Unleash the Power of The Press

admin

Rodman CPAs to Hold “Intro to QuickBooks Online” Seminar on October 25th

Like the cloud? Making the switch from QuickBooks to QuickBooks Online? Small business owners, bookkeepers and others will learn all the nuances of this online platform at Rodman CPAs “Intro to QuickBooks Online” Seminar, which will be held Wednesday, October 25, 2017 in their state-of-the-art classroom at 51 Sawyer Road, Suite 610 in Waltham, MA 02453.

Rodman CPAs, a full service tax and accounting firm serving small and medium-sized companies throughout the greater Boston area, will provide comprehensive hands-on training in a QuickBooks Online half-day seminar held from 9:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. and includes breakfast and lunch.

Attendees will learn how to manage the financial aspects of their small business quickly and efficiently using QuickBooks Online. This beginner seminar is ideal for those who are new to QuickBooks or have already used other versions of this software program.

Topics to be covered include: Chart of Accounts & Best Practices; Sales Transactions; Expense Transactions; Special Transactions; Understanding and Customizing Reports; Short Cuts and Time Savers; Tailoring QuickBooks for Your Needs; and Tips & Tricks. Advanced QuickBooks ProAdvisors Kathy Parker CPA, Leah Shanahan CPA, Christine McGoldrick and Kayla Luther will lead the seminar.

Rodman CPAs has been a member of the QuickBooks ProAdvisor Program since 1999 and has provided training and consulting to hundreds of small to mid-size companies.

“Intro to QuickBooks Online” seminar is $149. To register, visit Rodman’s Eventbrite page at

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/intro-to-quickbooks-online-beginner-class-tickets-34722292311

About Rodman CPAs

Rodman CPAs provides tax advisory, accounting, and business strategy to small and mid-sized emerging and established businesses. Named one of the largest accounting firms in Massachusetts by the Boston Business Journal, Rodman CPAs offers an innovative and strategic approach with the personal touch of a smaller regional CPA firm. For more than 50 years, Rodman CPAs has been specializing in customized accounting and tax solutions that improve business performance, processes, financial operations, and information technology.

The firm serves as a true business partner, helping clients perform and succeed during each stage of the business lifecycle. As domain experts in alternative energy, the “Green Team” at Rodman CPAs works with renewable energy producers and businesses throughout the U.S. offering tax advisory, financial, accounting services, and Investment Tax Credit (ITC) studies.

Rodman CPAs is an independent member firm of BDO Alliance USA, which enables them to expand services to clients by accessing the resources of BDO USA, LLP and other Alliance members, ensuring greater flexibility, efficiency, and cost-effectiveness. For more information, visit http://www.rodmancpa.com or contact (617) 965-5959.

Rodman CPAs to Hold “Intro to QuickBooks Online” Seminar on October 25thRead More

Old Colony Elder Services Announces #SelfieWithSid Contest Winners

Selfie Winner Cathy Rose

Old Colony Elder Services (OCES), a sponsor of one of the 29 painted lobsters showcased at Plymouth’s Lobster Crawl, has announced the winners of their #SelfieWithSid Contest on their Facebook page found at https://www.facebook.com/OCESMA.

Contestants took photos of themselves (selfies) with OCES’ lobster Sid on its perch in front of the Spire Center in Plymouth, and posted the photos on OCES’ Facebook page.

Cathy Rose of Brockton received the most “likes” for her photo submitted to the #SelfieWithSid contest and won First Place prize of $230 Mastercard gift card – $10 for each of the 23 communities OCES serves.

“Thank you so much for this, but more importantly thanks for the tireless work on behalf of our elders OCES performs every day. You’re all heroes!” said Cathy Rose.

The OCES team also selected two photos that they judged to be the most fun and creative, and awarded “Sid-Sensational” Mastercard gift card prizes of $50 each to Michael Lewis of Fairhaven and Melissa Thorne of Berkley.

“Congratulations to all of our winners! We truly appreciate the efforts made by our #SelfieWithSid contestants in sharing their photos, as they have helped create greater awareness of OCES and our mission by way of our new Facebook page,” said Lynn Smith, Development Manager at OCES.

