Good morning/afternoon/evening wishes to you, each and every one!

Carrie Bekker here. I hope you had a lovely, relaxing weekend like we did. Southern California weather -- sunny, light breeze, high 60s/low 40s -- is a wonderful thing. Fabulous sleeping and sweatpants/robe weather. Also a great time to get out of the house and work outdoors, which is what I'm doing right now as I write this "good morning" message to you.

I have a special gift I'd like to give to each of you today:

I’d like to share with you the essay I recently wrote and submitted in the hopes that BCCP can land a Biz Opp grant for 2010. I spent over two weeks writing this essay about my beloved company, it’s a fine piece of work (if I say so myself), and I think you’ll enjoy reading it too.

The contest closed on September 30, and they will be announcing the winners shortly. Please wish me luck on being one of them!

Many thanks,

Carrie

TADA! HERE IT IS!

"Research from the Harvard Business Review proves that conducting business in-person improves client relationships and its direct impact on the bottom-line. Right now, somewhere in the world is a great opportunity for your business."

MY ESSAY ON BEHALF OF BCCP:

Briefly describe what your business does.

Bekker Compliance Consulting Partners, LLC (BCCP) is a full-service virtual consulting firm that caters to the financial services industry worldwide. We specialize in developing customized solutions in the following areas: compliance, risk management, governance, technology, and training. Our clientele includes brokerage firms, investment advisers, hedge funds, and private equity firms; we also serve educational institutions and governmental agencies. We recently added a suite of services geared towards helping the latest crop of financial services startups; these services include: Entity formation; SEC, FINRA, and state registration; outsourced compliance and virtual assistant support.

We pride ourselves in delivering impeccable boutique-style service to each and every one of our clients, no matter where they are in the world or what time zone they are in. Our mantra is: With Us It's All About You(SM), and we mean it.

Members of our Senior Consultant Consortium deliver these services to our clients. Our Consortium is comprised entirely of seasoned professionals with diverse "real world" background and experience. For example, our Members include former regulators, compliance officers, lawyers, auditors, risk managers, professors, and information management experts.

BCCP recently added two new divisions: Bekker Compliance Institute (BCI), which is the education and training arm of the organization; and Best in the West(SM), which provides virtual office and assistant services (BITW).

Tell us about your business’s specific goals and objectives in 2010.

As Founder and & CEO of BCCP, I AM the face of my company. I've traveled extensively ever since I started the business because I KNOW how critical face-to-face interaction is to develop, nurture and sustain strong personal and business relationships. Travel is my passion, and I shine brightest when I'm on the road to meet personally with clients, consultants, and fellow colleagues. I also spend a great deal of time traveling to develop new business relationships, whether it be prospective clients, new consultants, Global Alliance Partners, or networking at industry events. BCCP was built on relationships, and my three years of constant global travel to meet people in person has been the foundation of my firm's success to date, and will continue to be the lynchpin to ensure BCCP's future success and expansion in the global marketplace. Because BCCP’s business model is a virtual one, which allows me to expand and sustain my business in a way that would be impossible with a traditional business model, personal contact is the most CRITICAL component of all. Although I often develop my business relationships virtually first, it's the face- to-face visits that seal the deal, keep the relationships healthy, and foster word-of-mouth referrals.

The majority of our existing and potential clients and consultants are in the US, Middle East/North Africa (MENA), Asia Pacific, and India. However, most of our existing and future business is not in the US, but rather in MENA, Asia Pacific, and India. Face-to-face contact is CRITICAL in these regions where developing a business relationship based on trust is first and foremost; money is secondary to trust. Meeting face to face fosters trust and cements the relationship. I've spent the past three years developing and growing business relationships in the Middle East, especially in Dubai and Saudi Arabia, and the face-to-face visits over that three-year period was essential to my firm's success in penetrating those markets.

As a result of the foregoing, my firm's primary objective for 2010 is to continue to expand our global footprint, especially in the Middle East/North Africa (MENA), Asia Pacific, and India where we already have established strong business relationships and networks. Our goal is to open branch offices in Dubai, Saudi Arabia, and Singapore by year end 2010 or early 2011. In order for us to meet this goal and objective, it is critical that I be able to continue my personal visits to these regions. But travel is expensive, and the global economy has been tough for quite some time now.

