One of the BEST features about Convention is the opportunity to learn and grow. Sure the recognition and the upgrades are a nice benefit, but the opportunity to LEARN makes our industry special. Always the student, I relish the opportunity to learn something new – enhance what I’m already doing – or get turned onto a brand new product or feature.

It’s what keeps this company fresh and interesting. I mean, YTB has never been boring, (especially the last couple of years) but all the new features, vendors and income opportunities not only make a company like this fun but worth your while with this kind of assortment to choose from.

Oh – you’ll also notice even more of our Travel Vendors offering up their expertise. While they’ve always shown up as a vendor in the past – this is the first year their getting in on the classes being offered. Nice to see their continued support.

Check out the great courses that are offered by ZamZuu University today. A chance to learn from the best in business – Business Builders, Featured Stores and Travel Vendors all in one place. It’s all here!

HOW TO USE SOCIAL NETWORKING TO BUILD YOUR TEAM AND GROW YOUR BUSINESS
Nakia Muhammad, Coach’s Corner member
This course will provide attendees with the basic knowledge and understanding of how to prospect, qualify, identify and sign up new Business Owners via Facebook. Learn and apply these techniques and explore your business!

TRAVEL THE WORLD WITH PLEASANT HOLIDAYS
Barbara DeSanto, Pleasant Holidays
Presenting the world of Pleasant Holidays – offering vacation and cruise packages to Hawaii, Mexico, Caribbean, Tahiti/Fiji, Costa Rica and USA Learn about all the great specials Pleasant Holidays has to offer!

BECOME A DIRECTOR IN 90 DAYS
Dave and Marlis Funk, ZamZuu Directors
Learn how to become a Director in 90 days including the three phases you must go through to be successful in ZamZuu. They will teach you how your “Wheel of Fortune” can help you build if you JUST APPLY IT!

HIGH QUALITY, CUTTING-EDGE NUTRITIONAL SUPPLEMENTS
Brett Cherry, Nutraceutics
Nutraceutics is dedicated to formulating and bringing to market the highest quality nutritional supplements based on the latest in scientific research and manufactured to the most exacting pharmaceutical-grade specifications.

PROTECTING OUR KIDS WITH ZAMZUU CHILD PROTECTION MOBILE APPLICATION
Tim Woda
Protecting our kids from the dangers of sexting, cyberbullying, and sex predators.

BIGGER PROFITS WITH GINA ALEXANDER HANDBAGS
Gina Alexander, Gina Alexander Handbags
The story from the woman herself! Class includes social media strategies, how to make money with Facebook, how to recognize the PERFECT photo and placing orders with/without a photo.

THE MIND OF THE TEST DRIVE
Demond Crump, ZamZuu Director
Learn the reason for every move made during the “test drive.” Demond will demonstrate how the value of ZamZuu should be showcased!

JUMP START YOUR CRUISE BUSINESS
Ann Sedgwick, Carnival Cruise Lines
This fast paced seminar will include what you need to know to be successful in selling cruises, the tools to make you more successful, the most popular destinations to sell right now, the easiest way to sell and book travel, tricks of successful groups and selling up for greater commissions! Whether you are just getting started in the business or a seasoned pro, this seminar is for you!

EMPOWERING YOU TO PROSPER
James and Marcia Prewitt, ZamZuu Directors
Learn how to grow closer to the source of all true wealth and power. Leverage your time and effort by using a systematic approach to explore your business. Find a divine balance of being successful mentally, spiritually and financially!

EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW TO SUCCESSFULLY SELL DIAMOND ICE PRINTS
Julie Milford, Diamond Ice Prints
Come hear an introduction/history of the company and product, a detailed description of the process, photographic resolution training, sales strategies, and support.

