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Kitchen and Bath Designer Norm Brien Joins Masters Touch

Masters Touch, the home design and building experts located in Medfield, are proud to announce that Norm Brien, a talented Kitchen and Bath Designer, has joined their expanding team of professionals.

Mr. Brien’s experience dates all the way back to his childhood when he worked in his grandfather’s company, Brien Construction, in Brooklyn, Connecticut. After serving this apprenticeship Mr. Brien struck out on his own, running his own company for 15 years and became a member of the National Kitchen and Bath Association.

A proud grandfather of two, Mr. Brien followed his daughter out to California where he took a position at Home Depot in the Kitchen and Bath Design department. After a five-year tenure he decided to return to the east coast.

“I needed that reassurance of seasonal change that the east coast is famous for,” he says.

Believing that customer care is paramount to any home designer Mr. Brien couples his experience and knowledge with a positive personality that fits in perfectly with the staff at Masters Touch.

“I was immediately impressed with not only Doug Masters and all the people here as personalities but as true professionals. I felt an immediate sense of professional pride my first day here. I just wanted to dive right in on several projects, but my forte is Kitchen and Bathroom Design and I look forward to helping our customers get exactly what they want for their home.”

Now living in Lincoln, Rhode Island, Mr. Brien became enamored with the quaint charm of Medfield upon his very first visit to the town.

“It’s a wonderful place,” he says with enthusiasm. “It’s reinvigorated me.” He then adds with a smile, “I feel like I’m sixty going on forty-five!”

The Masters Touch

With a design, construction and installation team of more than 50, Masters Touch can handle all of a client’s home improvement projects and provide expert guidance to DIY folks.

Masters Touch was founded by Doug Masters in 1997. From high-end design and build projects; kitchen and bath renovations; exterior painting, roofing and siding projects to flooring, interior painting and decorating projects, Masters Touch caters to homeowners throughout the Metrowest area.

Masters Touch is a Showcase Priority Dealer for Hunter Douglas and offers professional design and installation service. The one-stop interior design and home improvement shop also offers Marvin and Harvey windows; six lines of custom and semi-custom cabinetry; over 150 types of granite and Corian countertops; paint; carpet; hardwood and tile flooring; home theater design and installation and much more.

The company offers written warrantees on all of its work. Masters Touch is located on Route 109 in Medfield, MA. For more information contact 508-359-5900, e-mail info@masterstouchweb.com or visit www.masterstouchweb.com.

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Doctors at South Shore Skin Center to Provide Free Skin Cancer Screenings at Area Hospitals in May

May is National Melanoma/Skin Cancer Awareness Month and the dermatologists at South Shore Skin Center will be providing free skin cancer screenings to the general public at two area hospitals.

On Thursday, May 7th from 5 to 7 p.m., Dr. Ramzi Saad, Dr. Richard Eisen and Dr. Katherine Ayers of South Shore Skin Center will provide skin cancer screenings at South Shore Hospital, 55 Fogg Road (Route 18) in South Weymouth. The screenings are free, but appointments are required. Contact South Shore Hospital at (781) 340-8239 to make an appointment or for more information.

On Tuesday, May 19th from 6 to 8 p.m., Dr. Ramzi Saad, Dr. Richard Eisen, Dr. William Stocker and Dr. Katherine Ayers of South Shore Skin Center will provide free skin cancer screenings at Jordan Hospital, 275 Sandwich Street in Plymouth. Call Jordan Hospital at

(508) 746-2000 to make an appointment.

“Last summer it was reported that some of the wealthiest communities on the South Shore have the highest skin cancer rates, in some cases more than double the number expected,” explained Dr. Ramzi Saad. “Malignant melanoma (skin cancer) can spread to other parts of the body, but it often may be cured in its early stages. Early detection is key.”

South Shore Skin Center advises folks to take these preventative measures:

· Avoid prolonged exposure to the sun and other UVA/UVB sources, such as tanning beds.

· Use ample amounts of sunscreen or sunblock with an SPF of 30 or higher every day, even if it is cloudy.

