MARCH 31, 2008 AN ADVERTISING SUPPLEMENT TO THE LOS ANGELES BUSINESS JOURNAL PROFESSIONAL SERVICES GUIDE Asking the Right Questions: How to Select the Best Consultant for Your Business T HE situation is a familiar one: As you address adding new customer services in order to remain competitive, you don’t feel like you have either the expertise nor the manpower to implement them. Plus, some of these services are already in place with your compeitors, so why reinvent the wheel? As a result, you decide to find a consultant who knows all the ins, outs and regulations involved with implementing your new customer services. Where do you start when looking for a consultant? Here are a few thoughts on how to find a consultant who’s the best fit. Experience counts. First, research consultants and check into their experience. Here are some of the questions you’ll want answered: • How long have they been in business? • How long have they been offering the product and/or service in which you are interested? • How many customers have they worked with to implement this product or service? Check References Don’t be afraid to ask for references. Reputable consultants will be more than happy to give you a list of other clients to call. Who better to ask about how well the product was implemented and if the consultant worked well with the customer than a past client? You would never hire an employee without checking his or her references. A consultant should not be any different. The Analysis Process Another key to choosing the right consultant is determining what type of analysis you’re looking for. Ask prospective consultants about the process they use, how long it will take, how they will work with your employees during the process and what type of report or recommendations you’ll receive at the conclusion of the assignment. You want to be sure that, as a result of their work, you’ll be able to make informed decisions on what new services are best for your business. For instance, if you are implementing a new software product, you may want a consultant who has proven results. Customer Benefits It’s important to find a consultant who has customer benefits at the top of his/her priority list. And the consultant will need to ensure your staff is thoroughly trained to understand how the offerings will truly benefit your customers and how to best present those benefits to your customers. Compliance A “must have” in today’s financial market is a consultant who is 100 percent compliant with all federal and state regulations, and who is knowledgeable about recently suggested changes. You do not want to hire a consultant whom you assume is familiar with all the newest regulations, then later find out your business is not in compliance. Find out up front or this mistake can cost you considerable time and money. Only you can make the final decision on which consultant is the best fit. Remember that the consultant is there to help you present your customers with better benefits, products or services and, ultimately, to make you more profitable. Look for the qualities above and you will be happy with the decision you have made. Training Speaking of training, the importance of a good training program can’t be over-emphasized. Most management teams agree that training their staff is one of the most important steps to a successful program. They can see how the employees’ understanding improves the program’s success and their bottom line, which in itself is a testament to the value of training. To ensure success, you’ll also want to “train” your customers. For your new benefits to take off with a bang, you want to be sure there is an action plan included with the implementation. Your customers need help understanding the program’s benefits in order to use it most effectively. Chemistry Are you a high-energy person who likes to make informed decisions, then move forward quickly? Then be sure you find a consultant or consulting team that fits your management style. Face-to-face meetings with prospective consultants are imperative to ensure you’re engaging someone who can work comfortably with you and your staff, and that you all have the same expectations. Ongoing Support Be sure to ask prospective consultants about their follow-up service once the initial work is complete. You don’t want a consultant who will come in and do the job, and then leave without ever being heard from again. A good consultant will perform quarterly follow-up reviews to help ensure a program’s success. Meeting Specific Requirements Outline in advance any specific requirements you would like a consultant to meet, and be sure to take those requirements into consideration. Professional Services Providers Listings Begin on Page 30 This special advertising supplement did not involve the reporting or editing staff of the Los Angeles Business Journal. This special advertising supplement did not involve the reporting or editing staff of the Los Angeles Business Journal. 28 AN ADVERTISING SUPPLEMENT TO THE LOS ANGELES BUSINESS JOURNAL MARCH 31, 2008 Improving Your Business Relationships: Build Your Career on the Relationships Right Next to You! By BOB GREENFIELD I today’s workplace, most of us are only going as far as our relationship skills can take us. The talented superstar operating at the center of a firestorm of dysfunctional relationships who is tolerated by management because of his otherwise superior “performance” is not yet extinct, but may well be on its way to endangered status. Improving your relationships at work takes thought and effort, but may well be simpler than you think. I often encounter clients who are struggling not because they lack vision or technical know-how, but because too many of their “business” relationships aren’t working. They are plagued by problems with ego, trust, understanding, patience, communication, and differing values & perspectives. Regardless of the cause, poorly managed relationships affect all of our bottom line. Organizationally, they affect our ability to work together, to innovate, to deliver service, to learn, to improve effectiveness and stay ahead of the competition. And individually, they affect our ability to do our job and advance our career. It is obviously difficult to focus on improving relationships given so many other critical priorities at work. Technology, customer trends, regulatory requirements, and everything else is changing so fast we can barely keep up. Relationships require our explicit focus precisely because they are so easy to take for granted. We cannot ask a reguN We do