THE BEDFORD BANNER
                                   May  2013     
  

 
In This Issue
The ONE FUND BOSTON
Spring Cleaning
What the Chamber did in April
LABB
Bedford First
Alewife Shuttle to Crosby Drive
Chamber Connections
I am a Bedford Business
Facebook
THE ONE FUND BOSTON
Pride Ride 
   

 In the weeks since the Marathon Bombings, hundreds of lives have been changed forever and four have been lost. Though the anger still simmers and the pain is raw, there are many examples of kindness and stories of heroism. It is these acts of courage, that give the rest of us hope, knowing that even in the most darkest moments of humanity,  

there is light.

 

Mark your calendar and join Summit Health & Fitness on June 2nd as they raise money   -  Details to follow  

 


onefund  

SPRING CLEANING FOR YOUR BUSINESS


Whether you are a new business owner or a seasoned veteran, it is always a wise idea to take some time to re-evaluate, clean up and organize your business. You will be surprised how a little spring cleaning can go a long way to improving your business and even boosting your profits.

Follow this simple spring cleaning advice and give your business the boost it needs for great success and profits.

Create a Plan of Attack

First of all, you should sit down and create a plan of attack for your spring cleaning. So, start with a plan. Write your ideas down and then organize them into chronological categories based on due dates-when you want things to be done.

Re-organize to Re-evaluate

Start off nice and easy. A good step to get you going in your spring cleaning would be to clean up your regular workspace. Not only could this help you get organized, but it could also help generate ideas for your plan. Try to clear off your desk, create files and organize your papers. This is a good thing to do periodically, not just at the beginning, middle and end of the year.

As you look around your office, think about how else you can better organize your business. For me, technology comes to mind. There are always new products and services emerging, and some of them are very helpful for our line of work. Using newer technology will make you and your staff more efficient and effective. Your business will thrive by investing in new technology.

It is important to strike a good balance between technology for paper. In order to avoid any serious problems now or in your future, be sure you back up your electronic files. There are some very inexpensive products on the market that stand to save you a huge sum of money should you ever experience a major computer malfunction. Such products include Carbonite, which runs about $60 per year, or Dropbox which is actually free if you use a certain amount of space.

The bottom line here is take some time in your spring cleaning to ensure your systems are working and you are backing up every bit of data and information you store on your electronic systems.

Spruce up Your Marketing & Online Presence

Next up-your website. It's easy to lose sight of what's going on with your website when you are busy making deals. However, your website is an important element of your business. And it is an integral component of your marketing success (as well as your business success). Take some time now to evaluate and clean up any issues with your website.

You should first check to be sure your site is completely up to date. Check all dates and more importantly, all links. A broken link can mean lost business and lost profits. Fix those links now!

Speaking of marketing, don't wait until an entire year goes by before you evaluate your marketing plan and efforts. Why wait when you could fix a problem now. If your efforts aren't garnering you much business, changes things up. Waiting will only waste time and money.

Whether your current marketing efforts are going smoothly or not, spring is always a good time to implement a fresh approach to your outreach. A good friend of mine in the Midwest recently launched his own live online real estate talk show. He streams live every week. He's publicizing his show throughout the industry and into the general business community as well. More and more people are beginning to know his name. Talk about creative!

Clean Up Those Contacts & Get Networking

As we all know, networking is a huge part of being successful. Now is a good time to make sure you have all of your contacts in good working order. Take some time with your notes, business cards, etc. to review names and faces and conversations.

While you are organizing some of your newer contacts, make sure you don't forget about older contacts. Clean up your database (or Rolodex) and take note of contacts you may not have spoken with nor done business with recently. Then, set aside some time to reach out to them. Keep your contacts fresh. You never know when your next business opportunity might arise-it could come from an old contact.

