Great Honeywell video about using the Honeywell Lynx Plus system.
Viewing ‘Industry Happenings’ Category
26
Aug
2010
Posted by Jason
Monitronics honors dealers: Lisa Thomas
Beginning this month, Monitronics will honor an authorized dealer employee whose work exemplifies quality, flexibility, and excellence. Our first honoree is Lisa Thomas, Office Manager at Lifeline Security and Automation in California. She was nominated by Jason Maxwell, Funding Supervisor in Dealer Support at Moni.
Jason nominated Lisa for this honor and noted that she is very efficient and proactive, always staying up-to-date with the latest news in the Monitronics Dealer Program.
“Her work ethic is strong and Lifeline carries with them a weekly purchasing percentage of over 90%. She cares greatly about the quality of customers that Lifeline brings to Monitronics and ensures that they are completely satisfied before being brought on station.”
Lisa joined Lifeline in 2005 and has been with the company during a period of tremendous growth. As Lifeline President Gordon Johnson notes, she cares deeply about her quality of work. “Lisa treats the business as if it was her own and has taken on more and more responsibility as we have grown,” he said. “She is well-liked among employees.”
Congratulations, Lisa! Monitronics appreciates you!
20
Aug
2010
Posted by Leah
Dealer spotlight: Safe and Sound
Monitronics Authorized Dealers are the engine behind our business. They are the ones who sell and service our monitored alarm systems across the US, Canada, and Puerto Rico. As part of this blog, we will start spotlighting certain dealers that catch our eye. The first is Safe and Sound Security in Pleasant Hill, California.
Why Safe and Sound? Because excellence is the cornerstone of their business, and it shows. They are currently ranked #1, among all dealers, for the quality of the accounts they bring to Monitronics. Owners Patrick Chown and Jason Wagner say this is because of their business strategy: focus on high-quality accounts and bring in good customers who will stick around for years.
Safe and Sound became Authorized Monitronics Dealers in March 2009 and have a company of about 40 people. They picked our program because of the business processes and their experience with Monitronics dealers in the field.
“We were with another monitoring company before and never felt completely confident in them. We knew the process at Monitronics and wanted to be a part of the team,” said Patrick.
As they look to the future, Patrick and Jason say they are focused on “organic growth.”
“There are a ton of dealers in California and we are dealing with a lot of competition, so we have found a way to do things a little differently than the other guys,” Patrick said. “This ‘organic growth’ is about creating an environment that manifests growth, but does not outgrow itself. Because we have a balance of quality and quantity, we can continue to grow at a steady pace.”
“We’re looking for people who have an inherent interest in protecting their homes and families,” said Patrick.
You can learn more about Safe and Sound at their website, www.getsafeandsound.com, or by calling 925-234-4483.
26
Jul
2010
Posted by Leah
Storm season can mean false alarms
Summer storm season is here and so are our efforts to prevent false alarms based on those storms.
Every summer, we field numerous preventable false alarm calls during storms. Be sure to check all batteries in your system to keep your alarm from tripping during a thunderstorm. Another tip: make sure all doors and windows close and lock securely so that they don’t blow open in high winds. Finally, pick up tarps and trash if you have outside motion detectors.
Help us meet our goal of lowering false alarms this summer. If you have questions, call Monitronics at 800-447-9239.
16
Jun
2010
Posted by Leah
Monitronics Greg Hurst wins CSAA Manager of the Year
Monitronics Monitoring Center Manager Greg Hurst today won Manager of the Year from the Central Station Alarm Association (CSAA). This prestigious award recognizes Hurst as an outstanding manager who performs in the highest professional manner and makes significant contributions to the betterment of the alarm industry and the alarm profession. It also notes his exceptional service to his customers and community.
“Greg’s passion for excellence and his involvement and implementations are remarkable and make him a great leader worthy of this award,” said Mary Jensby, Director of the Monitronics Central Station. “In particular, we nominated him for his efforts to reduce false alarms, save operator time, increase response time, and build a close-knit team.”
Hurst, who received honorable mention for this same award in 2009, was acknowledged today at the CSAA Central Station Excellence Awards Breakfast Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
“Team Monitronics actually won this award. My name may be on the trophy, but it was what we did that helped us stand out,” said Hurst. “I appreciate everyone allowing me to be a part of this team. We did great!”
