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Deb Binder joins Ingage Consulting as VP of Marketing & Communications

Deb Binder of Ingage Consulting

WOBURN, MA…

Ingage Consulting, of Woburn, Massachusetts, recently hired Deb Binder as it new vice president of marketing and communications.

In this role, Binder will be involved in developing marketing and communications campaigns and strategy for Ingage accounts as well as proposals for new business.  Her responsibilities will also include public relations, both for the firm and clients, online strategies, and support for Ingage seminars.

“As a firm that specializes in creating engagement within franchise organizations and cooperatives, communications is a critical component of pretty much everything we do,“ said Evan Hackel, founder and principal of Ingage Consulting. “Our firm has grown so much since we began the business a few years ago that we really needed somebody to spearhead all our communications efforts. With Deb on board, we now have added strength in marketing and can offer more marketing strategy and support to our clients as well. I can’t think of anybody better qualified to take on that role than Deb.”

Binder has spent the majority of her career focused on communications, marketing and visual merchandising for cooperatives, franchises and retail chains. That experience included her tenure as Senior Vice President of Marketing for CCA Global’s cooperative divisions where she oversaw all online marketing efforts, as well as leading marketing efforts for Timberland’s Retail Division and City Sports.

As a communications professional, Binder has had many notable accomplishments, including leading several different companies/divisions into the digital age. She’s also been at the forefront of the development of brands for several organizations and the successful implementation of those brands into store environment.

Says Binder, “The success of any initiative involving franchises and cooperatives – or for any group – depends on the understanding  and ability to balance corporate needs with the real-life, day to day needs of the stores.“

Continued Binder, “I firmly believe that engagement is the key to success. The higher the participation and engagement, the more successful everyone will be. Marketing will have a stronger impact. Buying will be more effective. More systems will be in place to streamline workflow. And the end result ultimately is cost savings and increased profits. That typically makes everyone happy and more successful. The challenge is that creating and sustaining engagement is extremely difficult and takes a dedicated, ongoing effort.“

Binder holds an undergraduate degree from the University of Maine and earned an MBA at Southern New Hampshire University. She resides in Newburyport, Massachusetts.

About Ingage Consulting

Ingage Consulting is a management consulting firm that works with franchisors and franchisees to improve the franchise organization’s culture which in turn increases sales and satisfaction; improves growth and retention and boosts loyalty and profits.

Ingage Consulting provides solutions that drive the cooperation, commitment, passion and loyalty of franchisors and franchisees. They offer unique services that help solve the problems of franchises in a number of ways. Working closely with clients, the Ingage Consulting team quickly and thoughtfully assesses, understands and devises solutions to a franchise organization’s challenges. Leaders come away with ideas for improvement, including methods for maximizing collaboration among franchisees/licensees and a clear strategy and execution plan for change, customized to meet organizational objectives. Ingage Consulting’s proven techniques to increase collaboration brings about greater productivity and success on many levels. In short, Ingage Consulting makes franchises more successful.

Ingage Consulting is located at 400 Trade Center, Suite 5900 in Woburn, MA.  For more information, contact (781) 569-5900 or visit the website www.ingage.net.

Deb Binder joins Ingage Consulting as VP of Marketing & CommunicationsRead More

Franchise Growth Group announces investment with MD Tech Pro

Evan Hackel

WOBURN, MA… 

Franchise Growth Group (“FGG”), a provider of consulting services and capital to the franchise industry, recently announced an investment in MD Tech Pro. With regional offices across the U.S., MD Tech Pro specializes in all phases of IT pertaining to medical practices, including network and system management, EHR transition, EHR support, and practice management.

 “MD Tech Pro represents the kind of franchise we’re looking to partner with on many levels,” said Evan Hackel, managing partner of FGG. “They have a very innovative and scale concept.  A strong management team, but they needed capital and expertise on how to get to the next level.”

