This issue of Massachusetts Family Business features profiles of four family businesses that are ready to help your family business succeed; advice on changes to tax law in 2012; and the best ways to achieve diversity among your directors.
Read Tom Astore’s full article on page 18 http://issuu.com/thewarrengroup/docs/familybusiness_1q2012
Archives for April 2012
How to put some spring in your spring cleaning efforts
Wellesley, Mass.
We call it “spring cleaning” but in reality, most spring cleanings are removing clutter with a little bit of actual cleaning on the side. The problem with clutter is, well, the clutter. Being unable to part with things can prolong some spring cleanings into a summer project. And nobody wants to be stuck inside decluttering once the weather gets nice.
Certified Professional Organizer Wendy Arundel, owner and manager of The Mudroom, a Wellesley-based company serving Greater Boston, suggests a more practical, less emotional approach to a spring cleaning/decluttering.
“Your focus really needs to be on how decluttering your space will improve your life and your living environment. You might even want to imagine your decluttered space in your mind so that you have an end goal in your head,” said Arundel. “If while going through your stuff you hesitate on whether or not to throw something out, revisit that picture. If keeping that item doesn’t help you towards that goal, get rid of it.”
Arundel suggests creating a schedule for your decluttering and cleaning efforts, limiting that time to 30 minutes to an hour per day to make it seem less tedious. Other strategies for making your decluttering more productive and fun include such pointers as:
- Being ruthless – If you don’t love and item and/or you don’t use it, it’s clutter and you need to get rid of it. Make it a quest of yours to be ruthless when it comes to your decluttering efforts. You’ll have less to dust, less clutter to look it, an easier time finding the things you do use and less stress in your life.
- Donate or sell things you no longer want – If you have items that you don’t use, but are in good condition, they are prime candidates to sell or donate. Gather all of these items together in boxes or plastic bags. Then, decide whether you would prefer to donate them or sell them.
- Make your spring cleaning and organizing fun – Don’t think of it as a chore. Instead, think of it as a ‘feel good’ exercise–one that will really help you to feel good about yourself and your clean and organized environment. Play some lively, fun, upbeat music. Dance your way through your home or office with your dust rag or vacuum.
- Create a family event – Get the family involved. Give everyone a task and make a game of it. Set timers and play ‘beat the clock.’ Give yourself time limits for completing small tasks, and try to complete those tasks before the timer goes off. Afterwards, do something relaxing together as a family, like watching a movie together or going to the park for a walk.
- Friend time – Ask a friend to help, or do a swap. You clean her living room if she’ll clean your kitchen.
- Open your windows – Besides giving your space a fresh look, you want to give it some fresh air as well. Open your windows as you’re cleaning. You’ll be removing musty winter odors, protecting yourself from inhaling harsh fumes from cleaning products and the fresh air will keep you going. While you’re at it, let the sun shine in. Open curtains and drapes to give yourself plenty of light for an energy boost.
“Spring is a season of rebirth. That doesn’t have to only be for flower and plants,” said Arundel. “A good spring cleaning can give your home a much needed ‘new’ look without buying a thing. Not to mention uplifting feeling you get from clearing out unneeded or used items.”
About the Mudroom
Wendy Arundel has been helping homeowners and small businesspeople organize and enjoy their space for seven years. Overwhelmed and overscheduled, many need some help developing systems for managing their space as well as removing unnecessary items. Arundel also assists with unwanted items by selling, donating or consigning them through her network of local resources.
For more information, please visit the Wellesley-based company‘s website, www.TheMudroom.org or call (781) 772-1369.
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Mo’ love. eLove Matchmaking opens matchmaking office in Modesto.
MODESTO, CALIFORNIA AND NORWELL, MASSACHUSETTS…
eLove Matchmaking, one of the world’s largest professional introduction services, recently opened a matchmaking office in Modesto, California. The office is located at 1101 Sylvan Avenue, Suite B-12, in Modesto.
