Every challenge comes with an opportunity to learn and grow. Smart people and good companies take full advantage of such an opportunity while others – well…not so much.

Carnival has been an interesting “case study” over the last few years. The various challenges the with rising fuel prices and the eventual recession that followed keeping more people at home, Carnival has managed to handle the adversity very well with a willingness to make tough choices, and the ability to rethink and transform their operations to streamline their business and continue to turn a profit.

Automation has played a key roll in Carnival’s transformation and ability to remain “The Most Popular Cruise Line in the World”. It’s not that you couldn’t book and manage clients through Carnival’s agent portal prior, but much of the “call center” activities that lingering old timers have known for years is now gone. (And they’re visibly upset – as usual.)

Early Saver, Pack & Go and Interline Rates have been handled via automation for a while now. Resident Rates, Senior Promotions, Military Rates and Travel Agent Cruise Sales recently went into automation mode August 1st. With so many new features now handled online only, Carnival decided to streamline their Agent Portal for ease of use with a totally new agent portal called GoCCL.com.

GoCCL was created with the Agent in mind, making it easier-to-navigate, more information than ever before, and it’s even Google-search-powered. The end result helps agents speed up the sales process along with some innovative and creative tools to help market to clients and prospects.

Carnival focused on these key areas:

• Improved design and organization – Carnival took all the constructive feedback and designed GoCCL.com around the concept that the right tool is only one-click away. You’ll always be ready when your customer is.
• The right information – when you need it. Now, there’s no more searching around the portal for information you need. GoCCL.com features a completely redesigned Resource Center that gives you lightning-fast access to a comprehensive library of sales programs and product information. Finding the right link is a breeze with GoCCL’s Google-powered search engine.
• Booking Tools – Create and manage reservations, access FunShipPay and verify Guest Document Status.
• Marketing Tools – It’s the one-stop place for all of your marketing needs, including the updated Ad Wizard, eBrochures, Collateral Ordering Tool, Brand Center, Fun Itineraries – as well as our Carnival Fun Tees!
• Training – Explore informative training videos, exclusive Webinars and learn more about how to advance your business at CCL University. You can also browse schedules and register for executive conferences, exciting shipboard events and our signature “Funtastic” Fam Weekends.
• Resource Center – This is the place to get all the information you need. You’ll find Carnival news and updates, FAQs, forms and policies, and Carnival products and program details. Be sure to check out our value-packed Knowledge Center: a great reference resource with facts about Carnival procedures, ship and port information – and much more.
• Specials – Get the scoop on Carnival specials, Early Saver fares, promotional programs, featured specials and other great deals for your clients.
• News and Alerts – The home page news ticker displays Carnivals latest news and important advisories and remains visible throughout the site.

The GoCCL portal is a state-of-the-art sales and marketing tool that will not only keep Carnival number one, but possibly widen the gap as new agents embrace the technology that’s available today. From the looks of it, it will make sales and marketing faster, easier, and more powerful than ever before.

If you look back over this blog and all the articles we’ve written about Carnival over the years, you’ll see that change is in fact a good thing. It’s not about being broken or unproductive – it’s about tweaking and moving forward in today’s fast paced and information rich environment with more opportunities than ever before. Reminds me of another “business model” that’s near and dear to our hearts. (And we’ve documented plenty about THAT topic here too!)

So go check out GoCCL.com. I think you’ll like the upgrade once you come aboard!

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Do You ZamZuu?

Yes, you read that right – it’s not some sort of typo. (Which I’ve “heard” I’ve been known to make. ;-P)

I hope you were paying attention to our newsletter earlier this spring when we promoted the Viking webniars and trainings. It’s going to come in mighty handy when talking to clients and booking this very profitable niche.

I’m not a big fan of river cruises personally. (More of an ocean going cruiser myself if I had my choice.) However, my parents truly enjoy this type of cruise experience, and have booked several river cruises with BandBVacations.

What makes this type of cruise experience attractive is the constant scenery change and the historical significance many of the ports of call provide.

