Volume 2 | Issue 5
Week of February 15, 2010

Business leaders are stepping up and speaking out about the transit infrastructure funding in the New York Metropolitan region. There are lots of new business opportunities in transportation and infrastructure.  Show us the money is the key question.

Running a small business in this economy is tough enough as it is. Now the IRS has released new rules calling for a closer scrutiny of business expense claims for client entertainment,  and this may affect your small business.

President Barack Obama has been extremely active in trying to create jobs for Americans. Recently, he focused on generating jobs for the black demographic, which suffers from a higher unemployment rate well above the national average and  nearly twice that of whites.  He is also  focusing on working women, and single mothers in particular, for whom he is designing the Scholarships for Moms program. The President says he would like to see more mothers return to school and earn a degree. The program would increase the maximum amount of Pell Grant money awarded to $5,000 for single mothers to attend school in almost any area of interest.

In another big step for women in business, women now outnumber men on the nation’s payrolls. Women have come a long way and surpassing 50% of employment is truly a milestone for us. The recession has left more men out of work and more women employed. It is truly bittersweet.

Lastly, the National Association of Professional Women announced their 2010 Business Outlook Survey results. It is interesting to read a study on every aspect of work from a businesswoman’s perspective – how they feel about their jobs, how they perform at their workplaces, their thoughts on the recession, etc. Definitely something to check out!

Please join us as the WBC, along with the NYC Department of Small Business Services,  presents a free of charge seminar, Social Media: Understanding the New Media and Driving Your Brand. It takes place at the Con Edison Conference Center on February 22, 2010. Learn how to work with social media tools and get ahead using them for your business. For more information or to register, please click here: http://www.sackscom.com/7seminars/seminar1.html

Congratulations to WBC’s own Dasha Oganezov who got married on Wednesday! To read about it in the Daily News, please click here!

There several important events to add to your calendar.   Learn more here

 










February 9, 2010
Journal of Commerce
Senate Set to Extend SAFETEA-LU
Senators are expected within the next two weeks to introduce legislation to sustain surface transportation spending, John Horsley, executive director of the American Association of State Highways and Transportation Officials, said Tuesday.

February 9, 2010
PR Log
Top-Level Business, Political and Labor Leaders to Focus on Transportation Infrastructure Crisis
Top-level business, political and labor leaders will address the crisis of the New York Metropolitan region's surface transportation infrastructure at the Third Annual Infrastructure Conferenceto be hosted by Iona College on April 8.

February 10, 2010
Los Angeles Times
Bernanke Reminds Market Cheap Borrowing Will End; Fed Chief Lays Out Plan for Ending Supports
The stock market managed to steady itself after hearing Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke's plans to dismantle the central bank's supports for the economy.

February 10, 2010
Black Enterprise Magazine
Obama, Black Leaders Focus On Economic Hard Times
President Barack Obama and three prominent African-American leaders grappled Wednesday with how to improve economic opportunities for blacks, whose joblessness looms well above the national average and is nearly twice that of whites

February 1, 2010
Boston Herald
Women-to-Women: The Way Truly to Help Women In Business
When I began working as a lawyer, the number of women-owned law firms – and the number of women-owned businesses in general – was miniscule. Since then, I have seen the exponential growth in women-owned businesses of all types, especially in the professional services arena in which I practice.

February 9, 2010
PR Newswire
The National Association of Professional Women Announces '2010 Business Outlook Survey' Results
According to the just-released "2010 Business Outlook Survey" from the National Association of Professional Women (NAPW), women who play an important role in business nationwide, today express pockets of optimism and see potential signs that the economy and their business may be gaining some strength.

February 5, 2010
The New York Times
Women Now a Majority in American Workplaces
For the first time in recorded history, women outnumber men on the nation’s payrolls.



Take the Lead: Groundbreaking Women in Construction
NEW DATE AND LOCATION
APRIL 15 - 16. McGraw-Hill Conference Center, New York City

A LEADERSHIP CONFERENCE FOR WOMEN IN CONSTRUCTION
McGraw-Hill Construction, ENR and Architectural Record are proud to support the national leadership conference for women in the design and construction industries. Explore the leadership skills, experiences and strategies you will need to grow your position, your practice and your market power in today’s challenging construction industry.

WHO SHOULD ATTEND?
If you are a construction industry company owner, executive, project manager or rising through the ranks, you should plan to attend this special two-day program designed especially for you.

WHAT YOU WILL LEARN?
Acquire the strategies and insights you need to lead in a changing industry.

For more information and to register, please visit:
http://www.groundbreakingwomen.com
Take the NEW LEADER SURVEY. Click Here.

The results of this survey will be reported in a special supplement to be published by McGraw Hill Construction’s ENR.

WHEN:
Thursday, April 15
8:00AM - 8:00PM
Friday, April 16
7:00AM - 2:00PM
WHERE:
1221 Avenue of the Americas
2nd Floor
New York, NY


One on One at Club 101
A Breakfast Conversation with Governor David Paterson
Where is New York headed?

In a one-on-one conversation with Governor David Paterson, hear more about the State’s new initiatives, its new budget and where new growth will emerge.



WHEN:
 Monday, March 1st, 2010
8:00 am – 10:00 am.
WHERE:
Club 101
101 Park Avenue
New York, NY 10178


Minority- and Women-Owned Business Enterprise (MWBE) Coalition
March 2nd MWBE Lobby Day

Join community leaders and over 100 MWBEs from across the state as we talk to New York State Legislators about creating more access to opportunity and capital.

