Meadowlands USA - May

2016 Connecting New Jersey Businesses

The “Green” Issue: Eco-Friendly Business Tips Business Planning Strategies & Start-Up Tips Protecting Your Intellectual Property

May $4.00

XCEL Federal Credit Union: Innovation & Expansion

WE PARTNER WITH DEVELOPERS TO BUILD OPPORTUNITY COLLABORATION THAT PROMOTES YOUR BOTTOM LINE ELEC partners with business and professional organizations to promote projects for developers.

Market support and advocacy

We advocate for policies, legislation and regulations that have helped initiate major bridge-building projects, win approvals for pipeline construction and authorize large-scale urban development programs.

We provide professional services that help developers win grassroots support for projects, obtain local approvals and secure permits.

Skills + experience + safety = productivity

ELEC is a labor-management organization built on collaboration between Local 825 Operating Engineers and its union contractors. We continually invest in workforce credentialing and training that ensure greater skills, a superb record of safety and a more profitable bottom line.

Efforts that make a difference

Learn how we can help your business develop!

Contact Kate Gibbs at 973-630-1011.

Engineers Labor-Employer Cooperative (ELEC) is a collaborative organization with representatives from: International Union of Operating Engineers Local 825 Associated Construction Contractors of New Jersey Construction Industry Council of Westchester & Hudson Valley Construction Contractors Labor Employers of New Jersey

Building On Common Ground Greg Lalevee, Chairman | Mark Longo, Director WWW.ELEC825.ORG

ELEC is the labor-management fund for IUOE Local 825

COMING TO EDGEWATER in JUNE

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contents

Connecting New Jersey Businesses

L EADERSHIP C OUNCIL Allstate BCB Community Bank Bergen Community College Bergen Engineering/Branca Properties Boiling Springs Savings Bank Bruinooge & Associates Comfort Guard Contracting LLC Ernst & Young, LLP Eastwick Colleges Forsgate Industrial Partners FORT Group Goya Foods Hackensack University Medical Center Hartz Mountain Industries J. Fletcher Creamer & Son, Inc. JACOBS Kearny Bank Meadowlink Commuter Services MetroMultiMedia MWW Group NAI James E. Hanson, Inc. New York Jets NJSEA Onyx Equities, LLC Prime MSP PSE&G Russo Development Skanska USA TD Bank United Water NJ Verizon Publisher: Meadowlands Regional Chamber of Commerce, Inc. 201 Route 17 North Rutherford, NJ 07070 201.939.0707 Managing Editor: Joe Garavente Email submissions: jgaravente@meadowlands.org Advertising Director: Martha Morley, Greer Enterprises, Inc. 201.493.7996 Design: Evan Eagleson & Eric Shantzis, Eighty6

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34 new jersey

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full wrap

Meadowlands Business Report Harmon Meadow Retail, Restaurants & Hotels Directory Meadowlands Restaurants & Dining Event Planning & Catering Services Meadowlands Hotels & Accommodations Destination Meadowlands News From the Meadow

DEPARTMENTS

6 8 12 18 22 24 30 38 42 46 48 50 52

Environmental Update Accounting Business Wise Continuing Education & Business Learning Lessons in Leadership Community Engagement Legal Investments, Banking & Finance Small Business Corner Featured Member Human Resources & Operations International Business Spotlight Tech Talk

Printing: Action Graphics Meadowlands USA Magazine Distribution: MTM Resources Copyright 2016. All rights reserved. Reproduction of any artwork, editorial material or copy prepared by Meadowlands Regional Chamber of Commerce and appearing in this publication is strictly prohibited without written consent of the publisher. Additional magazines and reprints of articles are available.

FEATURES

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Eco-Friendly Business Tips: Slash bills, gain clients & reduce your impact on the environment Cannot Spell Excellence Without XCEL: Decades of superior service in the financial industry

The views expressed in this magazine are those of the authors and do not necessarily represent the views of, and should not be attributed to, the Meadowlands Regional Chamber.

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MAY 2016

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Business Report From the Desk of Jim Kirkos

President & CEO, Meadowlands Regional Chamber

W

ith Spring finally upon us here in the Meadowlands and even warmer weather yet to come, I am very pleased to welcome you to the latest edition of Meadowlands USA! It is all too easy to get caught up in the hustle and bustle of our busy work and personal lives. We forget to appreciate the beautiful blooming nature around us—especially here in the Meadowlands, where we are very fortunate to have a wealth of ecotourism opportunities right in our backyard. I highly encourage you to check out the nature walk and pontoon tour schedules from New Jersey Sports & Exposition Authority (www.njmc.com) and the canoeing/kayaking, cleanups, eco-cruises, and birding tours with Hackensack Riverkeeper (www.hackensackriverkeeper.org). Please see if you and co-workers, family or friends can partake in any of these programs this Spring and Summer.

Speaking of the environment, this is our annual “green” issue and we have included a comprehensive list of ways you can make your business more earth-friendly. Being a “green” business has great benefits in addition to reducing impact on the planet, including cost-savings and corporate responsibility clout. We have some of these green principles in place at the Chamber office in place and I am proud to report that they do impact our bottom line. And if more organizations apply these strategies, the impact on our economy and the environment would be huge! Please let us know what you are doing to reduce your business’s carbon footprint and we will include your story in an upcoming issue of the magazine.

XCEL Federal Credit Union is our cover subject this issue, and they too have a vested interest in your bottom line. We hope you will read the story of XCEL Federal Credit Union and learn how they are impacting our local economy by providing member-based financial services. You and your business may be able to benefit directly from the services XCEL has to offer!

I would also like to thank our contributing writers, as we continue to increase the amount of bylined content inside the magazine. This content (plus even more!) is also available on our blog at www.meadowlandsusa.com. This blog allows you to comment on published news stories—and also submit your own online! I hope to see more members take advantage of this function by contributing business intelligence you feel can help organizations save money and operate more efficiently. Contact Managing Editor Joe Garavente at JGaravente@meadowlands.org if you have any questions about submitting content.

I wish your business much growth and success this Spring!

Respectfully,

Jim Kirkos Follow me on twitter: @JimKirkos To stay informed about more activities from the Meadowlands Regional Chamber please visit www.meadowlands.org.

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ENVIRONMENTAL UPDATE

Reducing Emissions with Cogeneration Achieving economic, operational & environmental benefits for businesses

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n-site power generation is an established industry that has transformed its products to offer cost savings, operational resilience and carbon emissions reductions. Historically, on-site power generation has been reserved for times of power outages, with the industry primarily offering diesel backup generators.

Over the past 20 years, on-site power generation has evolved to include continuous cogeneration of power and heat and has attracted the support of state agencies.

The carbon emissions reductions and cost savings from efficient power generation meets the needs of a low carbon economy.

ENER-G Rudox, formerly known as Rudox Engine and Equipment Company, has been based in the Meadowlands area since 1949. It is now investing in a new facility in East Rutherford to improve the production of its cogeneration product line, investing close to $9 million to do so. The growth of this industry and continued state support offer cost relief, resilience and carbon savings to a range of businesses.

Cogeneration reduces fuel use from the power sector. In traditional power plants, at least 60 percent of input fuel is wasted in the form of heat. The smoke clouds you see billowing from smokestacks demonstrate this tremendous heat loss. This means that much more fuel is burned than necessary to power our homes and businesses.

In a world facing the harmful effects of climate change, finding ways to lower our usage of fossil fuels is of paramount importance. On-site cogeneration offers a solution because it only wastes 15 percent of input fuel.

Both the power and heat products from a reciprocating engine are used productively. This makes cogeneration a priority for environmental agencies to support.

The New Jersey Clean Energy Pro6

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gram strongly supports cogeneration because of its ability to reduce emissions in the power sector. Its Combined Heat & Power & Fuel Cell program offers up to $2 million per project to install cogeneration units. The program requires funded projects to achieve efficiency and uptime goals. The unit is required to convert 65 percent of its input fuel to useful energy and run for at least 5,000 hours each year.

For units designed to achieve 85 percent efficiency and 7,884 run-hours per year, this is an achievable target. The agency’s support of this technology has unlocked carbon reduction and utility bill savings for high energy usage customers.

Cogeneration is transforming how large energy customers use power. St. Peter’s University in Jersey City installed cogeneration from ENER-G Rudox to supply its dormitories and classroom buildings with clean power. The University generates 2,454 megawatt-hours of electricity from two natural gas driven 160 kW ENER-G Rudox cogeneration units. Together with the installation of a 200 kW solar photovoltaic system, this has reduced Saint Peter’s dependence on grid generated power.

Their price per kWh from these sources is on a fixed contract, whereas grid electricity varies from month to month. Based on this, the project guarantees $374,000 in savings.

On-site fossil fuel generation can now be considered a clean energy technology. Saint Peter’s University in Jersey City is setting the standard for energy performance in higher education by reducing its power generation carbon dioxide emissions by 6.4 million lbs. per year. That carbon reduction is like taking 611 cars off the road. The technologies used to accomplish this include cogeneration as well as absorption chilling, solar photovoltaics, LED lighting, variable speed pumps and high efficiency boilers.

Cogeneration can be a driving force for MAY 2016

sustainability efforts.

While on-site power has traditionally been considered a capital expense, the savings from cogeneration allow financing options as well. At St. Peter’s, there was no upfront capital cost to the university, with ENER-G Rudox funding the $6.3 million capital investment. This was partially offset by two substantial grants from the New Jersey’s Clean Energy Program, which in combination with Federal Tax Credits totaled $1.86 million Guaranteed energy savings over a 15 year contract were underwritten by ENER-G Rudox.

The substantial carbon and economic savings of cogeneration allow businesses to tackle two goals at once: Improving environmental impact and lowering operating costs. Cogeneration compliments diesel backup power and offers an economic way to go green.

“For many commercial and industrial facilities, the ability to obtain ‘Triple Bottom Line’ benefits exists through energy infrastructure projects, as they take advantage of the economic, environmental and operation savings provided,” said Ryan Goodman, President, ENER-G Rudox.

ENER-G Rudox is pleased to continue our mission in the Meadowlands area.

Brendan Burke is a business development analyst with ENER-G Rudox which is located in East Rutherford. More information about the company can be found at www.energ-rudox.com.

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ACCOUNTING

Tax Services Advisory IRS warns increase of tax scams

I

n the months before this year’s April filing deadline, the IRS once again issued consumer warnings about common tax scams. A recent USA Today report stated, that such “phishing scams” by email or text messages are up by 400 percent.

According to the IRS, these ongoing scams are costing taxpayers millions. Topping this year’s scam alerts are so-called phishing scams. These schemes involve emailed or text messages that are designed to trick taxpayers into revealing personal information. According to the IRS, the email or the text message does a very good job of looking like it is from the IRS or some other official agency, and “includes a link to a bogus web site intended to mirror the official IRS web site.”

These emails contain the direction “you are to update your IRS e-file immediately.” The emails may mention USA. gov and IRSgov (without a dot between “IRS” and “gov”), though notably, not to be confused with the official IRS.gov (with a dot). Be careful and vigilant, these emails are not from the IRS. Clicking on the link and entering any information can cause you to be a victim of identity theft.

The agency advises that phone scams are still a common practice as well. The targeted victim will get a call from someone claiming to be from the IRS. The caller

very aggressively demands payments— and often will threaten the receiver of the call with arrest if they do not make an immediate payment over the phone.

Please note the IRS never calls a taxpayer without having sent a letter first and will never demand payments. The IRS will never threaten you without giving you the opportunity to dispute the debt or make a payment plan.

Rounding out the agency’s current “top three” tax scams is someone filing a fraudulent return in your name. This is usually the result of falling prey to one of the other scams. Once someone obtains your social security number or your tax identity document number, they file a fraudulent return on your behalf and obtain a refund in your name.

This can be a nightmare when you go to file your legitimate tax return. The IRS says they have put in new safeguards this year to avoid fraudulent returns, and to better identify those that have been filed by a scammer.

Just how big is the problem?

Tax scams are a growing problem. All forms of tax scams are up from the same time last year. According to the IRS, so far in 2016: • January featured 1,026 phishing and

malware incidents, up from 254 during the same month last year.

• The trend continued in February, with over 360 incidents reported. The total topped the 201 full-month total in 2015.

• The total number of incidents reported represent more than half the 2,748 total for all of last year.

How to report being scammed If you receive any email as described, no matter how official it looks, do not click on any of the links within; if you do, you will be taken to a phishing site and this can open your system up to malicious software.

You should report it to the federal authorities by forwarding it to phishing@ irs.gov.

If you get a suspicious phone call, give them no information and hang up. Contact the IRS to report the call. Use their “IRS Impersonation Scam Reporting” web page.

You can also call 800-366-4484.

Also, report the call to the Federal Trade Commission. Use the “FTC Complaint Assistant” on FTC.gov. Please add “IRS Telephone Scam” in the notes.

Always remember that the IRS and its affiliated organizations do not ever send unsolicited electronic communications, make first contact regarding tax matters via email, or any other digital media, including phone texts.

Steven Blumenthal, CPA is the Principal of MBAF CPA’s LLC, located on 440 Park Avenue South, New York, NY 10016. He can be reached by telephone at (212) 9319254 or email at sblumenthal@mbafcpa. com. Compliance with and understanding the difference between scams and legitimate income tax problems, can be complex.

If you would like to benefit from MBAF CPA’s LLC’s expertise in these areas, or if you have further questions on this advisory, do not hesitate to contact their tax & accounting specialists at (212) 576-1400.

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© 2016 Ernst & Young LLP. All Rights Reserved. ED None.

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Changing lives.

What matters to you matters to us.

At EY, we’re proud to support The Meadowlands Regional Chamber of Commerce. It’s one of the ways we’re helping to make our community a better place to work and live. A better and brighter future starts with all of us.

Visit ey.com

ACCOUNTING

Alternative Accounting Strategies Bookkeeping tips for small & start-up businesses

M

any small businesses do not have their own in-house accountant so the owner or someone else on staff ends up handling that role—in addition to juggling their other primary functions in the organization. Whoever is stuck with the accounting duties already has a lot of other responsibilities, so this additional task must be done efficiently and effectively.

Or the business might want to consider hiring accounting support.

Hiring an accountant is always the first preferred method of course, but understandably some start-up and smaller businesses do not have the capital or resources to do this.

Their accounting needs might also be simple enough that they can effectively do it on their own. Eliminating this cost can save the business a large sum of money upfront—but it can be costly in terms of time if the task proves beyond their expertise. It can also be costly if not done correctly.

Choosing a software program Organization is vital when dealing with the bills and looking back at the source of the income. A majority of small businesses that do not have an accountant will use an accounting software to help keep track of records. The software is usually affordable, depending on how new it is and the features it offers. Most accounting programs will help you with invoicing, paying wages and providing regular reports. Some of the most popular accounting software programs out on the market are FreshBooks, NetSuite and QuickBooks.

Cloud-accounting software can help by quickly sharing the business accounts with associates that need access to them. Additionally, the accounting program can create charts and infographics that give a better perspective on the current financial situation. Not only will the accounting software offer a better look at the cash-flow, it will also help make cost-effective decisions even easier. Traditional accounting software is still commonly used and is beneficial—but it is outdated.

