Business Connection - BBB - Quarter 1, 2018

First Quarter 2018

B USINE S S CO N N E CT ION Better Business Bureau Serving Central, Northern, & Western Arizona A quarterly magazine for BBB Accredited Businesses

Kimberly Roland, BBB’s Director of Entrepreneur Programs, and Linda Stanfield, CEO of Stampede Plumbing, LLC, participated in the Ethical Entrepreneurship panel at PHX Startup Week.

See more about Phoenix’s startup community inside.

BBB BUSINESS CONNECTION

BBB BOARD OF DIRECTORS OFFICERS:

Celia Waddington: Ignite Creative Services

Chair - David Lorenz: First Fidelity Bank

Tyler Yates: Yates Buick GMC

Vice Chair - Ken Bonham: Lucid Agency Treasurer - Mike Bontrager: Adolfson & Peterson Construction Secretary - Carrie Young: SRP

YAVAPAI COUNTY ADVISORY COUNCIL

Immediate Past Chair – Gary Sneed: Desert Financial Credit Union

OFFICERS:

President - Matthew Fehling: Better Business Bureau

Chair - David Barrett: Barrett Propane Vice Chair - Susan Abbott: Home Instead Senior Care

DIRECTORS: Kim Anderson-Matich: Anderson Security Agency, Ltd.

MEMBERS:

Jim Atkinson: Car Repair Company (Auto Repair Committee Liaison)

David Franz: Ridgeline Builders, LLC Steve LaFleur: Prescott Import Car Service

Maria Barquin: La Campesina Radio

Connie Manning: Prescott AAA Arizona

Brian Burt: Snell & Wilmer, LLP

Neal Sneller: Touchmark at the Ranch

Ron Cohen: CRC Broadcasting Rick Dircks: Dircks Moving & Logistics Mike Donley: Donley Service Center Ambrose Earle: Shamrock Foods

BBB INSTITUTE FOR ETHICS

Ash Hachmeister: beni.fit

OFFICERS:

Tom Higginbotham: Sun Devil Auto

Chair - Bill Verdini: Emeritus Dean ASU/W.P. Carey School of Business

Carmen Jandacek: APS

Vice Chair - Gary Sneed: Desert Financial Credit Union

Andrew John: John's Refrigeration Heating & Cooling (A/C Committee Liaison)

Treasurer - Brian Burt: Snell & Wilmer, LLP Immediate Past Chair - Larry Seay: Community Volunteer

Asst. Chief Michael Kurtenbach: Phoenix Police Dept.

Secretary - Matthew Fehling: Better Business Bureau

Kevin Lange: Reveal Concepts Co. DIRECTORS:

Cheryl Lewis: Isagenix

Brian Mohr: Y Scouts

Tom Licurgo: Ashley Furniture Homestores

Peggy Baker: Community Volunteer

Mike McGuirk: ProCopy

Joe Dean: Dean Enterprises

Nathan Mendanhall: Sonora Quest Laboratories

Jim Donley: Donley Service Center

Brian Mohr: Y Scouts

Tom Fannin: Coldwell Banker

Garry Ong: Mu Shu Asian Grill Restaurants

Marty Laurel: Community Volunteer

Elaine E. Ralls: Commit Agency

Katie Osbourne: Community Volunteer

Lee Scanzano: Cox Communications

Gary Volkenant: Community Volunteer

Chris Sharfner: C&J Professional Cleaning Services Gerald L. Smithson: JLS Consulting

Independent Legal Counsel

Jim Sollenberger: Cue Financial Group, Inc.

Andrea Lovell, Ryley Carlock & Applewhite

Greg Torbenson: Postal Inspector Team Leader Bill Verdini: Emeritus Dean ASU/W.P. Carey School of Business

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BBB BUSINESS CONNECTION

®

PHX Startup Week From left to right: Kimberly Roland, BBB Director of Entrepreneur Programs, Linda Stanfield, CEO of Stampede Plumbing, LLC, Karina Rodesno, BBB Conciliation & Engagement Specialist, and Brian Burt, Partner at Snell & Wilmer and Chair of their Emerging Business Group.

