Sadly, it’s hard to tell who is for real anymore. Today I noticed a half-page ad in the Wall Street Journal advertising a service to protect against identify theft and “guarantee my good name.” Is this what we’ve come to? Are we now compelled to buy expensive insurance policies simply to go through life with our names intact?
While these services may someday become as important to have as any other business insurance or homewner’s policy, I still believe that we’re personally accountable for doing what we can do on an individual basis to preserve the integrity and reputation of our own names and the names of our companies. For example:
- I work closely with CB Software (the developer and hosting service for both this blog and the Business Advancement Inc. website) to ensure that files are secure, and that inquiries and comments are legitimate.
- I only disclose confidential information when I’ve initiated the call, or when the website I’m using has security protection.
- I ask those who send me email with attachments (even those I know) to send a message in the body copy so that I know the attachment is not a virus. Furthermore, you will never receive an unsolicited blank email with an attachment from me, or from anyone representing Business Advancement Inc.
Keeping our names and reputations intact can’t be totally delegated, no matter how good the protection service may be. We all need to be aware and engaged in the process.
