Sales staff are a peculiar breed. They stalk the job market often applying for dozens and dozens of jobs looking for the best commission structures and for products that they think that they can easily sell. It can quickly become hard work to fill sales vacancies.

When filling a sales role there are two common results. The first result is to have dozens and dozens of applications only to waste hours or even days sifting through CV’s and conducting interviews, only to find out that nobody is suitable or the one person that you want to recruit has suddenly decided to work somewhere else. The other result is that you simply get no reaction to your advert and are left with nobody to recruit at all.

Sales recruitment consultants have capitalised on this phenomenon and have created an industry that really can help any business that relies on sales staff. They are experts in filling sales vacancies. This can mean that you no longer have to think of catchy job adverts or search the internet for numerous sites to place your ad. It is also a great time-saver.

If you wish to maintain focus on your business then it is worth using sales recruitment consultants. These people will effectively take the recruitment process out of your hands. This helps you to keep the business moving forward However, the benefits do not end there.

Sales recruitment consultants often already have access to the right sales person for your business. This means that, in many cases, sales recruitment consultants will already have the perfect sales person for you waiting in the wings. This can mean that your vacancy is filled almost instantly without any worry of placing adverts and checking CV’s. It can also mean that they have sales staff more specialised for your needs. It is not necessarily hard to find a sales person. But finding sales staff that are actually any good and have experience in your own industry or range of products can be a lot harder. Sales recruitment consultants will have sales staff who may have already sold in your sector. So, not only does this speed things up but it also allows you to recruit much more suitable people. That is definitely beneficial for you and your business!

Sales recruitment consultants charge in various different ways. Some companies will charge you an upfront fee to fill your vacancy for you. Other companies will charge you nothing until they actually fill the vacancy and will then charge you a pre-agreed fee. The most common form of charge is a percentage of the earnings made by the sales person. The best thing to do is to find the best option that works for you and your business.

The quicker you can fill sales vacancies, the better. It therefore makes sense to use sales recruitment consultants who can fulfil this. They will handle all the recruitment needs for your company. You are only ever as good as the people around you and so sales recruitment consultants can help your business to be the best.

Lowell, MA – A new exhibit on Lowell native and writer Jack Kerouac will open to the public on Thursday, October 6, at 5:00 pm in line with the annual Lowell Celebrates Kerouac Festival. The exhibit is a new permanent installation at Lowell National Historical Park’s Visitor Center.

The colorful exhibit of photos, text excerpts, and a Lowell map interprets Jack Kerouac’s works and life as a Beat Writer. The exhibit encourages visitors to explore Lowell by visiting places that Kerouac wrote about in his novels that were connected to Lowell.  Through an audio listening station you can hear Jack Kerouac read selections from his writings.

Professor Mike Millner of the UMass Lowell English Department and Paul Marion, executive director of community and cultural affairs at UMass Lowell, spearheaded the project for over a year with David Blackburn and Jack Herlihy of Lowell National Historical Park. Funding was provided by a grant from the Creative Economy Initiative of the University of Massachusetts President’s Office. John Sampas of the Kerouac Estate generously provided images and permission to reprint book excerpts. Chris Danemeyer of Proun Design created the exhibit’s design and fabrication, adapting the look he produced for the “On the Road” scroll manuscript exhibit at the Boott Mills Gallery in 2007, which drew 25,000 visitors to the city.

More information is available by contacting the Lowell National Historical Park at 978-970-5000. Lowell National Historical Park Visitor Center is located at 246 Market Street, Lowell, Massachusetts and is open daily 9:00am – 5:00 pm, daily. Admission is free.

We honor our war heroes in many ways–with speeches, parades, plaques and monuments. Throughout history, American quilters have made quilts to comfort the troops who protect and defend us. Now, the folks at New England Quilt Museum are also making quilts for our Gold Star mothers and spouses, every stitch dedicated to honoring the service of loved ones who have fallen in Iraq or Afghanistan.

Join the NEQM between 10AM-3PM Veterans Day (Friday, November 11th) for a very special “sit and sew” event to create quilts for the Massachusetts chapter of the Home of the Brave Quilts (HOBQ) project. Since 2004, HOBQ volunteers across the country have been making quilts for this very worthy and non-partisan cause.

