Basso On Business

Reprogramming your email addiction. Seriously.

bassorob@bassoonbusiness.com — Thu, 17 May 2012 15:04:00 GMT

It’s like not being able to sleep and watching the minutes slowly tick by. Or how people slow to stare as they pass an accident. Email is the same way. You see it come through your inbox and you just have to check, providing an instant distraction to whatever you’re working on...

Tags: Checking Email,outlook,iPhone,Peter Bregman,Harvard Business Review,work life balance,priorities

Three Cheers for Three LI Small Businesses

bassorob@bassoonbusiness.com — Wed, 16 May 2012 15:18:00 GMT

As part of its upcoming yearly Small Business Week awards last Friday, the New York department of the Small Business Administration recognized three Long Island business people and their firms...

Tags: Small Business Awards,Small Business Week,long island,New York department of the Small Business Administration,Stafford Associates Computer Specialists,North Shore International,P.W. Grosser Consulting,New York State Department of Labor

Employee Benefits Pay in Dividends

bassorob@bassoonbusiness.com — Thu, 10 May 2012 16:15:00 GMT

I’ve always felt that having a solid staff is one of the biggest keys into turning your organization into a world class business. In order to develop that solid foundation, it’s imperative to keep your staff engaged and happy; motivated and engaged employees work not only harder, but more often than not deliver higher quality work. How to keep employees engaged and happy? Offer the most competitive benefits plan you possibly can, and be creative. Benefits can range from offering a competitive 401K contribution to even absorbing the increased cost of insurance plans...

Tags: Employee Benefits,401 K,Harvard Business Review,enhanced recruitment,committed employees,employee retention,safe workplace practices,strong customer relationships,Advantage Payroll Services

“It's called a satchel. Indiana Jones wears one.”

bassorob@bassoonbusiness.com — Tue, 08 May 2012 15:17:00 GMT

Man bag, murse, petite attaché case or simply a small bag. Some people like enormous, flashy, gold metal briefcases that are meant to intimidate anyone within two blocks away. Some prefer sleek, simple classic leather cases that ooze sophistication. Then there is the growing number of people that want functionality without all the bulk or show...

Tags: image,Business,man bag,murse,petite attache case,perception,Basso On Business

Thinking Outside The Litter Box

bassorob@bassoonbusiness.com — Thu, 03 May 2012 14:53:00 GMT

In this technologically dominant world it seems that more people are turning to the Internet to find their perfect mate, and I know several people who have succeeded! From Match.com and Eharmony.com to TrekPassions.com and FarmersOnly.com, there’s clearly a niche for everyone. But why stop there? Why not open up the world of internet dating to our little furry friends? As it turns out, New York City and San Francisco have already embraced the idea...

Tags: Online dating,pet lovers,pet hotel,MatchPuppy,Spotwag,Match.com,Eharmony.com,facebook,Michael Chiang,Mark Zuckerberg,Steve Jobs,New York City,San Francisco

Saying Goodbye to the American Rocketman But Remembering His Advancements

bassorob@bassoonbusiness.com — Wed, 02 May 2012 15:41:00 GMT

A little less than a year ago, NASA announced that it would end its shuttle program. Now, companies like United Technologies are taking a step back in their role in space exploration. "Growth will be limited at Rocketdyne," said Greg Hayes, chief financial officer at United Technologies "It's still a very good business. It's a national asset … but unfortunately, without a national space policy, growth will be limited for some time." One thing we cannot deny is the legacy the space shuttle has left on society. Below are some examples of technology that have emerged out of the space shuttle program. Check out this article which provides specific examples or read below for some of my favorite examples...

Tags: NASA,United Technologies,Space Exploration,Greg Hays,Space Shuttle,Artificial heart,Running cool,cancer treatment,liquid metal,land mine removal,better prosthetics,techonology

Good marketing or clearly irresponsible? You choose.

bassorob@bassoonbusiness.com — Tue, 01 May 2012 15:41:00 GMT

Miller Lite recently launched a “punch top can” version of its beer which has an easily-perforated top which when punctured, allows air to flow into the can as the beer flows out into your mouth. Some may be wondering what the big deal is. Well for those unfamiliar with the term “shotgunning,” this process makes it possible to easily consume a beverage, beer in this case, in less than 3 seconds. It is usually practiced as a form of drinking game and is especially popular among college students. Perhaps now, with this new found knowledge, it may be easier to see how this may be considered controversial...

Tags: Miller Lite,marketing,target audience,Miller Lite punch top can,The Beer Institute,underage drinking,controversial products,advertising

Don’t let brain drain scare you away!

bassorob@bassoonbusiness.com — Thu, 26 Apr 2012 16:07:00 GMT

“Brian drain” has been a much discussed topic of conversation on Long Island for the past few years. Last year, I had the opportunity to speak at the “We LIVE NY” Long Island Summit to Empower Tomorrow’s Leaders” where civic-minded young adults participated in a discussion revolving around the future of Long Island. Those who attended represented a generation of vibrant, intelligent and passionate Long Islanders who wanted to paint a positive picture. The Basso On Business team also went on a little one day whirlwind road trip to remind everyone what a diverse and incredible place our Island really is. We recorded ourselves taking a tour from Riverhead to Great Neck and highlighted five towns and one city that make Long Island a great place to live and work...

Tags: brain drain,long island,We LIVE NY,Long Island Summit to Empower Tomorrow's Leaders,LIBN,Magnet Long Island,jobs,community,economy,Basso On Business

Forbes Fictional 15

bassorob@bassoonbusiness.com — Wed, 25 Apr 2012 17:03:00 GMT

Each year Forbes releases the Forbes Fictional 15, their annual listing of fiction’s richest characters. And it’s a great year to be fictional; these characters possess a combined net worth of $209.5 billion, up over a whopping 55% from last year...

Tags: Forbes Fictional 15,wealthy fictional characters,Smaug the Tremendous,Flintheart Glomgold,Dr. Carlisle Cullen,Forbes magazine

How Can Small Businesses Address The Wage Gap?

bassorob@bassoonbusiness.com — Tue, 24 Apr 2012 15:07:00 GMT

I was honored to participate in a panel discussion last week, The Enterprising & Professional Women - New York State Equal Pay Day Breakfast. After listening to some of the numbers discussed, including the statistic that women average twenty cents less on the dollars than men in regards to salary, I couldn’t help but be surprised. It’s 2012, isn’t it?

Tags: Gender wage gap,small business,Advantage Payroll Services,The Enterprising & Professional Women - New York State Equal Pay Day Breakfast,U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics,employment,jobs