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.

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!

Book Your Travel & Vacations With

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

What’s even more impressive is that the YTB E-Campus program is designed by Dr. Marc Mancini, one of the travel industry’s most highly respected speakers, educators and consultants and authors of such books as Conducting Tours: A Practical Guide, Cruising: A Guide to the Cruise Line Industry, and Selling Destinations: Geography for the Travel Professional. Dr Mancini and his firm are the creative force behind some of the best-known and most successful training programs in the business including training programs for CLIA, AAA, and NTA.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Congratulations!

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!

Book Your Travel & Vacations With

Scott Tomer was in town a couple weeks ago and I had a chance to sit down with him in a small group setting the night before the Saturday training. One of the other members of the group asked the question “Why don’t we [YTB] hand out more travel awards at Convention?”

What Scott told us, was the idea of Travel Awards did come up for Friday’s afternoon General Session at this years Convention. If you recall, Friday afternoon unleashed the industries best commission contracts and benefits in the industry, the upgrades for “Steals and Deals” and the enhanced Great Escapes packages for both Travel Store owners, and clients. With Friday afternoon dedicated to Travel it just made sense to offer Travel Awards. However, when they called the travel leaders in our company to ask if they would be at Convention, every one of them said “Yes, I’ll be at Funshine.”

The “Convention” our travel leaders were talking about begins today at the Gaylord Palms Resort & Convention Center. Funshine provides two days of seminars and a trade show floor with some 60 or 70 suppliers who are soliciting their products and services for your clients next vacation.

Funshine will also hold a General Session tonight to hand out awards for our travel leaders who have produced significant travel sales. There will be other upgrades and announcements; one of which is a new “skin” with additional features which you can get a feel for from with our Golf site. (Sorry, couldn’t hold back on this one, but since it’s already live…what the heck.)

The trade show floor of course is free, and those of us who have completed the Marc Mancini’s E-Campus series of courses also receive a complimentary upgrade to all the seminars offered by our preferred suppliers. (We also get to call ourselves “Travel Agents” and are upgraded to a 75% commission contract without quotas after completing the E-Campus courses.)

Here is a list I was able to obtain from the Home Office of the seminars and descriptions.

American Destinations
“Significantly grow your YTB Business with Educational Student Travel” Content for beginners and experienced agents alike.
ADI specializes in all-inclusive, multi-day group tour packages with an emphasis on Educational Student Travel.  YOU can have a hand in shaping our Nation’s youth and work toward your YTB $5,000 Matching Travel Commission Bonus!

Carnival Cruise Lines
(Friday) “Getting Started Selling Cruises – What you really need to know” – Beginner
(Saturday) “Super Sales with Carnival Cruise Lines” – This all-inclusive seminar will touch on the keys to great success selling cruises.  It’s a must attend event! – All levels are encouraged and welcome!

CCRA
“What’s new with CCRA”   This seminar speaks to those mostly already familiar with their product but they would love to include anyone wanting to learn more about who they are.
We will show you how to book hotels and other services – make more money and save time!

CLIA
“Cruise Vacations: an Introduction” This seminar is 3 hours and worth 15 CLIA credits once you have passed the test.

Collette Vacations
“How to make the most money in Travel Today!” For all levels of experience.
Deluxe escorted tours to all 7 continents, door to door transportation from the passenger’s home to the airport.  Our unmatched cancellation waiver protects your passenger.

Costa Cruise Lines
“Have you seen Costa lately?”  For both beginner and experienced agents.
Costa, Europe’s number one cruise line, offers an experience that is delightfully different in service and cruise.  In an atmosphere filled with love, laughter and La Dolce Vita.

Globus Family of Brands
“Globus Family of Brands; Product, Groups and Marketing” Balanced for beginners and experienced agents.
With more than 400 vacations to over 60 countries worldwide, the Globus Family of Brands offers a variety of travel styles to fit anyone’s budget or desire.

Holland America Line
“How to understand & sell Holland America Line, including in depth training on our Alaska vacations”  Balanced for beginners and experienced agents.
We invite you to sail with us and discover a world of elegant, mid-sized ships, award-winning service, intriguing onboard enrichment programs and sophisticated five-star dining.

