CMIT Solutions Recognizes Armando D'Accordo

Courtesy of CMIT Solutions: https://www.facebook.com/cmitsolutions

Immigration Reform Discussion

 

Franchising Business Leaders Discuss the Needs of Real Businesses in the Context of Comprehensive Immigration Reform and Economic Growth

For months, franchise industry leaders have been listening to the concerns from real business owners working to grow their business, every single day. As immigration reform becomes the focus in Congress, we need to make sure reform and economic growth, are dually achieved.

Franchising's role in the economy has grown faster than other small businesses and, it is imperative that immigration reform supports and fosters that same growth for all business owners. In New York, International Franchising Association (IFA) members and their franchisees will gather to discuss the impact of immigration reform on their small businesses, this Friday.

Armando D'Accordo, the president and owner of CMIT Solutions of South Nassau, will join many other franchise leaders, from companies such as Dunkin' Donuts/Baskin Robbins, Front Burner Brands and Tilted Kit, in participating in this discussion.

 

When:

Friday June 21 at 12:00 PM

 

 

Where:

The Javits Center

Room 1C05 (Across from IFA Booth at show hall)

36th Street and 11th Avenue

New York, NY 10001

 

 

For more information about this and other events included in this years' International Franchise Expo, visit: http://www.ifeinfo.com/

 

Is your Small Business Prepared for a Natural Disaster?

Natural Disasters have been a popular news item this year. Hurricane Sandy recovery is still underway. Tornado outbreaks have devastated towns in Oklahoma, Texas, and Kansas. Wildfires have been spreading in Colorado. Keep in mind that the 2013 Atlantic Hurricane Season is well under way, with one storm already causing minor damage on the East Coast.

How can disasters like these affect small businesses? For some, they may just mean a few days of lost business. For others, the termination of digital data, physical records, and basic infrastructure can be detrimental. A smart data recovery plan should always be in place.

Commonly, small business assume that they are not likely to be affected by natural disasters. But that kind of disregard can be devastating, especially considering how easy it is to prepare for unforeseen impacts. Consider these five tips to keep your business safe in the face of weather-related threats:

1) Work with CMIT Solutions to implement a data disaster strategy. Losing even a small amount of information can be devastating for a small business. So setting up a sound data back-up plan that’s automatic and instantaneous should be your first move. Also consider classifying data based on sensitivity and security, setting up server recovery arrangements, and, if you haven’t already, considering cloud solutions for data recovery.

2) Draw up a Continuity of Operations Plan (COOP). A COOP, also known as a Business Continuity Plan, acts a roadmap for continuing operations under adverse conditions. Losing access to office space can be a business owner’s worst nightmare. But setting up a contingency plan to keep things running in the face of even major setbacks can save you time, effort, and money in the short and near term. Identify key employees, critical procedures, and necessary records that are integral to your business. Then implement a clearly spelled-out plan that will keep those elements safe when disaster strikes — and put them back to work once it’s safe to do so.

3) Make sure your insurance policies are comprehensive and up to date. A December 2012 survey by Alibaba, Vendia, and Auctiva found that 84% of small businesses don’t have natural disaster insurance. Many property insurance policies don't cover natural disasters, while some may cover wind damage but not flood damage. Read between the lines of your policy — and if it doesn’t seem adequate, look into supplementary coverage.

4) Maintain a basic emergency kit in the office. Seems simple, right? First-aid kits, fire extinguishers, sanitation supplies, dried food, drinking water, batteries, and even emergency lights are staples of the American workplace. But maintaining (and periodically updating) a dedicated emergency kit can keep your business prepared for disasters both large and small.  

5) If a major disaster does strike, communicating with customers — and spelling out in advance how those procedures will work — is key. That might mean updating your business’ social media account from a mobile device; setting up automated e-mail, phone call, or text message blasts; or, in the event of massive power outages, even embracing more personal forms of interaction. No matter what, updating customers early and often may mean the difference between bouncing back better than ever or struggling to recover after the disaster.

Please contact us if you have any questions.

Technology Meeting for CPAs about Paperless Offices

Sponsored by NCCPAP

Date: Tuesday, June 18

Time:
Registration: 7:45 AM
Program: 8:00 AM - 10:00 AM

Speaker: Armando D'Accordo

Location: Airport Diner
                 3760 Veterans HWY
                 Bohemia, NY 11716

Credits: 2 CPE/ MAP/ Advisory Services

Cost: $35.00 


(Contact information available at: http://go.nccpap.org/Events/EventDescription/?CalendarEventKey=c7c336be-672a-48ec-af1e-6ae2269e3738)

Armando D'Accordo Awarded

Merrick Professional of the Year

 

 

Photo courtesy of the Merrick Chamber of Commerce

 

 

Last night, Armando D'Accordo was given the title of the Merrick Chamber of Commerce's Professional of the Year. "I am honored and grateful to have received this award from my peers," said Armando about his nomination and achievement.

