Steve Dubin of PR Workzone shares insight in Cape & Plymouth BusinessConnector http://bit.ly/7EHfCc
Old Colony Elder Services Appoints Katie Bolinder Sandford as Congregate Housing Coordinator
Katie Bolinder Sandford, MACD, has recently joined Old Colony Elder Services (OCES), a non-profit Aging Services Access Point (ASAP), as Congregate Housing Coordinator.
In her new position, Ms. Sandford will be responsible for ensuring that residents in OCES congregate housing sites receive needed support services. Congregate Housing is a housing option that allows individuals to age in a homelike setting while enjoying the security, companionship, and emotional support that living with others provides. The goal of congregate living is to help seniors and the disabled remain as independent as possible while living in affordable housing and most importantly to prevent premature institutionalization. OCES coordinates services for sites in Bridgewater, Marshfield and Stoughton.
Ms. Sandford received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Social Work from Gordon College in Wenham, MA and a Master of Arts degree in Community Development from North Park University in Chicago. Previous to OCES, Ms. Sandford spent four years working with homeless individuals at a drop-in center that she had founded known as the New Community Warming Center. The center is part of the New Community Covenant Church located in Logan Square, Chicago. Ms. Sandford relocated to Brockton, MA and is currently involved with the Brockton Interfaith Community and working on housing issues.
A native of Hanson, MA, Ms. Sandford resides in Brockton with her husband Greg and 10 month old son, Axel.
“It is vital to have the right people in the Congregate Housing Coordinator positions. Katie has the knowledge and experience that is needed. We are delighted to have her on our team,” noted Diana DiGiorgi, Executive Director of OCES.
For more information about Congregate Housing, please contact either Ms. Sandford at OCES (508) 584-1561 or the local housing authority for an application.
About OCES
Incorporated in 1974, Old Colony Elder Services (OCES) is one of 27 private, non-profit Aging Services Access Points (ASAPs) in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
OCES offers a number of programs to serve seniors, families and caregivers such as Family Caregiver; Caring Homes and Enhanced Adult Family Care; Supportive Housing; Nutrition; Money Management; Protective Services; Home Care and more.
OCES serves elders, their families and caregivers in the towns of 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.
The agency has 140 employees and operates more than 12 programs serving elders, their families and caregivers. For more information call (508) 584-1561 or visit the website at www.oldcolonyelderservices.org.
Acing customer service…DirectBuy of Hoffman Estates earns an A+ grade from Better Business Bureau.
CHICAGO, GURNEE, HOFFMAN ESTATES, NAPERVILLE, TINLEY PARK, IL …
When it comes to taking care of your customers, some businesses talk the talk while others walk the walk. As a recipient of an A+ grade from the Better Business Bureau, you can count DirectBuy of Hoffman Estates among the latter.
An accredited Better Business Bureau business since 1989, DirectBuy of Hoffman Estates earned their A+ grade based on 19 criteria, ranging from years in business to complaints received and resolved, to other service-oriented factors. Each criterion has a certain amount of points associated with it, with a perfect score being 90 out of a possible 90 points. DirectBuy of Hoffman Estates’ A+ grade represents 88 out of a possible 90 points.
“Along with offering great products to our members, we go to great lengths to make visiting our store a pleasant and enjoyable experience. If it’s not, we want to know about it. That’s part of the reason we’ve joined the Better Business Bureau and have been an accredited member for quite some time,” said Dave Kushner, owner of DirectBuy of Hoffman Estates. “So while we’re thrilled to receive an A+, it’s especially satisfying because it means we’re delivering the kind of superior customer service our members deserve.”
For more than 38 years, DirectBuy clubs have offered members the opportunity to enjoy enormous savings on home furnishings, home improvement items, entertainment and outdoor products, flooring and accessories by purchasing from over 700 brand name manufacturers and their authorized suppliers. In addition to DirectBuy of Hoffman Estates, located at 2200 Stonington Avenue in Hoffman Estates, Illinois, DirectBuy has several convenient locations in greater Chicago (Chicago, Gurnee, Naperville, and Tinley Park). At DirectBuy, consumers can enjoy a comfortable, country-club setting, where they finally have the financial control of buying direct.