In This Issue...

19

Upcoming Events

06 Make Connections & Grow Your Business

20

Connecting with Businesses and Consumers in Arizona

08

A Peek at Our Company Culture

22

Find Space + Speakers

10

BBB in Your Backyard

24

BBB’s Top 10 Industries of 2017

15

BBB Experts Answer Your Questions

25

Thank You Media Sponsors

16

Check Your 2017 Activity Report

26

Cybersecurity & the Tax Professional

17

Save the Date for the 2018 Torch Awards for Ethics

28

Need Help? Contact BBB’s Accredited Business Support Team

18

Startup Talk

04

A Message from Our President

3

Hello & Welcome

W

hen BBB Accreditation is earned, it tells a story about your belief in creating and maintaining trust in business. Reputations are built on standards like: Build Trust, A Honestly, Tell the Truth, Be Transparent, Honor Promises, Be Responsive, Safeguard and Embody Integrity. Thank you for living these BBB Standards For Trust.

It is an exciting time for BBB and our Accredited Businesses around Greater Arizona. Our camp in Maricopa, Mohave, Yavapai and Yuma counties are a tangible gift to support our community o businesses. From educational to networking opportunities, each campus features events, meeting accommodate your business needs. This publication is also a gift to create inspiration, conversati

We’re proud to be the number one trade association in the Phoenix Business Journal’s Book of L Company to Work for in Arizona since 2013 and on the 100 Best Arizona Companies List for 20 Thank you again for your support!

Matthew Fe President/C

4

Advertise d Privacy

Matthew Fehling, BBB President & CEO

puses of trustworthy g and training space to ion and engagement.

Lists since 2008, a Top 017.

ehling Chief Executive Officer

Pictured left: BBB’s Business & Community Center offers Accredited Businesses, partners and the general business community free* meeting and conference space for meetings, trainings, and events. reservations.arizonabbb.org *some restrictions may apply

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BBB BUSINESS CONNECTION

MAKE CONNECTIONS & GROW YOUR BUSINESS

A

s a BBB Accredited Business, you can attend free educational seminars to help better your business. Expert speakers from the community present on a variety of topics ranging from marketing, legal, social media, ethics, and much more. Our seminars allow you to make connections with other BBB Accredited Businesses and share ideas. You’ll walk away with valuable tools that you can start using in your business today! Don’t be left behind on what’s new and trending. Check out our upcoming seminars (see page 19 for spring sessions) and sign up today at events.arizonabbb.org.

Here’s what some attendees have said about our Better Business Seminars:

Excellent presentation, speaker had excellent knowledge of QuickBooks. ~ Charles Sanders from Real Sports, LLC

Great sem inar! Valua ble inform shared fro ation m the spe aker that c a n b e used in many sit uations.

Great spe aker! She was very k helpful wit nowledge h all of the able & topics and questions .

Clear and knowledg eable! ~ Anonym ous

and gaging n e s a eet er w y to m p Speak p a H at ative! er gre inform anoth h it w ow er. and gr ss own e in s u m b int fro drepo n A e t e n e nt nagem ~ Avau int Ma o p e r And

I enjoyed the seminar. Very informative and I can not wait to apply the new information that I learned. ~ Stephanie Marshall from Desert Solutions HVAC

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BBB BUSINESS CONNECTION

Meet some of our Accredited Business seminar speakers...

Jamie Graczyk from Employers Council

Mike Arce from Loud Rumor

Kevin Heaphy from Ryley Carlock and Applewhite

Mike Warren from Integrated Accounting Services

Charles Bassett from Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arizona

Lynn Ruby from Ruby Marketing Systems

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BBB BUSINESS CONNECTION

A PEEK AT

BETTER BUSINESS BUREAU’S

COMPANY CULTURE Featuring Noelle Rooke, BBB Director of People & Culture

L

Describe BBB’s culture.

eading Better Business Bureau’s (BBB) company culture as the Director of People and Culture, Noelle Rooke shares what makes the organization’s culture unique and offers examples on how businesses, big and small, can do the same.

