November 2007
In this issue

√ New Seminar Series
√ Travel Expense
√ Remote Workforce
√ Tech Tip
√ Employee Spotlight
 

Join us for our CEO Solutions Series in 2008
By Ted Swanson, President

We're in a fortunate position at IT Solutions. We serve all types of businesses big and small and in every possible industry. Sure, we have lots of clients like lawyers and accountants -- businesses everyone's familiar with. But we also have clients who make products you never think of, like the bands that go around boxes of aspirin (http://www.wexlerpackaging.com/) or organizations like the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society which puts on the Philadelphia Flower Show -- the largest indoor flower show in the world (http://www.pennhort.com/).

But even with hundreds of clients in diverse businesses, one thing we see over and over again is the desire among CEO's and business owners to learn more about how to make their organizations more effective, more profitable, and ultimately more valuable.

In 2008, our goal is to move beyond being your trusted IT advisor to being your trusted business advisor. Our new CEO Solutions Series will bring together our valued clients with some of the consultants we've worked with in the past to grow our own business. In addition, we've tapped some of our own clients who are experts in their fields to provide the knowledge and expertise you need to grow your business and make it more valuable. Let me be clear, this is not another IT seminar about the Internet or protecting your PC from viruses. The topics will be relevant to every business owner no matter how technical they are (or aren't).

Here's how it works: Each Solutions Series seminar will be held at The Palm restaurant in downtown Philadelphia. Lunch is provided and all you need to bring is your appetite and your questions. Our first seminar of 2008 will be "Business Succession Planning -- How to Make Sure Your Business Stays in Good Hands,” presented by Dan Gomez and Mark Nelson of the GGN Group (http://www.ggngroup.com/). Dan and Mark will be focusing on how to prepare your business today for a transition to the next generation or to an outside buyer. Due to the sensitive nature of the topic, we kindly request that only business owners and CEO's attend this particular seminar.

CEO Solutions Series 2008
"Business Succession Planning"
Presented by Dan Gomez & Mark Nelson
The Palm Restaurant at the Bellevue
200 South Broad St., Philadelphia
January 16, 2008
12:00pm to 2:00pm

Seating is limited and our previous seminars have filled up quickly so please contact Jim Higgins today at jim.higgins@itsolutions-inc.com or 215-886-7166 x113. If you would like to bring a guest, please let Jim know. And as always, suggestions for topics or speakers are always welcome. I look forward to seeing you and helping you move your business forward in 2008!

Travel Expense Deduction Strategies
By Joseph Anthony - Reprinted with permission from the Microsoft Small Business Center

When you hit the road for business trips, you have to know the rules for deducting your hotel and meal expenses. While the rules haven't changed much lately (proposals to increase the percentage of a meal that can be deducted haven't gone anywhere), they're still a little tricky.  There are several different ways to deduct meal and lodging expenses when you or your employees are on the road. The method you use could make a difference in terms of how much money -- and time -- you save.

Here's a breakdown:

• The basic method: tallying actual costs. Keeping careful track of actual food and lodging costs is the method with which most small businesses are familiar. Save your receipts, document your costs and the business purposes of your activities and take your deductions.

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