RISBJ Issue 7 by Rhode Island Small Business Journal

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Gil Lantini | FROM THE FOUNDER

As issue 7 hits the stands, we have a lot of new faces to welcome aboard! First, I’d like to introduce our intern staff for the fall semester. We welcome Devon McKenna from Johnson and Wales and Bradley Brennan, Zoe Jael, Jessica Woodacre and Jamie Maniscalco from Bryant University. We’re excited to have such a talented group of local students join our team. We would also like to welcome several new authors: Pam Walsh, Nick Mancuso, Richard Austin, Jaime Gamache and Karen Feldman.

from the founder

This issue is exciting to us for so many reasons. Not only is this our largest issue yet, but we are the official media sponsors of three major statewide events. On September 18, RISBJ sponsors the We Mean Business Expo. We Mean Business is a joint venture of Secretary of State A. Ralph Mollis’ Business Information Center and Every Company Counts, an initiative of the Rhode Island Economic Development Corporation. The mission of We Mean Business is to connect Rhode Island business owners with local, state and federal agencies as well as the non-profit resources that impact their business. A few weeks later, RISBJ will be sponsoring the Southern New England Women’s Expo, which is the largest event of its kind in the area. This event, held at Twin River, is dedicated to the celebration of women, featuring 150 exhibitors, cooking demonstrations, seminars, fashion shows, on-stage presentations, giveaways and more. Over 8,000 women are expected to be in attendance during this all day event. On October 3, RISBJ will also be the official media sponsor of the Ocean State Small Business Expo. This event, held at the Crowne Plaza, targets the small business owners looking to grow their business and expand their network. Over 1,000 business owners are expected to be in attendance at this event which features an amazing lineup of speakers and open networking in the evening. At each of the three RISBJ sponsored events, I will be speaking on the topic of self employment in my seminar “From Employee to Entrepreneur”. This workshop will help people identify if they have what it takes to make the leap from employee to business owner and if so, how to make that transition. Our involvement in each of these events highlights our commitment and dedication to the small business community. We know that Rhode Island is only as strong as the businesses that call our state home. The stronger and more unified our small business community become, the better place Rhode Island will be for our families.

Founder and President

TABLE OF CONTENTS | What’s Shakin’ In This Issue

00 From The Founder

Promoting Your Online Business

Job Affects Health and Well-Being

Resolve Issues

A Manufacturing Renaissance?

Mind Your Own Brand

Build Your Confidence

The MET School Partners With Johnson and Wales University

ZERO

27 Half A Million Dollars

TEN 10

TWENTY Know When To Listen

11 12

Spotlight on Startups

13 14

City of Woonsocket

17 18 19 RISBJ | rhode island small business journal

28 29

22 23

WHAT’S SHAKIN’ IN THIS ISSUE

20 21

01 02

Secretary Of State Ralph Mollis

Power Up Your Workplace

Networking and Workshops

Pining For Pinning?

Big Brothers Big Sisters

41 VIBCO Vibrators

GoLocal

Positive Business

The Power Lunch

The Aspiration Project

66 67

47 Where Quonset Fits In

THIRTY 30

Have Systems In Place

PR....A Wondrous Woven Magic

FORTY

FIFTY

Zipcar For Business

31 32

Strategic Planning ... Why Waste Your Time?

Building A Knowledge Based Organization

Developing An App For Your Business

Don’t Wait For Disaster To Strike

Strategizing Your Company’s Giving Strategy

Motivation Nation

58 59

80 81

SEVENTY

Score Tip Of The Month

Community Corner

EIGHTY

Southern Rhode Island Chamber

Chamber Chat

73 2012 Event Guide

74 75

The West Valley Inn

Commercial Real Estate

37 38

SIXTY

35 36

33 34

62 63

Minding Maslow

Preparing Your Business For Disaster

78 79 www.risbj.com | volume one issue seven

SECRETARY OF STATE | Ralph Mollis

making it easy for the workforce to make their voices heard Secretary Of State Ralph Mollis

Secretary of State A. Ralph Mollis wants Rhode Island companies to host voter registration drives leading up to the November 6 elections. “Our ‘Voters in the Workplace’ initiative meets the needs of employers and workers by moving voter registration to the factory floor and the main office,” said Mollis. In addition to targeting first-time voters, the campaign gives voters who have moved or changed their names a convenient way to update their records as required by state law. “This is simply another way for employers to respond to the needs of their associates. “Employees no longer have to take time out of work to register or update their voter registration at town hall. We come to them,” said Mollis. Companies like Bank of America, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cox Communications and TACO have hosted drives since the initiative was rolled out in 2008. Tens of thousands of employees were encouraged

RISBJ | rhode island small business journal

to register to vote, to update their voter registration and to turn out to vote. First launched in 2008, “Voters in the Workplace” encourages Rhode Island companies to host voter registration drives, post links to voter registration forms on their intranets, display voterregistration posters and distribute broadcast email to their employees.

most importantly, no eligible voter will be denied the right to vote “It’s easy for Rhode Island companies to host a voter registration drive on their job site - just invite us. We supply everything. Most of the voter registration drives are held in conference rooms, cafeterias or other gathering spaces in the workplace,” said Mollis. In order to register to vote, you must be at least 18 years old by Election Day, a resident of Rhode Island and a U.S. citizen.

“Voters in the Workplace” will also make voters aware of the state’s new Voter ID law. Beginning this year, poll workers will ask voters to show ID when they vote. A wide range of common photo IDs – including R.I. driver’s licenses and employee ID cards – will be accepted at the polls. Voter ID will be phased in over two election cycles. In 2012 and 2013, voters can also use a variety of non-photo IDs including a Social Security card, bank statement or any government-issued document. Beginning in 2014, only photo ID will be accepted. Most importantly, no eligible voter will be denied the right to vote. Voters who do not bring an acceptable ID to the polls can vote using a standard Provisional Ballot. If the signature they give at their polling place matches the signature on their voter registration, their ballot will be counted. Companies that are interested in more information about “Voters in the Workplace” should contact Chris Barnett of the Secretary of State’s office at 2224293 or cbarnett@sos.ri.gov.

Frustrated? Gil Lantini

President, Founder Ralph Coppolino

Vice President, Operations

Danny Angeli

Business Development James Pardee Jr

Creative Director and Design Editor Mike Casale

Graphic Designer Aaron Cadieux

Video Production Manager Contributing Writers

Richard Austin Lisa Buben

Kristin Carcieri-MacRae Jeffrey S. Deckman Laura Dunn Karen Feldman Jaime G. Gamache Steve Gareau Larry Girouard Adam Harvey Douglas Jobling Steven J. King, PE Michelle Lantini Dave Lubelczyk Nick Mancuso Secretary Of State Ralph Mollis Patricia Raskin Dennis Rebelo Tuni Renaud Schartner Dr. Ronald G. Shapiro Chris Sheehy Lisa Shorr Tim Sullivan Mayor Angel Taveras Nancy Thomas Pam Walsh for a complete listing of our contributing writers and their bios, please visit www.risbj.com/authors

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Mind Your Own Brand | STARTUPS

by Dave Lubelczyk

IF THEY COME, HAVE YOU BUILT IT?

Every time I watch television, I see ads which depict the most wonderful places to shop. One particular ad depicts a home improvement superstore full of friendly, helpful and knowledgeable staff in every department. The ad goes on to explain how this staff is there to assist you in every aspect of home improvement and repair. One day I needed a part for my kitchen faucet and a new cordless drill, so I set out for that store. Upon arrival, the only person who acknowledged my presence during my first ten minutes in the store was the “greeter” who was trying to get me to fill out a credit card application. The staff who were standing in the plumbing aisle shuffled me to the next person who “knows more about this department.” After talking to three associates and spending fifteen more minutes searching, I finally bumped into the fabled “plumbing expert’ who would know just what part I needed. Unfortunately he was new and the “other guy” who “knows all this stuff” was not here today. He pointed me to where I could look for the part on my own and “may be able to figure out what is needed.” After wandering around the store for thirty minutes, I left empty handed and frustrated. I ended up buying the part and drill at the small, local hardware store. Why is it that companies paint such a wonderful picture in their ads only to disappoint customers when they come to shop? It is not only the big box stores who do this. I recently read an ad for a local home heating company claiming that they “provide superior personalized service.” This was the same company who gave me the runaround when I first tried to set up my fuel contract. They told me “the person who handles that is too busy” to take my call and to “call back tomorrow morning when they might have more time.” In that case, I went with one of the “big boys” and I have been very pleased with the service.

Either big or small, my point is that if you say it in your ad make sure you can and are delivering it 100% of the time or else you are setting your current and potential customers up for a big disappointment. A disappointed customer may or may not come back, but either way they will talk and tell everyone about their negative experience.

why is it that companies paint such a wonderful picture in their ads only to disappoint customers when they come to shop? Wouldn’t it be better to exceed the expectations you set out in your advertising and have the resulting word of mouth advertising be positive? As the line in the movie Field of Dreams goes, “if you build it, they will come” – if it is extraordinary, they will tell their friends. After all, word of mouth advertising is the most effective form of promotion, especially if it expands the reach of your paid advertising. Companies must remember that the first rule of setting expectations in your advertising is – If they come, have you built it?

Dave Lubelczyk Image Identity | imageidentity.com

www.risbj.com | volume one issue seven

STARTUPS | Build Your Confidence

by Pam Walsh

When I applied for schools, I planned to be a journalist, but really had no idea what I wanted to do. I chose Bryant University after conducting some cursory research on their Communication program. I received my first schedule and was excited, but that quickly changed once I sat through my first Accounting class, which was taught by a very monotonous teacher who made the topic even drier. For the next three years, I had to sit through many business classes and wondered what I was doing there. Well, I didn’t know the answer to that question until six business classes and an internship later. Now, I fully believe that business classes are smart additions for both current students and small business owners to have on their resume, and here are a couple of reasons why. Find Your Niche I had no idea what I wanted to do when I began my freshman year. Taking a variety of business core classes really helped determine what I am good at. For my business administration minor, I had to take business, marketing, management, computer information, systems finance, and accounting. I may not have enjoyed some of those classes, but I figured out where my strengths exist and I became more confident in myself as a businessperson. Confidence is huge in business – how else can you sell yourself? Networking One of the less obvious reasons why people should enroll in business classes is because of the opportunity to meet people with strengths in different aspects of business. Professors are a wealth of knowledge and they are great contacts to fall back on when you need help. And,

RISBJ | rhode island small business journal

of course, college is the perfect place to socialize with students. Taking classes is one of the best ways to determine someone’s strengths and weaknesses. Look for students who could hire you or who you could hire. There are plenty of student entrepreneurs who are already starting their businesses and need help. There are also plenty of students looking to help you out through internships. Don’t be afraid to simply say “Hello.” Experience Experience is what matters most in the workforce. Taking business classes opens you up to team-building and leadership opportunities, practice with financial recording and organization, development of marketing and business plans, and so much

more. Working as an intern will allow you to see how these lessons are used outside of the classroom in a practical setting and will help you determine if you enjoy a specific job. Unless, you find an internship you really like, I would suggest trying numerous internships to really get a feel for what you want. They offer great experiences, and you can receive good referral. Once you know where your strengths are and what career path you would like to follow, you can start working towards a job or begin improving the job you already do.

Get a Head Start I never thought about starting my own writing business until I began an internship with a home operated writing consultant business. Now, it’s an idea that excites me and I’m not afraid to go for it because I have the necessary skills. Having a business administration minor gives you a leg up so that you can tackle your competition. Colleges and universities have all of the resources available that you need. For new beginners, it’s easy to start off by building your portfolio or creating your business plan. Start living your dream now so that you can ditch the minimum wage job and begin raking in the big money. Now doesn’t that sound appealing? Think about it – unless you win the jackpot or inherit large amounts from a rich uncle, the only way you make money is through business, so why not learn the basics of it? You don’t even have to go for a minor or major, just take one class. I learned so much just from my management class and I believe it helped transform me into a professional who’s ready to take on the world. Even those of you who have already started your own business should take advantage of business classes. It can be hard to pick up business processes by yourself and classes are a great way to guide you through them. Gain the knowledge, confidence, and contacts you need to run your business by taking one class.

Pam Walsh Bryant University ‘13

The MET School Partners with Johnson and Wales University by Nick Mancuso Pictured from right to left is John Robitaille, Executive in Residence at JWU’s Larry Friedman Center for International Entrepreneurship, Rebecca Sheeler, student at The MET, Dr. Dennis Littky, director of the MET School and Scott Case, CEO of the Startup America Partnership.

Partnering with young entrepreneurs from Johnson and Wales University, students from The MET High School are learning what it takes to make it as an entrepreneur in today’s world. In May, the Metropolitan Regional Career and Technical Center, colloquially known as “The MET School,” opened the Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship. This building and its courses are aimed

the experiential component of the academic program mirrors a college level course and the layout of the center itself is very supportive of collaborative activities and innovation at teaching the underserved youth of Providence how to start their own businesses. In that process, all of the necessary skills, from financial literacy, to marketing, to professional development are fostered. The program, run by Jodie Woodruff, longtime MET principal and now director, is the first standalone

entrepreneurship center for high schoolers in the country, and the program focuses on real world applications of entrepreneurial concepts. Recently, the E-Center at The MET has partnered with Johnson and Wales University to provide support and mentoring for the young entrepreneurs in the program. They also have contributed enormous financial support in the form of a scholarship for one student from The MET’s E-Center programs. “We’re really excited to have partnered with Johnson and Wales, who have helped by engaging our students in real world opportunities with college level entrepreneurs,” says Woodruff. The partnership was formed early on when John Robitaille, the Executive in Residencey at the Larry Friedman International Center for Entrepreneurship, made a visit to the E-Center at the MET and was impressed with the program and its students. “I was extremely impressed with both the E360 program and the

new entrepreneurship center at the MET School,” Robitaille says, “The experiential component of the academic program mirrors a college level course and the layout of the center itself is very supportive of collaborative activities and innovation.” Originally pledging $20,000 over the course of four years to an entrepreneurial scholarship for Rebecca Sheeler, a student at The MET, Robitaille began to think of all of the ways that JWU and the MET could work together. For the betterment of both the students at the MET and the young entrepreneurs at JWU, the partnership has already spawned a mentoring program, and we expect to see a lot more from this budding friendship. For more information about the MET’s Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship, visit their website at www.metcenter.org, and for more information about the Larry Friedman International Center for Entrepreneurship at Johnson and Wales University, visit their website at www.jwu.edu

Nick Mancuso Executive Assistant

MET Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship

www.risbj.com | volume one issue seven

We have two ears and one mouth, and sometimes salespeople need to be reminded of those facts – it’s often a good idea to talk less and listen more. And then there are some cases when it’s best to say nothing at all. Just keep your mouth shut – and presumably, your ears open. Sometimes a situation is none of your business, and this can cover a wide range of issues. Your relationship with your customer is a professional relationship. Keep it to business. There are other scenarios in which silence is golden, too. This can include many situations that don’t have a direct bearing on your business relationship.

Story

My first time meeting Henry, the Owner and CEO of a large company making heavy equipment was an eye-opener. You couldn’t miss it – right behind Henry’s mahogany desk was a four-foot-high painting of a young woman – very tasteful, but very scantily clad. I’ll often remark on items in an office just to develop a relationship, but some instinct prompted me to stay away from that painting. Henry and I developed a great relationship and over the years enjoyed many lunches together, and we did a substantial amount of business. But I never once mentioned the painting that was staring me in the face every time I sat in Henry’s office. Years later, Henry told me he was retiring and passing the business on to the next generation, and said he’d like me to meet his successor, whom he called into his office so I’d get a chance to meet her. It was his daughter. She said she was glad to meet me, and that I should just go on dealing with the same people in the office. As she turned to leave, I saw the resemblance. She was the subject of the painting. Why Henry would hang a revealing painting of his daughter in his office was a mystery. But this was getting way too complicated for me, and I was now really, glad that I had never mentioned the painting. Then Henry brought up the subject himself. He explained that his daughter had commissioned the painting of herself and was very pleased with it, and offered it to her parents as a gift. She was crushed when her mother said she had no idea where to hang it in the home, but Henry said that if it meant that much to her, he’d place it in his office, and he did.

RISBJ | rhode island small business journal

Know When To Listen | STARTUPS

Henry said that the painting had become a sort of test for visiting salespeople. The salespeople who stared at the painting and made a lewd comment about it, didn’t get any business from Henry. I said that I hadn’t mentioned it myself, as I just thought it was a fine piece of art, and left it at that. Henry replied that this was one of the reasons he’d continued doing business with me – I hadn’t questioned or criticized the painting of his daughter. Remember to follow your instincts or sixth sense…and know when to shut up!

A Customer’s Perspective

A salesman needs to be a good listener. If the salesman has asked good questions and understood the responses, he should quickly grasp the situation at my company and be readily able to determine if there is an opportunity to do business or not. If a salesman calls back after a meeting and asks the same question or requests the same information, the relationship is already off to a bad start.

Your relationship with your customer is a business relationship. Keep it to business.

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Bridge-Building Steps

Listen to your instincts or sixth sense.

If you’re thinking of making a comment on a situation, particularly if it has nothing to do with the business at hand, ask yourself if it would help further the business. If the answer is “no,” then don’t say anything. Recognize that you can’t right all the wrongs in the world. Even if you see behavior that isn’t right, remember your purpose, which is to meet the business needs of your customers. Don’t go into issues that distract from what you’re there for. Being able to keep up confidence is an important part of being a good salesperson. So if you’ve agreed to keep a secret, keep that secret. Your customers will understand that you’re a person of your word, and that’s solid gold in today’s business environment.

