And here we are… the end of our 2019 resolutions and this is one that we all need to take seriously. For 2019 (which is nearly ¼ gone), we need to show more appreciation. In today’s world—a little appreciation goes a long way and we all should aspire to dispense it wherever we go. And in the travel business, there are plenty of opportunities.

Without our clients, we’d be nowhere. With the online world, one of the great differentiators between us and Priceline is the human touch. Of course we can give clients gifts. At one point, my office had a policy for leisure travel of giving a gift worth 10% of the commissions earned. We have long since ended that as it really ate…

Living in Southern Rhodesia (Zimbabwe) and Northern Rhodesia (Zambia) for 15 years, Katica worked for Barclays Bank International, as well as Eimco International from Salt Lake City. She then moved back to Yugoslavia, where she worked in reception at Hotel Varazdin Selce. After that, she headed the Scandinavian department for Kvarner Express International for 15 years; when she moved on to Kompas International Ljubljana to be in charge of the incoming department for Scandinavia for two years. She then, when Croatia became independent in 1992, decided to start her own business— Katarina Line was born.

Today, she and her family are owners of this successful incoming DMC and leading small-ship cruise line company. With guaranteed weekly departures from April…

Whether you are an agent in a storefront agency with a large group of travel professionals and business development specialists, or whether you are a sole proprietor, you have a team to assemble. You require a full family of sales collateral that carries a consistent look and message. Your logo, your company name, your business cards, your company brochure, your email address, web site, Powerpoint presentations, invoices, print and email advertising, sales letters and stationery are all team members that carry your company’s mission out into the world.

Just as we daily groom ourselves in a mirror, perhaps we should spend some time making sure our sales collateral is properly suited up to do its job. Each piece of collateral is a "point of contact" with the public and…

Don’t give me any more lip-service. Don’t tell me you are ready to grow your business unless you mean it. I’ve heard it all before. You’ve heard it all before. I’ve said it all before…and so have you.

We are nearing the second quarter and how much further along are you?

Isn’t it time we mean business? We still have time to make 2019 a banner year…the year we turn our business around and reach that elusive spot in the winner’s circle? You can do it. There still is…