Newsletter - Colchester Business Association

Newsletter
Summer 2013 Edition
Letter from the President
Greetings CBA Members!
I hope everyone is enjoying the summer and finding a way to beat
the heat! Lazy summer days can be fantastic when on vacation, but
successful business owners can rarely afford to be lazy. I hope everyone
has a chance to take a break and re-energize over the summer months.
However, we must continue to search for ways to grow and to expand
our businesses. As a business organization, I’ve challenged the board
Daniel Eberle
to think of new & improved ways that we can help promote member
businesses. We will meet to brainstorm ideas aimed at helping to
improve existing events and marketing as well as to generate new ideas for member
promotion. I would like the membership to do the same. Please send along an e-mail
to info@colchesterctbusiness.com with any ideas or suggestions that you feel would
enhance member benefits.
I planned on keeping this letter brief, but I wanted to leave everyone with this
thought. Within the last week alone I have personally referred and been referred to
business owners within Colchester through relationships made in the CBA. Although
we tend to think that the CBA and other associations will bring us business, I think at
times we lose sight of how this happens. The CBA provided a platform from which
I made some trusting relationships. The referrals and recommendations that come
from these relationships are drivers of new business for local business owners. These
referrals and recommendations are not limited in scope to me, but become accessible
to my contact sphere. This individual networking is essential for small business growth.
So at your next CBA event, introduce yourself to someone new. Even if you cannot use
their product or service, it is likely that you know someone who might.
On a separate note, we are deeply saddened by the passing of our good friend and
CBA member Paula Lemire. Our thoughts and prayers go out to her family. Paula will
be missed by everyone.
— Dan Eberle, CBA President
The Colchester Business Association and community at-large
suffered a tremendous loss earlier this month when Paula Lemire
died in a tragic accident. An employee at Apple Rehab (formerly
Liberty Hall) for 36 years, Paula was a longtime member of the CBA,
former member of our board of directors, and tireless volunteer for
many of our committees and events.
Paula loved to be out front and march in the Memorial Day Parade
to promote the CBA. As she did for many years, Paula helped us
stake out booth spaces for this year’s Tag Sale on the Green, served
as coordinator for our tremendous schedule of entertainers, and,
after staffing her own booth all day, she was there until the very end
Sunday helping us pick up trash to keep the green clean.
Paula was also a volunteer at the Senior Center, a brand new member of the Colchester Lions
Club, and a loving matriarch to her family, especially her grandchildren we saw her with so
often. She will be greatly missed by all who knew her.
Special thanks to the many CBA members who coordinated the lunch after funeral services
for Paula, as well as collected donations of food from local businesses, members of the Lion’s
Club and the community.
– Greg Barden, Past President, Colchester Business Association
2013-2015
Board Members
OFFICERS:
President:
Daniel Eberle
Vice President:
Timothy Kearney
Secretary:
Jack Faski
Treasurer:
Greg Barden
DIRECTORS:
Ash Bashir
Joseph Broder
Fred Brown
Teri Damato
Joseph Dias
Timothy Kearney
Ginger Pensa
Anita Pizzutiello
Cathy Pompei
Debra Rushford
Dr. Marty Zase
Staff
SERVICES
COORDINATOR:
Michele Wyatt
info@
colchesterctbusiness.com
MEDIA
COORDINATOR:
Jacqueline Enrique
Enrique
Graphic Design
860-334-7977
mediacoordinator@
colchesterctbusiness.com
Contact Information
Phone & Fax:
860-537-0340
Website:
colchesterctbusiness.com
Abigail Baker and Romanna Romaniv Receive 2013
Colchester Business Association Scholarships
On June 13 the Colchester Business Association (CBA)
awarded two annual scholarships to local graduating
high school seniors who intend to study business in
college. The two scholarships are for $1,000 each and
used to go towards educational expenses. The 2013
recipients are Bacon Academy seniors Abigail Baker
and Romanna Romaniv, both residents of Colchester.
“I feel extremely blessed receiving this honor from the
Colchester Business Association. I’d like to thank the
Association as a whole and all of its dedicated members
for selecting me as a recipient. Your contribution to my
college fund will make a lasting difference and acts as
reassurance that business is, in fact, the right career
field for me,” wrote Abigail Baker, who will be attending
Babson College and majoring in accounting with a
minor in economics. Her long term goal is to take her
CPA exam, and eventually become FEO for a major
corporation.
