Center for Economic Growth

Webinar: Training Your Business for a Clean Energy Future
2020-03-26 14:00 - 15:00 UTC | NY
Co-hosted by The Business Council, NYSERDA, and National Grid
For your business to maximize the value of a comprehensive energy management strategy, it is essential to invest in your most important resource. Your human resource! When you nurture employees with the right mixture of education and training you will increase profitability, attract and retain skilled talent, and reduce the cost of doing business. Whether you are building a workforce to drive operational excellence and optimize production performance or are identifying ways to increase profitability and lower operating expenses, professional development and training for current and future employees provides a proven pathway to long-term savings and benefits for your business.
During this webinar you will learn about:

Training opportunities for building operations and maintenance staff
Funding to hire clean energy interns and full-time staff
Programs to develop training capacity, increase productivity, develop efficiencies, and facilitate growth

Speakers:
Adele Ferranti – NYSERDA Program Manager for Workforce Development and Training
Katie Newcombe – National Grid Senior Economic Developer
Andrew Kennedy – President and CEO of the Center for Economic Growth

No cost to participate.
Register >>

Webinar: "Keep Calm and Carry On" | Crisis Communications in the Time of Coronavirus
2020-03-27 12:30 - 14:00 UTC | NY
We are facing an unprecedented crisis that many businesses have never encountered before. Business owners and marketers are facing disruption over many weeks and months, and our customers are experiencing the uncertainty of not knowing when, and if, things will return to normal.
The American Marketing Association and Urban Co-Works have pulled together an expert panel of marketing and communications professionals who have a diverse experience of dealing with crisis communications. They will be available to answer some of the most important questions that you may have about how to continue to communicate with your customers and keep them informed and engaged during this unprecedented and frightening period of uncertainty.
Who are the panel?

Will Trevor (Moderator) – President of the American Marketing Association New York Capital Region Chapter.
Andrew Mangini – Partner at Gramercy Communications
Susan Bardack – Founder/CEO at Buzz Media Solutions
Jon Pierce – Owner, Pierce Communications
Eric McDowell – President of The Eric Idea Agency for Public Relations

What will I learn?

How do I manage this crisis in the most effective way possible?
How do I continue to communicate with my customers?
How do I ensure that I keep my customers engaged so that I can regain their business when it is all over?
What are some of the best practices that other businesses are doing?
What are the lessons from how brands have handled other crises in the past?

REGISTER HERE>>

POSTPONED: 11th Annual Industry-Academia Days
2020-04-01 - 2020-04-02 | NY
11th Annual Industry-Academia Days
April 1st & 2nd, 2020
“How do we get to SMART Cities?”
Troy, NY
The program will take place at the Hilton Garden Inn in Troy, New York on Wednesday, April 1st &
the LESA Center Thursday, April 2nd on the RPI campus.
Registration is required for attending this event.

Industry-Academia Days is a two-day event that brings together our Center members, industry experts and Rensselaer faculty experts to take part in an on-going dialogue on the challenges and opportunities in the connected environment. Each year we strive to create a robust program aimed at encouraging an on-going conversation on technological innovation through presentations, insightful panel discussions, networking opportunities and laboratory tours, among others.
This year’s theme will explore topics on how we use Machine Learning, Artificial Intelligence, Augmented and Virtual Reality, Communications and Healthcare in the Built Environment to create the SMART, connected communities of the future.
LESA is an interdisciplinary, multi-university NSF graduated Engineering Research Center developing autonomous, intelligent “Systems that ThinkTM” to address societal needs with engineered solutions in the connected environment transforming how people live and work.
2020 Speakers
Robert Boyajieff, Sr. Account Executive Building Performance & Sustainability, Siemens
Mark Lien, Industry Relations Manager, Illuminating Engineering Society (IES)
Dennis Sheldon, Associate Professor & Director Digital Building Lab, Georgia Tech
Arunas Tuzikas, Sr. Research Engineer, LESA

LEARN MORE and REGISTER HERE>>>

Update on the CARES Act (Coronavirus Aid, Relief, Economic Security)
2020-04-01 14:30 - 15:00 UTC | NY
COVID 19 is causing economic distress across the country. The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, Economic Security Act was passed in order to assist with the economic downturn. This act is meant to aid Americans, small businesses and major industries during these trying times. Urban Co-Works and Pioneer Bank are teaming up to provide clarifying information on this act.
*If you have further questions specific to you or your own business please reach out to Heidi Knoblauch at Knoblauchh@pioneerbanking.com or your financial institution for more guidance.