Viking announced this week that they will be paying commissions on every part of their cruise experience. As a result that means more money for you as an agent. Kind of sounds backwards after all these years I know, but it’s true!

Therefore, it would be wise to offer up Viking as a viable option when this type of experience is selected.

One word of caution however: Because you’re part of an MLM, you can’t promote Viking as an option ethically.

Say what?!

Sorry, but it’s one of those double standards that we have to put up with because of the fears, phobias and illusions our traditional agents have about us. We only do it for the money – we’re not looking after the best interest of our client.

See, last year I made the “mistake” of writing about how I tend to promote lines that offer better commissions over others. If all other things are equal, I’ll most certainly offer something that pays a higher commission as a result. It’s just smart business.

Not everyone understands “business” however, and I went round and round in the comments section of this post with a commenter who just couldn’t grasp that concept because it’s MLM, not traditional business. Traditional Agents picked up on it as well, and laid claim that I wasn’t looking out for the best interest of my clients.

Now that the shoe is on the other foot however, it appears that “travel agents” don’t have a problem “promoting” one line over another.

Very strange how that works – but it’s just another example of the double standards we have to put up with in order to keep these myths and rumors about MLM being something less than legitimate alive in their own minds. It creates drama and controversy for them, which keeps them from looking at their own shortcomings.

Like I’ve said many times over, the truth always has a way of coming to light. ;-P

Anyway – this is a really good deal from Viking, and found the Press Release here:

LOS ANGELES (June 8, 2010) – Viking River Cruises, the world’s leading river cruise line, today announced that effective June 9, 2010, it will implement a new, industry-leading commission structure: Viking will pay commission on every aspect of a client’s booking—from cruise and air to shore excursions, port charges, taxes, fees, travel protection plans and more. With a decade-long tradition of innovation, Viking River Cruises now leads the travel industry—including its river cruise competitors and all ocean cruise lines—with the trade’s only fully commissionable program.

“This unprecedented commission policy was developed with input from leaders in the travel agency community, and it is very simple,” comments Torstein Hagen, Chairman of Viking River Cruises. “If an agent sells a Viking River Cruises itinerary, they earn a commission on all of it. Our partners will be paid for everything they sell.”

In addition, to the industry-exclusive payment on air, port charges, taxes and fees, Viking will offer many other commissionable upgrades—such as Premium Economy or Business Class air upgrades, beverage packages, gift orders and more—to make the most out of the guests’ river cruise experience while increasing the agents’ profit from the reservation. Unlike other river and ocean cruise lines, there are no exceptions. The new commission program will apply to all new 2010 and 2011 bookings, and Viking will continue to pay commissions 29 days prior to departure.

There you have it folks – a vendor who actually wants your business by offering you more commissions. What a concept!

Like I said, it’s a great little niche when you find the right clients who enjoy this type of cruising experience. Profitable, and very easy to service.

Keep up to date with our newsletter, we’ll keep an eye out for more trainings from Viking to help you get up to speed if need be.

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Do You ZamZuu?

One of the most forward thinking and innovative suppliers in the Travel industry in my opinion is Carnival Cruise Lines. They were one of the first to embrace YTB in the early days, and haven’t been swayed by myths or phobias surrounding the Network Marketing industry. It’s just “business” – and they don’t get caught up in the drama. YTB has consistently produced sales for the cruise line which in part enables the line to maintain their distinction as “Most Popular Cruise Line in the World.”

In another innovative move – Carnival will be launching a “cash back” promotion next Monday (June 7th) of up to $160 per stateroom with a variety of cruises through February 2011.

While I’m sure YTB  would like to take credit for this promotion which currently provides “cash back” through ZamZuu, Carnival designed the program on their own to entice more people to book cruises.  Saving money is still a big hot button these days, and they’ve found a way to capture what’s hot. By offering “cash back” in amounts ranging from $80 per stateroom to $160 per stateroom via a shipboard credit, the hope is that it will tip the scales in Carnivals favor over other cruises offered during this time.

Cash back amounts are based on cruise length and can be redeemed on board during the cruise for a variety of options and amenities. If by chance you don’t use your allotted amount – you’ll get a check at the end of your cruise.

