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Old Colony Elder Services Outlines Changes in Food Stamp Program

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Old Colony Elder Services (OCES), a private, non-profit Aging Services Access Point (ASAP)

serving seniors throughout Plymouth County as well as the towns of Avon, Easton and Stoughton, outlines several changes to the Food Stamp program.

The federal Food Stamp Program, now known as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), helps low-income individuals and families buy food. According to OCES, there have been several changes to the program in recent months, which makes it easier for seniors in need to receive benefits. The changes are outlined below:

· SNAP is the new name for the organization that many seniors know of as USDA’s Food Stamp Program.

· The application form, which was previously several pages long, is now only one to two pages long.

· An elder’s medical expenses, which include outpatient hospital expenses, nursing care, doctor’s bills and prescriptions are now taken into account as deductions during the application approval process.

· Shelter costs (rent, mortgage, taxes and utilities) that add up to more than half of an elder’s household income may be deducted.

· SNAP does not issue paper food stamps. SNAP benefits are provided via Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT), which is a plastic card that is similar to an ATM card that may be swiped at the grocery store.

· Because SNAP uses EBT, elders receiving benefits do not have to pick up their benefits. SNAP benefits are automatically loaded onto the EBT card each month on a designated date.

According to SNAP, an elderly person is someone who is age 60 or older. OCES encourages all seniors who have applied for fuel assistance to consider applying for SNAP benefits as well.

Nutritional case managers at OCES are on hand to help seniors complete the application form and navigate the process.

“The food stamp program is a wonderful program that we have advocated for years. We strive to get the word out because a lot of seniors don’t understand that they may be eligible for benefits. The SNAP program can really help seniors through hard financial times,” explained Diana L. DiGiorgi, Executive Director of OCES.

To learn more about SNAP or to receive application assistance, elders should contact Shawn Smith, Nutrition Director at OCES (508) 584-1561.

OCES offers a number of programs to better serve seniors, families and caregivers residing in Brockton and throughout the surrounding area. The programs include Adult Family Care; Supportive Housing; Family Caregiver Support; Nutrition; Money Management; Protective Services; Home Care and more.

About Old Colony Elder Services
Incorporated in 1974, Old Colony Elder Services (OCES) is one of 27 private, non-profit Aging Services Access Points (ASAPs) in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.

OCES serves elders, their families and caregivers in the towns of Abington, Avon, Bridgewater, Brockton, Carver, Duxbury, East Bridgewater, Easton, Halifax, Hanover, Hanson, Kingston, Lakeville, Marshfield, Middleboro, Pembroke, Plymouth, Plympton, Rockland, Stoughton, Wareham, West Bridgewater and Whitman.

The organization’s mission is to provide services that support the dignity and independence of elders by helping them maximize their quality of life; live safely and in good health; and, prevent
unnecessary or premature institutionalization.

The agency has 130 employees and operates more than 12 programs serving elders, their families and caregivers.  For more information call (508) 584-1561 or visit the website at www.oldcolonyelderservices.org.

Old Colony Elder Services Outlines Changes in Food Stamp ProgramRead More

When your company is going places…Boston Pack and Ship helps relocating companies with delicate moves.

BRAINTREE, MA…

Whether it’s for business or personally, nobody enjoys a move. Yet the degree of difficulty can go up significantly when moving a business, particularly moving fragile electronic equipment like computers, monitors and servers. Boston Pack and Ship, a small load shipping specialist for two decades, has helped a number of companies through this transitional process.

“When a company relocates, all the equipment doesn’t necessarily go from Point A to Point B. Some goes to the new office, some might go to another location in the company, some is sold and some might be thrown out. Most companies don’t have the staff to handle that kind of move and it’s a job larger moving companies probably won’t touch if it’s less than 1,000 pounds,” said Joe Fell, co-owner of Boston Pack and Ship.

