Every once in a while you run into a site that’s truly superb: Check this one out for a Mexican Restaurant.
Right off the bat, you can tell that cool people work here and that the owner has the good sense to hire a designer that’s hip, cool and doesn’t take him/herself so seriously.
WONDERFUL!
http://www.limefreshmexicangrill.com/#wet-your-appetite-1e8828
Fort Lauderdale, FL (PRWEB) February 8, 2010
Direct Technology Innovations (DTI) has been a proven leader within the credit card processing niche since 2001. DTI’s client roster includes some of the nation’s top brands including Subway, Taco Bell, City Mattress, GO Airport Shuttles, Gray Line and over 5,000 others. DTI has created and implemented many innovative merchant programs, including Click to Go Online Ordering ® which was developed to cater to small and medium sized restaurants, as well as national chains and franchises. Other successful programs include the Swipe N Go ® Program and Mobile Ticketing Solutions. ®
To add a little spice to its corporate branding and to increase interest in its merchant programs, DTI is offering a free Caribbean cruise to any qualified merchant that signs up with their processing services. According to DTI’s Director of Strategic Alliances, Jordi De Joseph: “ We have developed a special landing page :http://www.directtec.com/offer.php
The new landing page entices visitors to fill out a simple merchant application and offers a free cruise (valued at $1,000) once they have processed for a period of three months.” The landing page is being promoted on Google Adwords as well as Yahoo.com
Michael Thomas Kirner, DTI’s Director of Marketing says the free cruise offer will generate more web traffic and add an element of fun to the often conservative credit card industry. “ If a merchant is seeking a solid, proven and dependable merchant card program they are invariably presented with thousands of online choices. The free cruise is just a simple, palpable benefit to choosing DTI over the competition.”
“DTI continues to provide an arsenal of credit card processing services and first-class customer service. With this new free cruise offer, we’re giving merchants an unexpected benefit of sending their processing business to us,” said Michael Slominski, DTI vice president, Portfolio Management.
For more information on DTI and how your business can receive a FREE Caribbean cruise, please contact Jordi De Joseph at 800.724.7000 ext. 459 or send an email to jordi@directtec.com
The landing page featuring the special offer can be accessed by clicking this url:
http://www.directtec.com/offer.php
About DTI
DTI, a FrontStream Company, was founded in 2001, and operates in all 50 states with regional offices in Fort Lauderdale, Nashville, Dallas and Seattle. DTI has over 90 employees and currently handles an annual processing volume of $2.7 billion. DTI offers a full range of merchant services including Debit Card Processing, Credit Card Processing, EBT Services, Electronic Check Verification, Gift/Loyalty Cards, POS Software integration (all major brands), Internet Processing, Mail/Telephone Orders, Virtual Terminals, Telesales/Call Center Integration, Free Standing Terminal and Wireless Terminal Deployment, Mobile Ticketing Solutions®, Kiosk Integration, Click To Go ® online ordering, Video Surveillance, and Credit Card Terminal Leasing & Rental Programs
The Merchant Maven is #1 in the ENTIRE GOOGLE WORLD for the image keywords “credit card machine.”
Go to Google and go to ‘Google Image search on top left”
Type in “credit card machine” The Merchant Maven is #1! Not bad out of 7,900,000 results, huh?
I’ve told a few people in my office and no one seems overly impressed. Why are they not impressed?
However, New York Based SEO expert Leon Altman said simply:” You don’t think being #1 out of almost 8,000,000 images helps your SEO? Absolutely it does!”
Below is the url to copy and paste or click on it.
http://images.google.com/images?hl=en&source=hp&q=credit+card+machine&gbv=2&aq=f&oq=&aqi=g1
“
It’s been 41 years since Denis Branco opened his namesake neighborhood pizza shop in Medford, New Jersey.
Forty-one years of trends that have come and gone. Forty-one years of economies rising and falling. Forty-one years of customers old and new. And through it all one detail always remained constant: the sign next to his register that read:
“Cash Only.”
No more.
“When five out of 10 customers are coming up to the counter with their charge cards in hand, you can’t keep turning that many people away,” he says. “So you have to give a little to get a little, and that’s what I’m doing. I have to go with my customers.”
(Excerpt above from QSR.com - Nick DiUlio)
Thus began a rapid change in how pizza shops, sandwich shops and QSR’ s in general began to conduct their daily business…….with a little help from a little company called DTI:
On July 15th, 2002 Direct Technologies, LLC (DTI) of Fort Lauderdale, Florida proudly announced the signing of a five year representation agreement with Subway’s ® Advertising “Uebermensch” Jared Fogle.
