Executive Spotlight: Angela Loehr Chrysler, Team National

From the DSEF: We’re excited to continue our blog series featuring top executives in DSEF-supporter direct selling companies today! Every few weeks we’ll introduce you to another top executive, and they’ll share their thoughts on Direct Sales, Ethics, Social Good, and why they support the DSEF.

Today we’re thrilled to continue this series with Angela Loehr Chrysler, the President and CEO of Team National, a company that provides membership savings with a wide variety of products and services in over 20 different industries. Team National has been a big supporter of the DSEF for many years, and Angela Loehr Chrysler is a member of the DSEF board. We’re thrilled to have her share her thoughts with you today. Enjoy!

Executive Spotlight: Angela Loehr Chrysler, Team National

Angela Loehr Chrysler

What is the name of your company, and how did you become involved with this company?

My company is Team National. My dad is the founder of the company. I started in 2000, helping him with some research.

What did you do before you got involved with your company?

I was in Medical Sales and was briefly involved with a direct selling company…right industry, bad company. They are no longer in business due to improper activities. It was a great learning experience.

What do you love about your company?

I love the people and the opportunity for us to help them change their lives, along with the lives of others around them.

What makes your salesforce amazing?

Great attitudes, fun people, entrepreneur spirit and the desire to help others grow and live their dreams.

Ethics is an integral part of DSA membership. How do you ensure your company maintains the highest level of ethics?

Ethics and integrity are important to us, therefore it begins with us. We believe we need to lead by example. We need to communicate and model ethical behavior. One of our leaders often says, “Our actions must speak so loud people don’t need to hear what we are saying.”

Social good is another essential element of direct sales. What kind of social good campaigns does your company participate in or run?

We feel we need to share the blessings we have been given. We support local and national charities. We donate product and marketing tools to regional events to raise money for our Charities of Choice. We encourage giving back amongst our staff. We also get involved in local events such as the Boys & Girls Clubs of Broward County, where we collected toys for kids. We walk with our staff in the Broward Humane Society walk for animals. We attend and sponsor a variety of charity events throughout the year.

Your company has been a Direct Selling Education Foundation supporter. Why do you think the DSEF is important?

DSEF helps us share the positive information about our industry. There are so many good things DSA companies are part of that we are thrilled to help DSEF tell the good stories and educate others about DSA as a whole. We are passionate about DSA and the opportunities with so many great companies and products. Therefore DSEF is a natural choice to help educate and communicate information about our industry that allows us the opportunity to help so many.

Thank you, Angela, for sharing your thoughts with us. We are grateful for the support of companies like Team National, that help us to spread the message of ethics, entrepreneurship and integrity around the world. We appreciate you!

Free resource for you

Download our free e-book “Business Owner’s Road Map to Success.” It has over 50 pages of techniques for everything a small business owner needs to master, from business planning and ethical selling to a success mindset. It’s all there and it’s free for you. To get it, just “Like” our Facebook Page here: http://on.fb.me/KsIN6P Pass it on!

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DSEF & CBBB – Go On, Trust Me: Why We Trust Some People But Not Others

By Holly Doering

Ever think about why you trust some folks and not others? Author and psychologist Michael Lovas once conducted an experiment using body language. He stood at one end of the airport and walked toward someone at the other end, copying their gait, head position, and hand gestures. Almost always, the other person nodded, smiled, or otherwise acknowledged — even kids who looked like gangbangers.

I can remember a customer review on www.bbb.org that mentioned the author was initially inclined to trust a certain business because of the store cat, a well-fed, rescued animal. But the customer ended up unhappy. I don’t know who is wrong, right or misunderstood in that situation, but I do know this: If you want to “start with trust” when you research a company, it’s great if they’re kind to animals, a family-owned, multigenerational minority business, donate to charity, or in some other way seem similar to you. But!

The real substance is their track record. When you check out a company at www.bbb.org, you’re starting to build a picture of its past actions in the marketplace. Are they properly licensed? Do they generate a pattern or volume of complaints? How do they handle complaints? Remember that scam artists love to prey on your sympathies by telling you they, too, are Christian, policemen, disabled, teachers or something else that seems trustworthy.

