'Live in DC 2017' Top 5

#1

International LP

The challenges of doing business in Mexico

Jim Carr, Sr Dir-Global AP, Rent-A-Center

Over the last six years, Jim Carr, Senior Director, Global Asset Protection, Rent-A-Center Inc., has managed the roll-out of 190 locations in Mexico for Rent-A-Center, leading their international and U.S. LP efforts. With this background, he has had the entire retail life cycle of experience in Mexico, from market entry to managing successful locations to closing stores down. Jim shares some of his invaluable international experience and the challenges of doing business in Mexico.

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Why Online Merchants Should Make Security A Year-Round Priority
Why make security a point of emphasis? Well, consider that in 2016 online fraud rose 40%, and I have little doubt the 2017 numbers will be even more harrowing when they're released. If you're willing to heed my advice and resolve to commit resources to improving security, here's where to start:

Survey Your Situation
Map out all the channels you're selling through: Online, mobile, social media platforms, in-store brick-and-mortar, pop-up shops, etc. Make sure you know how security is (or isn't) being addressed for each, the risks you'll encounter and how you'll manage them.

In a similar way, map out your human capacity. Be realistic in evaluating whether you have the employee time and resources to manage payment approvals, fraud claims and security flags.

Know Your Core Technology
Customer data is your most valuable asset, so it's also important to be intimately familiar with how that data is being stored, shared and used both inside and outside the confines of that e-Commerce platform. Generally speaking, the fewer points of exposure, the better.

Pick Your Partners
On the fraud prevention front, there are a couple routes you can go down, depending on the maturity and complexity of your company. First, you can look into strong standalone products like Signifyd, which watches the transaction and the shopper to flag fraud by pulling in data around browser fingerprinting, the number of high-value items in an order, frequency of shopping, types of products in a cart and more. The other option is more complex systems coupled with payments from the likes of CyberSource or Vantiv, which offer bespoke tuning of fraud engines to completely tailor them to your business.

Fall Back On The Standards
Even if you can't afford some of the flashier tools, there are some baseline steps you can take to implement best practices for security. At the very least, implement site-wide HTTPS, on every page of the browser experience for your online store, all the way through the transaction. Transition from vulnerable Adobe Flash to HTML5. Finally, be PCI compliant through and through.

Understand What's At Stake
The financial implications in e-Commerce security are obvious, even if the degree to which they can impact a business might be underestimated. Nearly 50% of small businesses fall victim to fraud at some point in their lifecycle, and those incidents cost an average of $114,000 per occurrence, according to The Association of Certified Fraud Examiners. But that doesn't even take the intangibles into account. retailtouchpoints.com

US e‑commerce accounts for 13.8% of total retail sales in the first quarter

Nike to Close Down 20 Fake Sneaker Websites

Kroger Ties Up With Ocado As Grocery E-Commerce Enters The Next Phase

Campbell soups up its e‑commerce strategy

Shipping growth slows for USPS

Indianapolis, IN: Man charged with leading Fraud Ring that targeted Kroger; over 5000 Fraudulent checks
An Indianapolis man has been charged in a 10-count indictment for his alleged leadership role in a fraud ring that used thousands of forged checks at Kroger stores in at least 12 states. Frank D. Powell, 28, faces seven counts of wire fraud, one count of attempted bank fraud, one count of aggravated identity theft, and one count of false statements to a financial institution, U.S. Attorney Josh Minkler announced Thursday. Federal investigators say Powell organized a ring that used fraudulent checks to purchase gift cards and merchandise from stores throughout the country from January 2016 until last month. Powell and his associates are accused of using more than 5,000 fraudulent checks in at least 30 different individual or business names, such as "Frank Pawell" and "Pawell Child Care LLC." After processing, the checks were returned to Kroger as "account closed, forged, non-sufficient funds or unable to locate account."

Powell could face up to 30 years in prison on the bank-related charges, up to 20 years for each of the wire fraud charge, and a mandatory minimum of 2 years on the aggravated identity theft charge, if convicted. This case was investigated by the FBI and law enforcement personnel from Indianapolis, Hamilton County, Fishers, Carmel and Johnson County, and Kroger's Organized Retail Crime Investigators. ibj.com

Charleston, IL: Couple connected to string of thefts from area Walmarts;
selling baby formula to c-stores
Charleston Police responded to a retail theft in progress at 2:10 p.m. Friday at the Charleston Walmart. The investigation into the call resulted in the arrest of Charles H. Steward, 31, and Taneki M. Steward, 40, both of East St. Louis. Charleston Police said an off-duty officer recognized the couple when they were in the store and called patrol officers to the scene. Prior to Friday, the Stewards reportedly visited the Charleston Walmart twice in March. The two suspects pushed carts full of merchandise out without paying. The value of the stolen items in these incidents totaled $1,750. The list items included things such as toilet paper, energy drinks and more notably baby formula. It was indicated to police that the formula was sold to St. Louis area gas stations, Police said. jg-tc.com


Decatur, IL: Woman charged with stealing $500 in merchandise
from Victoria's Secret
An employee at Victoria's Secret reported to police on March 5 that Dearea Tucker entered the store, stole more than $500 in clothing and left without paying, according to police. Tucker was identified in a photo lineup by an employee, police said. An officer stopped a vehicle on Wednesday and identified the driver as Tucker. Tucker, 24, was charged with third-degree theft and three misdemeanors. decaturdaily.com


