Sept- Oct 2013 Chatter by Greater West Chester Chamber of Commerce

2013

SEPT/OCt

Chatter the Chamber

The Member News & Information Resource

Providing Leadership and Opportunity for business

Disney Institute Guide to Brand Loyalty Providing Leadership and Opportunity for business

I bet you have heard that West Chester, PA is hosting Disney Institute in September, but did you really hear what it is about and how it can help you!? For over 85 years, The Walt Disney Company has maintained a comfortable and lasting position in the marketplace due to a strong commitment to its core values. Throughout this course, you gain insight into the strategies that drive the Disney organization, including its emphasis on inspiring creativity, leadership excellence, people management, quality service, and brand loyalty practices. Discover how to adapt these methods to strengthen your organization and help drive long-term results.

You can learn how to: • Adapt Disney business strategies and practices to improve your organization.

CHAMBER STAFF Mark Yoder President Dave Fairman Director of Membership Maggie O’Niell Office Operations Director Bethany Henry Member Service Coordinator Greater West Chester Chamber of Commerce 119 North High Street West Chester, PA 19380 tel 610.696.4046 fax 610.696.9110 www.greaterwestchester.com

•D evelop a leadership vision that inspires dedication and commitment among employees. We are confident this Disney Institute experience will be an enjoyable, rewarding and magical one!

•A pply key elements of the Disney people management strategy to strengthen your culture.

Thursday, September 12 Days Hotel West Chester

• Develop an organizational culture that supports consistent delivery of exceptional quality service.

Design6˚ | connections count www.design6degrees.com

• I ncorporate time-tested principles for building and fortifying brand loyalty.

Chamber Chatter | Bi-Monthly Advertising Rates Eighth Page/Business Card 3.625” (w) x 2.25” (h)

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The Greater West Chester Chamber of Commerce took every precaution to ensure that all information is correct at the time of publishing. The opinions expressed are those of the author(s) only and should not be considered as representative of the Greater West Chester Chamber of Commerce.

•F oster a collaborative environment that draws on the creative resources of your entire organization.

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10% discount on full annual run of any size ad. Space reservation is due by the 1st of the month prior to publication (i.e. March/April editionreservation due by Feb. 1, and the ad itself is due Feb. 8).

The Chamber Chatter is a bi-monthly publication with a circulation of 1100. It is free to members of the Chamber. Editorial Content and advertising is limited to Chamber members. Editorial coverage does not imply or indicate Chamber endorsement of members business, product or services.

The Chamber Welcomes New Members ADP

Camp K-9 Paradise for Paws

Goshen Beverage Center

Mr. David Marshall 1125 Virginia Drive Fort Washington, PA 19034 570-617-4752 david.marshall2@adp.com www.adp.com Payroll & Tax Preparation

Mr. Jason Morgera 1303 West Chester Pike West Chester, PA 19382 610-430-5959 610-430-7110 Fax info@campk9pa.com www.campk9pa.com Pet Services or Retail

Mr. Jim Crane 102 Turner Lane West Chester, PA 19380 610-436-6555 610-436-5115 Fax jim@goshenbeverage.com www.goshenbeverage.com Beer Distributor

Mr. Gregory Agle 205 W. Virginia Avenue West Chester, PA 19380 484-467-7314 610-696-1049 Fax gregoryagle@msn.com www.cardplus.com Medical Services

Chefanti, LLC

E. Kahn Development Corporation

Ms. Jennifer Moriarta 211 E. Market Street West Chester, PA 19382 610-429-0467 info@chefanti.com www.chefanti.com Caterers

Artisan Exchange

Exact Payroll

Mr. Eli Kahn 55 Country Club Drive, Suite 200 Downingtown, PA 19335-3062 610-873-5585 610-873-7560 Fax ekahn@ekahndevelopment.com www.ekahndevelopment.com Real Estate

Ms. Maryann Baldassarre 208 Carter Drive, Suite 13B West Chester, PA 19382 610-719-0232 610-719-0230 Fax maryann@goldenvalleyfarms.com www.artisanexchangewcpa.com Food Services

Mr. David Rabin 3993 Huntingdon Pike, Suite 110 Huntingdon Valley, PA 19006 215-344-8069 drabin@exactpayroll.com www.exactpayroll.com Payroll & Tax Preparation

BONBIDS / Cause Marketing

Terry Gallen P.O. Box 432 Glen Mills, PA 19342 610-633-1880 gallenelectric@aol.com www.gallenelectricinc.com Electrical Contractors

Arguello, Agle & Associates, LLC

Ms. Monique Giroux 5 Nine Gates Road Chadds Ford, PA 19317 610-444-4731 mgiroux@bonbids.com www.bonbids.com Marketing / Public Relations

Caffee Gelato Mr. Ryan German 90 E. Main Street Newark, DE 19711 302-533-0201 302-738-5812 Fax caffegelato@msn.com www.caffegelato.com Restaurant/Cafe

