July/August 2014 Chamber Chatter

2014

JULY/AUGUST

Chatter the Chamber

The Member News & Information Resource

Providing Leadership and Opportunity for business

Join Us For A Day of Learning, Laughter, and Local Camaraderie As you may have read in the last issue of The Chamber Chatter, Stratus Interactive, the marketing agency responsible for our beautiful new website design—as well as our brand new app ThinkShopBuy…LOCAL— is hosting an event you won’t want to miss.

Providing Leadership and Opportunity for business

On September 26, Stratus will be opening their doors at 144 E. Market Street for a day of networking, marketing buzz, beer, and contests followed by insider information about Boxcar Brewing Company’s new West Chester brewpub, opening by early September. Pop-in to Stratus for an opportunity to learn about a revolutionary new way to connect with your current and prospective customers and clients and, did we mention there will be lots of free beer? To accommodate busy summer schedules, Stratus is holding three convenient time-slots so you can stop by at your convenience: And yes, even if you choose the breakfast session, beer will be provided: Breakfast Beermosas . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7:30-9:00am Liquid Lunch . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12:00-1:30pm Hoppy Hour . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3:30-5:00pm

CHAMBER STAFF Mark Yoder President Dave Fairman Director of Membership Maggie O’Neill Office Operations Director Bethany Kopp 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

As a Chamber member themselves, Stratus understands and shares the needs of local businesses and is excited to share valuable information that can help your company or organization grow and exceed goals:

It’s FREE for All Chamber Members!

September 26, 2014 144 E. Market St. West Chester, PA 19382 Contact Bethany Kopp for more information or to RSVP! 610-696-4046

• Learn how you can attract more customers and close more leads with Inbound Marketing • Download the NEW ThinkShopBuy…LOCAL app and find out how your business can get involved • Discover how to promote the new app to maximize new business opportunities and attention from the Greater West Chester community

During your visit, take a few minutes to explore the new mobile app and get familiar with it’s great new look, feel and functionality. And oh by the way, don’t forget that there will be plenty of free Boxcar to enjoy while doing it!

Finally, tie a string around your pinky or set a reminder on your smartphone, but don’t forget to enter our two exclusive contests: • The ThinkShopBuy…LOCAL contest to win FREE mobile app advertising • The Chamber’s Success Story contest, where every business wins!

Don’t miss out on all of the fun, excitement and…beer. Information on contest details and how to enter will be coming soon. So keep an eye on your inboxes.

1 Issue Chamber Chatter

(2 Months) Advertising Rates

Eighth Page/Business Card 3.625” (w) x 2.25” (h) Quarter Page 3.625” (w) x 4.75” (h) Half Page 7.5” (w) x 4.75” (h)

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3 Issue (6 Months) Save 10%

6 Issue (12 Months) Save 20%

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Full Page 7.5” (w) x 9.75” (h) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $300.00. . . . . . . . . . . $810.00. . . . . . . . $1,440.00 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.

Design6˚ | connections count www.design6degrees.com

Space reservation is due by the 1st of the month prior to publication (i.e. March/April edition-reservation 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 Adecco Staffing and Recruiting

Cox & Bishay, LLP

Resolution Accounting

Mr. Jerry Hevey 740 Lincoln Highway Exton, PA 19341 856-761-5538 Jerry.hevey@adeccona.com www.adeccousa.com Human Resources

Mr. Rami Bishay 120 North Church Street West Chester, PA 19380 610-344-0300 Fax 610-692-8084 bishaylaw5@yahoo.com www.coxbishay.com Legal Services

Ms. Gina Edwards 1055 Westlakes Drive 3rd Floor, Suite 30025 Berwyn, PA 19312 610-486-6580 Fax 610-675-2772 Gina@ResolutionAccounting.com www.ResolutionAccounting.com Accountants

Ameriprise Financial / Daniel McHugh Mr. Daniel McHugh 225 South Church Street Suite 200 West Chester, PA 19382 484-947-5276 Fax 484-947-5735 daniel.p.mchugh@ampf.com www.ameripriseadvisors.com/ daniel.p.mchugh/profile Financial Services