Lake Balboa, CA: Armed Robber steals 50 to 100 Cellphones

Shootings, Stabbings & Deaths

Las Vegas, NV: Police Arrest a Masked Man Carrying a Fake Gun at Boulevard Mall
Las Vegas police say officers have arrested a masked man at a mall, which had been evacuated after reports of a gunman. However, police say the gun appears to be a fake. Metro Police Deputy Chief Chris Jones says no shots were fired at the Boulevard Mall and no injuries have been reported. Jones says the department obtained a video of a person with a long gun Thursday and conducted several searches of the mall before finding the suspect. time.com



Little Rock, AR: 2 stabbed in fight at Park Plaza Mall
Two people were stabbed in a fight inside Park Plaza Mall in Little Rock on Thursday, police reported. Officers were called at 6:26 p.m. to the mall. Police said one female victim was stabbed several time and is currently in stable condition, the male victim was treated at the scene. Police have arrested one woman. katv.com


Wichita, KS: Circle K Employee traps stabbing suspect inside C-Store
Police arrested a man who allegedly stabbed a convenience store clerk and caused damage to the business after being trapped inside. Officers were called at around 11:40 p.m. Wednesday to the report of a stabbing at the Circle K at Seneca and McLean. They arrived to find the 24-year-old victim outside the business holding the door shut. Meanwhile, the suspect was inside damaging property. The clerk was behind the counter when the suspect allegedly threw a fountain drink at the employee. A physical altercation ensued during which the clerk suffered minor stab wounds. kake.com

Update: Kansas City, MO: Police identified the man gunned down outside a gym at Ward Parkway Center on Wednesday
The shooting happened shortly after 9:30 p.m. Police say the victim, 25-year-old Darrell Allen, had just come out of the 24-hour Genesis Health Clubs facility, when another man began chasing him. The man ran about 100 yards before he was shot by the suspect. About 30 rounds were fired before the killer drove away. Police said the shooter waited in the parking lot before the shooting. Police found Allen on the sidewalk between the PetSmart and Old Navy stores on the east side of the mall, in the bushes. ozarksfirst.com

Robberies & Thefts

Update: San Antonio, TX: Woman arrested for Aggravated Robbery of a Family Dollar; cutting cashier with scissors
Annabel Moreno, 26, is charged with aggravated robbery. The robbery happened last Friday at the Family Dollar on Cupples Road. Police said Moreno grabbed items off store shelves, put it in bags and walked out of the store without paying. The cashier then went after the suspect and told her to put the things back, police said. That's when Moreno allegedly pulled out a pair of scissors and cut the cashier. Moreno was identified later in a photo lineup. ksat.com

Elk Grove, CA: Witness helps Police nab store Burglars, loading goods into U-Haul
An alert bystander helped Police nab 3 Sacramento men suspected of burglarizing a store and loading the stolen items into a U-Haul early Wednesday. Police say the witness saw the truck pull up to the business at the 9600 block of Elk Grove Florin Road at around 2:50 a.m. Three people got out of the car, kicked open the front doors of the store and went inside. The bystander phoned 911 and dispatchers sent officers to the location. Meanwhile, the men allegedly took items from the store and loaded them into the U-Haul before driving away. Officers responding to the call saw the truck as it was leaving the area and stopped the vehicle, police say. The three men were arrested on felony suspicion of burglary, possession of stolen property and conspiracy to commit a crime. facebook.com

Fort Collins, CO: Police Officer's use of Taser, physical force justified in arrest of Target shoplifting suspect

Vidor, TX: Man suffers 'bruised scrotum' and ankle injury while running away after Walmart theft; now facing Robbery charges

Cortez, CO: Denny's Employee arrested for Theft of cash

Decatur, IL: Academy Sports Employee arrest for Refund Fraud

Alliance, OH: Duke and Duchess C-Store Employee arrested for Lottery Ticket theft

Zales Outlet in the Outlets at San Clemente, San Clemente, CA reported a Grab & Run on 5/14, items valued at $10,745

Kay Jewelers in the Cross Creek Mall, Fayetteville, NC reported a Credit Card Fraud on 5/17, no loss

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Productivity Boosts: "Two-Minute Rule", Pushups, and Bright Colors
 

Try this 48-hour Productivity Sprint When You're Behind at Work
Nobody can operate at full productivity all the time, sometimes you're going to slow down and fall behind. Getting back on track isn't easy but using this two day sprint can help you keep focus on what matters. Follow the "two-minute rule"

5 Surprising Elements That Boost Your Productivity
The important thing to remember about productivity is that there's really no way to do it wrong. Everyone has their own strategies and tips for helping them stay focused, but here are some unexpected elements that can help improve your work performance. Green and blue walls increase focus

14 Surprisingly Simple Ways to Boost Your Productivity
Want to be a productive powerhouse like Jeff Bezos or Sheryl Sandberg? If you're looking to squeeze the most into your 24 hour day like they do, here are some great simple tips anyone can utilize to be more productive. Drop and give me a dozen pushups

What to Do On 15-, 30- and 60-minute Breaks to Boost Productivity
Science has shown that breaks are good for you. They help you regain focus and get more done, but being disciplined enough to take a break isn't always easy. Here's how you can use make the most out of any break you take to help you boost productivity. Get moving

At the end of most interviews, candidates are given the opportunity to ask questions. Surprisingly enough, most candidates are unprepared for that question, itself. So take the time in your preparation to develop a few well thought out questions that reflect your knowledge of the company, their future plans and how you fit within them. Certainly your questions should also focus around the variables that increase the success of the specific position you're applying for and not deal with the benefits, salary, or work schedule, travel requirements, or expenses. As these questions will turn off an interviewer and are premature. Your questions should be a reflection of the type of executive you are and will be if they hire you and therefore should be designed to show how you'll be successful and valuable for their organization.

Just a Thought,
Gus

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