Jordan Frankel, world-renowned security professional and founder of Global Security Experts, today announced the opening of the company’s first home security invention contest. The inventor with the most innovative security-related creation or concept will be awarded with a $10,000 cash prize. Professional and amateur inventors are invited to submit innovative security-related inventions or development concepts to the Global Security Experts Inventor’s Contest. There are only two requirements for submissions: all invention and concept submissions must be related to home security, and the inventions must retail for $99 or less. “We’re looking for the next best home security product or concept – something that will really make an impact by making homes safer and more secure” Frankel said. Invention submissions can be either physical security or electronic security products, like door locks, surveillance cameras, alarm systems, lighting systems, and more. Entries may be in the form of sophisticated concept drawings, basic concept descriptions, or photos or descriptions of actual prototypes. The deadline for entry submission is August 31, 2013. Entries must be submitted electronically to Mr. Jordan Frankel at Inventions@Globalsecurityexperts.com. Frankel, known worldwide as the Security Sensei, is in a unique position to support aspiring security inventors, as he is a world-renowned security expert and inventor himself. Frankel’s revolutionary security inventions, like his most recent invention, the OnGARD security door brace, have been praised on several national television shows and in newspapers throughout the country, including The Oprah Show, Fox News, the Rachael Ray Show and the Boston Herald. The President of the Society of Professional Locksmiths, Tom Lynch, said, “Jordan invented one of the easiest and most affordable home security products in the last 60 years. The OnGARD residential door brace is definitely a home security game changer.”
As a commercial and residential security expert, Frankel has also completed countless security makeovers and trainings for celebrities, CEOs and even former presidents of the United States. Law enforcement officials in the United States and across the world have looked to Frankel as a leading security resource for almost 20 years. Frankel frequently makes guest appearances on various media outlets, and he has authored numerous security articles for the most esteemed security magazines and publications worldwide. Frankel looks forward to reviewing each and every invention submission personally. Members of the Society of Professional Locksmiths will also review all submissions for ease of installation and overall functionality. For queries regarding the contest, or to submit an entry, contact Mr. Jordan Frankel at Inventions(at)Globalsecurityexperts(dot)com. The Security Sensei is available for media interviews regarding his security training and services, along with Global Security Experts’ security products, including OnGARD, BlastGARD, BurglarGARD and more. For more information, visit globalsecurityexperts.com. About Global Security Experts: For nearly two decades, Jordan Frankel has led the professionals at Global Security Experts in providing affordable, customized home security solutions for the everyday citizen. Global Security Experts offers the latest state-of-the-art security devices and physical deterrents to home invasion, as well as on-site training to families, businesses and individuals worldwide. Frankel, known as the Security Sensei, is a highly trusted authority in the field of residential security. He has completed home security makeovers and trainings for celebrities, high-profile business executives, and even a former President of the United States. Frankel and his revolutionary security inventions have been featured on several national television shows and in news outlets throughout the country, including The Oprah Show, The Rachael Ray Show, Fox News, The Boston Herald and more. Additionally, Frankel has authored countless articles for a variety of the most respected security publications worldwide. To learn more and to find out what Global Security Experts can do for you, visit globalsecurityexperts.com. Contact Information: Jordan Frankel Global Security Experts/ShatterGARD Globalsecurityexperts.com (888) 306-7998 x 14
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The Associated Locksmiths of America or should I say, ALOA Security Professionals Association since they have removed the word "locksmith" from their image are now proposing to petition the Federal Trade Commission to consider certain acts by a locksmith to be deemed "criminal" activity. The irony of this is that it is intended to be the silver bullet that curbs all scammer activity and consumer ripoffs which are not conducted by the locksmith community, but by individuals "posing" as locksmiths. For some reason in my view, this association's leadership continues to be obsessed with government regulations, licenses and rules, and the more they are rejected the more desperate their efforts become. In a recent ABC News article, hardworking