Honeymoon Wishes
“The Honeymoon and Destination Wedding Market is still growing – Learn how to be a part of it.” For both beginner and experienced agents.
Clients can have any part of their honeymoon as a wedding present!  Earn commissions form their gift registry and market your business.

Pleasant Holidays
“The World of Pleasant” For both beginner and experienced agents.
Since 1959, Pleasant Holidays has sent over 9 million travelers on dream vacations.  Pleasant Holidays features hundreds of specials and value-packed vacations.

Princess Cruises / Cunard Lines
“The World of Princess Cruises” “The Legendary Voyages of Cunard Lines”
Escape completely with Princess Cruises to over 350 destinations and 105 unique itineraries.  Show your clients the world!

Silversea Cruises
“Selling the World of Silversea” Learn the value of selling an all inclusive luxury product and earn higher commissions. For both beginner and experienced agents Silversea Cruises is recognized as an innovator in the luxury segment, offering guests large-ship amenities aboard five intimate vessels, Silver Cloud, Silver Wind, Silver Shadow, Silver Whisper and Silver Spirit – all designed to offer an atmosphere of conviviality and casual elegance.

Steps of Paul Coastal Cruises
A unique cruise line navigating through the lands of the Bible, the Steps of the Apostle Paul and the Holy Lands.  Fundraising plans for your church groups.

Travelocity Partner Network
“Travel, Travel, Travel – Trends, Industry Knowledge and more” For both beginner and experienced agents.
A division of Travelocity, the industry leader in offering scalable and private label online travel solutions.  It builds your brand, not ours.

Travel Guard
Travel Insurance… How it benefits you and your customers
Travel Guard Insurance Regional Account Manager Nancy Mallek from Stevens Point WI, is curious if you know how easily you can increase your revenue by recommending travel insurance.  Join us for an informative session that will help you sell more.  Learn various tips on how to sell, why your customers should purchase, and ways to overcome objections.  Plus, everything you want to know about what is covered in a travel insurance policy.

Other suppliers who I don’t have course descriptions for but will be at Funshine to educate TSO’s who want to learn include Epic Tours, The Mark Travel Corporation, Worldwide Golf Vacations, MSC Cruises, Cunard Lines, Worldwide Tours, Inc., and Carey International.

When you take a look at the list of seminars above and then compare it to the Home Based Agent Show and Conference in Atlantic City in a little more than a week, it’s shocking to see how a single company like YTB can attract a similar segment and number of suppliers for its conference. I’d also be willing to bet that YTB will provide a larger crowd for Funshine compared to the Home Based Agent Show designed for an entire segment of the industry.

It should be a fun weekend with our peers who have a legitimate desire to learn and grow in the travel industry from suppliers who see YTB for what it truly is – the 25th largest Seller of Travel in the industry. 

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!

Book Your Travel & Vacations With

Over the years I’ve read how my travel training is sub-par simply because I’m involved with YTB. In all the years I’ve seen those comments I’ve wondered two things.

One…how in the world would anyone outside of YTB even know what kind of travel training is available to those involved in YTB?

And two…can CLIA, TAUniv.com, TheAcademy.com or supplier specific training be any different from what other host agencies are able to acquire?

In my weekly newsletter I write each week for TSO’s, a good portion of that newsletter is dedicated to the subject of travel training. When I see folks like CLIA, Travel Agent University, The Academy, and a number of suppliers and vendors who promote training courses and webniars, it makes me wonder if I’m missing something. Are the Traditionalist getting something through osmosis that I’m not? It’s especially interesting when these trainings are live (like CLIA’s this summer) how this happens.

I consider myself somewhat observant and a smart enough guy. How this specialized training and knowledge has slipped past me all these years is very odd. It could be a case of more mud that’s thrown up in the hopes that it will stick for anyone who is looking into becoming a Travel Agent. If you find it via Google, it’s got to be true right? The tag line here is: because it’s YTB, somehow, you just can’t get the same type of quality training because it’s MLM. 

Truth be told, it’s not the lack of training that’s available in this industry that’s the problem. The problem for those that are caught up in all the “issues” with YTB is that the individuals involved in our company don’t appear to have any interest or care to participate in the training that’s available. What we have come to understand over the years however, is the “issues” are more or less “illusions”. Remember, the mud thrown up is to make it look like the majority care only about “recruiting”. Yet, the last two years of Income Disclosures document a very small number recruit. (Fact is, about 10% actually do.)

