NYUCPA

The firm I worked at a few years ago used Action for all of the office printing. They did our business cards, marketing brochures, letter head, and envelopes. Their printing quality was outstanding but they did have long waiting for printing orders and they were more expensive than their competitors.

Strengths: Action Print Center does high quality printing, great customer service and they have a talented group of graphic designers. They can do brochures, business cards, banners, and letter head.

Needs to improve: They are expensive and their led times can be a little long.

We use Citrix goto meeting for all of our video conferencing. There are so many features such as being able to control the meeting with an I pad or desktop computer. We love the "change presenter" feature. With the click of a button, the presenter can turn over hosting an online meeting to another attendee. The monthly rates are very reasonable for all that we get. Citrix is a very important part of my business.

Strengths: User friendly web based communication and video conferencing software, secure file sharing, outstanding customer service, very small business friendly, cost effective.

Needs to improve: None

At a previous firm, we used to Terminex to ensure the building was free of insects and rodents. They did a very good job, like clock work they were their every month to service the building. The exterminators were very through, polite and hard working. We never had any problems. Their rates were very competitive.

Strengths: Terminex provides full service commercial insect and rodent control services. Good customer service, courteous staff and diligent workers.

Needs to improve: None

I have a very hard working staff and after corporate tax season last year I thought it would be a good idea to do some team building activities. I researched a lot of options and really liked what Adventure Associates had to offer. They have a very unique and innovative approach to team building. We did the Geo Trek adventure and we had the time of our lives. We all really got so much out of the adventure, and I think we actually got a little closer to each other. Adventure Associates are expensive, but the results are well worth it.

Strengths: A very unique and valuable team building experience, active learning, great customer service, lots of fun.

Needs to improve: Expensive

I have a small CPA office and I use Verizon Wireless for all of my staff. They have very good small business plans, the best mobile phone coverage and vey good customer service. For one low price, I have service my whole staff and we get discounts on the smart phones.

Strengths: Verizon has the best coverage of all the mobile phone carriers, wide selection of smart phones, very good customer service and very business friendly.

Needs to improve: None

I use ERS to screen all of my new hires. They are fast dependable and very cost effective. They provide thorough nationwide criminal background check records, sex offender registries, motor vehicle records, employee credit history, social security and identity verification, employment and education verification. When I use ERS, I really know who I am hiring up front.

Strengths: Comprehensive and cost-effective employment screening. Great customer service, reliable information, fast turn around.

Needs to improve: None

JetBlue is my favorite Airline for cross country travel. I do not like business travel especially travel to the ast coast. JetBlue makes the experience very pleasant. They have the most comfortable coach seats of all the airlines and I really like the individual monitors. They have the best customer service and the flight attendants are always very friendly. With all of this, they still manage to have the best rates.

Strengths: Excellent customer service, very good on time record, comfortable seats, clean planes, very pleasant travel experience, very competitive rates.

Needs to improve: None

I frequently use Avis for business travel. Their rerates are higher than their competitors but they do have great customer service. Because I am a Preferred member, checking in and getting to my rental is a very fast process.

Strengths: Located at all major airports, good selection of cars, good customer service, very business friendly.

Needs to improve: More expensive than other rental agencies

I use Pro-Tech to come in three times a week to clean the office. They are always on time, hard working, and very honest. They do an outstanding job, the office sparkles when the leave. They are also charge very reasonable rates. I am very happy with the service and I am happy to recommend them.

Strengths: Superior customer service, reliable, honest, always courteous, takes pride in their work, very reasonable rates.

Needs to improve: None

We used Shred Works when I was a major accounting firm in San Francisco. We never had any problems with their service, they supplied us with locked bins, we discard our confidential documents in the bins and Shred Works would pick up the documents and securely shred them. They would come every month like clock work, very dependable.

Strengths: Reliable confidential document shredding, always on time, great customer service

Needs to improve: None

When I or any of my staff fly within California, we always use Southwest. They have the best fares, a lot of flight times, I love the boarding process and they are always on time. They are just not that good for long distance cross country flights.

Strengths: Best airline for flights within California, frequent air fare sales, lots of flights though out the day, great on time record, very good customer service, fly to all major airports.

Needs to improve: Not very many non stop cross county flights

I only use American when there are no other options. I don't think I have ever had a positive experience on any of their flights. The flights are usually overbooked, under staffed and never on time.

Strengths: American Airlines flies every major city, lots of flights and good mileage program

Needs to improve: Planes are not very clean, frequently late, poor customer service

I buy a lot of the office products from Costco such as coffee, cream, sugar, paper products, and small appliances. Prices are unbeatable, they have the best return policy and they are very business friendly.

Strengths: Wide selection of products, large quantity pricing, unbeatable return policy, high quality merchandise.

Needs to improve: None

Last year at Christmas, I gave out gifts from Edible arrangements to my staff. I was very impressed with all the arrangements, its so attractive, that it is almost a shame to eat it. Everyone loved the gifts. They are very pricey. For what it costs, as pretty as the arrangements are, I think the employees would have preferred gift cards.

Strengths: Very unique gift ideas, lots of creativity, great customer service, wide variety of selection, the arrangements are always fresh and ripe.

Needs to improve: Very expensive

I use Fed-Ex all the time to send out documents to clients. The service very dependable and reliable. I have never lost a package and I am easily able to track the package all the way to final delivery. They have a very convenient pick up service and many drop off locations at Fed-Ex Kinkos. They have very competitive shipping rates.

Strengths: National and international shipping, over night delivery, Saturday service, pick up service, easy package tracking, cost efective

Needs to improve: None

A few months ago, I decided to replace all of the computers in the office and after backing up all of the data from the old systems, the old hard drives needed to be destroyed. Shred-It was able to destroy and dispose of all the hard drives for very a very low price. I will not hesitate to use them again for electronic data destruction.

Strengths: Reliable shredding services, hard drive and electronic media destruction, great customer service, courteous staff, reasonable rates.

Needs to improve: None

Roto Rooter came out to take care of a backed up toilet, and did an exemplary job. The technician worked efficiently and rapidly, and had the job done well within the one-hour minimum charge. He was courteous and professional. I was extremely satisfied with the service provided.

Strengths: Qualified and knowledgeable plumbers, courteous, on time, great customer service, competitive prices.

Needs to improve: None

I have had custom promotional printing done for my business three times. The first 2 was for pens with my logo and address and both times, the pens did not work very well. I was not able to hand them out. The third time was for 3 gig flash drives. The flash drives worked but they were very expensive as were the pens. I don't think I will be using them anymore.

Strengths: Amsterdam Printing makes promotional printed products such as pens, mugs and shirts with company logo. They can put a company logo and advertisement on almost anything.

Needs to improve: Poor customer service, poor quality printing, poor quality pens and vey expensive.

I have used the Printing Source on a few occasions to print color glossy marketing brochures, I was very happy with the quality of the work and the fast turnaround. The graphic artwork was very impressive. They are more expensive than their competitors but they do great work.

Strengths: High quality commercial printing, great customer service, fast turnaround, ontime delivery, expert in house graphic designers.

Needs to improve: Can be pricey depending on how much color and detail needed

Last year at the annual staff picnic, I had the Ultimate Photobooth set up a photobooth complete with props. Everyone came thinking that the picnic was going to be dull, but the photbooth big hit at the party. Individuals and groups went in wearing all kinds of props and it was a great time. The pictures were a really great way to remember the event. For the entertainment they provided, it was very inexpensive.

Strengths: Great office party experience and entertainment. Great customer service, reliable, relatively inexpensive.

Needs to improve: None