by John Frenaye
Monday April 27, 2015

In the interest of keeping this professional site, well…professional, I think we all are familiar with the term BS. When I was a kid, my father used to tell me, “Never try to BS a BSer.” And while maybe not the most politically correct advice, it is certainly solid. In the travel industry, it is particularly valid.

When I came into the industry in 1997, the Internet was still relatively new. The progressive agencies had email—but few clients with which to communicate with by that means. Few agencies had websites—but not many visitors. No agency had online looking capabilities. Wow, how times have changed. The world came to our desktops at work and into our homes. And then it came to our phones and in our…

Sales today is as competitive as ever. The old style of selling simply doesn’t work as good as it used to. Buyers, customers and clients are too smart, too street savvy, too educated to fall for any text book trick from some fast-talking sales goon with the gift-of-gab. Buyers have too many options to have to settle. They also are being inundated with lots of distracting "noise" in the form of advertising, promotions, special deals, 2 for 1's, and bait-and-switch gimmicks. Enough all ready!

  — Travel Research Online
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by Richard Earls
Sunday April 26, 2015

I don't like most game shows. I'm a high-functioning introvert, but the bright lights, noise and screaming frighten me. With one exception. I really enjoy Jeopardy. When I happen to catch it on television during an evening of channel surfing, I like playing along at least for a minute or two. In the no-stress environment of my living room, I am really good. Especially when I discount categories like "Broadway Musicals."

What I really like about Jeopardy, though, is the format. Alex Trebec gives you the answer and the object is to provide the correct question - forcing me to think backwards. That little bit of a twist on my mental hardwiring engages an ability to dig a bit deeper for each challenge. Jeopardy teaches us to think…

Gregg Truman has been working with Venere since it became a premier travel agent online hotel booking tool in North America. His 20+ years of experience in promoting international travel has become a valuable asset as he personally assists travel agents through the Venere travel agent program. Gregg has long believed that travel agents are the key to any industry success and the results since he has been working with Venere are impressive. There are now over 3,000 travel agents in the Venere program in North America, and the support team, led by Gregg and based in New York, helps travel agents on a wide range of issues. Gregg also leads scheduled Venere webinars on…