August 3, 2020Edition

In this new feature from WBJ, Roche and Dickson interviewed each other about their rise to the top seat, using their positions to influence social change, and keeping their workforces motivated during challenging times. 

Today, with a summer surge across much of the country, the reality is settling in the coronavirus will be with us well into next year, even if the aggressive development of a vaccine is completed this winter.

The COVID-19 pandemic has impacted not only the physical health of almost 3 million Americans, but our economic well-being. Congress has enacted massive legislative packages to help tackle coronavirus and reinvigorate the economy. More must be done. 

People are on the move at the Massachusetts Bankers Association, UMass Medical School and Harrington Physician Services' Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation practice, among others.

Employee performance metrics are values tracking how a team member is performing for a company. Data points can vary, of course, depending on the industry and position. And some metrics are easier to quantify than others, especially when it comes to soft skills like active listening. Here are points of consideration when it comes to capturing employee contributions.

While tax reform at the end of 2017, often referred to as the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, introduced many new changes for businesses, the research-and-development tax credit provides a way to reduce tax liabilities, often saving companies hundreds of thousands.

There are two pandemics ravaging our nation, COVID-19 and the ongoing pandemic of racism. Both have devastated the lives of people of color and affected local economies.

The coronavirus pandemic has forced Central Massachusetts business to take on new roles in preventing further spread of the disease, including enforcing mask-wearing in public and – at times – turning away would-be revenue-generating customers who don’t abide by the mandate.

In a normal season, the Worcester Bravehearts gear the team toward baseball fans, who’ve made the Bravehearts a perennial top draw nationally among collegiate summer teams.

Central Massachusetts businesses, against the backdrop of the growing Black Lives Matter movement, are placing renewed focus on diversity & inclusion in their organizations.

The licensing option is a track intended to make it easier for small businesses with less capital to start making sales and earn back their startup costs, but so far licensing has been plagued with the same types of challenges and delay-induced financing issues as much larger license endeavors.

If we are going to get to a full-throated reopening, we first must get the pandemic under control.

Greater Good Imperial Brewing Company continues to adapt, innovate and survive during the challenges brought on by the coronavirus pandemic. 

When Central Massachusetts businesses turned to banks for help applying for federal loans for coronavirus pandemic relief, they often skipped over local lenders in favor of national and larger options based outside the region, according to a Worcester Business Journal review of program data.

"We’re losing money left and right,” said Christine Behike, owner of Be Creative Decor in Worcester.