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National Consumer Protection Week 2013, and a Contest (Day 5)!

National Consumer Protection Week 2013, and a Contest (Day 5)!

NCPW2013_285x285It’s the 5th and final day of our National Consumer Protection Week (NCPW) celebration! We’ve already given away four gorgeous Initials, Inc. bags stuffed full of amazing products from direct selling companies, and today we’re giving away one more! We’ve also been highlighting some of the amazing resources available on the web to help you make informed choices as a consumer and business owner.

Each day this week, we’ve posted a question. Use the NCPW resources we’ve provided to answer the question, and you’ll be entered to win an amazing (and gorgeous!) bag full of products from a number of companies in the direct sales industry. We’ve provided some bonus entry options as well.

You can win this iPad at http://dsef.orgAnd thanks to a generous donation from Nu Skin, we’ll also be drawing the name of one winner from among all entries this week to win an iPad mini!

 

Prize Details

Win this bag full of products from direct selling companies in today’s NCPW contest! (Prizes may be slightly different than those pictured, and there are more than those shown!)

Win this bag full of products from direct selling companies in today’s NCPW contest! (Prizes may be slightly different than those pictured, and there are more than those shown!)

Today’s winner will receive a beautiful bag full of products, including:

How to Enter

Simply leave a comment answering today’s question: We’d love to know…which of the resources on our NCPW Resources Page was your favorite? (Here’s the link to our NCPW resources page – Opens in a separate window)

p.s. Please be sure you actually leave a comment in the comment box below the Rafflecopter widget (don’t just click the button on the widget!). If we can’t find your comment, you can’t win!

Congratulations to Friday’s gift basket winner, Lindsey Pierce!

Our iPad winner is Alice Andreat. Congratulations!

Thanks to everyone for playing! We hope you had fun, and found some great resources!

Click here to see all of this week’s winners: http://dsef.org/2013/03/09/ncpw-2013-contest-winners/

* Contest is open to residents of the US and Canada, ages 18 and older. Final winners will be announced tomorrow (Saturday) morning at 9am!

Good luck, and don’t forget to tell your friends!

Blog / Contest

National Consumer Protection Week, and a Contest (Day 4)!

National Consumer Protection Week, and a Contest (Day 4)!

NCPW2013_285x285It’s day 4 of National Consumer Protection Week (NCPW), and the fun continues! We’ve already given away three gorgeous Initials, Inc. bags stuffed full of amazing products from direct selling companies, and today we’re giving away another one! We’ve also been highlighting some of the amazing resources available on the web to help you make informed choices as a consumer and business owner.

Each day this week, we’ll post a question. Use the NCPW resources we’ve provided to answer the question, and you’ll be entered to win an amazing (and gorgeous!) bag full of products from a number of companies in the direct sales industry. We’ve provided some bonus entry options as well. We’re giving away a bag stuffed full of amazing products each day, so be sure to come back each day to enter!

You can win this iPad at http://dsef.orgUPDATE! This Just In!

Thanks to a generous donation from Nu Skin, on Friday we are going to draw one name from all of this week’s entries to win an iPad mini!!! You can enter each day, so the more days you enter, the more chances you have to win!

 

Prize Details

Today’s winner will receive a beautiful bag full of products, including:

All entries will also be entered into the drawing on Friday to win an iPad mini, donated by Nu Skin.

How to Enter

Simply leave a comment answering today’s question: What’s the difference between an extended warranty and a service contract? (Find the link to the answer on our NCPW resources page! – Opens in a separate window)

p.s. Please be sure you actually leave a comment in the comment box below the Rafflecopter widget (don’t just click the button on the widget!). If we can’t find your comment, you can’t win!

UPDATE: Congratulations to Kimberly Allar, the winner of Thursday’s drawing!

Click here to see all of this week’s winners: http://dsef.org/2013/03/09/ncpw-2013-contest-winners/

* Contest is open to residents of the US and Canada, ages 18 and older.

Good luck, and don’t forget to tell your friends!

Teleseminar

DSEF & Money Wise Women: The Best Way to Create Personal Wealth at 11:30 PT

DSEF & Money Wise Women: The Best Way to Create Personal Wealth at 11:30 PT

MoneyWise_logo-300x177Anita Saulite will share the specific strategies for women to follow that will put them on the road to financial success, build wealth and create a retirement nest egg to last to age 100! You’ll learn how to determine your life goals first, and then help determine the path to achieving those goals and ambitions. Anita will share her simple, proven three-step program which helps to alleviate stress, and helps fulfill your desires to be happier and healthier in your lives.