Gallen Electric Incorporated

Leasa Goodwin, Independent Mary Kay Consultant Ms. Leasa Goodwin 48 Norwood House Road Downingtown, PA 19335 610-662-1038 leasamk@yahoo.com www.marykay.com/leasagoodwin Beauty Services

The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society Ms. Lauren Iannucci Eastern Pennsylvania & Delaware Chapters 555 North Lane, Suite 5010 Conshohocken, PA 19428 610-238-0360 Lauren.Iannucci@lls.org www.lightthenight.org/epa Not-For-Profit Organization

Mosquito Shield Ms. Tina Brogan 1104 Dawn Drive West Chester, PA 19380 484-947-2939 610-429-8132 Fax westchester@moshield.com www.moshield.com Lawn Service

MSB, Inc. - Making Stuff Better Mr. Ken Brown P.O. Box 3351 West Chester, PA 19381 484-212-3027 ken@MSBinc.com www.MSBinc.com Marketing/Public Relations

Chamber Chatter NEWS

New Chamber Members continued Parkway Greetings

Scott Honda

Unite for HER

Mr. Todd Ciccarone 929 S. High Street Parkway Shopping Center West Chester, PA 19382 484-887-0049 484-887-0104 Fax ToddSr@ParkwayGreetings.com www.ParkwayGreetings.com Retail

Mr. Duke Scott 706 Autopark Boulevard West Chester, PA 19382 610-692-6000 dukescott@scotthonda.com www.scotthonda.com Automotive-Dealers

Mrs. Sue Weldon P.O. Box 351 Pocopson, PA 19366 610-322-9552 uniteforher@yahoo.com www.uniteforher.org Not-For-Profit Organization

Period Architecture, Ltd. Mr. Douglas Mancuso 120 N. Church Street, Suite 102 West Chester, PA 19380 610-719-0101 mancuso@periodarchitectureltd.com www.periodarchitectureltd.com Architects

Pet Supplies Plus Ms. Kelly Miller 959 Paoli Pike West Chester, PA 19380 610-696-8042 610-696-8127 Fax psp9059@petsuppliesplus.com www.petsuppliesplus.com Pet Services or Retail

Saint Agnes School Sister Joan Felicia 211 W. Gay Street West Chester, PA 19380 610-696-1260 610-436-9631 Fax info@saintagnesparish.org saintagnesschoolwc.org Schools / Colleges / Universities

Chamber Chatter NEWS

Sidelines Sportswear & Promotions Mr. Joe Meehan 353 Lancaster Avenue Frazer, PA 19355 610-251-1617 610-251-1618 Fax jzmeehan@comcast.net www.sidelinessportswear.com Advertising Specialties

TPL Photography Mr. Billy Ronayne 855 W. Miner Street West Chester, PA 19382 610-656-0770 Billy@Tplphotography.com www.tplphotography.com Photography

UDrive Automobiles, LLC Mr. Todd Myers 722 E. Union Street, Unit B West Chester, PA 19382 610-738-6902 610-738-6903 Fax info@udriveautomobiles.com www.udriveautomobiles.com Automotive-Dealers

The Westside Community Center Mr. Ryan Enns 430 Hannum Avenue West Chester, PA 19380 484-682-4910 Ryan@westsidecommunitycenterwc.org www.westsidecommunitycenterwc.org Not-For-Profit Organization

Chamber Presents 2013-2014 Membership Directory The Chamber staff and board of directors were thrilled to unveil the latest edition of the annual Resource Guide & Membership Directory at the Business Card Exchange on August 7th at Fred Beans Ford Lincoln, 1155 West Chester Pike, West Chester. The newly redesigned book will be landing in Chamber members’ mailboxes very soon, as well as being distributed to each student enrolled in the West Chester Area School District. In addition to providing a comprehensive listing of Chamber member businesses, the publication encourages readers to “Keep It Local” by patronizing the locally owned companies that support the Chamber and the West Chester community. This is the third consecutive year that the Directory launch has been hosted by Fred Beans Ford Lincoln. Always a popular event, Jack Enright and his friendly, accommodating staff opened their beautifully remodeled showroom to Chamber members. The Fred Beans team always exhibits outstanding hospitality by providing delicious food and drink and wonderful music, while delivering Chamber members a fine opportunity for networking.

The 2013-2014 Resource Guide & Membership Directory is available to pick up in the Chamber office and also lives on the Chamber’s website.

GOLF MEMBERSHIP WINNERS The Greater West Chester Chamber of Commerce has teamed up with Applecross Country Club to offer renewing members an opportunity to win a Casual Golf Membership at Talamore and Applecross Country Clubs. All current members are eligible to win during the month they renew their membership. The drawings will continue each month through December 2013.

Congratulations to these businesses who were picked in a lottery drawing of Chamber businesses that renewed their memberships in June and July 2013:

Mr. Frank Herron Barnaby’s West Chester

Mr. Brian McFadden Hotel Warner

Mr. Jeffrey Smith Christian Science Reading Room

Jean Smith Manuli Independence Blue Cross

Dr. John S. Clayton John S. Clayton, D.O.

