Most all of you have read my tribute to Andy Cauthen. I’ve personally spoken with him and he’s adjusting to the drastic change from corn fields to cement and tall buildings. In my tribute, I mentioned that the only explanation critics would get was a Press Release to gnaw on that really won’t say much other than we’re sad to see Andy go, but wish him well in his future endeavors.
Something you need to understand about critics: they always have to be right. That’s why they have the last word – and they never let anything go.
My comment about critics only deserving a Press Release was actually perceived as a challenge by the ring leader of this group. Probably because they also have another obsession over trying to prove me wrong. Andy was in fact contacted during his last week of employment for an “interview” to answer some questions. Andy being Andy obviously agreed at first because he’s a professional and sincerely wanted our field to understand and look at his move in a positive light.
After careful thought and some time reading on this critics blog, it became apparent that any type of fair or balanced interview wasn’t likely by this individual. What he saw were half-truths, blatant misrepresentations, and some flat out lies about our company that made him extremely uncomfortable about his decision and interview. So Andy, very politely, and respectfully declined his interview with our head critic.
The word “No” isn’t a word critics like to hear. They’re like children, and “no” doesn’t actually mean “no” – it means go ask another parent. So our interviewer went on to another prospect at the home office for this “interview” about YTB.
Again, he was turned down. But this time he was told more truthfully that his past “reliable sources” for inside information have never been accurate and they [YTB] do not feel that their answers as written would be quoted completely or fairly…but rather changed to meet his own agenda. It was also decided that based on his trademark infringing and deliberately misleading “Zam Zuu” Facebook fan page (which by the way is finally gone thanks to Legal and a Cease and Desist) he could not be trusted to objectively report on any news or opinions about YTB in a fair and unbiased manner.
If that sounds harsh or stern, it is. I can’t tell you how many times something I’ve actually written here has been twisted to meet this individuals “agenda”. (After three years, I’d need more than my entire family’s fingers and toes to count.) The man is extremely gifted at taking words and comments and twisting them to mean something completely different.
So, since he can’t seem to find anyone to answer for him, he’ll do what he’s always done. Take all these rumors and beliefs, and publish them as questions as a public display of humiliation, and an “oh my, what’s wrong with YTB now?” While a handful of followers cheers him on thinking that nobody has answers concerning what they sadly believe as the truth.
Problem is, and I think you’ll clearly see this, these questions aren’t really questions. Better stated, they’re accusations that he’s asking the company to defend. That’s the critic’s way. Most of what you’ll see has no documentation or evidence to support the statements. Because its critics we’re dealing with, nobody needs supporting documentation.
Well, I’ll let you decide, because I got a copy of the questions.
For fun, I decided to answer as many as I could. Some as you’ll see couldn’t be answered because they don’t actually exist. Pay particular attention to the way each question is worded and you’ll quickly see why the home office thinks this guy is a joke. By the way; that’s how this should be consumed, with amusement, not anger or resentment. Part of our critics problem is that their anger consumes them and they can’t think logically or rationally. Seen it time and time again and it turns a complete fabrication into an emotional outburst that has no rhyme or reason.
So if you’re angry about this guy’s obsession over YTB, and his constant ridicule with every aspect of our company and our people, just move on to something else. This won’t help. If you understand like I do that this is nothing more than a fishing expedition and a desperate attempt for more drama to occupy his time and energy, by all means, read on!
Q: Over the last month, YTB has lost the CFO, the Master Distributor, the President and COO, and the SVP of Training and International Expansion. Is Bob Van Patten handling ALL of these tasks now?
I admire how much you think of Mr. VanPatten. From what I here, he is the single biggest reason you still have something to write about on your blog. He’s managed to keep YTB alive long after all of the critic’s predictions of impending doom. Bob VanPatten is the CEO of YTB International. As CEO he administrates, and puts the best people qualified in the positions needed. As you well know, the only position Mr. VanPatten has taken a close eye on is that of our former CFO. His background and experience dictates he is well suited for that position. (Not to mention our last two financial statements with him as CEO which have shown profits.)
In case you have not heard, Coach Tomer is our new Master Distributor. (I wrote about it here.) It’s a position he thrives in and is well suited for in my opinion. The field also gets to see much more of him now. I can’t think of a better “recruiter”.
Furthermore, as an outsider, I don’t expect you to know that the position of SVP of Training was furloughed several months back by the company. (We’ll address this “furlough” again for you a little further down.) The SVP position in question was vacant due to Mr. VanPatten making that choice, not the other way around.
Q: What has this done for the morale of the home office? The field?
For someone who trolls each and every Facebook page, blog, and forum that YTB has, you know exactly what it’s done. We adapt, we move on, and we move forward. We focus on things we can control and stay positive about. If you need proof here’s a thread from this past weekend I’m sure you saw. (It would make a great screen capture for your next blog post!)
Based on those comments, I’d say moral is mighty high right now, wouldn’t you? The same weekend Andy left too.