· Wear large framed or wrap-around sunglasses to protect the eye area.

· Have your skin checked by a dermatologist regularly.

· Note any moles or other spots on the skin that have changed. Have them checked as soon as possible.

South Shore Skin Center

Founded in 1984, South Shore Skin Center is one of Massachusetts’ most progressive dermatology practices offering a wide range of medical, surgical and cosmetic services.

South Shore Skin Center’s cosmetic services include Fraxel re:pair and re:store; Gentle YAG, innovative Laser, IPL (Intensive Pulse Light), Thermage and treatments for age spots, acne scarring, birth marks, tattoos and more.  The practice also offers a full range of affordable anti-aging services including Botox, wrinkle fillers, Microdermabrasion, laser skin resurfacing and chemical peels.

South Shore Skin Center offices are located at 223 Chief Justice Cushing Highway, Suite 202 in Cohasset, Mass. (781) 383-3340, and 45 Resnik Road, Suite 102 in Plymouth, Mass., (508) 747-0711.  For more information, visit their website at www.SouthShoreSkinCenter.com.

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New management at The Right One’s Austin location

NORWELL, MA AND AUSTIN, TX…

The Right One, one of the world’s largest brick-and-mortar dating services with more than 60 offices nationwide, recently announced a change in management at its Austin, Texas office, located at 7000 North Mopac Expressway, 2nd floor.

Effective last month, the Austin office will be under the management of International Dating Ventures, the parent company to Together Dating. Based in Norwell, Massachusetts, the new management team has placed staff at the Austin office while also providing oversight from the home office.

“By taking a one-to-one, personal approach, we’ve been able to help thousands of clients find that special someone over the last quarter of a century. Our new management team in Austin will now have a direct pipeline to the resources and expertise we’ve developed over the years and that can only benefit our clients in the Austin area,” said,” Paul A. Falzone, CEO of Together Dating and The Right One.

To arrange a consultation with a professional matchmaker or for membership, contact Together Dating Toll Free at 800-818-DATE (3283).

Help is on the way
Catering to more than 300,000 members at more than 60 locations throughout North America, The Right One and Together Dating are the largest brick and mortar dating services in the industry, offering a more consistent product, a greater number of potentially compatible mates and added value of flexibility in transferring memberships to another geographic region. 
Romantic Locations

North American locations and affiliates of Together are located in:  Indiana (Ft. Wayne, Carmel, Mishawaka); Kentucky (Louisville); Louisiana (Metairie); Maryland (Columbia, Frederick); Minnesota (Edina); Nevada (Reno); New Hampshire (Hooksett, Nashua, Portsmouth and Salem); Pennsylvania (Harrisburg);Ohio (Cincinnati); South Carolina (Greenville); Texas (San Antonio) and Virginia (Falls Church).

The Right One’s offices and affiliates located throughout the United States include:  California (San Diego); Colorado (Glendale); Georgia (Atlanta); Illinois (Chicago, Downers Grove, Rockford and Normal); Massachusetts (Norwell, Newton Center, Shrewsbury and Woburn); Michigan (Bingham Farms); Nebraska (Omaha and Lincoln); New Jersey (Cherry Hill); Nevada (Las Vegas); New York (Manhattan); Pennsylvania (King of Prussia); Rhode Island (Warwick); Texas (Dallas and Austin); Utah (Salt Lake City); and Wisconsin (Madison, Appleton, Elm Grove).

Singles Station Dating Company, an affiliate of The Right One and Together Dating, is the largest independently owned personal introduction service in the Southwest. In the last 25 years, Singles Station has introduced more than 100,000 couples and is responsible for thousands of successful relationships and marriages. Singles Station Dating Co. has offices conveniently located in Oklahoma (Oklahoma City and Tulsa), Arkansas (Bentonville, Fort Smith and Little Rock), Tennessee (Memphis and Nashville), Missouri (Springfield and St. Louis) and will be opening soon in Kansas (Wichita and Kansas City). For more information about Singles Station, please visit www.singlesstation.com or call 866-807-LOVE(5683).