not typically hire somebody because of how effectively they manage relationships. We hire people because they are great engineers or programmers or technical writers or salespeople or planners or thinkers or controllers or analysts or whatever; and then we hope that they’ll be able to get along with others. latory requirement, an audit finding, or our technology to be more patient, flexible, or forgiving. We can and do, however, impose such on our relationships. The proof of our shortsightedness lies in the number of work relationships that are dysfunctional, and the fact that so many professionals continue to be surprised by these issues. Keep in mind that we are not taught in college and graduate school about developing and effectively managing relationships. And we do not typically hire somebody because of how effectively they manage relationships. We hire people because they are great engi- h promise. There’s discomfort. There’s learning. There are highs and lows. There’s growth, and the whole thing is as difficult to predict as it is to control. But that’s at home. In the workplace, however, I believe we don’t care as much about our relationships. The unfortunate result is that we feel entitled to functional relationships at work and we’re not nearly as inclined to invest in creating them. For those motivated to work on their business relationships, which relationships should you start with? Trendy answers include focusing on cus- Albuquerque Aspen HATCH & PARENT Denver A Law Corporation Lake Tahoe A Merger with California’s Hatch & Parent Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck is pleased to announce our merger with California based Hatch & Parent. With more than 230 lawyers and legislative consultants working for clients in twelve offices across five states, the firm now includes the largest water law and policy group in the West and augments our real estate, land use, environmental and regulatory compliance, government relations, business and corporate transactions, taxation, litigation, wealth Las Vegas Los Angeles Orange County Sacramento San Diego Santa Barbara Santa Fe management, intellectual property and gaming. Washington, DC Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck, LLP bhfs.com Staying still isn’t an option neers or programmers or technical writers or salespeople or planners or thinkers or controllers or analysts or whatever; and then we hope that they’ll be able to get along with others. We put tremendous effort into our relationships outside of work, too often with lackluster results. Should we expect that relationships will function any better at work where we put forth less effort and don’t for the most part choose the people we’re with? Ask anybody, and they will tell you that a good relationship takes a lot of work. There’s no quitting. There’s com- Subscribe today. As part of your subscription, you will also receive access to the daily electronic Los Angeles Business Journal, unlimited on-line access to our archives, and the Book of Lists published at the end of the year. Call toll-free 1.800.404.5225 You might not know us. Because name dropping has never been our thing. As the largest and fastest-growing CPA firm in the Los Angeles area and one of the top 50 accounting firms in the country, we provide unsurpassed quality of service with the accessibility of a local accounting partner. With 6 Southern California offices, HCVT is the premier tax, audit and business management firm for your business. To grow tomorrow, you need a trusted accounting partner today. Get to know us— Visit: www.hcvt.com Also, be sure to read our article “Going Green Yields Big Tax Breaks” in this issue of the LA Business Journal. Looking for a new career? If you are planning to spend the next phase of your career in public accounting, HCVT would like to hear from you! MARCH 31, 2008 AN ADVERTISING SUPPLEMENT TO THE LOS ANGELES BUSINESS JOURNAL 29 The Health of Your Business Y OU have heard it before…health insurance rates are skyrocketing; absenteeism and health issues are impacting productivity; employees want to work for a company that cares…about social issues and about their well-being. In short, the health care stance of your company affects your bottom line. The American Cancer Society, the nation’s oldest, most recognized, health care non-profit will partner with you to address these challenges. The American Cancer Society’s Workplace Solutions help manage health care costs, increase productivity, and retain current employees by promoting positive change to three key risk behaviors among your workforce. Our comprehensive program of products and services address physical activity, nutrition and smoking cessation. “The American Cancer Society provides critical resources for a business to offer its employees,” said Jennifer Sparks,VP, Client tomers/clients, on networking skills, or on managing up (i.e., relationships with your bosses); all people on whom you depend for your prosperity. Managing relationships with each of these groups is its own art form and can command a great deal of your attention. But what about the people who you work with most closely? What about your peers and direct reports...your colleagues. These are the people with whom you may not think, “what can she do for me”? But I’d observe that these are the people who will have the greatest impact on your effectiveness today and career advancement tomorrow. Focusing on the relationships right in front of you is particularly important for leaders. Leaders often focus on strategy or on key relationships with big customers and the big boss. As a consequence, they neglect their closest followers and mistakenly assume that professionalism and obedience will keep those relationships intact. If you look over your shoulder and there is nobody following you, you’re not a leader, regardless of what your job title is. Whether you are an entry level employee or chief executive, you need to create and then invest in relationships that are resilient. How can this be done? If we want resilient relationships in our professional sphere then we need to care about them as much and approach them in much the same way as we would relationships in our personal life. Here’s a short list of actions you take to make a difference: 1. Start by changing your expectations. Expect that business relationships will be just as much work, and perhaps more, than relationships at home. Putting on a suit or dress and driving to another location to spend the day earning money doesn’t change the nature of human beings. People