Good people investing in good people

Christine Santos showed us that she can pack a punch! She may be all of 90 pounds soaking wet, but when it comes to investing money, she is certainly no light weight! She let us know that she has been in this field for long enough to know that folks who are serious about investing, are not looking for stock jockey’s… they are looking for someone to partner with; someone who they know will be concerned for their future not just how much they can make for themselves.

This is the Affeldt, Miles, and Calabrese Group. Their goal is to assume full responsibility for coordinating all aspects of their client’s financial lives and exceed expectations in doing so. With passion they will provide service to individuals who want and value their advice. They will deliver this advice with the highest level of integrity and compassion that will earn the long-term trust of each of their clients.

She gave some interesting investment philosophy… The definition of “invest” in the dictionary reads as follows: 1) Put money into business, real estate, stocks, and bonds, etc. for the purpose of obtaining an income or profit. 2) To spend time and effort with the expectation of some satisfaction. Christine feels it is important to combine both definitions when approaching your investment portfolio. The Affeldt, Miles, and Calabrese Group’s philosophy is to determine their client’s rate of return through the financial tools available, where they can define your time line, your risk tolerance and set realistic and obtainable goals for you and what is best for your future.

Christine follows a Wealth Management Process which consists of the following: Step 1. Determine financial objectives. Step 2. Develop your financial plan. Step 3. Implementation of your financial plan, and finally… Step 4. Ongoing portfolio review. Christine is very aware that there are things that could happen in one’s life that may require a new fresh look at what appears to be an old plan; a plan that may have worked a month ago, however, in light of new circumstances, needs to be updated. Christine and her firm will be sure to cover all bases with you, as you grow, as your needs may change, knowing you, thoroughly, to be sure that as your needs do change, your portfolio can morph right along with you. The Affeldt, Miles, and Calabrese Group prides themselves on truly knowing their clients. Giving them a surprising comfort level, since after all, they do divulge a lot of personal details of their life with someone they may have just met.

The Affeldt, Miles, and Calabrese Group earns the trust of their clients by always holding their highest and best in mind. When they meet with clients they are sure to get all the client’s fears about investing out in the open and on the table, to be discussed fully and openly. People fear what they do not understand, Christine and her firm are sure to talk with their clients to be sure they understand fully all options again, giving that comfort level that The Affeldt, Miles, and Calabrese Group is known for.

The Affeldt, Miles, and Calabrese Group organize people’s lives so they can achieve their financial goals. Asking you… What do you need for the future? What do you want for your future? Letting you know honestly what is feasible, what may not be and how to get there without breaking the bank.

Christine compares your portfolio to a cornucopia, explaining the philosophy of too much of even a good thing may not be the best option, so to diversify by having not only apples, or oranges, but apples, oranges, grapes, bananas maybe even some celery, spring for a pomegranate. Diversify… Real people investing in real people, it’s a beautiful thing.

If you are looking to talk more about investing, please feel free to call Christine Santos Shukes direct at 413-785 4900 or 800-628-9406 also, visit their website at www.ubs.com. The Affeldt, Miles, and Calabrese Group is conveniently located in Springfield, MA.

Be Well,
Mary-Anne DiBlasio
Western Mass Wellness
Pioneer Valley Professionals

Embroidery... At it's Best!

Kelly Bouchard let us in on a little secret… It is not that expensive to get great embroidery done! Kelly shared with us that not only is she competitive with her pricing, she is faultless when it comes to her deliveries… well, maybe we should say… even to a fault. :O)

Personally, I have seen her work. I have placed orders with Kelly, only to be pleasantly surprised by both the quality of work, price and the on time delivery… She won’t go promising you something she cannot deliver. She knows what her machines can handle and she gets the job done.

Everything from simple tees to sports jackets to messenger bags. From cotton to canvas. With more colours than you can imagine. She can match any colour from any logo you could possibly have. With that said if you have a logo you can email to her, she can either digitize herself and/or send it out to be digitized, so you can have your own logo, on good quality products, matching all colours perfectly!

She has many products to choose from, and she also will get in samples if you are unsure. From Adidas to Rossignol, and everything in between, if there is a style or brand you like, just ask. Kelly is very easy going and super easy to work with. She knows embroidery like no one I’ve ever known before, and truly enjoys what she does.