Credits will be offered starting on 3-day and longer cruises and include the Caribbean, Bahamas and Mexico from 15 convenient departing ports in the US.

The “Cash Back” details are as follows:

• $40 per person (max $80 p/stateroom) on select 3-, 4- & 5-day sailings
• $80 per person (max $160 /stateroom) on select 6-day or longer sailings

The shipboard credit is automatically applied on guests’ Sail & Sign accounts when they board their cruise and can be redeemed toward shore excursions, spa treatments, gift shop items and a variety of other shipboard purchases. Any unused funds at the end of the cruise will be returned to guests on debarkation day in the form of a check.

The new promotion is capacity controlled and applies to new individual bookings for category 4A and higher. Bookings have to be made between June 7 and June 30, 2010 to qualify for the promotion and it is valid with the “Fun Select” advance purchase discount fares. Guests must request fare code OCB when making the reservation.

The Cash Back promotion will be promoted nationally via TV commercials and local radio spots as well as through a direct-response TV spot. I suspect it will also be a very hot topic during tomorrow nights YTB Travel Network webinar with Ann Sedgwick. (For YTB Travel Network Agents only.)

If you happen to be on our newsletter, you already know how to register for this webinar, and I highly suggest that you get yourself registered. If you’re not on our newsletter – shame on you! (Get yourself registered now.) In the meantime, if you don’t have the info to get on this, send a support ticket to the home office through your back office and they’ll get you the hooked up with the webinar tomorrow night.

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Do You ZamZuu?

During my second full year with YTB, the company launched what was known as a Regional Travel Training. The tour hit several of the major markets around the country where vendors and suppliers came to us, instead of requiring us to come to them. At the time, YTB had grown to a size that enabled suppliers to hit strategic cities in conjunction with YTB to offer information, support, and additional training for the field.

I remember sitting in the large audience at the time, taking notes, and thinking that YTB was well on its way to being a major player in the travel industry. It’s not that vendors don’t do this kind of training for other large Host Agencies, they do. But they don’t do it for just any Agency. (Maybe a BDM would, but not the President of the Company.)

The trainings inspired me to research more about the companies that spoke during the day and what they had to offer. I left with new tools and ideas on how to promote my travel business. Because of the training put together, I knew YTB was serious and I needed to get serious. It tools were always there, I just needed to take the time to go do it.

What also impressed me during that day was how excited the suppliers were about being with us. I’ve seen it for years. YTB happens to be a real breath of fresh air for most suppliers because of our passion and excitement. I remember seeing a vendor just last year up at Red Carpet who just raved about our Company. I believe the exact words were “Completely blown away”. It was such a shame to see that sour because Travel Professionals couldn’t accept the partnership. Anyone who actually catches our enthusiasm and passion are soon trashed by this group who’ve never seen or experienced the passion or enthusiasm they see when it comes to travel.

Remember Robert Dickinson? If you don’t, I sure do. (Wrote about it here.) That was another example of someone who saw the vision of YTB and was excited about being on YTB’s Board of Directors only to suddenly “decline” less than 24 hours later.

Regardless of the number of times I’ve seen individuals or companies pressured or harassed to drop YTB there are companies who see the fears and phobias that traditionalists have about MLM’s and support us anyway. (They’re just a little quieter about it publicly to keep from being spit at.)

If you want to know more about how vendors really feel about our company, go watch some of the videos in the Media Center in your back office. (Sorry, you’ll need to log in to see it.)

Or, you can show up at one of this year’s Travel Training Roadshows that kicks off this weekend in Costa Mesa, California.

President and Founder Kim Sorensen will be hitting cities, including here in Atlanta later in March, to offer travel training from some of the industries most respected suppliers in the travel industry. It’s your opportunity to see for yourself why suppliers and vendors appreciate YTB Travel Network, and why we as a company should support them. They’ve all got some great product and the proper tools to help you succeed in the travel industry.

