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: TRMA Learning Lab (Tuesday, 2/22/11, 8 a.m. to 12 p.m.) Topic: The SimTel Business Game for Account Management Experian Presenter: Jim Nowell Business Training Consultant Follow up Session (Game results): Wednesday, 2/23/11, 10:45 a.m. to 11:15 a.m. —– KM: Today, we welcome Experian’s Jim Nowell. How are you doing, Jim? JN: I’m doing great, Kathy. Really looking forward to sharing the SimTel Business Game with folks at TRMA. KM: Two sessions, right? JN: Yes, the Game is on Tuesday. We present the results on Wednesday. KM: Before we hear about the Game, can you briefly describe what you do at Experian? JN: Sure, I’m a Business Training Consultant. My job is to train our clients’ analysts in setting strategies using Strategy Management systems. It’s not so much about how to use the software but what to look for and what to do (or not do) to address the problems. I do this through a 2½-day “SimRisk” Business Game courses. KM: 2½-days? I thought this was 4 hours! JN:The Business Game that we’ll run at TRMA is actually an abbreviated version of our regular analyst training course. Of course, in the full version there’s more time to spend discussing teams’ proposed strategies and possible outcomes. KM: Tell us a little bit about the SimTel Game itself, including why you do it and what players come away with? JN: The SimTel Business Game for Account Management is a realistic risk simulation exercise in which Risk Managers work in small teams to solve credit problems for a fictitious Telco portfolio. We offer it at conferences so people can show off their “credit chops,” while learning new ways to refine corporate credit strategy. KM: That sounds fun, is SimTel new? JN: We’ve actually been running the Originations version of SimTel for a few years now, but there was a lot of demand for an Account Management version, so we developed this last year. When we tested it out in the UK, players really got into it. KM: So how does the game work? JN: Before the session, participants receive a set of simulated reports showing the portfolio performance over the last 24 months. Using Strategy Management Software, they get three opportunities to amend their strategies for: Collections, Credit Limit Assignment and the “Ongoing Bundle.” After each set of changes, the portfolio is run forward by 3 months and a new set of reports is created to reflect the updated results.   KM: Why do people like the SimTel game so much? JN: First of all, it’s fun! And, it provides a great opportunity to work side-by-side with industry peers to solve a realistic business-credit problem. There’s also the thrill of competition. Even though the data is simulated, people approach it as if it were real. During the session, players gain a real appreciation for how changes to one element of a strategy, say credit limit assignment, directly affects other areas, collections for example. KM: So true. What happens on Wednesday? JN: That’s when I’ll deliver the games results … and most importantly, the winners! We finish up by summarizing how people can use the Strategy Management Software to develop their own winning strategies, and with a quick Q&A, so it should be fun. KM: Sound great, Jim, I can’t wait. JN: Thanks, Kathy. Hope to 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: 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.

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.