23
Apr 2010
Posted by Jason
0 comments

Monitronics gets new wellness coordinator

Donna PiketMonitronics employees have a fantastic new resource. Starting today, Donna Piket is our new Wellness Coordinator, an essential part of the MI Health initiative. Monitronics believes that a fit, healthy employee makes for a happier, more productive person. So we are committed to helping our colleagues reach their wellness goals.

Donna is hosting an open house tomorrow through the 29th to help educate employees of all aspects of health and wellness and the programs that will be offered.

Donna has been a health educator and registered massage therapist for over 10 years. She graduated from UT Austin with a Bachelor’s degree in kinesiology. She also has a Master’s degree in public health from UNT Health Science Center in Fort Worth.

“I look forward to meeting each of you and kicking off your MI Health Wellness Program,” she said. “Beginning in May, I will be offering two free classes, ‘Healthy Eating On A Budget’ and ‘Vitamin D: Are You Deprived?’”

The MI Health wellness program will offer other services, such as:

  • Personal wellness profile (free)
  • Personal fitness assessment (free)
  • Metabolic assessment (free)
  • Methodist Wellness at Work ($25 for the 12-week program)
  • Methodist Fitness Express ($25 for the 12-week program)
  • Tobacco cessation (free)
  • Customized wellness coaching (free)
  • Well-managed diabetes program
  • Stress management workshops (free)
  • Exercise room (free)

Employees can dial 3117 for more information about the open house, including hours, or to speak to Donna. They can also e-mail her at wellnesscoordinator@monitronics.com.

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15
Apr 2010
Posted by Leah
4 comments

What’s on the Monitronics CEO’s bookshelf?

DSC_0223CEO’s get where they are through years of experience and some fierce business smarts. Part of their success is about seeking out opportunities to learn: what has worked—or not—for other business leaders?

Monitronics’ CEO Mike Haislip is no exception. In his 35 years of experience, he has read countless books on leadership and business strategy. I sat down with him to talk about some of his favorite titles and what he learned from them. Here’s a rundown of his top five:

In Search ExcellenceIn Search of Excellence: Lessons from America’s Best-Run Companies by Thomas J. Peters and Robert H. Waterman “The first popular business book I read and took seriously back in the 1980’s was In Search of Excellence by Thomas Peters and Robert H. Waterman. That book and its companion, A Passion for Excellence, really got me thinking about how to set up an organization that could consistently deliver superior results. They helped to establish in me a core belief in customer service, the front-line employee, and the need to stay focused on results. They also kindled a fire in me to learn more.

Thriving on ChaosThriving on Chaos: Handbook for a Management Revolution by Tom Peters “In 1987 came another Peter’s classic, Thriving on Chaos. Building on the themes in A Passion for Excellence, he drives home the need to not just live with change, but to drive change, and build an organization which embraces change – and this was before personal computers put change into hyper-drive. This book came out at a time of rapid change in the cable industry where I was working. I realized that change was going to be a constant in my career and that change management needed to be a core competency. I read every article and book about change that I could get my hands on.

managing for resultsManaging for Results by Peter Drucker

“Another writer I respect very much is Peter Drucker. While I find his books rather dry, they are so full of wisdom I can’t stop reading.

One of his classics is Managing for Results where he explains how to identify and understand the true drivers of your business and how to translate that knowledge into results. It is a must read for managers.

7 habitsThe 7 Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen R. Covey

“One thing I try not to do is bounce from one management theory to another every time another book comes out. I find this particularly true for ‘how I did it’ books.

I look for books that have basic, time-tested truths. One such book is The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen R. Covey. Its principles can be applied across business and personal situations and will be as relevant thirty years from now as they are today.

team dysfuncationsThe Five Dysfunctions of a Team: A Leadership Fable by Patrick Lencioni

“More recently, we have used The Five Dysfunctions of a Team by Patrick Lencioni as a team building exercise. We were trying to meld some new members into the team, and used the exercises in this book to understand each other better and to build better working relationships.

“These five books have helped shape how I approach leadership and management. It begins with focusing on the right drivers. It requires getting everyone pulling in the same direction using every resource at your disposal – vision, culture, goals and objectives, etc. And it requires an obsessive focus on results coupled with extraordinary flexibility to continually review and adjust your focus as things change.”

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13
Apr 2010
Posted by Jason
0 comments

Tuesday tips: Stay safe during tornado season

tornadoHaving grown up in the Lone Star State, I’ve got a healthy respect for Texas twisters. The sky turns a pukey shade of green, hail starts pounding the roof, that scary siren sounds, and next thing you know, you’re shuffling your kids and pets into the hall closet, praying for safety.

But Texas is just one of the many areas that are at risk. Each year, about a thousand tornadoes touch down in the U.S. during peak tornado season, March through May. A majority of those fall in “tornado alley,” a vaguely defined area that stretches from Texas to the Canadian prairies and from Colorado to Pennsylvania.