Take advantage of that fresh and new frame of mind that spring brings and spring clean your business to get on track for greater success through the second half of the year... and beyond. Re-evaluate, clean up and reorganize the various aspects of your work systems and spaces. You will inevitably improve your business and subsequently boost your profits.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Dave_Lindahl 


  
What the Chamber did in April?
 How many of these events did you attend?

 

 

  
* Working Women Alliance
* Board of Directors Meeting
* Town Meeting
* Pay it Forward
* Catch the Net  ~ Brightview
 
*Multi -Chamber After Hours  
* Design 2 Order Ribbon Cutting
* Sora Grand Opening
 
* Tee it Up Golf
 
  
                        MULTI CHAMBER NETWORKING EVENT 
  Julie Shewridan pay it forward
 
   Owner Julie Sheridan at her                                                                Trisha Tomkins of the Doubletree
 Design 2 Order Ribbon Cutting                                                           Bedford Glen Hotel at Pay It Forward     

 

LABBB looking for local businesses to offer vocational opportunities for students  

 

LABBB Collaborative is an Education Service Agency (ESA) formed under the provisions of MGL Chapter 40, Section 4e for the purpose of supplementing and strengthening the programs and services of its member school districts. LABBB currently provides educational, therapeutic, recreational, and vocational services to students with a wide range of abilities and disabilities from pre-school through grade 12, up to age 22, representing over 65 districts throughout Massachusetts.

LABBB's origin, dating back to 1972, was founded on the needs of two school districts seeking to provide educational services to prepare two young adults for the world of work and life after high school.Although LABBB has grown and expanded in the diversity of its services over the past 41 years, the High School Vocational Training Program remains its largest.

Vocational development and real life job exploration are the primary goals of the LABBB Vocational Program. All LABBB students have the opportunity to participate in the vocational programming which is individualized for each student.

The LABBB Vocational Program has been recognized state wide, nationally and internationally for excellence in vocational programming and has received numerous awards for Best Practices and high quality. LABBB staffs provide on-site staff supervision for our students who participate in community-based work experiences. LABBB has been able to maintain work sites for many years because of the quality of work performed by supervised students. The LABBB Program continues to comply with required industrial standards.

Placements are based on each student's aptitudes, interests, worker traits, level of competence, level of independence and job availability. Students are required to follow all company dress codes and rules. Worker behaviors, independence level, interpersonal skills and communication skills are all integral parts of a student learning to work in an industry setting. Prerequisite worker traits determine a student's readiness to progress along the vocational continuum which may include:

  • Pre-Vocational Evaluation And Training
  • In School Work Experience
  • Off site LABBB Workshops
  • Community Based Supported Work sites
  • On The Job Training (O.J.T.)
  • Competitive Employment
 For More information please contact Donna Goodell @ 781-273-7056 

  


  

          Bedfordfirst  BEDFORD FIRST 

 


Participating members as of 5/2

 

B & D Advertising Agency - 10% discount on any size
advertisement placed in the Bedford (or surrounding town) "Town
Book" Directory

Bedford Vision Center & Dr. Kiana Kaymanesh - 20% off any

frame & lens combination

Bedford Plaza Hotel - 10% discount off rack rate - use code SP10

Garrison Knight Financial Planning, LLC -Complimentary "get
acquainted" meeting plus 15% discount on all hourly financial

planning services

Great Road Gallery & Framing - 10% off all complete customframing
Quality Data Base Design -Free initial consultation, 10 %
discount on development fee

Baldwin Insurance - 5 % member discount

JRM Antiques - Purchases $1-$50.00 - 10%, $50.00 and up- 20%

The UPS Store - 15% off packaging/shipping supplies, 5% off shipping charges, 25% off Printing/Copying/Large format printing/blue printing, 20% off Notary Service

SORA - 10 % off any food in the restaurant or lounge

Bedford Florist - 10% off all purchases
First Parish of Bedford - 10% discount on cost of building usage

