We are calling on all of our members and other security professionals to contact their U.S. House representatives and urge him or her to support H.R. 5141, the Small Business Paperwork Mandate Elimination Act.

The bill would repeal Section 9006 of the health care bill which requires data collection and information filing on virtually all business-to-business transactions of $600 or more.

This onerous requirement will add mountains of paperwork for small businesses and start ups, and may make it harder for them to conduct vital day-to-day business functions. In a time of great economic turmoil, small businesses do not need any additional hardship placed on them by the federal government.

TIME IS OF THE ESSENCE.

We have provided a letter and you can find contact information for your representative by visiting http://www.house.gov/ and entering your residence zip code in the space provided.

Please fill out this letter and either fax or email it to John Chwat so that he can hand-deliver it. John’s fax number is (703) 684-7594 and his email address is gov.info@alarm.org.

……….

US Chamber of Commerce Sends Letter to Hill

ESA has been working closing with the US Chamber of Commerce in its effort to repeal Section 9006. This week a letter, in which ESA was listed as a supporting member, was sent by the US Chamber to Congressional members urging their support in repealing the section.  Read the Letter.

We need the voice of every small and large electronic security dealer, manufacturer, central station owner and their vendors to support ESA’s effort in repealing this mandate.

If only everything in life were this simple. With Bank of America’s WorldPoints rewards program, you earn one point for every dollar in net retail purchases you make using the credit card without complications or hassles. Then, easily redeem your points online or by phone.

Enjoy the flexibility of one of the industry’s most robust rewards programs. Use your points to get cash back for travel on any major U.S. airline with no blackout dates, brand-name merchandise, and gift cards or unique experiential rewards.

Make life easy and earn points faster. Set up your monthly bills to charge to your WorldPoints credit card and use your credit card to pay for everyday purchases. Let your MyConcierge do the work for you. Shop online through the WorldPoints Mall. For more information about the rates, fees, other costs and benefits of this credit card program, call (866) 438-6262.

Are you taking advantage of these cost savings?  ESA provides you with money-saving opportunities as part of your membership. Go to the Web site often and check out the coupon savings and our member discount programs. If you’re not using these companies, you might be leaving money on the table.

Members, get your discount codes here.

Apply Now here:

https://wwwa.applyonlinenow.com/USCCapp/Ctl/entry?directMail=true&sc=VAAETP

Coming October 25-26, 2010,this YSP-exclusive, two-day executive forum will be an invaluable networking and educational event for professionals between 25 and 45 who are managers or above in a company that provides installation, repair and/or monitoring of intrusion alarms, fire alarms, or other electronic security systems.

Interactive sessions will be led by subject matter experts to discuss relevant topics such as:

Day One

• How to Raise $$ – Debt and Equity
• Maximize RMR through your current customer base
• Sales & Marketing in Hostile Emerging Markets

Day Two (Choice of two different tracks available)

1. YSP Family Business Seminar – designed for family-owned businesses specifically in the electronic life safety and security industry.

• Leverage the strengths of family business management.
• Implement practices that drive high performance, shareholder loyalty, and promote healthy family relationships.

OR

2. Non-family Owned Business Seminar

• Increasing RMR- Recurring models for video surveillance
• How to Hire IT Technicians
• Has the conventional “hard wired system” been replaced by the “wireless system”?

Venue: The Pyramid Club
(1735 Market Street, Philadelphia, PA 19103-7596)
Registration Cost: $199 (all meals/breaks included)

Accommodations: The Sofitel
(120 South 17th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19103)
Special group rate $169/night.

For more information contact, Jaclyn Sion, ESA Business Development Specialist, at (888) 447-1689 Ext. 213, email JaclynS@alarm.org

This event is open to ESA Regular Members only.  To become a member, please contact Patricia Allen. ESA Associate Members interested in sponsorship, please contact Jaclyn Sion.

Have you ever called a company only to hang up in frustration because, instead of getting to talk to someone, you’re subjected to minutes of irritating beeps, radio station static, or even worse – DEAD SILENCE?

