One of the medical miracles that I find most amazing is not a new discovery. The recent sequencing of the human genome, the discovery of new disease markers and antigens, the clinical applications of gene splicing and recombinant DNA are all mindboggling. But, frankly, the one that bowls me over every time is the good old “placebo effect.” This is where, say, 100 patients are given a white pill to cure a medical problem. Fifty patients get the real medicine and the other fifty get nothing more than white powder (the “placebo”). Yet, some significant percentage of the placebo group (sometimes well more than half) will show symptom relief or even get cured.

This proves, beyond any doubt, the staggering importance of the mind and a person’s attitude. If a positive attitude can cure a medical problem without medicine, what can it do for a “sales” problem? Read the rest of this entry »

There Are Still Some Good Organizations Out There: Be One!

Being a “non-auto mechanic”, I blamed it on the cold weather. Soon I caved in and determined the screeching sound coming from the engine area of my Ford Explorer might be a little more pressing than just a cool breeze rushing across the big thing next to the battery.

In addition to not having a regular medical doctor, I don’t have a regular auto mechanic since “my guy” closed shop at midnight and did not leave a forwarding address.

Long story short: I did not know where to turn. Read the rest of this entry »

Peter N. Lobasso has served as ASTA’s General Counsel since 2015. A licensed attorney for over twenty years, Peter has successfully represented clients in a wide variety of litigated matters before courts and administrative agencies at both the state and federal level. Peter has also negotiated numerous multi-million-dollar transactions on behalf of businesses throughout the country. Practice areas include contracts, corporate governance, employment and labor law, intellectual property, real property, mortgage lending, and creditor side bankruptcy, among others. Peter is a member of the bars of New York, Virginia and Washington D.C. He received a bachelor’s degree in Political Science from the University of Central Florida in Orlando and earned his law degree at Touro Law Center on Long Island.

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Recently, a friend of mine retired from the Federal government. He was 57. To me, retirement always seemed so far away; and now I realize that it could be right around the corner. Maybe. Like many of you, I do not see myself being able to kick back, sleep in, and spend my days on the couch anytime soon. But there will come a day when it is inevitable. Are you ready for it? Read the rest of this entry »

This may sound elementary and even absurdly obvious, but if you have any access to the daily news these days – you have to admit that failing to accept responsibility of one’s actions seems to be becoming an epidemic. “Don’t blame me. You don’t know the pressure I’m under.”

Here is the bare truth, the uncomfortable facts. If you don’t make something happen, chances are nobody will. You must make it your business to grow your business. Not assuming responsibility for what happens in your career, week, day or next sales call is a huge error in judgment. Read the rest of this entry »

I often find that many travel planners like the sound of the words ‘The Cotswolds’, though many are unaware that the region covers an area of England with Shakespeare’s England (aka. Stratford upon Avon to the north), the Roman and Georgian city of Bath to the south and the university city of Oxford as the front door when travelling from London. By English standards, this is a large area of almost 800 square miles and filled with quintessentially English villages of honey-coloured stone, lively market towns and some of the country’s greatest palaces, castles, country houses, gardens, traditional country pubs and charming tea rooms. Read the rest of this entry »

On average only 6 out of 10 American’s take a vacation every year and for some that might be because they don’t feel they can afford it. If you are wanting to plan a cruise but need to save money while doing it, then you are in luck. We have plenty of tips and ideas to help you do just that.

Keep reading to learn about how to save money on a cruise. Read the rest of this entry »

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They tell me that the older you get the shorter your memory. I am not sure if this is true or not, but as soon as I remember why I’m writing this article, the sooner you will benefit from our time spent together today.

I remember. I am finding it to be uncomfortably true that I am forgetting more and more – faster and faster. They say this is partly due to the fact that we have an enormous amount of data thrown at us every day – from every direction. In short, we are introduced to too much stuff for our brains to sort through.

Other smart guys remind us that we only use a small portion of our brain. I hesitate to think that my brain is maxed out, so I am going to endorse the “too much stuff” theory. Read the rest of this entry »

The mysterious and gorgeous lands of Indochina have been a hotspot for travel for quite a while now. This wasn’t always the case, as war once ravaged the area. Now, however, Indochina has moved past this violent history into a future that welcomes travelers of all types. The focus of this article will be on two of the most well-known countries in Indochina: Cambodia and Vietnam. Sharing a border, trips to these lands can be combined into a unified experience worth far more than a thousand words could hope to capture.