are people, no matter where you are, and relationships are relationships, and they require work. 2. Focus on the “big 4” in managing your Ego. Don’t take yourself so seriously, open yourself to feedback, allow that you may be wrong from time to time, and share credit. These are four huge acts of emotional intelligence, each guaranteed to improve your relationships at work. These acts will enhance your humility. Planning at Basement, Inc. volunteer chairperson of the Society’s Los Angeles summer gala, California Spirit. “From offering the Society’s exercise and nutrition information to the latest materials on cancer prevention and support, a corporation becomes a proactive partner in the health and wellbeing of their employees.” With tobacco use being the number one source of preventable morbidity and mortality in the country, employers are taking advantage of the Society’s proprietary smoking cessation program, Quitline, which has provided service to over 250,000 callers with service available to over 30 percent of the population of the United States. Customer satisfaction rates have remained over 90 percent since the start of the program in 2000. Active For Life is a 10-week program designed to promote heath awareness and physical fitness. With obesity costing US companies over $13 billion annually in health care costs and lost Humility is one of the most refreshing and likeable qualities available. Being likeable makes relationships work better. It’s not that complicated. 3. Give more than you get. For an important relationship, it is far more likely that you will regret having been too selfish than too generous. Experiment with true generosity in the workplace for a while and see what happens in your relationships. Help somebody solve their problem instead of focusing on yours. Take a risk to provide moral support to a colleague instead of soliciting support for yourself. Take a colleague under your wing instead of only seeking out those who can mentor you. productivity, corporate clients such as Karl Weiss at Eddie Bauer Inc. have found the cost-free program to be “fun, active, morale-boosting – and to top it off, we’re all getting healthier!” Becoming a collaborator with the American Cancer Society, through team-building, fundraising, workplace giving and matching gifts can further boost employee morale, while enhancing your company’s public image and increasing your visibility. The Society’s 2008 Southern California Invitational is just one unique example of how a business can get involved. This corporate networking and fundraising tournament will be held at The Riviera Country Club on June 16, 2008. Last year, more than $385,000 was raised to assist cancer patients and cancer related programs right here in the Los Angeles area. “There is no better way to entertain clients showcasing your company and demonstrating good corpo- the workplace. Experiment with just one of them for a few weeks and see what happens. As a bonus, you will find that any one of these magic bullets will attract the others. What’s the payoff? More collegial relationships with peers, less stress and more focus within your organization, and a reputation that will help advance your career. Bob Greenfield is an expert in organiza- rate citizenship than to participate in the SCI, benefiting the American Cancer Society “says Daniel R. Levin, Banc of America Investment Services, Inc. and Co-chair of the Invitational. For nearly a century, the American Cancer Society has led the way in the battle against cancer. Through this long history, the Society has devoted more than $3 billion to lifesaving cancer research and has supported 42 Nobel laureates early in their careers. The success of the Society is the result of volunteerism and donations from people nationwide that believe in our mission and have helped to build our trusted and recognized brand name. Join us as we work to make the future free from cancer within your business and within our community. For more information, contact Bette Bergsman, Director of Corporate Relations for the American Cancer Society, at 213.427.7387. tion development and is owner and principal consultant of Greenfield Management Strategies (GMS). Established in 1999, GMS works in partnership with clients in the private, non profit, and public sectors on a variety of strategic, organizational, and people issues in order to improve collective performance and individual satisfaction. Bob can be contacted directly at 818 506-7100 or via [email protected]. GMS’ website is www.greenfieldmanagementstrategies.com. 4. Empathize; put yourself in the other’s shoes. In the midst of workplace conflicts we invest very little time trying to understand the other, and most of our effort trying to be understood. This is a place where we can practice being more generous. What can you do if you’re not naturally empathic? Ask questions and try listening. You will be amazed at how much more you can learn with your ears than with your mouth. 5. Practice the arts of compromise and letting go. Letting go doesn’t mean lowering your standards. But at some point we’d all be well-served asking ourselves whether we’d rather be right or effective? Too often our principles make us unduly stubborn and our unwillingness to compromise or let go of an issue damages a relationship without a commensurate benefit. Being right is easy...just stick to your guns. Being effective is much more complex and often requires compromise. Without considering the choice between righteousness and effectiveness, our default is usually to be right. Every dysfunctional or ‘stuck’ relationship requires movement of some kind. Are you going to wait for the other guy to move first? Many of us would seem to prefer this, but would you really prefer to be a passive follower than a leader who acts? GET AHEAD. STAY AHEAD. INTRODUCING VACO LOS ANGELES. At VACO, we’re not just growing fast, we’re growing smart*. We continue to provide exceptional accounting, finance and technology solutions for your contract and permanent hiring needs. Simply put, we’ve recruited the brightest and the best qualified talent and watch with excitement as organizations utilize these professionals to transform from the inside out. They are skilled. They are 6701 Center Drive W., Suite 960 Los Angeles, CA 90045 PHONE 310.693.0490 www.VACO.com capable. And they know how to keep you one step ahead of the competition. Realistic expectations, humility, generosity, empathy, and compromise: A collection of magic bullets guaranteed to improve your relationship skills in Senior VACO Partners Frances Moreno, Devon Zopfi, Anita Shelley and Stephanie Keairns head up the Los Angeles VACO Resource, Technology and Financial divisions. Give them a call today to gain the edge you need to drive business performance. * INC Magazine recently named Vaco the 33rd fastest-growing private company in America. 