honorable mobile locksmiths found themselves betrayed and abandoned while consumers were being told to only pick a lock shop or retail storefront for service which makes all mobile locksmiths look like criminals. It also presented recommendations like not to pay cash for a service and that any trained locksmith can open "any" lock, which any true professional knows is not accurate or honest. When these types of articles are presented to the general public they are crafted from talking points obtained by those wishing to drive the agenda of licensing which leads to the restriction of trade. Locksmith Bryan Patricks posted in a LinkedIn discussion that he did his research and contacted ABC News KSTP and when he asked where the news station got their information from, he was told the following - "Your locksmith association and editorial outlets." Bryan Patricks also stated that he discovered the news article was shared on the Locksmith Ledger (a locksmith magazine and editorial content) social media page. When he posted an observation and objection to the fact that the consumers were being directed only to retail storefront operations or lock shops, and that several of the consumer tips were misleading and inappropriate - his post was deleted! Eventually, someone from the Locksmith Ledger did admit in the same LinkedIn discussion that licensing is not working, but we never seem to see any editorials saying so or reporting on the position of those opposed to it. Not one article was ever run to reflect the deception discovered in Florida by the Locksmith Investigator (Accurate Answers? Parts 1, 2 & 3 - Neglected facts and mis-characterizations lead to wrong conclusions). So what's really going on? In another locksmith magazine with editorial content dated April 2013 called The National Locksmith, publisher Marc Goldberg admits his participation and others in manufacturing and distribution engaged in the effort to rename the "locksmiths" because it is "too old". He further states that the new identity of this long respected craft, (which dates as far back as the Egyptians by the way!) will now be identified as "Security Professionals" and to make the public aware of it. Goldberg's revelations also hint that when it came to spending money to a public relations firm (which would cost thousands of dollars) to reach the general public to raise awareness, that he didn't know how it all was left off, and then came the "scammers". He then discusses how if you Google Locksmiths you will find lots of articles, news reports and government websites advising the public to find a LEGITIMATE LOCKSMITH (code word). And they even tell you how to find one or as they think you find one. He closes his remarks with the following statement - "In the end, we couldn't hope to buy the sort of publicity we as an industry are now getting for free." He thanks the scammers and says - "we couldn't have done it without you." What Goldberg does not tell you is how all the free publicity is negative and harming the industry! There has been and there is in my opinion an "intentional" effort to defame the locksmiths in order to elevate the new "goal" or agendas of a cabal, who claims it is in the interest of the industry. However, the mobile operators and the Mom & Pops seem to be forgotten in this new goal and only storefronts or retail shops are being considered. Mobile locksmiths are not illegitimate and comprise 80% of the industry! To further throw salt on the wounds of the industry, we find in in the May 2013 issue of the National Locksmith magazine, Editor Greg Mango sharing a letter he received about a news article which was written 1 year ago on June 8, 2012 by Sid Kircheimer for the AARP. The sender of the letter to the Editor is concerned about how the article is misleading and he/she describes how impossible it was to communicate with the AARP or the author to set things straight. The TNL Editor goes on to say that "knowing the source of the information or misinformation, affords you the opportunity to address the issue and alleviate any concerns". He further states in his editorial - "It is not so much that the information given by the AARP was incorrect, it's more the manner in which it was presented. The AARP article was intended to help the legitimate locksmiths and shine a light about the scammers to its members." I personally spoke with Sid Kircheimer immediately after the articles release and he was very pleasant and relayed the same "source of information" that Bryan Patricks recently discovered in the ABC news article and he also cited his source in his article, one of which was ALOA. This AARP story was being heatedly discussed in industry social media groups such as LinkedIn, Facebook, and industry forums etc. And why is it that the same misleading talking points are being regurgitated now one year later if it was simply an incorrect presentation? When I contacted the source of the AARP article. I was told that they were misquoted by Sid Kircheimer. However, there was no attempt to correct it. My conversation with Sid did not indicate there was any misquoting going on. So again I ask, what's