You best stay out of the kitchen.

Being one of the more visible YTB blogs on the internet, I have my share of readership. Most readers are supporters and enjoy my insight and information about our company.

I also have my share of detractors. Some I would safely say detest my existence for one reason or another. If you’re in the public eye, you can’t be everything to everybody and there will always be those who don’t agree with you. What makes my sort of activity and exposure dangerous is when emotions enter into the mix.

Emotions have too many variables. You can’t expect emotions to remain constant over time or from one person to another. Each individual perceives and reacts to each situation differently. Logic and facts however always have a base or a core that remain constant. One of the things we’re finding through our journey together with YTB is that the facts of our business model are able to withstand the misconception, half-truths, and lies that we see from those who use perceptions and opinions as their core defense.

As expected, John Frenaye took exception to my article on Friday and boldly laid claim that I’m the one who “spins”. He added that his blog was more “legitimate” and his was the only viable option where people had to ability to “judge for themselves”.

He’s also a tad upset at what he’s deemed a “personal attack” and eventually, “my lies” will catch up with me.

My – my – my. How easy it is to dish it out.

It’s interesting to me how quickly this group pulls the “personal attack” card when challenged. I’m not sure if they think they’re too pure, or we’re to take pity and look the other way when their blatant misrepresentations about our people, our Founders and our company are created by their hands. I hate to break it to this group – but they leave some enormous “stinkers” out there on the web. Their activities have left some laughing, and others appalled. We DO know right from wrong, ethical from unethical, what is morally right and what’s morally bankrupt.

To illustrate how bold and brazen John has become over the years, we’ll reference one of the most legitimate and honorable sources I know – our court system. What was forwarded to me last week clearly illustrates why our Home Office made the decision to turn down his requested interviews and why others have come to the conclusion that John can’t be trusted to “report” anything concerning YTB in an unbiased or accurate manor.

Case in point: This was written by John last week on his blog:

Of course, back in August of 2009, we reported on the story where Coach had a ramshackle home and was able to convince a church to make the repairs in return for a lease. But Coach reneged on the lease and got his home fixed for free.

I don’t know about you, but I wouldn’t call his post entitled “Once Upon a Time” an actual “report” but ironically – a “Fairy Tale”. If you strip away John’s “report” and look at the court documents which are linked in the word “TRUTH” it reveals John’s elaborate web of deception – not Coach’s.

Yes – John’s the one deceiving the flock – pouring Kool-Aid if you will. The “truth” shows that Coach and Chris “donated” the parcel in question to the church for a Minister and his family use as a parsonage. More troublesome; the word “lease” never even appears in the actual court documents, although conveniently inserted by John in his – “report”.

True, the home needed electrical upgrades to meet code, and a gas furnace needed to be converted to propane. There was never any lease however, and Coach and Chris never received a penny for their generous donation to the Church and its family. Consequently, the court concluded:

“the parcel here in issue and the house thereon qualified for exemption during all of the 1998-assessment year either because it was in the process of adaptation for exempt use or because it was actually used by the Church as a parsonage for Rev. Casey.”

I know I’m going out on a limb, but you be the judge here. Which do you find more “legitimate”? John’s “Once Upon A Time” fairy tale – or – documentation from “The State of Illinois“?

What’s so astounding to me, is the man doesn’t appear to understand how anyone could possibly question his “reporting” as wrong or even inappropriate. To question anything he says or does is challenged with a very coy rebuttal and continued claims that HE is the most fair and unbiased source concerning YTB in the land. According to John, he’s proven how Coach has a long history of deception and he’s proud that his flock agrees that Coach should be thrown in jail for doing what he did to this church.

And yes, that type of arrogance is frustrating – even for me.

We can’t forget another court ruling regarding YTB’s business model and claims of an elaborate pyramid scheme that wasn’t just dismissed but tossed out as “redundant, immaterial, impertinent, or scandalous matter“. Again we find John and others on the wrong end of an argument calling the absurd complaint “powerful”.

Here’s how the Honorable Judge Murphy described the complaint:

“The First Amended Consolidated Complaint, filed July 15, 2009, is an ungainly monster of 39 pages containing 133 paragraphs (many of which have subparagraphs) that likely does not pass muster under the familiar federal “notice pleading” standard.”

