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George Washington's Secret Six by Brian Kilmeade and Don Yaeger, Sentinel - Amazon.com for: $12.97

Kilmeade and Yaeger detail the existence and members of the Culper Spy Ring — a New York City-based spy network that worked for the Continental Army. Officially formed two years following Washington's 1776 retreat from New York, the Culper Spy Ring was organized by Maj. (later Col.) Benjamin Tallmadge as a means of gaining intelligence on the British-controlled city.

Six Lessons I Learned at West Point

by Don Yaeger, November 18th, 2014

Last month, I had the opportunity of a lifetime that was easily among the most incredible two days in my career as a speaker.

I was invited as a guest presenter at West Point, arguably the Greatest leadership academy in the world, to speak about leadership with the cadets–all of whom will be commissioned as Second Lieutenants in the United States Army and one day lead men and women in the protection of our country. During my visit, I observed many lessons in Greatness that I promise will have a tremendous impact on my life. I wanted to share with you a collection of these lessons in a two-part blog series on my experiences.

While on campus, I learned:

In order to lead others, you must lead yourself first. Everyone who has ambitions to be a leader desires to have a large following. But at West Point, your first responsibility is to lead yourself. As a freshman (also known as a plebe), that is your only leadership responsibility – self. When you become a sophomore (yearling), you are challenged to lead one other person as their mentor. Third-year students (cows) have the opportunity to lead anywhere from nine to 120 other cadets. Finally, during their last year at West Point, seniors (firsties) could be selected to lead the entire 4,400 member cadet corps. But before any of that can happen, you must prove that you can lead yourself!                                                                                                       

When your mission is boldly and abundantly clear, you can expect Great things from everyone. Life at West Point is very challenging, but every cadet knows what they are signing up for before they get there. The goal of the academy is grand, but because the mission is very clear, cadets arrive there prepared to do big things. Everyone knows what to expect and, as a result, the cadets are ready to work together to accomplish Great goals.


The power of good recruiting. Without question, succeeding at the West Point is not easy. However, the academy has a very low dropout rate. This is a result of Great and honest recruiting efforts. West Point recruiters are not busy trying to sell someone on coming to the academy, but instead they carefully and deliberately seek out students that align with their vision from the beginning. The lesson is clear: If you recruit well on the front end, you’ll have fewer issues with attrition and turnover.


They teach around real people. I had a chance to sit in on several classes and watch professors teach the cadets. The professors brought their lessons to life by teaching around the military experiences that they’d experienced while in the line of duty, as they were in the field and leading. I admired how this touch of realism made every lesson more dynamic to the cadets, and I realized that this kind of teaching is rarely used in other settings. Pull from your own experiences—successes and failures alike—as you help shape future leaders.


They believe that every cadet is an athlete. Whether cadets are participating on a varsity team, playing intramural sports, or competing in running events (i.e. marathons or triathlons), athletic participation is expected—and for a good reason. The administration at West Point believes that the opportunity to participate in sports allows cadets to bring out the best of their competitive sides. This also helps cadets to discipline their aggressive pursuit of goals to maximum efficiency. The academy wants those skills to be practiced actively by every cadet.

The importance of precision and teamwork. During my stay, I had a chance to have lunch in the cadet mess hall. Incredibly, all 4,400 cadets are served their meals in twelve minutes. It was a feat to behold and was the definition of meticulousness and clockwork! I was consistently fascinated with how the academy implemented discipline in such an everyday occurrence. This serves as a daily reminder to cadets that precision and teamwork is highly important to any Great mission—a lesson we can all learn.
My trip to West Point was monumental.

Have you ever had the opportunity to observe extraordinary lessons of discipline, teamwork, and leadership? Please share with me your experiences.

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Is Social Media a Waste of Sales Time?

by Sam Richter

THE SOCIAL MEDIA VS. SALES TEST

I just finished a two-week business to business social media vs. sales experiment with some interesting results. For Week 1, I tracked the amount of time I spent writing, posting, reading, interacting, re-tweeting, commenting, providing insight and ideas etc. on various social media sites. I answered questions on blogs, forums, and in groups and I shared articles and provided value to others identified as being in my buying target audience. I did much of what the social media “experts” say needs to be done to be a successful 21st Century salesperson.

For Week 2, I pretty much stayed away from Facebook* and spent just a few minutes posting on LinkedIn and Twitter. Instead, I used the same amount of Week 1 social media time making phone calls and connecting with key prospects. For each call, I practiced “sales intelligence” and researched each prospect — both the person and his or her company. My calls were very personal, and my “pitch” was highly relevant to what I knew the other person cared about.

THE RESULTS:

Week 1I generated a great deal of interest and strengthened my brand. In fact, one of the articles I wrote received more than 125,000 reads and 150 positive comments. All of this work generated a few semi-qualified leads, but it led to zero sales, and zero dollars in my bank account. It did, however, strengthen my position as an industry “Thought Leader.”

Week 2
I made close to 30 phone calls, leaving voice mails for most, and speaking directly to eight prospects. Following the initial call round, I spoke with/emailed an additional five prospects who had returned my earlier calls. This led to closing three new pieces of business, one of which could end up being the largest contract I’ve ever signed. All of this work did nothing to enhance my expertise or market position. It did, however, add some nice dollars to my bank account and strengthened my position as an industry “Profit Leader.”

THE CONCLUSION:

Was this a scientifically valid test?
Of course not. Maybe the closed deals were pure luck, timing, or coincidence. Plus, to accurately judge if leveraging social media will improve sales is a test that should be done over a period of months, not two weeks.

