|
Looking Ahead
Mar 3 - Credit Boot Camp More info
Mar 14 - ICEL "Mind Games" How mental shortcuts can limit our ability to resolve conflict. Speaker: McKenzie Rees, University of Utah. More info
Mar 22 - Mechanics' Lien Seminar - For suppliers of materials or labor, subcontractors and contractors - how to utilize construction liens More info
Mar 29 - Success and Survival Seminar - The role of the credit department More Info
Apr 11 - ICEL "Your Economic Update" Speaker: Aric Krause, Ph.D. More info
Apr 19 - "COME SAIL AWAY" NACM Spring Banquet and Stockholders Meeting. More information and on-line registration
We need YOU! As a member run organization, ICEL is looking for members to help promote education, plan programs, write newsletter articles and increase membership. To volunteer - simply email GBevan@nacmint.com. 
Business Bloopers
Getting Into Gear
Several years ago, one of my work responsibilities was to empty the post office box each day. One morning I climbed into the office vehicle and was off to the post office. I successfully backed out of the parking spot. But, when I put the car into drive, it abruptly died. It would not do a thing when I tried to start it--no sound at all. I could not even get the key out of the ignition.
I could not just leave it sitting in the middle of the parking lot with concrete mixer trucks and dump trucks coming through. So I stayed in the truck and called the equipment shop. I told one of the guys what had happened and he trudged across the parking lot to see what he could do.
When he arrived, he calmly climbed into the driver's seat and...shifted the car into park. It had not even occurred to me to put the car in park, I did not even realize it was not in park. In fact, I did not even look. I felt pretty dumb.
Naturally, the key came right out. He then reinserted the key and the car started up without a problem. After calmly climbing back out of the vehicle, he headed back to the shop, no doubt rolling his eyes the entire way. At least he was really nice about it claiming it was nice to get up and walk a bit. But, I have a feeling that putting a car into park for an occasionally air headed co-worker was not really high on his priority list for the day.
**We'd love to hear your bloopers as well! Please email any business related bloopers, embarrassing experiences, silly mistakes, etc. to mmickelsen@genevarock.com
Why should I submit potential members to NACM?"
Help gain information on your customers. As a member, their information could help build the database on your customers. It's not just a one-way street. more Info
|
NACM Board of Directors
April Election
NACM Members will again cast electronic votes in the Election of Board Directors this year. On April 1, 2013, the member of record for each NACM member company will receive an email with an exclusive link to their electronic ballot. You may vote for three (3) of the following six candidates:
Nominees for the NACM Board of Directors
Doug Darrington, CCE, Kilgore Companies
Carolyn Thompson, Meadow Gold Dairies
Janae Jeffs, CCE, Muir Enterprises, Inc.
Lisa Keller, CBA, Peck Striping, Inc.
Ryan Palmer, ProBuild
Erik Wright, CBF, Spectrum Engineers, Inc.
Elections will cease at 9:00 a.m. on April 19, 2013 and new directors will be announced at the Stockholders Meeting to be held at Gardner Village later that same day.
 Apr 19 - "COME SAIL AWAY" NACM Spring Banquet and Stockholders Meeting. More information and on-line registration
ICEL Meeting Recap
The Do's & Don'ts of Hiring and Firing
by Melissa Mickelsen, CBA, Geneva Rock Products, Inc.
Heidi McNulty, PHR, Branch Manager for The Premier Group addressed the do's and don'ts of hiring and firing at the February ICEL meeting. Improper hiring and firing processes can have an extremely costly impact on a business and may even be illegal. While reviewing the basics of protected classes, bona fide occupational qualifiers, and right to work vs. at will doctrine, Heidi suggested several tips that will help employers protect themselves throughout the hiring and firing process.
Heidi strongly suggested that employers document everything. Company employee policies should always be thorough and documented. If an employer chooses to not hire a candidate based on a company policy, that policy better be in writing. Heidi also suggested that job descriptions be documented, thorough and very clear. This allows employers to base hiring decisions on the specific requirements . . . read full article
Attitude is Everything
by Barbara MacKay, Intermountain Concrete Specialties
I like to think I live an "orderly" life. I like to know ahead of time what I'm wearing to work each day, and what, if anything, I will need to get through each day.
About a year ago, my life changed in a major way. When you find yourself in a world you never imagined, you can either sit in a corner and cry, or suck it up and say you'll survive. I don't think I've ever been a glass half full or glass half empty person. I figure if there's something in the glass, life might not be all that bad.
The other day I was reading an article published in a group I'm involved in through LinkedIn . . . read full article
Next ICEL Meeting
Mind Games:
How mental shortcuts can limit our ability to resolve conflict
March 14, 2013
Heaven knows that those in Credit & Collections are no stranger to conflict!
Every day our brain processes a lot of information. To handle the amount of information coming in, our minds use shortcuts that automatically make sense of the information we see on a routine basis. Our responses to these routine pieces of information are called biases. While biases are primarily a good and functional activity, they can lead us to respond to a situation in ways that maintain or escalate conflict.
Not everyone is affected by biases in the same way. However, research in psychology has found that in situations involving conflict, there are several biases that systematically affect the individuals involved in the conflict. Being aware of these biases and recognizing how and why they affect the level of conflict . . . view full description and online registration
ICEL Chair Message
Work Through Frustration
by Shanna Smith, CCE, Easton Technical Equipment
When you feel frustrated, what you're feeling is your intense desire to make things better. Instead of fighting against your frustration, channel it into a positive, productive direction.
Frustration happens when things are not the way you want them to be. And because of that, frustration is a powerful phase that leads to your success.
When you're frustrated with the way things are, it can be tempting to give up. After all, it's often easier just to live with life's shortcomings than it is to make improvements.
But if you choose to give up, you're letting go of a powerful opportunity . . . read full article
Credit/Sales Smack Down
by Georgette Bevan, CCE, NACM Business Credit Services
Have you experienced ballistic moments dealing with sales people? If you have, you are not alone. At times, the friction between credit & sales produces a duel of epic proportion; well it seems like it at the time.
Sales: Excited voice "I have a new customer that is 'golden' and they want to buy A LOT - RIGHT NOW!"
Credit: Up go the hackles. . . "Ummm, looking at their credit report and payment history, the only possible way we can sell them is cash in advance."
Sales: Angry "Oh Come On! They're good for it!"
Credit and sales have very different personality traits. No wonder there is friction between credit and sales - they are complete opposites.
Personality traits of credit & sales . . . read full article
ICEL Spotlight
Ross Thomas, CBA, CGA
by Melissa Mickelsen, CBA, Geneva Rock Products, Inc.
Ross Thomas works in Membership Sales at NACM, a position he has held since May of 2012. In this role he recruits new members to utilize the services NACM offers and to encourage them to get involved with the organization. Prior to working for NACM, Ross gained 20 years of experience in the credit field in various positions. He began in consumer credit working as a Servicing/Collection Manager for a savings and loan/mortgage lender. In 1980, he took a position with a manufacturing firm. It was during this time that he was first introduced to NACM and their services. While working to complete his degree, Ross also began the course work necessary to obtain the CBA designation. He developed strong friendships with other credit managers taking these courses and enjoyed learning from them as they discussed various credit topics and . . . read full article
|