True to form, John “disagrees” with the court’s ruling, and makes no apologies for his position or opinions. John falls right in line with the type of hideous and outrageous accusations Counsel tried to pull in its second go around, after the first complaint was dismissed. Their answer to the problem – a bolder, more brazen attack.

So which do you find more legitimate? John’s statement, or Judge Murphy?

From John’s point of view, it’s YTB that is “crafty” and “sly”. The only reason why YTB is still around is due to changing our model or living on the very edge of the law. Regardless how much change or how close we “appear” to be, it’s still the right side of the law. YTB’s model has never required “payment for the opportunity to recruit others” from day one. You may not agree with that – you may not understand that – and you may never accept that. But because yours is only “opinion” and not “fact” – you do have to continue to deal with YTB.

Finally, John recently found out that the law is the law, and everyone (including him) must abide regardless of opinions or perceptions. The creation of a fake Zam Zuu fan page to mock and poke fun at our company violated ZamZuu’s trademark causing a confusing similarity. His defense – a space between “Zam” and “Zuu”. (And no, I’m not kidding.)

John, you don’t just stink – you absolutely reek of lies, deceit and a perception that the laws of this land simply don’t apply to you. It’s a double standard that I will not turn away from and I will not make any apologies for in calling you out. We all make mistakes (even me) but there comes a time when you have to stop blaming others or being a victim and take personal responsibility for your own actions.

You are in the public eye and there will be those who will disagree and oppose you. There will also be those who will hold you accountable for your actions. If you don’t like it, either toughen up or stop what you’re doing and go back into hiding.

As it stands right now – you have proven to me, our company, and several outsiders who have no beef one way or another with YTB that you should not be trusted due to your attitude and your actions documented above.

For every action, there is a reaction. So if you don’t like my reaction, stop acting the way you are!

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We’ve talked about the shopping experience with ZamZuu several times over the last several weeks. It’s become such a simple process to Google a particular product and have a listing of all the suppliers who offer that product show up in a search complete with prices. Find a price you like? Chances are, it’s offered through the ZamZuu shopping portal – and you’ve got yourself an even better deal than Google can offer in the form of cash back.

It’s quick – it’s easy – and you get cash back for doing it. I can’t think of anyone who doesn’t like to save money, and that’s exactly what ZamZuu does for the average shopper with a free account.

Tonight, we’re going to offer up something for the business minds out there – people who are smart enough to look at ZamZuu as an income opportunity, not just a shopping opportunity.

Think about it. If you could offer up a free shopping portal to your friends, family, co-workers, and neighbors that enables them to save money when they shop online would you tell them? What if they told some friends? What if you could create a customer base of shoppers all shopping through ZamZuu and getting cash back for using your site? Would you be interested?

If you are – you can find out more about it tonight, February 16th, as ZamZuu offers up a live webcast at 8 pm Eastern, 7 pm Central, 6 pm Mountain, 6 pm Pacific to explain this growing trend in e-commerce and how you can benefit as a ZamZuu site owner.

This 30-minute webcast is designed to share the ZamZuu Income Opportunity and what it can offer you as a viable home based business. If you like what you see, you can get started with your own e-commerce website that’s ready to go the second you hit submit to start shopping and show others where to shop to receive cash back when they shop with you.

A home based business not your thing? That’s fine too – but I bet you know someone who would. If you do, and you refer them and ZamZuu will send you $25 just for the referral. Just let us know where to send the check by filling out the free referral form by clicking the “Exciting Referral Opportunity” icon.

Regardless of which way you lean, you owe it to yourself to take a look at this growing trend in e-commerce and how people are cashing in.

There’s no need to register, and if you miss the live webcast, it will rebroadcast at the top of each hour. If you like what you see, and need some more information on how to get started, just drop me a note or pick up the phone and call.

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I don’t have much time this morning, but wanted to share with you another great experience with ZamZuu.

Over the weekend, my laptop power supply went on the fritz. The power would cut in and out and the cord had to be just right in order to get power to the laptop. Power cords have been a constant problem over the years because it is a mobile device and I take the laptop with me where ever I go.

