KRS Newsletter December 2025

Insider Tips To Make Your Business Run Faster, Easier And More Profitably

December is finally here! The season of celebrations, year-end projects, and a little extra chaos sprinkled in between. It’s also the time when the smallest tech hiccup or the wrong click can snowball faster than a holiday rush order

This month, we’ve pulled together a few thoughtful reads to help you keep your workplace cheerful, your online giving SAFE, and your end-ofyear planning inspired From smarter digital habits to staying alert during the season of generosity, we’re all about finishing 2025 with confidence, clarity, and maybe even a spark of brandbuilding creativity. Here’s to a festive, secure, and successful December.

HOLIDAY SCAMS IN DISGUISE:

WHAT TO WATCH OUT FOR WHEN DONATING ONLINE

Theholidaysbringoutthebestinpeople…along withbigscams.Whengenerosityspikes,fake fundraisersandcharityscamsrisetorideholiday goodwill.

Oneschememade1.3billionbogusdonationcalls andstoleover$110millionbeforetheFTCshutit down.Researchersalsofound800+scamcharity accountsacrosssocialplatforms.

Forsmallbusinesses,onerusheddonationcan meanlostmoneyandadamagedreputation.

Here’showtokeepyourgivingsafe,andmake sureyourgoodwilllandsintherighthands.

Red Flags That Often Signal Scams

If you see any of these, pause and investigate:

Misleadingorpatentlyfalseinformationonthe fundraiserpage

Fundsnotbeingusedforthestatedpurposeina reasonabletimeframe

Impersonationofanotherpersonorcopying someoneelse’sstory

Storiesthatseemtooperfectoremotionally manipulative

This monthly publication is provided courtesy of

Josiv Krstinovski President of IT Company

Our Mission:

At the end of the day, it’s simple: every client deserves enterprise-level security No shortcuts, no compromises I’d rather invest more on our end than to let a client go unprotected That’s the standard I hold myself and our entire team to Anything less isn’t leadership, it’s negligence

How To Vet A Fundraiser Before You Donate

A legitimate fundraiser should answer these clearly:

Whoisorganizingthis,andwhat’stheir connectiontotherecipient?

Howexactlywillthefundsbeused,andover whattimeline?

Whoiscontrollingwithdrawals?Istherea clearpathforfundstoreachtheirtarget?

Doclosecontactsoftherecipient(family, friends)publiclysupportthecampaign?

Ifanyofthosearevagueormissing,askfor clarificationfirst.Silenceorevasiveanswersisa redflag.

Whenyouspotmultiplewarningsigns,reportthe fundraiseranddon’tdonate.

Vetting Charities (Not Just Crowdfunds)

Even established charities can have sketchy practices. Here’s what to look for:

Transparentprogramdescriptions,financial breakdownsandannualreports

Clearinformationabouthowmuchofa donationgoestoprogramsvs.overhead

Charitynamesthatappearinsearcheswith wordslike“fraud,”“scam”or“complaints”

Alackofdetailornegativereviewsshouldspark caution.

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Common Tactics Charity Scammers Use

Watch out for:

Demandstodonateviagiftcards,wire transfersorcrypto–legitimatecharities acceptcreditcardsorchecks.

Websitesmissinghttps(lookforthe“s”)–thatmeansinsecuredatatransmission.

Pressuretodonaterightaway–urgencyis atricktostopyoufromthinking.

Claimsyoualreadypledgedorgave withoutremembering–alwaysdoublecheckbeforeyoupay.

Scammersareclever.Evenpolishedwebsites andthoughtful-soundingheadlinesmayhide maliciousintent.

Why This Is Important For You

Whenyourbusinessgivestocharity–publicly

orprivately–thatgenerositybecomespartof yourbrand.Adonationtoascam,orevenan employeegivingthroughyourcompanyname, candragyourbrandintoafraudstory.

Worse:Thesametacticsfraudstersusein charityscams–urgency,impersonation,phony websites–arealsousedtotargetbusinesses. Thatoverlapswithphishing,invoicefraudand wiretransferscams.Teachingyourteamtospot fakefundraisersistrainingthemtospot fraudulenttacticsacrosstheboard.