Anjum Irfan Anjum Irfan, M.D., Mind Body Institute of Ches. Co.

Mr. Steve Coscia Coscia Communications Inc. Mr. Ronald K. DellaVecchia DellaVecchia, Reilly, Smith & Boyd Funeral Home, Inc.

Mr. Leo J. Sam Land Rover Jaguar West Chester Mr. Marty Gruszka Legacy Wealth Management

Mr. Walter Flasinski Electrical Technical Services, LLC

Mr. JB Braun Main Line Today

Frank Reilly Equine Medical & Surgical Associates, Inc.

Gern W. Jaeger Specialty Metals Welding & Fabrication Inc.

Mrs. Karen H. Cavin The 5 Senses

Mr. Anthony L. Stancato, Jr. StanAb, LP

Mr. Jack Enright Fred Beans Ford Lincoln Mercury of West Chester

Ms. Katie Connor Tague Design Showroom

Mr. Bruce Govan Govan Consulting, LLC

Mr. Dan Brady The UPS Store #4721 @ Parkway

Chamber Chatter NEWS

West Chester Area Day Care Center Ribbon Cutting Ceremony NEW INFANT/TODDLER PLAYGROUND

On Tuesday, July 30, 2013 the ribbon Cutting Ceremony was held to officially open the new Infant/Toddler Playground at the West Chester Area Day Care Center. (WCADCC). West Chester Mayor Carolyn T. Comitta joined Betsy Billie, Executive Director, as well as many funders, family, and friends. The new the Infant/Toddler Playground provides the children with the best possible outdoor learning environment with upgraded, age appropriate playground equipment. Safety is of utmost importance and the ground covering, equipment and additional components are all carefully chosen with safety as the priority. The playground equipment has been carefully chosen to provide a variety of experiences and encourage the children to explore their environment, develop fine and gross motor skills and enhance creativity.

This dream was made into a reality for our children through many generous foundation grants, community donations and fund raising events.

The West Chester Area Day Care Center is located at 501 East Nields Street, West Chester, PA 19382. For more Information about the center:

cadcc@gmail.com | 610.696-8447 | www.wcadaycare.org

Founded in 1962 and celebrating over 50 years of service to the community, the West Chester Area Day Care Center is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to the mission of striving to provide a quality, early childhood education program that develops children emotionally, socially, intellectually and physically in a safe and nurturing environment, especially those with the greatest financial need. WCADCC is a partner agency of The United Way of Chester County. The Center currently serves 123 children and offers a wide range of programs for infants, toddlers, pre-school and kindergarten students, with before/after school and summer programs for children in first grade through age twelve.

2013 GWCC Board Members officers Tim Jefferis, Chairman Penn Liberty Bank Chris Tolsdorf, Chairman-Elect Tolsdorf Oil Lube Express Donna L. Urian, , Vice Chairman Fischer Cunnane & Associates, Ltd. Rob Partridge, Treasurer West Chester Area School District Marc Ernest, Secretary Franklin Mint Federal Credit Union Scott Mayes, Immediate Past Chairman Comcast Spotlight

Chamber Chatter NEWS

Board of Directors Mary Bigham WC Dish, LLC Bryan Brockson EDiS Construction & Development

Guy T. Dunn 1-800-905 Geek / Geeks On Call Debi Wright Friedmann Blue Dog Printing & Design Thomas Gavin The Chester County Hospital

Thomas Ciccarone Parkway Dry Cleaners, Inc.

Liz Golding Susquehanna Bank

John J. Cunningham Lamb McErlane PC

Nicole Grebloskie Arthur Hall Insurance

Ronald K. DellaVecchia DellaVecchia, Reilly, Smith & Boyd Funeral Home, Inc.

Mell Josephs Student Services, Inc. Jeannie McGinn Fulton Bank

Patrick M. McKenna Gawthrop Greenwood, PC Andrew McMenamin DNB First Brian Miller Mars Drinks North America, LLC Marisa Powell Pietroâ€™s Prime Nonnaâ€™s Restaurants Donna Saul Business Coaching & Consulting Marjorie Wentz Elmark Signs & Graphics

5 Tips to Boost Your Bottom Line Free advice is always popular but none more so than the answer to the question “How can I make more money?” It’s one of the questions I’m asked most often, and although there are many answers depending on perspective, the simple answers are these: 1. Raise Your Prices If you think you can’t, stop and really think about it because, yes, you can, and here’s why it’s worth consideration: Every penny you get by doing that drops directly to your bottom line and directly into your pocket, one way or another. So the question isn’t whether or not you should raise your prices, but by how much should you raise your prices. Entertain this thought for one hot minute: Choose one or two of your most popular product lines and increase the unit price by fifteen cents. Now do the math. Then, increase the price to .25 cents and do the math. See my point? You’ve made no drastic changes, not incurred additional costs, and you’re already making more money. To make the largest impact on your bottom line, do this across product lines, or services offered. Just decide on how much revenue you want to add and then raise the prices accordingly. Be judicious, not greedy. A small increase across multiple lines or services can contribute significantly to profit.