Steve Gareau Bridge Series Books www.bridgeseriesbooks.com

www.risbj.com | volume one issue seven

tlight startups on

opened : February 2012

learning center I have always been an advocate for children and my passion was to become a teacher since I was a young child. I started college at age 17 and studied Early Childhood Education. Throughout college I was student teaching ages preschool to second grade. After college, I immediately started working at a child care center. I knew right away that this was my calling and that I wanted to open a school one day. I taught preschool children for seven years and then decided to go back into the education field for a degree in Special Education. I now have opened my own child care center and continue with my passion to teach children. My school is called Lollipop Learning Center, LLC and is “your trusted choice

7 AM

in child care.” We are committed to provide you the best quality child care. Our curriculum is based on principles of child development. Our goals are to give each child a sense of security by helping him or her develop at their own pace while learning the basic skills. We want the children to feel secure and confident enough to explore and grow in our stimulating educational and social environment. We will provide a variety of individual and group activities designed to help each child develop language and reading readiness skills. We provide

biggest challenge : My biggest challenge was getting the financing to get started. The banks wouldn’t help because I had to already be in business for a year to even be considered for a loan. The start up costs were so much that I had to start putting a lot of my expenses on my personal credit cards. My other challenge was going through commercial zoning clearance, fire clearance and construction inside of the building.

programs that enhance physical, social, emotional and intellectual growth, along with skills and attitudes which will increase your child’s ability to succeed in school and in the community.

www.servicetask.com www.servicekick.com

10 AM

11 AM

Providence, RI

New Service LLC is a software development company that provides solutions for service companies.

12 AM

3 PM

2766 B Hartford Aveenue Johnston, RI 02919

opened : February 2011

9 AM

2 PM

www.lollipoplearningcenterllc.com

number of employees : 5-10

8 AM

1 PM

number of employees : 7

biggest challenge : Our biggest challenge has been branding our business. Often people are confused because we have many names. Our ‘mother’ business is New Service, LLC and our developments are ServiceTask and ServiceKick.

4 PM

RISBJ | rhode island small business journal

We have recently developed a simple web based scheduling application called ServiceTask as well as a simple web based testimonial management application called ServiceKick.

We chose to create solutions for field service companies because it seems to be the forgotten industry. Field service companies are often very busy and do not have a large background in technology. We have simplified everything so that you do not need to have a strong technological background to get your business organized and out to the public.

tlight startups

LoveGov is building tools to help facilitate democracy. Our goal is to make it easier for people to stay informed and get involved in politics, especially the younger generation. We believe that providing cohesive tools for accessing information, holding officials accountable, expressing views, and taking action, are crucial in making the political process accessible to the average citizen so that the American people can actually go about fixing the systemic problems we see in politics today.

the place where citizens can interact with their politicians, government officials, and interest groups, from a local to a federal level.

Spotlight on Startups |

opened : May 2012 number of employees : 9

We are committed to non-partisanship, government transparency and the right to individual privacy. We make a commitment to never sell our users personal information and have a simple privacy system where users toggle between public/anonymous. This way, every user can participate in politics and share their views, while knowing that they have control over what the world learns about them.

www.lovegov.com 355 Hope Street Unit 3 Providence RI 02906 biggest challenge : We need to build the initial website, prove the viability of our idea, and gain user traction, all before the November election.

The vision is to create a political social network: a one-stop shop for politics. We want to build

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www.risbj.com | volume one issue seven

Incorporated (town) 1867 Incorporated (city) 1888 Total Area 7.96 sq mi Population (2010) 41,186 www.ci.woonsocket.ri.us The City of Woonsocket is embracing the future with policies that support investment and growth for the long term. While all acknowledge the short to medium term fiscal issues the City must confront; most involved know that the most effective way to sustain the community is through durable economic development. Good jobs, a growing and stabilized tax base, and investment in building upgrades are all essential goals supported and pursued by the City Administration. The City supports growth through various means. Mayor Leo Fontaine is personally involved in welcoming most major projects to the City; this is the focus of his Administration. The Mayor has put a policy in place for all public-facing departments to take a proactive, business-friendly approach when investments are proposed and begin to work their way through the various approval processes required by State law and local ordinance.

The City has a full-time economic development staff that provides a day-to-day point of contact for businesses large and small. Whether you have questions about start-up requirements for a new business, or are looking for assistance navigating regulations, the department, led by Matt Wojcik, exists to chase down answers and prevent roadblocks. The department administers various State and local incentive programs, maintains a database of available properties and their characteristics to guide you, and will interact with any other City department on your behalf. The highest priority for Woonsocket is maintaining a fullservice hospital in the City. Because of financial pressures at Landmark Hospital, the institutionâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s full economic impact has not been felt or its potential understood. Even now, Landmark is Woonsocketâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s second-largest employer. If the proposed sale to a for-profit owner is consummated, the hospital will become the second-largest taxpayer in town. Investment in the hospital may range from $25 to $40 million dollars, which would go a long way toward meeting the Cityâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s goal of $75 million in new commercial value over the next 5 years.

we can never give up on the hard working people and wonderfully unique assets of the city of woonsocket

The City is also hoping for development of its remaining open industrial and commercial land. With abutting parcels available alongside and within Highland Corporate Park, the City has an attractive site close to Route 99, and is willing to work with the owner to subdivide or rezone the property as needed to accommodate new construction. Several lots have become available after the demolition of vacant mill buildings. The City is willing to work with purchasers to pursue environmental assessment grants to help bring former industrial sites online with a new purpose and more modern configuration. The biggest challenge Woonsocket faces is the rehabilitation and reuse of its building stock. Many structures in the City were built

RISBJ | rhode island small business journal

over 100 years ago for very specific purposes. Bringing these buildings up to modern code compliance and repurposing them is a difficult task. Recognizing the challenges involved, the City supports substantial rehabilitation through a local property tax incentive program, the Job Creation Incentive Program (JCIP). By creating a minimum number of new jobs and investing in building upgrades that are over 25% of the assessed value of the facility, an owner can reduce local taxes for up to 10 years. A number of successful businesses, including Supreme Dairy, American Cord and Webbing and the Plastics Group take advantage of this program, simultaneously growing the tax base of the City as they add employment. Working together with the Governor’s Office, State government and several private institutions, various departments of the City, including Planning and Economic Development, have thrown themselves headlong into a revitalization of the City’s historic Main Street. The City has won grants to support the planning of parking and transportation; the State has designated Main Street as an Arts and Entertainment District with various incentives for one-of-a-kind creative work; façade restorations are supported through a competitive grant program, and a dedicated marketing effort backed by the Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC) is in place. Successful collaboration has integrated everyone’s vision and work into a team effort.

Finally, there is no doubt that Woonsocket is a small business city. Every step is taken to welcome and encourage entrepreneurs. The City has a small business loan program, funded with Community Development Block Grant proceeds, and a strong relationship with the Rhode Island Small Business Development Center, which provides technical assistance. The risks involved and hard work invested in starting new enterprises are not taken for granted. “We can only look ahead with optimism,” says Mayor Fontaine, “we did not get to where we are in a day, and it will take far more than one day to fully recover from this economy. But we can never give up on the hard-working people and wonderfully unique assets of the City of Woonsocket; we believe are best days are still ahead of us.” www.risbj.com | volume one issue seven

EVENTS | Networking and Workshops

9/18/2012

We Mean Business Expo

Business After Hours

Northern Rhode Island Chamber

at The Coast Guard House

10:00am - 3:00pm

South Kingstown Chamber

Crowne Plaza

5:00pm - 7:00pm

801 Greenwich Avenue, Warwick

The Coast Guard House

www.nrichamber.com

40 Ocean Road, Narragansett www.skchamber.com

9/18/2012 Chamber Seminar: “Google+ Pages”

at McKinley’s Pub

8:30am - 9:30am

East Greenwich Chamber

Newport County Chamber

5:30pm - 7:30pm

35 Valley Road, Middletown

McKinley’s Pub

www.newportchamber.com

1 Division Street, East Greenwich www.EastGreenwichChamber.com

9/18/2012 Murder, Mayhem and Meaningless Marketing

North Kingstown Chamber

Recovery Program

5:00pm - 7:00pm

6:30am - 8:30am

The Mill At Shady Lea

New England Tech

215 Shady Lea Road, North

1408 Division Road, East Greenwich

Kingstown

www.rismallbusinessrecovery.com 9/19/2012 Protecting Your Business with Patents, Copyrights, & Trademarks

RISBJ | rhode island small business journal

9/19/2012 September Business After Hours

Rhode Island Small Business

9/19/2012 Business After Hours

Newport County Chamber

9/19/2012

www.northkingstown.com

9/20/2012 Top 5 Strategies to Pay Less for

Northern Rhode Island Chamber

College Regardless of Income

8:00am - 10:00am

East Bay Chamber

Johnson & Wales University TACO

7:00pm - 9:00pm

Building, Rm. 317

East Bay Chamber

10 Abbott Park Place, Providence

16 Cutler Street, Suite 102, Warren

www.nrichamber.com

www.eastbaychamberri.org

Networking and Workshops | EVENTS

COLOR KEY:

networking

workshops

9/21/2012

Wildwood Launch Party

Business After Hours

South Kingstown Chamber

The Colony House

6:30pm - 9:00pm

Newport County Chamber

The Sons of Liberty Distillery

5:00pm - 7:00pm

1425 Kingstown Road, South Kingstown

Newport Historical Society

www.skchamber.com

Washington Sq. Newport

to Small Business Success

9/28/2012

Rhode Island Small Business Recovery

LEADS Luncheon

Program

Central RI Chamber

8:00am - 10:00am

12:00pm - 1:30pm

Centerville Seminar Center

TwistedThrottle.com Building

875 Centerville Road, Building 2, Suite

570 Nooseneck Hill Road, Exeter

5, Warwick

9/28/2012 Chamber Connections

How to Double Sales

Newport County Chamber

in the New Economy East Bay Chamber

8:00am - 9:15am

6:00pm - 8:00pm

Newport County Chamber

East Bay Chamber

35 Valley Road, Middletown

16 Cutler Street, Suite 102, Warren

www.newportchamber.com

www.eastbaychamberri.org

9/26/2012 Excellence in Business Seriesâ&#x20AC;Ś Hospitality Trends Summit: Ingredients for Success Organization RI Hospitality Association 8:00am - 10:30am

wednesday, october 3rd at the crowne plaza in warwick, ri

www.centralrichamber.com

www.rismallbusinessrecovery.com 9/26/2012

DONT MISS THE 2012 OCEAN STATE SMALL BUSINESS EXPO

www.newportchamber.com

9/26/2012 Six Steps

9/27/2012

10/2/2012 Networking Social Out of the Box

exhibitor booths and sponsorship opportunities are still available

Networking Social 5:00pm - 7:30pm Dave & Busters

RI Convention Center

Providence Place Mall

1 Sabin Street Providence

4th Floor

www.rihospitality.org

www.outoftheboxnetworking.com

www.oceanstatesmallbusinessexpo.com 401 769 1325 x11

www.risbj.com | volume one issue seven

EVENTS | Networking and Workshops

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10/4/2012

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Chamber 101

Chamber Connections

Newport County Chamber

8:30am - 9:30am

8:00am - 9:15am

Newport County Chamber

35 Valley Road, Middletown

www.newportchamber.com

10/5/2012

10/17/2012

First Friday Coffee

Business After Hours

hosted by Sylvan Learning

at South County Hospital

South Kingstown Chamber

with the Ryan Center

8:00am - 9:00am

South Kingstown Chamber

Sylvan Learning Center

5:00pm - 7:00pm

36 South County Commons Way

South County Hospital

Cloud Services

#C-2, Wakefield

100 Kenyon Avenue , Wakefield

Phone & Internet

www.skchamber.com

products and services

VoIP Phones Hosted Exchange

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10/5/2012

10/17/2012

NRICC “Speed Networking”

Marketing Summit: Profit

Northern Rhode Island Chamber

Potential through Technology

8:00am - 9:30am

RI Hospitality Association

Special Olympics Rhode Island

8:00 am - 5:00pm

370 George Washington Highway,

New England Institute of Technology

Unit 1, Smithfield

Campus

www.nrichamber.com

1 New England Tech Boulevard East Greenwich, Rhode Island

COMMUNICATION SKILLS WORKSHOP

Seats for this limited time offer will go fast. To register for a workshop near you, visit our website at www.thelearningcurve.us

events_registrationB6.php

RI Hospitality Association

Pricing For Profits

Radisson Hotel

Rhode Island Small Business

2081 Post Road Warwick

Recovery Program

www.rihospitality.org/registration/

8:00am - 10:00am

events_registrationB6.php

Centerville Seminar Center

10/10/2012

Building 2, Suite 5, Warwick

NRICC Networking at Night

www.rismallbusinessrecovery.com

Northern Rhode Island Chamber 5:00pm - 7:00pm The Valley Breeze 6 Blackstone Valley Place, Suite 204, Lincoln www.nrichamber.com

10/10/2012 Energy Psychology Protocols “EPPS”

be sure to visit

East Bay Chamber

isupportsmallbusiness.com

8:30 am - 4:00pm

to view all updated

East Bay Chamber

RISBJ | rhode island small business journal

10/18/2012

9:00am - 11:00am

875 Centerville Road,

If your communication skills are merely an illusion, so are your profits! Join us for a no-cost introductory communications skills workshop where you will learn some of the most powerful communication techniques for delivering your message with power and confidence.

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The single biggest problem with communication is the allusion it has occurred. (George Bernard Shaw)

10/10/2012

16 Cutler Street, Suite 102, Warren

and current events and

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workshops for this month COLOR KEY:

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workshops

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BarbaCPA.com www.risbj.com | volume one issue seven

SMALL BUSINESS | Power Up Your Workplace Using Feng Shui

By now, many of you have heard of the ancient practice of

that is where you need to be situated. Anyone entering your

Feng Shui. It’s a thousands of years- old science and art

office or room must face you and acknowledge you. Notice

of creating harmony, support, and the flow of beneficial

how the energy shifts in your favor when you get physical

energy into an environment. Perhaps you’ve even hired

(and energetic) control of your space. Never have your back

a Feng Shui consultant to advise you on creating a

facing a door. You’re totally vulnerable to surprise visitors who

home full of beauty, function, and empowering

can create a sense of ambush – most disempowering for you.

your life dreams. But did you know Feng Shui is equally effective in the workplace and readily applied to your office?

If you are working in the unfortunate, but common office layout of a series of tiny, cramped cubicles with your back to the door, don’t panic.

Ancient man first began utilizing this amazing form of holistic,

mounted on your computer so you can see what’s going

architectural healing art

on behind you. Feng Shui has your back! Even the smallest

to determine where

adjustment, when placed with mindful intention, can have

houses. F e n g

natural conditions

Shui’s basic

encouraged

principles

intention,

balance

and

yin

the optimal siting of

yang

(opposing energies such as

light

and

dark,

A great Feng Shui “cure” or

solution for this is to place a small mirror on your desk or

their

active

and still), flow of ch’i or vital energy in a space, the 5 elements,

immediate benefits for you.

NEXT, lose the clutter and make it your powerful

business to keep your desk clear. Clutter is such a

deleterious, self-sabotaging energy that literally sucks the vital life force or ch’I from your office. It’s a proven scientific fact that we tend to actualize what we perceive. of

and placement based on a grid or

what’s in

a space much in the same way you

can read the body language of a person and

compass reading, is still very much in

sense what they’re feeling. These cues

use today in the east as well as in the west.

become “triggers” that dictate to your conscious mind a series of

You can also utilize these concepts and tools to

corresponding behaviors.

attract empowering energies into a workplace. Whether

you work at home at a small desk in part of a room, or

encountering an

are a in a corporate setting or private office, you can “up

out-of-

your work game” with Feng Shui quickly and easily. Do you en ar

control,

Fe an m

clutter-

Here are 3 simple techniques to quickly and efficiently

filled

moving in a positive direction for you:

your

FIRST, be in charge of your space with the Command

chaotic, and stressed. You

to shift the energy at work in your favor and get it

Position. Place your desk diagonally facing the door, or facing

p a p e r and

notice due in return for all of your efforts?

feel stuck in your career, overwhelmed with clutter and unfinished tasks, or are not receiving the recognition and

Your subconscious mind reads the environmental cues

office

immediately notifies conscious

mind

that you are overwhelmed, then act upon these negative

the door directly from the back wall. Be sure to leave enough

cues fed to you by your environment.

space here from the wall so energy can freely circulate. Make

Your

corresponding,

sure you are supported by a solid wall behind you. You now

behavior

have the “wide view”, and you can easily see the front door.

spatial read out through the filter of your

In Feng Shui, seeing the front door = success. The energy

subconscious mind. It’s no wonder why you feel

of power always accumulates in the back of a space – and

stuck in your career and can’t seem to get moving

RISBJ | rhode island small business journal

the

disempowering

direct

result

this

Power Up Your Workplace Using Feng Shui | SMALL BUSINESS

on your projects and goals. Clean Up and Power Up. Make room for what you want and need to happen in your professional life. New insights, ideas, and creative leaps can only happen when you’ve made the energetic and physical space for them. In

Feng Shui, our internal states of being and our external states are mirrors of each other. What does your office right now say about how power can move easily into it and within it as well as how powerful you wish to be?