A recent study at the Kellogg School of Management found that using subliminal clues, like the name of a good friend, could stimulate feelings of trust for a stranger without people realizing it. Con men, the professor says, commonly drop names to stimulate trust. So investigate before you invest: A gut feeling is fine, but trust ideally is earned.

Previously published in the Spokane Spokesman-Review.

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

Free e-book “Business Owner’s Road Map to Success.” It has over 50 pages of techniques for everything a small business owner needs to master, from business planning and ethical selling to a success mindset. It’s all there and it’s free for you. To get it, just “Like” our Facebook Page here: http://on.fb.me/KsIN6P Pass it on!

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. Visitwww.bbb.org/us for more information.

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Executive Spotlight: Joan Hartel Cabral, Vantel Pearls

Today we’re thrilled to continue this series with Joan Hartel Cabral, the Founder and President of Vantel Pearls, a company that features parties where oysters are opened and guests purchase jewelry made with the pearls inside. Vantel Pearls has been a big supporter of the DSEF for many years, and we’re thrilled to have Joan Hartel Cabral share her thoughts with you today. Enjoy!

Executive Spotlight: Joan Hartel Cabral, Vantel Pearls

Joan Hartel Cabral

What did you do before you got involved with your company?

I lived in Spain for 3 years. I moved there for the adventure, to learn Spanish and to enjoy the lifestyle. It was in Spain that I started my first business. I opened an Aerobics Studio in Denia, along the coast. My students found it very funny when I said “toque sus hombres” touch your men, instead of “toque sus hombros” touch your shoulders. I instantly loved running my own business and inspiring others to believe they could positively impact their own lives. After only 3 months, the Town Government endorsed my business and offered me a rent-free gymnasium.

What do you love about your company?

I love that our Vantel Pearls’ oysters are a metaphor for Life. Inside every oyster, there is at least one pearl. A pearl is formed when an oyster defends against a grain of sand or foreign particle. The oyster secretes layers and layers of nacre or mother-of-pearl around the irritant. When we have a challenge, how many of us, as oysters do, find the gift in it-actually turn it into something positive? We can learn to embrace transformational opportunities. The pearl is a creation of beauty from adversity. How fabulous is that?!

What makes your salesforce amazing?

Our Sales Team is truly amazing in the way they see all things are possible. They strive for excellence. They give back generously. They express gratitude to Vantel Pearls because they have learned that their beliefs and attitudes directly influence their choices and actions. They are connected to each other and support each other. They transform the lives of others knowing pearls make a woman feel beautiful on the inside. They are empowered women who are inspired to live authentic, joyous and abundant lives.

How do you ensure your company maintains the highest level of ethics?

Ethics is an integral part of the Vantel Pearls culture. We adhere to principles of integrity, our 8 Treasured Gems, which are incorporated into our meetings, our catalog, our manner of doing business.

Our Sales Team is held to high standards. In the event that an individual is outside the guidelines of our standards, their Agreement is terminated. We keep things very simple.

Our general objective is to grow organically and from that we build enduring loyalty.

What kind of social good campaigns does your company participate in or run?

Vantel Pearls offers early intervention education to children in schools and YMCA programs. When we present an unopened oyster and discuss how “ugly” the outer shell is and then open the oyster and discover the ‘beautiful’ pearl, with a specific format, the children open up about the name calling, harassment, and intimidation that occurs when teachers are not present. We have a full discussion without ever using the “bullying” word! We transform the conversation into believing in your gifts, non-judgment of others and a whole lot more! It’s the most amazing program providing self-esteem awareness. We plan to expand on this program and change the world!

Why do you think the DSEF is important?

