Labor Day

I’ve always wondered about the logic behind Labor Day, where every one in America pays tribute to all her working men and women….and how is this done? By not working!
Not that I don’t mind an extra day off… I remember when I was in school, it was an extra holiday right off the bat! Except that, instead of getting to sleep in like all my friends did, my dad would come in at the crack of dawn and say something like “Rise and shine….” or “are you going to sleep all day?” and then I would drag my self up thinking… yeah, it’s a day of labor all right. We all started out on the “extra labor”, the unfinished housework, the chores that just didn’t seem to get done any other time….so we spent the day laboring. If we were lucky we were done by early afternoon and then could spend the rest of the day off, and try to enjoy our “Labor Day”.
As I got older, I began to look at it a little differently and learned to appreciate that fact that we are blessed to live in a country where we are free to make choices of where we work, or how we work, or who we labor for. Whether it be ourselves, or employers… or just by helping others. Knowing that you are contributing somehow, somewhere, with your labor… and hopefully at the same time, filled with satisfaction of a job well done! Labor Day. Our nation was built on the efforts of laborers, workers who are willing to work. Who take pride in their accomplishments and their labors. Lets all do something “laborious” for this upcoming Labor Day, maybe organize your files, or work on some upcoming trips for clients…maybe do some destination research, or make a contact you have been putting off… and also take a moment or two to appreciate the freedom we have, and the blessing of work!

To your success!!
Sherry Leath
Operations Manager, America’s Travel Companies

Such a great resource, VAX VacationAccess

I am just amazed every time I log into VAX Vacation Access and see what great specials are available and the pricing is usually so affordable!  Not only does it save me hours and hours of research, it is EASY to find what I’m looking for… and EASY to book to!  I can get a quick on-line quote, I can change the airfare to better suit my clients needs, and give the the exact hotel they will be happy with!  All in one shot… oh, and I must not forget to mention how easy it is to adjust the commission levels!   Let VAX do the research and the packaging… all you have to do is log in and find your clients dream vacation!  And, if you aren’t looking for an entire package…. you can do the hotel only here and usually get the same rate, or BETTER than you can locate any where else on the web… so how can you go wrong?   If an adventure tour or package is what they want, then look no further!  YOU WILL FIND IT HERE!

VAX Vacationaccess has dozens of tour operators built into their data base… making it a One Stop Shop… and just this last week, they have added Blue Sky Tours to there dynamic line up of preferred vendors!

So…. if you are not already using VAX vacationaccess…  you need to check it out…  submit your request for your log in through our corporate website (www.tvl2000.com) and start making your job easier, and put some extra commission into your pocket today!  Its pretty easy to get started once you log in, and they have a long list of tutorials to get you up and running!

To your success!!

Sherry Leath, Operations Manager, America’s Travel Companies

Home PC Security – Do’s and Don’ts

On occasion, I will host a training on PC Health and Security to our home-based agents.  I believe that a clean and safe computer will help increase your travel sales and keep you and your client’s data secure.

Detailed below is the talking points I use during this training.  Some of it is self-explanatory and possibly obvious.  But there are some proven viewpoints in keeping your PC secure and maintaining optimum system performance.

If anyone would like a training class on this subject please feel free to email me at ross@tvl2000.com so we can schedule a training appointment.

Install a Better and Safer Internet Browser

1. Mozilla FireFox
   http://www.getfirefox.com
2. Apple Safari
   http://www.apple.com/safari/download/

Spyware Removal Tools

1. Malwarebytes Anti-Malware
   http://download.cnet.com/Malwarebytes-Anti-Malware/3000-8022_4-10804572.html
2. Lavasoft Ad-Aware
   http://download.cnet.com/Ad-Aware-Anniversary-Edition/3000-8022_4-10045910.html
3. Spybot Search & Destroy
   http://download.cnet.com/Spybot-Search-amp-Destroy/3000-8022_4-10122137.html

Antivirus Software

1. AVG Free
   http://download.cnet.com/AVG-Anti-Virus-Free-Edition/3000-2239_4-10320142.html
2. Avast Home Edition Antivirus
   http://download.cnet.com/Avast-Home-Edition/3000-2239_4-10019223.html

Locking down your Internet browser

1. Internet Explorer Security Settings
2. Internet Explorer ActiveX Settings
3. FireFox Plugin: AdBlock Plus
   https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/1865

Common Maintenance

1. Weekly Virus Scanning
2. Weekly Spyware Scanning
3. Monthly or Bi-Monthly Hard Disk Defraging
4. Cleaning Old Files with CCleaner Application
   http://www.download.com/CCleaner/3000-2144_4-10315544.html?tag=mncol&cdlPid=10876371

Firewalls

1. What is a Firewall?
2. Which is better: A Software or Hardware Firewall?

Common holes in security

1. Downloading Email File Attachments
2. Giving away personally identifiable information to 3rd parties or scammers inadvertently
3. Visiting Malicious Sites on the Internet
4. No Firewall Protection

Securing Your Private Information

1. Look for the Lock, Always!!!
2. Banking Websites
3. Online Shopping
4. Why should I have 2 email addresses?
5. Automatic Form-filling or Login/Password Entry
6. Why is your Social Security Number saved on your computer?

Missing Documents?

So I’m sitting here overwhelmed by the stack of travel documents that are awaiting shipping…. And as I’m sorting and researching, FedEx pops in and delivers another stack, including a few returns, to add to the display. Good….. Great… well, maybe and maybe not. For some of these its easy sailing… for some… well, I wish it was that easy. I never heard of Julia Francisco, or Martin Bellingham… or about a couple dozen or so other “unknown” passenger names that are staring at me. So I search our database of the booking forms submitted from the agents… and everything that has been invoiced. Nothing. Not by the names, not by the dates or by the reservation number…. What does this mean? Well, it means they will sit here, unclaimed.   They will not get shipped. Julia Francisco and all the rest of these passengers, who are most likely, anxiously awaiting their upcoming trips, are NOT going to be receiving their documents in the next day or two, that’s for sure! And why not??? Well, the travel agent who booked these trips for them must have forgot to fill out the simple, easy to use, online submission form letting us know that they booked these trips! Without this information, we can’t send out any documents, and in addition to that… we can’t pay out any commission! Hope you aren’t one of these procrastinators who forget to let us know what you are booking… I would hate to be the one answering the phone when Julia calls and says, “We are packed and ready to go… our ship leaves tomorrow, what am I supposed to do now???” Don’t get stuck in that situation! Give the best service you can to your clients, follow through with all details, making sure their documents are in order, and hand delivered when ever possible!!! Be sure and submit your “online booking form” for all bookings you make. You will find this once you’ve logged into the corporate website, under the right hand side menu bar. AND if you are expecting documents to be delivered, and you will not be there to accept them… perhaps you’re on YOUR vacation… let us know so that other arrangements can be made!

To your success!!

Sherry Leath, Operations Manager, America’s Travel Companies

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