by John Frenaye
Monday March 16, 2015

You know the drill I am sure. Friday afternoon rolls around and you are looking for a weekend off. The brochures are filed, the phone has been turned off, your desk is straightened for a fresh start on Monday and your best client’s final payment has been made!

Or has it?

Panic sets in and in all likelihood, hilarity ensues as you try to confirm or deny this payment in the early evening hours of the beginning of a weekend! Your productivity was so under control—or so you thought. Now it is shot! So what causes it? You thought you had your productivity skills down pat. Likely there are three things that we all take for granted that are sucking your productivity…

I don't consider myself an impulse buyer, but I have purchased a vacuum cleaner from a television infomercial... on Saturday morning... at 3:30 am, from a hotel room in Kansas City. I am usually sleeping at this time of night but on this particular night, I was awake. Something on TV caught my attention, and before I knew it I was the proud owner of The Stick Shark. The “Stick” sucks up screws and bolts like nothing you have ever seen. Today I am the proud owner of The Stick Shark. How did this happen?

Later that same week……

by Richard Earls
Sunday March 15, 2015

A recent article in the Huffington Post titled "6 Google Flights Tricks That Are Better Than Any Travel Agent" recently garnered a number of lively comments from public and professional alike.  There were many thoughtful comments from both sides, as well as the usual number of trolls looking to poke the profession's collective spleen. At least once a quarter, if not more often, such articles appear as a reminder our marketing job is far from adequate to keep us in good stead with the public at large.  

It's our own fault. We are the professionals. It is our responsibility to make ourselves heard and understood. The travel industry has done a terrible job of explaining…

Eric Altschul has more than 25 years of travel industry expertise in both leisure and corporate travel distribution, and a strong track record applying innovative marketing and technology strategies to help travel professionals work more effectively and efficiently.  Prior to becoming CEO of ABC Global Services, Eric managed Thomas Cook North America’s Consumer Distribution business, growing the company from $120 million in sales to $650 million in sales. He joined Thomas Cook North America in 2006 as a consultant to the CEO, and became Senior Vice President in 2008, overseeing several divisions, including ABC Global Services. Eric also held senior-level positions with American Express and has been twice named a rising industry star by Travel Agent magazine. Prior to Thomas…