Wednesday, July 30, 2008

Thou Shalt Do "The Dance"

Every once in a while I do “The Dance”. My kids think its funny (just wait til they get older) and yesterday we had a lot of fun. I had a couple of reasons for doing the “The Dance”, and the kids pulled out “Evan Almighty” yesterday afternoon while I was busy on the phone and outlining the post for today.

Do you remember back in January when Carnival made the announcement concerning minimum booking requirements? It was speculated back in October that suppliers would follow Royal Caribbean’s lead and pull the plug on Travel MLM’s. Now almost a year later, it looks as if throwing “the problem” overboard proved to be costly. While another Cruise line solved “the problem” on January 9th when new CEO Gerry Cahill eliminated the abuse yet saved the account for future growth and profits.

Now it’s important to keep the supplier problem verses solution in mind as we move on to today’s topic. (Success leaves clues.)

Yesterday afternoon, CLIA stepped up to the plate and offered a very solid solution which I believe will have long lasting and very beneficial effects for everyone in the industry. (Well, almost everyone, but more on that in a minute.)

I first caught the story in Travel Weekly, and after doing a little research I found the new policy directly off CLIA’s web site. I’ll let you read both stories on your own, but I want to get to the meat of what this is all about.

“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.”

How do you like them apples? Just think. Nobody has to double dog dare anyone any longer about whether or not they actually know what their doing, if they are taking unfair advantage of the industry without giving back, or pretend that we’re only referring people to a simple web site to book a cruise without any support.

This solution clearly separates the pretenders from the players in the Travel Industry, and with the new Certification requirements that everyone will be able to follow and understand, suppliers will be able to tell exactly who is serious and who is not.

We’ve gotten to know CLIA or rather The Academy quite well since October of last year when YTB launched E-Campus with Dr. Marc Mancini, one of the most respected and admired trainers in the Travel Industry. I’d also like to point out that the minimum booking requirements in California in 2007 worked so well, that YTB Travel Network rolled these same requirements out for the entire company earlier this year.

The emphasis on actually training the RTA field is apparently working, and to see an association such as CLIA roll out a solution like the one yesterday should put an end to this illusion that someone like me or you embarrass and anger those that admittedly earned their rights and privileges in this industry.

These new requirements do raise a couple of rhetorical questions for me however. (Remember, comments here are now cut off to those who couldn’t communicate in a civil and respectable manor concerning their views and opinions.)

What will the few Traditional Travel Agents do when these requirements have been met? They can no longer claim that we are untrained and uneducated. They can no longer claim that we don’t support the industry. With all the time and energy now wasted in posting day after day, to have the major beef pulled right out from under them, what will they do with all the extra time on their hands?

Second, now that there will be whole new crop of trained agents in the field, how will that affect their bottom line? MLM’ers will have the same knowledge and Certifications most of them boast about. There will be far more of these new, hungry, and educated Certified Agents in the field who can now compete at the same level. Will this take away even more market share for them?

Third, how will this be viewed by suppliers? Can you think of any suppliers who are in a bind right now that need some extra revenue coming their way? If just 20% of YTB’s RTA’s go after this Certification requirement it will produce close to $100 Million in revenue and that’s just to qualify for the Certification. What happens when a company the size of YTB is moving that type of revenue to only 21 of the 24 Cruise Line Members?

This is a HUGE step forward in eliminating the illusions and myths out there concerning “Card Mills” and “MLM’s”, and I’m thrilled the CLIA came up with a solution to clean up it’s good name, much like Carnival did. From what I could tell, the Carnival move back in January certainly curbed the accusations against them for supporting a company like YTB.

From what I can read at this early stage, it looks as if the few boisterous Traditionalists who are bitter, angry and shamed right now also think this is a good move. (They are however having a difficult time in expressing their view without belittling those who will be helped most in this move.) It may not keep both sides happy, since one side never appears happy, but it does take away at least one of the excuses they use to attack an industry and people they clearly know nothing about.

I’m quite certain more about these new requirements will be discussed during some of the YTBU courses, (my first course is with Ann Sedgwick first thing next Wednesday morning) and also during Friday and Saturdays National Convention when new features and announcements will be made.

Which reminds me; my second reason for doing “The Dance” yesterday afternoon happened when UPS came to the door with my documents for the National Convention. It’s almost like doing “The Doc Dance” when boarding docs arrive for a cruise!

Care to join me?



PS - If you’d like to keep up to date with all the latest news, acquisitions, and developments with YTB feel free to sign up for my FREE Newsletter. Just like here, it’s loaded with food, water and sunshine to grow your YTB business.

Doug & Ronda Bauknight
AKA: TravelPro
Travel Agent / Networker
Phone: 678.458.5812

Learn How To Become A Travel Agent
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Posted by TravelPro at 6:49 AM |

Monday, July 28, 2008

Backpedaling….

Last Tuesday I posted about Royal Caribbean’s troubles concerning their second quarter earnings. Some major changes are going on right now down in Miami in attempts to right a sinking ship. Of course we found out that the layoffs have begun, with 400 jobs being eliminated. Something else was posted in Travel Weekly last week, which I had scheduled to post, but due to other events, it’s been bumped and a little more information added for today.

If you recall, Royal Caribbean announced that they will be giving the “Royal Shaft” to some 472 Agencies by upping the commission threshold, in some cases doubling the threshold starting in 2009.

After the result of a 34% decline over 2007 numbers, it appears that Royal Caribbean has either done an about face, or Vicki Freed simply got tired of the cries and whining by those pesky Traditional Travel Agents who do tend to be rather boisterous. (As we’ve come to know all too well.)

I have to hand it to Vicki; she’s ALWAYS handled things very well and is the ultimate professional. I love her quote about this new gray area concerning exceptions and tweaks depending on how loud these agents were.

“All along, when agents were emailing me or calling me after our initial announcement, we were customizing our 2009 commission deals, and sometimes giving agents more time to reach the new levels, to ‘fit’ the circumstances”

To be fair, I’d be upset too if a cruise line increased my threshold some 36% to 76%. Royal Caribbean told these Agencies back in October that they were going to support THEM by terminating the growing competition that keeps getting bigger and bigger no mater what they do to try to curb it’s growth.

So, with Royal Caribbean in dire need of support right now, it’s not surprising that there’s been some “special arrangements” made concerning the commission tiers announced just a few months back.

At this point in time, I could really care less which side you want to pick here. You could side with this notion that Royal Caribbean is backpedaling due to financial reasons, or you could side with how the Agent community loves to cry so loudly that they just gave in. Either choice is fine; because the water just keeps getting churned up the further away we get from last October.

It’s clear that the Suppliers in this industry need help and support, not the bickering and whining that I see all over the internet. A few Agents clearly have way too much time on their hands, and if they don’t buckle down and get to work soon, some suppliers won’t make this crunch they are experiencing right now.

We’ve already seen what it’s done to Royal Caribbean, and news of Dynamic Leisure ceasing operations was also reported in Travel Weekly. While I have not seen anything about this in the trades as of yet, YTB’s very own Travel Compass, (you know the one, it’s that “Travel Newsletter” we get) reported the Rockwell Tours has also decided to close its doors, effective last Friday.

On a side note, and I’m guessing it’s alright to mention this now since Rockwell’s web site is already down and not accepting any further bookings, I noticed while doing my Newsletter this weekend and after attaching a link to the notice sent out from Rockwell something very strange at the bottom of the page.

“All Travel Agency commissions due will be paid by Rockwell Tours as per the normal schedule, that being upon completion of customer travel.”

So while we’ve been told by the Agent Community that YTB is holding our commissions, we find that at least one supplier pays just like YTB says they do, upon completion of the customer travel.

Yep…the truth always has a way of coming to light.

But I digress. Not everyone in the Agent community is obsessed with spinning things, and there ARE organizations who are stepping up to the plate and understand the real issues at hand. ARTA has decided to postpone its launch of their special ID cards in an effort to actually help suppliers in this crunch. It’s been reported that TRIP has advised its key marketing and sales personnel to focus on sales.

“The industry has been clear that a new identification program is sorely needed, but with the current oil crisis, its direct impact on routes and lift changes to destinations, and a significant downturn in business travel, suppliers from all sectors of the industry have indicated that they must let there issues overshadow others at this time.”

Good for them. I just wish everyone would focus on the task at hand.

After all, we ARE Professionals, and can sell this product better than anyone else. (Right?)

