As kids, we always want toys under the Christmas tree. As we age and get older, our interest in toys appears to change. For yours truly – they get a bit more technical and more expensive.

Hey – I still love my toys. ;-P

I would imagine however that a sizable percentage of us however would be very happy with cold hard cash under the tree as we get older. If I had to guess, it’s because cash gives us the ability to buy exactly what we want.

I have no idea what other companies are doing this year for Christmas in regards to Christmas bonuses. I would imagine that some will continue to ride the “bad economic times” coat tails. Bad economy or not, I remember two years when instead of a bonus – either myself or Ronda got laid off right around Christmas time.

And some wonder why we don’t consider a “job” very stable and looked at something like Network Marketing to earn income.

See – at least in Network Marketing or Direct Sales YOU control of how much you make. You’re paid in direct proportion to the results you produce. Which for those who have been brain washed into thinking you only need to exchange time for money is a real problem. For those that actually get this concept and take control of their time to treat MLM like a legitimate business (despite the low cost of entry) it can produce very lucrative results.

For anyone who’s not afraid of sales and knows how to manage their time and activities properly, there’s nothin’ better or more rewarding.

That being said – I’d challenge anyone to provide me with a bonus offer like the one I received late last week that kicks off today. Here’s a company that puts YOU in the drivers seat and enables you to create your own bonus this year.

It’s not like a traditional bonus. It’s one that you have to earn. But it’s also one that puts you in the drivers seat – enabling you to create your own outcome.

Here’s how it reads:

Earn a 25% BONUS this Christmas!

Introducing YTB Unwrapped this week – December 5-11, 2011.

With the big holiday gift giving season upon us, YTB wants to help make it a bit more manageable. For one week only beginning Monday, December 5, you’ll have the ability to earn a 25% bonus when you sell over $500 worth of products (excludes Travel Program Sales). And, that’s on top of your normal commission payout!

Here’s how it works:
Sell at least $500 worth of products (such as Suklaa, GreenTech, Z Mobile, or Ganovia) in any combination to non-Rep customers and we’ll pay you 25% of your retail amount sold.

For example, anyone who sells $500 will receive a bonus of $125 plus commission!

YTB Unwrapped begins Monday, December 5 — 5:00 p.m. Central with a special webcast on www.ZamZuuTV.biz

YTB Unwrapped will rebroadcast all week long at the top of every hour through December 11. Each product line will have its own 10-minute spot with 2 minutes in between. (We’ll also post these on our YouTube page to share individually with a prospective customer!)

Start scheduling appointments or host a party to showcase one or all of the YTB Family of products this week!

A couple points of clarification on what qualifies:
Shipping and taxes are not included in the retail price for this promotion. Sales are calculated to full paying clients outside of the YTB company. Sales at Rep pricing are not eligible for this bonus.