So what’s available to the other 90% who got involved with YTB?

When writing a newsletter like mine, a key to it’s success or failure is knowing what your readership likes. What pushes thier buttons. A big reason why I put so much travel training information in my newsletter is because my readership responds to it. I not only track, but I pay close attention to open rates and click rates to see how effective my information is. (It’s all part of proper marketing and building trust.) Every week, without fail, travel training consistently ranks very high in clicks.

For example, I mentioned CLIA’s TrainingFest which will tour 12 cities this summer. While I’ve promoted this in my newsletter for several weeks now, each week this live course for Cruise Counselor Credits ranked extremely high from my readership. (Out numbered 2 to 1 over any other piece I wrote the first week I promoted it.) They, like me, have a keen interest in learning and growing in the travel industry.

In addition, new 2009 CLIA applicants are required to be enrolled in, or to have achieved a designation (ACC, MCC, ECC, ECCS) in CLIA’s Cruise Counselor Certification Program. Attainment of an ACC designation requires a program of mandatory and elective training options as well personal cruise experience, shipboard inspections and 25 cabin sales within the two year enrollment period.

What about Travel Agent University? US Airways is offering a Vacations Specialist Course this week through this program that looks to be the same course offered to Traditionalists. These “home-study” programs by the Education and Training Division of Travel Agent Magazine offer a wide variety of programs and courses for anyone interested in learning about destinations and suppliers. There are dozens of programs and courses to choose from within this particular training program. Since these courses are designed by the staff of Travel Agent Magazine, again, I can’t imagine a special course just for YTB, and another for Traditionalists.

Another high click rate the past two weeks have been Apple Vacations and their Agent Academy now in year two of the program. These 10-unit educational course on selling Apple Vacations expands on what we learned in year one. Of course, those who are new to YTB and Apple Vacations have an opportunity to take year one, and then move on to year two in order to get you up to speed. I can’t imagine how or why Apple Vacations would have one course for Traditionalist and another course for YTB.

We can’t forget OneSource from Princess and Cunard either. This Travel Agent Training center is most likely the strongest from any supplier in the industry. (At least ones not offered through programs like Travel Agent University or TheAcademy.com) I’ve heard many times over how much others have learned through this course, and how the curriculum found there can lead to more cruise sales across the board.

And of course there’s YTB E-Campus. While E-campus appears to be an exclusive YTB training, it’s not designed by YTB at all. Instead, we left that up to the most respected and well known trainer in the industry, Dr. Marc Mancini. Dr Mancini and his firm are the creative force behind some of the best-known and most successful training programs in the business including training programs for CLIA, AAA, and NTA. While there has been quite a bit of speculation that all 10 courses would never be rolled out, YTB is currently in need of one final program, (Course 110) to complete the entire library of training.

E-Campus is a considerable investment for our TSO’s who desire to become “Travel Agents”. Word is with the completion of this 10 course series, we’ll be able to drop the “R” from “Referring Travel Agent” and be considered “Travel Agents”.

There will always be a few stragglers who simply won’t accept anyone involved in YTB as “Travel Agents”. You need to keep in mind that these are the same people who won’t accept YTB as a seller of travel period. If they want to get caught up in the myths and spin surrounding a company like YTB, I’d simply allow them to do so. What I’d recommend instead is getting yourself plugged into something like my newsletter to keep you up to date on the abundance of travel industry training available.

You’ll quickly learn that the industry is an “equal opportunity trainer” and most suppliers, training centers, and specialized courses offered in this industry could care less about who you might be tied to as a Host Agency. It’s apparent to me that there’s an abuandance of training available if you simply know where to look.

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!

Book Your Travel & Vacations With

In the years I’ve been with YTB I’ve seen numerous changes in the travel industry. I’ve also seen plenty of predictions and it can be very difficult to separate fact from fiction. A big reason for this blogs existence is to help separate what’s real and what’s not. That’s not to say I’ve been right 100% of the time, but I do take what I know at the time, with corresponding documentation to back it up and share what I know. I’m also a big proponent of solutions not problems. When you’re out there on the internet looking for garbage, it becomes increasingly difficult to find the golden nuggets that are right under your nose. The old catchphrase, ‘you are what you eat’ and ‘garbage in garbage out’ come to mind.

