By: Linda Haran Next week (Feb 22-23), several Experian credit and collections experts will have the privilege of sharing their expertise with TRMA conference goers. Leading up to this year’s Conference, I thought I’d briefly introduce you to each of these speakers and provide a sneak preview of his or her presentation. Session: Wednesday, February 23, 2011 (9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.) Topic:  Economic Update: Historical linkages between credit conditions and the economy, and their impact on telecommunications. Experian Presenter: Linda Haran, Senior Director, Business Strategy and Marketing, Experian Decision Sciences —- KM: I want to welcome Linda Haran, Senior Director, Business Strategy and Marketing at Experian. Good morning, Linda. LH: Good morning, Kathy. It’s nice to see you. KM: Thanks. Well, another TRMA conference is upon us. LH: Yes, we’ve attended a few, haven’t we? KM: Yes, we have!  It’s one of my favorite conferences, though. And in terms of the quality and breadth of information, this one looks very promising for providers. KM: Now, we know you’re presenting again this year, but before we hear about that, tell us a little bit about what you do at Experian. LH: Sure. I’m the Senior Director of Business Strategy and Marketing for Experian Decision Sciences. I work closely with marketing and product managers, and together we focus on a couple of key areas. First, is understanding market trends and how they might affect clients’ emerging and future needs. We spend a lot of time delving into companies’ business issues and helping them see how sound analysis and good data can make them more successful. Internally, I work with our North American Decision Sciences team to formulate new product and growth strategies. It’s a big job but we have a very dynamic and dedicated team, which makes it fun. KM: Well, you’re no stranger to financial services. LH: No, I’ve been in the industry for more than 15 years. Nine with Experian, including time as Director of Product Management and Senior Manager of Portfolio Strategy for the Consumer Information Solutions. KM: You definitely bring a “big picture” perspective. So what will attendees learn from you this year? LH: In the “Economic Update,” session I (and an industry counterpart) will review the historical linkages between credit conditions and the economy—and specifically, how they relate to telecommunications. KM: I believe you’ll also be talking about certain sectors, right? LH: Yes. We present an analysis of the mortgage and bankcard sectors, where delinquencies have actually turned the corner and now are trending downward. We’ll also cover the state of foreclosures, changes in consumer behaviors, and the impact of all that on telecommunication services. Finally, we get into the credit outlook—changes in lending standards, delinquency trends, things like that—and share what we see coming for telecoms in the next couple of years. KM: All that in an hour, wow! LH: Yes! It’s definitely a full session. Because we tie together the past, present and future. Fortunately, people like the material, so we spend a lot of time afterward talking and answering questions. KM: Should be great, Linda, looking forward to it. Thanks so much for your time. LH: You’re welcome. See you there. Stay in the know Follow Experian from the TRMA conference on Twitter (@experiancredit), and check this blog regularly to learn about the latest trends, tools and tips—including credit and collection best practices and emerging legislation.

By: Greg Carmean Next week (February 22-23), several Experian credit and collections experts will have the privilege of sharing their expertise with TRMA conference goers in Las Vegas. Leading up to this year’s Conference, I thought I’d briefly introduce you to each of these speakers and provide a sneak preview of his or her presentation. Session: Small Business Panel (Wednesday, 2/23/11 10:45 a.m. to 11:15 a.m.) Topic: Mitigating credit risk: Best practices throughout the account lifecycle Experian Panel Expert: Greg Carmean, Experian Program Manager, Small Business Credit Share —– KM: I’m talking with Experian Program Manager, Greg Carmean. Hi, Greg. GC: Hi, Kathy. KM:  Greg, tell us a little bit about your work at Experian. GC: I’m a Program Manager on the Small Business Credit Share side. I work with small and medium sized companies, including telecom and cable companies, to reduce credit risk and get more value from their data. KM: Great, so what are your thoughts about this year’s TRMA conference? GC: From what I’ve seen, it’s shaping up to be a very worthwhile event for telecom and cable companies. KM: I agree, the presenter list looks especially strong this year. What’s your topic? GC: The title of my presentation is “Mitigating Risk: Best Practices throughout the Account Lifecycle.” KM: What will be the biggest takeaways for credit and collections professionals? GC: Well, as you know, there’s a recovery of sorts underway. But providers, especially the smaller ones, are still struggling to remain competitive. Credit risk is always a hot-button issue, so we’ll be presenting a number of risk-mitigation best practices and tools for account acquisition, account management and collections. KM: What information do you think your audience will find most useful? GC: We cover scoring solutions and emerging technologies, which companies always like. But I think people will really want to know more about linkage—and how leveraging information about both business and owner can further reduce credit risk. We’ll close with how bureau data and collectability scores help companies recover more unpaid debt. KM: Sounds like a lot of good information, Greg—things companies really need to know. GC: I think so. With the way delinquencies, slow pays and DBT were trending up in 2010, I think there’s something here for anyone who wants to reduce their risk. KM:  Looking forward to seeing you at the podium, thanks for your time. GC: Thanks, Kathy. Stay in the know Follow Experian from the TRMA conference on Twitter (@experiancredit), and check this blog regularly to learn about the latest trends, tools and tips—including credit and collection best practices and emerging legislation.

