Does this look about right?? GOP fighting against the Dems and the Dems fighting against the GOP?? What is bipartisan support anyway??
How does this correlate with the TTA / MLM struggles??
As I read all kinds of articles on the economic stimulus/recovery plan and the resulting debates, my thoughts turned to the MLM/TTA struggles. I’m sure no one thought in the development of these travel MLMs that the two sides would not be able to come to a rational consensus. Just as the bipartisan spirit that President Obama hoped would be behind the rescue plan, the “bipartisan spirit” of MLMs/TTAs is just not there.
The House passed its version of the plan without a single GOP vote. Likewise, the MLMs have developed their travel companies and have virtually succeeded to this point. They have made millions of dollars in travel sales, although not enough to exceed networking sales. They have expanded travel trainings and encouraged their affiliates to book more travel. That’s pretty successful.
Although they have been pretty successful along their way, it is not to say that’s been without challenges. But that’s not the focus of this post.
Those challenges, however, are increasing the tug-of-war with the MLMs and TTAs. In the political world, the Senate GOPs will have more of an opportunity to compromise by offering amendments to the Democrats’ bill. What I like the most is that two Senators, one Republican and one Democrat who are considered to be consensus builders, are working together to scrub the bill of excess spending so that it would be more palatable to all involved in the vote.
I think that’s where we are. We need to head to the Travel Senate and work together so that the travel industry, and our clients, are not compromised by the bipartisan opposition. There are many travel MLM affiliates who are serious about selling travel. Now, why they stay where that travel selling may be impacted, is also for another day.
How about getting together those MLMers who are serious about selling travel and those Traditional Travel Agents who are protecting their industry and working together for the good of the industry?
They could work on such things as: appropriate training for the industry, “travel perks”, the best way to service a client through the use of a website and how to be professional in this industry among many other ideas. I think if this happens, our clients would be the grateful beneficiaries as the industry will have developed a way to service them from more than one perspective. We also will not have vendors who are afraid to work with one company or another because of non-compliance with industry standards.
Doesn’t this sound like a great idea?? I’m willing to be one to work toward this end as I can see it from both perspectives. Anyone willing to head this up and work with me?
Email me and have a great travel selling day!