Let’s make this Christmas even more joyful with a 25% bonus!

~~~

I gotta tell you – this is why I love YTB and what it stands for. It’s product driven and empowers those who get Direct Sales and results based income. If you have the capacity to grasp the tools provided and the fact that you’re in control – it’s an incredible and very generous offer. 

It should make Christmas very merry this year anyone who goes out an earns it.

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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When I started my new business back in August, one of the requirements was insurance. The company required me to either upgrade or add outright general business liability, property, and bodily injury. All totaled, the insurance required with my new company is worth more than $1.4 million.

We went with our current carrier for home and auto right out of the gate – just to get the coverage we needed. We questioned however if the coverage was adequate or if the rates were competitive.

After all the dust settled from getting our new business off the ground, we decided to shop around for better coverage and rates. One of the candidates happened to be a neighbor of ours. She knew us personally, and she had just made a switch to another company that had been attempting to recruit her for some time. We were blown away by the rates, the assortment of coverage, her attention to detail, and the personal attention we received.

When she came by the house the other night with a hard copy of the new policy, she provided a handful of business cards and asked us for referrals.

I couldn’t help but laugh at how her sales process worked. How ironic that if she had done the same exact thing with some MLM or Network Marketing gig, it would have been “unethical” or “hounding” us for even asking for referrals.

Because she works with a “traditional business” nobody thinks twice about this type of marketing and promotion.

I then started to drill back over the last year and thought about all the business we had done with neighbors who were introduced to us either because we knew them personally, or because they were introduced to us by other neighbors who hired them and were pleased with their work.

I thought back to the new roof we put on the house last year that was completed by a neighbor of ours. He doesn’t do a lick of paid advertising, and he was actually recommended to us by another neighbor who had their roof done by the same neighbor. All of his business comes from referrals.

When we repaired the rotted trim on the house and had the outside of the house repainted this summer, we got a number of quotes. As you probably guessed at this point, we settled on another neighbor to do the work for us. He wasn’t the cheapest, but we felt the quality of the materials and paint along with his reputation as a quality craftsman was worth the slightly higher price.

We’ve since raved about his quality work and materials to other neighbors who now admire our new look in the neighborhood. In addition, he’ll get more business from us for a new makeover in our master bath, and a new outdoor area in our back yard that we want to have done by next summer.

The Dealership we bought our new Town and Country Limited from – also recommend by a neighbor. As it turns out, we’ll be recommending that same Dealership as well. Not only was it the easiest, most pleasurable car purchased we’ve ever made, if someone mentions our name, we’ll get a $200 referral kickback from the Dealership when they purchase.

You, yourself can most likely think of your own examples of business you’ve done with personal contacts and neighbors or business that started as a referral like this.

So what gives with this phobia anti-MLM Zealots have with Network Marketing companies doing the same thing? Why – or more accurately “how” could business like this be perceived as unworthy, unethical, or hounding someone for business?

Truth is, after reading and talking with anyone who attempts to make an exception out of MLM for this type of promotion and marketing doesn’t have the proper business background to speak intelligently about marketing.

It screams “ignorance”.

Any true business owner, traditional or MLM will tell you that this type of marketing and promotion is by far the most cost effective – and because it comes from word of mouth (or referrals) it’s potentially the most effective form of promotion there is. Having a testimonial from a third party like this is incredibly powerful and desirable from both the seller and the buyer.

If you ever hear someone complain about MLM or referral marketing and promotion consider the source. Do they have a business of their own? If they do – how successful is their current business? If it’s not – there’s your limiting belief.

Until they change or modify this belief, they’ll continue to struggle and remain unproductive and unhappy.

It’s no coincidence that the neighbors we have that are the most happy, and the most active around the neighborhood are also business owners. They get it.

And if you ask any of them – business is booming.

From the looks of it, anyone who comes in contact with them can tell that’s true. Like us, they’re driving new cars, getting improvements done to their house, and are able to spend just as much time as we do participating in neighborhood gatherings and social events.

Why? Because they know how to market and promote like just like a Network Marketing company does.

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Sorry I haven’t been around much lately. It’s not that I haven’t wanted to write before now, but writing has taken a back seat to business the last few weeks. Business has been going much better than expected right out of the gate, although it’s consumed a lot of my time and energy. It was important to me to set new standards and procedures right away, which has been welcomed by everyone that has seen both the old and new version of this business and management team. The new look and feel of the business has really paid off in spades.