really going on? Why is it that these "misquotes" seem to be occurring exactly the same 1 year later? I personally do not believe they are misquotes because if they were, they would not continually appear! The information in the AARP and now the ABC KSTP News story IS! The manner in which it was presented WAS intended to be incorrect or it would have been corrected. Here we are once again hearing how this was "intended" to help the "legitimate" locksmiths and "shine a light" on the scammers. The "source of the information" was addressed a year ago and yet this continues? In summary, if the news reports are getting their information from inside our industry and it is being presented incorrectly while intending to help the "legitimate" (which is code for retail storefront operations) as they "shine a light" (which is code for FREE negative publicity) on the scammers (which is code for anyone who cannot pick every lock or whatever other incorrect reasoning), then there is a problem. A real BIG problem. Whew!! Sounds like a story for Alex Jones! The excuse of the scammers is being bastardized in my opinion while the media is being used as a tool of misinformation and disinformation for the purpose of hype. Each news story becomes more and more obvious with the true purpose of the reports - which is to facilitate government regulation and licensing which is the "old" goals. It appears our own industry trade magazines are not interested in providing fair and balanced media coverage of the shenanigans. When you examine the news media coverage, official and unofficial documentation, email communications, social media chatter and trade editorials a picture emerges and it is alarming in my opinion. So what's really going on? The hardworking locksmiths are not doing anything wrong and never asked to have their reputations or livelihoods scuttled to achieve a goal of a few who wish to control the many. When you compare the ABC News article, to the behavior of censorship of the alternative opinions and the "new goal" to ALOA's proposal to make certain locksmith acts criminal as seen below, it becomes painfully obvious that what Bryan Patricks was told by the reporter at ABC KSTP news, is not only right - but damning. Below is the actual proposal to the Federal Trade Commission by ALOA Security Professionals to criminalize certain acts of the locksmith profession. What is disturbing is that one of the things they seek to criminalize is something they advocate, teach and train, which is drilling a lock. Throughout the locksmith industry, drilling a lock for the purpose of bypassing is a technique taught to everyone through every school, local association and correspondence course. To claim in a news story to the AARP, ABC (other media) and to the general public the notion that any locksmith who cannot "pick open" every or most locks and those who cannot should be dismissed or considered a scammer is irresponsible in my opinion. To attempt to drive consumers away form the hard working mobile operators is also irresponsible in my view and I question why any one of them would support those doing this. Lastly, to attempt to "price fix" by making it a criminal act for a locksmith to charge what the free market system gives him/her the freedom to do, is grossly criminal itself! On every United States dollar bill (and others) it states - "The following is legal tender for all debts, public and private". After reading the proposal below, it would be an illegal act to ask for this cash, but only if you are a locksmith! I publicly challenged ALOA leadership and staff to pick any lock of my choosing, at any location, at any time day or night, under any condition and do so within a reasonable amount of time (which is 5 minutes among professionals!) The Society of Professional Locksmiths offered to donate $1000 to their scholarship fund if they could. Not one person from this organization leadership stepped up to meet this challenge. The reason in my opinion is that these talking points to the media and lawmakers are a false narrative. Please stop defaming the hard working locksmiths and start defining the scammers and the issues properly, and if these news sources are getting the wrong information as claimed - why can't it be corrected? Proposed Addition to C.F.R Title 16: Commercial Practices: Rules Applicable to Locksmiths It is an unfair act or practice for a locksmith to: 1) Break, pry, drill, or otherwise damage or destroy a lock or other security device where industry standards dictate that such an opening should be performed by picking or otherwise performing the opening in such a manor as to avoid causing damage. 2) Cause damage to an entryway, locking device, window, or other property not in accordance with industry standards. 