About Sid

Sid the lobster was custom-designed and hand-painted by Samantha Shields, a talented local artist, U.S. Air Force veteran and Plymouth resident. The name Sid stands for “Supporting Independence and Dignity” and reflects OCES’ mission statement, which is “to support the independence and dignity of elders and people with disabilities by providing essential information and services that promote healthy and safe living.”

About Plymouth Lobster Crawl

The Plymouth Lobster Crawl features 29 unique structures measuring five feet tall. The fiberglass structures are sponsored by local businesses and organizations; each is custom designed and hand painted by local artists. This FREE art exhibit is presented by the Plymouth Area Chamber of Commerce.  Visit www.plymouthchamber.com/lobster for more information.

About OCES

Founded in 1974, OCES proudly serves greater Plymouth County and surrounding communities. OCES is a private, non-profit organization headquartered in Brockton with a second office in Plymouth. OCES is designated as one of 26 Aging Services Access Points (ASAPs) in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. OCES’ mission is to support the independence and dignity of elders and people with disabilities by providing essential information and services that promote healthy and safe living. The agency has 235 employees and operates more than 15 programs serving older adults, individuals with disabilities, their families and caregivers. For more information call 508-584-1561 or visit www.ocesma.org.

Old Colony Elder Services Announces #SelfieWithSid Contest WinnersRead More

LinkedIn Sales Funnel, a Hands-On, Two-Hour Workshop scheduled for Norwell and Plymouth, MA locations.

Steve Dubin

NORWELL AND PLYMOUTH, MA…

Bring your laptop and learn how to finally leverage LinkedIn as a sales funnel.

Most business people have a LinkedIn profile, but scratch their head and wonder what it accomplishes. The LinkedIn Sales Funnel – Hands-On Workshop teaches attendees how to transform that passive channel into a robust, proactive lead-generator.

PR Works, a full-service public relations and advertising firm based in Plymouth Center and Praxis Growth Advisors, Inc. a sales training and leadership development firm, will host two separate LinkedIn Sales Funnel workshops at two locations including the initial session at 62 Accord Park Drive, Suite 4, Norwell, MA 02061 on Wednesday, November 1, 4:30 – 6:30 p.m. and the second session at the Plymouth Chamber of Commerce, 134 Court Street Plymouth, MA  02360 on Wednesday, November 15, 8 – 10 a.m. Cost is $149 per person.

Eric Warner

The sessions will be led by Steve Dubin of PR Works and owner of PR Works and Eric Warner of Praxis Growth Advisors Inc., a Sandler Training company.

The session will include: a review of your LinkedIn profile and how to maximize it to be found and convert visitors; how to use LinkedIn’s advance search to create a prospect profile and segmented target audience by Industry, Title, Geography, etc.; how to develop a drip campaign and ask for five connection requests per day; the essence of a messaging system – including five messages to develop a know, like, trust relationship with the recipient; when to allow prospects to “marinate” and wait for a response;  when to ask for a telephone or coffee meeting; how to harness discussion group to showcase your expertise; how to leverage LinkedIn’s Pulse publishing to expand credibility; when to add profile updates and use the gentle prod; and how to export LinkedIn contacts to a spreadsheet and utilize that e-mail data for a monthly e-newsletter.

To reserve a seat, please contact Steve Dubin, PR Works, (781) 582-1061, email – SDubin@PRWorkzone.com. To register directly online to for the Norwell workshop on November 1, click on https://goo.gl/ukwZ3H. For the Plymouth workshop on November 15 click on https://goo.gl/4K8imm.

LinkedIn Sales Funnel, a Hands-On, Two-Hour Workshop scheduled for Norwell and Plymouth, MA locations.Read More

Rodman CPAs Announces New Tax Partner, Merger with Concord, MA Firm

Mark Minassian, CPA, Tax Partner

Mark Minassian, CPA has been named a Tax Partner at Rodman CPAs of Waltham, MA, a full-service tax and accounting firm serving small and mid-sized emerging and established businesses throughout the greater Boston area. Minassian’s firm, Minassian CPA, LLC of Concord, MA, has recently merged with Rodman CPAs.

