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Neponset Valley Chamber of Commerce
Business Connection
October 2011
In This Issue
New Members
Member News
From the President
Free Quickbooks Seminars
Upcoming Events
Business Opinion Survey
Member Spotlight
Mega Business Expo

New Members  

 

Boston Executive Helicopters - Norwood 

   

Granite Family Chiropractic and Nutrition - Dedham

 

Law Office of John A. Rothstein - Canton  

 

Music Schools International - Hyde Park  

 

Patch Media - Boston 

 

Seasons Hospice & Palliative Care - Auburndale 

 

VistaCare Hospice - Southborough  

  

 

 

Member Affinity Programs

 

You can save hundreds of dollars by taking advantage of our Member Affinity programs.  Just click on the links below for details. 

 

 

Chambermail

 

UPS

 


 
   

               

 

 

 

 

 

 

2011 Chairman's Circle

 

Gold Sponsors

 

 
Needham Bank 
bank of canton logo
Silver Sponsors

dedham savings

 

MHTL logo

 

Rising Star

wluka logo

 Member News

 

Join 10th Annual "Stepping Up" for Sinai Walkathon October 16th

 

 

Walk with Sinai on Sunday, October 16, 2011 and help support seniors. You'll feel great knowing you are helping a worthy cause and you'll also enjoy the camaraderie of others who want to do the same. The 10th annual Stepping Up Walkathon begins and ends at New England Sinai Hospital and follows 3.2 mile loop around the neighborhood. Registration begins at 8:30 am; the Walk begins at 9:30 am. Proceeds raised will fund scholarships to Sinai's Adult Day Health Program, which has been providing safe and attentive care since 1983.
 

These vital scholarships are awarded to qualified seniors from Stoughton and 19 surrounding communities. Without them, families often have no other choice but to move their loved ones into a nursing home. For every $55 raised, one day of scholarship can be awarded, and since 2001 the Rotary has made 174,000 thousand scholarship hours available to families in need, about 3,247 days of adult day health care with Sinai. Walk individually, in teams, become a sponsor or recommend sponsors who may be interested in participating.

 

 

Residents and businesses from Stoughton and surrounding communities (Sharon, Canton, Easton, Foxboro, Braintree, Holbrook, Avon, Brockton, Randolph, Bridgewater, Walpole and others) are invited to participate. Sinai and the Rotary Community Corps Adult Day Health Care Program, a not-for-profit organization of 13 area Rotary Clubs, host this Walkathon. Walk individually, in teams, become a sponsor or recommend sponsors who may be interested in participating.

 

 For more information, contact Susan Dowling at ext. 1153 or at [email protected]. To make a donation, and let family and friends know you're walking and request their support visit www.firstgiving.com/fundraiser/sinaiwalk/2011

 

NVCC 2012 Member to Member Guide Ad Sales Have Begun

 

 

No increase in rates for 2012-

PLUS

Early order discounts available for ads

    ordered or renewed by October 14, 2011

 

Here are just a few of the reasons to advertise in this publication:

 

                       

 �   High quality publication, always gets noticed and read and is distributed free to EVERY current chamber member, all NEW members throughout the year, and distributed to other high visibility areas.

 

 �   A reader friendly relocation guide for businesses with a variety of town and municipal information.

 

 �  The only major publication of the year for the NVCC.

 

�  Members use this guide almost every day, all year long, making it an invaluable networking tool!

�  There is no better way to reach your fellow business owner in the Neponset Valley.

�  Supplement your membership listing by buying advertising to highlight your company's products,  services and website.

 

 

To take advantage of this early order discount, email [email protected], call 781-821-1818, or click here to download the reservation form and spec sheet with rates.

 

Remember -- premium positions go fast so if you want a prime ad location, act early.

 

This discount offer lasts only until October 14, 2011 --  ACT NOW!

 

MAKE A WISE INVESTMENT IN THE FUTURE OF YOUR BUSINESS.

 

 
 

Board of Directors

 

Chairman of the Board
*Anthony F. Caruso

Bank of Canton

 

Chair-Elect
*Kevin Hallinan
WINNING, Inc.

