 54 Percent - Fortune Small Business Magazine (10/09) - 11/12/09
The Penalty Box - Fortune Small Business Magazine (10/09) - 11/12/09
More Taxes, Please - Fortune Small Business Magazine (10/09) - 11/12/09
Pool Power - Fortune Small Business Magazine (10/09) - 11/12/09
Innovation Nation - Fortune Small Business Magazine (10/09) - 11/12/09
Instruments of Change, Big and Small - 10/26/09
A Little Census Support Goes a Long Way in Philadelphia - 10/26/09
Amtrak Bridges Troubled - 09/25/09
Dogs Gone Wild - 09/22/09
Philadelphia's New Landmark - 09/22/09
Report from: Councilman Jones Jr. Office - 09/17/09
Taming Parkside Traffic - 09/17/09
What is EFCA? - 09/17/09
Business vs. Blight - 09/17/09
Time, a Nonrenewable Asset! By John Boe - 09/17/09
St. Kitts & Philadelphia: Bridging the Gap - 09/17/09
54 Percent “54 Percent of small business owners say cutting taxes is the most important thing the government can do for them.”
-FSBIZogby International Poll, July 2009. (FSB p. 17) Go back to the top
The Penalty Box What if hiring one more employee saddled your company with tens of thousands of dollars in federal fines? According to legislation before the House, businesses with payrolls as low as $250,000 would pay a 2% tax if they didn’t provide health insurance (that would rise to 8% as payroll grew to $400,000). And in early Senate legislation, firms that employ 225 or more workers would have to insure them all or pay a per-employee penalty. Those tipping points could discourage business growth.
The Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions addressed this problem in July, amending its version of the bill to exclude a firm’s first 25 employees—not just firms with 25 or fewer—from an annual fee of $750 per worker. So putting a 26th employee on the payroll would trigger only one $750 fee—not 26 of them. Go back to the top
More Taxes, Please When did you last request more taxes? Never? Well, there’s a first time for everything. Some entrepreneurs would like to see the federal government put a cap on the value of tax-deductible insurance. Under the current, uncapped system, big businesses can offer deluxe insurance tax-free, which helps them recruit and retain employees. A tax on premium insurance would generate necessary funding for healthcare reform, limit plans that cover unnecessary procedures and level the playing field for small businesses. Also, Congress could grant self-employed taxpayers the same healthcare deductions as businesses. Go back to the top
Pool Power Small businesses and the self-employed don’t have the bargaining power of corporate behemoths. That could change if Congress gives entrepreneurs the right to form insurance purchasing pools. In 2008 and 2009 a bipartisan group of law-makers introduced Small Business Health Options Program (SHOP) bills to allow such pools.”
-Ian Mount (FSB p. 19) Go back to the top
Innovation Nation (p.68)
82%: Four out of five small business owners believe that innovation is more likely to come from a small business/ Just 3% believe it is more likely to come from a large one.
(p.71)
70%: Seven in 10 small business owners ask their employees to suggest improvements to their product or service.
(p. 73)
Three in four small business owners solicit suggestions from their customers for improving their product or service, while a fifth (21%) said they did not.
(p.75)
57%: Six in 10 owners who have a budget for research and development say they have cut it back within the past year. Go back to the top
Instruments of Change, Big and Small The 2008 election, and the road leading up to it, was inspirational in many ways: Hillary Clinton and Sarah Palin were outstanding examples to young women, John McCain’s wartime experiences educated many young voters, and we saw Barack Obama become the first African American President of the United States. Each campaign was distinct and incredible in its own right, but Barack Obama’s fight for Change and dedication to volunteerism and service inspired many young people to seek the same in their lives.
One of those young people not only learned these lessons, she applied them to her life and the children’s lives around her. Shaniah St. Catherine, a Philadelphia resident and 5th grader at Friends Select School, was so touched by President Barack Obama’s spirit that she and her mother formed Kids-4 Change. Kids-4 Change is a non-profit and non-governmental organization that strives to empower and encourage young people to participate in their neighborhoods, to volunteer and to bring change to the world. “It starts with us kids,” Shaniah says. The group also aims to raise public awareness of underprivileged youth in the city, encourage awareness of cultural diversity and to produce responsible and proactive young adults.
