North Shore Chamber Impact Magazine - May 2023

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INSIDE

THE MOST POPULAR MAJORS AT LOCAL COLLEGES

NEWBURYPORT BANK AGAIN RANKS AMONG ‘TOP PLACES TO WORK’

A NEW GROUP EMERGES FOR NORTH SHORE YOUNG PROFESSIONALS

MAY 2023

EDUCATING OUR WORKFORCE

Advocating for business and our region

One of the most rewarding parts of my job is advocating on behalf of the needs of our region’s business community. As we all know, doing business in Massachusetts is costly and often quite challenging, and there is much work to be done to ensure our workforce and economy thrives. Here are several brief updates on that advocacy work.

NEW POLICY NETWORK

The North Shore Chamber has helped to launch the Massachusetts Chambers of Commerce Policy Network, led by the presidents and CEOs of 10 of the largest Chambers in the state, including Greater Boston, Worcester, Cape Cod and Springfield.

The Chamber Policy Network will form a collective voice to advocate for policies that directly tie to our region’s future: statewide competitiveness, taxes and revenue, transportation, broadband access, talent development and retention, housing, climate change, higher education, and the ease of doing business. Plans include the sharing of regional chamber policy priorities and Policy Network visits to Beacon Hill and Capitol Hill to promote our agenda.

I welcome all North Shore Chamber members to email me with your policy priorities, assessment of the economic competitiveness of the region and the state, and what you view as the mostneeded major infrastructure projects. Your comments will help me best represent your business needs with the network.

RETHINKING UNEMPLOYMENT

I have partnered with Eileen McAnneny, Pioneer Institute senior fellow and former president of the Mass Taxpayers Association, to co-author an op-ed on workforce training and the state’s unemployment system. We both

served together in 2021-22 as members of the Special Commission on the Unemployment Insurance Trust Fund. The purpose of the op-ed is to share our idea for a formal statewide system that would connect the unemployed with businesses that are hiring. Some 88,000 people collected unemployment benefits in March. Imagine if they had incentive to connect with business owners who are desperately trying to find workers?

In the op-ed, McAnneny and I propose a new, coordinated program whereby people who qualify for UI benefits would automatically be enrolled at one of the state’s 25 MassHire Career Centers. There, they must complete an appropriate training program and/ or connect with employers through a newly created database that matches the unemployed with hiring employers. Sounds pretty simple, right?

Massachusetts employers face the highest unemployment insurance premiums in the nation, costing more than double the national average. This is a result of Massachusetts’ generous benefits (of up to $1,015 per week, the highest in the nation), 30 weeks duration (also highest in the nation), and lax eligibility requirements.

Not only does Massachusetts’ unemployment benefits contribute to the high cost of doing business in the state, the current UI program disincentives those who are collecting from returning to work at a time when job openings outnumber job seekers by a ratio of 2:1.

We hope that Governor Maura Healey is open to our idea, and we stand ready to assist.

MEETING WITH SENATE MINORITY LEADER

The Board of Directors met in April with Sen. Bruce Tarr, R-Gloucester, the Senate Minority Leader. Tarr discussed what he believes are the state’s four most pivotal challenges: the changing workforce, housing, energy, and cost of living.

One area of particular concern was the lack of workers for health care and nursing jobs. Nursing programs are flooded with applicants, Tarr noted, but state universities and community colleges can’t meet demands because there aren’t enough staff to teach the courses. Master’s degree nurses don’t want to leave large salaries to teach and make less money, he said. More nurses are also turning to traveling nurse contracts rather than healthcare settings, due to the financial appeal.

Our Chamber directors offered numerous suggestions and comments, including:

Nurses in the Philippines are allowed to practice here; perhaps Massachusetts should expand nursing license requirements to include other countries.

State universities and community colleges need funding to upgrade nursing labs and classrooms to accommodate enrollment.

Lawmakers must examine and deal with the costs of the Mass Nurses Association contracts.

Nursing homes, like hospitals, are also facing staff shortages, and are buckling under state regulations.

Health care and nursing staffing is a critical challenge and the state must take action now, Tarr said. As a result of the robust discussion, the North Shore Chamber will look to convene a summit on health care and nursing staff shortages, to find practical solutions to these critical problems.

LOOKING FOR FEEDBACK

Please do not hesitate to contact me with your business issues and concerns, so that the North Shore Chamber may continue to advocate on your behalf. As always, reach me at 978- 774-8565, Ext. 105, or karen.andreas@northshorechamber.org. Thank you for the opportunity to lead your North Shore Chamber of Commerce.

Karen Andreas is president and CEO of the North Shore Chamber of Commerce. Reach her at 978-774-8565, Ext. 5, or email karen. andreas@northshorechamber.org.

Karen Andreas

President and Chief Executive Officer

KAREN E. ANDREAS karen.andreas@ northshorechamber.org

Editor KATIE LOVETT katie.lovett@ northshorechamber.org

Director of Sales and Marketing

CHERYL BEGIN cheryl.begin@ northshorechamber.org

Director of Business Development

SCOTT MUIR scott.muir@ northshorechamber.org

Operations Manager

ROBYN PREGENT robyn.pregent@ northshorechamber.org

Membership Coordinator KAY EISENSTEIN kay.eisenstein@ northshorechamber.org

Events Manager

PATTI BAKER patti.baker@ northshorechamber.org

Creative Design and Production

DIANE CARNEVALE ART dianecarnevale.com

Educating our workforce

With strong, diverse educational institutions preparing the next generation of employees, and numerous opportunities to train the workforce, the North Shore business community flourishes.

The next generation of workers

What are the largest majors at local colleges and universities, and what does it mean for the region? Page 6

Training assistance

For small businesses, grants are available to help your employees improve and retain skills. Page 10

CHAMBER VOICES

CORPORATE PHILANTHROPY: Businesses can use their resources to support causes and make a difference, By Michelle Curran.

Page 18

LEADERSHIP: Want to strengthen your leadership skils? Be proactive, By Ed Brzychcy.

Page 30

FEATURING TOP OF THE GAME

Institution for Savings again ranks among best placees to work. Page 38

YOUR IMPACT

Fisher House executive director Jennifer DeLuca awarded the Service Act Award by the Congressional Medal of Honor Society, Page 48

CHAMBER LIFE DELEGATE AND DIVIDE

Sharing responsibilities leads to success for all, Thrive. Page 42

SUPPORTING YOUNG PROFESSIONALS: A new group forms for those at the beginning of their careers. Page 23

SHINING STARS: Nominations are open for this year’s Diamond Awards, Page 40

COMPANY CULTURE: Build a thriving workplace through listening and inclusion, By Laura Caton. Page 14

THINKING OF SELLING?: What small business owners should know when ready to sell, By Michael A. McEntee. Page 34

DEPARTMENTS

PLANNER: Save the Date for these upcoming Chamber happenings. Page 4

NEW MEMBER WELCOME: Look who is joining our growing network. Page 45, 47

BRIEFCASE: Check out the latest news from our Chamber members. Page 46

BUSINESS EXPO: Check out scenes from the recent North Shore Business Expo, Pages 26-28

FACES & PLACES: A look back at some recent Chamber events. Page 36, 37

NORTH SHORE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE 500 Cummings Center, Suite 1700 Beverly, MA 01915 978-774-8565 • northshorechamber.org

THE CHAMBER PLANNER

FRIDAY

Business LEADS

Don’t miss this free monthly networking seminar. Develop new business connections and spread the word about your company to area professionals.

This group meets on the second and last Friday of each month. Limited to Chamber Members only. The schedule may change in the summer.

8 to 9 a.m.

North Shore Chamber of Commerce

500 Cummings Center, Suite 1700 Beverly

JUNE

THURSDAY

Leaders Among Us Luncheon

The Congressional Medal of Honor Society recently awarded Chamber member Jennifer DeLuca with one of the country’s highest honors – a Citizen’s “Service Act Award.” DeLuca leads Fisher House Boston, which provides free lodging for military and their families while they receive medical treatment at the Boston

hospitals. Please attend this special luncheon and join Chamber CEO Karen Andreas as she speaks with DeLuca about leadership, service and perseverance.

11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Boston Marriott Peabody

8A Centennial Drive, Peabody

For a complete Chamber calendar and details on registering for any of our events, visit northshorechamber.org.

JUNE 7

WEDNESDAY

Business Insight Breakfast Forum

The Emerging Leaders explain how the larger business community can support young professionals on the North Shore during our monthly breakfast forum.

7:30 to 9 a.m.

