by John Frenaye
Monday November 16, 2015

The attacks in Paris on Friday the 13th were horrific, and as news continues to develop, it becomes even more horrific. ISIS has claimed responsibility and the world, once again, is on high alert. I live in a military town and the base instantly kicked up their DEFCON status. With a situation like this, travel professionals will once again be faced with challenging days in the future. And while our governments and militaries map out strategies to combat the terrorism; as small business owners, we need to insure that our businesses continue to thrive.

Clients will be fearful of travelling outside of their comfort zones (home). The US State Department may issue strongly worded advisories against travel. We may see some increased security measures at airports…

Proof positive that this is an effective concept occurred just yesterday. My phone rang and in the initial sentence I heard the words "University of Massachusetts". I paid attention. Since this was indeed my alma mater, I continued to give the stranger the benefit of the doubt. He talked. I listened. There seem to be a mutual self-interest as he informed me of the method behind his madness. He came across as a gentleman.

Long story short: Will soon meet for a cup of coffee as two independent business professionals with no agenda other than to get to know each other. His call…

by Richard Earls
Sunday November 15, 2015

There is an art to listening well. Listening is certainly more than hearing what your travel client or supplier is saying. Hearing a critique or commentary is a good beginning, but the art of active listening involves two additional steps that are indispensable to effective communication. If you don't bring all of the components of active listening into a conversation, chances are you will miss something important.

Good active listening also involves questioning. Have you fully understood what the speaker is saying? The best way to know is to reformulate what you have heard into your own words and then asking the other if your understanding is correct. There are times when shades of meaning are lost or…

Kirk Demeter, President of Down Under Answers, has built a foundation of more than two decades of passion in the travel industry. He began building his lifelong career travelling the world for a year following his graduation from the University of Washington in 1989, never knowing this journey would light up a spark and lead him to build a business for the purpose of allowing others to experience the joys of traveling.

Immediately on his return, he joined a Seattle adventure tour outfitter (Progressive Travels) and was shortly promoted to Director of Marketing, where he excelled at promoting tourism and adventure travel to New Zealand even before New Zealand themselves knew they had such a market. The Gulf War…