Alice St. Catherine, Director of Kids-4 Change, is most proud because virtually all of the community service ideas are derived from the minds of the children, ages 7 to 18. Whether volunteering at a soup kitchen, hosting a community outreach event or spending time at a nursing home, these children generate ideas and always follow through.
The group receives aid from mentors and volunteers who participate in literacy programs, mentoring, after-school tutoring and many other activities. They are always looking for more caring, dedicated individuals who can volunteer their time for a couple hours per week. Kids 4-Change is currently looking for a place to set up a center, where children can come for mentoring, literacy programs or tutoring. It is our hope that they find a home here in West Parkside.
For more information on Kids-4 Change including how to donate, volunteer, or sign a child up to become a member, visit www.kids-4change.org. Go back to the top
A Little Census Support Goes a Long Way in Philadelphia Every ten years since 1902, a census is conducted in the United States to determine a count of everyone residing within its boundaries. Representatives from the United States Census Bureau actively engage the citizens around them to participate in this survey by filling out and mailing back a questionnaire. Since it only happens once every decade, it is imperative that each resident of a city is counted. However, each time it is conducted, the number of received, completed questionnaires dwindles. This is especially the case in the city of Philadelphia.
On October 15, 2009, the Business Association of West Parkside was happy to have Richard Sumter, a representative from the US Census Bureau, as a guest speaker. In his fifteen-minute presentation, it was completely clear how important the census is, not only on a federal or state level, but on a town and city level as well.
When the last Census was conducted, in the year 2000, only 56% of the population of the city of Philadelphia was counted. Whether citizens chose not to fill it out because of the form’s length and detail, their own fears about the confidentiality of the form, or because they simply did not want to, it is imperative that we help that number grow in the next year.
Census data is important for many reasons, including representation in government, allocation of government funds, and making sure that each neighborhood has city-supported recreational parks and centers. The United States Constitution mandates that a national census be conducted every ten years to determine the number of seats each state will have in the United States House of Representatives. From 1990 until now, Pennsylvania has lost 12 seats as a result of the miscalculations arising from inaccurate census data. We are expected to lose yet another seat in the next two years. These seats are crucial in the fight to get our districts’ voices heard in Washington, and to make sure that every single Pennsylvania resident is represented in the House. Census data is used to allocate government funding for hospitals, schools, roads, and neighborhood centers for both the young and old. In short, it is used to make certain that each town and city is completely functional and attractive, and it reduces financial risk for individuals and companies, which allows the district to create more jobs.
“How can my business help?” you may ask. As business, neighborhood, and district leaders, we have to ensure that each person that we interact with on a daily basis is counted. By distributing facts about the census, becoming a partner, volunteering your space for testing and training and including 2010 Census information in your place of business, in mailers, circulars and online, you can aid in creating awareness of the importance of the Census. West Parkside is also fortunate to have a brand new Census office in the Philadelphia Business and Technology Center, which will open up job opportunities to those the Parkside area.
Finally, you can help by making sure that you and your employees fill out the Census Bureau’s new, shorter questionnaire and mail it back as soon as possible. We must guarantee that our voice is heard in the city, the state, and most of all, in Washington.