MD Tech Pro provides services nationwide and has experience with major electronic medical record software solutions. The range of solutions MD Tech Pro offers includes:

  • Complete support and solutions for your practice
  • 24/7/365 remote monitoring and repair
  • Software management and upgrades
  • EHR selection, implementation and EHR support services
  • Cloud hosting
  • Security risk analysis
  • Virus, spyware and security protection for all computers and servers
  • On-site, remote and phone / help-desk support 24/7/365
  • Discount hardware and software

“We are thrilled to be working with FGG to help take our organization to a higher level,” said Michael Vanderslice , CEO of MD Tech Pro. “Our particular niche, IT for medical practices and clinics, is still relatively in its infancy. With FGG’s help, we’re looking to be able to grow our company and better serve clients and, indirectly, their patients.”

Franchise Growth Group looks to acquire or invest in franchise organizations that have tremendous potential but are unable to realize that potential due to management issues, franchisee relationship problems or lack of capital. Typically those organizations have at least 50 franchisees.

FGG considers acquisitions that require full ownership or allow FGG to become a major investor.

For more information on Franchise Growth Group, please visit www.franchisegrowthgroup.com. For more on MD Health Tech, visit www.mdtechpro.com.

About Franchise Growth Group (FGG):

Based in Woburn, MA, FGG looks to acquire or invest in franchise organizations that have tremendous potential but are unable to realize that potential due to management issues, franchisee relationship problems or lack of capital. By leveraging FGG’s investment fund and its team of Franchise experts, FGG helps small- to medium-sized franchisor (50 or more units) become successful, profitable and positioned for acquisition by private equity firms or others that specialize in long-term franchise investments.

For more information, visit www.franchisegrowthgroup.com or call 781—205-9501.

About MD Tech Pro:

MD Tech Pro is a Phoenix AZ-based healthcare IT company specializing in all phases of IT pertaining to medical practices, including network and system management, EHR transition, EHR support, and practice management. The company provides services nationwide and has experience with most major electronic medical record software solutions. MD Tech Pro currently has offices in Phoenix AZ, Denver CO, Boston MA, Atlanta and Savannah GA and Chattanooga TN and anticipates having offices in over 100 markets by the end of 2015.

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Veteran helping veterans. Operation Stripes for Vets returns for 2012

YELLOW DAWGAmherst, NH…

Operation Stripes for Vets Franchise Promotion Giveaway, sponsored by Black Dawg Franchise Group LLC, has returned for 2012, and one lucky returning Iraq/Afghanistan veteran will win his or her own YELLOW DAWG STRIPING franchise valued at $28,000.

Started in 2011 by Black Dawg Franchise Group President, Jack Child (himself an Air Force veteran), as a way to draw attention to the stubbornly high unemployment rate for returning Iraq and Afghanistan veterans, and as a way to say “Thank You” for their service, Operation Stripes for Vets awarded its first franchise to Andrew Smith of Pilot, Virginia, an Army Purple Heart Recipient, on Memorial Day, 2011.

When asked how YELLOW DAWG STRIPING fit in with his personal goals, Andrew had this to say: “By working hard and investing my time and effort in my own business it allows me to provide a more comfortable life for my family. The customers are great and given the nature of the work I can schedule my work, meet the needs of my customers, and still have time for my family. I have been impressed with Jack and the entire YELLOW DAWG crew and I give thanks every day for this opportunity.”

For Iraq and Afghanistan vets who are interested in winning their own YELLOW DAWG Parking Lot Line Striping franchise, entering the giveaway is easy. Just visit www.StripesForVets.com for the Giveaway Rules and submit a video on the Yellow Dawg Facebook page (www.Facebook.com/YellowDawgStriping) explaining why you should win the franchise. Then tell all your friends to “like” your entry. The top ten vote-getters will become finalists (others may be chosen as finalists as well – see Contest Rules) and the winner will be chosen by Black Dawg’s panel of judges.

