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

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West Chester, PA Permit #177

2014

MARCH/APRIL

Chatter the Chamber

The Member News & Information Resource

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Providing Leadership and Opportunity for business

Dear Members,

The Chamber Welcomes New Members

It is my honor to take on the role of Chairman of the Board for 2014 and I am humbled by the trust put in me by the Board and the members of the Chamber. I will work hard to make sure that the Greater West Chester Chamber continues to thrive and grow in 2014. I would also like to thank Tim Jefferis for his leadership during 2013. It was a pleasure working closely with Tim over the past year and his steady leadership and deep roots in this area have been a real asset to all of us.

Providing Leadership and Opportunity for business

Advanced Chiropractic Wellness Center

2013 saw the first growth in Chamber membership in a few years and we look to continue that trend in 2014 by continuing to deliver on the quality events we are known for and by delivering even more value for the business owners of greater West Chester. There are many reasons to join the Chamber but for me the best reason has been to support everything the Chamber does to make West Chester a great place. If I was a better salesman my membership would help me generate business, but it is the relationships that I have developed with people, a sense of belonging, and knowing that I am supporting the work the Chamber does to make this a great community that are the most important things to me.

Dr. Lauren Schofield 105A Westtown Road West Chester, PA 19382 610-696-8888; Fax 610-696-8282 advancedchiro12@verizon.net www.advanced-chiro.net Chiropractor

So I encourage all of you, if you aren’t already, to find a way to become more involved in what the Chamber does. It could be a sponsorship; it could be volunteering at an event, attending a card exchange, getting involved in a committee, or just bringing in a new Member.

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

Amoon’s Custom Organizing Ms. Annie Amoon Richard P.O. Box 1374 West Chester, PA 19380 484-250-9921; Fax 610-701-5692 annieland62@msn.com www.AmoonsCustomOrganizing.com Professional Organizer

Committees especially are a great way to not only build relationships but you also have the opportunity to use your talents and your brain to make the Chamber more responsive to the needs of our members. I am extremely proud of the work the Chamber has done over the past two years to significantly increase the importance of our Committees and we are really seeing the results of robust and engaged committees. So if you have an eye for marketing, a thing for local government policies, or are looking for more ways to network we have a committee for you.

Chester County Kitchen and Bath

Do one or all of these things and you will find a sense of satisfaction and drum up some new business without having to be a salesman. And I assure you that whatever your involvement it does not go unnoticed or unappreciated. It is what makes the Greater West Chester Chamber great!

Mr. Eric Adams 724 East Union Street West Chester, PA 19382 610-430-3460; Fax 610-430-3456 Eric@cckab.com www.cckab.com Kitchens & Bath

Dia Doce

Chris Tolsdorf, Chairman

Ms. Thais daSilva 100 South High Street West Chester, PA 19382 610-476-5684 thais@diadoce.com www.diadoce.com Food & Beverages

Greater West Chester Chamber of Commerce

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Dr. Ayo Gooden 15 Brinton’s Bridge Road, Suite 200 West Chester, PA 19382 610-453-2849; Fax 610-399-0415 Doctorayo@yahoo.com www.doctorayo.com Psychotherapy

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).

Heathers Healthy Snacks LLC

Sparks Entertainment

Mr. Charles Stickland 209 Shropshire Drive West Chester, PA 19382 610-350-7377 cstickland2012@yahoo.com www.heathershealthysnacks.com Food Services

Mr. Gil Welsford 280 Mattson Road Garnet Valley, PA 19060 215-220-6821; Fax 610-524-1439 gil@sparksentertain.com www.SparksEntertain.com Event Planning & Services

LA Fitness

West Chester Music

Mr. Brandon Leech 975 Paoli Pike West Chester, PA 19380 610-235-2788; Fax 866-919-9362 Brad.modrich@fitnessintl.com www.lafitness.com Fitness

Mr. Aaron Alexander 310 South High Street West Chester, PA 19382 610-436-8641; Fax 610-436-5587 dave@westchestermusicstore.com www.westchestermusicstore.com Music

