This post was originally published in May 2018. Have you ever run a background check on yourself? I’m not talking about just googling your name. I’m talking about checking court and other public records, news, and even social media, and taking a deeper dive into your digital footprint to see what others might find out […]
I’m busy with holidays, client work, and completing a big new project (watch for announcements), so I’ll be running some oldies-but-goodies for the next month or so. Enjoy this one, originally published in March 2019. No matter the type of research or investigations that you do, it’s important to prepare. Before you start your interviews, […]
It’s hard to believe, but it’s been 20 years since that fateful email message – the one that changed my career. At the time, I was in grad school, about to earn a Master’s degree in Library and Information Science. I was working two part-time library jobs, and one thing I learned from both jobs […]
It’s time for another of rerun of a top post for the year. This was originally posted in April 2019. I’m currently reading One Small Step Can Change Your Life: The Kaizen Way by Robert Maurer, a book about taking small actions to ease into new habits. When we make any sort of change, we […]
I’ve just returned from Orlando after attending the incredible OSMOSIS conference, where I heard well-known speakers and networked with hundreds of other investigators. At the Bits & Bytes networking event, I also had the opportunity to present a short table talk on Subcontracting Success: Top Tips for Making it Work. I love this topic because, […]
This was originally published in March 2019. Since it was the top post for the past year, and I’m preparing some upcoming presentations on this very topic, I thought a rerun was in order. Enjoy! As a researcher and investigator – and a former librarian – I’ve done a lot of online database searching. I’ve […]
TMI. Too much information. Can the results of an investigation or research project provide so much information, that it’s overwhelming? To you and your client? A recent question from a colleague reminded me that it’s not always about finding too little or, worse, no information. Here’s what what happened during a background investigation she was […]
In a recent post, I talked about the importance of verifying your sources, and, in response, many of you have asked me this: “How do I know if I can trust the information I find?” The short answer? You really can’t. Fake news and bad information are not new. Librarians have been curating collections for […]
You’re looking for a financial planner, a trusted adviser and professional. Where do you go? Maybe you try LetsMakeAPlan.org, a directory operated by the Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards. But, can you trust that your searches there will lead you to the right individual? According to a July 30th Wall Street Journal article, the […]
Due diligence background investigations and compliance background checks. It’s easy to get them confused. Both processes verify that people and companies are who they say they are, and they’re both used for risk reduction. They help you decide – Do you want to, can you, do business with these people or entities? But due diligence […]
Confirming what you know and finding what you don't
Top post: Conduct a background check on yourself – It’s worth it
December 11, 2019 / by Marcy Phelps / Due diligence, Tips/Techniques / 0 comments
This post was originally published in May 2018. Have you ever run a background check on yourself? I’m not talking about just googling your name. I’m talking about checking court and other public records, news, and even social media, and taking a deeper dive into your digital footprint to see what others might find out […]
Read more
Top post: Questions to ask before starting an investigation
November 27, 2019 / by Marcy Phelps / Investigative business / 0 comments
I’m busy with holidays, client work, and completing a big new project (watch for announcements), so I’ll be running some oldies-but-goodies for the next month or so. Enjoy this one, originally published in March 2019. No matter the type of research or investigations that you do, it’s important to prepare. Before you start your interviews, […]
Read more
20 years later: Mistakes and lessons learned
November 13, 2019 / by Marcy Phelps / Information industry, Investigative business / 0 comments
It’s hard to believe, but it’s been 20 years since that fateful email message – the one that changed my career. At the time, I was in grad school, about to earn a Master’s degree in Library and Information Science. I was working two part-time library jobs, and one thing I learned from both jobs […]
Read more
Top post: 10 small changes for transforming your client reports
October 30, 2019 / by Marcy Phelps / Reports / 4 comments
It’s time for another of rerun of a top post for the year. This was originally posted in April 2019. I’m currently reading One Small Step Can Change Your Life: The Kaizen Way by Robert Maurer, a book about taking small actions to ease into new habits. When we make any sort of change, we […]
Read more
Collaborate for better results: Top tips for subcontracting success
October 16, 2019 / by Marcy Phelps / Investigative business / 0 comments
I’ve just returned from Orlando after attending the incredible OSMOSIS conference, where I heard well-known speakers and networked with hundreds of other investigators. At the Bits & Bytes networking event, I also had the opportunity to present a short table talk on Subcontracting Success: Top Tips for Making it Work. I love this topic because, […]
Read more
Top Post: Online database searching – More than just finding
October 2, 2019 / by Marcy Phelps / Tips/Techniques / 2 comments
This was originally published in March 2019. Since it was the top post for the past year, and I’m preparing some upcoming presentations on this very topic, I thought a rerun was in order. Enjoy! As a researcher and investigator – and a former librarian – I’ve done a lot of online database searching. I’ve […]
Read more
Too much information: Now what?
September 16, 2019 / by Marcy Phelps / Information skills / 4 comments
TMI. Too much information. Can the results of an investigation or research project provide so much information, that it’s overwhelming? To you and your client? A recent question from a colleague reminded me that it’s not always about finding too little or, worse, no information. Here’s what what happened during a background investigation she was […]
Read more
Buyer beware: Can you trust your information sources?
September 3, 2019 / by Marcy Phelps / Information skills, Information sources / 0 comments
In a recent post, I talked about the importance of verifying your sources, and, in response, many of you have asked me this: “How do I know if I can trust the information I find?” The short answer? You really can’t. Fake news and bad information are not new. Librarians have been curating collections for […]
Read more
Due Diligence Hall of Shame: Trusting just one source
August 19, 2019 / by Marcy Phelps / Due diligence, Due diligence hall of shame, Information sources / 4 comments
You’re looking for a financial planner, a trusted adviser and professional. Where do you go? Maybe you try LetsMakeAPlan.org, a directory operated by the Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards. But, can you trust that your searches there will lead you to the right individual? According to a July 30th Wall Street Journal article, the […]
Read more
Five differences between compliance and due diligence
August 5, 2019 / by Marcy Phelps / Due diligence / 0 comments
Due diligence background investigations and compliance background checks. It’s easy to get them confused. Both processes verify that people and companies are who they say they are, and they’re both used for risk reduction. They help you decide – Do you want to, can you, do business with these people or entities? But due diligence […]
Read more