3) Require that payment be in cash only. 4) To charge more than 50% higher total charge industry standards for that local dictate when on a service call. 5) Misrepresent arrival time to a service call by more than 30 minutes. Such misrepresentation may be considered criminal if habitual, fraudulent, and or committed between the hours of 9:00 PM and 7:00AM. Violation of other sections of this title shall constitute a criminal act. Locksmith entrepreneur and marketing evangelista Stephen Sharpe brought to our industry two power-packed marketing manuals specifically designed for the locksmith. They were titled “Sometimes Your the Shark, Sometimes Your the Fish!” and “Shark Bites”. These two marketing manuals provided a step by step methodology and business guide to catapult any business into profits. Although designed for the locksmith, its methods could be deployed for any business. Everything the locksmith needs is provided in the form of advertising layouts, flyers, brochures, cards, proposals, catalog formats, stickers and much more. It was so comprehensive that anyone could do it, but the problem is that not every locksmith would do it! For many locksmiths the idea of being “competitive” must be accomplished byrules rather than hard work. But what rules? There are sales and marketing concepts which are referred to as rules or laws and many of them make sense and work, but there are some locksmiths who believe the idea of rules is more about making them on how everyone must play in the marketplace so that everyone is equal. In other words, “Everyone Wins a Fish” rule! Scammers Years ago locksmiths would spend their time complaining about the jack legs, butchers, tinkers, tow truck drivers, hardware stores, big box stores and newbies. Today many of them complain about scammers. It almost appears that if these locksmiths didn’t have someone to complain about then they would not be happy. So the call for rules of what should be done, and how terrible it is to have competition becomes the flavor of the day. The subjects of the complaints today are the scammers. By definition the scammers are considered to be undocumented foreign nationals "posing" as locksmiths so they can gouge the consumer. But that is also changing as more home grown Americans are being hired to be sub-contractors and call center managers/dispatchers. Many of these scammers are not skilled so it feeds the fuel of the complaints similar to the old jack legs and butchers. So how hard would it be to compete against such sub standard work? Not very! But it isn't so much the lack of skills that is the disturbing the locksmith community as it is their aggressive and successful marketing. Jim Mullins, a locksmith from Silver Springs Maryland drives this point home in a recent Washington Post news article where he states - "We don't have a fair chance to fight these guys who are marketing gurus and have big international money." The irony of this, is that the locksmiths have had every possible opportunity to educate themselves in marketing tactics and the last I checked, the American dollar had more spending power then many others international currency. Jim’s assessment of the situation is not incorrect, but the idea that the locksmiths feel things must be fair based on someone being a guru and others not being is disappointing. Most locksmiths spend a large amount of time honing technical skills but are terrible at marketing these skills. The scammers on the other hand are investing their time and money into marketing and are terrible in the skill sets need as a professional. This could be because they are not interested in a job well done and more interested in getting as much money as they can. Most locksmiths would love to walk away with money these scammers are receiving. After all it has been the very same locksmith complaining today, which have for years felt they should be paid like doctors and lawyers based on all the technical skills and information they have. So, is the problem more about the idea that others are getting it and they are not? Not so much! When you consider that the level of service by these scammers is substandard, but what if the service was reasonable? Would they still be disturbed? Based on the history of the need to find a scapegoat for the locksmiths own failures to recognize the importance of their marketing as strongly as their technical skills, the answer would probably be, yes! How it Works Scammers are essentially sub-contractors. They are dispatched from central phone banks or call centers which receive service requests from consumers. The calls are generated from an over abundance of ads and the exploitation of today’s cyber technology. Years ago the Yellow pages was the place where large ads would be found trying to dominate the fingers that walked through them. Today the Internet search engines are now the consumers shopping guide and it is powerful, but not impossible to harness. The sub-contractors respond to the jobs passed off to them by the dispatch centers and their goal is to obtain as much money for a job as possible because they are working on a percentage commission. Typically, there is a 40/60 split with 40% going to the sub-contractor. In some cases a 35 - 50% payout depending upon the relationship and the performance of the contractor. The more you produce and the more calls you cover, the more work you will receive. Nothing wrong with that and not much different them most locksmiths who seek to "farm out" work to others.