LegalShield Independent Associate Mr. David Bazemore 616 Shropshire Drive West Chester, PA 19382 484-477-7278; Fax 610-344-4903 bazemore@legalshieldassociate.com www.legalshieldassociate.com/bazemore Legal Services

The Master’s Baker Mr. Chad Weldon 880 Sunset Hollow Road West Chester, PA 19380 610-436-9888 info@the mastersbaker.com www.themastersbaker.com Bakery

Moody’s Analytics Ms. Janet Alioto 121 North Walnut Street, Suite 500 West Chester, PA 19380 610-235-5000 janet.alioto@moodys.com www.moodys.com Research

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.

Chamber Chatter NEWS

Thank you to our

Renewing Members in December 2013 & January 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 December 2013 and January 2014. Thank you for your ongoing support of the Greater West Chester Chamber of Commerce. Dave Fairman Director of Membership

Members for 30 years or more Cambridge Hall Apartments The Chester County Hospital Chester County Opticians Founds Funeral Home, Inc. Jane Chalfant / Kiki Boutique Susquehanna Bank Coins of Chester County Richard C. Nelson, DDS Ray Ott & Associates, Inc. Chester County SPCA Mr. Alan F. Clark 20 - 29 years Chester County Bar Association PathStone Corporation Atlantic Communications Arthur Hall Insurance Process Equipment & Systems, Inc. Parkway Dry Cleaners, Inc. Student Services, Inc. Brandywine Valley Wealth Advisors, LLC ARAMARK @ WCU Prudential Fox & Roach Realtors / K. Anstey Pagani and Wylam, CPA Dusty Rose Cleaning Service 10 - 19 years Paxson Lightning Rods, Inc. Ferullo Insurance Agency Englund’s Apparel for Men USI Affinity Insurance Jon Ivins / Realty Executives Mr. William J. Scott Paychex

Chamber Chatter NEWS

Disc Hounds PRI International, Inc. Senator Andrew Dinniman Exton Senior Living Keystonestateinsurance.com Polito’s Barber Shop Optimodal, Inc. A. Poletto & Associates Toucan Enterprises Maternal & Child Health Consortium Canine Design Wentworth Home Diane Matthews School of Dance Arts J.E. Gasho & Associates, Inc.

3 - 9 years Worthington Waterproofing West Chester Business Improvement District Let Freedom Ring New Haven Style Pizza Freidirect Inc. Kritter Cleaner Mobile Pet Grooming Fulton Bank Play-A-Round Golf BackOffice Thinking The Arc of Chester County Fox & Roach Realtors / A. Scimone Horace Mann Insurance Computer Systems Resource, Inc. The Antique Shop CrossFit Explode Annette D. Telgarsky , P.C. The Honorable Terence Farrell Phase 1 Electric, Inc.

Side Bar & Restaurant Grand Sport Auto, Inc. High Street Caffe Tanzilli Orthodontics Mas Mexicali Cantina Kinetic Physical Therapy Adventures in Advertising West Chester Christian School

GOLF MEMBERSHIP WINNERS

Mr. Spencer Deane The Alternative Board (TAB) / PA & Ohio Valley

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.

Mr. Ed Myers Brandywine Maintenance

1 - 2 years

Ms. Wendy Hoffman Chester County Bar Association Mr. Joe Furia Coins of Chester County

Congratulations to these businesses who were picked in a lottery drawing of Chamber businesses that renewed their member-ships in December 2013 and January 2014:

Mr. Teddy Bottos New Haven Style Pizza Mr. Greg Snyder Optimodal, Inc. Mr. Steve Graves Play-A-Round Golf Mr. Vincent A. Vitollo PRI International, Inc.