BBB’s culture is about working hard, having fun, and growing. Almost every member of our leadership team began in an entry level position with BBB, which shows how the organization has been able to provide growth opportunities for qualified leaders. Team members who work hard, have a positive attitude, patience and a desire to do more have a bright future at BBB. We also hire nice people; it’s just what we do.

What makes BBB’s culture unique?

Something that makes our culture unique is that everyone takes pride in our organization.

It doesn’t matter how long someone has worked at BBB or their title, everyone helps clean the kitchen at least once a month.

Another example is people volunteering to grill hotdogs for Weenie Wednesdays.

Noelle joined the Greater Arizona BBB in 20 President/CEO in 2008 and appointed to he University, and serves on the Homeward Bou Arizona her home. Noelle oversees human res create successful organizations.

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BBB BUSINESS CONNECTION

an organization change as do the needs of employees. It’s impossible to please everyone, all of the time but asking employees for feedback on areas to improve is a great way to make small changes that positively affect What would you say are the three most culture. An awesome culture doesn’t have to important factors that affect a company’s cost a lot of money. culture?

What advice would you give to companies Trust - Employees need to trust what their looking to create a great culture right from leaders are saying and that they are looking the start? out for their best interest.

Hire people that believe in the work you Balance - We want our employees to come to are doing. Let those people help create work, do good stuff, then go home to their and develop your culture. Hire people who families and focus on their needs. support your top company values.

Appreciation - Who doesn’t want to feel appreciated for their hard work? Recognition What do you love most about your job for a job well done can be so impactful to an and BBB? employee.

It’s hard choosing only one because I love my job! I love onboarding new employees and How can employees tell if they work for a welcoming them to BBB. I love being there company with great culture? for our employees. We are all here to work, If you look forward to going to work, you but sometimes life can be hard. I love that probably have a great culture at your company. we have a culture that allows us to help our Doing what you love with people you respect employees during the most difficult times. in an environment that fosters growth and As for BBB, I love that ten years ago they innovation is a good indicator of a great took a chance on a young lady with zero company culture. admin experience and taught her everything she knows. I am forever grateful for the How do you ensure your culture opportunities I have been given by BBB. I stays awesome? hope I can give back to the organization as We listen to our employees. The needs of much as they have given to me.

Our spirit of giving back also makes us unique. BBB staff volunteered over 275 hours and helped 20+ charitable organizations throughout Arizona in 2017.

007 as Administrative Assistant to the Directors. She was promoted to Executive Assistant to the er current role in 2015. Noelle holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Communications from Arizona State und Young Professionals Board. She is a second generation native of Phoenix and is proud to call source and administrative functions at BBB. Noelle’s passion is people. She believes happy employees

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BBB BUSINESS CONNECTION

BBB IN YOUR BACKYARD With campuses in Maricopa, Mohave, Yavapai, and Yuma Counties, BBB has you covered.

Meet your local BBB...

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BBB IN YOUR BACKYARD - MARICOPA

Myriam Cruz, Director of Community Relations The BBB Maricopa County Campus is nestled in the heart of Central (Uptown) Phoenix. At the center of its three-building campus, BBB offers a Business & Community Center with seven rooms ideal for trainings, presentations, meetings, seminars, and networking events. The ability to book trusted speakers is also available through BBB’s Speakers Bureau. The 30,000 square-foot campus is a vital part of how BBB builds a community of trustworthy businesses.

Myriam Cruz serves as BBB’s Director of Community Relations and empowers the metro-Phoenix area by sharing timely BBB resources. Presentations at senior-living facilities on scams and internet safety, coffee-talks with parents at local schools, and seminars for business leaders at chamber events are some of the ways she shares the importance of ethics locally.

Local media helps BBB share timely information on local scams and problematic industries. ABC15’s Let Joe Know utilizes BBB volunteers to help consumers solve

Address:

issues with local companies, and 3TV often interviews BBB Vice President of Communications Felicia Thompson. Messages are also shared with Spanish media with regular interviews on La Campesina Radio.