Boston Pack and Ship specializes in moves of 1,000 pounds or less. In addition, it offers customized package and custom crate building services at its workshop in Braintree. For items like computer equipment, artwork and other fragile items, Boston Pack and Ship employs foam-in-place technology to “lock” those items in place and limit movement within the package.

“Closing up our Providence office meant two moves, one to an office in Newport and another to our corporate headquarters in Denver, Colorado. Both involved the shipping of some very delicate and expensive equipment—hard drives, servers, printers and displays—as well as office furniture. Boston Pack and Ship conducted two separate moves to two of our locations in Denver. One was an expedited pack and ship of electronics and the other was a more cost effective blanket wrap service of office furniture. Not only did Boston Pack and Ship handle both moves seamlessly, but did so within a month’s time,” said Maureen Cronin, of Worldways Social Marketing.

The breadth of Boston Pack and Ship’s relocation services include: 

  •  Small loads – with no minimum requirement; blanket-wrapping for fragile, delicate moves; full insurance available
  • Custom crates and packaging for computers, electronic instruments, prototypes, antiques and artwork. 
  • State-of-the-art, foam-in-place solutions to protect valuables
  • Multiple U.S. and International shipping options—ocean or air—to help lower costs
  •  Door-to-door and door-to-port delivery with insurance available
  • On-time pickups by appointment

For more information, you can visit the company Web site at www.bostonpackandship.com. For a free quote on an out-of-state or international move or shipment, please call (800) 400-7204.

Small load specialists

Formerly known as The Packaging Store and now repackaged as Boston Pack and Ship, these small load specialists have been a trusted strategic partner of many movers in eastern Massachusetts for more than two decades. Based in Braintree, Massachusetts, Boston Pack and Ship employs custom crates and packaging and foam-in-place solutions to pack and ship everything from artwork to heirlooms, computers to antiques to both out-of-state and international destinations. Known for its fast and efficient customer service, one call is usually all it takes to schedule a pickup for a door-to-door or door-to-port shipment. For more information, visit www.bostonpackandship.com or call (800) 400-7204 for a free quote.

When your company is going places…Boston Pack and Ship helps relocating companies with delicate moves.Read More

How keeping track of your employees is as simple as issuing a company phone.

BOSTON, MASS.

Over the last few years, use of company-owned property by employees, such as vehicles and cell phones containing GPS devices, has become more widespread.  While not the primary use of this property, it does enable an employer to track the whereabouts of the employee (or at least the company property) both during and after normal business hours.  In its business law practice, Boston-based Tarlow Breed Hart & Rodgers, P.C. (TBHR) has advised employer clients on the legalities of keeping tabs on their employees and offers some insights on the topic.

Cell phones contain GPS tracking capabilities for ‘911’ calls so that police, fire and other emergency services can trace a call to a general area.  In recent years, as cell phone technology has improved, it’s given the user the capability to turn the tracking device off. Yet how many users even know their cell phone can be used as a GPS device to monitor their movement?

“With e-mail and Internet use, employees generally accept that their employer can keep tabs on what they’re doing and employee handbooks usually contain distinct language regarding that policy. And if the employer provides an employee with a cell phone, it is generally understood that an audit of the employee’s calls could be conducted by the company.” said Stephen Kutenplon, partner at TBHR. “Yet when it comes to actually monitoring an employee’s whereabouts, including time away from the office during non-business hours, employers have to walk a fine line between legitimate business purposes and violating an employee’s right to privacy. However, a clearly stated company policy can eliminate an employee’s expectation of privacy, certainly during company hours.”