HOW TO HAVE A SUCCESSFUL HOME PARTY WITH JOLIECOU JEWELRY
Lee Bayes and YoLanda McClease, JolieCou Jewelry
Imagine having fun selling JolieCou Jewelry and Accessories and making money while you do it! This presentation will teach you how to have a “Successful Home Party” and boost your sales. Who doesn’t love high quality, unique jewelry at affordable prices!

GIVING YOUR BUSINESS A FACE LIFT
Linda Chaé, Chaé Organics
Learn how to build your business with new, exciting products. Even men will have a secret weapon to enroll women and other men. Website Discount Code given to attendees only.

SETTING THE RIGHT (DNA) EXPECTATIONS!
Nick Nicholson, ZamZuu Director
This class will teach you how to set realistic expectations in your new ZamZuu Business. It will show you how to build a large and committed team of successful leaders.

YTB TRAVEL NETWORK
J. Kim Sorensen, President and CEO of YTB Travel Network, and Guest Speakers
Come hear about a few of the many opportunities YTB Travel Network provides. You can expect to learn about niche and group travel opportunities and hear from the experts!

TEAM BUILDING
Jerome Hughes, ZamZuu Director
Jerome Hughes and several team leaders will discuss skills for building a successful team.

ZAMTEK – WIRELESS PRODUCTS AND THE ZAMZUU DIGITAL VIDEO PHONE
Marc Tolkov, Simplexity and Barry MacCheyne, WorldGate
Simplexity will teach you everything you need to know about wireless products and services. WorldGate lets you experience an exciting demonstration of the ZamZuu Digital Video Phone and the opportunities it presents!

ZAMZUU INSURANCE 2.0 AND EDUCATION AND FINANCIAL SERVICES – “THE NEXT GENERATION
Mark G. Pollock and Dustin Lopez, ZamZuu Insurance
ZamZuu Insurance will cover the Website with a new Avatar look, how to quote and when you get paid. We will also cover the basics of the Financial Services site and what you get paid for. Both are kicked off with a “Did You Know” video!

LEARN HOW TO PUT THE “ZAM” IN YOUR ZAMZUU BUSINESS
Arlyne Thompson, ZamZuu Director
Utilizing themed home parties, inspiring events, educational webinars, exciting conference calls and tools to keep your team connected!

GETTING STARTED (ZAMZUUED) FAST!
Malcolm Alexander, ZamZuu Director
Ever wonder what the difference between you and the major networkers? How do you land a big fish? You will be let in on some industry secrets the big boys don’t want you to know!

THE WORLD OF PRINCESS CRUISES
Amy Alford, Princess Cruises
Join Amy Alford, District Sales Manager with Princess Cruises for an informative presentation and discover the World of Princess! Learn why Princess is the consummate host and the value of selling Princess to your clients. New itineraries for 2011 and 2012 will be featured.

FACING YOUR GIANTS
Jil Greene, ZamZuu Director
Everyone has the ability to be a Director! If you are not…something is stopping you. What is it? It’s your Giant. Attend a real live ceremony (presentation? Ceremony doesn’t fit here) that will show you how to slay your Giant, put it to rest and become a Director in the ZamZuu Business!

WHO WANTS TO BE A MILLIONAIRE? THE FORMULA FOR SUCCESS
Nick Pagano, ZamZuu Director
The economy has changed and so have the ways to create and maintain wealth. Given that, why is it that some people can build this business easily and others have more difficulty? We will answer that question in this presentation!

HOLLAND AMERICA LINE, ELEGANT COMFORT
Robin Pelland, Holland America Line
For more than 136 years, Holland America Line has been a recognized leader in cruising, taking their guests to exotic destinations around the world. Through excellence, they create once-in-a-lifetime experiences. Holland America Line provides elegant comfort, award-winning service, five star dining and extensive activities.

THE POWER OF RESIDUAL INCOME
Rick Ricketts, ZamZuu Director
Come hear Rick Ricketts talk about leadership and building relationships that will help you produce and maintain your residual income.