2. Reduce Vendor Costs

By: Donna Saul

3. Consider Affiliate Marketing If there are products and services you’re already recommending, consider an affiliate relationship with that company and earn a small commission if your customer buys. Most cost little or nothing to establish, and can add revenue for minimal effort.

4. Create New Revenue Streams Sell your by-products. Is there anything of value that’s created as a result of the normal production of your product or service? For example, if you’re into social media and are good at getting noticed online, then offering online marketing services may be a viable option for generating additional profit at little or no cost.

5. Focus On The Right Things Just because you’ve done the same things for as long as you can remember does not mean you should continue. Be fanatical about WHY you’re doing things, and quantify how what you are doing (and how) is beneficial to your bottom line. You may think that a method of operating or way of doing business is impactful and generating revenue, but make sure you’re correct by checking facts, which more often than not come in the form of cold, hard numbers. The simple question is: Does this make my company money or does it not, and can doing it differently or not at all increase profit? You may find that doing something less or differently is far more profitable to your bottom line than maintaining the status quo.

Any one of these small changes will result in maximum impact for your bottom line.

Every dollar you don’t spend is a dollar dropped directly to your bottom line, so investigate vendor costs and options regularly— up to and including the idea of using another vendor. Be fair to long term relationships, but be informed, too, and adjust relationships and terms accordingly.

Donna Saul is a business strategist and consultant specializing in getting things done, and in increasing the effectiveness and profitability of businesses. She also is a regular host of GWCC’s Chamber Chatter Radio airing 1pm ET at www.wche1520.com. T he Bott om Line o n B u ilding a B o tto m Line

donna@donnasaul.com | 610.889.0626 | www.donnasaul.com

Chamber Chatter NEWS

Thank you to our

Renewing Members in June and July 2013

Our members are the foundation of our organization. To honor them we would like to congratulate and thank those who renewed their membership in June and July 2013. Thank you for your ongoing support of the Greater West Chester Chamber of Commerce. Dave Fairman Director of Membership

Chamber Chatter NEWS

Members for 30 years or more Sartomer USA, LLC West Chester Area School District Taylor’s Music Store and Studios, Inc. MEMBERS 29-20 years DellaVecchia, Reilly, Smith & Boyd Funeral Home, Inc. National Penn Bank Harvey’s Auto Repair Days Hotel West Chester Barclay Friends StanAb, LP 10 - 19 years Penn Office Products, Inc. Stratton’s Wynnorr Farm RE/MAX Main Line Independence Blue Cross TQ Consultants, LLC Land Rover Jaguar West Chester Christian Science Reading Room Cape May Creations Delaware County Community College Maulo & Company, Ltd., CPA’s Century 21 Alliance Commercial The Hickman All 4 One Sportswear Verlo Mattress Factory Store of Gtr. Phila. Main Line Today TD Bank

B. Neil Gentry Excavating and Septic Ogorek & Company, Inc. Coscia Communications Inc. Govan Consulting, LLC Fred Beans Ford Lincoln Mercury of West Chester Goshen Terrace Apartments, PMMC Giunta Enterprises, Inc. Jester & Saldivar Associates TheraMar Group LLC The West Goshen Goddard School Brandywine Ballet Company Equine Medical & Surgical Associates, Inc.

3 - 9 years The UPS Store #4721 @ Parkway The Goddard School / West Chester Jester Family Chiropractic, P.C. Keller Williams Real Estate / J. Gross Aquaterra Technologies, Inc. The 5 Senses Fischer Cunnane & Associates, Ltd. Chester County Running Store Stephine J. Devine, Esq. Fox Chase Bank ServPro of West Chester, Inc. Anjum Irfan, M.D., Mind Body Institute of Ches. Co. Barnaby’s West Chester Carlino’s Market West Chester, LLC AVE Downingtown Law Offices of David M.

Melchiorre, LLC Sharples Works Apartments Jones Termite & Pest Control, Inc. Miller Flooring Co. Miho Kahn Interiors, LLC Infiniti of West Chester John S. Clayton, D.O. First Liberty Partners, LLC Comcast RE/MAX Preferred Realtors / A. Chapis Specialty Metals Welding & Fabrication Inc. Electrical Technical Services, LLC Tague Design Showroom TribeSound Productions Home of the Sparrow Capriotti’s Sandwich Shop Concord Country Club

1 - 2 years Clear Sound D’Ascenzo’s Gelato Legacy Wealth Management Representative Dan Truitt Beacon / IDV Bridge of Hope / Lancaster & Chester Co. Robot Mouse, LLC TGM Halstead Timothy’s West Chester Jay Gundel & Associates, Inc. Fig West Chester / Moxie House, LLC Hotel Warner

Volunteer Of The Year Finding Friends Through Volunteering When Patti Griffin moved to the West Chester area from Westchester County, New York in 1998, she looked around for a way to meet people. She joined the Greater West Chester Chamber and quickly began attending events and volunteering to serve on committees. Within no time, the newcomer felt right at home. Fifteen years later, Patti can be found volunteering year-round at Chamber events whether giving out prize money at the bike race in July, handing out supplements at the Christmas parade in December or selling raffle tickets at 10 Grand in April. And Chamber members too numerous to mention have become lifelong friends. For her ongoing, unselfish commitment to West Chester and the Greater West Chester Chamber of Commerce (GWCC), Patti will receive the Volunteer of the Year Award for 2013. The award will be presented at a luncheon on October 16, 2013 at Penn Oaks Golf Club.