Kind of like my right arm. ;-P

Have you ever tried to shop around for a power supply? Did it a couple of years ago and ended up getting one of the all-in-one type supplies that cost about $120. Sure I could hook it up to multiple devices, but that’s hard to do when you need it for your laptop all the time. The next time it went on the fritz, I ordered one off the internet from somebody off of e-bay. Worst mistake I ever made. Sure it was cheap – I think something like $20 but that also meant it was cheap manufacturing. The stupid thing was so noisy you could see static on the television set – and that’s with a conditioner attached to the set! (Something used to clean up the power to the television.)

So the last time I needed to replace the power supply, I was a little more careful and bought from a reputable supplier that specialized in power supplies for around $40. Still cheaper than getting it direct from the computer manufacturer, but not so cheap that it wreaks havoc on all your other appliances.

What I didn’t realize at the time was the manufacturer who makes these power supplies also OEM’s them for other retailers, and depending on who you purchase it from, it could save you some money. Once I found the right price from a retailer I knew and trusted – I decided to log into my ZamZuu site to see if the retailer was one of the hundreds offered in my shopping portal. All I had to do was type the name in the search box and up it came.

So get this – not only did I find the cheapest price on the internet, I got it even cheaper because I was smart enough to check out ZamZuu before I decided to buy. And the time it took to log into ZamZuu to check? Less than 60 seconds to find the exact same item, for the exact same price through ZamZuu to get cash back.

As it turns out – the problem wasn’t the power cord, but the power supply connection inside the computer. After a little investigation, it was found that this tiny little item is attached to the mother board of the computer. (Meaning that in order to replace the power supply, you need to replace the main guts of the computer.)

More research showed that a new board for an outdated computer would cost around $400 to buy and repair. I can do a lot with computers – but a motherboard in a laptop isn’t one of them.

So what do we do now?

Do another search on the internet silly to find a new computer with the right features and the right price.

Not only did I find one, I found it locally from one of the big box retailers – who as you might have guessed is available through ZamZuu. (It’s one we have listed as our “Favorites”) Like the desktop that bit the dust before Christmas, this was another customer pickup that had a new laptop in my hands within 20 minutes of ordering a smashing new Dell laptop with most of the bells and whistles I wanted.

So from the comfort of an office chair I not only find the best deal in town, but get it for less because I went through ZamZuu.

I remember the old days of store hoping and think how chaotic and time consuming that process is – only to run into a cheaper price somewhere else a week later because I was too tired to take the time to check.

Well, I do have something that will take some time. Getting all my information on this computer from the weekly backups I make. I should be good as new by this afternoon with everything in its place.

Just wanted to share another reason and a personal experience that continues to cement my belief and faith that YTB is heading in the right direction. Without YTB’s foresight to diversify, it probably would have cost me a lot more time and money because I’m used to doing things a certain way. (Aren’t we all.)

Now that I know how easy and quick this is, you’d be hard pressed to ever get me to go back to doing things the old way.

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Whether you’re a fan of football or not, you were probably one of the estimated 100 million strong who tuned into watch last night’s Super Bowl. Parties pop up all over the world to watch this event.

Some even tune in to watch a football game.

Obviously Saints and Colts fans were watching to cheer for their respective teams. Old rockers like myself wanted to see if “The Who” could still make it through a set without suffering cardiac arrest. (The Super Bowl has come a long way since “Up With People” huh?) But the vast majority of the water cooler talk this morning I would imagine are the Super Bowl commercials that advertisers invested millions per spot to create brand recognition and buzz.

One of those advertisers the last 23 years had been Pepsi. But Pepsi decided to opt out this year not because they couldn’t afford the $12 million it would cost to air two spots during last night’s game. They opted out because they’re betting that “the days of mass-market media as the sole vehicle to reach an audience are officially over”.

Yep, you read that right, and an article forwarded to me last week lays out a whole new strategy for Pepsi that will focus on Social Media instead of Mass Media. For Pepsi, the Social Media platform is a much stronger and longer lasting medium for a yearlong initiative and their “Pepsi Refresh” campaign.

Granted, people still talk about Cindy Crawford’s appearance a couple years ago during the Super Bowl. (My personal favorites happen to be the E-Trade Babies that are absolutely hilarious!) The new Pepsi initiative however, in order for it to work, requires far more than a laugh, brand buzz or Monday morning water cooler talk.