How To Protect Your Business (And Your Goodwill)

These steps help ensure your giving is safe and smart:

Donation Policy For Your Business: Definehowandwherethecompany willdonate,andputapprovalthresholds inplace.

Employee Awareness: Educateyourteam onfakefundraisers,urgingthemtodoublecheckandverifybeforedonatingunder yourcompanyname.

Use Trusted Channels: Donateviacharity websites,notthroughrandomlinksinemailsorsocialmedia.

Transparency: Ifyourbusinesspublicizes thatitdonates,it’sworthverifyingthe charityyoupubliclysupport.

Ongoing Monitoring: Afterdonating, checkthatfundsareusedaspromised (manycharitiespublishimpactreports).

Keep Your Holidays Generous –Not Risky

Theholidaysareachancetogiveback,nota seasonforregret.Smartchecksandpolicies protectyourmoneyandyourreputation.

Makesureyourteamknowshowtospotthese scams–whetherit’safakefundraiser,a phishinge-mailoraboguspaymentrequest.

AND-BUILDINGADVICE

ENESIMMONS

GeneSimmons,legendaryKISSco-founder andthemastermindbehindtheband’s merchandisingsuccess,sharesseventrade secretsthatshapedtheiconicKISSbrand andbuilthiswealth.Thesameprinciples heusedcanabsolutelydrivegrowthfor yourcompany.

DiversifyIncomeStreams

“Alwayshavesomethingelsethatmakesyou money,”Simmonsadvised.“Passionsarefine, butremember–whateverthepassion,there’s amarket.”

ProtectYourAssets

EmbraceMoney Unapologetically

“Everystepyoutakeiseithergoingtomake youmoneyorcostyoumoney,”Simmons said.“Iprefertomakemoney.Youhavean inferredfiduciarydutytoyourself.”

WorkHarderThanEveryoneElse

“SomeoftheleastintelligentpeopleI’vemet arealsosomeofthewealthiestindividuals,” hesaid.“Theonlydifferenceistheywork longerandharder.Ifyoudonothingon weekends–that’s104wasteddaysayear.”

ChooseYourCircleWisely

“Getridofallyourloserfriends,”Simmons warned.“Anybodywhowantstogo drinking,hangingout–getridofthem. Theyarevampires.Surroundyourselfwith better-looking,richer,smarterpeople.Yes, it’ssurfacestuff,butitworks.”

MasterCommunication AndBranding

Clearcommunication,authorityandbrand maximizationareessential.“Ifyou’vegota brandthatworks,therearealmostno limitations,”hesaid.“KISShasdone everythingfromcondomstocaskets.We’ll getyoucoming,andwe’llgetyougoing.”

Trademarkyourbusinessandproducts.“The firstthinginbuildingabusinessisanice, clearfence,”hesaid.“Goodfencesmake goodneighbors.”

ApproachLifeWithFreshEyes

Heurgedinnovatorstothinklikeoutsiders. “Allbusinesseswereinventedingarages,”he emphasized.“It’salwaysaboutpassion,vision andpeoplewhorefusetoquit,nomatter howmanytimestheyfail.”

KeysToSuccess

ForSimmons,successcomesfromdeliberate actionandrelentlesscommitment.He believesself-educationandfinancialliteracy arefoundational.Marketingsavvyandbrand differentiation,asshowninKISS’sevolution, remaincritical.Hechampionsincome diversification,taxstrategy,trademarksand legalstructurestosafeguardgrowth.

Mostimportantly,Simmonsinsistssuccess isn’tabouttalentorprivilege–it’sabout drive,learning,strategy,ambitionand outworkingeveryoneelse.“Youhavea fiduciarydutytoeducateyourself,tobein therightplacewiththerightthingatthe righttime,”hesaid.“It’suptoyoutomake lifeworthwhileandmakealotmoremoney, becauseyoucan,andyouwill.”