But tornadoes have a way of defying expectations, so it’s smart to know what you’re dealing with—watch for these signs:

    * A yellowy-green color to the sky
    * Hail, particularly if your area is under tornado watch
    * A sudden calm and quiet within a storm or right after it
    * Rapidly moving clouds in the sky, particularly if they are rotating or congregating toward the edge of the storm
    * Whirling dust or debris on the ground under the clouds
    * Loud, continuous “swishing” or waterfall sound that becomes a roar like a train or jet
    * Debris falling from the sky

If you’ve got a basement, head down there ASAP. Cover yourself with a mattress or heavy blankets. Think about where the heavy objects are in the floors above, like a dryer or stove, and don’t get right below them.

If there’s no basement, find an enclosed, windowless area on the lowest floor. Crouch low to the floor, face down, and cover yourself with something like a mattress or heavy blankets. Getting in the tub and covering yourself is a good precaution. If you’re in a business environment, try heading for the interior stairwells and stay off the elevators.

Mobile home dwellers, get out! You are safer outside, even if your home is tied down. Head for a permanent building or tornado shelter nearby. If neither are available, lie flat on the lowest spot you can find and protect your head. Stay away from large objects that could be blown onto you, like trailers or cars. The same advice follows for those stuck outdoors.

If you’re in a vehicle, judge how far away the tornado is—if it is very distant and there is little traffic, you might be able to drive away from its destruction by moving at right angles to the storm. If not, follow the directions above—find a ditch, cover your head, and never seek shelter under a bridge.

During all this drama, listen to the NOAA weather radio for updates. If your area sustains damage, get away from the structure when the storm is over and wait for the emergency responders to arrive. Keep away from dangers, like downed power lines, sharp objects, heavily damaged buildings, and any fire (natural gas leaks area a particular worry after a tornado). Follow instructions from the emergency crews and make use of your emergency kit if there are injuries.

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06
Apr 2010
Posted by Jason
1 comment

Tuesday tips: What to do when the alarm sounds

iStock_000011064387XSmallIt’s jarring, to say the least, when an alarm system goes off. The sirens, the panicky feeling, the sense of urgency. So what DO you do?

First, is it a false alarm? Did you set it off by opening a window or walking past a motion sensor? If that’s the case, walk to your panel and disarm the system. Anytime your alarm sounds, you have 30 seconds to do this–if you cancel the alarm in that time, it is not considered an emergency and you may not receive a call from the Monitronics monitoring center.  Do not disarm if there is a genuine emergency.

Here’s what to do in other situations:

Fire: Get out of your house as quickly as possible. We are going to dispatch the fire department when we get the alarm.

Medical emergency: When you receive a call from the Monitronics monitoring center, we will dispatch the emergency services and stay on the line with you until an ambulance arrives. Our average response time in 2009 was 22.1 seconds, so we’ll be calling or coming over your two-way voice panel quickly.

Burglary: Assess the situation. If you can leave the house, get out and call 911. You can also press the panic button on the alarm and we will dispatch the police immediately.

Carbon monoxide alarm: Leave the premise immediately we will dispatch the fire department.

Home invasion: Press the silent panic button on the alarm panel if you are able. Otherwise, cooperate with the intruder until the responding authorities arrive.

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Posted in: Business Security, Home Security, Tuesday tip

30
Mar 2010
Posted by Leah
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Do gated communities have less crime?

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I was a bit of a rebel in my youth, talking smack about “the man” and aspiring to a sort-of hippie lifestyle on a farm or maybe a commune. At the very least, a vintage house in an old neighborhood.

Many years and fewer tie-dye t-shirts later, I live somewhere I never, ever thought I would: a gated housing community. They always seemed so…bourgeois? Isolated? But with age and experience, I now appreciate the sense of security and safety I have from those brick walls and that iron gate. I’ve lived in a house that was broken into and I know that terrible feeling. I never want to that experience again.

About 7 million households are in gated communities—that’s about 6% of the total in the U.S. About 4 million of those 7 live with restricted access through gates, entry codes, key cards or security guards.

But there’s a basic question there that needs examining: Do those gates add protection and security for homes inside? Do they really keep the bad guys out? Or are we living under the false illusion of security?

The general answer is yes—there is less crime in gated neighborhoods for several reasons. First, there’s usually a stronger sense of community there because they are geographically unified, often have area associations, and have better pedestrian traffic because of the lack of through-traffic. Second, those security guards and restricted access may actually, well, restrict access.

But the truth is that the crime rate is not as low as many of the builders of those gated communities would have you believe. The city of Miami reports that “some forms of crime such as car theft are reduced, at least immediately after the streets are closed. However, data indicates that the long-term crime rate is at best only marginally altered.”