When I first wrote about this business, and how optimistic I was about this new venture I mentioned how YTB (or any MLM really) was the perfect proving ground to change ones habits and thinking from being an “employee” to “business owner”. So much of what I was introduced to when I joined YTB wasn’t actually developed for MLM, but for traditional business. It was only adapted into the MLM model because it was sound business.

The lessons learned and the habits created over the last six years with YTB have made this transition from MLM to traditional business a piece of cake.

Don’t misunderstand me. There’s a lot of hard work involved. When my head hits the pillow at night, I’m exhausted. I don’t have a set schedule (like some 9-5) and practically work all hours. That being said, there’s still a nice balance of work and family time. For example, when the kids come home from school in the afternoon, I still take breaks to get them snacks, ask how their day was, and work with them on homework. After they’re in bed, I’m cashing out the daily sales, placing orders, preparing the lineup for the next day’s events, and responding to customer and employee e-mails.

Some of the daily tasks might have been different with YTB, but the work ethic and drive was instilled in me over the years because of MLM.

I also remember a time when commissioned sales intimidated the hell out of me. I never thought I was very good at it. One of those limiting beliefs I had about myself that just never served me very well. Sales always equated to being pushy for some reason – and that’s never been something I’ve been comfortable with. It wasn’t until YTB that it became a sheer numbers game of just asking and collecting an answer. Then it began to click. Not everyone gets (or wants) what you have. While most spend time trying to convince the wrong person for all the wrong reasons, I simply offered up features, advantages and benefits and collected an answer.

As Jerome Hughes has always said – “Tell me “Yes” – Tell me “No” – but tell me quick, I gotta go.”

I also liked what Rick Ricketts has always said – “I get up every morning and look for people who are looking for me.”

This idea of trying to convince family and friends is probably the biggest load of bull I’ve ever heard about MLM. It’s not that you shouldn’t ask, but if they simply don’t want to – your time is much better spent looking and asking someone else who will say yes. It’s not that I, Jerome, or Rick are any better at recruiting than anybody else.

We just asked more people.

In addition, when you have the right mindset and attitude, the right circumstances and people fall right into place. Part of my responsibility with the new business is new business development. I’ve since recruited someone who will focus on that aspect of the business in the coming months, but it’s my responsibility to get that ball rolling. One of those new areas is an entire county that was always part of the territory but never worked. A large task for sure, that I really wasn’t looking forward to cultivating. (Especially when I’ve got so many other responsibilities that I’m trying to manage.)

While out pounding the pavement in another territory, I got a lead from one of my other customers. I come to find out that this new lead happens to be in the very county I’m responsible for cultivating. While traveling, I make an immediate call to the new lead to introduce myself. Turns out, this new lead not only wants what I have, but thinks others could benefit from our services as well. There’s a meeting with a small group of 30 or more coming up in September that this new lead would like me to come out and do a presentation for if I wanted to.

If I wanted to?

Are you kidding me? The chance to present my business and services to 30 plus who could not only use my services but benefit from it in one fell swoop? It was just the shot in the arm I needed to get this new county and territory off the ground – and a lot quicker and easier than I had ever imagined.

I have no idea is you believe in or even know about “The Law of Attraction”. Most, I would hope have at least heard about the movie “The Secret”. I’ve heard both pro and con from others concerning this idea about attracting what you want into your life. Those that are pro know like I do that this “law” is an actual “law”, just like the “Law of Gravity”. You really don’t need to understand it or even except it – but it IS a law all the same. It works whether you want it to or not. It works whether you understand it or not.

Some of my readers are Faith based and “The Law of Attraction” actually parallels faith and belief. It’s not that I don’t have faith in God or a higher power – but my logical mind grasps the scientific aspects that everything we see, feel, and experience is “energy”. Some consider it “new age” or a “gimmick” and that’s fine. Truth is, there’s nothing “new age” about it. The idea and concept has been around for thousands of years.

Having this one person show up in my business out of the blue when my energy and thought levels have been so extreme and positive just adds more proof to me that we are all connected by this energy.

That energy stems from the fact that I’ve attained practical – real world business experience through YTB and MLM. It’s gone past the point of just knowing what to do and how to do it. It’s become habit for me after all these years.

I’ve tried reading books, attended seminars, even tried starting a few businesses prior to YTB without much success. Little did I realize that YTB and MLM would provide the tools and the habits necessary to get my MoJo on and find true business success.

