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Business Coach Franchise Owner writes the book on surviving the ‘Sales, Marketing and Business World’

LOUISVILLE, KENTUCKY…

When it comes to sales, it truly is survival of the fittest. In his four decades as a salesman, entrepreneur, business strategist and business coach, Dr. Keith Winfree, founder of Winfree Business Growth Advisors, has not only survived, but been a guide for other entrepreneurs and sales professionals. His recently released e-book, Winfree Rules of Surviving the Sales, Marketing and Business World, shares some of the common sense practices that have served him well in business and in life.

“So much of being successful in the business world has to do with your state of body and mind and how well you listen and observe,” said Winfree. “This book is not a step-by-step guide on how to sell but a means to refine the tools you need to be a successful sales person and person in general.”

In addition to common sense tips, Winfree Rules of Surviving the Sales, Marketing and Business World, also serves as a self-assessment tool. With the book’s 20 sections Winfree asks readers to grade themselves on a scale of one to 100 for each; 100 being no improvement needed and 0 the bottom score. The final “grade” is the total score based on an average for all tips.

Some of the things readers are asked to make a self-assessment on include:

·         Don’t believe everyone and remember people will lie.

·         You must continue to acquire knowledge about your profession.

·         You must care about the product or service and your client

·         Be frugal and live below your means.

“In working with sales professionals and entrepreneurs, I’ve found the more successful ones tend to score higher in these areas of self-assessment,” added Winfree. “Does that mean you can’t be successful if you score low? No. It’s just that the people who scored high usually are. However, we found that those who score below 85% are at risk of failure. Our Black Belt Coaching will move you to the 95% level and above.”

Winfree Rules of Surviving the Sales, Marketing and Business World sells for $29.95 and is available on Winfree Business Growth Advisors Web site at www.winfree.org. Organizations interested in booking Dr. Winfree for speaking engagement can call 800-616-9260.

About Winfree Business Growth Advisors

Located across the United States, Winfree Business Growth Advisors coaching franchises help sales professionals and small business owners maximize growth potential and take their respective businesses to a higher level through cutting-edge sales coaching, business coaching, sales training, and seminars featuring Winfree’s signature Black Belt System™–a Five Phases and 12 elements covering everything from initial marketing efforts to customer retention.

Winfree Business Growth Advisors currently runs coaching franchises in California (San Francisco and Los Angeles), Illinois, Kentucky (Louisville), Massachusetts (Boston), New York (Manhattan), Texas (Dallas-Fort Worth) and Virginia (Hampton Roads) as well as in Canada (Winnipeg, Manitoba).

For more information on Winfree’s programs or franchise opportunities and available an Area Development territories, please go to www.winfree.org or contact Dr. Keith Winfree at (800) 616-9260.

 

Business Coach Franchise Owner writes the book on surviving the ‘Sales, Marketing and Business World’Read More

How to make “top shelf” office space out of your closet.

CHEEKTOWAGA, NEW YORK…

In the corporate world, if they ask you to move your office to the closet, it’s probably not a good sign for your long-term future with the company; however if you find yourself working from home, converting a closet into a home office can be an effective and economical use of space. DirectBuy of Buffalo, the leading home improvement and furnishings club, has some helpful tips on converting a closet into a functional home office.

“Whether you work out of your home or not, nearly everyone has some semblance of office space in their home,” said Mark Klinger, owner of DirectBuy of Buffalo. “By converting the closet in the guest room or in the basement, you can maintain that room’s primary function while giving yourself or other family members more than adequate office space.”

