The reason is that while I'm keenly aware of what I do well... of what I like to do... and what I want to do, I'm also keenly aware of what I don't do well. That's all the other stuff I need to do but hate to do -- you know, that side of the business that includes all the little unending but absolutely necessary chores that accompany the title of entrepreneur.
Welcome to the Manhattan Chamber of Commerce Manhattan Chamber of Commerce (MCC) is a vibrant business membership organization comprised of a cross section of 10,000 business members and subscribers ranging from sole proprietors to large corporations and multi-national firms. Connect with entrepreneurs, leaders and executives by becoming an MCC member today and help your business grow. Our mission is to advocate for, connect and educate the business community in Manhattan.
Tuesday, August 20, 2013
Would you hire yourself?
The reason is that while I'm keenly aware of what I do well... of what I like to do... and what I want to do, I'm also keenly aware of what I don't do well. That's all the other stuff I need to do but hate to do -- you know, that side of the business that includes all the little unending but absolutely necessary chores that accompany the title of entrepreneur.
The GREAT Tech Awards: Expanding NY Startups to the UK
We are currently accepting applications until September 6th, and will be announcing the final winners at a gala in NYC on October 2nd, 2013.
PS. Here’s a video clip highlighting the GREAT Tech Awards: www.youtube.com/watch?v=VLDIp6owM94
Are you a New York tech company with global aspirations? Or a British tech company who has successfully expanded to New York?
Five New York-based technology companies in categories listed below will win a GREAT opportunity to explore expansion to the
UK during an exclusive business development visit to London
from 14-19 October 2013:
1. Hardware
2. Education
3. Lifestyle
4. Finance
5. Media
Prize package for the New York winners includes: One premium economy round-trip airplane ticket provided by Virgin Atlantic Airlines departing from JFK on October 14, and returning from LHR on October 19, 2013, a meeting with a senior representative at No.10 Downing St., over $4,000 worth of legal services courtesy of Taylor Wessing LLP, a two-day customized business development program in London (15-16 October), one entry pass to London’s Wired 2013 Conference (17-18 October 2013), an introductory meeting with a major British brand to be selected by Sponsor, a tour of co-working and shared office spaces in London, a complimentary BritishAmerican Business annual corporate membership (in either London or New York), a complimentary Gold Ticket Registration to the BritishAmerican Business Christmas Luncheon (in either London or New York), a half page feature on all winners in BritishAmerican Business New York Network magazine
Ben Lerer, CEO/Co-founder of Thrillist Media Group and Lerer Ventures;
David Karp, CEO/Founder of Tumblr
John Borthwick, CEO/Co-founder of Betaworks
Margaret Dohnalek, Global Head of Technology, PepsiCo;
Simon Bradley, Vice President, Marketing, North America, Virgin Atlantic Airlines
Advisory Board:
Elizabeth Gould, Senior Producer at Bloomberg Media;
Paul Murphy, Senior Vice President at Betaworks;
Shivon Zilis, VC at Bloomberg Beta;
Tarek Pertew, CEO/Founder of Wakefield Media and Uncubed;
Ziv Navoth, CEO/Co-founder of Paragraph and Tech City Investment Organization Advisor
Apply now!
Applications will close at 11:55pm EST on Friday, 6 September.
To apply, please click here.
When will the winners be announced?
on 2 October in Manhattan. For more updates on The Tech Awards,
follow us @UKTItechNY #GREATtech
Wednesday, August 14, 2013
The world is going survey happy
That doesn't include the several that popped up after I made online purchases. One popup survey asked about my "experience" visiting their website. Well, not only didn't I buy anything but I couldn't find what I was looking for. So I didn't answer.
Some of the surveys that arrive as emails are quite long. I think the one that lands in my inbox following any service on my car must be the longest. My guess is that it contains about 40 questions -- many of which are extremely repetitive. (A high-powered marketing/testing firm obviously designed the survey because it asks the same question several times but in different ways. An old trick to get to try to get to the truth.) Continue Reading...
Please take my Survey on Surveys.
