WARNING! The message in my dream could spell the difference between success and failure for your business in 2019.

I did not have a wish or a hope…not that kind of dream. I had a dream-dream that had me tossing and turning in bed.

I was driving to college in mid-August ready to begin another football season for the University of Massachusetts. I was in my fifth year, and knew a lot more than I did as a freshman. A few broken bones destroyed any chance for the NFL Draft, but since I enjoyed the game so much that I pressed on without the hope of having my name embroidered on the back of a NY Giant uniform jersey. Read the rest of this entry »

Our profession has an old saying, “Selling is a contact sport.” This means that to sell something, you must meet with the prospect. You have to put your face in front of people before you can establish rapport and make them feel comfortable enough to do business with you.

You have been working hard to identify and pre-qualify prospects. You have been contacting individuals asking for a few minutes of their time so you can outline your program and its benefits. So, what if everything you have done eventually works? What do you do if your prospect agrees to a personal meeting? Read the rest of this entry »

There are so many companies that provide travel to destinations around the world, it can be difficult to find the right person for the job. There are companies that can get you anywhere in the world but, a “Jack (or Jill) of all trades” lacks the specialized knowledge needed to give the traveler a thorough plan for their getaway. Fortunately, when it comes to the tropical country of Costa Rica, Costa Rica Dream Adventures is your go-to planner for a trip to this majestic country.

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Once one of the most important cities in Russia, Suzdal has a history dating back to around the 11^th century. It is a well-preserved image of the old world, with storybook scenes laid out before the traveler. The winters are a wonderland, as snow covers the ground and caps the onion-shaped domes of cathedrals to enhance the audacious colors of blue, green, and gold. Suzdal is a snapshot of beauty that has lasted through the ages. Which is why Super Value Tours has chosen it as one of the destinations on their Enchanting Russia tour package.

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I like it here. Now. Today.

Although I haven’t seen it (yet), I am sure heaven is everything it is cracked up to be. In fact, I hope to find out firsthand some day. Just not now or, hopefully, not in the near future.

What I am suggesting, and I say this with all sincerity and respect, is that perhaps you are now in a place worth being in. It is only human to seek more at the expense of taking what we already have for granted. Maybe, just maybe, your current existence isn’t quite as bad as it sometimes seems. What I do know is what I get to see, experience and enjoy on a daily basis. And from my viewpoint, after “bebopping” around my section of the world for a number of years, my immediate environment isn’t too shabby. Read the rest of this entry »

Prof. Carol Dimopoulos is President of Perillo’s Learning Journeys where she brings her passion for personal transformation through transformative travel and community service-based programs to global destinations in Europe, Asia, The Americas, Africa and The Middle East. She is a prominent expert in both business and academia in the field of niche market, social, and transformative travel. Her engagements include speaking and teaching at The NY Times Travel Show, Ensemble Travel Network Conference, Yoga Journal Live, Travel Market Research, The Italian Travel Promotion Council, GIFTE Travel Network as well as numerous shows throughout her 20 year executive travel industry tenure. She is also the USTOA Modern Day Explorer Travel Ambassador to the Islands of Malta. Read the rest of this entry »

I recently found myself flipping through the restaurant review section of my local newspaper and I spotted a “food joint” where I thought I would like to try for an upcoming future event. I had heard good things from friends and felt comfortable in my decision to call and make a reservation for that special night. I began reading the reviews thinking that they would reinforce my decision. I was wrong. I was very wrong. Read the rest of this entry »

Continuing on my list of resolutions inspired by Travel Pulse, this week, it’s all about the money. If you are the US Bureau of Engraving, making money is a piece of cake—fire up the presses and run off a few million. If you are a small business, unfortunately, it is not that easy! But, it may not be as difficult as you think!
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Marketing is both a noun and a verb.  Much like the word “lightening,”  the one word denotes both the act and the action.  Recently an agent explained to me how difficult it was to fund her marketing efforts.  Without the funds to market, she could not bring in customers and without customers she would never have the funds.

Marketing is, however, not just something you buy.  It’s something you do.  Certainly you can spend vast amounts of money on marketing, but for most service businesses, you can also bootstrap your way into the minds of your local community. Read the rest of this entry »

Tauck has announced that it will offer its first-ever cruises on the Douro River in Portugal next year. Tauck will feature three new Douro River itineraries aboard a riverboat that’s being designed and built specifically for the Douro. Read the rest of this entry »

I recently heard this phrase on a new Two and a Half Men show, spoken by Ashton what’s-his-name. It caught my attention and created a giggle.

