Archives
May 2011 | Gene Love Plumbing, Air & Electrical featured in the State Newspaper in Columbia, SC, read more
Gene Love Plumbing, Air & Electrical featured in the State Newspaper in Columbia, SC
Gene Love Plumbing, Air & Electrical recently caught the attention of The State newspaper in Columbia, South Carolina. C.E.L. was pleased to put their geothermal heating and cooling system installation story in front of business reporter Roddie Burris who jumped on it, citing it as a good use of renewable energy. The phone at Gene Love is ringing like crazy with new customers anxious to find out more.
Congratulations Gene Love and keep up the good work!
April 2011 | Love to Promote, read more
Love to Promote
C.E.L. recently placed Gene Love Plumbing, Air and Electrical on the cover of Lexington Woman Magazine in Columbia, South Carolina. The move brought the Gene Love brand and home comfort tips from company president Tammy Ferris directly into the homes of their target market. It also made for a fabulous leave behind on customer service calls!
C.E.L. Co-owner and Media Specialist Kari Logan wrote the article and worked with the magazine publisher on the layout of the cover story. Check it out at http://www.lexingtonwomanonline.com/issue13.html.
November 2010 | New movie a big deal to mother living with Parkinson's, read more
New movie a big deal to mother living with Parkinson's
By Renee Tessman, KARE 11 TV
Watch the movie trailer for 20th Century Fox's Love and Other Drugs and you may think it's no more than just another love story.
But there is more. If you look closely, as Jake Gyllenhall has coffee with Anne Hathaway, you can see a tremor in her hand.
46-year-old Jackie Hunt Christensen of Minneapolis knows the movie is actually about love and early-onset Parkinson's disease, something she was diagnosed with at age 32, shortly after giving birth to her second son.
She said she was at work and, "I was trying to type and these fingers [left pinky and ring finger] weren't doing what I wanted them too."
Fourteen-years later, as she and that now teenage son baked his birthday cake, her symptoms weren't so bad. But she said they come and go.
But there is more. If you look closely, as Jake Gyllenhall has coffee with Anne Hathaway, you can see a tremor in her hand.
46-year-old Jackie Hunt Christensen of Minneapolis knows the movie is actually about love and early-onset Parkinson's disease, something she was diagnosed with at age 32, shortly after giving birth to her second son.
She said she was at work and, "I was trying to type and these fingers [left pinky and ring finger] weren't doing what I wanted them too."
Fourteen-years later, as she and that now teenage son baked his birthday cake, her symptoms weren't so bad. But she said they come and go.
They include muscle rigidity, which can result in tremors or stiffness in the hands and legs, and she said, "Facial masking where you just sort of look blank or you might look angry. And you can also lose inflection in your voice." Those symptoms can make communication very tough.
Hunt Christensen, a board member for the Parkinson's Association of Minnesota, has written two books on her experience. But to have Anne Hathaway portray someone with the same struggles is a pretty big deal.
Hunt Christensen, a board member for the Parkinson's Association of Minnesota, has written two books on her experience. But to have Anne Hathaway portray someone with the same struggles is a pretty big deal.
November 2010 | The Age Of The Electric Service Truck, read more
The Age Of The Electric Service Truck
Precision Plumbing ditches its diesel-fueled service trucks for streamlined electric vehicles.
By Kelly Faloon
For Tom Robichaud, the owner and president of Boulder, Colo.-based Precision Plumbing, Heating, Cooling and Electric, transforming his service fleet to electric trucks is the right thing to do — for the environment, for his community and for his company.
The city of Boulder is no stranger to the green movement. It has an energy sustainability coordinator who works with commercial businesses to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by increasing energy efficiency and the use of renewable energy. In 2004, the Boulder Green Building Guild was formed to promote “healthier, resource-efficient homes and workplaces.” It has held a green building conference the last three years to identify opportunities and resolve challenges for Boulder green building professionals.
August 2010 | He's been meeting payroll since 1996, read more
He's been meeting payroll since 1996
New certification and continued hard work have paid off for this payroll processing firm.
By Todd Nelson
When he was just starting out, Joe Reilly sometimes needed help making payroll at his Brooklyn Center-based Payroll Control System.
Even as his fledgling company processed paychecks for dozens of client companies, Reilly occasionally turned to friends and his wife's jewelry collection to meet his obligations.