Should you conclude that social media, developing a strong personal brand, and positioning oneself as a topic expert and industry thought leader is a waste of time?
That would be silly. A personal brand is exceptionally important in today’s world where buyers have “Buyers Intelligence.” Buyers know how to use Google. They know how to search for information on you, your experience, and what others think of you and it’s important to have a strong and credible online presence. The social media work done in Week 1 (done consistently, over time) to genuinely engage prospects, answer questions, and provide value will almost certainly generate future opportunities and new leads. Social media should be part of a long-term overall branding and marketing strategy.

Yet at the same time, you also can’t argue with the results of this two-week test: 

– Social Media Efforts = 0
– Daily Sales Efforts = $

We all only have so much working time. To practice social media by yourself in the way most experts recommend would mean devoting at least an hour per day, five days per week. In that same amount of time, it’s reasonable that you could make six sales calls; one conversation, one “call me back later,” and four voice mails. During a year, that would mean an additional 1,400 or so calls.

I know with 100% certainty that if I made 1,400 sales calls to highly qualified prospects where I have researched the prospect and am relevant to their needs, that I will close deals. How many? For me, I would feel very comfortable saying that 1,400 calls would equal at least 50 new clients, and probably closer to 100. Spending the same amount of time on social media — doing it better than 99% of the people on the planet — would probably generate four to ten new pieces of business.

So what is the answer?

Can you use social media to educate, engage, and interact with prospects and even clients? Absolutely! Yet is that a sales strategy, or is it a marketing strategy? Can that activity be delegated to someone else on your team, delegated to the marketing department, or even outsourced? As a salesperson, is your time better spent on LinkedIn Groups and Tweeting articles or is it better spent on the phone or in person with a prospect or client, where you’re engaging in a relevant, sales intelligence-based conversation?

Yes…as a B2B salesperson, you should spend time on social media each day. Just make sure you time box it. I might recommend 10 minutes per day. Then delegate or outsource the rest. If you don’t have the resources to delegate or outsource, then time box the thought-intensive social media activity to the weekend. Maybe spend an hour or two per week updating your profiles, writing, publishing and/or sharing valuable content, and using a tool like Hootsuite to schedule your posts.

Social media is NEVER a replacement for sales and relationship building. Devoting time to connecting with prospects and clients is imperative. Practice sales intelligence and learn what is going on with your prospects and clients. Then block out at least one hour or more, each day, to picking up the phone, or better, meeting with prospects and clients in-person so you can build authentic, genuine, and mutually-beneficial relationships that ultimately leads to more business.

The next time you logon and devote valuable time to your favorite social network, ask yourself this important question: Is this going to help me be a Thought Leader, or a Profit Leader?

*In my test, I concluded that I needed to delete the Facebook app on my iPhone. I found that it was too easy to touch that button and my allocated five minutes sometimes easily stretched to 30 or more. Honestly, I think I was addicted. So I apologize in advance to my Facebook friends and fans as you’re going to see a lot less of me “liking” and commenting on your posts and photos, and declining your Farmville requests. Clicking that “delete app” button actually feels very freeing.

Derek Jeter: A Legacy of Greatness

Written by Don Yaeger, posted in Chasing Greatness Blog

As New York Yankees shortstop Derek Jeter completes his last home game this week, the void that he’ll leave behind will be impossible to fill.

 

Jeter has embodied Greatness in his poise, leadership and hard work throughout twenty seasons in Major League Baseball, and after his final game, professional sports will have lost an icon.

Jeter’s sendoff is bittersweet. With the sporting world currently saturated with one scandal after another, Jeter is a polar opposite to what we have come to expect from professional athletes. What are the odds that an athlete can play a sport at the highest level, starting at just nineteen years old–in the Greatest media market in the world–and have such a legendary career without scandal?

We can thank his parents for that.

Though Jeter’s accolades are many, he did not earn them alone. Over the years, Jeter has consistently referred to his parents as the cornerstone of his success—a fact that has always fascinated me. In the end, it’s not about his swing or how many bases he’s stolen, but what was taught to him over the dinner table at home. Clearly, Jeter’s parents set him up for success by raising him right. They also taught him the importance of charity, a subject I had the chance to talk to Jeter about for a story that ran in SUCCESS Magazine.

As we celebrate Jeter, we must also celebrate his parents for instilling in him his leadership skills, silent strength, and class—qualities that have tremendously impacted the culture of the Yankees.

Jeter, the child of two Army veterans, learned early the value of discipline. In his youth, Jeter’s parents would make him sign contracts every year on acceptable and unacceptable forms of behavior. (He was even forbidden from using the word “can’t”!) His mother and father would also encourage a can-do, positive attitude, and would consistently school their son on the realities of life and competition. Jeter was regularly reminded that no one was ever going to let him beat them, and that he would have to work hard for whatever he desired in life.

“People look at anyone successful—I’m not just talking about myself—but they think you just wake up and you’re in the NFL or Major League Baseball or have a published book. But there’s a lot of hard work, sacrifice and failure that goes along with it,” said Jeter.

It is safe to say that Jeter has far exceeded the expectations of his parents. During his farewell season, he remains a role-model that everyone—even a Red Sox fan—can respect.

“I think a lot of people look at their role models and assume their role models are perfect,” Jeter continued. “But no one’s perfect. You have to be accountable for your actions. That’s first and foremost. You make mistakes, you learn from mistakes. You have to be honest about them. You can’t say one thing and do the complete opposite. You can learn from your mistakes; you can learn from other people’s mistakes. That’s what I’ve always tried to do.”