This is a new and developing area of the law, and very few cases have been decided. In Pemberton v. Bethlehem Steel Corp., the Maryland Court of Special Appeals held that an employer could observe, film or record the activities of an employee to ascertain the truthfulness of job-related workers compensation claims. To lessen the chance of an employee making a successful claim that the employer monitoring or use of the GPS results violated privacy rights, there are a few steps the employer should take:

  • Only install the GPS device in company-owned property
  • Inform the employee of the monitoring and obtain the employee’s written consent (consider conditioning use of the company property on the employee providing consent)
  • Limit the intrusiveness of the information collection and use (such as by  keeping confidential and not using any information obtained related to non-work time or activities [e.g. doctor office visits])
  • Recite in the policy the company’s interests in adopting the monitoring, which could be employee efficiency and productivity, easily locating the company vehicle fleet, and safety.      

“This is a difficult balancing of interests. If an employer feels it is in the best interest of the company to monitor its staff out in the field using a GPS device in company-owned cell phones or vehicles, then that policy should be clearly stated in the employee handbook.  The employee should also consent in writing to the policy prior to the company providing the company property equipped with a GPS device,” says Kutenplon.

About Tarlow, Breed, Hart & Rodgers, P.C.:

Formed in 1991, Tarlow, Breed, Hart & Rodgers, P.C. is committed to providing high quality, comprehensive legal services to its clients.  Featuring a breadth and depth of experience and perspective usually found only at larger law firms, Tarlow, Breed, Hart & Rodgers. P.C. offers sophisticated legal counsel to entrepreneurs, businesses, individuals, families, and institutions.

Tarlow, Breed, Hart & Rodgers’ areas of expertise include corporate law and business transactions, litigation and dispute resolution, estate planning, taxation, real estate, municipal law, and hospitality law.

The offices of Tarlow, Breed, Hart & Rodgers, P.C. are located at 101 Huntington Avenue, Prudential Center, in Boston, MA 02199. For additional information, or to arrange for a consultation, please call 1-617-218-2000, e-mail info@tbhr-law.com, or visit www.tbhr-law.com.

How keeping track of your employees is as simple as issuing a company phone.Read More

Why do-it-yourselfers should start planning deck projects now.

Sara Shragal of DirectBuy
Sara Shragal of DirectBuy

MERRILLVILLE, IN…Baseball, the sound of the first lawnmower, flowers and trees in bloom, and the roar of a circular saw from a neighbor’s backyard. In the dead of winter, these sights and sounds seem quite far away. Yet for those do-it-yourselfers planning to build a deck as their big home improvement of the spring, it’s the perfect time to get started.

“In the spring, a lot of folks see the weather start to get nice and want to jump right in to that first big home improvement project—them and everybody else. With a deck, it’s not that simple. It requires some legwork before you can start building. That’s why starting the planning process now is critical to getting a deck built in time to enjoy it for most of the nice weather months,” said Sara Shragal, of DirectBuy.

Many cities and towns consider decks a permanent structure, thereby requiring building permits and an on-site inspection and subject to setback regulations (distance of buildings from property lines). Decks can also be subject to regional building codes. Doing your homework by checking with your local municipalities first can help you avoid delays or, worse, be forced to tear down your new deck once it’s built because it’s not up to code.

Besides paperwork, you’ll also need plans. There are many resources online, including some with free designs, like www.deckplans.com. Most home improvement stores offer some level of design assistance. DirectBuy has designers on staff who assist members as well as connections to building professionals who provide design services, usually at a discounted members-only rate.

Finally, there’s the matter of the wood and tools. For a wood deck—with you buying the materials and doing all the work—you can expect to spend anywhere from $5 to $7 per square foot on wood; up to $20 per square foot for a composite deck. For tools, you’ll need a:

  • Chalk line
  • Circular saw
  • Combination square
  • Framing square
  • Hammer
  • Hand saw
  • Level 
  •  Power drill 

“As you can see, building a deck may seem like a straightforward project, but there’s a lot to it. By planning now, during the middle of winter, you can be ready to go once the weather improves,” said Shragal.

Since 1971, DirectBuy has helped consumers enjoy enormous savings on home furnishings, home improvement items, entertainment and outdoor products, and accessories, by providing an avenue to purchase directly from the manufacturer. 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.