What specific business objective could travel and face-to-face meetings help you achieve that remote communication (i.e. phone or video conference) could not?

The human factor. It is impossible to really and truly get to know someone without meeting him or her in the flesh. There is and never will be a true substitute for human contact to establish and cement rock solid relationships. The sheer sensation and excitement of shaking my client’s hand for the first time, sitting down over a cup of coffee to chat, having our picture taken together, getting to visit my client’s offices, meet the team, shaking their hands and talking to them, shaking my client’s hand and bidding farewell until next time. You just can’t do that over video or on the phone. It’s not the same. It never will be.

When we meet people in person, we can engage all five of our senses: touch, smell, hear, see, feel. In a virtual environment, we can only engage two: hear and see. The other three – touch, smell, feel – are absent. How can you possibly establish a relationship of trust if you can only engage two of five senses? It simply can’t be done. No matter how advanced our technology becomes, there is no feeling like looking into someone’s eyes and talking to them.

As mentioned above, my firm's primary objective for 2010 is to continue to expand our global footprint, especially in the Middle East/North Africa (MENA), Asia Pacific, and India where we already have established strong business relationships and networks. Our goal is to open branch offices in Dubai, Saudi Arabia, and Singapore by year end 2010 or early 2011. In order for us to meet our primary goal and objective for 2101, it is critical that I be able to continue my personal visits to these regions. But travel is expensive, and the global economy has been tough for quite some time now, which has limited my ability to travel and have the face-to-face contact and interaction that is essential to my firm’s continued success in the global marketplace.

How will having the opportunity and continuity of a year’s worth of travel and business support benefit your organization?

My firm would benefit significantly because having the opportunity and continuity of a year’s worth of travel and business support will enable me to sustain my ability to continue to develop business relationships in MENA, Asia Pacific, and India, where I already have developed strong business relationships, where I want to continue to develop new business relationships, and where I want to nurture and sustain those relationships so that my firm can continue to grow and expand in these regions and beyond. Without this opportunity and continuity to travel and meet face to face, it will be extremely difficult for me to continue to do so because the economic downturn has curtailed my ability to travel due to financial constraints. Although our firm does have US business, it is our weakest market because it is driven strictly by money and not relationships.

Please keep your fingers and toes crossed for me! If you don't mind, please throw in a few prayers too!

All the best,

Carrie

Labels: A-Team Spotlight, BCCP, BCI Caribbean, Bekker, Best in The West, Conferences, Global Alliance Partner, India, MENA

JUMP ON THE BANDWAGON AND JOIN US ON OUR WAY TO THE NEW FRONTIER:
BCCP’s Best in the West ^SM (BITW) Virtual Assistant Services!!!

Shorthanded? Can’t afford to hire staff? Need assistance running your Business AND your Life?

You are not alone … we CAN help!

Best In the West^SM (BITW) virtual assistant services to the rescue! Our dedicated VAs are online – AND on duty – 24 hours a day, 7 days a week! So wherever you are in the World – from your hotel in Hong Kong or Dubai, or even from your living room sofa -- we are always here when you need us, any time of the day or night.

➢ Need someone to answer your phones and screen your calls?

➢ What about making hotel and car reservations for you while you’re stuck on the tarmac waiting for takeoff?

➢ And that Powerpoint presentation you’ve been wrestling with all week trying to get it to look right? [Sigh]

We can do all that … and much much MORE. You tell us what you need and we CAN DO it for you. Our mission is to free YOU up so that you can focus on what YOU do best – RUN your Business and ENJOY your Life!

Flexible pricing. Reasonable rates. Monthly packages available. You name it, we can do it for you (as long as it’s legal of course!).

So what are you waiting for? CLICK HERE to call us NOW! Your dedicated Virtual Assistant is waiting for your call and is ready to serve you.

With Us It’s All About You^SM ……..

Labels: A-Team Spotlight, adviser, BCCP, BCI Caribbean, Bekker, Best in The West, BITW, DMCC, Dubai, Financial, Global Alliance Partner, India, marketing, MENA, offshore, UAE, Virtual Assistant

Hey, A-Team & Friends of BCCP! Carrie Bekker here with an important announcement to make:

I would like to introduce you to Sajith Kumar of JRG, BCCP's newest Global Alliance Partner!