REGISTER HERE>>

Webinar: Update on the CARES Act
2020-04-01 14:30 - 15:00 (America/New_York) | NY
COVID 19 is causing economic distress across the country. The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, Economic Security Act was passed in order to assist with the economic downturn. This act is meant to aid Americans, small businesses and major industries during these trying times. Urban Co-Works and Pioneer Bank are teaming up to provide clarifying information on this act.
REGISTER >>

Cares Act Information Sessions: 3 Session Times Available
2020-04-02 - 2020-04-03 | NY
Cares Act Information Session
The Cares Act business relief programs are now available. These information sessions will provide an overview of:

Economic Injury Disaster Loan Program Overview
Paycheck Protection Program Overview
Eligibility Requirements
Application Processes
Picking the Right Program for Your Business
Assistance Resources

All information sessions will be held virtually on the Zoom platform. Registered participants will be sent the link for the session that they registered for with instructions on how to access the session.
Sessions:
April 2, 2020 : 1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. Register Here>>
April 2, 2020: 3:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. Register Here>>

Cares Act Information Sessions: 4 Sessions Available
2020-04-03 - 2020-04-04 | NY
Cares Act Information Session
The Cares Act business relief programs are now available. These information sessions will provide an overview of:

Economic Injury Disaster Loan Program Overview
Paycheck Protection Program Overview
Eligibility Requirements
Application Processes
Picking the Right Program for Your Business
Assistance Resources

All information sessions will be held virtually on the Zoom platform. Registered participants will be sent the link for the session that they registered for with instructions on how to access the session.

April 3, 2020: 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. Register Here>>
April 3, 2020 : 1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. Register Here>>
April 3, 2020: 3:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. Register Here>>
April 3, 2020: 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Register Here>>

COVID19 Solutions Investor call
2020-04-03 11:00 - 12:00 (America/New_York) | NY
INNOVATE TO VENTILATE – COVID19 Solutions Investor Call

We are leveraging our network of over 100 Business Incubators, Accelerators and Economic Development entities to support innovative efforts against COVID19.

REGISTER HERE>>

How to Succeed at Selling Remotely: Webinar Series by Sandler Training
2020-04-14 08:30 - 09:30 (America/New_York) | NY
We are all now forced to sell and lead remotely. Are you and your team ready?
You will learn how to:

Create a successful mindset.
Adjust your approach in light of the current crisis.
Avoid common remote selling pitfalls.
Follow a selling process that puts you in control.

Register Here>>

Virtual Small Business Survival Forum
2020-04-16 08:30 - 09:30 (America/New_York) | NY
Join Assemblymembers Patricia Fahy and John McDonald, III along with Center for Economic Growth and Albany Small Business Development Center for a virtual small business forum this Thursday, April 16th, from 8:30 A.M. – 9:30 A.M.
This ‘Small Business Survival Forum’ will be streamed through Zoom and Facebook Live and will focus on helping small business owners, microenterprises, and start-ups in the creative economy navigate resources available to them at the state and federal level during the global COVID-19.
Hear from Andrew Kennedy, President & CEO of the Center for Economic Growth (CEG), and Kate Baker, Interim Director with the Small Business Development Center.
Learn more on the Facebook event page here: https://www.facebook.com/events/221544132449628/