DATE:  Wednesday, March 6, 2013

TIME:   11:30 AM – 12:30 PM (PST)

CALL-IN # and ID CODE:   (703) 344-2171, 261897#

Anita Saulite, Savvy Money Gal

anita sauliteAnita Saulite is a woman who really knows money. She spent 20 years working in senior positions in personal finance and saw firsthand the huge impact money can have in women’s lives. She is a passionate advocate and champion for helping women manage their money better. She believes in the ABCs (Awareness Before Change) of Money: that being aware of how you earn, save, spend and give away money is essential to moving forward and getting on the road to financial success. Anita is an MBA graduate, Certified Life Coach, Certified Senior Advisor, Board Director, Entrepreneur, Money Saving Expert, Blogger, Author, Wife and Partner – and of course the most important – Hockey Mom!  www.savvymoneygal.com

DSEF proudly sponsors the free Money Wi$e Women Get Smart Teleseminar Series hosted by Marcia Brixey, Founder and President of Money Wise Women Educational Services and author ofThe Money Therapist: A Woman’s Guide to Creating a Healthy Financial Life. The series covers topics related to business and finances and provides women the opportunity to learn from professional experts in a safe, comfortable environment.

To find out about upcoming teleseminars, visit http://www.moneywisewomengetsmart.com/

Blog / Contest

National Consumer Protection Week 2013, and a Contest (Day 3)!

National Consumer Protection Week 2013, and a Contest (Day 3)!

NCPW2013_285x285It’s day 3 of National Consumer Protection Week (NCPW) and we’ve already given away two gorgeous Initials, Inc. bags stuffed full of amazing products from direct selling companies! We’ve also been highlighting some of the amazing resources available on the web to help you make informed choices as a consumer and business owner.

Each day this week, we’ll post a question. Use the NCPW resources we’ve provided to answer the question, and you’ll be entered to win an amazing (and gorgeous!) bag full of products from a number of companies in the direct sales industry. We’ve provided some bonus entry options as well.

We’re giving away a bag stuffed full of amazing products each day, so be sure to come back each day to enter!

ipad_TransparentUPDATE! This Just In!

Thanks to a generous donation from Nu Skin, on Friday we are going to draw one name from all of this week’s entries to win an iPad!!! You can enter each day, so the more days you enter, the more chances you have to win!

Prize Details

Today’s winner will receive a beautiful bag full of products, including:

All entries will also be entered into the drawing on Friday to win an iPad, donated by NuSkin.

How to Enter

Simply leave a comment answering today’s question: What is one way you can keep yourself safe when using mobile banking services? (Find the link to the answer on our NCPW resources page! – Opens in a separate window)

UPDATE: Congratulations to Jennifer Hartman, who won Wednesday’s drawing!

Click here to see all of this week’s winners: http://dsef.org/2013/03/09/ncpw-2013-contest-winners/

* Contest is open to residents of the US and Canada, ages 18 and older.

Good luck, and don’t forget to tell your friends!

Blog / Contest

National Consumer Protection Week 2013, and a Contest (Day 2)!

National Consumer Protection Week 2013, and a Contest (Day 2)!

NCPW2013_285x285It’s day 2 of National Consumer Protection Week (NCPW) and we are having a BLAST! We’ve been highlighting some of the amazing resources available on the web to help you make informed choices as a consumer and business owner. And you also have the opportunity to win some fantastic products in our NCPW contest!

Each day this week, we’ll post a question. Use the NCPW resources we’ve provided to answer the question, and you’ll be entered to win an amazing gift bag full of products from a number of companies in the direct sales industry. We’ve provided some bonus entry options as well.

We’re giving away a bag stuffed full of amazing products each day, so be sure to come back each day to enter!

Prize Details

Today’s winner will receive a gift bag of products, including:

How to Enter

Simply leave a comment answering today’s question: What is the “Buy Back” Policy that all DSA Members agree to? (Find the link to the answer on our NCPW resources page! – Opens in a separate window)

UPDATE: Congratulations to our Tuesday winner, Dawn Mulvey!