2815 Townsgate Road, Suite 220 Westlake Village, CA 91361 PHONE 805.371.6320 30 AN ADVERTISING SUPPLEMENT TO THE LOS ANGELES BUSINESS JOURNAL MARCH 31, 2008 PROFESSIONAL SERVICES PROVIDERS 1031 EXCHANGES CELLULAR PHONE ACCESSORIES First American Exchange Company, LLC 520 N. Central Avenue, 8th Floor Glendale, CA 91203 (818)550-2596; Fax (818)545-9949 Website: www.firstexchange.com Practice Areas: 1031 Exchanges, Qualified Intermediary Primary Business Contact(s): Laurie Cross, CES; [email protected] Cynthia Pettyjohn, CES; [email protected] Cellular Accessories For Less 2110 Artesia Boulevard, #B707 Redondo Beach, CA 90278 (310)220-2250; Fax (310)220-2257 Website: www.cellularforless.com Practice Areas: Hands-Free Car Solutions; Mobile Phone Accessories; Plantronics Office Headsets Primary Business Contact(s): Mitch Langstein; [email protected] COMMERCIAL FINANCE ACCOUNTING CapNet Financial Services, Inc. 2600 West Olive Avenue, 7th Floor Burbank, CA 91505 (818)933-2200; Fax (818)933-2210 Website: www.capnetusa.com Practice Areas: Commercial Financing Solutions Primary Business Contact(s): Brian Spratt; [email protected] BDO Seidman, LLP 1900 Avenue of the Stars, 11th Floor Los Angeles, CA 90067 (310)557-0300; Fax (310)557-1777 Website: www.bdo.com Practice Areas: Assurance, Tax, BDO Consulting Primary Business Contact(s): Brad Schrupp; [email protected] Philip Strauss; [email protected] George Blanco; [email protected] COMMERCIAL INTERIOR DESIGN Environetics 8530 Venice Boulevard Los Angeles, CA 90034 (310)287-2180; Fax (310)287-2185 Website: www.environetics.com Practice Areas: Commercial Interior Design, Strategic Planning, Pre-Lease Assistance, Budget Preparation, Programming, Space Planning, Project Management, Sustainable Design, LEED Consulting, Furniture Specification Primary Business Contact(s): Rodney Stone; [email protected] Richard Lehman; [email protected] Holthouse Carlin Van Trigt LLP 1601 Cloverfield Boulevard, Suite 300 South Santa Monica, CA 90404 (310)566-1900; Fax (310)566-1901 Website: www.hcvt.com Practice Areas: Tax, Audit, Business Management Primary Business Contact(s): Alison Adams Jennifer Matsura KPMG LLP 355 S. Grand Avenue, Suite 2000 Los Angeles, CA 90071 (213)972-4000; Fax (213)402-3429 Website: www.kpmg.com Practice Areas: Audit, Tax, Advisory Key Business Contact(s): Mark Hutchins, Managing Partner; [email protected] Scott London, Audit; [email protected] Craig Ellis, Tax; [email protected] Moss Adams LLP 11766 Wilshire Boulevard, Suite 900 Los Angeles, CA 90036 (310)477-0450; Fax (310)477-8424 Website: www.mossadams.com Practice Areas: Certified Public Accountants Primary Business Contacts: Rob Greenspan; [email protected] NSBN LLP CPAs & Business Consultants 9454 Wilshire Boulevard, 4th Floor Los Angeles, CA 90212 (310)273-2501 Website: www.nsbn.com Practice Areas: Tax, Audit, Real Estate, Escrow, Nonprofit, Entertainment, Employee Benefit Plans Primary Business Contact(s): Kenneth A. Miles; [email protected] Tammy Mescobi; [email protected] AIRCRAFT CHARTER SERVICES Corporate America Aviation Inc. PO Box 1978 Burbank, CA 91507 (800)521-8585; Fax (818)563-2368 Website: www.privatebizjets.com Practice Areas: Executive & Private Aircraft Charter Services Primary Business Contact(s): Daniel Darwish; [email protected] COMMERCIAL REAL ESTATE ARCHITECTS Gensler 2500 Broadway Santa Monica, CA 90404 (310)449-5600; Fax (310)449-5850 Website: www.gensler.com Practice Areas: Architecture, Interior Design, Planning, Strategic Consulting Primary Business Contact(s): Andy Cohen; [email protected] Robert Jernigan; [email protected] KV & Company, Inc. 635 S. Olive Street, Suite A Los Angeles, CA 90014 (213)316-0150; Fax (866)768-2045 Website: www.kvcoinc.com Practice Areas: Architecture/Design Primary Business Contact(s): John Kanounji; [email protected] Osep Melkonian; [email protected] MCG Architecture 1055 E. Colorado Boulevard, Suite 400 Pasadena, CA 91106 (626)793-9119; Fax (626)796-9295 Website: www.mcgarchitecture.com Practice Areas: Retail, Mixed-Use, Hospitality, Office, Restaurants Primary Business Contact(s): Philip Fraser-Andrews [email protected] Brian Tiedge; [email protected] Diane Carpenter; [email protected] Meyer Architects 2300 Westwood Boulevard, Suite 200 Los Angeles, CA 90064 (310)234-3300 Website: www.meyer-arch.com Practice Areas: Residential/Commercial Office Renovation, New Construction, Interiors Primary Business Contact(s): Pamela H. Meyer, ASID; [email protected] Walter B. Meyer, AIA; [email protected] Perkowitz + Ruth Architects 111 W. Ocean Blvd. 21st Floor Long Beach, CA 90802 (562)628-8000; Fax (562)628-8005 Website: www.prarchitects.com Practice Areas: Architecture and Design Primary Business Contact(s): Vicky Hammond; [email protected] Bindu Gore; [email protected] Brookfield Properties 601 South Figueroa Street, Suite 2650 Los Angeles, CA., 90017, United States (213)624-9100; Fax: (213)612-4383 Website: www.brookfieldproperties.com Practice Areas: Owners and Managers of Major Office Buildings Primary Business Contact(s): John R. Barganski; [email protected] Robert P. Cushman; [email protected] Patrice R. Hopper; [email protected] BUSINESS BROKERAGE CB Richard Ellis 355 S. Grand Avenue, Suite 2700 Los Angeles, CA 90071 (213)613-3333; Fax (213)613-3005 Website: www.cbre.com Practice Areas: Property Sales & Leasing; Corporate Services; Property, Facilities & Project Management; Mortgage Banking; Appraisal & Valuation; Development Services; Investment Management; Research & Consulting Primary Business Contact(s): Lew Horne, Executive Managing Director; [email protected] Jim Kruse, Senior Managing Director; [email protected] Jim Brown, Senior Managing Director; [email protected] Stan Yoshihara, Managing Director, Asset Svcs; [email protected] Business Team LA 2293 W. 190th Street Torrance, CA 90504 (310)539-8300; Fax (310)856-0240 Website: www.business-team.com Practice Areas: Business Brokerage Primary Business Contact(s): Brian Gunshor, CBB; [email protected] Colliers International 865 S. Figueroa Street, Suite 3500 Los Angeles, CA 90017 (213)627-1214; Fax (213)327-3200 Website: www.colliers.com/losangeles Practice Areas: Office, Industrial, Landlord/Tenant Representation, Hospitality, Retail, Investment, Land, Multi-Modal, Multi-Family