He was referring to Allen’s son, Jake, as “having no deal.” Or, by my interpretation…no story…no message…no focus…no direction…“no deal.”

So, what’s your deal? Read the rest of this entry »

We all know the saying, ‘you can’t be everything to everyone’.

Successful niche marketing and specialization in travel are everywhere these days.

There are destination specialists, romance specialists, cruise specialist…the list is as endless as one’s imagination. The most successful of these specialists are doing an amazing job of targeting the right audiences and giving themselves the power to turn away business that doesn’t fit their niche. What an awesome way to focus on clients that matter! Read the rest of this entry »

As many of you know I “shoot from the hip”—so to speak.

I pride myself in being a non-linear speaker who usually ends up talking about what is passing through his mind at the moment. This is both good and bad. It is what it is.

I can assure my audiences of one thing, they can’t finish a sentence for me because where they think I may be going with my current thought may not be where I end up. Follow me? Read the rest of this entry »

A recent experience reminded me of the concept of the “friendly zoo” as it relates to customer service. I will try to make my story meaningful to you.

I once purchased some electronic equipment from a reputable mail-order outfit in the Midwest. The buying experience went without hitch and I was more than pleased with the product when it arrived. Read the rest of this entry »

This is the time of year where awards are given out for different reasons by different people—to different people. It is also the time of year where people complain, whine and find excuses why their “favorite” actor, song, play, movie or TV Show did not win a figurine. Isn’t public validation an interesting phenomenon?

This is also the time of year to roll out the Red Carpet and attend a few late night cocktail parties hosted by Vanity Fair so E-Entertainment has something to talk about in their next show.

Admittedly, these types of shows do not hold my interest and I find myself writing future articles, like this one while my wife points out the upsets to me.
My question is: “Why do they pull the hook on some people faster than others? They all say the same thing. Read the rest of this entry »

If perception is reality, salespeople have a major obstacle to overcome. Right or wrong, salespeople have apparently earned themselves a less-than-glowing reputation over the years. Many people, in fact, still consider salespeople to be less than honorable, or simply people between “real jobs.”

Frankly, I cast much of the blame on sales managers and sales trainers…especially those who have never actually “carried the bag.” I take offense with a manager or trainer telling me it is my duty to “overcome” people’s objections or to sell people “up,” or to recite any phrase designed to take advantage of an individual’s lack of knowledge, experience, or decision-making ability. Read the rest of this entry »

Continuing on my list of resolutions inspired by Travel Pulse, this week, it’s all about being proactive. Earlier this week, I read an article about a local shopping center that is in the process of reinventing itself (might be paywalled). The thing was that this upscale center was only eight years old and they were already reinventing. Their reason was to combat the increase of e-commerce. Sound familiar? Read the rest of this entry »

Over the years, the sales practice has appropriately earned a pretty poor reputation. To grasp the scope of the negative predicament salespeople have created try this exercise: Walk over to the person nearest to you (spouse, friend, co-worker, stranger…it doesn’t matter) and ask what word immediately comes to mind when you say “salesman.”

Did you hear any of these very predictable responses: Sleazy; crooked; fast talking; unscrupulous; dishonest; shifty; lacking trust; lacking ethics; liars; car lots; insurance; egotists; manipulative. I’m sure you can come up with a few thoughts of your own…perhaps even based on a previous personal experience. Read the rest of this entry »

A few months ago, I wrote about my Top Five Aspirational Cruises For 2019. Having been on my first cruise in six years in November, with another coming up in just a few days, I am constantly looking at what I may be able to do next. Part of what makes travel so exciting is going to dream destinations and places that you may never imagine being able to visit.

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As you, and many of your clients, may have seen on last Sunday’s Masterpiece screening of ‘Victoria’, my top story will help you to convert their interest in fiction into reality UK On Location tour. As I’ve successfully run it for a Public Broadcasting Station, I can offer you a programme that works extremely well as a customised small group tour.

You’ve probably read about ‘The Favourite’, the historical period comedy-drama film starring Olivia Colman, Emma Stone and Rachel Weisz. Acclaimed at the Venice Film festival, what you may not know is that Hatfield House, just north of London was the chosen filming location. Use the link in my second story for a closer look.
With the 75th anniversary of the D-Day landings just around the corner, I’ve added something on the role played by the North Devon village of Clovelly in the build-up to Operation Overlord.
For clients cruising in or out of Dover, a visit to the Denbies Wine Estate will add some sparkle to a transfer to or from the port and for those who enjoy Living History experiences, The Eboracum Festival in York will tick all the boxes as will the annual Alice’s Day celebrations in Oxford!

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