Click here to see all of this week’s winners: http://dsef.org/2013/03/09/ncpw-2013-contest-winners/

* Contest is open to residents of the US and Canada, ages 18 and older.

Good luck, and don’t forget to tell your friends!

Blog / Contest

National Consumer Protection Week 2013, and a Contest (Day 1)!

National Consumer Protection Week 2013, and a Contest (Day 1)!

NCPW2013_285x285It’s one of our favorite weeks of the year…National Consumer Protection Week (NCPW)! It’s a time to highlight some of the amazing resources available on the web to help you make informed choices as a consumer and business owner. And since we love this week so much, we decided to make it even MORE fun with a contest!

Each day this week, we’ll post a question. Use the NCPW resources we’ve provided to answer the question, and you’ll be entered to win an amazing gift tote full of products from a number of companies in the direct sales industry. We’ve provided some bonus entry options as well.

We’re giving away a bag stuffed full of amazing products each day, so be sure to come back each day to enter!

Prize Details

Today’s winner will receive a gift bag of products, including:

How to Enter

Simply leave a comment answering today’s question: What’s one way you can protect your computer from hackers? (Find the link to the answer on our NCPW resources page! – Opens in a separate window)

UPDATE: Congratulations to Sue Williams, the winner of our 1st prize bag! Her answer was: “Use a strong password and change it often.”

Click here to see all of this week’s winners: http://dsef.org/2013/03/09/ncpw-2013-contest-winners/

* Contest is open to residents of the US and Canada, ages 18 and older.

Good luck, and don’t forget to tell your friends!

Blog

Three Networking Mistakes

Three Networking Mistakes

Woman Talking During Job InterviewSuccessful networking is a necessary part of growing your business and taking it to the next level.  Doing so requires a certain amount of social grace, including the ability to engage people in conversation and making them feel comfortable. 

Avoid these three common mistakes when networking and stand out among the crowd in a positive way.

  • Focus on building relationships. This will allow for long-term planning. Even if this contact can’t help you in your endeavor right now, the opportunity may arise in the future for this person to offer something of value to your business. Give something of yourself when establishing professional relationships. For example, a dance studio owner/dance teacher looking to expand her clientele by offering classes for children under 5 years old holds an open house for prospective students and their parents. When speaking with some of the parents individually, she asks each one why they would like to start the child in a dance class and offers a free demo class as well as a discounted private lesson for those interested in joining her studio. The parents recognize that the teacher is giving her time and expertise so they may have a risk-free trial before committing to a year of classes. This also allows the teacher to get to know her future students and show the parents that she truly cares about their early dance education.
  • Don’t play the role of counselor; keep the conversation social and friendly. An initial introduction is not the time to offer unsolicited advice on the topic at hand. Make sure the conversation centers around common interests. The dance teacher shares her own stories about how she got started at a young age, which helps prospects relate to her on a more personal level. This is more effective than preaching her philosophy on why children should start their dance classes as soon as possible. A light-hearted conversational tone is best in networking situations.
  • Digging too deeply into people’s lives makes them uncomfortable. Although you do want to build a relationship and find out a bit more about the person, be careful not to pry into their personal lives. One mother of twins attending a demo gymnastics class with her children finds herself being asked by total strangers if she used fertility treatments to conceive. A seemingly innocent question made in social conversation is actually quite personal. Don’t make the same mistake. Let the other person guide you in how much they are willing to share, but err on the side of caution when asking personal questions.

Just like many other aspects of your business, networking takes practice. The more you do it, the better you become. You can’t avoid making some mistakes; that is to be expected. However, by steering clear of certain downfalls, you can more quickly get on the road to networking success.

What advice would you give for successful networking? Please share your comments below!

Blog

DSEF & BBB: Tips for Securing Your Mobile Device

DSEF & BBB: Tips for Securing Your Mobile Device

blue_with_website-225x30022By Amy Fowler

Better Business Bureau is urging consumers to take steps to secure their mobile devices in order to protect themselves from identity theft and malware.

According to a survey released by The Pew Research Center in January, almost half of all American adults now own smartphones. The same survey found that 17 percent of all consumers use their mobile device as their primary means of accessing the internet.

Smartphones can be a treasure trove for hackers. Through apps and mobile browsers, people store personal information like passwords, bank account information and credit card numbers in addition to their contacts and other information.