Tonight, as Jeter dons the pinstripes for one final time at Yankee Stadium, I am reminded that his career is more than his five World Series rings or the all-time lists he’s made. In the world of sports, he has continued to stand out by never offering excuses or giving any less than his maximum effort. Even Major League Baseball used the word “Greatness” to describe him. Though he will no longer be in uniform, the extraordinary impact and culture that Jeter has helped create in his organization will live on.

As we give a final salute to the Captain, let us not forget to celebrate his parents as well, for shaping the mind and spirit of one of the Greatest athletes of our time. How have your parents prepared you for the world? Take a moment to write me a comment. I’d love to hear your story… and theirs!

How to Breathe Life into Your Team

My Story Used from the Wall Street Journal

Written by Don Yaeger,

Editor’s Note: I thought I’d share with you a story that ran in today’s Wall Street Journal that I had a chance to experience.

How do you get some of the world’s wealthiest athletes to perform—in peak form—during their summer vacation?

This is USA Basketball’s eternal quandary. It is a challenge that only got tougher last month, when Paul George gruesomely broke his right leg during a Team USA scrimmage.

But over in Spain, where the U.S. will play for the FIBA World Cup title on Sunday, Mike Krzyzewski believes he has the answer. It is a bit sentimental, but to this point, you can’t argue with the results. He calls it “feel-it” moments: team visits to cemeteries, trips to military bases, anything to drive home the significance of representing one’s country.

“When it’s time to change the culture of a team, your players have to hear it, see it and understand what you’re trying to do,” said Krzyzewski, the coach of the U.S. national team since 2005. “But to really make change stick”—and when he describes this, he drags out the word really—“they have to feel it.

“To do that,” he said, “you have to create moments.”

Those moments have led to a run of success—the U.S. has won the last two Olympics and the most recent World Cup—and have changed the way players feel about wearing the red, white and blue, Houston Rockets guard James Harden said.

“Coach has focused on reminding us what it means to wear USA on the front of the jersey, and not just in a way that sounds like a cliché,” Harden said during a USA Basketball workout this summer. “People ask why we give up time to be part of this team, to risk maybe getting hurt. This is why we play, the kind of passion we need to have not just for basketball but for others.”

Ten years ago, USA Basketball was at an all-time low. At the 2004 Athens Olympics, the U.S. lost three games—it had lost only twice in Olympic history previously—and won bronze. Two years before that, in the 2002 World Championships, the U.S. finished sixth, its worst finish ever in international competition.

Worse, Team USA “had made people not like us,” USA Basketball executive director Jim Tooley said. “In 2002 and 2004 we just threw guys together, gave them 13 days to practice, explained a couple of rule changes for international basketball and expected it was their turn to win a gold. We didn’t show respect for other teams and what they were doing.”

Beyond hiring Krzyzewski as coach in the wake of the Athens debacle, USA Basketball also made a point of getting its players to buy into the meaning of international competition.

“We knew we had ask our players for a new level of commitment than was expected previously and we had to get them to realize we weren’t going to win international competitions doing things as we had,” said Jerry Colangelo, director of USA Basketball. “We needed them to see themselves not as basketball players but as representatives of our country, doing our service, our piece. We had to get them to feel patriotism and selfless service.”

Who better to teach those traits to some of the wealthiest athletes in the world than members of the military, Colangelo said. So the “feel it” moments began.

As part of a collaboration between USA Basketball and branches of the military, Krzyzewski’s team stopped in Korea on its way to Japan for the 2006 World Championships. The team went to two military bases and held open practices, coming into the gym wearing fatigues instead of warm-ups. They met injured soldiers who shared a consistent theme: We have no regrets because we did what we did for our country.

The relationship between team and military grew through a continuing program since dubbed Hoops for Troops. Then, on the way to the 2012 Olympics in London, the team went to Arlington National Cemetery.

“When I think about feel-it moments, I go right to that moment in 2012,” Tooley said. “After our guys laid a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, we went to Section 60, where the latest casualties are buried. The guys kept looking down and the birth dates were for soldiers younger than them.”

“That day,” Oklahoma City Thunder star Kevin Durant said this summer, “is one I’ll never forget.”

And yet, Durant wound up withdrawing from the team before the World Cup, citing fatigue—a move that highlights the difficulty of player recruitment for the U.S.

Durant’s decision came just days after George broke his tibia and fibula at the base of the basket stanchion during an intrasquad scrimmage in Las Vegas. Previously, other stars including Blake Griffin of the Los Angeles Clippers and Kevin Love, now of the Cleveland Cavaliers, also had pulled out. In 2012, Ray Allen said players ought to be paid to play in the Olympics.

“In the weeks before the 2004 Olympics, we had three players withdraw and had to make last-second substitutions, which was a problem for the team,” Colangelo said. “We’re in a better place now because we have players in a pool of talent as part of a program—a program that they get much more than a medal from—rather than as just part of a team, which is what they had before.”

The team the U.S. is left with includes several international rookies, including the Denver Nuggets’ Kenneth Faried and the Sacramento Kings’ DeMarcus Cousins. But as it plays for the World Cup championship, the team will do so with an enhanced sense of pride, Colangelo said.

“I think we’ve helped our players become better people, better players and take this culture back to the teams they play for in the NBA,” the longtime NBA owner and executive said. “You leave these ‘moments’ feeling a lot different about life, about priorities and you’re just better for having felt that way.”

Do you have a “feel-it” moment that reminds you of what’s important in your life? Leave me a comment and let’s discuss your story.