 

Treasurer

*Mike Moran
Dedham Institution for Savings

 

General Counsel
*Sabina T. Herlihy, Esq.
Law Offices of Sabina T. Herlihy

 

Immediate Past Chairman

*Steve Fradkin

The Wizard of Adz

 

Previous Past Chairman

*Peter Chase

Truelove, Dee & Chase, LLP

 

President/CEO
*Thomas O'Rourke

Neponset Valley Chamber of Commerce

 

Dana Bottorff

G. T. Reilly & Company

 

 Michael Cecere, CPA

Gray, Gray & Gray, LLP

 

Paul Chaggaris
Walpole Cooperative Bank

 

Linda Dillon
Century 21/Access Properties - Dillon

 

Kathy Ekberg

Mercer
 
 

Debbie Ellis

QRGA, LLP

 

Pierce Haley, Esq.
Serlin|Haley LLP

 

Jackie Halfond

Christina's Fireside Grille

 

Chris Herlihy

Shotgunflat

 

John Holiver
Norwood Hospital

 

Brian Johnson

Doc Shredding Corp.

 

Beth Rosenberg King
Wells Fargo Advisors

 

Willard Krasnow, Esq.

Constangy, Brooks & Smith, LLP

 

Nancy Levine

NationStar Mortgage

 

Greg Martin

Cramer

 

*Peter McFarland

The Allied Group

 

*Mary Raczka

HESSCO Elder Services

 

Peter Rice

Eastern Bank

 

*Katherine Touafek

School to Careers Partnership

 

Monty Vaughn
Murphy, Hesse, Toomey & Lehane, LLP

 

Jean Whelan

Siemens Healthcare Diagnostics

*David P. Wolicki, Esq.
 
Law Offices of David P. Wolicki

 

*Member of the Executive Committee

 

 

 

Did you know that the Chamber offers FREE business counseling services at our offices?  

MSBDC
  
The Massachusetts Small Business Development Center (MSBDC) Network (MSBDC) provides free and confidential business advisory services.  For more information on the MSBDC or to make an appointment to meet with a counselor at the NVCC Office, visit their website or call (508) 673-9783.
score 

NVCC offers free SCORE COUNSELING at the NVCC office on Thursdays, by appointment. 

 

To register call (781) 769-1126. 

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View our profile on LinkedIn

 

Follow us on Twitter

 

View our videos on YouTube

 

 

 

From the President

 

 

Don't Be Afraid to EXPOse Yourself

Decently of course, but it is important for most businesses to have exposure. There are myriad ways in which you can gain exposure for your company. Many are free, others come at a price. I won't pretend to know what's best for your business, but I can suggest a few ways that you can use the Chamber to promote your businesses products and services.

ParticipatTom. New pice in our Mega Business Expo - this annual event is fast approaching (Thursday, October 20th) and puts your company in front of hundreds of potential customers. There will be 150 companies from all sectors participating and representing 3 regional chambers of commerce; Neponset Valley, Tri-Town and Milford Regional. For information be sure to read the EXPO article below.

Get out and network - In this economy, perhaps more than ever, there is nothing like getting out and meeting people face to face. What better way to build lasting business relationships than by shaking someone's hand and asking them about their business. Our networking events are held in the morning, at noon and in the evening. We even added a mid-afternoon program that will debut on Wednesday, October 12th at TGI Friday's, so there's no excuse for fitting it into your busy schedule. If you haven't been to a networking meeting before you may be uncomfortable going to your first. I can assure you that our Ambassadors, Board, facilitators, and staff will make you feel welcome and help introduce you to people you need to meet.

Place your sticker on the door - Nothing says, "I'm a proud member of the Chamber" than your membership decal. It also says, "I care about and support my community" and perhaps most importantly, "I can be trusted." Need proof? A recent national study revealed that consumers are 63% more likely to buy goods and services from a company that is a member of the chamber of commerce. They are also 57% more likely to think positively of its local reputation. So let the world know about your membership. If you need a decal, please let us know, and we will get it to you asap.

Place your sticker on your website and anywhere else - Of course not everyone has a business that is conducive to the traditional membership sticker. That's why we also have available an electronic version that you can download.   By doing this you can place the sticker on your website, in your email signature, on your letterhead, marketing pieces and wherever else you want to be seen. To access your downloadable membership decal simply click here.

So maximize the exposure of your business by utilizing some of the options available to you through your Chamber membership. There is nothing to lose and much to gain.

Tom O'Rourke

President and CEO

 

 

 Norwood Bank

 

 

 

Help Your Business with Two Great Workshops

The NVCC will be hosting two basic business workshops on October 5th at the Chamber office aimed at assisting potential and existing entrepreneurs.