Absolute Embroidery is conveniently located in West Springfield. If you would like more information on promotional items Kelly has to offer please give her a call at 413-747-7922 or email absoluteembroidery1@ verizon.net

Thank you,
Mary-Anne DiBlasio
Pioneer Valley Professionals

22 NEWS WORKING FOR THE PVP

The PVP had the pleasure of listening to Brenda McGiverin telling us the benefits of advertising with Channel 22 WWLP. WWLP-22 News is an NBC affiliate serving Hampden, Hampshire and Franklin Counties, as well as surrounding areas in Western Mass; reaching as far north as Windham County VT and as south as beyond Hartford County CT. Ch. 22 strives to provide local news coverage with an emphasis on community involvement. Their station is committed to having the most up-to-date transmission facilities and state of the art equipment.

WWLP-22 News reaches 215,000 households per week (according to the Nielsen, May 2009 ratings) and WWLP.com is the #1 news and information source for multi-media broadcast websites in western Mass.

WWLP-22 News strives to be the source for local News, Weather, and information in Western Mass through the use of three multi-media platforms: TV, on-line as well as mobile. Speaking of mobile, since 22 News has done quite a bit of market research giving results that say goodbye to landlines and hello to mobile, staying up to speed with the demand of what consumers are looking for, in May 2009 WWLP launched its new iPhone app. Proving it’s market research correct, there has been over 2000 downloads since its launch, over 100,000 page views per month, close to 2000 unique users per month as well as over 50 pages per user per month. It is all about supply and demand, and WWLP 22 News knows what the masses are looking for.

Brenda also explained to us that television advertising simply reaches more customers. Some folks feel that television advertising is too expensive; on the contrary, television proves to be the most cost-effective way to advertise. Some folks feel that filming a television commercial is too difficult and time consuming. Ch 22 has a production team that makes it very feasible to film within three days and makes changes within 24 hours. Branding is one of the most important things when target marketing, and television is a good way to brand yourself.

After Brenda’s presentation, we were able to tour the station and I will have to say it feels much larger from the inside then when you view it on the screen. It is quite impressive and professional how everything is set up.

Brenda is very knowledgeable about television marketing and walks a good talk with her customers. If it looks as though you are thinking of a new advertising campaign and never thought television was for you, give Brenda a call, and have her go over some numbers with you to see if television advertising would be a good fit. Brenda will help you determine your specific targets as well as advertising goals.

Together you will prepare a schedule to help you reach your target demographic while remaining within your budget. We keep the process simple. To contact Brenda call 413-377-2034 or email brenda.mcgiverin @wwlp.com

Brenda, thanks for some wonderful information to help us further our businesses.

Mary-Anne DiBlasio
Western Mass Wellness

ARE WE SAFE WITHIN OUR OWN HOMES?

Now, this is a question for Dave Condon, Owner, Northeast Security Solutions in West Springfield. Dave, a member of the PVP for just a few months now, has really made a lasting impression with all of us. That baby face may fool some folks, but when you sit down and talk security with Dave, his knowledge far outweighs any question you may have had as to his expertise.

What you have to respect about Dave, is his honest approach. He will tell it like it is; no candy coating, no sales pitch to seal the deal, just facts. He is very conservative when “selling” his product. You can tell he is truly looking out for your own personal level of comfort for what systems you may be looking at. There are so many different options, that there is something truly for every budget and level of comfort.

One thing Dave was able to provide us with is some basic facts that we may not be aware of:

Poor landscaping may be the cause of your house being at risk… larger shrubs or bushes located near or at any entry points of your home giving undesirables hiding places and subsequent access to your front door, back door and/or windows. Keep landscaping neat and trimmed. Overgrown shrubs is not just a sign of much needed chores, it may potentially put your home and your family at risk. Lower shrubs and bushes do not allow for places to hide. You can also put various picker bushes in place as well, as to not leave them any spots to crouch down behind. Roses, Barberry, check with your local garden house.

Another huge deterrent is bright outdoor lighting. If your house is brighter than the house next door, which house do you think the burglar will most likely approach? Not that we want to send any ill will onto your neighbors and friends, however, you need to be sure you are protecting yourself and your family. Security lights, motion detectors, even cameras depending on the level needed.