Sorry. But you know I couldn't resist. CLICK HERE.
New York Academy of Medicine Launches First Annual Age Smart Employer Awards
NYAM and Age-Friendly NYC Honor New York City Employers Who Value Workers of All Ages
New York, NY (August 14, 2013) – The New York Academy of Medicine (NYAM) announces the first annual Age Smart Employer Awards, the first of its kind that honors New York City employers who value workers of all ages. With a deadline to submit applications by October 1, 2013 online, the Awards is an initiative by NYAM and Age-Friendly NYC and funded by the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation. Winners will join the distinguished family of Sloan Award winners throughout the U.S., as well as having exclusive use of the Age Smart Employer Awards 2013 logo, promotion at national and international conferences and will be honored at a ceremony with civic and business leaders in January 2014.
“Today, 700,000 of New York City’s workers are over 55 and they hold a disproportionate percentage of jobs that support the sectors and industries that drive NYC’s economy,” says Nancy Ploeger, President of the Manhattan Chamber of Commerce. “It is important for New York businesses to plan for population aging and to take action to enhance the contributions of older workers as a key competitive advantage. NYAM’s Age Smart Employer Awards will rightly recognize those organizations who are leading the way to use every employee’s best abilities.”
“For the first time in history, the number of older adults in developed countries is growing faster than the number of young people,” says Ruth Finkelstein, Senior Vice President of Policy and Planning at NYAM. “Fueled by increased longevity and declining birth rates, this global phenomenon is transforming societies and economies around the world and is reflected in our workforce. Companies such as BMW, Wells Fargo and Marriott International have already implemented strategies that address the aging workforce, demonstrating increases in productivity and/or profits. Our mission is to acknowledge NYC companies who are also embracing the multigenerational workplace, creating innovative and talented management to stay ahead of the curve.”
Employers of all types and sizes are eligible, including for-profit, non-profit and public entities. Organizations will be considered, based on their ability to demonstrate that their workplace optimizes the talent of older workers and creates environments that capitalize on age-diverse workforces, while meeting both business and employee goals. While applicants do not necessarily have to be headquartered in NYC, there must be a workforce presence in New York City and they must have been in operation for at least one year.
An external selection committee which includes leaders in City & State, technology, healthcare, and other corporate, private and public companies will choose the winners. The committee includes: Committee Chair Robert Kaufman of Proskauer Rose LLP; Suri Duitch of the City University of New York; William Floyd of Google; Tom Harrison of Omnicom; Michael Hodin of Global Coalition on Aging; Gail Magaliff of FEGS Health & Human Services System; Robert Nadig, MD; Lee Perlman of Greater New York Hospital Association (GNYHA); Carol Raphael; Jack Watters, MD of Pfizer; Anne Weisberg of Future Work Institute; and Ursula Staudinger of Columbia University.
Award winners will be announced in December and will be honored at a ceremony in January 2014. For more information, visit http://www.nyam.org/age-smart-employer/competition.html
# # #
Age Smart Employer Awards is an initiative of Age-friendly NYC and The New York Academy of Medicine (NYAM), funded by the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation. These awards honor New York City employers who value workers of all ages. The goal of the Age Smart Employer Awards is to identify and promote innovative strategies employers use in New York City use to create age-smart workplaces.
The New York Academy of Medicine (NYAM) advances the health of people in cities. An independent organization since 1847, NYAM addresses the health challenges facing the world’s urban populations through interdisciplinary approaches to policy leadership, innovative research, evaluation, education, and community engagement. Drawing on the expertise of diverse partners worldwide and more than 2,000 elected Fellows from across the professions, NYAM’s current priorities are to create environments in cities that support healthy aging; to strengthen systems that prevent disease and promote the public’s health; and to eliminate health disparities.