“ You don’t have to know Patti Griffin long to see why she is so good at what she does,” said GWCC President Mark Yoder. “She has a heart of gold, will do anything for you.”

By Dorothy Kennedy

Born in Illinois, Patti moved to Westchester County, New York as a child. She majored in psychology in college with the intention of becoming a therapist, but eventually decided she had more of an aptitude for “sales therapy.” She owned and operated a retail store in New York before moving to Pennsylvania and joining the Daily Local News sales staff. Two years later she became an account executive at Main Line Today Magazine. After earning her real estate license in 2005, Patti sold homes for several years before returning to Main Line Today where she has now been for a total of nine years.

“I love helping each person build their business,” she said. “I enjoy problem-solving, overcoming challenges, helping people set goals and then seeing them achieve those goals.” Patti joined the Chamber Executive Board in 2002, serving for 10 years including as chairperson in 2009. She also volunteers with the Devereaux Foundation, Cystic Fibrosis, the PA Restaurant Association and Girl Scouts of America.

“No job is too big or too small. She works behind the scenes at the Chamber and never asks for anything in return. Honoring Patti as the Volunteer of the Year is our way of saying thank you for her many years of dedication and hard work.” For the outgoing honoree, winning the Chamber award was “totally unexpected.” “After moving from New York, the friends I found and the relationships I made through the Chamber and through business made it home,” she said. “I believe a strong business community makes for a strong community overall. The two go hand-in-hand.”

Patti and her partner, Rich Hetrick, live in East Brandywine. She has three children, Jennifer, Jeff and Kelly and three grandchildren.

Chamber Chatter NEWS

The Fall Gallery Walk Stroll through downtown West Chester for an evening of art, dining and shopping. The Greater West Chester Chamber of Commerce will host its Fall Gallery Walk on “First Friday” October 4, 2013 from 5:00pm – 9:00pm. For more than two decades, the Chamber has been celebrating the thriving community of artists and galleries that make West Chester their home. One of West Chester’s most popular perennial events, Gallery Walk provides the perfect opportunity to experience the historic borough’s intriguing blend of urban sophistication and small town ambience. Visitors will discover that downtown West Chester is home to a diverse mix of galleries featuring a wide range of artists and styles. Gallery Walk guests will appreciate the work of local, national and internationally known artists. Exhibits include traditional and contemporary paintings in watercolor, acrylics and oil, plus sculpture, photography, jewelry, ceramics, textiles, and more. Four prominent galleries combine with sixteen additional “one night only” shows throughout the downtown business area. Brochures with walking maps direct visitors to show locations. Look for signs that designate official Gallery Walk hosts and their status as prominent Chamber members. The Chester County Art Association’s installation will be highlighted in the atrium at Maillie LLP, 17 East Gay Street. The Hotel Warner will host a special presentation of West Chester University’s “Big Read” project. The Things They Carried is a

semi-autobiographical collection of short stories of author Tim O’Brien’s experiences as a soldier in Vietnam. Two dramatic readings of the book will be performed by a collaboration of WCU’s English and Theater Departments. Original paintings by Vietnam veterans will surround the space on the mezzanine level of the hotel. Gallery Walk is fortunate to have two title sponsors for this event including The West Chester Business Improvement District (BID) and Sunset Hill Jewelers & Fine Arts Gallery, 23 North High Street. One of the original creators of Gallery Walk, Sunset Hill will feature a nostalgic collection of illustrations and graphic work created by the West Chester’s own Harry Dunn. The Greater West Chester Chamber of Commerce encourages you to bring together a group of friends to experience Gallery Walk and “make an evening of it” by dining, shopping, exploring and enjoying everything downtown West Chester has to offer.

Thanks to our Participants GALLERIES

ONE NIGHT ONLY ART SHOWS

Sunset Hill Jewelers & Fine Arts Gallery

DNB First Bank

Tish Boutique

Kati Mac Floral Designs

Franklin Mint Federal Credit Union

St. Agnes School

Jane Chalfont / Kiki Boutique

The Five Senses

Chester County Art Association

Fox Chase Bank

Visual Expansion Gallery

The Hickman

Penwick Design

A Taste of Olive

The Art Trust Gallery at Meridian Bank

FAIRMAN’S Skate Shop

Kreutz Creek Winery

Three Little Pigs

Hotel Warner

OBVI

Chamber Chatter NEWS

Tax Identity Theft on the Rise The Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration (TIGTA) reported there were over 640,000 taxpayers affected by tax identity theft in 2011. Like other forms of identity theft, it can create a financial disaster that can take years to correct. The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has done little to deter and prevent identity theft. The guidelines in place to resolve issues related to identity theft are inconsistent and confusing. According to the TIGTA report the procedures are dispersed among 38 different Internal Revenue Manual sections.