F I N A L LY ,

GN Look Up And

See What

Yo u ’ r e

Working

For.

you

personal

have

and/

professional

goal or intention that

informs

now?

your

life

right

The more of your

vital, unique life force that you

infuse into a space, the more it will

support you. Incorporate your core,

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motivating desires into your office with a

picture, object, or strong visual presence that

will continually remind you of why you’re there

when you look up. Remember the power of the

subconscious mind and how it informs your conscious

thoughts and behaviors. Be totally supported throughout the day with empowering cues that manifest important, positive actions on your behalf.

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So power up with Feng Shui as you take control of your professional life by being totally aware of the potent

energies of the physical placement of your office as well as the energetic cues you are supplying yourself with every minute you are there. Creating a template of power in your workplace will align you with forward, energizing momentum in your career. Karen Feldman Urban Eden www.karenfeldmanurbaneden.com

Scan or visit http://bit.ly/

www.risbj.com | volume one issue seven

SMALL BUSINESS | Are You Promoting Your Online Business Offline Too?

If you are like most business owners, you are so busy running the business day-to-day. If you are promoting your business online, it barely leaves you anytime left to think. Between social networking, blogging and SEO on your website, you may be leaving yourself no time to do the more important things like customer service or bookkeeping. You may be missing more business because of it. There are ways offline that you can use to promote your online business. Here are some ways you can promote your online business offline:

Lisa

by Bub e

u o y r u e r o y a g n s i t s o e n i m s o u pr b ? e o n i o l t on fline of

Are you attending any local networking events in your area? Do you know there are also many other online people like yourself doing meet-ups and tweet-ups?

You can find your local tweet-ups here: tweetup.meetup.com. If there is not a group listed or a meeting planned, you can start one or get an email alert, so when one happens you will know about it. The closet one I found to Rhode Island was listed as the South Shore in Massachusetts with 71 members. I have seen on Twitter peeps doing their own but maybe not posting on the official website. You could also create a Google Alert for Providence TweetUp. You may also find Facebook groups that promote local networking events. Reading RISBJ monthly you will find area listings locally. There are many meet-up groups in Rhode Island and Massachusetts. You can look at them here at www.meetup.com. There is a group of Kent County moms over 100 strong. There is a RI Photo Safari Meet-up with 139 photographers. Rhode Island Hiking Club is over 1300 strong. There is a Rhode Island Ron Paul Meet-up with 154 members. The list goes on. In all there are 27 groups in Rhode Island participating at this site. You can start your own meet-up group. You may sign up for email from them and you can see weekly what is coming to your area.

RISBJ | rhode island small business journal

Do you know which trade shows are in your area that you or someone at your business could attend? There is a website that provides you all the information you need to participate or attend one in your area. www.biztradeshows.com. It is similar to the other two sites in that you can search for ones in your area or within a certain mile radius.

Are You Promoting Your Online Business Offline Too? | SMALL BUSINESS

Tee-Shirts, Hats, Pens, etc. What better way when you are out and about to have your logo on you as well as on your customers. It will help your brand awareness. People feel better about purchasing on a website if they know the brand.

Finding the combination that is right for you will take some time, energy and money. Once you do find the right mix for your marketing methods, you will know it as sales will climb. The methods you use will more than pay for themselves.

Print, TV and Radio are not dead. You can reach your local audience through these traditional marketing methods. Certain times of the year may cost less than others and if you contact a local representative he or she may be able to find affordable ways for you to utilize these methods. An example of how they still work today is JCPenney. They stopped using traditional methods of marketing and changed their entire message. They ended up losing a lot of sales and are returning to some of the traditional marketing methods now.

The chambers of commerce are another way to network with other business owners in your area. There are several in the local area. There are membership fees at each of them but they do provide members with a wealth of information and events to attend and met other businesses.

Online businesses can have business cards too. You never know who you will meet that person who can use the cards or pass them on. You may want to send them out with orders. You should have a QR code on them so they can easily scan in your website from their smartphone. Keep them simple and be sure to have a web address as well as contact info on them easy to read. You will also need with most of the mentioned above ways to promote your online website offline.

These are even better to get to know buyers and your competition. There is a website called Trade Show News Network where you can search for local ones. Another is called Events in America. Drawbacks of these events are the cost and time involved to getting set up and being there for a full day or days. If you donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t participate, you can go and visit. It will save you time and money. If the shows are in your niche, it may be well worth your time and money to be an exhibitor. www.risbj.com | volume one issue seven

SMALL BUSINESS | Job Affects Health and Well-Being

relieve stress from your workweek

by Jaime G. Gamache

much does my job affect my health and well-being The answer is very dependent on what you do for work. Every job involves movement of some kind, whether it’s typing or swinging a sledge hammer. This movement is often repetitive and occurs for years on end. The body is not designed to do anything repeatedly for long periods of time. When this occurs, it causes an imbalance in strength or flexibility. First there is pain, and eventually there will be injury.

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This pain can be alleviated with therapeutic or pre-habilitative exercise. Poor posture at work can cause weak core muscles. “Core” is not “abs”, which is an association most people make. Core musculature includes: Abs, obliques, hip flexors, hip stabilizers and shoulder stabilizers, as well as deeply seated muscles that lock the body in position. Weakness in any of these muscles will cause overuse of others. That overuse will occur till those muscles give out. This is the root cause of the most common forms of back pain, not dysfunction of the back, but weakness in other parts of the body.

The same can occur if the hips are too tight. The body is designed in stacks, the ankles are mobile, the knees stable, the hips mobile, the low back stable, etc. If mobility is lost at a mobile joint, it attempts to go to a stable one. This means that knee or low back pain or injury are caused by dysfunction of the hips, not the joint where it is felt.

core musculature includes: abs, obliques, hip flexors, hip stabilizers and shoulder stabilizers What this all boils down to is time lost. Pain is a distraction and it takes away from the focus one needs to perform their job. It means time out of work with back spasms and physical therapy visits. Or, one can learn a few methods of exercise to alleviate the pain, create more energy and generally improve wellbeing and productivity.

Jaime G. Gamache, M.Ed., CSCS, USAW Owner and Head Strength Coach The Way Human Performance Institute

RISBJ | rhode island small business journal

Resolve Issues by Asking Great Questions | SMALL BUSINESS

resolve issues by asking great questions by Dr. Ronald G. Shapiro

Asking the right questions at the right time may help resolve customer or employee complaints while building relationships. Three useful questions include: Who is they? A customer or an employee says “They said your products are overpriced.” Another individual says “They said you expect them to do too much work.” Both of these statements use the vague “they” as the complaint’s source. What should you do? First, pause for a few seconds. Second, thank the individual for the information. Third and perhaps most importantly, use the “Who is they?” technique. Ask the person complaining “Who are they?” If the customer or employee does not know, ask them to find out. Without knowing a complaint’s source, it is very difficult to address it. Also, the complaint’s source may be a rumor with no basis at all. I learned this technique from Bill Matson (Human Resources Vice President at Analog, Inc.) when he was a Human Resources Vice President at IBM. Why do you stay/do business here? One or more employees or customers begin to make negative comments about your business or its products. You cannot readily change the business to address these comments. What do you do? First, listen to the comments. Be sure that you understand what is being said and that the discussion participants know that you understand. Second, if your discussion is with employees, ask “Why do you stay here?” If your discussion is with customers, ask “Why do you do business with us?” Experience has

shown that people will then go into a rather lengthy discussion of all of the good things about your company. They will leave the discussion with an overall positive feeling, knowing that you listened to them. They will also remember all of the positive statements they made about the business. You can turn possible

not prepared answer, ask them to report back with the information. Write both the data supporting the employee’s position and data supporting the opposing position side-by-side. This exercise should help the employee to better understand and accept your decision. It may also provide you with some insight to guide your decision making.

You can turn possible resistance into cooperation by first aiming to understand, and second to be understood. resistance into cooperation by first aiming to understand, and second to be understood. Later, think through what changes, if any, are possible. Thanks to Lynn Minella (Group Human Resources Director for BAE Systems in London, UK) for sharing this technique when she was a Human Resources Director at IBM. What would the opposition say? You need to make a critical business decision. A very opinionated employee tells you there is only one reasonable outcome. They provide you with numerous reasons to decide their way and why the alternative is inappropriate. What do you do? Thank them for their recommendation. Ask them what someone supporting the opposite decision would say. If they are

This exercise may also be useful if an employee complains about another employee. After listening to the employee and showing that you understand all of their points, ask them what the other employee would say about them. Once both you and the employee have the complete picture, ask the employee what they would recommend that you and they do. Develop action items as appropriate. Remember, asking the right questions may be a very effective management technique for you. Addressing what you observe or are asked about with the right questions will help you derive an agreeable solution and options for all parties. 1 I would like to thank Industrial Consultant Dr. Margarita Posada for helpful comments.

Dr. Ronald G. Shapiro Independent Consultant in Human Factors Learning and Human Resources

www.risbj.com | volume one issue seven

SMALL BUSINESS | A Manufacturing Renaissance?

manufacturing renaissance? by Douglas Jobling

Members of the Equity Research Department at Fidelity Investments recently stated that following major trends in the US economy can pay off for small business owners. The full interview can be found at www.fidelity.com/viewpoints/ manufacturing-revival. These managers predict that US manufacturing could be staging a comeback citing three broad trends. The first is that the United States is becoming a source of cheap energy. A growing supply of crude oil and natural gas is coming from new drilling techniques such as hydraulic fracturing. The increased supply has led to lower prices. There have also been changes in the foreign currency arena when China made adjustments in the conversion rate with the US dollar. Although not sufficient to address the imbalance in US-China trade, they have had an ameliorating impact. Some of these changes directly affect the chemical industry. Chemicals are the building blocks of everyday materials and have an impact on all industries. To make chemicals, companies use natural gas, coal or crude oil. As the prices for these products are reduced, then the cost for all manufacturing activities is also cheaper. US natural gas prices are commonly trading at 25% of their oil counterpart.

RISBJ | rhode island small business journal

Another example is the reduction in the cost of fertilizer. These savings have important implications for the agricultural industry, which comprises a large portion of the American economy. Also affected by these savings is the construction industry. Construction equipment is less expensive to manufacture, enabling construction companies to experience a competitive advantage. Plus, the ratio of energy costs per unit of production will be much higher in the U.S.; our industries are more laborefficient, so a larger ratio of costs goes to energy â&#x20AC;&#x201C; if we are experiencing cheaper energy, we have an overall cost savings.

the ripple effect across the supply chain can be as many as three employees New job creation will be the result of these changes. The multiplier effect within manufacturing employment is enormous. If one person is hired in a manufacturing

setting, the ripple effect across the supply chain can be as many as three employees. One local manufacturer can testify to the impact of these developments. Paula Sullivan is a new entrepreneur, starting her company in late 2011. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Seasodiesâ&#x20AC;? manufactures whimsical decorative fish from repurposed plastic soda bottles. Paula has been working with the Rhode Island Small Business Development Center (RISBDC) at Johnson & Wales University where regional director Douglas Jobling has provided assistance, noting that Paula has all the necessary attributes to be a successful entrepreneur. One is her willingness to fully analyze the business operation and to make decisions based on that analysis. Paula did a rather thorough evaluation of the manufacturing process (including going overseas to China). In the end, she decided to set up a production line in Woonsocket. She learned that the Chinese manufacturing model would be too expensive and she would have less quality control than she would here in this country. She hopes to expand soon and plans on hiring more personnel. More manufacturing means more jobs, here in Rhode Island and across the country.

Douglas Jobling Northern RI Regional Director RI Small Business Development Center at Johnson & Wales University

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www.risbj.com | volume one issue seven

SMALL BUSINESS | Half A Million Dollars

HALF A

MILLION DOLLARS by Richard Austin

Sounds good. How can I get that? The short answer? Communication. Effective, relevant, and timely communication.

to our people all the time.” That may very well be true, but, are you communicating effectively? Is it relevant? Is it timely?

A study conducted by SIS International, a global marketing research company, revealed that 70% of small to midsize companies consider ineffective communication to be their primary problem. SIS’s research further shows that a business with 100 employees will, on average, experience 17 hours a week clarifying, correcting, and other-wise managing miscommunication. This amounts to an annual cost to a business of $528,443.

Working for multi-national companies in the U.S. and around the world, I’ve seen more than my share of poor communication. Think about some of the communications you have seen, or perhaps even sent out. Was it information you already knew? Was it meaningful to you and your responsibilities? Did it raise more issues then it answered? These are questions you should ask before communicating anything.

Ineffective communication impacts employee morale and loyalty, and influences performance and retention. Poor or confusing communication leads to missed opportunities and negatively impacts existing or potential customers. When these are factored in to the equation, the annual cost of ineffective communication to a business can be significantly higher. I know what you are thinking, because many of my clients tell me,“But we communicate

RISBJ | rhode island small business journal

So, how do we ensure that our communication is effective? Here are some tips. 1. Is it clear, accurate and unambiguous? 2. If written, did you state what you need in the first few sentences? 3. Is it timely? Keep in mind, you want to communicate early and often, but

Richard Austin President The Learning Curve LLC

Half A Million Dollars | SMALL BUSINESS

not too soon. If things are still up-inthe-air, you could be setting yourself up for confusion and back-tracking. 4. Listen. We have two ears, one mouth. Provide ample opportunity for feedback. 5. Feedback must be crouched in positive terms. 6. When using e-mail, remember “content and context.” Email is a great communication tool; however, tone, clarity, and politeness are often omitted in electronic messages. Re-read you email carefully for context before sending it to avoid mis-understandings. 7. Confirm that your message is understood. Communication is not complete until the receiver understands it. 8. When possible, have face to face conversations. Research shows that 60% to 70% of what is communicated depends on nonverbal clues such as body language, tone of voice, inflection, and a host of other factors. 9. Consider the person with whom you are communicating. What is their age, education, ethnicity, and industry knowledge? Failure to understand any of these factors can create misunderstandings. 10. Leverage your available technologies (email, skype, webinars, etc.). Obviously, these are just a few suggestions. But the message (pun intended) is clear. Consider every communication as important. Think about it, plan it, and run it past someone else. Make sure your communication is effective, clear, unambiguous, and necessary.

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application. GoGo Mobile complements GoGo Screens marketing solution by providing them with the ability to extend their reach from within the store, directly to the consumer. Businesses can easily create ads and deals on both the app and the screens, easily supply them to a market audience and/or target locations, and redeem all the benefits from advertising on these two advertising powerhouses. This partnership will provide RISBJ with additional reach in the digial media market statewide.

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www.risbj.com | volume one issue seven

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Local businesses in Providence are turning to Zipcar as a convenient, cost-effective alternative for employee travel. “Zipcar for Business” offers discounted hourly rates on weekday driving, which includes the cost of gas, insurance, parking and 180 miles of driving per day. There are currently over 10,000 businesses worldwide that use Zipcar for Business, and that number continues to grow. Zipcar is the world’s leading car-sharing network, giving over 700,000 members access to over 9,000 vehicles across the United States, the United Kingdom, Spain and Austria. Employees of local businesses find Zipcar is a great transportation alternative for getting to offsite events, sales calls, client meetings and to run errands during a lunch hour. It is a low-cost alternative to car rental, taxis, employee parking fees and costly mileage reimbursements. The Boston office of national marketing agency, Hill Holliday, has been a Zipcar for Business clients for several years. Mike Sheehan, the CEO of Hill Holliday says, “We’ve tried car services, rental companies and trains for local transportation. Nothing compares to the flexibility and convenience of Zipcar. Our employees love being able to travel on their own schedule, and we’re floored by the 80% savings.” Business users can reserve their vehicles online or by using Zipcar’s mobile applications, unlock the doors to their reserved vehicle by swiping their Zipcard, and will find the keys already inside. Hourly rates under the Zipcar for Business plan start from $8.25 per hour for vehicles such as the Honda Civic and Audi A3, while Zipcar also offers luxury vehicles like the BMW 328xi starting from $10.25 per hour. Businesses in Providence are encouraging their employees to reduce their carbon footprint by leaving their cars at home and using the Rhode Island Public Transit Authority services which helps to cut down on congestion and pollution. Zipcar helps contribute to this effort as fewer cars on the road means less congestion, pollution and dependence on oil, and results in cleaner, fresher air to breathe. A study from the Transportation Research Board/National Academy of Sciences found that each car shared takes about 15 privately owned cars off the road. Based on the size of Zipcar’s 2011 fleet size, the company estimates it has taken more than 120,000 vehicles off the road worldwide. Want to learn more about how Zipcar can help your company? Meet the new company car at www.zipcar.com/business and mention the Rhode Island Small Business Journal to save $75. Whether your company is large or small, Zipcar for Business can help you get where you need to go.

RISBJ | rhode island small business journal

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THE WILDER COMPANIES www.risbj.com | volume one issue seven 31 DEVELOPMENT. MANAGEMENT. LEASING.

SMALL BUSINESS | Strategic Planning ... Why Waste Your Time?

strategic planning by Larry Girouard

...why waste your time?

I was reading a study several years ago from The Balanced Scorecard Collaborative where they reported that 80% of companies do not have a strategic plan, and of the 20% that do have a plan, less than 10% of those companies ever execute on their plans. If you do the math, fewer than 2% of all companies have, or execute on, a strategic plan of any kind.

to write, and ultimately ends up in a desk drawer, never seeing the light of day again.

Can the 98% of all companies be wrong? Is strategic planning a big waste of time?

A strategic plan for most companies can be presented in just a few pages. A company with less than 1% market share can certainly consider the real possibility of doubling in size and still fly well under the radar of competition.