A Very Special BizLab-Clarkson Lunchtime Entrepreneurship Series Event
2020-04-16 13:00 - 13:30 (America/New_York) | NY
On Thursday, April 16 we will be hosting a very special virtual BizLab-Clarkson Lunch.The fact is, we miss these monthly get-togethers. So we decided to check in with past BizLab-Clarkson speakers and hear from them and hear how they are leading in the midst of the #coronavirus crisis.
Join us when we launch the video on Thursday, April 16, 2020 on our YouTube channel and our Facebook page. That’s when our next BizLab-Clarkson lunch would have been. So, grab a sandwich, some chips, veggies, a soda or water, sit back and enjoy. Hopefully, you’ll be encouraged by this conversation that we held recently.
Joining us on this panel are:
* Jeff Buell of Redburn Development
* Antonio Civitella of Transfinder and the New York BizLab
* David Dussault of P1 Industries
* Heidi Knoblauch of Plumb Oyster Bar and Pioneer Bank
* Bela Musits formerly of Clarkson (retired)
This discussion is moderated by Rick D’Errico, the BizLab’s managing director and Transfinder’s director of public relations.

REGISTER HERE>>

Sales Role Play Scenarios: Webinar Series by Sandler Training
2020-04-21 08:30 - 09:30 (America/New_York) | NY
Our Sandler trainers will demonstrate these four common sales scenarios. You will leave the webinar with proven techniques that you can use when you encounter these situations in your sales calls/meetings.

Overcoming objections.
Identifying how your clients want to be communicated to.
How to gain and maintain control of your sales call and sales cycle.
How to identify if you can turn a suspect into a prospect.

Register Here>>

The Manufacturer's Guide to FDA Regulations, Guidance, and the Emergency Use Act
2020-04-21 11:00 - 12:00 (America/New_York) | NY
This webinar will present information on products regulated by the FDA, and a brief description of the FDA clearance and approvals process. We will also discuss how the Emergency Use Act and COVID-19 related guidance can help manufacturers striving to produce medical devices during pandemic related shortages.
Presented by: Michelle Bonn, President, Guideline Medical Consulting.
REGISTER HERE>>

** POSTPONED ** Machining & Fabrication Showcase
2020-04-22 08:00 - 14:00 UTC | Gene F. Haas Center for Advanced Manufacturing, 80 Vandenburgh Ave,, Troy, NY, 12180
UPDATE: Due to the viral nature of COVID-19, and in keeping with the governor’s recent announcement this event has been postponed for the foreseeable future. We will announce a new date once it is deemed safe to have large events once more.
New York’s Tech Valley is the place to turn, mill, drill, paint, weld, finish, and fabricate. Whether you’re a Mom and Pop machine shop, an additive manufacturer in global markets, or an in-house toolmaker serving a single customer, now is the time to forge new connections.

Many local companies would like to shorten their supply chains, but they’re not sure where to look. Sometimes, it’s for a material supply or an equipment service. Sheet metal machining is in high demand, too. There are also common challenges like training and workforce development.
FuzeHub’s Solutions Forum is your opportunity to connect with this community. You’ll discover resources, customers, and suppliers while building mutually beneficial relationships. Join FuzeHub, CEG, and RPI MIC on April 22nd for the Machining and Fabrication Showcase.

Learn more and Register HERE>>>

Webinar 1: COVID-19: A Supply Chain Perspective
2020-04-22 08:30 - 09:30 (America/New_York) | NY
Join us for a free webinar series offering insight on the
COVID-19 pandemic’s affect on business and how we can move past it.
No cost to attend; please RSVP below.
If you are unable to join, select webinars will be recorded and available on our website.

Date: Wednesday, April 22 | 8:30 – 9:30am
Presented by: Tom Valentine, VP, Transport America, Mainfreight USA
Program Description: The impact of Covid19 across every commercial channel has been devastating. While we are humbled and saddened by the human effects, there has never been an industrial, societal or geo-political environment that has exposed this level of vulnerability within global supply chains. Through this lens, we can begin to see where the commercial movement of goods has been re-started and what aspects of supply chain remain stopped. We will identify vulnerabilities that were exposed by recent events, discuss the challenges that remain moving forward and identify critical calls to action to be taken in your own supply chain eco-system.
About Mainfreight:
The Mainfreight Group provides global supply chain solutions across Air, Ocean, Domestic and 3PL service sectors. The company is publicly listed (NZX: MFT) on the New Zealand stock exchange. Recent year trading volume was $3.0bn with 260 branch locations and 8500+ team members around the world. The group operates a substantial asset network in North America, Europe, Australia, New Zealand and Asia.