The free workshops are being led by SEED Corporation in cooperation with the Norwood Economic Development Committee and Norwood Bank.

The first of these workshops entitled "Learn the Fundamentals in Planning, Preparing, and Financing Your Business" will be held in the morning. This workshop is geared toward helping potential entrepreneurs evaluate and understand the fundamentals of owning one's own business. Information on how to get started, where and how to get financing and the loan application process will be presented. Attendees will also be provided with a free guide to writing a business plan and other materials.

The second workshop entitled "Understanding the Purpose of Financial Statements and How They Can Help Determine the Health of Your Business" will be held in the afternoon. The focus of this workshop is to help attendees understand a balance sheet, income statement, and cash flow statement. The workshop also explains how a small-business owner can anticipate financial needs in order to operate his/her or her business more efficiently. Breakfast and lunch will be provided free of charge to attendees.

Please call SEED Corporation at 508-822-1020, to register for either or both sessions. 

hub

'QuickBooks for Small Business' workshops
sponsored by G.T. Reilly & Company

Neponset Valley Chamber of Commerce programs will help small business owners leverage their productivity, profitability

Small business owners will learn how to leverage their productivity and profitability at two workshops sponsored by G.T. Reilly & Company and the Neponset Valley Chamber ofgtr Commerce on Monday, Oct. 17 and Monday, November 7, from 8:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. each day at the Chamber office in Norwood.

On Oct. 17, "QuickBooks for Small Business: The Basics" will help beginning QuickBooks' users get started by learning to use features for billing, receivables, time tracking and other simple functions.

On November 7, "QuickBooks for Small Business: Beyond the Basics" will help business owners who are already using QuickBooks for invoicing utilize the software's more advanced features, including customization of reports and forms, job costing, online banking, year-end tips and tricks, and troubleshooting.

Participants may attend either one of the workshops or both.

"In this economy, small business owners need to get a handle on their finances and use all the tools at their disposal to improve profitability," says Gina Weinstock, a Certified QuickBooks Advanced Pro Advisor who will lead the workshop. Weinstock works with Reilly Business Services, which provides bookkeeping services, payroll preparation, financial statements and income tax returns for small businesses, in addition to QuickBooks support.

These workshops are free of charge to chamber members, but registration is required and seating is limited. The charge for non-chamber members is $25. A continental breakfast will be provided.

 

 

October 17 easy registration

November 7 easy registration

 

Needhambank ad

 

In This Economy, Don't Pass Up Opportunities to Give Your Business an Edge

  

  

Chamber events and programs are networking opportunities, and a way for you to showcase your business, enhance professional development and build relationships in the Neponset Valley Region and beyond.

 

While it is work, it is not difficult, and it can be fun and productive with the right plan of action.

 Cristoff Shay

The most important first step is to know your reason for going to networking functions and programs; what do you hope to get out of it? Knowing the answer will help you develop a system for successfully disseminating the right information about your business, creating leads that further your company's goals, and gaining insight into helping your business thrive in uncertain times.

 

If you are unsure of what your plan should be, join us for a "How to Network" Seminar, or one of our many business seminars and let us show you the ropes to successful and beneficial networking. Remember these programs are designed for you, our member.

 

Regardless of what your purpose is for attending a program, you must understand that it is never about getting the sale at the meeting. Networking is about building relationships! Remember people only buy from those they know and trust, especially in this fragile economy.
 
   

The Chamber has a full calendar of programs and events designed for YOUR business needs. Check it out; I promise you will be happy you did, and as always, I am here to help you and answer any of your questions.

 

 

 

Cristoff Shay

Director of Programs

[email protected]

 

Upcoming Chamber Events

  

Thursday, October 6

HR Council with Colleen Reardon, Human resource Manager at the Bank of Canton.

 

8-9:00 am

NVCC Office

190 Vanderbilt Avenue

Norwood, Ma

FREE

 

Wednesday, October 12

Afternoon Networking at T.G.I.Fridays-Norwood

 

3-5:00pm

T.G.I.Fridays

1345 Boston Providence Highway (Route 1)

Norwood, MA

$25 Members, $50 Non-members

 

Thursday, October 20

"Maximize Your R.O.E.I."

(Return on Expo Investment) with Kevin Hallinan of WINNING, Inc.