Cloud-based software is the most useful

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for a business without an accountant and the most reliable for keeping your data stored safely. A “cloud” is where your data is stored online. It is not on a physical device. We either used to, or still, store data on hard drives or USB sticks. Some think the cloud’s security might be easily compromised since it is not physically in your possession. However, the data that is stored on the cloud is deemed extremely difficult to breach.

A business’s accounting information can be very sensitive so it is important to consider the security of the cloud. The business’s accounting information would likely be stored in a data center, which is under constant protection all day and night. The computer’s hard drive for the business would then have more space for other files or programs that do not need high-level security.

Keep transaction records Although, many small-businesses get paid in cash and will deposit it into their business’s bank account it is recommended that you avoid using cash to pay for bills or inventory costs. A business should pay with check or credit card whenever possible so that there is a record of the purchase. It is common to misplace receipts and nobody wants to be retracing their steps to determine where money was spent.

MAY 2016

The benefits of an accountant Handling the accounting job while having additional responsibilities can prove to be too time consuming and possibly costly if mistakes or made or additional consulting is required on an ad hoc basis.

Hiring an accountant will likely make your business operations run smoother and might be worth the extra investment. The accountant will lift the burden of crunching numbers all day, organizing financial data and projecting next month’s sales. Whoever was doing the accounting prior to the hire will now have more free time to do what they were originally hired for.

Not only will the accountant more than likely have more experience than you or the previous person doing it. They will get it done quicker, more accurately and can make your company more profitable by having precise projections. The tax professionals know what to do with tax return information and any other government inquiries regarding financials.

Jonathan Sanzari is a contributing writer & copy editor with Meadowlands USA. He has an associate degree in arts from Passaic County Community College and a bachelor’s degree from Ramapo College of New Jersey in communication arts, focusing in journalism. He can be reached at musa@meadowlands.org.

WE MOVE MOUNTAINS PROVIDING PEAK PERFORMANCE TO OUR CONTRACTORS

Local 825 Operating Engineers collaborate with contractors to move mountains and help them reach the pinnacle of success.

From raising the Bayonne Bridge, to expanding major highways, building highrises and transforming the Xanadu eyesore into an American Dream, we change the landscape with monumental contributions to the world we live in.

Local 825 Operating Engineers are the best trained and most experienced on any construction site. Fully licensed and credentialed, we’re ready to work, day one. Developers and contractors turn to us to get big things done safely, on time and on budget.

Moving mountains. Local 825 Operating Engineers work together to build better communities.

International Union of Operating Engineers

LOCAL 825

Greg Lalevee, Business Manager

BETTER BUILDING BEGINS HERE WWW.IUOE825.ORG

BUSINESS WISE

The Millennial Mindset

Adapting your workplace & bridging the gap

T

hose who have spent a majority of their lives in the workforce may have noticed changes in their workplace atmospheres every few years due to the new generations constantly entering. Patterns would soon develop: new hires would come in and learn from the more experienced generations and eventually be able to work their way to more high level jobs.

However, as the digital age is currently among us, there has been a shift in the traditional way of how things are done and this new generation now expects a workplace that accommodates their needs and wants.

If your culture is too structured and strict, millennials may opt to find opportunities elsewhere with cultures that suit them better.

With the plethora of talented millennials entering the workforce, accommodating their mindset will allow you to find and retain their talents.

Different generation, different style Millennial employees are just as ambitious, diligent and passionate as any other employees in the workforce. Millennials have a different work style but this does not mean their work is of a lower standard.

Jonathan Crate, CPA is manager of the Real Estate & Construction Group at Wiss & Company LLP. Reach him at jcrate@wiss.com or (973) 994-9400.

For more information about the firm, please visit www.wiss.com.

Here come the millennials The millennial generation is very comfortable with the use of technology, the internet, and computers seeing as that’s how they were raised. As of 2015, the U.S. workforce consists mostly of the millennial generation, or people born between 1982 and 2000.

With this growing number of millennials in the workforce, it is significant that employers understand their mindset.

Not your traditional 9-5 workday Millennials enjoy a more flexible workday. This may mean working from home some days or utilizing “flextime.� This amount of flexibility does not mean that millennials take their work lightly. It simply means they work in a different manner.

Employers should understand that the reason millennials prefer these atypical work structures may be because they are juggling additional responsibilities such as starting a family or attending school.

Amenable cultures Company culture is no longer as black and white as formal business attire and set work hours. You should take steps to accommodate millennial workers because they are very sensitive to company culture.

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BUSINESS WISE

Testing Business Ideas Affordable assessments

S

o you have a great idea for a new product or solution and you think it will be a sure-fire hit.

Not so fast. To find out if your idea has traction, you need to test it.

It is an often-overlooked step that can help you refine your offering and ensure a successful go-to-market strategy.

So before you put pen to paper and write your business plan, get out there and assess the validity of your product.

Here are six low cost tips on how to best test your business idea: 1. Find your idea’s fatal flaw.

It is important to banish the idea that your product or solution is perfect. It isn’t. It may have one, two, or multiple flaws.

Ask yourself the following question: “What am I missing? What possible pitfalls am I not seeing? How might my competitors respond? What makes me think that my business or product idea will work when others do not?”

Once you have identified the flaws of your product or solution, find a way to fix them.

2. Test outside your network.

There is a lot of advice out there about testing your idea on friends and family. Not always. Jeanne Rossomme of SCORE recommends that entrepreneurs refrain from soliciting input from their immediate network, including their team. Instead focus on those whose opinion matters: Your target market.

One way to do this is to crowdsource your market research. Form a focus group. This can be done virtually or in-person. Simply advertise for volunteers. Craigslist is a good place to start.

Then provide these people with free samples of your product to test.

Alternatively, assemble your focus group in one place and have them try out your product alongside the competition’s and see what results you get.

If your idea is less tangible or you do not have a prototype in place, walk the streets and find out what people want.

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What is missing in their market? What is the competition not providing? If your solution was available to them, would they take advantage of it?

3. Tweak it, but not too much.

As you test your idea you will encounter lots of feedback. In many cases, it can be overwhelming. This is especially true if you are trying to get investment or are pitching a concept or prototype to a new client—particularly one who promises to buy it in bulk.

It can be tempting to edit your idea to the point where it becomes so customized to the needs of a single customer, that you rule yourself out of the rest of the market or waste precious resources trying to check all boxes.

Instead focus on the must-haves that MAY 2016

translate well across several markets or customer profiles. There is plenty of time for customized flavors of your idea down the line once you make a profit and can start diversifying.

4. Perfect your elevator pitch You see this all the time on television shows like Shark Tank. You need to pitch your idea in 30 seconds or less.

What challenge does your product address? How? How is it different to the competition? What’s your differentiator?

And what is the outcome for the buying customer?

People buy outcomes, not products.

Your elevator pitch is something you will take with you for the lifetime of the idea—whether you are pitching to investors, customers, manning a tradeshow

BCCHP-MEADOWLANDSusaAd-051716-.qxp_Layout 1 4/19/16 11:00 AM Page

boot or briefing a marketing agency.

5. Create a mini-version of your idea Creating a full-blown version of your idea can be expensive. Pat Flynn, the author of Smart Passive Income, has some great ideas for creating a mini-version of your idea to test the market.

He uses the example of the food truck industry, which is often used as a platform to test an idea, concept and menu before the owner commits to building a bricks and mortar restaurant. But the theory can be applied to other industries too.

If you run a hair salon and want to start a massage therapy business at a new location, you could test demand by starting small. Dedicate a small area of your current location to provide the new service on a part-time basis. Likewise, if your product can be experienced without launching a full-fledged version, such as a piece of software, music, literature and so on, test it as such.

You’re Invited

6. Run dummy marketing campaigns.

This is an increasingly popular and effective way to gauge market demand. Promote your idea for a product or service as if it is already available on the market.

One way to do this, suggests entrepreneur advisor Evelio Pereira of Epicster.com, is to create a landing page to promote your idea. This could be hosted on your website or on a new domain. Include sales information, product/ solution features, etc. Be sure to include a “buy now” or “learn more” button.

Obviously you have nothing to sell yet so when the site visitor clicks through, take them to a page featuring the message that the product is not available yet but if they fill in the form they will be notified when it is launched.

You can use various outlets to promote the page. Perhaps you run an email marketing campaign to your existing customers. Or, if you have the budget, invest in Facebook ads (targeted to your geo-location and demographic) or Google Adwords or Bing Ads. Your click through data will also provide valuable insight into whether your idea is in demand.

Main Campus

Health Professions

Integrated Teaching Center

Ribbon-Cutting Tuesday, May 17, 9:30 a.m.

400 Paramus Road, Paramus, NJ Celebrate the completion of the College’s newest academic building at the state’s No. 1 college for associate degree graduates.

The Health Professions Integrated Teaching Center represents Bergen’s project as part of the 2012 Building Our Future Bond Act overwhelmingly approved by voters. This state-of-the-art facility serves as a direct pipeline for Bergen County’s top employment sector – healthcare.

The May 17 celebration will feature a ribbon-cutting ceremony, tours and refreshments.

Please RSVP to esabol@bergen.edu by May 10.

Caron Beesley is a small business owner, a writer and marketing communications consultant. Caron has worked with organizations including the Small Business Administration (SBA.gov) and private companies to promote essential resources that help entrepreneurs and small business owners start up, grow and succeed. Follow Caron on Twitter: @caronbeesley

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BUSINESS WISE

Value of a Business Plan

Strategically plan for start-up costs & develop a break-even analysis

P

eople would think that anyone starting a new business would have a business plan, or even more importantly anyone running a growing firm certainly would have one. Surprisingly, many people start their business without a plan to help their business succeed and be more profitable.

According to Census.gov, in New Jersey a total of 230,281 employer establishments were open for business in 2013. However, three years later many of those businesses might be closed due to rushing into it without a strategy in place.

It’s a fact that most new businesses fail within the first 12 to 18 months after starting. The most common mistake is not developing a business plan before they start-up. Even more basic is not developing a break-even analysis for the first year of operations. Growing firms also falter and fail due to not maintaining and updating their initial business plans for changing market conditions.

The majority of founders of new businesses are entrepreneurial techies of one kind or another. Entrepreneurs are visionaries convinced that they have an idea that will change the world for the better. Unfortunately, the great majority have never taken any business courses on accounting, marketing or management.

The consequence of this is that they lack the fundamental knowledge of what it takes to start and manage a business and make a profit. Typical entrepreneurs are long on ideas, but notoriously short on cash. Most of the money that they have invested usually gets spent on getting ready to do business before there are even any customers.

There are two phases to any new business: getting ready to do business and then opening the door. This is why developing a break-even analysis is so important. Even just developing a new app takes time and money. It takes time to develop and test the app. It will also take additional time and money to market the app to potential users.

For example, take something as simple as opening a pizzeria. The first thing that has to be taken into consideration is the cost of getting ready to make pizzas. Then, you must obtain the rental of a space, purchase and installation of equipment.

It will all start adding up, you can’t have a pizzeria without furniture, utilities, insurance, menus, storefront signage, initial employees’ salaries, etc.

Soon after, once you open the door for business, you incur variable costs for all the ingredients for making various different food items on the menu. The additional essentials you need for your pizzeria would be packaging (bags/boxes), some advertising, promotions, other employees, taxes on sales and various other expenses depending on where you open your business.

All of the fixed and variable costs have to be estimated before you sell one slice of pizza. They should be developed into a monthly budget so that you can measure what the actual costs 16

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are compared to what you budgeted.

Now comes the hard part: calculating what you have to sell.

This calculation includes the number of pizzas you will need to sell every day and every week to cover the fixed and variable costs just to break-even. How many customers are needed to reach that number? Are there enough customers in the area of your shop to achieve your estimates?

You would also have to consider, what about competitors and are the other pizzerias close by? What is better about your pizza?

Why would customers choose yours over theirs? What kind of advertising and promotions do you have to develop to attract customers? What about discounts, sales, coupons, etc.?

Once you calculate how many pizzas, at set prices, you need to sell to cover your fixed and variable costs every day and every week, you now have a projected break-even. These sales estimates need to be added to your budget. Looking at all of these numbers before you start should shock you into reality. The real question is: Are these sales levels achievable?

As you start selling your pizzas and begin to acquire the costs of operating your business, record the actual sales and expenses.

After that is complete, compare them to what you estimated you would sell and your budgeted expenses. Take into account every day, week and month. This comparison will quickly reveal whether or not you are going to break-even, make money or lose money.

More importantly, it will allow you to manage your business bet-

ter. The next step would be to determine if and when you will achieve a return on your investment (ROI), if at all.

As you can see from this simple explanation, new business owners need to develop a plan before opening doors to the public. It is not only an educational process for any entrepreneur, but it is essential to determine if investing your money, and those who have loaned you their money, will result in getting the money back—and additionally generating a return on the investment.

It is an inexpensive exercise that can be done on paper or computer. Without a doubt, having a prepared business plan can save you from yourself in the long-run. It is a much needed lesson that all entrepreneurs should practice before they invest their money and the money of others into a start-up that, on paper, cannot justify generating a return on such an investment.

There are many software programs available today to guide any entrepreneur and founders of growing firms on how to develop a business plan.

There is an old business saying: “Nobody plans to fail…they just fail to plan.”

Robert M. Donnelly is an author, educator and brand builder for businesses and individuals. His corporate life was spent in executive positions with IBM, Pfizer and EXXON and then as the CEO for several U.S. subsidiaries of foreign multinational firms. Professor Donnelly is on the faculty of Saint Peters University, as well as Rushmore University, a global online university. His latest book is: Personal Brand Planning for life, available on Amazon. He also functions as an interim executive. You can contact him at rdonnelly@saintpeters.edu. h323hd_MUSA_QtrPgAD_V1_h 7/21/15 6:19 PM Page 1

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CONTINUING EDUCATION & BUSINESS LEARNING

Ramapo College’s New Pathways Program Creating personalized transition opportunities with leadership & real-world experiences

R

amapo College’s mission is to provide every student with an excellent education and personal experience that will shape their lives and lead them on the road to success.

Thanks to the tremendous support of a very generous gift, there is a program in place that will help students develop a rich understanding of the career development process, foster self-awareness and promote experiential learning as they venture into life beyond Ramapo.

Nick and Susan Vallario have enthusiastically endowed five separate and unique Pathways Programs for each of the College’s schools to help every Ramapo student prepare for their post-graduation experience. Beyond the classroom, the students will be able to demonstrate that they can lead, work well on a team and take on real-world experience. Ms. Vallario joined the College’s Board of Trustees in 2014.

“We are so grateful for Nick and Susan’s very generous gift, which will touch the life of every student at Ramapo. The program’s unique design, which is tailored specifically to a student’s major, will provide a tremendous opportunity for our undergraduates to explore their career options and ultimately become better prepared to successfully navigate the labor market before entering the workforce,” said Dr. Peter P. Mercer, President of Ramapo College.

The Career Pathways Program of the Anisfield School of Business, established in 2013, has helped business majors through hands-on activity and direct interaction with advisors in the Cahill Career Development Center. The Pathways Program is designed to help students secure internships while in school and has been met with outstanding success.

Sixty-nine percent of graduating seniors in 2015 participated in one or more co-ops and/or internships versus 55 percent in 2012. Professional full-time employment upon graduation also has increased, with 71 percent of graduating seniors securing professional employment before graduation, the highest level in the past five years.

Effective Fall 2015, completion of the Career Pathways Program has become a graduation requirement for every business major to help ensure all ASB graduates will “hit the ground running” as they launch their careers.