Capital Region Town Hall
2020-04-22 14:00 - 15:30 (America/New_York) | NY
Hosted by: Troy Innovation Garage
Moderator: Tom Nardacci, founder/CEO of Aurelis Coworks & Gramercy
Tomorrow, April 22 at 2PM we are inviting nearly two dozen local CEOs, political officials, non-profit executives and local leaders to share their perspectives and insights in our first-ever Capital Region Community Town Hall.
It is a truly unique opportunity to be able to gather these individuals together in one “room,” and we believe there is no better time than now to do so. The only way to get through this is to brave the uncertainty together and to reunite for a more hopeful and stronger tomorrow.
What challenges do we still face these next few months? How will our communities and businesses be able to bounce back and restart after this Great Pause? Will life ever be ‘normal’ again? What does the road to post-pandemic life look like?
You’ll hear from featured speakers:
• Melissa Autilio Fleischut, President & CEO, New York State Restaurant Association
• Karthik Bala, CEO & Co-Founder, Velan Studios
• Carm Basile, CEO, Capital District Transportation Authority – CDTA
• Joe Bonilla, Managing Partner & Co-Founder, Relentless Awareness
• Ryan Case, Senior Vice President, Key Bank
• Hon. Pat Fahy, Member, New York State Assembly (109th District)
• Peter Gannon, President & CEO, United Way of the Greater Capital Region
• Andrew Kennedy, President & CEO, Center for Economic Growth
• Heidi Knoblauch, Founder of Plumb Oyster Bar & Venture and Growth Banking Relationship Manager, Pioneer Bank
• Melissa Mangini, Editor-in-Chief, Albany Business Review
• Hon. Carmella Mantello, Troy City Council President (At?Large)
• Hon. Carolyn McLaughlin, Albany County Legislator (District 1)
• Daniel McCoy – Albany County Executive
• Hon. John McDonald, Member, New York State Assembly (108th District)
• Philip Morris, CEO, Proctors
• Katie Newcomb, Senior Economic Developer, National Grid
• Maureen O’Brien, President & CEO, NYSID, Purchasing That Powers Employment
• Bob Pasinella, President, Rensselaer County Industrial Development Agency
• Dr. L Oliver Robinson, Superintendent, Shenendehowa Central School District
• Maureen Sager, Executive Director, Upstate Alliance for the Creative Economy
• Shelby Schneider, President, Saratoga County Prosperity Partnership
• Ryan Silva, Executive Director, New York State Economic Development Council
• Eric Simonds, Associate Broker, CBRE
• Mike Tucker, President, Tucker Strategies, Inc.

RSVP >>

How to Succeed at Cold Calling During Uncertain Times: Webinar Series by Sandler Training
2020-04-28 08:30 - 09:30 (America/New_York) | NY
You should attend this webinar if you or your team are struggling with any of these common issues, especially during these challenging times:

You do not have a prospecting system (you are “winging” it).
You are not getting in front of enough prospects.
You are not sure how to make “cold calling” an effective component of your prospecting mix.
Your current methods for phone prospecting are not getting the job done.
You struggle with call avoidance.

Register Here>>

Infrastructure stimulus: Reshoring and expansion of supply chains back to the US
2020-04-28 13:00 - 14:30 (America/New_York) | NY
Presented by: Grant Thornton

The prospective 2020 stimulus programs are expected to include meaningful incentives for the reshoring and expansion of US supply chains for manufacturers in the industrial, electronics, pharmaceutical, aerospace, chemical, consumer products and energy industries. This webcast will review the Government’s overall stimulus efforts and programs, in addition to what is occurring with the upcoming programs focused on infrastructure. We’ll review opportunities for the potential future economic stimulus programs for supply chains specifically and how companies should position themselves to take advantage of these, not only to survive, but thrive.
Speakers:

Jonathan Eaton, Principal, National Supply Chain Practice Leader – Grant Thornton
TaMiya Dickerson, Partner, Advisory – Grant Thornton
Rex Sherry– Director, Head of New Business Development, Clark Street Associates
Susan Hirschmann– CEO, Williams & Jensen

More info/Registration >>

Webinar 2: Sales Strategies for Coming Out of The Pandemic
2020-04-28 14:00 - 15:00 (America/New_York) | NY
Join us for a free webinar series offering insight on the
COVID-19 pandemic’s affect on business and how we can move past it.
No cost to attend; please RSVP below.
If you are unable to join, webinars will be recorded and available on our website.