For more information about Together Dating and The Right One, please visit their websites at www.togetherdating.com and www.therightone.com, or call (800) 818-DATE (3283).

New management at The Right One’s Austin locationRead More

New management at Together Dating’s San Antonio location

NORWELL, MA AND SAN ANTONIO, TX…

Together Dating, one of the world’s largest brick-and-mortar dating services with more than 60 offices nationwide, recently announced a change in management at its San Antonio, Texas office, located at 613 NW Loop 410, Suite 195.

Effective last month, the San Antonio office will be under the management of International Dating Ventures, the parent company to Together Dating. Based in Norwell, Massachusetts, the new management team has placed staff at the San Antonio office while also providing oversight from the home office.

“By taking a one-to-one, personal approach, we’ve been able to help thousands of clients find that special someone over the last quarter of a century. Our new management team in San Antonio will now have a direct pipeline to the resources and expertise we’ve developed over the years and that can only benefit our clients in the San Antonio area,” said,” Paul A. Falzone, CEO of Together Dating and The Right One.                

To arrange a consultation with a professional matchmaker or for membership, contact Together Dating Toll Free at 800-678-DATE (3283).

Help is on the way
Catering to more than 300,000 members at more than 60 locations throughout North America, The Right One and Together Dating are the largest brick and mortar dating services in the industry, offering a more consistent product, a greater number of potentially compatible mates and added value of flexibility in transferring memberships to another geographic region. 
Romantic Locations

North American locations and affiliates of Together are located in:  Indiana (Ft. Wayne, Carmel, Mishawaka); Kentucky (Louisville); Louisiana (Metairie); Maryland (Columbia, Frederick); Minnesota (Edina); Nevada (Reno); New Hampshire (Hooksett, Nashua, Portsmouth and Salem); Pennsylvania (Harrisburg);Ohio (Cincinnati); South Carolina (Greenville); Texas (San Antonio) and Virginia (Falls Church).

The Right One’s offices and affiliates located throughout the United States include:  California (San Diego); Colorado (Glendale); Georgia (Atlanta); Illinois (Chicago, Downers Grove, Rockford and Normal); Massachusetts (Norwell, Newton Center, Shrewsbury and Woburn); Michigan (Bingham Farms); Nebraska (Omaha and Lincoln); New Jersey (Cherry Hill); Nevada (Las Vegas); New York (Manhattan); Pennsylvania (King of Prussia); Rhode Island (Warwick); Texas (Dallas and Austin); Utah (Salt Lake City); and Wisconsin (Madison, Appleton, Elm Grove).

Singles Station Dating Company, an affiliate of The Right One and Together Dating, is the largest independently owned personal introduction service in the Southwest. In the last 25 years, Singles Station has introduced more than 100,000 couples and is responsible for thousands of successful relationships and marriages. Singles Station Dating Co. has offices conveniently located in Oklahoma (Oklahoma City and Tulsa), Arkansas (Bentonville, Fort Smith and Little Rock), Tennessee (Memphis and Nashville), Missouri (Springfield and St. Louis) and will be opening soon in Kansas (Wichita and Kansas City). For more information about Singles Station, please visit www.singlesstation.com or call 866-807-LOVE(5683).

For more information about Together Dating and The Right One, please visit their websites at www.togetherdating.com and www.therightone.com, or call (800) 818-DATE (3283).

New management at Together Dating’s San Antonio locationRead More

Advanced TrimWright, Inc. of Taunton Expands Sales Team

Advanced TrimWright, Inc. (ATW), a leading fabricator of exterior trim PVC products, has recently expanded their inside sales team.

Kevin Wood, a resident of East Taunton and Michael Brennan, a resident of Raynham have been appointed as Inside Sales Consultants.

Wood, who was previously employed at Thompson Products of Lakeville, MA for 21 years, held various sales and operations positions during his tenure at Thompson including that of Lead Estimator, Purchasing Manager, Production Manager and Material Manager. Wood holds a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science from Bryant University in Smithfield, RI. He is a native of Portsmouth, RI.