Back in late July, 2008 CLIA shored up some of the concerns “Travel Professionals” have regarding illusions that if you’re participating in a Travel MLM, you’re only in it for the perks. The new requirements from CLIA now mandate that if you would like to enjoy the privilege of a FAM or Agent perks, you need to be actively pursuing continued education, and also produce a minimum amount of travel in order to qualify and carry the CLIA credential.

2009 ID Card applicants are required to be enrolled in, or to have achieved a designation (ACC, MCC, ECC, ECCS) in CLIA’s Cruise Counsellor Certification Program. Attainment of an ACC designation requires a program of mandatory and elective training options as well personal cruise experience, shipboard inspections and 25 cabin sales within the two year enrollment period.

A short time after these requirements came out, critics of CLIA and Travel MLM’s claimed to find some sort of loophole to get around these new requirements. I’m not going to elaborate just how this works because my purpose here isn’t to show everyone how to cheat, steal and lie. Nor have I found anything to verify that anyone is actually attempting to cheat the system. Besides, from what I’ve been able to gather, it’s much more troublesome and expensive anyway, and if caught, you will not pass go.

If you found information on the internet on how to make an IED would you go promoting it all over the place? Of course not. Why this loophole is promoted on blogs, trade publications, and even in Travel Weekly’s Virtual Summit astounds me.

So forgive me if I focus on evidence of those who are doing this the right way, and provide links in an attempt to urge anyone and everyone to do the right thing here. It’s a strange concept I know, but from what I’ve seen, those who have been harping about whats wrong will never be happy no matter what the change. Nor do they fully understand the damage they are doing to their own industry.

Even with the paranoia that surrounds this mysterious loophole, CLIA remains unchanged in their direction and accreditation program. News of CLIA training and certification programs across the country with no less than 85 in-market training events in the first quarter of 2009 were released this week in various trade publications.

Likewise, YTB has also produced various newsletters and PDF’s, (check your Travel Compass or my free newsletter) on how to apply and achieve these new requirements. Stacey Stroud and Jeanie Sharpless recorded a step-by-step conference call for applying and renewing CLIA credentials, and how these new requirements enhance your travel business. And as an added bonus, if you haven’t seen them yet, there are a couple of streaming videos with interviews (found on the top Menu Bar of your Travel Portal) from both Marc Mancini who produced YTB’s E-Campus Training, and Dan Adams from TheAcademy.com. Both these interviews were recorded during YTB’s Funshine Travel Trade Show at the Gaylord Palms late last year. 

In addition, and since nobody appears to be talking about it out there on the internet, (although there is quite a buzz within the YTB ranks) there are those that have already achieved the requirements as early as January 8th, 2009. Enter Ms. Stephens who was featured (and archived in your back office via the Travel Compass) who was the first YTB RTA to complete the CLIA Accreditation.

Being CLIA certified has helped me grow my YTB business. I have learned how to more effectively find the groups and gain the re-booking for the next year. I love cruising and I will continue to book group cruises as they pay big! I feel all RTAs should be CLIA certified as it really helps you to know how to qualify your groups and the knowledge also helps you in booking and resolving any issues that may come up. It gives you more confidence in handling the group. I have also completed the E-Campus training with YTB and it has really helped me on the travel side. I recommend everyone complete these classes. The travel training in the travel portal is just a wonderful tool as I have completed 15 Travel Agent University Courses and I continue to take courses to learn more about the exciting travel industry.

I have to question this idea and the spin that you just can’t get quality travel training in a Travel MLM.

Seriously question it.

I honestly don’t know, nor is it under my control if some will ever come to grips that anyone who enters the travel industry has the same level playing field when it comes to training. All you really have to do is look at CLIA’s new requirements in the spirit it was intended. Likewise, once you’ve decided to join a company such as YTB, and actually plug into the various training programs and formats offered you’ll find it’s no different from any other company out there. In fact, I’d challenge anyone to find any special designation or difference with CLIA with any travel company or model.

Some have already tried, and found out differently. And if your still not sure, I can assure you that Jim Smith, CTIE with CLIA is more than capable of setting the record straight. He and I did have a brief phone conversation concerning any misgivings or spin to the contrary.

My recommendation concerning any loophole you may have heard about or read about…if it aint right, don’t do it.

Hummm…where have we heard that before?

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!

