The increased attention and enforcement of the Do Not Call laws has made
it critical to have a complete compliance program in place. Often this
is best accomplished by choosing a compliance partner who focuses on this
issue.
Today an increasing number of solutions are being introduced to help solve
the technology aspect of the issue, but the real task is to find a company
that can play the part of a complete compliance partner. It’s important
to understand the related experience, regulatory expertise, technical capabilities,
operational procedures, and customer service capabilities in selecting
a company to assist with your compliance efforts. Here are some evaluation
criteria to use:
Experience
How long has the company been helping companies with
compliance issues?
Does the company have a strong list of references?
Regulatory Expertise
Does the company have regulatory expertise in
house?
Does it have an in-depth understanding of the federal AND state
legal issues?
Technical Solution
Does the company’s solution offer comprehensive
compliance or is it just a “band-aid?”
Can its solution be easily integrated into your existing
operations?
Can its technical infrastructure handle high volume needs
and security audits?
Operating Procedures
Can the company’s operating and list management
procedures stand up to scrutiny?
Customer Support
Does it have a responsive customer support
department
with appropriate hours?
Does the company have experience defending their
customers’ compliance procedures?
As a result of the substantial news media attention surrounding the National
Do Not Call list, many new companies have opportunistically entered the
marketplace. Although these companies may offer a technology solution,
they often lack a thorough understanding of the regulatory environment,
and may have a limited track record.
With the cost of a single violation from the federal or state perspective
ranging from $500 to $25,000, the cost of failing to comply can be easily
calculated. Companies should base their selection of a compliance partner
on a long-term trust relationship and not on short-term cost-savings.
It is important to identify companies who have the right qualifications
and who will be around when their customers really need help answering
the tough questions from federal and state regulators.
About the author
Scott Frey is the President and CEO of PossibleNOW and is one of the company’s
original founders. Mr. Frey plays a critical role in the strategic vision of
the company as well as in the technical development of the company’s
products. Prior to founding PossibleNOW, Mr. Frey was the Executive Vice President
of Sales and Marketing for CCS Technologies, a network solutions consulting
company. Mr. Frey’s career in high technology marketing and product and
solution development spans 15 years, and is highlighted by successful achievement
and leadership.
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