So, how do you convert a closet into functional office space? For starters, clear everything out of the closet, including clothes, rods, and shelves. Next, take precise measurements of the space, making note of wiring and lighting. Depending on your particular space and what’s available, you may also need to consider the following:

 

  • Installing an electrical outlet within the closet if none are nearby. Make sure you install enough to accommodate a computer, lighting, a printer and other office necessities.
  • Installing a jack for either an Ethernet or DSL line to connect to the Internet. If possible, and to save yourself installation costs, it may be more affordable to buy a wireless router and purchase a laptop with a wireless card.
  • Painting the closet walls will make it seem more like a room and less like a closet. Lighter colors can make your workspace seem bigger than it is.
  • Installing shelves that will function as a desktop that’s the width of the closet and long and deep enough to give you space to either write or work at your computer. You may also want to consider installing additional shelves for storage purposes.
  • Purchasing small file cabinets on wheels for storage underneath your work area.

“One of the downsides to working at home is you essentially never leave the office,” said Klinger. “By converting your closet, you can literally close the door on work for the day. You can even put a lock on it for added security and to remove the temptation to work during off hours.”

DirectBuy offers nearly everything you need for your home office—at wholesale prices direct from the manufacturers and their authorized suppliers. In addition, DirectBuy also employs product specialists and designers if your home improvement project is a bit more than you want to take on or you don’t have the time.

For more than 38 years, DirectBuy has helped consumers enjoy enormous savings on home furnishings, home improvement items, entertainment and outdoor products, flooring and accessories, by providing an avenue to purchase directly from the manufacturer. Conveniently located at 4950 Genesee Street in Cheektowaga, New York, DirectBuy offers members a comfortable setting where they finally have the financial control of buying direct.

For more information on a DirectBuy membership, you can call 716-684-1400 or visit www.directbuy-buffalo.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. DirectBuy has been serving the greater Buffalo area since 2005. Access to confidential prices, local suppliers, and unparalleled selection helps make members’ dream projects a reality.   DirectBuy of Buffalo is one of more than 160 DirectBuy locations throughout North America.

Consumers interested in becoming members may obtain a Visitor’s Pass to attend an Open House by contacting DirectBuy at 716-684-1400, or visiting www.DirectBuy-Buffalo.com. 

To learn more about the superior value and benefits of a DirectBuy membership, visit www.directbuycares.com.

 

How to make “top shelf” office space out of your closet.Read More

A perfect 10! DirectBuy of Toronto Northwest celebrates 10-Year Milestone

BRAMPTON, ONTARIO…

For ten years, DirectBuy has been offering consumers in the greater Toronto area a brand new way to save on home improvement projects, furnishings and accessories.

The leading home improvement and furnishings club with direct insider prices, DirectBuy of Toronto Northwest offers products ranging from light fixtures to televisions to kitchen cabinets, from more than 500 manufacturers or their authorized suppliers at direct insider prices. DirectBuy also offers design, delivery and installation services.

“The growth we’ve experienced since we opened our doors 10 years ago is a little hard to fathom,” said L. Mark Prati, owner of DirectBuy of Toronto Northwest. “Not only have we grown in terms of the number of our members, but also in the number of manufacturers who want to sell their products through DirectBuy. And that’s got us even more excited about the next 10 years.”

In addition to tremendous savings on home furnishings, home improvement items, entertainment and outdoor products and accessories, DirectBuy also offers design services to its members, as well as a listing of local contractors who offer installation services to DirectBuy members, many times at a discounted rate.

“Our 10 years in business have not only given us the opportunity to help families in the greater Toronto area create the home of their dreams, but to also establish ourselves as part of the local business community,” said Prati. “We look forward to further cultivating those relationships with our customers and the community as we build toward even bigger and better things in the years to come.”

Since 2000, DirectBuy of Toronto Northwest has helped consumers enjoy enormous savings on home furnishings, home improvement items, entertainment and outdoor products, flooring and accessories, by providing an avenue to purchase directly from the manufacturers and their authorized suppliers. Conveniently located at 2500 Williams Parkway, Unit 37 in Brampton, Ontario, DirectBuy offers consumers a comfortable setting where they finally have the financial control of buying direct.

About DirectBuy

For more than 38 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 500 brand-name manufacturers or their authorized suppliers in Canada, and more than 700 brand-name manufacturers or their authorized suppliers in the US.