Brennan, who has three years experience in PVC fabrication at ATW, has been promoted to the inside sales team. Prior to ATW, Brennan worked in surveying and construction in the Massachusetts area for four years. Brennan has studied architecture at Wentworth Institute of Technology in Boston and is currently working towards an Associate in Science degree in Business at Massasoit Community College in Brockton. He is a native of Raynham.

“Kevin and Michael have diverse backgrounds and the experience needed which makes them great additions to our inside sales team,” noted Daniel Andrade, the company’s president.

About the Company

Founded in 2003, Advanced TrimWright, Inc. (ATW) creates exterior trim products and accessories that stand up to the ravages of sea, salt, and wind. All ATW products are manufactured in the USA and combine traditional old-world craftsmanship with 21st Century innovations to create superior products from 100% ATW PVC TrimBOARD, which is impervious to moisture and insects, yet looks and feels like real wood.

Bond&Fill Inc., the sister company of ATW, provides a superior line of adhesives and sealants specially formulated to bond, fill and repair exterior or interior PVC trim, vinyl, and aluminum products. Through their commitment to research, design, and innovation, Bond&Fill Inc. continues to expand its high performance product line which includes: Bond&Fill STRUCTURAL, Bond&Fill FLEX and Bond&Fill FOR PAINTERS.

ATW and Bond&Fill Inc. is located at 250 Cape Highway (Route 44) in East Taunton, MA. Their headquarters is comprised of a 50,000 square foot plant and a 3,000 square foot executive office space and showroom.

For more information about ATW or Bond&Fill Inc., call 508-822-7745 or visit their websites at www.advancedtrimwright.com and www.bondfill.com.

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Let the sun shine in… but not too much. Window treatments preserve furnishings and maximize cooling efforts.

OTTAWA, ON…

After a long winter, your natural instinct is to open up your windows and let the warm sunshine soak into every nook and cranny of your home. Yet before you get too crazy opening up windows and curtains, you should take into account the effect sunshine can have on your furniture and your energy costs.

DirectBuy, the leading home improvement and furnishings club with direct insider prices, offers some tips on giving your windows the treatment to get ready for the warmer spring and summer weather.

“For starters, direct sunlight on your furniture can do more harm than good. Light colors reflect sunlight and dark colors absorb it, so you may want to move some things around in the spring when your shades and blinds are drawn a bit more with the nicer weather,” said Frank Andree, owner of DirectBuy of Ottowa.

While protecting your furniture and rugs from the destructiveness of too much sun is an important consideration in selecting your window treatments, just as important is planning to maximize energy efficiency. Many of the same methods you use in the winter to keep cold air out, you can also use in the summer to keep cool air in.

If installing new double pane windows isn’t in your budget, you can still help halt energy loss (and gain, in the summer) by first caulking, sealing and adding weather stripping to your windows and doors. Then, spend some time researching not just what types of window coverings help block heat from coming in while holding your cool air inside, but also the various window films available for those purposes.

Cellular and honeycomb shades make use of pleated fabrics which can help stop heat from coming into your home. Outdoor window treatments, like shutters and awnings, can also make an impact on your energy bills if fitted properly. Window films can help insulate your windows, preventing heat and cold from affecting your interior temperature, and are a fairly easy project for even the most inexperienced do-it-yourselfer.

And let’s not forget,  aside from functionality, window treatments present some stylish, economical options for sprucing up your living areas without the headache of a major remodel. Some window treatments to consider for both shade and style include:

·                    Wood and faux wood blinds

·                    Roman shades

·                    Plantation shutters

·                    Vinyl blinds and mini blinds – great for high humidity areas (e.g. kitchens, baths)

·                    Curtains or drapes (can be customized to match your existing upholstery)

·                    Cornices, valences, and swags

“By giving your windows an aesthetic and functional makeover in the spring, you can create a nice, new seasonal look and improve your home’s efficiency,” said Andree.