Date: Tuesday, April 28 | 2:00 – 3:00pm
Presented by: Matt Scarchilli, CEO/Owner, Sandler Training
Program description: Participants in this program will be introduced to appropriate account segmentation strategies to help reach their 2020 goals. We will discuss a methodology for identifying what account segments will be responsible for the appropriate percentage of the yearly goal and how to develop plans to reach those goals.
About Sandler: Sandler has advised, trained and coached both large and small enterprises on developing stronger sales teams, creating better hiring practices and leading organizations more effectively.

Webinar 3: Disaster and Business Continuity Planning
2020-04-29 11:00 - 12:00 (America/New_York) | NY
Join us for a free webinar series offering insight on the
COVID-19 pandemic’s affect on business and how we can move past it.
No cost to attend; please RSVP below.
If you are unable to join, select webinars will be recorded and available on our website.

Date: Wednesday, April 29 | 11:00am – 12:00pm
Presented by: Larry Treen, Managing Partner, Relay Integrated Logistics and Solutions
Dan Yamin, Partner, Global Telecom Experts (GTE)
Program description: This program will walk you through the fundamental building blocks of designing and executing your preparedness plan.

Business Continuity and Disaster Preparedness Planning – Does your business have a continuity disaster recovery plan that contains all of the information you need to get your business running again after an incident, disaster or crisis?
Relay Integrated Logistics and Solutions Business Continuity Planning Outline is built on 3 fundamental building blocks, 1. Identify and outline prevention plans to mitigate or eliminate risks, 2. Business preparation for uncontrollable external and internal risks, and 3. Most important – Team Assembly, Emergency Response, Playbook Activation for Recovery.

About Relay Integrated Logistics and Solutions: Relay Integrated Logistics & Solutions (RILS) is a New York State certified WBE. Combining a sales and operational global expertise base that spans over two decades to drive business growth solutions. Relay, helps your company get to the next leg in its journey and drives your business through the finish line! Helping your company with:

Enhancement of Revenue
Accretive P&L Performance Programs
Sales and Operational Management Solutions
Continuous Improvement Programs – ISO, Lean Methodologies, Six Sigma
Design and Implementation of Processes, Procedures and Products.

Webinar: Using Tech to Help Your Business Thrive in a New Normal
2020-04-29 14:00 - 15:00 (America/New_York) | NY
Most organizations are struggling to get back to normal with some or all of their employees working remotely. But, it doesn’t have to be a struggle. In fact, if you approach it differently, adapting to the new normal may actually help your business be more resilient and thrive, now, and in the future.
Please join Craig Skevington, PhD, serial technology entrepreneur and CEO of STEADfast IT, on Wednesday, April 29, 2020 at 2PM EST, for a live webinar presenting practical, actionable strategies you can use to;

Assess your organization’s current challenges and bottlenecks
Enable employees to collaborate more naturally and increase productivity
Re-engineer core processes to be more efficient and location independent
Remove friction and improve the customer experience

REGISTER HERE>>
All registrants and attendees will receive a link to the recorded webinar which can be viewed on demand.

Mortgage industry risk mitigation and modeling considerations amid COVID-19 and the CARES Act
2020-04-29 14:00 - 15:00 (America/New_York) | NY
Presented by: Grant Thornton

The impacts from COVID-19 on the mortgage industry are significant. This unique environment presents increased liquidity, credit, market and operations risks, and creates a need for modeling considerations around a variety of areas. Additionally, the newly enacted CARES Act will have further ramifications for mortgage servicers and originators.