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 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

A perfect 10! DirectBuy of Toronto Northwest celebrates 10-Year MilestoneRead More

Valentine’s Day is Around the Corner – eLove Offers a Crash Course in Romance

Valentine’s Day is around the corner and the pressure is on to make it romantic. But, does anyone really know what romance is anymore?

Sure, there are plenty of “players” out there, both male and female, who know how to hook up. But how many of them know what it takes to win someone’s heart? How many more non-players are out there who don’t even know where to start?

Jill Vandor, Executive Director of Matchmaking at eLove, the first company within the dating industry offering both online dating and traditional matchmaking services explains, “There are those who will take their date to a candlelit dinner at a restaurant renowned for its ambiance, present them with a red rose and think that’s all it takes. These are nice gestures, but romance is so much more than that.”

Just in time for Valentine’s Day, Vandor offers essential tips on what it means to be romantic with your date and the ways to do so:

Listen and pay attention. Whether they are talking about the work day or their dreams, listen and show that you’re interested. Make them feel important, because, bottom line, they are important to you.

Go out of your way. This may sound simple, but it’s not always easy to completely put your needs and wants aside once in a while. Take the time and make the extra effort to do what your date likes, even if that means attending a major sporting event or going shoe shopping.

Come to their rescue. We all have our strengths and weaknesses. If your strength is their weakness, then help them out. Do they need assistance hanging pictures or fixing a couple tiles in the bathroom? Step up. And, if you can’t do it, find someone who can. Either way, get it done.

Creativity and personalization is key. This goes back to the first point – listening. Since you have paid attention, you now know what your date likes. Use this information to make Valentine’s Day a day that really says “you’re special to me”. Download their favorite songs. Stand in line to get great seats to see their favorite music group, play or show. Arrange for their favorite flowers to be sent every month for 12 months. If you’re an artist, paint them a picture; if you’re a poet, write a love poem.

Vandor explains, “It’s a fairly simple calculation, yet so many people just don’t have the formula. What it boils down to is listening AND paying attention plus considering AND meeting your date’s desires/needs. Don’t be afraid to be bold. Express yourself, show your feelings and go out on a limb for them. Actions speak louder than words, so find a way to show you care; you’re interested and you’re there for them.”

eLove is all you need

eLove, 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, from internet to traditional matchmaking, 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 matchmaking offices in 21 states and an online dating network of more than three million singles worldwide, eLove is everything that singles have been wishing for whether they are looking for casual dating or a serious, committed relationship.

eLove’s Matchmaking Service offices are located in: Arkansas (Bentonville, Fort Smith, Little Rock); California (Mountain View, Sacramento, Walnut Creek); Connecticut (Glastonbury, Hartford, Stanford); Illinois (Chicago, Downers Grove, Normal, Northbrook, Rockford); Indiana (Carmel, Ft. Wayne); Kansas (Overland Park, Wichita); Kentucky (Louisville); Maryland (Columbia, Frederick); Massachusetts (Newton, Norwell, Shrewsbury, Woburn); Michigan (Detroit); Missouri (Springfield, St. Louis); Nebraska (Lincoln, Omaha); New Jersey (Saddlebrook); Nevada (Las Vegas); New York (Manhattan); Ohio (Cincinnati); Oklahoma (Oklahoma City, Tulsa); Pennsylvania (Mechanicsburg); 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.

Valentine’s Day is Around the Corner – eLove Offers a Crash Course in RomanceRead More

ECI Biotech grant advances development of tool for Point-of-Care Detection of Infection in Chronic Wounds.

DATELINE: WORCESTER, MA…

ECI Biotech of Worcester, MA, a premier developer of low cost and rapid diagnostics trademarked as ExpressDetect, is pleased to announce that it has been awarded a Phase II grant in the amount of $511,472 from the Small Business Innovation Research Program National Institute of General Medical Sciences at the National Institutes of Health to advance its development of a Diagnostic Tool for the Point-of-Care Detection of Infection in Chronic Wounds.