PS - If you’d like to keep up to date with all the latest news, acquisitions, and developments with YTB feel free to sign up for my FREE Newsletter. Just like here, it’s loaded with food, water and sunshine to grow your YTB business.

Doug & Ronda Bauknight
AKA: TravelPro
Travel Agent / Networker
Phone: 678.458.5812

Learn How To Become A Travel Agent
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Book Your Travel & Vacations With

Travel Reservations: 1.800.243.4450
RTA #24635

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Posted by TravelPro at 5:41 AM |

Friday, July 25, 2008

…And The Nominees Are

Every once in a while I see something that surprises even me. I was just sent an e-mail from someone who told me to take a look at what he had found.

Much to my delight, I’ve been nominated for a Blogger Choice Award as the Best Travel Blog. I have no idea when it happened, who nominated me, or just why I was nominated. Frankly, I don’t care and have to admit, it’s pretty cool!

I’ve always enjoyed writing and this blog has been a real joy to write, especially since YTB took center stage last October. To be honest, I didn’t want to write about what was going on back then. I really struggled with it. But I also knew that what was going on at the time had another side to it and knowing YTB, it’s Founders, and it’s people the way I do, it was more important to document and link to the facts. Being able to keep the facts separate from fiction has always been important to me and to get the e-mails and phone calls I have about how much people enjoy and appreciate what I do is extremely rewarding.

I constantly tease about something I call R&D, which stands for “Rip-Off and Duplicate”. I’ve used this term for years, and while it’s a twist or play on words in what’s actually known by those who teach success principles as “modeling”, to see all the people who duplicate what I write on their own blogs and to see people talking about me in message boards and forums is really something.

Many people use paid advertising, others use links in signatures. Others just blatantly promote their blog everywhere they post to try to drive traffic to their sites or blogs, in an attempt to recruit people, even when it’s against the policies of such forums.

I on the other hand, like the “organic” type of links. Organic links are produced naturally from others who happen to like (or dislike) what you’ve written. It’s unsolicited, and obviously has some relevance to those who link to you. I can’t list all the top links that point here, but all kinds of people link here for content and updates. I’ve been amazed when I look at some of the referrals and links from other Network Marketers, other members of YTB, and even from another unrelated web site. (Barry Manilow?!) Of course, I also get a ton of links from those that claim I don’t matter, but they still keep commenting and reading based on time per hit. (Nice to know I take up so much of their time and energy.)

By writing about relevant and interesting topics, these organic links can be very beneficial and provide very high rankings within minutes. When WGN aired the Lady Liberty story, I found myself at the top of the search rankings within minutes of posting. The Travel Weekly Power List also produced a ton of traffic here.

I think my first post on this blog was very apropos given how far reaching and relevant this blog has become. It all started with a dream that I simply took action on. Now almost three years later, to see how far it’s come and what it’s evolved into is humbling and amazing.

I don’t know at this point if who sent the e-mail, nominated me, but who ever nominated me, I wanted to extend my sincere thanks and gratitude for the honor.

Thanks to all who have sent e-mails, called me, and offered personal expressions of how much they appreciate what I do.

The pleasure is all mine!

Now damit…go VOTE FOR ME! ;-P

PS - If you’d like to keep up to date with all the latest news, acquisitions, and developments with YTB feel free to sign up for my FREE Newsletter. Just like here, it’s loaded with food, water and sunshine to grow your YTB business.

Doug & Ronda Bauknight
AKA: TravelPro
Travel Agent / Networker
Phone: 678.458.5812

Learn How To Become A Travel Agent
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Book Your Travel & Vacations With

Travel Reservations: 1.800.243.4450
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Posted by TravelPro at 8:30 AM |

Thursday, July 24, 2008

All The Rage....

I don’t know how many of you were at last years National Convention. I was, and I absolutely loved it! I’ve really been looking forward to all the announcements which in years past have nothing short of blockbuster. The Success from Home Magazine two years ago with the guaranteed income was such a big help for many who wanted to learn what it takes to be successful. (Working your business each and every day.)

Last years National Convention brought us the new booking engine and marketing site designs were nothing short of incredible. (Both of which have been improved even more.) We had also posted our first Quarterly profit just before the National Convention, (HINT) and with our first listing in Travel Weekly at #35 made YTB stand strong and proud as we should.

Going into this years Convention, I’ve never seen so much media and trade publicity concerning our company. I mentioned on Tuesday that our “consideration” of moving from a Referring Travel Agent model to a Franchise model was the most viewed news story in Travel Weekly. (It’s also the most e-mailed article on the Travel Weekly servers.)

It’s really very impressive if you think about it. The focus and attention on YTB right now is at a frenzy and our biggest event of the year is still two weeks away with even more good news for all those who can’t get enough concerning YTB. We’ve clearly moved beyond these silly blogs, message boards, and YouTube videos that are plastered all over the Internet attempting to spin and create their own stories about what they want to project with pointless opinions and spin.

I mentioned here many times that the truth always has a way of coming to light. The truth started to surface back in April when our Annual Report provided YTB its first yearly profit in just 6 short years. This gave way to investors who actually know something about company growth and success to speculate that YTB could be the next Travel Darling in the Travel Industry. Financial analysts such as Benchmark Journal and Bellwether Report also jumped on board offering their take on this growing company.

I was also extremely proud of Travel Weekly this year, which singled out YTB in their Power List publication of the Top 50 Agencies when they quoted:

“YTB has to be singled out because it faced another year of controversy because of the structure of its business – losing IATA and Royal Caribbean accreditation. Editors checked with the company multiple times to ensure that its reported total represented only direct travel sales, not referrals or any other nonqualified revenues.”

To have the Travel Weekly editors inform everyone that the $414.5 Million in travel sold is in fact travel, should certainly draw a distinct line between those who can read and comprehend and those who simply want to spin in their continued downward spiral. To have YTB singled out and answers concerning all the meaningless questions thrown out since last years publication were certainly put to rest. (Though a few critics persists with even more questions in hopes that someone other than YTB or Travel Weekly will answer.)

ABC News picked up an affiliate story a few months back and aired it on Good Morning America and now has our Lady Liberty on their servers. WGN also aired a similar story a few weeks back as their Cover Story. The thought of having our Lady Liberty dedicated to fallen Police, Firefighter and Servicemen for my children’s children children to visit and look at for hundreds of years really says a lot about a company who appreciates and acknowledges the sacrifice these brave men and woman paid for the safety, freedom and liberties we enjoy today.

It’s not the first time YTB, Beryl Martin, and UPS have teamed up for the local community, but it looks like this time it may be viewed on a national stage when they start to transport Lady Liberty which is only a week and a half away.

The hot topic right now IS YTB and we are still two weeks away from the opening of its National Convention in St. Louis. I personally can’t wait to see the after effects of what will be announced when we actually get there.

If you think YTB is HOT now, you ain’t seen nothin’ yet.

PS - If you’d like to keep up to date with all the latest news, acquisitions, and developments with YTB feel free to sign up for my FREE Newsletter. Just like here, it’s loaded with food, water and sunshine to grow your YTB business.

Doug & Ronda Bauknight
AKA: TravelPro
Travel Agent / Networker
Phone: 678.458.5812

Learn How To Become A Travel Agent
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Book Your Travel & Vacations With

Travel Reservations: 1.800.243.4450
RTA #24635

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Posted by TravelPro at 10:36 AM |

Tuesday, July 22, 2008

A Royal Proclamation...In PINK!

Would it surprise you that the most viewed news article last week in Travel Weekly was YTB’s new franchise model? (As well as the most e-mailed story of the week.) What seemed to be flying under the radar last week due to all the YTB news was the second most viewed story of the week concerning Royal Caribbean budget cuts.

According to sources mentioned in Travel Weekly, RCCL was looking to cut payroll by 10% and asking staff to reduce expenses. A Credit Suisse Bank analyst confirmed that Royal Caribbean would also implement “broad based, shore side expense reductions of up to 25%”. If you’re thinking “layoffs” you’re right on the mark as a Miami News Station made the “Royal Proclamation” late last night that the Miami based company handed out some 300 Royal Letters in pink Monday afternoon with 100 positions already vacant totaling 400 job cuts.

Not surprising since after yesterday’s closing bell, Royal Caribbean released numbers showing a 34% decline over 2007 second quarter numbers and more information on its cost savings measures. Seems investors have seen this coming for some time as RCL stock has plummeted from $43 per share to a 5 year low of $19.16 per share just last week.