Sajith [left] is based in Dubai. He is BCCP/BCI's representative in MENA and India. Sajith is also Vice-President and Compliance Officer of JRG Metals & Commodities DMCC, UAE, a leading Broker & Clearing Members of DGCX and one of the subsidiary companies of JRG Securities Ltd., an India based listed company at Bombay Stock Exchange, India.

Attached is Sajith's profile and professional credentials.

Please join me in welcoming Sajith as part of BCCP's A-Team and Global Alliance Partners!

Many thanks,
Carrie

sajithkumar_pk.doc

Labels: A-Team Spotlight, Dubai, Global Alliance Partner, India, JRG, UAE

Hey, A-Team & Friends of BCCP! Carrie Bekker here ...

Please check out the IA Week article in which John Schrier, J.D., MBA, our Director of Regulatory Compliance, is quoted in the article entitled "A few suggestions to jazz up your annual review after a rocky year" which begins on the front page of the newletter. Way to go John!

For those of you who do not know John Schrier, he is our Director of Regulatory Compliance for the Tristate region -- New York, New Jersey, Connecticut. John is based in New York.

John has a wealth of 23 years experience specializing in asset management law, compliance and tax. For more information about John, please check out our Management Team page on the BCCP website.

Please join me in welcoming John to the BCCP Management Team!


Your%20April%2013%2C%202009%20issue%20of%20IA%20Week%20Online.pdf

Labels: A-Team Spotlight

Hey, A-Team & Friends of BCCP! Carrie Bekker here with an important announcement to make ...

My friend and colleague JOE MENDOLA, is running for NYC Comptroller this year!

Way to go JOE! VOTE FOR JOE! JOE IS THE BEST!

For those of you who don't know JOE MENDOLA, he is an A-Team alum and one of our A-Team's "Friends of BCCP" (a/k/a FOBs). JOE is of course based in NYC, as are over at least 25 A-Teamers and FOBs.

I have known JOE for quite some time now. He has done high-level consulting work for BCCP's financial services clients, who have always given me rave reviews about Joe's diligence and seriousness in getting the job done and getting it done right -- and what a pleasure he is to work with. JOE is a warm and friendly guy, and also he has a great sense of humor. JOE is one of the most ethical people I know, and he commits himself completely to everything he does, whether it's his work or spending time with his family and friends.

PLEASE CHECK OUT Joe's campaign resume, stump speech and talking points which are attached to this blog posting. Also PLEASE BE SURE TO VISIT "Vote For Joe" website at www.joemendola.com. You can also follow JOE on Twitter at joemendola at http://twitter.com.

MY NAME IS CARRIE BEKKER AND I APPROVE THIS MESSAGE!
VOTE FOR JOE! JOE IS THE BEST!
SPREAD THE WORD!

Campaign%20Talking%20Points.docCampaign%20Platform.docCampaign
%20Resume.docCampaign%20

Labels: A-Team Spotlight

Hey, A-Team & Friends of BCCP! Carrie Bekker here ...

Please check out the Bloomberg article in which A-Teamer Bruce Zagaris is quoted.

Way to go Bruce!

For those of you who don't know Bruce Zagaris, he is a partner at Berliner, Corcoran & Rowe. Bruce is part of our A-Team's "Friends of BCCP," more commonly known as FOBs. Bruce is based in DC, as are over at least two dozen A-Teamers and FOBs. Please check out Bruce's firm and his profile by visiting the BCR website at: www.bcr-dc.com. I've also included a pic of Bruce and me meeting over dinner during a December trip to our Nation's Capital. Bruce has also written some fabulous articles that I'd be happy to share with you upon request.

Dear Readers: if you have an article, white paper which you authored or quoted and if you like for me to share it with our A-Team & FOBs, please send it to me! The same goes for events in which you a moderator, guest speaker, sponsor, or exhibitor. Everyone wants to be recognized for their excellent work, ESPECIALLY in these tough times --- and so now's your opportunity to get your 15 minutes of fame, brought to you by BCCP!


http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601039&refer=columnist_woolner&sid=aAjCQ6jWS7zI


For Stanford, a Rich Guy’s Guide to Fleeing U.S.: Ann Woolner

Commentary by Ann Woolner

Feb. 20 (Bloomberg) -- For financier con man Robert Vesco, Central America and the Caribbean beckoned when he was charged in the U.S. with a $224 million mutual fund fraud.

