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.
As a part of normal product lifecycles and to accommodate the shift towards modern technology and mobility, Microsoft will completely end support for Windows Server 2003 on July 14, 2015. Security patches and updates will no longer be available after this period. This Alert from the Department of Homeland Security indicates the seriousness of this event, and Microsoft encourages all businesses to carefully evaluate a migration plan.
Research from IDC confirms that businesses should thoughtfully consider using this moment as a starting point for the shift toward modern technology. “We think customers should take advantage of this deadline and see it as an opportunity not only to move forward to a newer version of Windows but also to modernize and prepare for the next generation of computers. Hybrid and public clouds are important components of next-generation IT.”
Safeguard your business and make migration a priority with these helpful links:
I recently met Raj Thakkar, a very successful entrepreneur. Nine years ago, while serving as a CFO for a Charter School, he saw many administrators who were very good with programs – but neglected the other side of the house – the finances. He went on to create Charter School Business Management that helps charters schools in managing their books, develop budgets, handle personnel and payroll. Two years ago, Raj was selected to participate in the Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Business Program. Raj told me that the Program helped him take a hard look at his organizational structure. He has built an incredibly successful business and has served more than 100 organizations along the way. If you are a small business and want to find out how the Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Business Program can help you, visit www.goldmansachs.com And that’s The Bottom Line, I’m Rob Walsh for 1010 WINS.
The Manhattan Chamber of Commerce Foundation, the educational 501c(3) affiliate of the Manhattan Chamber of Commerce, has initiated an awareness raising program to educate small and mid-size businesses on the human trafficking issue. Human trafficking is considered the worst human rights violation that takes place in the world today.
Businesses can be linked to trafficking through the recruitment, transport, harboring, or receipt of persons for the purpose of exploitation. Businesses also can be implicated unknowingly in human trafficking if their premises, products or services are used for trafficking or linked to trafficking through the actions of their suppliers or business partners.
The upcoming event scheduled for February 12th, 2015 the panel and talking points would include:
David Arkless- Chairman Arklight Consulting, founding counselor Board Member gBCAT Global Business Coalition Against Trafficking :Corporates and the human trafficking landscape/ Importance of corporate engagement/Issues and concerns.
Rosalee Keech- Board Member and UN Observer for the League of Women Voters:Business Operations and Compliance Implications/Zero Tolerance Program Components/Next Steps.
Debra Brown Steinberg, Founder, VS.: Confronting Modern Slavery in America, and Partner (Retired) of Cadwalader, Wickersham & Taft LLP: - Evolving Legislative front and update.
John Temple -Attorney-in-Charge, Human Trafficking Program, New York County District Attorney's Office -Office Human Trafficking Program-http://manhattanda.org/human-trafficking.
Moderator: Patricia Cole, Manhattan Chamber Anti Trafficking Founder and Program Director, representative of the UN RSHM NGO, Committee Stop Trafficking in Persons Coaltion at the UN.
These presentations will provide attendees with an understanding amongst other things of; the scope of Trafficking, the implications to the global business community, advocacy in action by small business and other corporate concerns and the benefits of involvement.
This Manhattan Chamber Anti-trafficking education program is an exemplary opportunity for good business to expand and strengthen their internal standards and corporate practices. It enables business to respond to the ever growing global demand for pro-active social involvement and commitment and the ability to join the fight to end human rights abuses and “modern slavery”.
Robert Cioffi Discussed Best Strategies for Data Recovery in Times of Crisis
Yonkers, NY, (January 8, 2014) – Progressive Computing Inc. CEO, Robert Cioffi, was a panelist at the “When Disaster Strikes is Your Business Ready?” Power Breakfast hosted by The Business Council of Westchester recently, which focused on crisis management in a digital age. The seminar was a part of the Business Council's ongoing series to educate their members and the business community of Westchester and was sponsored by Tompkins Mahopac Bank.
The event, which was held at the Crown Plaza in White Plains, NY, invited guests to be a part of a discussion on how to anticipate potential crises and what business owners should be prepared to do if an unexpected crisis should occur. Some discussion topics included budgeting for the unexpected, managing recovery plans, and the importance of data security. The expert panel was moderated by John Ravitz of The Business Council of Westchester and consisted of Robert Cioffi of Progressive Computing, Spencer Barback of Citrin Cooperman, Stephen Bedosky of York International Agency LLC, Jerry McKinstry of Thompson & Bender and John Vernazza of Cervalis.
During the panel discussion, Cioffi stated, "While there are many factors involved in creating a Disaster Recovery Plan, the two most critical components are Recovery Point Objective (RPO) and Recovery Time Objective (RTO)." According to Cioffi, RPO defines the frequency of data backups along with the length of time each backup is retained, and this needs to be high if the intention is to recover data minutes after disaster strikes. RTO is representative of how quickly systems can be up and running after a crisis arises.
"RPO and RTO are the main two cost drivers when selecting a disaster recovery solution," Cioffi said. "Think of them as the coverage options in an insurance policy. But keep in mind, your budget should be a function of your risk tolerance."
The Business Council of Westchester can be reached at (914) 694-3919 or visit their website at www.westchesterny.org/.