“There’s a little irony in the location of this office, being in Suite B-12. eLove is like Vitamin B-12 for your love life. A lot of singles need that kind of jump start to make a commitment to find that special somebody,” said Paul A. Falzone, CEO of eLove Matchmaking. “At eLove Matchmaking, we take care of the legwork and remove much of the guesswork. So this way, singles are meeting people who are more compatible with and have a better chance of making a connection.”
eLove Matchmaking’s professional matchmakers have paired literally thousands of singles over the past three decades. In addition to a one-on-one meeting with each member, eLove also conducts a mandatory background check for the safety of everyone they match.
“In an ordinary dating scenario with somebody you met on your own or online, it might five to 10 dates to find out what that person wants and is looking for,” said Falzone. “Because of our interview process, singles have more knowledge about the person they are dating from day one—what they like, what they want, etc. That’s why we enjoy a very high rate of success and we’re delighted to bring that to the singles in Modesto.”
To arrange a consultation with a professional matchmaker or for a membership, contact eLove toll-free at 866-881-1230or visit www.elove.com.
eLove is all you need
eLove Matchmaking, the next evolution in dating, has arrived. eLove is the first “life stage company” within the dating industry to provide different levels of dating services, based on how serious singles are about meeting their soul mate. Never before has a dating service catered so completely to everyone regardless of their age, sex, or relationship goals. With more than 50 matchmaking offices in 25 states, eLove Matchmaking is everything that singles have been wishing for whether they are looking for casual dating or a serious, committed relationship.
eLove’s Matchmaking offices are located in: Arizona (Scottsdale/Phoenix); Arkansas (Bentonville, Fort Smith, Little Rock); California (Costa Mesa, Palo Alto, Sacramento, Walnut Creek, San Diego, Santa Rosa, Westlake, West Hollywood); Connecticut (Glastonbury, Stamford); Illinois (Chicago, Normal, Schaumburg); Indiana (Carmel, Ft. Wayne); Kansas (Overland Park, Wichita); Maryland (Columbia, Frederick); Massachusetts (Newton, Norwell, Shrewsbury, Stoneham); Michigan (Bingham Farms); Minnesota (Bloomington); Missouri (Springfield, St. Louis); Nebraska (Lincoln, Omaha); Nevada (Las Vegas); New Jersey (Iselin, Saddle Brook); Ohio (Cincinnati); Oklahoma (Broken Arrow, Oklahoma City, Tulsa); Pennsylvania (Mechanicsburg, King of Prussia); Rhode Island (Warwick); South Carolina (Greenville); Tennessee (Memphis, Franklin); Texas (Austin, San Antonio); Virginia (Falls Church, Richmond); Wisconsin (Appleton, Elm Grove, Madison).
For more information on eLove, visit www.elove.com.
Mo’ love. eLove Matchmaking opens matchmaking office in Modesto.Read More
Rodman & Rodman Green Team Member Joins Another Green Team for Earth Day
On Saturday, April 21st, Wellesley resident Mark Vitello, who is a staff accountant on Rodman & Rodman, P.C.’s Green Team, participated in the Charles River Conservancy Earth Day river cleanup event. Vitello volunteered through the Virginia Tech Alumni Association and in cooperation with State Senator William Brownsberger’s office. Vitello joined more than 3,000 other volunteers to pick up trash along the banks of the Charles River. Vitello’s clean up efforts centered around the Marina area in Watertown, MA.
“It is important to keep the environment clean, especially in an urban setting such as Boston,” noted Vitello. “We need to conserve the natural areas that we do have, so they can be enjoyed by future generations.”
According to the Conservancy’s website, “Since 2002, over 16,000 Conservancy Volunteers have contributed over $1 million of donated labor to improve the health, safety and beauty of the Charles River Parklands.”
About Rodman & Rodman P.C.
Founded in 1961, Rodman & Rodman, P.C. provides accounting, tax and business services to small and medium-sized companies throughout New England. With a focus on strategic planning, Rodman & Rodman goes beyond traditional accounting services and takes a proactive approach when serving clients to increase, preserve and sustain clients’ financial net worth. The company is Green Business Certified and in 2010 and 2011 was named one of the “Best Accounting Firms to Work For” in Accounting Today. Rodman & Rodman is listed in the Boston Business Journal’s “Top 50 Firms”.