“Researchers Liu, Xu and Weitz found in 2011 that internships and other hands-on experiences serve as invaluable opportunities to socialize students into the norms of the workplace and technical competencies, as well as foster individual emotional sharing and growth,” said President Mercer.

“The inclusion of the Pathways Program into the curriculum signals Ramapo’s commitment to our students’ academic success as well as the College’s approach to engaging students in meaningful experiences that foster a continuum of personal and professional learning. Through internships, study abroad programs, volunteer service, student leadership positions, valuable mentoring

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experiences and having the opportunity to complete undergraduate student-faculty research, our students gain the competitive edge.”

The Anisfield School of Business (ASB) program is delivered in three sequential modules, tailored to the specific needs of the business student.

Module 1 (“Career Assessment/Advising”) encourages students to engage in self-reflection using Focus2, a web-based career self-assessment tool that is invaluable in obtaining knowledge of various career opportunities relating to a student’s personal proficiencies, beliefs and interests. Upon completion of the Focus2, students meet in small group sessions with fellow business majors and an ASB career advisor to discuss ways to connect classroom learning with industry expectations.

Module 2 provides students with guided practice and feedback in communicating their attributes, skills and experiences relative to job requirements. In this module, students spend a significant amount of time writing a professional resume, creating a robust LinkedIn profile and developing a cover letter tailored to a specific job description.

Module 3 (“Interview Practice”) focuses on transitioning from written to verbal communication and prepares students to speak about their goals, education, skills, work interests and values with industry professionals. Specific activities in this module include researching a prospective employer, developing an introductory “elevator pitch” and conducting a practice interview using the Cahill Center’s video interviewing software, InterviewStream. Through these activities, students realize the value of being prepared and having an opportunity to practice interviewing in a safe environment.

Pathways was introduced in the Salameno School of Humanities and Global Studies (SSHGS) for the 2014-15 academic year—but with a different approach that is tailored more to the goals of its students.

“Our students have different post-graduation goals from ASB students so Pathways has been designed to best suit their

needs,” said SSHGS Dean Stephen Rice.

“Quite often, they have more in mind than taking a straight career path.”

The SSHGS Pathways Program focuses on assisting students on four main fronts, Dean Rice said.

1) Career: Geared for students who are aiming for a teaching or publishing career, for instance. “We help them focus on what they need to do while they’re here at Ramapo to best achieve that goal,” Dean Rice said.

2) Graduate and professional school: “We show the students how to look at their options if they wish to pursue an advanced degree, such as an MFA or law degree,” Dean Rice said.

3) Service organization: Students receive assistance in how to enlist in the Peace Corps, Americorps and other domestic and international service-organizations.

4) Transition time: “Not all students are necessarily ready to finish their studies and get right to work, and many of them leave college with a sense of uncertainty,” said Dean Rice. “We let them know that it’s okay to feel that way, but we provide ser-

vices and resources that they can explore during that transitional year. This gets to the heart of what college should be and supports a broader vision of the educational experience.”

The true testament of Pathways’ success has been the growing interest in our students from the employment community. The Cahill Career Development Center has reported a surge in recruitment this year. There has been a substantial increase in career fair participation, subsequent internship and full-time employment opportunities offered by local businesses and service organizations.

The most exciting outcome of the established Pathways Programs is that they serve as a model for Ramapo’s three other schools: The School of Theoretical and Applied Science (TAS), the School of Contemporary Arts (CA) and the School of Social Science and Human Services (SSHS).

The Deans of TAS, CA and SSHS have begun mapping out preliminary goals and objectives for students. The program is designed to meet the needs of majors whose disciplines are distinctive to their respective academic programs, such as acting, pre-law and nursing.

For example, workshops, guest speakers and campus visits by professionals in the arts will help inspire students and provide motivation for their own job searches. Students in SSHS majors may need assistance to prepare for graduate school requirements such as the LSAT or GRE. The TAS Pathways Program will help students preparing for careers in the science or health-related industries.

“Through their professional careers, Nick and Susan have witnessed first-hand the need for students to be better prepared as they compete to enter the workforce,” said President Mercer. “We thank them for their vision and belief that each and every student should be guided through that process of securing a great job or being accepted in their dream graduate program with a fellowship. Ramapo’s program is unique because our students are invited to be part of a four-year career plan that is designed by their dean and faculty to meet the needs of students from various disciplines and with various post-graduation goals.”

Angela Daidone is a public relations specialist at Ramapo College of New Jersey.

More information about the Pathways Program can be found at: www.ramapo. edu/cahill/exploration/

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Ramapo College offers more than 40 undergraduate majors, seven part-time graduate programs and bachelor’s degree completion options. Discover how we prepare our students for a lifetime of success.

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CONTINUING EDUCATION & BUSINESS LEARNING

Applied Experience & Community Service Felician University continues to grow its tax training program

I

n 2010, Felician University Professor Joseph Lizza, MBA, CPA, CGMA, saw a need to give his students real-world experience and to offer them opportunities to engage in the Felician Franciscan mission of service. Thus, the idea to become a Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) partner was born.

The VITA program at Felician University offers free tax assistance for the local community. It primarily serves low-income residents, senior citizens, persons with disabilities and taxpayers who speak limited English.

All VITA volunteers must pass a rigorous certification course administered by the IRS. Professionals from Professor Lizza’s firm, Lizza & Associates, oversee the process and provide guidance to the student volunteers.

Professor Lizza and two students

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first began their collaboration at the Rutherford Library and served approximately 40 clients at that time. VITA at Felician University is now entering its sixth year of service. It has grown from a small initiative into a well-known community resource.

The program has outgrown its original location and is now held on the Felician University campus. Volunteers from three additional area colleges also participate. In 2015, Felician University volunteers assisted approximately 250 clients at no cost. Professor Lizza anticipates that number growing to 300 residents this year.

VITA is a high-impact practice that is designed to aid the local community, but it is not just the taxpayers served that have benefitted from this program. Professor Lizza describes the pride he feels when he sees his volunteers thrive during

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their tenure in the VITA program and says, “In our continued commitment to the community through the VITA initiative, volunteers build tremendous experiences and gain extremely valuable skills which are necessary for an easy transition from the academic setting to an employment setting.”

Students who begin their training often feel fearful and insecure but they leave their last day of service as confident individuals who have clearly gained a thorough understanding of the income tax process. They have strengthened their operational and people skills. They have become a valued part of a team.

More information about Felician University’s VITA program can be found at: www. felician.edu/events/vita-free-tax-preparation-program-1

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LESSONS IN LEADERSHIP

Asking the Right Questions Methods to get them across

O

ften great leadership comes down to asking great questions.

When things go wrong in our organizations, some of us ask questions like “Who screwed this up?” or “What could you possibly have been thinking when you did that?”

To be clear, I’m a big advocate of confronting situations head-on —dealing with things before they get worse. How leaders go about confronting is key to what happens next and, ultimately, how difficult situations are resolved—or not.

Why not be a leader who sees every situation or circumstance as an opportunity to learn not only what happened but why it happened and who tries to understand what the best options are in order to move forward in a positive way.

The following are a few tips for asking really good questions that should prove helpful: 1.) Make sure your questions are clear and easy to understand.

Sounds simple, right? Then why is it that too often, people will ask a question and you have no idea what they want to find out? Before you ask a question, make sure you know why you are asking it – consider the information you are seeking – and then be clear and concise.

2.) Direct your questions to a particular person. You are more likely to get a direct response. Questions asked of a particular person are more effective than simply asking a generic question of an entire group. Often, when questions are asked of an entire group, people are reluctant to be the first to speak up. Also, it makes it easier for audience members 22

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to hide and not participate.

3.) Ask one question at a time.

Don’t you hate those multi-part questions? How do you know which part you are supposed to answer first? Do you ever find that you can’t remember what the first part was? Ask one question, on one subject, to one person and you’ll get better results.

about to be fired, you’ve succeeded. Questions like this can cause real problems.

4.) Follow up on a previous question that has been answered. Something like, “Jane, how does your answer compare with what Jim said on this subject earlier in the meeting?” Another effective follow-up is a short encouraging comment after someone has responded to an initial question, like “How so?” or “For example...?”

So the next time someone makes a comment that rubs you the wrong way, or something gets screwed up—which it inevitably will—fight the urge to ask a combative, negative, and judging question like “What’s wrong with you?” or “How could you say that?” Go in a different, more constructive direction in an effort to learn more and ask “Tell me, why do you see it that way?” or “What can I do to move things forward?”

You will be amazed at the reaction you get using this simple but powerful leadership, and frankly human, approach that revolves, not around answers, but once again around asking the right questions, in the right way, for the right reasons.

5.) Don’t be unnecessarily combative, unless you have a good reason for doing so. Avoid questions like “Why is it that you never seem to get it right, Bob?” If you are looking to scare the heck out of Bob or let him know he is

Now, your turn When have you used specific questions to improve your interactions with team members? Write to Steve Adubato at sadubato@aol.com.

MAY 2016

Cam Newton’s Leadership Sore loser, worse leader

B

eing a winner is easy, losing is hard. Sounds simple, right?

But when it comes to leadership nothing could be more difficult to deal with than coming up on the short end. Whether it’s in politics, business or sports, how you deal with defeat, in many ways, demonstrates the kind of leader you really are.

Consider New Jersey’s Governor Chris Christie, who decided to drop out of the presidential race after the New Hampshire primary and, in doing so, spoke with candor and deep emotion not only to his disappointed supporters but to the state of New Jersey and the nation.

He acknowledged that he didn’t connect in the way he wanted and needed to. He owned the defeat, stood in front of the cameras and did what he had to do. All of us who have lost or been defeated have had to do the same thing. I know I have on more occasions than I’d like to admit or acknowledge.

Now, take the case of National Football League’s Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton. He is one of the most talented athletes ever to step foot on the football field. He is clearly the Most Valuable Player in the NFL. Although, when it came to stepping up and being a true leader after the Panthers lost to the Denver Broncos at Super Bowl 50, Newton came up woefully short.

Of course he was disappointed, sad, hurt and embarrassed. Like I said, we’ve all tasted defeat before. Sure, our stakes weren’t as high as the Super Bowl. However, that doesn’t excuse Newton from wearing a hoodie, with his face barely shown, giving grumpy one or two word answers to the media in his post-Super Bowl press conference. It was visible he was getting increasingly agitated until, finally, after just a few minutes, without any warning he got up and walked out.

That was it, he had enough.

His explanation was that he doesn’t

consider himself a particularly “good loser.” Yet, what Newton didn’t understand was that his pathetic post-Super Bowl performance had nothing to do with being a good or bad loser. It had everything to do with being a poor leader.

A real leader would step up and face the music. He would answer the questions and be there for his teammates, for his fans and for the state he has represented so proudly since joining the team.

What we ultimately found out about Newton is that he looks like a great leader after he scores a touchdown, poses in the end zone and gives the football to a little kid. Everyone praises him for doing these great things and he deserves all that praise. However, the measure of a true leader is how he or she deals with things when they don’t go so well. The times Newton doesn’t have a reason to flash his million-dollar smile in a post-game press conference. That’s where real leaders are made or broken and Newton showed that ultimately he is a sulking, thin-skinned and shaky leader who you can’t count on when the chips are down. This has nothing to do with football and everything to do with leadership and life.

Me? I want a leader who isn’t only confident and strong when everything is going well. I want a leader who stands tall, faces the heat and makes his teammates and everyone around him feel just a little bit better in the face of defeat.

Now, your turn What do you think? Am I being fair to Cam Newton on his post-Super Bowl lack of leadership or do you think the way he handled himself is just fine?

Write to me at sadubato@aol.com.

Steve Adubato Ph.D., is the author of numerous books including his latest, You Are the Brand, and his upcoming book, Lessons in Leadership. He is also an Emmy Award-winning anchor on Thirteen/WNET (PBS) and NJTV (PBS) who regularly appears on CNN, FOX News, and the Today Show. Steve also provides executive leadership coaching and seminars for a variety of corporations and organizations both regionally and nationally. To read more Lessons in Leadership visit www.Stand-Deliver.com. Find and follow Steve on Twitter and Facebook at: @SteveAdubato @SteveAdubatoPhD

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COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT

One-Handed Lady Golfer Making a difference & raising awareness

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ianna Rojas, also known as the “One-Handed Lady Golfer” was born in Bath, Maine. Although, she was born with a birth defect of missing a hand, that certainly does not stop her passion for golf and creating a difference in the world.

“I don’t think of myself as being disabled or a handicap. I was born this way. I don’t know anything different,” said Rojas.

Her family moved to Florida when she was younger. Her neighbor, who was working for March of Dimes at the time, noticed her birth defect. She asked Gianna’s parents if she would be interested in being the poster child for the nonprofit organization. They agreed and she was the poster child from 1972 to 1976. Being the poster child of the organization, she contributed to stopping the drug responsible for her defect and was also spreading awareness.

Additionally, she contributed to giving blood samples and allowed the organization to seek out a way to prevent her condition.

“I was also part of the research to find out why babies were being born with birth defects all of sudden. I had chromosome and genetics testing. I had DNA testing, looked back at my genealogy tree. Nothing.

Nowhere in my family were there any birth defects,” said Rojas.

The collaborative efforts of Rojas and the March of Dimes influenced pharmaceutical companies to stop carrying and selling Thalidomide. The drug originated from a German-based company called Chemie Grünenthal GmbH. During the 1950’s, it was a common over-the-counter drug that combated morning sickness for women who were pregnant. Over 10,000 children were born with thalidomide-related disabilities worldwide, according to the Science Museum.

The March of Dimes organization was originally called the National Foundation for Infantile Paralysis. It was created

by President Franklin D. Roosevelt to eradicate polio initially. However, now the organization seeks to prevent any future causes of birth defects.

“As soon as we see things we can

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Photo by TWC News Albany

change and we need the government to get involved with, we have an advocacy team that will go to Trenton or D.C. If we have to go out there and advocate to get some of those laws put into place or changed that are effecting our children,” said Rojas.

Life after being the poster child Rojas is actually the current community director for Hudson County’s March of Dimes organization.

“I’m in a position where my story is coming back full-circle,” she said. “Who would have ever thought I would be back with March of Dimes again in this capacity?”

It is as if she is destined to work for March of Dimes and it truly is her calling.

“After we moved away, I never really thought about it. I had a scrapbook. That was neat, but it wasn’t really my thoughts that I would actually make a difference and now I’m in a position of where I am making a difference,” she said.

Rojas is also launching a one-handed golf challenge. The concept is that you play nine holes with a group of friends and the best ball is the winner. The main priority is to have people record each other attempting the “one-handed golf challenge” and to share it on social media sites to bring more awareness to people with birth defects.

Fifty-six million individuals have some sort of disability and only 10 percent of people with disabilities that participate in the sport of golf currently, according to data from the U.S. Department of Commerce.

MAY 2016

Rojas believes that this will be a fun and engaging way to bring attention to the people who have some sort of permanent impairment.

“If people will dump a bucket of ice on their head to spread awareness, why not play golf one-handed,” she said, referring to the ice bucket challenge that was started in July of 2014 to spread awareness to amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, commonly known as ALS. “The one-handed challenge” is a similar concept, just without getting yourself drenched by a bucket of cold water. The one-handed golf challenge will bring attention to the matter. The challenge can be done at any golf course and does not have a limited timeframe of when you can participate in it.