Real Estate. The committee included Greg Barden of
the ReminderNews, Ash Bashir of Troiano Auto Group,
and Jack Faski of Skyview Realty.
This year’s scholarships were awarded for the seventh
year in a row in honor of Loren Marvin and Donald
Standish. Marvin was a founding member of the
CBA that was very active in the business community
throughout his lifetime. Standish was a CBA volunteer
that was an integral proponent of “Shop Colchester
First!” in support of the local business community. The
scholarships fund is created from CBA raffles that take
place at monthly member dinner meetings. Raffles
prizes are donated by CBA members.
“I am very happy and grateful to have received this
scholarship. It is an honor and a great help to me and
my family,” stated Romanna Romaniv. Roma will be
attending the University of Connecticut, majoring in
economics, and has also been accepted into the UConn
business program. She hopes to someday work for
an international organization that helps other people,
possibly working with the economies of underdeveloped
countries.
Thank you for the hard work and effort of the 2013 CBA
scholarship chair Ginger Pensa of William Raveis Liberty
2013 CBA Scholarship recipients Romanna Romaniv (left) and
Abigail Baker (right), Bacon Academy 2013 graduates
Thank you tag sale
performers, DONORS
and volunteers
Thank you to all who participated in
the CBA’s 32nd Annual Tag Sale on the
Green on Sunday, June 9th! Thank you to
our performers - Colchester Jazzercise,
Acoustic Guitar by Scott Chapman;
Doreen’s Dance Center, Connecticut
Chung Do Kwan, America’s Best Defense,
Acoustic Guitar by Robert Blanley, and
J2:28 of Abundant Life.
Our chairpersons this year were Tony Todt
of Family Physical Therapy and Debra
Rushford of Shattered Endz. Thank you to
Bob Nason of Soundmasters for doing a
spectacular job DJing and announcing.
This Tag Sale would not be possible without
the kind and generous people who donate
their time, energy and services.
Colchester East Hampton
Jazzercise
CT Chung Du Kwan
J2:28 - Abundant Life
Scott Chapman,
Acoustic Guitar
America’s Best Defense
Doreen’s Dance Center
Check out all of the Tag Sale photos
on the CBA website. Go to
www.colchesterctbusiness.com
and click on the Photo Gallery
Robert Blaney, Acoustic
Guitar
Shop Local!
Support CBA Member Businesses!
Shop Local!
Here are some of the services and products your fellow CBA members have to offer!
Support CBA Member Businesses!
Reach Over 190 CBA Members - Reserve Your Monthly Advertising Space Today - Call Paul at 860-537-3338
Reach Over 190 CBA Members - Reserve Your Monthly Advertising Space Today - Call Paul at 860-537-3338
BUSINESS BRIEFS - Member News
Renewal Team. Take advantage of this wonderful oppurtunity, running from
July 8th to August 23rd! 860.537.7255 or visit colchesterct.gov
• Enjoy your summer! Heated up? Keep cool by having Dutch Oil and
Propane service your system today. We will have you chilled out in no time.
Dutch Oil & Propane 860.873.3876
• Welcome Perfect CURB, LLC - a new decorative landscape edging company
on South Main St., Colchester. They provide design & installation services for
their stamped concrete edging system, and offer traditional services such as
walkway and patio installs. Call 860.574.0238 or visit www.perfectcurb.net.
• Peter J. Herrmann, CFLC has just opened a second location in Norwich CT
directly accross the street from the Courthouse. Peter specializes in Low Cost
Divorces when couples need help getting a divorce, but cannot afford
lawyers. When you want hard to find expertise, fast service and an affordable
price, call Peter Herrmann @ (860) DIVORCE or 860.348.6723 or email
him at: mr.mediator@live.com • Colchester Parks and Recreation is excited to inform you and your family of
Youth Services’ newest program; FREE Summer Lunch and Fun! Send your
child to a safe, supervised area in Colchester Elementary School cafeteria for
a FREE healthy lunch and fun in the sun with friends. Lunches will be served
between 11:30 am and 12:30 pm and are prepared by the Community
• Farrell & Farrell Consulting Services, Inc. donated organizational planning
and consulting services to POST-CT, a new, Colchester-based, non-profit
group supporting the parents of soldiers and veterans. FFCS, Inc. provides
planning support and contract services including bookkeeping and project
management to small companies, foundations and non-profits in
Connecticut. www.ffcsconsulting.com.