Join our webcast where Grant Thornton mortgage experts will share risk mitigation strategies, modeling considerations, regulatory insights, impacts of the CARES Act. and practical advice that can help you respond and keep moving forward.
Speakers:

Matt Cooleen, Partner, Regulatory and Compliance
Chris Acevedo, Managing Director, Operations Transformation
Jeff Kelly, Principal, Operations Transformation
Chad Virnig, Principal, Digital Transformation
Sagar Gandhi, Manager, Regulatory & Compliance

More info/Registration >>

Webinar 4: Create Strategic Focus to Thrive
2020-04-30 10:00 - 11:00 (America/New_York) | NY
Join us for a free webinar series offering insight on the
COVID-19 pandemic’s affect on business and how we can move past it.
No cost to attend; please RSVP below.
If you are unable to join, webinars will be recorded and available on our website.

Date: Thursday, April 30 | 10:00 – 11:00am
Presented by: Catharine E. Potvin, Founder & CEO, Stragility LLC
Paul Hook, Executive VP, tyny co.
Program Description: During this webinar, you will learn tips and action items to help you:

Reshape your short term priorities without losing sight of the long term vision
Think differently about managing your business
Create a plan that helps you and your team stay focused and accountable
Take action fast but calmly and with confidence.

About Stragility: A strategic planning and execution services firm that helps forward-thinking leaders achieve traction in their business by bridging the gap between vision and execution.

** POSTPONED ** The Global Ambassadors Program
2020-05-04 - 2020-05-09 | NY
A Vital Voices & Bank of America Partnership

New York City, USA, Mon 4th to Fri 8th May, 2020
The Global Ambassadors Program (GAP) is designed for women entrepreneurs and social entrepreneurs – providing mentorship, training and a network of support to help grow your business and your personal development. The program includes one-on-one mentoring sessions and strategic workshops focused on building organizational management, financial acumen and leadership skills.
The program is a partnership between Vital Voices, a leading NGO in women’s leadership and development and Bank of America, based on a shared belief in the need to invest in women who are creating economic and social progress around the world.
The Global Ambassadors Program will take place from 4th to 8th May 2020 in New York City and will focus on women who are providing solutions to climate change and environmental sustainability such as renewable energy, the reduction of greenhouse gases, zero-waste products, climate-resilient food production etc.
For more information, please contact: Zoë Dean-Smith, Vice President of Economic Empowerment & Entrepreneurship at zoedean-smith@vitalvoices.org or (+1) 202.296.2735
Learn more about the Global Ambassadors Program

Webinar 5: Alternative Healthcare Funding for Employers with 20 - 20,000 Employees. Bending Cost Curves Without Breaking Employees' Backs
2020-05-05 10:00 - 11:00 (America/New_York) | NY
Join us for a free webinar series offering insight on the
COVID-19 pandemic’s affect on business and how we can move past it.

No cost to attend; please RSVP below.
If you are unable to join, select webinars will be recorded and available on our website.

Date: Tuesday, May 5 | 10:00 – 11:00am
Presented by: Kurt Jaeger, RHU, ChHC, Executive Vice President & Chief Marketing Officer and Tom Healy, CSFS, Sr. Account Executive & Director of Product Development, Jaeger & Flynn Associates

Program Description:
Since adding their “JFA Flex” suite of consumer driven healthcare accounts offerings in 2004, JFA has evolved into being a market leader in upstate New York in the flexible spending account, healthcare reimbursement arrangement, health savings account, and self-insured health and dental insurance plans markets, as well as the self-insured health insurance plans markets. With over 300 employers and 40,000 employees served, including over 200 businesses with over 7,000 employees utilizing health savings accounts, JFA has saved their clients and client employees’ millions in health insurance premiums as well as state and federal business and personal taxes with the many creative health plan designs they administer. Join JFA’s Kurt Jaeger and Tom Healy as their provide an overview of the strategic approaches available to businesses from small to large, and the cost reductions that can be realized from going down these paths (or further down those paths for those who may already taken a step or two in those directions).
About Jaeger & Flynn:
From their offices in Clifton Park, Saratoga Springs, and Glens Falls, NY as well as their representatives in North Carolina and Florida, JFA’s 85+ team members provide a full spectrum of products and services to their over 600 business clients with employees working across the U.S. and Canada. JFA’s broker, consultant, and administrative services offerings include insured and self-insured health and dental insurance; ancillary and voluntary employee benefits; HR consulting; wellness program support, property & casualty insurance; and consumer driven healthcare accounts, COBRA, retiree, and absence management administrative services. In addition to helping clients find innovative approaches to benefits cost control and reduction, we also specialize in employee communication, education and engagement through online benefits administration and HCM systems options, customized videos, worksite meetings and webinars. JFA’s cloud-based Human Capital Management (HCM) and TPA systems help their clients reduce the traditional “backroom” transactional workloads, saving HR and accounting teams both time and money.