For more information on a DirectBuy membership, you can visit http://www.directbuycares.com.
About DirectBuy
Since 1971, DirectBuy has helped hundreds of thousands of families enjoy a better quality of life, enabling them to buy directly from more than 700 manufacturers and their authorized suppliers. Buying direct makes members’ hard-earned money go much further, while having the selection and choice not available at any retail store. Access to confidential prices, local suppliers, and unparalleled selection helps make members’ dream projects a reality. The DirectBuy clubs serving the greater Chicago area are part of more than 160 locations throughout North America.
Consumers interested in becoming members may obtain a Visitor’s Pass to attend an Open House by visiting http://www.directbuycares.com.
Locations of the DirectBuy clubs serving greater Chicago area: DirectBuy of Hoffman Estates, 2200 Stonington Ave Ste. 150, Hoffman Estates, IL; DirectBuy of Chicago North, 6325 North Avondale Ste. 110, Chicago, IL; DirectBuy of DuPage County, 1864 High Grove Lane Ste. 124, Naperville, IL; DirectBuy of Lake County, 3900 Washington Street, Gurnee, IL; and DirectBuy of Tinley Park, 18400 S. 76th Avenue Ste. B, Tinley Park, IL.
To learn more about the superior value and benefits of a DirectBuy membership, visit www.directbuycares.com.
How going ‘coach’ can upgrade your business class…Why business coaching delivers for small businesses, too.
FREDERICK, MD; BATON ROUGE, LA; WILMINGTON, DE; RICHMOND, VA; AND MIAMI, FL …
Business coach? The emergence of business coaching is helping many small, local businesses in this challenging economy. Yet, the concept of coaching, outside the athletic arena, is still a fairly new one, particularly in the business world.
Once a luxury as a resource affordable only to Fortune 5000 companies, business coaching is now accessible to even solo practitioners. But what is business coaching anyway?
Is it a financial advisor/tax consultant who can show business owners how to be more profitable? Are they sales coaches who teach business owners, many who do not have sales as a background, how to sell? Or are they management consultants who teach business owners how to run their operations more efficiently?
The answer is that a business coach can be one, some or all of the above. And for the small business owner seeking out the guidance of a business coach, it’s important to know exactly what it is you are getting.
“The three areas most critical to a small business owner are time, team and money. In other words, how you budget your time, how you manage your staff and/or operation and how you manage/make your money,” said Karen Boyd, an ActionCOACH business coach. “When hiring a business coach, the small business owner needs to determine the areas where they need assistance and hire somebody who can address those areas.”
So what should business owners look for in a business coach? What should business owners hope to get out of working with a business coach? Here are some guidelines for business owners interested in hiring a business or executive coach:
· Working smarter – One of the more important things a business owner can get from working with a coach is to optimize his or her time; working smarter. A time management evaluation and plan should be part of the package with definitive steps for improvement put in place.
· Increasing sales – The most obvious reason for working with a coach is to increase profits. Working with a business coach should not only include a plan of how to increase sales, but a clear timetable of by how much and by when and within the structure of your organization.
· The bottom line – Increasing sales is great, but it doesn’t automatically translate to profitability. You want to work with a business coach who can look at the entire financial picture—sales, operations, etc.
· Inspiration or exasperation? A business coach should be a mentor and motivator for business owner. When looking for a coach, be sure it’s somebody you can work with. Find out about their background. A certain level of trust and respect is needed to successfully work with a coach and the business owner should at the very least have references from the coach so they can make an informed decision.
· Accountability – Only work with a coach who will hold you, the business owner, accountable. A business coach should work with you to create goals and objectives. Those require actions and deliverables on the part of the business owner. As a business owner, that’s what you want.
