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Former corporate executive opts to fly ‘coach’…Eric Simmons becomes ActionCOACH firm builder for state of Delaware.

Eric Simmons

DOVER, DELAWARE…

ActionCOACH’s GulfAtlantic region recently announced Magnolia, Delaware resident Eric Simmons as its new firm builder for the state of Delaware.

With more than 1,000 offices in 26 countries, ActionCOACH is the number one business coaching firm in the world. In his role as firm builder, Simmons will be seeking the talents of entrepreneurial Delawareans to become business coaches. In addition, he will also be coaching small business owners as an ActionCOACH Certified Business Coach.

“Eric has worked for a veritable who’s who of companies—Proctor & Gamble, Frito Lay, to name a few. Yet his experience at those companies was working with small groups or units within the company,” said Karen Boyd, Master Licensee of ActionCOACH’s GulfAtlantic region. “That will serve him well as a firm builder and enable him to help his small business clients achieve a high level of success.”

Prior to embarking on his career in Corporate America, Simmons attended the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland and received a bachelor of science degree in engineering. While serving in the Navy, he earned an MBA at University of North Florida.

In addition to Proctor & Gamble and Frito Lay, Simmons worked as an executive at James River Corporation and Playtex Products.

 So, why does somebody who spent his professional life in the military and with some of the larger corporations in America choose to go into business for himself?

“I have a true passion for helping small businesses because I truly believe that small businesses are the key to economic recovery in this country,” said Simmons. “ActionCOACH truly has tapped into a formula that helps small businesses achieve great things and that was something I wanted to be a part of at this stage of my career.”

Married with four grown children, Simmons and his wife Graceann reside in Magnolia, Delaware.

About ActionCOACH

ActionCOACH is the world’s #1 business coaching firm and executive coaching firm. Operating in 26 countries, the franchise has more than 1,000 offices around the world. That includes locations in the five states (and Washington DC) that make up the GulfAtlantic region: Alabama (Pelham); Delaware; Louisiana (Baton Route, Loranger, Mandeville, New Orleans and Shreveport); Maryland (Baltimore, Freeland, Fallston, Manchester, Rockland, Silver Spring); and Mississippi (Madison).

Founded in 1993, the ActionCOACH has received numerous awards including Fastest Growing Franchise, Franchisee Satisfaction, Best Overall Company and has been named the number one business coaching franchise for more than five years running.

For information on ActionCOACH Founder Brad Sugars’ 2010 “Business is Booming” North American tour, please visit, http://businessisboomingtour.com/. 

To learn more about working with an ActionCOACH or the ActionCOACH franchise opportunity, contact Karen Boyd, www.karenboyd.actioncoach.comwww.karenboyd.actioncoach.com, (410) 374-3536.

Orlando tops five… DirectBuy of Orlando South celebrates fifth anniversary.

ORLANDO, FLORIDA…

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

“We’re extremely excited by our fifth anniversary,” said Brian Cohen, owner of DirectBuy of Orlando South. “In an economy where companies are closing doors, we’re seeing growth both in members and the number of manufacturers who want to sell their products through DirectBuy. As the economy is showing signs of improvement, we’re even more excited about the next five years.”

The leading home improvement and furnishings club with direct insider prices, DirectBuy of Orlando South offers products ranging from light fixtures to televisions to kitchen cabinets, from more than 700 manufacturers or their authorized suppliers at direct insider prices. DirectBuy Club also offers design and delivery services to its members, as well as a listing of local contractors who offer installation services, many times at a discounted rate.

“The economy of the past few years has made DirectBuy Club even more important to families looking to save money on their home improvement projects and home furnishings,” said Cohen. “We’re thankful for the relationships we’ve established over our first five years and look forward to helping even more families in the years to come.”

Since 2005, DirectBuy of Orlando South 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 manufacturers and their authorized suppliers. Conveniently located at 502 Sunport Lane, Suite 400 in Orlando, DirectBuy Club offers consumers a comfortable setting where they finally have the financial control of buying direct.

About DirectBuy Club

For more than 39 years, DirectBuy Club 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 150 locations in North America, DirectBuy Club offers its members access to more than 700 brand-name manufacturers or their authorized suppliers in the U.S. and more than 500 brand-name manufacturers or their authorized suppliers in Canada.

Consumers interested in seeing DirectBuy Club’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.

South Shore Skin Center Providers Attend the American Academy of Dermatology Conference in Miami

Dr. Richard Eisen of South Shore Skin Center, one of the most progressive dermatology practices in Massachusetts with offices in Cohasset and Plymouth, recently attended the American Academy of Dermatology’s (AAD) 68th Annual Meeting while Ms. Kathy Fleming of South Shore Skin Center attended the American Dermatologic Administrators Managers (ADA-M) meeting. Both meetings were held in Miami.

The four-day AAD event, which was held at the Miami Beach Convention Center, featured over 1,300 faculty presenting cutting-edge dermatology as well as more than 370 sessions covering practice management, patient safety, leadership and maintenance of certification as well as the advances in the diagnosis, management and treatment of disease of the skin, hair, nails and mucous membranes.