The only catch is, you can’t do it by yourself—you have to do it with friends in order to have a witness if you manage to sink a hole-in-one.

The challenge will be partnered with PGA REACH to support PGA HOPE to raise money for awareness, research and development. She is very excited to launch the one-handed golf challenge and extremely passionate about making a change.

“I want the challenge to let people know that physical challenges, mental challenges or cognitive challenges don’t have to be the end all. We can still be a part of society. We can still go out and make friends because that is part of human nature, we need to be social,” Rojas said.

Inspiring people beyond New Jersey Rojas fell in love with golfing thanks to her husband, Ray. His love for the sport rubbed off on to her and she has been appreciating the sport ever since.

Rojas does not limit herself to only New Jersey in spreading awareness. She has played at courses in Saratoga Springs, New York for the Capital Region Golf Expo, Myrtle Beach at Barefoot Resort and has been as far as Kapalua, Hawaii.

She posted a video of her 126-yard drive from the Barclay’s Volunteer Challenge that she participated in on YouTube that was well-received. Rojas has been a marshal for the Barclays for the past three years. She has also received numerous international offers from places in Europe and even the Bahamas to play golf at local courses—although, travel expenses limit the possibility of heading to play abroad as much as she would like.

Rojas has also received swing advice from well-known golfers such as Nick Faldo, Chi Chi Rodriguez and others.

Actions speak louder than words One of Rojas’ many passions is influencing others with birth defects or disabilities to never give up hope. If there is a will, there

is a way. She shared that while she was practicing at a driving range one afternoon that a woman came up and hugged her. She didn’t know the woman but she was crying and thanked her. The woman explained to her, that her daughter is missing part of her arm and saw Rojas on the news driving the golf ball.

Rojas lives for these moments and no form of payment could possibly replace inspiring others to overcome whatever medical condition or health issue is holding them back.

Additionally, she is in the process of building her own adaptive golf website, called adaptivegolfer.org. It will engage more people to go out and practice their golf swing and participate in the sport. If you are unfamiliar with what adaptive golf, it means it is for everybody and never too late to learn.

“Although, it’s cool and neat. It’s about inspiring people to go out and do things that they think they can’t do,” said Rojas.

Adaptive golf is all about trying your best at playing the leisure sport. It allows the person to modify their swing technique to their liking in order to play.

“I’m not trying to be another nonprofit organization. I want to be a resource

that link people to whatever it is they need.

Whether it be inspiration or a product,” said Rojas.

Although, the website won’t be fully operational until sometime this Spring, people can still visit it. It will offer a unique experience for people who cannot play golf normally. It will connect people with birth defects, disabilities or handicaps that want to golf with other people that will help them make their dreams become a reality.

Rojas is a living testament that if you believe in yourself, you can accomplish anything. She is committed to the cause of preventing future baby defects and is trying to help the self-doubters to play golf. Nothing is more satisfying then to prove yourself wrong and to achieve what you desire.

Rojas said, “It’s amazing what the body can do if you want to, no matter what you have.”

Jonathan Sanzari is a contributing writer & copy editor with Meadowlands USA. He has an associate degree in arts from Passaic County Community College and a bachelor’s degree from Ramapo College of New Jersey in communication arts, focusing in journalism. He can be reached at musa@ meadowlands.org.

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COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT

Never Give Up Hope

Ed’s inspiring recovery from stroke & life with aphasia

E

d, 33, was once the captain of his high school soccer team, member of his school’s varsity track team, swimmer, water skier, runner and professional athletic trainer. He is also an avid Yankees, Jets fan and more recently, a stroke survivor with aphasia.

He became a member of Adler Aphasia Center in 2012. As his parents say, the center gave him back his life. He could not say many words and was slow to meet others, being one of the youngest center members. It took him almost a year for him to say “Dad” again, a huge highlight for his father who had not heard his son call him that since his stroke in 2005.

Ed’s life was always enriched by sports and showed great passion for them. Shortly after running a 10K race, he was hospitalized with a severe headache. Complications of a dissection of the carotid artery led to a stroke, putting him in a 47-day coma and aphasia. Aphasia is a language disorder that impairs the expression and understanding of spoken language, reading and writing.

It occurs most often from a stroke or brain injury. This frustrating condition affects a person’s ability to communicate, but does not affect his or her intellect.

Adler Aphasia Center is a nonprofit organization based in Maywood and West Orange, New Jersey. It is an innovative post-rehabilitative therapeutic program that addresses the long-term needs of people with aphasia and their families. The center also offers six Aphasia Communication Groups in five New Jersey counties: Bergen, Morris, Ocean, Somerset and Union counties.

The programs and activities offered at Adler Aphasia Center are facilitated by speech language pathologists and healthcare professionals. They all share the primary goals of enhancing the communication skills of its members. They also provide opportunities for social and peer support, while building members’ self-esteem and self-confidence.

“Since joining the Center, Ed has rediscovered vocabulary he hasn’t used since his stroke. He now enthusiastically commu-

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DID YOU KNOW THAT 40% OF STROKE SURVIVORS ACQUIRE APHASIA?

Want to learn more about stroke prevention and APHASIA? Adler Aphasia Center can offer a Lunch and Learn in your office for all employees.

Want to hold a Something Special jewelry sale in your office featuring handcrafted pieces made by stroke survivors with aphasia?

Great gifts for moms, dads, teachers and grads! Proceeds support the Center’s Scholarship Fund for people with aphasia and their families.

Contact Robin Straus at rstraus@adleraphasiacenter.org or at (201) 368-8585. nicates and engages others in conversation.

He no longer asks for our help to communicate his thoughts. Ed uses the phone as never before, both to receive and initiate calls with friends and family. He has improved language and has helped him to be an even better father to his children,” wrote his parents, Rosemary and Bob. With increased confidence, he has been participating more frequently in center activities. This year and last, he has taken on leading roles in the center’s annual musical productions. He managed to learn almost 90 minutes of lines when he played the lead in Grease. He has redirected his life, developed new skills and abilities behind the lens of a camera.

Recently, he spoke publicly about living with aphasia to an international audience at a major pharmaceutical company. He also reacquainted himself with the sports he once loved and has taken on new ones, thanks to an area adaptive sports program.

He is among the two million people living with aphasia in the U.S., with roughly 70,000 in New Jersey alone. The full serMAY 2016

vice centers in Maywood and West Orange are just two of just a handful worldwide that provide long term post-rehabilitation aphasia therapy. The center also offers Aphasia communication groups in six New Jersey counties twice a week to enable people with aphasia to build their communication skills and learn about resources in their own communities.

Members of the Adler Aphasia Center receive the therapeutic support needed to live a better quality of life by building their communication skills and increasing their self-confidence. The center also provides social and peer support, easing the isolation people with aphasia often feel. As aphasia affects the entire family, the center also offers weekly caregiver support groups.

For more information about the Adler Aphasia Center’s programs and services in Maywood or West Orange, NJ, or for information about the Center’s Aphasia Communication Groups in Bridgewater, Maywood, Morristown, Scotch Plains, Toms River and Union, visit their website at www.AdlerAphasiaCenter.org or call (201) 368-8585.

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Eco-Friendly Business Tips

Slash bills, gain clients & reduce your impact on the environment

I

t is time to reconsider the common business practices and to start the transition to become more environmentally friendly. Scientists are reporting that the hottest year ever recorded was just last year in 2015. Being an environmental friendly business has great benefits, such as attracting more customers by being more responsible. And certain practices could save you a sizable amount of money annually.

Becoming an eco-friendly business is not expensive and actually can be done with a relatively small budget.

New Jersey often ranks near the top for green-friendly states but there is always room for improvement and opportunities for businesses to save money.

Here is a list of low-cost ways you can save big money on your small business.

Upgrade lighting: 1. Replace incandescent light bulbs that you may still be using.

By switching the incandescent light bulbs with compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs), it will cost you 75 percent less to operate and will last 10 times longer.

2. If you are a small-business and have a lot of daylight that comes in through the windows, take advantage of it. You will save a substantial amount of money if you choose to utilize natural lighting and avoid switching the lights on.

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3. Small businesses can make insignificant down payment costs on upgrading their energy by contacting a local utility company that offers a low-cost energy audit. Many energy auditors will give you a free estimate and will tell you how your business will benefit from the changes of going green.

Something as simple as LED light technology can help reduce costs drastically and immediately. Some high quality LEDs can last 70,000 hours and use up to 90 percent less power than traditional bulbs. So, coupled with NJCEP incentives and LED technology, small business can save a lot of money.

4. There is a DSIRE database that will display financial offers that are local to your business. DSIRE is funded by the United States department of energy. The database will recommend reputable sources that give you tax incentive to convert your business to an eco-friendly one.

Reduce energy: 5. Make sure to turn off computers and other electronic devices when they are not in use. There is a common misconception that screensavers will drastically reduce energy use. However, the best way to reduce energy use from the computer is to put it in sleep mode or to just turn it off completely.

6. Choosing rechargeable batteries is more cost effective than

the common throwaway batteries, according to the U.S. Small Business Administration. Rechargeable batteries consume up to 23 times less non-renewable natural resources than disposable batteries and actually last longer. Some people are skeptical to transition to rechargeable batteries due to the price tag. However, it is worth the investment because you are saving a trip to purchase more traditional batteries.

7. Consider buying laptops over desktop computers. They use much less energy than desktop computers and take up less space. Laptops can save you lots of energy in the long-run and save you additional money.

8. Unplug your charging device or smartphone when it is fully charged or when the charger is not being used. A lot of people overcharge their smartphone or device, ultimately wasting energy and ruining your batteries charge life.

9. Consider upgrading your thermostat to installing a cloud one.

A cloud thermostat allows you to program a set temperature schedule via wireless Internet connection. It is capable of digital temperature sensors and are able to store temperature settings.

Also, it will display a history of temperatures. If there is a certain someone that always changes it, you can find out who and when.

According to Energy.gov, by turning back 10 degrees to 15 degrees for eight hours, you can save five percent to 15 percent a year on your heating bill. This can save you as much as one percent for each degree if the setback period is eight hours long.

10. Look into green web hosting, a growing trend because it costs just as much as a regular web hosting site. The companies that own the green web hosting site will buy carbon counterbalances and renewable energy certificates to reduce the environmental cost of running their servers.

Paper alternative: 11. An alternative to reduce your paper usage is to switch to post-consumer waste (PCW) paper, paper products and packaging. Avoid buying regular paper and purchase eco-friendly paper that is recycled (also known as PCW).

Buying paper that is made entirely from the paper PCW recycled paper uses 45 percent less energy and creates half the waste it takes to create traditional paper. The paper that is labeled 100 percent PCW is the most eco-friendly. However, if you cannot find that, you can always find ones that have some PCW in it.

12. Allow reusable items in the office pantry to reduce the amount of paper products you use. You’re saving the trees and money. One tree supplies enough oxygen for three people.

13. Consider using an eFaxing service, rather than use an outdated fax machine. You will save money on paper, toner, power and maintenance.

14. Adjust your printer settings to double-sided to reduce the amount of paper you use.

Internal infrastructure: 15. Contemplate hiring an intern. Many colleges and universi-

ties have sustainability majors currently or in the making. There are eager students willing to prove themselves out there in the job market. Hiring an intern to do research on how to cut back costs on materials that you are using could make your company more profitable.

16. By slowly turning your small business into a green one, you are showing that your business cares about the environment.

You can promote this value as a selling point and possibly attract more clients and customers. They will see you as a responsible company that cares about the well-being of others around them.

17. Try to find furniture that is restored instead of buying brand new. Although, the furniture you bought might have had previous owners you are buying a like-new product and saving lots of money.

The current state of experiencing climate change is not going to disappear overnight. Converting to an eco-friendly business operation will not only benefit your business, it will help leave a more livable planet behind for future generations.

Transitioning to green methods of operation might be difficult. However, the longevity of its effects will far outweigh adjusting to it. Clients and customers admire a business that is environmentally conscious. Saving money is vital for any business and becoming eco-friendly could lead to a far more profitable business than expected.

Jonathan Sanzari is a contributing writer & copy editor with Meadowlands USA. He has an associate degree in arts from Passaic County Community College and a bachelor’s degree from Ramapo College of New Jersey in communication arts, focusing in journalism. He can be reached at musa@meadowlands.org.

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LEGAL

Patent Protection

Identify & enforce your rights on your intellectual property

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ntellectual property plays an important part in businesses today. There are three basic types, patents, trademarks and copyrights. Many businesses tend to perceive patents as strictly technology oriented and as a result fail to properly identify opportunities to protect their inventions.

It is also a common misconception that patents are more difficult to obtain and enforce than trademarks and copyrights. However, patents are available for simple products as well as for intangible products such as business methods and manufacturing processes. This article is intended to provide a general guideline on how to identify, protect and enforce patent rights.

A patent is a legal monopoly granted by the government to an inventor “to exclude others from making, using, offering for sale, or selling the invention throughout the U.S. or importing the invention into the United States.”

This monopoly is granted to the inventor or owner of the patent for a limited time in exchange for public disclosure of the invention. Most, if not all, inventions are improvements of existing inventions. Thus, the public policy behind granting patents is that public disclosure will promote innovation.

There are three types of patents : utility, design and plant. Utility patents are for processes, machines, articles of manufacture, or composition of matter (e.g., U.S. Pat. No. 3,005,282 for a Toy Building Block - the original LEGO).

Design patents are for ornamental designs for an article of manufacture (e.g., U.S. Pat. No. D593,087 for an Electronic Device - the original iPhone design).

Plant patents are for asexually reproduced distinct and new variety of plants (e.g., genetically modified organisms (GMOs)).

To obtain a patent, the invention must be: 1) useful - must have some utility or application, even if not commer-

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cially practical; 2) novel - not previously known or used; and 3) not obvious - cannot be obvious in light of what already exists, including obvious combinations of different elements.

The U.S. is now a first-inventor-tofile country and, therefore, prompt filing is paramount to securing protection. An international patent application under the Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT) could also be filed to preserve a foreign filing date as well. Regardless, a patent application must be filed within one year of public disclosure. Otherwise, the invention is considered public domain.

A U.S. utility or plant patent application could be filed as a provisional application and a non-provisional application. A provisional application could be filed with just a detailed description of the invention and drawings, and is not examined by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. It is simply a place holder for a non-provisional application (explained below), which must be filed within one year of the provisional application filing date.

Given how critical an earlier filing MAY 2016

date is (as explained above), applicants for utility applications are often encouraged to consider filing the more cost and time effective provisional application in order to preserve an early filing date. A provisional application also provides the applicant a full year to further develop and market the invention (as “patent pending”), during which time the applicant could determine whether to invest more time and money to protect the invention.

Unlike a provisional application, a non-provisional application must include claims in addition to a detailed description of the invention and drawings. Claims are the heart of a utility patent application and are the main focus during the examination of the application at the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. Claims are numbered paragraphs at the end of the application which dictate the scope of protection of the invention. Therefore, depending on the wording of the claims, a competitor could possibly design around the invention to avoid infringement.

Depending on the type of technolo-

gy of the invention, the normal examination time for utility and patent applications is between two and four years, although accelerated examination is available for an additional fee. Utility and plant patents are valid for twenty years from U.S. filing date (with payment of periodic maintenance fees).

