Better Business Bureau serving Ashland, Medina, Portage, Richland, Summit &

Wayne Counties

FACTS

October 2010 Volume VIII

Don't wait until retirement to create a Business Succession Plan.

While it's not fun for a business owner to think about the impact their death or a disability would have on the company, it is nevertheless important to create a succession plan sooner rather than later. The Better Business Bureau outlines five steps to create a solid succession plan and ensure the stability of the business if something unexpected should happen. A business succession plan is extremely vital to ensure the stability of the business and avoid paying too many taxes or damaging the family finances, but many small business owners lack one. According to a 2008 PNC Bank survey of business owners, 77 percent had a will but only 33 percent had a succession plan for their business. While retirement may seem far off, you should plan for the unexpected by taking the time to create a thorough succession plan. Waiting until retirement to think about the next generation of the business puts both your family finances and the future success of the company at risk. BBB recommends taking the following steps to create a cohesive and comprehensive succession plan: Have the tough conversations with family and partners.When beginning the planning process, get the thoughts and opinions of family members and business partners on their

In This Issue

International Visitors from India & Bhutan

BBB Discount Program New Accredited Businesses Membership Anniversaries New Money Savings to BBB

Accredit Businesses Stop Waiting to get your business

online New Online Feature for BBB

Accredited Businesses 7 Ways Small Business Law can

help you.

New Accredited Businesses

We welcome these new Accredited Businesses. They can be proud of their decision to support the Better

Businesses Bureau's work on behalf of self regulation and ethical business

practices.

Joining between 08/01/2010 and 09/30/2010.

AkronABC Drain & PlumbingAgnew Sign CompanyAndrews LandscapingBrett Strain RoofingFirst Watch Technologies, Inc.Kearn's Construction Inc.Metro Regional Transit Authority

Council for International Visitors (NCIV), under the sponsorship of the International Visitor Leadership

Program of the U.S. Department of State's Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA). ECA promotes

international mutual understanding through a wide range of academic, cultural, professional, and sports exchange

programs.

The International Visitors who come to Ohio each year through Akron International Friendship number among the approximately 30,000 participants in exchanges managed

and sponsored by the State Department's Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs.

Among the Visitors were: Pirthiman Pradhan (Bhutan) - Royal Civil Service Commission, Royal Government of BhutanKakarla Usha (India) - National Institute of Fashion Technology, Ministry of TextilesN. Nagendra Babu (India) - High Court of Andhra Pradesh, IndiaKezang Jamtsho (Bhutan) - Anti-Corruption Commission, Royal Government of BhutanNivedita Biswas (India) - Commissioner of Income TaxChakshu Roy (India) - Legislative Research, Centre for Policy ResearchAjeet Saxena (India) - Indian Railway Traffic Services

The group was accompanied by two English Language Officers: James Schilling and Yelena Spivak-Bobko and Michelle Wilson from Akron International Friendship.

During this meeting Mr. Wlaszyn provided an overview of

the role of the Better Business Bureau locally and nationally and discussed the services that the BBB

provides to its local community. We were also joined by two BBB Board Representatives: Dino Sciulli from Dorman

Farrell, LLC and Ravi Krovi from the University of Akron.

BBB Operations ActivityJanuary - September 2010

Company Reports Issued: 417,264 SeptemberWebsite Reports Issued: 30,130 BBB Staff: 1,045Total: 31,175 BBB Member Arbitrations 3HBA Arbitrations 1 BBB Member Autoline Arbitrations 2 BBB Member Mediations 1 Complaints Processed 3,196Ad Review 60

Who's Minding The Store

UniontownACR Contracting, LLC WadsworthRW Corwin Company Inc.

The Better Business Bureau

extends gratitude and appreciation to the following

companies for years of commitment to supporting the

ethics and standards of the BBB serving Ashland, Medina, Portage,

Richland, Summit and Wayne Counties.

Renewing Memberships in the period of 07/01/2010 - 09/30/2010.