The company announced a significant cost savings initiative that is expected to reduce spending by approximately $125 million annually.

"Too much of our profitability is being eroded by the increase in fuel prices. This is unacceptable and we are evaluating everything we do to find ways to do it more efficiently and effectively," said Richard D. Fain, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. "While our brands continue to attract premium prices even in this difficult environment, it is imperative that we find ways to reduce our costs."

Hey! Here’s a novel idea you’re more than welcome to steal from the current #1 Cruise Line in the World! Looks like Royal Caribbean is in need of even MORE Travel Agent Support to offset these Royal Pink Slips.

But I regress. Instead they are spending Lord knows how much on more Direct Response TV ads “Starring You”!

Unfortunately, Agent support may not be so easy since it was also reported here that Royal Caribbean gave their existing Travel Agent base the Royal Shaft back at the beginning of June by increasing commission thresholds. While I was “told” by the knowledgeable Travel Agent community I’ve come to know and love, that this was no big deal, I found story after story of Agencies feeling truly shafted. Jim Mazza, COO of Oyster Bay, NY-based TRAVELSAVERS urged them to reconsider. He continued to say “we don't feel that it was in the best interests of the travel agent community.” Mazza was also quoted in another Trade Publication “Given the implications of the current economy, isn't this the perfect time for cruise suppliers to strengthen, not diminish, their relationships with travel agents?"

Vacation.com’s Steve Tracas, president and CEO expressed disappointment with Royal Caribbean's move and reaffirmed the value of travel agents to Royal Caribbean and the industry. CEO Tracas also was quoted “This is certainly a conflicting message compared to some of their more recent communications to the agency community."

One agent, who asked for anonymity, told Travel Trade, "This change is especially punitive to smaller agencies that will be hurt the most. Large producers don't care about a $1.5 or even a $3 million threshold because they are above that anyway. Many of the literally thousands of agencies that barely make 11% now are dropping to 10% and, no, a few hundred dollars doesn't seem like much but the psychological size of the cut is huge."

"The bitterness goes very deep and several producers in the $1 million range that will be affected are already moving share to Princess," according to this agent.

What ever happened to that promise back in October when Royal Caribbean said they were done with Travel MLM’s and only going to kiss and hug REAL Travel Agents? What happened to the standing ovations all over this country from the Travel Agent community who were behind Royal Caribbean 100% and promised they were going to take this industry back?

Now that Royal Caribbean has been out at sea all by itself the last 9 months they’ve sprung a leak and cries of “Man Overboard!” are being heard down in Miami and the Wichita, Kansas call center.

To be fair, fuel costs ARE a big reason for these cuts, but you’ve just GOT to wonder what a company like YTB, who booked some $414.5 Million in travel in 2007 could have done to help save at least some of these jobs. Remember, our suppliers don’t pay a dime to YTB unless YTB produces a sale. There are no marketing expenses; there’s no Co-op Advertising, there’s just more than 100,000 web sites out there that could be pointing friends, family, neighbors, and co-workers to their ships, which quite honestly are very nice.

With a capacity of some 5400 passengers on the new Genesis Class ships being built and on order, maybe bigger at this point isn’t better. Like it or not kids…YTB is the PERFECT model right now to fill up all those new ships they have coming out. You take a look at Carnivals earnings, and now Royal Caribbean’s and despite both having to struggle through the same fuel costs and economic troubles, one has YTB and one doesn’t.

It’s just one of those things that make you go Hmmmmmm.

Royal Caribbean has scheduled a conference call at 10 a.m. Eastern Daylight Time, Tuesday, July 22, to discuss its earnings. This call can be heard, either live or on a delayed basis, on the company's investor relations web site at http://www.rclinvestor.com/.

PS - If you’d like to keep up to date with all the latest news, acquisitions, and developments with YTB feel free to sign up for my FREE Newsletter. Just like here, it’s loaded with food, water and sunshine to grow your YTB business.

Doug & Ronda Bauknight
AKA: TravelPro
Travel Agent / Networker
Phone: 678.458.5812

Learn How To Become A Travel Agent
Image
Book Your Travel & Vacations With

Travel Reservations: 1.800.243.4450
RTA #24635

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Posted by TravelPro at 5:45 AM |

Sunday, July 20, 2008

Walk Softly, But Carry a BIG Stick!

It was mentioned on Coach’s Saturday Morning call that this “consideration” of Franchising was meant to be a “Soft Rollout”. However due to all the focus and obsession right now squarely on the company everyone is talking about, there was nothing “soft” about it. When Coach said “soft rollout” I honestly laughed out loud, and I immediately thought about what I learned in school many, MANY years ago when I did a report on Teddy Roosevelt, and remembered the phrase “Walk softly, but carry a big stick”.

With all the attention, talk, and accusations concerning a proposal that hasn’t even been officially released, let alone outlined, manuals produced, training implemented, pricing arranged, and compensation laid out, it makes me wonder what all this fuss is about.

At one exact moment last week, 10:21AM on Tuesday, July 15th, an 8-K Regulation FD Disclosure was filed with the SEC. A Directors call followed with Scott Tomer informing our Directors of this filing, and a Press Release was issued Tuesday afternoon with our "consideration" of franchising.

I feel it's important to updated and inform you about this proposal from the PROPER sources. Scott has agreed to share a Directors Letter in the Biz Report and I want to make sure you have this communication directly from Scott.

Now just why would Scott have to do something like this? Amusingly enough, and Scott addresses this specifically in his communication, about our competitors and skeptics who make inaccurate, deceitful, slanderous and outright fraudulent statements about YTB. This obsession with YTB is so consuming, that by 10:27AM a post was up on a blog stating that YTB has turned its back on RTA's. (Note: only 6 minutes after the SEC filing!) Likewise, as soon as the Press Release was issued it was commented on a financial forum that the stock would crash , and one brilliant critic posted Scott's letter in it's entirety on another Anti-YTB thread incorrectly assuming that this would cast doubt instead of clarifying our direction in becoming a dominant player in the Travel Industry.

This company can’t sneeze without someone painting some negative spin about it.

With the stock price actually rising following both days of outrageous claims and spin, we can't help but laugh at the egg on the face of these obsessed critics who think they have YTB all figured out. Clearly the scare tactics used to distract and worry those of us in YTB didn’t take hold or we just didn't care to listen.

I mentioned some of my reasons why on Friday, but I also like Scotts reasons, and I’d like to document them here as well.

"We became a publicly traded company in 2004 and the skeptics said we would never make it. People said we were crazy to introduce a Reps' "Bill of Rights" at the 2005 "Your Time to Build" national convention. It was unheard of in our industry. No one had ever guaranteed earnings for its Reps prior to the 2006 "Business of Champions" YTB convention, but that didn't stop us from introducing the Success from Home Magazine program with its $6,000 Guarantee. We became members of the Direct Sales Association in 2007 and added the "First Amendment to the Bill of Rights" at the "Cleared for Take Off" National Convention to the dismay of our detractors."

Here is what you need to know about this consideration before the coin has even been tossed to guess heads or tails, and this comes DIRECTLY from Scott Tomer and no one else. I figured here is as good of place as any to get the truth out about what’s in the works, and what we have to look forward to.

"We know how to recruit, build a sales force and sell products and services using the direct sales or network marketing approach. We are convinced this is the best marketing system ever created and we are ABSOLUTELY COMMITTED to continuing the use of this system with YTB. While there will be changes to the process as it relates to the sale of franchises, the downline genealogy and network marketing division will remain intact."

"We believe a franchise model of our existing business will be easier to comprehend and more readily accepted by the general public. Since franchising is recognized as a traditional business model in virtually all developed countries, YTB's timeline for global expansion will be accelerated."

"We anticipate everything that currently exists for RTAs will be in the franchise model and any additional products offered through the franchise will be available to RTAs should they elect to become franchisees."

"If RTAs elect not to become franchisees, they will be able to continue with no change to their status with all income opportunities and privileges they currently enjoy."

You can clearly see that this is not all the doom and gloom that some would like you to believe. While there are questions yet to be answered by many, I’m confident they will be answered in time. If the program even launches, it won’t be until next year, so we have plenty of time to get our ducks in a row, take the proper time, and make an informed, educated business decision. Honestly, I don’t think 6 minutes is ample time to base a decision on much of anything, let alone an opportunity like the one proposed.