Assurance Advisory Group, LLC Ms. Kathleen Drennan 105 East Evans Street Suite C West Chester, PA 19380-2676 484-402-4020 Fax 610-701-8676 kdrennan@chescoadvisorygroup.com www.chescoadvisorygroup.com Management Consulting

Big League Haircuts Mr. Jim Nelson 54 East Street Road West Chester, PA 19382 610-745-6357 nelmurph@gmail.com Beauty Services

eat.drink.Om...YOGA CAFE Ms. Susan Sluk 124 East Gay Street West Chester, PA 19382 484-356-8655 eatdrinkom@gmail.com www.eatdrinkOm.com Sports

Jayack LLC - John Niggeman Mr. John Niggeman 647 Heatherton Lane West Chester, PA 19380 610-608-0765 delmacjohn@aol.com Real Estate

MoreVent Heating Cooling Plumbing Mr. Marco Giancroce 1041 Andrew Drive West Chester, PA 19380 610-444-3333 Fax 610-444-3048 service@moreventservices.com www.moreventservices.com Heating/Air Conditioning

Spice Indian Thai Bistro Ms. Melinda Zerweck 113 West Market Street West Chester, PA 19382 610-431-0113 spicebistro@gmail.com www.spicebyob.com Restaurant/Cafe

Torchiana Automotive Training Institute Mrs. Debbie Torchiana 319 Westtown Road Suite A West Chester, PA 19382 610-431-4564 dtorchiana@tatidelval.com www.TATIDelVal.com Education/Training

Tyco Integrated Security Ms. Dorri Gockeler 550 Blair Mill Road Suite 110 Horsham, PA 19044 215-528-4178 dgockeler@tyco.com TycoIS.com Security Services

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Thank you to our

Renewing Members in April & May 2014

Our members are the foundation of our organization. To honor them we would like to congratulate and thank those who renewed their membership in April and May 2014. Thank you for your ongoing support of the Greater West Chester Chamber of Commerce.

Dave Fairman Director of Membership

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Chamber Chatter NEWS

Members for 30 years or more The Hain Celestial Group Market Street Print

Brickhouse Environmental Berger Rental Communities The West Goshen Goddard School

20 - 29 years QVC, Inc. Battavio Plumbing Heating & Cooling Richard F. Sassa Insurance Agency, Inc. Chester County Art Association

3 - 9 years Manny Services, Inc. LTD Bookkeeping Rainer & Company Westtown School Comfort Keepers Wyndham Garden Hotel Glen Mills The 5 Senses Neumann University Limoncello Ristorante, LLC Joya Boutique Penn Street Mortgage Pietro’s Prime Briggs Auction, Inc. Tynan Consultants All Event Party Rental / Taylor Rental Media Como Creative LLC Miller Flooring Co. Miho Kahn Interiors LLC The RidgeView Group Wealth Management uFinancial Group Commissioner Kathi Cozzone Comcast Timlyn Vaughan Photography Schramm, Inc. Tee It Up Golf Judge Mobile Wash Sheraton Great Valley Hotel Wells Fargo Advisors / Brian Stephenson KIVA Home of the Sparrow

10 - 19 years Penn Office Products, Inc. Stratton’s Wynnorr Farm West Chester Area Day Care Center Carosella & Associates, P.C. Strasburg Court Apartments John W. Bunker and Son Joseph R. Polito, Jr. Zukin Realty Inc. Iron Hill Brewery & Restaurant Brandywine Valley Insurance Group Molecular Targeting Technologies, Inc. Verlo Mattress Factory Store of Gtr. Phila.

Colborn and Associates Safe Harbor of Chester County, Inc. B. Neil Gentry Excavating and Septic Robins Consulting Services Arianna’s Gourmet Cafe & Catering Coscia Communications Inc. West Chester Golf & Country Club

Malena’s Vintage Boutique West Chester United Methodist Church Clear Sound Mathers Productions JD Printwear Delightful Desserts & Culinary Creations Inc. Lara Ross Agency / State Farm Insurance The Salvation Army

1 - 2 years Advantage Building & Facility Services, LLC Landmark Inspections LLC KPInterface, Inc. Custom Blends Franchise Services LLC WAFFATOPIA Doc Magrogan’s Oyster House Gage Strength Training LLC Uptown! Entertainment Alliance Welcome Neighbor LLC Edge of Cinema Kati Mac Floral Designs Premium Fire & Security, LLC Women in Motion Dining & Networking.org ESC Janitorial & Maintenance Services Eagles Home Association of West Chester Jillian Skrocki / Liberty Mutual Teca Restaurant Kirsten Gross Professional Organizing Scott Honda

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 2014.