From business valuations, taxation, audits, fraud detection and prevention services and succession planning to a variety of accounting IT services including software selection, implementation and training, the team at Rodman & Rodman serves as comprehensive advisors to clients. For individual clients, the company offers personal advisory services such as planning for real estate transactions, obtaining financing, estate planning and retirement planning as well as planning for college education. The Rodman & Rodman Green Team is a specialized green energy and clean technology accounting and tax services practice within Rodman & Rodman, P.C.
Rodman & Rodman, P.C. are located at 3 Newton Executive Park in Newton and 25 Braintree Hill Office Park in Braintree, MA. For more information, email info@rodmancpa.com, visit their website at www.rodmancpa.com or contact (617) 965-5959.
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“Mayors for Meals Day” a Success
Each year, Old Colony Elder Services (OCES), an elder services agency providing supportive resources to seniors living in greater Plymouth county and the Brockton area, participates in the National March for Meals Campaign, sponsored by the Meals on Wheels Association of America (MOWAA) through their special program known as “Mayors for Meals Day”.
This year, Brockton Mayor Linda M. Balzotti and Diana DiGiorgi, Executive Director of OCES delivered noontime meals to Meals On Wheels recipients throughout the Brockton area.
The “Mayors for Meals Day” campaign is designed to increase public awareness of the Meals On Wheels program, recruit new volunteers and encourage local fundraising by involving local mayors and other public officials.
“We have seniors who are homebound and unable to manage their grocery shopping or attend one of our congregate meal sites. The Meals On Wheels program is absolutely essential to them as they would otherwise not get a nutritious daily meal. Furthermore, the daily social contact is crucial to check on the safety of those living alone,” noted OCES Executive Director Diana DiGiorgi.
The Meals On Wheels program serves individuals age 60 and over, as well as disabled persons under the age of 60. Both the Meals On Wheels program and the congregate meal sites rely on help from volunteers. For more information contact the Nutrition Department at Old Colony Elder Services (508) 584-1561.
About OCES
Incorporated in 1974, Old Colony Elder Services is a private, non-profit corporation designated as one of 27 Aging Services Access Points (ASAPs) in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. OCES offers a number of programs to serve seniors, individuals with disabilities, their families and caregivers such as Family Caregiver Support; Adult Family Care; Supportive Housing; Nutrition; Money Management; Protective Services and Home Care.
OCES serves elders, individuals with disabilities, their families and caregivers in 23 towns in Southeastern Massachusetts: Abington, Avon, Bridgewater, Brockton, Carver, Duxbury, East Bridgewater, Easton, Halifax, Hanover, Hanson, Kingston, Lakeville, Marshfield, Middleboro, Pembroke, Plymouth, Plympton, Rockland, Stoughton, Wareham, West Bridgewater and Whitman.
The organization’s mission is to provide services that support the dignity and independence of elders by helping them maximize their quality of life; live safely and in good health; and, prevent unnecessary or premature institutionalization. For more information call (508) 584-1561 or visit the website at www.oldcolonyelderservices.org.
New business of introducing businesses. My Pinnacle Network launches monthly business-to-business networking groups in Marshfield and Hyannis.
Marshfield and Hyannis, Mass.
“Let me introduce you,” is a golden phrase to an entrepreneur’s ears. To accomplish this warm referral activity, My Pinnacle Network will launch monthly business-to-business networking groups in June.
The Hyannis My Pinnacle Network will be held monthly on the second Tuesday of month beginning on Tuesday, June 12, from 7:30 – 9 a.m. at 1520 Route 132, Hyannis, MA 02601.
The Marshfield My Pinnacle Network will be held on the first Thursday of the month, beginning, June 7, from 9 a.m. to 10:30 a.m., 165 Enterprise Drive, Marshfield, MA 02050.
My Pinnacle Network is NOT your old boys’ network and has existing groups in Braintree, Mansfield and Westboro, MA.
You’ve tried Chamber of Commerce events? You’ve endured one of the many weekly networking cults? If you are a “business-to-business professional” you probably came away scratching your head and wondering how to recoup those wasted hours.
“The business model is based on a simple premise. Most people buy from someone they know, like and trust. And they buy from those referred and introduced to them by someone they know, like and trust. My Pinnacle Network combines the high touch of a monthly meeting with high tech of online lead generation,” noted Steven V. Dubin, founder of My Pinnacle Network.