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HOLIDAY TECH ETIQUETTE FOR SMALL BUSINESSES

Theholidaysarestressfulenoughwithout technologytrippingyouupCustomersare tryingtosqueezeinlast-minuteerrands, employeesarejugglingfamilyschedulesand everyone’sexpectationsarecrankedupto11 Thelastthingyouwantistoaccidentally frustratepeoplewithavoidabletechslip-ups

Set Friendly Out-Of-Office Replies (That Don’t Sound Like Robots)

Ifyou’retakingtimeoff,don’tleavecustomers ine-mailpurgatory,wonderingifyou’ve disappearedintotheholidayabyss.Agood auto-replyislikeafriendlydoorman–professionalbuthuman.

Pro tip: Callyourownnumber.Yes,really. You’dbesurprisedhowmanybusinesseshave outdatedgreetingsfrom2019.

Thinkofthisasyour“HolidayTechManners Guide”–becausenobodywantstobethat businessthatruinssomeone’sTuesday.

UpdateYourOnlineHours (BeforeTheFirstAngryPhoneCall)

Picturethis:Acustomerrushesacrosstown duringtheirlunchbreakbecauseGooglesays you’reopen,onlytofindyourdoorlocked andlightsoff.Congratulations,you’vejust createdsomeone’svillainoriginstory.

Whattoupdate:

YourGoogleBusinessProfile(the bigone!)

Facebook,Instagram,Yelp–anywhere customersmightfindyou

Yourwebsitebannerwithafriendly holidayschedule

AppleMaps(yes,peopleactuallyuseit)

Samplemessage:“HappyHolidays!We’llbe closedThursday,Nov.28toSunday,Dec.1to spendtimewithfamily.We’llbebacktoregular hoursMondaymorning,probablywithaslight turkeyhangoverbutreadytohelp! 1

Sample out-of-office message: “Thanks for reaching out! Our office is closed for Thanksgiving from Nov. 28 to Dec. 1. We’ll respond as soon as we’re back and caffeinated. If it’s urgent, call our support line at (XXX) XXX-XXXX. Wishing you and yours a wonderful holiday!”

Don’t Overshare In Your “Out Of Office” (Nobody Needs Your Itinerary)

Keepitsimple.Customersdon’tneedtoknow thatyou’revisitingAuntCarolinDenver,that yourofficemanagerisflyingtoCancúnor thatBobfromaccountingisdoinga “Friendsgivingpotlucktour.”

BesidesbeingTMI,sharingtoomanydetails cancreatesecurityrisks.Sticktodates, responsetimesandalternatecontacts.Savethe travelstoriesforsocialmedia.

Test Your Phone Systems (Before They Test Your Patience)

Holidaycallersareofteninarushandalready stressed.Makesureyourvoicemailgreeting actuallymatchesyourhoursanddoesn’tsend peopleonawild-goosechase.

Sample voicemail: “You’ve reached [Business Name]. Our office is currently closed for the holiday weekend. Please leave a message and we’ll return your call Monday morning. If this is urgent, press 1 to reach our on-call team. Happy Holidays, and thanks for your patience!”

Communicate Shipping Deadlines (Before The Panic Sets In)

Ifyourbusinessinvolvesshippingor deliveries,communicatedeadlinesclearly andearly.Postyour“orderby”dates prominentlyonlineandsendreminder e-mailstocustomers.

Delayedpackagesarefrustrating,butmissed expectationsarerelationship-killers.Nobody wantstoexplaintotheirspousewhythe anniversarygiftisarrivinginJanuary.

The Bottom Line: Good Etiquette = Happy Customers = Good Business

Holidaytechetiquetteisn’trocketscience. It’saboutsettingclearexpectations, communicatinglikeahumanbeingand respectingyourcustomers’time.Afew quickupdatescanpreventalotoffrustration andkeepyourbusinessreputationmerry andbright.

Remember: Thegoalisn’tjusttoavoid problems–it’stomakeyourcustomersfeel takencareof,evenwhenyou’renotthere.