“To get results out of a coaching relationship requires accountability on the part of the coach and the business owner,” said Everardo Recendiz, an ActionCOACH out of Shreveport, Louisiana. “It’s the job of the coach to work with the business owner to come up with goals and deadlines for actions and deliverables. It’s the business owner’s job to meet those deadlines. Success or failure of the coaching relationship really comes down to the commitment of the business owner.”
ActionCOACH is the world’s #1 business coaching firm and executive coaching firm. Operating in 26 countries, the franchise has more than 1,000 offices around the world. That includes locations in the six states (and Washington DC) that make up the Gulf Atlantic region: Alabama (Pelham); Delaware; Florida (Coral Gables, Fort Myers, Jacksonville, Miami, North Miama, Palm Harbor, Pensacola Beach and Tallahassee); Louisiana (Baton Route, Loranger, Mandeville, New Orleans and Shreveport); Maryland (Baltimore, Freeland, Fallston, Manchester, Rockland, Silver Spring); and Mississippi (Madison).
Founded in 1993, the ActionCOACH has received numerous awards including Fastest Growing Franchise, Franchisee Satisfaction, Best Overall Company and has been named the number one business coaching franchise for more than five years running.
To learn more about ActionCOACH, contact Karen Boyd, www.karenboyd.actioncoach.comwww.karenboyd.actioncoach.com, (410) 374-3536.
Plymouth North turns into ‘toyland’ …Plymouth North students win Tracy Chevrolet Cadillac for toy drive effort.
PLYMOUTH, MA…
One would think high school students might be a bit old for toys at Christmas time. But for a select group of Plymouth North High School, toys have been one of their primary focuses with the recent launching of a toy drive for underprivileged children in November. This effort earned this group of students the Tracy Chevrolet Cadillac Driven Student of the Month award.
The group of students, comprised of members of a student advisory group, initiated the campaign on November 10. Placing boxes strategically throughout the school, the group encouraged fellow students and teachers to donate new toys. After December 11, the toys will then be donated to Salvation Army, the Plymouth Fire Department and some local churches for distribution.
“In this season of giving, there are so many heartwarming stories of people sharing with those less fortunate. This is definitely one of them,” said Margaret Foley, one of the advisory group teachers. “What makes me most proud of this group of students is that they came up with this idea on their own and sought out the Salvation Army, the Fire Department and other groups that could use this kind of donation.”
For their good deeds, the students were treated to a pizza party, courtesy of Tracy Chevrolet Cadillac. Tracy Chevrolet Cadillac President Jeff Tracy and Sales Manager David Gavin delivered the pizzas and drink koozies as a gift for those attending.
Students taking part in the toy drive include: Haylie Beitel, Katrina Borofski, Adam Chapman, Taylor Cloran, Karmyn DeAngelo, Cody Farragher, Brittany Freeman-Hayden, Kevin Goe, Jessica Gordon, Richard Guevremont, Erik Hansen, Kara Harper, Devin Hood, Patrick Horgan, Bryan Hughes, Rachel McCormack, Jennifer Noviello, Chucky Phachansiri, Michael Pratt, Sarah Schoeneberg, Kim Wallant and Jamie William.
“Part of why Tracy does the Driven Student award is we feel young people do not get enough credit for the positive contributions they make. This group, with their toy drive, is an excellent example. The Driven Student award is just our way to recognizing this accomplishment,” said Jeff Tracy, president of Tracy Chevrolet Cadillac.
Tracy Chevrolet Cadillac’s Driven Student program recognizes Plymouth high school students for their performance and achievements in and out of the classroom. Awarded on a monthly basis, recipients are selected by faculty and advisors at the student’s given school.
So easy at Tracy Chevrolet Cadillac
For more than 80 years and three generations of dealers, the Tracy family has made it so easy for customers on the South Shore and greater Plymouth area to purchase new and used automobiles. Since its beginnings in 1992, Tracy Chevrolet Cadillac has emphasized first-rate customer service and straightforward, bottom-line pricing with fair trade-ins every time–without the games or gimmicks you find at other dealerships. For more information on new and used trucks and automobiles, you can go to www.tracymotors.com or stop by the dealership, conveniently located at 137 Samoset Street, just off exit 6 on Route 3. For more information, or to make a service appointment, you can also call (800) 640-2884.
