Monthly Archives: July 2020

Who Do You Trust?

 

A handful of seasoned agents will recognize these four words as the title of a TV show first introduced in the early fifties and hosted by Johnny Carson.

Fast-forward nearly 60 years and these four words still represent an interesting question.

Exactly who can you trust today? Read the rest of this entry »

Posted In: Luxury Travel Tips

 

Many are intimidated by prospects they perceive to have achieved a high level of social, career, and financial success in their respective fields.

I was raised on an artist’s commune in the 1970’s. Most of our belongings were from secondhand shops. It was embarrassing the way people looked down on us.

I was personally intimidated by many of the upstanding people in our area. They had what I wanted. But, as I got older and matured, I realized my fears were unfounded. I was the problem, not them. Read the rest of this entry »

Nobody Cares About You

 

I would like to help you begin your day with a blinding flash of the obvious.

“Today is the FIRST day of the rest of your life.”

You can skip right over my message, if you feel this is too elementary or lacks any creative substance. Like it, or not… endorse it, or not… it is as true as the nose on your face. Today is day one.

Today is another day you can wipe the slate clean and Read the rest of this entry »

You

 

Ah! It always circles back to “you” doesn’t it?

Let me give you a small assignment and ask you a few questions: Go take a look at yourself in the mirror. Read the rest of this entry »

Get Known

 

If people are not aware of your existence, they cannot possibly decide to do business with you. This, in high-end marketing lingo is referred to as a “no-brainer.”

I suppose if I have to admit it, this is where traditional marketing gambits come into play. From advertising to direct mail, from trade shows to monthly newsletters, these are the ways entrepreneurs choose to become recognized… and to get “known.” Read the rest of this entry »

Posted In: Publishers Corner

Killing Time

We have all heard that “time is money.” Indeed, much of the way we speak of time has a monetary ring to it. Your time has a real value and spending it poorly is a dangerous thing to do. Carl Sandburg once said that if you don’t spend your time wisely, others would spend it for you. If there is any skill that comes to the fore during periods when you are very busy, it’s time management.  Strangely, time management appears to be a skill even when we are sidelined.  In a one-on-one service industry like travel consulting, keeping track of your time can be a very difficult thing to do.  We build our travel practices not on an hourly basis, but on the satisfaction of the clients we serve, so we naturally invest a great deal of time ensuring the quality of the experiences we create.

Rightly so. Read the rest of this entry »

Posted In: Editorial Musings

Last week I read an interesting article on the cruise lines’ re-emergence in a post-COVID (or maybe a during-COVID) world. Among all the preparations and precautions being taken, one thing really stood out for me. People are not seeing discounted pricing like they did in the wake of 9-11 or the Great Recession (as it is now known I guess). This threw me for a bit of a loop; until I thought about it. Read the rest of this entry »

Posted In: Deck Plans

 

Right now, we’re dreaming about next summer’s trips from the comfort of our homes.

A few weeks ago, we polled our readers about when they would be ready to return to the seas, and nearly 75 percent said that they would be ready to sail again by the summer of 2021. There’s nothing better than sailing out on the open waves and exploring different ports, but since we can’t currently sail the high seas, we will use this time to dream about future travels.

Here are five itineraries I’m dreaming of sailing next summer. Read the rest of this entry »

Make Things Happen

 

Many of you are not going to like what I am about to say today. The word ”Make” implies that in order to succeed you have to do something. (What were you expecting? A magic pill?)

Of course you will have to DO something if you want something to happen. I’ll give you another golden nugget. If you want something different to happen, you will have to do something differently.

Here is where your personal skills and strengths come into play. Read the rest of this entry »

Making People Feel Glad

 

Today’s word is Glad.

I once read that there are four types of emotions: Glad, Sad, Mad, and Scared. Three of these have no place in marketing, but the word glad immediately grabs your attention. Getting people to feel “glad” is a worthwhile endeavor and is the name of the game.

Glad is a good place to be. Glad is the outcome you are seeking. Make others feel glad.

How does “Glad” happen? Let me list a few ways: Read the rest of this entry »

The Devil Is In The Details

 

In a “me-too-only-cheaper” competitive environment, the fundamentals and strict adherence to the little things will position companies faster and more accurately than just about anything else.

Consider these three facts:

  • Fact #1: Clients are in the driver’s seat. They carry the wallet.
  • Fact #2: Clients have a number of options when preparing to make a purchase–and they know it.
  • Fact #3: Your success will have everything to do with how you manage the small “details.”

Read the rest of this entry »

Posted In: Point-to-Point

 

(Last week we covered the manner in which Screening and Social Distancing will have to be conducted on a variety of ships. Now let’s move on to Ventilation, Dining, Staffing, Contact Tracing, and Insurance.

 

Ventilation

An important lesson learned from all the ships that were marooned in ports with guests and crew onboard was that the Covid-19 virus loves recycled air, even if it’s filtered and purified. This probably means that all staterooms should vent directly to the outside of the ship. Read the rest of this entry »

 

“In the bleakest of business times, in this year of the pandemic, they picked me!”

By all accounts, the ambitious business people are busy pivoting and persevering. I understand how challenging it is to stay poised and positive in a pandemic. Fear and uncertainty dampen tenacity. It would be so easy to expect and accept less.

Aiming lower and achieving our mark is not as fulfilling – emotionally or financially. Read the rest of this entry »