We have been an active supporter of the DSEF for several years. The DSEF significantly promotes and educates the public about direct selling. I believe that our business model of direct selling can allow others to have a richer, more meaningful life. I believe direct selling empowers individuals to set their own goals, choose their own working hours, have financial independence and fulfill their own dreams. College debt is rising and personal debt is increasing. We have a growing crisis. Rather than encourage widespread borrowing, let’s promote a simple entrepreneurial plan that offers financial security and confidence. The insurmountable debt of our society needs attention and direct selling is an answer.

Thank you, Joan, for sharing your inspiring story with us. We are grateful for the support of companies like Vantel Pearls, that help us to spread the message of ethics, entrepreneurship and integrity around the world. We appreciate you!

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DSEF & CBBB: Save Money Through Energy Efficient Products…by Double Checking the Claims

Save Money Through Energy Efficient Products…by Double Checking the Claims

By Jason McGlone

Gas and electric costs are rising, and they’re not showing any signs of slowing down. This has many consumers looking for a way to save. Numerous home improvement businesses promise increased efficiency and ultimately huge savings on your energy bills for anything from doors to furnaces to windows. Thing is, the savings they advertise isn’t usually the amount that you or most others will come close to saving.

In fact, the Federal Trade Commission recently settled with several replacement window businesses over ads claiming more savings than they could deliver. For the record, the ads claimed anywhere from a 35%-50% savings. The FTC found that the window companies couldn’t show this kind of savings—the ultimate result of this were significant fines, as well as being prohibited from making similar claims in future advertisements.

BBB urges consumers to exercise caution when shopping for home improvement products and services. Specifically, if a business is claiming energy bill savings, it’s a very good idea to examine how much they’re claiming and to think about whether or not that amount is feasible. Can you expect to save some cash if you’re getting new windows or a new furnace? Sure. How much? Putting an exact figure on it can be difficult to nail down.

There can be many aspects involved in ensuring your home is energy efficient. Are your doors drafty? How old is your furnace? Moreover, what kind of heating and cooling system do you have? Do you keep electronic items plugged in? This is by no means an exhaustive list, but the point remains: no single upgrade will save you “half” on your energy bills.

So, when you’re in the market for any home improvement upgrade, it’s worth paying attention to energy efficient products—they can save you money. But when you see claims that seem too good to be true, it’s time to start asking questions.

For more information on energy efficiency labels, visitwww.bbb.org/blog/2012/04/energy-efficient-windows-are-clearly-better-but-how-do-you-compare.

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DSEF & CBBB: 7 Ways That Consumers are Wasting Money

7 Ways That Consumers are Wasting Money

By Ryan Gillis

Wasting money doesn’t actually mean you are bad with money, it just means that like millions of other Americans, you spend too much money on things that can be easily made less expensive, reports MSN.com. MSN outlines the 7 most common budgetary mistakes:

1. Investing in expensive mutual funds

Mutual funds that charge high fees take large percentages of your returns, so it would be wise to look for mutual funds that charge a low fee rates annually. Any mutual fund that charges less than 0.5% in fees annually is a good number to look for.

2. Ignoring your credit score

A low credit score means less money in your pocket. In many cases, the lower your credit score the more money you will pay on interest rates, and other expenses such as auto insurance premiums. A low credit score can even effect whether or not you get job as some employers take credit score into consideration when hiring.

3. Failing to lower your rates

Many consumers just accept the interest rates that are paying when in reality if they only asked for a lower rate, especially on credit cards, it may actually be effective. In the case of mortgages, car loans and student loans refinancing is the best option for lowering rates.

4. Overpaying for car insurance

Reducing car insurance premiums is not very difficult with a little bit of effort. Auto insurance companies offer a lot discounts, and comparing rates of insurance companies online takes just a few minutes.

5. Buying brand name products

Once consumers get past all of the slogans and fancy commercials, the product that brand name companies put is basically the exact same same as off brand ones. Off brand labels can also save the company a great deal of money, and offer similar quality.

6. Buying too much life insurance

The key to buying life insurance is to only buy the coverage you need at the cheapest price. For this reason term life insurance insurance is more popular than a whole life policy. As lifestyle conditions change, it , may helpful to alter your coverage or even eliminate it all together.