Ms. Sue Haines Exton Senior Living

Ms. Pamela Duncan Pro College Advisors

Ms. Jeannie McGinn Fulton Bank Ms. Linda Raileanu Genuine Healthcare Resources, LLC

RE/MAX Town & Country / B. Dickerson America’s Pie Ink Spot Printing & Copy Center Pettine Law Offices, LLC Genuine Healthcare Resources, LLC Henry Nace / State Farm Insurance Milestone Events Westtown Dental Care Weed Man Lawn Care Brandywine Maintenance RTD Financial Advisors Four Seasons Lawn Management Roots Cafe Pro College Advisors Don Walls Custom Painting Wiggins Shredding Yori’s Church Street Bakery Media One Products, LLC CCWA - Paradise Farm Camps Garvey Roark, LLC Purple Picnic People Saints Peter & Paul School PeopleShare

Richard C. Nelson Richard C. Nelson, DDS

Mr. Tom Kincade Grand Sport Auto, Inc. Mr. George Blewitt Keystonestateinsurance.com Mr. Henry Nace Henry Nace / State Farm Insurance

Mr. Justin Dougherty Side Bar & Restaurant Mr. Jim Pitts USI Affinity Insurance Mr. Michael Gavin Weed Man Lawn Care Mr. David Douglass West Chester Christian School

2014 GWCC Board Members officers

Board of DirecTORS

Chris Tolsdorf, Chairman Tolsdorf Oil Lube Express

Mary Bigham WC 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

The Alternative Board (TAB) / PA & Ohio Valley

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

Brian Miller Mars Drinks North America, LLC

Thomas Ciccarone Parkway Dry Cleaners, Inc.

Thomas Gavin The Chester County Hospital

John J. Cunningham Lamb McErlane PC

Liz Golding Susquehanna Bank

Marisa Powell Pietro’s Prime / Nonna’s Restaurants

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

Nicole Grebloskie Arthur Hall Insurance

Donna Saul Business Coaching & Consulting

Mell Josephs Student Services, Inc.

Brian Stephenson Wells Fargo Advisors

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

Jeannie McGinn Fulton Bank

Chamber Chatter NEWS

Unique PA Program Celebrating Business!

SALES: WHAT GOES WRONG AND HOW TO FIX IT

If you haven’t heard, there is a truly unique and wonderful program that has been operating in Pennsylvania for the past thirty-five years designed to teach our high school students why “free enterprise” is key to the American way of life. Pennsylvania Free Enterprise Week (PFEW), internationally-acclaimed for its excellence, will graduate more than 2,000 students this coming summer with a vastly improved understanding about how free markets operate and what the challenges are that face all American companies, particularly those located in Pennsylvania. Each summer, PFEW holds five, one-week individual sessions in July and August. The focus of the week is to group the participants (strangers at first) into “management teams” of senior executives who have inherited imaginary “companies.” These teams, under the guiding hands of an “executives-on-loan,” called Company Advisors, operate their firms for a computer-simulated three-year period of time. To add a sense of reality, they are competing against two other student “companies” manufacturing and distributing the same product. Each day’s activities include four to five presentations from world-class business people from a list that reads like who’s who in Pennsylvania. The students hear about: Business and Finance, the Role and Relationship of Business and Government, Taxation, Business Ethics, Labor Relations, and much, much more. Is it effective? Said Sarah Minor from Coudersport Area Junior/Senior High School in Potter County, “I can tell you honestly that this was one of the most incredible opportunities that any young man or woman could ever possibly dream of having! PFEW not only promises amazing speakers and an amazing experience, it delivers on all of its promises 100%! It really was an indescribable honor to be a part of PFEW and I recommend it to any teenager, even if they aren’t interested in business. I will carry these memories forever!”

Building and managing a productive sales team—any team!—is a full time job, and quite often I’ve seen things go very wrong, so here are a few rules for solving common sales management problems, which also can be extrapolated for your employee population in general.

Rule #1: The sales rep isn’t selling. Regardless of how good you are at team building, or how strong you believe your present team to be, at some point you’ll encounter the problem of a rep who’s just not selling. I’m not talking about one bad week or month, but a quantifiable measurement where the sales numbers just aren’t where they’re supposed to be at a given point in time. Solve the problem by looking inward and asking yourself a series of questions. Start with these: • Is the problem in finding deals or in closing them? One is a prospecting problem, the other is a harvesting problem and each has its own solution. • Ask yourself whether YOU could harvest this pipeline and how. Most likely your answer will tell you what’s wrong and what to do about it.