Boston Marriott Peabody

8A Centennial Drive, Peabody

JULY

12

WEDNESDAY SAVE THE DATE

Mark your calendar for the July Business Insight Breakfast Forum.

7:30 to 9 a.m.

Salem Waterfront Hotel & Suites 225 Derby St., Salem

JULY 17

MONDAY

AUGUST 23

WEDNESDAY

Annual Golf Tournament

Enjoy a friendly afternoon of golf and networking. This favorite signature Chamber event also includes dinner, raffles and prizes. Golfers of all skill levels are welcome.

Diamond Awards Breakfast

We will celebrate the achievements of exceptional women in business at the annual Diamond Awards Breakfast.

7:30 to 9 a.m.

Kernwood Country Club

1 Kernwood St, Salem

NOVEMBER 9

THURSDAY

Veterans Breakfast

Mark your calendar for the Salute to Veterans Breakfast.

7:30 to 9:30 a.m.

Danversport

161 Elliott St., (Route 62), Danvers

NOVEMBER 16

THURSDAY

Contests include men’s and women’s longest drive and closest to the pin, in addition to a $10K Hole-In-One.

12:30 to 7 p.m.

Ipswich Country Club

148 Country Club Way, Ipswich

Annual Dinner

Join the Chamber as we recognize the accomplishments of our 2023 Distinguished Leaders at the Annual Dinner and Awards Meeting. We are thrilled to welcome Josh Kraft, president of Kraft Family Philanthropies, as the keynote speaker.

5:30 to 8:30 p.m.

Danversport

161 Elliott St. (Route 62), Danvers

MAJORS

SALEM STATE UNIVERSITY

 Business

 Nursing

 Psychology

 Criminal Justice

 Education

ENDICOTT COLLEGE

Most Enrolled

 Nursing

 Business Management

 Exercise Science

Highest Growth

(5-year)

 Engineering

 Marketing

Communications/

Advertising

 History

NORTH SHORE COMMUNITY COLLEGE

 Liberal Arts

 Health Sciences

 Business

Administration

 Criminal Justice

 Early Childhood

Education

 Nurse Education

NORTHERN ESSEX COMMUNITY COLLEGE

 Liberal Arts

 General Studies:

Health Specialization

 Business

 Liberal Arts

GORDON COLLEGE

 Psychology

 Business

MAJORLY APPEALING NURSING, BUSINESS AMONG TOP DISCIPLINES AT NORTH SHORE COLLEGES

By Katie Lovett The Chamber

Colleges and universities around the North Shore are seeing steady enrollment numbers for their largest majors -- including nursing, business and education -- and officials expect those numbers to keep growing over the next decade.

Students are drawn to these fields because they are interesting and challenging, but also for the job security they offer post-graduation, officials say.

At Endicott College, the most-enrolled majors are Nursing, Business Management, and Exercise Science, according to Anthony Donaldson, assistant vice-president of marketing.

As part of a $20 million partnership with the Cummings Foundation, the college is currently constructing a state-of-the-art new building on its Beverly campus for its nursing and sport

science program.

Endicott offers a Bachelor of Science in Nursing; Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing; Master of Science in Global Health Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Education, and Family Nurse Practitioner; plus a Doctor of Philosophy in Nursing.

The majors with the highest five-year growth rates are Engineering, Marketing Communications/Advertising, and History, Donaldson added.

At Salem State, where the top five largest programs for the last five years overall have been Business, Nursing, Psychology, Criminal Justice, and Education, students want a discipline that allows for real-world training, Director of Public Relations Nicole Giambusso said.

“While we can’t speak to why each student chooses their major, many students have expressed interest in disciplines that include internships and field experiences, and where they see a path to a career that is both of

To meet evolving workforce, Gordon adds 30 academic programs

Beginning next fall, Gordon College will offer new and expanded academic programs for in-demand areas of science, business, psychology, communication, education, and others.

Officials say the move came after an assessment of how the Wenham college could better match the career and vocational needs of its students with an evolving workforce in the region.

“The events and challenges of the last few years—in public health, politics and even daily life—have raised the bar for how we can best prepare our students for where their roads may lead after graduation, to bring hope and confidence in facing uncertainty and change,” President Mike Hammond said in a statement. As our world changes, “we must always

interest and in-demand,” Giambusso explained.

Giambusso noted that overall enrollments at Salem State – like the majority of comprehensive regional state universities in the north and northeast – has declined over the past decade, but these disciplines are still drawing strong interest.

“In terms of the percentage of the student body who chooses each of

be innovating, finding ways to enhance what we can offer, especially in building on our strong academic programs.”

Looking towards the next decade, Rick Sweeney, the vice president for Communications and External Affairs at Gordon, said he suspects the health sciences and nursing programs will place among their top concentrations.

“These are areas in great demand for employment (even more so post-pandemic), on the cutting edge of learning and technology, and particular areas of expertise and opportunity in the greater Boston area,” he said. “Like the Chamber and its members, we’d love to have as many Gordon graduates as possible settle down in our region after they finish college.”

these majors, all five have remained strong,” she wrote in an email. “These majors have remained at the top of the list of most commonly chosen majors since 2018.”

Meanwhile, the majors that have seen the greatest growth in numbers over the last five years are education, geological sciences, nursing, and interdisciplinary studies, Giambusso added.

Nursing and early childhood

education were consistently among the top majors over the past five years at North Shore Community College as well. The others were Liberal Arts, Health Sciences, Business Administration and Criminal Justice, according to Provost Jennifer Mezquita.

“It is important to note that we are seeing an increased interest in our STEM programs such as Engineering and Computer Science,” she added.

Mezquita said these concentrations “represent the perennial gateways to various aspirations for our students.”

“We have a large population of students who are interested in earning their bachelor’s degree so they naturally major in our liberal arts to support their goal of transferring to a 4-year institution,” she wrote in an email. “Historically, community colleges have supported all learners as either a stepping stone to earning a bachelor’s degree, or as the catalyst for earning a short-term credential to support their goal of going into a field where they can earn a living wage.”

Mezquita said the college is in the process of launching an assessment program that will show regional workforce needs to help inform and align those needs with the courses the college offers.

“Our goal is to ensure our students are earning a credential that will support their educational, financial, and employment goals,” she noted.

Northern Essex Community College sees a similar story.

Melissa Bouse, director of public relations, said the top majors for current students are Liberal Arts, Business

Transfer, and General Studies: Health Specialization, which gives students a variety of options in healthcare after graduating with an associate degree. Students can find jobs in radiology, sleep technician, medical or dental assisting, medical billing or coding.

“These careers pay well and are in high-demand,” Bouse said. “It also transfers easily to bachelor’s degree programs.”

“It’s not uncommon for our students to come to NECC unsure of what they want to pursue. These majors give them a great basis for a wide area of study,” she said.

Over the next decade, they expect these popular concentrations to continue to be their largest majors, and say their graduates will be ready to fill the needs of the evolving North Shore business community.

“Healthcare in particular will always be in demand, as our local populations age,” Bouse said. “The Bureau of Labor and Statistics predicts a 13 percent job growth rate in healthcare fields in the next 10 years.”

Giambusso, of Salem State, also pointed to statistics from the North

Shore Workforce Board that show financial services and health care are among the areas that stand out as critical drivers of labor market demand.

“There is a teacher shortage in Massachusetts, and our McKeown School of Education recently received an historic $10 million gift to support programs and initiatives aimed at diversifying, strengthening, and sustaining the next generation of educators. The gift represents the largest cash contribution ever made in the history of the nine Massachusetts state universities,” she said.

Salem State is also preparing for a major capital needs project that will upgrade and expand science and healthcare simulation labs that will prepare students for the environment they will work in after graduation.

“As in-demand fields grow, we expect to see continued interest in these areas among students. We are focusing significant efforts on ensuring that students interested in entering these and other fields can afford to attend Salem State and have access to internships and field placements that will allow them to succeed in these and other growing fields,” Giambusso added. I

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HELP IS GRANTED

BUSINESSES READY TO INVEST IN EMPLOYEES’ SKILLS LOOK TO THE WORKFORCE TRAINING FUND PROGRAM

By Katie Lovett The Chamber

On the heels of the global COVID-19 pandemic, small businesses need to recruit and retain employees amid a changing workforce.

They also need to make sure that staff has the necessary skills to stay on top of their field.

But as small business owners face the challenge of keeping their doors open and revenue growing, how do they find the funds to provide that training?

For some, the answer is grants.

But the process of finding the right grants for a business and then completing the application can seem daunting and deter those business owners that don’t believe they readily have the time to devote to the process.

Luckily, there’s help available.