DirectBuy offers nearly everything you need for your windows—from replacements to treatments—all at insider prices direct from the manufacturers and their authorized suppliers. In addition, DirectBuy also employs product specialists and designers, so if you need some assistance in selecting products or just a second opinion, you have seasoned professionals at your service.

For more information on a DirectBuy membership, you can visit http://www.directbuycares.com.

About DirectBuy

For more than 37 years, DirectBuy has been showing thousands of consumers unparalleled ways to save as they shop for virtually everything for in and around their homes – from furnishings, home improvement and flooring, to entertainment and outdoor products, accessories and much, much more. With more than 160 locations in North America, DirectBuy offers its members access to approximately 700 brand-name manufacturers and their authorized suppliers in the US, and more than 500 brand-name manufacturers and authorized suppliers in Canada.

Consumers interested in seeing DirectBuy’s savings, service and selection up close may obtain a Visitor’s Pass to attend an Open House by visiting www.directbuy.com or www.directbuycares.com.

Locations of DirectBuy by province are:

Alberta:

DirectBuy of Calgary Unit 17 3900 106th Ave. SE, Calgary, 403-543-1620

DirectBuy of Edmonton, 10427 174 St. NW, Edmonton, 780-413-8242

British Columbia:

DirectBuy of Greater Vancouver, 91 Golden Drive Unit #1, Coquitlam, 604-552-5252

DirectBuy of Vancouver, 2659 Lillooet St., Vancouver, 604-251-5822

DirectBuy of Central Okanagan, #5 2260 Hunter Rd, Kelowna, 250-763-4130

DirectBuy of Greater Victoria, 350B Bay Street, Victoria, 250-412-0238

Manitoba:

DirectBuy of Winnipeg, 180-117 King Edward Street East, Winnipeg, 204-925-4190

New Brunswick:

DirectBuy of New Brunswick, 950 Mountain Road, Moncton, 506-384-3009

Nova Scotia:

DirectBuy of Halifax, 60 Williams Avenue, Dartmouth, 902-446-4355

Ontario:

DirectBuy of Toronto Northwest, 2500 Williams Parkway E Unit 37, Brampton, 905-793-0639

DirectBuy of Ottawa, 1392 Cyrville Road, Ottawa, 613-749-2700

DirectBuy of London, 4093 Meadowbrook Dr. Unit 108, London, 519-652-0552

DirectBuy of Toronto North, 205 Torbay Road, Unit #2, Markham, 905-948-1911

DirectBuy of Mississauga, 4120 Ridgeway Drive Unit 26, Mississauga, 905-608-9244

DirectBuy of Kingston, 1121 John Counter Blvd, Kingston, 613-545-1200

DirectBuy of Toronto East, 1735 Bayly Unit 17, Pickering, 905-839-7747

DirectBuy of Hamilton – Niagara, 589 Barton St, Suite 102, Stoney Creek, 905-643-8271

DirectBuy of Toronto Downtown, 20 Banigan Drive, Toronto, 416-467-0078

DirectBuy of Waterloo, 755 Bridge St. Ste. 14, Waterloo, 519-885-3231

DirectBuy of Windsor, 2705 Kew Drive, Windsor, 519-945-3200

DirectBuy of Barrie, 320 Bayfield Street Unit 63, Barrie, 705-719-2999

Saskatchewan:

DirectBuy of Saskatoon, 201 Robin Crescent, Saskatoon, 306-683-3490

 

 

Consumers interested in becoming members may obtain a Visitor’s Pass to attend an Open House by contacting DirectBuy at 1-800-DIRECTBUY or visiting www.directbuycares.com. You can learn more about the superior value and benefits of a DirectBuy membership also by visiting www.directbuycares.com.

 

Let the sun shine in… but not too much. Window treatments preserve furnishings and maximize cooling efforts.Read More

Rodman & Rodman, P.C. Offers Businesses Essential Tips on How to Stay Connected and Retain Customers

In a good economy, there always exists the challenge of getting and keeping customers. In a down economy, it’s more important than ever that businesses not only make the sale, but really connect with their customers in order to retain them. Rodman & Rodman, P.C. Certified Public Accountants and Business Strategists, catering to small and medium sized companies throughout New England, offers tips on how businesses can stay connected with and retain their customers.