Thank you Scott for stepping up and making this available to us to answer the plethora or questions and accusations that are out there on the Internet. Scott Tomer is a clear leader and one of three Founders in our company. It would not surprise me to see as a result of this announcement and the way Scott handled it, to see a report that Scott Tomer is now being nominated for President!

Can you imagine? Scott Tomer, from President of YTB International, to President of the Untied States!

Roosevelt who?

Editors Note to the goofballs who would like to take this idea of Scott being President seriously: Be our guest! We’d LOVE the publicity and also love to show the world just how gullible you critics really are.

PS - If you’d like to keep up to date with all the latest news, acquisitions, and developments with YTB feel free to sign up for my FREE Newsletter. Just like here, it’s loaded with food, water and sunshine to grow your YTB business.

Doug & Ronda Bauknight
AKA: TravelPro
Travel Agent / Networker
Phone: 678.458.5812

Learn How To Become A Travel Agent
Image
Book Your Travel & Vacations With

Travel Reservations: 1.800.243.4450
RTA #24635

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Posted by TravelPro at 6:20 AM |

Friday, July 18, 2008

Some Light At The End Of This Tunnel...

I spent part of the last couple of nights reading some of the message boards and forums. I believe that reading some of the popular watering holes is a great way to get a pulse on what people are thinking and doing. Obviously the hot topic is this consideration of YTB expanding into franchising and additional markets.

It’s amazing how some of the conversations can be very civil, respectable, and interesting with very valid points on both sides. While other forums and blogs can be nothing more than this notion of doom and gloom with all kinds of questions that nobody can really answer at this point.

One of the things that’s become clear to me after reading comments from some of our RTA’s is how strong our Reps and RTA’s are. How much conviction they have in what we are doing and where YTB is heading. It’s no secret at this point that the slings and arrows that are typically associated with Network Marketing pails in comparison to the mortar fire we in YTB have been facing since last October. Network Marketing has been a very heated topic for years and with YTB’s success in our industry, it’s been escalating to a point that can be very uncomfortable.

If you’re wondering why all the fuss and attention…well, from the very beginning I heard that our management and founders have no experience, that no Travel MLM has ever made it, there’s no product, there’s no money, there’s no future, and our model is flawed…doomed to failure. Travel has to be sold a certain way and to think that YTB could come in and change things is just a pipe dream.

The small group of “critics” that are throwing all this mortar fire right now started to stock up just over a year ago when they got their first glimpse of our success in Travel Weekly’s annual Power List Ranking. The horns sounded, the critics rallied, and the mortars began to be loaded. How dare those little, itty bitty bunch of “recruiters” come in and change the face of an industry they have come to know, love, and respect. Didn’t we know how things are suppose to be? Are we blind, deaf, and dumb to not realize? Were we not listening?

Guess not.

Here we are a year after the first shot heard round the world and YTB just keeps plugging along, doing what we do, and the few that have been shooting at us now see that YTB just jumped from #35 to #26 with an 83% growth in a format and model they just know doesn’t work.

I mentioned at the beginning how much of the conversation I’ve seen has been very civil concerning YTB’s forthcoming proposal. I’ve actually enjoyed some of the dialog and it’s been refreshing to discuss this issue without the name calling and childish behavior I see in other places. I’ve been a member of some of these forums and boards for years. Part of this intelligent dialog is that other members actually know what MLM really is. They’ve heard all the myths and rumors from actually being in the industry themselves. One member, whom I believe to be very sincere, offered his “condolences” concerning this proposal of our new format. That got me thinking about how many times YTB has been offered condolences in my years of participation on these forums.

A list went rushing through my head of my last three years in YTB.

I’ve seen condolences when Coach was sued and there was fear the company would be shut down and Coach was heading to jail.

Outcome: Case Dismissed

I’ve seen condolences every time the FTC was going to shut us down.

Outcome: Actually, for as many times I’ve seen this mentioned on the internet, I’m SHOCKED this has never happened and not one suit or case has ever been filed.

I’ve seen condolences when Rick Ricketts was “under investigation” in Florida.

Outcome: Florida State Senator Burt L. Saunders now on our Board of Directors

I’ve seen condolences 9 straight quarters of losses from 2005 through Q1 2007.

Outcome: $3.2 Mil Profit for 2007 and YTB is now a “Travel Darling”.

I’ve seen condolences when YTB was delisted to the Pink Sheets.

Outcome: Back on the OTC, and stock did a 1:3 split late June 2007.

I’ve seen condolences when all the suppliers were going to follow Royal Caribbean’s lead and terminate their relationship with us.

Outcome: The VP of this decision is now the VP of making sure toilet paper is stocked and mints are on pillows. Meanwhile, Carnival Corporation obviously makes the right choice by implementing a very simple booking requirements policy. Trainings with other vendor and suppliers increased dramatically to capture the market share Royal Caribbean tossed overboard.

I’ve seen condolences when IATA sealed our fate and we couldn’t book any more travel.

Outcome: YTB jumps 9 spots in Travel Weekly’s Power List from #35 to #26 with 83% growth and $414.5 Million in Travel Sales.

To see condolences from anyone these days just seems a bit melodramatic to me. I can appreciate what the unknown can create in the minds of others. Experience however, can change one’s perspective when you’ve seen what this company has endured and overcome.

With every adversity and all the doom and gloom that I’ve seen projected from both good natured and the cold hearted concerning our Founders, our Company, our model, and our people; to have YTB still standing strong and proud is so incredibly refreshing and powerful.

You know what I see? I see character. I see conviction. I see trust. I see belief. I see a change of people being a part of YTB, to YTB being a part of the people.

I get e-mails, phone calls and have been involved in many personal conversations from fellow Team Members in YTB. People constantly thank me for the work I do on this blog, and our Weekly Newsletters I’ve shared with the entire company. I’ve heard many times how grateful people are for sharing my experience and what I know.

What goes around comes around, and it’s my turn to thank all of you for standing strong in your convictions, and being such a valuable part of this great company we know as YTB. I can’t tell you how proud I am to see what I see out there in these forums and boards right now. How solid and true you are.

One of the best comments was a post created by a woman I don’t even know, but I think it speaks volumes when it comes to what we have to look forward to. While I don’t have her permission to copy and paste this, I’m quite confident she won’t mind.

“YTB, a leader in the travel industry, is going down!!!

YTB has gone through so many storms just within the past year. Unfortunately, whenever a company continually goes through problems, issues, storms, loses customers (REPs/RTAs), bad press, losing memberships, being ousted from suppliers' support, being taken to court, staff issues, etc etc etc. it weakens the base and foundation of the company. That's so sad!! And what about the poor RTAs who paid $500 just to chase a dream!!RTAs should have listened to the many heeds to get out, stay away, find something else and get on with life. They really should have.Well, what's next for us?? Well - ALL IS NOT LOST! Here's the good news:

YTB IS GOING DOWN!

They are going down in history as trailblazers in the travel industry!!!”

LOL! I couldn’t agree more Denyse!

You go Girl!

PS – If you’d like to read her entire post, you are free to visit it here.

PPS - If you’d like to keep up to date with all the latest news, acquisitions, and developments with YTB feel free to sign up for my FREE Newsletter. Just like here, it’s loaded with food, water and sunshine to grow your YTB business.

Doug & Ronda Bauknight
AKA: TravelPro
Travel Agent / Networker
Phone: 678.458.5812

Learn How To Become A Travel Agent
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Book Your Travel & Vacations With

Travel Reservations: 1.800.243.4450
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Posted by TravelPro at 7:54 AM |

Wednesday, July 16, 2008

Forthcoming Proposal

I was telling someone a few weeks ago that things were going to be very slow news wise up until the National Convention in a few weeks. I have to apologize to that person…Boy did I get that one wrong! It made perfect sense when I said it…why would the company release any new features, announcements, upgrades before the biggest meeting of the year?

Of course it’s not all YTB’s fault. We certainly can’t help that the news media took a keen interest in our Lady Liberty that’s now complete and ready to ship to the convention.

The last few days YTB has come to the forefront once again and the speculation is flying all over the place. I would have thought both events would have been worthy enough to save for the Convention. We can all figure out just why we took the Booking Engine and Steals and Deals links off the Marketing sites. It has been mentioned that this was long overdue and really should have been done at the same time the Rep Links were taken off the Booking Engines years ago. It’s my believe that this separation between the Marketing Site and our Booking Engine is going to prove to be an important element, but for different reasons.

