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Accredited Financial Training Negotiation Specialists Sydney-Based

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Privacy Policy

Last Updated: March 2025

At merilothan, we take your privacy seriously. This policy explains how we collect, use, and protect your personal information when you engage with our business negotiation services. We operate in accordance with Australian privacy laws, including the Privacy Act 1988 and the Australian Privacy Principles.

Information We Collect

Running a business negotiation consultancy means we need certain information to serve you properly. Here's what we typically gather and why it matters.

Personal Details You Provide

When you reach out to us or sign up for our programs, we collect basic information like your name, email address, phone number, and business details. If you're registering for our autumn 2025 learning program, we'll ask about your company background and negotiation experience to tailor the content appropriately.

Technical Information

Our website collects standard technical data – IP addresses, browser types, device information, and how you navigate through our pages. This helps us understand which resources people find most useful and where we might need to improve the experience.

Communication Records

We keep records of our conversations with you. Whether that's email exchanges, phone calls, or meeting notes, these records help us provide consistent service and remember what we've discussed.

How We Use Your Information

Everything we collect serves a purpose. We're not interested in gathering data just for the sake of it.

  • Delivering the services you've requested, whether that's consultation sessions or educational programs
  • Responding to your inquiries and providing ongoing support
  • Sending relevant updates about our services, though you can opt out anytime
  • Improving our website and learning materials based on user behaviour
  • Meeting legal obligations and protecting against potential disputes
  • Processing payments and maintaining accurate financial records

Note: We never use your information for purposes you haven't agreed to. If we want to use your data in a new way, we'll ask for your permission first.

Data Storage and Security

Your information lives on secure servers located in Australia. We use industry-standard encryption and access controls, but let's be honest – no system is completely bulletproof. We do our best to protect your data, and we regularly review our security measures.

Who Has Access

Only our team members who need access to do their jobs can see your information. We've trained everyone on privacy obligations, and they take it seriously. Sometimes we work with third-party service providers – payment processors, email platforms, that sort of thing. They only get the minimum information needed to perform their specific function.

Your Rights Under Australian Law

The Australian Privacy Principles give you several rights regarding your personal information. You're not just handing over data and losing control of it.

Access and Correction

You can request to see what information we hold about you. If something's incorrect or outdated, let us know and we'll fix it. There's no charge for reasonable requests, though if you're asking for extensive records repeatedly, we might need to charge an administrative fee.

Withdrawal of Consent

Changed your mind about receiving our newsletter? Want to opt out of marketing communications? That's absolutely fine. Just click the unsubscribe link in any email or contact us directly.

Data Portability

If you want to take your data elsewhere, we can provide it in a commonly used format. This typically includes contact details, enrollment records, and any documents you've submitted.

How Long We Keep Your Information

We don't hold onto your data forever. Different types of information have different retention periods based on legal requirements and business needs.

Information Type Retention Period
Financial records 7 years (tax law requirement)
Client correspondence 3 years after last contact
Marketing consent records Until consent withdrawn
Website analytics 26 months
Learning program records 5 years after completion

Sharing Your Information

We're pretty selective about who we share your information with. Generally, we only pass on your details in these situations:

  • When you've explicitly agreed to it
  • To service providers who help us run our business (and they're bound by confidentiality agreements)
  • If required by Australian law or legal process
  • To protect our rights or the safety of others
  • In the event of a business sale or merger, though the new owner would still be bound by this privacy policy

We don't sell your personal information to third parties. That's not our business model, and it never will be.

Cookies and Tracking Technologies

Like most websites, we use cookies. These are small files stored on your device that help the site remember your preferences and understand how people use the platform.

What We Track

We use analytics to see which pages get the most traffic, how long people spend reading different articles, and where visitors come from. This helps us create better content and improve the user experience. You can disable cookies in your browser settings, though some features might not work as smoothly.

International Data Transfers

We primarily operate within Australia, and your data stays on Australian servers. However, some of our service providers (like email platforms) might have servers overseas. When that happens, we ensure they provide adequate protection for your information, either through contractual safeguards or by choosing providers subject to similar privacy laws.

Children's Privacy

Our services target business professionals, not children. We don't knowingly collect information from anyone under 18. If we discover we've accidentally gathered information from a minor, we'll delete it promptly.

Changes to This Policy

Privacy laws evolve, and so do our practices. We review this policy regularly and update it when needed. The "Last Updated" date at the top tells you when we last made changes. For significant updates, we'll notify active clients directly via email.

Making a Complaint

If you believe we've mishandled your personal information, please let us know. We take complaints seriously and will investigate promptly. Contact our privacy officer using the details below, and we'll respond within 30 days.

If you're not satisfied with our response, you have the right to lodge a complaint with the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner (OAIC). They're the national regulator for privacy matters in Australia.

Privacy Questions?

If you have questions about this policy or want to exercise any of your privacy rights, get in touch with us:

2 George Parade, Baulkham Hills NSW 2153, Australia +61 2 9969 6499 help@merilothan.org