|
| Focus on Professional Development |
Avoiding Business Scams and Con Artists!
By Guest Author: Dr. Alan Weiss
|
| Scam: |
A fraudulent or deceptive act or operation |
| Conned: |
Swindled; persuaded |
Over the past couple of years, we have noticed an increase in attempts to scam CRG.
Through technology, the ability to understand and communicate with our businesses has increased significantly. We should not focus our attention on this issue; that is distracting—but we do need to be aware that all is not as it seems.
Most of us have received the email scam of “millions from Nigeria,” but some people are still getting caught in its snare. Then there are the emails asking you to confirm your bank and credit card password and ID. Please never respond to those attempts to rob you.
Because con artists have no conscience, you cannot use normal or rational thoughts to determine whether you are being scammed. These reprobates are so low down on the food chain, they even set up bogus Websites to collect Tsunami and Katrina relief money.
How do so many people get conned? The scammers are good at what they do—and they take advantage of our motivational drivers.
Let me explain.
I don’t profess to be Magnum PI, but many cons prey on two primary conditions.
- Most people are honest and want to do the right thing; they are oblivious to the possibility of a scam such as the fake Katrina Relief Website!
- Cons know how to play to our innermost desires—success, greed, status, and exclusivity. Even though many individuals and businesses may be suspicious of the “opportunity,” their deep desire for the offer to be real overcomes the red warning flags.
Here are some examples.
- Because CRG holds copyrights and trademarks—which can be searched online by anyone—we regularly get fake invoices stating we owe money for trademark services. In a small business, one person sees all the invoices—but what about a big accounts payable department that does not communicate with the various departments in the business?
Suggestion: Always have the owner or the managers sign off on invoices—unless the supplier is longstanding with you.
The online world is a place where you need to confirm that what you see is real.
- One of my friends owns a Bobcat dealership. One of his customers put all kinds of pressure on him because my friend’s price on a new unit was not competitive with a similar unit on eBay. The client did not heed my friend’s warnings and ended up biding for a unit online—and proceeded to forward his payment via Western Union.
Well, it was too good to be true. The picture and the serial number were real but the unit happened to be owned by a dealer in California—not by the individual who posted it for sale on eBay. All the client’s money—over $28,000—was lost.
Suggestion: Never use Western Union to transfer funds unless the person to whom you are sending the money is someone you know well. There is no way to trace the money or get it back if the deal is phony.
- A couple of years ago, we posted a used color printer on eBay. We were contacted by a company in Indonesia that wanted to buy it with a credit card. They responded promptly to our emails and questions, but it seemed a bit odd that they wanted a used printer shipped halfway around the world.
We ran the card through but did not ship the printer right away. We checked with the credit card company to confirm the card was legitimate. At first, they said Yes—but a few days later, we got a charge-back. The card had apparently been stolen in New York earlier that week.
Suggestion: If you are suspicious about a transaction and you are in the retail business, delay your shipment until payment has cleared or has been confirmed. Businesses are liable for charge-backs on such transactions.
- Last month, CRG received an unsolicited email offering the services of a professional sales team for hire.
Who doesn’t want to grow their sales? CRG investigated. I talked with the team’s CEO for 30 minutes. Their business concept seemed sound—and exciting.
Two weeks later, we got a proposal to launch a 90-day pilot program. They were to be on 100% commission but required a retainer to start the process. They guaranteed repayment of the retainer if it was not earned in commission by the end of the 90-day trial period.
We went to their Website: www.earlyharvest.com. It seemed fine at first, but then we noticed there was not one single image of the principals or the team members of the company—and no mention of any of the clients they had served.
When we asked to speak to three of their current clients, our request was denied. Their reason was that unless CRG was serious, they were not going to burden their clients with our calls. In addition, they redirected the conversation by attacking CRG—suggesting that our overzealous due diligence approach was not reflective of their sell don’t tell method.
I admit that as a business owner, I very much wanted this offer to be real. As a result, I was tempted to overlook some of the obvious red flags.
Suggestion: Never compromise your due diligence process if the provider puts pressure on you to hurry up. Legitimate businesses want to build credibility with you. Avoiding this step should put the brakes on any new business transaction. Don’t be bullied into doing something you will regret.
In the past, as a society, we have considered white-collar crime less offensive and less serious than other offences. That is no longer the case. Identity theft, online scams, eBay, Craig’s List, and others provide anonymity to the offender. We should no longer accept indifference to these types of crimes—we should demand significant penalties for such felonies.
But until that happens, I encourage you all to be awake and not allow yourself or your business to become a victim to scams.
A lot of the con artists’ success comes from scamming people who allow themselves to be bullied. There are exceptions, but people with confidence are better equipped to say No to these degenerates.
To assist you in your journey of self-assurance, consider the following CRG resources.
|
|
Register now for CRG’s next 3-Day Train-The-Trainer program
|
Once professionals experience the power of CRG’s resources firsthand—and discover that the resources can help create holistic, transformational results in individuals, families, teams, and organizations—more than 80% will switch to CRG solutions.
Some try to compare the results that CRG achieves to other tools such as MBTI, DISC, True Colors, and Insights. Unfortunately, those comparisons do not acknowledge the unique proprietary and comprehensive processes CRG has carefully designed over the past 30 years.
To say CRG’s resources are similar to the above-mentioned tools is like comparing a 1970 Ford Pinto to any brand new Mercedes. The only similarity is they are both called cars. After that, the comparison stops.