In one instance, a friend put up his Jeep Cherokee to secure a $20,000 loan for Reilly, who started his payroll company in 1996.
On other occasions, often enough that the guy behind the counter began recognizing him, Reilly pawned his wife's jewelry, including her wedding ring at least once.
"He'd say, 'Same stuff, Joe?' and he'd peel off 20 $100 bills," Reilly said. "I'd take the cash and put it in the bank to cover payroll and taxes."
As Reilly now notes proudly, every one got paid, or paid back, and the ring has long since returned to his wife's finger. While many entrepreneurs can identify with such early struggles, few likely would be as open about them as Reilly.
Things are much different now than when Payroll Control Systems was getting its start 15 years ago.
Today, Reilly heads a growing company with 1,350 clients across the country, 43 employees, offices in five metro areas in other states. This year's projected revenue of $5 million is expected to be up from 2009's $4.5 million.
June 2010 | Checking Vital Signs on Employees' 401(k)s, read more
Checking Vital Signs on Employees' 401(k)s
You can't change how your 401(k) has performed, but TSC offers companies and their employees a tool to help get on track.
By Todd Nelson
Providing financial checkups on 401(k) accounts could help secure continued prosperity for Tax Sheltered Compensation (TSC), an independent retirement plan administration firm in Edina.
Plunging 401(k) balances after the 2008 stock market meltdown brought calls from some corners to scrap the tax-deferred savings plan. But the 401(k) itself isn't the problem, said TSC president Gary Zurek. The real culprit was bad investments. The way most of us look at our 401(k) statements -- fixating on the account balance and whether it's up or down -- plays a role too.
That's where TSC's 401(k) Health Check -- what he calls the missing link -- comes in, Zurek said.
It projects, based on your current 401(k) balance and contribution rate, what your 401(k) will provide after you retire. It also looks at whether that's going to be enough to reach your retirement savings goal, which TSC defines as 75 percent of your pre-retirement income. If you're running short, it will tell you how much more you need to put in to reach your objective.
"What we're trying to do is turn this thing almost into a defined-benefit pension plan concept," Zurek said, of the retirement savings plan that the 401(k) has replaced for most employees. "We've got to start telling people where they stand, what kind of benefit they're going to have when they retire."
July 2010 | Original Stars from American Bandstand Unite for Twin Cities Fundraiser, read more
Original Stars from American Bandstand Unite for Twin Cities Fundraiser
1960s Teen Idols Fabian and Bobby Vee sing hits from their past to help artists of the future
They were among the original stars of the hit TV show American Bandstand. Now, more than 50 years later, Fabian and Bobby Vee are getting ready to thrill their fans again; this time, in Minnetonka! They’ll rock around the clock at Minnetonka High School and turn it back to the days of sock hops, vintage cars and vinyl records. Longtime fans will enjoy the nostalgia, but the real beneficiaries will be young people who hadn’t even been born when songs like “Turn Me Loose,” “Like a Tiger,” “Rubber Ball” and “Take Good Care of My Baby” were topping the charts.
That’s because concert proceeds will benefit the Fine Arts Endowment Fund, providing extraordinary opportunities for teachers and students in the visual, performing and literary arts in the Minnetonka School District.
The General Store of Minnetonka is sponsoring this event that will also feature a classic car show and an opportunity for fans to meet Fabian and Bobby Vee (in person) at the store and get their autographs on July 30th from 1:00 – 2:00 p.m.
Tickets are now on sale. Reserved seats are $55 and general seating is $35. Go to www.generalstoreofminnetonka.com or call General Store of Minnetonka at 952-935-7131.
Benefit Concert
Minnetonka High School
18301 Highway 7
Friday, July 30th
7:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
Minnetonka High School
18301 Highway 7
Friday, July 30th
7:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
Classic Car Show and Autograph Signing
General Store of Minnetonka
14401 Highway 7
Friday, July 30th
Car show: 11 a.m.– 5:00 p.m./Autograph signing: 1-2 p.m.
General Store of Minnetonka
14401 Highway 7
Friday, July 30th
Car show: 11 a.m.– 5:00 p.m./Autograph signing: 1-2 p.m.
For more information, call The General Store of Minnetonka at 952-935-7131.