A PFEW marketing team takes a “time out” from working on their television commercial scripts for their company’s product.

• Ask yourself if the rep in question ever has made the numbers (i.e., quota)? If so, what’s changed? Therein lies your solution.

The Chamber is proud to support PFEW to give our local students an eye-opening experience like Sarah described. We encourage our local companies and civic organizations to provide sponsorships for our students and, if possible, volunteers for the sessions. Every student attends PFEW on a fully tax-deductible $525 scholarship (the actual value of the scholarship exceeds $1,500) which is provided by a local firm. PFEW is also an approved organization through the PA Educational Improvement Tax Credit (EITC) program through the Department of Community and Economic Development.

There are other questions to consider, but these will get you started thinking in the right direction. Once you can define the specific issue, you’re just a step or two away from a viable solution. However, never let any sales rep stay below quota more than two consecutive reporting periods without taking action. It’s just not done.

Rule #2: Keep your reps out of trouble. This goes for any sales rep or valued employee—some are just prone to driving their lives into a ditch. It doesn’t make them bad people, but their problems ultimately will become your problems, so keep an eye on who’s doing what, when and how. I’m not talking about using interrogation techniques to unearth the deepest secrets about their

If you would like to learn more about this award-winning program and how you can help, you can visit their website at www.pfew.org or contact John Trombetta, President of the Foundation for Free Enterprise Education at (814) 833-9576 ext. 106 or e-mail him at john@pfew.org.

lives—frankly if that’s your agenda you’re in the wrong job—I’m talking about watching their numbers, their overall productivity, and talking and listening. It’s a lot easier to stay ahead of this potential problem the same way it’s a lot easier to keep a car out of a ditch than it is to have to pull it out.

Rule #3: Being a manager sometimes sucks. Every day you will have to make hard decisions—some more difficult than others, and time and again you will face the same choices of keeping a rep or employee who is seriously mediocre (or worse) and getting poor (territory) coverage; discarding or sidelining a rep and potentially having no (territory) coverage or replacing a rep and getting brand spanking “new” coverage. All are tough issues, and in my experience the solution is this: Do your best to make a decision that will best stand the test of time. Short term solutions only create long term problems. And finally, remember these basics: 1. Don’t tolerate bad attitudes. (‘Nuff said.) 2. Don’t keep reps or other employees that can’t or won’t perform as required. 3. Keep your focus. Every sales manager has too much to do, so choose what you do each day and do those things well. Or in the words of the great Ron Swanson (Parks and Recreation): “Never half-ass two things; whole-ass one thing.” 4. Problems are normal. Don’t get excited. Define, prioritize and solve them. Lamenting why the problem landed on your lap is wasted energy. Invest that energy in a solution that stands the test of time. The other stuff just doesn’t matter. 5. And finally, when you face a serious problem, don’t fall into decision-gridlock. After a reasonable period of time, do something. Doing nothing is not an option.

PFEW is open to all current sophomores and juniors in Pennsylvania and information on attendance, as well as program applications, can also be found on the website. Questions can be directed to Ms. Amber Goss, Schools Assistant for PFEW, by calling her office at (814) 833-9576 ext. 103 or emailing her at amber@pfew.org.

Donna Saul is a business strategist and consultant specializing in building better companies with kick-ass revenue streams and strong bottom lines. You can hire her via website at www.donnasaul.com or Twitter @donnasaul.