Now, another false sense of security is the family dog. Yes, Fido can deter a potential novice from sneaking in an open window, however, if there is someone that truly wants to get into your home, they will find a way and Fifi will simply be in the way. With no security system in place, you may also be putting your family pet at risk. They are not made to protect the home, they are truly part of your family, and just like you would not want anything to happen to little Johnny, you should also not want anything to happen to Spot either. There have been numerous stories on the local news regarding pets being injured or killed during a break in. And besides, are you really looking to entrust your safety and the safety of your family and belongings to the family member who grabs his liquid nutrients from the bathroom toilet. :O)

Another thing you want to be sure of is that your deadbolts are secure. May I say, that after listening to Dave and having the hands on touch and feel of various products, that all deadbolts are not created equal! Some are fairly flimsy, and could easily be a point of entry for someone. Doors, another big factor. Are they set right, is there a gap, is the jam secure? You have to keep in mind that a seasoned burglar will try to look as natural as possible when doing his "job". With that said, crawling thru a window may draw some attention. They may opt for entering right thru the grand foyer, thinking if they look that obvious, no one will question what they are doing. There are so many different things to think of, and Dave was so knowledgeable with his products that he did no less than impress!

Dave was also very up front to let us know that he may not be the least expensive company out there, however, after all was said and done, and taking into consideration the installation and monitoring fees, Northeast Security Solutions is by far, the best bang for your buck! Not to mention, you own the equipment outright with them, it is not leased with the potential of being stuck with the balance of what is due for the signed contract.

From keypad access to your business to wireless remotes for your home windows, the options are endless when it comes to safety and your home. Also you can be rest assured that the employees and technicians that work with you at Northeast are fully credentialed, over and above what their competitors require.

Northeast Security Solutions has a long history with this community, and the business has been in the family for quite some time. The company has morphed a few different times to grow with the times and has bettered themselves each and every step of the way, keeping the needs of the community at the forefront of their decisions!

If you should require any further information or want a quote, please do not hesitate to contact Dave direct at: 413-733-7306 or visit www.NortheastSecuritySolutions.com they are located conveniently at 33 Sylvan Street in West Springfield, MA. Stop by to see the showroom.

Thanks Dave for a wealth of information not to mention a great lunch from Kozar’s Deli on Elm Street, West Springfield.

Mary-Anne DiBlasio
Pioneer Valley Professionals
Western Mass Wellness
Be Well Kids

Business West & Healthcare News take PVP by storm!

From the wonderful lunch at Lattitude – West Springfield to the complimentary wine at the tables, both Mike and Gwen gave us loads of information to go home with. There is advertising and then there is advertising…

Both Business West and Healthcare News pinpoint the news specifically to the target market you are looking for… the folks who actually spend the money in our local community. The average household income of their readers is $104K (HCN) - $151K (BW). (Much higher than some other local venues). Now these are the folks you want to be in front of… continually. MARKET SATURATION!!! The way people find you!

Both Gwen and Mike tell us that being in front of your target market on a regular basis is key. That is why both publications offer discounted rates for multiple listings. You want to be sure your potential customers know who you are, and see you on a regular basis. If they see you once or twice, they may forget (4) months down the road when they are looking for your services. They may at that point slightly remember, go back to an issue of Business West or Healthcare News only to find ads of your competitors… and not you. Don’t let this happen.

For Healthcare News… Every doctors’ office, hospital and wellness center has a copy… If you are looking to break into the healthcare field, Healthcare News is the way… Both Healthcare News and Business West is read by their readers. They have found that these issues are read cover to cover. For Business West… it is a paid subscription, so folks purchasing them want the information. They also have a specific Real Estate section that you can list and/or find office space in the local community.

They both have varying subjects month to month that you can be sure to piggyback onto as far as your similarity to the subject. If you are a therapist, you can be sure to get a larger ad in the Mental Health Month of the HCN. If you are an attorney, be sure to get into one of the BW editions that focuses on law. There are many ways that you can also advertise your business in addition to the ads. Do you have something newsworthy? A new addition to your staff perhaps? A new division to your company? Have you moved? Press releases are a great way to get the word out there in addition to having ads. Not only are you advertising your company, you are also sharing with the community something newsworthy that has happened. Keeping the people up to date with your business… literally… What about upcoming events? Be sure to get them complete information at least one month prior to the event to get proper coverage.