Age-friendly NYC is a public-private partnership between NYAM, the NYC Office of the Mayor, and the New York City Council dedicated to making New York City a great place to grow old by promoting active engagement of older adults in all aspects of city life. Age-friendly NYC’s contributions to the lives of older New Yorkers have attracted widespread attention locally, nationally, and internationally, and the initiative has become a model for similar efforts in other cities. Age-friendly NYC was the first city to be recognized by the World Health Organization’s (WHO) Global Network of Age-friendly Cities, a network of more than 100 cities around the world - See more at:http://www.nyam.org/news/press-releases/2013/2013-05-23.html#sthash.Hgyh2kkv.dpuf
Wednesday, August 7, 2013
Community Internship Program - LEAP
Get Talented, Job-Ready Interns!
LEAP (Learn as you Earn Advancement Program) is a NYCEDC funded program through the “LINK” Initiative (Leveraging Innovations and our Neighborhoods in the Knowledge community). The LEAP Program connects Associate and Certificate candidates to jobs in growing, in-demand occupations. The program seeks to address issues affecting student graduation rates including limited work place skills, financial burden and limited post-graduation placement opportunities.
The LEAP Program is a great opportunity for employers to select ambitious, skilled, goal oriented interns to work at their organizations at a cost effective rate. Participating employers also have the option of hiring students they have trained as full time employees upon completion of their degree program. Students receive soft-skills training in the classroom and career counseling support during, and post-internship, resulting in program completion and full-time job placement. Students are selected from local community colleges and certificate programs in the specific sectors they are studying and are only accepted into the program if they meet the program prerequisites.
Our ambitious, skilled and goal-oriented students are ready to be placed in the following sectors:
- Administrative
- Accounting/Bookkeeping
- Information Technology/Web Development
Employer Participation:
Internships in any of the following sectors: Administrative/Assistant, Accounting/Bookkeeping, IT/Web Development
Commitment for open feedback on the internships (helps with improving program/student training/preparation
Paid Internship offering minimum of $8.00 -$15.00 per hour (employers discretion)
Danielle Schweibert
EDSI | Program Manager
Learn as you Earn Advancement Program (LEAP)
250 Schermerhorn Street, 2nd Floor
C: 347.286.1624
Tuesday, August 6, 2013
MCC Thanks July Renewing Members!
Company
|
Name
|
Website
|
ACC1O - Catalonia Trade
& Investment
|
Clara Gutierrez
|
|
Allan Fried, Career and
Life Coaching
|
Allan Fried
|
|
Altios International
|
Alexis Martin
|
|
BA Cleaning Service ETC
|
Amienata Bah
|
|
Capitales Fijos
|
Estefano Brandell
|
|
Carr Business Systems
|
Evan Donin
|
|
Catch New York
|
Joseph Perello
|
|
Concept O'Connor
|
Susan O'Connor
|
|
Consulate General of the
Netherlands
|
NYC-EA CGNY
|
|
Creative Environment Solutions (CES) Corp
|
Victoria Drozdov
|
|
Fromme Productions LLC
|
Carolynne Fromme
|
|
Integrity First Senior
Care
|
Claudette Duff
|
|
KF Fit Inc.
|
Kelly Jo Drejfald
|
|
Kleinfeld Technical
Services, Inc.
|
Jack Kleinfeld
|
|
Mercedes de Rosas
|
Mercedes de Rosas
|
|
Mi Kitchen Es Su Kitchen®
|
Kathrine Gregory
|
|
NYCharities.org
|
Cristine Cronin
|
|
PlanBee
|
Barbara Scully
|
|
Prestone Printing Company
|
Kenneth Sassano
|
|
ProChile - Trade Commision
of Chile
|
Alejandro Cerda
|
|
State Farm Insurance
|
Brock Barrett
|
|
The Action Environmental
Group
|
Ron Bergamini
|
|
The Art Institute of New
York City
|
Jennifer Ramey
|
|
The BullBuster Cafe and
Boardroom
|
Heather Markel
|
|
Working Sage
|
Bianca Di Salvo
|
|
Yelp
|
Darnell Holloway
|
|
MCC Welcomes July New Members!