Common tax identity theft schemes: • Name and social security number (SSN) is used to secure employment by someone not eligible to work. It creates issues with social security as well as income taxes. The names may be sold multiple times and the issue can recur over a number of years. •T ax return documents are created to prepare a fraudulent refund return which is filed and processed early causing the legitimate tax return to be rejected. The taxpayer is then left without an expected refund and the tedious process of correcting the damage done. •T ax returns are altered and filed by preparers who divert the excess refund to personal accounts. •T axpayer information provided to preparers is sold and used by others to obtain credit.

There are precautions that you can take to prevent identity theft. • Ask for masked SSNs where possible, e.g., on insurance cards, so that client SSN’s are closely protected and circulated as little as possible. • Check your credit report at least annually. You may do this at no cost through www.annualcreditreport.com.

By: Kathy Wileczek

• Th e IRS does not contact taxpayers by email. Address all information appearing to be from the IRS promptly. Do not click on links or open attachments from emails claiming to be from the IRS. • S afeguard your Social Security cards, store them in a safe and secure location, and do not discard any documents with an SSN on them. •R esist giving businesses a SSN or other personal information just because they ask for it. Often it is not required, and dissemination of SSN information is risky. •P rotect financial information by investing in and using a shredder before discarding documents. •P ersonal information should be kept in a secured place at home. For example, copies of tax returns can be kept in a locked file cabinet or safe. •P rotect personal computers by using firewalls and anti-spam or anti-virus software, updating security patches, and regularly changing passwords for internet accounts with sensitive information, such as online banking sites. •C heck your annual statement from the Social Security Administration. Make sure it is accurate. Be sure to use a reputable preparer who has adequate safeguards to keep data secure. At Maillie LLP all of our laptops are encrypted and data cannot be accessed if lost or stolen. We use a secure file share system that allows our clients to send and receive emails with sensitive data safely. All client documents and copies are shredded or returned to our clients at the completion of work. If you suspect that you’ve been a target, notify your accountant for assistance and be sure to file an identity theft affidavit, Form 14039. You can also call the IRS’s Identity Protection Specialized Unit at (800)908-4490.

Kathy Wileczek, CPA is a principal in the West Chester office of Maille LLP (formerly Maillie Falconiero & Company, LLP). Maille LLP offers broad accounting capabilities to track, analyze and manage every financial aspect of your business, agency or organization.

kwileczek@mallie.com | 610-696-4353 | www.maillie.com

Chamber Chatter NEWS

| 10

Persistence Pays Off

2013 Business of the year

By Dorothy Kennedy

Before they had an actual space for the restaurant they envisioned, friends Adam Wetzel and Justin Dougherty first put a 10-page business plan together and took it to a bank. The lender didn’t quite laugh, but the pair didn’t get a loan. Their second business plan – this one 20-pages long – was turned down at another bank.

“ The Chamber is proud to recognize Adam and Justin for their success and commitment to greater West Chester. In just a short time they have done a great job of becoming an integral part of this town. The success of Side Bar shows you what hard work and determination can do and we’re thrilled to honor that.’’ Mark Yoder GWCC President

A third, 50-page document finally got them a loan. And when the former Vincent’s Restaurant became available including the building and liquor license, the partners were ready. Side Bar & Restaurant opened its doors in West Chester at 10 E. Gay Street in November 2009. Not quite four years later, the Greater West Chester Chamber of Commerce (GWCC) is honored to announce Side Bar as its 2013 Business of the Year. The award, presented annually to a Chamber member for outstanding achievement in the business community and the communityat-large, will be presented at a luncheon to be held Oct.16, 2013 at Penn Oaks Golf Club. While neither Adam nor Justin owned a restaurant before, they each brought a tremendous amount of hands-on experience to the table. Adam, a native of Upper Darby, started working at Jitters in 1995 while studying Criminal Justice at West Chester University (WCU). During his eight years at Jitters, Adam did everything from working the door to cooking wings to bartending. Justin, who grew up in Thorndale, started washing dishes at the age of 12 while working for his great Aunt Marie Elena, a part owner of St. Anthony’s Restaurant, Downingtown. He was bartending in West Chester while a Liberal Studies major at WCU when he and Adam met. Their experience certainly helped, but the pair quickly acknowledges they could never have succeeded without help along the way. They are especially grateful to Bruce Humphries, Ph.D. for giving them the confidence and push to get started, to Iron Hill Restaurant & Brewery owner, Kevin Finn, who has given everything from advice to inventory, and to their Side Bar employees most of whom have been with them from the beginning. “We hired a core group of friends, including our bartenders, servers and two guys in the kitchen who have about 45 years of experience between them,” said Adam. “We couldn’t have done this without them.” Since opening Side Bar, Justin, now a West Chester Borough resident, and Adam, a resident of East Bradford, have experienced the growing pains associated with running a business and learned a tremendous amount about real estate, contracts, partnership agreements and disagreements. They have also given back to the community helping the Chester County Hospital Shine Foundation and GWCC sponsoring events and fund raisers. The Business of the Year Award comes as an “awesome surprise” and a “great accomplishment.” “My first thought was, ‘Why us?’” recalled Adam. “To be chosen out of the hundreds of businesses that are members of the Chamber was an awesome surprise. It’s great to know our hard work has paid off.” “We consider it a great accomplishment,” added Justin. “It’s only been three and a half years since we opened and 2009 was when the economy was at its worst.”