If you liked this post and want to inspire someone else with a “feel-it” moment, please consider sharing with friends and colleagues by using the share buttons below.

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Marilyn Sherman Earns her CSP

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Personal Growth Expert, Marilyn Sherman, is Honored as a Certified Speaking Professional 

San Diego, CA – July 6, 2014 – During the National Speakers Association (NSA) Convention in San Diego, the association for the professional speaking industry, NSA recognized Marilyn Sherman as a Certified Speaking Professional (CSP). It is the highest earned designation in the speaking profession.

A CSP is granted to professional speakers within the industry as a level of excellence once specific and strictly-measured criteria are met (based on a set number of engagements, list of clients, audience size, praised feedback, and dollar amount within a limited time-frame).

Sherman (local to Las Vegas, Nevada) is a Personal Power Expert encouraging her audiences and everyone around her to get a front-row seat in life. She teaches people the importance of having a positive ‘no more excuses’ mindset, which has lead to increased productivity and sales, business growth, and the improvement of internal communication. Sherman’s focus is pushing people out of their comfort zone in order to reach their goals, pursue their dreams, and become more productive and happier at work. Sherman is also an expert in managing change and has addressed issues on this topic for several Fortune 500 companies.

A past client has stated, "I have worked with many speakers over the years - none have been as creative, informative, easy to work with, clear on her message and engaging as Marilyn. I have watched her take an apathetic audience and turn them into believers - if you want a real professional to add to your meeting, conference or agenda - Marilyn is your go-to person!!”

Established in 1980 by the National Speakers Association, the CSP is earned by fewer than 10-percent of professional speakers. It is awarded to distinguish those who have conducted a high-standard of business as a Speaker, and not just a hobbyist.

In addition to speaking, Sherman has written and published three books, Whose Comfort Zone Are You In?, Why Settle for the Balcony? How to get a Front-Row Seat in Life!, and Front-Row Service. Each book is titled from a program and can be used as a continuous learning extension of her keynote.

For more information, visit Marilyn Sherman’s website at www.MarilynSherman.com or contact her Speaker Management Company, Standard Ovation at www.thestandardovation.com or Sarah Whitten at 913-498-9775.

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Today’s world doesn’t wait for stragglers! You need effective leadership to get ahead and stay ahead. But how do great leaders think? What practices fuel their success?

Discover what defines a leader who can inspire — and embrace — change, from change leadership expert Dr. Gary Bradt in his upcoming webinar. Grab your lunch and tune in as Dr. Bradt discusses the 10 Qualities of Effective Leadership next Tuesday, August 19 at 1:00pm EST. 

Use the link below to register now!

http://bit.ly/1m2PNLZ

Sam Richter Honored as a Certified Speaking Professional

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Sales Intelligence Expert and Speaker, Sam Richter, is Honored as a Certified Speaking Professional 

San Diego, CA – July 29, 2014 – During its recent annual convention, the National Speakers Association (NSA), the association for the professional speaking industry, recognized Sam Richter with its Certified Speaking Professional (CSP) designation. The CSP is the speaking profession’s international measure of professional platform competence, and it is the highest professional designation a speaker can receive. It is estimated that only the world’s top 10 percent of speakers ever receive the honor.

To earn his CSP, Richter needed to meet a very stringent set of criteria including the number of paid speaking engagements over a multi-year period, fees earned per program and in total, his client list, audience size, and professional ethics. In addition, organizations who have hired Richter were asked to complete a comprehensive survey on his performance and audience impact and to earn the CSP, the results needed to all come back ranked as “Exceptional.” Finally, Richter’s program was evaluated by current CSPs for content, style, and impact and this peer review needed to also all rank “five star.”

“It’s an incredible honor to be recognized by my, clients, fellow speakers and the industry as one of the top presenters in the world,” said Richter. “There’s nothing more exciting than being on stage and seeing the impact made in a person’s life, even during that short period of time, and then receiving follow-up notes from attendees where they share the tangible and often dramatic difference my training has had in their performance.”

Richter is considered the world's leading expert on sales intelligence — how to search for information online and use little-known techniques to identify new business opportunities, ensure relevancy, close more deals, and provide more client value. In addition, he also speaks about the power of personal branding — what others find when they search on you and how an online persona can have a dramatic positive, or negative, impact in an individual’s career.

Richter annually delivers 100 keynote presentations and workshop training programs to Fortune 500 companies, industry associations, and at sales conferences around the globe. Program attendees report using Richter’s training and techniques and experiencing almost immediate results, with some reporting millions of dollars in new business directly related to the ideas implemented following Richter’s training (see reviews at www.samrichter.com/reviews).

Now in its 11^th edition and translated into multiple languages, Richter’s book, Take the Cold Out of Cold Calling — named Sales Book of the Year — and his corresponding Know More! Video Series are now international best-sellers. To support his training, Richter’s entrepreneurial endeavors include creating the world’s largest global-edition newspaper search engine, YouGotTheNews.com (www.yougotthenews.com) and AlertMix (www.alertmix.com), considered the most comprehensive people, company, and industry new and social media monitoring tool.

Richter has been featured in thousands of television and radio programs, and national and online publications such as Forbes, Entrepreneur, CNN, Money, TED Magazine and many more. In 2011, 2012, and 2013, Richter was named by InsideView as one of the world’s “Top 25 Most Influential People in Sales.”

For more information, visit Sam Richter’s website at www.SamRichter.com or contact his Management Company, Standard Ovation at www.TheStandardOvation.com, 913-498-9774.