If your serious about changing your circumstances and creating your own future and success in business, you need to not only take a serious look at MLM, but take MLM seriously – not just some hobby. There’s a wealth of information – and a ton of successful, motivated individuals who are more than happy to share and help you along the way. Take it from someone who not only knows, but has experienced it.

It’s real – it’s true – it’s practical. More so than any college course, seminar, or some know it all who thinks he or she has all the answers.

Want Business MoJo? Find a good MLM.

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You know what I love about YTB? They’re always one step ahead and cutting edge. Masters at spotting hot markets and finding a reliable product to sell that makes us money. They’ve been doing it for 30 years which started back in the A.L. Williams days. And just like YTB turned travel on its ear – A.L. Williams did the same thing with insurance way back when.

Today, if you’re not doing e-commerce and reaching out electronically – well, you’re just plain sunk without much hope of succeeding in this modern age.

I’ve heard rumblings about this new shift in marketing for about a year now. A vast number of “Marketing Guru’s” that I subscribe to have been telling me that mobile is the next big “boom”, and we better get our feet wet. When it gets the attention of the likes of Jay Conrad Levinson – you better make note.

Speaking of Mr. Levinson, if you’ve never heard of that name, find a way to read some of his books. The guy is absolutely brilliant. And when I say “Marketing Guru” – I don’t mean just “Network Marketing”.

Mr. Levinson has been contracted to work with the likes of Wells-Fargo, Citicorp, Visa, Viacom, BF Goodrich, Honda, Club Med, Rolling Stone, Montgomery Ward, Nissan, Mercedes, Volvo, and Holiday Inn. His book “Guerrilla Marketing” is a must read for anyone who needs to promote a business or product.

Any-who – back to mobile, and why I like Z Mobile.

Take this new business I just came under contract with this past week. I just got a Sales Report for the Fall of 2010 and Spring of 2011. During that time, the territory did a whopping 1450 of what they call “events” in the territory. Now these “events” are actually set up in more of a “B2B” fashion because they’re held inside a business – but it services more like a “B2C” which sells to the clientele inside that business.

I mentioned that my knowledge and experience with YTB would serve me well in the new business model. Over the last two weeks I’ve had another run on subscribers to our YTB Newsletter because of Convention and the word of mouth from current subscribers talking about how good it is. (Thank you, by the way.) My thinking was that I could do another newsletter with this new business venture when promoting all these events we’ll be scheduling and doing.

I’ll still do e-mail, but I’ve run into a bit of a wall – or more accurately, a “firewall”.

See, if these new subscribers enroll via their work e-mail address the company firewall may block my communication letting customers know when and where we’ll be. Sure, the subscription is a double opt in, just like the one I have for the fine folks of YTB – but the company may only allow what they would consider “work related” communications as acceptable and block communication like mine.

Problem is, these customers actually look forward to seeing us walk in the door. One of my sales guys has been with the company for 10 years and knows these people by name. While out in the field yesterday, I told customers that the company was under new management and the first thing they asked was “Where did Michael go?” After clarifying that management was new and not their representative, that’s when communication opened up and I discovered that this “firewall” might be an issue.

Have you ever had one of those problems that you’re trying to figure out a solution for and you just can’t come up with an answer? Then, all of the sudden, like the clouds separate, the heaven’s open up, and a ray of light from God himself beams down the answer.

That was me yesterday.

I was talking with Michael, my representative, about this “firewall” issue. While he agreed is was a problem, neither one of us could figure out how else we could reach this customer base to market and promote our product and schedule during the conversation. It was only about an hour home, but it was killing me so bad, that it felt like days.

Then, just as soon as I walk in the door, I checked e-mail and there’s a flood of Facebook notifications from the YTB groups I participate in all talking about Z Mobile being launched ahead of schedule. I also flashed back to earlier in the day when I first met our contacts for my new business and realized that they had smart phones sitting on their desks. I even pulled mine out to show them that the new site I launched was mobile ready.

At that point – I kind of felt like God was whacking me back upside the head for not seeing the answer all along. Thing is, Z-Mobile was something that was presented as a product I could sell, not really a product I would use for my own business.

I know. “Duh!!” right?

Truth is – it’s a perfect solution that will solve a real problem I have with this new business. It will also put me light years ahead of my competitors in the same market. Why buy from them, when they know I’m going to be showing up with better product and service via the communications I’ll be sending out?

That, my friends is how you become a product of the product. While I certainly won’t be tipping my competitors off to my new found mobile wepon, it will be a useful tool for some of the businesses I currently service – providing more value and making everyone more money in return.

Boyah!