But one type of crime goes down and stays down in gated communities: crimes against the person. This seems to occur because criminals want easier escape.

So what’s the verdict? Mixed. There are lots of pros and cons to a gated community, but don’t let it fool you into complacent behavior, like not locking the door or setting your monitored home security system.

Of course, no matter your neighborhood, one of the best things you can do it start a neighborhood crime watch (read more about that here). So take care and think safety, no matter where you live.

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Posted in: Home Security

22
Mar 2010
Posted by Leah
0 comments

Moni celebrates MAS conversion anniversary

iStock_000002807197XSmallIt’s a big day here at Monitronics: we’re celebrating the one-year anniversary of our conversion to MASterMind (MAS), our primary alarm monitoring and billing computer software.

For customers and dealers, this conversion to MAS is important because it has resulted in improved customer service: we’re a lean, mean machine with this software. MAS has allowed us to enhance our customer experience and forge stronger relationships with our dealer program, making it easier for everyone to do business with Monitronics.

During this first year, we’ve had our share of bumps and scrapes, but our success has shown us the great work we can do together. It’s also reinforced our commitment to customers and dealers. We’re looking forward to another successful year (and eating pastries to celebrate this first birthday of MAS!).

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22
Mar 2010
Posted by Jason
0 comments

Moni receives prestigious 5-diamond certification

Break out the champagne! We’re delighted to announce that our central station has been awarded the prestigious Central Station Alarm Association (CSAA) “CSAA Five Diamond Certification” for the fifth year in a row. Fewer than 100 central stations have achieved this honor out of about 2,700 nationwide. What an honor!

iStock_000008017404XSmallFor customers, this matters because this certification means that 100 percent of Monitronics‘ central station operators have achieved proficiency and certification by passing the CSAA Central Station On-Line Operator Training Course. That course gives operators the essential tools to communicate effectively with customers, law enforcement, fire, and emergency services centers. This distinguishes Monitronics as one of the best in the industry.

Five-diamond companies like Monitronics have also demonstrated an exceptionally high degree of responsibility to their local community and their customers through the investment of time, money, and commitment to 100 percent quality operator training.

The Central Station Alarm Association (CSAA) is a 60 year-old non-profit trade association that represents the major burglar and fire alarm central monitoring stations. CSAA is located in Vienna, Virginia, outside of Washington, D.C.

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18
Mar 2010
Posted by Leah
0 comments

Cell phones for soldiers

iStock_000009540937XSmallCell Phones for Soldiers, a nonprofit that helps our soldiers overseas call home, has extended their program to Farmers Branch, the home of Monitronics.

To support this effort, Monitronics employees are encouraged to bring a cell phone to Mary Jensby’s office on the fifth floor of the main tower. All phones will go to the Farmers Branch Community Recreation Center, which has collected 17,820 minutes worth of cell phone donations since becoming a drop-off point.

Anyone wishing to drop off a cell phone can stop by Mary’s office or call her at 972-243-7443, ext. 3616.

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16
Mar 2010
Posted by Leah
0 comments

Tuesday Tips: Prevent graffiti tagging vandalism

Is grafitti art or vandalism? It can be as simple as a few words or images sprayed or scrawled on a surface, like a fence or a wall (or a building, which makes people quite unhappy). It can be complex as full color, elaborate murals. The debate rages on the art versus vandalism question, but one form of graffiti is generally agreed to be more dangerous than the rest: gang tagging or gang graffiti.

iStock_000006400881XSmallGang tagging is when someone marks a place with some sort of image or word that indicates gang territory, fights between rivals or collaborations, or as a way of marketing street drugs. It can mean that you’re in the cross hairs of danger. Plus it’s ugly and makes a neighborhood look trashy.

Many police departments offer graffiti control programs–check with your city to see if they can provide you with more information on how to prevent graffiti vandalism. Here are our tips.

How can you keep graffiti out of your neighborhood?
* Call your local police or sheriff and report all vandalism.
* Remove or paint over any graffiti on your property right away after taking a pictures of it.
* Educate your child about this crime.
* Help neighbors in graffiti removal.

For Business Owners
* Protect spray paint from theft–consider locking the up. And remember not to sell them to minors.
* Place signs in the spray paint area about the penalties for graffiti vandalism.
* Keep spray paint displays in an area that is easily seen by employees.

How to Remove Graffiti
* Keep matching paint on hand so you can cover it right away.
* For glass or previously painted metal surfaces, use MEK (methylethyl ketone) to remove graffiti.
* Ask your local hardware store for other graffiti removal products for glass, unpainted metal surfaces, brick, and cinder block.

What if You See a Tagger in Action?
* DO NOT speak to or attempt to stop the person.
* Get a good description of the person and get a license plate number if possible for police.
* Call 911 to report a vandalism-in-process.

