Specific issues to be covered include product classification and valuation, global sourcing, customs clearance, import financing, logistics, documentation, and working with import service providers.

Speakers include:

• Paula Connelly, Attorney – Law Offices of Paula M. Connelly

Workshop is free, but registration is required at 5:30pm (before the workshop).

Pre-registration can be done at:: http://www.mass.gov/export/events.htm

Time: 6:00-8:00 p.m.
Location: Conference Room 05/06

According to the report Economic Impact of Real Estate Activity : Massachusetts, dated March 2013  the sale of a typical home in Massachusetts  for $294,900 generates an additional $93,716 in spending.

Would you like to expand your business internationally?

Have you had some international inquiries but weren’t sure how to respond?

If you answered ‘Yes’ to either of these questions, please join us April 3 for the Fundamentals of Exporting.

This workshop covers all of the most important topics, skills, and resources needed to become a successful exporter. We will discuss all of the major components of the export process:  international sales and marketing; export logistics and finance (including the all-important topic of making sure you get paid).

Additionally, we will identify state and federal resources available to you – many of which are free of charge or very low cost. Join us for this informative, interactive workshop on how to build your international sales.

Speakers include:

• Kathleen Kinahan-Newell, Trade Compliance Manager – Massachusetts Export Center
• Paula Murphy, Director – Massachusetts Export Center

Date: Wednesday, April 3, 2013
Time: Registration 5:30 p.m.; Program 6:00 – 8:00 p.m.
Location: Boston Public Library 700 Boylston Street, Conference Rooms 5/6 (concourse level), Boston (directions)
Cost: No charge, but preregistration is required
Contact: Register online If you have questions, contact the Massachusetts Export Center at 617-973-8664.

The  Medical Device Industry in Massachusetts 2013 video

According to the Deloitte study, The Medical Device Industry in Massachusetts, presented at the Massachusetts Medical Device Industry Council 15th Annual Conference, May 3, 2011:

• Massachusetts is home to more than 400 medical device companies, with surgical and medical instrument manufacturers leading the pack
• The BayState is the second largest employer of people in the medical device industry behind only California, employing 24,268 within seven medical device manufacturing categories. Furthermore, the Massachusetts medical device industry is responsible for creating more than 80,000 jobs in related industries in the state.
• While heavily concentrated in Eastern Massachusetts, medical device firms are present in almost all regions of the state
• Massachusetts medical device firms received $286 million, or 12 percent of national medical device venture funds in 2010
• Over the past decade,Massachusetts medical device exports have been growing at more than twice the rate of the state’s exports as a whole
• Medical devices are more than 10 percent of the state’s total exports and represent $1 out of every $10 of U.S. medical device exports

According to the National Retail Federation’s Easter spending survey, conducted by BIGinsight, Americans will spend an average of $145.28 on everything from apparel and candy to food and decorations this year, up 11 percent from $131.04 last year. Total spending is expected to reach $16.8 billion.

Click here to read the entire survey

Runners in Costume courtesy of boston.com

According to the Boston Athletic Association, the Boston Marathon brings in an estimated $137.5 million to the Greater Boston economy during race week. The 2012 Boston Marathon was second only to the 100th anniversary race in economic impact and number of runners. In 1996 there were 38,708 runners and spending impact reached $172 million.

The estimated $137.5 million in spending impact will be generated from the following categories:

• Total spending by 26,700 runners and their guests, including spending at John Hancock Sports & Fitness Expo = $92.4 million
• Total spending by spectators = $12 million
• Total spending by the Boston Athletic Association = $7 million
• Charity Fundraising events by marathon runners = $16 million
• Total sponsors & media Marathon-related spending = $10.1 million

TOTAL $137.5 million

Boston Public Library Resources for the Boston Marathon:

Boston Marathon
How to Qualify

Galloway, Jeff
(Book – 2010)

Boston Marathon

Johnson, Dick
(Book – 2009)

 

 

 

Saint Ralph

(DVD – 2005)

Will you be spending some green tomorrow? According to the National Retail Federation, “the average person will spend $35.27 on green attire, décor for their home and office, and festive food and drinks. Total spending is expected to grow to $4.7 billion.”

Download the complete survey.

Have a Happy St. Patrick’s Day!

Did you you know that  the city of  Boston has a population of 617,594, the median age of its residents is 30.8, or that the city has 49,667 companies? 

You’ll learn this and  more with the American FactFinder database from the United States Census Bureau.  Make American FactFinder your first stop when searching for demographic data.  

Coverage includes the United States, Puerto Rico and the Island Areas.  Try searching on your desired geographic location using the Community Facts tab.  Here you’ll find a variety of topics such as Population, Age, Business & Industry, Education, Housing, Income, Origins & Language, Poverty, and Veterans.

ReServe is an innovative nonprofit that matches continuing professionals age 55+ (ReServists) with organizations that need their expertise.

Do you want to give back to your community?

Are you looking for an opportunity to re-enter the workforce part-time?

Well, then you should check out ReServe.  ReServe  is a nonprofit that puts adults age 55 and up to work in schools, government offices, and community organizations.  It has been featured in the Boston Globe.

As a potential ReServist, you can be matched with an organization that needs your expertise. Most positions are between 10 and 20 hours a week and last for at least three months.  ReServists get paid a $10 per hour stipend for their efforts.

Organizations who have gaps in their staff can register with ReServe to get the talent they need, through the Give Back, Fill the Gap program.  Or through the Impact Initiatives program ReServists can tackle issues with the community and work one on one with clients who need your skills.

The Boston chapter, launched earlier this year, is operated by JVS Boston in collaboration with Discovering What’s Next.

JVS Boston specializes helping individuals find jobs and get the skills they need to become successful in the workplace and their communities.  Discovering What’s Next provides individuals over 50 with resources and programming and promotes community engagement.

Upcoming Classes and Programs

Neighbors Helping Neighbors meets every Wednesday at 7pm in the Kirstein Business Library.  FYI:  On April 3rd NHN will move up one hour to a 6pm start time.

Stop by the training lab on Tuesday, March 12 at 2:30 to learn about Job Searching Online.

Or you can swing by the training lab on Tuesday, March 26 at 2:30 to learn how to Create a Resume Online.

Cheers!

According to the Workplace Bullying Institute, 35 percent of the workforce, an estimated 53.5 million employees in the United States, report being bullied in the workplace.   According to ABC News,  there is a growing push to stop workplace bullying with  the Healthy Workplace Bill.

For more on workplace bullying:

Bullying and Harassment in the Workplace:
Developments in Theory, Research and Practice

Complete Guide to Understanding, Controlling, and Stopping Bullies and Bullying in the Workplace

You Can’t Talk to Me That Way! Stopping Toxic Talk in the Workplace