For more information, or to inquire about becoming a 2010 Census partner, go to www.census.gov/2010census. Go back to the top
Dogs Gone WildOn September 1st 2009, Zakian Rugs had quite a different look than it does on a daily basis. A red carpet was rolled out, there was an American-idol style judging panel, and the parking lot and sidewalk were filled with fifty dogs and cats, both large and small, and their hopeful owners. The casting call for Zakian’s new ad campaign began at 10:00am, and was covered by CBS Eyewitness news, as well as their affiliate, the CW. A story ran on the 12:00, 4:00, and 6:00 news and showcased the upbeat, fun atmosphere of the day. By the end of the day, Bob Zakian, current owner of the shop, and the other judges had chosen three dogs—A toy poodle named Lola, a Rhodesian Ridgeback/Coonhound mix named Marlow, and a Caine Corso named Vader. Marlow and Vader were both rescue dogs, and Lola already had a resume of her very own. The three pets were chosen based on their demeanor, their ability to be photographed, and their coloring next to the beautiful oriental rugs. Though he insists that there were many promising pets on the carpet that day, some dogs didn’t photograph as clearly as others. For example, darker-colored dogs as well as the dogs with a lot of fur over their eyes. After they picked the winners, Zakian, Lola, Marlow and their owners were invited to the CBS/CW studio for a three-and-a-half minute interview with Ukee Washington; much longer an interview than Zakian expected. The entire report can be viewed on the CW website at: CBS3 - Pets Hit the Red Carpet . There are very few businesses in the Philadelphia area who can say that they survived every one of the economic downturns since the Great Depression. We are fortunate enough to have one of those businesses right here in our community. It is also one of the best in the business, the largest and most-trusted in the Tri-State area. Zakian, The First Family of Oriental Rug, has been in Philadelphia since it opened in 1923, and still managed to keep it within the family. What began three generations ago with a door-to-door rug cleaning business is now a full showroom, office, cleaning and repair facility. In about one week, Zakian takes an oriental rug from filthy to fabulous, dusting, soaping, rinsing, grooming and inspecting each rug before it is delivered back to its owners. Zakian may be a long-lived company in the Philadelphia area, as dedicated and thorough now as it was almost a century ago, but not all can be left unchanged. Bob Zakian, made the decision to take his marketing campaign in a new direction. “It’s time for a fresh look,” Mr. Zakian said in an interview conducted September 15. He knew he wanted to incorporate pets into his new ads, because pets have always been a big part of the business. Since Zakian does home pickup and delivery, the drivers often become acquainted with the pets as well as the homeowners. After meeting with his Public Relations contact, Peter Breslow, the two decided to hold an open casting call to find the next star. Breslow took their new idea to Michael Klein, the columnist who writes “Table Talk” for The Philadelphia Inquirer. Klein loved it, and even wrote about the casting call. Fifty-four responses came by email almost immediately, and it only grew from there. Their campaign will include print and television marketing, and will begin to circulate later in the fall. The three star pooches will surely revamp the face of a staple business in West Philadelphia. “People love their oriental rugs,” Zakian says, “but it can’t compete with how much people love their pets.” Go back to the top
Philadelphia’s New LandmarkOn August 3, 1965 Martin Luther King, Jr. held a rally at the intersection of 40th and Lancaster Avenue. His words drew 10,000 men, women and children to street corners, side streets, and second-floor windows as he spoke to lend support to civil rights movements of the North. One member of the crowd was a 9-year-old Joseph F. Walker, current President and Treasurer of HUB Coalition, Inc. here in Philadelphia. Though he did not know then the impact of what he witnessed, it would lead to a lifetime connection with Dr. King, and, in early December, an important historical landmark on that very corner. In 2005, when the Business Association of West Parkside (BAWP) developed and erected a memorial commemorating the Philadelphia Stars and Negro League Baseball, Mr. Walker was again in the crowd, witnessing history. It was on this day that he decided to create a comparable memorial in remembrance of Dr. King’s Lancaster Avenue speech. Soon after, he contacted Mr. Parker, Treasurer of the BAWP, in an attempt to receive guidance in his endeavor. Walker says one of the first things he remembers Mr. Parker saying was “Do everything in increments.” Each step would have to be completed one at a time—the marker, the plaque, and the mural. Since that meeting, Walker has worked tirelessly with many different nonprofit and civic groups in the development of a historical marker, plaque and mural on the corner of 40th and Lancaster Ave. After knocking on many doors, and receiving help from organizations and individuals such as the Lancaster Avenue Vendors Association, the People’s Emergency Center, Miller Parker, Marjorie Ogilvie and Philadelphia Councilwoman Jannie Blackwell, the memorial is almost ready for the unveiling. The statue is being created by a local sculptor, Rebecca-Rose Metzger of RMFAC Studio. Walker said he chose Metzger because she embodied everything that he and his committee wanted. She’s involved in the community, she’s African American, and above all, she’s highly skilled and qualified. The mural was inspired by an original photograph from the event that