These awards are sponsored by SDM Magazine.
03
Jun
2010
Posted by Jason
Central Station up for prestigous awards
Monitronics has reason to be proud: Greg Hurst and Anne Glickstein have been nominated for prestigious awards from the Central Station Alarm Association (CSAA).
Greg is nominated for manager of the year and Anne for support of the year. In addition, we are nominated for Central Station of the year.
The winners will be announced June 16 at the CSAA Central Station Awards Breakfast in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Good luck!
03
May
2010
Posted by Leah
Dealers’ code of conduct exceeds expectations
Monitronics operates through a network of authorized dealers. In a nutshell, that means that they sell and install alarm systems and we monitor them with our award-winning Central Station.
“Just who are these dealers and what can I expect?” you may ask yourself? Well, we snagged a few minutes of an expert’s time to find out. Bruce Mungiguerra, our VP of Field Services, is the man who oversees the quality of Monitronics dealers and he knows the process inside-out.
“When one of our authorized dealers knocks on your door, they are not only the face of their individual company name and brand, but also the face of Monitronics and you can expect certain things from them, like courtesy, honesty, and integrity,” he said. “They have been through some of the best training in the industry–I’ve got full confidence that they provide a great experience for our customers.”
Here are a few things you can count on:
- Professional in-home security analysis, including an evaluation of the interior and exterior of the home.
- Thorough sales presentation with a product demo and specifics of what each component will do to help protect the home.
- Complete overview of the items included in your security package and what will take place when the technician arrives.
- Explanation of the alarm monitoring agreement, terms, monthly monitoring rate, and any installation fees.
- Professional installation, equipment training, and an overview of the system manual.
- A home that is as clean as when the dealer arrived.
- A dealer who is available to answer your questions after the sale and installation
If you don’t have a monitored alarm system from Monitronics, you can give us a call at 800-447-9239. We’ll get an authorized dealer out to your home to talk security, systems, and your peace of mind.
29
Apr
2010
Posted by Leah
Prevent summer scams from happening to you
Consumer Reports issues “Scam Alert: Don’t Get Ripped Off.”
This summer, beware of door-to-door home security scams. These guys are swindlers and they will lie to get you to switch your account. Their offer will sound great, but it’s not legitimate. You might end up with some unpleasant consequences: double bills, a non-working security system, and a real headache trying to get the situation fixed. Never change your security provider without calling Monitronics first at 800-396-9815.
Look for the signs of a scam:
- 1. Offering free upgrades or equipment
They might claim that your system is analog and will quit working. This is not true.
2. Claiming that Monitronics is out of business.
We’re here to provide you with reliable, 24/7 protection.
3. Using high pressure sales talk, trying to make you switch security companies.
The pressure should be a red flag: honest and legitimate sales people don’t need to be pushy.
Report these scam artists right away to Monitronics and don’t be fooled. These people are often friendly, neatly dressed, and college-aged. They are usually unassuming and can be perceived as very helpful and informative. The sales pitch varies, but often they will deceive you by saying that your Monitronics home security alarm system is inadequate or faulty and needs to be replaced. They might claim that we are out of business. None of it is true.
They will likely pressure you to sign a contract immediately and install the same day. They’ll even offer to help you cancel your Monitronics service.
If you take advantage of their offer, you immediately risk your home security. The equipment is often installed improperly, which can cause your Monitronics alarm to stop working. Plus, you risk signing multiple long-term service contracts that will force you to pay two monthly bills.
Make sure you know the facts and whom you are dealing with when a door-to-door security sales person shows up. Get the name of the sales person and his or her company and call Monitronics at 800-396-9815. We care about your safety.
12
Mar
2010
Posted by Leah
Moni Sponsors Conference on Crimes Against Women
Monitronics celebrated International Women’s Day on March 8 by being a gold sponsor at an inspirational event.
The annual Conference on Crimes Against Women (CCAW) was held in Dallas, Texas, March 8-10at the Sheraton Dallas Hotel in Downtown.
The conference serves to educate and inspire those who are in and those who support law enforcement. Prosecutors, medical personnel, social workers, police officers, forensic examiners, and victims’ advocates from across the country were in attendance.