To prevail in an infringement lawsuit for a utility or plant patent, the plaintiff must prove that the accused product or process meets all of the claimed elements in each claim the defendant is accused of infringing.

A U.S. design patent application is filed with drawings and a short specification describing the drawings. The drawings must include all views of the article of manufacture (i.e., top, bottom, front, rear, right and left), which form the claim of the design patent.

The examination period for design applications is usually between one and two years. Design patents are valid for fifteen years from issue date (no maintenance fees).

Even though design patents are costlier to obtain compared with federal registrations for copyrights and trade dress, one could argue that design patents are easier to enforce than copyrights and trade dress.

For copyright infringement, the plaintiff must show, among other things, that the defendant copied or had access to the protected work. For trademark infringement, the plaintiff must show that there is a likelihood of consumer confusion between the protected trade dress and the accused product.

Neither of these elements must be proven for design patent infringement.

Instead, the standard for infringement is that an ordinary observer would deem the two products as substantially the same.

Patent infringement is a federal question and therefore federal courts have exclusive jurisdiction. Damages accrue only after the accused party has notice of the patent at issue. The accused party could receive notice from

the patent holder marking its products with a patent number (known as “constructive notice”), or from receipt of a cease-and-desist letter or a federal complaint (known as “actual notice”).

Generally, lost profits or reasonable royalties are available for patent infringement damages. Treble damages (up to three times actual damages) are also available for willful infringement.

John H. Choi is managing attorney at John H. Choi & Associates LLC, a full service intellectual property law firm in Ridgefield Park, NJ focusing on obtaining, enforcing and defending against claims relating to patents, trademarks and copyrights. This article is for information purposes only and is not legal advice. This article was submitted for publication in Meadowlands USA Magazine. For more information on the firm, please visit the firm’s website at www.jchoilaw.com.

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31

LEGAL

Environmental Due Diligence Avoiding the pitfalls in cleanup liability

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nvironmental statutes impose broad liability on owners of contaminated property. However, under both federal and New Jersey state law, purchasers of property may be protected from cleanup liability if they can show that they undertook appropriate due diligence before acquisition of the site and didn’t know of the contamination. Purchasers of property should also make sure that they are aware of other potential environmental constraints on a site. Real estate contracts now routinely contain due diligence provisions and the implementation of the due diligence process often dictates the outcome of the transaction. Identifying potential pitfalls in the due diligence process, such as those listed below, is critical to the success of any acquisition.

1. Know the standards that apply.

In order to achieve innocent purchaser protection for a site located in New Jersey, a purchaser performing due diligence should follow both the federal requirements as set forth in the United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) regulations and the New Jersey state requirements set forth in the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP) rules.

This means that for a New Jersey site, the due diligence must at a minimum cover the scope for a phase-one environmental site assessment meeting the USEPA rules, and a New Jersey Preliminary Assessment under NJDEP regulations. Many attorneys and environmental consultants are not aware of these overlapping requirements, leaving clients potentially unprotected.

2. Don’t forget about ISRA.

Although, some question whether the New Jersey Industrial Site Recovery Act (ISRA) still has meaning, it remains in full force and effect and should be considered during due diligence. Under ISRA, the sale of or cessation of operations at a subject industrial establishment triggers an obligation to notify NJDEP and pursue a remediation of the site. It is important to determine early on if the property is an ISRA subject facility and to consider the implications when

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structuring a deal.

3. Understand the supervision of an LSRP.

Remediation of contaminated property in New Jersey is done under the supervision of a Licensed Site Remediation Professional (LSRP). LSRP’s have certain independent reporting obligations to the NJDEP. As a result, sellers of property frequently prohibit buyers from using an LSRP to conduct due diligence, even though it is not so clear that the independent reporting obligation applies. This is not a fatal flaw from a buyer’s perspective, but one should take steps to ensure that due diligence material generated by a non-LSRP will be usable by an LSRP when a transaction closes and there are post-closing remediation requirements. One way of addressing this concern is to hire a firm that employs both LSRP’s and non-LSRPs for the due diligence process.

4. Pay attention to building interiors.

Although not necessarily required by NJDEP or USEPA regulations, when buying an existing building, some attention should be paid to the inside of the building. Historically, materials including lead, asbestos, polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and mercury were used in building materials or wall coatings. If these materials are present, there can be risks associated with using or demolishing existing structures. As environmental regulations have evolved, there is also greater concern with indoor air quality whether related to radon, or the potential that volatile organic substances could be entering the building from contaminated ground water.

MAY 2016

5. Investigate compliance history.

Due diligence should include investigation whether operations at the property were done in compliance with environmental regulations. Violations of environmental standards could lead to liens being imposed on a property, even if done by a predecessor owner.

6. Identify other constraints.

Environmental laws and regulations impose requirements on the use and development of property. Due diligence should consider whether particular requirements are applicable to the use or development of a site. Consideration should be given to whether a site contains wetlands, is in a flood hazard area or is subject to buffers that limit development. Notably, a buffer may exist on a property as a result of a regulated feature on and adjacent site.

A determination whether a property is in a sewer service area, and if sewer and other utility capacity exists, is also crucial. These are only some of the issues that we see when undertaking due diligence.

Of course each site and deal is different.

Those who ignore due diligence do so at their own peril.

Dennis M. Toft is a member of the 130 attorney firm of Chiesa Shahinian & Giantomasi of West Orange, NJ where he co-chairs the environmental practice. Mr. Toft was actively involved in the process of developing and implementing the Site Remediation Reform Act on behalf of the regulated community.

He can be reached at (973) 530-2014 or by email at dtoft@csglaw.com.

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The PSEG Foundation is proud to partner with Sesame Street on a new, free app called Let’s Ger Ready: Preparing Families for Emergencies. This unique app, geared toward pre-school children, introduces ways to prepare for emergencies in an entertaining and ageappropriate way and provides a number of resource guides and short videos to help parents, educators and other caretakers as they guide the children through the learning process.

Cannot Spell Excellence Without XCEL

new jersey

xcel federal credit union

full wrap

Decades of superior service in the financial industry

X

CEL Federal Credit Union is celebrating its 52nd anniversary this year. Over these past five decades, so much has changed.

When we first opened up shop, we only offered basic savings accounts and worked out of a desk drawer. Now, we are offering remote mobile check deposit from your smart phone, shared branching (over 6,000) and ATMs (over 40,000), CDs, money markets, first mortgages, home banking, auto loans, and so much more. For the fifth year in a row, we were named ‘One of the Best Places to Work’ in New Jersey.

Four years ago in 2012, we were named the ‘Credit Union of the Year’ for 34

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New Jersey. The best of all, we earned our first national award. The National Association of Federal Credit Unions (NAFCU) has named us the 2014 Credit Union of the Year. Additionally, the New Jersey Commerce and Industry Association (CIANJ) just announced that XCEL will be receiving two prestigious awards, ‘Best Practices’ and ‘Companies That Care.’

The leadership of the credit union is aware of our members’ wants and needs and is up on the latest industry trends.

This year in Washington D.C., we earned yet another national award. However, this one is different, it makes the listed XCEL as the credit union that offers the most

MAY 2016

value to our members from all the credit unions in the United States.

Achieving this award affirms what we have always known: XCEL is member-orientated and will do whatever we can to help you.

XCEL’s extensive & reputable history Our background is similar to every other credit union, yet different. We started off as the credit union for employees of Port Authority of New York and New Jersey. Everyone knows where they were on September 11th, 2001. We were in our office in the World Trade Center. After living through, and being a part of, the 9/11 tragedy, words like liberty and freedom

mean a lot more to us, now more than ever.

We are thankful to this day that all our employees got out of the building unharmed, but we think of those who did not. We sympathize with the victim’s families and everybody else who were affected in some way. We also would like to thank the public servicemen and women that provided help during the nation’s dark time.

Until 9/11, we were headquartered in the World Trade Center (Tower 1 – 17th Floor), but now we call North Jersey our home. From that tragedy came a new innovative way of banking. On September 10th of that year, about four to seven percent of our transactions were done remotely by our member, meaning through home banking, touchtone phone banking or ATMs. Soon after, the tragedy struck.

Our members still needed to access their money even though the building was no longer there. So, they taught themselves how to use their computers to access their accounts. Nearly 93 percent of our current transactions are done through phones, the internet, our smartphone app, our shared branching locations/shared ATMs or through our own advanced ATMs. It is pretty amazing to witness—to see our members utilizing the perks that come with joining XCEL. It also shows

the resilience of our nation and our members.

From misfortune to innovation & expansion Over 100 million Americans belong to a credit union. Let that sink in for one second: 100,000,000 Americans belong to a credit union. Wow, those people are just looking for a better way of banking and that is exactly what XCEL Federal Credit Union provides. Its banking you can trust and consistently rely on.

Over the years, credit unions have become more and more accepted in not only New Jersey but also around the country. Americans are realizing that credit unions really are a great alternative to those big banks. The average bank is 14 times larger than the average credit union. That allows for credit unions to get to know their members are more personal and intimate level. To put that in to perspective, consider this: credit unions in the United States were established in 1908. It took over 105 years for all the credit unions to grow to over $1 trillion, over a century.

By contrast, U.S. banks grew by $1.4 trillion in just the last three years. Each of the nation’s four largest banks, are larger than the entire credit union industry. That is amazing. Even now, a few years after the big banks needed to be bailed out,

three of the four largest are even larger. It is just not right. Credit unions are member-owned, democratically governed, not-for-profit cooperative financial institutions that are managed by a volunteer board of directors.

Can you imagine a bank having any volunteers working for it? The credit union structural difference helped cooperative financial institutions come through the recent recession (2007-2009) nearly unscathed, while the banking industry teetered on near-complete collapse. Bank runs were commonplace. Every company in New Jersey should offer their employees the free benefit of credit union membership: every company, every municipality and every organization.

XCEL’s exceptional service Members’ accounts are insured by the National Credit Union Administration Share Insurance Fund (NCUASIF) for up

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Continued from pg. 35

to $250,000. We offer every service a bank does with little or no fees including Kasasa rewards checking. Our Kasasa reward checking offers the members several options to make their checking account work.

And every option includes nationwide ATM fee refunds. One option offers special iTunes or Amazon gift cards while another offers high dividends (currently 2.01 percent) on your savings. Or maybe you would prefer cash back on all your purchase using your XCEL debit card? We can do that. All these plans are different and each has certain qualifiers, but at least you have a choice.

Membership into XCEL Federal Credit Union is absolutely free to the company, municipality or organization. It is truly a free benefit. In this age of cutbacks, wouldn’t it be nice to give your employees a fresh new benefit that they can actually use? We pride ourselves on our financial literacy program.

We will come to your company and explain to your employees how credit scores really work, how to buy a home for the first time, and so much more. We help your coworkers stretch their paychecks and that makes you look good. So as we said earlier, every company in New Jersey should have a credit union.

Formed in 1964, XCEL Federal Credit Union has been serving members with exceptional financial products and services. XCEL Federal Credit Union is federally insured, regulated, and examined annually by both the federal government and an independent CPA firm. Each member’s deposits are insured to the $250,000 maximum allowable limit by the National Credit Union Administration (NCUA), which is backed by the full faith and credit of the U.S. government. They can be reached at (973) ASK XCEL (275-9235) or e-mail them at xcel@XCELfcu.org

Everyone Does Banking… …But Not Everyone Needs a Bank

XCEL Federal Credit Union Higher Dividends on Your Savings Accounts Lower Interest Rates on Your Loans And All with Very Low Fees Over 1.4 Million New Jersey Residents Already Belong to a Credit Union Now it’s

YOUR TURN

Join TODAY

Your Accounts Are Insured ~ Established 1964 ~

www.XCELfcu.org 800.284.8663 x 3041

Formerly in the World Trade Center And Now Headquartered In BLOOMFIELD If Your Company or Organization doesn’t have a Credit Union, Call us – Membership is FREE

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Examining New Jersey's Most Pressing Issues

8:30 a.m.

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11:30 a.m.

INVESTMENTS, BANKING & FINANCING

Avoiding Credit Debt

10 do’s & don’ts for small business owners

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hether we like it or not, access to credit is an essential part of running a small business, but being considered creditworthy can be a challenge. According to Credit Karma, more than 75 percent of Americans have a credit score below 700.

If you are one of the many who have a credit scores below 700, there’s no time like today to take the steps needed that could have a major impact on your personal and business creditworthiness.

Here are ten important do’s and don’ts to get you on the path to creditworthiness.

Do pay all your bills and invoices on time.

Paying on time is one of the key building blocks of establishing creditworthiness.

It builds good relationships between you and your suppliers resulting in better terms and stronger purchasing power.

Payment history accounts for 35 percent of your FICO® scores and is a contributing factor in the makeup of your business credit ratings.

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Don’t forget to read the terms and conditions.

Read and understand all aspects of business contracts and credit agreements prior to signing the dotted line. You could end up incurring extra fees or charges by not reading and understanding the terms and conditions.

Do build your business credit reports and scores.

Banks, lenders, suppliers, insurance companies and investors use company credit reports from business credit reporting agencies such as Dun & Bradstreet.

“Just as your personal credit has a big impact on your financial health, your business credit can help you get competitive business loan rates and terms from potential suppliers,” says Marc Kirshbaum, president of Experian’s Business Information Solutions group.

Don’t co-mingle your personal and business finances.

For starters, create a separate bank account and obtain a business credit card.

Be sure to keep excellent records and MAY 2016

document all business expenses. Documenting allows you to become a better bookkeeper for your business, making it easier during tax time.

Do obtain a business credit card.

A business credit card is an invaluable tool for building business credit, managing expenses and separating your personal and business expenses. With a business credit card used solely for company purchases and expenses you eliminate the risk of co-mingling funds.

Don’t just pay the minimum amount due.

It is essential to pay more than the minimum amount due whenever possible.

Paying more helps reduce your overall balance owing, which improves your credit utilization and raises your score.

This also helps prevent your debt from piling up since your chipping away at the overall balance.

Do look into alternative financing programs.

Alternative lenders offer many opportu-

nities for small businesses to get funding without relying on traditional models of risk assessment. Programs such as revenue based financing and crowdfunding have gained in popularity over the years.

In addition, the power of the internet has given rise to online alternative lenders which look at various aspects of business data as opposed to relying on credit scores alone.

Don’t max out your credit cards.

Credit utilization plays a major factor in the makeup of your personal FICO® scores accounting for nearly 30 percent.

The percentage of how much you owe compared to the amount of your credit limit is known as credit utilization. Keep your ratios on both personal and business credit cards below 40 percent in order to maximize your credit potential.

Do pay better than terms.

Paying invoices in a timely manner will earn a business an 80 Paydex® score with Dun & Bradstreet. To earn a perfect score of 100 requires that you pay better than terms with vendors and suppliers.

Paying invoices 10-20 days before the due date is essential for building strong company credit ratings.

Don’t forget your business has assets.

Tangible assets such as real estate and equipment are often the collateral used to secure various types of financing. But don’t rule out intangible assets such as your company’s reputation, social capital, brand, and intellectual property.

These assets are important and valuable to a company.

Marco Carbajo is a business credit expert, author, speaker and founder of the Business Credit Insiders Circle.