Q: YTB is continuing to lose about 100 RTA/TSO’s per day. What do you feel can be done to stop that?
Aside from getting a gag order prohibiting you and the handful of Zeolots from throwing mud and trash out there without any documentation or regard for the truth, I don’t know if there’s anything that can be done. I will say that much of your trash has been cleaned up thanks to the court system and because YTB is still around. People are starting to realize just how absurd some of your speculation and comments really are. As a result, it appears that a number of those “loses” are re-engaging in the company once again.
We call it F.E.A.R. which stands for False Evidence Appearing Real.
Q: I understand you are actively trying to sell the HQ building. What are the plans when it is sold? Where will YTB/Zam Zuu move? Certainly for a technology company, you don’t need that type of space. With Coach out of the Riverhouse now, are you planning to move to FL?
You understand? How do you “understand” without any documentation to support what you’re asking? Truth is, it’s nothing more than exploring some options.
So let’s turn this around and assume you’re right about the sale of the Home Office. My question for you would be – how will the sale of the home office advance your desire to see YTB killed off? A large influx of cash from this asset, along with the 56 acres the company also owns outright, would be a serious blow to someone like you who would like to see the company suffocate. It could be a real game changer. As you’ve said – as a technology company we don’t need this type of space and we could certainly use that “cash” to speed things up and moving in the right direction.
Think of it as “blog security”. ;-P
Q: By all measures, Zam Zuu seems like it was thrown together in a matter of days. Domains bought at the last minute for short durations. Lack of foresight in securing social networking URLS, etc. Do you feel Zam Zuu is in it for the long haul?
Read this article and then this article and note the dates they were published. Then help all of us undertand how you can measure that time span in “days”? I understand that a year consists of 365 “days”, but nobody uses “365 days” and “thrown together” in the same sentence without looking ridiculous.
You can also read this article and it will all come together for you very nicely. It should put to rest this absurd notion that the company didn’t think this through. And by the way, a company initially named “Cadabra” (as in “abracadabra”) was reluctantly changed at the last minute back in 1994. Do a little research on Amazon.com, and you’ll find what they did worked out just fine.
ZamZuu was a result of a years’ worth of testing, study, and a realization that we had another market shift. Kind of like travel was for us, and you saw what this company did with that. And regardless of any comments to the contrary, you did take notice. It scared the daylights out of you. You post and dribble about this company incessantly because of it.
Q: What sets Zam Zuu apart from any of the other online cash back “malls”? Even some of your stores are offering better cash back deals directly. IE: Last week, Best Buy had a 25% cash back program, while Zam Zuu was at 1.5%.
And just where is that 20% now?
Gone.
ZamZuu offers it’s Best Buy 1.5% all year long. (Sorry, that’s 365 “days” for you.) Furthermore, you’re assuming that by accessing BestBuy.com through our ZamZuu portal customers won’t have access to the special 20%? You’re assuming incorrectly if that’s the case. There is nothing that prohibits a ZamZuu customer from seeing or receiving that 20%.
Oh…and one other thing. I just checked my Best Buy e-mail folder, I can’t find this deal from them. Care to provide this “offer” just to keep things documented? Thanks!
Q: How do you explain to the field the incredible departure of directors and the change in the compensation plan? This plan was marketed as “copyrighted and on file with every Attorney General in the US and cannot ever be changed.” I think several departed directors might have a different opinion.
It’s no secret that YTB has assembled some of the best recruiters the industry has ever seen. They had a key role in YTB’s dramatic rise to the top and HUGE contributor to the insensate hammering by critics who fear recruiting and large sums of money like you. With the lawsuits, it became open season for other companies to recruit these leaders and bring them over to their teams. A huge feather in their cap snagging a YTB Director for sure. I can’t think of one Director who wasn’t bought off in some regard by money or position to make the switch.
While it’s sad to see some of these people go, I can’t blame them for taking some very attractive and lucrative offers. They’re tough to turn down when the offers grow in size and frequency.
Yes, the compensation plan has been increased and enhanced several times through my tenure with YTB. I would also speculate that you are correct that even the departed Directors would consider overrides on more products and higher commission splits on travel a plus. It’s never diminished in any form or fashion from the day I started.
Q: Can you comment or are you aware of the pending investigation by the Dept. of Justice?
Really? Which division? Antitrust? Civil Rights? Natural Resources? National Security? Or maybe Tax? Tell you what. When this “pending” turns into a “real” investigation and you have something more than just a rumor from one of your buds who heard it from another bud, we’ll discuss it then. For now, we’re limiting the questions and discussion to things that actually exist. Not some rumor or fantasy that gets you all excited and seething.
I know you’ve got finger and toes crossed that it’s true, but you also thought California was going to be your savior shutting YTB down, and look how that turned out.
Q: Are you finding it difficult to keep the momentum going? Since the settlement, the recruiting has been hemorrhaging.
Since the settlement, the hemorrhaging has actually stopped. You even wrote about it during the last quarterly report. Don’t revert back to something you admitted isn’t accurate. California was going to shut the company down, and when that didn’t happen people popped their heads out of their boom shelters and found that the scare you created was nothing more than a false alarm.