~~~

UPDATE: Speaking of my new business. It took me a bit to wrap my head around this idea that YTB might sue me for getting involved in this new business. I know it sounds bizarre, but the self-proclaimed “expert” in all things YTB, John Frenaye, is apparently warning that this could happen in his latest round of nervous twitching. Knowing how brainwashed and unenlightening John actually is, it’s my guess that John is under the impression that my new business venture is another MLM or Network Marketing company.

Therefore, I’ll be recruiting everyone to come aboard.

Fear not however. The spiked Kool-Aid John has been drinking for years leads to this belief that once involved with MLM or Network Marketing, you become what’s known as a “lifer”. Meaning it’s the only option guys like me would even consider or get involved with. According to the Zealot creed, it ruins anyone who gets involved, making us unworthy and unclean for the “real business” world.

From my experience, MLM and Network Marketing is a perfect proving ground to discover practical real world experience in business. Truth be told, there are more similarities than there are differences. While most everything I mentioned in Thursdays article could be applied to MLM, the business I was actually writing about isn’t MLM or anything of the kind.

While I’m impressed that John considers me this huge “recruiter” – that’s not part of the current business model I’ve ventured into. It’s a simple sales and management opportunity that presented itself that I decided to invest my time and money in. There’s no need to be “diplomatic” or have a care in the world over any speculation of being sued. Like the Class Action that’s being thrown out of court more times than I can count – any lawsuit aimed at such a claim doesn’t have a prayer.

In other words: Sorry John, I know how desperate you are to remain relevant and riveting in this charade you’re hanging on to. However, you’ve just shown everyone yet again that you’re nothing more than an ignorant, nervous twit who doesn’t have a clue.

The time to step away from the Kool-Aid is long overdue.

Idiot.

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By now, just about everyone has caught wind of the current Administrations “faux pas” surrounding the a once thought of guarantee of Social Security checks and the possible delay for current benefactors in August.

While the White House is doing some major damage control right now due to the way the media reported it and how the American public perceived the “warning” – it should be noted that the days of Social Security checks are numbered regardless of what Congress can accomplish with the budget and our debt ceiling.

To this day, it’s still odd to me how we find an abundance of pin heads out there that proclaim that Network Marketing is an unsustainable model. Yet, when push comes to shove, nobody has ever been able to provide a single solitary example of one MLM or Network Marketing company that has ever exhausted the world’s population. Heck, you can combine all Direct Sales and MLM companies in the industry and still couldn’t find that last person who didn’t have at least someone to talk to or sell product to.

Idiots who throw this “pyramid scheme” lingo around simply to place the fear of God into others aren’t smart enough to realize that this theory is just that – a theory. The reality of MLM and it’s real world applications are vastly different from their false and very limiting beliefs.

On the contrary, the model has proven its stability and longevity for over a century now. You have the Direct Selling Association (DSA) that was founded in 1910 to protect and serve this industry over the last 100 years. You also have companies like AVON who has been doing business since 1889 still selling and still recruiting women all around the world. Tupperware, Amway, Mary Kay all founded before I was born and just blasting this “fear” about sustainability right out of the water by selling billions of dollars a year.

To add insult to injury, these same pin heads will tell you to go out and get yourself a “real job” – exchanging 40 hours a week of your time for a fixed amount of income.

I don’t know how or why so many in this country became so complacent, lazy and stupid.

The debt ceiling appears to be covering up the real issue of our Social Security system. Nobody seems to be asking the real question of why the money isn’t there for these benefactors. I mean, you hand over 12.4% of your income to be placed in reserve for when you retire – so where is it? Very few understand that this system we’ve all taken for face value (because the Government is supposed to “protect” us) is doing nothing more than paying for the benefactors who retire before you.

In other words: If you want to take a look at a real – practical – and legitimate “pyramid scheme” you need to look no further than our Social Security system.

Back when I first got involved with YTB, Social Security reform had been place at center stage. The Bush administration saw there was a problem and was searching for ideas to address it. We all have short memories, and there are those who want to forget the Bush years. This USA Today piece however pretty much sums up what was going on in that day and age – just six short years ago.

The idea at the time was personal accounts as a way to fix the cash crunch. Money invest in would be reserved for those individuals only. The USA editorial explained perfectly why the current Social Security system is your classic pyramid scheme.

“Given low birth rates and rising life expectancies, in time, Social Security won’t be able to sustain our elderly population without punitively taxing workers.”

It goes on to state:

“For Gen X, though, this program sounds awful. No matter how poor you are, you pay 12.4% of your income, every year, to maintain Mossman’s cash flow.

Sure, Mossman paid in, funding other retirees. Their taxes funded original recipients who didn’t pay a dime. This is the classic definition of a pyramid scheme, which eventually has too many folks to pay off with too few suckers paying in. Thanks to the 1946-64 baby boom, Gen X is firmly in the “too few suckers” bin.”

And we’re right at the cusp of this dreadful reality. For the next 20 years there will be more than 10,000 baby boomers per day looking to retire for the next 20 years. Some 78 million people all “worthy of” a Social Security check because they’ve been “buying in” all these years.

Knowing what you know now – including the current economic climate – what do you think your chances are of seeing even a penny of your “buy in” when you’re ready to retire?

Are you beginning to understand just how silly and irrational this idea of pointing the finger at MLM’s and Network Marketing when a real – practical example like our Social Security system looms over every tax payers head?

