NYC's New Business Acceleration Team Aids Union Square Hospitality Group in Opening Restaurants & Understanding the Rules!

Below is a testimony and thank you from the Union Sq. Hosp. Group as to how NBAT helped them open restaurants and understand rules and compliance. Great stuff! See the following link for more info: http://www.nyc.gov/html/nbat/html/home/home.shtml


Dear Stephen,

Here are some of the many benefits we’ve enjoyed as a result of NBAT’s efforts:

*Clarity on next steps for permit application, job approval, and sign-off
*Clarity on the impact that one permit has on the next (e.g. DOB approval of equipment not on MEP list, which then leads to FDNY approval of placement, which in turn leads to FDNY suppression test and approval)
*A “no permit left behind” mentality that had our client manager, Elizabeth Gelpi, making sure all that we were aligned in our applications
*Helpful, friendly inspectors!
*We were treated like what we were doing (two full restaurant build-outs) was positive for the City (which we like to think it is, and if you’ve dined at North End Grill or Blue Smoke Battery Park City lately, I think “positive” makes the grade!) rather than trying to pull one over on the City
*Our contractors were treated with respect
*There were no screaming matches as there have been on job sites in the past
*Inspectors took their time and demystified their decision-making process
*“One-stop shopping” for all queries and concerns
*We never heard “that’s not my job; go ask another agency”
*An honoring, philosophical shift and the dignity that comes from being treated as a “client” (NBAT’s excellent term) by each inspecting agency.

Many thanks for all your team's help & all the best,
Austin

AUSTIN PUBLICOVER • OPERATIONS MANAGER,
COMPLIANCE & FACILITIES

UNION SQUARE
HOSPITALITY GROUP

24 UNION SQUARE EAST, 6TH FLOOR, NEW YORK CITY 10003
USHGNYC.COM • @USHGNYC

NYC Launches Business Customer Service Bill of Rights

This fall, there will be an enhanced effort by the City to make the business community aware of the “Business Owner’s Bill of Rights”. Established in 2010 by City Council and the Bloomberg Administration, the Bill of Rights outlines the prompt, efficient and easily accessible services that business owners should be provided with from the City. The rights include consistent enforcement of agency rules, fair inspections and great customer service.

In June, Mayor Michael Bloomberg announced the launch of the City’s Business Customer Service initiative. The initiative is part of the administration’s goal to make it easier for businesses to interact with City government by creating and institutionalizing business-friendly practices. In addition to expanding distribution of the Business Owner’s Bill of Rights the Mayor’s Office is also seeking input from business owners on their experiences through a customer survey. The online survey asks for feedback about professionalism of agencies, how clearly rules and information were communicated, and about the overall customer service experience. All comments and information submitted through the survey are confidential, unless the respondents would like to hear back from the city. Any details on the location of the business or the interaction are meant to pinpoint where the City can continue to improve service delivery. 

The Business Owner’s Bill of Rights can be found by visiting www.nyc.gov/bizrights. 

The Customer Feedback form can be found by visiting www.nyc.gov/customersurvey. (Also available in Spanish, Russian, Chinese, and Korean)

Learn more about the Business Customer Service Initiative on www.nyc.gov.

http://www.manhattancc.org/common/News/articles/detail.cfm?QID=9419&classification=news&clientID=11001&topicID=0

NYC Business Solutions Customized Training

NYC Business Solutions Customized Training Funds

NYC Business Solutions Customized Training provides access to employee training to keep businesses competitive and profitable. Customized Training eliminates the financial constraints that keep businesses from investing in staff development by providing awards of up to $400,000, which can cover 60-70% of eligible training costs. Tell your business associates about these great funding opportunities today!      To apply for Customized Training, applicants can complete the first step of the application process here. Once they complete the first step, applicants are immediately informed whether they are a good fit for Customized Training. We provide funding for training in these four areas: Training on recently purchased equipment or software Training to offer new services or products to reach new markets Training current staff to take on new responsibilities Training to provide employees with the updated skills they need to stay current and competitive. What are the benefits? Businesses awarded a NYC Business Solutions Customized Training grant report up to a:   20% increase in sales 20% decrease in costs 25% increase in productivity To learn more click here. If you have questions about Customized Training, please contact us at training@sbs.nyc.gov.  For more information on NYC Business Solutions Training: www.nyc.gov/training   |   training@sbs.nyc.gov   |   Call 311 and ask for "NYC Business Solutions Training"