Jared has long been considered Americas most recognized non-celebrity spokes person. He has been called “Subway’s Savior” in more than one article and the chains’ success is due in large part…….very large part….to his understated, albeit sometimes nerdish celebrity presence.
According to DTI’s CEO Edward Slominski: “Jared has the kind of appeal that you don’t often find in a spokesperson. He’s no George Clooney or Tom Cruise. …He’s just the kind of “former fraternity brother” or the “book worm kid ” next door neighbor who wins you over with his likeability and most important….his believability!”
DTI’s CEO knew that with his technology and Jared’s personality – together they could potentially start a tidal wave and dramatically alter the way the entire QSR niche provides point of sale payment options.
Michael Slominski, vp of sales for DTI states “Our association with Jared enhanced our ability to enroll the thousands of Subway® stores nationally because to the Subway® Franchisee Jared is a towering icon.” Jared has been a good match for DTI, who developed the Swipe N’ Go® payment solution which offers the Quick Service Restaurant industry the benefit of speeding up every transaction at the cash register.
Swipe N’ Go® has been extremely effective in getting customers to notice that this type of transaction reduces wait time. “Reducing wait time in a quick service restaurant equates to an unequivocal and palpable increase in sales,” states Edward Slominski.
Based on the monumental success of Jared popularizing Swipe N’ GO® technology, America’s QSR restaurant chains including McDonald’s and Taco Bell quickly began to take notice. Within 12 months, it appeared that suddenly and magically everyone was accepting debit and credit cards in restaurant environments which previously shunned plastic.
“It seemed like it happened overnight. In fact, I think it did, ” says Michael Slominski. It is obvious and not unwarranted to conclude that the big QSR chains and indeed the food service industry itself owe a big big “Thank you” to DTI.
According to industry statitistics, fast food purchase total made on credit cards rose from $1.7 billion in 2000 to $37 billion in 2005. And along with this tremendous increase in credit card usage at fast food restaurants has come a significant increase in efficiency and profitability for the major fast food giants.
The Merchant Maven
Direct Technology Innovations (directtec.com) a renowned medium sized processing company with approximately 5,000 merchants across the United States including Subway, Taco Bell, Go Airport Shuttle and many others recently received a very stern letter from Bank of America, one of the world’s largest companies. The letter contends that DTI was unlawfully using the Bank of America trademark and was making “deceptive claims” in certain marketing materials.
The letter was written by a senior member of the banking juggernaut’s legal team and it demanded that DTI “cease and desist” from the use of an ad campaign which simply makes the following statement: “We’re Not Bank of America: We’re Better“ The statement is attributed to DTI’s CEO Edward Slominki, who insists that “ We feel that our customer service, innovative business solutions and approach to merchant services is better than Bank of America’s and that’s why I made the statement.”
Mr. Slominski continued that there was no intent to be disparaging or defamatory.
“It is merely my opinion.”
According to Michael Thomas Kirner, the Marketing Director for DTI. ” The American merchant deserves choices when it comes to credit card processing services and other business solutions. We feel strongly that our products and services are superior to B of A and I stand firmly in my belief that many small to medium sized business owners appreciate our more personalized customer service and our commitment to the local community. Bank of America should be ashamed of itself for picking on us.”
Many companies have used competitors names somewhat disparagingly in ad campaigns throughout history. VISA used “ We don’t accept American Express” for many many years. Chevrolet Trucks with the help of 6 foot 5 inch, 275 lb. former NFL star Howie Long, pokes fun at Toyota and other “less manly” trucks. Apple’s tv ad campaign deriding the PC openly mocks its competitor relentlessly.
The legal issues surrounding this type of marketing approach are somewhat ambigious and DTI has decided to amicably resolve the issue by discontinuing the multi million dollar national advertising campaign that was tentatively scheduled to launch on January 1st, 2010.
In conclusion, DTI’s marketing director pensively remarked: ” While I am saddened by our need to rescind our strong convictions that we are indeed better than B of A; I intend to quietly “soldier on” and produce quality marketing that will continue to establish our brand.”
” Do you suppose they would object to us changing the text in our campaign to this :
” We’re Not B of A- We’re Better.”
If you are a modern restaurant and you are trying to drum up more business than you gotta ask yourself this:
How do I find new ways to increase my average ticket ?
What is my competition doing to increase sales and awareness?
Is it expensive to begin accepting online orders?
Try digesting this tasty FACT: hungry online people spend as much as 20% more per ticket.