“This is such a fundamental change from anything we’ve done in the past,” says Lauren Hobart, chief marketing officer for Pepsi-Cola North America Beverages. “It’s a big shift. We explored different launch plans, and the Super Bowl just wasn’t the right venue, because we’re really trying to spark a full-year movement from the ground up. The plan is to have much more two-way dialogue with our customers.”

The plan for Pepsi is to create a “charitable initiative that can build goodwill”. Pepsi wants to give away $20 million in grant money to fund projects in six categories: health, arts and culture, food and shelter, the planet, neighborhoods and education. You don’t start an initiative like that by spending $12 million in advertising dollars during the Super Bowl. It defeats the purpose, especially when there’s a better – more powerful medium that enables interaction between the company and the consumer who will guide this money to worthy projects.

Will this goodwill initiative spawn new customers and help Pepsi’s bottom line? It may not be enough for a Coke fan like myself to switch, but I do find Pepsi’s initiative refreshing enough to write about it – which could lead others to switch. (For the record, it does shed a whole new light on Dr. Pepper, which is a Pepsi brand I do drink.) For some it could tap into brand loyalty in a way that Mass Media could never do – especially during an event like the Super Bowl that’s designed for entertainment and not social change. That’s why I think Pepsi hits the mark with their choice to opt out of the Super Bowl this year and move to Social Media instead.

In my opinion, it’s a perfect marriage for goodwill and social change.

Social Media is just that – “social”. We’re social beings and the platforms available such as Twitter and Facebook enable big name companies to interact and promote not only their brand, but their cause. You’d be hard pressed not to find a company in this day and age who doesn’t have either a Facebook fan page or Twitter account, or both. Not to say some still don’t have one, but if you’re looking to build your company both mediums appear to be a top priority because they enable the company to interact with their customers in ways never thought possible before.

Like this story – Re-Tweet it. Something you find interesting or strikes a chord with you – write about it and link to it on your Facebook wall. Both platforms can do far more than announcing to the world you’re getting ready to get ready to go out next Friday night. And the thing is – people and companies are beginning to see the power these social platforms have. They’ve quickly turned into tools that promote meaningful change and perhaps, for companies like Pepsi – a better bottom line.

Aside from talking about all those over the top and extremely entertaining Super Bowl commercials there’s really very little value for me or you after that. Not that I have anything against brand buzz or hype. I buy into it just as much as the next guy – especially if it technology or travel related. But this shift Pepsi is taking this year takes a strike directly at this long standing medium and makes a very bold statement that there is another way – a better way to get your message and brand out to the masses.

I think about the ZamZuu video that’s on our Rep Accounts, and I see those quotes about the internet, Facebook, old ways of doing business, and traditional advertising being dead.

Couple that with what Pepsi is doing?

Do you think both could be dead wrong?

Possibly. But I don’t think the odds are that overwhelming when you have big names like Pepsi jumping from Mass Media to the Social Media bandwagon. You don’t just stop doing things after 23 years without some very close and careful analysis.

It’s certainly a very bold move. But those of us in YTB, know all about being bold don’t we?

Can’t wait to see how both shake out. ;-P

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That life is boring at YTB. ;-P

I apologize for not getting something out sooner – the kids had early release the last two days and we had projects planned. I also have a business to run and don’t have the vast amount of time in my profession that others apparently have. I have however been trying to sort out fact from fiction from various sources I know and trust via phone since the latest episode of “Days of YTB” has hit cyberspace.

Before we get started…I think it’s appropriate for the proper background music due the nature of what’s happened this week. For your listening pleasure, I’ve resurrected an oldie but goody that I’ve used before when there’s so much talk about YTB.

Apparently there was a mass exodus of wackos over the last 36 hours that have put out some pretty outrageous stuff. As usual, those of us who have a firm grasp on the situation are left to clean up the mess. Due to time restraints, I need to warn everyone that I have not read – but merely heard some of the rumors I’m about to squash. Therefore, please understand that some of what I might comment on – may not have ever been written in the vast space we call the internet – nor can I reference just who said it.