According to Steve Rodman, “Minassian CPA’s growth, profitability and tax specialty made the decision to combine forces an easy one.”

The merger enables Rodman CPAs – recently named one of the largest accounting firms in Massachusetts by the Boston Business Journal – to further expand and enhance their tax services. Although Minassian CPAs will no longer operate under that firm name, Minassian gains a larger staff and the resources to meet the needs of a fast-growing tax clientele.

Minassian will be the fifth partner, and the third under the age of 50, at Rodman CPAs. He joins president Steven Rodman, CPA, MST, CVGA, and partners Robert Leonard, CPA, MBA, CVGA, Thomas Astore, CPA JD, and Kathy Parker, CPA, MST.

As the new Tax Partner at Rodman CPAs, Minassian will focus primarily on real estate, partnership tax and tax planning for high net worth individuals. Minassian holds a Bachelor of Business Administration in Accounting from University of Miami. He worked for Ercolini and Company (now CohnReznick) and Arthur Andersen prior to working in partnership with his father at Minassian Associates and then becoming the managing member of Minassian CPA. The Concord-based specialty accounting and tax strategy firm worked with growth-oriented entrepreneurs and their companies, real estate investors and individuals and families with complex tax issues.

Minassian has authored numerous articles on a variety of accounting and tax topics including real estate taxation, 1031 exchanges and corporate taxation, several of which were featured in the Boston Business Journal. He is also a former author of the small business strategy page for About.com.

Over the years, Minassian has written a popular tax blog and led many tax seminars and webinars. He is a member of the Massachusetts Society of CPAs (MSCPA) and previously served on the Town of Sudbury Finance Committee.

A resident of Sudbury, MA, Minassian is on the Board of Sudbury for Wounded Warriors as well as on the Board of Most Valuable Kids (MVK) Boston. He intends to become involved in many of Rodman CPAs’ outreach efforts in support of a variety of organizations and causes.

About Rodman CPAs

Rodman CPAs provides tax advisory, accounting, and business strategy to small and mid-sized emerging and established businesses. Named one of the largest accounting firms in Massachusetts by the Boston Business Journal, Rodman CPAs offers an innovative and strategic approach with the personal touch of a smaller regional CPA firm. For more than 50 years, Rodman CPAs has been specializing in customized accounting and tax solutions that improve business performance, processes, financial operations, and information technology.

The firm serves as a true business partner, helping clients perform and succeed during each stage of the business lifecycle. As domain experts in alternative energy, the “Green Team” at Rodman CPAs works with renewable energy producers and businesses throughout the U.S. offering tax advisory, financial, accounting services, and Investment Tax Credit (ITC) studies.

Rodman CPAs is an independent member firm of BDO Alliance USA, which enables them to expand services to clients by accessing the resources of BDO USA, LLP and other Alliance members, ensuring greater flexibility, efficiency, and cost-effectiveness. For more information, visit http://www.rodmancpa.com or contact (617) 965-5959.

Rodman CPAs Announces New Tax Partner, Merger with Concord, MA FirmRead More

TIC’s Successful Summer Radio Drama Series Leads to Year-Round Initiative. Next performance Sept 28

Due to the popularity and overall success of their summer Radio Drama Series, the Talking Information Center (TIC) will continue their Radio and Podcast Players live theater initiative year-round. The award-winning reading service will broadcast one radio play each month to thousands of visually impaired and otherwise print impaired listeners throughout the state.

“The Maltese Falcon” based on Dashiell Hammett’s popular mystery featuring detective Sam Spade will air on Thursday, September 28, 2017 at 7 p.m.

Led by producers Eric Joseph, Executive Director of The Bay Colony Shakespeare Company (BCSC) and John Shea of TIC, each radio play is performed in front of a live studio audience backstage at TIC.