The news yesterday, I suspect was offered up in response to some rumors that I’ve heard about running around the Network Marketing circles which surfaced a few weeks ago. Rumor has it that YTB is getting out of the MLM business.

I’m really not at Liberty (pun intended) right now to write about what all this means. (Other than I REALLY like the idea of being a Franchise Owner.) I do want to point out that the company is only “contemplating” at this time. I’m amazed and dazzled however at how some of our critics who are so well versed as “MLM Experts” were able to switch hats at a moments notice and suddenly become “Franchise Experts”. How they know so much about everything astounds even me.

Here is what I will do. I will post the Press Release here in its entirety and the emphasis will be mine as you read the company statement. For those of us in YTB who truly understand our model, please read carefully and it’s my hope that with my emphasis, you will get a more accurate interpretation of what is being conveyed in this release.

We can let the “experts” speculate on their own. Frankly at this point, I’m actually very amused over some of the interpretations and concerns over this. Reading comprehension and full understanding of YTB’s two separate and unique business models are at a premium. Lack of fully understanding our current business model can be oh so dangerous.

YTB International Contemplates Implementation of Franchises

Company Considers Adopting Franchise Operating System in 2009

WOOD RIVER, Ill., July 15 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- YTB International, Inc. (OTC Bulletin Board: YTBLA) ('YTB' or the 'Company'), a provider of Internet-based travel booking services for travel agencies and home-based independent representatives in the United States, Bermuda, the Bahamas, and Canada, today announced that the Company is contemplating the replacement of its referring travel agent ('RTA') business model with the implementation of a franchise operating system, potentially in 2009. The Company expects that a franchising model, if adopted, would facilitate the Company's expansion into additional markets by providing more comprehensive training and a new proprietary e-commerce platform.

Details regarding price, product offerings and the conversion plan are all under consideration, but the Company anticipates that its existing RTA base would be treated favorably under its forthcoming proposal. Scott Tomer, Chief Executive Officer of YTB International, Inc. commented, 'We have retained iFranchise of Chicago to consult in the planning and development of the franchise model and are excited about the potential impact on YTB's business.' If a franchising model is adopted, its distribution is expected to be managed by the current marketing arm of the Company, YourTravelBiz.com, also known as YTB.com

The iFranchise Group brings decades of experience to franchise development and implementation efforts. Their consultants have worked with over 30 Fortune 2000 companies and with 98 of the world's top 200 franchisors as rated by Franchise Times magazine. iFranchise has worked with clients such as Blockbuster Video, Ace Hardware, and McDonald's.

About YTB International

Recognized as the 26th largest seller of travel in the U.S. for travel sales reported in 2007 by Travel Weekly, YTB International, Inc. provides Internet-based travel booking services for home-based independent representatives in the United States, Puerto Rico, the Bahamas, Canada, Bermuda, and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

The Company operates through three subsidiaries: YourTravelBiz.com, Inc., YTB Travel Network, Inc., and REZconnect Technologies, Inc. YourTravelBiz.com focuses on marketing online travel websites through a nationwide network of independent business people, known as 'Reps.' YTB Travel Network establishes and maintains travel vendor relationships, processes travel transactions of online travel agents and affiliates, collects travel commissions and pays sales commissions. Each RTA directs consumers to the YTB Internet-based travel website. The REZconnect Technologies division operates as a travel vendor relationship management company and offers franchises of brick and mortar travel agencies. For more information, visit http://www.ytbi.com/investor.

Statements about the Company's future expectations, including future revenues and earnings, and all other statements in this press release other than historical facts are 'forward-looking statements' within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, Section 21E of the Securities Exchange of 1934, and as that term is defined in the Private Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties and are subject to change at any time, and the Company's actual results could differ materially from expected results. The Company undertakes no obligation to update forward-looking statements to reflect subsequently occurring events or circumstances.

SOURCE YTB International, Inc.

PS - If you’d like to keep up to date with all the latest news, acquisitions, and developments with YTB feel free to sign up for my FREE Newsletter. Just like here, it’s loaded with food, water and sunshine to grow your YTB business.

Doug & Ronda Bauknight
AKA: TravelPro
Travel Agent / Networker
Phone: 678.458.5812

Learn How To Become A Travel Agent
Image
Book Your Travel & Vacations With

Travel Reservations: 1.800.243.4450
RTA #24635

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Posted by TravelPro at 5:00 AM |

Tuesday, July 15, 2008

Don't Like Change? Leave It Here!

Did you notice a change to our YTB Marketing Sites yesterday? It’s actually pretty small, but I think it will prove to be a very important development in the months and years to come. If you subscribe to my Free Newsletter you already knew about this change, but I wanted to let others who may not be aware know not only what has just transpired, but why.

"As YourTravelBiz.com and YTB Travel Network continue to grow we are working diligently to define the differences between the travel and marketing businesses. Beginning Monday, July 14, 2008, the "Book Travel" link and the "Deals and Steals" link will be removed from the marketing website. You will no longer be able to access the travel website from the Marketing home page. In order to access your YTB Travel Network booking engine, you must go directly to www.ytbtravel.com/userID."

It is important to understand that we must differentiate between the marketing and travel businesses.YTB Travel Network ranked 26th in the nation by Travel Weekly with over $414 million in travel sales in 2007. (That’s an 83% growth in TRAVEL SALES over last year by the way and a 9 spot jump from #35 in last year’s list.) As our travel sales continue to increase, our vendors and our critics need to see a clear separation between the travel business and marketing business. Having the "Book Travel" link and the "Deals and Steals" link on the marketing site fuels their confusion. Not our fault, but the critics especially are just a little slower than others and it is our hope that this step will help our critics see this separation on our Marketing Sites and curb some of the criticism and outlandish claims about a business model they are having so much trouble grasping and understanding.

You may not know this, but some time ago we removed the marketing link from the travel site for the same reason. It’s been about 2 or 2 ½ years now; and honestly, it’s been so long ago, I don’t remember an exact point in time. I’ve also read that some of our critics have signed up for our “Steals and Deals” in hopes that they would find some sort of solicitation from the Home Office about joining our Company for all these “Perks and Credentials” we hear so much about and to come join YTB. Since I’ve not heard word one about any such mailing in all the time I’ve been with YTB, no such solicitation has ever sent.

YTB also clearly states on all our company approved Marketing Materials the following statement:

"The YTB companies offer two unique and powerful opportunities, that of referring travel agent or "RTA" and that of independent marketing representative or "REP". The travel agent opportunity has an initial fee under $500 and a monthly license fee of $49.95. There is no fee or travel agency purchase required to be a REP. You may choose to participate in one or both opportunities."

This statement is read at every Company Presentation and is found on all Company Marketing Materials in the Countries we operate. (United States, Puerto Rico, Bermuda, the Bahamas, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and Canada.) We also operate through three subsidiaries: YourTravelBiz.com, Inc., YTB Travel Network, Inc., and REZconnect Technologies, Inc. and we are publicly traded on the OTC under the symbol YTBLA.OB.

It’s no secret that there is a tremendous amount of focus on our company at this time, and we need to be very cautious how we as a company operate in both a corporate entity and as Independent Representatives. (This means YOU!)

We have known Coach, Scott, and Kim for many years and every decision they make is with a "Reps Heart" and we need to trust that these decisions are made in our best interest. We trust and believe that removing the "Book Travel" link and the "Deals and Steals" link will help separate our two unique and powerful opportunities.

Based on what I’ve seen from those who have already subscribed to our Free Newsletter, most of you with our company already have a registered domain for your booking engine as our booking engines for most are the primary focus of our business. (Contrary to what you may have heard by others.)

If you’re like me you use another domain extension (.info - .net - .biz) and purchase either clear or white "Return Address" labels (or purchase a stamp) to affix your "other site" to the back of the business card.

When marketing your Travel Business under http://www.ytbtravel.com/justpictureitnow and you come in contact with a very sharp individual. Simply turn the card over when handing them the business card and tell them to take a look at this site, http://www.ytb.com/justpictureitnow. If it looks interesting to your prospect, your contact information can be found either on the front of the business card or on the web site and all you have to do is answer a few simple questions.
We’ve been conducting our business this way for years and it works!

Paradise Network is also an incredible Marketing Site that not only has links to your YTB Marketing Site, but your Booking Engine, Live Webcasts, Contact Manager, Event Calendar, and Auto Responder system for follow up for anyone you have spoken with and has requested more information. Forwarding your domains to Paradise Network has also proven to be an effective Marketing Tool and it’s also approved by YTB.