The solution – custom on-hold marketing messages! Think about it. Your customers have already contacted you, and they are looking to do business. Cross-marketing services or products just makes a lot of sense and is highly effective in an on-hold environment. Best of all, you have their undivided attention. A custom on-hold program allows you to inform customers and prospects about newer technologies like wireless and cellular alarms, remote surveillance access via the internet, or cross promote add-on services like home automation, audio/video services, service maintenance contracts and much more. What about promoting your social media marketing by encouraging callers to join your Facebook page, follow your tweets or stay informed through your blog? While you have callers on hold, even for just a short period of time, it’s a perfect opportunity to connect with them in a way that may never happen again.

If you don’t have an on-hold messaging program set up for your business, contact us at 866-88-ON-HOLD or visit www.onholdinc.com to discuss how you can get started. It’s easy, affordable and can improve sales – today! You can also sign up for a 100 percent risk-free trial offer, and we’ll let you hear what your business can sound like with no obligation. Be sure to mention that you are an ESA member to receive a 20 percent discount for the on-hold service.

Are you taking advantage of these cost savings?  ESA provides you with money-saving opportunities as part of your membership. Go to the Web site often and check out the coupon savings and our member discount programs. If you’re not using these companies, you might be leaving money on the table.

Members, get your discount codes here.

The June 16 – July 15 State Legislative Report, researched and compiled by the ESA Government Relations department, is now available online. The report is located in the Members section under Government Relations at www.ESAweb.org. To access the report you will be required to log in using your member user login and password.

The report contains subject highlights of bills followed for the period of June 16 – July 15, 2010. Included in this state legislative report are the following key issues being monitored:

• 19 bills relating to Alarms
• 15 bills relating to Fire Sprinklers
• 11 bills relating to Automatic Contract Renewal
• 5 bills relating to CCTV
• 24 bills relating to Licensing
• 5 bills relating to Taxes

Questions or concerns regarding the information contained within the report should be directed to our Director of Government Relations, John Chwat at Gov.Info@alarm.org.

We ask that the information enclosed be treated as a member benefit and shared only within your organization.

Discover the benefits and value our associate members have to offer you and your business.

We asked one of our associate members, COPS Monitoring, some questions about how their services could benefit ESA members.  Here’s what they had to say.

Question: What are some of the benefits that our members will gain from purchasing your products and/or using your services?

Answer: COPS Monitoring is the largest independently-owned wholesale monitoring company in the United States with three load-sharing sites, and we have been serving Dealers for over 32 years.  This is important for three reasons:

As we grow, so does our ability to serve our Dealers.  Our large Dealer and Customer base requires us to develop, maintain, and improve upon robust and industry-leading products, services, and online tools that satisfy a wide array of Dealer needs and preferences.  We have the unique ability to provide large company benefits while maintaining our “hometown” level of personal service.

Our three load-sharing centers give us the unparalleled ability to provide fast, efficient, and professional monitoring, even under the worst conditions.  Having multiple centers not only gives our Dealers backup in the event of unlikely equipment failures, it also means that we can staff any one of our centrals in the ‘more likely’ event that local conditions prevent dispatchers from getting to work.

When we say “serving Dealers for over 32 years”, it means that’s all we do.  We do not own accounts, nor do we compete with our Dealers’ business.  100% of our success is dependent on our Dealers’ success.  This is a dynamic that compels us to provide the best products and services to help our Dealers prosper.

Question: What do you want our members to know about your employees?

Answer: From a professional standpoint, we feel it is important to note that our recruiting, hiring, and training programs are all designed with the assistance of an Industrial Psychologist to ensure that we attract and maintain the very best employees to serve our Dealers.  From a personal standpoint, we feel that it’s important that our “hometown” culture permeates every level of our employees.  We spend a great deal of time (and other resources) on programs that help make employment at COPS Monitoring more than “just a job”.

