We’re proud to announce that PJ Tudisco, VoIP Supply Project Manager, was nominated in the Technology Project Manger of the Year category at the 13th annual InfoTech Niagara BETA Awards.

PJ is one of our best company cheerleaders. His passionate support of co-workers and his enthusiasm for VoIP Supply’s success alone motivates people to complete projects.

His personality, dedication, detailed organization, and clear and thorough communication combined with his efficient use of project management tools keeps VoIP Supply on target to reach company goals. Like the good ones always do, PJ makes it look easy to keep his finger on the pulse of every company project. All of us at VoIP Supply benefit from being more productive through his hard work keeping us on the right path and not getting distracted.

Recognizing Western New York’s Best Technology Professionals

InfoTech Niagara partners with educators and technology professionals in Western New York (WNY) to retain the area’s budding talent by attracting new business and job opportunities to the region. InfoTech Niagara’s BETA Awards are a combination trade show and awards dinner that highlights achievements in the local technology community.

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In a weak economy, jobs aren’t a sure thing let alone yearly raises.

Associated Press writer Joyce Rosenberg takes a look at small businesses raises which are ” increasingly based on performance — not just an employee’s performance, but the entire company’s.”

Rosenberg’s article, Small Businesses Basing Pay More on Performance, asked CEO’s across the country about pay increases, other rewards, and compensation tied to corporate performance:

Whether they’ll do well is the big question for many small business owners. Jobs and incomes are growing, but not fast enough to make them more confident that a healthy economy will give their sales a boost.

Ben Sayers, CEO of VoIP Supply, was asked about his company’s reaction to the economy.  Although VoIP Supply “had been giving bigger raises than it did during the recession” a recent tax increase from Congress will hurt, leaving “less money to put into the business.”

Sayers still expects to be able to give cost of living and merit raises but, “The bucket’s going to be smaller than it would have been,” he said.

YFS Magazine, a resource for startup, small business news, and entrepreneurial culture, asked VoIP Supply if brands should take a stand?

In the article, Sex, Politics, Religion, Oh My: Should Brands Take a Stand on Social Issues?, YFS remembers that sharing opinions in public on those societal issues “were once considered taboo and scandalous.”

But now, your family, friends, and co-workers freely share opinions so, “should brands throw their hat into the ring and take a stand on social ills?”

Ben Sayers, CEO of VoIP Supply, weighs in:

If the company is not truly engaged in social issue then, it’s simply a marketing ploy. VoIP Supply became a Certified B Corporation because we put people ahead of profits, give back to the community, and act sustainably. The certification now stands as an example to others in the community that ‘conscious capitalism’ can be a successful business model.

Click here to read more about what other entrepreneurs think about companies taking a stand and if they have “everything to lose or even more to gain.”

Via YFS Magazine

CEO Blog Nation, a community hub for entrepreneurs and business owners, has released an eBook available for download that shares advice from Ben Sayers, CEO of VoIP Supply.

The I Am CEO Handbook provides tips, anecdotes, and how-to’s to help guide startups and business owners. Learn from others experience and get firsthand information on:

• Get a businesses up and running quickly including marketing tips
• What you need to start a business
• Finding people to help out with your business
• How to write a business plan
• Bootstrapping tips
• How to find and recruit top talent
• Motivating quotes
• Maintaining a work/life balance

Sayers shares his advice on how writing lists, building a solid business plan, and staying focused will help you succeed:

1. Write Lists: Lists are a big part of any plan for success. One of the first things I do when trying to remember what I had planned for the day and what I should do next is to create a list, so I don’t have to think about it anymore.
2. Build Solid Business Plans: Take the time to build a solid business plan and don’t ever expect it to be “finished” as it needs to live and breathe in order to be successful. Be conservative in your planning and understate your market, capabilities and revenue. At the same time, make sure to over estimate your expenses.
3. Mind Your Focus: It’s too easy to have too many great ideas and not enough focus. There’s always time for the next great thing. Focus on one major initiative at a time. If you have the courage to start something on your own, have the sense to focus on one thing and do it better than anyone else.

Via CEO Blog Nation