Dubin added, “Business to business professionals such as accountants, lawyers, financial planners, printers, business coaches and more than 40 other categories we have identified build their entire practice on personal referrals and introductions.” He continued, “This ‘business-to-business’ networking group streamlines the process by putting members shoulder to shoulder with others who are in the exact same traffic lanes. Another advantage of this networking concept is that if approved, a member has the exclusive rights to their category for their group. Unlike Noah’s Ark, we only bring one business species in at a time.”
There are several other advantages that My Pinnacle Network offers to business to business professionals. My Pinnacle Network adds the element of “high tech” to “high touch” of monthly face to face meetings. All group data flows through a robust and easy to use website. This keeps everyone accountable and highly visible.
All introductions/leads are posted to the My Pinnacle Network website and the website’s automation both tracks leads and provides reminders to pursue them. Each member’s lead production and closing ratio can be measured by the group leader at any time. Thus, non-productive members can be further coached to improve their value to the group.
The cost of the network is $300 for the year and there is a onetime initiation fee of $99. If interested, please visit www.MyPinnacleNetwork.com to arrange to attend a meeting in your area. Or contact Steven V. Dubin, SDubin@MyPinnacleNetwork.com, 781-582-1061.
Thirty is something. CRN recognizes 30-year accomplishments of ICI’s Shepard and Maltz
MARLBOROUGH, MA…
As part of its 30-year anniversary, CRN, the industry’s leading provider of news, insights and technical information to the enterprise-based solution provider community, recognized IT executives and professionals for their 30-year accomplishments. International Computerware, Inc. (ICI), a global award winning infrastructure and cloud consulting and services firm, had two executives, Jamie Shepard and Brad Maltz, honored for their respective 30-year accomplishments.
ICI Executive Vice President Jamie Shepard was recognized for his 30 years in the technology industry and his leadership in making ICI, with its nCubed methodology, one of the most respected solutions providers in the business.
“When you think about thirty years doing anything, it’s quite a feat. When you consider how our industry has grown over the last 30 years, it’s quite comparable to the number of changes a person goes through from birth to age 30,” said Shepard. “I’m thrilled to be honored by CRN but it truly is an award that belongs to everybody here at ICI for the outstanding work we’ve done over the years.”
ICI Chief Technology Officer Brad Maltz has not been in the industry for 30 years, but he’s accomplished quite a bit in his 30-plus years of life. Hence, CRN recognized him as one of 30 chan
nel leaders that are still in their thirties and putting their own stamp on the industry. Maltz has been an integral part in putting ICI at the forefront of the virtualization/cloud solutions market. He’s also one of only a small group of VMware certified design experts in the world (VCDX #36).
“Whether you’re in your 30s or in your 130s, being recognized by CRN is quite an honor,” said Maltz. “I’ve been fortunate in my career to work with incredible people at ICI and that’s been the largest factor in being able to accomplish what we have here.”
“Through my years in this industry with tech titans like IBM, Lotus, and EMC, I’ve never seen a more unique and effective combination than Shepard and Maltz. They are driving innovation and IT leadership like no other,” said Ali Bliss, ICI vice president of business development and marketing. “And for CRN to recognize two people from the same company, the only company in both categories, it really tells you something about ICI’s vision for the future of IT and the people helping to mold it.”
Located in Marlborough, Massachusetts, ICI is a leading-edge innovator, combining industry knowledge, functional experience and technology skills to help its clients grow and create extraordinary value. A member of the 2011 TechAmerica Commission to accelerate the U.S Deployment of Cloud Computing strategy, ICI possesses a unique blend of process driven thought leadership along with an award-winning team of technical innovators and pioneers. This combination has elevated ICI to become a Global Brand of Excellence and Execution within the Infrastructure Consulting world.
For more information, please visit http://www.iciamerica.com.
