BusinessConnector newsletter August 26, 2008
Business Connect 2008 update
Business Connect 2008 is fast approaching! The Oct. 16 event will feature an exciting roster of workshops and seminars and a marketplace of more than 80 exhibitors. Read on for details on many of the sessions – some of which require reserved seating with limited admission available. If you plan to attend, we strongly encourage you to register now to reserve seats at your preferred events.
To see some of the companies exhibiting at Business Connect 2008, please click here. Your conference bag will include savings and special incentives from many of our sponsors.
Business Connect educational sessions:
How your business can attract women and baby boomers
Marti Barletta and The TrendSight Group help companies pull ahead of the competition by getting smart about marketing to women. Barletta also will share insights from her new book: “PrimeTime Women: How to Win the Hearts, Minds, and Business of Boomer Big Spenders.” Seating is reserved for this session.
Economic forecast: What you need to know for 2009
Join Dr. Michael Goodman, director of the Donahue Institute at the University of Massachusetts, and Carol McMullen, senior executive for investment management, private banking and trust services at Eastern Bank, for an insightful look into interest rates, inflation, housing, employment, consumer confidence, and much more.
The Seven Stages of Small Business Success
Carl Gould, founder of CMT International, a mentoring, coaching and training company and author of "The Seven Stages of Small Business Success – From Startup to 7 Figures in Three Years or Less," will present practical tips on how to grow your business by unlocking untapped potential. Seating is reserved for this session.
Succession & transition planning: Why you must begin now, or suffer later
Only 10 percent of all owners obtain the price they want or expect when they sell their business. The main reason: poor planning. Join ROCG, the international professional services and consulting firm, for an invaluable workshop that will address many other questions on succession/transition planning. Seating is reserved for this session.
Controlling Your Company's Health Care Costs in 2009
Although health care costs continue to rise at a fast rate, there are strategies that you, as a business owner, can utilize to give your employees a quality health insurance plan that meets your financial objectives. Join us as we discuss: The scope of the health care problem in the Massachusetts marketplace; strategies for controlling health care costs; and looking beyond 2009. Sponsored by Tufts Health Plan. Seating is reserved for this session.
Mean, Green Business Machines: How local businesses have used “green” to grow their customer base and bottom line
Can being green really help your business? This workshop will combine information on energy efficiency programs and green renovations for your office as well as real life examples from local businesses on how they have benefited from becoming Mean, Green Business Machines. Sponsored by Cape Light Compact and Mid-Cape Home Centers.
You must reserve a seat.
The Entrepreneurial Spirit: How you can inject it into your business
Tom and Trish Kennedy of BackOffice Associates and David Kirkpatrick of Plymouth Rock Studios discuss how they have created companies doing work they love in a place that sustains them. Sponsored by Cape Cod Young Professionals and BackOffice Associates
Model Office – Technology Solutions for Your Business
Experience a live model office on the main exhibit floor where you can see how a small office or home office should be configured to take advantage of the new technology available today.
Staffing in Tough Economic Times: Practical Tips on Recruiting, Selecting, Training and Retaining
Hiring smart, firing when necessary and fully utilizing your employees’ talents are critical ways to achieve the best financial and strategic results during challenging economic times. Curry College’s faculty is ready to help you hone your human resources skills and show you how it relates to your bottom line. Plus: Join Plymouth-based MyPayrollHR.com and learn how its software program and personal backup service can let you be your own human resources department, regardless of size.
Streamlining your HR department
Sponsored by Onsite Insight from Standard Procedure
Applying multiple media to market to women and baby boomers
Sponsored by Kathey Hickey Fulham CPA and Cape Cod Broadcasting.
Getting to yes – connecting the dots on regulatory review and public policy
Sponsored by Nutter McClennen & Fish LLP and Lipman Development Strategies
Online business networking, lead generation and sales
Sponsored by Cape Business Publishing Group and Cape Cod Broadcasting
The Truth Behind the Liability: Avoiding Employment Law Violations and Protecting Your Personal Assets
Sponsored by Masterman Culbert & Tully LLP
Demystifying the Balance Sheet
Sponsored by Cozby & Bruno LLC CPAs
Trends in small business 401(k) plans
Sponsored by Winslow Evans and Crocker
Bringing Business Discipline to Your Retirement Planning
Sponsored by ING
Drab to Fab: Creative Office Concepts
Sponsored by Mid-Cape Home Centers
Reduce energy costs with seven easy steps
SMH Electronics in West Wareham offers these seven tips from their partner, Hewlett Packard. SMH will be part of our Profit Green Pavilion at Business Connect on Oct. 16.