He is a business credit blogger for Dun and Bradstreet Credibility Corp, the SBA.gov Community, About.com and AllBusiness.com. His articles and blog, BusinessCreditBlogger.com, have been featured in Fox Small Business, American Express Small Business, Business Week, The Washington Post, The New York Times, The San Francisco Tribune, Alltop and Entrepreneur Connect.

ENVIRONMENTAL

INFRASTRUCTURE

REDEVELOPMENT

LET’S

MAKE IT HAPPEN

WWW.SCARINCIHOLLENBECK.COM (201) 896-4100 MEADOWLANDS USA

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INVESTMENTS, BANKING & FINANCING

Cash Flow Basics

Understanding how cash flow shapes decisions & future funding

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hether you are starting a new business or looking to grow or sell an established business, it is essential to understand your cash flow. In addition to shaping your future business decisions, cash flow projections will also likely impact future funding.

Cash flow basics A basic cash flow spreadsheet tracks cash receipts and cash paid out for each month. Cash receipts include all cash sales, collections from customer accounts, loans and other funding. Cash paid out includes all of the company’s monthly expenses, such as purchases, wages and payroll expenses, rent, loan payments, insurance, utilities, supplies, taxes, advertising or marketing expenses and professional fees.

One-time costs, such as capital investments and startup costs, must also be included in the corresponding month, i.e., when the purchase will be made and/ or payment is due.

Recording the basic information listed above can help businesses understand when or how money comes in, how or when it goes out, and what’s left at the end of the day. More importantly, it can also help businesses project cash flow in the months and years to come.

By having a clear picture of cash in and cash out can also help identify weaknesses and opportunities for improvement. If the projected balance is negative, the business must cut expenses, use existing liquid assets, borrow or otherwise obtain more working capital.

However, even profitable businesses can benefit from cash flow analysis.

For instance, negotiating reduced rent payments or improving collections procedures can free up cash for expanding products or services. Any capital raise or sale of the company can benefit from cash flow analysis.

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The importance of cash flow charts Business owners should also be prepared to share their cash flow charts. Detailed cash flow projections are essential to a successful business plan. Potential investors want to see that your company will be profitable and how quickly. For existing businesses, cash flow statements are also required when obtaining loans or other forms of financing.

Where to start It is possible to create a cash flow chart using Microsoft Excel, but you will have to do all of the work yourself. There are a number of cash flow templates available online. The most basic ones are free, while the more detailed ones are not.

Accounting software programs of-

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ten include cash flow charts as a feature, so if you already use one, that’s also a good place to start.

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SMALL BUSINESS CORNER

Startup Bad Habits

Common behaviors that may be affecting your business

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here are actions that business owners and business managers perform that could be affecting their company negatively. However, these habits are hard to recognize, as they and their peers have often accepted them as common practice.

Below are five behaviors in the workplace that either add no value to a company, or subtract from it.

1) Taking on too many tasks

The startup phase of a business requires an entrepreneur to wear many hats, but as the company grows, attempting to do too much can hurt growth.

After hiring employees, look for opportunities to delegate lower value tasks to them so more important matters can be focused on with the attention they deserve.

2) Monopolizing the decisionmaking process

Another bad habit that many entrepreneurs possess is their desire for complete control over the day to day operations of their company.

As a business gets bigger, the amount of decision points increase significantly, causing the speed of work to slow down due to the need for each one to be approved by the founder.

Hiring the right employees and training them appropriately will make it easier to offload smaller responsibilities, which will keep work flow moving at an optimal rate.

3) Reacting to problems instead of anticipating them

While many successful business owners excel at executing their own tasks, some do so without thinking about the future. This can lead to problems that would have been easily avoided if time had been set aside to anticipate them.

Failure to do this can put companies in a sudden defensive posture when they could have been in a position to see trouble coming. The latter situation allows companies to adapt quickly, making it advantageous to plan for these scenarios.

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4) Indulging in activities that don’t add value

The information age has transformed business, allowing for exponential increases in productivity. It has also introduced opportunities for distraction that never existed a generation ago.

The presence of social media and e-mail, while necessary for the completion of certain tasks, makes it easy to get drawn into activities that add no value to the company.

By limiting access to these applications to a few times per day, their drag on productive work will be kept to a minimum.

5) Dwelling in fear instead of moving past it

Some degree of risk-taking is necessary in business, and along with this reality comes fear. How an entrepreneur deals with this emotion plays a large part in determining their success in the long term.

MAY 2016

If they dwell in it, the decision paralysis that results will reduce productivity significantly. If they examine the root of their fear and act appropriately, they will be able to carry on with what needs to be done to grow their business in spite of the risks involved.

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SMALL BUSINESS CORNER

Cybersecurity Benefits “Best practice” advice for small businesses

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he Department of Justice (DOJ) is the latest U.S. government agency to offer cybersecurity response tips to the business community. Late last month, the Securities and Exchange Commission also weighed in on cybersecurity response tips.

The DOJ cybersecurity response tips provides “best practices” to assist organizations in preparing a cyber incident response plan. It is specifically intended for small businesses that often lack the resources (both technical and financial) of larger organizations. Below is a brief summary of the DOJ’s recommendations for before, during, and after a cyberattack.

Before a cyberattack • Identify mission critical data and assets (characterized as the “Crown Jewels” by the DOJ) and implement tiered security measures to safeguard those assets.

• Create an actionable response plan that provides specific, concrete procedures to follow in the event of a cyber incident and ensure that all personnel who have computer security responsibilities are properly trained.

• Have procedures in place that will permit lawful network monitoring, which can be essential to detect and respond to a cyberattack.

• Retain legal counsel who is familiar with legal issues that arise during cyber incidents.

• Develop relationships with relevant law enforcement agencies, outside counsel, public relations firms, and investigative and cybersecurity firms that you may need to retain in the event of an incident.

During a cyberattack • Make an initial assessment of the scope and nature of the incident, particularly whether it is a malicious

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attack (insider or outsider) and/or a technological malfunction.

• Implement your written cyber incident response plan.

• Collect and preserve data related to the incident, which should include: “imaging” the network; retaining all logs, notes and other records; and maintaining records of ongoing intrusions.

• Notify all relevant parties, such as company personnel, law enforcement, and potential victims.

• Avoid using compromised systems and do not “hack back” against the perpetrator.

After a cyberattack • Carefully monitor your network to make sure the attacker has been removed and you have regained control.

• Perform a post-incident review to MAY 2016

identify any weakness in the development and/or execution of your incident response plan.

While it seems that everyone has cybersecurity advice these days, given the authority of the DOJ to prosecute organizations that fail to properly address a data breach, the agency’s guidance should not be overlooked. Overall, it provides a useful roadmap of the policies andv procedures that it expects to see implemented at U.S. businesses.

Fernando Pinguelo is a trial lawyer that focuses his practice on cyber security, crisis & risk management, eDiscovery, Intellectual Property, Labor & Employment, Business Torts and Antitrust. He is also the chairman of the Cyber Security and Data Protection practice and cochair of Crisis & Risk Management at Scarinci Hollenbeck LLC in Lyndhurst, New Jersey.

REAL ESTATE

New Jersey Reports Strong Office Market

Upswing in reconstruction & redevelopment opportunities for commercial properties

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ewmark Grubb Knight Frank (NGKF) recently released a white paper research report on the shifting trends in the New Jersey office market. According to the report, strong corporate attraction and retention have contributed to robust leasing and increased development in the state. This upswing in activity has positioned north-

ern New Jersey as the seventh largest office market in the nation.

Eighty percent of New Jersey’s office inventory was built in the 1980s, presenting a need for modernization and renovation. Tenants in the market are looking for upgraded amenities and working environments that are not typically provided by older buildings. The

report notes new drivers in office design include high ceilings, open floor plates, improved window lines and exposure, modern building amenities such as food service and fitness centers, state-of-theart infrastructure and ample parking.

Corporations are increasingly committing to existing Class-A office space or built-to-suit opportunities. In 2015, all deals over 100,000 square feet were in either Class A or built-to-suit buildings.

Major drivers for built-to-suit opportunities include a lack of available large blocks of space and improved value and efficiency. Access to developable land at value pricing also has tenants vacating outdated office space and opting for builtto-suit or recently renovated office buildings. Currently, there is approximately three million square feet of office space under construction or under renovation.

The shift in demand for workplace environments, coupled with an aging inventory, has contributed to a spike in reconstruction and built-to-suit opportunities for the marketplace. Three of the five current built-to-suit projects were announced in the last year. These tailored and dynamic work spaces also contribute to increased employee satisfaction and workplace efficiency.

Looking forward, NGKF predicts the New Jersey office landscape is likely to change as outdated properties are transformed into more in-demand facilities through adaptive re-use and/or strategic capital improvements.

Newmark Grubb Knight Frank is one of the world’s leading commercial real estate advisory firms. Together with London-based partner Knight Frank and independently-owned offices, NGKF’s 12,800 professionals operate from more than 370 offices in established and emerging property markets on six continents. For further information, visit www.ngkf.com.

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Skanska Structure Takes Flight 9/11 memorial at World Trade Center & tribute

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t is a building which the likes of New York City has never seen. Standing in stark contrast to Manhattan’s tall and boxy skyscrapers, this pure white steel structure looks like it is in motion: indeed, with its outstretched wings it is meant to evoke a bird in flight.

This new structural icon, the Oculus, is the centerpiece entrance to the World Trade Center (WTC) transportation hub. It is marking a major milestone for both New York City and Skanska, which erected 11,500 tons of structural steel to build the Oculus. The building happened through a joint venture and resulted in constructing the overall WTC Hub. The unveiling was transformational moment for New York, as the city continues to rebuild from the events of September 11, 2001. The sculpture of a building conveys both peace and perseverance, of having the fortitude to rise after having fallen.

Behind the simplicity of its appearance, the Oculus was an incredibly complicated construction effort.

Healing ground zero The Oculus was designed by architect Santiago Calatrava. He gave the structure a minimalist look and supported the wings with white steel ribs interspersed by glass strips, all arranged

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in an elliptical shape.

The inside may be even more dramatic than the exterior, with a column-free, cathedral-like core stretching 160 feet high and 350 feet long. Running the length of the spine is a skylight that will open each September 11 to honor the memory of the victims.

Come for transportation, shopping & entertainment The Oculus leads to the main section of the transportation hub, a below-grade complex that greets the public with a marble-clad mezzanine that has a similarly airy feel. When the hub is fully completed, more than 250,000 daily commuters and millions of annual visitors are expected at what will be part-transit center, part-shopping mall and part-tourist destination.

A place of remembrance Some of those people will come for enhanced access to 11 subway lines and PATH commuter trains, the latter of which are reached from a four-platform train station that Skanska has partly finished rebuilding. Some will come to eat, shop and be entertained at the many retail offerings planned for the complex. And some will come to take in the stunning archi-

FEATURED MEMBER

tecture of the Oculus, and to remember what happened on that site almost 15 years ago.

Whatever their purpose, they will all find a Ground Zero that is almost fully physically healed.

Proud legacy Skanska’s roles in constructing the transportation hub are the latest in the company’s more than 50-year history at the World Trade Center site. In the 1960’s, Skanska predecessor companies had key responsibilities for building the foundation and erecting the steel for the Twin Towers.

That original slurry wall foundation remains in use today, holding back the waters of the Hudson River.

A partner, in times of need In 1993, Skanska repaired the World Trade Center following the car bombing in the parking deck below the North Tower. Fast forward to after September 11, 2001 and Skanska was there to help clear the debris from the WTC towers. In 2006, they began constructing the Dey Street Concourse to connect the World Trade Center transportation hub to the nearby site of the Fulton Street Transit Center.

A few years later, in 2009, Skanska began building the Fulton Street transit center’s foundations and made significant improvements to related subway stations. In 2011, the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey awarded Skanska the assignment to fabricate and erect the steel for the Oculus.

Transportation hub work continues However, beyond the work completing the transportation hub, there was a joint venture with Granite Construction that was awarded in 2010. Skanska is rebuilding the St. Nicholas National Shrine, which is also being designed by Calatrava.

“Skanska salutes the extraordinary men and women who helped build the World Trade Center transportation hub, bringing their tremendous dedication and technical ability to build New York’s newest iconic public space,” said Rich Cavallaro, Skanska USA president and CEO. “Both our transportation hub projects—Oculus and PATH Hall—were massively complex engineering and construction projects filled with added challenges, including keeping the No. 1 Subway Line operating and removing 200 million gallons of water from the site after Superstorm Sandy. As the Oculus opens for the first time today, we hope New Yorkers enjoy this marvel as much as we did building it.”

Skanska USA is one of the largest, most financially sound construction and development companies in the U.S., serving a broad range of clients including those in transportation, power, industrial, water/wastewater, healthcare, education, sports, data centers, government, aviation and commercial. Headquartered in New York with offices in 34 metro areas, we have more than 10,000 employees committed to being leaders in safety, project execution, sustainability, ethics and people development.

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47

HUMAN RESOURCES & OPERATIONS

Small Business HR Advice

Staff growth & management strategies for long-term success

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any people wonder if the Americans with Disabilities act protects them as medical marijuana users. This fact-filled article clears the haze around this contentious issue. The ADA protects disabled workers from excessive workplace discrimination. It also requires employers to provide the “reasonable accommodations” necessary for disabled employees to continue contributing productively to the company’s mission and goals.

However, it makes you ponder if it is required for employers to tolerate an employee’s marijuana use, when that use is “medical” in nature. With increasing numbers of states permitting the use of medical marijuana, companies throughout the country are asking this question.

Here is what employers need to know: Understanding the ADA on drug use The Americans with Disabilities Act

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(ADA) states that a person who is currently using illegal drugs does not qualify as “disabled” under the law and, therefore, employers do not have to provide reasonable accommodations for the illegal drug use. However, the ADA also states that drugs “taken under supervision by a licensed health care professional” are not a form of “illegal drug use.”

So when an employee is licensed to use medical marijuana, does the ADA protect them? Currently, there is no clear legal answer from the federal government. Marijuana use of all types is currently prohibited by the federal Controlled Substances Act, so it would appear that marijuana is still classified as an “illegal drug” as far as federal laws (including the ADA) are concerned. This was also the conclusion made by the Colorado Supreme Court in a recent case.

The regulations that apply to certain jobs also may affect marijuana use.

For instance, commercial truck and bus drivers are generally subject to the reguMAY 2016

lations set forth by the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT), which has a zero-tolerance policy for drug use on the job. Companies that employ drivers who are subject to DOT regulations may enact a similar zero-tolerance policy in order to stay compliant with DOT rules.

What the states have to say Currently, the use of medical marijuana has been decriminalized in 23 states and the District of Columbia. If you operate business offices in one or more of these states, you will need to examine your state’s or city’s medical marijuana rules as well as gain an understanding of the federal law.

Why? Because several states have included accommodation clauses in their statewide medical marijuana law.

In other words, even though the Americans with Disabilities Act does not protect employees from adverse actions based on their marijuana use, some state medical marijuana laws do. Employers

who seek to fire the employee based on their medical marijuana use may find themselves in violation of the state’s accommodation law, even if they are not violating the ADA.

mit the use of marijuana or other drugs on-site. A smoke-free or drug-free workplace also promotes the health of your staff and protects those sensitive to the effects of secondhand smoke.

that these employees are impaired and unable to do their jobs. The legislation does not permit patients to use marijuana while they are working.