The following is a list of what I have heard and what I know to be true.

YTB’s CFO, John Clagg has resigned effective February 2nd. I’ve heard of various scenarios on how this came about. Some reasonable and some outlandish. The reasonable would consist of being burned out. With what the company has gone through since the California Law Suit was filed the day before the 2008 National Convention, and a new CEO who has a keen eye on the companies bottom line – it’s understandable that it would drain anyone.

Another reason I’ve heard is that John saw the writing on the wall – meaning, YTB isn’t going to make it.

Please…

One, the company has secured a $650,000 loan based on the expectant sale of the former home office located at One Country Club Drive. Which is odd – because it’s been widely publicized for years on various boards and blogs that YTB doesn’t have any assets to speak of. (Who knew?)

Two, it was announced on a company call yesterday, and corresponding documentation will be available to the field of some 300 $1000 Quick Start Bonuses will be in mailboxes across the country today. The ZamZuu e-commerce platform announced at the Coach’s Birthday Bash in early January has provided a much needed stimulus package for the field. When the field is making money, the company is making money. The enhanced commission structure enables the average person to attain a bonus, and that builds momentum.

You certainly don’t need to be a CPA to understand that cash flow isn’t the current problem at this point in time. (Still tight, but there is light at the end of the tunnel.)

An interesting observation from some time ago – I remember the exiting CFO being chastised by critics as “unqualified” for the position. It’s rather convenient that the ridicule and lack of qualifications are quickly tossed aside now that John has decided resign. I just love how folks can play both sides of the fence when a new position appears to benefit them. Happens with Directors too. All of the sudden these liars, scammers, and cheaters suddenly turn into Saints simply by leaving the company for another.

It would make any John Kerry supporter proud.

While there is a rumor of massive trading from our Directors due to this news, I’d hardly consider 29,300 shares massive. While John did resign on February 2nd, it was well after the closing bell on Tuesday. (3:00 Central time) I’ve never really understood just why this type of rumor persists with our Directors. I just chalk it up to ignorance and a way for critics to create more drama. Day traders have a ton more fun with this stock than any Director. Due to the timing of our CFO’s resignation and how suddenly (although not surprising) the resignation developed – nobody had any chance to benefit one way or another from this news. Based on the volume, between the verbal resignation and the release of the 8K – the numbers certainly don’t indicate insider knowledge.

Current CEO Robert Van Patten will fill in as interim CFO of the company until a replacement can be acquired. Mr. Van Patten is well equipped to fulfill the roll as CFO for YTB International, and has been in charge of much larger corporations in the past. His leadership is the largest reason why YTB has been able to acquire – all be it small – profits the last two quarters even with revenue down in 2009.

Another rumor floating around is that Ron Head, YTB’s Master Distributor has been terminated. While this may be the case after a thorough investigation – at present any word of termination is premature. Ron has I’m sorry to say been suspended due to possible cross recruiting.

If I’m getting e-mails and calls from every Tom, Dick, and Harry about the next “Big Thing” I can’t even begin to imagine what kind of carrots our Directors are seeing. How much greener the pastures are – how well everyone BUT YTB is doing in this economy – or all those “special positions” reserved for “true leaders” in the industry. I’ve seen and heard some real WHOPPERS in regards to rumors about what’s going on with YTB – including one I’ll mention later – that aren’t created by critics of MLM – but other MLM companies to lure people over to their company.

Attaining a Circle of Champion Director from YTB is a HUGE feather in the cap of any company because – as we all know – YTB created massive amounts of income for those who went to work. So much so, it caught everyone’s attention. Especially in an industry that understands and wants “recruiters”.

A personal note here – and this has nothing to do with Ron or any specific Director who has since left YTB for “greener pastures”. I have yet to hear of see any of YTB’s former Directors leave and actually stay with the next best thing they left YTB for. Several Directors that I know of have been with several different companies since leaving YTB and I can’t think of one (NOT ONE) who is currently better off today than they were the day they left YTB. Nor, with the exception of Corr, who just launched his new venture this week, is currently with the same company they moved on to.

That’s not to say they won’t be able to find another home. For some, I sincerely hope they do. It should be noted however that all of the fanfare up to this point has been nothing more than a passing fancy for every single Director who has left YTB for the next big thing.