Congratulations to these businesses who were picked in a lottery drawing of Chamber businesses that renewed their memberships in April and May 2014:

Mr. Carmen R. Battavio Battavio Plumbing Heating & Cooling

Mr. Mac Neilon Penn Office Products, Inc.

Ms. Stacey Wyatt Berger Rental Communities

Mr. Thomas Farnesi Penn Street Mortgage

Mr. H. Clark Colborn Colborn and Associates

Ms. Marisa Powell Pietro’s Prime

Mr. Mark Tucci Custom Blends Franchise Services LLC

Mr. Jim Robins Robins Consulting Services

Mrs. Jennifer Zapata The West Goshen Goddard School

Mr. Jim Dolan Schramm, Inc.

Mr. Rich Alexander The Hain Celestial Group

Mr. Duke Scott Scott Honda

Ms. Patricia McLennan Home of the Sparrow

Ms. Jillian Skrocki Liberty Mutual

Mr. Kevin Finn Iron Hill Brewery & Restaurant

Mr. Roberto Guadagnini Teca Restaurant

Ms. Malena Martinez Malena’s Vintage Boutique

Mr. Foster Good Verlo Mattress Factory Store of Gtr. Phila.

Chris Pak Molecular Targeting Technologies, Inc.

Ms. Karen Illig Westtown School

2014 GWCC Board Members officers

Board of DirecTORS

Chris Tolsdorf, Chairman Tolsdorf Oil Lube Express

Mary Bigham Town Dish, LLC

Donna L. Urian, Chairman-Elect Fischer Cunnane and Associates, Ltd.

Bryan Brockson EDiS Construction & Development

Rob Partridge, Vice Chairman West Chester Area School District Marc Ernest, Treasurer Franklin Mint Federal Credit Union Marjorie Wentz, Secretary Trinity Wealth Management Tim Jefferis, Immediate Past Chairman Penn Liberty Bank

Helen Flanders YMCA Oscar Lasko Youth Program Center

Patrick M. McKenna Gawthrop Greenwood, PC Andrew McMenamin DNB First

Debi Wright Friedmann Blue Dog Printing & Design

Thomas Ciccarone Parkway Dry Cleaners, Inc.

Thomas Gavin The Chester County Hospital

John J. Cunningham Lamb McErlane PC

Liz Golding Susquehanna Bank

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

Nicole Grebloskie Arthur Hall Insurance

Guy T. Dunn 1-800-905 Geek / Geeks On Call

Mell Josephs Student Services, Inc.

Brian Miller Mars Drinks North America, LLC Marisa Powell Pietro’s Prime Donna Saul Business Coaching & Consulting Brian Stephenson Wells Fargo Advisors

Jeannie McGinn Fulton Bank

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Me mbe r Spotlight 35 years of Automotive expertise is undoubtedly a scarce and valuable resource.

A resource that Joe Torchiana of Torchiana Automotive Training Institute is passing on to a new generation of automotive technicians.

After attending Villanova, Joe Torchiana’s first job was as a service adviser for a Volkswagen dealership in Bryn Mawr. “The older German technicians working there resisted the new water-cooled and fuel-injected engines, so they sent him to school for the new technology,� Debbie Torchiana recalled.

Joe and Debbie Torchiana started their first automotive repair shop in Edgemont in 1978 but moved to West Chester in 1983 occupying a small shop on Old Fern Hill Road in West Goshen and later moving to West Chester Pike and Spring Lane.

Joe Torchiana Director & Automotive Training Expert Torchiana Automotive Training Institute 610.431.4564 www.tatidelval.com

Over the years, Joe has become a very well-respected member of the automotive community.

He has been honored as a chairman of ASE, the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence, a certification organization for technicians, and he has been called as an accepted automotive expert witness in state and federal courts.