That being said – I’m not going to tell you that MLM or Network Marketing is the only answer in solving your issue of Social Security not being there for you when you retire. There are plenty of options to protect you and actually provide a very comfortable retirement. But if you think you can count on Social Security being there for you – dammit – you need to wake up and see the writing on the wall.

A very real and legitimate example of a “Pyramid Scheme” is staring you right in the face – courtesy of the Government that many believe is there to protect them from such evils.

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Five years ago – I made a very important decision.

I declared my Independence.

I had no idea what laid ahead of me. I found that it wasn’t always a walk in the park. I’d also make my share of mistakes along the way.

But you know what? I wouldn’t trade a second of it because I’ve learned more about myself and business in the last five years than during my entire adult (working) life combined. I have a much better understanding of my strengths and weaknesses. I know what fires me up, and what bores me to tears. I’ve also expanded and grown farther than I’ve ever thought was possible before. My self-worth and self-confidence in what I’m truly capable of doing has awakened from its long overdue hibernation.

I dream like a little kid again.

It’s been a wild ride that’s far from being over. There’s still far more I want to be – do – and have.

When I made this declaration public, the support which opened up was incredible. Teachers, mentors, and friendships came out of nowhere to offer insight and leadership. People who actually cared – actually offered something worthwhile – actually wanted me to succeed.

That’s not to say that critics didn’t show up along the way. Those who tried to intimidate of shame me into submission – back to the old way of thinking. Fortunately, I’ve found that most critics are also cowards. The vast majority never revealed enough about themselves or provided any value to be any real significance. Always telling me what was wrong – never how to correct it or solve it.

Being independent requires being solutions oriented – not problem oriented.

This past weekend, Scott Tomer released a video on what Independence Day means to him and why we should all declare our own independence. I didn’t actually catch the video until after the July 4th holiday, but it struck a cord with me – and I agree with him one hundred percent.

I remembered the freedom that declaring my own independence meant to me five years ago. How liberating and strong it felt. How it gave me new life and renewed confidence in myself.

There’s one little caveat here that may help you put this declaration of independence into the proper perspective. Neither, Scott nor myself will tell you that making this declaration means that you walk into your bosses office tomorrow and quit. It took me a year and a half to feel comfortable and place myself in a position of telling my former employer I was out of there. What I did do however was work extra hard (much like a second full time job) to replace the income I was making during my “day job” doing what I really wanted to do.

See, your declaration is merely the beginning.

Think of it this way. Our Founding Father’s signed the Declaration of Independence in 1776 – but the declaration was only the beginning of the Revolutionary War. True independence from Great Brittan wasn’t achieved until 1783. Nor did the Colonies go at this alone. They had help from the French, Spain and the Dutch Republic.

Your own declaration will also take some time and some help from others to come to fruition. You may not know how or where it will come from – but you’ll never know until you make a declaration of your intentions – your own independence.

Then the answers and the help from others will come.

Sure, you’ll experience some defeats. You’ll also question yourself at times. You may even feel like giving up. True independence takes sacrifice and determination. A new way of thinking – doing – and being. But if you really, truly want it – it’s there for you.

Deep inside, you know you really want it. What’s stopping you? The truth is – nothing other than your own “stinkin’ thinkin”. What you don’t see now will be revealed to you. What you don’t have now will be given to you. But you have to first make the decision – a declaration to yourself and others that this is the direction you want to go.

I still make this declaration almost daily, even five years later. Some day’s it’s easier and more meaningful than others. Because I know and trust that it works if you do. I’ve seen and experienced too much after all this time.

So what do you say? When are you going to get up – stand up – and never give up? It all starts with one simple step.

Declare YOUR Independence.

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For the fifth year in a row, YTB Travel Network makes Travel Weekly’s Power List of the top 50 Travel Agencies. Some will be a bit surprised. Others will be pleased. While I’m sure there will be others who will be (as they always are) frustrated with another year of YTB being included in Travel Weekly’s listing.

Personally, I consider this year’s listing as one of the finest showings from previous years for several reasons. This year’s listing dispels the skewed and misleading math formulas we’ve seen in years past from socialist pin heads. It also puts to rest any notion that the word “Travel” in YTB Travel Network is an afterthought.