Another very curious rumor floating around was that Coach, Scott and Kim were forming another MLM. Honestly, I just can’t wrap my head around this one. Critics, I could understand – they’ve always thought that our Founders would eventually call it quits. Some speculated retirement on some remote island with all our $50 checks in tow – while others speculated another industry entirely to rape and pillage. I’d expect that kind of stupidity from them.

It appears that rumor has also been squashed as Coach has been appointed the newest Master Distributor of…

Wait for it…

YTB.

Sigh…Coach will be recruiting again and honestly, it’s what he does best. I realize that frustrates some, and I know the fears and phobias surrounding the word “recruiter”. People slap that word on me all the time – and truth be told – yes, I do recruit. I recruit for Carnival, Princess, Sandals, Collette, Delta, Air Tran, Holiday Inn, Avis, Sears, Home Depot, Best Buy, and YTB. (Among others, but you get the idea.) We all recruit in some form or fashion and I fail to see what the concern or deal is when it comes to word “recruit”.

I can only hope that at some point in time they come come to grips with their “issues”. But don’t expect me to own that type of stupidity and fear just because it makes someone angry or bitter. The heightened outbursts and emotions I see reflects more about them, then it ever will me.

In closing, for those of you in YTB for reasons only you have a right to decide and place judgment on – don’t lose your focus or the sight of your dreams. Many of you got into YTB to sell travel and/or e-commerce. Others have found a new spark in the e-commerce platform that has triggered bringing people into a very promising opportunity that like travel a couple years ago was attractive to the masses.

If you’re like me, you see all the deposits waiting to turn into cash when these vacations are consumed this summer. Like the company, you need to think long term and tighten up to stay in the game in order to capitalize on the deposits your sitting on. Others saw checks in the form of cash back this week for doing what you already do – shop. More of the same is coming on the 11th when the residuals for being a business owner are sent out not only for your own shopping but all those who shopped on your sites.

By the way you realize they too got cash back checks this week from their own shopping experience with ZamZuu right?

Call them up…ask them if they think this works.

I got to tell you, it’s a much better alternative than searching the internet right now, trying to get a feel from a bunch of cowards who don’t have the guts to put a real name behind what they plaster all over the internet or talk about on the phone.

Because I had another post scheduled for today, it’s been bumped to Monday. I think you’ll like it and it drives home why ZamZuu is right on mark and why big name companies are going to a model just like ours to sell their product or service. You don’t want to miss it!

Hope to see you again on Sunday in your e-mail box with this week’s wrap up and the Just Picture It Now Newsletter.

PS - If you're involved with YTB, sign up for our FREE Newsletter. As a Website Owner or Website Seller, we'll keep you up to date with all the latest news, acquisitions, and developments with YTB.

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Boy…for a company that critics said would be out of business last year – the Home Office keeps rolling out new upgrades – business models – and marketing tools that appear to be aimed at building business.

I guess the Home Office never got the word that it was supposed to lay down and play dead.

What a shame, huh? ;-P

Once again, Business Owners have yet another new tool to market with in this day and age of digital communication with a new program called Grand Incentives.

Just what is Grand Incentives? It’s the latest in technology that obtains qualified prospects who are looking for a viable internet business which captures the emerging trend in travel and e-commerce. This digital media prospecting tool not only collects prospect information, but helps current business owners qualify and understand key interests and needs through an online survey.

To thank prospects for their time for viewing and filling out their information they receive several incentives as a thank you such as a 3 day, 2 night getaway, companion air, or a gas rebate for their time.

Grand Incentives has partnered with some of the premier vendors in the industry including Carnival, Marriott, Sandals, Delta, and American Express to offer incredible package giveaways. These types of incentives aren’t anything new. Some of the nation’s most respected brands and companies have already employed the Grand Incentives program, including McDonalds, Target, General Motors, and General Mills (for their Green Giant brand).

Don’t make the mistake of thinking that these are some sort of Time Share deals. These may be the same type of packages you receive after you sit through a grueling hard sell to spend thousands on a time share you’ll never use – but there’s no “hard sell” involved from previewing the ZamZuu business opportunity.

