Working in the kitchen as a Personal Chef, I have plenty of experience using the different tools of the trade to create my final product: beautiful plates of food.

There are many choices of equipment to help you. Some items are always by your side and some you go to for specific tasks. There are others tools advertised that seem to make sense at first blush; however once used you realize the idea was well intentioned but eminently not the choice you will make on a daily basis...

Why should the fact that there are about 40 million older adults (65+years) in the U.S. matter to an employer?  The two word answer is: employer costs!  Current statistics from reliable resources* make a dramatic impression about employer costs for employees who help to care for older family members. American businesses lose an average of 2.8 million work days each year due to unplanned absences of workers, costing employers nearly $74 billion.  Work day interruptions alone cost employers about $3 billion. 60% of the 44 million people who care for aging parents work full or part-time. The older population will continue to grow to 55 million by 2020 because of the large size of the baby boomer generation. By this time, it is predicted that one in three U.S. households will be caring for an older adult... 

One Long Island local scored big this January when Chevrolet announced it will air 26 year old LI native Zachary Borst’s ad titled “Chevy Happy Grad”.   Beating out 400 other scripts and 198 films by independent film makers as part of the Route 66 Super Bowl ad contest, Borst’s ad will air to the tune of 110 million TV viewers during the Super Bowl.  In addition to having his ad on television during the Super Bowl, he’s also receiving a $25,000 grand prize...

It’s been two years, countless complaints by politicians in Nassau and Suffolk counties, and an angry main street but at long last the MTA Payroll Tax that many believe was “unconstitutional” has been eliminated for many small businesses across New York State. 

Governor Andrew Cuomo signed a new law eliminating the MTA Tax for 289,000 small businesses across the state with an annual payroll under $1.25 million. Businesses with a payroll between $1.25 million and $1.5 million will see their MTA payroll tax cut to 0.11 cents per employee, while those with payrolls up to $1.75 million will have their tax reduced to 0.23 cents. These adjustments eliminate the tax for almost 80 percent of businesses in the region. The state will fund the $250 million cost of the payroll tax through a $2.6 billion increase in income taxes on the wealthy...

On July 18^th, Newsday published a story about Kozy Shack, a Long Island based rice pudding company. Kozy Shack is celebrating its 44^th year of operation and is still going strong. Business like this that were “born and raised” on Long Island can serve as a great inspiration to other businesses and entrepreneurs – after all, every great business starts with just an idea...

The future of the Nassau Coliseum is back in our sights with the vote only two weeks away.  In an interesting turn of events, the Nassau Legislature decided in June to let residents vote on the future of the Nassau Coliseum on Monday, August 1st.  This means that taxpayers will now have a chance to decide on whether Nassau County should borrow $400 million to redevelop the arena.

The place was proposed by Nassau County Executive Ed Mangano and Islanders owner Charles Wang. It would create a new, world-class sports arena, complete with a minor league baseball field, at the Uniondale location.  It would also call for the Islanders to remain at the Coliseum until 2045...

As Memorial Day weekend draws closer and everyone makes plans for a weekend at the beach or bbq’s with friends, remember why we celebrate the holiday.  Everyone knows a veteran of the wars in Iraq or Afghanistan or beyond.  They are our colleagues, parents, spouses, children and neighbors.  They are the best of our best, our heroes on the front line and we often do not take the time to recognize their service....

Before the elections last November almost every politician in Nassau and Suffolk counties complained about the unconstitutional MTA Payroll tax.   Since Election Day, hardly a peep can be heard on this critical issue. Governor Cuomo has declared no NEW taxes are pending, which means the MTA payroll tax will continue.

NYS Tax Relief Now is leading the fight to educate the public as to how and why the MTA is a failed business model and how this tax was unnecessary. We are committed to develop alternative ways to have a robust regional transportation system.  Between the MTA Payroll tax, overpriced LIRR fees, and bridge and tunnel tolls Long Islanders contribute over $1 billion per year to the MTA...

How often do you receive advice about your business that you don’t take literally? Many of us discuss our business plans with consultants, business coaches, other local business owners, and family but it takes a special type of person to take the advice and essentially apply it to their business. At Basso on Business, we would like to highlight particular individuals who not only listened to the recommendations we presented them but took action! Our “Actions in Action” blog will quote our past featured business owners of 2010 and prove that when you act on advice and forge forward, positive change will flourish...

Literally calling on prospects when it's cold outside builds character and could win you some pain and suffering points. There is a blizzard going on here in Long Island; wind blowing, chilling temperatures and almost two feet of snow in some places.

I don't recommend going out in a blizzard, but why not get some phone calls done and leave a smart message referencing why you're calling and the crazy weather conditions. You can get silly if you must. It can brighten someone's day and show your tough as nails work ethic....

Everyone talks about the Long Island “brain drain” and how lack of jobs and affordable housing are driving the youth off Long Island, but as a business owner or working professional, what can we do to stop this slow exodus of young talent?

The members of the Long Island Elite (LIE) asked themselves the same question, and the result was the Believe symposium taking place on Monday, November 15^th, 2010.  The mission for the Believe Symposium is to empower Long Islander’s to create a better environment to raise a family, start a business and live a prosperous life. By challenging our youth to envision their future and take steps toward their goals, we will help them believe not only in themselves but the possibilities that lie ahead right here at home...