Compliance Corner

Two Sides of the Same Coin?

I see it every day, some well-meaning Rep out there talking about “two sides of the business” and really trying to say TWO BUSINESSES. The PlanNet Marketing Rep business is not a “side” to anything – it is a business in and of itself, and it is YOUR business. If you are reading this article right now, you are almost assuredly a PlanNet Marketing Rep who is selling ITAs and enrolling other Reps to earn residual income and supplement your lifestyle.

So, what’s the other “side?” Why, the travel side of course! But it isn’t really a “side” either – it’s a completely separate business too. The InteleTravel at-home Travel Agent is someone who books travel and earns commissions on those bookings.

The confusion happens because there are a growing number of individuals who are BOTH PlanNet Reps and InteleTravel Agents. However, there is significant danger in confusing these two partner companies as being one business. We are not one – we are two separate businesses with independent and separate management. Our businesses operate in two completely different industries. We are not two sides of the same coin – we are two complete coins, each with our own value.

Each week I write an article for PlanNet Reps, sharing some insight about our Policies or requesting some action from each of you to remain compliant with those Policies. In past weeks I have addressed the following topics:

  • PlanNet Marketing’s Code of Ethics and behaving professionally
  • Where Reps and ITAs must live in order to work their two businesses
  • Hiding from Compliance Matters instead of dealing with them
  • Submitting your websites and materials for review by Compliance

Each of these topics come back to one central idea – every Rep is enthusiastic about working their business and becoming a success, but most Reps will, inadvertently, at some point or other, make a compliance mistake and violate PlanNet Marketing’s policies. Not because they want to break the rules, but because they have a great idea, and they don’t realize their excitement is clouding their vision.

Here are some classic examples of enthusiasm gone wrong:

1) If you’re posting about your business daily in online forums or social media – you’re enthusiastic. 
If you’re calling yourself a “travel agent” and asking others to “join you,” you are non-compliant. Agents don’t sell ITAs – only PlanNet Marketing Reps can sell ITAs.

2) If you’re speaking to a new prospect and they seem very interested in buying an ITA from you – you’re enthusiastic. 
If you fail to ask them where they’re living, or you encourage them to use a friend’s or family member’s address while they are temporarily living outside our open markets – you are non-compliant. Reps and ITAs must live in a country where our businesses are legally allowed to operate.

3) If you’re getting a ton of responses from your recent ad to “Become an at home travel agent” – you’re enthusiastic.
If you’re posting that advertisement on a job posting website or group – you’re non-compliant. PlanNet Marketing does not offer employment, and so we do not allow our Reps to advertise the sale of the ITA in job listing forums or websites.

4) If you’re creating your very own website to grow your Rep business – you’re enthusiastic. 
If you’re using PlanNet Marketing’s name, logo, videos or a link to our website on your own – you’re non-compliant. All content created by Reps must be approved by PlanNet Marketing’s compliance department and should not contain the PlanNet Marketing name, logo or proprietary information.

At PlanNet Marketing, we work very hard to provide our Reps with the tools and information they need to be successful. In our world, information is literally at our fingertips and our online audience is huge! Please remember that every word and image you post and every syllable you speak, they all reflect back on the company you represent – PlanNet Marketing.

If you don’t know the answer – please ask us. Our Support Team is available by phone and email, as well as Support Ticket. They are incredibly responsive and always willing to assist. As always, if you have any questions about this or any Policy, please email Compliance@plannetmarketing.com

PlanNet Marketing prides itself on the quality and character of our Independent Representatives. Every Rep should practice professionalism and respect when conducting PlanNet Marketing business, providing support and encouragement for one another. As a company, we could not do what we do without each one of you – our Reps. Thank you for your enthusiasm and thank you for your continued efforts toward compliance.

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