June 2010 | Nexstar® Super Meeting will Offer Strategies for Generating Revenue and Success, read more
Nexstar® Super Meeting will Offer Strategies for Generating Revenue and Success
June 2010 - Plumbing, HVAC and electrical home service contractors across the continent have the opportunity to experience the rapid results of Nexstar® Network, as the trades’ leading business development organization opens the doors of their Austin, Texas Super Meeting September 23-25.
Nexstar President and CEO, Greg Niemi says, “Attendees will learn how to generate more revenue and work more efficiently. They have the potential to return to their businesses and get rapid results, guided by our experienced coaches, surefire systems and incredible peer connections.”
Nationally acclaimed economist Brian Beaulieu will release his economic forecast and unveil tactics for making sure your business thrives, not simply survives what lies ahead in 2011 and beyond.
CNN International news anchor Natalie Allen will host a live news program on stage and take you inside three notable U.S. plumbing, HVAC and electrical businesses that are productive, profitable and have overcome economic challenges. Natalie has covered stories around the world for CNN, NBC and MSNBC, including Princess Diana’s death, the Oklahoma City bombing, and the O.J. Simpson trial. She covers environment/sustainability and energy efficiency programs for The Weather Channel and was the first full-time environmental correspondent and anchor of the program Forecast Earth. Natalie serves on the board of 'Georgia Watch,” working in part to support energy efficiency programs/services and weatherization programs for Georgians.
What can you learn from a delicatessen? A higher-level of customer satisfaction. ZingTrain has set a new international standard for customer service across all service industries. You’ll get an easy-to-use, easy-to-implement, surefire working system and tools from this new icon for service.
You will also learn how to:
- Create opportunity through outbound calling
- Optimize workflow
- Manage direct labor effectively
- Understand and optimize Internet marketing
- Grow your business through social media
- Maximize your fall check-ups
- Optimize your sales opportunities on high-efficiency water heaters by mastering the benefits most important to customers
If you’re interested in experiencing Nexstar and would like to be considered for a VIP invitation to this event that is typically for members only, call Lisa McNeil or Bryan Martin at 888.240.STAR or go to www.nexstarnetwork.com to register before August 30th. Seating is limited.
June 2010 | From Pawns to Profitability, read more
From Pawns to Profitability
A Brooklyn Center Business Owner Makes Good with Success
Joe Reilly once pawned his wife’s wedding ring to make payroll. Now, 15 years later, the ring is back on her finger and Payroll Control Systems (PCS) is projected to hit $5 million in revenues.
Recently named the 2010 TwinWest Chamber of Commerce Entrepreneur of the Year, Reilly credits his success to hard work and the support he continues to receive from the good people who surround him.
Payroll Control Systems (PCS) is a leading provider of payroll, timekeeping and human resource management solutions in the Upper Midwest and the largest independently owned business of its kind in Minnesota. They have maintained steady growth every year since the company’s inception in 1996 when revenues were only $92,000. According to Reilly, PCS has maintained healthy growth by building local alliances and partnerships, including CPAs, banks, insurance brokers and investment brokers that help them compete in an ever-changing marketplace.
As the only Better Business Bureau A+ rated payroll service company in Minnesota, focus for growth is now set on companies from one to five hundred employees who want creative solutions to their payroll, timekeeping and HRIS problems. PCS has a long track record of getting the job done quickly and ethically while maintaining their high standards for customer service. With over 40 local, experienced employees and virtually no staff turnover, the PCS workplace is filled with loyalty and respect for the clients PCS serves. Reilly says his workplace philosophy is simple, “If there’s a problem, fix it fast, fix it right, and don’t place blame.”
PCS has earned their SAS 70 Type II certification, an internationally recognized auditing standard used to report on the processing of transactions by service organizations. It assures quality, security, and confidentiality for all of PCS’s privately and publicly held clients. Adherence to these standards has led PCS to a retention rate of over 97%; well above standard in an industry which competitors typically lose 20% of their beginning client base each year. Reilly says, “This certification, along with our heartfelt commitment to loyalty and customer service sets us apart from our competition.”
Kerry Ness, CFO of The Business Bank is pleased with PCS’s high performance standards and their customer service. “As a result of what’s happened in the financial industry, we now perform formal risk assessments in all areas of the bank,” says Ness. “Among other things, this has caused us to toughen our vendor requirements. The fact that Payroll Control Systems has an SAS 70 Type II audit certification gives us confidence in their ability to perform.”