Same business cards, same registered domains, just a slight shift in how you market two unique and powerful business opportunities.

We once heard that an Entrepreneur is nothing more than a problem solver. Sometimes we need to think outside the box from our usual way of thinking.

We also saw a tip jar not too long ago that said, "Don't like change? Leave it here!" In business, change is inevitable, and as a company we are capitalizing on the change the Travel Industry is undergoing in its change from "Brick and Mortar" to "Click and Order". We need to be able to adapt to situations easily and readily and sometimes that's hard to do with a company the size of YTB.

The National Convention is just 19 days away. Could this move before the National Convention be for a specific reason? We don't quite know just yet, but we believe there are very good and legitimate reasons in making this move at this time and we know that Coach, Scott, and Kim are ALWAYS thinking of us first when it comes to YOUR BUSINESS.

PS - If you’d like to keep up to date with all the latest news, acquisitions, and developments with YTB feel free to sign up for my FREE Newsletter. Just like here, it’s loaded with food, water and sunshine to grow your YTB business.

Doug & Ronda Bauknight
AKA: TravelPro
Travel Agent / Networker
Phone: 678.458.5812

Learn How To Become A Travel Agent
Image
Book Your Travel & Vacations With

Travel Reservations: 1.800.243.4450
RTA #24635

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Posted by TravelPro at 9:03 AM |

Sunday, July 13, 2008

Double Trouble

Everyone is talking about what's going to happen in just 23 days! When we took our trip up to the Home Office for Red Carpet a few weeks ago we noticed that Josh and Scott Tomer were behind closed doors, spotted brief cases with handcuffs attached to them, papers being shredded, and conversations cut short when we entered rooms. Very strange, mysterious, and hush hush type stuff that certainly didn't fit what we have come to know concerning YTB.

So strange, that it's caught the attention of a very special "Secret Agent".

Bond...James Bond...

Okay, so it's not James Bond (sorry ladies) but who ever this agent is; he's on to something and is attempting to uncover the truth about what's REALLY going on at the Home Office.

Over the last few weeks, this "Agent" has sent us several letters, and an undercover video that really raises our eye brows! Yesterday, he sends us something he snagged and pieced together from the shredder directly from Josh Tomer's office, and while we're not sure the pieces are in the right order, or if all the pieces are actually there, we felt it was important enough pass this along in hopes that maybe you can assist in helping us unravel this mystery.

He's sent us a double secret web site which is password protected, and if you can unlock the code to enter the site, you will gain access to the letters, video, and documentation of what he's uncovered.

Go to www.ytbsecretagent.com, unlock the code, and see if you can figure out what Josh and Scott are trying to keep quiet!

PS - Why can't they be more like Coach? (Coach can NEVER keep a secret!) How could that DNA bypass two generations of Tomers?

PPS - If you’d like to keep up to date with all the latest news, acquisitions, and developments with YTB feel free to sign up for my FREE Newsletter. Just like here, it’s loaded with food, water and sunshine to grow your YTB business.

Doug & Ronda Bauknight
AKA: TravelPro
Travel Agent / Networker
Phone: 678.458.5812

Learn How To Become A Travel Agent
Image
Book Your Travel & Vacations With

Travel Reservations: 1.800.243.4450
RTA #24635

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Posted by TravelPro at 11:00 AM |

Friday, July 11, 2008

Changing of The Guard

If you’ve been reading this blog for any length of time you should know that I am a die hard Steelers fan. I grew up in Pittsburgh during the years of the Steel Curtain, Lambert’s Lunatics, Franco’s Army, and four Super Bowl Championships in the 70’s. You can take the boy out of the city, but you could never take the Steelers out of the boy.

My only memories of the Steelers, even as a small boy are three Coach’s, (Chuck Noll, Bill Cowher, and Mike Tomlin) two stadiums, (Three Rivers and Heinz Field), and one ownership, the Rooney’s. In 1933, Art Rooney Sr. (“The Chief”) purchased this NFL franchise for $2,500. The other four current NFL teams in existence at that time were the Chicago (Arizona) Cardinals, Green Bay Packers, Chicago Bears and New York Giants.

To state that this Franchise is riddled with history is an understatement at best.

You may also know if you’ve been with YTB for any length of time that Coach is also a Steelers fan. He grew up just outside of Pittsburgh, and even after moving away many decades ago, he like me, still bleeds Black and Gold.

I’ll never forget the first night my wife and I saw this business. It was during one of the Founders Tours back in 2005 and Coach was there and when he got up to speak, he said something, and honestly I don’t remember what the exact word was, but it was a very distinct Pittsburghese, and I turned to my wife and told her right then that Coach was from Pittsburgh.

She looked at me like I was nuts, (Wasn’t the first time, and wasn’t the last. ;-P) but when I was introduced to Coach after the presentation, I asked him if he spent any time in Pittsburgh. He was shocked that I picked up on his dialect, but we Pittsburgher’s N-at always know!

While I am aware of some cities who have attempted to have Coach change his loyalty to other teams, Coach knows who the REAL American Team is! (Isn’t that right Charlie?!)

That being said, it has come to my attention that for the first time in over 75 years, the ownership of the Pittsburgh Steelers may be jeopardy of changing hands. Four of the Rooney brothers plan to get out of the NFL and focus their business efforts on their racetracks and other interests. (Ownership in gambling, such as racetracks, is against NFL policy and regulations.)

According the Official Steelers site Dan Rooney, and his son, Steelers President Art Rooney II, are arranging a financing plan to buy Dan’s brothers' shares in the team in order to continue substantial ownership of the franchise by the Rooneys.

However, word has surfaced that the Steelers may have been secretly shopped around and an outside buyer has come into the mix, who may take control of the team.

Oh the HUMANITY!

So that got me thinkin’. (Dangerous, I know.) IF the Steelers are being shopped around, who better to take over than our very own Coach Tomer! He has the money, he has the loyalty, and I can’t think of a better Coach in the world! What I like most about this idea is that he surrounds himself with quality people and delegates jobs and tasks to people who excel in those areas.

Can you imagine…Coach Tomer, part owner of the Pittsburgh Steelers? Okay, hard to wrap, even for me after all these years of stability in this franchise, but like Cowher in 1992 and now Tomlin who’s now in his sophomore year, I can adapt.

What I like most about this idea is that for as long as I’ve known Coach, he’s always done what was best for people. The man has a heart of Gold. It’s not just us either. You may know about the cruises he gave away for Military and their families this spring. While I can’t document what I’ve heard about what this meant to every single family, and I’ve heard some very sincere and touching stories. Apparently it got back to the Top Brass and to have a Naval Commander take the time to write and thank our company for its service and aid in these families quality of life is truly astounding.

Like the Rooney Family, I feel the same way about the Tomer family and that’s why it’s such a perfect fit in my view. The Rooneys and the Tomers have always done what’s best for the team, and its fans.

“The Chief” was the laughing stock of the NFL for many years, and had only a handful of winning seasons before he hired Chuck Noll back in 1969 as their head Coach. Art Jr., one of two Rooney brothers who worked full time for the team, was so skilled as a scouting director that his drafts in the late 1960s and early 1970s were largely responsible for the Steelers winning four Super Bowls in six years.

His 1974 draft alone produced Hall of Famers Lynn Swann, Jack Lambert, John Stallworth and Mike Webster and led to Art Jr. being nominated for the Hall of Fame. No argument from me that this “recruiting” was the best in NFL history.

“The Coach” doing what he has done in the Travel Industry, taking a bunch of nobodies, and producing a top Travel Agency in only his 8th year in business, seems to me at least, to be a top pick in working WITH the Rooneys in keeping the legacy and the tradition alive and well in this blue color town who’s foundation was built in a melting pot of all walks of life.

It could prove to be a lot of fun, and isn’t that what life should be all about?!

PS - If you’d like to keep up to date with all the latest news, acquisitions, and developments with YTB feel free to sign up for my FREE Newsletter. Just like here, it’s loaded with food, water and sunshine to grow your YTB business.

Doug & Ronda Bauknight
AKA: TravelPro
Travel Agent / Networker
Phone: 678.458.5812

Learn How To Become A Travel Agent
Image
Book Your Travel & Vacations With

Travel Reservations: 1.800.243.4450
RTA #24635

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Posted by TravelPro at 6:28 AM |

Tuesday, July 08, 2008

Cover Story...YTB's Lady Liberty

Television station WGN AMERICA decided that YTB's amazing Lady Liberty being built for the 2008 YTB National Convention was important enough to make it their Cover Story. The video is now available via this direct link and it’s something that those of us in YTB should be proud of.