 

The CMIT family could not be more excited about his well deserved recognition and look forward to many more years of his exceptional leadership, service, and commitment to customer satisfaction.

 

 

Bad day for virus infections

Think before you click... Multiple new infections arriving via email

There are a few emails being circulated that look very real and seem to be tricking a large number of users into clicking the link. One mimics a popular package delivery company and the only thing in the email that does not look legitimate is the address it was sent from. If you receive emails from unknown senders, or if anything in the email is incorrect, then you should delete it without clicking the link. If you are expecting a package, take the tracking number out of the email and paste into Google. If it is a legitimate tracking number it will bring up the carriers website, you do not need to go to a carriers website, Google will find the carrier based on the format of the number. (if it is real) Again, do not click the link in any email if you have any doubt about where the email was sent from, or if it is real. Identity theft and spam are on the rise and this is one way a hacker can gain access to information on your hard drive, or use your pc to spam others in your contact list. If you get infected call for professional help and change your passwords to your email account, financial institutions and other websites from a different computer. Please let us know if we can assist. And if that isn't enough: It was reported earlier today that NBC's website at hxxp://nbc.com was briefly infected and redirecting users to a live exploit kit.  This is an example of a good site with a virus, and sadly this happens all too often. So what can you do? Have excellent anti virus and anti spyware protection Be sure your patches and protection software is up to date Exit any site that is not your intended destination as quickly as possible; then scan your pc Mouse over a link before you click it. The real URL of the link will appear in the lower left hand side of your browser Stay abreast of news and updates by allowing your local IT expert to add you to their mailing list Read the headlines (just not on NBC today)  Think before you click. Safe surfing!!

Be Wary of Scammers Posing as Tech Support

Phishing attacks aren’t just limited to fraudulent emails. We’ve recently heard reports of scammers calling people on the phone, claiming to be from Microsoft or the local cable company, and telling potential victims that their computer contains a virus, or that their PC is a risk to all the users in the area and needs to be cleansed or shut down.

If the victim takes the bait, he or she is directed to a fraudulent website and told to enter a code. With that, the scammer gains total control over the victim’s computer. In addition to deleting files or installing malicious software, the scammer can read the victim’s personal files or configure the computer to store and distribute stolen software, adult material, or illegal content.

In many cases, the scammer will attempt to coerce payment from the victim to remove the non-existent virus or even to merely relinquish control of the machine.

If you unwittingly become a victim of this scam, contact law enforcement and consider cancelling your credit card if you made a payment to the scammers. To protect yourself from falling victim, do not cooperate with people calling you out of the blue claiming to be from tech support, especially if you don’t have a contract with a tech support or managed service provider. If you do have such a contract, verify the identity of the caller, the name of the company, and their phone number. Legitimate support personnel (like a trusty CMIT technician) should be happy to provide such information.

Valuable Advice from Jerry Seinfeld

Most people have fallen behind a time or two and said “there just aren’t enough hours in a day.” Making the most of the mere 24 hours doesn’t always come easy to people. Staying focused can be difficult, especially when it comes to long-term goals that don’t demand urgent priority, like filling documents or even exercising for example.  

Brian Isaac, a blogger and software developer, received surprisingly valuable advice about time management from none other than comedy legend, Jerry Seinfeld. The advice that the creator of the hit show, Seinfeld, gave to Isaac can be used in almost every situation for all kinds of working people.

Years ago, when Seinfeld was a new show and Jerry still worked the comedy club circuit, Isaac was aspiring to be a sand-up comedian. One night, Isaac took advantage of his opportunity to ask Seinfeld for advice when he (Seinfeld) was headlining at a club. Isaac sought advice about how to succeed in stand-up comedy and, not surprisingly, Seinfeld replied by saying that Isaac should write new jokes every day. This advice stuck with Isaac because of what Seinfeld said about how the advice should be carried out. Isaac explained:

He (Seinfeld) told me to get a big wall calendar that has a whole year on one page and hang it on a prominent wall. The next step was to get a big red magic marker.

He said for each day that I do my task of writing, I get to put a big red X over that day. "After a few days you'll have a chain. Just keep at it and the chain will grow longer every day. You'll like seeing that chain, especially when you get a few weeks under your belt. Your only job next is to not break the chain."

“Don't break the chain,” he said again for emphasis.

This calendar phenomenon can work for any working person who wants to make the most of their time. Unlike their employees, business owners don’t have the “luxury” of a boss to keep then on target. Often times owners have to force themselves to stay motivated and make sure all their responsibilities are taken care of, particularly when their hard work doesn’t grant immediate benefits. These responsibilities can include making calls, networking, and staying organized; the only way to successfully carry them out is to keep up with them every day.

So, listen to Seinfeld. Find a wall calendar and start putting an X through each day that you complete your obligatory tasks.

Remember: don’t break the chain.