DISCOVER HOW PH PERFECT CAN BE YOUR ULTIMATE FOUNTAIN OF YOUTH
Kriss Hansen and George Hou, pH perfect, Inc .
Learn the dirty little secret multi-billion dollar companies don’t want you to know. Also, find out how pH perfect can eliminate toxic stress and pollution from your life.

As you can see – there’s something for everyone and most mix and match as they like. With so much to choose from, the hardest part is narrowing it down to just a few classes. Spend the whole day on travel if you’d like – or building your business – doesn’t matter to us. It’s all about what matters to YOU.

Nice – huh?!

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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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Over the last five years, I’ve written on a number of topics, and about a number of people.

Having a blog that’s well read, well ranked, and well linked has its advantages. Quite often I’ll write about a certain company or person, they’ll find it and often times pick up the phone and call me directly to thank me. It use to blow me away, and I still gets me jazzed when someone takes the time to call about something I’ve written. It’s enabled me to connect to an number of really cool people that without this blog – I most likely wouldn’t have an opportunity to connect with.

I received such a voice mail this weekend – but this particular message took me by surprise.

What was remarkable about it was that it wasn’t anything that I had written recently. In fact I wrote it two and a half years ago – back before all the “drama” from our industry professionals started to stir and the constant shaming of the Founders, the Company, and our people who they claim have no interest in being legitimate “Travel Agents”.

The article I’m talking about was a post announcing YTB’s E-Campus training, and the person who called to thank me was Dr. Marc Mancini himself.

He found what I wrote and was so moved by my article that he immediately picked up the phone to call me to offer his sincere gratitude and thanks for my support.

I was on the phone at the time, and the caller ID said “Unknown Caller” so I let it go to voice mail. I wish I would have picked it up, because it was me who wanted to thank him – not the other way around.

Why? Because guys like Dr. Mancini are part of the solution – not part of the problem.

At the time I wrote that piece I had no knowledge of the battle that was about to erupt. We all knew there were “issues” stirring in the industry and E-Campus was a step in the right direction in qualifying and legitimizing YTB Travel Network as a true host. Come to find out years later is that you can take all the courses you’d like, attain all the credentials you want, but as long as your name is attached to an MLM host – it’s never going to be good enough for some.

These are simple minds who just won’t tolerate MLM because it’s a buzzword they throw around without having any true idea of what it is or what it means. It’s just bad. Very – very bad. Oh sure, they all claim to be experts, but have you actually seen the crap they think it is?

It makes me laugh it’s so ridiculous. So lame and comical I haven’t needed to defend any of it outside of this blog for years. If people who read that junk are stupid enough to fall for such nonsense, they shouldn’t be in business to begin with.

Dr. Mancini got his share of ridicule too just after E-Campus was announced. People called him all sorts of names, threatened to boycott his trainings – the standard threats that we’ve all come to know years later. What impresses me most about Dr. Mancini is that he had the guts to stick to beliefs. Yes, he was being paid for the courses he created for YTB (as he should be) but he never backed down due to pressure from traditionalist. We’ve seen plenty of examples over the years of just how nasty and irrational a small segment can be. Think back to MailPound and Davidoff Associates and how they were relentlessly scorned and chastised for attempting to offer value to YTB Travel Network as a Host Agency – not just some random MLM.

What’s so odd to me is that the “spin” from this small segment was (actually still is after all these years) that people like me aren’t interested in learning about the travel industry at all. The focus according to them is “recruiting” – and that my friend is a word that conjures up some of the deepest fears and phobias I’ve ever witness in human behavior.

I mean it REALLY gets some people worked up.

I’ve heard it said many times that if YTB would simply drop the MLM part of our pay plan, we just might be accepted as a legitimate agency. What these dolts can’t comprehend is that “somebody” is being paid in every Travel Host out there that charges a fee. (To the guy at the top of the pyramid no less!) We just happen to offer part of that “fee” to those who are responsible for making the sale. To me, that makes it not only fair, but a much more attractive compensation package than any other agency out there.