The cast, known as the Radio and Podcast Players, is comprised of local TIC volunteers who auditioned for parts. “The Maltese Falcon” features Steve Yakutis of Canton as Sam Spade; Jennifer Love of Hingham as Brigid; Marshfield residents Eric Joseph as Announcer and Jack Garrity as Wilmer; and Plymouth residents Bob Churchill as Cairo, and Richard Bodurtha as Gutman.

“We’re very pleased that this programming has been so well received. The live broadcasts are thrilling and the feedback we’ve been getting from our audience, the Radio and Podcast Players and our sponsors is very positive,” said Jim Bunnell, TIC’s Executive Director. “We believe that everyone should have an opportunity to enjoy live theater and with the help of sponsors, we are able to continue to provide this fresh and exciting content to those who might not have access to it otherwise.”

Sponsorships are needed to keep this unique programming going. Sponsors receive unique underwriting messages customized with an “old time radio” effect that are aired during the broadcast.

To sponsor or make an online donation in support of this special production, visit www.ticnetwork.org.

All three productions of TIC’s summer Radio Drama Series may now be heard by visiting TIC’s website, http://ticnetwork.org/programs/special-programming/

The Hub of the Massachusetts Reading Network

TIC is a proud member of the International Association of Audible Information Services (IAAIS), and is the hub of the Massachusetts Reading Network, broadcasting to all of Massachusetts as well as southern New Hampshire and Connecticut.

TIC programming may be accessed several ways: via live audio stream at http://www.ticnetwork.org; by utilizing a specially tuned radio receiver; through AudioNow by calling 712-832-7025 from a home or cell phone; or by smartphone app. Listeners with smartphones may download the free TIC app by typing “Talking Information Center” in Apple or in the Google Play store for Android devices.

In 1977, Ed Perry, the founder of radio station WATD-FM in Marshfield, MA, donated his Subsidiary Carrier Authorization signal for use as the first radio reading service in New England. Operating similarly to other broadcast networks, TIC has affiliates throughout the state of Massachusetts that provide inserts of local news and information that is of interest to listeners in their area. The Executive Office of Elder Affairs and the Massachusetts Commission for the Blind oversee TIC, which is located at 130 Enterprise Drive, Marshfield, MA 02050. For more information visit www.ticnetwork.org or call (781) 834-4400.

TIC’s Successful Summer Radio Drama Series Leads to Year-Round Initiative. Next performance Sept 28Read More

e-Newsletters – It’s what you say and when you say it (or when they read it) that matters

How often have you heard, “it’s not what you say but how you say it”? When it comes to e-newsletters you can add in another variable: when you say it.

Getting your message and call-to-action across in an e-newsletter requires thought in the planning and skill in the execution. Yet if you send out your newsletter when a good number of your target audience isn’t likely to be checking e-mail, you’re lessening the effectiveness of your e-newsletter. Some of your list might not even see it at all.

You want to give your e-newsletter the best chance to be seen. That’s why selecting the right time of day and day of the week is critical. Constant Contact is one of many e-newsletter companies that’s studied best times to send out e-mail by industry. Here are some examples of best times to send by a few different categories:

• Health professionals (e.g. doctors, dentists, chiropractors) – Friday, 4pm
• Education – primary or secondary schools, Saturday 2 pm
• Professional services – Monday, 5 am
• Home and building services (e.g. construction, HVAC, landscaping, etc.) – Thursday, 8 am

If you really think about it, that does make some sense. Health professionals probably have patients’ personal e-mail addresses. Those are more likely to be checked when people are at home or in transit during their personal time. Sending at Friday at 4 pm heading into the weekend improves the likelihood of an open more than a Monday at 10 am issue. You could say the same about the education e-newsletter, too.

Professional services you can see as well. Your target audience is likely to be people at their place of business. So, the goal is to not only get them at the beginning of the week on a Monday but to be near the top of the Monday morning in-box when people get to the office (e.g. many people get to the office anywhere from 7:30 am to 9 am).