Let’s not forget as well, all the mud that was thrown up in the companies face three years ago that has now been cleaned off, putting any claims of pyramid or ponzi schemes behind the company.

I’m quite certain that some had dreams and others feared that California’s Attorney General could actually put an end to the company. If California couldn’t get it done, surely Illinois or the opportunist ambulance chasers would. Yet, here I am three years later with the same capabilities in selling travel, and a better commission split to boot.

Clearly, YTB Travel Network has had its share of the spotlight. Some good – some bad – and some just completely bogus accusations. (Some have turned out to be rather comical.) Through it all however, YTB Travel Network has survived because of a very solid foundation laid by the Founders of the company and a few thousand loyal “Travel Agents” who appreciated a different approach in selling travel.

So, here we are – the numbers from the Travel Weekly Power List:

At number 34 – YTB Travel Network

2010 Sales: $221.7 million
Employees: 120
Previous Rank: 29

What is so impressive about this spot is the company has accomplished this number with a small fraction of people compared to years past. At the companies height (before the mudslinging and bogus lawsuits) YTB Travel reported 92,383 travel sellers who sold $424.1 million in travel. What “socialist pin heads” did was divide total sales by the total number of travel sellers. This year, the company reported 12,200 travel sellers who sold $221.7 million in travel.

So why the big jump in “average sales”?

Clearly, these “averages” we’ve seen (or are forced upon Network Marketing companies from our fine Government as “Income Disclosures”) aren’t what they’re cracked up be. You can’t possibly dictate to anyone what someone is capable of selling based on average numbers. Some will excel, while others won’t do a blessed thing to get their business off the ground. Travel sellers who weren’t making any money (because they couldn’t change their thinking or work ethic from “employee” to “business owner”) are now gone. Those who could grasp the thinking and habits of “business” were making money as travel sellers and are still around and producing numbers more consistent with traditional travel agents. It’s always been like this – but it wasn’t until now that we see how the real world actually works – not some mathematical theory.

We’ve heard over and over again that our focus isn’t travel. Again, you can’t dictate as an overall consensus (just like the bogus “averages” above) that’s true for everyone. I got into YTB Travel Network so I could get paid for telling people that a cruise was the best vacation money could buy. I’m still just as passionate about the industry as I was the day I signed up. Sure the other products offered via the ZamZuu shopping cart are nice. In fact, I was selling similar items here on this blog long before ZamZuu ever came about. Ever since I changed hats from employee to business owner, you become educated about what multiple streams of income can do for your bottom line.

While it’s a nice bonus, my focus – and what fires me up is still travel.

Well, that and the Pittsburgh Steelers. But just because I moved from Pittsburgh to Atlanta 19 years ago, I’m still just as much of a diehard fan than I ever was. (Okay – fanatical, but you get the idea.) You know damn well, you’re never gonna take the Steelers out of this boy. You’ll also never take the passion I have for travel out of me either.

While others in our industry would like our focus to be something else – it’s honestly not up to them to tell me, you, or anyone else what we should or should not focus on. Travel got us to where we are – and travel will continue to carry this company in the future. It’s a fantastic product that everyone still enjoys talking about and still the number one answer to a question I’ve asked for years.

“If you had more time and more money – what would YOU do?“

What makes this year’s list especially gratifying is that all the crap from California, Illinois, and a handful of ambulance chasers is now behind the company. All laid claim about being a pyramid scheme. Thing is, pyramid schemes are illegal and scams like that are ultimately shut down. Sure, there will be those who will continue to throw that out there – and that’s perfectly fine. Looks worse on them at this point than it ever will YTB, because it illustrates they haven’t learned a blessed thing. (And most likely, never will.)

I really could care less – because all I have to do is pull up my booking engine and look at another listing on this year’s Power List.

Nuff said.

YTB Travel Network will move on as it always has. Like I said before – travel got us here, and travel will continue to be a major asset for YTB International. If the company can do this with all the obstacles thrown up to distract everyone – imagine what it can do now with this core group of travel sellers.

Nothing like a little dose of reality to get things cranked back up again now is there? The way I see it, there’s nothing stopping this company from climbing back up this list to even higher levels once reached in years past. Difference is, there were lessons learned from the first go around that will make it all that much easier to accomplish if everyone pitches in.

Based on what this year’s list has shown us, the company is leaner, meaner, and battle tested for another great run.

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