Univision and Telemundo Arizona also help keep the community informed sharing BBB’s timely tips.

The BBB Maricopa County Campus also offers business seminars twice a month, featuring expert Accredited Businesses in the areas of social media, accounting, and customer service, to name a few. Almost 10,300 businesses have earned Accreditation in Maricopa County.

Through events, presentations, board involvement, scholarships, and strategic collaborations, BBB shares the importance of doing things right and works hard to protect both consumers and businesses.

Your local BBB campus serves this county:

1010 E. Missouri Ave. Phoenix, AZ 85042 Hours: 9 a.m. - 4 p.m., M-F

Maricopa

Email: info@arizonabbb.org Phone: 602.264.1721 11

BBB IN YOUR BACKYARD - MOHAVE

Debi Pennington, Mohave County Campus Regional Director The BBB Mohave County Campus in Lake Havasu City is located on Acoma Boulevard near the wellknown McCulloch Boulevard that leads to the iconic London Bridge. Just across from Arizona State University Colleges at Lake Havasu City, BBB’s office features a small conference room that accommodates 10 people and is available to local businesses and organizations.

Debi Pennington is the area’s Regional Director and shares BBB’s resources with the communities of Lake Havasu City, Bullhead City, Kingman, Fort Mohave, Parker and Quartzsite. Regular presentations at senior centers, schools, non profits, and business organizations allow Pennington to share BBB resources with consumers who need it the most.

One of the programs offered is BBB’s Ethical Athlete Scholarship. Three high school athletes in Mohave County have received the scholarship since the start of the program, highlighting the youth’s commitment to ethical behavior.

Address:

Frequently at local networking events, Pennington connects with businesses and shares the value of BBB Accreditation.

As an ambassador for the Lake Havasu City Area Chamber of Commerce, she connects with new businesses through ribbon cuttings. Partnering with the surrounding chambers is also key to BBB’s outreach. In the past, joint seminars have been offered with the Kingman and Lake Havasu Area Chambers of Commerce covering timely topics such as social media and generations in the workplace. BBB also hosts four seminars a year to support the more than 290 BBB Accredited Businesses in Mohave and La Paz Counties.

BBB also serves as a resource to local media offering monthly radio interviews on KNTR’s show “Speak Out” covering the latest scams, consumer tips, and BBB resources.

Tips are also shared through the area’s local newspapers such as Todays News Harold, Parker Pioneer, Mohave Daily News, Economic Development Journal, and Desert Messenger.

Your local BBB campus serves these counties:

60 S. Acoma Blvd. Suite #B102 Lake Havasu City, AZ 86403 Hours: 9 a.m. - 3 p.m., M-F

Mohave

Email: dpennington@arizonabbb.org

La Paz

Phone: 928.302.3701 12

BBB IN YOUR BACKYARD - YAVAPAI

Marilyn Huffman, Yavapai County Campus Regional Director The BBB Yavapai County Campus has been part of Prescott, Arizona for more than 15 years. Known as “Everybody’s Hometown” and the county seat of the region, Prescott is a booming area where BBB’s bright blue and gray office is located within walking distance of the historic downtown square that includes the Yavapai County Courthouse, unique boutique and antique shops, and the famous “Whiskey Row” and Sharlot Hall Museum.

BBB’s Yavapai County Campus offers the community a fully equipped conference room suited for 20 guests.

Supporting Yavapai, Coconino, Navajo and Apache Counties, Marilyn Huffman serves as BBB’s Regional Director and works closely with organizations in the nearby towns of Prescott Valley, Chino Valley, Cottonwood, Camp Verde, Sedona, and Flagstaff. Regular outreach at senior centers, non profits, and schools helps Huffman share the message of trust. Local chambers of commerce

Address:

and government agencies also partner with BBB for events, fairs, and shows. Huffman is the 2018 chair for the ambassador group at the Prescott Chamber of Commerce.