 

Why do-it-yourselfers should start planning deck projects now.Read More

Jean C. Purrier joins Bristol County Savings Bank as Assistant Vice President of the Government Finance Department.

DATELINE: TAUNTON, MA…
Bristol County Savings Bank recently announced the appointment of Jean C. Purrier as Assistant Vice President/Account Relationship Manager in their Government Finance Department, based out of the Bank’s Taunton, MA office. Bristol County Savings Bank is a $1.1 billion savings bank founded in 1846 and headquartered in Taunton, MA, with 10 offices in Eastern Massachusetts and Rhode Island.

With over 38 years of experience in the municipal field, Purrier is well suited for her new role at Bristol County Savings Bank, where she will oversee the Banks’ new Government Finance Department. Her responsibilities will include the development of new municipal products, which will expand and extend Bristol County Savings Bank’s services to help towns and cities in Southeastern Massachusetts meet their financial goals

Prior to joining Bristol County Savings Bank, for the past 20 years Purrier served as a municipal officer in banking, developing municipal products and providing banking services to cities & towns in Massachusetts, most recently as a Relationship Manager at Webster Bank. Purrier was also was a Municipal Treasurer for 18 years in the town of Sandwich, MA before becoming a bank officer.

Purrier is an associate member of the Massachusetts Collectors & Treasurer’s Association, as well as the Bristol, Plymouth, and Norfolk County Treasurer & Collectors Association. She is also a member of the New Bedford Whaling Museum and is a volunteer with the Wareham Council on Aging where she provides assistance as a Certified SHINE (Sharing Health Information Needs for Elderly) Counselor.

A long-time resident of Sandwich, MA, Purrier currently resides in Wareham, MA.

Bristol County Savings Bank
Bristol County Savings Bank is a full service financial institution offering commercial lending, personal and business banking, and mortgage services. The key words at Bristol County Savings Bank are: “Commitment, Stability, and Community,” values that are combined with state-of-the-art technology to meet the needs of its customers. A dedicated local community bank for over
160 years, Bristol County Savings Bank is actively involved in giving back to all the communities it serves both through financial support and the volunteerism of its people.

Founded in 1846, Bristol County Savings has $1.1 billion in assets, with 245 employees in Southeastern MA and RI. The Bank has 10 full service banking offices located in: Taunton, MA (2); Raynham, MA (2); Rehoboth, MA; Attleboro, MA; North Attleborough, MA; Franklin, MA; Dartmouth, MA; and Pawtucket, RI; two loan production offices located in Taunton and Fall River, MA; and two Educational Branch Offices located at Taunton High School and Attleboro High School.

The Main Office and Corporate headquarters of Bristol County Savings Bank are located on Broadway in Taunton, MA. For additional information please call 508-824-6626, or visit www.bristolcountysavings.com.

Jean C. Purrier joins Bristol County Savings Bank as Assistant Vice President of the Government Finance Department.Read More

Launch of Precision Testing Laboratories heralds a new testing paradigm to aid addiction recovery.

DATELINE:  STURBRIDGE, MA…
Physicians, treatment programs, and residential recovery facilities throughout the region have gained a strong ally in their effort to help people in recovery from substance addiction with the launch of Precision Testing Laboratories, Inc. in Sturbridge, MA.

David Fromm, President of Precision Testing Labs, explains the lab’s objectives, “Precision’s testing paradigm is employed to help people in recovery from substance abuse maintain abstinence and redirect attention toward recovery which formerly may have gone toward planning relapse. By employing frequent, therapeutic drug testing early in the recovery process, we hope to help patients gain a foothold in the often-difficult beginning of sobriety. We believe that if a recovering addict can be convinced that further abuse will certainly be detected then the consequences which may attach to relapse can be brought to mind in starker relief. There are very few medical tools to aid in recovery from chemical addiction. High quality clinical testing is certainly one of them if properly employed. It is our mission to bring this tool to the recovering addict wherever and whenever medically ordered”.