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It’s not often that you find a family-owned and operated business that has been in operation for over 50 years. One that has kept its company headquarters in Detroit, where it started. One that has expanded to include 10 offices in the U.S. and 5 more worldwide. A travel consolidation service specifically for agents and advisors that has maintained the foundation of their family values. Yet, CTS Fares fits this much-needed position. Read the rest of this entry »

They say you can’t teach an old dog new tricks. This leads me to questions worth pondering. Why would you want to? Wouldn’t it be easier to fine-tune the tricks the old dog already knows how to do? Sit. Fetch. Roll over. Shake. Go get me a beer.

It is common knowledge that the older we get the more forgetful we become. (I did not make that up.) Maybe your time would be better spent picking up the old instruction manual and paying a little more attention to the fine print.

Business is not, never was, and never will be a synonym for “Rocket Science.” Read the rest of this entry »

Every January most people endeavor to create their list of personal resolutions. As an entrepreneur, I do my business resolutions at the start of the year as well, also known as my annual business plan. The secret to my success is to not make these resolution lists mutually exclusive.

I take a blended approach to goal-setting. My personal and business resolutions, always audacious, have to be perfectly synchronized for me to achieve my ultimate goal which is to maximize success and happiness simultaneously.

Isn’t it grand to have them both?

I believe the secret to having a stellar year is identifying our truest intentions and streamlining our efforts and energies in order to achieve them. In a sense, we need to work together internally. Read the rest of this entry »

Wouldn’t it be nice if everything we wanted, and everything we tried for could be ours… instantly? I venture to say that this would be true, but not for long.

Songs have been written reminding us that “it is the journey” that is worthy of the effort. “It is the climb” according to Miley Cyrus. This song still happens to be one of my favorite tunes.

If anything is learned, as we gain more experience and have more birthdays along the way, it is that nature takes its time and things always take longer than first imagined. Read the rest of this entry »

This may sound like a strange question, so I will give you a hint. Your only two choices are red or blue. Today’s article originates from a book by the name of Blue Ocean Strategy by W. Chan Kim and Renee Mauborgne.

Allow me to explain. A “red” ocean is the term used to describe a heavily populated and competitive marketplace. You can envision it as a bevy of sharks swimming around an attractive dinner target. The result is mayhem in motion as they fight and claw for a piece of the action. In short order it gets very bloody and even the victors don’t look like they are having much fun. Read the rest of this entry »

Moira joined Goway in 2007. She moved from South Africa to head up the Africa and Middle East Division. During the last ten years, the Africa division has gone from strength to strength, and now features 22 countries in the portfolio. A veteran in the industry, Moira’s previous roles in South Africa were that of Managing Director, and Marketing and Sales Manager, of two of the largest outbound tour operators in South Africa. Her passion runs to all things African, and her mission is to convince everyone that they need to travel to Africa at least once in their life! Read the rest of this entry »

At one point in time, cruising used to be an elegant affair. In fact, travel in general used to be an elegant affair. I remember always dressing up to fly when I was a kid. And my dad, even into his 90s would never be caught on a plane without a sport coat. As travel has become commoditized, casual became the norm. Sweats and yoga pants are de rigueur it seems. And cruising is not exempt. Formal nights evolved into “please don’t wear your bathing suit and at least put on a shirt” nights. And so it goes. But, did you hear about Carnival’s new policy on “offensive” clothing? Read the rest of this entry »

Is there a travel professional anywhere who has not had a client or family member book their trip through some alternative venue? One moment we are certain of having a loyal client and the next we are learning of the great trip they are taking booked online, or directly with a cruise line, or even with another agency. As regretful as these experiences may be, there is a lesson in the pain. Read the rest of this entry »

The question isn’t to river cruise or not. The question is where to make your splash. Do you choose the perfect river cruise by country, by sights or by cities? When travelers choose to dip their toes in the Danube River, they choose all three. This is a river that winds and bends through 10 countries to carve a historic path that unites fairytale villages, capital cities, cliffside castles and forested slopes for picture-perfect landscapes as far as the eye can see. Read the rest of this entry »

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This may sound like an obvious question. “Anybody who sells travel.”, is probably your knee-jerk response. Other travel agencies, as well as the suppliers themselves. Some of you might even cast dispersions toward the internet. And I would quickly tell you that you would be wrong in each and every case.

Your competitors may not even be people. Your competitors may be “things.” For example: granite counters; new refrigerators; private french lessons; a personal training coach; or braces for the kids.

I like to refer to these options as “opportunity costs.” Read the rest of this entry »