Launched by SWIFT (www.swift.com), the Innotribe Startup Challenge http://www.innotribe.com/startup-challenge introduces the world’s brightest startups to over 10,500 banking organisations, securities institutions and corporate customers over the world.
Applicants to the Startup Challenge enjoy online exposure and get introduced to a panel of industry experts, SWIFT's community members, investors and VCs, who will judge their application
Semi-finalists are selected by this top-quality judges to be invited to one of the four Regional Showcases taking place in London, Cape Town, Singapore and New York, where they gather for fast-paced company pitches, insightful discussions on emerging trends and innovation opportunities, and social networking events
The 20 most promising companies selected by the audience from across the four Regional Showcases - automatically secure their place as finalists in the Innotribe Startup Challenge Grand Finale, taking place at Sibos www.sibos.com, the world's premier financial services event organised by SWIFT. The event represents their unique chance to convince the banking sector at large to take on their innovative products and services
The early-stage startup selected as winner by the Sibos participants wins a $50KUSD cash prize
The challenge is open to early-stage and growth-stage startups working in financial technology or technology-enabled financial services (no consulting or outsourcing) such as payments, securities, trading, big data/data analytics, compliance, security, b2b or b2b2c mobile, small business apps and services and/or IT infrastructure.
To learn more and apply, visit http://www.innotribe.com/competition
NEW YORK – Winter’s chill has gripped the region, but Con Edison’s Green Team is urging managers of large commercial buildings to sign up for lucrative incentives from the company’s summer demand response programs.
The utility is inviting commercial customers that promise to reduce their electrical usage when temperatures soar and demand for electricity is high. The enrollment deadline is April 1 to start participating in May. The enrollment deadline is May 1 to start participating in June.
For every megawatt of reduction that a customer or aggregator of buildings provides, Con Edison will pay up to $500,000 over three years. That reward would be on top of the money the customer would save by lowering their electrical use.
“By participating in Con Edison’s demand response programs, managers of 800 buildings have made the smart choice to generate revenue while saving on their bills and helping to ensure that electric service is reliable in their communities,” said Rebecca Craft, director of Energy Efficiency and Demand Management programs at Con Edison. “It’s important for building managers who are interested to contact us soon so that we can set them up for the summer of 2015.”
Con Edison offers two demand response programs. In one, the company will notify the customer that buildings should conserve starting in two hours or less. In the other, the company will provide notification 21 hours in advance. In most cases, customers can participate in both programs simultaneously.
Half of the buildings in the program are office buildings. Retail buildings are next at 9 percent, followed by health-care facilities at 7 percent, and educational facilities at 6 percent. Industrial buildings, hotels, residential properties and houses of worship also participate.
A building must have an interval meter – which measures electricity usage every 15 minutes – to participate. The New York State Energy Research and Development Authority will provide a $1,500 rebate to building managers installing interval meters.
Con Edison also offers incentives of $800 per kilowatt up to 75 percent of the cost, for measures such as generators or software. To qualify, a building must enroll in the New York Independent System Operator (NYISO) Installed Capacity Special Case Resources Program. Most buildings are eligible to participate simultaneously in the NYISO and Con Edison demand response programs.
For more information on our Demand Response programs, go here or call the Green Team at 1-877-870-6118.
Con Edison is a subsidiary of Consolidated Edison, Inc. [NYSE: ED], one of the nation’s largest investor-owned energy companies, with approximately $12 billion in annual revenues and $41 billion in assets. The utility provides electric, gas and steam service to more than 3 million customers in New York City and Westchester County, New York.
The Con Edison Green Team has an Energy Efficiency program for everyone. To find programs that are right for you, visit www.conEd.com/greenteam or call the Green Team
Scotwork North America presents, Advancing Negotiation Skills (ANS), an interactive and intensive negotiation training program that will lead you and your team to win more business and gain a greater competitive edge.
Seats are going quickly! Start saving time and money NOW!
Courses are available in New York City:
• January: January 20th - January 23rd
• May: May 18th - May 21st
• July: July 13th - July 16th
• November: November 2nd - November 5th
Scotwork trains over 13,000 professionals each year around the world. The average client-reported return on investment within three months of the training exceeds ten times the course fees.
Intensive filming-based coaching delivered by negotiating experts will surface and correct common mistakes while building capability and enabling your teams to close deals faster. You and your team will:
• Resist price/margin pressure
• Lock down agreements more firmly
• Build successful, long-term relationships with your customers or suppliers
Why Scotwork?
Scotwork uses the same simple, ethical and effective process to manage negotiations worldwide in 34 countries including across Latin America, EMEA and Asia
For more information or to book a seat, please contact Scotwork North America at 973.428.1991 or USA@Scotwork.com
In keeping with its mission to advocate for, connect with and educate the Manhattan business community, the Manhattan Chamber of Commerce is pleased to present The Voice of Manhattan Business.
Broadcast live every Wednesday at 12:00 Noon (Eastern Time), VMB provides updates on Chamber advocacy efforts and events, and features an in-depth interview with a leading political figure, business advocate or Chamber member. The program includes questions from listeners.