A recognized expert in laser therapy, Dr. Eisen learned more about the newest laser and aesthetic technologies available for both medical and cosmetic treatments. Other topics covered included surgical techniques, cutting-edge melanoma and non-melanoma skin cancer treatment, photo and photodynamic therapy and skin resurfacing and rejuvenation.

Ms. Fleming, who is South Shore Skin Center’s Cohasset Office Manager, attended sessions on patient communication, coding, documentation and practice management.

South Shore Skin Center providers regularly attend training and seminars to remain well informed of new dermatologic conditions, as well as the latest treatments and procedures.

South Shore Skin Center

South Shore Skin Center is one of Massachusetts’ most progressive dermatology practices offering a wide range of medical, surgical and cosmetic services. Having outgrown their previous office at Resnik Road in Plymouth, South Shore Skin Center has recently relocated to the 6,600 square-foot third floor of One Scobee Circle in Plymouth.

South Shore Skin Center’s cosmetic services include Fraxel re:pair and re:store; Gentle YAG, innovative Laser, IPL (Intensive Pulse Light), Thermage and treatments for age spots, acne scarring, birth marks, tattoos and more. The practice also offers a full range of affordable anti-aging services including Botox, Radiesse, Sculptra and other wrinkle fillers, Microdermabrasion, laser skin resurfacing and chemical peels. Anti-Aging and Cosmetic treatments are both safer and more effective when administered at a physician’s office such as South Shore Skin Center and Medical Spa.

South Shore Skin Center offices are located at 223 Chief Justice Cushing Highway, Suite 202 in Cohasset, Mass. (781) 383-3340, and One Scobee Circle in Plymouth, Mass., (508) 747-0711. For more information, visit the website at www.southshoreskincenter.com.

New Hampshire-based company recognized for branding verve and shares the secret.

GOFFSTOWN, NEW HAMPSHIRE…

Jack Child, Founder and CEO of BLACK DAWG SEALCOAT and BLACK DAWG FRANCHISE GROUP, was chosen by Entrepreneur.com as one of ten entrepreneurs whose work exemplifies the reach of building a powerful brand.

“It was very flattering when they called to do the story,” Child recalled, “The fact Entrepreneur.com knew about us and were impressed by our work speaks volumes about the power and potential in creating a strong brand.”

Child started BLACK DAWG SEALCOAT four years ago in southern New Hampshire, providing asphalt maintenance services to residential and commercial customers. He began selling franchises the next year and now has operations in New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Connecticut, Ohio, and Kentucky, with prospects for more franchises in New York, Maine and Pennsylvania.

“I knew from the start the key to any success would be to build a recognizable brand. The asphalt maintenance industry is dominated by companies that do very little in terms of brand recognition. That was the opportunity I saw for a different way of providing these services,” said Child.

BLACK DAWG SEALCOAT takes its name from Child’s black Labrador Retriever, Olive. Her image is on everything BLACK DAWG – the sides of the trucks, yard signs, the uniforms the crews wear, hats, their signature smart car, Facebook and Twitter, the website – everywhere. “The dog sells. There is no doubt about it, but simply having a clever logo or name isn’t enough to build a brand. It is just the start. Having a cohesive plan and executing that plan is the difference between success and something less.”

Child’s advice for building brand recognition is to follow three (and a half) steps.

1)                  Reverse Engineer Your Brand – “Too often businesses view their marketing, their customer service and their products as flowing from them to the customer. Turn it around. Look at your business, your products and services, your brand, from your customer’s point of view and build to satisfy their needs – not your own. Our graphics – the black and yellow, the image of Olive – all reinforce what our business is about, but it also connects to our customers in a very direct way that makes it easy for them to consider doing business with us and we then back it up with very open, customer-oriented interactions.”

2)                  Say What You Mean, Mean What You Say – “Mark Twain once said, ‘The difference between the right word and the almost right word is the difference between the lighting and the lightning bug.’ All the research into choosing the colors, hiring a graphic designer, building a website, maintaining a presence on social media networks and all the other tools of building a brand won’t matter at all if you don’t deliver for your customers. Everything you say or do in print, on-line and on the phone has to be backed up 100% in the field.  We call it branding, but back in my father’s day it was called your reputation”.

3)                  A Constant State of Promotion – “Businesses need to organize their efforts so that everything they do, every touch, every interaction with clients, with potential clients, with the pubic, reinforces their brand. A logo isn’t enough – that’s part of it, but that alone won’t build your brand.  We use strong visuals to get people’s attention, but it is everything we do once we have their attention that drives our success. Your brand is a 24/7 goodwill ambassador. Back up everything with stellar service and you’ll have achieved what I call “A Constant State of Promotion.”