The biggest advantage I’ve found in Regional meetings like this is more face time with the vendors. Funshine is great, but it’s also very crowded. With the country split up into regions there are fewer people, giving you a better opportunity to ask questions, get additional information and develop relationships. Heck, I ran into one of the supplier from the first Regional Training a year or more later and she remembered who I was.

Check your travel portal for cities, dates, vendors and times and make one of these roadshows this spring with YTB. I can tell you from personal experience, it inspires me to this day when I get around other passionate travel agents with a hunger to learn and grow their business.

It’s there for those who want it – and I know plenty who want to build this side of their business.

So go out and get it – starting this weekend.

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Do You ZamZuu?

Since day one with YTB, I’ve considered myself a “Travel Agent”. Not because I had any special training, achieved any special credentials, or aligned myself with any specific host. It was an attitude that I had when I joined. I was about as green as they came when I joined YTB, but I did have a passion for travel and a desire to learn that got me to the point that I am today. I’ve heard over and over that unless I align myself with one of those legitimate hosts out there, that I’d never be considered a “Travel Agent”.

Yet, the folks with all the arrogance and attitude – haven’t actually experienced the service and value I bring to my clients.

Fact is, anyone can become a “Travel Agent” with the proper mindset and willingness to learn and it doesn’t matter what company you align yourself with. Other than my family, 99.9% of our clients have no idea who or what YTB is. All they know is Doug and Ronda with BandBVacations.com. If a client has a change in schedule, a problem with a booking, or happen to need assistance with arrangements, the “Agent” they call is us, not the Home Office.

That being said, having the mindset of “Travel Agent” isn’t going to cut the mustard when it comes to servicing our clients. We could have all the love and passion in the world – but without the proper knowledge to actually assist our clients, mindset alone is moot.

It also takes knowledge and training to drive this business and make it a success.

When YTB launched the E-Campus training two years ago with theAcademy.com and Dr. Marc Mancini, I was ecstatic. At the time, it was a major advancement and move towards training our sales force. The move was also “pro-active”, being launched before all the attention and fuss in the news and media publications came out about YTB being some sort of “card mill”. (A term and definition we still don’t answers for two years later.)

Like Carnival Corporation, Apple Vacations, Pleasant Holidays, Collette, World Choice, Globus, and other preferred suppliers who do business with YTB, Dr. Mancini saw something in YTB that lead to this training to help the company achieve its long term goal of being a dominant force in the travel industry.

If you’re going to partner with someone, they might as well be the best. Here’s a little bio that I picked up on Dr. Mancini two years ago.

What’s even more impressive is that the YTB E-Campus program is designed by Dr. Marc Mancini, one of the travel industry’s most highly respected speakers, educators and consultants and authors of such books as Conducting Tours: A Practical Guide, Cruising: A Guide to the Cruise Line Industry, and Selling Destinations: Geography for the Travel Professional. 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.

What YTB did was land the industries leading authority in travel to design and implement a very intensive and thorough training program that covers the following 10 segments.

• Course 101: Overview of the Travel Industry
• Course 102: Lodging
• Course 103: Tours / Groups
  
• Course 104: Cruising
  
• Course 105: Air Travel
  
• Course 106: Rail, Car Rentals and the Rest
  
• Course 107: Travel Sales, Service and Marketing
  
• Course 108: Destinations: North and South America
  
• Course 109: Destinations: Europe
  
• Course 110: Destinations: Africa, Asia and the South Pacific

And for doing what we as “Travel Agents” should do for our business and completing this course, what do you think YTB did to reward those who took their travel business seriously?

• The ability to drop the “R” from RTA and the title of “Travel Agent”
  
• 75% Commission Contract
  
• Monthly YTB Special Promotions
  
• Entry For A Free Cruise
  
• Exclusive YTB FAM Trips
  
• Training Events & Trade Show (Funshine was comped)
  
• The Fun & Travel Magazine to help you grow your business
  

Not too shabby for some rinky-dink MLM that has no interest in Travel huh? Fact is, those who claim YTB doesn’t offer training haven’t been paying attention to the facts. Instead, they choose to ignore any type of training to keep their fantasy over YTB being less than legitimate alive.

