The Chamber’s executive vice president Jim Klocke goes ‘On the Record’ this week to discuss increasing unemployment statistics across New England, and a forecast from the New England Economic Partnership predicting more job losses ahead.  Klocke also looks at proposed toll hikes and possible gas tax increases in Massachusetts.

Earlier this month, Jim Klocke, the Chamber's executive vice president, travelled to Washington, DC for an event sponsored by the Alliance for Health Reform. 

Jim discussed the Massachusetts health care reform law and why it has been successful.

Video of Jim's remarks can be viewed here.

At a Special Leadership Breakfast held by the Chamber this morning, former Federal Reserve Bank of Boston CEO, Cathy Minehan, spoke on the critical importance of both corporate and personal leadership during this economic climate.  She emphasized the need for a well-developed plan or vision, and constant communication within an organization to keep everyone informed on decisions being made.  Minehan predicted that the economic downturn would continue, but that Greater Boston would ultimately recover and thrive, as it has done before.  With several years of leadership at the Federal Reserve Bank of Boston, Minehan’s experience not only provided insight, but also a sense of confidence that the region would be able to weather the storm.    

 

Images from the event can be viewed here.

 

The Chamber would like to thank Towers Perrin for sponsoring this event. 

Yesterday’s Government Affairs Forum featured Cokie Roberts, political commentator for ABC News and senior news analyst for NPR.  In a memorable address, Roberts spoke to nearly 200 Chamber members interested in her take on the recent presidential election of Senator Barack Obama. 

With years of media experience covering politics, Roberts provided a historical account of the parallels between 1980 and 2008.  Adding humor and honesty, Cokie Roberts shared thoughts on the impact of race, gender, and youth on the recent election as well as the electoral map going forward.  During an interactive session of Q and A, she touched upon the role of media in the election, new organization tools used by the Obama campaign, and the challenges that await his new administration. 

The event was covered by the Boston Herald, Boston Business Journal, and Metro Boston. 

It will be broadcast in its entirety this Sunday, November 23, at 8:00pm on WBUR 90.9. 

Images from the event can be viewed here.

Don’t miss out on the last Government Affairs Forum of 2008 with Mayor Thomas Menino!  For event details and registration, click here.

The Chamber would like to thank Bank of America for sponsoring the Government Affairs Forums. 

Last week, the state announced delays in the implementation of identity theft law regulations that were set to take effect in January 1, 2009.  The Chamber had lobbied top state officials for implementation delays in order to allow sufficient time for businesses to update data privacy procedures and become compliant.  This announcement was a very positive step.  Challenges remain, related to provisions dealing with encryption, inventory, and third-party verification (which require companies to ensure that all vendors are in full compliance with the regulations – including those located far from Massachusetts). 

The Chamber will work on those issues with affected companies, the Office of Consumer and Business Regulation, and other senior administration officials in the weeks ahead.

Chamber president and CEO Paul Guzzi goes ‘On the Record’ this week to discuss Governor Deval Patrick’s comments in The Boston Globe on the near certainty of higher tolls on the Turnpike. Patrick said mismanagement and neglect by past administrations has left the Turnpike Authority in dire fiscal straits.

United States Representative Niki Tsongas was the featured speaker at yesterday’s Women’s Network Breakfast.  Congresswoman Tsongas led a discussion before a room of Chamber members eager to hear her thoughts on the economy and the new administration that will inhabit Washington in January.  Not only did Tsongas provide insight on the economy and globalization, but she focused on the increasing number of women in Congress and the positive implications.  In conjunction with a recent Chamber report indicating the state’s diminishing competitive edge in workforce talent, Congresswoman Tsongas stressed the importance of education for talent retention.  She also restated her commitment to health care cost control and the possibility of national reform under the Obama administration. 

This event was covered by the Boston Herald, and can be heard in its entirety this Sunday, November 23, at 8:00pm on WBUR 90.9.

Images from the event can be viewed here.

Don’t miss the next Women’s Network Breakfast series with Trudy Sullivan, president and CEO of Talbots, Inc., on December 10.  For event details and registration, click here.   

The Chamber would like to thank Citi for sponsoring this event. 

 

Yesterday’s episode of ‘This Week in Business’ included the monthly Boston business editors roundtable with Shirley Leung, business editor of The Boston Globe; Frank Quaratiello, business editor of The Boston Herald; and George Donnelly, editor of The Boston Business Journal.

