Webinars

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Educational opportunities are one of the most valuable member benefits. Regional programs are a great place to learn about the art and science of nursery and landscape craft. NYSNLA's Work Smarter, Not Harder Webinars are about the nuts and bolts of running your business – employee relations, labor law, efficient bookkeeping, market trends and more! This is information you need if your business is going to grow and prosper.

And they’re FREE – but there’s a catch. Your business must be a NYSNLA member.

Upcoming Webinars

Past Webinars

Below are links to our most recent webinars. If you’re a NYSNLA member, ckick the title of the webinar you'd like to view, login and learn! 

If you aren’t a member, just look at what you’re missing! Click the “Join NYSNLA” link above to become a member now.

Please keep in mind that, due to restrictions on some presenters and material, we are not able to record all our webinars. We recommend that members watch their email, read NYSNLA News, register and plan to attend our live webinars whenever possible. This also ensures you the opportunity to ask questions of our presenters!

WANTED: LITTLE GREEN MEN (AND WOMEN) -- CULTIVATING OUR INDUSTRY AS A CAREER OF CHOICE (FEBRUARY 2020)

Encouraging young people to choose a career in the green industry is key to building a strong workforce for the future. In this webinar, Leigh McGonagle, CNLP will discuss ways to get students excited about the many options available to them in the field, whether they plan to go to college, enter trade school or start working right out of high school.

Leigh is the owner of Poplar Point Studio, vice president of PLANT STNY (NYSNLA Region 8) and a member of the NYSNLA board. In 2019 she facilitated a Career of Choice Summit to brainstorm ideas for attracting young people to the industry. She recaps that discussion and shares some resources that members can use.

QUICKBOOKS TOOLS AND STRATEGIES FOR BETTER CASH FLOW (JANUARY 2020)

Presented by Monica Muir of Muir & Associates.

Many QuickBooks users are unaware of the tools available to help them monitor and even improve cash flow. You’ll walk away with knowing not only what reports to run, but additional information you can extract from those reports so you have a better handle on your business. You’ll also learn some strategies to put into place that can help you improve your cash flow. 

COMPLYING WITH THE NEW NYS SEXUAL HARASSMENT TRAINING LAW (MARCH 2019)

All employers in New York state are required to have a sexual harassment policy in place and, by October 9, 2019, train all employees on what constitutes harassment, what their rights are and how to complain. You don't need to pay a lawyer or HR consultant to provide this training. You, your office manager or HR person, or other individual you designate can do it. All the materials you need are available FREE from the State of New York. In this short webinar, you'll learn what is required, where to find those materials and how to use them.

POWERFUL TOOLS, TRICKS AND STRATEGIES FOR QUICKBOOKS USERS (FEBRUARY 2019)
QuickBooks expert Monica Muir of Muir & Associates covers job costing, time saving tools and cash management tools for green industry businesses that use QuickBooks.

THE 411 ON 911 (JANUARY 2019)THE 411 ON 911 (JANUARY 2019)

In November 2018, Governor Cuomo signed into law an  amendment requiring any excavator who works for a local government and their hired contractors, as well as excavators who work for an operator and their hired contractors, to complete an approved Public Service Commission training and education program. This law takes effect May 4, 2019.

In this webinar, Kevin Hopper, executive director of Dig Safely New York, will cover who needs to take this training and how his agency's Certified Excavator Program meets the requirements. 

SNOW PLOWING (DECEMBER 2018)

Michael Pollack, executive vice president of NYSNLA's corporate partner The Flanders Group, covers insurance and contract issues related to snow removal, for those who already offer this service and those considering it.

DOCUMENTATION, DISCIPLINE AND TERMINATION OF EMPLOYMENT (OCTOBER 2018)

Mary Simmons of Portnoy, Messinger, Pearl & Associates shares guidelines for successfully dealing with employee problems -- and problem employees.
Learn how to handle difficult situations with employees, including documenting problems, taking disciplinary measures and, if all else fails, terminating their employment.

THE NEW SEXUAL HARASSMENT TRAINING REQUIREMENT: WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW (SEPTEMBER 2018)

By October 9, employers in New York state must provide their employers with annual training in sexual harassment. In this webinar, Mary SImmons of the human resources consulting firm Portnoy, Messinger, Pearl & Associates explains what this requirement entails and your options for meeting it.

KEYS TO USING QUICKBOOKS FOR PROFITS, NICHES AND MARKETING (MARCH 2018)

Monica Muir of Muir & Associates helps you discover ways to use features in QuickBooks you never thought about, or understood, that can help you market smarter and work smarter. Learn aspects to setup that not only help you track profitability better, but help you track key metrics so you can market more effectively, and discover reporting that will help you analyze your profitability and key metrics so you can make wiser decisions

HOT NEW PLANTS FOR 2018 (FEBRUARY 2018)

Heidi Mortensen of Prides Corner Farms updates members on the hottest plant trends for the coming year.