The franchise and equipment is worth $28,000 and includes the Franchise Fee of $7500 (waived), a Graco State-of-the-Art Airless Line Striping machine valued at over $8,000, premium traffic paint donated by The Sherwin-Williams Company, stencils, tools, uniforms, complete training and a custom cargo trailer with YELLOW DAWG logo and markings (graphics donated by Fetch Graphics). 

“One of the things we hope to do with our Operation Stripes for Vets is to make the public aware of the difficulties our returning veterans are having finding work when they get home. We can’t give away a franchise to everyone who enters, but we hope this giveaway is used as a model or an inspiration for other businesses to do what they can to help those who have served our country,” said Child.

Andrew Smith, last year’s winner, offered this advice for those thinking about entering the Operations Stripes for Vets Giveaway: “First of all, thank you for your service. You have already accomplished so much with your life, but don’t stop now. Just do it! You really do have a chance at winning this and if you do win it will change your life for the better!”

YELLOW DAWG STRIPING is the Pavement Marking Affiliate of the BLACK DAWG multi-brand franchise system, which also includes BLACK DAWG SEALCOAT and BLUE DAWG POWER WASH.  Parking Lot Line Striping is a unique niche business and YELLOW DAWG STRIPING is a leader in the industry.  For franchise information Call 1-800-998-3294 or visit www.FranchiseDawg.com.

Veteran helping veterans. Operation Stripes for Vets returns for 2012Read More

MD Tech Pro opens greater Boston location

BOSTON, MA and WOBURN, MA…
Losing your Internet access or having a server down can bring work to a standstill in any office. In a medical office, glitches and outages with IT can have major consequences (like security breaches). Some are even life-threatening. In an effort to meet the special IT needs of medical offices in the greater Boston area, MD Tech Pro, a healthcare IT company, recently opened an office at 400 Trade Center, Suite 5900, in Woburn, Massachusetts.

MD Tech Pro specializes in all phases of IT pertaining to medical practices, including network and system management, EHR transition, EHR support, and practice management. The company provides services nationwide and has experience with most major electronic medical record software solutions.

“The special needs of a medical office go beyond making sure everything is up and running and that there’s a backup plan for the backup plan,” said Ace Taggart, managing partner of MD Tech Pro’s Boston office. “With the HIPAA law, medical offices face security challenges a bit more stringent than your typical company.”

The range of solutions MD Tech Pro offers includes:

  • Complete support and solutions for your practice
  • 24/7/365 remote monitoring and repair
  • Software management and upgrades
  • EHR selection, implementation and EHR support services
  • Cloud hosting
  • Security risk analysis
  • Virus, spyware and security protection for all computers and servers
  • On-site, remote and phone / help-desk support 24/7/365
  • Discount hardware and software

In addition to its host of services, MD Tech Pro delivers additional consulting services to medical offices looking to convert existing records to electronic ones.

“There are stimulus funds from the federal government available for practices that convert to electronic records,” said Taggart. “MD Tech Pro has the experience in this area so that the practice has a seamless conversion to electronic records and meets the ‘meaningful use’ criteria to be eligible for these funds. We can also help those practices that currently use electronic health records but do not meet the ‘meaningful use’ criteria needed to receive federal stimulus funds.”

MD Tech Pro’s Boston office includes a full staff of locally based IT support professionals, which is bolstered by the resources of a nationwide company. MD Tech Pro has offices in Arizona, Georgia and Colorado. MD Tech Pro anticipates having offices in over 100 markets by the end of 2015.

MD Tech Pro offers a free, initial onsite consultation. You can schedule that by phoning 617.500.8163 or calling the toll-free number at 800-632-3242. For additional information, visit www.mdtechpro.com.