The Museum’s HOBQ effort is based on a Civil War-era autograph block quilt pattern and uses donated reproduction fabrics representing that other difficult time in our nation’s history. Perhaps you saw the pattern, or made a block or signed one at museum’s table during the IMAGES quilt show in August.

For full details on the Veterans Day event or other Collaborative Quilting days when they’ll be working on their HOBQ pieces, visit the New England Quilt Museum website.

Lowell, Mass. – The cardiac rehabilitation department at Lowell General Hospital has been certified by the American Association of Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Rehabilitation (AACVPR) for meeting essential standards for quality patient care in cardiac rehabilitation. This is the only peer-reviewed accreditation in the nation designed to review individual facilities for adherence to standards and guidelines for cardiac rehabilitation centers.

A long-standing component of cardiovascular care at Lowell General Hospital, cardiac rehabilitation is the recovery phase for a patient who has suffered a heart attack, undergone angioplasty, or after surgery to treat heart disease. An essential part of successful treatment, cardiac rehabilitation includes monitoring, lifestyle education, exercise, and support to help reduce the risk of future heart problems and progression of disease.

“Our patients often credit the success of their heart health to this important step in the cardiac care process,” says Patricia Morse, BSN, RN, director of heart and vascular services at Lowell General Hospital. “Having a certified program helps our patients and their family members to be confident that whether they have had a stent implanted, receive a defibrillator or pacemaker, or undergo another cardiovascular procedure, they can safely resume a healthy, active, lifestyle and enjoy many years ahead.”

Recent studies have shown that patients who complete participation in a cardiac rehabilitation program significantly increase the likelihood of a successful recovery and lower the chance of a repeat heart attack.

About the AACVPR

Founded in 1985, the American Association of Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Rehabilitation is dedicated to our mission of reducing morbidity, mortality and disability from cardiovascular and pulmonary disease through education, prevention, rehabilitation, research and disease management. Central to the core mission is improvement in quality of life for patients and their families.

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Lowell, MA – There’s a place in Lowell, Massachusetts where kids can go and cool off for free during the summer and early fall. Shedd Park has “The Splash Pad,” which is operated by the city of Lowell, Massachusetts and its Department of Parks and Recreation. This is a great area where supervised children can cool down with water sprays. The Splash Pad at Shedd Park is located at 433 Rogers Street in Lowell.

During the Summer of 2010 from Saturday May 29th – June 30th, the Splash Pad is open on weekends and holidays from from 12pm-4pm. Beginning July 1st until the first day of school for the Lowell Public School District, the Splash Pad is open seven days a week from 12pm-6pm. On Labor Day weekend, the hours are from 12pm-6pm (Saturday – Monday). Between September 11 – October 11, it’s open only on weekends and holidays from 12-4pm.

For more information about the Splash Pad or Shedd Park, please call the city’s Recreation Office at (978) 970-4175. You may also visit the city of Lowell website, LowellMA.gov.

UMass Lowell DesignCamp begins on July 5.

Past Campers Chose Science, Tech Majors 5 Times More than Other College-Bound Students

LOWELL, Mass. – Liquid-propelled rockets, arcade games, smart robots and remote-controlled submarines – all are just a few of the projects that students in UMass Lowell’s DesignCamp will build in the coming weeks.

Now in its 11th year, the summer camp annually attracts more than 350 students from 100 cities and towns in Massachusetts and New Hampshire. The camp runs four week-long sessions throughout July.

Eleven workshops include interactive design-and-build projects such as “Electric Jungle,” “Carnival Contraptions,” “Inventions and Gizmos,” “Crime Science,” “Architect’s Studio” and “Flight School.”

DesignCamp was created to engage young people in fun design projects to encourage them to study engineering and other sciences. And data shows that DesignCamp works. Of students who attend camp for more than one year, 24 percent choose to study engineering and 16 percent choose science-, technology-, engineering- and mathematics-related fields. According to 2006 SAT data, students who participated in DesignCamp choose engineering at a rate five times more than other Massachusetts college-bound students.