The cause is an important one to us at Monitronics because we are committed to protecting women and all people from violence. In the United States, an estimated 1.3 million women are victims of physical assault by an intimate partner each year. One in six women will experience a sexual assault or an attempted sexual assault. One in 12 women has been stalked in their lifetime. Almost one third of female homicide victims are killed by an intimate partner.
The Monitronics informational table saw dozens of visitors who learned about our award-winning monitored alarm services and our efforts to partner with law enforcement. Several employees manned the table to show support and learn how we can be of assistance in communities across America.
The key note speaker was the Honorable Judge Ronald Adrine, an acting Judge in Ohio and co-chair for the National Judicial Institute on Domestic Violence. Judge Adrine set the tone for the conference which was advocating for top-notch police work, followed by committed prosecutions using the latest in technology to ensure convictions of violent offenders.
CCAW organizers left no stone unturned when selecting workshop topics and speakers. Attendees were able to receive continuing education credits for attending workshops such as:
* The Change Process for Abusive Men
* Women in Gangs
* The Power of DNA Technology in Solving Crimes
* Sex Offender Registration: What you need to know
* Ethical Considerations for Prosecutors in Sexual Assault cases
* Case Study: The Bike Path Rapist
Workshops were led by experienced professionals including:
* Jennifer Markowitz, Forensic Nurse
* Bob Morton, FBI
* Sergeant Chuck Young of the Dallas PD
* Jodi Rafkin, National Center for Victims of Crime
* Christine Mansour, Human Rights Initiative of North Texas
* Dottie Laster US Attorney’s Human Trafficking Rescue Alliance
* Kristen Anderson, National Center for Missing and Exploited Children
The Conference on Crimes Against Women was founded in 2005 by the Dallas Police Department and the Genesis Women’s Shelter.
03
Mar
2010
Posted by Leah
Photos from anniversary luncheon
Here are some photos from our Friday anniversary luncheon. Aren’t we pretty? To see the entire set, visit our Flickr page here.
01
Mar
2010
Posted by Leah
5 reasons our customers should love us in 2010
As part of National Optimism Month in March, we’re blogging five reasons why our customers should be loving us in 2010. We see so many reasons to be optimistic about the coming months, from exciting new technologies to our efforts to make sure every alarm is a real alarm. We’re excited about this year and here’s why.
5 Reasons To Love Us in 2010
1. Business is good and we’re focusing on customer service. Even in this down economy, we’re growing and we are paying special attention to your needs. We want to hear from you on this blog, our Facebook page, or our Twitter account. How can we serve you better?
2. Speaking of social networking, we HEART our 344 fans on Facebook and our 470 followers on Twitter. We share safety tips, insider news, and fun facts on both, as well as responding to customer praise or complaints. Come join the online party.
3. New technologies are helping people feel more secure. We’re now offering customers the ability to stream live video of their homes to a BlackBerry or iPhone or watch video clips online. They can even arm and disarm remotely (and more!).
4. We’re providing better protection against unethical scammers. This summer will be a test of our efforts to stop what we call “summer slamming.” This is when unscrupulous door-to-door security sales people try to rip you off and trick you into “switching” service. We’re getting more assertive in stopping this practice. Learn more at www.monitronics.com/securityscam.
5. We’re saving lives. Our award-winning monitoring center had an average response time of just 22.1 seconds in 2009 and in an emergency, every second counts. You can trust Monitronics with your safety.
This is why WE think our customers will love us in 2010. What’s your opinion? Leave us a comment and let us know.
26
Feb
2010
Posted by Leah
Longtime employees honored
At my first job out of college, turnover was so high that no one got a desk nameplate and rarely did anyone order business cards. Why bother?
That turnover said a lot about the company: the atmosphere was toxic, the management was jaded, and the pay was ridiculously low.
That horrid experience is actually part of why I now appreciate working at Monitronics. In addition to my very own business cards, I get to see 34 employees celebrate 10 or 15 years of employment. With the same company! Fancy that. And this is what I think that says about Monitronics: employees are valued, pay is fair, and the culture is outstanding.