Selecting the right day and time definitely helps but your e-newsletter still needs a slick look, beneficial content and a definitive call-to-action. If you have an e-newsletter and are struggling to get opens-or merely struggling just to get some content and the design together, drop us a line or give us a call.

e-Newsletters – It’s what you say and when you say it (or when they read it) that mattersRead More

A brand opening: Master Gourmet Packaging announces new offering of Crinkle-Cut™ shred in new PureMetallics™, colors and new blends

HANSON, MA…

Master Gourmet Packaging, Inc. of Hanson, MA recently increased its offering of Crinkle-Cut™ shred to include three new colors and four new blends. These additional colors will give specialty food markets, online stores and fancy food purveyors even more opportunity to select shredded paper for the inside of packaging that matches their brand’s colors.

“The anticipation involved in opening up a package can be as much fun as finding out what’s inside. Part of that experience is sifting through the package’s “stuffing” to get to the ‘prize’,” said Julie Gainey, owner of Master Gourmet Packaging, Inc. “By utilizing a Crinkle-Cut shred that matches your company colors, you have a golden branding opportunity to enhance the experience of receiving your wares.”

Brand New PureMetallic ™ Crinkle cut shred is now available in 6 Colors: gold, silver, royal, red, emerald and fuchsia. Master Gourmet Packaging also added three new colors of CrinkleCut ™ and VeryFine™ Shreds: canary, orchid and mint and four new blends of CrinkleCut™ and VeryFine™ Shreds: camouflage, candy corn, trick-or-treat, candy cane and mistletoe.

Master Gourmet Packaging, Inc. is a one-stop shop for shrink film and equipment, bags for food packaging and retail, bows, boxes, shred, tissue, containers and more. Along with every product one could possibly need for impressive and talked about packaging, experienced and enthusiastic packaging consultants help you achieve that look on budget and on time. The original business was started in 1973 by the father of current owner Julie Gainey.  The dedicated staff of family members and friends has over 40 years of experience servicing the food and beverage gift-giving industry.

Master Gourmet Packaging, Inc. sales office is located at 824 E. Washington St. Hanson, MA 02341 and warehouse is located at 65 North Main St. Brockton, MA, 02301.  For more information, call (800) 227-5381 or visit www.MasterGourmetPackaging.com.

A brand opening: Master Gourmet Packaging announces new offering of Crinkle-Cut™ shred in new PureMetallics™, colors and new blendsRead More

Between Rounds Rolls Out New Back-to-School Bagel Stick Snack Sampler

Between Rounds Back to School Bagel Stick Snack Sampler

Between Rounds Bakery Sandwich Café, a growing bakery café and bagel shop with locations throughout Connecticut, has designed the ultimate sampler pack that is the perfect treat after-school or anytime.

Between Rounds’ “Back-to-School Bagel Stick Snack Sampler” lets customers choose six of their favorite kinds of bagel sticks along with four (2 oz. each) plain or flavored cream cheese samples.

Ultra-Rich and Unique Cream Cheese Flavors

Patrons may choose from Between Rounds’ traditional cream cheese flavors that are menu staples – plain, low-fat vegetable, scallion, strawberry and vanilla raisin walnut – as well as their featured fall flavor, Apple Caramel. All of Between Rounds cream cheese creations are handcrafted right in the store and contain no preservatives.

Available in four flavors, plain, sesame, poppy, and everything, Between Rounds bagel sticks make a great meal or snack for young children in particular, as bagels sticks are easy to grip while dipping into the cream cheese.

“Students, faculty, families and bagel fans of any age will enjoy our new Back-to-School Bagel Stick Snack Sampler, which is essentially a flavorful variety pack,” explained Jerry Puiia, co-founder of Between Rounds. “Although the most popular bagel flavor in the U.S. is plain with sesame coming in second, robust or unusual cream cheese flavors are the trend, and now our customers can enjoy sampling a few different flavors at once.”

The Back-to-School Bagel Stick Snack Sampler ($8.99) will be available at all Between Rounds locations for a limited time, starting in September. For store hours and locations or for more information, visit www.betweenroundsbagels.com.

About Between Rounds Bakery Sandwich Café

Founded in 1990, Between Rounds Bakery Sandwich Café is a unique bakery café and bagel shop renowned for their fresh, baked-on site bagels and baked goods as well sandwiches, wraps, salads, soups, specialty coffees and a unique line of giftware. Between Rounds offers patrons an upscale, fast-casual dining experience with free Wi-Fi.

