed a unified voice to support this 25 year old tradition in the month of October.

We have a breast cancer survivor in our family, so this month and this cause hits rather close to home.

In an effort to bring both awareness and money to this worthy cause, please take note of the pink Breast Cancer Awareness banners at the top of this blog and the graphic from NFLShop.com here. All advertisers this month are reserved for companies that have committed a portion of their proceeds to be donated to Breast Cancer Research for the month of October. Banners will rotate above, so if the advertiser that appears does not offer something of value at the time, check back for other advertisers that may.

We have submitted with other advertisers that are currently pending approval. As they become available (and as long as they remain committed to this cause) they will be placed in this space for the remainder of October.

Please note the proceeds are offered and paid by the advertiser not Just Picture It Now. While we will be making our own donation to this cause, we’d like to keep this separate. One of YTB’s well known and documented critics proclaimed he was going to make a donation from clicks on his blog to some other cause earlier this year, maybe last.

His pitch stated that he was going to be kept “honest” by posting the receipt on his blog.

While promoting “click here for the cause” both on his blog and various boards for a week or two – a receipt to the foundation he told everyone he was supporting never appeared or was heard from again.

So much for “honesty”.

For us, having pink prominently displayed as a banner this month is more about awareness than promoting these products. There are advertisers we know of that won’t get placed because none of their banners are “pink”. Besides, we’d be just as happy if you take the money spent on any of the items listed and instead send the amount directly to NBCF by going here. With so many companies offering their support for this worthy cause – we felt these pink banners were an easy way to promote awareness ourselves and offer something of value to both men and women alike.

If the NFL can wear pink – so can this blog.

Life is important.

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I appreciate quality customer service. I’ve run into what syndicated radio and television host Clark Howard calls “Customer NO Service” far too many times – and simply won’t do business with companies who don’t offer the support I feel I deserve or require.

In my opinion, one of the companies that tops the list of great customer service companies is YTB. In the 6 years I’ve been with the company, I’ve always had superior service and support from the team at the Home Office.

What really gets me jazzed is the opportunity to meet the people I communicate with via phone and support tickets. The ability to visit with this dynamic team in person during Red Carpet Days, National Conventions, and other corporate events is a real treat for me because it gives me an opportunity to thank them personally for all they do for me during the year.

Customer Service can be very rewarding – or it can be a real drag. Much of what determines that outcome begins from the very top of the organization. If the Corporate Heads are upbeat and positive, that’s going to trickle down to the rest of the organization. Everyone I speak with in the Home Office always have a smile on their face, (and you CAN tell even when speaking on the phone) they’re always willing to help, and always gratefully, thanking me for contacting them.

This week, the Home Office is taking the time to celebrate and honor the Customer Service representatives at YTB/ZamZuu. Customer Service Week is a national event devoted to recognizing the importance of customer service and to honoring the people who serve and support customers with the highest degree of care and professionalism. In 1992 the U.S. Congress proclaimed Customer Service Week a nationally recognized event, celebrated annually during the first full week in October. The Home Office TEAM will participate in activities throughout the week designed to boost morale, motivation and teamwork and to reaffirm their commitment to a valued YTB/ZamZuu field force.

Coach posted something on his Facebook wall, giving us an opportunity to thank the awesome Customer Service staff we have and show our appreciation. Problem for me was there are so many there that have helped me over the years, I’m afraid that I might leave out someone who deserves it. So, I decided to do the next best thing, thank them all openly and publicly for my gratitude and appreciation for what they’ve done to help, support and teach me over the years.

It’s an honor every time I come in contact with any of them – be it support tickets, e-mail, phone, or in person. A true pleasure.

As a side note: The YTB Home Office will close from 11:15 am – 2:30 pm Central Time Friday, October 8, 2010 so that the Home Office team members can participate in the closing activities of Customer Service Week. They certainly deserve this time and recognition.

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I’m sure you’ve heard the phrase “it’s better to give, than receive”.

I have to admit – it feels really good to give, especially when it helps someone who really needs it.

The very first training class I ever took with YTB was then a brand spanking new program call “YTB Associations“. (I took the class even before my RTA Certification a few weeks later.) YTB Associations has since changed it’s name to “Passport To Giving”.

The point of the program has always been to offer non-profit organization an opportunity to sell travel and make the commission. Members of the organization would receive something of value (like a vacation) and by booking it with their favorite charity, the non-profit would generate a new stream of revenue.

The new plan was frankly a breath of fresh air for most organizations. Far more attractive than selling popcorn, coupon books or a not so fond memory from my childhood “hoagies” or pancake breakfasts. (And if you don’t know what a hoagie is – it’s Pittsburgheze for “submarine sandwich.”)

It’s nice to see this program still being used and offering a viable solution for non-profits across the country. A “Google Alert” came in over the weekend from Loveland, Colorado with a small blurb about our program and how it’s helped Adoption Dreams Come True.

YTB Travel has donated $3,500 to the agency Adoption Dreams Come True. Proceeds came through a European river cruise organized by Cinda Lopez and Carma Hilliard. More fundraising trips are planned in 2011. On the Web: www.adoptiondreams.org.

Imagine that. Members took a European river cruise – which I know is one of the most spectacular ways to experience Europe, and the commission earned from the trip helps support a cause that’s near and dear to their heart.

I personally sponsor someone in my organization who focuses exclusively on this product. He’s been doing it for years and I commend him for his desire to help and his patience with these non-profits.

It’s a completely different breed of animal – with more hands and votes to overcome and pass than anything else I can think of. It’s nice that everyone has a say in the matter, but it can be a very long and drawn out process without much movement for months at a time. John, (my personally sponsored person) has been extremely patient and never let go of his dreams and desire to help others.