The Torchianas have been running a successful privately licensed automotive trade school since 1998 and sold their automotive repair shop, One Stop Tire & Auto last year to start work on their new school. The Greater West Chester Chamber of Commerce held a ribbon cutting ceremony for the Torchianas on June 10th and got an exclusive tour of the brand new state-of-the-art teaching facility equipped with a 1,200 square-foot lab, 2,500 square-foot garage bay, library and classroom. These tools will be valuable assets for top level instruction of students at Torchiana Automotive Training Institute.

Even in the short time that the Torchiana Automotive Training Institute has been open; the Torchianas are already receiving requests for graduates and will be helping their students find work in the West Chester community.

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Chamber Chatter NEWS

Drop the Dead Weight – Fire the Slugs

By: Donna Saul

Never burn out your best people. It’s one of the most important things I’ve learned in business, and the one dirty little secret your employees won’t tell you—they’re tired of carrying dead weight co-workers who don’t produce, who drag down morale, and otherwise derail bottom line productivity.

Work is hard enough, and frankly, they’ve been wondering when you would act.

and fix it. Identify the prima donnas, the untrustworthy, the micromanaging control freaks, the whiners, complainers, and blamers. Provide basic supervisory training and a plan to improve their performance continuously. As the one in charge, take ownership of this process and make it happen. Besides increasing sales, having the right employees in the right jobs doing the right things is fundamental to success.

Firing the slugs is good for productivity, good for retention and, contrary to what some might believe, it’s also good turnover. Bad turnover is when key performers leave and your organization is left with a huge void that affects the performance of your entire organization, and your bottom line.

This is not to say that ‘extra’ isn’t required of everyone these days, but you know who is an asset to your business and carrying a fair load, and who is not.

3. Clean House: Once you’ve identified the non-performers, and poor managers, make sure they are responding to training and showing significant improvement. If not, remove them and replace them with someone who does what is truly required for that position. If they are not responding, and there’s not another slot where they can be effective, remove them from your organization in a kind, professional manner.

Turnover is costly, and firing people is never fun. But sometimes it must be done for the good of the entire organization. Depending on which study you read, the impact of (bad) turnover ranges from three months of salary for low level employees, to as high as 400 percent of the annual salary of a senior person. That’s a lot of money—and a lot of experience—that walks out your door. To maximize your organization’s performance, make a conscious commitment to good retention practices.

Here are five actions you can take to retain your best people and keep performance and morale high:

4. Be Visible: Visibility drives retention, so walk around.

Talk to your people, your customers, your suppliers, visit with supervisors, help your delivery trucks load and unload.

You get the point. See what’s really going on, and be honest with yourself about what you hear and observe. Let your people know you are there and that you care. The point here is to lead by example. If your employees like you, they are less likely to leave you.

5. Care About Your People: Sounds simple but it doesn’t always happen. If you don’t care about your people, your bottom line will reflect that. Caring is the reason people stay.

If you don’t, they won’t. It’s that simple.

1. Fire the Slugs. Hold people accountable for their performance, and if that doesn’t solve the problem, terminate them with respect and dignity. Bonus: Your good performers will love you.

2. Start Top-Down: Assess your supervisory and management team. More than 70 percent of employees say one of the worst things about their job is their boss, so find out what’s wrong

Donna Saul is a business strategist and consultant with a proven track record of success in working with business owners to increase sales, make more money, improve productivity and build a better bottom line. She can be reached at donna@donnasaul.com, or via the web at www.donnasaul.com.

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

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Accounting Systems Whether it is keeping receipts in a shoe box or a fully integrated enterprise resource planning system, every business has an accounting system. Wikipedia defines an accounting system as “a system of collection, storage and processing of financial and accounting data that is used by decision makers. An accounting information system is generally a computer-based method for tracking accounting activity in conjunction with information technology resources. The resulting statistical reports can be used internally by management or externally by other interested parties including investors, creditors and tax authorities.”

When creating or changing an accounting system there are many variables to consider. The thoroughness of the planning process will create an environment where users can competently enter transactions and management will be able to generate information needed by the organization. This is true even when the user and management is the same person.