 

2-3:00pm

Christina's

Route 1

Foxboro, MA

FREE

 

Thursday, October 20

"Managing your Business Social Reputation" with Jen Vondenbrink of LifeSimplified

 

4-5:00pm

Christina's

Route 1

Foxboro, MA

FREE

 

Thursday, October 20

Mega Business Expo

 

3-7:00pm

Christina's

Route 1

Foxboro, MA

FREE Admission

*Interested in exhibiting? Click here

 

Thursday, October 20

Business After Hours

 

5-7:00pm

Christina's

Route 1

Foxboro, MA

FREE

  

Friday, November 4

Speaker Series with Barbara Anthony, Undersecretary of Consumer Affairs and Business Regulations AffAffairs.

  

7:45-9:15am

Holiday Inn

55 Ariadne Road

Dedham, MA

$20 Members, $30 Non-members, $15 Facebook Fans (Members of the Chamber only)

 

Tuesday, November 8

"How to Network" with Kevin Hallinan

 

10:30-11:30am

Buca di Beppo

233 Elm Street

Dedham, MA

$25 Members, $50 Non-members, $15 Facebook Fans (Members of the Chamber only)

 

 

Tuesday, November 8

Noon Networking

 

12-1:30pm

Buca di Beppo

233 Elm Street

Dedham, MA

$25 Members, $50 Non-members, $15 Facebook Fans (Members of the Chamber only)

  

  

Tuesday, November 15

Did You Know? The Changes to Employment Law Affecting You! with Georgia Critsley, General Council for the Department of Justice Criminal Information Services

 

7:45-9:15am

Holiday Inn

55 Ariadne Road

Dedham, MA

$20 Members, $30 Non-members, $15 Facebook Fans (Members of the Chamber only)

 

Thursday, November 17

Business After Hours

 

5:30-7:30pm

Napper Tandy's

46 Day Street

Norwood, MA

$10 Members, $20 Non-Members

Netclub accepted

 

Wednesday, November 30

Holiday Kick-Off

5:30-7:30pm

Bar Louie

Patriot Place

Foxboro, MA

$15 Members, $25 Non-Members, $10 Facebook Fans (Members of the Chamber only)

 

   

Easy registration  for these great events

pioneer 
 

Please Take our Business Opinion Survey
 

 

One of our key missions at the NVCC is to be a conduit for information on important policy issues that affect your business. Additionally, from time to time, the NVCC will take a stand on certain issues that may impact our members and our communities.

 

To ensure that we focus on the right issues, we want to hear from you about what matters.  To that end, our statewide association of Chambers of Commerce (MACCE) is partnering with Pioneer Institute, a public policy think tank, on a business opinion survey so that we may accurately gauge the feelings of businesses across the Commonwealth on our business climate. By adding your voice alongside thousands of other chamber members, we can gain the information we need to have a real impact on Beacon Hill.

 

I encourage you, please take a moment to fill out the survey by clicking HERE

 

MACCE will be issuing the results of the survey in the coming months and using the results throughout the year to inform you about the issues that matter to you. 

 

Like all Chambers in Massachusetts, we owe our effectiveness to the active participation of members like you.  Thank you for your time and participation. 

 

Tom O'Rourke

 

 

Know your
 
WELCOME!
 

The NVCC is pleased to welcome Denise Flynne to its staff.  Denise, who began working as our new Financial and Office Manager today, replaces Sharon Stoller, who recently left to pursue another opportunity.  Denise has strong bookkeeping and accounting skills and is returning to the workforce after taking time off to raise her children who are now in elementary school.  She is a Westwood native who lives in Norwood and knows the Neponset Valley area very well.   She has a BS in Finance from Fairfield University and spent six years with Investors Bank & Trust Company working in Mutual Fund Accounting and Financial Reporting.

Please join us in welcoming Denise to the team.  She can be reached at 781-769-1126, or [email protected].

 
 

  

Member Spotlight

 

American Alarm

 

American Alarm was founded in 1971 by three engineers from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) who have worked to bring the benefits of new technology and systems to our customers. Though we have grown over the years, our mission has remained the same: to provide the best possible security technologyAmerican Alarm and customer service to protect homes and businesses across New England.

American Alarm is now New England's largest independent security systems integration and monitoring company, with offices in Arlington, Randolph and Worcester Massachusetts, and Windham, New Hampshire. We have a fleet of over 65 vans staffed by fully-licensed technicians available for routine service calls or emergency repairs. At our 24-hour Security Command Center, American Alarm keeps watch over all types of property from single-family homes to multi-site banks and retail operations to major public and historic venues.