Rodman & Rodman offers businesses several tips:

Add value to the relationship. Provide more than just your product or service. From newsletters to product information, follow up calls, co-marketing with related businesses and by being a resource to your customer – try to add value to your relationship with them. Each of these ideas requires some extra effort and possibly expenditure, but the return is worth the investment.

Mirror your customer. Whenever directly communicating with your customer, determine your customer’s rate and emotion of communication and mirror it. This does not mean you should imitate them. Simply match the rate at which your customer is speaking and their level of emotion. For example:

If the speed at which your customer is talking is quick and you respond at a lumbering and pensive pace, you are likely making them uncomfortable. Put yourself in their place. Say you were trying to carefully explain to someone a computer problem and they cut in and quickly rattle off what you need to do. Even if they are right, are you really happy?  Would you want to speak with that person again with your next issue? Match their rate of speech as best you can as a seller or someone serving the customer for the best possible result.

How your customer is feeling about their situation shows in the emotion of their communication with you. In this case, it is slightly trickier because what you are mirroring is not the actual emotion of that customer, but the depth of that emotion. If a customer is angry, do not be angry, but be concerned. Very angry? Be very concerned. If the customer is frustrated, be empathetic. The point here is that good selling and customer service does not mean you must be upbeat and cheerful at all times. If a customer calls you in a panic, you need to show them that you are going to respond to their reason for panicking with a sense of urgency that demonstrates both concern and competency.

Provide smiling telephone customer service. Studies have shown that a customer service representative will more likely answer the telephone with a smile when a mirror is placed in front of them. Not only do the callers sense the smile in the customer service rep’s voice, the mirror provides a feedback mechanism to show the representative whether or not they are matching the emotions of the customer. This technique is highly effective and something to consider doing if your business fits the model.

“Customer service is what we all do. We serve our customers in exemplary fashion so that they buy from us, hopefully over and over again. Simply delivering the product or service you provide in the manner you proposed, at the time you promised, and at the price you quoted does not mean that your customer will return to buy again; refer you another customer; and/or like you or your business,” explained Larry Rice, Director of Strategic Consulting at Rodman & Rodman. He continued, “If you did not make your customer feel especially good about buying from YOU, the chances that the customer will choose the most convenient alternative available next time increases. Making a connection with customers is imperative.”

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 Jen Reading at (617) 965-5959.

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Mort Aronson to receive AAFD’s 2009 Lifetime Achievement Award

SAN DIEGO, CA…

The American Association of Franchisee and Dealers (AAFD) announced Mort Aronson as this year’s recipient of AAFD’s Total Quality Franchising Award for Lifetime Achievement.  The AAFD’s highest individual recognition, Aronson is being recognized for a lifetime of embracing collaborative relationships in franchising.

Aronson will be honored at AAFD’s Total Quality Franchising Awards banquet, to be held during the Association’s Annual Franchisee Leadership Summit on Thursday, April 30, 2009, in San Antonio, Texas.

“Mort Aronson exemplifies the AAFD’s vision of Total Quality Franchising,” said Robert Purvin, chairman of AAFD. “His body of work, from his quarter of a century with Holiday Inn to his service to the International Franchise Association (IFA) and his leadership in advocating the mediation of franchise-related disputes, reflects a dedication to encouraging collaborative win-win relationships.”

As General Counsel/Franchising for most of his 25 years at Holiday Inn, Aronson developed a reputation for openness and fairness from the franchisee population, and he is one of a very few ‘non-franchisees’ to receive an Honorary Lifetime membership in the IAHI, the franchisee association for Holiday Inn franchisees.

Said IAHI President Eva Ferguson, “For more than 20 years, Mort has been a well-respected key participant in the franchisee and franchisor relationship within InterContinental Hotels Group. Through his involvement in the IAHI Owners’ Association, he provided direction and counsel to the most pressing challenges. He continues to be viewed as a leading industry expert and a knowledgeable advocate for the best hotel franchising practices.  On behalf of the IAHI, we congratulate Mort on this award and recognition.”   