MD Tech Pro opens greater Boston locationRead More

Encore, encore! Franchise Management Expert Evan Hackel of Ingage Consulting shines as keynote speaker at 2012 at Exciting Windows! National Conference

Evan Hackel

WOBURN, MA…

The goal of any good public speaker is to leave your audience wanting more. If that’s the case, Evan Hackel, franchise management expert and founder of Ingage Consulting of Woburn, MA, succeeded in his keynote at last year’s Exciting Windows! 7th Annual National Conference. Hackel again was invited back as the featured speaker at Exciting Windows! 2012 Annual National Conference, held on January 29 in Baltimore, MD. 

Hackel spoke to Exciting Windows! franchisees on the topic of ”Returning to Growth Together”. 

“Evan showed how franchisees grow stronger as the organization grows stronger, and how the organization grows stronger as franchisees grow stronger. That struck a credible nerve that everyone understood,“ said Steven C. Bursten, CEO and chairman of Exciting Windows! “We had more favorable comments than any convention speaker in our eight years of franchising. In fact, last year’s presentation was transformative.  Business owners who never appreciated what it means to pull together “got it”, and have been more supportive than ever this year.“

In his 25 years franchise experience, Hackel has helped develop, implement and managed  three successful new franchise systems. His experience includes overseeing four different business systems representing more than $5 billion in annual sales through 2,000 locations in four countries at CCA Global Partners, one of the largest privately held companies in the U.S. By way of direct consulting and his speaking engagement, Hackel helps franchise organization achieve their short- and long-term goals through franchisor and franchisee engagement.

In addition to the Exciting Windows!, Hackel is slated to speak at 18 other conferences in 2012, including multiple sessions for PSA and FEI. The range of topics he covers includes: 

  • The Need for Change
  • Reaching Hire Together – Why engaged franchses make all the difference.
  • The Franchise Covenant – The roles and responsibilities of the organization and the individual.
  • Making the Most of Your Research – Presenting analyzed data to the management team and franchisees.
  • Customer Excellence – The power of the person and the customer service chain.
  • Selling Strategies/Skills – The Four P’s of Selling and more.
  • Engagement:  A Key Driver of Franchise Success 

“It was great to be back at Exciting Windows! and I’m pleased to have such a full plate of speaking engagements for the New Year,” said Hackel. “Difficult times truly do put emphasis on franchise organizations and franchisees working together. The best practices I cover in my talks give franchisors and business owners the tools needed to create an engaged organization where all components complement each other.” 

To arrange a speaking engagement with Evan Hackel, contact (781) 569-5900. 

About Ingage Consulting

Ingage Consulting is a management consulting firm that works with franchisors and franchisees to improve the franchise organization’s culture which in turn increases sales and satisfaction; improves growth and retention and boosts loyalty and profits.  

Ingage Consulting provides solutions that drive the cooperation, commitment, passion and loyalty of franchisors and franchisees.  They offer unique services that help solve the problems of franchises in a number of ways.  Working closely with clients, the Ingage Consulting team quickly and thoughtfully assesses, understands and devises solutions to a franchise organization’s challenges.  Leaders come away with ideas for improvement, including methods for maximizing collaboration among franchisees/licensees and a clear strategy and execution plan for change, customized to meet organizational objectives.  Ingage Consulting’s proven techniques to increase collaboration brings about greater productivity and success on many levels. In short, Ingage Consulting makes franchises more successful. 

Ingage Consulting is located at 400 Trade Center, Suite 5900 in Woburn, MA.  For more information, contact (781) 569-5900 or visit the website www.ingage.net.

Encore, encore! Franchise Management Expert Evan Hackel of Ingage Consulting shines as keynote speaker at 2012 at Exciting Windows! National ConferenceRead More

Things heat up for Phoenix area singles…. eLove Matchmaking enters Phoenix/Scottsdale market, opens matchmaking office in Scottsdale.

PHOENIX, SCOTTSDALE, AZ… 

It’s difficult to imagine it being hotter in the Phoenix area. For singles looking to find that special someone in 2012, that just might be the case as eLove Matchmaking recently opened a new matchmaking office at Fashion Square Center in Scottsdale. (7150 E Camelback Road, Suite 432).