When employment policies need attention When drafting or updating your employment policy, keep these tips in mind:

The staffing partner can also help by screening candidates and checking their criminal records for a history of drug use. When you engage temporary or contract employees, your staffing firm also serves as the employer of record. If your company requires drug testing, discuss with the staffing company in advance.

While a workplace drug policy is essential, your staffing partner can help you find the right people for each job.

Ted Kissel is President – CEO of UNITEMP Temporary Personnel.

Headquartered in New Jersey UNITEMP was founded in 1969 by Ted’s father. UNITEMP is a staffing company dedicated to providing employers with experienced and tested administrative, technical and professional temporary and contract staff. Ted began managing UNITEMP’s Meadowlands office in 1989 and became President in 1995. The company is independently owned (by Ted) and operated and is a longtime member of the Meadowlands Regional Chamber of Commerce.

Ted is a Certified Staffing Professional CPC and Technical Services Certified TSC through the American Staffing Association. Ted can be reached @ tkissel@unitemp.net , Ph. 201-678-3212 and www.unitemp.net

Know the rules. Federal law still prohibits the use of marijuana, but several states and some cities have created their own rules based on state or local laws.

Understand the rules that apply to each business location before updating drug policies. Talk to a lawyer if you have specific questions.

Make safety a company priority. Regardless of the rules in your area, all fifty states will allow an employer to terminate an employee if the employee’s marijuana use is jeopardizing the employee’s safety or the safety of others.

Maintain a drugs-free workplace. Employers are generally not required to per-

Editor’s Note: In New Jersey, legislation was introduced in December 2015 that establishes employee protections from adverse employment actions for registered patients using medical marijuana pursuant to the “New Jersey Compassionate Use Medical Marijuana Act.” New Jersey employers would be prohibited from firing people because they participate in the state medical marijuana program unless they can demonstrate

MEADOWLANDS USA

meadowlands.org

MAY 2016

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INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT

Export Reform: Six Years Later

Small businesses who have adapted to reform laws are seeing substantial benefits

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arlier this year, the Bureau of Industry and Security’s (BIS) Assistant Secretary Kevin J. Wolf represented the Commerce Department at a House Small Business Committee hearing. Assistant Secretary Wolf testified on the benefits of the Administration’s Export Control Reform Initiative (ECR), a comprehensive update of the export control system, to America’s small businesses.

BIS administers export controls, which protect the national and economic security interests of the United States by ensuring that the most sensitive goods and technologies stay out of the most dangerous hands.

In 2009, BIS and its partner agencies throughout the government undertook the most fundamental reform of the export control system since World War II. This effort, the Export Control Reform Initiative, has streamlined and modernized the rules pertaining to the export of military and some commercial goods and technologies. It has involved moving hundreds of thousands of less sensitive military items, primarily parts and components predominantly manufactured by small businesses, and related technologies from State Department regulations to the more flexible Commerce Department regulations.

Companies continue to learn and adapt to the changes from the initiative.

Small businesses in particular have found the changes to be particularly beneficial, as the reform effort has eliminated many regulatory burdens.

Here are six ways small businesses benefit from Export Control Reform:

a foreign customer that will involve multiple purchase orders.

1. There are no registration requirements with the Commerce Department. This eliminates the expense of paying to register and the burden and expense of preparing and submitting annual registration forms or fees.

5. Except in situations involving military and satellite items destined to countries subject to embargoes, the Commerce rules generally do not have a “see through” rule if the U.S. content is less than 25 percent. This is the rule that means that an item is always subject to U.S. jurisdiction even when incorporated into foreign-made items or uncontrolled items. This change bolsters the health and competitiveness of the U.S. industrial base by reducing the incentive for foreign customers to avoid U.S. parts and components.

2. There are no fees for submitting license applications. This is a significant advantage for small companies exporting products with low margins.

3. There are no requirements to get permission merely to manufacture or to market abroad. The Commerce regulations, of course, still control the flow of goods, technology and software—but with far shorter and simpler forms than the State Department’s regulations. Most Commerce authorizations also have significantly fewer conditions and regulatory burden requirements than do the State’s agreements.

4. There is no requirement to have a purchase order for each license application. This means that an exporter can resolve its licensing obligations before knowing whether it has a sale.

This saves time. It also dramatically reduces the total number of applications and licenses needed over the duration of a regular relationship with

6. Most importantly, the Commerce regulations have multiple license exceptions that do not exist in the State regulations. In most cases, these exceptions allow exporters to ship their products to allied and other non-embargoed countries with more ease. There is no need to apply to the government for a license, assuming the parties are willing to maintain records and other conditions to help ensure compliance.

For all these reasons and others, ECR helps small businesses, particularly defense exporters, by increasing the security of supply from small companies that are the second and third tier suppliers in the defense industry. ECR also facilitates timely and reliable supplier relationships between U.S. exporters and their foreign customer base.

To this end, businesses large and small continue to benefit from the successes of the ECR Initiative. For more information, please visit the BIS website at www.bis. doc.gov or follow us on Twitter @BISgov.

Natale Goriel is a moderator for the SBA.gov community which can be found at www. sba.gov/blogs

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TECH TALK

Improving Internet Searching Experience Helpful tips for various browsers

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echnology advances every day and requires people to adapt to a new update that is available. The desktop computer is the most common used technology advancement, next to people using their mobile devices. The applications used on both desktop computers and mobile devices always have various options to alter their performance. Here are some helpful suggestions on how to make your computer run smoother.

Browser options Microsoft Internet Explorer 11: Do not use older versions of Microsoft Internet Explorer as they are no longer being patched and updated. Using older versions of Internet Explorer opens you up to viruses, spyware, malware, and security breaches.

The most popular browsers are Mi-

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crosoft Edge (Windows 10 only), Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox and Apple Safari.

Privacy for browsing incognito Internet Explorer 11: Click on the Gear icon, located in the upper right hand corner of your browser window. When the drop-down menu appears, hover your cursor over the Safety option. A sub-menu should now appear. Click on the option labeled InPrivate Browsing.

Please note that you can utilize the following keyboard shortcut: CTRL + SHIFT + P. Chrome: Click on Chrome’s main menu button, represented by three horizontal lines and located in the upper right-hand corner of your browser window. When the drop-down menu appears, select the choice labeled New incognito window.

Please note that you can use the following keyboard shortcut: CTRL+SHIFT+N on

MAY 2016

Chrome OS, Linux and Windows and COMMAND+SHIFT+N on Mac OS X. Microsoft Edge: Click on Edge’s main menu button, represented by three dots and located in the upper right-hand corner of your browser window. When the drop-down menu appears, select the choice labeled “New InPrivate Window.”

Firefox: Click on the Firefox menu, located in the upper right hand corner of your browser window and represented by three horizontal lines. When the pop-out menu appears click on the New Private Window option, circled in the example above.

Please note that you can utilize the following keyboard shortcut: CTRL + SHIFT + P. Safari: Click on File in the Safari menu, located at the top of your screen. When the drop-down menu appears, select the New

Private Window option. You can also use the following keyboard shortcut: UP ARROW + COMMAND + N. Flushing cache or history Chrome: 1. Click on the three dashes in the top right corner.

2. Click on settings in the menu.

3. Click on History in the menu on the left.

4. Click on Clear browsing data...

5. Select Empty the cache from the list.

6. Click on Clear browsing data on the bottom. Your browser cache is now empty.

Firefox: 1. Click on the orange Firefox button in the top left corner.

2. Move the mouse to Options and click on Options in the submenu.

3. Click on Advanced 4. Click on the Network tab.

5. Click on Clear Now in the Cached Web Content section.

Safari: 1. Click on the ALT-key, when the menubar on top of the screen isn’t visible.

2. Click on Edit in the menubar.

3. Click on Empty Cache... in the menu.

4. Click on Empty in the pop-up box.

5. Internet Explorer 11: 6. Click on the gear wheel in the top right corner.

7. Click on Safety in the menu 8. Click on Delete browsing history in the submenu 9. Select Temporary Internet files and website files from the list 10. Click on Delete 11. On the bottom of the page the browser notifies you when the browser cache is cleared

Microsoft Edge: 1. Select “…” in upper right corner 2. Select “Settings” 3. Select “Clear Browser data” 4. Uncheck all boxes EXCEPT “Cached data & files” Safety Regardless of the type of browser you choose to use, ensure that it is updated and patched. Don’t fall for phishing. Phishing is a common trick used by identity thieves to gain your personal information. This crime involves sending e-mails or creating sites that appear to be from a legitimate company and asking you to confirm personal information such as bank account numbers, passwords, birth dates or addresses.

Before adding any personal information, contact the supposed site directly to see if they have been trying to contact you. Most reputable sites will not contact you in this way.

Before entering information or buying something over the internet, be sure the page is secure with the https: prefix.

Follow these internet safety tips for avoiding spyware and fortify your computer security right away: • Avoid questionable Web sites • Only download software from sites you trust. Carefully evaluate free software and file-sharing applications before downloading them.

• Update your operating system regularly • Increase your browser security settings • Type in a trusted URL for a company’s site into the address bar of your browser to bypass links in an email or instant message • Install and regularly update antivirus, antimalware, and antispyware Nina Johnson is Co-founder and Chief Business Officer at Singularity LLC (singularityknows.com). She also serves as co-chair of the Meadowlands Regional Chamber’s Technology Committee.

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La Reggia Ristorante Secaucus 201.422.0200 Little Italy Cafe Secaucus 201.348.1400

Houlihan’s Weehawken 201.863.4000

Marco Polo Pizza/Breakfast Grill Weehawken 201.863.0057

I Am Cupcakes Little Ferry 201.440.4249

Martini Grill Wood-Ridge 201.393.2000

MEADOWLANDS RESTAURANTS & DINING

Medieval Times Dinner Tournament Lyndhurst 201.933.2220

Mitchell’s Fish Market Edgewater 201.840.9311 Morton’s Steakhouse Hackensack 201.487.1303 Muscle Maker Grill Lyndhurst 201.935.6644 Nanina’s In The Park Belleville 973.751.1230 New China Inn Rutherford 201.438.0234 Oceanos Restaurant Fairlawn 201.796.0546 Olive Garden Secaucus 201.867.3543

Outback Secaucus 201.601.0077

Ruth’s Chris Steak House Weehawken 201.863.5100

Subway Hasbrouck Heights 201.727.0373

Panera Bread Secaucus 201.348.2846

Sabor Latin Bistro Weehawken 201.943.6366 Saladworks East Rutherford 201.939.8886

Subway Weehawken 201.865.2500

Penang Malaysian & Thai Cuisine Lodi 973.779.1128 Perkins Restaurant and Bakery Lyndhurst 201.934.9100 Pink at Meadowlands Racing and Entertainment East Rutherford 201-843-2446 Redd’s Restaurant & Bar Carlstadt 201.933.0015 Red Lobster Secaucus 201.583.1902 Rutherford Pancake House Rutherford 201.340.4171

Sal’s Good Eats Teterboro 201.375.4949 Segovia Restaurant Moonachie 201.641.4266 Son Cubano at Port Imperial West New York 201.399.2020

Subway Secaucus 201.325.0300 Subway North Bergen 201.869.4469 Taverna Mykonos Elmwood Park 201.703.9200 The Balcony Carlstadt 201.933.0071

Starbucks Coffee East Rutherford 201.438.0584

The Crow’s Nest Hackensack 201.342.5445

Stefanos Mediterranean Grille Secaucus 201.865.6767

The Oceanaire Seafood Room Hackensack 201.343.8862

The Original Pita Grill Hoboken • 201.217.9777 Thistle Restaurant Lyndhurst • 201.935.0004 Tokyo Hibachi & Buffet Secaucus • 201.863.2828 Urban Plum Secaucus • 201.520.0574 Varrelman’s Bakery Rutherford • 201.939.0462 Vesta Wood Fired Pizza and Bar East Rutherford 201.939.6012 Victory Sports Bar and Club at Meadowlands Racing and Entertainment East Rutherford 201-842-5101 Volares Restaurant Rutherford • 201.935.6606 Waterside Restaurant and Catering North Bergen 201.861.7767

10% OFF Group & Corporate Events for Meadowlands Regional Chamber Members

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EVENT PLANNING & CATERING SERVICES 4 Wall New York Moonachie 201.329.9878

CeCe Productions, LLC Rutherford 201.672.0050

Fiesta Banquets Wood-Ridge 201.939.5409

Nanina’s In The Park Belleville 973.751.1230

SBI Productions Secaucus 201.939.6005

16W Marketing Rutherford 201.635.8000

Chit Chat Creative Caterers Hackensack 201.820.4033

Flyte Tyme Limousine Mahwah 201.529-1452

New Meadowlands Sportservice, Inc. East Rutherford 201.916.3568

Seasons Catering Washington Township 201.664.6141

AAA Giants Limousine & Car Service Secaucus 201.679.2860 Adam Leffel Productions / Petals Premier Event Design Hackensack 201.487.1300 Al Di La Italian Bistro East Rutherford 201.939.1128 Annabella’s Fine Foods, Inc. East Rutherford 201.804.0303 Any Excuse for a Party Fairfield 973.808.8700 Audience Pleasers Upper Montclair 888.283.7532 Bayway Catering Red Bank 908.862.3207 Brennan’s Secaucus MeadowlandsFlorist Secaucus 201.876.0580 Bounce Music & Entertainment Fort Lee 201.490.1091

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MEADOWLANDS USA

Classic Party Rentals Secaucus 201.809.4840 Content Party Rentals East Rutherford 201.623.0400 Culinary Conference Center At HCCC Jersey City 201.360.5303 DDM Production Jersey City 917.418.8625 Elan Catering & Events Lodi 973.777.0503 ELS Limousine Service Meadowlands Area 877.435.9733 Entenmann’s Florist Secaucus 201.864.2320

Freeman Kearny 201.299.7400 Garden Vista Ballroom Passaic 973.777.6655 Graycliff Catering Inc. (The Graycliff) Moonachie 201.939.9233 Heights Flower Shoppe Hasbrouck Heights 201.288.5464 In-Tents Party Rentals Wood-Ridge 201.282.2026 In Thyme Catered Events Rivervale 201.666.3353 Jimmy’s Artistic Creations East Rutherford 201.460.1919

NY NJ Car Service, LLC Lodi 201.283-9400 Outsource Incentive Consulting Corp.

Lyndhurst 800.842.2855 Party Makers West New York 201.580.1736 Pegasus Worldwide Limousine Carlstadt 800.877.3427 Personal Touch Caterers Hackensack 201.488.8820 Pink at Meadowlands Racing and Entertainment East Rutherford 201-842-5013

Kismet Limousine Teaneck 973.876.3410

Positive Impact Partners East Rutherford 201.939.8601

Event Journal, Inc. Bethpage 516.470.1811

Meadowlands Exposition Center Secaucus 201.330.7773

Premier Entertainment East Rutherford 201.842.1698

Fabulous Foods Meadowlands Area 800.365.4747 NJ 212.239.6700 NY

Metropolitan Exposition Services Moonachie 201.964.1800

Saint Peter’s University Conferences & Events Jersey City 201.761.7414

Evelyn Hill Events New York 212.344.0996

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MAY 2016

Showstoppers Plus North Brunswick 732.297.0031 Sireno Communications Sussex 973.875.4079 Smooth Sailing Celebrations Oak Ridge 973.409.4456 Statue of Liberty & Ellis Island New York 212.344.0996 Sterling Affair Caterers Carlstadt 201.372.0734 Stout’s Transportation Trenton 1.800.245.7868 Sweet Dreams Studio Photo Booth Madison 703.585.4704 The Balcony Carlstadt 201.933.0071 Victory Sports Bar and Club at Meadowlands Racing and Entertainment East Rutherford 201-842-5013 The Viv Experience Ridgefield 201.390.2311

Il Villaggio_Oct2015_V1_Il 10/20/15 4:29 PM Page 1

“A diamond in the shadow of the Meadowlands, old-style cuisine that never disappoints” Zagat Survey, America’s Top 1000 Italian Restaurants 2008

“Best of Award of Excellence” - Wine Spectator Magazine

Come experience Il Villaggio’s distinguished cuisine in our newly renovated restaurant Since 1979, Il Villaggio has been consistently providing guests with truly memorable dining experiences.