“I think that the program has been successful because we engage kids in hands-on projects that are relevant to their lives,” said Michael Penta, associate director and program developer for the Future Engineers Center and DesignCamp. “We ask campers to solve problems on their own that many may not have much of an opportunity to do in normal life. A working solution generates a great deal of pride, confidence and motivation.”

Thanks to the generous financial support of companies like Raytheon, Goodrich, Tyco Electronics, 3M, Millipore and the Cabot Corp., more than 35 percent of the students will receive financial assistance and 25 percent will receive full scholarships.

The middle-school children don’t realize they are learning because they are having so much fun, according to Penta, who is teaching “Techcreation Food and Games” and “Game Makers.”

“DesignCamp is the only place I have taught where kids ask ‘Can we skip recess? I want to go work!’”

The first session of DesignCamp starts Monday, July 5. Parents and students interested in UMass Lowell’s DesignCamp summer program should visitwww.designcamp.org, e-mail info@designcamp.org or call 978-934-4690. For more on the UMass Lowell Future Engineers Center, check outwww.umlfutureengineers.org.

Concert and sporting events at Tsongas Arena in Lowell.

UMass Lowell and city of Lowell, Massachusetts reach deal for Tsongas Arena

Lowell, MA. – UMass Lowell is on its way to owning the Tsongas Arena.

At the arena this evening, prior to a Hockey East matchup between the eighth-ranked UMass Lowell River Hawks and the fourth-ranked Boston University Terriers, Chancellor Marty Meehan, Lowell City Manager Bernie Lynch and state Sen. Steven C. Panagiotakos announced details of a purchase-and-sale agreement under which the university would take ownership of the arena. They were joined by other city and state elected officials and members of the UMass Lowell community. Lynch, Meehan and UMass President Jack Wilson were to complete execution of the agreement (which already had been signed by UMass Building Authority Executive Director David MacKenzie) later at an on-ice ceremony.

“For us, this is about making UMass Lowell a place where students want to be. We have increased enrollment substantially and now have nearly 3,000 students living in university housing,” said Chancellor Marty Meehan. “The arena will help us provide the array of activities and events necessary to keep them engaged and happy – important ingredients for ensuring that students succeed academically.” He pointed out that universities with Division I sports programs, as UMass Lowell has for hockey, have campus arenas.

“Almost 12 years ago, the city forged a unique partnership with the university and the Commonwealth to bring a mid-sized concert and performance venue to Lowell. The Tsongas Arena is on the map regionally and nationally because of our stewardship of it. Now, we look forward to the arena’s next phase,” Lynch said.

“This agreement is good for Lowell and good for UMass Lowell,” said Panagiotakos of Lowell, who brokered an agreement between the city and the university. “This will be a major asset and resource for the university and a major savings for Lowell taxpayers.”

The university’s benefits from the agreement include:

• The $24 million 6,500-seat arena, debt free;
• The 3-acre parcel adjacent to the arena, to be developed as a commercial property in a way that complements the arena;
• The surrounding park and grounds, which will now be available for a broad range of campus activities;
• Year-round use of an arena for university events;
• Increased opportunities to generate new revenues;
• Easier and more cost-effective use of the facility.

Benefits to the city of Lowell include:

• $800,000;
• No further responsibility for running the arena and covering its costs, which have been up to $1.3 million a year;
• The opportunity to conduct five annual events;
• Ice time for public use at cost;
• A university-owned parcel of land on Pawtucket Boulevard.

The university, through the UMass Building Authority, is committed to $5 million in capital improvements to create a more vibrant event experience and enhance revenues.

Before the university would own the facility and grounds outright, the Lowell City Council must pass a home-rule petition. The state Legislature would need to pass the petition, which would then be sent to Gov. Deval Patrick for his signature. Both the university and city expect that the transfer will be completed in January.

In investigating the feasibility of ownership, UMass Lowell had identified examples of similarly sized university-owned arenas that operate at no net cost to the institution. UMass Lowell is the only team in the Division I Hockey East conference that does not own its ice arena.

Under university management, the arena would continue to offer the same quality events as in past years, including UMass Lowell and AHL-affiliated Lowell Devils hockey, other sporting events, and family shows and concerts, with plans to deliver more events and a wider range of performances.