At North Shore Community College, Corporate Training Solutions (CTS) serves regional companies with training opportunities geared specifically for that business’ goals. Lorin Buksa, the director of Corporate Training Solutions, is skilled in all aspects of a resource that some businesses may not know much about – or even realize is available at all.

WTFP facts

 In FY21, the Workforce Training Fund Program awarded $20 million to more than 500 employers to train more than 12,000 workers.

 WTFP is funded by Massachusetts employers via surcharge on Unemployment Insurance (UI) payments.

 Equates to $8.40 per employee annual WTFP contribution

 The trust collects $18-22M annually for incumbent worker training grants.

 Commonwealth Corporation administers WTFP on behalf of the Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development.

– Information provided by CommCorp

Buksa said it will recommend the state’s Workforce Training Fund Program (WTFP) to employers seeking to upgrade and improve their employees skills through training in a range of areas from leadership and technology, ESOL (English to Speakers of Other Languages), Diversity, Equality and Inclusion, Team Building, Contingency Planning, Supply Chain Management, and Problem Solving.

The WTFP was created to help businesses fund training for current and newly hired employees. In order to qualify, businesses must pay into the fund, and for-profit companies automatically do so. Non-profits can contact the program to learn how to qualify.

The WTFP is available to businesses of all sizes, but they primarily are geared towards small and medium-sized businesses as those employers aren’t likely to be able to invest in improving employee skills without the fund’s assistance.

There are two types of grants: Express Program and General Program.

EXPRESS PROGRAM

According to WTFP data, the Express Program “provides employers fast, simple access to grant-funded training, helping businesses in Massachusetts respond to emerging needs….With bite-size grants for just-in-time training and no waiting periods between grants. Express is our fastest path to funding, enhanced with an even more flexible directory of training options and 6 quick steps to success.”

Buksa said the CTC has staff available to help businesses compile their

Workforce Training Fund Program (WTFP)

 For more information and an overview of the program visit: WorkforceTrainingFund.org

 Email General Program questions: WTFP@commcorp.org

 Email Express Program questions: Express@commcorp.org

General Program grant application and have it approved within three or four months

“The Express Grant can be done much quicker and it is thought of as off the shelf training,” Buksa noted. Buksa highlighted some key points:  Express Program funding can only be directed towards courses in the online Express Program Course Directory.

 If the training is customized to a specific business’s needs, the General Program is the appropriate program. Express funding cannot be used to reimburse for highly customized training.

 Employees being trained must be

current W-2 Massachusetts employees of the company.

 Express funding is capped at $3,000 per person per course and $30,000 per calendar year. General funding can be up to $250,000 per business over a two-year period.

 The Express Program offers reimbursement on smaller scale training needs, either by taking seats in a public course or small group training

 Express Program offers full reimbursement for Massachusetts employers with 100 or fewer employees and a 50 percent reimbursement for employers with more than 100 employees.

GENERAL PROGRAM

The General Program awards up to $250,000 for a customized training program that can last up to two years. The grant pays for the cost of the training, and employers must “match” grant funds $1:1. This typically consists of wages/benefits paid to employees during training.

The employer/applicant may choose the training provider(s) of their choice and do not need to use the WTFP course directory. I

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The importance of company culture

By Laura Caton Partner at LeadShift

No Two Cultures Are Alike. Many people talk about the importance of a strong company culture, but what does that mean? When we talk about an organization’s culture, we refer to the shared values, beliefs, and practices that influence employees’ behavior. It includes things like the company’s goals and expectations, how employees act and think, and the overall vibe of the workplace.

A company with an enjoyable culture makes the workplace happy and fulfilling and employees are proud of what they do. It also helps reduce conflicts as everyone is committed to making the company successful. When recruiting new talent to your organization, your company culture becomes a crucial part of your employer brand and becomes the sticking point when hiring. Will this person align with corporate values and cultural fit? Every person we bring in must be a positive addition. If I get a sense their values don’t align with ours during the interview, I take a pass on moving ahead. I live and die by the motto, “Hire Slow, Fire Fast.” Culture naturally evolves and changes over time, regardless of whether an organization actively tries to shape it. Business growth, mergers, new product offerings, and new leadership can impact culture. However, having an unguided and unstructured culture can be detrimental to a company. No “one” person is solely responsible for creating or shaping culture, but leadership plays a crucial role in shaping it. When leaders consistently reinforce the desired behaviors, employees are more likely to follow suit. Therefore, strong and effective leadership is essential for building or improving company culture.

In larger companies, Human Resources may play a

significant role in developing and building the company culture as part of their strategic work. But in smaller companies without an HR department, creating and maintaining a great company culture requires a collaborative effort from everyone in the organization. Executives lead in developing initiatives that shape the culture, while middle managers implement them.

Meanwhile, employees can contribute to the culture by supporting its values and ideals.

DEFINING YOUR COMPANY CULTURE

If you are beginning this process, and want to determine your best company culture, there are two ways to get started:

Consider the core values you want to prioritize. Look at your mission statement, company goals, what your company stands for, and why it exists.

Conduct surveys or focus groups to get input from

LeadShift is a Leadership and Team Development Consulting Group. Leadshift.com.

your team about their experiences and perceptions of your company culture. This can give you valuable insights into what is working and what needs improvement. It is how we started building our vision, mission, and culture statement. You might be surprised by the consistency.

At LeadShift, having a dynamic company culture is a key differentiator and allows us to do great work as a team. Our quarterly strategy meetings start with reviewing our values: are we living these? If not, what are the obstacles getting in the way?

INTEGRITY: Always do the right thing.

BALANCE: Respect for work/life balance and the needs of our people.

TEAMWORK: Collaboration drives success for our colleagues and our clients.

INFLUENCE: Everyone here has a voice, is heard, and impacts our success.

COMMITMENT: For personal growth, professional excellence, and client success.

It’s Not just Fancy Perks: Employee loyalty and commitment are not achieved by providing perks like games rooms or fancy snacks,

although employees appreciate those. Leaders that live/model the cultural values and show up daily modeling those values.

Factors such as leadership style, workplace policies and practices, compensation and benefits, transparency and accountability, and work/life balance contribute to work culture. It’s giving your team agency in their career growth and providing tools and development for success. Actively addressing toxicity when it is an issue, communicating often and clearly

about company objectives and the role each person plays in driving success for the company.

If you are a business leader or part of a culture team, it’s time to act and prioritize the creation of a positive company culture. Remember to consider the impact that a positive culture can have on employee satisfaction and commitment, productivity, and, ultimately, the success of your organization. Make this the year you take action to build a thriving workplace with a positive company culture. I

S W I C H A W A I T S

Y O U R H O M E A W A Y F R O M H O M E

D i s c o v e r l i f e a t I p s w i c h C o u n t r y C l u b , a t r u e g o l f e r ' s p a r a d i s e a n d a n o a s i s f o r a c t i v e f a m i l i e s o n t h e g o H e r e , o u r e x e m p l a r y c o u r s e c o n d i t i o n s s e t u s a p a r t f r o m o t h e r g o l f c o u r s e s n e a r b y , a n d o u r w i d e v a r i e t y o f s o c i a l e v e n t s a n d a c t i v i t i e s s e r v e s e v e r y f a m i l y m e m b e r , n o m a t t e r t h e i r i n t e r e s t s

H O S T A N E V E N T

I p s w i c h C o u n t r y C l u b i s t h e p e r f e c t l o c a t i o n t o h o s t a n y e v e n t J u s t a s h o r t d r i v e f r o m B o s t o n , o u r c l u b h o u s e p r o v i d e s b e a u t i f u l v i e w s o f t h e N o r t h S h o r e a n d a b u n d a n t s p a c e t o a c c o m m o d a t e y o u a n d y o u r g u e s t s a n y t i m e o f t h e y e a r . I p s w i c h h o s t s w e d d i n g f e s t i v i t i e s , o u t i n g s , c o r p o r a t e m e e t i n g s , m i l e s t o n e e v e n t s , a n d m o r e ! Y o u d o n o t h a v e t o b e a M e m b e r t o b o o k a n e v e n t a t t h e C l u b !

L

E A R N M O R E

A structured philanthropy

STRATEGIC GIVING IS EASIER, AND MORE BENEFICIAL, THAN

BUSINESSES THINK

By Michelle Xiarhos Curran Essex County Community Foundation

The expectation that businesses should support their local communities has evolved over the years.

Today — at a time when cross-sector support and collaboration are crucial to solving the complex social challenges of the world — companies and firms are increasingly

being sought out to act as partners in life-changing, mission-driven collective work.