11 | Chamber Chatter NEWS

Why you need a Wage Administration Program Guest services representative Latoya Weaver was having second thoughts about quitting her job. She’d already given notice to her employer of five years, but did she really want to leave? She wasn’t sure, but she needed to earn more money. Deciding she had nothing to lose, Weaver approached her manager with a proposal—she’d be willing to rescind her resignation for a raise. Weaver’s manager wasn’t interested. The hotel was undergoing renovations, he told her, and more pay wasn’t possible. Weaver reluctantly moved on to her next employer. However, the hotel hadn’t seen the last of her. After discovering that two male guest services representatives had been hired for 25% more than what she’d been making, Weaver sued, claiming discrimination on the basis of gender. (EEOC v. HVM L.L.C., D/B/A Extended Stay Hotels, Civil Action No. 8:13-cv-01980.) A carefully conceived, maintained, and executed wage administration program would have prevented this situation. However, that’s not the only reason you need one.

What is a Wage Administration Program and what good is it? Simply put, a wage administration program (also called a “salary administration pro-gram”) is the sum total of the policies and procedures used to make compensation decisions. The program acts like a roadmap, leading organizations where they need to go to attract, hire, motivate, and retain workers. The program also reduces the need to make pay decisions reactively, a practice that opens the door for inconsistency, unusually high (“red circle”) rates, unusually low (“green circle”) rates, noncompetitive rates, and above market rates—none of which is likely to be good for your organization. Wage administration programs save time and money, promote clarity and transparency, and if properly designed and executed, afford legal protection. Such programs ensure that the reasons for compensation decisions are documented and justifiable should they ever be challenged by a disgruntled or merely curious employee or a governmental agency.

By: Peter Johnson

Sounds great, but my organization is too small to need that? That’s doubtful. Regardless of your organization’s size, compensation decisions need to be made strategically, and strategy tends to get compromised in the absence of structure. Did you know that Department of Labor (DOL) audits routinely uncover employer violations, such as failure to maintain pay records on nonexempt employees incorrectly misclassified as exempt and unlawful wage deductions? In 2008 (more recent data are not yet available), the DOL collected more than $185 million in back wages for more than 228,000 employees. Audits are sometimes conducted randomly, but a single employee complaint is all that’s needed to get the ball rolling.

Why wouldn’t you have a Wage Administration Program? Employers sometimes shy away from the idea of a wage administration program, fearing one will be too complicated, restrictive, or expensive to craft and implement. But these programs save time and money, provide boundaries within which employers can exercise flexibility wisely, and don’t have to be expensive at all. Also, with the right guidance, creating a program doesn’t have to be complicated, and you won’t be starting from scratch. Your job descriptions, any documentation you have referencing pay philosophies, and your payroll information can all be used in the creation of a program that meets your organization’s goals.

In Summary If you’re like most business leaders, wages represent your largest expense. It makes sense then, to oversee the management of this expense with the utmost care. A wage administration program will ensure that you do.

Peter R. Johnson & Co. is a West Chester based compensation consulting firm that provides total compensation plan design and program management. Our experienced staff of compensation consultants enables Peter. R. Johnson & Co. to provide plan design, implementation support, and ongoing administrative services for all phases of a client’s total compensation program.

610-696-6114 | www.prjandco.com

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“Quest for the Chamber Cup” Hosted by:

170 Zynn Rd , Downingtown, PA 19335

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The Greater West Chester Chamber hosted its 14th Annual Quest for the Chamber Cup golf outing on Monday, August 26. The event was blessed with beautiful weather, great golf, fantastic prizes and a hospitable host in Applecross Country Club. Over 90 golfers showed up to compete for the Chamber Cup and the other great contests on the course including a hole-in-one contest, long drive and closest to the pin contest and a putting contest for a full golf membership to Applecross Country Club. The team of Tim Jefferis, Mike Chain (new Chamber member from the Desmond Hotel), Chip McAteer and Mark Yoder won the Chamber Cup and will hold onto the traveling trophy until next year’s event.

Thank you to all of our participants and sponsors for their support of this event.

Paint the town

Purple!