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The Spur Model: Know What Matters

Written by Don Yaeger, June 24th, 2014

No matter your opinion of them as a team, you have to agree that the San Antonio Spurs are a model of consistency, winning and diversity.  Each of the seven foreign-born players on their roster was an integral component to the team’s success.  One of the breakout stars for the Spurs has been backup point guard Patty Mills, who delivered an incredible performance in the fifth game of the NBA Finals against the Miami Heat.  Mills scored 17 points, including four straight 3-pointers, helping the Spurs clinch the championship...
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The Value of Being an Underdog

Inner Fire - They use adversity as fuel

by Don Yaeger

The biggest sporting event in the world: the 2014 FIFA World Cup has begun.  Twenty of the best soccer teams from across the globe will compete in the celebrated football tournament in Brazil and once again, team USA will enter the tournament as underdogs.  I’m going to admit I don’t know a lot about soccer, but I love competitions between nations, so I’ll be watching along with nearly a billion others. As far as international sports go, I have faith in the dominance of the United States national teams in almost any sport…except international men’s soccer.  Before the soccer fans out there close this newsletter in protest, though, hear me out.  The New York Times published a study this week that said most of the world’s soccer fans, when asked what team they were rooting against, named Argentina.  In most other sports, when asked that same question, worldwide fans say they are cheering against the United States.  But because soccer fans in the poll give team USA no chance of winning, they won’t even waste their time cheering against our team.  As a country, America is used to being the best (or at least believing we are the best) at just about everything.  But here you have the world’s sport…and it’s not ours.  Though team USA is not projected to go very far in the tournament, being considered an underdog could be its greatest strength. Yes, there is an advantage in being the underdog. In sports, players and teams often happily adopt the underdog role because they thrive and perform better against other’s expectations.  This kind of focus and positive reinforcement can be an essential ingredient in overcoming the competition. Truthfully, the United States is not the best in international soccer—but we don’t have to be beaten by self-defeating thoughts.  What makes the Great ones really successful is an understanding that channeling adversity can function as fuel.  In my more than twenty years as a sports writer, almost every Great winner I have interviewed has found a way to tap into the underdog role at some point in their career.  It can be an important ingredient in the mix that leads to victory—and occasionally leads to a memorable upset. Tips from the Great ones Why do we love underdogs so much?  Social scientists may have found the answer. In a 2010 article, Slate published the collective findings of the research behind sports upsets—and how 81% of the time, people have a tendency to root for the underdogs. The article also goes into detail in how, when labeled an underdog, people tend to work harder to defy expectations.  Additionally, the general public also perceives underdogs as more likeable and down to earth, with more hustle and heart. Thus, it is no surprise that most championship-level teams—and many great businesspeople—are busy telling themselves that they are trying to do something that only they see as possible.  Telling yourself that you’re an underdog when you’re really not—while at the same time having confidence—can give you a unique edge over the competition.   And it is a great strategy.  We like to root for people who are trying as hard as they can, against all odds, to do something most don’t believe is doable.  Heck, I think it starts when our parents hand us a copy of “The Little Engine That Could” as children! The Great ones know that the victory cannot always be gained by being stronger, faster, or better.  Fully embracing the underdog mindset is a hidden strength.  When adversity comes your way, look at it for the opportunity it may be providing you—to challenge yourself and to overcome expectations.  And if you fail, then the lessons that you will learn while facing the best will help you evaluate how to improve. Being an underdog doesn’t mean that you lack faith or that you don’t feel worthy to compete at the highest level.  It’s something you can take pride in by knowing that others underestimate you and—if the opposition is channeled correctly—it can motivate you to outperform your competition.  Have you ever played the underdog card?  Is there a time in your life where you defied the odds, and won a challenging victory?

Don’t Let Crooks Steal Your Tax Refund: Identity Theft Prevention Tips

by Sam Richter
May 20th, 2014

(BBT) - To itemize or not to itemize, deductions, exemptions, interest income and capital gains - you have a lot to think about when you're doing your taxes. While you're preparing your return, don't overlook a consideration that's every bit as important as whether you owe or are due a refund - tax-related identity theft. 

Between 2011 and the end of 2013, the IRS say the agency caught and stopped 14.6 million suspicious returns, and doubled indictments and sentencings in fiscal year 2013. Criminals acquire taxpayers' Social Security numbers and personal information through a variety of means - including data breaches, lost or stolen wallets or old-fashioned dumpster diving - and use it to file fraudulent returns in the hopes of getting a refund. 

“Tax identity theft is particularly insidious because it targets Americans during a vulnerable, hectic time,” says Trey Loughran, president of the personal solutions unit at Equifax. “The sheer volume of tax identity theft cases reported by the IRS is astounding. Consumers need to be aware of this growing problem and what steps they can take to help protect themselves.”

Fortunately, certain steps can help Americans minimize tax identity theft risks:

• Don’t wait to file. Filing early makes it less likely an identity thief will file first using your name and information. If a crook does attempt to file a fraudulent return in your name, the IRS will be better able to flag it if the agency already has your valid return in hand.

• Guard your mail. During the first months of the year, many important tax documents move through the mail and identity thieves know this. They may steal W-2s, financial statements and other important documents right out of your mailbox. Consider using a locking mailbox or a post office box to receive and send tax documents, or e-file.

• Protect your PC and all your digital devices. E-filing can be a fast, efficient way to do your taxes, but you must protect your computer with up-to-date anti-virus and anti-malware software, and use a secure Internet connection. Password protect all your devices.