Principles Of Accounting Systems The accounting system of an organization should provide all necessary information. The type of accounting system used depends on the information needs of an organization, but all accounting systems should have the following characteristics: • Cost effectiveness • Adequate internal controls • Flexibility to a changing environment • Compatibility and adaptability to an organization’s structure QuickBooks is the most commonly used accounting software package for small businesses. It is popular because it is inexpensive, provides all of the required features of an accounting system and it can be set up so that you don’t need to know a debit from a credit to use it correctly.

It is important to note that any accounting software is a tool that needs to be calibrated to your business needs. If your software and processes are not set up correctly, it is no different than using an adjustable wrench set at 7/8” to tighten a ¼” bolt. Neither will get the job done.

By: Kathy Wileczek

The best way to establish an accounting system is to consult your accountant. Even a very small business can benefit from a professional’s advice when setting up or changing a system.

We work with multiple systems and businesses and will ask you questions and share our experiences and thoughts. A solid set-up is an investment in your business. It will save you time and assure that you are able to process your business transactions in a suitable and efficient manner.

When working with clients on their accounting systems, I start with who, what, how and where. I use this knowledge to create a system that will provide the best result with the resources available. A successful result can only occur when the system is designed around the user’s needs and abilities.

• Who is going to be using the software?

• What do they need to do?

• What do they need to know?

• How much time do they have?

• Where do they need to do it?

A properly functioning accounting system provides many benefits. It allows management to use reports to make timely operational decisions. It has checks and controls to assure the accuracy of the information. It creates an opportunity to share information with your business advisors such as your accountant, banker, attorney, insurance agent and investment advisor so they can act in your best interest. If you are still putting your receipts in a shoe box or entering a year’s worth of transactions in QuickBooks in February, just before you see your accountant, it is time to consider whether your system should be changed.

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

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All Social Media is Not Created Equal Social media is maturing to the point that any business owner needs to give it serious thought. Why? Consider this scenario:

By: Spencer Deane

When it comes to choosing which social media sites you will use for your business, consider which sites your customers are on. To understand what social media channel might be best for your business, watch the following Webinar:

A prospect receives a phone call from one of your sales staff requesting an appointment. They accept the appointment.

info.thealternativeboard.com/optimize-social-media-profiles

The prospect immediately does a Google search or searches LinkedIn, Facebook or Twitter, for your business.

Take a little time to understand your audiences on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, YouTube and Google+ and how each of these platforms is used. Some channels may be appropriate for your business and some may not. Then determine a strategy for the most relevant sites.

Of course they find your website. But increasingly, they are looking for what other people are saying.

A recent study by PowerReviews found that 90% of the consumers polled said peer-to-peer reviews impact their purchasing decision and 60% claimed those reviews are the most important factor.

A good social media strategy is to seek to give first. A typical prospect doesn’t care about your website or your latest video.

They care about themselves. So keep in mind the five-to-one rule, which states that you should provide five pieces of useful information to your social media network for each business request or business update that you make.

By doing this, you will establish yourself as someone who can be helpful and can solve their problems. Then they will remember you when they’re ready to buy.

If they find great content, testimonials, case studies and constructive comments, this will peak their interest in the meeting.

What happens if they find absolutely nothing? Worse, in searching for you, they find your competitor instead and their customers are saying great things.

If so, they will cancel the appointment.

Spencer Deane is a Partner at The Alternative Board (TAB) – PA & Ohio Valley.

TAB is an exclusive, membership-based organization that helps business owners achieve more – more profitability, productivity, and personal fulfillment. TAB brings together owners of privately held businesses to overcome challenges and seize new opportunities with a combination of peer advisory board settings and one-to-one business coaching sessions.

610.517.0798 | www.tabpaohvalley.com | sdeane@tabpaohvalley.com

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Nominate your Nominate your

Queen for a day

IT’S TWILIGHT TIME August 2, 2014 Pro Bike Racing Family Fun Kid's Bike Race Trike Challenge Kid’s Zone

Honor that special woman in your life by nominating her to be the Avanté Salon & Spa’s Queen for a Day. The full VIP Treatment for 10 lucky women and their guest:for a day • Meet the top pro women riders • Full access to the Susquehanna Crit Club • Sumptuous VIP Dinner and Drinks • Ride in the Pace Car • GRAND PRIZE Full day of royal pampering Spa & Salonwoman in Honorat Avanté that special Nominate online at your life by nominating her IronHillTwilightCriterium.com or at any Avanté Salon to beSpa the& Avanté Salon &

Spa’s Queen for a Day.

