Business Briefs

The Shore Builders Association of Central New Jersey, Lakewood, has announced plans for the 2007 FAME Awards. The fourth annual awards gala will again be held at the Grand Marquis, Old Bridge, Feb. 22, 2007. The official “Call for Entries” packets will be mailed to members this month. The deadline for submissions is Dec. 1.

The Fabulous Achievement in Marketing Excellence (FAME) Awards recognizes builder and associate members for their outstanding accomplishments and creativity in their sales and marketing campaigns. This year’s theme is “There’s No Place Like Home.”

Finalists will be announced in January; awards will be presented at the FAME Awards Gala, Feb. 22, 2007.

To learn more about the FAME Awards or the SBACNJ, call (732) 364-2828 or visit the Web site: www.shorebuilders.org.

LeTip of Freehold, a business lead exchange, will host a Business Mixer, Sept. 28, from 7:01-8:31 a.m., at the Old Country Buffet, Pond Road Shopping Center, Route 9 north, Freehold. Topics to be discussed include “How to Generate New Business” and “Close More Sales.” A complimentary breakfast is included. Bring 100 business cards and plan to network before and after the meeting.

LeTip of Freehold offers an opportunity for businesses to expand their networks and potential client base by attending regular meetings. Retailers, service trade merchants, entertainers, home-based business operations, financial professionals, as well as national companies seeking a higher local profile represent some of the exclusive categories in the LeTip chapter.

Each week qualified leads, “tips” are passed by the more than 60 regular attendees.

For details and reservations, call (732) 536-1400 or visit www.freeholdletip.com.

KidzArt, a unique arts enrichment program for children and seniors, has opened its newest branch in Toms River.

KidzArt offers a unique curriculum for kids, from preschoolers to teenagers. Classes are kept small, usually around five to 15 enrollees, to maximize the amount of attention paid to each student. The program teaches them how to express themselves and gain greater self-confidence through drawing. No prior arts training experience is necessary for children to participate, and parents often notice results right away. Not only do kids bring home refrigerator-ready art, but a whole secondary set of skills as well.

This grassroots-level, home-based business has also been a blessing for the instructors. Classes can be held almost anywhere, from private homes to birthday parties, and can be integrated as part of an after-school program, as an integrated program during the school day (private schools) and for home-schooling. Programs are available for seniors as well, and can be held at retirement homes or community centers.

Classes are forming now. To enroll or learn more about the KidzArt program, contact Nicole Raia at (732) 736-0220 or e-mail [email protected].

The Lakewood Chamber of Commerce and Single Throw, an Internet marketing company in Wall, are co-sponsoring a lunch and the seminar, “Corporate Performance Assessments: A Competitive Tool for Manufacturers,” Oct. 4 at 11:30 a.m. at Woodlake Country Club, Lakewood.

The presentation will cover topics such as “evaluating a company’s performance,” “reducing inefficiencies” and “maintaining a competitive edge in the marketplace.”

Peter Minck, the partner in charge of J.H. Cohn’s Manufacturing Services Group, will give attendees tools to critically analyze business operations, and a plan to increase sales and profit.

The seminar is open to the public. Cost is $25, including lunch; walk-ins, $30. To register, call Pam Ulrich, (732) 363-0012.

East Windsor Obstetrics and Gynecology, a member of the Colts Neck OB/GYN family, has announced the opening of its new office in the East Windsor Medical Commons at 300A Princeton Hightstown Road, East Windsor. The team of six physicians provides all aspects of OB/GYN services, including in-office ultrasounds and state-of-the-art procedures. Day and evening appointments are available. The practice has two additional offices, in Colts Neck and Freehold, each with extensive office hours. For more information, call (609) 448-2886 or visit www.eastwindsorobgyn.com.

SCORE Chapter 36 of Monmouth County will present the breakfast seminar, “Buying and Selling in Foreign Markets” Oct. 18 from 8:30-10:30 a.m. at Main Office Executive Suites, 2nd floor, 12 Christopher Way, Eatontown. Seminar coordinator will be Charles Vastbinder of Freehold, with more than 26 years’ experience in international trade. Topics include how to find foreign business opportunities; use federal, state, and privates resources; the role of using the Internet in international trade; and how to reduce the cost of goods through imports. Vastbinder and SCORE were recognized in June by the Western Monmouth Chamber of Commerce for outstanding voluntary contributions in helping business owners. Cost is $20 payable at the door. Individuals may register by calling (732) 219-9119 or online at www.SCORE36.org.

The Jersey Shore Association for Human Resources (JSAHR) will host its ninth annual Diversity Job Fair Oct. 24 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Sheraton of Eatontown, Route 35 at Industrial Way. A limited number of exhibit tables are still available for New Jersey employers seeking candidates for job and career opportunities,

The deadline to reserve a table has been extended to Sept. 29. The fee for an exhibit is $150 and includes one lunch. Each additional lunch is $25 per person. (Admission and parking for job seekers are free.) Details: (732) 244-8892 or [email protected].

Companies offering opportunities in such careers as accounting, banking, clerical, computers, construction, sales, health care, hotels, restaurants, security, information technology and the sciences, among others, are welcome to participate. Job offers at any level from entry to mid-, professional, and management levels are welcome.

JSAHR members include HR professionals and executives from more than 200 employers from Ocean and Monmouth counties in such industries as banking, insurance, manufacturing, high technology, education social services, utilities, and others.