We posted a list of those who completed the E-Campus training this past weekend in our newsletter. If you’re a YTB TSO or Rep and you’d like a listing to view, please get signed up on our list. I don’t think it’s appropriate to post this list publicly. With all the attention and animosity from a very small and childish group in the travel industry who have nothing better to do it will simply create more spin and turn this significant accomplishment into something it’s not.

For those who did complete this training, you know who you are. You know the value of knowledge and learning. I commend you for taking responsibility and ownership of your travel business. You can now not only call yourself “Travel Agent”, but earn an above average commission percentage found in the industry. (Industry average being 74%.)

Congratulations!

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Do You ZamZuu?

A couple months ago I read an article that compared Travel Agents to Doctors. With the Swine Flu scare that has hit both the US and Mexico I can’t imagine anyone calling a Travel Agent about what they should do to prevent the spread of this virus. To me it’s like calling an electrician to come unclog your stopped up sink. However, if you need advice from an Agent concerning the swine flu, I do know an RTA who is also an RN up in the Bronx. She’s the only Agent I would trust with actual medical training to help in the prevention of this area. (Otherwise I would simply go to a Doctor.) I realize there are Traditional Agents who claim to be authorities in just about any area you could think of.

If you choose to call a Travel Agent concerning advice, please ask for some type of credentials that qualify them as someone who knows squat about the spread of this virus. Personally, I think a someone with medical training would be far more appropriate, but that’s just me.

I contacted Gail last night to ask permission to re-post since she’s the only Agent I know who is actually qualified to offer advice in this area as an RN.

Mexico, the Swine Flu and Travel

The Swine Flu was a hot topic at work today with my co-workers and my patients. As I nurse I am doing double duty addressing the medical issues and the Travel side of this public health issue with friends and family. There has been 103 confirmed deaths in Mexico as of this writing . There are 44 confirmed cases in the US, which are milder than the strain found in Mexico. 28 of them are in New York isolated to a school in Queens, NY. World Health Organization elevated the Pandemic alert to Phase 4 out of 6.  So of course every time someone sneezed in our facility they came over to “Nurses’ Row” My office is in the Bronx which is just over the bridge from Queens.

Ah…. Let the fun begin!

Its important to note that this Swine flu operates as any other flu and the same precautions should be taken to prevent its spread. I have heard and read some interesting concepts about the flu. Like it came from eating Pork, or from people having un-natural relations with Pigs, which is also a myth. So lets begin with:

What is the Swine Flu?

It is a respiratory disease of pigs caused by an influenza (flu) virus. Most people do not realize that animals get illnesses that are also common to humans, like diabetes, heart disease, cancer and Yes the flu. Human cases of Swine flu occur around people who are around pigs. It can also pass from person to person. This strain of Swine flu also has bird flu and human flu genes.

How do you catch swine flu and is it Contagious?

Swine flu is spread by contact with infected pigs or their surrounding area that has been contaminated with Swine flu viruses.. Also spread by contact with a person who has been infected with the Swine flu. It is considered contagious which simply means it can be spread from person to person.

How Can We Prevent spreading the Swine Flu

* Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it.
* Cough or sneeze in the bend of your el bow if you do not have a tissue available
* Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after you cough or sneeze. Alcohol-based hand cleaners, like Purel are also effective.
* Try to avoid close contact with sick people.
* stay home from work or school if you become ill with the Swine Flu. Pleeeeeese!!!!
* limit contact with others to keep from infecting them.
*Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. That is how Germs are spread.

What should I do if I get sick?

If you are sick, you should stay home and avoid contact with other people as much as possible to keep from spreading your illness to others. Contact your doctor. You may be prescribed an anti-viral medication such as Tamiflu or Relenza which can lessen the severity of the flu.

I planned a Trip to Mexico, Should I cancel it?