However, a survey conducted in part by the National Cyber Security Alliance, found that more than one quarter of cell phone users are not aware of common security threats to smartphones and more than half do not know enough about mobile phone security to decide whether or not they need it.

BBB urges consumers to remember that a smart phone is no different than a desktop or laptop computer, in that it is vulnerable to the same hackers, malware, spyware and viruses.

Here are a few practical tips from BBB to secure your mobile devices:

  • Lock your phone. If your phone is lost or stolen, your personal information is at risk. Add a security code to your phone to prevent thieves from accessing your data. Then set your device to lock automatically when not in use for  a specified time.
  • Update your operating system. Those alerts on your smart phone that tell you to update your apps and operating system are more than just a minor annoyance. These updates close security loopholes and other backdoors hackers can use to access your phone without your knowledge.
  • Beware of unknown apps and links. Do not download any apps or click on links in your email or social media pages without first researching their source. They may contain viruses, malware or spyware that can compromise your personal data.
  • Avoid unsecured Wi-Fi. If you choose to connect to an unsecured or public Wi-Fi network, do not enter any passwords or access any personal data. Bad guys can use such networks as an easy means to hack your device.
  • Turn off Bluetooth. Bluetooth creates a wireless connection between your phone and other devices or phones. If you are not actively using an enabled device, such as a headset, make sure your Bluetooth is turned off.
  • Check your permissions. Check all of your apps to see what data they are accessing and revoke permissions for information those apps don’t need to properly operate. Check your phone’s owner’s manual or contact your wireless provider for directions on how to do so.
  • Report missing devices. If your phone is lost or stolen, immediately report it to your wireless carrier and have the device disabled.
  • Back up your data. Make sure you have a backup of all the apps and information — especially important photos or other irreplaceable items — stored on your phone in case it’s lost, stolen, hacked or damaged.
  • Pay close attention to your phone bills. Unanticipated, sudden increases in data usage can indicate a problem. In addition, third-party content providers sometimes add erroneous charges to bills for apps or services the consumer never authorized. In addition, keep an eye out for strange texts and disrupted service. They can be red flags that indicate your phone has been hacked.
  • Erase old phones completely. If you’re selling, donating or recycling your old phone, ensure all your data is completely erased and the phone is returned to factory settings before letting it out of your possession. There are online tutorials to teach you how to do this, or your wireless provider can walk you through the steps.
  • Shop with caution. When shopping online with your mobile device, take the same precautions you would with a desktop or laptop. Look for the “s” in the “https://” in the address bar and research sites at bbb.org before providing any personal information or credit card numbers.
  • Consider mobile security. Many sources offer antivirus or other security apps for your phone. Research them thoroughly before choosing which is right for you.

DSEF and the Council of Better Business Bureaus (CBBB) foster honest and responsive relationships between businesses and consumers—instilling consumer confidence and advancing a trustworthy marketplace for all.

About the Better Business Bureaus
As the leader in advancing marketplace trust, Better Business Bureau is an unbiased non-profit organization that sets and upholds high standards for fair and honest business behavior. Every year, more than 87 million consumers rely on BBB Business Reviews® and BBB Wise Giving Reports® to help them find trustworthy businesses and charities across North America. Visit www.bbb.org/us for more information.

Blog

Tips for Starting a Successful Business

Tips for Starting a Successful Business

Tips for Starting a Successful Business from http://dsef.orgStarting (or re-starting) a business can be challenging. It takes time and persistence to build the momentum that leads to success. Since our Facebook community is full of inspiring business owners, we reached out and asked them to share their best piece of advice for someone starting a business. Here is some of the advice they shared:

  • Just Start: April Gust-Yohanek of Wisconsin says, “Just get started, nothing needs to be perfect, you can perfect it along the way!” This is great advice. Often a new business owner gets so bogged down in the details of starting a new business that the business never gets off the ground. Remember to stay focused on the goal and take steps every day to improve. But start! It’s the most important step you can take.
  • Be Persistent: Jen LaCour of Texas offers sage advice when she says, “The beginning is always the hardest! Be persistent, consistent, and step out of your comfort zone every single day – you’ll grow so much faster!” Some days will be harder than others…it’s all part of growing a business. And sometimes you’ll need to adapt. As Tony Madalone of Ohio suggests, “Implement then adapt. and be persistent.” When you work through the challenges and keep at it, you’ll be much more likely to succeed.
  • Be Passionate: Many of our commenters emphasized the importance of passion when it comes to building a business. Isaac Chubb talks about being “passionate about your why.” Know why it is you want your business to succeed. You should also be passionate about your products. As Dawn Kopac of Wisconsin says, “Be passionate about what you are selling or presenting to people,” and Rose Hernandez of California advises, “love and believe in what you are doing.” Finally, Jacquie McConnell of Texas sums it up well: “Find that…business that captures your passion and it will never be work!”
  • Love Your Products: The importance of loving the products you sell can’t be overemphasized when you’re considering starting a business. As Lynn Brooks of Virginia says, “use, like and believe in your product!” And Melissa Pellerin of Edmonton, Alberta suggests a researched-based approach: “Do your research and know the product your going to be promoting. Choose something you can be passionate about.” Ah, there’s that passion again! Loving your product leads to passion about your business.
  • Learn Constantly: Finally, it’s important to make professional development a priority. Constant learning leads to continual growth. As Carol Petersen Saso of Colorado recommends: “Be a sponge – absorbing all the training available from your company. Be willing to put in the time required to build a business and remember it’s always too soon to quit!” Great advice indeed!

Many thanks to our Facebook community for sharing their great advice! (If you haven’t liked our Page yet, please do!) What tips would you add for a new business owner? We’d love to read your advice in the comments below.

Blog

Getting Your Best Customers to Promote Your Business

Getting Your Best Customers to Promote Your Business

Getting Your Best Customers to Promote Your BusinessPromoting your business is a continuous job that often requires a great deal of creative energy, time, and money. However, it is important to keep in mind that you have a wonderful resource in your clientele; your clients can not only promote your business for free, but their stories are often more meaningful and effective than any marketing strategy or sales incentive. The following is a list of ways to get your best customers to promote your business.

  • Create excellent products/services your customers need. Without this basic tenet of sound business practice, any of your efforts to promote your business via customers will be meaningless. You should strive for the utmost quality in your products and services, as well as in your customers’ experience patronizing your business. This will lay the foundation for satisfied clients who want to spread the word about your business to anyone who will listen. Would you recommend to a friend a restaurant whose food and service was not up to par? Of course not! But if you had eaten one of the most delicious meals imaginable and your server was attentive, you’d be telling everyone you know to eat there as soon as possible.
  • Give clients what they want so they get excited about sharing their experiences with others. Once you’ve made sure you have quality products and excellent customer service, the next step is to find out what clients want that you may be lacking. When you can deliver on a customer demand, your chances of customer promotion are even greater. For example, listen carefully and take to heart when a customer asks you a question such as, “Do you carry a cleaning kit made specifically for this camera?” or “Where can I buy the conditioner you used on my hair? I love the way it smells!” When customers can get all their needs met while having a great experience, they will want to share that with others.
  • Seek out a loyal customer with a good story to tell who is eager to share it with his or her network of friends. As happy as many customers may be with your products and how you conduct your business, most of the time, they won’t exactly volunteer to become informal spokespeople. Take the initiative to find a customer you know has a good story to share about his or her experience with your business. Ask the person to share the story with friends and family. If you’ve picked the right person, he or she will be happy to do so.
  • Look for genuine stories that customers want to share; do not pay for testimonials. Paid testimonials are less meaningful to potential clients than authentic ones. Think about how many times you’ve read customer reviews on sites like Amazon or Yelp that have influenced your decision to buy a certain product or use a certain company. If you knew some of these reviews were paid for instead of written genuinely and voluntarily, it would most likely change your decision. Besides, if you are doing all the right things to satisfy your clients’ needs, you won’t need to pay for customer promotion anyway.

Don’t let your customer base remain an untapped resource. Authentic stories from satisfied and eager customers are more valuable than any paid advertisement. Strive for excellence so your customers will want to share these stories.

How do you get your customers to promote your business? Please share your comments below!

DSEF Academic Engagement

Complete a brief survey to help us identify academic or university connections companywide.

This survey will help us learn more about:

  • The various partnerships each department has with a professor, college or university.
  • The existing connections that our employees may have with a university.
  • How our team can better support or align with these relationships.

Please provide us with the following contact information:

Do you or your department have an ongoing professional partnership or personal relationship with a university, college professor, program or department?