• Don’t fall for scams. If you receive an email, text or phone call that purports to be from the IRS, don’t respond – especially if the request is for personal information. The IRS only contacts you through postal mail, and will never ask you for your personal information.

• Vet your tax preparer through the Better Business Bureau to ensure you’re dealing with a legitimate tax prep service. Never sign a blank return for someone else to complete.

• To protect children and seniors, consider completing Form 8821, which authorizes a person to receive all IRS communications for the individual named on the form. The authorization ensures that if a criminal files a return using your Social Security number or that of a dependent child or senior adult, you’ll receive all IRS communications.

• Contact the IRS Identity Protection Specialized Unit immediately if you receive a notice from the agency stating more than one tax return was filed for you, that you have a balance for a year you didn’t file, or that you received wages from an employer you don’t know. You’ll also need to file a police report and complete an identity theft affidavit.

“Tax return fraud continues to be a growing threat,” Loughran says. “Taking protective measures can help taxpayers avoid becoming victims of tax identity theft.”

(BBT) – To itemize or not to itemize, deductions, exemptions, interest income and capital gains – you have a lot to think about when you’re doing your taxes. While you’re preparing your return, don’t overlook a consideration that’s every bit as important as whether you owe or are due a refund – tax-related identity theft.
Between 2011 and the end of 2013, the IRS says the agency caught and stopped 14.6 million suspicious returns, and doubled indictments and sentencings in fiscal year 2013. Criminals acquire taxpayers’ Social Security numbers and personal information through a variety of means – including data breaches, lost or stolen wallets or old-fashioned dumpster diving – and use it to file fraudulent returns in the hopes of getting a refund.
- See more at: http://www.samrichter.com/blog/#sthash.wC8vzZGD.dpuf

“Tax identity theft is particularly insidious because it targets Americans during a vulnerable, hectic time,” says Trey Loughran, president of the personal solutions unit at Equifax. “The sheer volume of tax identity theft cases reported by the IRS is astounding. Consumers need to be aware of this growing problem and what steps they can take to help protect themselves.” - See more at: http://www.samrichter.com/blog/#sthash.wC8vzZGD.dpuf

(BBT) – To itemize or not to itemize, deductions, exemptions, interest income and capital gains – you have a lot to think about when you’re doing your taxes. While you’re preparing your return, don’t overlook a consideration that’s every bit as important as whether you owe or are due a refund – tax-related identity theft.
- See more at: http://www.samrichter.com/blog/#sthash.wC8vzZGD.dpuf

(BBT) – To itemize or not to itemize, deductions, exemptions, interest income and capital gains – you have a lot to think about when you’re doing your taxes. While you’re preparing your return, don’t overlook a consideration that’s every bit as important as whether you owe or are due a refund – tax-related identity theft. - See more at: http://www.samrichter.com/blog/#sthash.wC8vzZGD.dpuf

(BBT) – To itemize or not to itemize, deductions, exemptions, interest income and capital gains – you have a lot to think about when you’re doing your taxes. While you’re preparing your return, don’t overlook a consideration that’s every bit as important as whether you owe or are due a refund – tax-related identity theft.
Between 2011 and the end of 2013, the IRS says the agency caught and stopped 14.6 million suspicious returns, and doubled indictments and sentencings in fiscal year 2013. Criminals acquire taxpayers’ Social Security numbers and personal information through a variety of means – including data breaches, lost or stolen wallets or old-fashioned dumpster diving – and use it to file fraudulent returns in the hopes of getting a refund.
“Tax identity theft is particularly insidious because it targets Americans during a vulnerable, hectic time,” says Trey Loughran, president of the personal solutions unit at Equifax. “The sheer volume of tax identity theft cases reported by the IRS is astounding. Consumers need to be aware of this growing problem and what steps they can take to help protect themselves.”
Fortunately, certain steps can help Americans minimize tax identity theft risks:

• Don’t wait to file. Filing early makes it less likely an identity thief will file first using your name and information. If a crook does attempt to file a fraudulent return in your name, the IRS will be better able to flag it if the agency already has your valid return in hand.

• Guard your mail. During the first months of the year, many important tax documents move through the mail and identity thieves know this. They may steal W-2s, financial statements and other important documents right out of your mailbox. Consider using a locking mailbox or a post office box to receive and send tax documents, or e-file.

• Protect your PC and all your digital devices. E-filing can be a fast, efficient way to do your taxes, but you must protect your computer with up-to-date anti-virus and anti-malware software, and use a secure Internet connection. Password protect all your devices.

• Don’t fall for scams. If you receive an email, text or phone call that purports to be from the IRS, don’t respond – especially if the request is for personal information. The IRS only contacts you through postal mail, and will never ask you for your personal information.

• Vet your tax preparer through the Better Business Bureau to ensure you’re dealing with a legitimate tax prep service. Never sign a blank return for someone else to complete.

• To protect children and seniors, consider completing Form 8821, which authorizes a person to receive all IRS communications for the individual named on the form. The authorization ensures that if a criminal files a return using your Social Security number or that of a dependent child or senior adult, you’ll receive all IRS communications.

• Contact the IRS Identity Protection Specialized Unit immediately if you receive a notice from the agency stating more than one tax return was filed for you, that you have a balance for a year you didn’t file, or that you received wages from an employer you don’t know. You’ll also need to file a police report and complete an identity theft affidavit.