Mr. Walker found when digging through archives of Philadelphia news. It is now in its final stages of completion. The mural is finished, the historical marker is ready to be placed, and the plaque and pedestal will be here within the next three months. To sit with Mr. Walker, it is impossible not to be moved by his reserved, low-key nature and his soft-but-well-spoken tone. It is both startling and inspirational how a man so understated has cultivated such a piece of history in this vast city. The BAWP along with many other businesses and organizations in Philadelphia support Joseph, and agree that this is nothing short of a positive addition to the community. What seems such a distant part of our nation’s history has just been given new life, and while it will no doubt stimulate more adult interest in our historical city; it will also enlighten our children. The official ceremony is scheduled to be held on Dr. King’s birthday, January 15. For more information, or to make a donation, please contact Joseph F. Walker at 215-873-5981, or by email at
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We also look forward to the unveiling of the statue, mural and marker and to seeing the interest it will generate. Go back to the top
St. Kitts & Philadelphia:
Bridging the GapMembers from a St. Kitts international trade delegation visited Philadelphia June 10th through June 12th. The delegation expected to raise awareness of global issues and promote greater participation in international dialogue and exchange. The major objectives of the visit included: - Promoting the relationship between St. Kitts and the Delaware Valley, which includes Philadelphia and surrounding counties
- Increasing international understanding and opportunities for wider reaching relationships
- Promoting the exchange of health education, international economic development, technology opportunities, and tourism between St. Kitts and the city of Philadelphia
On Thursday June 11th, individuals from St. Kitts met with members of the Business Association of West Parkside to discuss future economic opportunities between St Kitts and area businesses. A visit to St. Kitts by the Business Association is planned for the fall. Go back to the top
Report from:
Councilman Jones Jr. Office These are critical times that demand no less than our best effort to address the common tasks we face. The City of Philadelphia is in what looks to be the most significant budget session in recent history. If we are to balance our budget, we will have to make difficult decisions. How the City will meet its obligations of over $3 billion will impact every Philadelphia citizen. There are proposed increases of 19% and 14.5% in 2010 and 2011, respectively, in real estate taxes. Philadelphia’s real estate taxes are already very high. This proposed $272 million burden will surely increase foreclosures and sheriff sales in the declining economy. The city council must consider other alternatives. One such alternative is the wage tax. Simply by increasing the wage tax on non-residents equal to that of residents would go a long way to closing the deficit while spreading the burden to all of those who earn a living in our city. Focus must also be put on growing the economy as the way out of this recession. It is imperative to direct the $2.3 billion of federal stimulus ear-marked for Philadelphia, develop our waterfront and build casinos. These measures will expand the tax base while providing thousands of job [CH9] for our citizens. These proposed ideas must be considered on the merit of the idea, and not on the author. The City of Philadelphia deserves creative solutions to deal with difficult solutions. Go back to the top
Taming Parkside Traffic Parkside is home to some of the most architecturally significant and picturesque homes in Philadelphia, and steps are being taken to preserve them for years to come. East of Belmont Avenue, the Philadelphia Historical Society is digesting the proposed East Parkside Historic District. This involves certifying the historic significance of the great architectural style of the homes in Fairmount Park. Once the district is certified, all changes to properties must be in accordance with the style of the surrounding neighborhood in order to preserve its historic nature. With all of the tourist traffic coming into Parkside now that the Please-Touch Museum, the Mann Center, and the Zoo have increased in popularity, it is easier to notice one of the area’s more prominent safety hazards, the large volume of traffic on Parkside Ave. One of the more exciting plans to come out in the last few years was the DVRPC’s Traffic Taming Study (Re: “What We’ve Accomplished,” BAWP website). In this plan many recommendations were given to calm the flow of traffic on Parkside Ave. With the help of the Commerce Department and the Mayor’s Office for Transportation and Utilities, some of the recommendations are being considered. The Philadelphia City Planning Commission is confident some of these measures can be implemented to make Parkside Ave a safer, more pedestrian-friendly environment for both the neighborhood and visitors. Go back to the top