One company that just revamped their entire website is clicktogo.com. It’s a fun, easy to navigate site that allows viewers to immediately see what online ordering is all about.
Here is the skinny on some of clicktogo’s features:
It’s not unlike going through a cafeteria line: if something looks good, they put it on their “trays” or, in this case, in their order carts. Since customers can leisurely review your entire menu, more often that not, this results in a significant increase in average ticket sales.
This added convenience also results in a measurable increase in customer loyalty and satisfaction levels for your restaurant, driving more repeat business… while allowing you the opportunity to thank them for their patronage through a bonus or rewards plan (which we can even help you set up).
Increasing profits has never been so easy:
* Customers choose the breakfast, lunch or dinner menu items they wish to order –
with a variety of preparation options, add-ons and space for special instructions,
allowing customers the ability to make it their way
* They select the time and place of pickup or, if offered, delivery.
* They pay for their orders with credit card, debit card or gift card- being assured of
above industry standards secure data encryption.
* Orders are paid for prior to preparation, eliminating wasted labor due to inaccurate
or “hoax” orders which can often be the case with phone-ins.
* Online orders are instantly sent to either your dedicated fax or POS system.
* The online order you receive is accurate, legible and most importantly proof of
order.
* All customer data is protected and stored, with order preferences and amounts
easily accessible to you for repeat business.
* Customers can order as far as 21 days in advance – especially perfect for your
catering business and regular customers
Check it OUT the utube video also!
Most of us want to do more to support the causes we love, whether it is helping those less fortunate than ourselves, improving the environment, or contributing to finding cures for diseases, but too often we simply do not have the time or money to give.
What if you could give back to your community without having to spend any extra time or money?
Process Pink is the solution. Sponsored by Direct Technology Innovations, a Frontstream Company, Process Pink allows business owners to support their community just by doing what they do every day ………. conducting business. A portion of the Mastercard/Visa credit card processing fees will go directly to the National Breast Cancer Foundation. http://www.nationalbreastcancer.org/
Benefits of Participating in Process Pink
• There is no cost to you to participate in the program.
• Save money on credit card processing costs.
• Support one of your favorite charitable organizations on an ongoing basis.
• Have the most effective and efficient processing services for your business.
• Receive excellent, dependable customer service.
• Receive recognition as a participant in the Process Pink program.
• Know you are doing your part to make a difference in the world.
• Increase your revenue by advertising your participation in the program via a window decal.
For more information on how your business can Process Pink call Krissy McKeon at 954.958.0472 or send an email to krissy@directtec.com
Below are some other links regarding Breast Cancer.
http://www.nationalbreastcancer.org/About-Breast-Cancer/Myths.aspx
* Process Pink is an exclusive registered trademark of Money Movers of America, Inc.
While searching the internet for the latest and greatest news affecting the credit card industry, I discoverd this story by Jay MacDonald . This one is fascinating, yet weird. Modern, yet repulsive. Irresistible, yet over the top. What will credit card companies think of next? How about a tiny chip injected under your skin so there is no need to carry plastic at all anymore?
Would you have this done to you?
The Merchant Maven
Implantable credit card RFID chips: convenient, but creepy
By Jay MacDonald
It’s a simple concept, really: You inject a miniature radio frequency identifier the size of a grain of rice between your thumb and forefinger and with a wave of your hand unlock doors, turn on lights, start your car or pay for your drinks at an ultrachic nightspot.
Radio frequency identifier (RFID) chips are so tiny they can be injected under the skin — and here are 12 cool ways that the technology has been put to use.
The problem is, the whole concept is a little geeky for most of us; nauseating for some, Orwellian for a few and even apocalyptic for a smattering of religious fundamentalists.
Forget the science of it — and yes, it does work remarkably well. Forget the convenience of it. Forget that similar identifying technologies, from bar codes to mag stripes, overcame similar obstacles and are now ubiquitous.
RFID implants face a hurdle the others did not: It’s icky.
“There is sort of an icky quality to implanting something,” says Rome Jette, vice president for smart cards at Versatile Card Technology, a Downers Grove, Ill., card manufacturer that ships 1.5 billion cards worldwide per year.
How RFID devices work
The RFID technology is un-yucky, however. The implanted tag — a passive RFID device consisting of a miniature antenna and chip containing a 16-digit identification number — is scanned by an RFID reader. Once verified, the number is used to unlock a database file, be it a medical record or payment information. Depending upon the application, a reader may verify tags at a distance of four inches up to about 30 feet.
