The International Reciprocal Trade Association, IRTA and The National Association of Trade Exchanges, NATE have announced that they are working together in a cooperative effort to modernize and up date the current Certified Trade Broker (CTB) program that is offered by both Industry Associations.
In a joint statement issued by NATE President Gary Oshry and IRTA President David Wallach they agreed “That the education and certification of the Trade Brokers that represent the Modern Trade and Barter Industry is a top priority for both associations. By collaborating on this vital project we usher in a welcomed spirit of cooperation and in the end we will offer a finished product that will be improved, standardized and utilized by the entire industry.“
Members of the joint committee include; Maurya Lane BBE, Gary Oshry NET and President NATE, Richard Harris NCE, David Wallach President IRTA, Dr. Lee BXS, Mike Mercier Metro Trade, Kim Strabley IMS, Perry Constantinides BSI, Steve Acerra Fla. Barter, and Ron Whitney IRTA Executive Director.
“Our goal is to have this project completed by the first of October 2010,” said Committee Chairperson Kim Strabley, “We plan to offer CTB courses and testing on line so that we can more efficiently educate and certify our industries Trade Brokers.”
I was actually intrigued and excited when I read this headline….as the idea of the two industry trade associations joining forces was proof positive that this industry was starting to move forward in it’s positioning.
After reading this press release…..it appears that once again…..the industry is more concerned about promoting itself “within” and “among each OTHER”….. then reaching out and changing the very “chickens 4 goats” mentality they have turned a blind eye to…..and helped to promote!
I should have known better.
I don’t know exactly what the hell makes a “certified trade broker” better then the next guy or girl…….but considering these two power associations are the only game in town……seems to me they could have come up with a more ambitious vision……..then this.
And I quote:
“In a joint statement issued by NATE President Gary Oshry and IRTA President David Wallach they agreed “That the education and certification of the Trade Brokers that represent the Modern Trade and Barter Industry is a top priority for both associations. By collaborating on this vital project we usher in a welcomed spirit of cooperation and in the end we will offer a finished product that will be improved, standardized and utilized by the entire industry.“
What education and training are we talking about here???
Nothing is mentioned.
Not one word…..except…… “certification.”
If this industry continues to certify business as usual…..this venture is a lost cause….and a waste of time….effort….and resources.
What ever the hell a “Certified Trade Broker” represents aint gonna mean nothing to the consumer who might like to trade….. if you’d speak to THEM…rather then speaking only amongst yourselves.
While I admire much of what NATE and IRTA represent…..this is yet another example of BARTER taking a great opportunity…..and wasting it.
Rather then NATE and IRTA repositioning the very industry they represent…it appears to me the objective here is self serving and as usual….”in house.”
Rather then joining forces to promote barter as a step forward……it appears this gig is all about getting “brokers a certificate framed on their respective office walls.”
Hate to break it to ya….”certification” isn’t gonna stop the “chickens from clucking”…..and it sure as hell shouldn’t be priority number one.
This industry continues to eliminate millions of potential traders via the same tired cliches, and caveman mentality they helped create……..and aint no certificate gonna change that.
Reach OUT……Barter. Promote the benefits….not the features.
Stop playing the “gloom and doom” card….because you’re branding your industry as a step back in time……when in fact….Barter is an entrepreneurs dream if you’d have the courage to promote it as such.
If you industry people spent as much time doing that…. as you do promoting WITHIN….barter wouldn’t be the blunt of bad jokes on late night tv.
Your member brokers wouldn’t have to rely on the bad economy spin….and the same 5 other cliches you’ve pitched for decades.
They wouldn’t have to explain to their members why he or she can’t get this or that for them….aka….high end clients who view barter as a welfare case.
Just once……have the courage to change business as usual and reposition this industry.
You’d open up the flood gates to the very high end type of clients your very own marketing ELIMINATES!
xxx Vegas Vince
httttp://BarterArbitrage.com
A certificate on a wall…..aint gonna stop the chickens from clucking.
Vince,
If you knew anything about the barter industry, you’d know that IRTA and NATE collaborating on anything is actually a pretty cool thing. The two associations have been at odds for more than a decade.
In addition, a little research on the topic would have led you to the understanding that a certified trade broker program promotes and creates higher standards of customer service, ability, and prosperity as a whole. I urge you to look in to the program in-depth before passing such a harsh judgment on it.
I know plenty about the barter industry Tyler….and I know how to present it too!
And forgive me for not getting excited about two former enemies joining forces…….as if they have been at odds for ten years….that’s THEIR FAULT.
Sorry…I’m not ready to jump up and give a standing ovation……10 years after the fact. Put you go ahead and feel free.
Harsh Judgment?
Why?
I simply said these two organizations might make better use of the their strategic alliance by repositioning an industry that the vast majority of the public laughs about.
So before you pass judgment on me, T……..consider that at least I promote your industry as something other then the chickens for goats mentality YOUR industry has done for years.
And that isn’t hype…..that’s the truth…..and you know it.
I know a little more about “barter” then you think I do….and I’ve introduced a lot of traders who do in fact trade…….who have in fact been ignored by YOUR industry.
No apologies here!
At least I promote barter as a step forward…not a step back in time….. and I think we’ve established I got that part right in terms of public perception….ya think!
I have nothing against either organization…….but until they certify brokers to present/promote something other then the status quo…….I aint gettin’ too excited…..because the end result will just be more of the SAME.
Vegas Vince
Barter Arbitrage
Vince, try as you might you can no longer distance yourself from the barter industry. Your product is called Barter Arbitrage, you are aligned with an ITEX office, you are part of the industry now. Calling it YOUR industry won’t change that…
I wasn’t asking for nor offering a standing ovation, but instead think it’s a step in the right direction.
What you said is, “What ever the hell a “Certified Trade Broker” represents aint gonna mean nothing”. Where I come from, that’s considered fairly harsh.