Precision’s staff is dedicated to serving the needs of people in recovery by providing a level of vigilance and involvement that is rarely found in the delivery of laboratory services. Precision will aid in the completion of necessary paperwork, provide comprehensive interpretation of results and customized analyses of trends in an individual’s testing record.

In addition, Precision offers testing for patients involved with longer-term pain management. Testing aids physicians providing pain care by ensuring that patients are taking their medications and that the dosages are appropriate. Testing also detects un-prescribed drugs and street drugs which could lead to life-threatening interaction or overdose.

Fromm believes Precision Testing Laboratories is already playing a unique role in the recovery community, “As the only lab founded and primarily dedicated to serving those in recovery, we are building relationships with physicians, treatment facilities, and residential programs which share our paradigm of therapeutic, recovery-focused testing. We don’t employ the cookie cutter approach too often found in larger, less focused laboratories. We view proper, therapeutic testing as an integral component of the recovery process and Precision Testing Laboratories as a strong ally and partner serving the needs of patients and those who are dedicated to helping them”.

Precision Testing Laboratories, Inc.
Precision Testing Laboratories, Inc. is a licensed clinical laboratory, which is affiliated with UMASS Medical Center, and is committed to serving people in recovery from substance addiction and those in the treatment community who work to help them.

In compliance with state and federal laws and insurance guidelines, Precision Testing Laboratories only performs medically necessary testing documented by a physician’s order. Precision performs fast, accurate, and reliable testing for a wide range of drugs including alcohol, as well as several adulterants commonly used to mask test results.

Precision’s clinical testing provides a thorough overview of drugs present and absent, as well as a record of drug levels over time, giving the care provider a targeted picture of the patient’s status, as well as a longer view that can be helpful in evaluating progress in treatment and verifying patient compliance. In addition, Precision offers discrete onsite collection to facilities and patients’ residences and provides results by fax, mail, or online to authorized recipients.

Precision Testing Laboratories, Inc. is located at 46 Hall Road in Sturbridge, MA 01566. For more information about Precision Testing Laboratories call 1-774-241-0638, email info@precisiontestinglabs.com, or visit www.precisiontestinglabs.com.

Launch of Precision Testing Laboratories heralds a new testing paradigm to aid addiction recovery.Read More

DirectBuy of Toronto North named top New Member Purchase Centre of the Year

MARKHAM, ON…

DirectBuy, the leading members-only showroom and home design centre that offers merchandise direct from manufacturers and their authorized suppliers, is proud to announce that DirectBuy of Toronto North, led by franchise owners Steve and Kary Tratner, recently received the highest honour for new member purchase volume awarded to franchises – New Member Purchase Centre of the Year.

“We feel very proud to have been chosen for this award. Seeing the enthusiasm of our members realizing their dreams is remarkably gratifying for us as franchise owners,” said owner Steve Tratner. “It’s just as rewarding to witness the dedication and hard work of our service staff pay off with recognition as New Member Purchase Centre of the Year.”

DirectBuy centres had the opportunity to qualify for New Member Purchase Centre of the Year based on new member purchase volume — a reflection of the overall happiness and value members are experiencing through their DirectBuy memberships, while also signifying continued excellence in customer service. To earn this award, centres were ranked according to the highest percentage of new members who placed their first order within 12 months of joining DirectBuy. The qualification period for award consideration was October 2007 through September 2008.

For their achievement, DirectBuy of Toronto North received on-stage recognition at DirectBuy’s International Sales & Service Conference, a plaque commemorating their success and acknowledgment in BuyLines – the company’s network-wide newsletter.

Earning company-wide recognition is something the Toronto North showroom does very well. Since opening their doors in June of 1997, the franchise has been named Service Centre of the Year and Canadian Merchandise Centre of the Year numerous times.