And the business sector is answering that call. Giving USA’s most recent report indicates that corporate giving has risen 23.8 percent to more than $21 billion. These are dollars that are making a real difference for people and communities. And they are making a difference for businesses too. Companies that give back find it’s easier to attract and retain employees, connect social responsibility

Michelle Xiarhos

Curran is a communications writer/ storyteller for the Essex County Community Foundation.

Locally, 120 individuals, families and businesses have partnered with Essex County Community Foundation (ECCF) in Danvers to manage their giving through a DAF.

to their brand and more.

If corporate giving is something you have been thinking about as a business owner, crafting a strategy around your philanthropy is easier — and has more benefits — than you might think. This is true for companies that are already supporting nonprofits and firms that are just beginning to explore the possibilities.

But don’t we need to start a foundation to be charitable?

Unless you have dedicated staff, infinite capacity, and a desire to take on additional administrative work, the answer is definitely “no.” Like personal private foundations, corporate foundations are not only bound by an

annual required minimum distribution, but they can also be cumbersome and expensive to operate. And there are associated legal, tax and regulatory burdens to consider.

Instead, companies and firms are increasingly turning to a different giving vehicle to connect and manage all their charitable activities.

DONOR ADVISED FUNDS: NOT JUST FOR INDIVIDUAL DONORS

Donor advised funds (DAFs), originally introduced in the 1930s, are philanthropy’s fastest-growing vehicle, according to National Philanthropic Trust, a public charity that reports nearly 1.3 million

of these “giving accounts” exist today.

Individuals, families and, yes, businesses, open donor advised funds to recommend grants to the causes that matter to them most with ease and efficiency. Fund resources are invested with, and managed, by the DAF sponsor. This can be a big financial services firm, or your local community foundation, depending on the level of service you’re looking for. A community foundation actively, and intentionally, supports your giving and focuses on solving local social challenges that impact your friends, neighbors — and maybe even your employees.

Locally, 120 individuals, families and businesses have partnered with Essex County Community Foundation (ECCF) in Danvers to manage their giving through a DAF. Collectively, their generosity has fueled impactful work in food security, education, youth empowerment, the environment, economic development and so much more. Fund advisors at ECCF also become part of a larger network of likeminded people who are interested in the sustainability and resiliency of Essex County Communities — from the North Shore to the

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If you are a business owner thinking about structuring workplace giving, a DAF turns reactionary giving, which can often be an administrative burden, into a comprehensive giving strategy. This strategy can fall in alignment with your company’s goals and values. This type of giving helps deepen your commitment to community, and can positively

impact on your business. STREAMLINING BUSINESS GIVING WITH A DAF HAS NUMEROUS BENEFITS:

 You will get an immediate tax benefit without the pressure of granting out the money right away. A DAF allows time to be strategic and ensure your grants are doing great work.

 Your DAF sponsor handles all administrative duties, while you and your employees focus on your workplace giving. At ECCF, we offer fund advisors frequent opportunities to meet with local nonprofit leaders and learn about challenges in the community.

 Using a DAF means opportunities for significant staff engagement, which supports employee retention and recruitment. Data overwhelmingly confirms the significant need for employees — especially Millennials and Gen Z workers — to feel like their company is doing good, and for a chance to engage in that good work. When charitable work is aligned with your company’s goals and values, your giving becomes part of your brand, and that’s a winwin for all.

TRUSTED LEGAL ADVISORS

CORPORATE / TAX / TRUSTS & ESTATES

LITIGATION / EDUCATION / EMPLOYMENT

HEALTH CARE / INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY

CYBERSECURITY & PRIVACY / ENERGY

ENVIRONMENT / REAL ESTATE & LAND USE

PERSONAL REPRESENTATION / BANKRUPTCY

GOVERNMENT & CRIMINAL INVESTIGATIONS

GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS & REGULATION

 Structuring your business giving through a DAF with a focus (for example, a solar company that gives to nonprofits fighting the local effects of climate change) also makes it easier for companies to refuse appeals outside of their mission. A DAF enables companies to have a greater impact on the causes and nonprofits they support, rather than making many small donations to multiple organizations.

These are just some of the advantages your business can gain by engaging in philanthropy and giving through a DAF. Contact your local community foundation if you are interested in giving local and crafting a plan that makes sense for your business. I Visit eccf.org for more information.

CLIENT BY CLIENT, CASE BY CASE

What Makes Chapters Recovery Different?

Knowing your banker is important.

M&T Bank is proud to support the communities where we live and work. Our success is measured by cultivating long-term relationships with our clients, by understanding their needs, and helping them achieve their goals.

By being a part of the M&T family, you are part of an organifiation that believes in working hard for our clients and communities.

A strong, trusted partner, every step of the way forward.

David Eidle Senior Vice President Regional Manager Business Banking Danvers,

MA 01923

978-624-1088

deidle@mtb.com

As one of the region’s leading banks in Small Business Banking, we’re deeply committed to providing you and your business:

Responsive, professional service. You’ll work with dedicated professionals and product specialists who will listen, guide and support you every step of the way, no matter what your goals are for today or the future.

Award winning excellence. M&T ranks as one of the Top 5 SBA lenders nationally and is consistently recognified by Greenwich Associates for excellence in Small Business Banking.

Commitment to community. M&T Bank’s approach to Business Banking is based on our belief in the importance of establishing strong relationships with our customers and the local communities within which we do business.

⁻⁻Equal⁻ousing⁻ender

All⁻loans⁻lines⁻of⁻credit⁻and⁻all⁻terms⁻referenced⁻herein⁻are⁻subject⁻to⁻receipt⁻of⁻a⁻complete⁻T⁻application⁻credit⁻approval⁻and⁻other⁻conditions⁻Terms⁻offered⁻are⁻available⁻for⁻business⁻purpose⁻loans⁻only⁻but⁻are⁻not⁻available⁻for⁻refinancing⁻or consolidating⁻existing⁻T⁻credit⁻or⁻credit⁻requiring⁻an⁻″BA⁻loan⁻guaranty⁻oans⁻may⁻be⁻subject⁻to⁻commitment⁻and⁻prepayment⁻fees⁻as⁻applicable⁻Borrower⁻is⁻responsible⁻for⁻any⁻appraisal⁻environmental⁻assessment⁻title⁻insurance⁻and⁻bank⁻attorney⁻ fees⁻that⁻may⁻apply⁻Other⁻terms⁻conditions⁻fees⁻and⁻restrictions⁻may⁻apply

All⁻products⁻and⁻services⁻are⁻subject⁻to⁻eligibilit y⁻and⁻restrictions⁻may⁻apply⁻

The⁻″BA⁻Top⁻⁻ational⁻ender⁻is⁻based⁻on⁻statistics⁻released⁻by⁻the⁻″mall⁻Business⁻Administration⁻″BA⁻for⁻total⁻approved⁻loans⁻through⁻the⁻″BAs⁻7a⁻lending⁻program⁻during⁻the⁻fiscal⁻year⁻ending⁻≥ ″ource:⁻Coalition⁻reenwich⁻⁻Commercial⁻Banking⁻Program

Unless⁻otherwise⁻specified⁻all⁻advertised⁻offers⁻and⁻terms⁻and⁻conditions⁻of⁻accounts⁻and⁻services⁻ar e⁻subject⁻to⁻change⁻at⁻any⁻time⁻without⁻notice⁻After⁻an⁻account⁻is⁻opened⁻or⁻service⁻begins⁻it⁻is⁻subject⁻to⁻its⁻features⁻conditions⁻and⁻terms⁻which⁻are⁻ subject⁻to⁻change⁻at⁻any⁻time⁻in⁻accordance⁻with⁻applicable⁻laws⁻and⁻agreements⁻Please⁻contact⁻an⁻T⁻representative⁻for⁻details⁻

Empowering the next generation of business leaders

EMERGING LEADERS KICKOFF

March 28, 2023; Golf Lounge, Peabody

Young professionals came out in force for the kick-off event of Emerging Leaders, the Chamber’s newest initiative.Chris Pellegrini, Chairman of Emerging Leaders, offered a welcome and brief remarks, explaining the group’s mission is to drive career growth for young professionals through collaborative relationship building and professional development.

Supporting and encouraging the next generation of leaders is a mission that everyone in the business community must strive to meet.

In an effort to help empower this new generation, the North Shore Chamber of Commerce has formed the Emerging Leaders group, a community of self-driven professionals who are seeking improvement and growth within their industries and personal lives.

