RECENT SEBA EVENTS

MARCH 2011

SEBA SPRING SEMINAR & NETWORKING RECAP
In case you missed it, we hosted two great events in March. Lots of very useful information was presented. Here are the notes. Please let us know if there are other topics you would like to see presented at future seminars. Don't forget to check out the next Networking event on April 14th at 8:00am at the South End Buttery.

SEBA SPRING SEMINAR RECAP - March 30, 2011

YELP TIPS from Damien Smith, Marketing Director YELP Boston

Make sure you claim/create your Business Page on YELP (click here).
Monitor your business activity daily.
Offers on YELP are a great way for businesses to gain more exposure. You can create both Business Page offers & Check-in offers.
As a business owner, you have the capability to respond to reviews both publicly and privately. Locally, The Charles Hotel and Boloco have done a great job with responding to reviews. Make sure you check them out on YELP.
YELP has review filters that are designed to help protect against fake review.

If you have any questions relating to your business page on YELP, you can contact Damien directly here.

CREDIT CARD PROCESSING TIPS from Joe Forgione, Transactions Resources Inc.

If you are currently with a merchant provider make sure you are on an interchange pass through program. This is the most cost effective plan for a merchant. If you are not on that program call your provider and request to be changed to that type of billing.
When you are choosing a provider make sure you do not enter into a contract. Some providers have a three year term with an exurbanite early termination fee.
Make sure you are PCI compliant. If you are unfamiliar with the security standards contact your merchant provider to get the guidelines on how to become compliant. This is a Visa, MasterCard, Discover and American Express requirement. You could be subject to fines through the card associations if you do not become compliant.

For more simple tips on how to save money on your credit card processing, click here. For more information, or if you have any questions, please call Joe Forgione at 508-344-2807 or email him here.

PRACTICAL SOLUTIONS TO LOWER ELECTRIC AND GAS USE for small businesses
Lisa Hayada, NSTAR & Ellen Pfeiffer, National Grid

NSTAR and National Grid offer practical solutions to help lower electric and gas use for both commercial and industrial customers. The Direct Install Program for small businesses offers customers a turnkey solution covering up to 70% of the total project cost with the option to finance the remaining 30% over a 12 month period.

Mass Save provides expert engineering, commissioning, support services, and reference materials to help large and small businesses build new facilities, add manufacturing capacity, or complete major renovations. We also offer incentives towards energy-efficient lighting and controls, HVAC systems, motors, variable speed drives, and compressed air equipment.

New Construction and Equipment - We provide financial incentives and technical assistance to commercial, industrial and municipal customers who are building new facilities, adding capacity for manufacturing, replacing failed equipment, or undergoing major renovations.
Building and Equipment Upgrades - We offer financial incentives and technical assistance to help you purchase and install energy efficient equipment and systems, including lighting and controls, HVAC systems, motors, variable speed drives, and compressed air, as well as custom projects.

For more information, visit www.massave.com

SEBA NETWORKING EVENT MEETING - March 17, 2011

On March 17th, 20 SEBA members opted for some morning networking instead of celebrating St. Patrick's Day. After being on hiatus for several months, SEBA members resumed their morning meetings with a change in format. Two guest speakers kicked off the event.

Diane Darling, founder and CEO of Effective Networking and author of The Networking Survival Guide, shared her expertise through personal stories and experiences. Her favorite tip.........when you meet someone for the first time, say something about yourself before you actually say your name!

Joe Wood, owner of Boston Standard Plumbing and Heating shared how networking really increased his client base.....as he quoted "networking......not so typical from a plumber".

The attendees then split off into groups of four and networked with those at their table. After ten minutes, the group was asked to move to a different table. The feedback from this format was overwhelming and members requested we continue with the speed-networking format.

The next Networking meeting is scheduled for April 14th at 8:00am at the South End Buttery located at 314 Shawmut Avenue. To reserve a seat, please email Stacy at stacy@southendbusiness.com