In working with many small companies, from start-ups to companies with well over 200 employees, they all have one thing in common. They all have very small market shares, and none had a strategic plan. Smaller company management teams are under the impression that the strategic plan is a 3” thick document that takes months

Chart 1 below highlights the prime reasons why companies do not execute of their strategic plans. Do these barriers exist in your business? How often do you ever step away from the day-to-day details of the business and talk about strategy?

There are three key elements a small company should think about as the foundation for their strategic plan. They include:

1) Market Share: As stated above, most companies have well below 1%-2% market share making market penetration a most viable strategic option. You do not need to perform market research to validate this fact. For companies with a very small market share, thinking about doubling or tripling sales is not a flight of fancy. Within the context of market share it is important to clarify the region where your product or service will be sold. For example, if you are a dentist, most of your target customers might be within a 5-10 mile radius of your office. For a plumbing company you region might be set at customers within a 40 mile drive from your office. If you are a manufacturer of “widgets” you could eventually be selling this product in the US, or beyond. 2) Target Markets and Customers: You have a small market share and you want to double/triple sales. This begs the question – Who are you going to target to sell you product or services too? The challenge of most small companies is in the focusing their sales efforts. They attempt to be all things to all people. This lack of focus often results in a marketing message that is so general is lacks appeal. One great exercise is to make a list of all your customers and then characterize each of them in terms that have some meaning to your business. This might look similar to the chart to the top right. Characterizing your current customers in this manner will help you to better organize your outreach program, and it will also be valuable in framing the message to that

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Point of Sale Solutions segment in the language they can relate to. For example, Healthcare might relate to your product/service differently than Education. Once these market segments are determined, in today’s age of rapid access to vast amounts of information it is very straightforward to identify target accounts within any target market segment. If your company is a small regional company, target accounts can be identified within a specific service radius from the company by using postal zip codes. This information is very cost effective to acquire. 3) Value Proposition: This is the most important part of any plan. The value proposition addresses the seminal question that every target account will ask ... Why should I buy a product or service from your company? You must give them a real reason to believe! This is where almost every company drops the ball. Companies focus on the product (the “widget”), or the service (plumbing, or the design and installation of security systems), they established their business around as the basis for defining and differentiating their value proposition. Think about this for a second, it is very hard to make a case to a target customer to buy from you based on the features and benefits of your “product” alone. Companies rarely define their value proposition in the

more global terms that include the soft differentiators listed in Chart 3 below. If you want your value proposition to have real punch the elements in Chart 2 much be an integral part of your company culture. I believe it was the Cheshire Cat in Alice in Wonderland that said .. “If you don’t know where you are going, any road will take you there.” Taking an objective look at the way you are currently doing business, and good planning will provide you with the foundation for the growth and profits you are seeking. The key elements of the strategic plan outlined above are a great starting point as companies prepare for recovery from this past recession. Just think of one point ... if 98% of companies are not executing on a strategic plan of any kind, and you are, this presents a very powerful competitive advantage.

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www.risbj.com | volume one issue seven

SMALL BUSINESS | Building a Knowledge Based Organization

what you need to know about building a knowledge based organization by Jeffrey S. Deckman

There has been a lot of talk about the fact that we are now entering the Knowledge Age in American business. Terms like Knowledge Economy, Knowledge Worker and even Knowledge Districts are becoming more common every day. But to date most of those using the terms have been intellectuals, academics and those who deal in emergent industries. While conversation at that level is important it will have little impact on local or regional economies until it is operationalized. For that to occur those who are currently responsible for growing the economy, i.e. those running existing businesses, must become familiar with, and begin implementing the new concepts, organizational designs and management paradigms this new age is bringing forth. Until that happens the economic benefits will be few, far between and unsustainable. So, we must do what we can to help one another to embrace the “new normal” and to convert the theoretical into the practical. Otherwise we will all be left behind.

The lessons learned about how to operationalize this predominantly academic conversation into relevant practices in ongoing businesses are becoming clearer, more exciting and more natural every day. In an effort to shine some light on our discoveries I am listing some of the basic paradigm shifts that I have found to be fundamental RISBJ | rhode island small business journal

to the conversion of a traditional organization into one that is designed for the 21st century. PARADIGM SHIFT ONE Knowledge Capital Trumps Financial Capital. Money doesn’t make money anymore than money loses money. It takes people to do both or either. For instance, if you put a thousand dollars on a table and come back in five years you will still have a thousand dollars. However, if you add intelligent and resourceful humans to the equation when you return those people will have used that money to make more money. But without the actions of people and the wise use of their knowledge the money is inert.

the modern workforce is comprised of the 3 most independent minded and mobile generations in human history: the boomers, the x’ers and the y’ers.

For the past several years I have been working side by side with many forward thinking business people as we work to transform organizational models from those designed for the industrial age into “knowledge based” organizations.

THE BASICS

And if there was any doubt about the superiority of knowledge capital over financial capital, just think back to the Internet Bubble of 2000. Literally billions of dollars were poured into start ups that were filled with backward hat wearing 20 somethings who were cash rich but knowledge poor. The result of which was the collapse of an industry and one of the largest losses of financial capital in history.

PARADIGM SHIFT TWO Organizations are Knowledge Networks and Org Charts are Liabilities Org Charts are liabilities to knowledge based organizations because they neither accurately reflect how the organization operates nor do they allow for the efficient use of the most assets in the organization: communications, work flow and idea flow.

Building a Knowledge Based Organization | SMALL BUSINESS

Org charts depict organizations as siloed and linear entities when in actuality every organization is a group of highly active, complex and dynamic “knowledge networks” comprised of people functioning as tribes. Modern “org charts” look more like tribal network maps and as such the level of increased detail they reveal about the organization can best be described as the difference between a MRI and an X-Ray. One simply shows the skeleton while the other reveals much more relevant information about the subject. And the more you understand your organization the more you get out of it. PARADIGM SHIFT THREE Command and Control kills Productivity and Profits One of the driving forces behind the emergence of the knowledge era, in addition to the rapid proliferation of technology, is the fact that the modern workforce is comprised of the 3 most independent minded and mobile generations in human history: The Boomers, The X’ers and The Y’ers. While these generations are very different they do share a few things in common. They do not respond well when overly controlled; they have a lot to offer; they want input on how they do their jobs, they view themselves as equals and they are not afraid to quit if not respected.

difference in productivity this shift creates has a direct impact on bottom line profits; but it has to start at the top to be effective. Paradigm Shift Four Everyone is a Teacher, a Learner and a Steward of the Culture The two most important assets in today’s organization are its knowledge capital and its culture. While this may sound a bit “Cumbaya like” for hard core executives, the fact is committing to building a learning organization and a healthy culture always drives profits directly to the bottom line. But being humble enough and disciplined enough to embrace this paradigm shift will be one of the most difficult challenges you and your organization may face. But if you can get it right you will reap generous profits. You will also gain a powerful competitive advantage that only increases over time as you continuously build, replenish, sustain and master the power of your knowledge networks. You will then be well on your way to building a highly resilient knowledge based organization that will help you to excel regardless of your industry or field of practice. The world is a network and so is your organization. Learn it. Feed it. Profit.

Therefore, leadership teams in knowledge based organizations are moving from command and control management to communication and collaboration leadership methods as a way to activate, mine and maximize their knowledge based assets. The

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www.risbj.com | volume one issue seven

SMALL BUSINESS | Is Developing an App Right for Your Business?

is developing an app right for your business? by Adam Harvey

Businesses develop apps so they can leverage the everexpanding portable device user base. Just about everyone has a mobile device these days, and many of them eat, sleep, and breathe by them. Just look around the next time you go out to a restaurant. Everyone is scrolling around on their phones while they wait for their food to arrive! The popularity of smart phones and the usefulness of mobile apps make having one for your business a thing to consider. Most people have their phones with them 24/7, so if you offer a customer a useful mobile app, you’re giving them to access your services anywhere, at any time. That kind of access helps your customers bond with your brand in a big way because you’re literally always at their fingertips! If the idea of developing an app seems daunting, don’t worry. Contrary to what you might believe, apps don’t have to do a lot of fancy stuff to be useful. They can be really simple, like an app that reminds you to make a phone call or one that keeps track of business cards. It all depends on what your customers will find valuable and useful. The hard part is figuring out what your customers need and want. Developing a strategy for your app Companies of any size can benefit from a great app, but with all the apps out there these days, you’ve got some tough competition! Just because someone paid for or downloaded your app for free, doesn’t mean you’ve won his or her undying devotion. If your app doesn’t meet their expectations, they’ll get one that does and you could lose them to a competitor. Clearly then, lots of thought and research must go into this—once you get those customers, you have to keep them!

RISBJ | rhode island small business journal

So, just like any other business move you make, you have to strategize before you do anything. Ask yourself these questions: •

• •

What do I want my customers to do with this app? Will it help them? Will it entertain them? Will it keep them coming back to me time and again? What will my business get from it? How can I grow my business with this? Is the ROI strong enough to justify creating it?

Once you’ve answered these questions, save them. They’ll help guide you through the process and keep you focused on your goals. Once you’ve established what your intentions are, you’re ready to get creative!

just because someone paid for or downloaded your app for free, doesn’t mean you’ve won his or her undying devotion How an app can help your bottom line A well thought out mobile app can help you boost your company’s bottom line in two ways. When you successfully engage your customers, you create a bond with them and they’ll think of you whenever they need something you can provide. They’re also likely to recommend you to their friends. So, great apps can keep old customers coming back, and they can help bring in some new ones too!

Is Developing an App Right for Your Business? | SMALL BUSINESS

Basic kinds of mobile apps: free and paid Free apps are usually promotional in nature and make money by driving business to your company in some way. Fee-based apps are usually fancier than the free ones and can be a direct source of revenue. It’s also possible to start out with a free app and have upgrades available for purchase, or you can provide opportunities to make in-app purchases. Remember those goals you wrote out? Now would be a good time to dig them out and see how these choices fit into your plans. What type of device should you develop for? Once you’ve established what your mobile app is going to do, you should know that different kinds of phones have different requirements, so you need to decide which kind of phone your customers are using and develop an app for that one first. Once it takes off, if it takes off, you can develop apps for the other kinds later. Mobile devices have different building approaches based on who produces them. Debuting your mobile app on the iPhone is a great place to start because the iPhone is so incredibly popular, plus, Apple’s iOS platform is limited to just the iPhone and the iPad. Android and Blackberry have multiple devices to develop for, which in turn costs more to create and test. Choosing the right app developer Now that you know what device you’re building for, who will do it for you? This is where things can be a little sketchy. There are scads of folks out there who claim to be great app developers, but not all of them actually are. Apps aren’t so easy to create if you don’t have the technical know how to pull it off. So, make sure the person you hire • • •

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Knowledgeable as they may seem, now is not the time to cut corners and have your neighbor’s kid do it for you. A crummy app isn’t going to get you any business and will probably even hurt it. Do your homework before you commit! Whether you’re ready to climb aboard the app train today or you’d rather wait a while, just remember that today’s consumers are addicted to their mobile devices, and ignoring this fact might turn out to be an unfortunate oversight in the future. Smart, forward thinking businesses just like yours are seriously considering developing an app to make sure they stay relevant and useful to their customers.

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www.risbj.com | volume one issue seven

SMALL BUSINESS | Motivation Nation

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RISBJ | rhode island small business journal

Helping motivate your staff and their families to exercise more is well worth the effort. A healthier workforce is more productive, misses fewer days due to illness, and comes to work with fewer ailments. No single exercise regimen is perfectly suited for everyone. A critical component of a successful exercise program is keeping people interested. It is important for people to incorporate balance into their exercise regimen. Gunnar Peterson, Personal trainer to the stars, describes the balanced approach as similar to the 4 wheels on a car. If three tires on a car are properly inflated and one tire is not, the performance of the car will suffer; the same is true for wellness. PETERSON’S “4 TIRES” ARE: 1. Aerobic Training - jogging, biking, swimming, running, exercise bikes, Zumba classes or spinning. 2. Resistance Training - Strengthening muscles helps the metabolism. Strong core muscles help align the spine which leads to decreased incidence of back related pain. 3. Nutrition - Following a diet that leads to healthier and positive long term changes 4. Rest and Recovery - Getting appropriate rest and relaxation is an underappreciated aspect of wellness. Exercise breaks down cells in the human body, which needs time to repair and recover strength. The key to a successful exercise regimen lies in the body’s ability to heal itself more than the exercise itself. In addition, getting eight hours of sleep lowers stress, which contributes to a number of ailments. There are a wide variety of exercise regimens that people can take advantage of in order to improve their health. Most people can participate in walking, jogging, swimming, playing tennis or running, but there are a few fringe exercises I think might appeal to those looking for a new exercise to motivate them. Kettlebell workouts have been growing in popularity in the US since 2001; it was originally developed in the 1700s in Russia. The Soviet military has used them as part of their physical training and

Motivation Nation | SMALL BUSINESS

conditioning since the 1940s. It is a great exercise regimen that strengthens core muscles, increases flexibility and gets the heart pumping. Melissa Beliveau, owner of “Fitness with Bells” in East Providence describes it as “Kettlebells are a one bell, 30 minute, core focus, total body workout, including strength, cardio and flexibility. It can be your entire workout regimen or added to any other training to maximize your goals, whether they are personal or sports related.”

I believe most adults want to be in great shape - the problem is they haven’t found something that captures their attention and passion Zumba Fitness is an exhilarating, effective, easy-to-follow, Latininspired, calorie-burning dance fitness-party that’s moving millions of people toward fun, and stress relief. It’s exercise in disguise. A local Zumba instructor, Mena Rebello, says “You don’t have to have rhythm to be part of a Zumba party; you just need to want to dance and have fun. Any movement is better than not moving at all!” Martial arts training can be a great way to gain confidence, burn calories and learn valuable methods for self-protection. Krav Maga is a martial art that was developed by the Israeli Defense forces as a way to teach the whole population of Israel for self-defense if (and when) war comes to their country. Mr. Garcia, a local Krav Maga, describes Krav Maga in the following terms:

“I believe there are a few reasons why Krav Maga has become so well regarded within the adult fitness community. One is the incredible workout you receive. You see, Krav Maga believes that in order to be effective in Self-Defense - you must be in shape. It would be a tragedy if you had to defend yourself - and while you were in the process of protecting yourself and/or your loved ones - you ran out of gas! All that training and all that knowledge would be wasted. I believe most adults want to be in great shape - the problem is they haven’t found something that captures their attention and passion. Krav isn’t for everybody - but there seems to be a great majority that loves the pad hitting, aggressive nature of Krav Maga. It not only teaches effective self-defense - but also gives you an incredible workout. The other aspect of Krav Maga that peaks most peoples interest is the feeling of being a part of something big. Being able to learn what the military and Special Forces are taught taps in the mystical side of Martial Arts that leaves us all feeling a little like a super hero! ” The point is to encourage employees to find an exercise regimen that best suits them. If they like to run…run. If they like to dance, try Zumba. If they want to find a way to better defend themselves, try Krav Maga. If they want to tone up their core muscles, which leads to decreased back pains, try Kettlebells! “Any movement is better than not moving at all!”

Tim Sullivan Life-Panel www.well-track.com

www.risbj.com | volume one issue seven

pining for pinning? SMALL BUSINESS | Pining For Pinning?

Board-Up With These 17 Pinterest Alternates by Chris Sheehy

You read it everywhere – pinning on Pinterest is great for business. From increasing brand awareness and customer engagement to making more sales, Pinterest is a proven powerhouse. “Pinning” as it is called, refers to the posting of files to a sharing website – Pinterest being the market leader. These files are usually images, but could be documents, pdf files, or video. For this article – I will focus on images, as they are most common. Think of pinning as an electronic corkboard for your pictures, video, and letters – but with messaging & sharing capabilities – get the picture now? Referred to as “pins”, images could be downloaded from your computer or easily taken from websites through a simple clipping/ pinning tool called a bookmarklet – my toolbar is full of them. These pinned images are displayed on themed pages (Cars, Art, Rhode Island, Home...whatever) commonly referred to as boards. Everything posted is free for others to see – and if they like what they see, viewers can share your pinned images with their followers. Essentially, one can build a team of business ambassadors who are just pining for your next board post to help spread your message to the world. That’s how you’re business is using Pinterest right now – isn’t it? Pins usually guide the viewer to a website destination either by linking the image to your website or by listing your website URL within the description box. So pinning as it turns out, could actually be a search engine marketing tool for your businesses. Judging by the popularity of Pinterest, your efforts could pay huge dividends! Whether an auto repair shop, insurance agent, boutique store, remodeling contractor, restaurant, or tourist attraction – pinning is a great way to share your brand & stories. In addition, by including these links pointing back to your website (aka: linkbuilding) pinning could even elevate your ranking on search engines, thus drawing more organic online-visibility to your business.