$5 Fundraising Calendars Help Local Seniors in Crisis Situations – On sale now at Old Colony Elder Services
In an effort to raise money for seniors in crisis situations, Old Colony Elder Services (OCES), a private, non-profit Aging Services Access Point (ASAP) located in Brockton, is now offering Fundraising Calendars for $5 each.
Fundraising calendars are available throughout December and January. Proceeds from the calendars go towards food, fuel and medications for seniors who are on a fixed income and in a crisis situation.
A total of $1,300 in cash prizes will be awarded beginning in February. One winner will be selected per day. Cash prize values vary. Winners will be notified by phone and posted online at www.OldColonyElderServices.org.
To obtain a Fundraising Calendar, contact OCES at (508) 584-1561 or send an email to LDallaire@oldcolonyelderservices.org.
“Last year, proceeds from the fundraising calendars enabled us to assist a number of seniors including a 66 year old man who had lost his health insurance and could not pay for oxygen and a 90 year old woman who couldn’t pay for heating oil. We hope to raise at least $6,000 specifically for the growing number of seniors who are in crisis,” explained Diana DiGiorgi, Executive Director of OCES.
About Old Colony Elder Services
Incorporated in 1974, Old Colony Elder Services (OCES) is one of 27 private, non-profit Aging Services Access Points (ASAPs) in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. OCES touches the lives of approximately 16,000 people a year. They have 140 employees and operate 20 programs serving elders, their families and caregivers.
OCES serves elders, their families and caregivers in the towns of 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.
QuickBooks Seminars for Business Owners in January
Rodman & Rodman, P.C., Certified Public Accountants and Business Strategists will offer complimentary QuickBooks seminars for business owners at two locations in January.
On Tuesday, January 5, 2010, from 7:30 a.m.- 9:30 a.m., a QuickBooks seminar will be held at Rodman & Rodman’s Newton office located at 3 Newton Executive Park.
On Tuesday, January 12, 2010 from 7:30 – 9:30 a.m., a QuickBooks seminar will be held at the company’s Braintree office located at 50 Braintree Hill Office Park in the second floor Conference Room.
QuickBooks has emerged as the dominant small business accounting software. QuickBooks software enables business owners to get the “bookkeeping” of their business done, but also gives business owners the features, tools and reporting that helps them to run their business more efficiently and profitably.
Kathy Parker, CPA, a Partner at Rodman & Rodman, P.C. has been a Certified QuickBooks Advanced Pro Advisor for more than a decade and will lead the seminar and advise business owners on how to get the most out of QuickBooks. A questions and answer session will follow the presentation.
These seminars are free and light refreshments will be served.
To register, contact Jen Minor at 617-965-5959 or email at jen@rodmancpa.com.
Co-sponsored by PR Works.
Rodman & Rodman CPA to Hold QuickBooks Seminars for Business Owners
Rodman & Rodman, P.C., Certified Public Accountants and Business Strategists will offer complimentary QuickBooks seminars for business owners at two locations in January.
On Tuesday, January 5, 2010, from 7:30 a.m.- 9:30 a.m., a QuickBooks seminar will be held at Rodman & Rodman’s Newton office located at 3 Newton Executive Park.
On Tuesday, January 12, 2010 from 7:30 – 9:30 a.m., a QuickBooks seminar will be held at the company’s Braintree office located at 50 Braintree Hill Office Park in the second floor Conference Room.
QuickBooks has emerged as the dominant small business accounting software. QuickBooks software enables business owners to get the “bookkeeping” of their business done, but also gives business owners the features, tools and reporting that helps them to run their business more efficiently and profitably.
Kathy Parker, CPA, a Partner at Rodman & Rodman, P.C. has been a Certified QuickBooks Advanced Pro Advisor for more than a decade and will lead the seminar and advise business owners on how to get the most out of QuickBooks. A questions and answer session will follow the presentation.
These seminars are free and light refreshments will be served.