About ICI
International Computerware, Inc. (ICI) is a global award winning infrastructure and cloud consulting and services firm founded in 1985. ICI’s focus is customer enablement through process driven technology solutions and methodology. Utilizing its proven consulting methodology nCubedTM Now, Next, Nirvana, ICI is providing clients with answers to infrastructure challenges designed around ICI’s intellectual capital as consultants and vast integration experience; built on best-of-breed technologies. As a leader and innovator in Infrastructure Consumption modeling, ICI is further enabling clients to realize a consumption/service based computing model with its vCcubedTM offerings – a flexible, cost effective, and highly leveraged approach to actualizing the private, public, and hosted cloud computing models. For more information, visit www.iciamerica.com and follow @ICIAmerica on Twitter
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Emerson Bearing Boston Finds New Niche in Metal Shredding
Emerson Bearing, Boston’s leading bearing company catering toOEM (Original Equipment Manufacturers) and MRO (Maintenance, Repair and Operations) markets around the world, has found a new niche in the metal shredding industry.
A member of the Institute of Scrap Recycling Industries (ISRI), Emerson Bearing provides bearings for industrial metal shredding machines. These machines can shred heavy duty metal waste such as automobiles as well as doors and windows, drums, guns and brass cartridges, copper scrap, white goods, baled aluminum, scrap/trim, pails/buckets and more. Emerson Bearing typically receives bearing orders between $5K and $10K.
Emerson Bearing is one of the only providers of the hydraulic adapter sleeve and nut that has the capability to push a 500 pound bearing up the shaft of a metal shredder.
Emerson Bearing’s Metal Recycling division, which is led by marketing specialist Richard Furtado, is trained to accommodate the unique needs of clients in the metal shredding industry. Emerson’s 24/7 service and inventory are critical to the operations of many of their clients. Emerson can determine which bearing technologies would be most suitable for application by taking into consideration the specifications, recommendations, maintenance strategies, fatigue life and wear resistance of the bearing.
Metal shredding requires bearings that have high load values, can endure high shock loads and have extended maintenance cycles. Emerson offers a complete line of split cylindrical and spherical roller bearings which have the added feature of being easily assembled around a shaft. The complete assembly is engineered in halves to ease installation, inspection and replacement of bearings without removing or disrupting other elements of the drive or shaft system. Other related products offered include mounted units, ball bearings, roller bearings, roller chains, hydraulic cylinders and pumps, belts, oil seals, spherical bushings and rod ends.
Failure Analysis
As part of their customer care, Emerson’s industry experts provide clients with the unique service of “Bearing Failure Analysis” which helps them determine the cause of bearing failure so that they may prevent future failure and predict reliability. Or, if clients desire to do so, they can utilize the Bearing Failure Analysis program within the Technical Toolbox on the Emerson Bearing website.
To reach Richard Furtado in Emerson’s Metal Recycling division, contact 866-995-8761 or email rfurtado@Emersonbearing.com.
The Emerson Bearing Difference
In a proud tradition, the same families that started the company in 1957 keep Emerson Bearing rolling by specializing in bearings for OEM and MRO markets throughout the world. Emerson Bearing’s highly knowledgeable staff housed in their 23,000 square foot facility provide bearings ranging in size from 3mm to tunnel-boring 15-foot-diameter giants.
Emerson Bearing provides solutions to a variety of industries including: aggregate, concrete, mining, machine tools, electric motor repair, marine, material handling, metal processing, packaging, food processing, paper converting, printing, wind/power generation, recreation, heavy construction, robotics, automation, transportation, wood products, wastewater treatment, pump, compressor and oil field.
Emerson Bearing offers customers a one-stop shopping experience. With an online product catalog with over 3 million bearings; a vast inventory of bearings; worldwide sourcing; a fixed price program; a knowledgeable staff dedicated to delivering; same day shipping and 24/7 service, Emerson Bearing has become the leading provider of bearings to OEM and MRO markets in the U.S. and is the sister company of Action Bearing. Emerson Bearing maintains headquarters at 201 Brighton Ave. Boston, MA. For more information, contact 617-782-1400 or toll free, 800-225-4587, email info@emersonbearing.com or visit www.emersonbearing.com.
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PR Works’ client coverage: Lakefront Living Realty
Great coverage in the Valley Breeze, a Northern Rhode Island publication, on PR Works’ client Lakefront Living.
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