Primary Business Contact(s): Carla Gazzolo; [email protected] AUDIO/VISUAL CCS Presentation Systems, Inc. 5055 Wilshire Boulevard, Suite 305 Los Angeles, CA 90036 (323)954-7754 Website: www.ccsprojects.com Practice Areas: Audio-Visual Sales, Integration, Installation, and Service Primary Business Contact(s): David Riberi; [email protected] Brian Reilly; [email protected] MARCH 31, 2008 AN ADVERTISING SUPPLEMENT TO THE LOS ANGELES BUSINESS JOURNAL PROFESSIONAL SERVICES SPOTLIGHT The Heger Company 5657 E. Washington Boulevard Los Angeles, CA 90040 (323)727-1144; Fax (323)727-9198 Website: www.thc-us.com Practice Areas: Full service brokerage firm offering solutions in Sales, Acquisition, Leasing, Management, Development, Consulting & Appraisal Primary Business Contact(s): Robert G. Thornburgh; [email protected] Thomas A. Holland; [email protected] Grubb & Ellis 445 S. Figurora St., Suite 3300 Los Angeles, CA 90071 Telephone (213)596.2222 * Fax (213)488.0819 Website: www.grubb-ellis.com Practice Areas: Property Sales & Leasing; Investment Advisory; Corporate Services; Property, Facilities & Project Management; Research & Consulting; Sponsor of real estate investment programs including taxdeferred 1031 tenant-in-common (TIC) exchanges, public non-traded real estate investment trusts (REITs) & real estate investment funds; Wealth Management. Primary Business Contact(s): William Boyd, Jr., EVP & Regional Managing Director; [email protected] David Burback, EVP & Managing Director; [email protected] Don Hudson, EVP & Managing Director; [email protected] Medical Asset Management 2790 Skypark Drive, #207 Torrance, CA 90505 (310)530-6060; Fax (310)530-6187 Website: www.medicalasset.com Practice Areas: Purchase, Sale, Development, Lease & Management of Medical Buildings Primary Business Contact(s): Jeff Cunningham; [email protected] Steve Miller; [email protected] Aaron Phillips; [email protected] CONSTRUCTION COMPANIES Eco Built Construction, Inc. 635 S. Olive Street, Suite A Los Angeles, CA 90014 (213)316-0150; Fax (866)768-2045 Website: www.ecobuiltinc.com Practice Areas: Construction Primary Business Contact(s): John Kanounji; [email protected] Osep Melkonian; [email protected] DATA & DOCUMENT SERVICES LA Data Security 15624 Roxford Street Sylmar, CA 91342 (818)367-1771; Fax (818)833-8336 Website: www.ladatasecurity.com Practice Areas: Offsite Data Storage & Online Back-Up Primary Business Contact(s): Matt Glazer; [email protected] George Estrella; [email protected] Gary Estrella; [email protected] LA Records Management 15624 Roxford Street Sylmar, CA 91342 (818)435-3090; Fax (818)833-8336 Website: www.larecordsonline.com Practice Areas: Records Management & Storage Primary Business Contact(s): Ever Valencia; [email protected] continued on following page The Costa Rica Crew, from left: Partners Frances Moreno, Stephanie Keairns, Anita Shelley, Lorraine Sanchez, Stephen Smith, Devon Zopfi and Founding Partner Jay Holloman. VACO LA Teamwork Spurs Growth I T’S the busy season for Vaco LA. Frances Moreno, anchor partner Vaco LA, takes a breath and answers a call from a consultant. It’s 9:55 a.m. and while the atmosphere in the bullpen is electric, Moreno’s voice is calm and reassuring on the phone. “I’m finding jobs for ten people today,” Moreno says, after she hangs up. “We’ve had something like 5,000 percent growth but we aren’t resting on our laurels.” When the office opened two years ago, Vaco Los Angeles had three employees. Now they have 17 people with two offices and are one of the fastest growing start ups in the country; recruiting senior consultants for direct hire and contract placements for accounting, tax, audit, finance and technology. A Latin translation of Vaco is: “Free yourself from a master.” Vaco searches for and cultivates those people who thrive on the pervasive entrepreneurial spirit; are willing to inspire and help others; and yet, be their own master. A Blend of Entrepreneurship and Selflessness. Vaco LA is an entrepreneurial throwback. The ‘all for one’ attitude of the partners and employees focuses on teamwork and subverts the ego. “Every day all of the divisions work tirelessly to help the other in either filling positions or finding new customers to partner with,” Devon Zopfi, partner Vaco Technology, said. “It’s rare that a sales organization is willing to perform selfless acts like this. There is no ego and everyone is here to grow something special and different.” Stephen Smith, partner Vaco Resources, believes it’s selflessness that brings consultants onboard. “We are less concerned about who gets credit as long as the right person is placed with the right client,” Smith said. Consultants Like the Attitude. “I sought Vaco out because of the attitudes of the partners and account managers,” James Suttles, CPA, consultant, said. “My experience with Vaco is that I am treated like a business partner.” ‘At Vaco I’m working with great people who care about making the right connections and fits for its consultants and clients. Vaco achieves the objectives of its consultants and clients without compromising whenever possible on meeting the goals of all concerned.’ DEMETRIA GARDNER, CPA Demetria Gardner, CPA and reporting specialist, said, “At Vaco I’m working with great people who care about making the right connections and fits for its consultants and clients. Vaco achieves the objectives of its consultants and clients without compromising whenever possible on meeting the goals of all concerned.” LaJuana Mitchell Smith, a senior project consultant, adds, “Vaco aims for the right fit, matching the needs of its clients with the talents of its consultants.” Quality senior-level consultants bring value to the table. One consultant identified a $114,000 error in a client’s previous year’s tax return and corrected the error, directly affecting the company’s bottom line. Anita Shelley, partner Vaco Resources, says the company is successful because employees have the freedom to run the business as professionals and use that freedom to help consultants, clients and each other to succeed. “We help each other with strategy talks and give advice,” Shelley said. “Teamwork takes extra effort, but everyone knows that’s how we will succeed.” Vaco also takes time out to give back to the community. Vaco is aligned with and actively supports organizations such as: Autism Speaks, YMCA of Southern California and the NBC/Universal charity “Discover a Star.” Work Hard. Play Hard. Celebrate Successes. “We sincerely enjoy each other’s company and work very hard together so everyone can be successful,” Moreno said. “We play hard when we can.” Vaco ‘growth strategy meetings’ may be a celebration lunch, a day trip for the internal team or scheduled social events to celebrate big wins, including trips to Las Vegas, Costa Rica and to Cabo San Lucas. “At the end of the day, it comes down to helping companies find good people and helping solid people find jobs,” Moreno said. “Every time we find a position for someone, we get a sense of celebration. We’ve grown from a handful of consultants to well over one hundred. That’s a lot of celebration.” 