7. Failing to take the company 401k match

Many companies have programs in place where they will match employees 401k contributions to a certain extent. In order to take full advantage of these contributions, it is necessary that the employee contribute a certain amount. By not taking advantage of these programs, employees lose out on free money.

For more information, visit http://finances.msn.com/saving-money-tips/6930544.

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DSEF & CBBB: Warning! Stay Away from Work-At-Home Scams

Warning! Stay Away from Work-At-Home Scams – Search Profit System & Money Mastery

By America Monge

The BBB cautions consumers to be wary of work at home scams and their too good to be true deals, according to Puget Sound Business Journal.

Two companies in question, Search Profit System and Money Mastery are bad news. Money Mastery promises to pay customers $186 a day, working from home. The other company, Search Profit System claims you can make money using search engines like Google, Yahoo, MSN and Bing. What really happens is that once you sign up, consumers are charged almost $50 in monthly membership fees and canceling the service is very difficult.

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DSEF & CBBB: Nickeled and Dimed – Six Things That Used to Be Free

Nickeled and Dimed – Six Things That Used to Be Free

By Katherine Hutt

“Our free society is turning into a fee society,” says Bankrate.com, a website that (still) offers free rate information to consumers. “Many services and goods that were once freebies now cost money.”

On its blog, the online financial newsletter notes that lots of things – like free checking, hotel pillow chocolates, and free online news – are disappearing from the marketplace. Penn State marketing professor Fred Hurvitz chalks it up to creative price increases. “You can up your basic price and include all of the service as if it’s free,” he notes, “Or you can try to keep the base prices as low as possible — and charge separately for extras.”

No-cost banking is rare, according to Bankrate’s 2011 Checking Account Survey. Even noninterest checking accounts usually are not free, and average account maintenance fees are $4.37 a month, compared to $2.49 just a year earlier. And the average fee for a noncustomer to use a bank’s ATM? A whooping $2.40.

Other small fees that hit hard:

• Most pizza chains are now charging $2-3 for delivery (and, yes, you still need to tip the driver)
• Service station often charge to us the air pumps (which means you are paying for air)
• Snacks, headphones and blankets on airplanes now cost you…even seat selection can come with a fee

For the full story, go to Bankrate.com http://www.bankrate.com/finance/personal-finance/freebies-now-you-pay-for.aspx

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DSEF & CBBB: Decode Fake Customers’ Reviews Online

Today’s highlighted blog post from the Council on Better Business Bureaus (CBBB):

Decode Fake Customers’ Reviews Online

By Caitlin Vancas

Consumers researching businesses, products and services may find more than just reliable reviews on the web. Recent research by Cornell University indicates that some feedback is actually planted. Prior to purchasing, don’t be persuaded by phony praise. When searching for real reviews, testimonials and posts, consider the following:

Who?

Ideally, reviews will come from actual customers. However, some companies hire writers to place positive reviews on themselves; while others employ staff to post negative, damaging comments on competitors. Search reviewers’ names online. See what other companies they are writing about. If it is limited to one industry only, it is possible that responses are rigged. Be suspicious if customers’ names resemble company officials or brands. In some cases, authors can be verifiably tied to companies they are complimenting. The FTC’s Endorsement and Testimonial Guide requires transparency and disclosure. Be doubtful of overly complex or simple screen names, such as “johnsmith123.”

What?

Take a good look at wording and tone. If it is filled with marketing messages, scripted taglines or product plugs, it is most likely from company representatives. Don’t trust overly subjective compliments and puffery, such as “life-changing” and beware of false allegations, insults and disparaging attacks from competitors. Look out for identical phrases or similar verbiage from different users. Cut and paste suspicious sentences into search engines to see what is on other sites.

When?

If similar messages and posts were placed around the same month, week or day, allegedly by different reviewers, it is likely a “paid” effort.

Where?

Beware if all comments are limited to companies’ blogs or testimonial pages. Don’t just read reviews from one site. Consider numerous sources and always check BBB Business Reviews on www.bbb.org.