WEST CHESTER PRESENTED BY GREATER WEST CHESTER CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

5 Riders, 3 Wheels

The full VIP Treatment for 10 lucky women and their guest:

• Mbyeet the Oil topLube proExpress presented Tolsdorf

NEW! women The Iron Hillriders Twilight Race

DOWNTOWN WEST CHESTER, PA FOR COMPLETE DETAILS, GO TO IRONHILLTWILIGHTCRITERIUM.COM

Series presents hot-handed, cold-blooded racing the • Fulltricycle access toonthe streets of West Chester. Don’t miss it!

Susquehanna Crit Club Be part of the excitement and go head to head against other teams!

• a Sfive-person umptuous • Form teamVIP withDinner friends or co-workers 18 or older. and Drinks • Each team races at least twice in a double-elimination, tag-team format.

• Ride in the Pace Car • Tricycles will be provided.

• Custom T-shirts to all racers! VIP • GRAND PRIZE treatment to the winners!

Full day of royal pampering Details and registration:

IronHillTwilightCriterium.com at Avanté Spa & Salon

Nominate online at IronHillTwilightCriterium.com or at any Avanté Spa & Salon

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5 Reasons Why Small Business Needs Internal Audit to Assure Sustained Success Every owner of a small business dreams of the kind of success his or her business can achieve. We start out with dreams, a plan, and objectives. Then the reality of owning a small business sinks in. What happens to the business if…?

The fears that we put aside to be able to commit to starting a new business in the first place are starting to come back again. What if? While the issues that can plague a small business may not be the same for all businesses, there is one indisputable fact: Every company faces Risk.

Small business owners may tell you to have the kind of success large corporations enjoy is merely a dream; large corporations have a formula that relies on the type of resources small businesses cannot afford, and so that kind of success can’t be achieved. This is a myth and the time has come to debunk it. Small business can utilize those same resources to manage risk and ensure success.

Internal Audit is a key player in how corporations and big business keep an eye on their risks, whether internal to the business or external influences and pressures that can place a company’s success at risk. STOP! You say, I own a small business, I can’t afford to hire an internal audit group! I can manage my own risks. The response to this is to engage a consulting audit group to work with you to help manage and grow your business the way you envisioned and planned.

Here’s how this might work for your company, with the following guiding principles: 1. An internal audit consulting group (“The Group”) acts as a Governance, Audit and Compliance division within your company. The Group works with you by providing advice and counsel on the ways in which a company might eliminate blockades to success that unanswered risk may pose to your company.

2. The Group works with management to put into place the company’s Commitment to Integrity and Ethical Values that form the basis for a Governance Framework in which the emphasis is on how the company can fulfill its objectives and become successful.

3. The Group advises on the clarity and appropriateness for escalation of issues that are likely to occur, with significant enough consequences to pose risks to the company’s goals.

Empowering middle management and staff to resolve issues that may pose risks frees senior management to focus on strategy and planning.

4. A company’s operations are a set of processes, all interconnected, feeding information and data throughout the company in the pursuit of company objectives.

Management works in concert with Operations to create and implement controls to head off risk and create new synergies for innovation and growth.

5. The Group does one thing for your company that you cannot do for yourself: objectively and independently assess whether the risk management measures in place are in fact working as designed. You will receive an opinion from the Group, based on sound auditing principles and standards, on the overall health of your company.

It is worth noting here that there are some significant benefits to be realized that go well beyond that of the company’s bottom line. Engaging in active risk management may result in a company’s risk profile being raised to lower insurance ratings and premiums; the company’s cost of borrowing money may be decreased, and investors may relax knowing their investment is safe, all of which combines to improve the company’s bottom line.