• Congratulations! Grundmann Landscaping is celebrating 33 years! Specializing in commercial/residential mowing, shrub trimming, mulch
deliveries/installation, retaining walls, patios, and ice/snow management.
Free estimates - 860.267.1510
From the desk of
JUDITH M. DOBAI Vice President and Managing Director
Farrell & Farrell Consulting Services, Inc.
18 Granite Court, Colchester, CT • 800-595-4912
How To Use Data to Increase Business
As business owners, we have heard how effective planning can help you strengthen your
business. It’s sometimes viewed as a bit of a luxury, but it is one few businesses can afford
to skip. One key component of planning is having the data you need to evaluate and redirect
your business as needed.
So, what data do you have?
First, it may seem obvious, but your goal is to collect as much data as possible on every
actual (possible) transaction – sometimes easier said than done, but knowing which
customers have returned for subsequent purchases, your average sale to customers, and
what they purchased gives you a depth of information to target your marketing resources in
the future. This can be challenging for storefront businesses with quick sales, but there are ways for POS systems
to be configured to collect helpful information.
Judith Dobai
The mantra with data is: garbage in, garbage out. When you collect information, remember that bits and pieces are
far less helpful than a more complete record. Your database should store data in a consistent way every time (even
as simple as alphabetizing all records by last name) so data can be easily sorted, aggregated and reported.
Most businesses pay attention to the bottom line, and rightly so; but there is often a wealth and depth of financial
data that goes unexplored. You should be able to monitor how well you are meeting monthly budgets, which
services or products are most profitable, and which ones need to be pruned from your offerings. Success means
looking more closely at the data behind your sales, and doing so more often than many business owners find the
time to do.
To support your internal analysis, there is a treasure of market level data out there. Two examples, the Connecticut
Economic Resource Center (www.cerc.com) and the US Census Bureau’s American Community Survey (www.
census.gov) both include social and economic profiles of communities. Alternatively, if you have a sharp profile of
your target customer, you may benefit from customized research to learn more about their spending habits and
potential purchasing.
The most important principle is to gather all data you can and USE what you have to strengthen your business.
Judy Dobai of Farrell & Farrell Consulting Services, Inc. supports small businesses and non-profits with practical
operations support, management consulting and project management. She can be reached at 860-301-7286 or
online at www.ffcsconsulting.com.
If you have knowledge to share in a “How To” article for the CBA News please contact CBA Media Coordinator
Jacqueline Enrique at 860-334-7977. The article can include a picture, logo and contact information.
Reach Over 190 CBA Members - Reserve Your Monthly Advertising Space Today - Call Paul at 860-537-3338
YOU
This newsletter is created by Jacqueline Enrique • Enrique Graphic Design, Colchester, CT 860-334-7977
THANK
COPIES PLUS MORE ,
FOR
PRINTING
THIS
MORE THAN JUST OFFICE SUPPLIES
NO GIMMICKS
JUST LOW PRICES
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Reach Over 190 CBA Members - Reserve Your Monthly Advertising Space Today - Call Paul at 860-537-3338
NEWSLETTER !
STATIONERS
P.O. Box 453, Colchester, CT 06415
Meeting Colchester’s Business Community
Needs Since 1981
Next CBA Networking
Dinner Meeting Sept. 10
Hung Won Restaurant
Start planning your display for the 2013 Scarecrow Decorating Contest!
Last year’s event was hugely attended and very popular. A great way to get involved in our community
and advertise your company or organization. SHOW YOUR COMMUNITY SPIRIT!
Attend Monthly Meeting • Networking Events • Member BENEFIT Programs
Next CBA Dinner Meeting: Tuesday, Sept. 10, 6-8 pm
Hung Won Restaurant, 232 New London Rd., Colchester
Networking 6-7, Dinner Buffet 7pm,
Sponsored by Colchester Dental Group
Guests and new potential members always welcome. New Members receive their first meal free!
Cost: $15/person RSVP: By Sept. 5 by calling 860.537.0340 or email info@colchesterctbusiness.com
Watch your email and the website for Menu and Speaker info
www.colchesterctbusiness.com
Please note our Meeting Policy:
Everyone gets 1 time forgiveness, after that we
need 24 hour notice of cancellation prior to the dinner in
order to not be billed.
All no shows and anyone cancelling after the
24 hour rule will automatically be billed.
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@ColchCTBusiness
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Facebook Page:
CBA: Colchester
Business Association
For more CBA info go to colchesterctbusiness.com or call 860-537-0340