An active leader of the International Franchise Association, Mort served on the IFA Board from 1996-1998.  In August, 1998 Aronson was elected founding chairman of the National Franchise Council, a franchisor organization, and he reached out to the AAFD to discuss collaboration on a range of issues of mutual interest.

Among Mr. Aronson’s greatest contributions to the franchising community has been his dedicated and inspirational drive to promote mediation of franchise disputes.  Mort is a founder of the National Franchise Mediation Program, which is endorsed and supported by the IFA, the AAFD and the Asian American Hotel Association, along with many franchisor and franchisee organizations.  Mort served as chairman of the NFMP from 2002-2004, and continues to serve on the Steering Committee today.

Bill Hall, a Dairy Queen franchisee and co-chair of the NFMP, believes there would not be a National Franchise Mediation Program without Mort Aronson. Hall says, “Mort’s leadership in founding, nurturing, leading and mentoring the National Franchise Mediation Program since 1993 has provided a meaningful way for franchisees and franchisors to resolve disputes without litigation.  Countless parties have benefited from Mort’s work to promote mediation to resolve conflicts fairly and cost-effectively without destroying relationships.”

Hall added, “Mort is a personal mentor to me and many others and the right choice for the AAFD’s 2009 Lifetime Achievement Award.”    

Aronson reacted to news of the AAFD honor with gratitude and humility. “I am deeply honored and appreciative the AAFD to receive its lifetime achievement award.  I have learned during a 30-year career in franchising that a cornerstone of success is franchisors maintaining good relations with their franchisees.” 

After leaving Holiday Inns in May 2003, Mort served as counsel with the firm of Kilpatrick Stockton in Atlanta. He is also an adjunct professor at Emory University Law School where he has been teaching franchise law for the past 15 years.  Currently, Mort Aronson is Of Counsel at the firm of Federal & Hasson and is in charge of the franchise practice.  Mort is a frequent speaker and has authored numerous articles on franchising and franchise relationships.

Aronson is a graduate of Boston University where he received his A.B., Boston University Law School where he received his L.L.B., and Harvard Law School where he received his L.L.M. His civic activities include serving on the Law School Council of Emory Law School, a member of the Board of Directors of Atlanta Israel Bonds, and a member of the Atlanta Council of American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC). Aronson resides in Atlanta, Georgia with his wife Ellen. They have three children and four grandchildren.

About the AAFD

The AAFD is a national non-profit trade association representing the rights and interests of franchisees and independent dealers throughout the United States. Formed in 1992, The AAFD is focused on market driven reform to achieve its mission to define and promote collaborative franchise cultures that the AAFD describes as Total Quality Franchising.   Since its formation the AAFD has grown to represent more than 50,000 franchised businesses throughout the United States. The AAFD currently has members in all 50 states and represents more than 100 different franchise systems.

The AAFD’s Fair Franchising Standards, Fair Franchising Seal, Trademark Chapters, and emphasis on Marketplace Solutions led to the Association’s recognition as a growing force in franchising. The AAFD’s Branded Partner programs add a new dimension to the value of AAFD membership. The AAFD provides a broad range of member services designed to help franchisees build market power, create legislative support of interest to franchisees, provide legal and financial support, and provide a wide range of general member benefits.

For more information about the conference or the AAFD, please call toll free – 800-733-9858 or visit www.AAFD.org.

Mort Aronson to receive AAFD’s 2009 Lifetime Achievement AwardRead More

Master Matchmaker Recommends the Best Way to Find Love

For singles who are looking for love, there are hundreds of online dating sites as well as traditional (brick and mortar) matchmaking services out there to help them find a date or potential mate. But, which is better?

According to Paul A. Falzone, CEO of the world’s largest bricks and mortar dating service The Right One and Together Dating as well as online dating service LoveAccess.com, “What’s the best way to find love? It’s not about which is the better way – traditional dating services or online dating. It’s really all about customer preference. There are still many people who are uncomfortable going to a dating site to seek a match. They prefer to have that face-to-face contact with a professional matchmaker.”