“Tax return fraud continues to be a growing threat,” Loughran says. “Taking protective measures can help taxpayers avoid becoming victims of tax identity theft.”
- See more at: http://www.samrichter.com/blog/#sthash.wC8vzZGD.dpuf

(BBT) – To itemize or not to itemize, deductions, exemptions, interest income and capital gains – you have a lot to think about when you’re doing your taxes. While you’re preparing your return, don’t overlook a consideration that’s every bit as important as whether you owe or are due a refund – tax-related identity theft.
Between 2011 and the end of 2013, the IRS says the agency caught and stopped 14.6 million suspicious returns, and doubled indictments and sentencings in fiscal year 2013. Criminals acquire taxpayers’ Social Security numbers and personal information through a variety of means – including data breaches, lost or stolen wallets or old-fashioned dumpster diving – and use it to file fraudulent returns in the hopes of getting a refund.
“Tax identity theft is particularly insidious because it targets Americans during a vulnerable, hectic time,” says Trey Loughran, president of the personal solutions unit at Equifax. “The sheer volume of tax identity theft cases reported by the IRS is astounding. Consumers need to be aware of this growing problem and what steps they can take to help protect themselves.”
Fortunately, certain steps can help Americans minimize tax identity theft risks:

• Don’t wait to file. Filing early makes it less likely an identity thief will file first using your name and information. If a crook does attempt to file a fraudulent return in your name, the IRS will be better able to flag it if the agency already has your valid return in hand.

• Guard your mail. During the first months of the year, many important tax documents move through the mail and identity thieves know this. They may steal W-2s, financial statements and other important documents right out of your mailbox. Consider using a locking mailbox or a post office box to receive and send tax documents, or e-file.

• Protect your PC and all your digital devices. E-filing can be a fast, efficient way to do your taxes, but you must protect your computer with up-to-date anti-virus and anti-malware software, and use a secure Internet connection. Password protect all your devices.

• Don’t fall for scams. If you receive an email, text or phone call that purports to be from the IRS, don’t respond – especially if the request is for personal information. The IRS only contacts you through postal mail, and will never ask you for your personal information.

• Vet your tax preparer through the Better Business Bureau to ensure you’re dealing with a legitimate tax prep service. Never sign a blank return for someone else to complete.

• To protect children and seniors, consider completing Form 8821, which authorizes a person to receive all IRS communications for the individual named on the form. The authorization ensures that if a criminal files a return using your Social Security number or that of a dependent child or senior adult, you’ll receive all IRS communications.

• Contact the IRS Identity Protection Specialized Unit immediately if you receive a notice from the agency stating more than one tax return was filed for you, that you have a balance for a year you didn’t file, or that you received wages from an employer you don’t know. You’ll also need to file a police report and complete an identity theft affidavit.

“Tax return fraud continues to be a growing threat,” Loughran says. “Taking protective measures can help taxpayers avoid becoming victims of tax identity theft.”
- See more at: http://www.samrichter.com/blog/#sthash.wC8vzZGD.dpuf

(BBT) – To itemize or not to itemize, deductions, exemptions, interest income and capital gains – you have a lot to think about when you’re doing your taxes. While you’re preparing your return, don’t overlook a consideration that’s every bit as important as whether you owe or are due a refund – tax-related identity theft.
Between 2011 and the end of 2013, the IRS says the agency caught and stopped 14.6 million suspicious returns, and doubled indictments and sentencings in fiscal year 2013. Criminals acquire taxpayers’ Social Security numbers and personal information through a variety of means – including data breaches, lost or stolen wallets or old-fashioned dumpster diving – and use it to file fraudulent returns in the hopes of getting a refund.
“Tax identity theft is particularly insidious because it targets Americans during a vulnerable, hectic time,” says Trey Loughran, president of the personal solutions unit at Equifax. “The sheer volume of tax identity theft cases reported by the IRS is astounding. Consumers need to be aware of this growing problem and what steps they can take to help protect themselves.”
Fortunately, certain steps can help Americans minimize tax identity theft risks:

• Don’t wait to file. Filing early makes it less likely an identity thief will file first using your name and information. If a crook does attempt to file a fraudulent return in your name, the IRS will be better able to flag it if the agency already has your valid return in hand.

• Guard your mail. During the first months of the year, many important tax documents move through the mail and identity thieves know this. They may steal W-2s, financial statements and other important documents right out of your mailbox. Consider using a locking mailbox or a post office box to receive and send tax documents, or e-file.

• Protect your PC and all your digital devices. E-filing can be a fast, efficient way to do your taxes, but you must protect your computer with up-to-date anti-virus and anti-malware software, and use a secure Internet connection. Password protect all your devices.

• Don’t fall for scams. If you receive an email, text or phone call that purports to be from the IRS, don’t respond – especially if the request is for personal information. The IRS only contacts you through postal mail, and will never ask you for your personal information.

• Vet your tax preparer through the Better Business Bureau to ensure you’re dealing with a legitimate tax prep service. Never sign a blank return for someone else to complete.

• To protect children and seniors, consider completing Form 8821, which authorizes a person to receive all IRS communications for the individual named on the form. The authorization ensures that if a criminal files a return using your Social Security number or that of a dependent child or senior adult, you’ll receive all IRS communications.

• Contact the IRS Identity Protection Specialized Unit immediately if you receive a notice from the agency stating more than one tax return was filed for you, that you have a balance for a year you didn’t file, or that you received wages from an employer you don’t know. You’ll also need to file a police report and complete an identity theft affidavit.

