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Lette
Letter From the Editors: r From the Editors:
n light of increased government scrutiny, in par-ht of increased government scrutiny, in par-
n lig
ticular recent actions brought against payment
ticular recent actions brought against payment
companies by the Federal Trade Commission
companies by the Federal Trade Commission
I for alleged deceptive sales practices, we wanted
I for alleged deceptive sales practices, we wanted
to hear from exemplary payment professionals about
to hear from exemplary payment professionals about
how they ensure that their sales agents and merchant
how they ensure that their sales agents and merchant
customers are following ethical practices and operating
customers are following ethical practices and operating
within the law.
within the law.
It turns out we didn't have to look far for useful insights
It turns out we didn't have to look far for useful insights
on this. We sent questions to our advisory board, and
on this. We sent questions to our advisory board, and
they came through with a wealth of information about
they came through with a wealth of information about
how their companies handle this important aspect of
how their companies handle this important aspect of
business.
business.
They also spoke to whether recent FTC actions might
They also spoke to whether recent FTC actions might
lead to further regulation and, if so, what the effects
lead to further regulation and, if so, what the effects
might be. Their perspectives comprise the lead article in
might be. Their perspectives comprise the lead article in
this issue, "How to keep tabs on reps, merchants – Part
this issue, "How to keep tabs on reps, merchants – Part
1." The second and final installment will appear in our
1." The second and final installment will appear in our
Sept. 23, 2013, issue.
Sept. 23, 2013, issue.
Not all ideas our advisory board shared will apply
Not all ideas our advisory board shared will apply
to every situation, but the practices and ideas they
to every situation, but the practices and ideas they
revealed should provide impetus for others to exam-
revealed should provide impetus for others to exam-
ine their training and monitoring practices, and make
ine their training and monitoring practices, and make
improvements as needed.
improvements as needed.
Also in this issue, our contributing writers explore
Also in this issue, our contributing writers explore
such topics as the strength of the dominant card brands
such topics as the strength of the dominant card brands
and their need for reinvention, how best to pass price
and their need for reinvention, how best to pass price
increases on to merchants, the power of video as a
increases on to merchants, the power of video as a
marketing tool, maximizing return on investment for
marketing tool, maximizing return on investment for
loyalty programs, and the importance of goals and con-
loyalty programs, and the importance of goals and con-
stant merchant communications when implementing a
stant merchant communications when implementing a
Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard compli-
Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard compli-
ance program.
ance program.
And here's a sampling of what our other features and
And here's a sampling of what our other features and
departments offer: a Q&A on how to get up to speed on
departments offer: a Q&A on how to get up to speed on
mobile payments; a look at recent developments in the
mobile payments; a look at recent developments in the
prepaid sphere; details on new solutions for mobile mer-
prepaid sphere; details on new solutions for mobile mer-
chants and petroleum retailers; thoughts on revamping
chants and petroleum retailers; thoughts on revamping
sales and customer service efforts before the holiday
sales and customer service efforts before the holiday
season; and key news stories, including how payment
season; and key news stories, including how payment
businesses are using cross-channel marketing, a discus-
businesses are using cross-channel marketing, a discus-
sion about the future of digital currencies, and a shout
sion about the future of digital currencies, and a shout
out to the companies that made the 2013 Inc. 500/5000
out to the companies that made the 2013 Inc. 500/5000
list of fastest growing private companies in the United
list of fastest growing private companies in the United
States.
States.
If you have questions or comments for us, please get in
If you have questions or comments for us, please get in
t touch via email at greensheet@greensheet.com or by phone ouch via email at greensheet@greensheet.com or by phone
at 800-757-4441. To post a press release, please email
at 800-757-4441. To post a press release, please email
your news to press@greensheet.com. your news to press@greensheet.com.
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