I 'd like to address some issues that have recently arisen that myself and the other Moderators have noticed and discussed amongst ourselves:
1) Screen Names: For this website as well as other professional networking industry groups, you should choose a PROFESSIONAL moniker. Believe it or not, you can lose business simply because of an unprofessional one. A potential client might shy away from you simply because they deem you unprofessional based on thier first impression of you which is your screen name.
2) Spelling/Grammar/Punctuation/Capitalization: The way a person writes is indicative of the kind of work product they will produce. If a person doesn't write professionally, doesn't take time out to utilize the spell check function available in most tool bars now, to consult a dictionary, to proof read thier posts, etc. Then this is an indication that they are not detailed oriented, they don't take pride in how they present themselves, they are sloppy, and simply write in thier manner to "get the job done". If they have this attitude in writing, then it is a strong possibility this is how they are as a person.
So there is a theory that a person who writes unprofessionally may also conduct themselves unprofessionally which could lead to major liability issues for potential clients.
To further illustrate the vastness of this problem Nationwide, I recently saw on a news talk show regarding illiteracy in professional corporations which were now conducting internal professional business writing courses for thier employees. Please remember that everything and anything we write, including your fugitive case files, may be used in legal proceedings.
Also please remember that "You never get a 2nd chance to make a 1st impression".
3) Purpose of FRN: The main purpose of FRN is for PROFESSIONALS of this industry to network with each other, discuss the industry trends/issues, etc. This is not a SOCIAL network such as MYSPACE, AOL, YAHOO, etc. Recently some new members have been treating FRN as such. If you desire to socialize in a more personal manner with a member, you can do so through pm's, e-mails, thier other listed links in thier profiles, etc. this is not to say that on occasions, member's don't toss in off-handed comments from time to time. That is done in the spirit of Professional Comraderie.
4) POSTS: Please keep posts to current situations/issues. Recently several new member's have posted to articles that are no longer viable. I'm not referring to questions on re-curring issues or about equipment, procedures, laws etc. What I am talking about are making posts to articles just for the sake of making a post.
We strive for professionalism, excellence, integrity, honour, and quality of posts......not quantity.
Listed below is a link to an online dictionary:
http://dictionary.reference.com/
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Thank You, Take care and God Bless...
and if you add any starch to your drawers . . . well suffice to say ~ I will not be Happy. Who will make me smile?????
... but I will probably continue to do so........ but maybe to a slightly lesser degree. 