With hosts Paul Guzzi & Mike Nikitas, the editors focused on the economic crisis, changes in the rescue plan, the controversy over whether the auto industry should get a hand from the government, and the increasing local impact of today’s financial environment.

In the next segment, Randy Papadellis, the CEO of Ocean Spray, talks about the unique co-op setup of his company and how they market themselves around the world – especially during this Thanksgiving season.

Last week, the Chamber hosted an all day “Connecting Business with Government” program for the 2008 Boston’s Future Leaders class.  This customized session was held at Suffolk University Sawyer Business School and it explored government functions at the state, local, and federal level as they relate to business interests.  The day’s goal was to help participants gain a better understanding of how to effectively work with government as a partner, and advance public policy issues as business leaders.  Participants had the opportunity to hear from a wide-range of speakers including Peter Meade, communications and public affairs strategist for Rasky Baerlein Strategic Communications; Paul Connolly, first vice president and COO of the Federal Reserve Bank of Boston; and Charlie Baker, president and CEO of Harvard Pilgrim Health Care.

 

Images from the event can be viewed here.

Chamber president and CEO Paul Guzzi goes ‘On the Record’ this week to look at the possible impact of President-elect Barack Obama’s policies on the Massachusetts economy. 

Guzzi also offers insight on continued growth in the life sciences industry and the future of Covidien Ltd.

Earlier this morning, the Greater Boston Chamber hosted a Leading Industries Executive Forum featuring Richard Meelia, president and CEO of Covidien Ltd. (formerly Tyco Healthcare).  A large assembly of Chamber members gathered to hear Meelia explain the company behind the Green Monster logo at Fenway Park.  Meelia reinforced Covidien’s commitment to innovation, growth, and operational excellence.  He also told the audience of Covidien’s plans to add jobs here in Massachusetts.  This news was particularly encouraging given the challenging external environment.  

Images from today's event can be viewed here.

The Chamber would like to thank Citibank for sponsoring the Leading Industries Executive Forum series. 

Are you a new Chamber member? Or maybe you are long-time member of the Chamber looking for new ways to get involved? Well consider attending the Chamber’s free Member Orientation on November 13 at the downtown UMass Club.

At this informative program, you will learn about all of the opportunities available to you and every employee in your company through your Chamber membership. And the staff of the Chamber is on-hand to answer any questions you might have, from public policy to programs and events to marketing opportunities. So spend an hour with the Chamber staff and leave with new ideas for your company, as well as many new contacts from the region’s business community.

Click on the link below to register, and we hope to see you there!

 

Thursday, November 13
UMass Club, 225 Franklin Street, 33rd Floor
7:45 a.m. Registration&Networking
8:10-9:00 a.m. Program
Free program. Members only.
Click here to register

 

Not a Chamber member, but interested in attending member orientation and learning more about Chamber membership? Contact Karen O’Sullivan, senior director of business development, for more information.

On October 31, the Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce released a new report on the state’s workforce that raises a red flag concerning our competitive edge in workforce talent.  The study, Greater Boston’s Challenge: Sustaining the Talent Advantage identifies weaknesses in our workforce development pipeline, and makes five recommendations to ensure we solidify this strength. 

 

The Chamber’s report complements a research report by the Federal Reserve Bank of Boston on The Future of the Skilled Labor Force in New England: The Supply of Recent College Graduates.  The Chamber and the Federal Reserve Bank of Boston convened area leaders in September to discuss that report, which investigated the factors that affect the stock of recent college graduates in the region.

The report makes five recommendations, which the Chamber will work to implement through legislative advocacy and coordinated efforts with the employer community:

 

• Increase STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math) teachers, students, and graduates by instituting a differentiated pay system for teachers, and by expanding fellowships and mentoring programs.
• Reform federal H1-B visas by lifting overly-restrictive limits on the number of highly-educated foreign workers our employers can recruit from other countries.
• Expand work-based internships by using job fairs and internship summits to convene a critical mass of students and employers, and by creating better online opportunities to fit student talent with employer needs.
• Implement Governor Patrick’s Readiness Project initiatives that enable more students to complete college, by expanding the number of Early College High Schools, increasing participation in dual high school and college enrollment programs, and guaranteeing course credit transfers among public higher education institutions.
• Create additional job opportunities for talented graduates by making Massachusetts business costs more competitive through legislation, regulatory changes, and innovations in the way business services are delivered.  That will promote job creation, which will draw more graduates to Greater Boston.