Similar to the traditional businesses referenced above, YTB will host live presentations for prospects with Grand Incentives “Traffic Ticket” program. After viewing the ZamZuu business model prospects will have an opportunity to scan their ticket to see what they’ve won. It’s far more interactive than a simple scratch off, and gives the entire group an opportunity to participate and react to the various prizes that are offered at each meeting.

YTB’s first roll out of this new model is tomorrow night, February 2nd, at 8 pm Eastern, 7 pm Central, 6 pm Mountain, 5 pm Pacific. The webcast can be viewed live on the internet at www.zamzuutv.com.

I found a couple of examples of how effective this type of program worked with other business models – and while it’s a little pre-mature to speculate how well it will work for YTB, the following examples are to say the least promising.

• Target used the Traffic Tickets to increase awareness and participation in their ‘Treat Seats’ program. The tickets were handed out in select store locations and guests were asked to complete a credit application for a chance to see what they won. The Traffic Ticket promotion generated three times the number of applicants as their ‘personal greeter’ program.

• Circle-K used the Traffic Ticket system to drive consumers into their stores. The tickets were mailed to households surrounding their locations. As a result sales increased 165% with only a 14% response rate.

• McDonald’s and Chevron used the program for their grand openings. Traffic Tickets were mailed out households in the surrounding area. Before the program, a typical response rate from other methods was 4%. The Traffic Ticket program however increased response rates anywhere from 12% to 16% each time they ran the Traffic Ticket program.

• And lastly, there is Safeway. They used this program to counter attack incoming competition. Traffic Tickets were mailed out to households in the surrounding area and attained a 32% response rate from direct mail. In every store 1000 people per day came up to the deli counters to play the game – and the promotion was credited for 100% market share retention.

Why is the Safeway promotion meaningful? Because, I see this Traffic Ticket system as a way to counter attack all the baloney out there on the web. Seen it for far too long and smart people DO question what they see out there – especially when it’s as emotional and violent as it is. One of the first things I do for those unfortunate enough to run into critics who oppose our model and our people, is forward a memorandum penned by an Honorable District Judge to those willing to take a closer look. This one document not only very eloquently, but lawfully puts all the ranting and raving lunatics in their place – and prospects begin to unravel the spin they see out there on the internet.

What people begin to realize is outspoken critics use the web in a confusing, disjointed, and repetitive manner. What they call “facts” suddenly doesn’t appear to add up when you supply actual documentation to counter it.

What I’m getting at here is that what Grand Incentives, and the Traffic Tickets enable Business Owners to do is provide a meaningful incentive for people to take a look at our Founders, our people, and our business model face to face. The cowards out there that potential prospects only know as some bogus screen name won’t amount to much after documentation and a live person with a real name comes into the picture.

Done properly in conjunction with a settlement that will transform YTB Travel Network into a full-fledged franchise model (instead the bogus pyramid scheme mantra proposed by critics) and documentation supplied by Travel Weekly as the 25th largest seller of travel in the country – the wheels on the bus begin to fall off as critics are exposed as being the ones who are childish and misleading – not the other way around.

If you’re a business owner, you need to invest in a good marketing program to advertise and bring people in. If you don’t, you won’t be in business for very long. Looking at the ROI for Grand Incentives and this Traffic Ticket program, it’s by far the best partnership I’ve seen YTB come up with. Especially when you look at the companies who are already using it to build business and retain customers.

Best of all – for me, it provides just the vehicle I need to get the truth out there about a business model I love and respect and why I think it’s here to stay.

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Do You ZamZuu?

Miss me?

Yeah, I know – I promised that I would get back into the swing of things at the beginning of the year with regular posts here. I was doing just fine until YTB launched ZamZuu and Shazam! – I’m off promoting this cool new product launch that’s half the price and twice the fun for entrepreneurs. It’s also a ton of fun showing customers how to get a free account to start saving money from hundreds of stores they already know and trust.

Quite honestly, you’ve got to be brain dead not to see this thing. Shopping with hundreds of brand names stores on their websites and getting cash back when you do just for going through ZamZuu?

What’s not to get?