Three student athletes have received the BBB Ethical Athlete Scholarship since the start of the program demonstrating youth’s commitment to doing things right.

Local media also helps BBB share important messages about scams and fraud. Huffman is a regular guest at Arizona’s Hometown Radio and Yavapai Broadcasting, sharing timely resources to help consumers and business in Northern Arizona protect their money and personal information.

Close to 880 business have earned BBB Accreditation in Northern Arizona, and to support these and other businesses in the area, BBB hosts four seminars a year on topics that help owners develop in the areas of marketing, finance, operations, and technology.

Your local BBB campus serves these counties:

213 Grove Avenue Prescott, AZ 86301 Hours: 9 a.m. - 3 p.m., M-F

Yavapai

Email: yavapai-info@arizonabbb.org

Coconino Navajo

Phone: 928.772.3410

Apache 13

BBB IN YOUR BACKYARD - YUMA

Janet Torricellas, Yuma County Campus Regional Director The BBB campus in Yuma, Arizona is located on the popular cross street of 16th Street and 4th Avenue known as the “Heart of Yuma.” Part of the long-standing half moon building, BBB’s office is on the second floor and includes a small conference room that accommodates about eight people.

Janet

Torricellas serves as the area’s Regional

Director, offering resources to Yuma and the surrounding cities of Wellton, Somerton and San Luis. BBB resources are offered to various audiences and include educational presentations at senior centers, businesses organizations, high schools, colleges, military facilities.

Yuma media helps consumers stay informed about the latest scams by sharing BBB tips. Torricellas is often

Address:

invited to by Telemundo, Univision, Z92.1FM, Yuma Daily Sun Newspaper, Bajo el Sol Newspaper, 1400 AM Outlaw Country, Yuma Chamber Chatter Radio and the City Outlook Channel to share how consumers and businesses can protect against scammers and bad business practices.

The Yuma BBB County office also offers educational seminars four times a year on various business topics and features local experts in the areas of marketing, finance, technology, operations, and BBB business resources.

With more than 240 BBB Accredited Businesses in Yuma County committed to doing things right, the BBB Trust Seal can be viewed at several establishments around town including Yuma Solar. BBB’s message of trust can also be seen at various billboards around town.

Your local BBB campus serves this county:

350 W. 16th Street, Suite 205 Yuma, AZ 85364 Hours: 9 a.m. - 3 p.m., M-F

Yuma

Email: info-yuma@arizonabbb.org Phone: 928.919.7940

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BBB BUSINESS CONNECTION

BBB EXPERTS ANSWER YOUR QUESTIONS

Alexander Wade, BBB Accreditation & Systems Analyst

Karina Rodesno, Lead Conciliation & Engagement Specialist

Q.

Can my company have multiple logins to access the Accredited Business web site? If so, what do I need to do?

Q.

Can I promote my rating with BBB?

A. update the rating should Yes, but be prepared to

A.

it change. Because various factors make up a BBB rating, changes can happen at any time. Keep this in mind with print ads. When advertising online, you can include the dynamic (clickable) BBB Trust Seal (logo) that shows your rating, which automatically updates should changes occur. BBB Accredited Businesses are encouraged to include the BBB Trust Seal in conjunction with their rating.

​ es! You may have as many Y logins as needed. Using your existing business login, you can add contacts or email addresses to grant access. For assistance logging in or adding new contacts, reach out to our Accredited Business Services Department at 602-264-1727 or yourbbb@arizonabbb.org.

Need Help? Chat with us online at login.arizonabbb.org or toll free 1-844-220-8730.

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BBB BUSINESS CONNECTION

CHECK YOUR 2017 BBB ACTIVITY REPORT Have you checked your 2017 company’s stats with BBB? You can now view the number of referral(s) to your website, number of customer reviews submitted, inquiries on your EthicalAZ page, and much more when you log into your BBB Accredited Business Website.

Accredited Business Website: login.arizonabbb.org Don’t know your login information? Chat with us online or call us at 1-844-220-8730.