The RFID implant has been around for more than 20 years. In its earliest iteration, it provided a convenient way to keep track of dogs, cats and prized racehorses. Few took note or voiced much concern.
Then, in 2002, VeriChip Corporation of Delray Beach, Fla., deployed to its foreign distributors a beta version of its patented VeriChip technology for human use. Two years later, the VeriChip became the first subcutaneous RFID chip to receive FDA approval as a Class 2 medical device.
One VeriChip distributor in Spain sold the concept to the ultratrendy Baja Beach Club, which offered its patrons in Barcelona and Amsterdam the option of having an implant inserted in their upper arm to pay for their drinks without a wallet bulging their bikini bottoms.
Judging by the ensuing outrage, you would think VeriChip had given the pope a wedgie.
‘Mark of the beast’?
Web sites sprouted like mushrooms, accusing VeriChip of being the biblical “mark of the beast” predicted in the Book of Revelations as a foreshadowing of the end of the world.
CEO Scott Silverman was equally vilified as being tied to Satan, or worse, Wall Street. Big Brother was surely coming, though he’d have to get pretty close to read your implant. Claims that the tags cause cancer based on lab rat tests upped the amps of outrage.
Were people suddenly curious about RFID implants?
“Curiosity is probably an understatement,” Silverman admits. “People have always taken interest in VeriChip. Part of the lore and part of the trouble of this company over the past five years has been just that.”
Though VeriChip played no part in using its implant as a payment device, the company quickly tacked to calmer waters. Today, it markets its VeriMed Health Link patient identification system to help hospitals treat noncommunicative patients in an emergency. Its future may include more advanced medical applications, including a biosensor system to detect glucose levels.
A lot of the negative press that we received was a direct result of people having a misconception of what this technology is all about.
– Scott Silberman
VeriChip CEO
“A lot of the negative press that we received was a direct result of people having a misconception of what this technology is all about,” says Silverman. “We believe that the medical application was and still is the best application for this technology.”
“That said, if and when it does become mainstream and more patients are utilizing it for their medical records or for diagnostic purposes, if they want to elect to use it for other applications, certainly they’ll be able to do that. But it’s going to take a company much larger than us to distribute the retail reader end of it into the Wal-Marts of the world.”
Jette has watched contactless RFID battle for acceptance in the credit card arena. Just as Silverman suggests, the dynamics and scale of the payment industry tends to work against widespread deployment.
“Mobil Speedpass tried to do it; they got some traction and decided to see if there was any mileage to take this to a Walgreens or McDonald’s. You used to be able to use your Speedpass at McDonalds, but that ended because, at the end of the day, you still only have two gigantic payment processors out there, Visa and MasterCard,” he says. “To me, the idea of any kind of payment device having ubiquity requires an awful lot of back-end cooperation, of people willing to say, ‘I don’t need my brand in the customer’s wallet.’”
Although the coolness factor is effective from a marketing standpoint — American Express Blue with its smart (if largely unused) chip is a good example — Jette says most cardholders would balk at the very thought of a needle.
“With the implanting in the nightclubs, there is a cache of exclusivity there, especially among a certain demographic where people are piercing themselves and getting tattoos. But those are things that really only twentysomethings do a lot. I really doubt that there will be any market for injectible RFID tags, or even any single point-of-sale payment device.”
“A lot of times, the technology is a solution looking for a problem. Sometimes people fall in love with the technology for its own sake and then try to evangelize a home for it. My business group is just smart cards, and I never forget that although we make money with smart cards, the bills are paid with mag stripe cards. As backwards and old-fashioned as they are, that is still the bulk of what the transactions are going to be in America for a very long time.”
Direct Technology Innovations, one of the leading credit card processors in the nation, has thought of a great way to make some easy money. And when I say easy, I mean EASY! It’s called Friends and Neighbors 2009. I’m thinking of doing this myself.
Friends & Neighbors 2009 is an initiative designed to create new streams of referral business. Anyone can participate! Buddies, next door neighbors, cousins and family members are encouraged to contact business owners within their sphere of influence.
The rules are simple: Participants are required to provide two business owners’ contact information and DTI will present them with a $50 Visa Gift Card for the two qualified leads. **
** A qualified lead means that the merchant will listen to a pre-packaged sales pitch AND submit a valid 1-month credit card statement for DTI to analyze.
After 60 days of processing, DTI will send another $50.00 Visa Gift card for each activated account. For more information, please contact Robin Glass: 800.724.7000 ext. 476 or send an email to robin@directtec.com
Click Here for More Details:
http://www.directtec.com/friendsneighbors/index.php
