Monthly Archives: February 2024

3 Unique Ways to Build Relationships with Remote Employees

​Building relationships with remote employees is essential for fostering a strong team dynamic and a sense of belonging. Here are three unique strategies to bridge the gap and cultivate meaningful connections:Virtual Coffee Chats or Buddy System: Pair remote employees with colleagues for regular virtual coffee chats to discuss non-work-related topics and build rapport. Alternatively, establish a buddy system where remote employees are paired with on-site colleagues for support and social interaction.Virtual Team-Building Activities: Organize virtual game fun, online trivia contests, or collaborative problem-solving sessions to encourage participation and teamwork among remote team members. Host virtual social events like happy hours or cooking classes to promote…

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The Cybersecurity Certification of Compliance Has Changed

​Entities that the New York State Department of Financial Services (DFS) will soon complete the compliance filings that the financial services cybersecurity regulation requires. This year they will notice a change. The DFS regulates entities in the banking, financial services, and insurance sectors. These entities must submit a statement by April 15 each year about the state of their compliance with the regulation's requirements. Before this year, they had to submit a statement that they were complying with them during the prior calendar year. An amendment to the regulation that took effect last November 1 expanded that requirement. Entities will have to complete and submit…

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New York’s Proposed Budget Includes Many Changes Affecting IAs and Customers: What You Need to Know

​By Scott Hobson, AVP of Government RelationsSHobson@BigINY.orgNew York's budget process is in full swing, and Governor Hochul recently released her executive budget proposal. As the first step in the budget process, the Governor's proposal lays out her vision for how the state will collect and spend tax dollars, as well as major policy initiatives for the year. Next, each house of the legislature will issue their own proposals, and the legislative leaders and governor will negotiate on a final budget, which is due by April 1st.Many of the Governor's proposals would impact IAs and their customers. Throughout the budget process Big I NY's government affairs…

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