To register, contact Jen Minor at 617-965-5959 or email at jen@rodmancpa.com.
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.
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. Rodman & Rodman Certified Public Accountants are located at 3 Newton Executive Park in Newton and 25 Braintree Hill Office Park in Braintree, Mass. For more information, visit their website at www.rodmancpa.com or contact (617) 965-5959.
Rodman & Rodman CPA to Hold QuickBooks Seminars for Business OwnersRead More
Draw play… Glenview resident scores Bears tickets in DirectBuy contest.
CHICAGO, IL …
As the leading home improvement and home furnishings club offering direct insider prices, DirectBuy specializes in helping members get more for less. Glenview resident Juan Gomez is a fine example of that. By visiting DirectBuy to learn more about a membership, he was entered in a raffle that won him two tickets to the Chicago Bears versus St. Louis Rams game on December 6, 2009 as part of a special promotion put on by DirectBuy of Chicago North and DirectBuy of Lake County.
“Congratulations to Juan Gomez for winning the two tickets to the Bears-Rams game,” said Brent Gilliland, managing partner of DirectBuy of Chicago North. “Judging by the number of participants we had, this was no small accomplishment, and we hope he had a great time at the game.”
Gomez’s victory marked the end of DirectBuy’s month-long football celebration. Leading up to the drawing, fans who attended an Open House at either DirectBuy of Chicago North or DirectBuy of Lake County received a piece of authentic NFL apparel and were entered into a drawing for the aforementioned tickets to the Bears-Rams game (members of the general public were also invited to enter). The winner was drawn on November 30, 2009.
“This was a really fun promotion for a lot of reasons. First and foremost, we have a lot of football fans among our members, guests and staff,” said Mark Perry, managing partner at DirectBuy of Lake County. “Since we border Wisconsin, a good many of our guests are Packers fans, yet the promotion still managed to create a buzz that made it a good time for even the most ardent Cheesehead.”
DirectBuy offers everything football fans could possibly need to watch the game from home — flat screen TVs, recliners and home theater seating, even kegerators for your den or entertainment room — at direct insider prices from your favorite brand names. In addition, each DirectBuy club employs product specialists and designers who can help members create the “man cave” or entertainment room that works best for their home.
For more than 38 years, DirectBuy clubs have offered members the opportunity to enjoy enormous savings on home furnishings, home improvement items, entertainment and outdoor products, and accessories by purchasing from over 700 brand-name manufacturers and authorized suppliers. With several convenient locations in the greater Chicago area (Chicago, Gurnee, Hoffman Estates, Naperville, and Tinley Park), consumers can enjoy a comfortable, country-club setting, where they finally have the financial control of buying direct.
For more information on a DirectBuy membership, you can visit http://www.directbuycares.com.
About DirectBuy
Since 1971, DirectBuy has helped hundreds of thousands of families enjoy a better quality of life, enabling them to buy directly from more than 700 manufacturers and their authorized suppliers. Buying direct makes members’ hard-earned money go much further, while having the selection and choice not available at any retail store. Access to confidential prices, local suppliers, and unparalleled selection helps make members’ dream projects a reality. The DirectBuy clubs serving the greater Chicago area are part of more than 160 locations throughout North America.
Consumers interested in becoming members may obtain a Visitor’s Pass to attend an Open House by visiting http://www.directbuy.com.
Locations of the DirectBuy clubs serving the greater Chicago area are: DirectBuy of Hoffman Estates, 2200 Stonington Ave Ste. 150, Hoffman Estates, IL; DirectBuy of Chicago North, 6325 North Avondale Ste. 110, Chicago, IL; DirectBuy of DuPage County, 1864 High Grove Lane Ste. 124, Naperville, IL; DirectBuy of Lake County, 3900 Washington Street, Gurnee, IL; and DirectBuy of Tinley Park, 18400 S. 76th Avenue Ste. B, Tinley Park, IL.
To learn more about the superior value and benefits of a DirectBuy membership, visit www.directbuycares.com.
Draw play… Glenview resident scores Bears tickets in DirectBuy contest.Read More
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