RISBJ | rhode island small business journal

Admittedly, most businesses I speak with see the enormous potential of pinning, but struggle to find things to pin – here are some suggestions I give them: •

• •

•

Exterior & interior shots of your building o TIP: Think of that one spot at your business (inside or out) where you stand and think to yourself “Man, this place is awesome!” That’s your anchor image! Detail pictures of the things around your business The things you do, make, service, serve, fix, buy, or sell o Your happy customers enjoying these things o Your happy staff doing these things o Your company celebrating these things Your money shot o Logo, signage, mailers & postcards, business card, website screenshots If the pressure of taking your own pictures freaks you out - consider hiring a photographer for the day

Do not forget to share & like the pins from your followers that match your business values & mission – that’s the social side of marketing. Now unless you’ve been living on the space station the past couple years, I don’t think I have said anything yet that you haven’t already read or heard – these points are headline material every day. But what you might not know is that Pinterest is not the only game in town. Yep – it’s true, while Pinterest has the most market-share (for now), there are many more pinning sites worthy of consideration for both universal pinning (like Pinterest) as well as for niche market pinning too - like wedding, photography, travel, food, and even pinning just for guys. No doubt about it – pinning is powerful! A look into the backend of pinning reveals why this is so – here is a short list at what search engines could pick up on in your pins: • File Title (If the image is from your computer, it’s that file name)

Pining For Pinning? | SMALL BUSINESS

• • • •

Pin Title (This is the name you give it online) Description (Think: keywords, location, #, $, URL) Shares (These are triggers to search engines too) Likes (Or some type of “NICE-ONE!” acknowledgement – again, an SEO trigger)

While some pinning platforms harvest even more SEO data: • Tags • Categories • Region (Country / State) • # hashtags {Look for us #sidewalkbrandingco} • Online Destination (Website) • Online Image Destination (The specific image URL) • DoFollow Links

With so much SEO juice in pins, it’s worth repeating – Pinning is a Powerhouse for Business! So if you are just pining to do more pinning for your business – or to get started, consider these 17 Pinterest alternates – HAPPY PINNING! {Listing criteria far below} Universal Pinning

Site Authority Country Pinterest 7* USA Pearltrees 6 France (Most Like Pinterest) Springpad 6 USA Clipix 5 USA Image Spark 5 USA Bolt 4 USA Piccsy 4 Canada Pinspire 4 UK (Bonus) Educational Learnist 5 USA Graphic Arts Dropula 5 USA Men Gentlement 5 USA Travel Trippy 5 USA Web Designers Dribble 7 USA Wedding Loverly 5 USA

Notable Risers On The Pinning Scene Niche Eco Fashion Food Men

Site Authority Eco Grazer 0 The Button 1 I Wanna Nom 4 Dart It Up 3

Country USA USA USA USA ( Not Work-Safe)

Each pinning site was reviewed for the following criterion: • Grid Display o Grids display more images than column formats for more viewing nirvana • Family/Work Safe Viewing o Some pinning sites have safe viewing filters o No surprises – the men’s sites draw the most concerns • Gender Focus o Women – Men - Everyone • Visible Text Box o Displays description information • Comments o Permits comments to pins • Bookmarklet o A button to add to your browser toolbar that makes pinning super-easy • Download o Permits downloading files from your computer to the pinning site • Search Indexation o The ability for an optimized pin to populate into organic search results • Authority o Refers to Google’s ranking of a website as calculated as Page Rank (PR) – the higher the PR number - the more authority that site has with Google. o Generally speaking PR of 1-3 low | 4-6 good | 7+ exceptional • Country of Origin o Helps in targeting different audience Not every site listed is the right choice for every business – nonetheless, pinning options are aplenty – so get out there, share your images, tell the stories of your business, and get DISCOVERED in the process! TIP: Do not forget to use keyword mapping & search engine optimization (SEO) with your pins to take full advantage of their marketing potential. About this study: Over 80 pinning websites where analyzed, 28 rose to the top in Universal pinning - the remaining relegated under niche marketing categories Two Universal pinning sites are represented for each Authority ranking greater than 3 * There is only one website for this Authority rank

Chris Sheehy Sidewalk Branding Co. www.sidewalkbranding.co

www.risbj.com | volume one issue seven

RISBJ | rhode island small business journal

expert the vibrator guys

VIBCO Vibrators has been manufacturing industrial and construction vibrators for almost 50 years, delivering the most reliable, most complete line of vibration products available on the market today. Since 1962, VIBCO has been providing customers around the world with electric, pneumatic, and hydraulic vibrators for industrial and construction use. As the originators of the Silent Pneumatic Turbine Vibrator, VIBCO holds more than 25 U.S. Patents for their vibrator designs and is committed to being 100% USA made. This privately held company, led by President Karl Wadensten, employs 75 people at its 50,000 square-foot plant and office facility in Wyoming, RI and manufactures over 1,300 products with more than 8,400 component parts. VIBCO also has a distribution center in Toronto, plus sales and service offices in Pennsylvania and Florida. VIBCO vibrators are used by companies in over 600 SIC codes for a wide variety of applications, including one that is on the moon as a component of an Apollo lunar module. Some of the most common uses are for material flow, concrete production and placement and work truck applications. www.risbj.com | volume one issue seven

VIBCO VIBRATORS | Expert Vibrator Guys

• VIBCO vibrators and vibrating tables help with material flow, by improving the loading and unloading of bulk materials into or out of containers and trucks, eliminating hang-ups and bottlenecks • VIBCO Vibrators aid in concrete production and placement by helping it to reach its rated strength by removing entrapped air. VIBCO vibrators are used in both the production and placement of concrete to improve the flow of aggregate, sand and cement as well as improve the flow of mixed concrete through pump grates and down chutes. • VIBCO Vibrators also manufactures a complete line of vibrators for use on a variety of work truck applications including dump trucks, dump trailers, sand and salt spreaders, agricultural spreaders, and mobile screen to empty sticky or stubborn materials from dump beds and dump trailers without tailgate banging or over-hoisting • VIBCO Vibrators manufactures plate compactors and vibratory rollers for use in pothole and asphalt repair, landscaping and pool installations. Building on the original foundation of quality, trust, and reliability, VIBCO continues to evolve its mission and philosophy to adapt to today’s competitive marketplace. Embracing a True North (Same Day, Next Day; Throughput; Innovation; Quality), VIBCO has developed a culture of change - one where continuous improvement and the elimination of muda (waste) are embraced wholly; where employees are inspired, encouraged, and empowered to act on their ideas and where they are collectively focused on the voice of the customer. “Same day, next day is the voice of our customers. When they call to order, they want our products shipped the same day they call or -- at the bare minimum -- the very next day of the business work week”, said Wadensten.

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To stay true to their mission and maintain their True North, VIBCO has focused on an overall dedication to a Lean transformation. Based on the Toyota Production System, Lean is a term that describes an improvement system in which every employee strives for an ideal condition where 100% of their efforts can be devoted to providing a perfect product or service. Documented results over many industries and occupations show that a consistent application of Lean practice and philosophy can produce year on year productivity gains of 25% or more while providing shortened leadtimes and flexible, problem-free service to customers. The system is comprised of three parts which are all critical to creating a Lean system and culture.

put simply, lean is based on a sincere respect for people and a commitment to unlock the genius in each employee The first is Lean Philosophy with a few simple but powerful ideas. Together these ideas articulate an ideal condition: • • •

•

Provide the customer’s exact order immediately with perfect quality Employees are the most important resource All improvement and problemsolving must be based upon direct observation (scientific method) Improvement and problem-solving is part of everyone’s job, every minute of every day

The second part of a Lean system is the Lean Management System: the strategy, organization, policy and measures

by which an organization is managed. Conventional management systems are not supportive of Lean philosophy and therefore undermine implementation. A Lean management system provides policies and an organizational structure that encourage Lean improvement. The third aspect of a Lean system is Lean Tools. Also referred to as “best practices” or “countermeasures,” these Lean tools provide employees with reliable methodologies to close the gap between the current and ideal condition, and to constantly make small improvements to their jobs every day. Put simply, Lean is based on a sincere respect for people and a commitment to unlock the genius in each employee. It engages their minds to innovate solutions to eliminate waste. It is about continuous improvement and working smarter always to the pull of the customer. “One of the biggest challenges was to get everybody rallied around continuous improvement and to encourage people not to be afraid of stepping out of their comfort zones” said Wadensten. “We tried to take everybody’s uniqueness and differences into account, so we didn’t just get rid of people because they weren’t falling in line with the continuous improvement effort.” VIBCO Vibrators has embraced Lean and realized unbelievable gains as a result. Dramatic inventory reductions, shortened lead times, and a focus on the whole endto-end customer experience are just a few of these. Key achievements of the two-year-old lean conversion include: • •

Cutting setup time on CNC equipment from 2.5 hours to 10 minutes Improving on-time delivery rate to 99%, measured as same day or next day shipping

Expert Vibrator Guys | VIBCO VIBRATORS

•

• • •

Improving OEE (a total productive maintenance (TPM) measure of how effectively equipment is being used) from 20% to 52% Increasing productivity in selected Work cells as much as 300% Reducing Inventory by 40% (over $2,000,000) in two years Turning Work-in-progress Inventory 88 times annually with many SKUs turning once-per-day

In addition to the recent Lean transformation, Karl’s leadership has helped VIBCO win numerous awards including Best Places to Work in Rhode Island by the Providence Business News and Best Companies, the Progressive Manufacturing PM100 Award, and a Providence Business News Business Excellence Award. VIBCO has also been featured in the lean training video, “Vibration Nation: Learning to See” produced and marketed by Greater Boston Manufacturing Partnership. As a commitment to the community, VIBCO Vibrators regularly hosts free plant tours and produces The Lean Nation – a radio and web TV talk show featuring engaging discussions of Lean concepts, real-life implementations, leadership and improvement strategies. Guests include line workers, Lean practitioners, government officials, noted authors and thought leaders. As VIBCO approaches their fiftieth year, they continue to grow, gain global market share, and enhance their position as the industrial vibrator brand of choice. Their responsiveness and operational efficiency enables them to remain cost competitive while providing an unsurpassed level of product quality and service to their customers. From same-day shipping, to rapid fulfillment of custom orders, to the development of innovative strategic partnerships throughout their value stream, VIBCO is — and will continue to be — the home of “The Expert Vibrator Guys.” www.risbj.com | volume one issue seven

SMALL BUSINESS | Minding Maslow

Minding Maslow & Other Lessons On

Enlightened Management by Dennis Rebelo

Last weekend, I had the pleasure of presenting with Chip Conley author of Emotional Equations and Peak, How Great Companies Get their Mojo from Maslow. Chip’s recent book, Emotional Equations (www.emotionalequations.com) has been translated into 11 languages and yes dashed to the top of the New York Times best seller list this past year. So, what do Chip and Maslow have in common? They both adore pyramidbased modeling. Yes, this is true. You do recall Maslow’s hierarchy of needs – right? Maslow’s hierarchy certainly seems to offer no actual expiration date; its relevance proves sensible still today. You see, Maslow was writing in the 1960s about what it means to be humanistic during a time where command-and-

control styles along with Great Man Theory ruled organizational life. Besides his insights on human motivation via the above hierarch, he offered unimaginable concepts spun out in axiom form; he crafted 36 of these statements to guide life at work. He entitled them “Enlightened Economics and Management.” Perhaps they will seem controversial to you, especially if you inhaled the corporate air for some time, or if you have fallen to your knees in exhaustion due in part of the super Machiavellian-like behavior of so called “leaders” in your work world. Regardless of the scars, try inhaling some love at work through Maslow. Quickly you may find yourself and others -if you dare spread this message to comrades – healed or re-energized about work’s possibilities in becoming a healthy dwelling place at last. In my recent chat with Chip, he shared with me some of the ways Abraham Maslow referenced cleaning one’s brain. I called it (for a few years now) a psychic scrub, and as luck would have it, confirmed by Chip who hold’s Abe’s diary (from his last several years), having “psycho hygiene.” I nodded when he validated my suspicion of the power of Maslow’s words that I am about to share with you. For those of you wondering, why has it taken so long for these words to reach the general masses, let me explain. Perhaps their influence was first limited because

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Abe’s initial publication was entitled Euphyscian Management [www.maslow. org/sub/eup.php] - not so jazzy of a name despite converting consultants like Peter Drucker immediately. I hope that title’s obscure sound helps settle your soul as to why the “big delay!” Without further delay, please read and share these (12) offerings from Maslow from that renamed publication now called Maslow on Management (1998): Assume everyone is to be trusted.

2 Assume

that everyone is to be informed as completely as possible of as many facts and truths as possible; i.e. everything relevant to the situation.

3 Assume

in all your people the impulse to achieve, assume that they are for good workmanship, are against wasting time and inefficiency, and want to do a good job, etc.

Assume that there is no dominancesubordination hierarchy in the jungle sense or authoritarian sense (or baboon sense). The dominance is of the “chimpanzee” sort, older brotherly, responsible, affectionate, etc.

5 Assume that everyone will have the

same ultimate managerial objectives and will identify with them no matter where they are in the organization or hierarchy.

Dennis Rebelo Alex And Ani Corporate University dennis@alexandani.com

Minding Maslow | SMALL BUSINESS

Enlightened economics must assume goodwill among all the members of the organization rather than rivalry or jealousy.

6a Synergy is also assumed. 7

Assume that the individuals involved are healthy enough.

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8 Assume

that the organization is healthy enough, whatever this means.

Assume the “Ability to Admire” (to be objective and detached) in a special sense, i.e. to be purely objective not only about other people’s capacities and skills, but also one’s own.

10 We must assume that the people in

organizations are not fixated at the safety need level.

11 Assume

an active trend to selfactualization – freedom to effectuate one’s own ideas, to select one’s own friends and one’s own kind of people, to grow, to try things out, to make experiments, and mistakes, etc.

12 Assume

that everyone can enjoy good teamwork, friendship, good group spirit, good group harmony, good belongingness, and group love. Maslow on Management (Maslow, 1998, p. 20)

There are 24 more statements Abe makes en route to explicating “Enlightened Economics and Management” and perhaps our work worlds have ripened to a maturity level where Minding Maslow may not be such a bad idea anymore after all?

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www.risbj.com | volume one issue seven

SMALL BUSINESS | Supply Chain Management and Where Quonset Fits In

supply chain management and where quonset fits in by Steven J. King, PE

Recently, I had the honor of addressing the Northeast Supply Chain Management Summit at the John H. Chafee Center for International Business at Bryant University. It was, indeed, a unique opportunity for me to share with colleagues from throughout the region, the vision we have for the Port of Davisville at Quonset Business Park. The remarkable progress we have made there in recent years – ascending to become the 7th largest automobile port in North America and quadrupling the amount of cars arriving at the Port in just 15 years -- has been unprecedented. However, the Port of Davisville is also destined to tell a similar story of success in the future. For those that do not know, the Northeast Supply Chain Management Summit was established in 2008. Since then, it has evolved into a highly anticipated regional event that attracts industry leaders from

across the Northeast. This year, the theme of the Summit, “From My Supply Chain to Yours: A Global Perspective,” offered attendees a look behind the scenes, into the supply chains of industry experts. This theme afforded attendees the opportunity to examine new ways to institute best practices. This year’s theme also served as a fitting reminder that transporting goods is a business that finds us players on a global stage -- a stage with limitless possibilities. It is a world that presents opportunities to those prepared to seize them, and at Quonset Business Park we have taken steps to position the Port of Davisville to seize these opportunities. For example, consider the $5.25 billion project to expand the Panama Canal. This project began in the Fall of 2007 and is now on its way to an expected completion

in 2014. The ambitious construction project will double the canal’s capacity, allowing more and larger ships to pass through. The ramifications of an expanded canal are sure to be felt at ports across the globe, including here in Rhode Island. We should be clear, that the widening of the canal does not mean that large container ships will be headed to the Port of Davisville. Due to the draft limitations of the channel that approaches Davisville, we are only equipped to handle vessels with a draft of 32 feet, while most container vessels have a minimum draft of 42 feet. However, because of its strategic location and our commitment to infrastructure improvements, we believe the Port of Davisville still has an important role to play in the supply chain shipping business as a result of the Panama Canal expansion. With the expansion of the Panama Canal,

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experts anticipate a redistribution of East and West coast container traffic. The result of this redistribution will manifest itself in an increase in the number of containers being shipped to the East Coast. Over time, more containers arriving will create the need for more consolidated load center ports at select East Coast terminals that can alleviate the potential of additional shipping congestion on our roads and railways. With more cargo arriving at the major ports such as Norfolk, Baltimore, and New York, there will be greater shipping opportunities for smaller ports such as Davisville.

Recovery) grant funds received through the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Maritime Administration (MARAD). With those enhancements now more than 90 percent complete, and with the arrival of the new mobile harbor crane, we are well situated to participate in the short seas shipping business. In addition to the TIGER infrastructure improvements, we now embark on an ambitious dredging project with the blessing of federal, state and local officials. By dredging the channel depth adjacent to the Davisville piers to 32’ feet, we will

this year’s theme also served as a fitting reminder that transporting goods is a business that finds us players on a global stage — a stage with limitless possibilities We are confident that the Port of Davisville is strategically positioned to serve as a vital player in this new generation of short sea shipping routes that are likely to be developed in areas with the most severe highway congestion. The Port of Davisville is destined to provide critical feeder services between Rhode Island and any of the East Coast load center ports, but particularly mid-Atlantic ports such as New York, Baltimore, and Norfolk. Over the past two years we have been working around the clock to implement improvements to the Port from the $22.3 million in TIGER (Transportation Investment Generating Economic

remain competitive for today, but even more importantly, prepared to attract new business tomorrow. It is a source of great pride to us that the auto import activity at the Port of Davisville has quadrupled over the past 15 years – and a shining example of our ability to attract industry leaders to Rhode Island. But we do not rest on our laurels. We have long known that the key to our success is our ability to constantly evolve and find new ways to nurture our growth. Our new investments in infrastructure not only allow us to harness the strength of our auto-import business, but also prepare us for new opportunities headed towards Rhode Island.