“Working to constantly improve customer service is something our service staff takes very seriously,” co-owner Kary Tratner continued. “We strive to elevate the shopping experience for our members while continuing to provide them with tremendous selection and savings.”

Steve and Kary Tratner own and operate the 21,800 sq. foot DirectBuy of Toronto North showroom, conveniently located at 205 Torbay Road Unit 12 in Markham, ON. DirectBuy offers consumers a comfortable, welcoming setting and design centre where they finally have the financial control of buying direct.

DirectBuy of Toronto North offers area residents thousands of items, including kitchen cabinets, flat-screen televisions and major appliances from more than 500 top manufacturers and their authorized suppliers. To assist members with their home renovation projects, DirectBuy employs product specialists who are specially trained across five major product categories: Home Furnishing, Home Improvement, Flooring, Accessories, and Entertainment/Outdoor.

DirectBuy members also have access to renowned designer Christopher Lowell.  Lowell has designed twelve room settings – created exclusively with products available through DirectBuy – using his Seven Layers of Design.  An innovative approach to home décor, The Seven Layers of Design keeps homeowners on budget and from feeling overwhelmed by their project.

DirectBuy Membership

Consumers who are interested in joining DirectBuy of Toronto North are encouraged to attend an exclusive Open House event, which is designed to educate families about DirectBuy’s unique business model.  The Open House also helps consumers better understand how DirectBuy members avoid traditional retail markup when purchasing brand-name merchandise. 

To request a “Free Insider’s Guide to Buying Direct” and a Visitor’s Pass to learn more about the superior value and benefits of a DirectBuy membership, call 905-948-1911 or visit www.directbuy.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 500 brand-name manufacturers and authorized suppliers in Canada and more than 700 brand-name manufacturers and their authorized suppliers in the United States.

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.

DirectBuy of Toronto North named top New Member Purchase Centre of the YearRead More

J.P. Licks’ Offers Treats that Warm the Heart in February

Cupid would approve of J.P. Licks’ line of hot and cold treats that are being offered during February. The award-winning homemade ice cream café with eight shops in and around Boston offers something for everyone to enjoy this month.

Spice Things Up with El Diablo!

Warm up with J.P. Licks’ award winning El Diablo Hot Chocolate! Having recently won the Harvard Square People’s Choice Award, El Diablo Hot Chocolate is made with J.P. Licks’ homemade hot chocolate mix and an added kick of cayenne pepper!

Looking for a dessert with real “spice”? Back by popular demand, J.P. Lick’s offers a “hot” El Diablo sundae made with cinnamon and cayenne peppered chocolate ice cream, hot fudge, whipped cream and sprinkled with hot cinnamon hearts.

New at J.P. Licks – Rain Forest Alliance Coffee!

February is Specialty Coffee Month and J.P. Licks is proud to introduce their first Rain Forest Alliance coffee, “Don Telmo Reserva” from Colombia. It’s certified organic, shade grown and bird-friendly, and the Rain Forest Alliance seal ensures that everyone in the chain (growers, harvesters, processors, and Mother Earth) gets fair treatment and compensation.


The bean brews a lovely cup of coffee, in fact, it’s one of the smoothest Colombian flavors; very well balanced with slight notes of chocolate.

Valentine’s Day Cakes

Don’t forget to pick up your Valentine’s Day cake! Recognizing that there are just as many “vanilla lovers” as there are “chocolate lovers”, J.P. Licks is rolling out two new ice cream cakes this year. For those who are “pure of heart”, J.P. Licks is offering an Elegant Vanilla cake, made with J.P. Licks’ homemade ultra-rich vanilla ice cream and topped with a vanilla ice cream icing and a red heart. Those looking to quell their chocolate craving will love J.P. Licks’ Chocolate Covered Oreo cake made with Oreo ice cream generously covered in decadent chocolate ganache and topped with a red heart.

From now until February 14th, J.P. Licks Cash Cow loyalty cardholders will receive an extra $5 in rewards with a Valentine’s cake purchase. Not a Cash Cow card holder? Simply visit J.P. Licks to get one and register it to start earning rewards.

