News, Information and Commentary
December 2019
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The Season of Gratitude
A few thoughts from
Jon Flora, President & CEO
Like all writers, sometimes I run out of ideas. Last December was one of those times. There was nothing more in the tank when it came to producing something useful about credit, collections and our organization. 

So, I wrote a little piece that had absolutely nothing to do with our mission at NACM. It was all about the spirit of Christmas and electric trains.  
The response was, and remains, surprising to me. I have heard from more of our members and customers than at any time in the last seven years.  It usually begins with “Hey Jon, I read your train thing.” I have heard from people across the nation on almost a monthly basis throughout 2019.  Some responses have been funny, several heartwarming, and a couple were sad but special remembrances. I appreciate all of them.

A number of readers were inspired to dig through their attics or their parents’ basements looking for their Lionel train lovingly packed away decades ago.  A few people shared childhood memories of building tunnels under the Christmas tree using brightly colored gifts waiting to be unwrapped on the big morning.  And just thinking of those puffing locomotives gave some folks pause to reflect on the fun they once enjoyed with a family member who had since passed on.  

One person called wanting to know what their train was worth. Another needed some help figuring out how to get their train working again. Yet another customer found a couple of train cars languishing in a box of childhood stuff and called me. The cars now reside on a shelf in my home alongside companion electrical creations.

The whole purpose of that column was to encourage reflection about simpler, less complicated times and, at least for a while, set aside the things we fret about in today’s world. Politics, traffic, lawsuits, weather, finances, Twitter, keeping up with the Jones’s…you name it.  

We spend an inordinate amount of energy Tweeting, posting, worrying, and fixated on things that we can do nothing about or just don’t matter in the larger picture. 

We all have so much more than we’ll ever need except, possibly, gratitude

After a hiatus of some months, I resumed making entries in my daily gratitude journal. Our good friend and periodic speaker, David Brooke, known as That Gratitude Guy, has made me a believer in how keeping a journal changes one’s perspective on life. And, I’m here to say, it really works. Focusing on the people and opportunities for which we’re grateful changes you. Casting aside the negative makes a world of difference.

As we enter the season of giving, I invite you to set aside some time to think about your lot in life. What’s really important? And, what’s not? What’s your passion? And, of course, who and what are you most grateful for? You will find it to be a useful exercise.

If you truly get into the spirit of celebrating a kinder gentler holiday, we will again have a train running around the base of our office Christmas tree. Stop by anytime for a childhood flashback.

For all of us at NACM Business Credit Services, I wish you a Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukah and joyous holiday season. Let’s have a great – and grateful – 2020 together.

With Holiday wishes,
MEMBER NEWS
Ricole Isbey-Johnson leaving NACM BCS
With a combination of sadness and excitement, we share the news of Ricole Isbey-Johnson’s decision to leave NACM after 16 years of service. Her last day with us will be December 31 st.

She has accepted an Executive Assistant position with a Bellevue, WA software development company. This is an exciting opportunity for her that offers a chance for professional growth and new experiences that only come with being part of a large publicly traded international company.

Ricole has been a trusted and valued colleague to all of us, and done stellar work for our members and association. Given that she joined NACM when she was 20, we all knew in our hearts this day would eventually come and are deeply grateful for the years she has given us. She is smart, talented and deserves this opportunity to grow her career. Although we're all sad to see her leave, we honestly couldn’t be happier for her. 

Good luck, Ricole. We'll miss you. And, yes, you can come home once in a while!
HOW DOES A TRUCKING COMPANY HELP INTERCEPT AN INTERCONTINENTAL BALLISTC MISSILE?

FIND OUT ON DECEMBER 10th
Join us in Anchorage for the annual Alaska Holiday Luncheon & Forum . Good food, great speakers, and tax-free Christmas shopping! And, get an answer to this burning question from one of the presenters.

Everyone attending will be entered in a drawing to win a scholarship and a two night hotel stay in Honolulu for the Hawaii Winter Credit Forum . You must be present in Anchorage to win!

Click on the button below for more information and to register:
WE'RE GETTING READY TO SHIP OUT TO
THE 4th ANNUAL
HAWAII CREDIT FORUM

January 23, 2020 - Honolulu
When you're done in Alaska, join us in Honolulu for the 4th annual Hawaii Winter Credit Forum . Paul Krause, Jaime Gibson, and Jon Flora will be leading the program along with new and different speakers on a variety of topics including:

  • Collections
  • Anti-trust
  • A.I.
  • A panel of experts to answer any and all questions you have
  • And, more!