1. Dial, don’t drive
Do you really need to conduct all your meetings face-to-face? Tele- and videoconferencing is quick, simple and inexpensive to set up. Many notebooks and desktops now come with conferencing capabilities so that you can lock eyes with your clients without leaving your office. Save money on air and train tickets and rapidly-rising gas prices.
2. Maximize your mobility
Another great way to cut waste is with wireless mobility devices. Notebooks and handheld devices like iPAQs connect you to your office so that you don’t use time and fuel making trips back and forth. Figures show that if small businesses reduced employee travel by just two working days a year they would collectively save more than one million tons of CO2, and dramatically slash their gas costs.
3. Tonight, turn off your computer
Leaving your PC on overnight wastes more energy than you think. A shocking 75 percent of electricity is used by hardware that is supposedly turned off, according to recent research. It’s a common misconception that hardware uses no power when not switched on. Many appliances continue to draw a small amount of power when they are off – and that little bit really adds up. Unplugging things at the wall when you’re not using them is a great way to save power. Schedule your back-ups for your lunchtime so that you can switch off and unplug when you finish each day.
4. Work from home one day a week
Studies have revealed that if U.S. employees worked from a home office once during the week, they would save 516 million kilos (just over one billion lbs) of CO2 in reduced travel. They would also have lower travel costs, higher productivity and less stress by avoiding the peak-hour commuter rush. When employees must commute, car-pooling is encouraged.
5. Paper is precious
UK environmental group Waste Watch says white paper makes up 20 percent of the trash from offices and commercial sites. To reduce your paper trail use recycled products, only print when you really must, try to print on both sides, and use quality printing solutions like Original HP Print supplies. They will help you enjoy improved printing productivity and not suffer from smudges, streaks or splatters.
6. Reduce by recycling
Recycling old hardware is easy with the HP’s Planet Partner service, while recycling your HP Print Cartridges is also quick and simple.
7. Spread the anti-waste word
Without proper communication your bright anti-waste ideas will become just a waste of time. Make sure all your employees and colleagues are aware of and understand your initiatives.
Can a GPS save you money and stress?
According to a recent study by the Aberdeen Group, the implementation of a GPS Vehicle Tracking System provides an average 13.2 percent reduction in fuel costs. The same study found that nearly one-third of service companies are using GPS-based location data to improve service response times, workforce utilization, and service profitability.
A local company in Plymouth County, GPS Solutions, supports a GPS Vehicle Tracking system that allows fleet operators to monitor engine status, to ensure vehicles are not wasting gas by idling. Vehicles are most efficient at 50 to 55 mph; exceeding these speeds expends gas at an increased rate. The GPS Solutions' Vehicle Tracking System provides rules based text notifications that can alert fleet operators when a vehicle exceeds set speed limits, as well as when it starts moving or enters a designated area. To learn more, go to www.businessconnector.biz and visit GPS Solutions’ suite.
Delta Capital Group joins national business brokerage
Delta Capital Group, a Bourne-based mergers & acquisitions firm, has affiliated with Murphy Business and Financial Corporation, a national business brokerage firm. Delta Capital Group will be renamed Murphy Business of Massachusetts, and will be tasked with building a team of Massachusetts Murphy Business franchises. Murphy Business is “The Nation’s Premier Brokerage Firm,” providing business brokerage, mergers & acquisitions, franchise sales, commercial real estate services, business valuations, and machinery & equipment appraisals to businesses of every size.
More and more baby boomers are approaching retirement age; and a great number of these boomers own businesses. They will need help when the time comes to sell. Murphy Business of MA is looking for agents and prospective franchise owners to join the Murphy team. Training and ongoing support will be provided by the corporate office in Clearwater, Florida, and the regional office in Plymouth.