50 yearsAmerican Roofing and Siding Company 40 yearsTime Warner Cable Company 30 yearsA W T I Transmissions Jim & Sons Transmission Specialists 25 yearsKidron Kars Inc. Yanke Bionics Inc. 15 yearsAction Auto Body Aurora Roofing and Home Improvements, Inc. First United Methodist Church Hudson Montessori Association Inc. LeafGuard Gutters NorthEast Ohio Plaso Construction Reserve Realty Company Inc. S & S Precision Siding S C Bissler & Sons, Inc. Staples Plumbing Inc. 10 yearsA J & S Concrete, Inc. Clarktel Communications Corp. Lehman's Hardware & Appliances, Inc. Star Printing Co., Inc. Summit Excavating Inc. Visiting Angels Living Assistance Services Weiss Motors 5 yearsAdvanced Quality Lawn Inc. B Buehl Industries Inc. Barberton Heating & Cooling Barbicas Construction Company Inc. BHW Landscape Construction Buckeye Probe, Ltd. Cool Ray, LLC. Creative Retirement Planning, LLC Debt Recovery Solutions of Ohio Die-namic Tool & Die

Despite two written requests from the BBB, the following listed companies have not responded to a complaint during the period of August 1, 2010 and September 30, 2010. Numbers in ( ) indicate the

number of unanswered complaints. AKRONA 1 Resources (2); Accurate Limousine Service; Ace Tire & Brake; All American Vacuums & Carpet Floor Pros; Car Shack; Century 21 Trading Places; Diversified Real Estate Consultants LLC (3); Dr. Pipes; Eleo Concrete Construction; Franks Landscape and Lawn Maintenance; Hilliard Seamless Gutters; Jake's Appliance Repair; JCS Construction, LLC; Johnny Cab Taxi Service; JWS Window Cleaning; Larry Props, Contractor; NSA Technologies, LLC; Parker Refrigeration; Quality Inn Akron; South Street Quality Appliances (3); Stephen A. Walker Liquidation (2); Tri-Conty Taxi; Trunko Communications ASHLANDCrest Construction BARBERTONForrest Motors of Ohio, Inc.; Raven Construction; Springston Tree Service; Terry Martter & Sons Concrete Construction CUYAHOGA FALLSAkron Music Center; America's #1 Remodeler; Karam Companies; Next to New DOYLESTOWNAble Staining-Painting GARRETTSVILLEByler Construction HICKLEYPuritas Spring Software HUDSONAkron-Cleveland Engine Exchange (2); D & M; Family First Moving, Inc.; Just Perfect Memories KENT Mobile Glass Services Inc LOUDONVILLE Landoll Enterprise MACEDONIATaco Bell MANSFIELD AAAA Glass Replacement; Brownie Sewer & Septic Tank Service; Impact Hosting (4); Larry Morgan, General Contractor; Mansfield Construction Services, LLC; Miller's Garage; Reip's Appliance Service MEDINAAutumn Run Apartments; Medina VOIP; Surplus Mags; Vell's Party Center MOGADORE Amp Repair Center MUNROE FALLS Crooked River Grill NORTHFIELD Finer Things in Life Corporation ORRVILLEWilson Construction RAVENNA Buckeye Garage Doors

Discount Mail & Print Dog Guard Out of Sight Fencing Drushel's Finished Carpentry & Custom Homes Euclid Spiral Paper Tube Corporation Fair Housing Contact Service Inc. Gallagher's Handyman Services Hansen Restoration, Inc. Home Quarter's Improvements, LLC Inside Out Contracting Interior Exterior Specialists LLC James D. George DDS Jeff Cales Custom Aviation LLC JMR Medical Inc. Kehn Kranes LeafFilter North, Inc. Legacy Builders & Remodelers LLC Mansfield Realty Montigney Hardware MTO Clean NMTC Inc. Northern Ohio Equipment Services Ott Electrical Services Inc. Paul Adelman Trucking Inc. Progressive Molding Technologies, Inc. Self Support Personal Care LLC Shriner Sheet Metal Inc. Southern Select Auto Sales Inc. SPZ Machine Company Steel Supply Company Inc. The Orin Group LLC Thomas Transport Delivery Inc. Wadsworth Foot & Ankle LLC Wadsoworth Tractor Inc.