Between Rounds is expanding and franchise opportunities are available. Their current locations include South Windsor, Vernon, Manchester and Tolland. Corporate headquarters are located at 19A John Fitch Blvd, Route 5 in South Windsor, CT. For more information about their unique franchise offerings contact (860) 291-0323 or visit www.betweenroundsbagels.com.

Between Rounds Rolls Out New Back-to-School Bagel Stick Snack SamplerRead More

Behavioral Concepts, Inc. Offers Tips to Help Children Adjust to a New School Year

BCIIs your child ready for school? Many parents and students feel anxious about the changes a new school year brings.

Janice McNeill, MS, BCBA, LABA, Director of Hockomock Area Services at Behavioral Concepts, Inc. (BCI), a company of behavioral clinicians specializing in the care of children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) throughout Central Massachusetts, offers tips to better prepare families for some of the challenges and obstacles faced at the start of a new school year.

Visit the school, classroom, and or teacher to help prepare your child for the school year. During your visit, encourage your child to sit in the chairs, at their desk or on the rug, whichever is appropriate for their level of schooling. Take pictures of your child in their classroom, with their teacher, on the bus, with the bus driver, and in any other school or transition settings. You can use these pictures informally or you may choose to develop a social story about their school day.

Share pertinent details about your child with the school team. Information about your child’s preferences (both their likes and dislikes); your goals for your child during the coming days and school year; as well as any changes in allergies, medications, behavior, or learning needs should be shared with your child’s school team. This is particularly important if your child is new to school, attending a school new to them, or has had changes in any of the above information. It is often beneficial to communicate by email since this provides a written record for your reference.

Set up a visual schedule. Similar to a “chore chart”, outlining a child’s daily responsibilities can help them follow a routine and gain independence at home and at school. If your child can brush their teeth, make their bed, and get themselves dressed for school, but does not do so without prompting from you to move from one activity to the other, the use of a visual schedule may help to increase their independence, and increase the time you have available for the morning routines and activities you need to complete.

Calendars are key. Calendars help us all schedule our commitments and plan our time, but they can also help to increase your child’s awareness of when certain activities will take place or when activities will be available. For example, if your child struggles with understanding when they can go swimming, show them a calendar with a swimming sticker on swim day (e.g. Saturday). Make a point of marking an “x” through each day before bedtime to mark the passage of time which may help them learn when they can go swimming and help increase their ability to wait.

Get more rest. Studies show in general that those of us living in the U.S. do not sleep enough, which can be a particular area of difficulty for student and parents. Setting a specific time for bed (or at least quiet time in their room until sleep occurs) and rising at the same time each morning can help the transition to increased sleep.

Set up and practice morning and evening routines. A sleep inducing bedtime routine could include listening to relaxing music, using a night light instead of leaving a light on, and enjoying a warm drink. Consider foods, eaten two hours or so before bedtime, that can induce sleepiness such as bananas, almonds, milk, cereal, oatmeal, and cherries (taking care to avoid allergens).

“Above all, consider individual strengths and struggles – yours and your child’s,” said McNeill. “Making a plan for decreasing the areas of struggle can help increase your child’s skills and your resourcefulness. Using tools such as calendars and schedules, and creating and sticking to routines will significantly help with the transition to a new school year.”

About Behavioral Concepts, Inc. (BCI)

Behavioral Concepts (BCI) provides Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) services to children with autism and their families in central Massachusetts.  BCI identifies and facilitates effective personalized instruction that allows children to discover more, learn more, and be more – increasing their independence and enhancing their quality of life at home, in school, and in the community. As a Massachusetts Department of Public Health approved provider of specialty ABA services for early intervention, BCI provides center, home-based, and after-school services through private and public health insurance. The organization was founded in 2002 by Dr. Jeffrey R. Robinson. Further information on BCI is available at http://bciaba.com.

Behavioral Concepts, Inc. Offers Tips to Help Children Adjust to a New School YearRead More