And for the traditionalist that are holding out hope that YTB would ever dump the MLM payment structure…sorry, nobody asked you.

No, we’ll stick with true leaders and mentors. Those who have the intelligence to see past some model and look at the people who are involved.

I recently wrote about how this industry (MLM) is chalked full of support and mentors. Nor have I been surrounded by more gratitude and love. Dr. Mancini may not be a part of MLM, but he’s got the true spirit of this industry down packed.

And for that – it’s me that is offering my sincere gratitude to him for not only acting like a true professional, but being part of the solution – not the problem.

Thank YOU Dr. Mancini.

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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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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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I have an old friend who always says…”If it’s free…it’s for me!”

Today is YTB’s last Red Carpet Day of 2009. Just like all the other Red Carpet Days that came before it, YTB offers a free lunch. It wasn’t a big deal back in the beginning when the company was located on the top floor of an old bank building in downtown Alton, IL with a handful of people showing up to meat Coach, Scott, and Kim. The handful grew into a dozen, and then a hundred, to today – when well over one thousand people show up to tour the YTB Home Office to kick the tires and see if this company is for real.

There’s something about Red Carpet Day that cements the company as “the real deal” when you have a chance to actually see the facility and the people who work there. I remember being blown away at the various departments and the organization of the layout. It was also a real treat to personally meet some of the Home Office Team that I had been communicating with either via support tickets, e-mail, or phone conversations. Many in the home office staff have been there for years and over time you develop relationships with them. To have a chance to put a face to a name enhances that relationship.

While the office buildings may have changed, the home office staff has expanded, and the number of people who experience Red Carpet each event has certainly grown over the years – one thing has remains the same.

They still offer a free lunch.

While I know there are those who follow the old quote “There’s no such thing as a free lunch” there is one small catch. After lunch, it’s time to put your business hat on and listen to the CEO of YTB Marketing (and newly appointed Chairman of the Board) Scott Tomer as he explains the YTB business model to new prospects.

One of the things I love about Scott is that he lays it out from the very beginning – that if the YTB model doesn’t make sense, do him and everyone else a favor and don’t join. There’s no “rah rah” or “motivational talk” from Scott. The model is laid out in black and white, without any sugar coating – and many of the worn out myths and misconceptions about MLM and Network Marketing are brought up and challenged for those who care to listen to someone who not only has practical experience but has had a considerable amount of success in the model.

I remember the first time I heard Scott tell people not to join. I woke me up – because I had never heard anyone say something like that before. Today, I understand not only why he leads with this, but find it extremely effective. I see to many newcomers in the Direct Sales industry either beg, or tell someone that they need this in order to save them from financial ruin. YTB just like any other job, opportunity, or investment is a choice. If you want to come along for the ride – great – let’s get to work. For those who are unsure or don’t like Direct Sales, that’s fine too. It’s not everyone’s cup of tea and not everyone is comfortable with being paid based on results. For Scott and myself, we’re going to continue down this path regardless of your perceptions. Just like you, that’s our choice. I don’t need any convincing because I’ve already taken great vacations, I’ve already made both travel commissions and marketing commissions, and I’ve already seen that this model works when you work it the right way.

What Red Carpet is designed to do is help both the newcomer and the existing IBC or Rep understand that real people run this company. There is also a real home office with real customer service people who are there to answer questions and offer training and support. It certainly helps to see it live and in living color.

While it’s a little late to make the free lunch today. Red Carpet will be back in full force in 2010. When the schedule comes out for the spring, I’d highly recommend that you find a date and go. It’s one thing to be part of YTB, but when YTB becomes part of you at Red Carpet, it’s a whole new ballgame. Not only is it enlightening, it’s interactive and fun, and if nothing else, there’s a free lunch in the deal.

Take a look for yourself.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

That my friends is a REAL open door policy.

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