NEW MONEY SAVINGS TO BBB ACCREDITED BUSINESSES

IGS ENERGYIGS will offer the best residential/small commercial rate they have available to BBB Accredited Members that use less than 800 mcf per year. KAISER PERMANENTE FLOURISHPLANKaiser Permanente is offering very affordable insurance packages including:1.) Special rate Health Insurance - six competitive health plans;2.) A Dental Plan available through Delta Dental;3.) Life Insurance provided through Assurant, a Fortune 500 company and provider of specialized insurance products and services. Kaiser Permanente serves more than 8.5 million members nationwide, and is one of the fastest growing health plans in Northeast Ohio. WORKERS' COMP GROUP RATING SAVINGS PROGRAM

RICHFIELDHaul-Away Containers, Inc. (3) SEVILLEB.V.I.P. Limousine Service Ltd. (2) SPENCER Murphy's Irrigation & Lawn Care, Inc. STOWGround Effects Landscaping; Hidden Lake Apartments; Reiheld Roofing STREETSBORO Town Money Saver TALLMADGE Dollhouse; Golden Rule Auto Sales; Mosley Properties Group TWINSBURG Pistons-Online; Twinsburg Brake & Tire WADSWORTH All-Safe Fire Protection, LLC WOOSTER Lambert Landscapes, LLC; Prestige Roofing

BBB Business to Business Discount Program Special discounts are offered by the following companies

exclusively to BBB Accredited Businesses: A/C Laser Tech, Inc. - (330) 784-3355 Earn 2% Cash back. Akron Tile & Fireplace Inc. - (330) 867-4087 www.akrontileandfireplace.com10% Off A Keener Landscape & Design, LLC - (330) 635-5297 www.akeener.com$100 Towards annual service. Armored Pest Solutions - (330) 690-3638 AtNetPlus, Inc. - (330) 945-5685 www.atnetplus.com 15% Service discount and a free initial network assesment for new clients. Aurora Roofing & Home Improvement - (330) 562-2648www.auroraroofing.net5% Discount of total job upto $300 maximum discount. Barrington Carpet & Flooring Design - 9330) 896-4141www.barringtoncarept.com10% Discount to all members on any flooring purchase. Becker Building & Construction LLC - (330) 725-1109 www.becforbuilding.net10% Off any project up to $10,000.

Member participants are saving up to 51%, the maximum allowable for 2011-2012, on their Ohio BWC premiums. "In House" claims management provides same day service for your employee's workplace injuries limiting your firm's financial exposure. Attorney representation is provided for your company at no additional cost for Industrial Commission hearings.

STOP WAITING TO GET YOUR BUSINESS ONLINE

E-commerce has been around for a

big chunk of the commercial Internet age, which began in 1995 when

unencumbered access to the Internet was fully allowed.

According to the research firm, Forrester, online sales will reach

$248.7 billion in the next five years, accounting for 8 percent of total U.S.

retail sales by 2014. Forrester also predicts that by 2014,

over half of all retail sales will be influenced by online product and

company research before customers make a purchase. The reason this stat is so significant is because of another piece of research that produced this astonishing number: Half of small

businesses do not have a website.

Regardless of size or industry, no business can expect to be successful in the future without a web presence.

Even if you don't sell online, you must be available online so prospects

can find you the way people are looking today. Here are two words that make having a website even

more of an imperative: local search.Local search is increasingly replacing the phone book or dialing 411. Even

when customers don't expect a business to have e-commerce

capability, like a restaurant or dry cleaners, they do expect to be able to

find you online, with product offerings, directions and a clickable

phone number.