Book Your Travel & Vacations With

Before I head out today for an extended weekend with family, I wanted to do one last post. I can’t tell you how thankful for I am for YTB and what’s it’s done for myself and my family. I’ve been talking to team members, both above, below, and cross line to me for months about what’s been going on in our industry and our company right now. While some have expressed concerns, we also know that YTB has made some major advancements and headway into the travel industry this year. There appears to me, an underlining confidence with everyone I talk to and an understanding that even in the face of all that’s being pointed at us from outside sources, we will continue to grow and prosper.

There is no question that there has been a lot of fighting, (like cats and dogs?) and finger pointing going on the last month and a half in our industry. I want us as a individuals in YTB to take some time this weekend to point inward for a change. We as RTA’s are the face of YTB, and I want you to take some time to seriously think about what you are doing in regards to helping or hurting the image of a company I know we all love.

I’m sure it’s no secret at this point that many of our Professionals feel that we embarrass them. We are unprofessional, we are untrained, we are uncertified, we are unqualified to enter into an industry they have loved and respected for years. I’ve stated many times here that they are sadly mistaken if they want to lump me personally into any of these stereotypes when it concerns our business model and company. I am not only very competent, but confident in what I do.

It’s been commented to me from several sources that I’m actually spoken of in high regard from some of our Professionals. Many of our Professionals do understand that I am not the typical “Yahoo”, and for that I am truly thankful. That doesn’t change the fact that I happen to be the exception, not the rule when it comes to YTB and the overall perception of our company.

I got to ask…why?

It’s my belief that part of the respect I’ve managed to gain from the Professional side of this industry is because I am one of a growing number who not only acknowledges, but calls attention to some of the problems and issues are regarding some of our RTA’s who are the main cause of our problems. I’m starting to see more of us actually acknowledging what’s going on and for that I am also thankful. We can’t just stick out heads in the sand and hope it all just goes away. We need to call a spade a spade, and we need to let others know that some RTA’s are certainly not helping our cause or our case.

There always seems to be a jerk, a fool, a person who lacks professionalism, and lacks just plain good manners and common sense. All of which gives a bad name and taste and a target for any business out there. i.e. the expression “One bad apple can spoil the whole barrel.”

I’ve been to dozens of Trainings and Seminars in my years with YTB. I’ve also been with Team Members at these functions, and have never personally seen any of what’s being told to me, but with so much of this being expressed, I can only assume that it is going on. In addition with some of the garbage I’ve seen on the internet, if it’s going on in here, it’s certainly going on out there.

Here are some of the things I’m hearing and want all of us need to be aware of:

It is not appropriate to attempt to recruit at Travel Seminars where other Brick and Mortar stores paid for themselves and their employees a lot of money receive the trainings. Nor is it appropriate to attempt to recruit while walking the floor at Travel Shows or Vendor Fairs where vendors have paid a lot of money for booths in order to inform Brick & Mortar stores and other internet stores and others in the travel business about what’s new in their business.

Nor is it appropriate to go walking around like fools as a group wearing green tee shirts with sayings like “ask me how you can get your travel for 50% off.”

Or crashing parties of other travel agencies.

Or running around ships spouting off to the travelers that you are with YTB and you can show them how they can travel at 50% off when they paid full fare.

Or slipping hand made flyers under all the doors of the ship’s passengers that say about the same thing.

Is it any wonder that we look unprofessional? (Actually, I think the word “turkey” would be appropriate this weekend.) It’s unfathomable to me that anyone would even consider doing any of this, but I also have something called integrity and ethics that simply won’t allow me to even consider something so rude or down right stupid.

“If it aint right, don’t do it.
If it anit true don’t say it.” ~ Coach

While it’s my understanding that action is being taken with an RTA or REP from a Corporate standpoint. We have made agreements with vendors who we want to do business with to behave in a professional manor. An RTA might stand the possibility of losing their YTB business. We also need YOU as a YTB professional to take a stand with anyone you may see doing this out in the field. If I personally ever see anyone defacing that good name of YTB like this, you will certainly know before it’s all said and done that not only is this inappropriate, but will not be tolerated.

Period.

YTB has a name, a great name, to protect as do all of us as RTAs. We are a company to be proud of. Help us to keep that way. Before you act, ask yourself, “If this was my company, my show, my business, how would I want someone else to act at it and what would I want them to say or better yet not say at my function?”