What is EFCA?The latest version of Employee Free Choice Act (EFCA) is pending legislation, and was introduced in both chambers of the United States Congress on March 10, 2009. The Employee Free Choice Act (EFCA) would amend the current National Labor Relations Act enacted in 1935. If passed, EFCA would change the existing procedure to require the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) to certify the union as the collective bargaining representative. EFCA would take away employer’s present right to decide whether to use only the card-check process or hold a secret ballot election among employees, but instead give the right to employees to choose a secret ballot election in cases where less than the majority of employees have chosen to unionize. The Employee Free Choice Act will provide a process to ensure that workers who choose a union can obtain a first collective bargaining contract. If the union and company cannot agree upon the terms of the contract within ninety days, either party can request federal mediation. If an agreement is not reached after thirty days of mediation, binding arbitration could be the result. The Act would provide for liquidated damages of three times back pay if employers unlawfully terminated pro-union employees. EFCA would also impose a $20,000 penalty upon employers for each employer of the proposed legislation. President Barack Obama supports the bill; however, EFCA is considered unlikely to pass in the 111th Congress in its present form. To obtain additional information regarding the Employee Free Choice Act legislation, contact the Greater Philadelphia Chamber of Commerce at www.greaterphilachamber.com, or contact your Congressman. Go back to the top
Business vs. Blight Growing the Neighborhood (GTN) is a program of citizen-initiated park improvements to the neighborhood parks of the Fairmount Park system. Communities identify improvements that they would like to see in their neighborhood park through this program. Once a year, GTN gathers neighborhood volunteers to clean up the neighborhood park picked for the improvements. The goals of this program are to create new park amenities that will increase proper park usage, while also providing the community with the resources to become stronger stewards of their park. This year, Concourse/Centennial Lakes has been chosen for the program. This area is bordered by Parkside Avenue, Belmont Avenue and 52nd Street and is adjacent to the West Parkside neighborhood. This is a section of the larger West Fairmount Park and a part of the Centennial District. The main objective of this year’s program is connecting the park to its adjacent neighborhood by improving the physical access to the area, increasing the usability of the lakes and laying the foundation for community and educational programming that focuses on the lakes. The program is proposing the dredging of Concourse Lake, removal of invasive trees and shrubs around Centennial Lake, and marsh planting at Concourse Lake. These proposed improvements will attract more families into the park, increase usage, and make the park a safer and more hospitable environment for everyone. In the future, these lakes will become a valuable asset to the neighborhood and will help to promote the community economic development of the area by reducing physical blight in the neighborhood. Saturday, September 26th has been established as the GTN clean-up day. There will be volunteers coming out to work with community volunteers to clean up debris, trash and remove invasive plants from the park area. Go back to the top
Time, a Nonrenewable Asset!
By John BoeBy incorporating the use of proven time management techniques into your daily routine, you will earn more money and experience less stress in your life. Avoid procrastination in all of its attractive forms. Learn to separate the important from the unimportant and develop a "Do it now" attitude. People manage time by managing their activities and managing activities begins with planning. Effective time managers understand the importance of planning their work and then working their plan. Giving Time Meaning
It is up to us to respect time and give it both meaning and value. If you want to know the value of a year, ask a POW that has lost his freedom. If you want to know the value of a month, ask a mother that has given birth to a premature baby. If you want to know the value of a week, ask the editor of a weekly newspaper. If you want to know the value of a day, ask a schoolboy on the last day before summer vacation. If you want to know the value of an hour, ask a criminal sentenced to death. If you want to know the value of a minute, ask a person that just missed their flight. If you want to know the value of a second, ask a person that just avoided a serious car accident. If you want to know the value of a millisecond, ask an Olympic silver medallist. Tips To Manage Your Time
- Plan your day the night before. List and prioritize the top five objectives you desire to accomplish when you get to the office. Start with the number one item on your list and stay with it until it is complete. Try to do the most difficult tasks first.
- Your first priority as a salesperson is to make appointments. If you do not have an appointment with a prospect, then get on the phone and make one. I recommend you make your phone calls in the morning when you are fresh and alert.
- Let your friends and co-workers know when you do not want to be disturbed. Close your office door and stay focused on the task at hand. An open door invites continuous distractions.
- Get to the office early. You will never be successful in the sales profession if you get into the habit of coming to work at the "crack of noon."
- Avoid long personal phone calls, lunches and coffee breaks. How much of your day do you spend with a client or actively prospecting for new business? You may want to start an activity log and track how you spend your time.
- Delegate, delegate, delegate. Avoid the temptation of doing administrative duties and paperwork. Salespeople historically tend to hide behind their paperwork. Focus your efforts on the things that you are licensed or hired to do and consider employing someone else to handle your paperwork. If you have any doubt, ask yourself "What is the best use of my time right now?"
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