For more information, please contact John Gledhill of Delta Capital Group/Murphy Business of Massachusetts at 508-759-2469.
Falmouth Hospital cited as performance improvement leader
Falmouth Hospital has been cited as one of 100 hospitals making the greatest progress in improving hospital-wide performance over five consecutive years (2002-2006). The 2007 Thomson Reuters 100 Top Hospitals: Performance Improvement Leaders have set national benchmarks for the rate and consistency of improvement in clinical outcomes, safety, hospital efficiency and financial stability. The award confirms that Falmouth Hospital and its medical staff have made major strides in increasing the quality and efficiency of services locally.
“It’s a tremendous accomplishment,” said Richard F. Salluzzo, M.D., President and CEO of Cape Cod Healthcare. “We are delighted that Falmouth Hospital has been recognized as one of the most improved hospitals in the nation. Our physicians, nurses and other health professionals work extremely hard to produce the highest level of patient satisfaction and quality health care for the Cape’s residents and visitors, and this recognition substantiates that commitment.”
Findings from the fifth annual Thomson Reuters 100 Top Hospitals: Performance Improvement Leaders studies appear in the August 11, 2008, issue of Modern Healthcare magazine. “This study identifies superior leadership, based on the success of hospital executive teams’ long-term strategies for strengthening performance,” said Jean Chenoweth, senior vice president for performance improvement and 100 Top Hospitals programs at Thomson Reuters.
Eye on Plymouth
We would like to extend a special offer to all the businesses that participated in our Duxbury, Hanover and Norwell publications to be part of Eye on Plymouth, a special magazine focusing on the town of Plymouth. Reach more than 11,500 businesses, 5,000 of the highest-valued Plymouth households and every resident of The Pinehills.
WHAT:
A special pullout section of Plymouth County Business magazine in association with the Plymouth Area Chamber of Commerce offering Plymouth and South Shore businesses a unique way to promote themselves. Get your company recognized in Plymouth County's only business magazine and in 5,000 highest-valued Plymouth homes.
WHEN:
The Eye on Plymouth will appear in the October/November 2008 issue of Plymouth County Business magazine and it will also be mailed to 5,000 of the highest-valued households in Plymouth.
Space Deadline: September 18, 2008
YOUR VALUE ADDED:
• Your advertisement in Plymouth County Business will be distributed to more than 11,500 businesses across the South Shore and read by more than 30,000 readers, providing you with a unique and powerful marketing opportunity.
• The special town publication will be mailed to 5,000 Plymouth residents, including all residents of The Pinehills.
• 1,500 additional copies of this special magazine will be distributed separately by the Plymouth Area Chamber of Commerce.
• Every advertiser receives a one-year online account on www.businessconnector.biz (a $149 value).
• Every chamber member receives a free directory listing as a member benefit: Name of company and phone number.
Please contact Bob Viamari, Co-Publisher, at bob@plymouthcountybusiness.biz or 508-385-3811 for special advertising rates for our previous advertisers.
Latest news from BusinessConnector.biz
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Cape Cod Chamber’s newly elected officers
The Cape Cod Chamber of Commerce board of directors has elected officers for the coming year. Those to serve until the end of the next fiscal year in June 2009 are Richard W. Neitz of Neitz Real Estate as Chairman of the Board; William Zammer of Cape Cod Restaurants as Vice Chairman; Anne-Marie Litchfield Esq. of Litchfield & Litchfield PC as Treasurer; Dorothy Savarese of Cape Cod Five Cents Savings Bank as Assistant Treasurer; Kevin M. Howard of Wise Living as Clerk of the corporation. Officers at large are Charles Ritch of Ritch Financial Solutions, Fred O’Regan of International Fund for Animal Welfare and Howie Onik of The Mariner Motor Lodge and the Dockside Group.
Also seated for their first meeting of the board of directors were newly elected directors Richard Angelini of Wianno Grille, Dr. Gary Borisy of Marine Biological Laboratory, Richard Cawley of Rectrix Aerodrome, Joe Forgione of Transaction Resources Inc., Jamie Regan of Century 21 Regan Realtors, Dr. Kathleen Schatzberg of Cape Cod Community College, Gary Sheehan of Cape Medical Supply, Carol Sim of Rehabilitation Hospital of the Cape & Islands.