“Tax return fraud continues to be a growing threat,” Loughran says. “Taking protective measures can help taxpayers avoid becoming victims of tax identity theft.”
- See more at: http://www.samrichter.com/blog/#sthash.wC8vzZGD.dpuf

(BBT) – To itemize or not to itemize, deductions, exemptions, interest income and capital gains – you have a lot to think about when you’re doing your taxes. While you’re preparing your return, don’t overlook a consideration that’s every bit as important as whether you owe or are due a refund – tax-related identity theft.
Between 2011 and the end of 2013, the IRS says the agency caught and stopped 14.6 million suspicious returns, and doubled indictments and sentencings in fiscal year 2013. Criminals acquire taxpayers’ Social Security numbers and personal information through a variety of means – including data breaches, lost or stolen wallets or old-fashioned dumpster diving – and use it to file fraudulent returns in the hopes of getting a refund.
“Tax identity theft is particularly insidious because it targets Americans during a vulnerable, hectic time,” says Trey Loughran, president of the personal solutions unit at Equifax. “The sheer volume of tax identity theft cases reported by the IRS is astounding. Consumers need to be aware of this growing problem and what steps they can take to help protect themselves.”
Fortunately, certain steps can help Americans minimize tax identity theft risks:

• Don’t wait to file. Filing early makes it less likely an identity thief will file first using your name and information. If a crook does attempt to file a fraudulent return in your name, the IRS will be better able to flag it if the agency already has your valid return in hand.

• Guard your mail. During the first months of the year, many important tax documents move through the mail and identity thieves know this. They may steal W-2s, financial statements and other important documents right out of your mailbox. Consider using a locking mailbox or a post office box to receive and send tax documents, or e-file.

• Protect your PC and all your digital devices. E-filing can be a fast, efficient way to do your taxes, but you must protect your computer with up-to-date anti-virus and anti-malware software, and use a secure Internet connection. Password protect all your devices.

• Don’t fall for scams. If you receive an email, text or phone call that purports to be from the IRS, don’t respond – especially if the request is for personal information. The IRS only contacts you through postal mail, and will never ask you for your personal information.

• Vet your tax preparer through the Better Business Bureau to ensure you’re dealing with a legitimate tax prep service. Never sign a blank return for someone else to complete.

• To protect children and seniors, consider completing Form 8821, which authorizes a person to receive all IRS communications for the individual named on the form. The authorization ensures that if a criminal files a return using your Social Security number or that of a dependent child or senior adult, you’ll receive all IRS communications.

• Contact the IRS Identity Protection Specialized Unit immediately if you receive a notice from the agency stating more than one tax return was filed for you, that you have a balance for a year you didn’t file, or that you received wages from an employer you don’t know. You’ll also need to file a police report and complete an identity theft affidavit.

“Tax return fraud continues to be a growing threat,” Loughran says. “Taking protective measures can help taxpayers avoid becoming victims of tax identity theft.”
- See more at: http://www.samrichter.com/blog/#sthash.wC8vzZGD.dpuf

(BBT) – To itemize or not to itemize, deductions, exemptions, interest income and capital gains – you have a lot to think about when you’re doing your taxes. While you’re preparing your return, don’t overlook a consideration that’s every bit as important as whether you owe or are due a refund – tax-related identity theft.
Between 2011 and the end of 2013, the IRS says the agency caught and stopped 14.6 million suspicious returns, and doubled indictments and sentencings in fiscal year 2013. Criminals acquire taxpayers’ Social Security numbers and personal information through a variety of means – including data breaches, lost or stolen wallets or old-fashioned dumpster diving – and use it to file fraudulent returns in the hopes of getting a refund.
“Tax identity theft is particularly insidious because it targets Americans during a vulnerable, hectic time,” says Trey Loughran, president of the personal solutions unit at Equifax. “The sheer volume of tax identity theft cases reported by the IRS is astounding. Consumers need to be aware of this growing problem and what steps they can take to help protect themselves.”
Fortunately, certain steps can help Americans minimize tax identity theft risks:

• Don’t wait to file. Filing early makes it less likely an identity thief will file first using your name and information. If a crook does attempt to file a fraudulent return in your name, the IRS will be better able to flag it if the agency already has your valid return in hand.

• Guard your mail. During the first months of the year, many important tax documents move through the mail and identity thieves know this. They may steal W-2s, financial statements and other important documents right out of your mailbox. Consider using a locking mailbox or a post office box to receive and send tax documents, or e-file.

• Protect your PC and all your digital devices. E-filing can be a fast, efficient way to do your taxes, but you must protect your computer with up-to-date anti-virus and anti-malware software, and use a secure Internet connection. Password protect all your devices.

• Don’t fall for scams. If you receive an email, text or phone call that purports to be from the IRS, don’t respond – especially if the request is for personal information. The IRS only contacts you through postal mail, and will never ask you for your personal information.

• Vet your tax preparer through the Better Business Bureau to ensure you’re dealing with a legitimate tax prep service. Never sign a blank return for someone else to complete.

• To protect children and seniors, consider completing Form 8821, which authorizes a person to receive all IRS communications for the individual named on the form. The authorization ensures that if a criminal files a return using your Social Security number or that of a dependent child or senior adult, you’ll receive all IRS communications.

• Contact the IRS Identity Protection Specialized Unit immediately if you receive a notice from the agency stating more than one tax return was filed for you, that you have a balance for a year you didn’t file, or that you received wages from an employer you don’t know. You’ll also need to file a police report and complete an identity theft affidavit.

“Tax return fraud continues to be a growing threat,” Loughran says. “Taking protective measures can help taxpayers avoid becoming victims of tax identity theft.”
- See more at: http://www.samrichter.com/blog/#sthash.wC8vzZGD.dpuf