New England Nurseries, Inc. - 10% on all purchases except year end clearance items
Art Smith & Associates - 2 hour design consult
Christine Pinney Marketing - 10% off on all interent consultin services
  Watson Law Offices - I-9 Annual audit review offered at half price to           

 OrganizingWorks!- 10% off first organizing session, 5 % off second session

             existing members & free to potential members who agree to attend one Chamber function

                                                  Connected View -25% of subscription 

  

 

 

                                         Click here for information and an application .
CHAMBER ANNOUNCEMENTS

 

CHAMBER ANNOUNCEMENTS

Join us for a round of 9 holes of golf every Tuesday at the Patriot Golf Course, beginning April 23 . Tee times are available from 4-5 PM. You can sign up now by emailing Golfing Guru Josh Cohen at joshcohen39@yahoo.com

Green Fees: $15

Cart: $6.50 (shared)
 
There are 28 slots, so don't wait!
All levels of play welcome!

We promise to pair you with someone who won't make fun
of your swing!


~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

                        THE MASSACHUSETTS CHAMBER OF COMMERCE IS


Now Seeking Applicants for the 2013
Employer of Choice Award


The Massachusetts Chamber of Commerce Employer of Choice Award is specifically designed to spotlight businesses who have a commitment to employment in Massachusetts and whose workplace is recognized as an exemplary place to work. This annual award acknowledges and promotes organizations that, regardless of their size and industry sector, successfully attract and retain skilled staff because of their continuous efforts.

Don't Miss Your Opportunity to be Honored!

Deadline for Applications is May 24, 2013




 

 

 

 .

   ALEWIFE SHUTTLE TO CROSBY DRIVE

     offers guaranteed ride home program

  
 Did you know the 128 Business Council's offfers guaranteed ride home, along with several other member benefits such as

 

  • DEP Rideshare Regulation Compliance
  • RideMatching
  • Guaranteed Ride Home
  • Commuter Benefits Events
  • Shuttle Bus Services
  • Transportation Advocacy Programs
128 Business Council could be your one-stop resource for alternative transportation and pro-sustainability solutions for the 128 West region. Their  shuttles connect major employers, institutions and communities to public transit (MBTA stations), making commuting more effective and reducing Route 128 West and related roadway congestion.  
 Please contact the Chamber office at 781-275-8503 if your company is interested in participating in this Shuttle Program and/or if you know some other companies in the Crosby Drive area that you think would be interested. 

CHAMBER CONNECTIONS 

 

 

 Each month, Executive Director Maureen Sullivan tapes the Chamber Connections at the Bedford Tv Studio. Check out the links below of who she has interviewed and if you are  interested in being a guest, email her at bcoc@bedfordchamber.org

 

Madeline Altman ~ Bedford TV

Linda Stimson ~ Inner Visions Interiors

 

Adam Schwartz - Business Development


Mara Briere - Grow a Strong Family

The UPS Store

 

 Joan Turnberg - Live Life Well
 

Dr. Jean Marc Slak ~ Slak Chiropractic Group


Lea Ann Knight ~ Garrison Knight Financial

 

The Goddard School

 

Brookline Bank


Kristen Presley/Bedford VA

Karen Kenney/ OrganizingWorks

JRM Antiques

 

                                                                    The Bedford Citizen

 

 The Bedford Children's Center

 

                                                                         Sign Bylaw 

 

 

_________________________________________________________________

 

  

I am a Bedford Business
video...... 