If you don't have a website, get one and find a way to offer e-

5% Off any project $10,000 and up. BHW Landscape Construction - (330) 592-1863 www.bhwlandscapeconstruction.com5-10% Off depending on work done and amount of the project. Brandon Heating & Air Conditioning - (330) 686-9828 www.brandonheating.com $250 Off the installation of a furnace/air conditioning package. Co-Op Optical Eye Care Center - (330) 688-8244 15% Off a complete pair of glasses. Custom Computer Solutions - (216) 571-2115 www.ccs911.com15% Off service to all BBB members and employees. Emerald Home Improvement, Inc. - (330) 467-3393 10% Discount off of any servicce over $1,000. Fastener Technology Inc. - (330) 745-8166 www.fastner-technology.com15% Discount to all BBB members. Good Feet Arch Supports - (330) 666-4265www.goodfeet.com15% Off any regular price purchase. Hardwood Design - (330) 957-7474www.hardswooddesign.homestead.com15% Discount on all products. Highland Auto Body - (330) 468-2050 www.highlandautobodyandcollision.com 10% Discount off any of our car detailing services for any BBB members' vehicles or employees' personal vehicles. Joe's Auto - (330) 688-3611 www.joes-auto.com10% Off parts and labor and service work. Exclude oil changes. Kasidonis Heating & Cooling - (330) 220-8125 10% Off all services provided. KT Waterproofing - (330) 687-2053 10% Off upto $500 on a full basement system.15% Off all services. Medina Carpet Cleaning - (330) 461-0837 www.medinacarpetcleaning.com10% Off products and services. Mohican Maintenance - (419) 589-0003www.mohicanmaintenance.com15% Off to seniors & military and prefer customers.10% Off to other contractors.5% Off for customers that refer us.

commerce to your customers; It's not free, but it's no longer cost-

prohibitive.

Serving customers online is not an option, it's an imperative.

NEW ONLINE FEATURE FOR BBB ACCREDITED BUSINESSES

In the next couple of weeks all BBB Accredited Members will have the opportunity to access their BBB

information through a website, and make updates if necessary. All

Accredited Members will receive login information to a website that will

allow you to update your Company Information, have access to BBB

Accredited Business Seals and Logos, and will be able to view Reliability Report inquiries as well as Type of

Business Inquiries.

This will be a great opportunity to review company information and

make updates as necessary for the upcoming 2011 Edition of the

Consumer Directory that will be published in the early spring of 2011.

Please contact your local BBB

office at 330.253.4565 for more information on our low cost advertising opportunities to

promote your company and the products and services that you

offer.

7 Ways the Small-Business Law can help you

The recent small-business law has seven key provisions to help small-business owners. The biggest provision is the the $30 billion lending

fund, but the law also includes increases in Small Business Administration loan limits, an increase in the write-off for startup expenses and a measure that allows sole proprietors to

write off health-insurance premiums.

The Key provisions and what they mean for the small business:

1. Sole proprietors can write off health insurance premiums as business expenses in 2010.If you're a sole proprietor, and you pay for health insurance, this year,

Nanna Accounting & Tax Services - (330) 835-9570www.nannacpa.com20% Discount on all services provided. Ott Electrical Services, Inc. - (330) 677-9249www.ottelectrical.com10% Discount on all Ott Electrical Services. Park Ford - (330) 633-6222 www.parkford.usAny new vehicle at Invoice Price exept Ford Mustang GT 500. Paul Davis Restoration - (330) 920-1936 www.pdrestoration.us10% Off any water job up to $250. Productive Air Duct - (800) 818-3398 www.4productive.comFree Estimates. 10% Discount to BBB members. R.R. Landpro Landscaping LLC - (330) 801 5657 10% Off any service, one time use only. RPF Group Inc. - (330) 990-0788www.rpfgroupinc.comFree one month trial in Sales & Marketing Advisory Board. Randolph Home Furnishings - (330) 325-171110% Off all 'Regular everyday low prices' items.5% Off all 'Not buy and Clearance items'. Ravenna Oil Company - (330) 296-9618 www.ravennaoil.com3% Off oil lubes and accessories.5% Off oil heating service and parts.5% Off all dust control services.5% Off all tanks and accessories. Raw M-Provements LLC - (330) 571-3636 10% Discount on siding or roofing jobs totaling $3,000 or more for BBB members. Ron the Roofer - (330) 867-7365 Roofing - Spouting - Siding Route 14 Storage, Embroidery & More - (330) 296-0084www.route14storage.comFree embroidery set-up with the purchase of 12 or more shirts or hats. Rudy's Carpet - (330) 784-732810% Discount to all members to any flooring related products. Rusty Dog's Retreat - (330) 658-7387 www.rustydogsretreat.com1st day of Service Free (Up to $60 Value)