“People embrace things like iPhones, iPads and the like because it makes their lives easier to navigate. eLove Matchmaking does the same thing with dating but in a more traditional manner,” said Paul A. Falzone, CEO of eLove, one of the largest professional introduction companies in the world. “Instead of spending hours online surfing profiles or hanging out in nightclubs or bars, eLove Matchmaking gives singles serious about meeting somebody a more time-efficient and cost-effective way. And we’re positively delighted to bring that to singles in the area.”

eLove Matchmaking’s professional matchmakers have paired literally thousands of singles over the past three decades. In addition to a one-on-one meeting with each member, eLove also conducts thorough background check for the safety of everyone they match. This includes a screening against the national sexual offender registry as well as inquiring to determine if they have committed other crimes .

“We take the guesswork out of dating,” said Falzone. “You might have to have five to ten dates with somebody you meet on your own to know what you know on day one with somebody you meet via eLove Matchmaking. That gives you a much great chance of success.”

To arrange a consultation with a professional matchmaker or for a membership, contact eLove toll-free at 877–356-8370 or visit www.elove.com.

For a free copy of Paul A. Falzone’s book “eLove: A Singles Guide”, please visit www.elovesuccess.com.                                                                                                                   

eLove is all you need

eLove Matchmaking, 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, 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 more than 50 matchmaking offices in 25 states, eLove Matchmaking is everything that singles have been wishing for whether they are looking for casual dating or a serious, committed relationship.                                       

eLove’s Matchmaking offices are located in: Arizona (Scottsdale/Phoenix);  Arkansas (Bentonville, Fort Smith, Little Rock); California (Costa Mesa, Palo Alto, Sacramento, Walnut Creek, San Diego, Santa Rosa, Westlake, West Hollywood); Connecticut (Glastonbury, Stamford); Illinois (Chicago, Normal, Schaumburg); Indiana (Carmel, Ft. Wayne); Kansas (Overland Park, Wichita); Maryland (Columbia, Frederick); Massachusetts (Newton, Norwell, Shrewsbury, Stoneham); Michigan (Bingham Farms); Minnesota (Bloomington); Missouri (Springfield, St. Louis); Nebraska (Lincoln, Omaha); Nevada (Las Vegas); New Jersey (Iselin, Saddle Brook); Ohio (Cincinnati); Oklahoma (Broken Arrow, Oklahoma City, Tulsa); Pennsylvania (Mechanicsburg, King of Prussia); 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.

Things heat up for Phoenix area singles…. eLove Matchmaking enters Phoenix/Scottsdale market, opens matchmaking office in Scottsdale.Read More

First-ever Franchise Operational Performance Summit (OPS) lives up to billing.

Evan Hackel
Evan Hackel, Ingage Consulting

WOBURN, MA and ATLANTA, GEORGIA… 

There’s certainly no shortage of franchise conferences. Yet how much time is spent at those conference discussing franchise operations, particularly as it pertains to C-level executives? Comparatively speaking, relatively little. Hence the interest and success of the recently concluded Franchise Operational Performance Summit (OPS), a franchise operations conference for C-level executives held in Atlanta on December 6 and 7.

“Franchise OPS, with its concentrated focus on franchise operations, initiated some discussions you just wouldn’t get at other conferences,“ said Evan Hackel, principal of Ingage Consulting and one of the keynote speakers. “There clearly were some hot button topics that we delved deeper into, like real world compliance and social media, that made this a very worthwhile session and worthy of a future OPS session in 2012.“

Actio Marketing coordinated the two-day event, which featured several renowned franchise experts—including Evan Hackel, principal of Ingage Consulting, Eric Stites of Franchise Business Review, Stan Friedman of FranConnect, Rupert Barkoff of Kilpatrick Townsend & Stockton, Barth Getto of BizUnited and Bill Gauthier of CCA Global Partners. In addition to real world compliance, other Franchise OPS workshops covered: 

  • Turning a Survey into a Powerful Management Tool
  • Supercharge Operational Excellence with Web 2.0 Technology
  • Making the Most of Franchise System Buying Services

Beyond the educational benefits, roundtable discussions and networking opportunities with C-level franchise executives, the Franchise OPS also offered the added bonus of being approved for 300 CFE credits by the International Franchise Association. 