At the same time, the arena would be more readily available for campus events and activities. In addition to River Hawk hockey games, student-based events that have been held at the arena for a fee – such as the annual Open House and Commencement – would now be seamless campus undertakings. New UMass Lowell uses could include campus-wide convocations, alumni and fundraising events, orientation activities, offices for some campus functions, and as a hub for the weekend-long fall homecoming series of activities and performances.

The arena is located adjacent to UMass Lowell’s largest cluster of student housing. The immediate area also features LeLacheur Park, home to River Hawk baseball and other student-centered events during the school year, as well as UMass Lowell’s Campus Recreation Center. The arena will help solidify the area as a nexus for student activities.

Together with the UMass Lowell Inn & Conference Center at the Lower Locks complex downtown, the arena also will help integrate UMass Lowell students into the heart of the city, benefitting both students and downtown business establishments.

“Transferring ownership of the Tsongas Arena to UMass Lowell will ultimately benefit everyone who lives, works, learns and finds enjoyment in the city,” Meehan said.

The Tsongas Arena opened in January 1998. Its construction was funded with $20 million from the state, $4 million from UMass Lowell and $4 million from the city of Lowell. The arena was recently assessed at $24 million.

UMass Lowell, with a national reputation in science, engineering and technology, is committed to educating students for lifelong success in a diverse world and conducting research and outreach activities that sustain the economic, environmental and social health of the region.. UML offers its 13,000 students more than 120 degree choices, internships, five-year combined bachelor’s to master’s programs and doctoral studies in the colleges of Arts and Sciences, Engineering and Management, the School of Health and Environment, and the Graduate School of Education. www.uml.edu.

Independence Day fireworks July 3 in Lowell. (Source)

City of Lowell to hold July 3 fireworks show, sponsored by local businesses

Lowell, MA. – During these difficult economic times the country and all of us are facing, the city of Lowell, Massachusetts debated whether the government could afford to hold its annual Independence Day celebration with a fireworks display. The cost of a fireworks show is around $45,000, and that money can be used for other, more important needs. After many internal discussions, the city decided it could not pay for a fireworks display, and it turned to the local business community to help the show go on – and the community responded positively.

With the assistance of the Greater Lowell Community Foundation’s fundraising efforts, Lowell’s fireworks will take place after dark on July 3, 2009 at Sampas Pavilion weather permitting. One of the biggest supporters of this years Independence Day fireworks celebration is the Lowell Cooperative Bank, which donated $5,000 towards the event.

In addition to the fireworks display, students from Lowell High School’s Band will be performing an entertaining (and FREE) “pops” concert. Led by Band Director Brandon Clark, the LHS Band will play on the riverside stage before the fireworks at 7pm. Parents of band members will be selling refreshments at the event to help raise money to purchase new band uniforms. Lots of activities for children will take place between 4-7pm on the third. More information about the celebration can be found on the Lowell City Manager’s website.

This is going to be a great event for the entire family!

Work with lenders to prevent foreclosures in Lowell, Mass.

Massachusetts Homeowners: Get Help Now to Save Your Home

Lowell, MA. Join Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick’s administration and the city of Lowell they bring together mortgage lenders and homeowners from Greater Lowell and the Merrimack Valley on April 2. The event’s objective is to give local homeowners the opportunity to work out new mortgage terms and provide educational seminars in an effort to stem local home foreclosures.

Homeowners are encouraged to meet one-on-one with mortgage lenders to discuss home loan
modifications and alternatives in order to prevent foreclosure. Consumer credit counselors and local housing officials will also be available to answer questions and provide assistance to those in need. Multi-lingual counselors will be in attendance.

Educational seminars focusing on foreclosure prevention will be held during the day, and homeowners who may be facing foreclosure are encouraged to attend. Residents of Lowell and surrounding towns are invited to this workshop.

This free event is underwritten and co-sponsored by the Massachusetts Consumer Affairs Office, the city of Lowell, and Lowell neighborhood association, Coalition for a Better Acre. For more information about the workshop, please call (978) 452-7523 or visit www.mass.gov/foreclosure.

Workshop Information

Thursday, April 2, 2009
2:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Registration closes at 7:00 p.m.

Doubletree Hotel
50 Warren Street
Lowell, MA 01852

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