These new directors are elected for a three-year term and join seated directors David Augustinho of the Workforce Investment Board, William Catania, Catania Hospitality, Richard Delaney of Provincetown Center for Coastal Studies, Jack Gay of Yellow Pages of N.E., Matthew Lee, Esq. of Tocci, Goss & Lee, Spyro Mitrokostas of Dennis Chamber of Commerce, Tom Moore of Red Jacket Resort, Kevin Pepe of Commercial Realty Advisors, Joe Perkins of Communications Management Inc., Tony Shepley of Shepley Wood Products, Greg Stone of the Lighthouse Inn, Maggie Van Sciver of Whitebriar Financial and David Willard of Cape Cod Five Cents Savings Bank.
Infor Global Solutions moves to Cape Cod Cooperative Bank’s operations center in Hyannis
Infor Global Solutions has leased 9,500 square feet of space in Cape Cod Cooperative Bank’s operations center in Hyannis.
Infor Global Solutions, formerly Infinium Software, is a technology company with world headquarters in Alpharetta, Georgia, that has become the third largest provider of business software in the world with approximately $2.2 billion in revenue, more than 70,000 customers globally and 9,000 employees. With direct offices in 125 countries, Infor provides and supports enterprise solution software to businesses ranging from aerospace to shipbuilding with 3,500 product specialists in 35 countries, they provide support and training in 20 languages, and offer 1,400 technology, sales and service partners.
Infor Global Solutions is now located at 25 Benjamin Franklin Way, Suite B, Hyannis, MA 02601 and can be reached by phone at 508-778-2000. For sales related inquiries call toll free: 1-800-260-2640 or email sales@infor.com.
Cape Cod Cooperative Bank's Operations Center, located at 25 Benjamin Franklin Way in the Hyannis Industrial Park, has 2,500 square feet of leasable space remaining available with a variety of build-out options, ample parking and attractive pricing. For more information, contact Chief Operating Officer Steve Lowell, Executive Vice President at 508-568-3200.
Upcoming events
When you post your events at BusinessConnector.biz, they automatically go to the home page and the universal calendar of events. Then, we feature them in our weekly e-mail newsletter. Get connected.
The Cape Cod Chamber of Commerce’s new Issues & Answers morning forum, to be hosted the first Thursday of the month, is designed to connect members with newsmakers, business leaders, policymakers and interesting people! The first Issues & Answers forum will be held Thursday, September 4, from 7:30 to 9 a.m. in the Rectrix Aerodrome Boardroom, 730 Barnstable Road, Hyannis. Featured topic will be Housing Prices & Opportunities on Cape Cod, with speaker James Regan, Chairman of the Board for the Cape & Islands Association of Realtors and president of Century 21 Regan Real Estate. Cost to attend is $15 (includes continental breakfast). Limited seating so please RSVP by September 3 to jane@capecodchamber.org or 508-362-3225 x 513, or register online at www.eCapeChamber.com.
The Community Bank is hosting a workshop titled Cash Flow - Your Company’s Lifeline with Randy T. Smith, President of Management Financial Service Inc. For more information on the workshop or to RSVP by September 4, please contact Donna Maiuri, VP/Business Resource Executive, at 508.299.8223 or dmaiuri@communitybank.com. Refreshments will be served.
Rutherford Advisors Inc. is hosting an informational workshop on The One Page Business Plan at the Metro South Chamber of Commerce, 60 School St., Brockton, on Tuesday, September 16, from 8 to 10 a.m. Learn about One Page Business Planning and develop a vision statement for your company to get you started. Reservations required. Please contact Warren Rutherford at 508-428-9345 or rutherfw@comcast.net for your reservation. Ask Warren about the One Page Owners Group starting in Brockton on October 22.
The Cape Cod Young Professionals host their second annual Back to Business Bash on Thursday, September 18, at the Rectrix Aerodrome in Hyannis. Last year’s inaugural event attracted hundreds of attendees for food, drinks, music and exceptional networking. Sponsored by Cape Business Publishing Group, Mid-Cape Home Centers, Rogers & Gray Insurance Agency and Cape Cod Broadcasting.