By Chris Pellegrini

The Emerging Leaders host events that bring together young professionals to foster conversations about their goals, journey, and path forward. As a group, we’re dedicated to being an integral part of personal and professional development by making introductions, sharing ideas, and hosting learning opportunities that help young professionals hone their craft.

The mission of Emerging Leaders is to drive career growth for young professionals collaboratively through relationship-building, skill development, and community involvement. As members of the North Shore Chamber, there is a unique opportunity to support and engage with Emerging Leaders. By attending our events, volunteering as a mentor, or simply spreading the word

SEE PAGE 25

The leadership team for the Emerging Leaders shared what drew them to become involved in the group and how it is so beneficial to all young professionals on the North Shore.

WHY IS THE EMERGING LEADERS GROUP SO IMPORTANT TO THE NORTH SHORE? HOW CAN YOUNG PROFESSIONALS BENEFIT FROM THIS INITIATIVE?

“ The North Shore Chamber of Commerce

Emerging Leaders is an invaluable addition to the North Shore community and its young professionals.

“ As someone who recently moved to the North Shore, this group provides me opportunities to connect with other motivated and career-driven young professionals. I appreciate having these connections, both to discuss navigating the workplace as well as developing personal friendships in my new home.”

Samantha Giffen

“ The Emerging Leaders group is so important to the North Shore because it allows young professionals to get together to network with other like-minded individuals from local organizations. Unfortunately, a lot of the young professional groups are based in Boston, so having this group right in our backyard is a benefit to all of the North Shore. It is a great opportunity to get out and network with people that are in similar stages of their careers. Thanks to the support from the Chamber, we have been able to bring it to life as a team!”

Kelsie Thomson

“ The Emerging Leaders group was created to serve and connect young professionals on the North Shore. We’re focused on professional skill development and expanding our own personal networks. Every young professional has something to gain from this new initiative.”

Erik Ferm

Emerging Leaders events provide a tremendous opportunity for young professionals to build their networks, both professionally and personally, without the pressure that can come with formal networking events. Through professional development workshops, young professionals will gain confidence, skill sets and leadership qualities needed to continue the growth and success of businesses on the North Shore. By building the future leaders of the North Shore community, there are no bounds to the benefits the community as a whole will reap.”

Christina Saade

“ The North Shore is depending on us, the next generation of business owners, to provide high quality businesses to the community. The Emerging Leaders group provides young professionals with a network of talented, successdriven, conscientious peers focused on enhancing the future. The group’s goal is to help each other with our own goals.”

Benjamin Kapnis

about this valuable resource, you can help shape the future of the business community on the North Shore. Regardless of whether you’re a member of the North Shore Chamber or not, as a member of our free-tojoin community, young professionals have access to a wealth of benefits.

Networking is a crucial aspect of professional growth, and the Emerging Leaders group offers social events that keep people connected. By attending our monthly events, members make valuable connections with peers and colleagues who are at the same point in their careers, so that we grow together.

Skill development is another crucial aspect of professional growth, and our group offers a variety of professional skill-building opportunities. Whether it’s financial education, team-building activities, or workshops, these events are designed to help young professionals develop new skills, gain knowledge, and build business connections.

Mentorship is an invaluable resource and benefit to those launching their careers. Young professionals have access to experienced business leaders on the North Shore who can offer guidance for both personal and professional growth. By volunteering as a mentor, you can help shape the next generation of business leaders.

In addition, the Emerging Leaders are dedicated to community activism, and

desire to get involved with local nonprofits and community organizations to improve the communities we live and serve in. Members of the North Shore Chamber have a unique opportunity to collaborate with Emerging Leaders on these community involvement initiatives.

Young professionals bring new ideas, fresh perspectives, and a drive to succeed that can help your organization thrive. Take the opportunity to engage with them and learn from each other as we embark on a new chapter in the workforce post-pandemic. I

THE CHAMBER FACES & PLACES

NORTH SHORE BUSINESS EXPO

March 23, 2023

Members of the community joined the Chamber for a day of networking, informational seminars, and speaker presentations at the largest business expo in the region. More than 70 vendors and exhibitors from all areas of business and industry showcased their products and services.

Bridging the execution gap

TAKE PROACTIVE STEPS TO STRENGTHEN YOUR LEADERSHIP SKILLS

Ed Brzychcy

Lead from the Front

Irecently sat down with a new executive and spoke to her about aligning her team. Dawn had recently entered her position and now led a group of former peers. She struggled with the scope of the work, bringing her team together and ensuring that each team member contributed and accomplished their part of the project. Regardless of industry, seniority, or experience, I have seen leaders struggle with all these items. An unfortunate truth of leadership is that many, Dawn included, view their positions as “in-charge” rather than having their team members and outcomes “in their charge.” As we reviewed the tasks and responsibilities for her team, her eyes began to wander, and she sat back, with her arms folded. I noticed her reaction and continued, “This is a lot of work you’re responsible for. And this is why you have a team. Who is responsible for which part?”

We began with the understanding that accomplishing her mission is not a grand trek into the unknown. Rather, it is navigating a series of steps designed to bring about shared success. Dawn’s role was not to do it all but to ensure her team worked together. She was a coordinator. Her job wasn’t to perform any one position but to ensure that everyone else was successful in theirs.

Leadership is a challenge, and the most significant obstacle is often bringing the team together, especially when a project looms large, deadlines are imminent, and the prospects of failure are consequential for everyone involved. Every project is the leader’s responsibility, and the weight can be overwhelming. I continued to discuss this with Dawn, building understanding around which team member would be responsible for what and how she would develop their accountability. When we started, she wanted weekly meetings with her entire crew of 11 to

Ed Brzychcy is a seasoned consultant, executive coach, and speaker widely recognized for his expertise in organizational design, leadership development, and implementing scalable strategic solutions for middle-market enterprises. He is an adjunct professor of Practice at Babson College in Wellesley, where he teaches organizational behavior, management, and entrepreneurship. Ed is a member of the North Shore Chamber of Commerce and can be reached at ed@leadfromthefront.net.

I once met a young manager who proudly proclaimed that his projects were always on-time and under budget. When asked how he did it, he stated that he made up for any shortfalls in his team’s work during his evenings and weekends. I asked him if this was how he wanted to spend the rest of his career.

keep everyone involved and knowledgeable of what was happening. Coordinating weekly sessions drain everyone’s time, with little certainty of a positive outcome. Meeting for two hours, speaking for 10 minutes, and then spending the next 110 listening to things in your periphery is a woefully inefficient means of communicating, not to mention the work for Dawn to coordinate around 11 other schedules. Instead, we began to discuss the ideas behind areas of responsibility. All her team members depended on the results of the other, but each had their part to play and limited time to do so. Dawn’s follow-on conversations with her team would empower each of them in their lanes, ensuring that the information flowed freely between them all and that their efforts remained coordinated towards achieving a successful outcome. Her role was to keep everyone pulling together, despite many of them being responsible for vastly different activities.

Divesting and delegating responsibility is the first skill leaders need to develop, and it can be one of the hardest. I have met many leaders who bear their responsibility as a personal token and let their insecurities surmount much of their ability to delegate tasks effectively. I once met a young manager who proudly proclaimed that his projects were always on-time and under budget. When asked how he did it, he stated that he made up for any shortfalls in his team’s work during his evenings and weekends. I asked him if this was how he wanted to spend the rest of his career.

I continued to coach Dawn, working toward her deeper understanding of her team members’ tasks, what she

& Kristy Lerner

would be delegating, and how she would follow up and coordinate communications. She became comfortable with the idea that the work from her lessexperienced team members would not be perfect, yet this could become a learning and training opportunity for them. She would not know what help they needed until they began working in earnest. Each small accomplishment would provide a step toward the team’s success. Each step would also offer a lesson for the team on what could be improved as the project moved forward. She was now responsible for managing these steps. We discussed how she would continue to share this information, ensuring that everyone learned as they went, not only in their job competencies but in how their efforts contributed to everyone’s successful outcome.

Dawn is on her own, and I will follow up with her in a few weeks. Meanwhile I continue to find that leaders everywhere struggle to bring their visions to their teams. HBR research shows that over 70 percent of strategic ventures fall short of their initial expectations, with accountability across the organization being the number one reason behind many shortfalls. A failed strategic execution is rarely the result of an error in the strategy; it is often a people problem. Yet, a team’s success is not determined solely by its leader–leaders determine their team’s success by pulling their people together and ensuring everyone communicates, contributes, and remains committed. I

When planning to sell a business

KNOW THE RIGHT TIME, AND THE RIGHT PRICE.

