“He that has one eye is a prince among those that have
none.”
- Thomas Fuller -
The age-old phrase of the glass being half-full or half-empty applies when using the word
advantage. Some relate advantage as someone being born into a wealthy family, the ‘Silver Spoon’ syndrome while
others think in terms of being taken advantage of, the Timeshare Resale scams where advantage comes through deception.
In this context I want you to think more like a race between a bicycle and a motorcycle where the addition of the
motor to the cycle would appear to be an advantage. The point is that in the beginning all things are equal, then
advantage is gained as the result of some legitimate action.
Like some of you, I had an advantage because I worked for a firm that maintained a membership in The American
Resort Development Association (ARDA) or its forerunner The American Land Development Association (ALDA).
At the beginning of our industry little was known about how to succeed and the ability to network with others was
vital for our survival. Today given the Regional Management Seminars, the State ARDA Meetings, the Spring &
Fall ARDA Conferences and other industry functions, the opportunity to network occurs more frequently that in those
early days. My first Timeshare Industry conference was in Miami with about 75 in attendance; my most recent (this
month in Orlando) had over 3300 registered. The increase in attendance is reflective of the industry growth during
the nearly three decades between those meetings. The few of us that were involved from the beginning understood
that opportunity will not repeat itself, however, there is now a new and different opportunity to be in at the
beginning of something that will truly impact our industry.
ARDA is now offering the benefits and privileges of membership
made personal. They can become a part of ARDA ADVANTAGE, a new program developed to support the everyday business needs of timeshare professionals.
They can use ARDA’s resources to gain real world knowledge of industry basics, stay on top of new developments,
get access to the industry’s library of educational & development tools, and tap into the constant
flow of news & information that will allow them to become more effective professionals.
Membership Requirements
ARDA ADVANTAGE members must be employed by an ARDA corporate member in good standing and agree to
observe and abide by the ARDA Code of Standards and Ethics. Participants will select from four areas of interest
Sales/Marketing
Finance/Accounting
Legal/Regulatory
or
Those
who successfully complete the AEI Qualification Test (AQT) and maintain their membership are eligible to earn continuing
education credits toward the Associated Resort Professional (ARP or the Registered Resort Professional
(RRP) designations. Those individuals, and those who have already attained those designations, will enjoy the elevated
status of ARDA ADVANTAGE PLUS.
ARDA ADVANTAGE will be the only way to maintain an individual
membership in ARDA. To learn more about the program, contact Adrienne
Riley at 202.371.6700 ext. 121
FINAL THOUGHT
At
Scottsdale Camelback we will begin to develop our 2004 budget in mid July. This year that budget will contain
$1,008 for ARDA ADVANTAGE memberships for 12 of our staff members
and at $84.00 each that’s quite a bargain.
Ego is Level 4 of Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs. This is where the need for self-esteem, status, and recognition
must begin to be accommodated. ARDA ADVANTAGE will provide SCR an opportunity
to fill all three of those needs for the fortunate dozen.
The
ARDA ADVANTAGE: NOW YOU GET IT!