I am a Bedford Business

 

 

CHAMBER CALENDAR 

 

 

May 4 
8:30 AM

May 7
TEE IT GOLF
Patriot Golf Course
200 Springs Road
Bedford, MA
contact
josh cohen

May 8 
The Depot Building
Lexington MA
11:30-3:00   

May 8
Panera Ribbon Cutting
213 Burlington Road
Bedford, MA
11:00 AM

 
May 9
Board of Directors Meeting
Bedford Police Station
7:30 AM

May 11
TEE IT GOLF
Patriot Golf Course
200 Springs Road
Bedford, MA
contact josh cohen 

May 16 
Working Women Alliance 
Brightview Concord River 
199 Concord Road 
Billerica, MA 
Noon

May 21 
Catch the Net 
Middlesex Savings Bank 
186 Great Road 
Bedford, MA 
5:30-7:00 

May 23
Healthy Bedford by Design
Old Town Hall
16 South Road
7:30-10:30 AM


June 2
One Fund Boston/ Pride Ride
Details to follow 

June 4
Cambridge Savings Bank
Senior Prom Stroll

Bedford Town Common
4:30 PM
Class Picture at 5:00 PM
followed by the stroll

June 11
Multi Chamber After Hours
Stonebridge At Burlington
94 Greenleaf Way
Burlington, MA
5:30 -7 :00

 

  
 
 

 

  WELCOME NEW CHAMBER MEMBERS

 STRAWBERRY HILL
 Properties
 Jack Mara
 781-367-8169
 
  Panera Bread
213 Burlington Road
        Bedford, MA
 Ribbon Cutting May 8
  

 

2013 CHAMBER MEMBERS

 

Art Smith & Associates

Atlantic Capital Strategies
Atlantis Sports Club
Atria Longmeadow Place

B & D Advertising Agency
Baldwin Insurance Agency

Baudanza Electric Company
Bedford Acupuncture
Bedford Car Wash

Bedford Center for the Arts

Bedford Children's Centre
Bedford Family Connection
Bedford Farms
Bedford Florist
Bedford Funeral Home
Bedford Historical Society
Bedford Montessori
Bedford Motel
Bedford Orthodontics
Bedford Vision Center
Bedford Plaza Hotel

Bedford TV
 Brookline Bank
Cafe Luigi
Callahan's Karate Studio
Calling All Pets
Cambridge Savings Bank
Carlton & Duran CPAs

Carleton-Willard Village
Christine Pinney Marketing
Connected View
 
Dalya's Restaurant
Debbie Spencer HigginsGroup

Design 1 Kitchen & Bath
Design 2 Order
Dr. Dianne Bridgeman
Diane Cadogan Hughes/The Higgins Group
Doubletree Bedford Glen Hotel

Dr. Kiana Kaymanesh

DSA Printing

Edward Jones Investments
Elm Brook Place
Enterprise Bank & Trust Co
First Parish Church
Flatbread

FUJIFILM Recording Media USA, Inc.
F.W.Webb
Garrison Knight Financial Planning LLC

Genetti's Wine & Spirits
Get in Shape for Women
Good Together
 
Great Road Gallery & Framing
Hanscom Federal Credit Union
Harold Nichols Insurance Agency

Heritage At Bedford Springs

Independent Living Innovations
Inside Out Staging and Design
JRM Antiques
Keller Williams Realty
Kimberly Bee Design
Leary Auto Repair
Lexington Symphony

Live Life Well

McColough Associates, Inc.
Mettler-Toledo Thorton, Inc.
Middlesex Savings Bank

Minuteman Volkswagen Inc.

New England Nurseries, Inc

North Road Chiropractic
Organix Spa & Salon
OrganizingWorks

Oscar S. DePriest IV, DMD,PC
Patrick Sullivan/The Middlesex Group

Patriot Pediatrics
Peter C. Quinn Insurance Agency

Progress Software

Quality Data Base Design
Rental Car Momma
Richard Egan Insurance

Right At home
Salon OZ
Slak Chiropractic Group
Soho
Spencer Company
Spire

St. Michael Parish Center
Summit Health & Fitness
TD Bank
The Bedford Citizen
The Bedford Minuteman
The Boardroom Bistro

The Goddard School
The Higgins Group Realtors
The UPS Store
Pulte Homes of New England, LLC

Vela Ventures

Watson Law Office
William Raveis Real Estate

 

 

 

 

 

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