By Michael A McEntee Managing Director, A. Neumann & Associates, LLC

Three years after COVID-19 first appeared, we are still dealing with its lasting impact on the workplace. As a consequence of the pandemic, a huge portion of the workforce became aware of the lifestyle benefits that accompanied a reduced or eliminated commute to the office. Who could have previously imagined being able to spend so much more time with our families while still successfully doing our jobs and earning a good living? The popular mantra became “If my employer wants our relationship to return to what it was, then maybe I need to find a different employer.”

The pandemic triggered a nationwide reevaluation of almost every individual’s work-life balance. Even small business owners, who had invested a lifetime developing their product or building their brand, began to question whether all of their goals had been met and whether they still had the energy and desire to continue,

Ultimately, when a business owner decides it is time to make a change, he or she must first decide if the time is right to sell the business. If an owner has done everything to keep the business current and has accomplished everything that he or she set out to do, or no longer has the same energy and wants to spend more quality time with family, then clearly the answer can be yes.

But, unlike an employee, a business owner does not realistically have the luxury of deciding to just leave and

find another job. Of course, it can be done, but at what cost? Making the decision to sell a business is much more complex. A business owner may first need to embrace a two- or three-year plan to get the business humming again and polish up its financial picture. But, if the business is robust and its market value is substantial, then the answer to the “right time” question can certainly be yes.

Interest rates and financing costs have been rising. It is impossible to know what the future will bring, but there are always buyers in the market for a well-run business with good cash flow and solid prospects for growth. It is just a matter of agreeing on a fair price.

At A. Neumann & Associates, we currently have over 200 specific inquiries from buyers for businesses that possess those characteristics. Those buyers are national and international. They include individuals looking for a business to personally manage, existing companies wishing to add to current operations, and assorted private equity funds searching for attractive additions to their portfolios.

Prior to beginning the marketing process, a fair market value of the business must be established and an offering price agreed upon. Up to this point, the business owner’s accounting team will have worked to

Michael A. McEntee is the New England Managing Director for A Neumann & Associates LLC, an East Coast-based mergers and acquisitions advisory firm. He is a member of the North Shore Chamber of Commerce.

minimize reported annual income, thereby limiting taxes due. As part of the valuation process, we recast the company’s financials, making sure that any depreciated assets such as vehicles and machinery are included at current market value. Also, expenses that current owners have incurred, but a new buyer may not, must be added back so that maximum cash flow is exhibited. We then engage an independent valuation firm to confidentially develop a current fair market value for the company by applying multiple established valuation metrics.

Any transaction valued at over $1 million will most likely involve some form of secondary financing. The buyer’s lender will need to be comfortable with the agreed upon price of the business since it will be the ultimate collateral for the loan. This is where the independent third-party valuation takes on additional importance. Without it, every potential buyer would have to go through a valuation process on his or her own, likely causing substantial delays. In contrast, small business lenders readily accept

independent valuations, often accelerating the closing process.

As the process of selling the business gains momentum, confidentiality becomes key to a successful transaction. The owner should never want anyone to know that the business is for sale. If employees become concerned for their jobs, they could leave, potentially jeopardizing the ability to sell an ongoing enterprise. If customers, suppliers, and even competitors believe

the business will not be there for the long term, they can each react with potentially negative consequences for the business during the marketing process. To better protect the seller, we financially pre-qualify all interested buyers before any of the seller’s specific information is released. We further protect the seller by requiring all interested buyers to sign a very strict non-disclosure agreement.

Any business owner ready to amend their work-life balance by investing in a new business, joining another firm, or selling and just enjoying retirement, should know that there is no better time to become engaged the business transfer process than right now.

The usual time required to complete a business transfer ranges from nine to twelve months. Don’t wait to start making your plans. Contact a qualified mergers and acquisitions advisor and consider getting a current valuation for your company so that when the time comes, you have examined all of your options and you are ready to go. I

Interest rates and financing costs have been rising. It is impossible to know what the future will bring, but there are always buyers in the market for a well-run business with good cash flow and solid prospects for growth. It is just a matter of agreeing on a fair price.

THE CHAMBER FACES & PLACES

BUSINESS INSIGHT BREAKFAST FORUM

Jan. 4, Danversport Presidents of local North Shore colleges shared news and updates from their institutions.

‘SHOW YOUR SOCIAL MEDIA SOME LOVE’

Feb. 14, Thrive Breakfast Workshop, Cummings Center Cara Hutchins, founder and CEO of Communications, Ink, and Julia Campbell, founder and principal of J Campbell Social Marketing discussed how business owners and professionals could grow their brand online.

BUSINESS INSIGHT BREAKFAST FORUM

Feb. 1, Hawthorne Hotel, Salem

New state Auditor Diana DiZoglio updated the Chamber on her plans to bring more transparency and accountability to government.

BUSINESS INSIGHT BREAKFAST FORUM

April 5, Danversport

Mary Sarris, executive director of the Workforce Investment Board, gave an insightful labor market update and shared the current workforce trends.

AFTER HOURS NETWORKING

March 30, Mainely Tubs, Danvers

BANK IS TOPS WITH EMPLOYEES

By Ellen Small Davis

When the employees of the Institution for Savings speak of their employer, they use adjectives like “phenomenal,” “thoughtful,” and “respectful.” With such complimentary descriptors, it is little surprise that the 200-year-old bank was recently named a “Top Place to Work” for the 15th year in a row.

Michael Jones, president and CEO of Institution for Savings.

In addition, IFS of Newburyport is one of only two of the 150 companies ranked in the medium-size category that has made the list every year. The Institution has close to 200 employees, and the medium-sized category includes employers with 100 to 249 workers.

The annual employee-based survey is

conducted by The Boston Globe. A total of 380 companies representing 94,000 employees participated in the survey in 2022.

“What makes this honor so gratifying is that it is based on the confidential feedback from our very own employees,” said Michael J. Jones, president and CEO of the Institution for Savings. “Our employees are our greatest asset.”

How does the bank manage to hire and retain top talent during a period of historically low unemployment which has created a worker shortage?

“I really think it’s because management does

Institution for Savings employees gather around the clock tower at the main office in Newburyport.

so much for its employees,” said Mary Anne Clancy, senior vice president of marketing and communications at the bank. “They are treated like a small family. The bank is cognizant of the employees’ needs.”

“Without our employees we wouldn’t be as successful as we are,” explained Kimberly A. Rock, the bank’s executive vice president and COO, in a video on the “careers” page of the bank’s website.

“Everyone is on a first name basis,” said Robert C. LeGallo, CPA, the bank’s senior vice president and chief financial officer. “Hard work is always appreciated and you can voice your opinion and they will always listen to you.”

The work culture is based on trust and respect, according to Jones.

Employee perks include the bank covering 100 percent of the cost of health insurance, reimbursement of gym memberships, $500 gift cards when an employee welcomes a new baby to the family, as well, as paid time off when there is an illness or loss in the family, according to Clancy. Time off includes 10 paid holidays and several weeks of vacation.

There was even that time a dozen or so years ago when the bank paid for an employee to fly to Germany to meet with her son who was serving in the armed forces and stationed overseas, Clancy recalled.

Clancy, who is a member of the North Shore Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors and co-chair of the steering committee for the Thrive Initiative, credits Jones and Rock, for the low turnover rate among employees.

“They make a great team and are really in tune with the employees. They are treated with dignity and respect. That goes a long way,” Clancy said. “We ask a lot of our employees. They give

a lot, but that comes with reward and benefits. This bank gives back to its employees in a big way.”

Rock, a long-time employee herself, starting as a teller right after high school and 35 years later holding a top management position.

“Kim visits the 15 branches on a regular basis,” Clancy said. “She can probably tell you the life stories of more than half our employees.”

“It’s a team that is really committed to each other,” Jones added.

The employees make no secret of their support for their employer either.

With two centuries of experience, this $2 billion financial institution, knows almost as much about caring for its employees as it does about caring for

its customers’ money. So what advice does it offer to other companies for successful employee recruitment and retention?

“You know Mike (Jones) always says, ‘It’s the people who make the bank, not the bank who make the people.’ And that’s not just lip service,” Clancy said. “Businesses need to realize their success comes from their employees. They should be treated professionally with kindness and respect. It’s simple really, you can’t run a successful business without good employees.”

“My management philosophy has always been to allow individuals to do their jobs,” Jones noted. “I give them a lot of latitude and freedom and they are very creative in what they do.” I

Bank employees enjoyed a weekend hut hike trip to the Greenleaf Hut, a mountainside cabin run by the Appalachian Mountain Club in Franconia, N.H.