NEW YEAR, NEW LAWS (JANUARY 2018)

Mary Simmons, director of human resources consulting at Portnoy, Messinger, Pearl & Associates updates members on the new laws taking effect in 2018 that will impact green industry businesses.

SOCIAL MEDIA FOR SMALL BUSINESS (DECEMBER 2017)

Marketing expert Carol Isles, president of the Long Island Nursery & Landscape Association, reviews the current social media landscape and offers advice on using social media to benefit your business.

SEXUAL HARASSMENT/DISCRIMINATION TRAINING FOR MANAGERS -- NOVEMBER 2017

Recent headlines have made it one of the most timely topics for businesses ... but it remains one of the most misunderstood.

In this webinar, Mary Simmons, director of human resources consulting at Portnoy, Messinger, Pearl & Associates, helps you:

  • Understand how to recognize sexual harassment/discrimination in the workplace
  • Learn how to minimize litigation related to sexual harassment/discrimination
  • Learn the EEOC protected categories as well as New York State protected categories
  • Understand different types of discriminatory behavior and how to control them
  • Learn actions to be taken if an employee claims discrimination or sexual harassment
  • Understand the responsibilities of employees, managers and companies to avoid sexual harassment/discrimination claims

UNDERSTANDING THE PAID FAMILY LEAVE ACT - OCTOBER 2017

On April 4, 2016, Governor Andrew Cuomo signed a bill that will require employers to provide paid family leave benefits to eligible employees as part of the state’s disability insurance program. Paid family leave benefits will be phased in over a four-year period, beginning Jan. 1, 2018. When the law is fully implemented in 2021, employees may be eligible for up to 12 weeks of paid family leave.

Kerry Steenburgh, director of client services at NYSNLA's Corporate Partner The Flanders Group, will explain what this new law means for you and your business. Kerry assists clients of The Flanders Group with human resources and safety-related questions or concerns.

Click on the title above to view the webinar, and click here for a printable PDF version of Kerry's presentation.

5 STEPS TO INCREASING YOUR PROFITABILITY WITH QUICKBOOKS - MARCH 2017

Monica Muir of Muir & Associates leads a presentation on the 5 steps that will help you increase your profitability with QuickBooks – from setup to reviewing your results and streamlining your workflow.  Avoid the common mistakes so many users make.

INVASIVE SPECIES REGULATION UPDATE:  WHERE WE STAND - FEBRUARY 2017

Chris Logue of the New York State Department of Agriculture & Markets, updates on 2017 Invasive Species.

NEW PERENNIALS, WOODIES & ANNUALS FOR 2017 - January 2017

NYSNLA member and CNLP Heidi Mortensen leads a presentation on new perennials, woodies and annuals for 2017. 

40-SOMETHING:  UNDERSTANDING THE NEW OVERTIME GUIDLINES - December 2016

In this webinar, labor law expert Richard A. Mormile explains what the Overtime Final Rule means for your business. Whether you employ hourly workers, salaried staff, salespeople on commission or all of the above, this is information you literally can’t afford to miss.

Many Happy Returns - End of Year Tax Strategies - November 2016

David Rifenburgh and Jamie Johnson of Farm Credit East present important information regarding end of year tax strategies.

An Overview of OSHA's New Electronic Record-Keeping Rule with Tiffany Passmore of The Flanders Group - October 2016

On May 11, 2016, the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) published its new “Improve Tracking of Workplace Injuries and Illnesses” final rule. This rule requires most employers to electronically submit injury and illness data to OSHA on an annual basis so the data can be evaluated by OSHA and published on its public website. This webinar will not only outline these electronic record-keeping requirements but will review the other lesser- known provisions regarding accident/injury reporting training, post-accident drug testing and restrictions on “injury free” incentive programs.

The Graceful Exit:  Business Succession Planning - September 2016

This webinar will start you building a foundation for your exit and succession plan. Believe it or not, that time will come  sooner than you think. Often, this is a scary and daunting thought for most business owners. Whether a sale, family succession or even an employee buyout strategy ... there are many options to consider.

Our speaker, Jeff Rogers, will outline 10 best practices for your consideration and outline a strategic planning process you can begin to implement with confidence. Intentionally plot your course to gain maximum value and peace of mind by knowing the fundamentals of your exit and how to best ready your team. 