This latest round of funding will further ECI Biotech’s development of a simple hand held ExpressDetect diagnostic device for the rapid detection of pathogens in chronic wounds. The device will assist clinicians in making a correct point-of-care diagnosis of infection in chronic wounds, which is currently problematic due to a reliance on physical signs and patient symptoms.

Use of the device will involve a gentle swabbing of the wound. The handheld diagnostic tool will then detect the bacterial level in a chronic wound, utilizing a standardized method of assessment depicted by a line gradient.

Dr. Mitchell Sanders, the CEO and Founder of ECI Biotech, explained the significance of the grant for persons who suffer from chronic wounds. “This diagnostic will allow earlier detection, more accurate diagnosis, and more appropriate intervention.  It will be both cost effective and more convenient for the patient since a rapid diagnosis eliminates the need to have the patient return for subsequent treatment after having a traditional culture or biopsy that can take several days to process. It’s important to treat the infection early with a topical antibiotic or antimicrobial therapy before the infection reaches the blood stream and becomes much more serious and costly to the healthcare system. ECI’s ExpressDetect device will improve chronic wound care and alleviate patient suffering.”

Clinical studies for ECI’s point-of-care rapid diagnostic device involves analysis of samples from patients with chronic wounds obtained from ECI’s collaborator Dr. Tom Serena at the Penn North Centers for Advanced Wound Care. Noted Sanders, “Dr Serena is a leading expert in Advance Wound Care and we are delighted to have his team run our clinical studies.”

Innovations and Applications

ECI Biotech’s executive offices and research facilities are located at 85 Prescott Street, in Worcester, Massachusetts. ECI Biotech is a leading edge protein sensor company with strong intellectual property of particular value for diagnostic sensors and therapeutics. Founded in 1998, its technologies relate to the detection of microbial pathogens and stabilizing active proteins to protect against infection.

ECI Biotech has four areas of core competence: molecular biology, genomics, protein expression, and assay development. ECI’s target markets for its products include: feminine care, wound care, oral care, and hospital infection control.

ECI Biotech’s product pipeline includes a diagnostic sensor for urinary tract infections, as well as advanced wound care systems that provide early warning of emergent infections and promote healing. ECI presently has corporate partnerships with medical device industry leaders, and has 18 patents pending and three patents issued.

For additional information please contact Dr. Mitchell Sanders at sanders@ecibiotech.com, call 508-752-2209, or visit www.ecibiotech.com.

ECI Biotech grant advances development of tool for Point-of-Care Detection of Infection in Chronic Wounds.Read More

How to make “top shelf” office space out of your closet.

CHICAGO, GURNEE, HOFFMAN ESTATES, NAPERVILLE, TINLEY PARK, IL …

In the corporate world, if they ask you to move your office to the closet, it’s probably not a good sign for your long-term future with the company. If you find yourself working from home, however, converting a closet into a home office can be an effective and economical use of space. With five locations throughout greater Chicago, DirectBuy, the leading home improvement and furnishings club, has some helpful tips on converting a closet into a functional home office.

“Whether you work out of your home or not, nearly everyone has some semblance of office space in their home,” said I.J. Sell, owner of DirectBuy of Tinley Park. “By converting the closet in the guest room or in the basement, you can maintain that room’s primary function while giving yourself or other family members more than adequate office space.”

So, how do you convert a closet into functional office space? For starters, clear everything out of the closet, including clothes, rods, and shelves. Next, take precise measurements of the space, making note of wiring and lighting. Depending on your particular space and what’s available, you may also need to consider the following:

 

  • Installing an electrical outlet within the closet if none are nearby. Make sure you install enough to accommodate a computer, lighting, a printer and other office necessities.
  • Installing a jack for either an Ethernet or DSL line to connect to the Internet. If possible, and to save yourself installation costs, it may be more affordable to buy a wireless router and purchase a laptop with a wireless card.
  • Painting the closet walls will make it seem more like a room and less like a closet. Lighter colors can make your workspace seem bigger than it is.
  • Installing shelves that will function as a desktop that’s the width of the closet and long and deep enough to give you space to either write or work at your computer. You may also want to consider installing additional shelves for storage purposes.
  • Purchasing small file cabinets on wheels for storage underneath your work area.