The bank’s senior leadership team strives to create an environment where employees feel valued.

Nominations are open for 2023 Diamond Awards

The North Shore Chamber of Commerce is now accepting nominations for the 2023 Diamond Awards. This honor recognizes outstanding women of influence and leadership in the region.

The mission of the award is to celebrate women in business who demonstrate a commitment and passion for serving others while leading with purpose, excelling in their careers, and making an impact.

To nominate a deserving woman, complete the form on the Chamber website and share what makes her stand out among the best and brightest on the North Shore. Diamond Award honorees have earned the respect of their colleagues and are seen as mentors and role models. They empower others to excel.

Winners will be selected by a panel of judges as the 2023 Diamond Award recipients. These honorees will be recognized at a breakfast ceremony on Wednesday, Aug. 23, at the Kernwood Country Club. They will also be spotlighted in the Fall issue of Impact Magazine.

The 2022 Diamond Award winners were: Samanda Morales, Co-founder and CEO, Ahora, Inc.; Kim Rock, Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, Institution for Savings; Darcia Tremblay, Owner and President, Silver Lining Solutions; Kathleen Walsh, President and CEO, YMCA of Metro North and the late Betsy Merry, Real Estate Broker, Businesswoman, Community Advocate, MerryFox Realty.

The 2022 Diamond Award winners included (from left): Samanda Morales, Kim Rock, Kathleen Walsh and Darcia Tremblay.

Shore Chamber Biz Card Size.jpg

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YMCA of the North Shore

northshoreymca.org

BUILDING BRIGHT FUTURES

As the leading provider of early education on the north shore, we offer high-quality, affordable childcare options that meet your family’s needs.

“The teachers are fantastic, they are warm and welcoming and very communicative. I love how active my child is with gym time, gymnastics, and all of the outside playtime.”

—YMCA Early Learning Parent

Want a sucessful workplace? Delegate.

By Mary Anne Clancy

“It’s easier and faster if I just do it myself.”

“By the time I explain how to do it, I could have had it done.”

“No one will do it the way that I would do it...”

Sound familiar? I am sure that there are many out there that have uttered these justifications. Those who share my affliction of trying to do it all myself. And this attitude isn’t just limited to my professional world but it also spills into my personal life. As women, we not only think we can do it all — we believe we should do it all, or a tiny piece of us feels like we are failing.

The fact is we ARE failing if this is how we operate. We are failing the other people in our lives — our colleagues, our spouses, our family and friends — by not delegating.

Delegating is a particularly important skill if you are a woman in a business management or leadership position. But it doesn’t often come easily. I know I struggle with giving up control of the final product and worry others will think I am “avoiding” work if I ask them to handle something.

On the contrary, delegating with intention makes you a better leader. It helps you to empower and mentor the people you lead.

Encouraging your employees to take on and manage certain tasks will help them develop new and existing skills. They will appreciate being needed. We all want to feel valued. Delegating is a great way to help your employees contribute to success.

It is also good for us as leaders. When I give myself the time and space to focus on the things I am best at, the results are better. Knowing what you do best will help you to determine the tasks that need your personal attention, and the tasks that someone else can do.

Finally, delegating is good for our companies. When you delegate, your entire team is involved in taking on

assignments.This improves the quality of the organization across the board. In fact, highly engaged teams show 21 percent greater profitability, according to a recent Gallup poll.

So, how do you begin delegating? Practice saying, “yes,” “no,” and “yes, if.”

Start by carefully assessing every demand that comes your way. Align the asks with the highest-valued

contributions under your skillset. For those requests, you say yes and carve out the time to accomplish them. But for those requests that don’t align, you say no or yes, if... Then immediately identify other people to take on those tasks. You can still oversee, advise and motivate, and lead while delegating effectively.

Sounds easy, right? I’ll let you know! I

Mary Anne Clancy is the Senior Vice President of Marketing and Communications for the Institution for Savings, She is the co-chair of the Thrive Steering Committee and sits on the The Chamber’s Board of Directors.

THE CHAMBER WELCOME TO OUR NEW MEMBERS

Power of Recovery

Recovery center/counseling

 385 Broadway, Suite 203

 Revere

 www.powerofrecovery.org

My Virtual COO, LLC

 733 Turnpike Street, Suite 116

 North Andover

 www.myvirtualcoo.com/

Comparion Insurance Agency

 99 Rosewood Drive, Suite 110

 Danvers

 www.comparioninsurance.com

NEDC Sealing Solutions

Custom laser cutting services

 96 Milk St.

 Methuen

 www.nedc.com

MassCPAs

Massachusetts Society of Certified Public Accountants

 105 Chauncey Street, 10th Floor

 Boston

 www.masscpas.org/

Sales Xceleration

Consulting services

 264A Merrimac Street

 Newburyport

 salesxceleration.com

Frank Nappo - EOS Worldwide

Business solutions

 7 Young Lane

 Rye, N.H.

 www.EOSworldwide.com/

Well Done Services, Inc.

Office cleaning and maintenance

 25N Olympia Ave.

 Woburn

 www.welldoneservices.com

Regal Fuels

 P.O. Box 229

 Salem

Emanio Creative

Marketing agency

 100 Cummings Center, Suite 221B

 Beverly

 www.emaniocreative.com

Community Credit Union

 1 Andrew St.

 Lynn

 www.myccu.org

MarineMax Danvers

Boating sales/service

 10 Hutchinson Dr.

 Danvers

 www.marinemax.com/danvers

SimmonsSTUDIO for Living

Design services

 1 Gap Head Road

 Rockport

 www.simmonsstudio.design

Grandma’s Chicken Soup

E-commerce, food care packages

 30 Commerce Way

 Woburn

 www.grandmaschickensoup.com

Homeland Electric, LLC

 15 Coolidge Road

 Peabody

 www.homeland-electric.com

All Clean Inc.

commercial cleaner

 29 N. Shetland Road

 Danvers

GreatPoint Wealth Advisors

 74 Elm Street

 Danvers

 greatpointwealth.com

Allsysgo Computer Services

 12 Bay St., Unit 208

 Wilmington

 www.allsysgo.com

O’Donnell Funeral Services

 167 Maple Street

 Danvers

 www.odonnellfuneralservice.com

Beach Plum Interiors, LLC

Interior design

 27 Atlantic Avenue

 Marblehead

 www.beachpluminteriors.com

OpenDoor Sales

Consulting & Training

 13 Madison Street

 Newburyport

 www.opendoorselling.com

Inclyousion Sports

Inclusive sports enrichment classes

 Mill 58

 58 Pulaski Street, BG-2

 Peabody

 www.inclyousionsports.com

ARCpoint Labs

Full service lab and diagnostic testing

 400 W. Cummings Park, Suite 3500

 Woburn

 www.arcpointlabs.com/woburn

ADP

Payroll services

 501 Boylston St.

 Boston

 www.adp.com

Veterinary Urgent Care Center

 880 Broadway

 Saugus

 veturgentcare.com

Hawk Visuals

Video production

 182 Broadway St., Unit 1

 Wakefield

 www.hawkvisualsmedia.com

Bertolino Foods

Food manufacturer

 Five 5th St.

 Peabody

 bertolinofoods.com

Choice Graphics

Printing/graphic design services

 140 Central St.

 Rowley

 www.partnerwithchoice.com

Lighthouse Professional Services

Employment agency

 55 Ferncroft Road, Suite 100

 Danvers

 www.lighthouseprofessionalservices.com

Home Instead

Senior care in-home services

 231 Sutton St., Suite 2H

 North Andover

 www.homeinstead.com/493

THE CHAMBER BRIEFCASE

John Ings, PE has been promoted to President and CEO of Meridian Associates, Inc. Ings is continuing as Chairman of the Board. He succeeds Doug Reed, PE.

“I am excited to see what the future holds for Meridian. It is an honor to take on the leadership responsibilities of an engineering and surveying firm rooted in such a rich history of exemplary service to its clients and surrounding communities, Ings said. “The last few years have been filled with uncertainty, but Meridian has weathered this recent storm well. An inspirational plan by our former CEO, Doug Reed, to see beyond the pandemic, invest in our employees and prepare for the future has proven to be prescient.”

Meridian is made up of a great group of people who are well prepared to lead us into a bright future. I am deeply committed to working diligently to uphold the Meridian Way, to give our employees every advantage I can find, and working with our clients to build a better tomorrow.”

Meridian is a Civil Engineering, Geospatial Survey and Landscape Architecture firm based in the Northeast.

