This is apparently a series of 7 videos comprising an hour long presentation. I imagine it is supposed to be similar to the one I attended, but I cannot say as I have not seen them all yet. What is interesting is the presenter. This guy is someone that an RTA was "shocked" that I did not know--being in the travel industry. Well, this is "Mike The Travel Guy". Anyone ever heard of him? Maybe someone with more than the 12 years in the industry that I have?
He professes to have 25 years in the travel business as a travel agent, travel agency owner, and a tour operator. Yet later in the video he claims that he was with AL Williams and had been working in home based businesses off and on for 30 years. The math is just not working for me--but then again, math tends to elude most in the MLM game. One of his comments is a common misnomer--he alludes that because YTB is publicly traded it MUST be a good thing. This cannot be further than the truth. He also says that when he heard "Coach" was involved, he did not need to know any more and signed right up. Take a look. Proud, is this a good presentation?
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John,
ReplyDeleteI'd put someone in front of "Mike the Travel Guy" any day of the week. He's articulate, well educated, and has experience in both Travel and MLM. You can have BOTH by the way, as I have. Many choose to look at this as either/or, and the MLM model is actually a perfect model to start out doing both. I started with YTB working spare time, while I also worked a full time job, two part time jobs, and have two small kids at home.
Being publically traded was simply "key" for him, he didn't say it was a must. His perception and he's entitled to it. He also understands that in order to be successful, you find someone who has a proven track record such as Coach and his AL Williams organization. It’s not only proven and documented, but very smart.
I also like how he puts people at ease right off the bat. This isn't some high pressure sale, like so many think it is. We simply put it out there and let you decide.
I haven't seen the whole piece either, and really don't have time, but from what I've seen so far...he's right on mark.
PS - Sorry about the delete. Had a couple of HUGE typos. ;-P
Been in since 1996 - never heard of him.
ReplyDeleteI see he's promoting FAM trips with RCL on his website...not available for booking thru YTB, of course. Tell me again why YTB agents should be familiar with RCL?
ReplyDeleteI have been in this industry since 1989 and have never heard of this person. Why should I? Just because hes a travel agent, agency owner? Are we all supposed to know each other?
ReplyDelete"CTA in MD said...
ReplyDeleteBeen in since 1996 - never heard of him."
Would people have heard of you? Is this a career in which you know all the names in every branch? I worked in insurance since 1998, but never heard of Edward Liddy until I worked for Allstate.
Just to clarify the comments about not knowing this guy....I had several RTAs comment to me is separate emails that they were "shocked" that I had not heard of "Mike The Travel Guy" as they believed he was some huge industry icon.
ReplyDeleteNow if you said here is a presentation by Ken Chenault, Bob Dickinson, John Issa, Butch Stewart, Arnie Weissmann, etc. then yes indeed one ough to recognize the name.
But this guy seems to have flitted back and forth in MLM for 30 years and I am not so sure that he ever was in travel, but the presentation, I agree, is pretty decent on the whole.
What is Mike The Travel Guy's last name?
ReplyDeleteEl ...
ReplyDelete"CTA in MD said...
"Been in since 1996 - never heard of him."
Would people have heard of you? Is this a career in which you know all the names in every branch? I worked in insurance since 1998, but never heard of Edward Liddy until I worked for Allstate."
First of all, I don't think anyone is going around expressing surprise that other TAs have not heard of me as is the case above. BUT if this guy is such a big deal, yes, we ALL should know who he is - if he is such a big deal, the legitimate trade press would have run many pieces on him....
And secondly, yes, because of my professional affiliations and governing board(s) participation, some people would know who I am - but I would not exactly expect it...
"Now if you said here is a presentation by Ken Chenault, Bob Dickinson, John Issa, Butch Stewart, Arnie Weissmann, etc. then yes indeed one ough to recognize the name."
ReplyDeleteOr even some agency owners like the Bohans or Mike MacNair.....
I did not have time to watch all his videos, but I did poke around his website a bit. I was excited to see that the second tab was marked "training" although there was very little travel training available. But I have to give him credit for at least having some.
ReplyDeleteMaybe this guy is famous in YTB land, but I have never heard of him. But I have days when I don't even know who I am...
Yes this is a good presentation.
ReplyDeleteHere's a question for you John... since you brought it up...
Just because he was a travel agent for 25 years, why couldn't he also get involved in MLM? That's like telling a football player that he can't do commercial endorsements because he's just a football player.
Here is a person who knows the travel business and the MLM business inside and out. Being a travel agent, if he didn't think YTB was anything special, he wouldn't have gotten involved in it. Well, he does, and he did.
Also notice how he tells people that if they don't feel it's for them... don't get into the business!
JF and the rest. I've never heard of any of you and would not have, if you had not grabbed on to the apron strings of YTB to further your own agendas.
ReplyDeleteYour continued attacks on the industry and YTB have discouraged hundreds from further exploring the travel industry as a career
path. My compliments. Badly needed
new blood and interest in the the travel industry contiues to be spoiled by your negative attacks.
This protectionism, "pull them into the tar pit with us," approach has set your industry back to prehistoric times, where I believe, from what I've seen from you so far, you've earned and belong.
Keep up the good work!
RobertsResorts.Net
Oh Earl,
ReplyDeleteNot sure where you are getting your numbers from, but Marc Mancinni recently announced that enrollment in the travel courses he teaches at the university in California are up! If I can find the video I will send John the link so he can post it.
Maybe you'd like to tell us where you met these hundreds of people who told you personally that they have decided to not enter the travel industry because of something one of us said??
If we discouraged people looking to get into the buisiness, it certainly wasn't anyone "serious" - just people who thought they could get rich quick with YTB. Poor Virginia Roberts, poor Earl - bless your hearts.
ReplyDeleteExcuse me, but we are not the only people who have issues with YTB. I've seen countless complaints about them, and thats before I even FOUND this site. Don't be blaming YTB's pitfalls on us. Its their own demise. If the company was so legit in all aspects, they wouldn't have the vendors pulling away from millions of dollars in profit. Obviously they see the bigger picture. Maybe you don't because your so blinded or brainwashed by the system, but they do. I've been in this industry for 20 years, many come and go. My office has currently 5 new hires in the last 2 weeks, new blood, being trained the proper way. Maybe its the MLM model these so-called new bloods you refer to are avoiding?
ReplyDeleteEAB--take a break. The Internet will survive without you.
ReplyDeleteEnjoy your 3 day cruise to the Bahamas. We will still be here when you get back!
Oh and you might want to take this off your site mr. robertsresort since your not affiliated with IATAN anymore. Noticed its still listed on your page. :)
ReplyDeleteEarn Commissions, Discounts, and your own personal IATAN Card
Details details details. That whole IATAN thing is a misunderstanding and YTB will have it back before you know it. The crackerjack legal team is working on that right now!
ReplyDelete