“Participating in the Franchise Operations Performance Summit provided a meaningful opportunity to reconnect with the essentials of franchise ops support as well as to hear new ideas from knowledgeable industry experts,“ said Ralph Thiergart, vice president of franchise services for Choice Hotels International. 

Added Jackob Hunt, vice president of operations for Dogtopia, “Networking, collaboration of ideas and practical solutions made this summit worth the time and money. I look at this as an investment in efficiency in ways to work smarter.“ 

A second Franchise Operations Performance Summit is currently being planned for late spring/early summer at a destination in greater Denver area of Colorado. The initial Franchise OPS was held at Twelve Hotel – Centenniel Park in Atlanta, Georgia and sponsored by Franchise Business Review, Kilpatrick Townsend, Actio Marketing, BizUnite and Ingage Consulting. 

For information on the first Franchise OPS and future summits, please visit, http://www.franchiseoperationssummit.com.

About Ingage Consulting

Ingage Consulting is a management consulting firm that works with cooperatives and cooperative councils and leadership to improve the organization’s culture which in turn increases sales and satisfaction; improves growth and retention and boosts loyalty and profits. 

Ingage Consulting provides solutions that drive the cooperation, commitment, passion and loyalty of cooperative members.  They offer unique services that help solve the problems of cooperatives in a number of ways.  Working closely with clients, the Ingage Consulting team quickly and thoughtfully assesses, understands and devises solutions to a cooperative organization’s challenges.  Leaders come away with ideas for improvement, including methods for maximizing collaboration among co-op members and a clear strategy and execution plan for change, customized to meet organizational objectives.  Ingage Consulting’s proven techniques to increase collaboration brings about greater productivity and success on many levels. In short, Ingage Consulting makes cooperatives more successful.

Ingage Consulting is located at 400 Trade Center, Suite 5900 in Woburn, MA.  For more information, contact (781) 569-5900 or visit the website www.ingage.net.

First-ever Franchise Operational Performance Summit (OPS) lives up to billing.Read More

Resort Maps® makes new Discovery. Resort Maps Franchise, Inc to change name to Discovery Map International, Inc.

Discovery Maps logo

WAITSFIELD, VERMONT… 

Effective January 1, 2012, Waitsfield, Vermont-based Resort Maps®, creator of more than 100 hand-drawn travel maps across the United States, Canada, England, Costa Rica and Puerto Rico, will officially change its name to Discovery Map International, Inc. The name change comes two months after acquiring Discovery Map International, LLC of La Conner Washington in October.

“Obviously, there were a number of things we loved about Discovery Map® to acquire the company. Most appealing, of course, was the acquisition would give us a coast-to-coast presence since most of their maps are on the west coast and most of ours are east of the Mississippi,” said Peter Hans, CEO of Resort Maps Franchise, Inc. “But I’ve got to admit, it was always in the back of my mind that we would assume the name Discovery Map® because it just gets down to essence of what we do—helping travelers and locals alike discover great places to eat, shop, stay and play.”

Discovery Map International, Inc will carry on Resort Maps® practice of creating colorful, hand-drawn maps of towns and cities, featuring its advertisers–restaurants, accommodations, retail shops, real estate and other services. The maps will also continue showcasing local sites and attractions and be available online and through multiple media outlets, such as Facebook and an IPhone application.

Under the Discovery Map International, Inc name, the company has 90 independent owners in 150 markets, in 33 states and four countries. In the first year of joint operation, the total circulation of the Discovery Map® maps will top 25 million.