Baker Newman Noyes (BNN) has joined HLB International, a global network of independent advisory and accounting firms providing consulting, tax, and audit services.

BNN has a wide client base that they serve locally, regionally, and globally from five full-service offices in Maine, Massachusetts, and New Hampshire. They are a leading tax, assurance, and advisory firm in the region and work in a host of sectors including banking and financial services, healthcare, life sciences and biotech, real estate and construction and public sector entities. Baker Newman Noyes will strengthen the ever-expanding HLB presence in North America.

Lisa Benson, HLB Chief Regional Officer, Western Markets, said, “We are very happy to welcome Baker Newman Noyes to the network. The addition of a Top 100 firm in the Northeast strengthens the U.S. market even further. With offices in five locations in three states paired with the depth of services BNN offers, it’s a big win for HLB. Their focus on fostering relationships and collaboration is entirely in keeping with the HLB’s people first approach. We look forward to working together and learning from each other so we can deliver effective accounting and advisory solutions to the HLB global community.”

To submit a news item for The Chamber Briefcase, please email katie.lovett@northshorechamber.org.

protein, and nonperishable items.

The Salem Pantry will continue to operate its longstanding mobile distribution program. In partnership with community partners, this program provides reliable food access for students, residents, and clients.

Brightview Senior Living has been named to Fortune Magazine’s annual list of “100 Best Companies to Work For 2023.” Brightview, which placed 92nd, was the only Senior Living company to make the list. This is the second time it has earned a ranking.

The list is compiled using anonymous survey responses of more than half a million employees from Great Place To Work Certified™ companies. Companies also submitted essays describing their efforts to offer generous and innovative support for workers, which were validated against employee survey responses.

The Salem Pantry recently opened its first brick-and-mortar location in partnership with The North Shore Community Development Coalition.

“The Salem Pantry feeds nearly 800 families a week. That is up from about 530 families a week at this time last year. In January alone, we distributed food to nearly 4000 individual people. The need for reliable food isn’t decreasing in our community,” Director of Programs and Partnerships Mike Lilley said. “At the Pantry, we are committed to reliably providing fresh and healthy food to our community. The Market is another way we seek to uphold that commitment.”

The Market will be open five days a week, including weekend and evening hours, and serve as The Salem Pantry’s main distribution point, providing pantry guests with a consistent location for convenient, no-cost shopping.

The Market will serve as more than a pantry, providing community and health resources outside of food. The Salem Pantry will also partner with The Salem Skipper and The Salem Council on Aging to offer transportation options to The Market, where guests can shop from various produce, dairy,

Beacon Communities and Harborlight Homes recently broke ground on the Beverly Village for Living and the Arts, at the historic former home of the Briscoe School.The development will be a mixed-use community centered around affordable housing for seniors.

The groundbreaking included a speaking program featuring Massachusetts Lt. Gov. Kim Driscoll, Department of Housing and Community Development Undersecretary Jennifer Maddox, Beverly Mayor Michael Cahill, State Sen. Joan Lovely, State Rep. Jerry Parisella, and MassHousing VP of Multifamily Housing, Mark Teden.

The adaptive reuse plan will transform the former school’s existing footprint into a vibrant, liveable space. Former classrooms will be turned into 85 units of affordable housing for lowincome seniors, and former locker rooms will become six live/work studios. The former auditorium will be preserved as a community performing arts space. The former gymnasium will house a community room, computer learning center, wellness and fitness spaces, library and reading room, as well as a workshop. I

THE CHAMBER WELCOME TO OUR NEW MEMBERS

Keller Williams Evolution

Realtor

 447 Boston Street

 Topsfield

 callieumenhofer.kw.com

Salon Hairapy

Hair salon

 902 Salem St.

 Malden

 www.salonhairapymalden.com

Bottom Line Partners

Retirement planning

 31 Durnham Ave

 South Hamilton

 www.larryacoates.com

Liberty Health Services

Chapter Recovery

Recovery center/counseling

 85 Constitutional Lane, 200A

 Danvers

 www.chaptersrecoverycenter.com

Mayflower Recovery

Recovery center/counseling

 362 Middlesex Ave.

 Wilmington

 mayflowerrecovery.com

Cross Country Mortgage

 6 Bourbon Street Suite F & H

 Peabody

 www.ccm.com

Aetna Medicare Solutions

 52 Washington Street, Suite 8

 Marblehead

 www.aetnamedicare.com

Blue Horizon Benefits

 27 Garden Street, Suite 1A

 Danvers

 www.bluehorizonbenefits.com

Harbor Sweets

Candy manufacturer

 85 Leavitt St

 Salem

 www.harborsweets.com

DIANE CARNEVALE ART

Guaranteed Rate

Mortgage company

 30 Log Bridge Road

 Middleton

 www.rate.com/erikferm

Brewster Ambulance Service

 25 Main Street

 Weymouth

 www.brewsterambulance.com

3EO Health Inc

Healthcare

 48 Dunham Road, Suite 4350

 Beverly

 www.3eohealth.com

The Open Door

 28 Emerson Ave.

 Gloucester

 www.foodpantry.org

All Services Group

HVAC and electricial contractor

 900 Cummings Center, Suite 404S

 Beverly

 www.allservicesgroupinc.net

custom

home watercolor portraits

• Family legacy: Portraits of primary residences or vacation homes will help treasured family memories live on for generations. Can also be made into custom stationery.

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JENNIFER DeLUCA, Fisher House Boston

‘I am in the blessings business’

By Katie Lovett The Chamber

Jennifer DeLuca is used to tears, both happy and sad, on her work calls. There’s also a good dose of disbelief, and lots of gratitude.

That’s a typical day when you are the executive director of Fisher House Boston, an organization that secures lodging for military families, free of charge, when they have a family member receiving in-patient care at a Boston hospital.

The caller, weary and worried, can’t believe such a program exists and can take away a piece of their stress.

Boston’s Fisher House falls under parent company, Fisher House Foundation, which provides lodging for military families undergoing treatment at VA hospitals. But DeLuca’s Boston program, which launched in 2013, is the first of its kind. It extends to all hospitals in the city. The patient can be a child, spouse or immediate relative of a service member in all branches of the military and the National Guard.

The Fisher House Boston provides lodging for as long as they need and for as many visits as they need, DeLuca said. One meal per day is also provided. Fisher House Boston, which runs solely on donations, also collects gift cards to distribute.

DeLuca brushes aside any praise for the work she undertakes. It’s the least she can do for those who served their country, she feels.

“If you served, we serve you,” she said. While people recognize the service of the military, she added, their families aren’t often thought of, and the role they play is just as large.

“When a man or woman raises their

hand to serve the country, their family is immediately drafted at that moment,” DeLuca said. “Why wouldn’t we care for the entire family?”

While the gratitude of families is always plentiful, it isn’t the only accolades DeLuca received lately.

At the end of March, the Fisher House Boston director was awarded the Service Act Award by the Congressional Medal of Honor Society during the Citizen Honors Awards in Arlington, Virginia.

“It’s still a little unbelievable; it was surreal,” DeLuca said.

DeLuca was accompanied by several family members and friends, including her daughter, Abigail, director of operations for Fisher House Boston. After the weekend in Washington, D.C., which included the awards ceremony and dinner, and a trip to Arlington National Cemetery for a wreath laying at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, DeLuca was back at work on Monday. After all, calls and texts come in at all hours.

“If they have a question, we’re right here so they are never alone,” she said.

“It’s a passion project as much as a job.”

Who inspires you?

The families that I serve through the Fisher House Boston inspire me. To know what they have sacrificed for me and my family is what makes this work so special. I feel honored to be able to give back to them in this way.

What’s something that people might be surprised to learn about you?

Prior to the Fisher House of Boston, I owned a florist and a landscaping company. That work was actually what introduced me to the Fisher House of Boston. To this day our home is always filled with flowers, they make every space so bright and happy!

What advice would you give to a young professional just embarking on their career?

Know that opportunities are everywhere. Always put your best foot forward, because you never know who is in the room with you.

What motivates you?

Knowing that there are people out there going through hard times that I could help to alleviate. I have a unique ability, in my position, to provide support that few others can. I do not take this lightly and work to ensure that I am always there for those who need me.

What’s one thing you could not live without?

Coffee. No joke, I am Starbucks’ number one customer. Medium black coffee, iced, with no classic syrup. Oh, and my family of course!

How do you make an impact?

By serving others. I like to say that I am in the blessings business. I am able to identify the needs of the families that I serve, and then I do all that I can to remove any stress or barrier that I can for them. I aim to provide a calm in someone else’s storm. I

Jennifer Deluca

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