Profile Organization Name
|
Main Contact's Report Name
|
Profile Website
|
A Guide Named Sue
|
Susan Katz
|
|
ALARIO INT'L CORP
|
Luann Alario
|
|
BarWrite and BarWrite Press
|
Mary Campbell Gallagher
|
|
Celeritas Solutions
|
Imran Husain
|
|
ChinaSolved Consulting
|
Andrew Hupert
|
|
Coca-Cola
|
Gary Mcelyea
|
|
Colucci & Umans
|
Frank J. Colucci
|
|
CouProm Inc.
|
Elise Colomer
|
|
Empire Global Ventures LLC
|
Alexandra Stanton
|
|
Float4 Interactive
|
Fanny Sun
|
|
Gold Shield Elite Investigation
|
Leonard Golino
|
|
Gramercy Dental Arts, PLLC
|
Jay Neuhaus
|
|
Greek Trade Office
|
Apostolos Digbassanis
|
|
Halstead Property, LLC
|
Salvatore Fichera
|
|
Huntington Learning Center
|
Laura Gehringer
|
|
Taipei Economic & Cultural Office in NY
|
Pauline Tzuang
|
|
J.J.Park Realty LLC
|
Julia (Jisoon) Park
|
|
Jersey Mike's Subs
|
Henry Gallo
|
|
Kasirer Consulting
|
Suri Kasirer
|
|
KEVYN AUCOIN BEAUTY
|
Danny Griffin
|
|
LifeSmith University
|
Kathleen Day
|
|
Mautone Enterprises LLC
|
Nicholas Mautone
|
|
Merchant Industry
|
Raj Kothapalli
|
|
Nest Seekers International
|
Ingrid Boyd
|
|
New Business Specialist
|
Norma Siciliano
|
|
Novotel New York Times Square
|
Arielle Desoucey
|
|
NYG Limousine
|
Javaid Chaudhry
|
|
Operation Homefront Tri-State
|
Daniel Hooker
|
|
Pisarkiewicz Mazur
|
||
PlantsFashion Inc.
|
Guillermo Rodas
|
|
Ramscale Productions Inc.
|
Gail Bruce
|
|
Savoca Enterprises Inc.
|
Sharon Mahin
|
|
SetUFree Virtual Services
|
Ronnelle Melwood
|
|
Shillster
|
Michael Tracy
|
|
The Display Shop Inc.
|
Manuel Rodrigues
|
|
The HR Advantage
|
Barbara Walters
|
|
The Jace Solution
|
Joe Christi
|
|
Town Sports International
|
Gary Klencheski
|
|
True Identity Branding
|
Faith Kinslow
|
|
Tyga-Box Systems, Inc.
|
Nadine Cino Leed Ap
|
|
ZettaMobile, Inc.
|
Kevin Bowers
|
MCC Guest Blogger Gil Effron: Start with the End in Mind
There's nothing that I enjoy more than a road trip... grabbing a stack of maps and heading out to visit friends and family in Cleveland, Cincinnati, Charlotte, Asheville, St. Louis, Boston, and throughout Florida.
Well, that's the way it used to be... because that stack of maps is gone. In fact, I rarely remember to put them in the car (and often regret that I don't).
So now, instead of the maps, I have my trusty GPS that allows me to calculate and count down miles, minutes, and seconds remaining in any given trip.
Regardless of where we're going (unless it's for a ride for the sake of simply taking a ride and burning some fuel) in order to get somewhere, it's important for us to know where we're going. In other words, we need a destination. And the more specific that destination is, the better. (I don't know about your GPS, but ours doesn't like vague destination points like "Charlotte." It needs a specific address.)
Whether we're conscious of it or not, pretty much everything we do somehow starts with the end in mind. If we want to learn how to play golf, bake a cake, go to a movie, finish that book we started three vacations ago... they all start with the end in mind. Continue reading...