If you made last years National Convention, you’ll know that Beryl Martin is the same company that put together last year’s event and from the looks of it, this year will be even better than last. While no one really knows, it’s been reported that bids have come in for this stage costing $8 Million.

While this is purely speculation at this point, I have to wonder if UPS will take advantage of being the “Official Transporter” of Lady Liberty from Lake County to St. Louis with a 3 mile long caravan of 80 UPS trucks the first week in August. (The plans of 40 semis have been changed.)

This isn’t the first time Lady Liberty has made news. Back in April, ABC news gave us our first glimpse of what she would look like, and to our surprise, it was also aired on Good Morning America the next morning.

It won’t be the last either, you can be sure of that. A documentary is being filmed as we speak concerning the creation of Lady Liberty for the National Convention, and as much as I’d like to see it culminate there, it’s my belief that our story will end at Lady Liberty’s final resting spot. The front runner at this point is Crown Point, Indiana for a tribute to fallen Police Officers, Fire Fighters, and Soldiers.

There is already word of all three Major networks having press boxes at the Convention along with more than 20,000 Reps and RTA’s. Twice the amount of last year and from the looks of it, in 5 years, YTB won’t even be able to fit in the Edward R. Jones Dome.

It going to be the don’t miss, must see event of the year!

PS - If you’d like to keep up to date with all the latest news, acquisitions, and developments with YTB feel free to sign up for my FREE Newsletter. Just like here, it’s loaded with food, water and sunshine to grow your YTB business.

Doug & Ronda Bauknight
AKA: TravelPro
Travel Agent / Networker
Phone: 678.458.5812

Learn How To Become A Travel Agent
Image
Book Your Travel & Vacations With

Travel Reservations: 1.800.243.4450
RTA #24635

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Posted by TravelPro at 4:57 AM |

Monday, July 07, 2008

YTB's Lady Liberty Story to Air Tonight

Television station WGN AMERICA (Chicago WGN show News at Nine - local, satellite, and cable) will air a story on YTB's amazing Lady Liberty being built for the 2008 YTB National Convention.

(Story and video air on Chicago's local WGN station show News at Nine, but broadcast nationwide on WGN America)

SEE IT TONIGHT
10 pm Eastern, 9 pm Central, 8 pm Mountain, 7 pm Pacific

Check your local listings
DIRECTV Channel 307
DISH NETWORK Channel 239
CABLE Channels vary by provider

The story and video will be available at http://wgntv.trb.com/ after the show airs. Alert the team, the neighbors, and the family about tonight's broadcast and tell them to check the WGN TV website later if they missed it or to see it again. (Keep checking - the video will be posted tonight or in the morning).

The number of video hits on the WGN website will determine to what extent WGN will air something special about YTB’s Convention. (There is already word of all three Major networks being there with 20,000 Reps and RTA’s.)

This is a not to be missed opportunity to increase national exposure to our fast growing company - on our way to becoming the largest online travel network in the world!

PS - If you’d like to keep up to date with all the latest news, acquisitions, and developments with YTB feel free to sign up for my FREE Newsletter. Just like here, it’s loaded with food, water and sunshine to grow your YTB business.

Doug & Ronda Bauknight
AKA: TravelPro
Travel Agent / Networker
Phone: 678.458.5812

Learn How To Become A Travel Agent
Image
Book Your Travel & Vacations With

Travel Reservations: 1.800.243.4450
RTA #24635

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Posted by TravelPro at 4:18 PM |

Home Office of the 21st Century Family

Hope Ya’ll had a great weekend. (For you Pittsburgher’s like me, replace “Yunz Guys” with “Ya’ll”) We had family in town since the middle of last week, and while I did do some “work”, some things, like internet activity, took a back seat. (Which would include this blog.)

I started to think about what to post today and honestly didn’t have anything prepared. There are a couple of key people I like to read for inspiration, and many of them you can find to the right as part of my “favorite authors”, but there is one who isn’t on my list who I’ve known via the Internet and message boards who I’ve admired for years. As a success, I have attempted to model in my journey in my own home based business.

I stumbled into one of his articles late last night and can’t tell you how thrilled I was to see someone like Tony with the same belief I have concerning working at home with kids.

To some, this may seem odd, and some who’ve never experienced this may think that people would find this “unprofessional”. Like Tony, I’ve never seen or heard a single person in all the years I’ve been home with my kids that anyone has ever been “put off” by my kids who may interrupt, make extra noise, or need something during a call.

As a matter of fact, I get more compliments and most everyone with children desire what I have more than anything else.

So I’m going to step aside for today and let Tony take it from here with a copy and paste from Articlebase.

How to Succeed in a Home Business Even if you Have Kids

Author: Tony Rush

You've seen the ad in the magazines and online. I call her the Perfect Work-At-Home Person. She's a beautiful lady with perfect makeup and hairstyle. She's sitting at her computer in her home office and her two-year old is quietly playing with her toys on the floor.

Or perhaps it's a picture of a man who's lounged by the pool laughing and talking on his cordless phone while his children are floating around in the pool.

Let's pause for a reality check.

As I type this, I'm holding an 18-month old who has barged into my office and demanded his favorite past-time: to sit on my lap while listening to iTunes. (Right now, we're listening to "How Long" by The Eagles and he's desperately trying to climb onto the keyboard to get my iPhone.)

In fact, less than an hour ago, I had a phone call from a potential business partner who had to hold for a moment as I made sure that my oldest son had his phone charged and knew to be careful crossing the street to go to his friend's house.

Of course, I could close the door. I could ask my wife to watch him for a bit while I take care of some business.

And sometimes I do that. But, usually, I'm doing business or taking calls throughout the day while I'm enjoying being with my family.

Welcome to the Home Office of the 21st Century Family: Where family is the top priority and we don't feel the need to pretend that our home office is a picture from a magazine.

It wasn't always this way, though. I remember not too long ago, if the phone rang, I was shrieking at everyone to be quiet because I was "working". Or I spent huge swaths of time with the door to my office closed because I was "working".

What a drag. What's the point in working at home if you have to pretend you're in a corporate environment? Or where everyone around you is stressed out because they feel like they're walking on eggshells.

I suspect that most home-business entrepreneurs are living the same way and doing it for the same reason: fear.

They're afraid that if someone hears a child in the background, it means they're not "professional". But the truth is that most of the people you talk to would love to be able to work from home and be with their loved ones every day. And this is especially true if you're in a business where showing people how to get out of the corporate environment is what you do.

The truth is that working at home and being connected with your family is cool today. Today's best "power lunch" is when you're making money while slicing a peanut-butter and jelly sandwich for your kids. And the best suits to wear when doing business is a swimsuit.

Just this week, I was on the phone with a potential business partner and my son, Pate, came in to get a hug and a kiss before going to bed. I asked my prospect to hang on, laid the phone on the desk and spent the next 45 seconds tickling my son, telling him how much I love him and that I'd see him in the morning.

When I picked up the phone, I said, "There was a time I would have apologized for that but that's actually the whole reason why I do what I do."

There was a moment of silence on the other end of the phone and my prospect said, "That's the kind of life I want. How do I get started?"

And of course, when the situation requires, you can always close your door. There's nothing wrong with that, either. It's all about choice.

So, the message is simple: don't be too quick to assume that working at home requires you to be "slick" or "professional".

I earn a multiple six-figure income from home and I've been able to do that while enjoying my family; not hiding them. Don't expect that I'll always answer the phone if you call my office.

And if I do, you might just hear the sounds of The Eagles or a Nintendo Wii in the background.

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/business-articles/how-to-succeed-in-a-home-business-even-if-you-have-kids-297523.html

About the Author:
Here is Easton's contribution to the article: aaaaaaazzzzzzzzzz3g9]

For more information on Tony Rush, visit http://www.tonyrush.com

Couldn't have said it better myself Tony.

Thank you.

PS - If you’d like to keep up to date with all the latest news, acquisitions, and developments with YTB feel free to sign up for my FREE Newsletter. Just like here, it’s loaded with food, water and sunshine to grow your YTB business.