Steven J. King, PE Managing Director Quonset Development Corp

www.risbj.com | volume one issue seven

SMALL BUSINESS | Score Tip Of The Month

of the month Accomplishing Top Priorities I was given this tip by a SCORE counselor in Boston when I first went into business back in the 70’s and I used it every week from then until the time I sold my business. Every Friday I would make a list of projects I needed to accomplish in the following week. I would list each in order of importance #1 being the most important and #5 the least. This was a real list - in writing! Over Saturday and Sunday for the two top priorities I would put together outlines of specifically what I would have to do to complete them. Once again I put these outlines in writing. This wouldn’t take more than an hour for each of my top two priorities. By doing this I would set up my week’s activities and would give myself direction & purpose for the upcoming week. Plus only having 5 projects left room for any urgent matters that would inevitably arise during the week. Steve Gareau RI SCORE Counselor

Rhode Island SCORE provides FREE, confidential counseling to small businesses in Rhode Island. For more information call 401-528-4561 or email info@riscore.org

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DON’T WAIT FOR DISASTER TO STRIKE 10 Tips To Prepare Your Business For Disaster Recovery by Lisa Shorr

Sitting in my office watching the rain stream down my windows – I heard a quick “beep” from my computer. Then a quick “blip” and my lights flickered. With a sigh of relief I thought, “Thank goodness my UPS (uninterruptable power-supply) was working!” Do you have that peace-of-mind? We are fortunate in RI that Hurricane Isaac did not make his way up the East Coast. He certainly hit hard in the Gulf Coast though. I know that memories of Tropical Storm Irene and the flooding of 2010 still haunt our minds. Did you know that approximately 35% of small and medium-size businesses have a disaster recovery plan in place? For those companies who have experienced a disaster, 53% of the victims never recoup their data. How long would your business survive without your data? How long would it take you to rebuild your business? Would it even be possible? Does your business have a plan for disaster? Too many of my client’s have said “Oh – it won’t happen to me!” PC Troubleshooters is celebrating our 20th Anniversary this year and I can quite confidently say “Yes it will!” It is just a matter of time as to when. Have I caught your interest and scared you a bit? Good. So why do you need a disaster recovery plan? The answer is simple: to ensure information system uptime, data integrity and business continuity.

Don’t Wait for Disaster to Strike | SMALL BUSINESS

Where do you begin? Follow these 10 Action Steps :

Create a Business Continuity Action Plan – Who on your team will be in charge of this effort? Who will contact your vendors (phone systems, IT provider, landlord, the media etc.)? Who will communicate with personnel? There are several FREE business continuity templates online that will help jumpstart this effort. Check out www.searchdisasterrecovery. com for a comprehensive and customizable template. YouTube is a great resource as well.

Determine an alternate office location. Where will your employees report should the primary office be underwater or without power? This is a great opportunity to install a “virtual-private-network” (VPN) in your office.

Stock up on all sizes of batteries, power cords and power strips. These will come in handy for flashlights, generators and other portable electronics that do not require internet access or electricity.

Consider purchasing a gas or propane generator. Tropical Storm Irene created an extensive and lengthy power outage. Thanks to generators, many businesses kept their doors open and lights on.

Make sure you have a current uninterruptable power-supply, including high quality surge protection. Lightning only needs to strike once to bring down your network. Be prepared!

6. Before a pending storm, set up “remote call forwarding” of your phone system to your mobile phones. Purchase a mobile access “hot spot” to ensure continuity of your internet access.

saved all work and closed out all programs before shutting down to avoid lost data. In case of a pending flood: It’s also a good idea to elevate your equipment (servers, computers, battery backups, etc.) off of ground level.

8. Have a secure data backup and disaster recovery plan. This is the most important component to your disaster recovery plan. Lost data = a closed business! A cloud based program with your data stored in offsite co-locations is ideal. How quickly you can retrieve your data and get on with your day is key! Make sure you perform several checks to ensure the data is being stored properly and can be retrieved easily.

for those companies who have experienced a disaster, 53% of the victims never recoup their data 9.

Change your attitude – yes I said it! Start today. Think about your data, your employees, your physical office. It would be too costly to lose any or all of those vital pieces to human error or Mother Nature. Change from nonchalance to “let’s be ready for the unforeseen!”

10.

TEST – TEST – TEST – Create your plan, educate your team members and then perform a few random dry runs to ensure your company is prepared.

Are you confident your business would survive a fire, flood, hurricane, tornado or even a server crash? We are amid hurricane season right now, don’t wait for the next big disaster to react. It could be too late…

Best Practice – before a storm manually turn-off your computers first and then your servers. Make sure you’ve

Lisa Shorr | PC Troubleshooters | www.pctrouble.com

www.risbj.com | volume one issue seven

SMALL BUSINESS | Strategizing Your Company’s Giving Strategy

strategizing your company’s giving strategy - an introduction by Michelle Lantini

It is well known that the benefits a company reaps for their acts of corporate giving far exceed the high five offered in mid air from its chosen non-profit organization. While non-profits fervently seek corporate partners to assist in reaching fundraising goals to carry out their mission, it is arguably just as important that companies seek non-profit organizations to complement their company’s values. In a decade filled with layoffs, budget cuts and overall reduced spending, how reasonable is it to expect that corporate giving be a top priority in a company’s overall strategy? Corporate philanthropy refers to the act of a for-profit company donating their money, time or resources to a non-profit organization or charity. While the act of corporate giving is typically abundant in sincerity and warmth by both the recipient organization and from the folks responsible for the gifting, let’s consider another celebrated aspect to giving: the thriving pulse behind what’s in it for your company from a PR perspective. Being socially responsible builds the goodwill positioning of your company’s brand. Trust, honor and integrity are some of your company’s most significant assets. What better way is there to build your corporate image

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than by aligning with a non-profit organization that is committed to making the world a better place? While supporting these organizations, your company has the opportunity to be included in press releases, advertisements and other media channels, online and social media outlets and possibly an entire collection of additional cause-related marketing benefits. All of these things help to demonstrate that your company is socially responsible, while solidifying the public’s perception of value added to your brand. As your company strives to overcome its competition, remember that in general, people like to do business with people with a firm adherence to strong values. The question isn’t “Should my company give?” it’s “Where should my company give?” followed by a quizzically zealous, “How should my company give?” If you don’t already have one in mind, find an organization that aligns with your company’s business objectives. Or, choose to support an organization that is important to your employees. Visit www.guidestar.org to ensure the organization is registered with the IRS and meets tax exemption criteria. When you choose to support a non-profit that is linked with your company’s objectives,

Strategizing Your Company’s Giving Strategy | SMALL BUSINESS

you’re immediately relevant. For example, Dave’s Marketplace and Our Lady of Fatima Hospital have recently adopted the American Diabetes Association of New England as a non-profit partner. “Since diabetes is so largely managed by the foods we eat, it makes a lot of sense for us to partner with the American Diabetes Association,” said Renee Hughes, Community Relations Director for Dave’s Marketplace. “We feel it is part of our responsibility to our customers to help communicate that what we provide in our stores has the power to impact their health.” Certified Diabetes Educators and Registered Dietitians from Our Lady of Fatima Hospital have also joined this partnership and will be hosting free diabetes education classes at Dave’s Marketplace once per quarter. Dave’s Marketplace will be collecting donations at the register and will reward customers with valuable store coupons upon making a minimum $1 donation to the ADA of New England. Through this alliance, both Dave’s and Our Lady of Fatima Hospital have developed ways to support a non-profit that is relevant to both of their business goals.

people like to do business with people with a firm adherence to strong values

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Some companies choose to support organizations that speak directly to the personal interests of their employees. For example, Staples focuses a large percentage of their charitable giving to causes related to academics and career development. But the company also recognizes that by inviting their employees to weigh in on which causes or organizations are important to them, they have developed another way to value the bond with their employees. When an employee suggests a non-profit for their employer to support and it comes to fruition, another layer of employee loyalty has been developed. Corporate giving comes in many forms. Do your homework and investigate which organizations, causes or charities would be a good fit for your company. While the benefits of corporate giving begin with helping an important organization carry out mission delivery, they certainly don’t end there. Regardless of which organization(s) you choose or how much money, time or resources you donate, the fact that you not only support, but promote a worthy cause demonstrates your conviction and commitment to your family, employees, customers and community. And no dollar value can be assigned to that. Michelle Lantini Corporate Development Manager, New England American Diabetes Association

www.risbj.com | volume one issue seven

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www.risbj.com | volume one issue seven

THE WEST VALLEY INN

Let Our Family Serve Yours

The West Valley Inn Family-owned businesses are the backbone of the American economy. From small home based businesses to over 150 Fortune 500 Companies, they take on many shapes and sizes. Here are some fascinating statistics to consider: Family-owned businesses -

back fond memories of sports banquets, weddings, showers, and so much more. From small family and corporate gatherings to large weddings, the West Valley Inn can accommodate and coordinate events from 50 to 1,000 people.

• • •

Throughout the years, the West Valley Inn has experience substantial growth, now employing more than 70 staff. Like most local companies, they experienced a downturn with the economy in 2008 and 2009. At this time, they began to focus on growing their Catering and Soup & Sauce business lines.

account for over 50% of U.S. gross domestic product generate 60% of the country’s employment create 78% of all new jobs

But with all of the potential for great success that family owned businesses have, there comes one very large challenge…working with family members! Since 1979, the Correia family has owned and operated The West Valley Inn, one of Rhode Island’s most respected,

Soup & Sauce started as a basic takeout service by informal requests of patrons and now offers a full menu of takeout items offered five days a week. West Valley Inn Catering started small but quickly became a core part of the overall business.

the West Valley Inn has sustained steady growth and continues to be a signature Rhode Island business serving generation after trusted, and popular banquet venues. The Both have been major contributors to the generation

50,000 sq ft facility is set on 12 beautifully landscaped acres in West Warwick. For the past 33 years, James Correia and his son Robert have put an emphasis on extraordinary customer service and producing a quality product. This extends to their food, their facilities, and their trained staff. Each function is treated with the same careful attention to detail because the Correias know how important each function is. “I want to ensure that we create memories that last a lifetime for everyone that walks through our doors”, said Robert, “Our reputation is on the line every day and we continue to work hard to maintain the high standards that our patrons expect from us.” There are not many Rhode Islanders that haven’t been to a function at the West Valley Inn and I’m sure just hearing the name brings

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steady growth that the West Valley Inn has seen over the past few years, both in total revenue and the number of parties booked.

By diversifying and adapting to changing needs, the West Valley Inn has sustained steady growth and continues to be a signature Rhode Island business serving generation after generation. Each year, the family renews its corporate vow to “Let our family serve yours and create an event you will be sure to remember.” When asked about the future, Robert commented “We’ve been at this a very long time and have a proven business model in place, as well as great staff and management. Retiring and playing more golf is tempting if the right offer came along from someone I know would treat our loyal customer the same way we have over the years.” Interested in helping Robert retire so he can play more golf? If so contact consultant Joe Callahan of Strategic Business Resource Group 508-823-8551

Let the West Valley Inn Cater Your Next Event Whatever the event may be, we can arrange a special menu to meet your specific needs and budget.

Weddings Rehearsal Dinners

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First Communions Confirmations Graduations Corporate & Holiday Parties Collations

NO EVENT IS TOO BIG OR TOO SMALL www.westvalleyinn.com 401 822 2834 www.risbj.com | volume one issue seven

CAPITAL CITY | Preparing Your Business For Disaster

PREPARING YOUR BUSINESS FOR DISASTER BEFORE IT STRIKES Mayor Angel Taveras

with hurricane season upon us, we want our businesses to be prepared, today 58

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The time to prepare for disaster is before it strikes, officials say. And in the case of small business, the urgency of being prepared to mitigate losses – and those suffered by employees and customers – cannot be overstated. As Mayor, I am deeply committed to strengthening our small businesses, who provide critical goods services, sustain our economy by creating jobs and income to support our families, friends and neighborhoods, and who improve the very quality of life of our community. So, when disaster strikes, and businesses are closed or incur costs - we are all affected. Living on the East Coast, we have become accustomed to warnings of hurricanes and snow storms, sometimes to the point where we ignore some of the warning signs. But getting caught in a disaster – natural or manmade – can have deadly results. With hurricane season upon us, we want our businesses to be prepared, today. Peter Gaynor, my director of the Providence Emergency Management Agency (PEMA), works hard at getting this message of preparation, recovery and mitigation to residents and businesses alike. His goal is to help businesses learn the skills they need to adapt quickly to changing conditions and rapidly recover from any disruptions caused by emergencies. The advice is free and far too important to ignore.

The top 10 suggestions he has for businesses and residents include: www.providenceri.com/efile/2852 • Expect the unexpected • Stay informed • Have an emergency contact plan for family and business • Build an emergency kit • Plan on a 72-hour emergency • Know your insurance coverage • Locate and make copies of vital documents & keep them in zip-lock bags • Count on power being out for several days • Keep healthy by staying clean • Upload free emergency management apps now We also offer free business-centric workshops to give you practical, useful help through PEMA’s Business Continuity and Resilience Project. The last workshop was on September 5. Visit www.providenceri.com/PEMA/ for more information Other free tools offered small business include: • • • • •

Corporate Emergency Access System (CEAS) Northeast Disaster Recovery Information X-Change (NEDRIX) Continuity Planning Disaster Preparedness + Recovery Assistance Business Continuity + Resilience Project

Learn more by visiting the city’s PEMA website www.providenceri.com/PEMA/

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www.risbj.com | volume one issue seven

FEATURED NONPROFIT

Two years ago, Big Sisters of Rhode Island made a “BIG” decision. After successfully providing girls with mentors in Rhode Island since 1967, the organization decided to expand its program and begin to provide mentors to boys, and even changed its well-branded name to the more inclusive, Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Ocean State (BBBSOS). And now almost two years later, not only has the change been met with overwhelming enthusiasm, but it has allowed BBBSOS to launch new programs to match more boys and girls with mentors. BBBSOS knows mentoring works. An independent research study found that after 18 months of spending time with their “Bigs,” the “Littles,” compared to those children not in the program, were: • 46% less likely to begin using illegal drugs • 27% less likely to begin using alcohol • 52% less likely to skip school • 37% less likely to skip a class • 33% less likely to hit someone

What mattered to these kids was the fact that they had a caring adult in their lives. Because they had someone to confide in and to look up to, they were, in turn, doing better in school and at home, at a time in their lives when even small choices can change the course of their future. The need for mentors in the Rhode Island area has never been greater, and with more kids and more programs, also comes the critical need for more men and women to volunteer and become mentors. BBBSOS operates a number of mentoring for programs for children ages 7-15. The programs include: Traditional Mentoring - matches atrisk children in long-term, one-to-one relationships with adult volunteer mentors. While “matches” may formally remain in the program until the boys and girls turn 18 or graduate from high school, many of these relationships will last a lifetime. School Based Mentoring - pairs high school and college students with elementary and middle school students who may be in need of additional academic support or personal encouragement.

Mentoring for Children of Prisoners helps reach some of this special population of 3,000 at-risk children in Rhode Island who have at least one parent in a state or federal prison. Military Mentoring - provides one-toone mentoring services to children of active duty military and deployed parents, and also engages members of the armed forces and military veterans as volunteers. Big Couples - a new, innovative program launched just this summer which allows a married couple to share the mentoring responsibilities with a boy registered in the program. To help fund it’s professionally supported mentoring programs, BBBSOS collects gently used clothing and small household items that are re-sold through its valued, strategic partnership with the Savers Corporation. Needed items include all types of clothing, household linens, toys, decorative items, books and shoes. Items can be brought to one of the BBBSOS Donation Centers on 1540 Pontiac Avenue in Cranston or 1341 West Main Road in Middletown, dropped into any of the 80 purple donation bins located around the state, or can be scheduled for a home pick up by calling (401) 921-2434. The agency’s biggest need remains, however, for more men and women to step up and volunteer to be mentors. The time commitment is minimal – only a few hours every week or two – yet the impact is profound and can last a lifetime. Individuals, or couples, interested in learning more about becoming a mentor can call (401) 921-2434 or email mentoring@bbbsos.org.

RISBJ | rhode island small business journal

WOMEN IN BUSINESS | Positive Business

when to listen and when to speak by Patricia Raskin

We all hear and we all listen but there is a big difference between the two in quality and quantity. When we hear, we hear words. When we are not paying attention,

we hear sound. If we look attentive, we can often get away with not listening, but listening gives us and the person we are talking to something far greater.

When we listen, we listen for tone and inflection and we see expression. We pick up feelings and intent, especially if we listen well. We can even pick up when the words we hear are not sincere or heartfelt. Listening is an art and a great skill,. If we learn to listen well, we can get to the heart of the matter. The words we use also count. The well known phrase “Treat others as you want to be treated” applies in all situations in business and in our personal lives. Here are some tips to know when to be silent and when to speak especially in working with existing and potential clients: •

Talk when you have something to offer that the other person wants to hear.

•

Listen when someone has something to tell you and needs to talk.

•

Talk when you need to express yourself and the time is right.

•

Listen first in a new situation. Assess the environment and speak when you can contribute to the topic or have an example to share.

•

Set up appointments to talk when you know others have a busy schedule.

•

When calling, ask the person if this is a good time to talk. Don’t launch into an in-depth conversation when they were not expecting the call.

I have learned that people tend to listen when the spoken words have meaning for them, and shut down when others talk too much, too fast, are repetitious and say things that are not of interest. Interestingly enough, listening well is how we learn what to say and how to say it. Silence is golden and so is speech, especially when it’s balanced and meets the needs of both the giver and the receiver.

