News

MSG to Present Findings at Annual American Evaluation Association Conference

October 25, 2011, Washington, D.C.: The American Evaluation Association (AEA) will hold its annual conference "Evaluation 2011" on November 2 - 5 in Anaheim, California. The conference will bring together approximately 2500 evaluation practitioners, academics, and students. The Manhattan Strategy Group will present a paper titled, "The Role of Evaluation within Nanoscale Science and Engineering Education Research: Differential Use, Application, and Benefits of Evaluation," on Thursday, November 3rd during the Evaluators as Partners in Technology Program Design session. The session is sponsored by the Research, Technology, and Development Evaluation TIG and will be chaired by Mary Beth Hughes with the Science and Technology Policy Institute.

The conference is broken down into over 40 Topical Strands that examine the field from the vantage point of a particular methodology, context, or issue of interest as well as the Presidential Strand highlighting this year's Presidential Theme of Values and Valuing. The paper, authored by Jennifer Nielsen, Andrew Herrmann, Amara Okoroafor, Taimur Amjad, Shezad Habib, and Tom Jarosz will be presented in Anaheim by Dr. Nielsen. A copy of the presentation, and the paper, will be available for download off of the MSG website following the conference.

For additional details or information contact Jennifer Nielsen or visit the AEA 2011 conference website.

Manhattan Strategy Group is Contracted with the U.S. Department of Education, Policy and Program Studies Service for study of 21st CCLC "Lessons from the Field"

September 30, 2011, Washington, D.C.: Manhattan Strategy Group has contracted with the U.S. Department of Education, Policy and Program Studies Service for a research study into the 21st Century Community Learning Centers (21ST CCLC) program. Building on its investments in the 21st CCLC program, the Department has commissioned a study to learn from the field about four content-specific topic areas of afterschool and summer programming, including (1) Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM), (2) English Learners (EL), (3) Career and Technical Education (CTE), and (4) structures to increase learning time (ILT). The study will highlight the work of 21st CCLC programs across the country in four "Lessons Learned Guides" that will help 21st CCLC programs nationwide improve and refine their practices in these areas.

Department of Housing and Urban Development Selects MSG to Develop and Test Housing and Transportation Affordability Index Tool

August 30, 2011, Washington, D.C.: The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) has awarded The Manhattan Strategy Group (MSG), LLC and its subcontractor the Center for Neighborhood Technology (CNT) a $3.2 million contract to create a national Housing and Transportation Affordability Index. The groundbreaking index will provide policy decision makers as well as potential home buyers with a true estimate of both housing and transportation costs. In addition to developing the index, MSG will provide HUD and its grantees with training and outreach support to ensure that the index is widely adopted and usable for a variety of applications.

The Manhattan Strategy Group is pleased to partner with HUD to develop and test a Housing and Transportation Affordability Index Tool to build greater transparency into the true cost of housing," stated Shezad Habib, Director of MSG. "Over the next two years we will work collaboratively with HUD and our partner, the Center for Neighborhood Technology (CNT), to enable HUD programs, affordable housing and transportation practitioners, policy-makers, developers, and the public-at-large to make informed planning and land use decisions and investments. We commend HUD on this initiative which is aimed at helping local housing and transportation officials develop, implement, and improve the delivery of affordable housing in their jurisdictions."

More information on this project can be found on HUD's website.

MSG to Aid the U.S. Department of Education in Negotiated Rulemaking Processes

April 1, 2011, Washington, D.C.: The United States Department of Education's (ED) Office of Postsecondary Education (OPE) has selected the Manhattan Strategy Group (MSG) to aid in conducting a successful negotiated-rulemaking process starting in the Summer of 2011 with options to extend the service through 2016. MSG will support OPE by providing (a) Professional facilitators before, during, and after the negotiated rulemaking sessions; (b) Logistical support for public hearings and the negotiated rulemaking sessions; and (c) Transcription services for the public hearings and the rulemaking sessions.

Read more.

The Lang Center Welcomes Shezad Habib and Manhattan Strategy into the Columbia Community Business Program

December 9, 2010, New York, NY: Shezad Habib, founder of the Manhattan Strategy Group, is one of nineteen leading business owners selected for admission into the Columbia University Community Business Program. Established in 2008, the two-year program fosters a business community and offers participants access to Columbia University resources from the Business, Law and Engineering Schools, as well as group and individual meetings featuring professionally facilitated peer learning.

A total of nineteen owners were admitted into the program. The companies represent a range of industries including food services, retail, consulting and media. The participants met as an inaugural group in November and are expected to meet regularly over a two-year period.

Manhattan Strategy Group to Conduct a Program Evaluation of the National Science Foundation's Nanoscale Science and Engineering Education Program

December 1, 2010, Washington, DC: The National Science Foundation's (NSF) Division of Research on Learning in Formal and Informal Settings (DRL) awarded Manhattan Strategy Group (MSG) a contract to conduct a program evaluation of their Nanoscale Science and Engineering Education program. MSG will (a) Document the context of the NSEE program and its components by project and across projects; (b) Collect actionable program level data regarding the partnerships, communities of practice, and innovative educational resources of the NSEE program projects, both individually and collectively; and (c) Assist project senior staff by providing documentation to guide future NSEE efforts in a manner that builds on successes and lessons learned.