Pennsylvania Free Enterprise Week | Ms. Amber Goss | 814-833-9576 ext. 103 | amber@pfew.org

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

Chamber Chatter NEWS

By: Donna Saul

Chamber Chatter NEWS

Fraud is closer than you think Accounting scandals and fraud cases have consumed the news and media recently and studies have shown that no company or individual is immune to the impact of fraud. Small businesses and non- profit organizations are vulnerable to fraud due to excessive trust, lack of basic controls and leadership’s neglect to monitor financial transactions. In many small businesses the owner is actively working the business and frequently depends on long-term trusted employees to work without supervision or monitoring. At some point circumstances change for the employee and there is a need that their current financial resources can’t cover. The initial fraud action may begin with the mindset that the action will happen only once and will be repaid when things turn around. When the transaction is not questioned or discovered it creates a confidence that may quickly accelerate the size and frequency of the theft. Many fraud perpetrators exhibit certain behavioral characteristics that can serve as warning signs of their fraudulent actions. These red flags include living beyond one’s means, personal financial difficulties, excessive control issues, an employee with an unusually close relationship with a vendor or customer, divorce or other family problems, irritability and defensiveness, addiction problems, complaints about inadequate pay, and refusal to take vacations or other paid time off. The Association of Certified Fraud Examiners’ (ACFE) 2012 Report to the Nations on Occupational Fraud and Abuse exposed the truly global nature of occupational fraud, as well as the severity and impact of these crimes.

Use these 8 Tips to Prevent Lost Time, Data, and Money from Computer Virus Infections

By: Kathy Wileczek

Some key highlights from the study are outlined below: Fraud cases reported lasted a median of 18 months before being detected. Tips are the most likely detection method at 43%, followed by management review, internal audit and “by accident”. The smallest organizations in the study suffered the largest median losses because they typically employ fewer antifraud internal controls than larger organizations which increases their vulnerability to fraud. Nearly half of the victim organizations do not recover any of the losses suffered due to fraud.

Many people have had a run in with a bad computer virus, or know someone who has. Symptoms range from slowness to computer file and access lock-out.

trojans, and malware that accompany these tend to be the worst of the lot since they are brand new and might not yet be recognized by antivirus software manufacturers.

Data theft from malware presents an especially serious reputation risk for businesses that keep personal information about their customers in databases. In Pennsylvania, businesses are required to notify their customers in the event of a breach.

5. Using someone else’s USB drive Infected files from a USB drive are easily transferred to your computer. If someone gives you their USB drive, run a quick scan on the drive. It only takes a few minutes.

1. Use an up-to-date, commercial security suite Good security suites include antivirus protection, a softwarebased firewall for your computers, and a component that checks the reputation of software on your computer to proactively identify potential problems. Considering a free security suite? “You get what you pay for” immediately comes to mind. Upgrade to the paid version for all of the protection. Macs are not immune and need protection too.

6. Computer optimization, cleanup, and speed-up tools Never install any software program that claims to automatically fix and clean your computer. Most of them will make your computer worse. There is a common misconception - maybe created by these hucksters - that cookies, too many files, or a “dirty registry” can slow down a computer. If it is advertised on late night or afternoon TV, it is probably hogwash or snake oil.

2. Run system updates Run system updates regularly. Updates patch vulnerabilities in your computer attackers exploit and install their malware. Learn to identify a real update from a fake update. Fake updates usually appear in the web browser while visiting websites. Never click on these and run them. Set your computer to automatically run updates when they become available. Automatic updates virtually eliminate the possibility that you will be tricked into running a fake update.

Most occupational fraudsters (87%) are first-time offenders with clean employment and criminal histories. Creating an environment to prevent fraud does not have to be expensive or time consuming. There are basic controls and monitoring that even the smallest business can effectively apply. While fraud may not be 100% preventable, controls, procedures and monitoring help an honest person remain honest. A Certified Fraud Examiner or Certified Public Accountant can help owners and management identify existing fraud risks and implement proper controls to help reduce the company’s risk of fraud in the future.

3. Opening e-mail attachments Never open an email attachment you are not expecting. Many viruses arrive in the form of email attachments. Themes and subject matter always varies, but they always include some urgent call-to-action motivating you to open the attachment. Many modern email systems filter out these kinds of infected email attachments before you even see them. Does your mail system filter for viruses? If you get a lot of spam in your inbox, your email service may not have good virus filtering. 4. Never pirate software, music, or movies Virus makers attach their wares to cracked editions of commercially available software, music and movie downloads. The viruses,

7. Keep guests off your network and WiFi When you let a customer or guest directly plug in to your wired network or use your WiFi connection, you have invited them in past the protective barrier of your firewall. A guest with a virus problem can quickly become your problem. Likewise, if you connect your computer to a WiFi hotspot at a hotel or coffee shop, other guest’s infected computers can infect you too. Many hotspot operators fail to engage safety mechanisms that prevent guest-to-guest wireless access. Are you on a safe hotspot? Try browsing for other computers. See any? They can probably see you too. Get off the hotspot immediately and report the problem to the establishment.

