by John Frenaye
Monday February 15, 2016

Not another social media platform…

Well, not really. It is kind of a hybrid between a forum, Facebook, a lead generator, and something else. It is billed as the “front page of the Internet”; I am, of course, talking about Reddit. Are you familiar? If not, take a look. But I do want to preface my suggestion with the warning that it is not a true lead generator and the anonymity of the Internet can turn an overt pitch into mincemeat in three clicks or less. Still, there is much to be found on Reddit.

For decades we have been told to eschew the hard sell. Position yourself as the thought leader and people will come to you. It is all solid advice and fits in well…

“America's great service successes are not the companies that did what others did, but a little better. They are the companies that decided to do things a whole lot differently.”

Selling the Invisible- Harry Beckwith, Page 15

“Me too, only better!” seems to be the knee-jerk response from a number of entrepreneurial start-ups in the travel industry. This is only logical since everybody in our “gig” has access to everything everyone else has. Nobody has the inventory advantage or the “special” gizmo. We are all in the same boat drifting down the same river…

by Richard Earls
Sunday February 14, 2016

At the heart of every business is what many call a “customer value proposition.”  Simply put, what value do you offer the customer?  Can you answer without hesitation the question “why should I use your services?” At countless trade shows and presentations, I’ve witnessed too many agents stumble over this important question.  Your value proposition should be a matter of muscle memory, not a pop quiz.

To assist you with developing your own answer, let’s consider three very important issues…

Pam Hirsch is Manager of the Host Agency / Independent Contractor Program division for Travel Leaders Franchise Group, part of the Travel Leaders Group, which generates combined sales of over $20 Billion annually. Pam provides business solutions and support to franchised travel agencies across the United States.

In her current position, Pam is responsible for offering benefits and tools that will support the existing 3,800+ Independent Contractors affiliated with Travel Leaders Franchise Group. Her overall goal is to help agency Owners and Independent Contractors increase their business through preferred leisure and corporate sales. In addition to existing business development, a strong focus of her role is to increase the number of new Independent Contractors who are aligning themselves…