“One of the downsides to working at home is you essentially never leave the office,” said Sell. “By converting your closet, you can literally close the door on work for the day. You can even put a lock on it for added security and to remove the temptation to work during off hours.”

DirectBuy offers nearly everything you need for your home office—at wholesale prices direct from the manufacturers and their authorized suppliers. In addition, DirectBuy also employs product specialists and designers if your home improvement project is a bit more than you want to take on or you don’t have the time.

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. With several convenient locations in greater Chicago (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.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 to make “top shelf” office space out of your closet.Read More

Duck…Duck…Donation! DirectBuy of Sacramento Helps Fund Breast Cancer Research

ROCKLIN, CALIFORNIA…

Do you remember going to the carnival with your family when you were younger? If so, you likely remember playing the Duck Pond game where you picked the floating rubber duck you thought the luckiest and, moments later, walked away with a prize that likely cost far less than what Mom or Dad paid. DirectBuy of Sacramento, the leading home improvement and furnishings club, created its own version of the Duck Pond game for its members in an effort to raise money for breast cancer research.

During the month of October, a $5 donation gave members the chance to pick a pink duck with a number on the bottom that corresponded to a prize, such as a $50 American Express gift card. With much more at stake than the carnival attraction, this Duck Pond game drew a significant response from both members and staff.

“Several employees’ families have been touched by breast cancer, and we wanted to help,” said Amy Sroufe, Regional Service Manager. “We collected member donations both online and in the club during the month of October and then matched them.”

In addition to monies raised from the “donation ducks,” the match included funds raised as part of DirectBuy of Sacramento’s participation in Lee National Denim Day on October 2, 2009. For this fundraising event, DirectBuy employees purchased the right to wear jeans to work. Staff members who made a donation were able to write the name of a loved one on a paper jean pocket and have it displayed in DirectBuy’s Member Services department.

At the end of the month, DirectBuy of Sacramento had collected nearly $1,000 in member and staff donations, which it then matched. The club then made a $2,000 donation to the Women’s Cancer Programs of the Entertainment Industry Foundation (EIF), helping to fund research of new treatments and cures for the 192,000 women diagnosed every year.

“Besides helping consumers save money on home improvement projects and home furnishings, DirectBuy also has a reputation for giving to many local and national non-profits,” said Sroufe. “We’re proud to do our small part to help fight this terrible disease that affects so many families.”

In addition to supporting breast cancer research, DirectBuy clubs across the United States and Canada actively contribute to many local non-profits and charities, including The Boys & Girls Clubs of America, Habitat for Humanity, The Salvation Army, YMCA, Homes for Our Troops and various children’s hospitals.

For more than 38 years, DirectBuy has helped consumers enjoy enormous savings on home furnishings, home improvement items, entertainment and outdoor products, flooring and accessories, by providing an avenue to purchase directly from the manufacturer. Conveniently located at 4401 Granite Drive in Rocklin, California, DirectBuy offers members a comfortable setting where they finally have the financial control of buying direct.

For more information on a DirectBuy membership, you can call 716-684-1400 or visit 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. DirectBuy has been serving the greater Sacramento area since 2007. Access to confidential prices, local suppliers, and unparalleled selection helps make members’ dream projects a reality. DirectBuy of Buffalo is one of more than 160 DirectBuy locations throughout North America.

Consumers interested in becoming members may obtain a Visitor’s Pass to attend an Open House by contacting DirectBuy at 916-251-5200 or visiting www.directbuy.com.. 

To learn more about the superior value and benefits of a DirectBuy membership, visit www.directbuycares.com.

Duck…Duck…Donation! DirectBuy of Sacramento Helps Fund Breast Cancer ResearchRead More