As a global leader in providing credit-decisioning information, analytical tools and marketing services to organizations and consumers, Experian is no stranger to telecommunications or to TRMA. In fact, the current TRMA home page reflects this connection, listing Experian as TRMA’s 2009 Best In Class Affiliate Award recipient and leader atop the Fall, 2010 Affiliate scorecard. Finding treasure in Vegas More importantly, however, the page reminds visitors that TRMA’s primary goal is “reducing fraud and uncollectibles in the telecom industry.” Toward that end, they’ve put together a dynamic, information-rich conference for February 22-23 entitled “Sailing towards Treasured Results.” This year, several Experian executives – including myself – will have the privilege of contributing knowledge and expertise to the proceedings. Get connected before, during and after TRMA In these days before the event, I’ll virtually introduce you to each of Experian’s TRMA speakers and give you the opportunity to learn more about them and their topics. During the conference, as time permits, some will be tweeting and blogging their thoughts, opinions and observations. They’ll analyze and unpack conference developments, and share their analysis with our followers and readers. Stop wondering, start following We expect a lot of actionable information from TRMA. So if you aren’t following us on Twitter (@experiancredit) or checking this site regularly, before, during or after the event would be the ideal time to start. You’ll gain a lot of insights from people who really understand telecom’s unique credit challenges and opportunities. And if you're attending TRMA, I certainly hope to see you there.

By: Linda Haran Next week (Feb 22-23), several Experian credit and collections experts will have the privilege of sharing their expertise with TRMA conference goers. Leading up to this year’s Conference, I thought I’d briefly introduce you to each of these speakers and provide a sneak preview of his or her presentation. Session: Wednesday, February 23, 2011 (9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.) Topic:  Economic Update: Historical linkages between credit conditions and the economy, and their impact on telecommunications. Experian Presenter: Linda Haran, Senior Director, Business Strategy and Marketing, Experian Decision Sciences —- KM: I want to welcome Linda Haran, Senior Director, Business Strategy and Marketing at Experian. Good morning, Linda. LH: Good morning, Kathy. It’s nice to see you. KM: Thanks. Well, another TRMA conference is upon us. LH: Yes, we’ve attended a few, haven’t we? KM: Yes, we have!  It’s one of my favorite conferences, though. And in terms of the quality and breadth of information, this one looks very promising for providers. KM: Now, we know you’re presenting again this year, but before we hear about that, tell us a little bit about what you do at Experian. LH: Sure. I’m the Senior Director of Business Strategy and Marketing for Experian Decision Sciences. I work closely with marketing and product managers, and together we focus on a couple of key areas. First, is understanding market trends and how they might affect clients’ emerging and future needs. We spend a lot of time delving into companies’ business issues and helping them see how sound analysis and good data can make them more successful. Internally, I work with our North American Decision Sciences team to formulate new product and growth strategies. It’s a big job but we have a very dynamic and dedicated team, which makes it fun. KM: Well, you’re no stranger to financial services. LH: No, I’ve been in the industry for more than 15 years. Nine with Experian, including time as Director of Product Management and Senior Manager of Portfolio Strategy for the Consumer Information Solutions. KM: You definitely bring a “big picture” perspective. So what will attendees learn from you this year? LH: In the “Economic Update,” session I (and an industry counterpart) will review the historical linkages between credit conditions and the economy—and specifically, how they relate to telecommunications. KM: I believe you’ll also be talking about certain sectors, right? LH: Yes. We present an analysis of the mortgage and bankcard sectors, where delinquencies have actually turned the corner and now are trending downward. We’ll also cover the state of foreclosures, changes in consumer behaviors, and the impact of all that on telecommunication services. Finally, we get into the credit outlook—changes in lending standards, delinquency trends, things like that—and share what we see coming for telecoms in the next couple of years. KM: All that in an hour, wow! LH: Yes! It’s definitely a full session. Because we tie together the past, present and future. Fortunately, people like the material, so we spend a lot of time afterward talking and answering questions. KM: Should be great, Linda, looking forward to it. Thanks so much for your time. LH: You’re welcome. See you there. Stay in the know Follow Experian from the TRMA conference on Twitter (@experiancredit), and check this blog regularly to learn about the latest trends, tools and tips—including credit and collection best practices and emerging legislation.