31 32 AN ADVERTISING SUPPLEMENT TO THE LOS ANGELES BUSINESS JOURNAL MARCH 31, 2008 Going Green Yields Big Tax Breaks By BLAKE E. CHRISTIAN, CPA and SHAWN MARCHANT, JD, LLM C has been both a contributor to global warming as well as a trend-setter in developing environmentally friendly solutions to the world’s pollution and energy concerns. With its huge, car-driving population; large number of diesel-spewing, transportation vehicles; dependence on port operations for imported goods and raw materials; and reliance on technology, California represents a perfect Petri dish for generating the best and worst forms of pollution as well as creating potential solutions. While routinely overlooked by many taxpayers, existing federal and state tax law provides an impressive variety of incentive tax credits focused on researching and developing alternative energy and other technologies, as well as for implementing pollution control and energy reduction measures. With increased focus on reducing all forms of pollution as well as our reliance on petroleum-based energy, much discussion has centered on the ways to most cost-effectively implement these pollution and energy control measures. The Long Beach and Los Angeles Ports are leading the charge in adopting “green” action plans with their “Clean Truck” program, which will replace over 5,000 diesel-powered tractors with ones burning cleaner fuels. Moreover, port operators are increasingly focused on ways to further clean up the air and water in the local region. A number of Los Angeles and Orange County based businesses are actively developing cutting edge pollution control and alternative fuel technologies (e.g. fuel cells, bio diesel, cogeneration plants, filtering options for ship and train smokestacks, low-sulfur bunker fuel for ships, etc.). For example, Seal Beach based Clean Energy (a Boone Pickens company) opened the first LNG filling station in Carson in late 2007. This will likely be repeated throughout the region and state as the transportation industry adopts these cleaner-burning trucks. Certain components of both filling stations and alternative-fuel trucks are eligible for tax credits of up to 30% of the cost. These federal tax credits can yield cost reductions of up to $32,000 for each alternative fuel truck and up to $30,000 for each Alternative Fuel Refueling Station. Since these new technologies are costly for “first adopters,” these tax breaks are critical in encouraging taxpayers that take the lead in adopting clean technologies. Fortunately, numerous other tax breaks are already built into the state and federal tax statutes, including research and development credits and specific equipment credits, which can dramatically reduce the after-tax cost of reducing your business or residential carbon footprint. The most significant state and federal benefits currently available to California taxpayers are listed below. ALIFORNIA California Tax Breaks • Enterprise Zone Sales/Use Tax Credits – Any business operating in one of Cal- ifornia’s 42 Enterprise Zones (EZ) is eligible to claim an income/franchise tax credit equal to the sales or use tax paid on purchased or certain leased assets used in manufacturing, processing, research & development (R&D), pollution control, or energy conservation. Additionally, most technology equipment such as computers, scanners, scanners, copiers, etc. are eligible for this credit. This EZ sales/use tax credit reduces the cost of qualifying assets by 7% to 9% (at the state level), and these asset purchases may also generate federal tax benefits. To qualify for the state tax credit, The Long Beach and Los Angeles Ports are leading the charge in adopting “green” action plans with their “Clean Truck” program, which will replace over 5,000 dieselpowered tractors with ones burning cleaner fuels. the assets must a) be used exclusively in the Enterprise Zone, b) generally be purchased from a California vendor, unless such property is not readily available from a local vendor, and c) have included sales/use tax in the purchase or lease price. Many businesses in the manufacturing and logistics sector may not be aware that certain newly purchased vehicles, equipment, or technology can qualify for this valuable credit. Unfortunately, the EZ credit does not currently apply to equipment used both inside and outside of a zone such as container tractors that pick up cargo in the ports and deliver it to areas outside the EZ. Proposals to allow new or retro-fitted clean-burning vehicles to qualify for this California credit have been advanced in Sacramento, but the current budget crisis will likely not see this change adopted in the near future. • EZ Hiring Credits – Businesses operating in any one of the 24 Southern California EZs (or 42 zones state wide) are also entitled to an extremely valuable employer hiring credit, which can generate annual tax benefits of up to $12,500 per year for each “qualified employee.” Generally 20% or more of the employees working for an EZ located business will qualify the employer for the EZ hiring credit. • Research & Development Credits – Taxpayers developing new or improving existing technologies, including energy and pollution control may qualify for an R&D tax credit. These credits are modeled after the federal R&D credit but only apply to qualified research activity performed in California. Credits are also available for payments made to universities and other non-profit scien- PROVIDERS (CONTINUED) tific research organizations for basic research. State credits can exceed 6 cents for every qualifying dollar of expense and may be carried forward indefinitely. With a high concentration of aerospace, automotive, and techrelated companies in California, the R&D credit is the most utilized incentive credit in the state. However, a large number of taxpayers remain unaware of this significant benefit. Micro Shred, Inc. 15624 Roxford Street Sylmar, CA 91342 (818)341-1333; Fax (818)428-3279 Website: www.microshred.com Practice Areas: Document Shredding, Product Destruction Primary Business Contact(s): Robert Rosenthal; [email protected] Federal Tax Breaks • Research & Development Credits – In addition to R&D tax credits for developing new or improving existing technologies, or for basic research payments, a federal credit is available for payments made to qualifying energy research consortia. Federal R&D credits can reach 6.5 cents for every qualifying dollar of expense and may be carried back one year and forward twenty years. Combined federal and California R&D credits can exceed 13% of qualifying expenses. • Energy Efficient Commercial Building Credits – Any business owning or leasing a commercial building that is 50% or more energy efficient than a standard building can take a credit of up to $1.80 per square foot. Partial credits are also allowed to the extent the building meets energy efficiency standards (25% to 50% greater) with respect to lighting, HVAC or window/doors, etc. • Hybrid Vehicles & Light Trucks/Fuel Cell Credits – These credits range from $250 to $4,000 for qualifying hybrid passenger vehicles and $1,000 to $4,000 for fuel cell motor vehicles. • Alternative Fuel Credits – These credits range from $2,500 to $4,000 for vehicles weighing less than 8,500 pounds, and from $20,000 to $32,000 for vehicles with a gross weight of more than 26,000 pounds. Efforts are underway to allow similar state credits. • Biodiesel and Renewable Diesel Credits – Credits are available of up to $1.50 per gallon of biodiesel which is used or sold by the taxpayer in its trade or business. Other Federal Environmental Tax Breaks: • Geothermal or Solar Energy Property Credit ranging from 10% and 30%, respectively; • Advanced “Lean Burn Technology” Vehicle credits ranging from $400 to $2,400 credits per vehicle; • Certain shortened tax depreciable lives on pollution control equipment and current year “expensing” options for certain soil remediation costs. Loyola Marymount University MBA Program 1 LMU Drive, MS 8387 Los Angeles, CA 90045 (310)338-2848; Fax (310)338-2899 Website: www.lmu.edu Primary Business Contact(s): Ann Marie Nuno; [email protected] The aforementioned tax benefits should be fully evaluated by all taxpayers in order to implement the most environmentally friendly solutions in the most economically viable manner. Those businesses that are leaning towards “doing the right thing” but have economic concerns, will find these tax breaks to be very attractive and will often swing the pendulum in their favor for implementing the best long-term solution. Blake Christian, CPA is a Tax Partner and Shawn Marchant, JD, LLM, is a Senior Tax Manager in the Long Beach office of Holthouse, Carlin & Van Trigt LLP, CPAs. You can reach them at (562) 590-9535 or [email protected] and [email protected]. EXECUTIVE EDUCATION National University 5245 Pacific Concourse Drive, Suite 100 Los Angeles, CA 90045 (310)662-2100 Website: www.nu.edu Primary Business Contact(s): Maggie Yadegar ; [email protected] National University 14724 Ventura Boulevard, Suite 801 Sherman Oaks, CA 91403 (818)817-2460 Website: www.nu.edu Primary Business Contact(s): Maggie Yadegar; [email protected] Pepperdine University Graziadio School of Business and Management 6100 Center Drive, Suite 300 Los Angeles, CA 90045 (310)568-5550; Fax (310)568-2398 Website: www.pepperdine.edu Practice Areas: Fully Accredited MBA and Bachelor’s Completion Business Programs Primary Business Contact(s): Darrell Eriksen, Admissions; [email protected] Linda A. Livingstone, PhD, Dean; [email protected] Douglass Gore III, PR; [email protected] UCLA Anderson School of Management 110 Westwood Plaza Mullin Management Commons, Suite F404 Los Angeles, CA 90095 (310)794-4169 Website: www.anderson.ucla.edu Primary Business Contact(s): Richard Rodner, Associate Dean for Marketing & Communications UCLA Anderson Forecast 110 Westwood Plaza Gold Hall, Suite B302 Los Angeles, CA 90095 (323)932-0411 Website: www.uclaforecast.com Primary Business Contact(s): Sherif Hanna, Managing Director; [email protected] UCLA Anderson Office of Executive Education Programs 110 Westwood Plaza Collins Center for Executive Education, Suite A101 Los Angeles, CA 90095 (310)825-2001 Website: www.execed.anderson.ucla.edu Primary Business Contact(s): Kelly Bean, Assistant Dean, Executive Education Programs; [email protected] UCLA Executive Master of Public Health Program in Healthcare Management & Policy 10960 Wilshire Boulevard, Suite 1550 Los Angeles, CA 90024 (310)267-5600; Fax (310)312-1711 Website: www.emph.ucla.edu Practice Areas: Healthcare Management & Policy Primary Business Contact(s): Nanette Ramzan; [email protected] MARCH 31, 2008 AN ADVERTISING SUPPLEMENT TO THE LOS ANGELES BUSINESS JOURNAL EXECUTIVE RECRUITMENT HUMAN RESOURCES CONSULTING Adecco 11901 Santa Monica Blvd, Ste. 211 Los Angeles, CA. 90025 (310)444-3790; Fax (310)479-5568 Practice Areas: Recruitment Services, Direct Hire, Temp-to-Hire, and Temporary Placement Primary Business Contact(s): Minyon Bowie; [email protected] Clare Davey; [email protected] Mara Klug; [email protected] South Bay HR Post Office Box 1687 Redondo Beach, CA 90278 (310)921-3805; Fax (310)370-7979 Website: www.southbayhr.com Practice Areas: Human Resources Consulting, Outsourced On-Site Human Resources Support Primary Business Contact(s): Lori Burzminski; [email protected] Executives Unlimited, Inc. 5000 E. Spring Street, Suite 395 Long Beach, CA 90815 (562)627-3800; Fax (562)627-1092 Website: www.executives-unlimited.com Practice Areas: Retained Executive Search Firm, Interim Executive Search Primary Business Contact(s): Tomilee Gill, President; [email protected] Allison Quinlan, Managing; [email protected] Brad Pollak, Managing; [email protected] Roys & Associates 1603 Aviation Boulevard, Suite D Redondo Beach, CA 90278 (310)318-8085 Website: www.roysandassoc.com Practice Areas: Retained Executive Recruiting Primary Business Contact(s): Deam Roys; [email protected] GENERAL CONTRACTING Bovis Lend Lease 800 W. 6th Street, 16th Floor Los Angeles, CA 90017 (213)430-4660; Fax (213) 430-4699 Website: www.bovislendlease.com Practice Areas: General Contracting, Program Mgmt, Construction Mgmt, Preconstruction Services Primary Business Contact(s): Todd C. Pennington; [email protected] Paul Giovannetti; [email protected] Hathaway Dinwiddie Construction Co. 811 Wilshire Boulevard, Suite 1500 Los Angeles, CA 90017 (213)236-0500; Fax (213)236-0501 Website: www.hdcco.com Practice Areas: General Contractor Primary Business Contact(s): Richard