8. Hang up on fake tech support calls Fraudsters cold call and trick victims into thinking they have viruses. Next they use remote control tools to display harmless event log errors to scare the user. Once in the computer, they install malware that records keystrokes, turns on built-in microphones and cameras, and allows them to access your computer while nobody is watching to steal data.

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.

Christopher Reagoso is a Project Manager at the Chester County Computer Corner, which provides Computer, Server, the Cloud, and Business Telephone System services in downtown West Chester.

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

610-441-7222 | www.afdaniel.com

Chamber Chatter NEWS

5 Common Employee Handbook Mistakes

BOOST YOUR BOTTOM LINE - with PECO Smart Ideas

By: Peter Johnson

PECO Smart Ideas can help your business save energy and money PECO is proud to continue to help business customers save energy and money through a variety of incentive programs. Since PECO Smart Ideas launched in 2009, more than 3,890 commercial incentives have been paid and more than 7.6 million PECO discounted compact fluorescent lamp (CFL) bulbs have been purchased. With the newest programs, business customers can take advantage of programs designed for their specific needs. Large and small businesses alike can benefit from PECO Smart Ideas.

NEW - PECO Smart Business Solutions

PECO Smart Equipment Incentives

NEW - PECO Smart Multifamily Solutions

Get Valuable incentives for installing energy-efficient equipment

Building owners and residents benefit

PECO offers financial incentives for retrofits that incorporate energy-efficiency equipment for all major end uses. Lighting and HVAC systems are just a few of the energy efficiency upgrades covered under this program. Find out how PECO Smart Equipment Incentives can help businesses, commercial and industrial facilities, government, institutions and no-profit organizations.

Residential multifamily buildings with four or more units could qualify for facility assessments and incentives with installation of energy-efficiency equipment in common areas. Residential unit occupants can benefit from direct installation of energy efficiency upgrades through participation by building management.

PECO Smart Construction Incentives Build using sustainable design

It’s inevitable. Once an organization reaches a certain size, an employee hand-book is needed, because questions keep arising but leadership has come to the end of its answers.

Benefit from the direct installation of energy-saving equipment

For example, Tracey who works with Larry announced she’s pregnant and would like to take three months off or maybe work part time for a few months after the baby is born.

If your business has a monthly peak demand below 100 kW, you could qualify for discounted, direct installation of energy saving equipment, such as lighting upgrades, light emitting diode (LED) exit signs and energy efficiency upgrades to HVAC and refrigeration. Discover the benefits of this small business program today.

But when Shirley who reports to Ben got pregnant, she was only out six weeks. On the other hand, Shirley now works from home two days a week. And then there’s Mike, who’s working a flexible schedule while fulfilling his CPA hours requirement at an accounting firm across town. Face it. It’s time to start writing some stuff down. And now that you’ve made that decision, don’t let your handbook let you down. Resolve from the start to avoid these 5 common handbook mistakes.

Mistake #1. Faulty Basics The handbook needs to be of the right size (too large, and your employees won’t even want to open it), organized well, and contain plenty of cross references. The goal is to make it very easy for employees to find information, because honestly, no one’s going to read the handbook until there’s a question. However, it’s precisely then that the reader is going to want an answer now.

For more information on all the valuable financial incentive programs from PECO Smart Ideas for your Business, visit www.peco.com/SmartIdeas or call 1-888-5-PECO-SAVE (1-888-573-2672).

Commercial buildings designed and constructed to use less energy can help businesses save money, save energy and prevent carbon emissions. Choose a whole-building, custom, or prescriptive approach to earn valuable incentives. Find out how PECO incentives can help offset construction costs.