Patricia Raskin | Raskin Resources Productions | www.patriciaraskin.com Patricia Raskin, President of Raskin Resources Productions, Inc., is a radio talk show host, award-winning producer, media coach and speaker.

She is the host of “Positive Business” on AM790 on Fridays from 3-5PM and “Patricia Raskin Positive Living” on WPRO -630AM & 99.7FM on Saturdays from 3-5PM. www.patriciaraskin.com

RISBJ | rhode island small business journal

The Power Lunch | WOMEN IN BUSINESS

THE POWER LUNCH:

isn’t what it used to be...it’s better! by Tuni Renaud Schartner

Back in the 80’s The Power Lunch was named in NYC where it was symbolic of “having made it”. If you didn’t have to run out during the lunch hour, grab your lunch then rush back to eat at your desk but rather had the luxury of enjoying the long lunch at one of the more prestigious NYC eateries...well, it was a big deal and big deals were made! Today I have a whole different philosophy about a new kind of “Power Lunch”. My idea started percolating a couple of years ago and keeps evolving. A girlfriend/professional colleague and I started having “business” meetings at the local nail salon in order to fit as much as possible into our busy schedules - if we hadn’t wrapped up what we needed to cover during our manicure we would then continue our meeting next door at the Trattoria for lunch; being multi-taskers we understand that in order to get it all done creativity becomes a necessity! I then took it a step further when I had an idea back in the Fall to invite a group of 4 professional lady friends that I thought should meet each other to lunch because they have complimentary professions and I was hopeful that if I made the introductions in a fun, informal and yummy setting there might be some synergy and connections would be made that they could take from there and deepen. I also “helped” myself by inviting them to a client’s restaurant so it was a win/win/win! The North Kingstown chapter of “freshconnections” reminds me of a BIG and on-going example of the Power Lunch! We meet every other

being multi-taskers we understand that in order to get it all done creativity becomes a necessity

Wednesday during the lunch hour to deepen existing relationships and make new connections while helping each other grow professionally. After having written the rough draft of this article I shared it with the group and it sparked a fun conversation. One of our members, a Civil Engineer, said she thinks the idea is akin to being a sort of mediator that brings others together and consciously steers the conversation towards creating connections that can produce positive outcomes. Another member, of the Southern RI Chamber, really liked the theory because it is so similar to an important function the chamber provides often when facilitating relationships that are beneficial to their members. So, the new “Power Lunch” theory is a part of the overall paradigm shift going on now...it’s not anything new, it’s just a matter of changing our focus a little to a “how can I help” mentalitywhich always comes back to you in a positive way...aka, “Giver’s Gain”! And, living/working in RI is just as good (if not better) than NYC when it comes to those “Power Lunch” options, with all the fabulous restaurants, cafes and bakeries we have you can support your local economy while growing your professional network and/or business.

Tuni Renaud Schartner | tuni@deepblueti.com | 401.996.7822

www.risbj.com | volume one issue seven

The Aspiration Project by Laura Dunn

Introducing The Aspiration Project, an ongoing photographic study of ambition, perseverance, entrepreneurship, passion and drive from a female point of view. Founded by Blueflash Photography, the Project aims to showcase women in the Rhode Island area who are turning their passion into their profession by chasing their dreams and leaving the typical cubicle career behind to do something every day that excites them. The women profiled may be business owners, “employed-preneurs,” or acting as part of an existing business or organization to make great things happen through their own unique talents and flair. But they all have one thing in common: a go-getter spirit that sets them apart in making the leap from “aspiring” to “doing.” The goal of The Aspiration Project is to inspire other women who are kicking around the thought of making that leap for themselves. The full Aspiration Project gallery can be viewed as it evolves on the Blueflash blog at blueflashphotography.com. But a snippet of one profile will also be featured each month here in the pages of RISBJ. So, on to this month’s Aspiring Woman… • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

Aspiring Woman: Sierra Barter

a Photographic Study of Women Turning Passion into Profession Project Founder & Photographer: Matt Celeste, Blueflash Photography Profile summary by: Laura Dunn, Quill and Cursor

RISBJ | rhode island small business journal

What’s your passion? Organizing, interior design and styling. I love creating a space that not only is cute but practical, too. It’s hard for me to appreciate a space that’s ONLY visually appealing- I need it to be practical and cozy, too. Tell us about your work. In 2009 I started Clementine Lime, an interior styling and event design company focusing on local sustainability, simplistic efficiency and design-minded

The Aspiration Project | WOMEN IN BUSINESS

organization. It started as a fun side project to help me focus on something other than work...and I loved it! I am still an “employed-preneur” and I feel like I can balance my full-time “real” job with Clementine Lime to have a business based on my passions. I think when people start a business they feel like they have to quit their job right awayand that isn’t always the case.

make great things happen through their own unique talents and flair What spurred the conversion from hobby to business? I always got this weird, fulfilling, joyful feeling after I cleaned a room or

conquered a closet...I just LOVE to rearrange, organize and shop around in my own home. I knew that not many other people got as happy to clean out a desk, so I offered to do it for them. Any advice or quote that has inspired you? “A year from now you will wish you had started today.” - Karen Lamb What’s the best advice you can give to someone contemplating turning their love into their livelihood? Just do it- you have to try. And, don’t quit your day job right away...it takes a lot of time (and patience). Even if you’re not exactly where you want to be right away, give it time and work hard. If you’ve got ‘em, what are your website

or blog addresses? Website: clementine-lime.com Blog: lime-seeds.com • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • View Sierra’s full Aspiration Project profile on the blueflashphotography.com blog to read about how she discovered her passion and where she’s going with it next, as well as the challenges she’s faced along the way. While you’re there, get inspired by other Aspiration Project profiles too.

Aspiring Women Wanted

If you’d like to participate in The Aspiration Project, please contact Matt Celeste: matt@blueflashphotography.com.

Laura Dunn Quill and Cursor

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www.risbj.com | volume one issue seven

WOMEN IN BUSINESS | Have Systems In Place At The Office To Keep You Organized

have systems in place at the office to keep you organized by Kristin Carcieri-MacRae

In order to maintain organization in your office or home office, you need to have systems in place for processing day to day functions. Without systems, you will become disorganized, overwhelmed, and stressed. With working systems, you will become efficient and productive along with many other benefits that come with being organized. Here are 10 tips to help you get started.

Have A System To:

Kristin Carcieri-MacRae Owner Organizing In RI, LLC

RISBJ | rhode island small business journal

1. Process Your Mail: Many people have difficulty with paper management and setting up and following through with a system. Process your mail every day. As soon as you touch it, either file it, attach to your to do list to take care of during the week, shred it or handle it right away. 2. Process Your Email: As soon as you open it, handle it right away, attach it to your to-do list, delete it or file into one of your folders. 3. Work On Your To-Do List: Keep a running todo list. Make a to-do list every night before you leave work. You will know exactly what you need to do when you arrive to work the next day. This process will keep you on track with your day. You will become more efficient and productive when you utilize a to-do list. 4. File: Have a filing system that is in arms reach. Categorize and color code if you must. If you are asked to find a file, you should be able to locate it in less than 10 seconds. 5. Pay Bills: Stay on track with your bills. Incorporate into your calendar to remind you to pay. 6. File Your Business Contacts/Cards: Whether it is through electronics or good old rolodex, or a binder with clear card inserts. There are many options for this. You should stick with whatever works for you. 7. Handle Phone Calls And Voice Mail: Set aside time to retrieve and return calls. Keep a message pad/notebook for your messages. Utilizing a book will allow you to refer back to important dates, conversations and phone numbers. Try not to keep sticky notes or loose message papers on your desk. 8. Keep Your Desk In Order: Have a place for everything at your desk. Only keep items you use on a daily basis on your desk. At the end of the day, your desk should be clear. Have piles organized that you need to work on the next day with your to-do list on top of the pile. 9. Less Is More: Try not to have a corkboard at your desk with too much information pinned to it. Keep it contained to a binder or stored on your computer. 10. Follow-Up With Clients: Utilize your calendar to remind you to follow-up with clients in a timely manner. Clients will have more confidence in you if you are organized. Most importantly, I canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t stress enough that the systems have to work for you. What works for your co-worker may not work for you. Having great working systems in place will make you more efficient and more productive, saving you time and money in turn increasing your revenue.

PR….A Wondrous Woven Magic | WOMEN IN BUSINESS

Beyond donations, are you selecting affordable corporate sponsorships that match who you are? Where do you volunteer; are your employees encouraged to do so, too? Are you maximizing the benefits of your community footprint? This is the gold thread in your tapestry.

by Nancy Thomas

a wondrous woven magic Weaving a tapestry involves a coordination of effort, skill, materials, and a clear sense of desired outcome. Approaching a public relations or marketing need can be done in a similar way, and begins with asking quite a few questions before you have your answers and direction. First, what do you want your finished product to be? Are you going for a singular hit or a multileveled campaign? What materials do you have available to you? How is your skill base in both human resource and technology areas? Have you identified a comfortable budget range? Rather than rushing to create an ad or marketing campaign, this first assessment and planning phase, which can be quite easily done, will give you your plan to begin creating a customized purposeful tapestry for you, your company, product, cause or need. Your look. Branding. What is your company name, and does it work for you? How does it look in print? Do your logo, slogan and colors define you and separate you

from others? How are you set for photos/ videos, are they effective? When people hear you and see you, are you set apart from your competition? These are your basic and strongest threads on which to build – your foundation. Your public platforms. These are your brightest fibers – the ones people will see first – your website, social marketing (Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest), LinkedIn, others…and the tools to use them efficiently and effectively? Do you use photos and other resources to make your posts ‘pop’? Are your messages outwardly centered? Are you updating and is information current? Do you know how to establish yourself as an authority in your field? Are you responsive to those who comment or ask questions? What is your community footprint? How are you and your company involved in the community? What causes speak to you and how are you contributing back?

Advertising & Marketing. When you reach out to attract others, how do you do this? Are you in the right venues, those matched as close to your intended audiences as is possible? Are you sure, or are you just guessing? It’s a changing media world, oversaturated with messages. Have you talked about placement – and value added opportunities? Are you showing your full tapestry of colors, while focusing on that special thread or two that is timely and important? Your events. Open house? Holiday party? Host a networking group? Or going to one? What happens before you go and what happens the next day, after you’ve met people and have a collection of business cards? It’s all in the follow-up. News and media relations. Are you speaking with authority on your topic? Or telling the good news about your company? Do you take photos of your attendance or speaking at community groups? Do you have a blog and are you engaged with others to talk about the work you do? Weaving your message takes skill, caring and strength – it takes a plan, and a multifaceted approach. When done correctly, each project strengthens the one you did before, building on your solid messages, adding uniqueness. Next time you think you should “buy an ad” or “go on the radio”, stop for a moment. Talk to a skilled public relations expert who can give you independent information and feedback. Pretty soon you’ll be weaving with a solid rhythmic sound, creating your own rich, magical tapestry.

Nancy Thomas | President | Tapestry Communications

www.risbj.com | volume one issue seven

Southern Rhode Island Chamber of Commerce supports and enhances the business community of Southern Rhode Island and creates opportunities for the growth and development of its member businesses. Our chamber offers advocacy, connections, education, credibility and referrals

Elizabeth Berman, Coordinator 230 Old Tower Hill Road, Wakefield, RI 401 783 2818 | www.srichamber.com

for its member businesses along with many other benefits. We are a powerful alliance of more than 550 local business, non-profits and organizations, both large and small. One of the pillars of that alliance is our Business & Community Guide, a tool we use to drive business to each other’s company through referrals and a sense of “shop local first”. One of the greatest strengths of our Chamber is that we encourage our membership to patronize their fellow members, with the understanding that they will in turn patronize them when the need for their company arises. This Guide is a one stop listing of all the products and services our Member’s may need. We also connect your business to our communities: so whether someone is looking for a new place to call home, a vacation destination, or the right place to start or grow their business, the Southern Rhode Island Chamber of Commerce Business & Community Guide is their “go to” list. A new initiative that we are pleased to announce is our mobile app. Our chamber is working to bring you the very best in mobile applications. All of our members will receive a listing in our new mobile app with links to business websites, maps of their location and much more. Check out our website www.srichamber.com for details in the coming weeks.

RISBJ | rhode island small business journal

Southern Rhode Island Chamber | FEATURED CHAMBER

The chamber works to promote its member businesses. One way is which we do this is through our signature events. The International Wine & Local Cuisine of Southern Rhode Island is an event that does just that. The event is Thursday, September 27th from 5pm-8pm at the Palisades Mill in Peace Dale. Participating members include: • Wild Wood Catering • Rhody Joe’s Saloon • SoHo Ristorante • Casey’s Grill & Bar • Coast Guard House • George’s of Galilee • Matunuck Oyster Bar • Aunt Carries • Meadow Brook Inn • New England Grass Fed • Crazy Burger • Sweet Althea’s • Sweet Cakes • Sweeney’s Wine & Spirits • Sons of Liberty • Pier Liquors • Shelalara Vineyards and Winery • Newport Storm

Tickets are $35 per person/ $40 at the door and packs of 10 for $300. You can get your tickets at the chamber office at 230 Old Tower Hill Road, Wakefield 02879 or online at www.srichamber.com.

We are also gearing up for our Annual Meeting on Thursday, October 25th at the beautiful Meadow Brook Inn in Charlestown. At this meeting we recognize our Community Impact Award Winners: • • • •

Spirit of Southern RI Award Sons of Liberty Above and Beyond Matunuck Oyster Bar Innovation Twisted Throttle Community Enrichment Phil’s Main Street Grille

We are also pleased to announce our guest speaker at the event will be Karl Wadensten, President of VIBCO Vibrators and host of the talk radio show, The Lean Nation, on AM 790- WPRV in Providence. Tickets for our Annual Meeting are on sale at the Chamber office.

New Southern Rhode Island Chamber Members

Capalbo Dental Group of Wakefield Law Office of James T. Marasco Pier Realty Rentals T’s Narragansett

Paul Dion CPA South Kingstown Nursing & Rehabilitation Center Denali People’s Power & Light Children’s Dentistry of Westerly

United Storage Wakefield www.risbj.com | volume one issue seven

CHAMBER CHAT | What’s New

Central Chamber

Lauren E.I. Slocum, President/CEO 3288 Post Road, Warwick, RI

401 732 1100 | www.centralrichamber.com

Networking – Support – Advocacy. The Central Rhode Island Chamber of Commerce serves as a key partner with many businesses. We work with our members as part of a tight-knit community in order to promote their economic prosperity. The cohesive relationships within our community allow members to receive numerous benefits and rewards. From networking events to legislative advocacy, we sincerely seek to further their goals. It is of paramount importance to stay up to date on today’s changing technology. In order to consistently support our members, the Central RI Chamber released an efficient, mobile friendly website around Memorial Day and will release a new full site early this fall.

RISBJ | rhode island small business journal

New Members

Alpha Beauty Salon Alpha Insurance LLC Balise - Toyota Bill’s Place Pizza & Grinders Carpenter-Jenks Funeral Home & Crematory Colonial Life - T. J. Hartford Deco Decor Express Carrier Fort Adams Trust Hibachi Grill & Buffet Inc Hobby Lobby HR Rhode Island KOI Villa Water Garden Center Laid-back Fitness Metech Inc Nadeau Corporation Ocean State Theatre R .E. Coogan Heating Inc SnapGrow, LLC The UPS Store - Coventry West Bay Retirement West Shore Health Center

Cranston Chamber Stephen C. Boyle, President

150 Midway Road, #178, Cranston, RI 401 785 3780I | www.cranstonchamber.com

The Cranston Chamber of Commerce recently sponsored the First Annual Taste of Garden City held at the Gazebo in the Center. Various restaurants such as Papparazzi, Café Luna, Pinkberry, Edible Arrangements offered a wide variety of food and Wines and More provided an array of wines for tasting. The Chamber is sponsoring its second annual wine tasting at the Shriner’s Imperial Room on September 13th from 5:30 to 8:30 PM. Wines and More will be offering a wide variety of wines. New Members JJO, Inc. Cranston School Department Delman Watch Primary Residential Mortgage

What’s New | CHAMBER CHAT

Hearing Health Professionals of New England Mesa Café Corner Café Dr. Robert A L’Europa

East Bay Chamber Mark Matrone, Chairman

16 Cutler Street, Suite 102, Warren, RI 401 245 0750 | eastbaychamberri.org

Our mission is to promote business as the foundation for community growth and well-being by being the most reliable resource and leading advocate for businesses throughout the East Bay and surrounding areas. We welcome new members! Get involved! Be part of a dynamic group of leaders, make new contacts, gain new lifelong friendships and increase your opportunity to grow. We have a lot of great things happening here at the East Bay Chamber.

East Greenwich

Stephen Lombardi, Executive Director

to experience East Greenwich and its wonderful and varied eateries.