Why?

Business leaders know that consumers rely on online reviews so it may be tempting to mimic favorable feedback. Read “customer” comments with skepticism.

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DSEF & CBBB: To Pin or Not to Pin: Four Ways to Boost Your Social Media Presence

Today’s highlighted blog post from the Council on Better Business Bureaus (CBBB):

To Pin or Not to Pin: Four Ways to Boost Your Social Media Presence

By Lance Trebesch

Pinterest is one of the fastest growing social media sites. What’s so great about it? It can help promote your business and services for free. Unlike other social networks, Pinterest has a reputation for sincerity. Sarcasm, irony, and disdain are largely absent from the collections of images that users think are wonderful. Here’s the lowdown on what Pinterest can do.

Follow the Leader
Pinterest lets you follow people, and allows them to follow you back, but instead of following verbal status updates, Pinterest follows images you find interesting.

You can pin images or items onto boards—anything from nail polish colors to pizza to blog articles—to form collections with common themes. If you want input, just change the board setting to allow others to contribute.

Pin Us Together
Not only does Pinterest tell you exactly how to add a “Follow” button on your website (so people can follow you on Pinterest), they also make it very simple to add a “Pin it” button as well. This means Pinterest users can Pin your work to their boards, translating to free exposure.

If you have items for sale, add a price tag to an image and Pin it to your board. It’s like a free online catalog.

4 Ways to Promote with Pinterest

· Diversify your Pins: The more diverse your pins are, the more viewers you attract, opening up the demographics beyond your business’s current parameters.

· Combine Business & Personal: Don’t just Pin images directly related to your business: you’ll limit the range of users you can reach. Do Pin images and items that appeal to you. Pinterest interviewed one small business owner who connected to others with similar interests by sharing pins, enabling her to launch the business of her dreams.

· Pin Often: The Internet provides an endless source of images, so you can keep pinning. Pinterest had 103 million hits in February 2012 alone, which means you’ll have the opportunity to connect with a high number of users.

· Repin Even More Often: Repinning is a quick and easy way to affirm others’ interests and connect them to your own. Repin images from within the Pinterest site to actively engage with others, and watch your following increase.

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DSEF & CBBB: Watch Out for Common Tax Scams

DSEF & CBBB: Watch Out for Common Tax Scams

Today’s highlighted blog post from the Council on Better Business Bureaus (CBBB):

Watch Out for Common Tax Scams

By Holly Doering

When I moved to Washington State from Idaho, I spent some time at the public library searching for state income tax forms. There weren’t any. Another patron told me that Washington State doesn’t have an income tax. I didn’t believe it at first, but it turned out to be true.

A friend of mine at the time told me his parents didn’t pay federal income tax, because the IRS was actually illegal according to the U.S. Constitution, and would be out of business soon. This turned out not to be true, and his parents are in big trouble. The “frivolous argument” is actually one of the IRS’s listed “Dirty Dozen Tax Scams” to watch out for. You can learn more about it, and other scams, at the IRS newsroom.

According to IRS Commissioner Doug Shulman, “Tax scams…may look tempting, but these fraudulent deals end up hurting people who participate in them.” The IRS and the Justice Department work together to shut down these illegal operations. Taxpayers who knowingly or unwittingly get involved must repay all taxes due plus interest and penalties.

Around tax time, thousands of emails, faxes, and phone calls begin circulating, claiming to be from the IRS. Know that the official IRS website ends in “.gov” for government only. Any IRS web address that does not begin with http://www.irs.govshould be forwarded to phishing@irs.gov. Also, if you believe your personal information has been stolen and used for tax purposes, you should immediately contact the IRS at 800-908-4490.

Something else to consider: While most tax return preparers are professionals who provide honest and excellent services to their clients, according to the IRS, some “make basic errors or engage in fraud and other illegal activities.” You can always Start with Trust by checking out a company’s track record at www.bbb.org.

To learn more about the Dirty Dozen Tax Scams of 2011, please click HERE.