Webinar 6: Managing our Implicit Bias During Crisis: Why it is harder and what to do about it
2020-05-06 08:30 - 09:30 (America/New_York) | NY
Join us for a free webinar series offering insight on the
COVID-19 pandemic’s affect on business and how we can move past it.

No cost to attend; please RSVP below.
If you are unable to join, webinars will be recorded and available on our website.

Date: Tuesday, May 6 | 8:30 – 9:30am
Presented by: LB Hannahs, Ph.D, Inclusion Development Strategist, Tangible Development
Program Description:
Implicit biases are the unconscious positive or negative preferences for individuals or groups shaped through your individual experiences. The information, attitudes, and stereotypes that inform your unconscious dictate how you take the mental shortcuts required to process the abundance of information you receive at any given second. Managing our implicit biases requires work and daily practice to avoid acting on implicit bias. In moments of crisis the skills we use to manage implicit bias can be overrun by anxiety and stress. In this session, participants will learn how stress and anxiety impact our ability to manage our implicit bias. Facilitators from Tangible Development will provide tools and strategies for navigating potential mental traps that could lead to an increase in implicit bias based behaviors and decision-making.
About Tangible Development:
Based in Latham, New York, we provide full-service customized diversity, equity, and inclusion solutions with measurable outcomes resulting in sustainable change.
Our vision is to ignite individual potential, humanize business, and transform organizations. Our work is about real people, authentic conversations about critical issues, and innovative solutions that have tangible impacts

Food for Thought #1 Virtual Series: Intellectual Property & Trademark
2020-05-06 12:00 - 13:00 (America/New_York) | NY
The Manufacturing Incubator at Tech Valley Center of Gravity is pleased to announce “Food for Thought,” our new business & product development virtual luncheon series.
Intellectual Property attorneys David P. Miranda and Matt Hulihan of Heslin Rothenberg Farley & Mesiti will discuss the basics of intellectual property law including patent, copyright, trademark and trade secret, and how to protect and enforce one’s intellectual property.
The format will be an informal discussion, with audience question and answer.
The first restaurant to be highlighted will be Muddaddy Flats at 49 Third Street in Troy, NY. Muddaddy Flats is a fast-casual eat-in, takeout and delivery quesadillary with unique and delicious quesadillas, tacos, and bowls. Open Monday through Saturday from 11am to 8pm, they offer variety of tortillas, sweets, and gluten-free options as well as choose-your-own ingredient meals. To order from Food for Thought #1’s featured restaurant, go to muddaddlyflats.com.
Meeting information will be sent to you on the evening before the event.

REGISTER HERE>>

Understanding the implications of COVID-19 on the insurance industry: An update from Chief Economist Diane Swonk
2020-05-06 14:00 - 15:00 (America/New_York) | NY
Presented by: Grant Thornton

Recent events spurred by COVID-19 have created a new environment for the insurance industry. Understanding the economic impacts to the insurance industry, specifically as it relates to evaluating pandemic risk, understanding the tax implications of the CARES Act, and driving business digitally can be challenging. Join our webcast featuring Grant Thornton’s Chief Economist, Diane Swonk, to learn about overall economic updates, as well as a deep dive into the solutions and tactics to support the efforts of insurance businesses today.
Speakers:

Diane Swonk, Chief Economist
John Forni, Insurance Practice Tax Lead
Andree Bourgon, Insurance Practice Strategy & Growth Lead
John Swanick, Insurance Practice Risk Lead

More info/Registration >>

Navigating Challenges and Opportunities in COVID-19 Grants Management
2020-05-06 14:00 - 15:00 (America/New_York) | NY
Presented by: Grant Thornton