 

For more information about American Alarm and how we can help you with your electronic security needs please contact Karen Oliveira at 781-859-2058.

 


 
 

 

*Businesses featured in the Member Spotlight are chosen from attendees of the  Networking Events. Sign up today for the next Networking for your business' chance to be highlighted in the NVCC Business Connection. 

 

Afternoon Networking at T.G.I.Fridays

 


Get Ahead of the Pack! 

 

Expo Logo 2011

 

 

Showcase and promote your product or services at the Mega Business EXPO, a collaborative of the Neponset Valley, Tri-town, and Milford Area Chambers of Commerce, on Thursday, October 20, 2011 at Christina's in Foxboro.

 

For 10 years, this event has given exhibitors the opportunity to expose their organizations to the public and other businesses from three chamber areas. This is one of the biggest networking events of its kind in the area with over 150 exhibitors and oveGray Gray & Gray Expo Sponsor r 1000 attendees translating to huge returns on investment. 

 

The evening also features a Business After Hours, sponsored by Dedham Savings, complimentary food and a cash bar, seminars, and prizes. For maximum exposure consider taking a high-visibility sponsorship which includes advertising, premier exhibit space, and custom ceiling banners.

 

In challenging economic times one must set themselves apart from the competition; let the Mega Business Expo move your organization ahead of the pack. Register today as booth space is limited.

 

 

As an added bonus, the Chambers will offer the following free seminars:

 

 

Thursday, October 20, 2011 2-3:00 pm at Christina's Route One in Foxboro "Maximize your R.O.E.I (Return On Expo Investment)-Quantifying Opportunities and Best "Next" Step Practices for Getting the Most from Your EXPO Experience" with Kevin Hallinan-WINNING Inc.

 

Thursday, October 20, 2011 4-5:00 pm at Christina's Route One in Foxboro 

"Managing Your Business Social Reputation"  

 Do you know what people are saying about your business on line?

with Jen Vondenbrink-LifeSimplified.



If you are interested in attending the free seminars, please email Cristoff at [email protected].

 

 

Christina's

2 Washington Street (Route 1)

Foxboro, MA

More information

Easy registration and pricing 

Print and mail your application  
 

 

 

 

 

HR Corner

 

The NLRB has been making news recently with decisions and proposals that have outraged business groups.

 

Decision #1: All companies MUST put up a new poster which tells in detail, how to unionize.  It is big, 11 by 17 inches.  This will have a strong possibility of heavy fines for non-posting.  

 

Decision #2: If an employee makes disparaging remarks on Facebook or any other social media, about you or the Company, and another employee responds to it, you CANNOT take action against them.  The NLRB considers these a prelude to unionizing and therefore it is protected.

 

To justify the poster, the NLRB said many workers may not be familiar with labor law. Few workers are represented by unions, it said, and the same goes for the growing number of immigrant workers.

 

The poster says that employees can "form, join or assist a union" and that employers are not allowed to "fire, demote, or transfer you because you join or support a union."

It also says that unions cannot "threaten or coerce you in order to gain your support for the union" and that unions may not "refuse to process a grievance because you have criticized union officials." It directs employees to a toll-free number and the NLRB's website.

In some ways, it will be just another poster - one of a handful in company break rooms, tacked up near the yellowed notices about minimum wage, workers' compensation, and remedies for racial and ethnic discrimination on the job.

Just another poster, but...

In the last two weeks, three major employer groups have filed federal lawsuits against the National Labor Relations Board, saying it overstepped its bounds August 25, when it set new regulations requiring employers to hang the posters.

The posters must go up by November 14, 2011.

Submitted by:

Sheldon Prenovitz

Administrative Business Resources

10025 Ambassador Drive

Westborough, MA 01581

(617) 747-3970

[email protected]

www.abresourceshr.com

 
w your target audienceo are your most important customers, clients or prospects, and why? Know what is important to them and address their needs in your newsletter each month. Include a photo to make your newsletter even more appealing.

 

Insert a "read on" link at the bottom of your article to drive traffic to your website. Links are tracked, allowing you to see which articles create the most interest for your readers.

 

 

Reach thousands of business owners by advertising with the chamber. 

 

Rates and information 

Neponset Valley Chamber of Commerce

190 Vanderbilt Avenue

Norwood, MA 02062

(781) 769-1126

www.nvcc.com