Kathy Drennan is the founder of Assurance Advisory Group, a risk management and assuranceconsulting firm in West Chester, which offers clients a holistic approach to understanding risk and how to manage a business and assess operational risks—thereby driving any small business toward a more successful future.

kdrennan@chescoadvisorygroup.com | 484-402-4020 | www.chescoadvisorygroup.com

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By: Kathleen Drennan

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July / August Events Calendar

Wednesday, July 23

Business Card Exchange AVE Downingtown

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Wednesday, July 23

Women’s Executive Round Table What I’m Learning About Leadership Guest Speaker: Maria McCool – Calista Grand/Tools Sponsored by

Wednesday, July 23

Wednesday, July 23

AVE Downingtown 1236 East Lancaster Ave., Downingtown 5:00pm – 7:00pm

Pietro’s Prime 125 W. Market Street, West Chester 5:30pm – 7:30pm

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

$55 for members | Limited spots available RSVP is required

Saturday, August 2

Thursday, August 14

10t h A n n i v e r s a ry

Business Card Exchange Directory Release Party

Iron Hill Twilight Race Series

Thursday, August 14 August 2, 2014

Fred Beans Ford Lincoln of West Chester 1155 West Chester Pike, West Chester 5:30pm – 7:30pm

See page 9 for details

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

Downtown West Chester

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True value is more than sentimental.

Advisor. Advocate. Agent. www.arthurhall.com

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DARE_ad_chamber_011714.pdf

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Family Owned Since 1976

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610-696-7153

dareauto.com

Our Services Include: PA State & Emissions Inspection • Heating & Air Conditioning • Brakes & Tune-Ups Alignments • Oil, Lube & Filter Changes • Preventative Maintenance • Tire Services Foreign & Domestic Cars • Same Day Service Local Shuttle Service • Belts & Hoses

301 S. Bolmar Street, West Chester, PA 19382 8:30-5:30 Monday-Friday • 8:30-4:00 Saturday www.edwardjones.com

Meeting on your schedule, not ours.

Face-to-face meetings. One-on-one relationships.

How did Edward Jones become one of the biggest financial services companies in the country? By not acting like one.

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105 South High Street West Chester, PA 19382 610-430-1320

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704 West Nields Street Suite G West Chester, PA 19382 610-436-4101

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15 | Chamber Chatter NEWS

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1339 West Chester Pike West Chester, PA 19382 610-399-5185

Brad Abel

Financial Advisor .

105 South High Street West Chester, PA 19382 610-430-1320

Chamber Chatter NEWS

| 16

“ Quest for the Chamber Cup” Monday, August 25

Check-In: 10:30am • Lunch: 11:30am Shotgun Start: 12:30pm • Dinner: 6:00pm

Hosted by:

170 Zynn Rd , Downingtown, PA 19335 Limited to 110 Golfers ~ Sponsorships available.

Please call

610-696-4046 or e-mail Mark@gwcc.org for details.

Corporate Sponsorships: $800

DRIVING RANGE SPONSOR: $400**

1 Golf Foursome | 1 Hole Signage Logo in event program | 1 item in Gift Bag

Golf Twosome | Tee recognition at range

Lunch Sponsorships: $1,000 Golf Foursome | Hole Signage Logo in event program | Representative to speak | Banner placement at Lunch 1 item in Swag Bag

TEE SPONSORSHIP: $75 Tee sign at one hole

Individual Golfer: $195 Early Bird - $175†

Foursome: $780

Closest to Pin: $400

Early Bird - $700†

(two available)

Golf Twosome | Tee recognition at hole

Longest drive: $400

**Add Two Additional Players - $300 † Early Bird Registration required by August 4.

(two available)

Golf Twosome | Tee recognition at hole

GOLF CART SPONSOR

GOLF SHIRT SPONSOR

PRINTING SPONSOR

17 | Chamber Chatter NEWS

PRIZE SPONSOR

BEVERAGE SPONSOR

DINNER SPONSOR

Birdie Ball SPONSOR

Chamber Chatter NEWS

| 18

PRSRT STD U.S. Postage

Greater West Chester Chamber of Commerce 119 North High Street West Chester, PA 19380

PAID

West Chester, PA Permit #177

The Heat Is On Go from Fizzle To Sizzle If summertime means slow business, stay motivated and take advantage of the down time to plot your future marketing efforts.

At Design6Ëš we can assist you - with a fresh approach from concept to completion.

Now’s the time to launch your new business ideas. | design6degrees.com | 610.844.9868