Double Points During February

J.P. Licks Cash Cow loyalty cardholders will earn rewards twice as fast in February. For every $25 spent, patrons earn $5 when they use their registered Cash Cow card.

J.P. Licks stores can be found at Coolidge Corner, Davis Square, Harvard Square, Mission Hill, Newbury Street, Newton Centre, West Roxbury and Jamaica Plain. Visit www.jplicks.com to check store hours

February’s Featured Flavors

Special ice cream flavors for February include Coconut Crème, Chocolate Orange, El Diablo, Chocolate Peanut Butter Ripple, Cheesecake Brownie, Fresh Banana, Black Raspberry Chip Lowfat Yogurt, Mango Sorbet and Chocolate Pudding Lactose Free.

“In February, when daylight is short and the snow keeps piling up, we all need a little boost. One of the best ways to lift your spirits and to make others happy as well is by pleasing the palate,” noted J.P. Licks founder Vince Petryk.

Best of Boston and Beyond

For more than 27 years, J.P. Licks has been serving homemade ice cream, frozen yogurt and other specialties in their eight Kosher-certified shops in and around Boston. They have won, literally, hundreds of awards over the years. Most recently, J.P. Licks has received six “Best of Boston’s” from Boston Magazine; 10 consecutive “Best” awards from the Boston Phoenix Reader’s Poll and three consecutive “Bests” from The Weekly Dig magazine. J.P. Licks was also chosen as Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce’s “Small Business of the Year” in 2007.

Additionally, J.P. Licks roasts their own fair trade and organic coffee beans in the Jamaica Plain store AND they cater ice cream parties, too. Visit the website at jplicks.com for even more information.

J.P. Licks’ Offers Treats that Warm the Heart in FebruaryRead More

Hotel-Inntell.com Offers Sales Training Seminars to Hotels throughout New England

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Hotel-Inntell.com, LLC, the premier resource for hospitality meeting industry data in New England, has recently announced the availability of complimentary on-site sales training seminars for the hotel industry.

Led by Joseph A. Rogan, Managing Director of Hotel-Inntell.com, based in Lynnfield, Mass., the sales training seminars are geared towards hotel sales teams looking to increase business. During a one-hour interactive prospecting session that takes place on-site, Rogan trains the sales team to:

· Utilize meeting intelligence data to identify the best potential customers

· Perform an industry segment analysis to better understand where to find business

· Focus sales efforts on selling to the best potential customers based on their actual volume

· Perform a lost business analysis

Sales teams will also learn about top prospecting strategies, from account volume and need dates to marketing strategies.

“These training sessions will help hotel sales professionals to make better and more informed sales decisions which ultimately leads to increased sales productivity, performance and accountability,” noted Rogan.

Innovative, Comprehensive Online Resources for Hotels

Hotel-Intell.com is the premier resource for meeting intelligence. For more than 10 years, Hotel-Inntell.com, LLC has been providing comprehensive, accurate and up-to-date meeting information to hotels throughout the East Coast. Through Hotel-Inntell.com’s proprietary interactive database tool, hotels can compile, manipulate, analyze and utilize competitive data that is specific to their needs and preferences. In addition to Hotel-Inntell.com’s user friendly subscriber intelligence tools, the company offers complimentary, on-site prospecting training to hotel sales teams looking to increase business.

Hotel Inntell.com’s cutting edge technology delivers competitive meeting intelligence in a customizable, user-friendly format that enables subscribers within the hospitality industry to gain and maintain their competitive edge. The company is located at 30 Lynnbrook Road in Lynnfield, Mass. For more information or to register for your onsite session, visit the website at www.hotel-inntell.com or contact jrogan@hotel-inntell.com or (781) 592-9700.

Hotel-Inntell.com Offers Sales Training Seminars to Hotels throughout New EnglandRead More