  • Strengthen Existing State Law Article 15-a
  • Establish New MWBE Legislation
  • Increase MWBE share of State Contracts Now is the time.

Now is the time. Use your power and influence to make a difference.
Join us in Albany for MWBE Lobby Day on March 2nd.

Register Here

WBC encourages your participation in the March 2nd MWBE Lobby Day.
Visit www.mwbeunited.org for more information.

WHEN:
 Tuesday, March 2nd, 2010

WHERE:
Albany, NY

NYC Small Business Services: A Series of 7 FREE Seminars
FREE SEMINARS

Seven Seminars to Build Your Business is a special information series designed for small business owners and entrepreneurs who need to build and refine their marketing and business development capacity.

This special series of Seven Seminars is presented by the New York City Department of Small Business Services and the Women Builders Council on a complimentary basis and is designed to jumpstart your ability to identify and develop new business opportunities.

The program is offered on a complimentary basis to owners and employees of Minority and Women-owned Business Enterprises.

You must register in advance to attend. Seating is very limited.
March 18, 2010 - SESSION 2
FOR ARCHITECTS AND ENGINEERS:
NAVIGATING THE PUBLIC DESIGN REVIEW PROCESS
April 30, 2010 - SESSION 3
RFPs, RFIs, RFQs AND OTHER INFORMATION REQUESTS:
BUILDING YOUR BEST RESPONSE
May 4, 2010 - SESSION 4
Marketing 101: SELLING SERVICES & PRODUCTS TO THE PUBLIC SECTOR
May 7, 2010 - SESSION 5
YOUR BRAND & YOUR BOTTOM LINE
June 1, 2010 - SESSION 6
YOUR BOTTOM LINE: BEST PRACTICES FOR PROFITABILITY
June 11, SESSION 7
WIN NEW BUSINESS: PRESENTING YOU AND YOUR FIRM
 
For more information and to register visit the 7 Seminars Web Site:
http://www.wbcnyc.org/7seminars


Seniors Fitness Benefit Performance & Cocktail Reception

Hosted by David B. Pinter & Virginia Wade
Performance by Woody Mann, Renowned International Guitarist

Special Musical Appearance by David B. Pinter and Lester Holt

CityParks Seniors Fitness provides a fun, free way for New Yorkers 60 years and older to stay active through tennis, yoga, and walking each autumn and spring in several of the city’s parks. This program, the only one of its kind in the city, offers free activities and social experiences that enhance the lives of older New Yorkers and makes our parks more inviting.

To RSVP for the Seniors Fitness Benefit, please click here: SeniorsBenefit2010
WHEN:
Tuesday, March 9, 2010
6:00-8:30 p.m.
WHERE:
B.B. King Blues Club & Grill
237 West 42nd Street
(between 7th and 8th Avenues)
New York, NY


Komen Greater NYC Annual Awards Luncheon
Celebrating 20 years of fighting breast cancer in the greater metropolitan NYC area

The Greater NYC Affiliate of Susan G. Komen for the Cure celebrates 20 years of fighting breast cancer in 2010.  The Annual Awards Luncheon is an entertaining and inspirational way to find out more about the organization, get involved with eradicating breast cancer, and meet people engaged in the fight. 

Awards will be given to Dr. Alisan Goldfarb (compassionate care award), Dr. Tiffany Traina (triple negative breast cancer), and Duane Reade (corporate honoree).  The Luncheon will be emceed by CBS 2 anchor Maurice DuBois and feature a special appearance by Fran Drescher.  

Komen Greater NYC will also introduce its 2010 grantees.  Last year, Komen Greater NYC awarded over $3.9 million grants to local breast health programs and national peer-reviewed research. 

The Komen vision is a world without breast cancer.  Be a part of the solution.  Journal acknowledgments, tables and tickets are available at a variety of levels.  Register here.

Questions?
Call Sarata Kaba at 212-461-6195 or email skaba@komennyc.org
WHEN:
Wednesday, May 12, 2010

11:00 a.m. - 12:00 noon
Silent Auction preview and bidding

12:00 noon - 2:00 p.m.
Luncheon.  Program begins promptly at noon
WHERE:
Hilton New York
Grand Ballroom
1335 Avenue of the Americas
(between 53rd and 54th Streets)
New York, NY



Institute of Design and Construction: Professional Education Courses


At the Institute of Design & Construction, we know the building construction industry is changing constantly, and the need for continuing education never ceases.  That’s why IDC offers a wide range of professional education courses designed to provide you with the knowledge you need to stay abreast of current developments in the industry, as well as the skills required to accelerate your career path.


For a full course list, call 718-855-3661 or visit www.idc.edu
SBS Training and Seminars
To download the 2010 SBS Seminars Calendar, click here.



Certification Workshop
Date/Time:
Every 3rd Thursday, 2:00 to 4:00 PM
Every 4th Wednesday, 6:00 to 7:30 PM
Highlights the benefits of certification and provides guidance to attendees on how to correctly complete the certification application. Register here

Locally Based Enterprise (LBE) Workshop
Construction and construction-related businesses can receive detailed assistance on how to correctly complete the LBE certification application. Register here

Selling to Government
Date/Time:
2nd Tuesday of every month
10:00 AM to 12:00 PM
Addresses basic government contracting issues and details how and where to search for contracting opportunities. Register here

All seminars require advanced registration.