 

To download the full report, click here.

 

This report release was covered by the Boston Herald and Boston Globe.

 

 

Former United States Secretary of the Treasury Larry Summers was the featured speaker at a Greater Boston Chamber Financial Services Forum on October 30.  Summers spoke on the economic bailout plan, as well as changes that need to be made to achieve long-term prospersity nationwide. The event was recorded by NECN, and can be viewed in its entirety below.

On yesterday’s episode of “This Week in Business,” Fred Breimyer of the New England Economic Partnership joined host Paul Guzzi to talk about the impact of the economic meltdown on the New England economy and the financial services industry in Massachusetts.

Also featured in this episode is Bob Davis of Highland Capital Partners who discussed IPOs, venture capital, and the prospects for growth in this economy. Davis also talked about the technology sector.

Once again, Peter Howe joined Paul Guzzi to look at dwindling newspaper circulations, as well as the future of the Christian Science Monitor. Plus, Larry Summers, former US Secretary of the Treasury, discussed the economic rescue plan at a Greater Boston Chamber event.

During these challenging economic times, the Chamber is focused on working with members to enhance their business.  As you work to balance the needs of your company with fiscal prudence, we want to offer you a unique, efficient, and cost-effective marketing opportunity available only to members.  

 

For a limited time, we are reducing the annual rate of our exclusive Online Business Directory Category Sponsorship to $250 - a 50% reduction.  This special offer allows our member companies to position themselves atop the online business directory listing for specific industries for one full year. 

 

The Chamber's online business directory receives thousands of visitors each month from employers, tourists, and consumers looking for Greater Boston's best companies and services.  With the launch of the new bostonchamber.com, we have already seen our visitor numbers increase, along with the visibility of the directory and our member companies.

 

With this small investment, the Chamber will provide you with category exclusive visibility for your company for one calendar year - making the most of your marketing dollars.

 

For more information, click here.  If you would like to take advantage of this offer, please reply directly to this email.  This special opportunity will be offered until Friday, November 7, 2008, and on a first-come, first-served basis.

 

If you have any questions, please contact Dan Esdale, marketing communications manager, at (617) 557-7325 or at desdale@bostonchamber.com.

Lawrence Summers, former United States Secretary of the Treasury and current Charles W. Eliot University Professor of Harvard University, was the guest speaker at yesterday’s Greater Boston Chamber Financial Services Forum.  In the last forum of this series for 2008, Summers spoke to a room of nearly 200 Chamber members eager to learn his perspective on the financial crisis.  In order for the United States to achieve long-term prosperity, Summers called for fundamental change not only in economic policy, but in health care, energy policy, and income inequality, as well.  He predicted that the financial system could begin to bounce back in about six months and rebound in late 2009.  With that optimism, Summers said that the country has a long way to go and several issues outside of the financial crisis that must be responded to.  He stated that government policies must begin to reform an economy where benefits currently flow to the wealthy, in addition to restoring the financial system. 

 

This event was covered yesterday by the Boston Globe, Boston Herald, and NECN.  Summers received additional press today from the Boston Globe and Boston Herald.

 

Don’t miss Lawrence Summers’ entire speech on 90.9 WBUR this Sunday, November 2, at 8:00pm.

 

Images from the event can be viewed here.

 

The Chamber would like to thank Citibank for their sponsorship of the Financial Services Forum.  

Former United States Secretary of the Treasury Larry Summers was the featured speaker at this morning's Greater Boston Chamber Financial Services Forum.  NECN's Peter Howe offers his take on the Secretary's comments:

Earlier today on WBUR's "Morning Edition," Chamber President&CEO Paul Guzzi discussed the perils facing Massachusetts if Question One suceeds next week.  He faced off against Libertarian Carla Howell, the chief proponent of the ballot question to eliminate the state income tax.  Click here to listen to the audio.

The Chamber, along with A.I.M., the Massachusetts Taxpayers Foundation, and the Massachusetts Business Roundtable, released a report earlier this month outlining the devastating economic consequences of Question One.  Click here to view the report.

Yesterday's Chamber Government Affairs Forum with US Congressman Barney Frank has received additional press coverage in today's papers.  The event was picked up by the Boston Herald, Metro Boston, and Reuters.

Don't forget to click here to register for the next Government Affairs Forum with Cokie Roberts, political commentator, ABC News, senior news analyst, NPR.