BBB HELPS CONSUMERS FIND ACCREDITED BUSINESSES WITH MOBILE BBB APP • Find trusted and vetted businesses on your mobile device • Receive real time alerts of scams happening in your neighborhood • Research company ratings, accreditation status, directions and contact info • Customize the App to meet your needs • IT’S FREE The BBB App can be downloaded from both the App Store and from Google Play Store. Download your BBB app today!

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BBB BUSINESS CONNECTION

S AV E T H E D AT E

MAY 15, 2018 THE ARIZONA BILTMORE

RECEPTION: 6 P.M.

|

AWARDS DINNER: 7 P.M.

BBB’s Torch Awards for Ethics celebrates Arizona companies that display an outstanding level of ethics and integrity in all their business dealings.

Meet our 15 finalists!

Featuring Keynote Speaker Cameron Herold, business coach, speaker, & author of Vivid Vision.

Cameron Herold

TITLE SPONSOR

Sponsorship and tickets now available at torch awa rd s . a rizon a b b b.org

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BBB BUSINESS CONNECTION

STARTUP TALK

Straight talk about everything startup with Kimberly Roland

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have been working in the entrepreneurial ecosystem of Greater Metro Phoenix and Arizona for several years, and as a result, have gained insight and access to dozens of resources and a wealth of information that are available to aspiring entrepreneurs and business owners alike. I receive dozens of texts, emails, messages, and voicemails every month asking about said resources, which is both exciting and daunting. Many entrepreneurs don’t know where to start or how to find resources.

Kimberly Roland, BBB Director of Entrepreneurial Programs

While we live in an era where information is easily accessible for most, ironically, one of the biggest problems encountered by entrepreneurs is information overload.

There is SO much information: so many Twitter profiles to follow, so many podcasts to listen to, so many listservs to subscribe to, so many #hashtags to follow for #protips, so many events to register for and then attend, so many books to read, so many magazines to buy, so many episodes of Shark Tank to watch, so many coffee meetings to schedule with experts, so many pitch competitions to apply for, so many conferences to sign up for, so many lunch-and-learns to hit up. Whew! I’m exhausted just listing everything and know I forgot a few resources. See, information overload is real AND pervasive! The quest for resources and information is, as you know, ancillary to the day-to-day duties of business owners.

If you’re reading this, chances are you too are experiencing information overload.

Perhaps you’re on a quest to get more connected, learn best practices, and access resources. Well, you’re in luck! Through this column, I’ll highlight resources and share information so you don’t have to do all the research.

For this column, I want to share a free, amazing resource: the #yesphx community. It really is called #yesphx (pronounced yes p-h-x)! It’s more than a hashtag, although it is a really useful hashtag to follow. #yesphx is a free, nearly comprehensive website where Arizona-specific resources - both free and paid - can be found. It is an online AND in person community that serves as a onestop-shop for all the basics relevant to the growing entrepreneurial community in Arizona. At yesphx.com, visitors can sign up for emails and start following #yesphx on social media. It’s simple, it’s community-run, and it is curated for you!

Speaking of curating valuable information, the intent of this column is for me to curate resources, ideas, news, and pertinent information for you. You’re busy! I know it, you know it, your friends and family know it. I want you to be more productive and successful, and I hope this column helps you do that in 2018.

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upcoming events march 28 | Managing Your Business’ Online Reputatio: A Precious and Powerful Asset from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Presented by Lynn Ruby from Ruby Marketing Systems

april 11 | La Fórmula de Éxito para los Negocios from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Presented by Claudia Chávez from Blair Singer Companies

25 | What’s An Employer to Do In An Era of #metoo from 12 p.m. to 1:15 p.m. Presented by Andrea Lovell and Ellen Glass from Ryley Carlock and Applewhite

may 2 | QuickBooks - Intermediate Concepts from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Presented by Michael Warren from Integrated Accounting Services

15 | Torch Awards for Ethics at Arizona Biltmore Resort, Registration at 6 p.m. & Awards Dinner at 7 p.m.