Many people are asking if they should change their travel plans. The US is planning on issuing a Travel Alert for non-essential travel to Mexico. This is the perfect scenario to emphasize the importance of purchasing Travel Insurance. This is the type of situation that it is very useful in.
So far No cruises to Mexico have been canceled. For example, Carnival Cruise line offered this on their site:

“Fortunately, there currently is no evidence of a swine flu pandemic and there have been no reports of guests exhibiting symptoms of swine flu on Carnival’s ships. Carnival enforces the highest of standards for cleaning and sanitation on all of our ships to prevent the spread of infectious diseases. We are monitoring the situation in Mexico and maintain regular contact with the Centers for Disease Control. We do not anticipate that our guests’ cruise experience will be impacted by this type of illness and will not be making any adjustments to our itineraries.”

No Airline flights have been canceled. Some airlines are offering passengers to change their travel plans without penalty. Other airlines are offering to reschedule flights and/or travel plans at no extra charge. This may change day to day. Check with your airlines for their policy, or the travel agent you booked with.

Information is changing and evolving daily. Check at the CDC.Gov site for the most up to date information on Travel to Mexico and the effect that the Swine Flu may have on it.

In the meantime, lets pray for Mexico. Its been a difficult year for our neighbors to the South.

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Looks as if we have another company in our industry who has had enough of the games being played in the Travel Industry. Paul Henderson, CEO of Pro Travel Network, wrote an open letter to the industry on Friday which Travel Weekly picked up.

I have to hand it to Mr. Henderson, he’s got spunk!

Now I don’t agree with everything, but unlike the Traditionalists in our industry, I’m not going to split hairs or point out “what’s wrong” simply to belittle a message that I do agree with. (A nice trick that I’m sure Paul understands all too well.) The minor points shouldn’t overshadow a strong message that I, and I think most Travel MLM’s can stand behind, although I’ll allow everyone concerned to form their own opinions.

What I like best about this message is that it’s clear that like YTB, Pro Travel Network has no intention of going anywhere and there are a few in the industry would be better off finding a way to co-exist so they can get back to working their own business rather than spending the time they do pointing out what needs to be changed in ours.

Here’s the problem as Mr. Henderson see’s it; there are no guidelines to follow, or legal precedence to go by that gives anyone a stamp of approval to call themselves a “Travel Agent”. Now I know that there are those who have voiced their own set of rules or guidelines, but when you look at what they say and compare it with IATA, CLIA, ARTA, PATH, and OSSN, you end up with WTF.  Or better stated, a melting pot of ideas without one clear leader that defines the role of “Travel Agent”.

In an industry that has “self service” companies like Travelocity, Orbitz, Expedia, and Priceline that enables anyone to book just about any type of travel they want without the aid or service of a “Travel Agent”, (to the tune of $45 BILLION annually no less) you might be asking yourself why some feel that they need to protect this title the way they do. Likewise, the airline industry started this whole mess when American Airlines cut commissions and offered up self service to the masses back in the late 1990′s. So what “qualifies” John or Jane Doe to book an airline ticket themselves? What kind of qualifications are required by John or Jane to order cruise documents, a hotel room, a car? None. Zip. Ziltch. Nadda.

In defense of the “professionals” who are beside themselves, many were brought up in the industry much differently than it is today, and many have been members of the industry much longer than many of us “newbies” who only have a couple of years under our belts. However, it’s ludicrous to try to compare this profession to say…a Doctor. You can’t order and do heart surgery yourself like you can a cruise and I seriously doubt you ever will. But that’s the way it is in this industry. People simply make up their own set of rules and stories in an attempt to rid the industry of a model they clearly love to hate, but at the same time clearly can’t grasp.

Case in point is Joystar. Mr. Henderson like myself clearly understands that Joystar was never a “Card Mill” or an “MLM”. (I told you that back in October of 2007) But I don’t know if Mr. Henderson understands Bill Alversons connection to TravelMax which was an MLM and simply followed him over to Joystar because many believe once and MLM’er ALWAYS and MLM’er. (Part of the ignorance we deal with.) Nor does it explain companies why Cruise Value Center closed abruptly a few month ago who was also not an MLM. In addition, the small number of RTA’s that I can count on one hand who cut YTB out of the mix and booked directly with a supplier only to walk off with the money (out of more than 300K who have been involved) there are hundreds more in the traditional arena who are caught and prosecuted doing the same thing. But like the issues surrounding what makes anyone a legitimate “Travel Agent”, those stories are simply ignored and fingers are promptly pointed back the direction of MLM.