I’m happy to report that due to the launch of ZamZuu and the clarification from YTB Travel Network President Kim Sorensen, momentum isn’t a problem. By the time you find evidence of that in the quarterly reports, it may be too late for you to spin it another way however. (I certainly hope so.)
Q: Looking to the future (be that 5 days or 5 decades), how do you describe YTB? I know for years the focus has been on Travel and the mantra was “we’re a travel company”. I think that focus has changed. What kind of company will YTB be in the future?
Truth be told, you’ve never considered YTB a travel company, only a recruiting company. It doesn’t matter if it’s 5 days or 5 decades, your “thinking” is the only thing that won’t change in that regard. Nothing YTB ever does as a travel company is ever good enough for you. You’ve been harping about the Travel Weekly Power List for the last three years, but have never once even considered resolving your issue with them. Why not? What are you afraid of? Do you or don’t you want an answer?
Most likely, you don’t. Because it’s not about answers, it’s about questions. The more questions, the more chaos. The more chaos the more drama for you and your pals to stir up the pot.
Case in point, you were on the YTB Travel webcast last Sunday night and were given answers first hand from Kim. You heard about our plans and where we intend to be as a Host Agency. Do you expect us to answer any differently for you simply because of your inability to listen and actually learn like the rest of us?
Stop asking questions that you already have answers for. I know you don’t like the answers, but good grief, grow up and accept that we’re not going to change because you think we should. You’re not that important and there’s no amount of bitching that’s going to change that.
Q: Are you planning on hanging around?
Hanging isn’t word that resembles someone who is passionate and motivated. Too many people just “hang around” and that’s why we see the poor income disclosure statements that you like to slobber all over. So in that regard, no, I won’t hang around. I do however have a strong desire to continue to learn and grow with this company. I feel it’s an important aspect of success.
Q: With the cruise industry’s Wave Season in the beginning of the year; what was the rationale behind terminating 25% of YTB’s travel customer service people? I understand the economy and scaling back, but for a “travel company” to cut back on the travel staff just as the economy is picking up did not make sense to me.
Can you document for us which department was actually terminated? You found out the SVP of Training for YTB’s RPM program was part of that “termination”. RPM is not part of YTB’s travel customer service and neither were others I know at the home office.
You’ve got to do a better of collecting data and finding better sources. You’ve just proven you don’t actually know what department YTB decided to cut back on, so your question and accusation makes you look arrogant to some and foolish to others. (Not to worry, you still have a handful of faithful who like you, don’t care about facts, they just like to be part of the insults and slander.)
Q; How many RTAs/TSOs do you currently have? How many new Zam Zuu sites have been sold since the launch?
This qualifies as “insider information” and is not something a public company will disclose to anyone outside of the SEC filings.
Q; Do you have any comment on the income disclosures? Both the Marketing and Travel ones are showing that it costs more to be involved with each successive year, yet the average income declines each year as well.
I’m very happy to report that due to YTB Travel Networks commitment to training and upgrades, our new Travel Agent incomes have actually increased to a level that now exceeds the monthly service charges and fees as an average group. We owe much of that to the industry which help resolve and works with the industry instead of tearing it down. And we actually listen and then respond appropriately to the concerns and questions that the industry has. (Imagine that!) It’s especially gratifying to see this type of growth through a turbulent and difficult year that saw prices drastically reduced – thus cutting all of our commission by a substantial amount.
If you would like to compare 2008 numbers to 2009, you are welcome to do so. 2009 was a very trying and difficult year that saw many companies crumble and tens of thousands of jobs lost. To pin our decrease on our business model is narrow minded and one sided.
Word has it, and I’m certainly showing that 2010 could be a real game changer in that regard thanks to the hard work and enhancements now in place courtesy of the Home Office at YTB.
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So there you go. I hope you enjoyed reading this as much as I enjoyed writing it. It’s been a long time since I had an opportunity to actually tear into somebody like this. (And after such a nice post like Wednesday…what a shame.)
I suspect there will be more pointed questions concerning my answers around the various blogs and forums. A lot of “Yeah butts” and “What about this” type stuff in an attempt to keep me engaged. Let me state for the record that I don’t expect them to consider my answers acceptable. Thing is, I didn’t answer the questions for them; I did it for those who comprehend and read accurately and correctly.
Like I said, it’s not about answers. It’s about drama, rumors, and doubt that these questions are asked. Most as you’ve seen had already been answered – several times.
I’m also sorry about the long post – but I wanted to get it over an done with in one shot. I get calls and e-mails all the time about his behavior and his accusations and there’s just not enough time to pick up after this guy. So I just let it go and you should too, especially after seeing how wrong he actually is.
Onward and upward on Monday and looking forward to getting back to our regularly scheduled programming.
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Doug & Ronda Bauknight
AKA: TravelPro
Travel Agent / Networker
Phone: 678.458.5812
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