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Posted in: Business Security, Home Security, Tuesday tip

12
Mar 2010
Posted by Leah
0 comments

Moni Sponsors Conference on Crimes Against Women

Greg Hurst mans the Moni boothMonitronics 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.

SignageThe 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.

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Posted in: Behind Our Doors, Industry Happenings

05
Mar 2010
Posted by Jason
0 comments

Tuesday Tips: Prevent carjacking

iStock_000009467350XSmall Carjacking is a frightening, violent form of robbery. This is not only because an individual gets up close and personal with a weapon to steal your car, but also because carjacking sometimes is accompanies by another crime: kidnapping. Kidnap victims are frequently dropped off at another location unharmed, but others have been raped, assaulted, and even murdered.

This crime seems to capture the imagination of people because it is so personal and all too often, we hear about the baby left in the car or celebrity victim (think Robin Wright Penn in 1996). It also threatens something the vast majority of adults do: drive.

The National Crime Victimization Survey reports that carjacking victimization rates were highest in urban areas, followed by suburban and rural areas. Ninety-three percent of carjackings occurred in cities or suburbs and a weapon was used in 74% of carjackings.

Where does it happen most? Busy commercial areas where cars are parked and when the owner is entering or exiting the parked vehicle. The majority (65%) occur within five miles of the victim’s home. There’s also the “bump” and carjack–a light or small tap from behind, enough to get you to stop.

What Should You Do?

* Be alert. Your gut will often tell you if someone does not belong near you and your car.
* Watch for men who are loitering near your car or approaching you.
* Lock the doors to your car when you drive and when you park
* Always park in well-lighted, open areas. Consider valet if you’re a woman.
* Get in the car quickly and drive away immediately.
* If someone bumps you in traffic, be suspicious and stop in a busy, well-lit place (a police or fire station is ideal).
* If you are carjacked, give up your keys, get out of the car, and don’t fight.
* Never, ever agree to be kidnapped. Get out of the car and run.
* Call law enforcement immediately after you are safe

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Posted in: Home Security

05
Mar 2010
Posted by Jason
0 comments

Start a neighborhood crime watch

We’ve mentioned it before: good neighbors make good security. And what better way to get good neighbors than to start a crime watch program if you don’t have one?

How to Start a Neighborhood Crime Watch

1. Think about the things you want to accomplish: get to know each other? Talk about  crime? Start a patrol? Organize a committee?

2. Pick a date. Evenings are best, around 7 p.m. Schedule the meeting in someone’s home so neighbors can walk and feel comfortable in their own surroundings. You’ll also increase attendance. If no one is willing to host, consider a local church or public space. At least 30% participation is required to organize your group.

3. Call your local police department and ask an officer to attend. That officer is a wealth of information, from crime statistics and prevention tips to community policing, and information about how the police can help deter crime. In particular, ask the officer to address what is needed when calling the police about a suspicious person or vehicle.

4. Make a flyer, one for each home or apartment. This is to inform everyone of the meeting; the brochure speaks to the implementation of Neighborhood Watch. Your local police department may have ready-made brochures for you to distribute. Be sure to ask.

5. At the meeting, identify a neighborhood chairperson and organize the first meeting. Set up a telephone chain to be shared with neighbors participating in the crime watch. The chain is a list of phone numbers and addresses, as well as any special information about that location. This is how people stay in touch and it is a critical part of the program.

6. Ask if the police can provide crime watch signs, house stickers, or t-shirts for your group.

7. Set up a regular time for meetings each month and make plans to distribute the telephone chain.

This is not an easy process, but it’s one of the best things that can happen to a neighborhood!

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Posted in: Home Security

03
Mar 2010
Posted by Leah
0 comments

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.

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Posted in: Behind Our Doors, Industry Happenings

02
Mar 2010
Posted by Jason
0 comments

Tuesday Tips: Don’t get burned!

Did you know that around 80% of all burns occurs in or around the home? They’re totally preventable in both adults and children! Getting burned is a traumatic experience both physically and mentally, so be cautious and stay safe.
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Burn prevention tips from Monitronics

* Keep water heater temperature at 120 degrees Fahrenheit or lower

* Don’t cook at the stove with kids underfoot

* Turn handles of pots toward the back of the store and don’t leave pots unattended

* Never pour hot liquids while holding a child

* Check temperature of bath water before placing a child in it and don’t ever leave a child unattended in the tub

* Put matches and lighters in unreachable or locked location

* Keep key out of the gas control and put a heavy cover in front of the fireplace

* Use safety plugs in electrical outlets

* Avoid chemical burns by moving all dangerous products to an unreachable place

* Slather on the sunscreen when outside

* Install smoke alarms in multiple locations around the house (each floor and bedroom) and test monthly

* Candles are dangerous. Don’t leave them unattended.

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01
Mar 2010
Posted by Leah
4 comments

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.
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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.

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