Best regards,
Gil Effron
Gil@GilEffron.com
GilEffron@TheGrowthTeam.org
555 Fifth Avenue, 14th Floor
New York, New York 10017
347-920-3272 | 800-226-2428
Monday, August 5, 2013
Launch of ConnectNYC Fiber Access
Program Will Provide Services to Small or Medium-Sized Companies
New York City Economic Development Corporation (NYCEDC) has announced the launch of the second round of ConnectNYC Fiber Access, an innovative, City-sponsored program providing free construction and installation of fiber optic cable directly to businesses. The program is designed to assist small or medium-sized businesses in unwired or underwired buildings by providing an opportunity to connect the building to fiber infrastructure. It addresses challenges facing fiber optic expansion by expediting build-out and efficiently bringing together commercial and industrial business demand for fiber broadband connectivity. ConnectNYC Fiber Access is part of the suite of initiatives originally announced by the City in 2012 to ensure New York City continues to establish itself as a leader in connectivity and innovation in the 21st Century. Companies can apply to receive the free construction at www.nycfiberaccess.com.
Applications for ConnectNYC Fiber Access will be evaluated based on the potential impact of fiber on the applicant’s business and feasibility of fiber construction at the building’s location. Companies based in New York City with fewer than 500 employees are eligible to apply. Approved applicants that
successfully negotiate a one-year service contract with one of five participating Internet Service Providers (ISPs), including Time Warner Cable Business Class and Cablevision, will receive free construction and installation, a cost that can be prohibitive to new businesses looking to install fiber cable. Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis through December 12, 2013.
The second iteration of ConnectNYC Fiber Access incorporates three additional ISPs – Lightower, tw telecom and Stealth Communications – which will join Time Warner Cable Business Class and Cablevision to provide program participants with additional options in selecting a fiber provider. Upon completion of installation for the second round of programming, up to $14 million worth of fiber wiring will have been provided in total by the five participating ISPs.
ConnectNYC Fiber Access is being led by NYCEDC in partnership with ChallengePost, a New York City startup that enables competitive public problem-solving. The goal of the competition is to capitalize on New York City’s existing advantages in connectivity and innovation, while also addressing long-term challenges facing the City. The first round of ConnectNYC connected 24 companies with high-speed Internet through Time Warner Cable Business Class and Cablevision, with several more companies currently in negotiations. 3rd Ward, a business incubator that offers a series of educational classes located in the North Brooklyn Industrial Business Zone, is one of the companies to receive a free fiber build-out. Their multi-disciplinary creative classes and co-working space, which houses hundreds of small businesses, ensure that local manufacturers have the tools they need in order to succeed. Through the ConnectNYC program, 3rd Ward signed a contract with Time Warner Cable Business Class, which increased their Internet speed by 500%. The full list of businesses participating in the first round of ConnectNYC can be found on the first round’s website: http://nycfiberchallenge.com/submissions.
Friday, August 2, 2013
Museum of Food and Drink Announces First Exhibit: BOOM! the Puffing Gun and the Rise of Breakfast Cereal
EXHIBIT TO DEBUT AT NYC SUMMER STREETS ON SATURDAY, AUGUST 17TH
July 23, 2013 (New York, NY) - The Museum of Food and Drink has announced the public debut for its first exhibit, BOOM! The Puffing Gun and the Rise of Breakfast Cereal. BOOM! will be stationed at Summer Streets on Saturday, August 17th in Foley Square, from 7 am-1 pm. During Summer Streets’ free, annual celebration, nearly seven miles of the city’s streets are closed to traffic and opened to the public. MOFAD's exhibit will be among other fun activities open to visitors, including art installations, performances, and a rock climbing wall.
BOOM! The Puffing Gun and the Rise of Breakfast Cereal will explain the science behind cereal production, and explore how the cereal industry became the behemoth that it is. The centerpiece of the exhibit will be an authentic, fully-functioning puffing gun, a 3,200-pound machine based on technology that revolutionized the cereal industry in the early 1900s, and originally produced puffed cereals like Kix and Cheerios. BOOM! will be unlike any other museum exhibit ever seen before: the steaming, spinning puffing gun will pump out cereal before visitor’s eyes and provide a taste of the freshly puffed product.