For more information on PCS, go to www.pcspayroll.com. To book an interview with Joe Reilly, contact Kari Logan at 763-559-6058.
April 2010 | City of Elgin Gives Residents Tools to Grow a Fit Forest, read more
City of Elgin Gives Residents Tools to Grow a Fit Forest
Arbor Day Kicks off Commitment to Go for the Green!
Elgin residents are encouraged to be on the lookout for large medals hanging on trees around town, beginning Arbor Day, April 30th! The medals are part of the launch of The Fit Forest campaign, meant to inspire people to go for the green and grow a healthy community forest in Elgin today, tomorrow and for generations to come.
Stemming from American Recovery and Investment Act of 2009 funding, Elgin’s Fit Forest campaign will provide tree education and tools to preserve and improve the health of the trees in our community through:
• Tree maintenance • Tree risk reduction • Tree planting • Maximizing tree benefits (air/water quality, energy use reduction, property value increases, carbon storage, storm water control) • Controlling invasive pests and diseases • Reusing and recycling wood waste • Improving the ecosystem
The City of Elgin and the Davey Tree Expert Company are embracing the theme of the campaign, “working out” together to grow a Fit Forest by:
• Trimming the branches • Toning the trees • Powering the planting
• Running the waters • Exercising the ecosystem • Fortifying the future
• Running the waters • Exercising the ecosystem • Fortifying the future
Throughout the year, special events will be held and City officials will reward residents and businesses for their green efforts by presenting certificates of merit and Fit Forest gold medals to wear or display proudly on their trees.
“Our goal is to inspire our community to work together and give them tools they need to plant and care for trees in Elgin,” says Park Superintendent Jim Bell. “Emerald Ash Borer has hit our city and now more than ever, it’s critical for everyone to get active and grow a healthy community forest.”
Residents are encouraged download tools or pick up information at all Fit Forest campaign locations. Fit Forest tool kits are also available and include everything from seasonal tree care tips to coupons for discounts on tree purchases at local nurseries and access to the National Tree Benefit Calculator for estimating the dollar value of trees on your property. Go to www.cityofelgin.org/trees for details or contact Sue Olafson, Elgin Public Information Officer at 847-931-5601 or olafson_s@cityofelgin.com.
“The work upon which this press release is based was funded in whole or in part through a grant awarded by the Northeastern Area State and Private Forestry, U.S. Forest Service.”
“The work upon which this press release is based was funded in whole or in part through a grant awarded by the Northeastern Area State and Private Forestry, U.S. Forest Service.”
April 2010 | TwinWest Foundation Awards $45,000 in Scholarships, read more
TwinWest Foundation Awards $45,000 in Scholarships
Thanks to the generosity of the business community in the western Twin Cities area, The TwinWest Chamber of Commerce Foundation announced 51 college scholarships totaling $45,000 to graduating seniors earlier today. Award winners represent high school seniors from Benilde-St. Margaret’s School, Hopkins, Minnetonka, Providence Academy, Robbinsdale-Armstrong, Robbinsdale-Cooper, St. Louis Park, and Wayzata High schools. TwinWest Foundation Scholarships range from $500 to $5,000.
“The TwinWest Chamber of Commerce Foundation is pleased to award college scholarships to outstanding graduating high school seniors this spring. The Foundation is proud to support and invest in tomorrow’s business and community leaders,” says Jim Snoxell, an attorney with Henningson & Snoxell, Ltd. and chair of the TwinWest Chamber Foundation’s Board of Directors. “Each scholarship recipient is an outstanding person deserving of our financial support to help meet the high cost of a college education.”
The TwinWest Chamber of Commerce Foundation will honor its 2010 scholarship award recipients along with parents and educators at its annual college scholarship awards reception on Thursday, May 20, 2010 from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. at the Doubletree Hotel Minneapolis Park Place in St. Louis Park. The event is open to the public. Tickets for the TwinWest Chamber’s Annual Small Business Luncheon following the reception are $45.00.
The TwinWest Foundation is the oldest, and one of the most active, chamber of commerce philanthropic institutions in the state of Minnesota. Since its inception in 1982, the TwinWest Foundation has raised and awarded more than $800,000 to individuals and community projects in the region. For more information, please visit www.twinwest.com.