To commemorate these anniversaries, we had a snazzy little luncheon at the Omni Park West Hotel in Dallas today. The celebrants dined and were each recognized for their service to Monitronics. Ten-year honorees received a ten-year pin, certificate of appreciation, and a $500 debit card. Fifteen-year honorees received a pin, certificate of appreciation, a $1,000 debit card, and two paid days off.
Click below to see the names of the 34 folks celebrating these achievements and join me in congratulating them!
17
Feb
2010
Posted by Leah
National home security dealer training starts today
Fifty authorized home security alarm dealers are experiencing the advantage of Monitronics’ premiere national training today as they start MoniExperience, or MoniX. This three-day seminar gives dealers a competitive edge and strengthens businesses of all sizes, allowing them to increase their succees.
Monitronics’ experienced staff will cover the security system installation processes; field service; funding; account creation management; sales and marketing; Monitronics’ preferred partners; and successful recruiting.
MoniX, which is the cornerstone of Monitronics’ training programs, is in its second year in 2010 and is now a requirement of all new dealers. This training is more extensive than what is generally offered in the rest of the industry. The national training offers practical, relevant information to sharpen the business acumen of our security dealers. Many established dealers also attend to take advantage of its business-building information.
The 37 companies represented will also get to meet Monitronics’ executive staff, tour the headquarters in Dallas, and learn about the departments and their functions.
“MoniX helps our dealers strengthen their businesses and build a strong foundation for future success,” said Steve Baker, Vice President of Sales and Dealer Development. “We also work hard to create a team spirit among our dealers, who are some of the best in the industry.”
Forty dealers will also attend a best-in-class sales training after MoniX with sales professional and industry expert Lou Sepulveda. This class is a thorough step-by-step process covering all aspects of successfully selling in the alarm industry. Dealers will sharpen their skills and walk out with the specialized knowledge for their businesses to thrive. Topics covered in sales training include recruiting sales people; door-to-door sales; the formula for selling; closing skills; and lead development.
15
Feb
2010
Posted by Leah
10 Twitter must-follows for the security industry
We’re Twitter junkies here at Monitronics (follow us at www.twitter.com/monitronics) and we learn tons about our industry from some of our fellow Tweeters.We want to know what’s happening in the industry, safety tips and know-how, and the best SEO/social networking practices. We happen to follow the @Verified_ALF feed because we loved bad 1980s television, but that’s neither here nor there.
- 1. @APXAlarms: Seth Jenks of APX Alarms in Provo, Utah. Great community, interesting look inside his company, and lots of useful links.
2. @SSN_Dan: Our favorite industry reporter, Dan Gelinas of Security Systems News. Lots of links to his blog Monitor This! and excellent industry updates.
3. @IncMagazine: The magazine for entrepreneurs our of NYC. Fantastic articles. We retweet all the time.
4. @CherylWatterson: She’s the woman behind LetsTalkHomeSecurity.com, an online security resource company. Great ideas for homeowners about protection strategies and practical tips.
5. @NFPA: All the news that fit to Tweet from the National Fire Protection Association.
6. @ProvidentMike: From Mike Jagger, President & CEO of Provident Security in lovely Vancouver. He’s a security speaker and expert on the topic.
7. @CrimeReports: Lots of safety resources. The “I luv stupid criminals” tweets are entertaining.
8. @KseniaCoffman: Interested in wireless, physical security, smart grid, ITS & B2B marketing/social media.
9. @BrentDirks: Dallas-based E-news and Web editor for Security Products and Network-Centric Security magazines.
10.@HoneywellSec: Honeywell Security Group delivers innovations, technologies, and products. Good stuff.
Some Twitter lists we love
- 1. @monitronics/industry: We’ve created this list following 90 feeds. Broad coverage of security in all its forms.
2. @KseniaCoffman/physec: Everything from homeland security to privacy rights.
3. @RhiannaDaniels/security: More good stuff.
02
Feb
2010
Posted by Leah
MoniX video #5
This month, we’ve released four videos for our dealers about MoniX, our premiere training program taking place in Dallas February 16-18. Check them out here:
Now we bring you the final video, number five, starring the entire sales team here at Monitronics.
To register for MoniX, go to www.moniexperience.com and get all the details. We’ll see you there!