Doug & Ronda Bauknight
AKA: TravelPro
Travel Agent / Networker
Phone: 678.458.5812

Learn How To Become A Travel Agent
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Book Your Travel & Vacations With

Travel Reservations: 1.800.243.4450
RTA #24635

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Posted by TravelPro at 5:24 AM |

Friday, July 04, 2008

Your Independence Day

On July 4, 1776, we claimed our independence from Britain and Democracy was born. Every day thousands leave their homeland to come to the "land of the free and the home of the brave" so they can begin their American Dream.

in·de·pend·ence /ˌɪn dɪˈpɛn dəns/ Pronunciation Key - Spelled Pronunciation [in-di-pen-duh ns]
–noun
1. Also, independency. the state or quality of being independent.
2. freedom from the control, influence, support, aid, or the like, of others.

I’ve always enjoyed Independence Day. Most of you may know today as “4th of July” and there’s certainly no harm in that. I’ve always been one for a good baseball game, grilling out, and a colorful fireworks show. For me however, the word independence has always had a special meaning, even from a very early age. As early as I can remember, I reveled being out on my own, whether it was riding my bike in the woods, away at camp, or finding odd jobs to do around the neighborhood to earn my own income and spending money. It’s something that’s been ingrained in my DNA I guess.

I see both of my children doing and thinking on their own even at their early age. As a parent, I allow them to make their own choices and even some mistakes along the way. One of the amazing aspects of being a human being is that we all have free will, and I believe free will is one of the most important traits that we as humans can express in our lives.

“We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.”

~ The Declaration of Independence July 4, 1776

In this country we are able to think and do as we wish. It’s a freedom our founding fathers wrote as a declaration, fought hard to establish, and our Armed Forces still sacrifice for us to this day.

Some may not like our choices; some may even relentlessly ridicule and scorn others for thinking and doing what we choose in our pursuit of happiness. The true beauty of Independence Day is that we are gifted with the Right to choose if all the fuss really means a thing. We only need to be concerned about our own happiness and dreams.

What a Country!

For those of us who are our own thinkers, our own creators of life and happiness, today you need to remember that this is your Right. It’s a founding declaration that millions have fought to uphold and protect for hundreds of years, and millions will continue to do so for hundreds more. And to think it all started with just 56 men who got the ball rolling more than 230 years ago.

Based on what I’ve experienced, especially this past year, I’m more grateful that ever that I’ve found a company and a model that allows me to express my freedom and independence as an Independent Representative. It’s not always easy, it’s not always comfortable, but it IS extremely rewarding.

Here’s to your own independence to create the life you want.

Now it’s time to go enjoy a day at the pool with the family, fire up the coals, grill something incredible to eat, and enjoy some of the best fireworks found in the Southeast which will be set off just minutes away from the house when the sun sets at the end of this glorious day.

PS - If you’d like to keep up to date with all the latest news, acquisitions, and developments with YTB feel free to sign up for my FREE Newsletter. Just like here, it’s loaded with food, water and sunshine to grow your YTB business.

Doug & Ronda Bauknight
AKA: TravelPro
Travel Agent / Networker
Phone: 678.458.5812

Learn How To Become A Travel Agent
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Book Your Travel & Vacations With

Travel Reservations: 1.800.243.4450
RTA #24635

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Posted by TravelPro at 5:30 AM |

Wednesday, July 02, 2008

A Business Owner's Perspective

I don’t like to favor any one team member more than any other, and I will tell you that one particular team member gives me so much lip and grief that part of me doesn’t even want to tell you about what he’s doing. (Sorry buddy, but you do! ;-p) When you find someone with business smarts like Chris, sometimes you have to swallow your pride for the greater good of the team and the company.

Chris found me like most people do, over the internet, and what impressed me most was that Chris wasted no time and took action from minute one and picked up the phone and called me instead of waiting for me to call him. Chris asked a lot of questions and I gave him resources and information to make an informed, educated decision about our company and our business model.

When it was all said and done, Chris and Laura did sign up and we’ve had a blast working this business together. I consider Chris one of my best friends and I’m honored to have personally sponsored both him and Laura.

Chris recently put together a new Blog that I wanted to share with you because I think it’s very classy, professional, and is representative of what most people see in this company. I also feel that this is an accurate representation of what most of my team focus on. While the recruiting aspect of our company is certainly there, the reasons for getting involved was for the love of travel. (They, like us are cruise-aholics.)

Their first post was a list of 7 reasons for joining Your Travel Biz, and as a business owner, I believe he’s hit the nail on the head. I’ve copied and pasted their reasons below because I’m very proud to have such an intelligent view of what this company means to both of them.

Feel free to read some of his other posts concerning how to get the best travel deals, tips for flying with your family, what you can and can’t pack in your carry on luggage, along with a really fun review (and hysterical picture) of a trip to Universal Studios.

I couldn’t ask for better team members, but if there was one thing I could change, it’s those stupid messages he leaves on my voice mail just about every single day! Oh well, I guess you can do that if you had more time and more money!

Anyway, here’s what a business owner sees in YTB.

SEVEN REASONS I JOINED YTB & YOU SHOULD, TOO:
————————————————
1. THE FUN OF TRAVEL:

I like travel and vacations, and could picture myself enjoying the product. I figured if I didn’t end up selling YTB, it would still be worth what I paid for the vacations. How could I lose?

2. LOW START-UP COST:

I was impressed by the LOW amount of cash necessary to get involved in YTB. Most businesses cost many thousands of dollars to start and you have to take over equipment leases, be saddled with Yellow Page advertising, weekly payrolls, inventory and accounting. The business ends up running you instead of you running it, yet it never would produce the kind of money YTB does, and I would have to work three times as hard.

3. FLEXIBLE HOURS:

I realized I didn’t want to be tied down to a 9 to 5 job, or put in all the overtime hours required to make a small business succeed. I want to have money and the time to enjoy it. I set my own hours with YTB, and make sure it never interferes with my social life.

4. HIGH INCOME:

Lots of part-timers are making $500-$1,000 a week. Full-time YTB people can make even more. I know one person in YTB pulling down about $260,000 a month with YTB, and if you talked to him, you’d be scratching your head because he didn’t seem to be all that bright. I love ya, but sorry Rick! There is nothing exceptional about him, he just follows the system.

5. LOW STRESS = HAPPIER LIFE:

I was attracted to YTB because I wanted a very low pressure business. No time clock to punch, no manager to answer to, no employee problems to deal with or inter - office squabbles to settle. Now I work when it fits MY schedule. I have time to spend with my friends and family. My friends tell me I smile a lot more than I did this time last year.

6. GOOD SUPPORT & TRAINING:

I liked the fact that while YTB is an independent association and you don’t have to answer to anyone but yourself, there is also a good training and support system in place to ensure success. My director Tim Dominey worked with me to make sure I made sales when I first started.

We did conference calls with clients to help close sales, and still do today. We continue to share techniques and leads. I was introduced to other successful YTB people in order to raise my confidence level in the early weeks.

With my Tim’s help - the same kind of help I’ll be giving you - I was able to get the system down in a matter of days.

7. WORK FROM HOME OR ANYWHERE:

I wanted an opportunity that wouldn’t make me a prisoner to my business. I can work from home, or travel and work on the road. All I need is a phone, a laptop computer, and I’m completely mobile. I wanted the flexibility to travel whenever I feel like it. Even cruise ships have Internet access these days and my wife and I are cruise-aholics, so I can combine YTB with my vacations.

So there you have it from someone who’s been on both sides of the fence. Kind of reminds me of another business owner I wrote about some time ago.

If you’re ever in Vagas, make sure you look both Chris and Laura up. Or if you want to go to Vegas, I don’t know anyone who knows more about the town than the two of them.

And remember, what happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas!

PS - If you’d like to keep up to date with all the latest news, acquisitions, and developments with YTB feel free to sign up for my FREE Newsletter. Just like here, it’s loaded with food, water and sunshine to grow your YTB business.

Doug & Ronda Bauknight
AKA: TravelPro
Travel Agent / Networker
Phone: 678.458.5812

Learn How To Become A Travel Agent
Image
Book Your Travel & Vacations With

Travel Reservations: 1.800.243.4450
RTA #24635

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Posted by TravelPro at 6:00 AM |

About Us

  • We're Doug & Ronda Bauknight
  • AKA: TravelPro
  • From Hot-Lanta!, Georgia, United States
  • YTB Travel Network is 130,000 Agents strong. Join a winning group of Travel and Networking Professionals who share effective ways to sell more travel, market effectively, attract quality people, and how to train those people to capture a bigger piece of our $7 Trillion Dollar Industry. Just Picture It Now!
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