580 Main Street | East Greenwich, RI | 401 885 0020 www.eastgreenwichchamber.com

The East Greenwich Chamber of Commerce is getting ready to celebrate its first Restaurant Week. The event is co-sponsored with SO Rhode Island. EG’s Restaurant Week is actually a ten day culinary celebration which starts September 14 and goes through September 23. There are approximately 30 Chamber member restaurants who have decided to participate in this event. It’s the support of our members that helps make East Greenwich such a great place to work, play and do business. We believe the restaurant scene in East Greenwich is a big part of what makes our town and our Chamber special. East Greenwich Restaurant Week will give folks from all over the state and region an opportunity

COMMERCIAL BUILD-OUTS Professional Offices Design Consultation

The best way to find out about East Greenwich Restaurant Week specials is to visit www.eastgreenwichchamber.com. When you get to the home page, please click on Restaurant Week. The various restaurant specials are there so you can see in advance the offerings of each restaurant. The Chamber is also hosting its Fall Golf Tournament on October 1 at Cranston Country Club. The event is presented by Bank Newport and the associate sponsors are New England Tech, Cox Communications, The Rhode Island Blood Center and South County Hospital Medical and Wellness Center. The WHJY’s own Steve McDonald, the voice of the URI basketball and football will be guest speaker and announcer. New Members Dr. Christopher Pedorella DMD Fresh Plate Health

call for a FREE review & estimate

Renovations

RESIDENTIAL CONSTRUCTION

Family Owned Business 40 Plus Years Experience RI and MA Licensed

Specializing in Kitchens and Baths Energy Efficiency Consultation Siding - Windows - Doors - Roofing RWLGeneralContractors.com 401 729 1200

General Contractors www.risbj.com | volume one issue seven

CHAMBER CHAT | What’s New

BLU on the Water Nylo Hotel Festival Fete Centro Martini Café Fresco Greenwich Bay Oyster Bar The Village Café Motif Magazine Automated Business Solutions

As we continue our 30th Anniversary celebration, we are excited to have just rolled out our NEW website which will directly help our members grow their business. We have some great monthly “Business After Hours” scheduled for the remainder of the year, and we are just finalizing plans for our Fall “Business Booster” Series.

35 Valley Road, Middletown, RI 401 847 1608 | www.NewportChamber.com

Join the Chamber’s Government Affairs Committee for cocktails and hors d’oeuvres at our Candidates Meet & Greet

Our 30th Anniversary celebration also gives us an opportunity to share great stuff for our members and prospective members. We are welcoming new members with valuable promotions, such as -- complimentary and discounted advertising in local newspapers, $30 in Chamber Bucks (good for events), and a special for new businesses opened in 2012, a $30 membership discount.

Invited guests include local and State legislators and candidates for the United States Senate, First Congressional district, Rhode Island General Assembly, and the Town Councils and School Committees of Newport and Bristol Counties. This event will take place on Tuesday, September 25, from 6:00 - 8:00 PM at the Newport Yachting Center, located in Sunset Terrace at 4 Commercial Wharf, Newport. Registration is required.

RISBJ | rhode island small business journal

Deborah Ramos, President

401 349 4674 | www.ncrichamber.com

Newport

North Central Chamber 255 Greenville Avenue, Johnston, RI

Jody Sullivan, Executive Director

New Members Junior Achievement of Rhode Island The Deli Moy Works Blinds & Designs Chex Finer Foods, Inc. Leather-N-Lace Boutique Aquidneck Medical Associates Newport Sea Foam Trading Atlantic Grille Orange Leaf Frozen Yogurt Rhodeway Networks, Inc. Ocean State Software Adventure Water Sports Reliant IT LLC BioProcess Algae LLC George Fisher Finance, LLC

Although Twenty40 is part of the North Kingstown Chamber of Commerce, it is not exclusive to North Kingstown and is open to all of the surrounding areas. Twenty40 welcomes all professions including (but certainly not limited to) lawyers, accountants, teachers, realtors, bankers/financial services, landscapers, tradesman, media professionals, etc. Our October event, a harvest fest, will include a wine, beer and whiskey tasting on Wednesday, October 10th from 5:30 – 7:00. For more information contact the NK Chamber at 295-5566 or info@ northkingstown.com.

Sandy’s Liquors Teri Degnan Real Estate & Consulting, LTD

New Members Corner Office Financial, LLC Golden Crest Nursing Centre Mesiti Law Offices Retail Solutions Taso’s The Heart Spot

North Kingstown

Martha Pughe, Executive Director 8045 Post Road,

New Members Verizon Wireless Zone Needle Design Wadovick & Associates

Northern RI

John C. Gregory, President/CEO 6 Blackstone Valley, Suite 301, Lincoln, RI 02865 401 334 1000 | www.nrichamber.com

The Northern RI Chamber of Commerce leads the Coalition of Chambers here in the state of Rhode Island. In October, The Chamber will host two special Eggs and Issues breakfasts. The first is the Congressional District 1 forum being held on October 9 at the Providence Marriott Hotel. The second will be held at Twin River on October 31 where Chairman of the Board of Twin River, John Taylor will discuss the referendum on allowing casino gambling and the impact of Twin River becoming a fullfledged casino. For more information or to register for either event, visit the NRI Chamber at www.NRIChamber.com.

North Kingstown, RI 401 295 5566 www.northkingstown.com

What’s new and different at the NK chamber? On September 12th Twenty40 a young professionals group will launch with a trivia night at Sonoma Pub.

New Members John Cappello, Attorney at Law Cornerstone Group, Inc. DataNet, LLC Family Subs, LLC. MassMutual Salon Thread

THE RHODE ISLAND

COMMERCIAL & APPRAISAL BOARD OF REALTORS® P RO P E RT Y F O R L E A S E

Office Condos 900-4,000’:

Providence, Warwick, Johnston, North Kingstown, and Exeter. Several to choose from, sale or lease. Financing. Call for details.

333 Main Street, East Greenwich:

635 Arnold Road, Coventry:

Great location at Exit 7 near Centre of New England. 800’ front retail/office- Rear 1700’ warehouse service area with 14’W x 10’L O.H. door. Fully air conditioned!! Recently TOTALLY RENOVATED!!! RILiving.com MLS #1024237

500 Callahan Road, North Kingstown:

776-782 Main Street, East Greenwich:

Best location on Main Street. Bright and open 2nd floor unit with high ceilings. Parking lot across the street. Great office or studio space! 1,250 sq ft, $12. psf/yr. RILiving.com MLS #1018391

Flexible space in Quonset Business Park. Major highway access, minutes from I-95. Rail, Airport, shopping and shipping. 3 phase, 400 amp service, 20 ft ceiling, loading docks, overhead doors. ONLY ONE SPACE LEFT ! 6,000 sq ft, 2 loading dock, $5.00 psf. RILiving.com MLS #1005917

Excellent visibility in the Greenwich Shopping Center by the Dunkin Donuts on Main. 825 square feet with full glass and rear entrance. Retail, medical or office. Can be combined for 1,650 Sq Ft. MLS #1018795 (Unit 776) & #1014642 (Unit 782) Ample parking in the rear. RILiving.com MLS #1014635

269 Greenville Avenue, Johnston:

39 Nooseneck Hill Road, West Greenwich:

74 Nooseneck Hill Road, West Greenwich:

Bright office/retail/general business space! Unit C: Former tanning salon. $700/month Unit E: Former Law/Financial Planning office. $1400/month. Ample parking. 3 phase electric. RILiving.com MLS #1010162

47 Sandy Bottom Road, Coventry:

Large store (5250’) that can be divided into three; 1000, 1250, or 3000 sf. Very busy plaza on a busy feeder road. Join ReMax, Anytime Fitness, Subway, Liberty Tax, Northeast Karate & others. $12/psf base, depending on size and improvements needed. RILiving.com MLS #1007209

Great Rt.3 location just a mile north of Rt.95 Exit 6. Versatile building. 13,000 sq ft clear span with high ceilings, plus two offices/service areas, 2000 & 4000 sq ft. May divide. Other end of this 40,000 sq ft building is to be shared with Church. From $5,50 psf/yr. RILiving.com MLS #1022330

24 Quaker Lane, Warwick:

1,000 sf street level retail - $900 mo. 1,000 - 3,000’ sf (3 units) 2nd level, bright second floor space from $750 mo. with high ceilings and sky lights. Zoned general business. By Kent County Courthouse & “Miracle Mile” Rt.2/Rt.117. Great highway access & signage. RILiving.com MLS #987502

Butler

Realty Group

Commercial • Investment • Residential

401-886-7800 www.ButlerRealty.us 76

747 Pontiac Avenue, Cranston:

Great location near Rolfe Square. Three floors of office suites from 200 sq. ft. and up. Good income generator or large owner occupied office. Owner keeping several suites clear anticipating a larger use to buy/occupy and have income. 900’s

RISBJ | rhode island small business journal

Great Route 3 location just ½ mile from Rt 95 exit 6, nicely appointed office or retail suite with several offices and open area,was HQ for Bess Eaton & Tim Hortons. Fresh paint and carpets. 600-3600’, from $10 psf/yr. RILiving.com MLS #990071

6828 Post Road, North Kingstown:

Bright, light open floor plan. Signage on Post Road. Easy highway access, near Quonset Gateway Plaza. Own bath and shower. Great location, value and flexibility. Plenty of parking. Four units from $900-$1600. CHEAP SPACE, CALL NOW! RILiving.com MLS #986669

Many more Commercial Properties @ www.ButlerRealty.us .... or email Jeff Butler at jab@ButlerRealty.us Trusted Real Estate Service Since 1977 Looking to Buy or Lease? Call the Butler !

THE RHODE ISLAND

COMMERCIAL & APPRAISAL BOARD OF REALTORS® P RO P E RT Y F O R S A L E

400 South County Trail, Exeter:

Great location!! Design Award of Excellence. Private baths. Centrally located 6 minutes South of Home Depot in North Kingstown. Easy access at the gateway to South County. Taxes are approximate. Assessment as unfinished. 900-4,000 sq.ft. available. $149,900 RILiving.com MLS #995461

2025 Nooseneck Hill Road, Coventry:

2.2 acres on busy Rt. 3, $900’s. L shaped lot with frontage on Rt. 3 (Nooseneck Hill Road) and Harkney Hill Road. Heavy traffic, & great demographic. Corner and light access. Can be combined with 2011 Nooseneck Hill Road (MLS# 1006843) $300’s RILiving.com MLS # 1006843

118 Greenville Avenue, Johnston:

Free standing building located on a busy main road. Recently rehabbed; new trussed roof and paint, upgraded electric, on grass parking to the right. Full basement. Great for a Pawn Shop, Salon, Office, or ??? $89,900 RILiving.com MLS #1019846

111 Hopkins Hill Road, West Greenwich: ½ acre – 16 acres Very fast growing area off Exit 6A near GTech, Amgen & Centrex. Front pad is busy Dunkin Donuts, balance of site permits office, retail, warehouse & light industrial. Traffic count 15,000 and growing! Multitude of possibilities- 6 other avail. lots. From $150,000 RILiving.com MLS #855989

81 West Industrial Drive, Cranston:

Flex space, office/warehouse very convenient off Rt. 295 at Rt. Up to 2,000 sq ft office, 1,000+ sq ft warehouse 14’ OH door, end unit on dead end street offers parking and vehicle flexibility. Great for contractors. $275,000

17 Sandy Bottom Road, Coventry:

Great location and set up for night club, restaurant or other food/entertainment venue. Very close to turnkey as night club. Lease, lease/option or buy. 326 capacity. $595,000 RILiving.com MLS #1022520

111 Airport Road, Warwick:

Very nice 2nd floor office space. Tastefully decorated, good paint & carpet, possible office furnishings (nice stuff!) Three offices, conference, reception, lav., plus large basement storage. $180/month condo fee. $89,000 RILiving.com MLS #1012762

440 Drybridge Road, North Kingstown:

Light Industrial condo. 1,200 sq ft with 14 ft high bay door, 20 ft high ceiling, 200 amp 3 phase electric power. Gas heat, reinforced concrete floors, expandable. Contractors, warehouse, Light Industrial, Commercial storefront. $139,500

Butler

RILiving.com MLS#987517

Realty Group

Commercial • Investment • Residential

401-886-7800 www.ButlerRealty.us

660 Tiogue Avenue, Coventry:

High profile three street corner location. Just 2 blocks North of Arnold Road- Very busy area!! Sewers recently installed in this section of Rt3. 60,000 sq ft, 3 street frontage REDUCED $700’s RILiving.com MLS #955312

18 Highland Street, West Warwick:

RI’s oldest continually operating hotel. Rare opportunity, great cash flow possibilities, 15 room boarding house (could be 21) plus bar and function room. Bar is closed, owner is retiring, proven winner ready for new energy!! $475,000 RILiving.com MLS #994597

132 Meadow Street, Warwick:

Office/Mfg Wrhse combo.Great value for user. Nice,clean,bright space! This bldg has been substantially updated& is turn key ready to go.Owner can also modify to suit! Lease option available. $525,000 RILiving.com MLS #1013527

TION DUC E R E HUG

7265 Post Road, North Kingstown:

7.82 acres on US Rt.1. Zoning permits apartments/office/medical/retail. Many possibilities!! Will build to suit, sale or lease, or land only. Great location. Dozens of acres and walking trails behind property. Adjacent 5+- acres also available. Call For Details! RILiving.com MLS #856381

Many more Commercial Properties @ www.ButlerRealty.us .... or email Jeff Butler at jab@ButlerRealty.us Trusted Real Estate Service Since 1977 Looking to Buy or Lease? Call the Butler !

www.risbj.com | volume one issue seven

THE RHODE ISLAND

COMMERCIAL & APPRAISAL BOARD OF REALTORS®

Peter M. Scotti & Associates, Inc. PeterBrokerage/Appraisal/Management M. Scotti & Associates, Inc. BArokerage /appraisal /ManageMent Full Service Real Estate Company A full Service Real Estate Company

WATERFRONT DEVELOPMENT SITE PARASCANDOLA WHARF, NEWPORT, RI

57,900 SF LAND SITE, 74,000 SF WATER- 1,000 FEET ON NEWPORT HARBOR WATERFRONT BUS ZONE ALLOWS HOTEL, REST, MARINA, MUL FAM, MIX LAST WHARF DEVELOPMENT OPPORTUNITY IN NEWPORT, RHODE ISLAND

FOR SALE OR LEASE CRANSTON, RHODE ISLAND NEW, CLASS A SIGNATURE OFFICE BUILDING 21,000 SF SUBDIVIDABLE INTO 6 SEPARATELY METERED UNITS OF 3,150 SF

LAND DEVELOPMENT SITE FOR SALE 91 KICKEMUIT AVENUE, BRISTOL, RI 80,000 SQUARE FOOT PARCEL FULLY ENGINEERED/APPROVED EXCELLENT ACCESS AND LOCATION NEAR BAY WATERFRONT THREE LOT SUBDIVISION PRICE: $289,900.00

FOR SALE, EDMUND PLACE EAST PROVIDENCE, RI 71,984 SQUARE FOOT BUILDINGS FOUR STORY, ELEVATED, SPRINKLERS FORMER ASSISTED LIVING / STUDENT HOUSING WITH 100 ROOMS AND CAPACITY FOR OVER 200 PERSONS, FULL KITCHEN, CENTRAL RT. 44 LOCATION. PRICE: $5,500,000

OFFICE CONDO FOR SALE CED!! 150 CHESTNUT ST, PROVIDENCE, RI REDU 4,280 SF & 3,720 SF OFFICE STUDIO SUITES MILL FINISH, BRICK & BEAMS JEWELRY DISTRICT LOCATION NEAR BROWN U. MED SCHOOL EACH FOR SALE FOR $399,000. COMBINED $750,000

OFFICE BLDGS FOR SALE EAST SIDE OF PROVIDENCE, RI

124 WATERMAN: 7,600 SF VICTORIAN ON COLLEGE HILL NEAR BROWN U. AMPLE OFF STREET PARKING, PREMIER LOCATION, $790,000.00 240 HOPE: 3,000 SF VICTORIAN ACROSS STREET FROM BROWN ATHLETICS FULLY RENOVATED AND MOVE IN READY, $430,000.00

MEDICAL OFFICE SUITES FOR LEASE 49 SEEKONK ST., EAST SIDE/PROVIDENCE 2,000 - 9,400 SF SUITES WET EXAM ROOMS, LABS WAYLAND SQUARE LOCATION

AMPLE ON SITE PARKING GROUND LEVEL H/C ACCESSIBLE COMPETITIVE RENTS

Peter M. Scotti & Associates, Inc. • 401-421-8888

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Peter246 M.Hope Scotti & Associates, Inc.Island • 401-421-8888 Street, Providence, Rhode 02906 Visit our web page at www.scotticommercial.com 246 Hope Street, Providence, Rhode Island 02906 Visit our web page at www.scotticommercial.com NY Tel: 781-878-4540 Proof NE REal EstatE JouRNal

COMMERCIAL REAL ESTATE

PEA E OF MIND management & real estate

Full Service Manager Leasing Screening Real Estate Sales Consulting NOW Serving Quality Landlords in both Northern & Southern RI

call us today

Stacy 401 829 8323 Carrissa 401 749 9420

“so you can sleep at night”

our successes | office • 1300 Highland Corporate Drive, Cumberland, RI • 22,300 square feet of new, build-to-suit, class “A” office space • Leased to Johnson & Johnson, Proctor & Gamble and Hershey for Peregrine Group • 11 Blackstone Valley Place, Lincoln, RI • 28,000 square foot, class “A” office building • Leased to CVS for Blackstone Management

• 1275 Wampanoag Trail, East Providence, RI • 34,000 square foot class “A” office building • Sold to Dream House Mortgage for The Cranston Company, LLC • 1 International Way, Warwick, RI • 30,000 square feet, build-to-suit, class “A” office space • Leased to GSA (Homeland Security) for VAS Realty • 695 George Washington Highway (Route 116), Lincoln, RI • 50,000 square feet of new build-to-suit, class “A” office space • Leased to CVS/Pharmacare for F. H. French

mgcommercial.com www.risbj.com | volume one issue seven

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