17 | How to Beat the Odds and Create a Sustainable Family Business from 11:30 to 1 p.m. Presented by Pete Walsh from Peak Workout Business Coaching

Register at events.arizonabbb.org

Mark your calendars for these upcoming educational & signature events. Unless otherwise indicated, all events take place in the Phoenix area. Seminars are free for BBB Accredited Businesses.

BBB BUSINESS CONNECTION

CONNECTING WITH BUSINESSES AND CONSUMERS IN ARIZONA Creating a Community of Trustworthy Businesses

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hrough four campuses in Phoenix, Prescott, Lake Havasu City and Yuma, BBB offers numerous resources. Most importantly, BBB connects with our community by attending events, making presentations, conducting media interviews, and supporting local business organizations and nonprofits.

Next time you are out and about in the community, look for BBB’s familiar faces.

BBB at the "Talk of the Town" radio show with Arlene Allen

Felicia Thompson, Vice President of Communications

Myriam Cruz, Director of Community Relations

Yuma BBB s

Debi Pennington, Regional Director Mohave County Campus

BBB attends Briarwood Apartments Christmas party in Lake Havasu City

Marilyn Huffman, Regional Director Yavapai County Campus

BBB Bash

Janet Torricellas, Regional Director Yuma County Campus

IRS Press Conference on Tax Fraud

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BBB BUSINESS CONNECTION

BBB Accredited Business Ed Whitehead Tire Pros at the Yuma Chamber Business Expo

BBB at the Mohave County Veteran Resource Fair

BBB speaks about fraud prevention during an AARP radio interview

BBB attends the ASU Spirit of Enterprise Awards with SRP

a Accredited Businesses with Yuma County staff at a recent BBB University seminar

at Lake Havasu's Desert h Volunteer event

BBB Accredited Business seminar "Generations in the Workplace" in Yavapai County

BBB Accredited Business Big O Tires in Lake Havasu City

BBB hosted Lake Havasu City's Chamber AM Exchange

BBB at Yavapai County Accredited Business Living Kinetics Attendees at the Yuma Chamber monthly breakfast

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BBB BUSINESS CONNECTION

Space + Speakers

For Meetings | Presentations | Training

Let our breathtaking campus nestled in Central Phoenix be home to your next client, staff or board meeting.

BBB’s Business and Community Center is also an ideal location for strategic planning sessions, workshops and training. Featuring seven rooms equipped with essential amenities and seating capacities supporting up to 75, you will find the perfect space at BBB.

Find Space + Speakers at reservations.arizonabbb.org

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BBB BUSINESS CONNECTION

ÂŽ

BBB is celebrating 80 years in Arizona.

Thank you to our BBB Accredited Businesses and community for supporting us in being the leader of advancing marketplace trust.

We will commemorate this milestone throughout this year at our BBB campuses so stay tuned for more details.

Thank You

BBB Ethical Athlete Scholarship Title Sponsor 23

BBB BUSINESS CONNECTION

HERE ARE BBB’S 10 MOST INQUIRED, REVIEWED, & COMPLAINED ABOUT INDUSTRIES OF 2017 Complained About Industries:

Reviewed Industries:

Inquired About Industries:

New Car Dealers

Air Conditioning Contractors

Air Conditioning Contractors

Plumbers

Roofing Contractors

Used Car Dealers

General Contractors

Property Management Companies

Home Electronics

Truck Rentals Sanitation Consultants Used Car Dealers Web Hosting Property Management

New Car Dealers

Plumbers

Computer Repair

Property Management Companies

Moving Companies

Used Car Dealers Remodel Contractors

Colleges/Universities

Financial Planning Consultants

Apartments

Home Warranty Plans

Cable TV Air Conditioning Contractors

Auto Service Insurance Companies

Mortgage Brokers Total Complaints 16,813

Total Reviews 28,835

24

Total Inquires 3,899,402

Thank You BBB Media Sponsors DIAMOND ADAMS

REFRIGERATION CO. SINCE 1947

EMERALD Air Conditioning Plumbing | Solar

PLATINUM

GOLD

SILVER

BRONZE & COPPER

Absolute Comfort Heating & Cooling . Alert Cleaning Services, Inc. . All Seasons Retractables . Arizona Kitchens by Max Arizona's Best Family Painting . AZHomeBuyer.com . A Smooth Move . Austin Fleck Property Management . Basurto

