CMA Daily News

Thinking Globally, Acting Globally

International Business on the Rise for U.S. Companies, Survey Shows
Barriers to world markets have been steadily eroding for many companies in recent years. In a nationwide survey of senior executives, three out of five (61%) respondents said their companies are doing more international business today than five years ago.

The survey was developed by Robert Half Management Resources, and includes interviews with 150 senior executives—including those from human resources, finance and marketing departments—with the nation's 1,000 largest companies.

Senior executives were asked, "Is your company doing more business internationally, through international office expansion or a global customer base, than it was five years ago?" Their responses:

Yes	61%
No	39%

"As more companies experience an increase in international business, an exceptionally prepared workforce is necessary to compete on a global basis," said Paul McDonald, executive director of Robert Half Management Resources. "Firms today need a common understanding of cultures, languages and ethical standards to better serve customers across different countries and time zones."

McDonald also noted that financial regulations and reporting standards may have an impact on recruiting efforts. "Accounting and finance departments within firms that operate globally will require professionals skilled in both generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) and international financial reporting standards (IFRS)."

Source: Robert Half International

Free Business Cards from Giggleprint.com

My neighbor introduced me to Giggleprint.com the other day. They offer Free business cards with many great designs. You just pay the shipping. For anyone in need of business cards, or who wants to use them like my neighbor did for personal information exchange - go to: http://www.giggleprint.com/Browse.aspx?Catalog=Primary&Category=Free+Business+Cards

‘Reply all’ can lower worker productivity

Professionals bombarded with information can get distracted. Think twice before you copy someone on an e-mail or hit "reply all." Such practices have made today's workers less productive, a research firm concludes.
Click through for the full story on MSNBC.com.

Developing Your Soft Skills

Being able to type 80 words per minute or knowing how to put together a PowerPoint presentation are valuable skills to have, but technical abilities aren’t the only ones you need to be concerned about. Interpersonal, or “soft,” skills are equally valuable in today’s workplace. Demonstrating qualities such as empathy, humor and tact are critical whether you’re meeting with a potential client or explaining to your manager why the company should consider having a blog on its website. Here are some tips for developing the less-technical aspects of your skill set:

Be appreciative. Always be willing to provide praise or words of encouragement to others. Thank coworkers who help you complete a project or who simply do something thoughtful for you. And avoid taking sole credit: For instance, did you work on a high-profile project in which a coworker frequently pitched in? Acknowledge his or her contributions to your manager and colleagues.

Be enthusiastic. Which type of person would you most like to work with: someone who clearly loves her job and encourages others to excel or an individual who constantly complains about his responsibilities? Keep this in mind when evaluating your own work style. An upbeat attitude will not only improve your relationships with other team members, but it also can help as you pursue future opportunities.

Be a team player. Is a colleague working on two major initiatives that must be completed by next week? Offer to help out if you’re not overloaded yourself. Assisting overwhelmed coworkers builds camaraderie – and also makes it more likely they will help you the next time you’re buried in work.

Heard in the Lunchroom^SM is provided by Robert Half, the world’s largest specialized staffing firm and a leading authority on workplace and management trends.  For more information, visit www.rhi.com.

Collection Information Downloads from CLLA

Two great documents in Adobe PDF format from the Commercial Law League of America (CMA Collection Division is a member of CLLA)

• Enforcing a judgment across state lines. A general guide to the enforcement of judgments across state lines Download enforcing.pdf

• What to expect if you want your claim to go to court  Download claim.pdf

Put A Contract Out On Yourself!

New Year, new goals and resolutions. If you want to try a new tactic to meet your goals take a look at stickk.com.

From WebWorkerDaily.com: New online service Stickk thinks it has an answer to this issue. Their strategy is summed up by the tagline on the site: “put a contract out on yourself!” The basic idea (put together by some Yale academics) is simple: Stickk helps you add financial incentives to help yourself fulfill long-range goals.

Most Valuable Worker

Want to be seen as one of your company’s go-to employees? You can start by always finishing your assignments on time and steering clear of office politics, according to a recent Robert Half International survey. Forty percent of the 150 senior executives we polled said that meeting deadlines is the most important characteristic of a team player, while 25 percent thought avoiding office politics was critical.

            Here are some tips for becoming your work team’s most valuable player:

• Be willing to adapt. Don’t be surprised if duties or priorities shift over time, especially during different stages of a project. Be flexible in these situations to not only help the team remain on track but also set a good example for other members.
• Take one for the team. Don’t play the blame game if something goes awry. Instead, focus on correcting the problem and moving forward. Your willingness to acknowledge mistakes when appropriate will encourage personal accountability in others.
• Play fair. Give credit where it is due, and be generous in your praise. Be sure to thank unsung heroes who contribute to a project’s success, especially because there’s a good chance you’ll be working with them again.
• Talk things out. Do your part to minimize office politics by engaging in open communication and fostering an atmosphere of mutual trust and respect.

FTC Advisory Opinion To Debt Collectors

"In response to ACA International’s (“ACA’s”) request for a Commission advisory opinion (“Request”) regarding whether the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (“FDCPA”) prohibits a debt collector from notifying a consumer who disputed a debt that the collector has ceased its collection efforts. ACA submitted the Request pursuant to Sections 1.1-1.4 of the Commission’s Rules of Practice, 16 C.F.R. §§ 1.1-1.4. As explained more fully below, the Commission concludes that a debt collector providing such a notice to a consumer would not
violate the FDCPA"

Download FTC_Opinion.pdf

Are You Spending 11 hours Online (a Day)?

From the Digital Now Blog "According to the latest Harris Poll, the number of online users has reached an estimated 178 million, a ten percent increase over 2006.

People are also spending more time online. In 2005, the average number of hours per day was 8; in 2006, it rose to 9; in 2007, people are spending 11 hours - or nearly half the day - online.

Women and people over 50 years of age fell behind the curve, with those 65 and older demonstrating the greatest deviation from the norm."

Win a 7-day Carribean Cruise for two from ACM

ACM and Fifth Third Processing Solutions have decided to give away another seven-day Carribean cruise for two! To enter this drawing, simply submit your Merchant Services statements for a FREE COST ANALYSIS and/or request a proposal from ACM. Drawing held November 30.

Three Ways to Enter:
FAX your statements to 678.868.1753
EMAIL your statements to savings@acmeft.net
REQUEST a proposal by calling 800.759.6786 x4805

You must be an NACM member to enter.