Movie director Roman Polanski made do with Paris as his home 30 years ago to avoid jail for having sex with a 13 year- old girl in Los Angeles.

Charged with evading millions of dollars in U.S. taxes, commodities trader Marc Rich lived openly in Switzerland for 18 years as one of the FBI’s most wanted fugitives.

R. Allen Stanford, on the other hand, holed up in Virginia. What’s with that?

How does a man worth billions, someone with dual citizenship, two passports, his own jets and friends around the world, turn up in Fredericksburg, Virginia?

Until then, it looked like a great escape in the making. Two days earlier the Securities and Exchange Commission accused him of an $8 billion fraud of stunning audacity and multinational reach. Suddenly, Stanford was nowhere to be found.

If he was going to flee, that was the time to go. No warrant demanded his arrest. No criminal charges filed. The feds merely needed to hand him papers: the SEC complaint and a resulting court order freezing his assets and instructing him to give up his passports.

Until then, there was nothing to stop him from leaving the country.

What’s Next

It’s a good guess that criminal charges and an arrest warrant might eventually follow. The SEC complaint alleges deliberate and massive fraud, and ABC News reports that a Stanford plane seized in Mexico seems to tie him to a murderous drug cartel there.

So if right about now, Stanford’s picturing jetting off to some island paradise and living the good life, he’ll have to settle for his own home on St. Croix in the U.S. Virgin Islands. Americans don’t need a passport there, but it’s not an escape from the reach of U.S. law, either.

Besides, unless he hid lots of cash or a secret bank account, he’s not going anywhere, much less living the good life. All his accounts and his businesses’ are frozen, leaving Stanford without a working credit card.

And unless he can figure out a way to sneak in, his citizenship in Antigua won’t help, either, his knightship there notwithstanding. He can’t pull a Polanski.

French Shield

Polanski’s French citizenship rescued him from punishment in his other homeland, the U.S. Without it, France couldn’t have shielded him from extradition all this time.

Would Antigua protect Sir Allen, even though it has an extradition treaty with the U.S.?

Probably not.

“Antigua is a tiny country,” says Bruce Zagaris, a Washington lawyer who edits the International Enforcement Law Reporter. “It really needs the U.S. and England.”

Whatever goodwill Sir Allen’s businesses and multimillion- dollar cricket sponsorships generated for him there, he has suffered a sharp drop in popularity. Note the hundreds of angry investors lining up at Antigua banks wondering where their money went.

Nor could Stanford count on Switzerland, as Rich did until President Bill Clinton pardoned him in 2001. Rich benefited from Switzerland’s view that tax evasion is no crime. But if Stanford gets accused of aiding drug smugglers or defrauding investors, he can forget about a Swiss chateau.

Should he find a way to run, Stanford would be safest in a country with no extradition agreement with the U.S.

Cuban Connection

“The list of countries that you can go to are pretty small, and often not that attractive,” Zagaris says.

Iran, anyone? Zimbabwe?

Cuba is home to 70 fugitives from U.S. justice, the Associated Press reports. Hijackers, cop killers, bank robbers, militant Puerto Rican nationalists and Black Panthers have found sanctuary there. And then, of course, there was Vesco.

When he fled the U.S. in 1972, Vesco traveled by yacht and private plane around the Caribbean and Central America. He settled in Costa Rica, but a new president forced him out.

Then, to the Bahamas. Three years later, he fled again ahead of deportation orders.

“When you go to a country like Costa Rica, your welcome often is short-lived, and it’s often also very expensive,” says Zagaris, a partner in Berliner, Corcoran & Rowe. “Leaders are usually hitting you up for money.”

After dipping down in Antigua and Nicaragua, always inviting more trouble and finding it, Vesco wound up in Cuba in 1982. That’s where he died in 2007, according to the Associated Press.

Cuba is easy enough to get to from Antigua, but in 2006 it stopped granting sanctuary to Americans running from the law.

Maybe Fredericksburg isn’t such a bad place to land.

(Ann Woolner is a Bloomberg news columnist. The opinions expressed are her own.)

To contact the writer of the above article: Ann Woolner in Atlanta at awoolner@bloomberg.net.
Last Updated: February 20, 2009 00:01 EST

Labels: A-Team Spotlight