Then, of course, you have the Healthcare News and Business West Resource Guides. You can list your business and be in front of folks that are looking for your service. The Resource Guide is well utilized amongst business professionals that receive both the HCN & BW issues. They keep it and utilize this as their reference guide when in need of a local service… you want to be sure you are part of this… you want to be sure to get in front of the folks that are going to need you, when they need you, and since that is never a guarantee as to when, that is the reason why regular advertising is such a key part of your business plan. Everyone needs you, that’s why everyone needs to advertise otherwise no one will ever find you… Be sure to get your information for the Resource Guide to Gwen and/or Mike no later than August 1st.

One last thing, but certainly not the least… Gwen has begun a fabulous Luncheon Series at Pazzo’s downtown once a month. She has had two keynote speakers so far, and taking it from someone who has attended both… They are the best $10 you can spend. Precise information given in a casual atmosphere with great food and great company. I know Gwen had been troubleshooting this idea for some time, and then she just took the torch and ran with it, well… kudos to you Gwen for an incredible way to get community together, involved and informed!

If you have any questions for Mike or Gwen, be sure to contact them directly:

Michael Hurczyn
Account Executive, Business West
1441 Main Street Springfield, MA 01089
PHONE – 413 781 8600 FAX – 413 781 3930
EMAIL –hurczyn@ businesswest.com
WEB ADDRESS- www. businesswest.com

Gwen A. Burke
Senior Account Executive, The Healthcare News
1441 Main Street Springfield, MA 01089
Phone (413) 781-8600 Ext.16 Fax (413) 781-3930
EMAIL - gburke@ healthcarenews.com
WEB ADDRESS - www. healthcarenews.com

thank you,
Mary-Anne DiBlasio

Minuteman Press Giving Back...

Minuteman Press is offering a helping hand to unemployed members of their community by offering ten free resume copies per customer. Job seekers may bring a printed copy of their resume to the shop and the Minuteman Press staff will reproduce ten copies on resume-grade paper. Owners Michael and Lindsey Weber plan to offer this assistance during the remainder of 2009. “We know how stressful it can be to look for a new job, especially when the choice isn’t your own. We hope that these resume copies will make one part of the job seeking process a little easier,” said Michael. Minuteman Press is located on Hazard Avenue in Stop and Shop Plaza. The shop is open Monday through Friday from 8:30 am to 5:30 pm. Questions may be directed to Michael and/or Lindsey Weber at 860.745.3600.

Please visit: HERE - for more information about Minuteman Press.

Amanda Barton & Career Group Staffing was our May Spotlight

Amanda Barton, Career Group Staffing was our spotlighted member for May. She was able to share some unique points about Career Group that not too many folks may know. Career Group is locally owned, not a national firm owned by someone outside of our area, which is most of what we have around. Because they live and work here and have done extensive research, they know their market better than the competition. They immediately cater to your needs. They know that staffing decisions need to be made quickly because there’s a job that has to be done.

“We do a full interview, orientation, and reference checks for every candidate. We also can test clerical candidates. The most common tests are Word, Excel, data entry, and typing. We can also do specialized orientation by company and drug and background check if the company wants it” says Barton.

Career Group has a “Team” approach, every staff member at Career Group understands their clients’ and candidates’ needs. So no matter when you call, you will always get someone with the knowledge of your needs that gives you a certain comfort level that your needs are indeed going to be met. Whether you need someone on a temporary basis from 4 hours to 4 weeks to 4 months, or you are looking to hire someone on a permanent full time basis, Career Group is the place for you.

Together with our client company, we develop a concise job profile including skills, educational equivalents, experience level and personality requirements. Whether the recruitment is for a full-time, contract, temporary to hire, or temporary position, it is imperative that the job description is well defined for the project to be successful. A strong job description yields a greater understanding of the job requirements to better match a skilled candidate to the job. The candidates are interviewed and screened by a professional proficient in their field of knowledge. In-depth reference checks are executed to verify the information gathered. Our state-of-the-art database system allows quick access to resumes of qualified candidates. Our recruiting professionals will immediately respond to your staffing needs by matching your exact skill requirements with a candidate's in-depth profile. This is of course why Career Group is on the top of its field in customer satisfaction. They strive for the highest quality at all times from each of their employees, so you get the best service possible.

Amanda also let us know that even in this economy, there has been allot of activity, and not just from unemployed folks, activity from employers as well. So, if you are a company looking for help or an individual looking for work… give Amanda a call, and let her know you heard it from the PVP!

Amanda Barton
Career Group Staffing Services
413-785-1818
jobs @careergroupstaffing.com