Mistake #2. Including Policies That Probably Won’t Be Followed Unless required by federal, state, or local law, think very carefully about including policies that will be difficult to enforce or are likely to be enforced unevenly. Ideas that sound good on paper may not translate well to the real workplace and simply cause confusion and resentment when some employees are allowed to ignore policies others are expected to uphold.

Chamber Ribbon Cuttings One of the many benefits of joining the chamber is our new grand opening feature. New businesses that join chamber will be greeted with a ribbon cutting ceremony that is jointly promoted with the business. Local dignitaries are also encouraged to participate in these festive occasions.

are not going to cease all communications with friends and family during the workday. Instead of focusing on overly restrictive rules, make it clear in the handbook that employees will be held to performance standards, and anything that unduly interferes with the employee’s ability to work is fair game for discussion.

Mistake #3. Not Taking Into Account Applicable State and Local Laws Your main office might be in Pennsylvania, but if you have even one employee in New York, you’re bound by New York law as well. While you don’t necessarily have to devote equal space in the handbook to all the states in which you have employees, you do need to keep the language open enough to allow for local variances. For example, you might preface a “use it or lose it” vacation policy (legal in some states but not in others) with “Except where prohibited by law …”

Mistake #4. Being Too Vague/ Being Too Specific Your employee handbook needs to strike the right balance between containing too much and too little information. No handbook can address every possible workplace scenario, and a handbook can’t negate the need for decision makers to apply judgment (and you don’t want that, either). At the same time, employees should be able to read the handbook and get a very clear idea of company rules and regulations.

Mistake #5. Declining a Legal Blessing Your handbook isn’t ready for distribution until your lawyer has given you the green light. Skipping this step could lead to serious problems down the road, so don’t do it.

For example, a BYOD (bring your own device) policy flatly stating that personal cell phones are never to be used at work is liable to be disregarded for the most part, because employees

Recently we have welcomed two new members to the area, Solana Willistown and LA Fitness. Solana Willistown is a newly built Senior Living Center located at 1713 West Chester Pike. Also new to the neighborhood is LA Fitness located in the Paoli Shopping Center, 975 Paoli Pike. Both grand openings brought out members from the Chamber, Board of Directors, and the community! Welcome!

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

For more information on Ribbon Cuttings please contact Dave Fairman, dave@gwcc.org

For more information, please reach us at www.prjandco.com or 610-436-6114.

Chamber Chatter NEWS

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March Events Calendar Tuesday, March 11

Executive Round Table What I’m Learning About Leadership

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31

April Events Calendar

Thursday, March 13

Business Card Exchange Zukin Realty/ Optimal Massage

Tuesday, April 1

Tuesday, April 8

Thursday, APRIL 10

Coffee Connection Chamberlain Chiropractic

Executive Round Table What I’m Learning About Leadership

Business Card Exchange Market Street Print and Copy

Guest Speaker: TBD

Guest Speaker: Paul Redman, Director, Longwood Gardens

Tuesday, March 11

Tuesday, April 8 Pietro’s Prime 125 W. Market Street West Chester 5:30pm

Tuesday, April 1 1025 Andrew Drive, Suite 140 West Chester 7:45am – 9:00am

Thursday, March 13

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

121 E. Gay Street, West Chester 5:30pm – 7:30pm

$55 for members | Limited spots available To register visit www.gwcc.org/events-programs

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

Tuesday, March 18

Wednesday, March 26

Membership Breakfast Leveraging your Greatest Asset The Power of People

Women’s Executive Round Table What I’m Learning About Leadership

Guest Speaker: TBD

Tuesday, March 18

Wednesday, March 26

Wednesday, April 23

West Chester Golf and Country Club 111 W. Ashbridge Street, West Chester 7:45am – 9:00 am

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

$20 for Members | $30 for Non-Members RSVP is required

$55 for members | Limited spots available To register visit www.greaterwestchester.com/events-programs

$55 for members | Limited spots available To register visit www.gwcc.org/events-programs