Our menu specializes in classic northern Italian dishes, which include a wide variety of fresh fish & seafood specials that change daily. Complete your dining experience with our wide selection of homemade desserts.

Il Villaggio caters to Bar/Bat Mitzvahs,Weddings, and Private/Corporate Events.

Monday-Friday: 11:30 am -11:00 pm • Saturday: 5:00 pm - 12 Midnight Sunday: Private Events Only 651 Route 17 North, Carlstadt, NJ 07072 Telephone: 201.935.7733 • info@ilvillaggio.com • www.ilvillaggio.com

MEADOWLANDS HOTELS & ACCOMMODATIONS AVE CLIFTON

by Korman Communities Clifton 973.859.3200 Candlewood Suites Hotel Secaucus 201.865.3900 Clarion Hotel Empire Meadowlands Hotel Secaucus 201.348.6900

Econo Lodge Carlstadt 201.935.4600 Embassy Suites Hotel Secaucus 201.864.7300 Fairfield Inn by Marriott East Rutherford 201.507.5222

Holiday Inn Express Paramus 201.843.5400

Hyatt Place Fair Lawn/Paramus Paramus 201.475.3888

Holiday Inn Express Hotels & Suites Carlstadt 201.460.9292

La Quinta Meadowlands Suites Secaucus 201.863.8700

Holiday Inn George Washington Bridge Fort Lee 201.944.5000

Courtyard by Marriott Lyndhurst 201.896.6666

Hampton Inn at The Meadowlands Carlstadt 201.935 9000

Courtyard by Marriott Secaucus 201.617.8888

Hilton Garden Inn Ridgefield Park 201.641.2024

Days Inn North Bergen 201.348.3600

Hilton Garden Inn Secaucus 201.864.1400

DoubleTree by Hilton Fort Lee - GWB Fort Lee 201.461.9000

Hilton Hasbrouck Heights Hasbrouck Heights 201.298.2417

Homewood Suites

by Hilton East Rutherford East Rutherford 201.460.9030

DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel & Suites Jersey City 201.499.2578

Hilton Meadowlands East Rutherford 201.896.0500

Hyatt Place Secaucus/Meadowlands Secaucus 201.422.9480

Holiday Inn Hasbrouck Heights Hasbrouck Heights 201.288.9600 Holiday Inn Secaucus Meadowlands Secaucus 201.348.2000

Marriott at Newark Liberty International Airport Newark 973.623.0006 Quality Inn Lyndhurst 201.933.9800 Red Roof Inn Secaucus 201.319.1000 Renaissance Meadowlands Hotel Rutherford 201.231.3100 Residence Inn East Rutherford 201.939.0020

One venue, unlimited possibilities.

Meadowlands Racing & Entertainment is the perfect venue for any occasion.

LIVE RACING FRI + SAT / 7 P.M. THROUGH AUGUST 6 For dining options and group events email catering@playmeadowlands.com

playmeadowlands.com | 201-the-bigm | e. rutherford, nj 07073

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Residence Inn Saddle River 201.934.4144 Saddle Brook Marriott Saddle Brook 201-843.9500 Sheraton Lincoln Harbor Weehawken 201.617.5600 Springhill Suites Newark 973.624.5300 Teaneck Marriott at Glenpointe Teaneck 201.836.0600 The Meadowlands River Inn Secaucus 201.867.4400 Westin Hotel Jersey City 201.626.2900

DESTINATION MEADOWLANDS Recreation, Sports & Entertainment

Hackensack Riverkeeper Meadowlands Museum Rutherford Hackensack 201.935.1175 201.968.0808

AMF Wallington Lanes Wallington 973.773.9100

Harlem Wizards Secaucus 201.271.3600

Aviation Hall of Fame Museum of NJ Teterboro 201.288.6344

Kerasotes Showplace 14 Secaucus 201.210.5364

Bergen Performing Arts Center Englewood 201.816.8160

Liberty Science Center Jersey City 201.200.1000

Chuck E. Cheese’s North Bergen 201.861.1799 Field Station Dinosaurs Secaucus 855.999.9010 GolfTec-Englewood Englewood 201.567.0103

Make Wine with Us Wallington 201.876.9463 Meadowlands Area YMCA Rutherford 201.955.5300 Meadowlands Environment Center Lyndhurst 201.460.1700

Meadowlands Racing and Entertainment East Rutherford 201-843-2446 Medieval Times Dinner & Tournament Lyndhurst 201.933.2220 Nereid Boat Club Rutherford 201.438.3995 New Jersey Sports & Exposition Authority (Main Ticket Number) 201.935.8500 North Arlington Bowl-O-Drome 201.998.9621 NY Giants 201.935.8222

NY Jets 516.560.8100 NY Red Bulls Harrison 201.583.7000

Pole Position Raceway Jersey City 201.333.7223

River Barge Park Carlstadt 201.460.1700 Rock Spring Club West Orange 973.731-6464 Six Flags Great Adventure Jackson 732.928.2000 Smooth Sailing Celebrations Oak Ridge 973.409.4456 Statue Cruises Jersey City 201.432.6321 The Players Club Paramus 201.483.9690 World Golf Network RiverVale 973.509.3111 Youth1 Media Montclair 973.509.3111

Health, Fitness & Beauty Alternative Two, Inc. Lyndhurst 201.729.1217 CKO Kickboxing Lyndhurst 201.438.5425

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European Wax Center Rutherford 201.935.9299 King’s Court Health & Sports Club Lyndhurst 201.460.0088

Gucci Secaucus 201.392.2670 Heights Beer & Wine Emporium Hasbrouck Heights 201.426.0555

LA Fitness Signature Club Secaucus 201.751.9940

Raymour & Flanigan Secaucus 201.809.1353

Meadowlands Athletic Club Lyndhurst 201.933.4100 New York Sports Club Hoboken 201.222.5771 Planet Sun, Inc. Rutherford 201.941.6000 Simply Face & Body Ramsey 877.57.SIMPLY The DOJO Rutherford 201.933.3050 Title Boxing Club East Rutherford 201.933-2800

Retail & Outlet Shopping Best Buy Secaucus 201.325.2277 Calvin Klein Company Store Secaucus 201.223.9760 Country Whimsey Rutherford 201.438.0488 East Rutherford Jewelry Exchange East Rutherford 201.507.0009

Tommy Hilfiger Clearance Secaucus 201.863.5600 Westfield Garden State Plaza Paramus 201.843.2121

NEWS FROM THE MEADOW

DMR Architects Expands Staff to Support Commercial & Residential Architectural Projects

D

MR Architects, continues to grow its staff to more than 35 to support current projects throughout New Jersey with the addition of Kyle Stoker as a Project Architect and Dingwen (Wen) Chen as a Junior Architect.

Stoker will be working on new residential projects. He joins DMR Architects with 12 years of architectural project management and structural design experience, most recently as a project manager at Tricarico Architecture and Design in Wayne, NJ. Prior to that he held positions at Hamon Custodis Inc. in Somerville, Toll Brothers Inc. in Scottsdale, AZ, K STOK Inc. in Crofton, MD and Caruso, Turley & Scott Inc. in Tempe, AZ. He has a degree from Drexel University College of Engineering.

Chen will be part of the production team. Prior to joining DMR, he worked at LA River Revitalization Planning Studio and then the Main Street Sustainable Planning Studio, both in Los Angeles. Prior to that he worked for the Institute of Tourism Management of ZJU in Hangzhou, China. He holds degrees from the University of Southern California and Zhejian University (ZJU) in Hanzhou, China where he received numerous awards and scholarships.

“There are a lot of projects in the ground or coming soon in healthcare, multi-family, adaptive re-use of office buildings and urban planning throughout the State,” said Lloyd Rosenberg, AIA, President of the firm which is currently celebrating its 25th anniversary. “We’re excited to add Keith Stoker and Wen Chen into the team and look forward to seeing their contributions to DMR and the architectural community.”

Headquartered in Hasbrouck Heights, N.J., DMR Architects is a respected full-service architectural firm specializing in architecture, master planning, sustainable design, programming, interior design and construction administration. The firm is active throughout local, national and international markets. Founded in 1991, DMR celebrates its 25th year serving a diverse client base in all market sectors, including public, corporate, education, residential and healthcare.

For more information, please visit www.dmrarchitects.com.

Kyle Stoker

NJM Names Violet Marrero as Consumer Safety Administrator Recognized Safety Expert to Lead NJM’s Safety Awareness & Educational Outreach

N

JM Insurance Company, one of New Jersey’s leading automobile insurers, announced today that it has named Violet Marrero, a safety professional with expertise in teen driver education, as its Consumer Safety Administrator.

In her new role, Marrero will manage the day-to-day activities of NJM’s award-winning Teen Driver Safety Program. As part of those efforts, she will build upon NJM’s engagement with school districts throughout the state, including the development of new and innovative safety programming and education. Marrero will also be responsible for expanding NJM’s visibility and leadership through regional and national partnerships that promote driver safety.

“Violet Marrero brings a great deal of experience in the safety space, which will allow us to continue to deliver value-added education and services to our policyholders and drivers throughout the state,” said Mike Van Wagner, NJM’s Vice President of Public Affairs. “Her record of developing impactful initiatives and leading New Jersey’s driver safety efforts in state government, make Violet a great choice to support and enhance our ongoing efforts.”

Prior to joining NJM, Marrero was the Manager of Special Projects with the New Jersey Division of Highway Safety. In that capacity, she served as the department’s spokesperson and communications manager, as well as developed a host of comprehensive driver safety programs. In cooperation with Kean University, Marrero created Share the Keys, a research based, data-driven orientation designed to reduce teen driver crash risks by increasing parental involvement.

Share the Keys has been recognized nationally by the Governor’s Highway Safety Association as a model for teen driver safety.

“NJM is synonymous with service and safety, and I’m very excited to further build upon their commitment to delivering important programs that benefit drivers of all ages and skill levels,” says Marrero.

NJM Insurance Company is the Garden State’s second largest writer of personal auto insurance, covering nearly 800,000 drivers.

Founded more than a century ago, the Company has earned a national reputation for outstanding customer service and the payment of dividends to policyholders, who have shared in more than $5.8 billion since they were first issued in 1918. NJM is also the state’s largest workers’ compensation carrier and a leading writer of homeowners and commercial auto insurance. The Company’s enduring commitment to safety can be traced back to its earliest days, with a focus that has expanded from improving conditions in the manufacturing facilities that were once so prevalent in New Jersey, to keeping drivers safe on our roadways.

Dingwen Chen

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NEWS FROM THE MEADOW

Racing to Increase New Jersey Tourism

T

he New Jersey Tourism Industry Association (NJTIA) presented Karen Davis-Farage (R), President and Co-Owner of Pole Position Raceway venues in the East and specifically in Jersey City, with the 2016 NJTIA Excellence in Partnerships Award at the NJTIA Excellence Awards Luncheon on March 10 of this year.

Davis-Farage was honored in recognition of Pole Position Raceway’s exceptional experience to enhance tourism across New Jersey.

For more information, please visit www.polepositionraceway. com/jersey-city/.

INDEX OF ADVERTISERS Advanced Animal & Pest Control............................................................................64 Arcari & Iovino, www.aiarchs.com..........................................................................25 AVE, www.aveliving.com.........................................................................................41 Bergen Community College, bergen.edu..............................................................15 Chart House, www.chart-house.com.......................................................................56 Comprehensive Behavioral Healthcare, Inc., www.cbhcare.com...........................31 DMR Architects, www.dmrarchitects.com.............................................................27 Engineers Labor-Employer Cooperative, www.elec825.org...................Inside Cover Eastwick College, eastwick.edu/info.......................................................................21 Ernst & Young, www.ey.com....................................................................................9 Frank’s GMC, www.FranksGMC.net.........................................................................49 Gehtsoft, www.gehtsoftusa.com...............................................................................7 Guzzo+Guzzo, www.gg-architect.com....................................................................25 h323HD, Inc., www.h323hd.com...........................................................................17 Hackensack Riverkeeper, www.hackensackriverkeeper.org....................................51 Hunter Group, www.TheHunterGroup.com............................................................13 Il Villaggio, www.ilvillaggio.com...........................................................................59

International Union of Operating Engineers Local 825, www.elec825.org..........11 Jewel Electric, www.jewelelectric.com....................................................................51 Kearny Bank, www.KearnyBank.com......................................................................17 Lincoln Harbor, www.lincolnharbor.com................................................................54 MBAF, www.mbafcpa.com......................................................................................51

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Meadowlands Racing & Entertainment, www.playmeadowlands.com..................60 MeadowlandsUSA, www.meadowlandsusa.com...................................................57 Medieval Times, www.medievaltimes.com............................................................62 Mitchell’s Fish Market, www.mitchellsfishmarket.com..........................................1 NAI James E. Hanson, www.naihanson.com.............................................................5 Nanina’s In The Park & The Park Savoy, www.naninasinthepark.com.....................61 Nap Color, napcolor.com/portfolio..................................................Inside Back Cover

New Jersey Capitol Report, www.SteveAdubato.org..............................................37

NJM Auto Insurance, www.StartYourNJM.com.........................................Back Cover Paramount Exterminating, www.ParamountExterminating.com...........................49 Pole Position Raceway, www.polepositionraceway.com.........................................57 PSE&G, www.pseg.com..........................................................................................33 Ramapo College, www.ramapo.edu/certificates....................................................19 Residential Home Funding Corp., www.RHFBloomingdale.com...........................43 Scarinci & Hollenbeck, www.scarincihollenbeck.com.............................................39 Spencer Savings Bank, www.spencersavings.com...................................................2 The Table: Metropolitan New Jersey Dining Guide, www.mlcvb.com..................56 TM Rybak, www.tmrassociates.com.......................................................................43 United Water, www.unitedwater.com....................................................................41 XCEL Credit Union, www.XCELfcu.org.com.................................................Cover & 36

For more information on advertising in Meadowlands USA magazine or online advertising at www.meadowlands.org please contact Martha Morley at 201-493-7996 or email: greerentps@aol.com Call for new items! If your organization has news or announcements to share with our audience, please send to Joe Garavente at JGaravente@meadowlands.org or call 201-939-0707

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napcolor.com/portfolio Proud Members of Meadowlands Regional Chamber of Commerce

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Coverages and discounts are subject to policy terms; limits, exclusions and deductibles apply. Applicants must meet membership eligibility requirements, which can be found at www.njm.com. Coverage provided and underwritten by NJM Insurance Company and its affiliates: 301 Sullivan Way, West Trenton, NJ 08628.