Founded by culinary innovator, Dave Arnold (Booker and Dax), MOFAD’s culinary board includes notable NYC chefs on its culinary board, including Mario Batali, Wylife Dufresne (wd~50 and Alder), Mark Ladner (Del Posto), Anita Lo (Annisa) and more. MOFAD’s long-term objective is to create a brick-and-mortar museum that will revolutionize the way people think about -- and experience -- food. Until MOFAD has a permanent home, the museum will consist of a series of mobile pop-up exhibits like BOOM!. By doing this, MOFAD can begin building the museum, exhibit by exhibit, and immediately take its dynamic educational approach into schools and communities in New York and beyond.
For press inquiries contact: press@mofad.org // (212) 228-5482
For more info visit: www.mofad.org // Twitter: @mofad
NYC spending $500 million in 2013 fleet renewal
The new equipment will also include 20 CNG-powered heavy-duty trucks for refuse collection and other sanitation applications, and CNG-powered cargo vans from GMC for park maintenance and other chores, as well as 60 plug-in EVs from Ford and Nissan.
Other green-fleet initiatives already undertaken by New York’s municipal fleet operations include a citywide mandate that all diesel-powered trucks – including emergency equipment such as fire trucks – run on B5 biodiesel, with non-emergency vehicles switching to B20 from April to November. The city has also embarked on a retrofit program for diesel particulate filters (DPFs) for older trucks and completed work on threenatural gas fueling facilities, one solely dedicated to heavy trucks run by the Sanitation department.
Kerman was speaking at the 25th annual fleet show hosted by the N.Y.C. Parks Dept. in the old World’s Fair Grounds. The Parks’ fleet operations, which were once headed by Kerman, holds the show every spring to introduce other city agencies and nearby municipal fleets to new truck technology, much of it focused on clean diesel and alternative fuels.
New this year at the show was a ceremony announcing the first “certified” fleets under a new Empire Green Fleets program sponsored by the area’s local Clean Cities organization, Empire Clean Cities. The group analyzes equipment and fuel-use data from fleets seeking the certification, focusing on reductions in petroleum use and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, according to Christina Ficicchia, executive dir.
Thursday, August 1, 2013
MCC Awardee Century 21 Department Store Hits Fundraising Milestone For Tuesday's Children
(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20130625/NY37675 )
(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20121113/NY11144LOGO )
The song, which was written and performed by Century 21 Co-Owner Eddie Gindi, hit #1 on the Billboard Singles Sales Chart this month and embodies the emotional journey of those affected by the 9/11 catastrophe. As a second generation, family-owned business, Century 21's downtown flagship location has been the area's fashion anchor for over 50 years. The store was at the center of the 9/11 disaster and its reopening marked a pivotal point in the rebirth of lower Manhattan.
Hearts of Gold's Summer Events Raise $123,000 for NYC’s Homeless Mothers & Children
Hearts of Gold's summer fundraising events have raised more than $123,000 for New York City's homeless mothers and their children. Hearts of Gold (http://www.heartsofgold.org), a not-for-profit organization that fosters sustainable change in lifestyle and levels of self-sufficiency for New York City’s homeless mothers and their children, today announced that its summer fundraising events have raised more than $123,000 in support of the organization.
Update from MCC Platinum Partner Wells Fargo
Wells Fargo also recognizes how important businesses are to the landscape of a city, and Manhattan’s thriving and diversified economy presents tremendous opportunities for entrepreneurs. We have bankers throughout Manhattan who can help business owners access the capital and financial services required to operate their businesses. And as America’s #1 SBA 7(a) lender, we are committed to providing the tools and resources an emerging company needs to help achieve long-term financial success.
As important as business growth is to Manhattan, we are equally committed to strengthening our neighborhoods through volunteering and supporting local non-profits. Nationally, Wells Fargo is the top corporate donor to U.S. non-profits. In 2012, the company contributed $10.6 million to approximately 400 New York non-profits and schools through corporate and foundation giving.
Again, I’m so excited about Wells Fargo’s growing presence in this great city. We have nearly 3,000 associates here ready to help satisfy all our customers’ financial needs, and I encourage you to start a conversation with one of them today. Visit www.wellsfargo.com or one of our local stores for more information on how we can help you plan for a secure financial future.