It’s like owning a store and having stranger come up to your long standing customers and say, “Don’t buy this here. You should go to a store I know where you can get the same thing for 50% off.” How would you feel as that owner? I’ve seen some other Travel MLM’s try to recruit me and others in YTB using these lame tactics and I got to tell you, not only am I not going to join an organization like that, I too want to expose them for what their doing as well.

Got it?

Good.

I want you to not only be thankful this weekend that YTB has a “Travel University” (E-Campus), I want you to read about it and take this training this weekend. It’s in your travel portal, it’s up and running. It’s an awesome program and it’s specifically designed for us by one of the most respected names in the industry, Dr. Marc Mancini.

I want you to not only be thankful for vendors this weekend but review the tons of vendors who have put their training up in our back office in order to help us to do great things with them as well. Pages and pages of information direct from the vendors themselves. These companies know that we have over 135,000 agents and growing rapidly every day, who are bringing them lots and lots of business and they want to do what ever it takes to help us bring that business their way.

I want you to also be thankful for the Travel Professionals in our industry. There is so much we can learn from them to help build a profitable Travel Business. They have years of knowledge and experience that is absolutely priceless.

YTB is a force to be reckoned with and we are only getting better. We can and will be as well trained as every other travel agent, if not better. We can and will be the best trained, most professional Agents in the industry. It is up to us, and if we want to be #1 we need to learn and know all we can about our business so we can take it there.

This is the best company in the best industry with the best people I’ve ever had the honor of working with and I feel blessed and Thankful everyday that I am a part of YTB.

PS – Eating a little Turkey and watching a Football game in your spare time this weekend is also acceptable.

Gobble Gobble!

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!

Book Your Travel & Vacations With

The calls and e-mails have been coming in droves over the last several days. News of our Carnival Sale was originally stated to be announced yesterday. A minor glitch has come to our attention which to my understanding has no bearing on our ability to sell or get paid on travel. (Nor does it lack the ability to be corrected.) This in turn has detoured our efforts with Carnival in announcing these numbers.

For those of you who truly understand the forces out there who have been slinging mud lately, certainly you understand. The rumors and accusations that I’ve seen been thrown around the internet are amazing, especially in light of the fact that there has been no definitive announcement made by anyone concerning anything. People “think” they know what’s going on and while some are calling for a concert from the Fat Lady, others who know what has happened realize, it’s a little naive to make assumptions without having all the facts. That has little bearing however, when you have an opportunity to point fingers and create your own story to advance the cause.

I don’t really know the proper word or phrase to describe the announcements made concerning YTB, both last Thursday, November 8th, and then again yesterday November 13th concerning YTB. Ironic, maybe. Coincidental, possibly. I think our good friend John Frenaye and our Petitioning Agents may consider the news “exquisite timing” however.

Therefore, the company has decided to keep a very tight lip as speculation and rumors continue to mount while YTB prepares to answer all the questions circling around the industry. While some of us wait confidently, unfortunately, at this time, I must take a back seat and allow my company to issue statements concerning the future growth and dominance in this industry. As an Independent Representative of the company, it’s not my place to speculate to anyone what our future plans are.

I will tell you this. Based on what I know, I personally feel not only very good about what will transpire, but confident that the company will answer in a way that is both accurate and meaningful in regards to just who YTB is, and how we will continue to play a major part in the Travel Industry for the coming months and years.

The first part of our answer has come this evening just after the market close, with news of our second profitable quarterly report in a row, with record revenues of $39.9 Million and our best profit to date of $2.1 Million. ($1.6 Million year to date.) All this, while we continue to grow and expand our infrastructure to support our valued Reps and RTA’s.

More importantly, Travel Commissions are starting to support the $226 in sales from 2006 on our SEC filings. I’m sure we will have those who botch these numbers throwing out figures from this filing that support their cause, while ignoring the growth of Travel Sales by those that that have been with this company for more than 9 months. I’ve seen these numbers and filings ransacked many many times over the years.

We may have to provide a special course on what these numbers actually mean for some of our guests here to enlighten them, but that’s another post at another time.

More news to come, I’m sure, and I believe based on the release of our quarterly numbers, it will be sooner than later.

Till then.

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!

Book Your Travel & Vacations With