Question: What does your best target prospect look like?

Answer: Because we service such a wide array of Dealers, it’s tough to say what our “best” target prospect looks like.  We value, appreciate, and monitor for new Dealers that are just starting in the industry to some of the industry’s largest Alarm Dealers.  While they both have diverse needs, they both bring a unique perspective on how to make our business better.  In fact, that’s what is so exciting about placing our entire focus on helping Dealers be more successful – it drives us to be the best at what we do!  Any Dealer that realizes the benefit of contracting the challenging and demanding job of monitoring Customers 24/7/365 so they can focus on what they do best will benefit from being a COPS Dealer.

For more information on the serivces and products offered by COPS Monitoring, visit www.copsmonitoring.com or call (800) 367-2677.

ESA members can take advantage of special discounts available through the ESA/Hertz Member Savings program. Members are eligible to receive yearly discounts of up to $15 off a weekly rental, $20 off a weekend rental or 2 free days of NeverLost.

In addition to yearly discounts, ESA members can also enjoy promotional offers from Hertz . Current promotions include:

• Save $5 per day, up to $35 off a weekly/weekend rental at the airport and in yoru neighborhood.

Save up to $35 on a weekly or weekend rental at airport and off airport locations when using the member only promotion code in your reservation of an economy or higher class car. Offer valid on rentals booked now through August 15, 2010 for pickup through September 30, 2010.

• Save $5 a day on minimum 3 day NeverLost Rentals.

Find your way with NeverLost, the GPS In-Car Navigation System from Hertz, powered by Magellan. NeverLost gives turn-by-turn directions with both voice and visual cues. It recalculates routes, helps to select best routes, offers Intelligent Transportation for faster access to thousands of pre-programmed locations and more. Now through Septemer 30, 2010, when renting NeverLost for 3 or more days, you can save $5 a day when the member discount code is included in your reservation.

Hertz promotional codes may not be combined. Only one promotional code may be used per rental. Members must enter both the promotional code number and the number found on their Hertz Discount Savings Card to receive offers. ESA members only discount codes and the Hertz Discount Savings Card can be found here. To make a reservation, call (800) 654-2210, or visit www.hertz.com.

Are you taking advantage of these cost savings?  ESA provides you with money-saving opportunities as part of your membership. Go to the Web site often and check out the coupon savings and our member discount programs. If you’re not using these companies, you might be leaving money on the table.

Members, get your discount codes here.

Micro Key Solutions is celebrating its 25th anniversary by giving gym memberships to all employees willing to make a commitment to go to the gym at least twelve times a month. In addition, a “Biggest Loser” contest will see who can lose the most body fat over a six-month period. Wayne Torrens, company president, in announcing the contest pointed out “that healthier employees use fewer sick days, are generally happier and are more productive. This contest has created an enthusiasm in the office that is electric!”

Nearly 70 percent of Micro Key’s employees signed up to determine who could get in shape and lose the most body fat. Micro Key Solutions 2010 “Biggest Loser Winner” Competition began on June 1. The final weigh-in to determine the winner will be held on November 30, 2010.

“This is not a quick fix,” stated business development manager Victoria Ferro. “We are encouraging our employees to be healthy for life and hope that this contest will be a great start.” In an effort to ensure that this program isn’t a quick fix, each contestant is being given full access to Gold’s gym, three free orientations with a personal trainer, fitness classes, as well as access to a cardio cinema, saunas and a basketball court. Contestants are required to take full advantage of the gym and its facilities, or lose their privileges. Also, after the six-month long competition, all contestants must go to the gym at least eight days a month to maintain the remainder of their one-year company paid gym membership. As an added incentive to losing the highest percentage of body fat, the winner will receive a prize of their choice, valued at $500. “The way we see it, everyone participating will be a winner! There is a lot of excitement surrounding this contest, and it has done a lot to motivate our employees to think and become healthier,” added Victoria. This program is just another example of Micro Key’s innovative efforts and dedication to their employees as well as their customers.