It’s free for customers to join. Stores pull from a nationwide inventory or regional warehouse. Most have the option of site to store for easy pickup. (And no shipping charges!) Just about every stores will also e-mail weekly sales right to your in-box if you subscribe off their sites – and you should if you’re a regular shopper. Frankly, I prefer far less clutter – and will use the new ZamZuu Dealz fan page as a central location to find great “dealz” – rather than scanning through hundreds of store e-mails. (I’ve signed up with some stores and get an e-mail a day – which honestly is a bit much.)

Here’s the biggest no brainer for me. It will never – ever – ever be more expensive for any of my customers going through ZamZuu than it will going direct to the store. Just can’t be done – they’re going to the same site stores and see the exact same products and prices anyone else does.

Customers who are smart enough to go through ZamZuu instead of going direct however – get cash back on every purchase made through ZamZuu. Something that can’t be done by going direct.

Back around Christmas, our office computer died. I had no idea what was available these days – nor did I have any feel for how much prices have come down. It’s been years since I even thought about buying a new desktop. What do you think is easier, hopping in the car and going from store to store or hopping on my laptop to do a Google search for “desktop computer”? As it turns out, one of the big box stores that are on ZamZuu had a sale for case, keyboard and mouse for only $229. At that point, I didn’t need to shop any longer. (Would you for that price?) I logged into ZamZuu and went directly to the store which was saved as one of our favorites – ordered the exact make and model I found earlier for exact same price and requested to pick up at the local store 10 minutes away.

After completing my order, I got confirmation of the order and information that I would be notified when it was ready.

Wanna know how long it took to complete the order?

Ten minutes later, I got an e-mail “Your order is ready for pick-up”. As I hit “print” and headed upstairs to go grab the confirmation needed off the printer, I just had to laugh at how easy that was.

But it gets better. Remember, this was back before Christmas and the height of the Christmas shopping season. As I walked into the store, I checked to my left to see long lines of customers waiting to check out – as I headed to the right – towards Customer Pickup. There I found heaven.

No lines.

I handed my confirmation to the friendly Associate, she hand me the product, paid in full and I was walking out the door within minutes of placing my order online.

The entire process from search to pick up took no more than an hour to complete.

And I got cash back from ZamZuu for doing it!

But the cash back is merely an added bonus to an already smarter way to shop. I wrote about how we shopped this year for Christmas, ordering everything on-line and having the kids Christmas presents sent to the local stores in Pittsburgh for my parents to pick up. Talk about a stress free Christmas! And as an added bonus – there was absolutely no way the kids could “peek” this year – because they were all hidden 600 miles away!

I do have to caution you on one drawback however. Because we didn’t realize how much we bought for the kids – we had to strap them to the roof in order to get all the presents inside the van to get home.

Note to self: If anyone takes that literally, we have found the poster child for “brain dead”.

Moving on…

Fact is, we live in a digital age now. The internet changed all that. If you don’t think so, just try to find a single big box store that’s not online these days. Everybody’s got a web site for a reason. It’s easier – faster – and far more convenient for the customer. It’s also extremely cost effective for the stores and can do nothing but increase profits for retailers.

I’ve had a couple of inquiries of late on where this number of $950 billion spent in retail in the last quarter of 2009 came from – while only 3% of it was spent on-line. (Video below) I’ve been so busy that I have not even bothered to research or ask about that number myself. However, if you’re looking for numbers and something that you can document, I’d highly recommend eMarketer. I did a piece on them back in June of last year and if it’s documentation you’re looking for about on-line shopping – this would be the company that I would look to for a number like that. The documentation sighted there will provide the most comprehensive study found anywhere regarding e-commerce and it’s growth over the next few years.

You can predict the future by looking at it’s past. Look at what YTB did with Travel? Took a bunch of “Average Joes” and sold over $1 billion in travel in 8 years, all because of the internet.

You’ve gotta like the odd when it comes to everything else!

PS - If you're involved with YTB, sign up for our FREE Newsletter. As a Website Owner or Website Seller, we'll keep you up to date with all the latest news, acquisitions, and developments with YTB.

PPS - Subscribe to the Just Picture It Now RSS feed, (including e-mail) for all the latest posts and updates found right here!

Learn How To Become A Travel Agent

Book Your Travel & Vacations With

Do You ZamZuu?