His largest account, which I’ve helped design and host the site for is the American Legion Auxiliary. The amount of money and time he’s spent on his own to get this non-profit off the ground is a testimony of what it takes to help others. Working non-stop, and taking countless hours to create a program that’s tailored to that organization.

Personally, I couldn’t be prouder of anyone in my organization for his dedication and time spent helping others.

That’s the kind of people I love to surround myself with. Visionaries and people who get things done – no matter how long it takes and how hard you have to work.

It makes everything I do, my association and promotion of this company and it’s people worth every penny I’ve spent – and every minute I’ve dedicated to writing about it over the years.

It captures the true essence of giving and what it’s truly like to change lives.

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We heard about this back at Convention last month, and it’s arrived on our ZamZuu sites.

ZamZuu Services.

We mentioned a couple of the new services less than a month ago – right after Convention. Promoting how valuable these products are was fairly easy when the subject matter is family safety and personal identity.

If your thinking that these services are just another product offering or market that YTB has recently decided to get into – think again. Those of us who’ve been around for a while have heard Coach talk about this market for quite some time. If you recall, he made his fortune as a Rep with a company called A.L. Williams. (Now Primerica.)

A.L. Williams set out to transform the life insurance industry. They originated the “Buy Term and Invest the Difference” philosophy which encourages families to purchase affordable term life insurance so they can get the protection they need at a price they can afford and have more money to invest in their family’s future.

Today the Primerica generates $80 billion in life insurance annually.

These types of services not only work well in our industry, A.L. Williams did more business than all other traditional models COMBINED during it’s height.

ZamZuu Serivces are state-of-the-art services and products that insure, educate, and protect you and your family’s current and future well being. Just look for the ZamZuu Services ad to start shopping. (It’s the second store in the middle of the page.) It’s the new home of ZamZuu Insurance plus great new products like EduNation, KidZafe and more.

It’s a whole new product offering adding even more value as a one stop shop. Check it out today!

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Remember the exercise on goals we posted from good friend Andy Cauthen at the beginning of the year?

Do you really remember – or are those ‘goals’ distant memories by now? If they are, I’ve been there. (Done that – and also have a t-shirt that says so.)

Some years I do really well with this exercise, while other years – not so much. The biggest difference for me during this year’s goals setting was being sick and tired of all the crap. For the most part, I’ve always chosen to enjoy life. So much so, that I have a really hard time understanding why people feel this need to complain (on a daily basis no less) about what’s wrong.

Truth is – the only thing wrong is THEIR thinking and perspective. What you focus on expands. If negativity and lack are what’s running around in your head, that’s what’s going to show up in reality for you. On the other hand, if you what you focus on is abundance and good – evidence of the same will show up for you.

I made a conscious decision to move in the direction of prosperity and good this year and focus on the natural abundance that nature creates effortlessly. Sometimes that’s easier said than done – but if you can take that first step in the right direction – you’ll move mountains with ease.

Best example I can think of is my own personal experience this summer.

Every summer for the last couple of years I swim laps for exercise. In years past, I would do my laps during the adult swim sessions that the Life Guards would mandate every hour during the summer. Last year, the Home Owners Association decided not to renew the contract with the Life Guard Company, which meant the adult swim time was taken away as well. Therefore, I never got into a rhythm or kept up with my exercise routine.

I not only felt like crap – the guilt for not exercising ate at me all summer long.

This year however, I decided I was going to make time because it was on my goals sheet. I love the swimming experience and it’s truly the only exercise I enjoy. Our entire family loves the water.

It had been two years since I’ve done regular laps in the pool – and at the beginning of the summer it was all I could do to complete just 4 laps in the pool without my arms and legs going limp on me. It also took me forever to recover from such a short stint.

But I kept up with it. Sometimes I had to swim around kids. Other times – I had to head down first thing in the morning or late at night to get my swimming in.

As the summer progressed, I felt myself getting stronger and stronger every week. As a consequence, I felt better and better as the weeks went on with more and more laps being done every week and more and more energy to complete other tasks on my goals list.

Later today, I’ll head down to the pool and swim 1.4 miles or 40 laps without stopping and my arms and legs won’t give it a second thought. It’s become so routine and part of my everyday life that once the pool closes in two weeks, I’ll keep up with it the rest of the year in an indoor pool because it’s something I truly enjoy.

As an added benefit – I find myself thinking more powerfully. Those good vibes radiate out and have attracted more and more opportunities in my life that match what I’m thinking and feeling inside.

This shift in thinking and feeling has been so profound that I’ve befriended on of the most knowledgeable and professional people in the travel industry who has offered up an incredible opportunity to me this weekend. It’s still just an idea at this point, and there’s some ground work that needs to be done before I can open up what it’s all about. If you’re serious about selling travel and have a sincere desire about learning more from the best of the best – you’ll want to keep close tabs in the next few weeks to find out more.

All I can tell you at this point is this: This idea that critics attempt to embed in your belief system that you’re not good enough, not smart enough, and simply can’t accomplish because you’re involved in with a company that “recruits” via MLM – is pure crap. Everything I’ve either known or at the very least suspected about the people who truly make a difference in the travel industry has been verified as absolutely true this weekend in a very enlightening phone conversation.

I’ve been writing about it for years – and it’s because of what I’ve documented here – on this blog and in our newsletter – that I’ve attracted an opportunity that everyone can benefit from.

I’ve got a lot of projects going on right now – and getting this set up will take some time to cross the “T’s” and dot the “I’s” but I truly believe it’s what’s best for our company and the people who are involved. Therefore, it will fall into place in due time.

If you’re passionate about YTB Travel and the travel industry – I promise – you’re going to love it!

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