Since these sub-contractors are legally independent of the actual company or those posing as a company, they tend to operate under and falsely create a host of names and this gives the appearance of thousands of companies in the search engines. There are some sub-contractors and sub-contract companies who are not ripping off the consumers. There have been for years many good locksmiths who worked for similar companies and successfully earned an honorable living. The difference is whether or not they were real locksmiths taking on work to build their business or just those posing as one for the purpose of gouging an unsuspecting consumer. Locksmiths have nothing to fear by working for companies that are not taking advantage of anyone, but they need to understand just who is who! So what's the point of mentioning this in an article about marketing? The point is that there needs to be a clear understanding of the issues and those involved so the complaining can stop and action takes over! There are numerous ways for the locksmiths to benefit from a marketing campaign if they would just stop complaining and actually make the efforts. Good Actors – Bad Actors There are Good Actors (the locksmiths) and there are Bad Actors (those posing as locksmiths) and then there is the marketing arm of the bad actors. When we sit back and analyze the marketing driving these scammers, we are left with little response then to say - "These guys are really good!" I am sure after saying that these guys are really good, some locksmiths will throw a fit and the complaining will start, but in reality they know it is true. The Internet search engines have become saturated with ads and fictitious companies as well as hijacked company information from legitimate locksmiths. Although not entirely ethical, it is still pretty slick how they do what they do. All this designed to mislead the consumer. But at the end of the day, their ads are causing the phones to ring and the call centers to dispatch out to the waiting (bad actor) sub-contractor posing as the locksmith. Global Security Experts ("GSE"), Inc., the parent company of OnGARD Home Security Products, designs and manufactures proprietary security solutions for homeowners, businesses, law enforcement, military, executives and celebrities. Led by Jordan Frankel, an internationally known security consultant and product inventor, GSE currently produces six breakthrough products that transform the way individuals and industries guard against sudden natural and manmade attacks: BurglarGARD, BlastGARD, StormGARD, VehicleGARD and OnGARD. These products can withstand intense pressure and physical force, courtesy of Jordan's patented approach to security: safeguard lives by developing security solutions that are revolutionary, simple to use, and cost-effective. From ordinary attacks such as a thrown rock or a baseball bat or a potentially deadly bomb blast, GSE offers a wide array of products to combat these very-real threats. And these challenges are international in scope, confronting residents at home and high profile figures abroad. In each instance, GSE – thanks to Jordan's emphasis on the very best research and development - has an answer to the daily challenges that make security a necessity in a constantly changing world. Additionally, GSE now produces the Safe-Space, a proprietary design that converts an existing walk-in closet or bathroom into a reinforced vault-like area that keeps a family out of harm's way. The Safe-Space is a powerful investment in personal security and financial well-being, potentially increasing the value of a home. This commitment to helping others is the mission of GSE, a personal undertaking that is also Jordan's passion. Indeed, Jordan's leadership is part of his worldwide effort to bring proven and affordable security solutions to millions of consumers. This effort distinguishes GSE from competitors who exclusively service the elite, because Jordan recognizes that personal protection is not - and should never be - a luxury for the few. Rather, Jordan believes everyone has the right to peace of mind, starting with a home that is safe from outside threats. Got a security question? Click the Security Sensei image below and get the answer! GSE continues to receive accolades from a diverse array of governmental and for-profit clients, including: the United States Military, Verizon, Best Buy, AT&T Wireless and numerous financial institutions throughout the world. All these clients share a common bond: they entrust their safety to GSE. With this committed belief in security and safety as a natural right, GSE seeks to help more people safeguard their loved ones and property from deadly predators. This dedication to the worldwide community underscores everything GSE represents. www.globalsecurityexperts.com |
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