General Contractor . Berge Ford . Brewer’s Air Conditioning & Heating, Inc. . Brothers Plumbing . Capstone Roofing . CBN

Building Maintenance . Champ’s Auto Repair Service . Dusty Creek Builders, Inc. . Ed Whitehead's Tire Country . Efficient Air Fixtures Done Right, LLC . Foam Experts Roofing . Goodmans Interior Structures . Hobaica Services, Inc. . Howard Air Construction

.

.

I&I

IProcess Consultants . JC Tarasco Construction & Painting . Joseph’s Coat Painting . Kelly Clark Automotive

Specialists

.

Landscape Authority, LLC . Linda Booker Realty . Lodi Garage Doors and More . Mason Plumbing

On the Rock Landscape, LLC . Overson Roofing . PrivEnergy Group . Quality Car Deals . Sam’s Auto Body . Savage Air Conditioning, Inc. . Security Garage Door . Sexton Pest Control

.

True View Windows . Velarde Floor Covering

BBB BUSINESS CONNECTION

CYBERSECURITY & THE TAX PROFESSIONAL

By Nina Tross, MBA, EA, Executive Director for the National Society of Tax Professionals

T

review their network and secure information from hackers.

ax professionals fall under the definition of financial institutions and have an obligation to secure client data under the Gramm-Leach Bliley Act, as well as the Federal Trade Commission’s Safeguards Rules.

Suggested steps include: • Secure all doors to limit access to paper or electronic files.

• Establish strong passwords for access to computer files. Use a minimum length of 12 to 14 alphanumeric characters including upper and lowercase, numbers and symbols. Use different usernames and passwords for each software and online access tool.

To help protect client data - and their business - tax professionals should follow these best practices: • Conduct a risk assessment to check protection measures for taxpayer information at the office.

• Prepare a plan to safeguard taxpayer information.

• Encrypt electronically stored taxpayer data. Use a portal or other encrypted process to • Use only service providers transfer data to clients. with similar policies to protect taxpayer information.

• Shred all paper files.

• Monitor, evaluate and adjust • Utilize a firewall and software to security programs as the business restrict access to your network, or circumstances change. particularly when using a remote access service to gain entry to It is strongly recommended that your system. all tax professionals utilize the services of a cyber IT specialists to 26

BBB BUSINESS CONNECTION

The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has several publications on their website to assist tax professionals, such as Safeguarding Taxpayer Data and Security Awareness for Taxpayers.

The IRS aims to assist the taxpayer community by reducing the amount of refund fraud and identity theft associated with the filing of fraudulent tax returns.

Recovery from a data breach can be costly and time consuming. The risks to the tax professional include loss of clients, civil lawsuits for failure to adequately secure client information, and possible sanctions from the IRS or other federal agencies. The biggest risk is to the business’s reputation and livelihood of the tax professional as the loss of clients and income could also result in the loss of their business.

reporting to law enforcement, and determining the depth of the data breach. Then there are the actual costs of hiring an attorney, an IT specialist, a public relations person, and setting up credit monitoring for affected clients.

Unfortunately, the IRS hears daily from tax professionals about breaches to their tax software. The first point of contact at the IRS is the local Stakeholder Liaison who is prepared to assist with the steps necessary to limit the number of fraudulent returns being processed.

Proper insurance can help with some of the hard costs, but the other intangible costs cannot be measured.

Utilize the best resources available to secure a system, establish best practices to protect clients, and take immediate action if unusual activity is discovered.

Tax professionals who are willing to share their stories talk about the time involved working with clients, dealing with federal and state tax agencies,

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Embody Integrity | Approach all business dealings, marketplace transactions and commitments with integrity.

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