The Layoff Alternative: How NY State’s Shared Work Program Can Help You Hold Onto Your Best Employees - April 2016

New York State’s Shared Work Program can help you manage business cycles, seasonal adjustments and tough times by letting you keep trained staff and avoid layoffs. Employees can receive partial Unemployment Insurance benefits while working reduced hours. Instead of cutting staff, you can reduce the number of hours of all employees, or just a certain group, and full-time, part-time and seasonal employees are eligible. Keep your trained, productive employees on the job during temporary downturns, so you can gear up quickly when business improves! New York State Department of Labor Business Services Rep Amy Hadfield and Employment Services Rep Debbie Arbutina will explain the Shared Work Program and a few other ways that the DoL can help you keep your best people, find more great people, and save you time and money.

Employee Handbooks: Do? Don't? Complete? Compliant? -- March 2016

Does your company currently have an employee handbook? If not, do you know where to start when it comes to developing one? Are you unsure of what is (or isn’t) required? If you do have a handbook, when was the last time it was reviewed or revised? Presented by Tiffany Passmore, director of client services for The Flanders Group.

2016's Hot New Perennials and Woodies -- February 2016

Heidi Mortensen, CNLP of Prides Corner Farms is back with the latest and greatest in new plant introductions for 2016. Join us for a preview of the newest varieties of woodies and perennials and succulents that are all the rage. This is a great opportunity to educate yourself and your staff on the newest varieties from Aquilegia to Viola and everything in between!

Introduction to Social Media for Small Businesses -- October 2015

Social media is the new "word of mouth" marketing. In this webinar, presented by Carol Saporito of Bissett Nursery Corp., you'll learn how to join the conversation. Topics to be covered include: the major social media "players" and their strengths and weaknesses; social media vocabulary; reasonable goals and expectations; and important first steps.

Human Resources 101 for the Green Industry -- July 2015

Everyone knows that people are key to a company's success, but many business owners invest more time and effort in choosing equipment than in finding the best employees. In this webinar, you'll gain valuable information to help you improve your screening and hiring process and attract the right people. You'll also receive sample documents you can use to put your new knowledge into practice. Topics include: questions you should be asking in interviews; the importance of background and reference checks; exit interviews; and best practices for managing seasonal employment transitions.

Hot New Perennials for 2015 -- March 2015

Discover the hottest new perennial introductions for 2015 in this webinar with Heidi Mortensen. This is a great opportunity to educate yourself and your staff on the newest varieties from Aquilegia to Viola and everything in between! Heidi currently works in sales for Prides Corner Farms, covering central and eastern upstate New York. A graduate of Utah State University with a bachelor of science degree in horticulture, emphasis in ornamentals, she has published more than 300 gardening articles on eHow and is a Cornell Master Gardener volunteer. 

Additional webinars held for which we are unable to offer recordings:

The New Federal Overtime Rule -- December 2019

On September 24, 2019, the U.S. Department of Labor announced a final rule, effective January 1, 2020,  to make 1.3 million American workers newly eligible for overtime pay. The final rule updates the earnings thresholds necessary to exempt executive, administrative and professional employees from the Fair Labor Standards Act’s (FLSA) minimum wage and overtime pay requirements, and allows employers to count a portion of certain bonuses/commissions towards meeting the salary level. In this webinar, Shequeila Birdsong, Community Outreach and Resource Planning Specialist with the U.S. Department of Labor, Wage & Hour Division, explains the new rule and how it affects companies in the nursery and landscape industry. Click here for more information about the new rule.

4 Steps Keys to Better Job Costing in QuickBooks -- January 2015

Learn some of the essentials to smarter job costing—common crucial job cost mistakes, essential tips for setup, power tips that streamline estimating and invoicing, tracking job expenses and labor costs, and suggestions for better reporting. Presented by Green Insustry QucikBooks expert Monica Muir.

Powerful Timesaving Strategies for QuickBooks Users -- February 2015

Many QuickBooks users are unaware of features in QuickBooks that can help them get their work done much faster. From data entry to reporting, pareticipants walked away with lots of suggestions that can shave off time so you can either get other work done - or go home sooner! Presented by Green Industry Quickbooks expert Monica Muir.

Navigating the Fair Labor Standards Act in the Landscaping Industry

Our expert from US Department of Labor’s Wage & Hour Division explained requirement of the Fair Labor Standards Act and share his experience surrounding the most common issues in the industry. He will address issues arising from regular rate, salary exempt and not exempt employees, hours worked, and record keeping, and address a number of frequently asked questions. There will be plenty of time for questions and answers. Presented by Aristoteles Rodriguez, an investigator with the U.S. Department of Labor.