CRG’s 3-Day TTT program has become a very powerful personal and professional development event—designed to impact people from the inside out.
The fact is, if you are using CRG learning solutions and have not attended CRG’s TTT program, you are missing critical information that will provide deeper insights to your understanding of the tools and more value to your clients.
If you qualify for our Alumni rate, you can participate at less than our cost!
Why would we do this? We found there is so much information (over 2 million words of content and 100 resources), it is impossible to digest it all in just one event.
Plus, we are constantly adding new resources, products, and solutions.
The combination of personal growth, experiential learning and business development tools created an empowering and dynamic seminar that will help me to accomplish the purpose I see for my life.
Minette Riordan
Register now for our event in Vancouver, BC:
The more experience you have in the HR field, the more important it is for you to attend a CRG session—to understand the uniqueness of CRG’s resources and unlearn some popular false assumptions in the marketplace.
Register now for CRG’s Train-The-Trainer program.
Space is Limited.
If you have questions about our TTT, please contact Neal Diamond.
Toll-free in North America: 1-866-852-4347
International Clients: 604 852-0566
Download the TTT PDF now! |
|
Newly Revised Self-Worth
Inventory Now Available!
|
|
Newly Revised Private Label Brochure Now Available!
Want your CRG tools to more closely represent your company, industry, or clientele?
We are serious about our partnership-building commitment.
Private Labeling puts your logo, contact info, even a unique image on any CRG print-based assessment tool or workbook. For a small one-time setup fee, you can have the added advantage of professionally designed, just-in-time print resources that will keep your name in front of your clients and participants.
CRG has invested in our own digital print shop so we can serve you
- in just 7 days (after your cover has been desktop-published),
- with an order size as small as 25 units.
You have 5 Private Label Options* Setup Fees Apply for Each Option
- Add your Logo to the Front Cover and Your Contact Info to the Back Cover.
- Add your Customized Text to the Back Cover.
- Add your Customized Image to the Front Cover.
- Add your Customized Image to the Inside Front Cover.
- Add your Customized Image and/or Text to the Inside Back Cover.
*CRG Approval Required.
Click here to download all the details.
Customize the Content of CRG’s Workbooks
Go one step further—have CRG customize one of its workbooks or programs with/for you, developed specifically for your clients or organization. Once your project is completed, CRG will print your customized workbooks/programs for you.
This applies to*:
- Building Relationships With Style:
Workbook, and
- Why Don’t You Sell The Way That I Buy?™: Workbook.
- Discovering Your Entrepreneurial Gifts and Pathway to Success: Workbook
There is a design fee, based on each specific project. Call for a free quote.
If you wish more details on the Private Label and Customization options, please download this PDF detailing your investment for each alternative.
*CRG Approval Required.
|
Ken Keis Presents “Assess For Success”
At the BC Career Colleges’ Association Conference
“Developing Professionals: One Student at a Time”
Where: Marriot Pinnacle, Vancouver, BC
When: May 8, 9, 2007
Register: www.developingprofessionals.ca/schedule.html
CRG’s Train-The-Trainer I
Where: Vancouver, BC
When: June 7, 8, 9, 2007
Register: www.crgleader.com/trainthetrainer
CRG Exhibitors at the
National Career Development Association Conference
Where: Seattle, WA
When: July 5, 6, 7, 8, 2007
Register: www.ncda.org
CRG’s Train-The-Trainer I
Where: Vancouver, BC
When: September 20, 21, 22, 2007
Register: www.crgleader.com/trainthetrainer
Ken Keis Presenting “Assess For Success”
International Association for Career Consulting Conference
Where: San Antonio, TX
When: October 11, 12, 13, 2007
Register: www.iaccf.com/2007Conference.htm
CRG’s Train-The-Trainer I
Where: Vancouver, BC
When: November 15, 16, 17, 2007
Register: www.crgleader.com/trainthetrainer |
- NEW Version Secrets of Success™ Journal to be Released Mid-May
The SOS has been revised with new articles, updated copy, and new details of our resources. You will be able to get this resource in print or as a download, soon. Stay tuned!
- NEW CRG Site Development Breaking New Ground
After 3 years of planning, designing, and coding, the new CRG Learning Center is progressing well. Of course, we wanted to launch a year ago but with the tragic death of our previous programmer, the delay is understandable.
Since the development of our current CRG site, much has changed in the online world. From You Tube to My Space, online communities are accelerating the way we perceive the Net. The new CRG site will be capable of video and audio support and learning modules. That will allow us to provide a Learning Center experience, rather than just a learning locker.
We trust you will be able to visit the new site this Fall. We will keep you informed as we get closer to our launch.
- New Positions Available at CRG
Want to work in a dynamic and fun entrepreneurial environment? If you qualify, here’s your chance!
- Communication/PR Specialist
Full Details here
This person will be responsible for promoting CRG and its senior team to all types of media, including radio, TV, print, and online. This individual also will book the CRG principals as presenters in conferences around the globe.
- Internet Marketing Expert and SEO Specialist
Full Details here
You are an expert in online marketing, including Search Engine Optimization, Meta Tags, Key Word Search, Rankings, Web Stats, Linking Strategies, SE Submissions, ezine Listings, Content Management, Anti-Spam Compliance, and Web Traffic Patterns. This position is based on getting results! Grow our Web and online traffic and business (without pay-for-click options) and you will be well rewarded. Proof of past SEO success required.
All positions are located at CRG’s Head Office in Abbotsford, BC. If you are interested, please send your résumé to sherri@crgleader.com.
|
|