March 2010 | TSC Delivers Top Service to Retirement Plan Advisers and Sponsors, read more
TSC Delivers Top Service to Retirement Plan Advisers and Sponsors
An independent survey finds that Tax Sheltered Compensation (TSC) delivers top quality customer service and exceeds the national average for client satisfaction with corporate retirement plan administration. Business Health LTD conducted a broad-based survey of TSC customers. The results show that TSC ranked in the top quartile ratings in each of the nine key performance indicators, placing TSC well ahead of the national industry averages.
Based in Minneapolis, TSC is one of the largest independent retirement plan administration firms in the Upper Midwest. TSC’s ERISA attorneys and team of experts have provided consultation, design, regulatory compliance and administration services to businesses and financial advisers in Minnesota, North Dakota, and South Dakota for more than four decades.
The staff at TSC generated the highest rating in the survey with timeliness, professionalism and dependability. Additionally, the Business Health survey found that TSC has “proportionately more longer term clients” than other high-ranking third party administrators nationally.
“Our client retention rate of 97% is indicative of the high level of satisfaction with our service,” said Gary Zurek, TSC President. “These results are very gratifying for our entire team. Clients count on our quality to protect and serve their retirement plan business.”
For more information, call 952-806-4300 or go to www.tsc401k.com.
The staff at TSC generated the highest rating in the survey with timeliness, professionalism and dependability. Additionally, the Business Health survey found that TSC has “proportionately more longer term clients” than other high-ranking third party administrators nationally.
“Our client retention rate of 97% is indicative of the high level of satisfaction with our service,” said Gary Zurek, TSC President. “These results are very gratifying for our entire team. Clients count on our quality to protect and serve their retirement plan business.”
For more information, call 952-806-4300 or go to www.tsc401k.com.
February 2010 | Governor Pawlenty to Speak at Legislative Breakfast on February 12th, read more
Governor Pawlenty to Speak at Legislative Breakfast on February 12th
The TwinWest Chamber of Commerce will host Governor Tim Pawlenty as the featured speaker at the TwinWest Chamber of Commerce Legislative Breakfast on Thursday, February 11th. The Governor will give updates on the 2010 Legislative Session.
The TwinWest Chamber of Commerce Legislative Breakfast series is Minnesota’s premier legislative and political forum. Each breakfast unites compelling, well-known speakers and state legislators with more than 125 business leaders from across the Twin Cities.
TwinWest Legislative Breakfast
Thursday, February 11, 2010
7:30 – 9:00 a.m.
Doubletree Hotel Minneapolis Park Place
1500 Park Place Blvd.
St. Louis Park, MN 55416
Cost:
$30 for members
$40 for nonmembers
After February 4th…
$40 for members
$50 for nonmembers
Register online at www.twinwest.com/events or contact the TwinWest office at 763-450-2220.
December 2009 | Meeting Customer Demand in the Trenches, read more
Meeting Customer Demand in the Trenches
Award-winning Corley Plumbing & Electric takes the lead in technology that breaks new ground without breaking old ground, literally.
Greenville homeowners are assuring their family’s safety and comfort by replacing their damaged, underground sewer pipes. In the past, this meant tearing up yards and costly landscaping. Not anymore. Award-winning Corley Plumbing and Electric is highly trained to deliver trenchless sewer repair, the most advanced repair technique in the business. Homeowners no longer have to worry about lead, clogs, flooding, and watching backhoes and bulldozers destroy their yards and uproot trees and plants.
Trenchless sewer repair saves time and money. The sewer repair experts at Corley Plumbing and Electric use underground cameras to go inside the drain to find the trouble spots. Two major concerns now are all the tree roots that have grown into the sewer pipes. “Our area’s recent droughts forced the roots to find water wherever they could,” said Corley. “Unfortunately, they found it through cracks in the pipes.” The other big concern is all the deteriorating Orangeburg pipes under so many homes built in the 70s. That pipe, he says, lasts only 30 years.
Trenchless sewer repair is “green” technology. Homeowners get to keep their curb appeal and avoid the expense of replacing mature trees and other costly landscaping. They don’t have to drain their wallets to ensure their sewers will drain.
Nexstar® members place great importance on being ethical, honest, trustworthy and responsible. They expect the best from each other - and deliver the best. Corley Plumbing and Electric has consistently won service awards from this well-respected organization.
For more information on Corley Plumbing and Electric, go to www.corleypro.com.