If you're a k amaaina , this is the biggest and best educational program of the year. And, if you're from the other 49 states, i t's a great time to visit the 50th state to learn and relax...with affordable airfares and hotel rates.

Click below for more information and early registration.
The complete text of his letter appears on our website at:

CONGRATULATIONS FROM THE MAYOR OF SPOKANE
Mayor David Condon of Spokane recently sent his words of congratulations to NACM BUSINESS CREDIT SERVICES for our recognition as one Washington's Best Places to Work . We appreciate this acknowledgement from across the state. It includes:

" . ..I applaud your efforts to provide enriching and meaningful workplace environments for your employees.

The City of Spokane understands the important role that businesses of all sizes bring to the economy. As (we) struggle to adapt and grow a 21st century workforce...(you) are...helping to develop modern solutions to the emerging workforce challenges we face.

I want to congratulate you...and thank you for the work you do..."
Did you know that when you shop for the holidays at


AmazonSmile donates to the Business Credit Foundation ?

It's best to copy the link and paste it onto your desktop so you can use it all year long.
THE HOLIDAYS ARE THE PERFECT TIME TO SUPPORT THE NACM SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM
Your shopping can help us fund more professional scholarships. When you do your online shopping with NACM BCS member Amazon, just click on the following link:


For most purchases, a percentage will be given to our Business Credit Foundation which awards scholarships for your professional education. If you've won a scholarship in the past or just believe in keeping our profession strong, this is an easy way to support the cause.

It costs you nothing to do this and every little bit helps grow our local scholarship program.

Will YOU help? Thanks!
EDUCATION
Mitigating Risk & Improving Efficiency with New Customers
Join Kevin Gallagher from Dun & Bradstreet, to learn about how to get started on a sound footing with new customers.

December 11th 9:00-10:00 PST

Free for our customers
EPISODE #9 - Letting an Attitude of Gratitude work for you
During this Season of Giving, it's a great time to consider what you have to be grateful for and how that spirit of gratitude can impact your life.

In this episode, we talk with our good friend David Brooke, That Gratitude Guy . David discusses the benefit of keeping a daily journal and how an attitude of being grateful can change your life. Click below to listen to this and all previous podcasts.

CULTIVATING YOUR GRATITUDE
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To get started on your own gratitude journal, order a copy of David's Daily Gratitude Journal. Just click the link below:

COMING IN JANUARY
Microsoft Office
Online Training Courses
Offered in collaboration with NACM Commercial Services
EXCEL ESSENTIALS

January 7th; 10:00 - 2:00 PST
In this course, students learn required skills to successfully use Excel. These topics include terminology, the uses of Excel, entering and manipulating data, managing the spreadsheet layout, cell formats, tabs and how to set up a sheet for printing.

Member Pricing: $135.00 PP
Non-Member Pricing: $175.00 PP
EXCEL CALCULATIONS & CHART INTRODUCTIONS

January 14th; 10:00 - 2:00 PST
I n this course, students are introduced to the fundamentals of using Excel to perform calculations and create charts. They will learn the advantages of using Excel to perform calculations, different methods to perform calculations, how to display and read existing formulas, and create dynamic charts for effective visual data presentation.

Member Pricing: $135.00 PP
Non-Member Pricing: $175.00 PP
Calendar Note Schedule Memo Manage Event Concept
EXCEL DATABASE & LIST MANAGEMENT

January 21st; 10:00 - 2:00 PST
In this course, students learn the power of Excel as a database. Topics include understanding what Excel requires in the setup of a database, database terminology, how to sort and filter records, setting the data up in an easily managed, good looking table, outlining and doing data subtotals, the power of Pivot Tables and Pivot Charts and more.

Member Pricing: $135.00 PP
Non-Member Pricing: $175.00 PP
ALSO BEGINNING IN JANUARY
2020 MONTHLY WEBINARS
Beginning in January, our third year of Monthly Webinars begins. We again partner with colleagues in California, Nevada, Missouri and Nevada to offer an interesting series of programs designed to help you be at the top of your game as a credit professional. A wide variety of topics offers something for everyone.

Best of all, our Monthly Webinars are FREE for our members and customers. Plan to join in for some or all in 2020.
Presenter:

Rich Adams, President
Southwest Business Credit Services
Phoenix, AZ

Armed with a dozen years of experience as a Credit Manager for a large construction supply company along with 27 years as president of the largest professional credit association in Arizona, Mr. Adams definitely knows his way around Credit Policies.