The problem in this industry IS MLM according to some, and they spend an incredible amount of time and effort in their own personal missions to save everyone from the evil MLM’ers who never have and never will be successful. (By the way, that would include yours truly. ;-P) It appears that Mr. Henderson also sees right through the smoke and mirrors of this illusion…

Neither are all MLMs bad.  What a ridiculous notion.  Who says they are?  Those who have never had success in it or see it as a threat to their models?  Or those who use these bashing techniques as promo for their previously unrecognized companies?  Travel is a 7 Trillion industry, so I hardly think competition is the issue.  MLM has just become another “buzz word” created to label those we don’t like.  Is there anyone today that sees Mary Kay as a bad business model?  Warren Buffet owns Pampered Chef.  Is there anyone out there who hasn’t eaten from Tupperware?  Avon is a household name.  So why can so many traditional companies such as American Express, etc., sell a home-based agent product, with training and accounting tools, support, etc., but if an MLM does it, it is no longer a valid product?  Come on!!!

So how can we judge any travel-related MLM, as good or bad. If they book lots of travel…they must have cheated.  Or we take their number of agents and divide into travel revenue to show that each agent only booked or earned this or that, as if that means anything.  I was taught as a child that less than 20% do over 80% of the work.  If an MLM agent takes an unwarranted FAM….oh my God, the end is near.  So we spend hours picking apart one another’s business, instead of addressing the real issues of concern…that perhaps a bad company has exploited.  Fix the issues, the exploitation goes away.

There in lies the both the problem and frustration that so many of us have concerning these critics who have entirely too much time on their hands to dream up and concoct the blogs, forums, and posts that they do. If you actually look at the real issue, you have to look inward and admit that YOUR model is flawed, and some just can’t come to grips with that idea.

Once again, we have another solution to sit down and talk about the issues face to face.

I would love to sit in on the panels or boards to help defend, not MLM nor card mills, but fairness.  To look at what is fair.  Let’s face it, most travel agents don’t book $1,000,000 per year.  Since only a few even hold the IATAN card, that means most book far less than $50,000/yr.  Many thousands are part-time.  Does that make them less qualified to make a booking?  So this must be researched and carefully thought out, debated and discussed.  But, I do believe all bad agencies and hosts should be terminated, but we must first, as an industry come together to create what guidelines allow for that.  Otherwise, we must stop pushing rules that do not exist!!!

I have no idea if Mr. Henderson’s response to our critics has anything to do with this or not, or if he even knows about the “witch hunt” that’s brewing for yet another look at MLM’s at the end of the month, and I’m afraid that no one from the MLM industry has been invited to participate. Instead, we can look forward to even more spam that gets promptly deleted when it arrives in our “in box” with the nonsense both of us have apparently been bombarded from some very irate and frustrated people.

I couldn’t agree more that until the industry starts looking at a clear definition of “Travel Agent” the intense energy spent by these critics to warn everyone do more harm, and cause more confusion for everyone involved. But like my alcoholism, these traditionalists need to take a hard look at themselves in order to do that, and I see no signs of it I’m sorry to say. Meanwhile, I’ve seen plenty of MLM’s change, adapt, and respond to the issues going on in the industry, and that shows strength, not the weakness as some like to spin.

Overall Paul, what the MLM’s need to do is walk the walk and given time, the traditionalists in the industry will exhaust themselves, especially at the pace their going. Like the Mary Kay’s, the Tupperware, the Avon’s, and the Primerica’s of the MLM industry, time will prove that our model DOES work with the proper management behind it. (As proper management is key for any business model.) I’m afraid that you’ll be hard pressed to find anyone at this point who is willing to listen to your ideas on the other side of the river, which they call “da Nile”. I agree it’s frustrating, it’s sad, and it’s extremely unproductive, but there’s really not much anyone can do to help until they’re willing to admit that we can help.

From where I sit, they’re just not ready and I can’t see any clues that they ever will.

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