“With the merger and the name change, you might say we have a bit more to celebrate this New Year and a lot of work to do in the coming year,” added Hans. “Still, it’s a challenge we welcome in growing and building the new Discovery Map® brand.”

About Discovery Map International, Inc, previously Resort Maps Franchise, Inc

Headquartered in the Green Mountains of Vermont, Discovery Map International, Inc has been creating and publishing visitor maps in the northeastern U.S. since 1986. In 1993, Resort Maps® expanded its reach by creating a franchise model for distribution of its colorful, hand-drawn maps of resort towns and cities. With its recent acquisition of the previous Discovery Map International, LLC, the company’s network has grown to 150 markets in 33 states and four countries (US, Canada, Costa Rica and Puerto Rico).

For more information on any of the 100+ Discovery Map® destinations or if you are interested in potentially owning a Discovery Map® franchise, please visit www.DiscoveryMap.com.  Alternatively, you can call 802-496-6277.

Discovery Map International franchises serve cities and towns in Arizona (Flagstaff, Grand Canyon, Sedona), California (Carlsbad, Carmel, Los Gatos, Monterey, San Diego, Saratoga), Colorado (Boulder, Breckenridge, Cherry Creek, Colorado Springs, Denver, Durango, Vail & Beaver Creek, Estes Park, Fort Collins, Glendale, Steamboat Springs, Summit County), Delaware ( Rehoboth Beach), Florida (Amelia Island, Boca Raton, Clearwater Beach and Gulf Beaches, Cocoa Beach, Daytona Beach, Delray Beach, Destin, Key West, Melbourne, New Smyrna Beach, St. Augustine), Georgia (Savannah/Tybee Island, St. Mary’s), Idaho (Coeur d’Alene, McCall, Sandpoint, Sun Valley), Kentucky (Lexington) Maine (Bar Harbor/Acadia, Boothbay region, Camden-Rockland, Kennebunkport, Kittery, Mt. Desert Island, Portland, Wells, York-Ogunquit), Maryland (Annapolis, Eastern Shore, Ocean City,  Solomons Island, St. Mary’s County), Massachusetts (Berkshires, Brewster/Harwich/Dennis, Chatham-Orleans, Eastham-Wellfleet, Falmouth, Hyannis-Yarmouth, Martha’s Vineyard, Newburyport, Plymouth, Sturbridge, Worcester), Michigan (Northern Michigan/Petoskey/Harbor Springs; Traverse City), Montana (Bozeman & Big Sky, Butte, Kalispell, Missoula, West Yellowstone, Whitefish),  New Hampshire (Franconia/Notch Region, Hampton Beach, Hanover/Lebanon , Keene, Lakes Region, Mount Washington Valley, Portsmouth), New Jersey (Barnegat Bay, Cape May, Hoboken/Jersey City, Hunterdon, Lambertville , Long Beach Island, New Brunswick, Ocean Grove, Point Pleasant, Princeton, Sandy Hook), New Mexico (Santa Fe, Taos), New York (The North Fork, Lake George , Lake Placid, Saratoga Springs, East Hampton), North Carolina (Asheville, Brunswick County, Charlotte, Chrystal Coast, Hendersonville, Outer Banks, Sandhills, Wilmington), Oregon (Bend), Pennsylvania (Bucks County, Chestnut Hill, Delaware River Valley, Gettysburg, Lehigh Valley, The Main Line, Lancaster County), Rhode Island (Newport, Providence), South Carolina (Charleston, Hilton Head,), Tennessee (Gatlinburg, Pigeon Forge), Vermont (Addison County/Brandon, Barre/Montpelier, Burlington, Killington/Rutland, Mad River Valley, Manchester, Mount Snow, Okemo, Smugglers’ Notch, Stowe, Waterbury/Richmond, Woodstock/Quechee) and Virginia (Alexandria, Charlottesville, Lynchburg, Norfolk, Northern Neck & Middle Peninsula, Richmond, Virginia Beach), Washington (Anacortes, Bellingham, La Conner) Wisconsin (Door County)—as well as towns and cities in Canada (Charlotte Coastal Region), England (Chicester, Lewes), Puerto Rico (San Juan, Vieques, Culebra) and Costa Rica (Escazu-Santa Ana). 