Over the past month, Congress approved unprecedented funding to support the nation’s medical and economic recovery from COVID-19. This funding delivers a range of relief, including vital equipment, services, and loans to businesses across the country. It also provides grant funding through programs managed by multiple Federal agencies and designed to benefit a diverse set of recipients/programs.
As agencies quickly shift to manage and distribute new levels of grant funding, how prepared are grant makers and recipients to manage the funds and track performance? Do their stakeholders and potential sub-recipients understand the process, from eligibility through reporting? What challenges are state and local governments in particular facing?
Speakers:

Wendy-Morton Huddleston, Principal, Grant Thornton
Merril Oliver, Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, eCivis
David Barth, Director, Grant Thornton

More info/Registration >>

Webinar 7: Extraordinary Resolve: How Capital Region leaders have positively disrupted the crisis
2020-05-12 10:00 - 11:00 (America/New_York) | NY
Join us for a free webinar series offering insight on the
COVID-19 pandemic’s affect on business and how we can move past it.

No cost to attend; please RSVP below.
If you are unable to join, webinars will be recorded and available on our website.

Date: Tuesday, May 12 | 10:00 – 11:00am
Presented by: Catharine Potvin of Stragility & CEG
Program Description:

Moving through this pandemic has been challenging for most businesses. Developing an offensive mindset that allows you to discover and implement new opportunities even during a tumultuous time is more important now than ever. Join this live panel discussion to hear the stories, experiences and lessons learned of these Capital Region leaders as to how they have made positive, forward-thinking changes in their organizations to succeed now and in the future.

About the Panelists:
Andrea Crisafulli
Andrea Crisafulli is Owner and President of Crisafullli Bros. Plumbing and Heating, Contractors, Inc., a NYS Certified WBE, Mechanical Contracting company, in Albany NY. Andrea is a member of the Women’s Presidents Organization, the National Key 4Women Advisory Board, an Albany Colonie Regional Chamber Board Member and several trade specific associations. Crisafulli Bros. has been voted Best Plumbing Company in the Times Union Readers Poll each year since 2007 and earns their place each year in the Top Mechanical Contractors list.

Joan Hayner
Joan Hayner is the COO of Community Care Physicians, a multispeciality medical group practice.

Darrin Jahnel
Darrin Jahnel is the co-founder and CEO of the Jahnel Group, a 80-person software consulting company based in Schenectady, NY. We develop web-based software applications that help businesses get things done more efficiently. Sometimes we design and build an entire application, other times we augment a pre-existing team. Either way, we’re maniacally focused on adding value for our clients and creating an amazing workplace for our employees. Whether you’re looking to scale your existing development team or you want to outsource an entire software project, Jahnel Group can help. We have a proven track record of completing projects on time and within budget.
David Dussault
Passionate Founder CEO leading a growing, diversified industrial engineering, manufacturing and supply chain company. We are a values-driven business, with an inspiring vision to Revitalize American Manufacturing Through Entrepreneurship. A core component to our growth strategy is utilizing our core capabilities (engineering+operations+supply chain) to actively launch new internally cultivated start-ups with key partners. We have launched two new ventures in 2017/2018 and intend to launch one per year. As a Founder CEO, I am an accomplished visionary, team builder, strategist, cultural architect and leader. My greatest strength is leading in an operational context with strong culture and strategy. I am a partner in a venture development company that is dedicated to building transformational companies with mission-driven Leaders and we are actively adding to our portfolio. We take a “nurturing” approach and engage operationally and strategically with leadership teams.

About the Moderator:
Catharine Potvin
Catharine E. Potvin is a NYS Certified WBE that works with forward-thinking leaders to achieve traction in their business by developing a simplified strategic plan that keeps the organization focused on achieving short and long term goals. With over two decades of strategic planning experience in a variety of leadership positions in the private and non-profit sectors, Catharine is a trusted advisor on strategy, leadership, plan implementation and accountability. Catharine and her team are regularly sought out by business owners and executive teams to advance their companies to the next level of achievement. Her energy, authenticity and healthy dose of humor sets her apart as well as her focused approach on achieving results. Her unique and customizable solutions-based methodology is applicable across industries and accommodates organizations of all sizes.
