tomorrow is a historic day

new law

On October 1st, 2008 a new law will be enforced in Connecticut.

In a nutshell, every business, nonprofit or other organization that requests private identification numbers

• Social Security numbers


• health insurance numbers


• driver's license numbers


• credit card numbers, etc.

must encrypt them on their systems, limit access to them by employees who are in a need-to-know status, and post a policy on their website, intranet and on employee bulletin boards saying this is their policy.

To download my white paper on ways to implement this law and to protect yourself from most breaches, go to: http://marchalpert.googlepages.com/whitepaper_new_law_in_ct_01oct08.

Please feel free to share with others.

Client seminars

We just held our first, in what I hope will be monthly, free client seminars, in this case for my not-for-profit clients.
The repsonse was great as we filled the room, and the comments were even better, as this one was unsolicited:

Hi Marc,
Thank YOU. The seminar exceeded my expectations. I really did get quite a bit out of it. Thank you for that and for being a pleasure to work with.

I think it encapuslates that we can actually help you in non-monetary ways.
All the best.

reboot

It's another computer term that may apply to us, now that the summer is almost over.

So many businesses slide along in the summer, not undertaking anything new.

They reevaluate and enact changes in September, thus rebooting themselves.

Change is constant and taking a few months off that affects cash flow improvements, delaying what could have been, is dangerous.

If you are thinking of making a change in business cash flow improvement, carpe diem! Do it now. Don't wait to reboot.

I can only imagine what they charge for a bounced check!

Yes, folks, it's a real bricks and mortar bank in Tightwad, Missouri.

Finally, a bank that can make fun of itself instead of relying on us to do so!

In re the death of customer service-now hear this!

I just received this in an email and thought it was brilliant:

Customers want you to listen to them. They want you to show them respect and listen to their needs. Don’t assume you know what they’re going to say. Let them tell you. And don’t interrupt them!

Customers want you to take responsibility. They want you to own them and their problem. Don’t pass the buck. Take care of them the way you would take care of your grandmother. See their issue through to completion. And then follow up with them and make sure they are happy with the outcome.

Customers want you to pay attention to the details. They want you to use their name when speaking to them, and call them back when you say you are going to. They want to feel important because they are!

Customers want you to remember it is their time and money. They don’t have to do business with you; there are other companies they can buy from. Remember, you are not doing them a favor. They are the reason you are in business. To serve them!

Give customers what THEY want, and they’ll be sure to come back! And they’ll tell others to come as well. And isn’t that what WE want?

I printed this and placed it on my bulletin board next to my office phone. I hope you will too.

This guy walks into a lawyer's office one day...

...and walks out with a new client. The lawyer received the customary service quality. And the attorney sent him an email:

Many thanks. Appreciate your taking the time to clarify this information (and so promptly). Others might have said "just go read the papers you signed". Which I should have done, of course. Thanks for making this so easy and user-friendly.

I would definitely like to be available as a reference for you if you are in discussions with other lawyers considering your services. Or any other business, for that matter. And I will spread the good word to my professional colleagues about your excellent service any time I can.

This is a real testimonial. I am pleased he is pleased.

And you thought from the start of this blog posting was going to be another lawyer joke, huh?