you'll save an average of $456 to $968 on self-employment tax. 2. $30 billion fund for community banks to increase lending to small companies.If you've got a healthy business and are looking for a bank loan, the fund is intended to get your neighborhood bank lending, just shop around for a willing bank. 3. No fees on SBA loans and increasing SBA guarantee to 90% (from 75%). SBA loans will be somewhat cheaper and, hopefully, easier to get. Since the government now guarantees 90% of the loan's value, banks have less risk. Qualifying for an SBA loan is somewhat easier than getting a regular bank loan, but your business has to be fairly healthy, your business plan sound, and your bank willing to do SBA loans. 4. Substantial increases in SBA loan amounts: · Typical SBA 7(a) loans: increase from $2 million to $5 million. · Low document SBA Express loans: increase from $300,000 to $1 million· Real estate SBA 504 loans: increase from $1.5 million to $5 million.· Microloans: increase from $35,000 to $50,000.These provisions will help medium-size businesses and larger small businesses, as they'll have access to bigger loans under the SBA loan program, rather than having to get traditional bank loans. In fact, some worry these provisions will make less SBA money available to smaller businesses as banks focus on bigger - easier to service and more lucrative - loans. However, the expanded SBA Express and microloan program may help smaller companies. 5. Zero capital gains taxes on investment in small businesses. If you're looking for investors in your business, this could be a BIG selling point, because individuals who acquire stock in small businesses after the enactment date of this Act pay NO capital gains if they hold the stock for more than five years.

Skibiski Asphalt Co. - (330) 673-9165 5 or 10% Off commercial work.5% Off residential work. Sound & Vision, Inc. - (330) 923-5933 www.soundandvision.com1 10% Discount on electronics. 15% Discount on speakers. Stile Companies - (330) 762-8661 www.stilecompanies.com10% Discount on commercial leases of al least a 3 year term. Team Recovery - (330) 916-70305% Discount on normal contingent fee for collection service. The Chiropractic Wellness Center of Hudson, Inc. - (330) 656-19771 Region X-Ray free of charge.1 Consultation at no cost. The Goddard School - (330) 665-3035 $100 Off 1st full month of enrollment. The Grille - (330) 225-3355www.thegrille.net10% Off. Not valid on Fridays or Saturdays. Cannot be used on special or inconjunctions with other gift certificates, offers or specials. Whited K-9 Services, Inc. - (330) 678-7587 10% Off training, dog placement, boarding, underground fence installation. Yellow Book - (330) 666-7845www.yellowbook.comBuy one ad, get one free in Akron Yellowbook.

However, it only applies to C corporations and stock has to be acquired by January 1, 2011 - so act fast. 6. Doubling the write-off of start-up expenses from $5,000 to $10,000 in 2010. An additional $5,000 deduction for new businesses. Currently, if you spend $30,000 to start your business, you can only take $5,000 as a business expense this year, and you've got to deduct the rest of the costs over a number of other years. 7. Increase the write-off of certain investments from $250,000 to $500,000 in 2010 and 2011 and allow "expensing" of some real estate improvements. Midsize businesses, more than small companies, are likely to benefit if they're buying a lot of new equipment or software - more than $250,000 worth. Another beneficiary: restaurants and retailers making property improvements. This allows them to use the Section "179" expensing rules. (USA Today)

The BBB Serving Ashland, Medina, Portage, Richland, Summit &

Wayne Counties222 W Market Street

Akron, OH 44303330-253-4565

www.akronbbb.org