West Chester University is joining forces with the Borough of West Chester and surrounding communities for the 2nd Annual Paint the Town Purple! From October 11-13, thousands of WCU alumni, families, and friends will return to the region for Homecoming 2013. Local businesses and organizations can help welcome these folks back to town, as well as show their pride and support in WCU, by becoming a sponsor of the Paint the Town Purple community engagement initiative.

To learn more, please visit www.wacupagoldenrams.com/ paintthetownpurple or contact Kelly Erisman in WCU Athletics: kerisman@wcufoundation.org. This initiative is being coordinated by West Chester University and the WCUFoundation.

What does this mean? With a contribution of $75, your street-facing windows and/or doors will be temporarily transformed into (washable) works of art. WCU students, alumni, faculty, staff, and community members will arrive in uniform on Tuesday, October 8 with all of the necessary supplies to paint festive pictures and tasteful, celebratory messages onto your preferred window(s). They’ll have special WCU-logo items for you, too! Members of the campus community will then return to your business shortly after Homecoming to clean the windows they painted. Last year, more than 40 businesses and organizations registered for this successful community engagement initiative. Please consider getting involved this year!

Membership Luncheon “Me in a Minute” On Wednesday, August 21st, GWCC members enjoyed a “Me in a Minute” membership luncheon at the newly renovated Carrabba’s Italian Grill in the Painter’s Crossing Shopping Center.

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The Importance of Being Different (Part 2) In the first installment on Differentiation Marketing we discussed, in general terms, what it was and why it is important to be perceived as “different.” This installment talks about the Benefits and Characteristics of Differentiation Marketing. For marketing to work, brands and products must be remembered. To be remembered, marketing must be unique. Being unique means being different. Benefits and Characteristics of Differentiation Marketing Unique Identity A unique identity is what separates your brand and product from your competition in your customer’s mind. When this identity is carried throughout all of your marketing, your customer is less confused about who you are and what your product or service are all about. Top of Mind Presence Before your customers can buy from you, they must remember you. When Differentiation Marketing is done right, you benefit from your company and product or service being more ‘memorable’.

What Are The Characteristics of Differentiation Marketing? Big Idea The “big idea” is the single message that you want your customer to understand. The “big idea” is an important part of what it takes to get your customer to buy from you. Your “big idea” is not your competitor’s “big idea”, it is uniquely yours. Fresh Approach Now you have to communicate that “big idea.” It’s not enough just to say it, it’s all in how you say it that makes the difference. The best and most effective marketing assumes a new and fresh perspective to deliver the message. Nothing differentiates more than a concept driven, new way of looking at a market. If the “big idea” is communicated in an innovative, interesting and entertaining way, it is more ‘rememorable’. (see above)

Appropriate The message, concept and delivery must be appropriate for the market. This does not mean expected advertising, however, it just means that it must be done in a manner to which your market and the audiences within your market will relate and respond. Now that you know what Differentiation Marketing can do, the logical question is “how does it get done”? Next installment, the steps to differentiation.

Reason to Buy Differentiation marketing makes it clear to your customer exactly why they should buy from you–it gives your customer a unique reason to do business with you.

Steve Pinkston founded Steve Pinkston and Others (SP+O) with the idea that clients who understand their customers would benefit from a design studio that understands business.

mail@spo-inc.com | 610.692.2939 | www.spo-inc.com

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By: Steve Pinkston

Chamber Chatter NEWS

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September Events Calendar Tuesday, September 10

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Thursday, September 12

Coffee Connection Integrative Health & Chiropractic Center We are confident this Disney Institute experience will be an enjoyable, rewarding and magical one! See page 1 for more details

Tuesday, September 10 Goshen Village Shopping Center 1508 Paoli Pike, West Chester 7:45am – 9:00am Free for members | $10 for non-members RSVP is appreciated

Thursday, September 12 | Days Hotel West Chester Register: www.GreaterWestChester.com Cost is $319 per person

Wednesday, September 18

Wednesday, September 25

Business Card Exchange Fulton Bank

Membership Luncheon “Social Media – moving past why!” By now, we all know Social Media is important. This session is designed to give you the tools for social media- We have the manual, and everyone will leave with a copy. Sponsored by: WSFS Bank

Wednesday, September 18

Wednesday, September 25

118 W. Market Street, West Chester 5:30pm – 7:30pm

West Chester Golf and Country Club 111 W. Ashbridge Street, West Chester 11:45am – 1:00pm

Free for members | $10 for non-members RSVP is appreciated

$25 for members | $35 for non-members RSVP is required

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October Events Calendar Wednesday, October 2

Coffee Connection Bryn Mawr Trust Company

Wednesday, October 2 Bryn Mawr Trust Company 849 Paoli Pike, West Chester 7:30am – 9:00am Free for members | $10 for non-members RSVP is appreciated

Wednesday, October 16

Membership Luncheon Business & Volunteer of the Year Luncheon

WC Rec. Gallery Walk june2013_Layout 1 8/12/13 12:11 PM Page 1

Friday, October 4

Gallery

West Chester

Experience the Culture that is West Chester

20 Art Showings Friday evening October 4, 2013 5to9pm

Walk

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