So, what do you get from an online dating site? You get the freedom to browse and connect with other (hopefully) single people. Typically, you’ll register and complete a questionnaire (which may be brief or comprehensive) and can start seeking potential dates immediately. Some online dating sites offer their members additional services such as instant messaging, web cam chat, dating forums, chemistry prediction tools and compatibility profiling.

Traditional dating services take on the full responsibility of finding you a date or potential mate and charge a fee for their matchmaking services and relationship coaching. Typically, you would meet with a traditional matchmaker in person and discuss your dating/relationship expectations and complete an in-depth questionnaire about yourself and what you are looking for in a date/mate. Members of traditional dating services can rest easy while professional matchmaking experts work to find compatible matches. Background screenings on all members as well as divorce decree checks are additional benefits of some traditional dating services.

Is there a real cost difference?

Although there may be a nominal fee involved with online dating, there is the value of your time and how much of it you need to invest in searching online for potential matches. An attractive online profile may yield hundreds of hits per day – and it’s especially time consuming to sort through them all. Time means money and many people just don’t have time to spare to peruse for potential dates.

Whether you use a traditional dating service or an online dating site, it really boils down to personal preference. Some traditional dating services provide more peace of mind to their clients by offering added benefits such as screenings and background checks on all members. With online dating, there is no third party confirmation that members are who they claim to be and you have to rely upon what your potential date tells you.

Falzone continued, “There are still a lot of people who are intimidated with online dating and prefer to use traditional matchmaking services. Then, there are others who really enjoy seeking out and meeting potential matches online. Online dating sites have significantly more members to choose from while the bricks and mortar dating services have fewer members, yet provide a more ‘local’ membership base and a much higher level of customer service. So again, comfort level really is the deciding factor for most people when it comes to choosing online dating or traditional matchmaking services.”

Help is on the way
Catering to more than 300,000 members at more than 60 locations throughout North America, The Right One and Together Dating are the largest brick and mortar dating services in the industry, offering a more consistent product, a greater number of potentially compatible mates and added value of flexibility in transferring memberships to another geographic region.

Romantic Locations

North American locations and affiliates of Together are located in: Indiana (Ft. Wayne, Carmel); Kentucky (Louisville); Louisiana (Metairie); Maryland (Columbia, Frederick); Minnesota (Edina); Nevada (Reno); New Hampshire (Hooksett, Nashua, Portsmouth and Salem); Ohio (Cincinnati); South Carolina (Greenville); Texas (San Antonio and Austin) and Virginia (Falls Church); Pennsylvania (Harrisburg).

The Right One’s offices and affiliates located throughout the United States include: California (San Diego); Colorado (Glendale); Georgia (Atlanta); Illinois (Downers Grove, Rockford Normal and Chicago); Massachusetts (Norwell, Newton Center, Shrewsbury and Woburn); Michigan (Bingham Farms); Nebraska (Omaha and Lincoln); New Jersey (Cherry Hill); New York (NYC); Nevada (Las Vegas); Pennsylvania (King of Prussia); Rhode Island (Warwick); Texas (Dallas); Utah (Salt Lake City); and Wisconsin (Madison, Appleton, Elm Grove).

Singles Station Dating Company, an affiliate of The Right One and Together Dating, is the largest independently owned personal introduction service in the Southwest. In the last 25 years, Singles Station has introduced more than 100,000 couples and is responsible for thousands of successful relationships and marriages. Singles Station Dating Co. has offices conveniently located in Oklahoma (Oklahoma City and Tulsa), Arkansas (Bentonville, Fort Smith and Little Rock), Tennessee (Memphis and Nashville), Missouri (Springfield and St. Louis) and will be opening soon in Kansas (Wichita and Kansas City). For more information about Singles Station, please visit www.singlesstation.com or call 866-807-LOVE(5683).

For more information about Together Dating and The Right One, please visit their websites at www.togetherdating.com and www.therightone.com, or call (800) 818-DATE (3283).

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