Worcester Business Journal

18 Worcester Business Journal | January 11, 2021 | wbjournal.com B E S T O F B U S I N E S S C O W O R K E R S & O F F I C E S Best Pandemic Coworkers & Remote Offices T he past year made for a business environment unlike any other, as companies across Central Massachusetts switched to working from home in an effort to stem the spread of the coronavirus pandemic. While the pandemic was scary, the change offered some levity, too, as homes became offices and children and pets became coworkers. For those companies who couldn't make the switch – because their products or services required all the staff to be in person – coworkers became a lifeline as everyone had to limit their social interactions. Here are some of the best coworkers and remote offices in Central Massachusetts last year. T he impact Brian Glispin, vice president of operations at North Graon's Sunshine Sign Co., has on the family-run business is impossible to quantify. In his role, Brian oversees the performance of all hourly employees, and also ensures the company operations prioritize safety, customer service, and growth. And because of how the business and industry operates, Brian also installs, project manages, Brian Glispin builds community at Sunshine BY MONICA BUSCH Worcester Business Journal Staff Writer quotes, designs and sells products. But that's far from all he does. "Brian is always the guy where, no matter who you are, six degrees of separation, if you're a friend of a friend of a friend -- if there's something he can do in your time of need, he is going to do so right now," his brother and co- worker Tim Glispin said. Tim promises he doesn't just say that because they're brothers. "If you ask anybody here, or really anybody outside of here that knows him, they will all tell you he is probably one of the funniest and most caring guys that you're gonna meet," Tim said. At work, this manifests in a few ways. Among them is Brian's propensity for preparing Sunshine's staff with home-cooked meals, once a month. At some points, he's cooking for some 50 employees, Tim said, and Brian never skimps. One month, it was chicken soup, another it was American Chop Suey. He does this all, Tim said, on his own time. ere's also Brian's Freshen Up BEST COWORKER – RUNNER-UP Mila Title: Brand champion Instagram: @mila.getssocial Company: Koda Creative Group, in Worcester, www.kodacreativegroup.com Favorite things to do: Sightseeing (even Zoom meetings), tug-of-war matches, and eating treats. Education: She is quite the scholar and takes an interest in vocabulary, knowing more than 30 words. Since Mila was born, she has been accompanying her mom, Koda Co- founder Brittany Wong, to the office. Her main responsibility at Koda is to bring smiles to her coworkers' faces everywhere she goes. During the pandemic, this has included Zoom meetings with clients, vendors and the Koda team. What truly makes Mila one of the best coworkers in Central Massachusetts is her dedication to routine and persistence to play, keeping everyone on deadline but in high spirits. n BEST COWORKER Brian Glispin Title: Vice president of operations Company: Sunshine Sign Co., www.sunshinesign.com Location: North Grafton Years at Sunshine: 1996-2001, 2015-present Friday tradition, a new take, of sorts, on summer Fridays. During end-of-week aernoons, Brian opens up Sunshine's garage bays, plays music, and, when it's warm out, hires an ice cream truck to come through and provide staff with cool treats. It's a moment, Tim said, for employees to freshen up their space, take pride in their workspace, socialize and take a break. "He just wants to make sure everybody's comfortable and happy here," Tim said. is kind of morale boost really made a difference in 2020, said Tim, as folks navigate slower work, concerns about unemployment, uncertainty around stimulus bills. "I speak for me personally, but I've heard this from other people, too: e biggest thing is just knowing that someone is thinking of other people, thinking of them," Tim said. "And, people feeling appreciated, it really takes a lot of that stress and tension out of the equation." ose sentiments about Brian are widely felt, Tim said. "You can change a person's entire day, week, month with some of that stuff," Tim said. "And I see it here. It really is great." In addition to his official role at Sunshine, Brian Glispin (in the flannel shirt) sees bringing a smile to his coworkers' faces as a major part of his responsibilities. Mila offers a comforting paw to Koda Co-founder Brittany Wong. W W

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