Baptie; [email protected] Steve Smith; [email protected] Scott McClure; [email protected] LAW FIRMS Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck LLP 11911 San Vicente Boulevard, Suite 350 Los Angeles, CA 90049-6650 (310)500-4600; Fax (310)500-4602 Website: www.bhfs.com Practice Areas: Water Law; Government Relations; Real Estate; Land Use; Environmental; Corporate & Business Taxation; Litigation; Wealth Management; Intellectual Property & Gaming Primary Business Contact(s): Scott Slater; [email protected] Steven Hoch; [email protected] Bryan Cave LLP 120 Broadway, Suite 300 Santa Monica, CA 90401 (310)576-2100; Fax (310)576-2200 Website: www.bryancave.com Practice Areas: Litigation, International Trade, Franchise & Distribution, M&A, Corporate Finance & Securities, Labor & Employment, Private Client Services, Real Estate, Intellectual Property & Entertainment Primary Business Contact(s): Jeff Modisett; [email protected] Louise Caplan; [email protected] LIVE/WORK SUITES TENTEN Wilshire, LLC 1010 Wilshire Boulevard Los Angeles, CA 90017 (877)338-1010; Fax (213)482-4722 Website: www.1010wilshire.com Primary Business Contact(s): Lucy Mardonovich; [email protected] GIFTS / CORPORATE GIFTS LLC & CORPORATE FORMATION The Corporate Gift Service 108 E. Graham Place Burbank, CA 91502 (818)845-9500; Fax (800)306-3337 Website: www.corpgiftservice.com Practice Areas: B2B Gifting Service, Holidays & Events, Imprinted Items, Clothing, Baskets & More Primary Business Contact(s): Saretta Savage; [email protected] The California Company Telephone 1-877-530-CORP (2677) Website: www.thecaliforniacorp.com Practice Areas: LLC & Corporation Formation Services in the State of California Primary Business Contact(s): Customer Service; [email protected] MANAGEMENT COACHING & TRAINING HOME THEATRE Cinema & Sound 18653 Ventura Boulevard, #303 Tarzana, CA 91356 (818)489-8262 Practice Areas: Home Theatre; In-Home Technology Primary Business Contact(s): Mark Schiffman; [email protected] Giveaways & Apparel, Fulfillment Primary Business Contact(s): Saretta Savage; [email protected] PUBLIC AFFAIRS INVESTMENT BANKING Trilogy Capital Corp 30 Corporate Park, Suite 100 Irvine, CA 92606 (949)271-7001; Fax (888)271-7039 Website: www.trilogycapitalcorp.com Practice Areas: Private Equity Group, Investment Banking, Advisory Services Primary Business Contact(s): Barbara D’ Amato; [email protected] Moe Ghazi; [email protected] Rick Lange; [email protected] Oaktree Learning Systems, Inc. 1313 Foothill Boulevard, Suite 8 La Canada Flintridge, CA 91011 (818)952-1620; Fax (818)952-2659 Website: www.oaktreelearning.com Practice Areas: Executive Mgmt Coaching, Team Building, Mgmt Training, Organizational Development Consulting, Organizational Conflict Resolution. 33 Primary Business Contact(s): Dr. Al Restivo; [email protected] Dr. Lee Stoltzfus; [email protected] MEN’S CLOTHING Cavallini 9565 Santa Monica Boulevard Beverly Hills, CA 90210 (310)247-9771; Fax (310)247-8180 Website: www.cavallinibh.com Practice Areas: Mens Clothing, Custom Clothing, Shoes, Alterations, Golf Attire Primary Business Contact(s): Anna Natalucci; [email protected] Sean Meshoin; [email protected] PAYMENT PROCESSING SERVICES UMS Banking 750 Fairmont Avenue, Suite 201 Glendale, CA 91203 (800)324-8323 x165; Fax (818)246-0902 Website: www.umsbanking.com Practice Areas: Payment Processing Services Primary Business Contact(s): Bruce Ferguson; [email protected] Sharrel Paul; [email protected] PRINTER SERVICE & REPAIR On-Site LaserMedic Corporation 21540 Prairie Street, Unit D Chatsworth, CA 91311 (818)772-6911; Fax (818)349-8111 Website: www.onsitelasermedic.com Practice Areas: Managed Print Solutions, OnSite Laser Printer Repair & Maintenance, Consumable Supplies Primary Business Contact(s): Frank Quintana (Chatsworth); [email protected] Orlando Vaca (All); [email protected] April Wright (Orange County); [email protected] On-Site LaserMedic Corporation 1571 Parkway Loop, Unit A Tustin, CA 92780 (714)972-9111; Fax (714)971-0318 Website: www.onsitelasermedic.com Practice Areas: Managed Print Solutions, OnSite Laser Printer Repair & Maintenance, Consumable Supplies Primary Business Contact(s): Frank Quintana (Chatworth); [email protected] Orlando Vaca (All); [email protected] April Wright (Orange County); [email protected] PROMOTIONAL ITEMS & APPAREL The Corporate Gift Service 108 E. Graham Place Burbank, CA 91502 (818)845-9500; Fax (800)306-3337 Website: www.corpgiftservice.com Practice Areas: Custom Imprinted Promotional Cerrell Associates Inc. 320 North Larchmont Boulevard Los Angeles, CA 90004 (323)466-3445; Fax (323)466-8653 Website: www.cerrell.com Practice Areas: Local Government; Campaigns & Issues Management; Land Use & Planning; Environment & Energy; Public Relations Primary Business Contact(s): Joe Cerrell, Chairman; [email protected] Hal Dash, President; [email protected] Lisa Gritzner, Principal/EVP, Local Government; [email protected] Matt Klink, Principal/EVP, Campaigns & Issue Mgmt, PR; [email protected] Kristen Montet Lonner, Principal/EVP, Land Use & Planning; [email protected] Mark Wittenberg, Principal/EVP, Environment & Energy; [email protected] PUBLIC RELATIONS Mozaic Media + Communications (310)600-5223; Fax (213)559-9200 Website: www.mozaicmc.com Practice Areas: Public Relations Primary Business Contact(s): Inquiries; [email protected] REAL ESTATE INVESTING AVP Advisors 10940 Wilshire Boulevard, Suite 1950 Los Angeles, CA 90024 (310)689-7700; Fax (310)689-7707 Website: www.avpadvisors.com Practice Areas: Real Estate Investing Primary Business Contact(s): Richard S. Ziman; [email protected] Amy H. Ko; [email protected] STAFFING SERVICES VACO Los Angeles 6701 Center Drive West, Suite 960 Los Angeles, CA 90045 (310)693-0490; Fax (310)693-0481 Website: www.vaco.com Practice Areas: Finance, Accounting and Technology Placement Services Primary Business Contact(s): Frances Moreno; [email protected] Stephen Smith; [email protected] Devon Zopfi; [email protected] VACO Los Angeles 2815 Townsgate Road, Suite 220 Westlake Village, CA 91361 (805)371-6320; Fax (805)371-6338 Website: www.vaco.com Practice Areas: Finance, Accounting and Technology Placement Services Primary Business Contact(s): Anita Shelley; [email protected] Stephanie Keairns; [email protected] TRADE SHOWS & EXHIBITS Space Potential 453 S. Spring Street, #1005 Los Angeles, CA 90013 (213)627-7771 Fax (213)627-7774 Website: www.spacepotential.com Practice Areas: Trade Show and Exhibit Specialists Primary Business Contact(s): Ross Weitzberg; [email protected]
© Copyright 2025