 New maps coming soon in North Lake Tahoe, CA; South Hampton, NY; and Charlotte Harbor/Venice/Gulf Islands, FL.

Resort Maps® makes new Discovery. Resort Maps Franchise, Inc to change name to Discovery Map International, Inc.Read More

Appreciating depreciation. Cost segregation studies deliver earlier than expected tax breaks for commercial property owners.

Jeff Hiatt
Jeff Hiatt of Performance Business Solutions, LLC

 HAMPTON FALLS, NH…

In today’s economy, commercial property owners face an uphill battle in finding the funds to make the necessary improvements to retain and/or enhance a property’s value.  Cost segregation studies offer some property owners an opportunity to write off depreciation of building assets over a shorter period than the traditional 39-year depreciation period for a real property asset. This can generate funds in the form of a larger tax deduction. The funds that would have been paid in income tax could then be reinvested in renovations for that property or leveraged to help acquire another property.

A cost segregation study itemizes assets in a building into real property assets and personal property assets. Loosely speaking, real property refers to anything connected to the structure of the building (e.g. the foundation), while personal property assets can be items ranging from non-structural items like carpeting or aesthetic improvements like landscaping. By separating personal property assets, which have a shorter life expectancy than real property assets, you claim a greater rate of depreciation over a shorter period of time.

“Let’s say you buy an inn or resort with millwork and IT wiring.  Prior to cost seg studies, owners would have deducted depreciation of these items over 39 years instead of five or seven years,” said Jeff Hiatt, founder and CEO of Performance Business Solutions, LLC, based in Hampton Falls, NH. “For many commercial property owners, the personal asset depreciation deductions can result in a sizable return.”

Hiatt’s company, Performance Business Solution’s, LLC, specializes in expense reduction consulting for all types of business. One area that he has helped thousands of property owners across the US is with cost segregation studies. “Cost seg” studies can be applied to a wide variety of commercial properties, including apartment buildings, restaurants, manufacturing facilities, grocery stores, office buildings, etc. The process requires examination of any available building plans, site surveys, appraisals and/ or invoices. A site visit is also usually involved so project engineers can take photos and get a feel for the building.

After an inventory of assets is taken, a report of the building, per IRS Standard, is then completed. The numbers from the report can then be interpolated into the building owner’s client’s tax forms and filed with the next return.

The entire project can take from three to eight weeks to complete, with minimal disruption to the building’s activities or work flow. The price tag of the cost segregation study can range from $5,000 to $25,000, depending on the building’s size and tenant count.

“Performance Business Solutions conducted a cost segregation study on our property in York Harbor, Maine, the Stageneck Inn. They were extremely thorough and detailed in their study,” said Mark Foster, owner of Mark Foster, who also owns the Days Inn in Dover, New Hampshire. “When we turned the report over to our accountants, they felt very comfortable with the information provided and applied it to our tax returns. That gave us a fairly sizeable return, which we used to convert a house adjacent to the Stageneck Inn into a furnished rental property. Without the cost seg study, that might not have happened as quickly.”

Performance Business Solutions, LLC is located at 87 Lafayette Rd. Suite 11, Hampton Falls, NH 03844. The company helps businesses nationwide reduce expenses in a variety of areas. Performance Business Solutions, LLC, works with accountants, attorneys, and other experts to determine the best way for clients to reduce costs and increase profits. 

For information on arranging a cost segregation study on your commercial property, call (888) 989-0054 or (603) 926-2888. You can also send an e-mail to jdh@revenuebanking.com, or visit www.RevenueBanking.com.

Appreciating depreciation. Cost segregation studies deliver earlier than expected tax breaks for commercial property owners.Read More