By: Greg Carmean Next week (February 22-23), several Experian credit and collections experts will have the privilege of sharing their expertise with TRMA conference goers in Las Vegas. Leading up to this year’s Conference, I thought I’d briefly introduce you to each of these speakers and provide a sneak preview of his or her presentation. Session: Small Business Panel (Wednesday, 2/23/11 10:45 a.m. to 11:15 a.m.) Topic: Mitigating credit risk: Best practices throughout the account lifecycle Experian Panel Expert: Greg Carmean, Experian Program Manager, Small Business Credit Share —– KM: I’m talking with Experian Program Manager, Greg Carmean. Hi, Greg. GC: Hi, Kathy. KM:  Greg, tell us a little bit about your work at Experian. GC: I’m a Program Manager on the Small Business Credit Share side. I work with small and medium sized companies, including telecom and cable companies, to reduce credit risk and get more value from their data. KM: Great, so what are your thoughts about this year’s TRMA conference? GC: From what I’ve seen, it’s shaping up to be a very worthwhile event for telecom and cable companies. KM: I agree, the presenter list looks especially strong this year. What’s your topic? GC: The title of my presentation is “Mitigating Risk: Best Practices throughout the Account Lifecycle.” KM: What will be the biggest takeaways for credit and collections professionals? GC: Well, as you know, there’s a recovery of sorts underway. But providers, especially the smaller ones, are still struggling to remain competitive. Credit risk is always a hot-button issue, so we’ll be presenting a number of risk-mitigation best practices and tools for account acquisition, account management and collections. KM: What information do you think your audience will find most useful? GC: We cover scoring solutions and emerging technologies, which companies always like. But I think people will really want to know more about linkage—and how leveraging information about both business and owner can further reduce credit risk. We’ll close with how bureau data and collectability scores help companies recover more unpaid debt. KM: Sounds like a lot of good information, Greg—things companies really need to know. GC: I think so. With the way delinquencies, slow pays and DBT were trending up in 2010, I think there’s something here for anyone who wants to reduce their risk. KM:  Looking forward to seeing you at the podium, thanks for your time. GC: Thanks, Kathy. Stay in the know Follow Experian from the TRMA conference on Twitter (@experiancredit), and check this blog regularly to learn about the latest trends, tools and tips—including credit and collection best practices and emerging legislation.

As a global leader in providing credit-decisioning information, analytical tools and marketing services to organizations and consumers, Experian is no stranger to telecommunications or to TRMA. In fact, the current TRMA home page reflects this connection, listing Experian as TRMA’s 2009 Best In Class Affiliate Award recipient and leader atop the Fall, 2010 Affiliate scorecard. Finding treasure in Vegas More importantly, however, the page reminds visitors that TRMA’s primary goal is “reducing fraud and uncollectibles in the telecom industry.” Toward that end, they’ve put together a dynamic, information-rich conference for February 22-23 entitled “Sailing towards Treasured Results.” This year, several Experian executives – including myself – will have the privilege of contributing knowledge and expertise to the proceedings. Get connected before, during and after TRMA In these days before the event, I’ll virtually introduce you to each of Experian’s TRMA speakers and give you the opportunity to learn more about them and their topics. During the conference, as time permits, some will be tweeting and blogging their thoughts, opinions and observations. They’ll analyze and unpack conference developments, and share their analysis with our followers and readers. Stop wondering, start following We expect a lot of actionable information from TRMA. So if you aren’t following us on Twitter (@experiancredit) or checking this site regularly, before, during or after the event would be the ideal time to start. You’ll gain a lot of insights from people who really understand telecom’s unique credit challenges and opportunities. And if you're attending TRMA, I certainly hope to see you there.