MSG Releases the Best Practices Analysis Framework and Case Study

October 19, 2010, Washington, DC: MSG reviewed hundreds of metrics to identify and select best-in-class legislative research organizations to mine for best practices through in-depth primary research with key decision-makers across the globe to provide insight into how the Congressional Research Service can improve its responsiveness and connectedness to its client base.

Manhattan Strategy Completes Assessment for U.S. Patent and Trademark Office

September 7, 2010, Washington, D.C.: The Manhattan Strategy Group (MSG) has completed an year-long assessment of the patent examiner production measurement system at the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO). This multi-stage evaluation included qualitative and quantitative research components and provided USPTO with recommendations for possible adjustments to the production goals and work credit system.

Manhattan Strategy Completes Customer Satisfaction Best Practices Assessment for Congressional Research Service

July 30, 2010, Washington, D.C.: The Manhattan Strategy Group (MSG) has completed an international best practices study analyzing customer satisfaction and communication mechanisms for the Library of Congress Congressional Research Service (CRS). MSG identified and selected best-in-class legislative research organizations to mine for best practices through in-depth primary research with key decision-makers across the globe.

Manhattan Strategy Group Awarded Translating Data into Service Delivery contract by the Department of Labor's Employment Training and Administration Office

July 1, 2010, Washington, DC: The Employment and Training Administration (ETA) awarded Manhattan Strategy Group (MSG) a technical assistance and research contract to enhance its distribution of Labor Market Information to workforce development front-line staff. MSG will provide guidance to three states selected to pilot an e-learning series, assemble a catalogue of trainings and certifications for web dissemination, and advise state participants on best practices for implementing e-learning. The contract serves to enhance the usability and overall effectiveness of the workforce3one.org website.

MSG Releases the Benchmarking the Best (BTB) Case Study and Framework

March 12, 2010, Washington, DC: Manhattan Strategy's Benchmarking the Best (BTB) framework is an essential tool to reality check targets and metrics by identifying what levels are achievable at other organizations with similar operating constraints. Additionally, looking outside one's own organization can provide valuable insight and leading practices that enabled other organizations to solve similar challenges and operate at high levels of performance.

Office of Elementary and Secondary Education Awards Manhattan Strategy Group Contract to Enhance 21st CCLC Professional Development Portal

November 1, 2009, Washington, DC: The U.S. Department of Education has awarded the Manhattan Strategy Group (MSG) the 21st Century Community Learning Centers (CCLC) Training for Grantees/Subgrantees contract.  Under the three year contract, Manhattan Strategy Group (MSG) will work with Synergy Enterprises, Incorporated to develop a comprehensive training portal for 21st CCLC program directors and site coordinators.  The contract calls for a thorough analysis and review of afterschool curriculum and materials and the application of instructional design principles to enhance user interaction and facilitation.

MSG Releases the In-House Idea Prospecting (IIP) White Paper and Framework

Washington, DC: Manhattan Strategy's In-house Idea Prospecting framework provides organizations with a systematic approach to codifying internal best practices and implementing solutions that raise the performance level of programs. The model identifies solutions that are already working within the program and therefore are easier to implement and often provide quick and measurable results.

Manhattan Strategy Awarded Department of Education ED-SAT Vehicle

Washington, DC: MSG has been awarded and approved for the Department of Education Streamlined Acquisition Tool (ED-SAT) Blanket Purchase Agreement (BPA) contracting vehicle. This five-year Blanket Purchase Agreement (BPA) will provide the U.S. Department of Education (ED) with technical and analytical support in Research and Assessment Design, Data Collection and Analysis, and Technical Assistance. MSG has been awarded BPA's in Pool B (Research and Assessment Design, Data Collection and Analysis) and Pool C (Technical Assistance).

MSG Completes Benchmarking Project for the General Services Administration

New York, NY: MSG was contracted by GSA to investigate the root causes of higher-thanstandard operating and service delivery costs in New York-area, GSA-owned sites. MSG benchmarked operating costs at nine GSA-owned sites against private sector buildings and determining areas where industry best practices could be implemented for improved processes and cost reductions for improved service delivery. MSG's research analysis successfully identified opportunities and strategies to reduce operating costs by $12 million.

Shezad Habib Named Business Man of the Year

Washington, DC: The National Republican Congressional Committee (NRCC) announced that Shezad Habib, Director of The Manhattan Strategy Group, has been named New York Business Man of the Year. The list recognizes top U.S business leaders who have demonstrated outstanding business and financial acumen, while balancing social and government reform. Mr. Habib serves on the Business Advisory Council (BAC) of the NRCC, playing a crucial role in involving top business people in the process of government reform.