As for the last step, Step 3.5, Child says, “This can be the hardest of them all. Once you’ve seen your business from your customer’s eyes, once you’ve nailed down your deliverables, once you’ve put yourself in a constant state of promotion, there’s one more thing to do – don’t be obnoxious about it. If you’re at a networking event, a chamber mixer or a convention, don’t shove your business card in everyone’s hand or shout over everyone about you and your brand. Listen. Listen to what people say to you about their brand. If you’ve done your work, they’ll notice you, they’ll pay attention and they’ll come to you with questions. It’s how it worked out for us with Entrepreneur.com, and it is how we go about our business every day.”

For further proof of how well this approach works, Child points out he is launching YELLOW DAWG LINE STRIPING and BLUE DAWG POWER WASH this year and has already pre-sold four of these franchises.

For more information about BLACK DAWG and to see pictures of Olive, the “Boss”, visit www.BlackDawgFranchise.com , or call 1-800-998-DAWG (3294). Look for Jack’s upcoming e-book – A Constant State of Promotion – online this summer.

Walter Koenig Named Worcester Area Account Manager at Webster One Source

Webster One Source, providers of fine commercial printing, promotional specialty premiums, and complete mailing/fulfillment services with locations in West Boylston and Hanson has recently named Walter Koenig as Account Manager for the Worcester area.

Koenig has been working in Inside Sales at Webster One Source since 2008. Previously, Koenig was an Account Coordinator and Inside Salesperson at LaVigne, Inc. of Worcester for 26 years. He holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts from UMass Dartmouth.

A native of Holden, MA, Koenig resides in Auburn with his wife, two daughters and two dogs. When he’s not working, he enjoys spending tiime with his family, fishing, art, photography, racquetball and hiking.

“Walter has the knowledge and experience that is essential to this position. His background in traditional print and inside sales will serve us well as we continue to expand our business by growing our mailing facility in the Worcester area,” noted Ernie Foster, president of Webster One Source who is also a Worcester native.

Webster One Source is growing substantially in the Worcester area and will be hiring for future positions. To inquire, contact Brenda Milestone via email at brenda.milestone@websteronesource.com.

One Source. Unlimited Possibilities™

Since 1955, Webster One Source has provided fine commercial printing to local, regional and national clients. Led by Ernie Foster, a Worcester native, Webster One Source, was formerly known as Webster Printing and Mailing of Hanson and Webster Fulfillment of Worcester before the two merged in 2008. Renowned as a “one-stop-shop” and named a “Boston Top 25 Printer” by the Boston Business Journal, Webster One Source’s niche is “space on demand” storage along with complete fulfillment “pick/pack” services. Their complete suite of services includes digital and offset printing; next generation online print solutions and e-procurement; advertising specialties and promotional materials; storage and fulfillment; distribution and warehousing; full-service bindery; integrated marketing support and complete direct mail solutions.

One of the first green printers south of Boston, Webster One Source is an FSC Certified printer.

Additionally, the company has recently invested $3M in new environmentally friendly presses that use fewer chemicals and less energy.

Webster One Source is located at 1069 West Washington Street in Hanson and 100 Hartwell Street in West Boylston. For more information, contact the West Boylston office at 508-835-6234 or Hanson office at 781-447-5484 or visit www.websteronesource.com.

Brockton Mayor to Deliver Meals on April 29th as Part of “Mayors For Meals” National Initiative

Brockton Mayor Linda Balzotti will show her support of the Meals On Wheels programs in Broctkon by delivering meals to seniors on April 29, 2010.

Traditionally, “Mayors For Meals Day”, an annual national campaign with participation from more than 1,000 mayors across the country, is held in March on the date designated by the Meals On Wheels Association of America (MOWAA). Due to scheduling conflicts, the event in Brockton is planned for April 29th.

Mayor Balzotti and OCES staff members will deliver the noontime meals to Meals On Wheels clients at their homes.

Old Colony Elder Services (OCES) of Brockton participates in this campaign each year, which is designed to increase public awareness, recruit new volunteers and encourage local fundraising.

“We have many seniors in Brockton who are unable to get to the grocery store or to one of our congregate meal sites. The Meals On Wheels program is absolutely essential to them as they would otherwise not get a nutritious daily meal,” noted OCES Executive Director Diana DiGiorgi.

The Meals On Wheels program serves Brockton residents age 60 and over, as well as disabled residents under 60. Both the Meals On Wheels program and the congregate meal sites rely on help from volunteers. Meals On Wheels currently needs volunteer drivers to deliver meals to elders throughout the Brockton area. Volunteer drivers typically deliver 15-20 meals a day, between 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. and are reimbursed for mileage. Volunteers are needed Monday through Friday, yet they may help out for any number of days per week that they desire.

Volunteers are also needed to set up, bag and distribute meals at the Belair, Manning, Caffrey and Campello congregate meal sites.

Anyone who is interested in volunteering at least two hours per week as a Meals On Wheels driver or as a helper at one of the congregate meal sites, contact Shawn Smith, Nutrition Director at OCES at (508) 584-1561.

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

OCES offers a number of programs to serve seniors, families and caregivers such as Family Caregiver; Adult Family Care; Supportive Housing; Nutrition; Money Management; Protective Services; Home Care and more.

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 agency has 140 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 http://www.oldcolonyelderservices.org.