Business Resources

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New Mass Personal Information Privacy Laws
On March 1st, all businesses that have access to personal information on MA residents must comply with the new laws designed to prevent identity theft. If, for example, you receive payments by check or credit card, keep social security or drivers license numbers, you will need to not only ensure that those records are maintained in a secure fashion but also that you have a comprehensive Written Information Security Program in place and designated employees to implement and enforce it. There are very specific security measures for computer systems, even including those handy flash drives, that will need to be encypted and password protected.

The MA state website has more information about the law and and a compliance checklist for small businesses.

The Franklin County CDC (FCCDC) is hosting several seminars to help you understand what you will need to do to comply.

Training Opportunities

Join the U. S. Small Business Administration in Recognition of
National Financial Literacy Month

SBA will host a series of “FREE” Financial Education webinars highlighting the importance of financial and business knowledge

Wednesday, April 7 • Wednesday, April 14 • Wednesday, April 21
DAILY 11 a.m. AND 3 p.m. EST

Click for details

Franklin County CDC
New Mass Personal Information Privacy Laws

On March 1, 2010 New Standards for the Protection of Personal Information of Residents of the Commonwealth goes into effect and all businesses must comply - regardless of the size or location of your business. The FCCDC is hosting seminars to introduce the rules and give businesses the information they need to be in compliance.

If you receive payments by check or credit card, keep social security or driver’s license information for your employees, customers or vendors, you will need to understand the new requirements.

• THURSDAY MARCH 11 at 9 am at the FCCDC
  with Amy Royal of Royal & Klimczuk, LLC.


• WEDNESDAY MARCH 24 at 9 am at the FCCDC
  with Dave Flaherty, owner of www.ThePrivacyExperts.com


• The seminar costs $10 and refreshments will be served.
  To register call 413-774-7204 x300 or info@fccdc.org

Events

Western New England College Law and Business Center for Advancing Entrepreneurship

Information Session

"Marketing on a Shoestring"
Date: Friday, April 9, 2010
Time: 12:00pm-1:30pm
Location: Scibelli Enterprise Center 1 Federal Street Springfield, MA

Congratulations! Your business is finally up and running and you're ready to tell the world. Get valuable pointers on how to spread the word about your new business on a shoestring budget from Dewberry Munoz Communications. This session will be presented by Natalia Munoz and Beatrice Dewberry of Dewberry Munoz Communications Company.

Speaker Series

"Leading a Business in Anxious Times"
featuring Katharine Baker, Ph. D.
Date: Thursday, April 15, 2010
Time: 12pm-1:00pm
Location: Western New England College Blake Law Center

This event will feature Katharine G. Baker, Ph.D., who is coauthor of Leading a Business in Anxious Times /and a Principal at Family Therapy and Consulting Associates in Northampton, MA. Dr. Baker will present an approach to understanding business leadership that is grounded in Bowen theory, a well-tested theory of human behavior. She will show how the patterns of behavior learned in the family can have a profound impact on every business' success. Through stories of successful business leaders, Dr. Baker will illustrate the power and effectiveness of this way of understanding leadership. She will also discuss executive coaching as an application of her approach.

These events are free, open to the public, and lunch is provided. For more information or to register for these events please contact us at 413-796-2030 or lawandbusiness@wnec.edu