Rich also is well-known throughout the Valley of the Sun serving on the Boards of Gateway Bank, City of Mesa Economic Development Advisory Board, Greater Phoenix Economic Development Council and Visit Mesa. He is also an active member of Phoenix Rotary.
CREDIT POLICY: Defining and Communication Terms

January 9, 2020
Are you someone who needs to write or update your company's Credit Policy? This webinar is just for you!

The program includes everything you need to develop and implement a Credit Policy including:

  • Reasons for a credit policy
  • Credit Department Objectives
  • Factors to Consider
  • Essential components of the credit policy
  • Types of credit policies
  • Developing your policy
  • Credit Policy Focal Points

Join us on January 9th for a FREE hour long live webinar.

12:00 - 1:00 PST
10:00-11:00 HST
11:00-12:00 AST
1:00 - 2:00 MST

Registration is required. Log-in will be provided when completed.
The Monthly Webinar Series is a collaboration of:

NACM Business Credit Services
NACM Heartland
Credit Management Association
Southwest Business Credit Services
BUSINESS & ECONOMIC NEWS
OK BOOMER. WHO'S GOING TO BUY YOUR HOUSE?

Baby boomers are getting ready to sell one quarter of America’s homes over the next two decades. The problem is many of these properties are in places where younger people no longer want to live .

The U.S. is at the beginning of a tidal wave of homes hitting the market on the scale of the housing bubble in the mid-2000s. This time it won’t be driven by overbuilding, easy credit or irrational exuberance, but by an inevitable fact of life: the passing of the baby boomer generation.

TENANT DEALS GO AWAY AS HONOLULU OFFICE MARKET SWINGS TOWARD LANDLORDS

Similar to Seattle's experience in recent years, Honolulu’s office real estate market has flipped around in 2019 with the islandwide vacancy rate dropping to 10.3%, heading toward a landlord’s market, according to a third-quarter market report by Hawaii Commercial Real Estate .

Rents are going up, availabilities are fewer leaving tenants with fewer choices.

Read more from:

REGIONAL FISHING SUCCESSES CAUSE SPIKE IN SALE PRICES FOR ALASKA SALMON PERMITS

The value of Alaska salmon permits has ticked upward in regions that experienced a good fishery this year, while others have tanked.

CRUISE SHIP INDUSTRY SPENDING IN WASHINGTON IS APPROACHING $1 BILLION

Washington ranks sixth among the top 10 states benefiting from the cruise-ship industry spending.
The cruise industry contributed $837 million to the state’s economy, representing 3.5% of all direct spending in the U.S. industrywide.

Seattle-based Holland-America is a member of NACM Business Credit Services.

CAREER PLANNING
START OFF 2020 BY BUILDING YOUR PROFESSIONAL NETWORK.

JOIN OUR LINKED IN AND FACEBOOK PAGES.

CLICK ON THE ICONS TO BE PART OF OUR GROWING OUTREACH.
NEW OPPORTUNITIES
If you're looking to fill a position or looking for a position to fill, check out or Job Center. It's a continually changing group of postings for those seeking employees or those looking for a job.

WANT TO RETAIN YOUR EMPLOYEES? BE FLEXIBLE DURING THE HOLIDAYS
It's a risk all companies face in today's healthy job market. And since the start of a new year is a popular time to job-hunt, it stands to reason that if you don't give your employees a good reason to stay, they may start blasting out their resumes once 2020 kicks off.

EVENTS & EDUCATION CALENDAR
Industry Trade Groups
Puget Sound Area

December 12

11:30 a.m. Floor - Duke's Chowder House

December 17

11:30 a.m. HVAC - Duke's Chowder House

December 18

11:30 a.m. Tacoma Construction - The Poodle Dog *Note location change
11:30 a.m. Food - Duke's Chowder House


Honolulu

No meetings this month - Mele Kalikimaka!!


Anchorage

December 10

11:00 a.m. Alaska Suppliers and Food - ReHARU * Note location change


December 25 - Merry Christmas!

December 31 - Happy New Year!
Upcoming Professional Programs, Seminars and Conferences
CFDD Schedule
December 9 - CFDD Seattle Holiday Meeting

December 16 - CFDD Tacoma Christmas Social and Holiday Auction
NACM BCS presentations
January 12-15 - National Insulation Contractors Exchange
Scottsdale, AZ; Jon Flora and Jan Minniti invited to present
Serving the Commercial Credit profession since 1899
NACM Western Washington Alaska Hawaii | 800-423-5710
P.O. Box 3665 - Seattle, WA 98124 | www.nacmbcs.org

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