Worcester Business Journal

wbjournal.com | March 18, 2024 | Worcester Business Journal 23 I often find myself saying "I wish I had a guide for all the things I learned in my first full year of entrepreneurship the day I start- ed my business full time." This, my friend, is just that, for you. 7) Take advantage of your local resourc- es. Whether it's applying for a grant with Mass. Growth Capital Corp., working with a free business advisor from Mass. Small Business Development Center, or signing up for an accelerator program like EForAll, so many people want to help you succeed. 6) Network, both online and in person. The power of who you are as a person will take you and your business a long way. 5) Always be learning. Stop saying "I don't have the time to read," and instead make time to consume the information that's already out there for people like you. Plus, audio books are a thing, so you can be learning whether you're driving or doing the dishes. 4) Make it as easy for people to work with you. Stop making people email you their availability and start streamlining and automating your booking processes, have an easy-to-navigate website, and make your services accessible. 3) Build trust and credibility. Don't forget to send the client that sung your praises via text a link to leave you a Google Review. Take it one step further, and record them on Zoom with you talking about how amazing it is to work with you. Share these testimo- nials on your social media, website, and directly with prospective clients. 2) Tap into the power of marketing. Re- member marketing is a long-term game, as it's not sales. Start off organically on social media and your website, then use those to capture leads. Nurture your leads with automations and emails. 1) Outsourcing. There's no need for you to try to wear all the hats, learn a new skill, or spend hours trying to figure out how to do something when there are people and businesses you can pay to do it for you. The best part? You'll save money and time by not having to manage these things (like marketing, accounting, sales, etc.) Evolving workplace expectations and the demand for new weight-loss drugs BY EMILY MICUCCI Special to WBJ D o you have a work wife? How about an office bestie? These terms have become cultural norms. Let's be honest: Work would be pretty boring if we didn't have people we looked forward to seeing Monday through Friday. Yet in a place of business, special care must be taken not to become too casual or cliquey with colleagues. Outside of distraction, such partiality can create conflict that may jeopardize projects and even jobs. Rather than avoiding friends at work altogether, set good boundaries to have for yourself in the office. Reconsider your language. e idea of a work spouse is amusing and light-hearted to some but offensive to others. In fact, more than half of Mil- lennials surveyed for Newsweek in 2023 thought it was inappropriate. Perhaps avoid the term entirely and just know you can still have that one person in your corner, even if you simply refer to him or her by name only. Don't befriend your boss. It's easier said than done when your boss is some- one you enjoy working with, but Forbes contributor Julia Korn advises keeping your supervisor a casual acquaintance – and perhaps even more so if you are the boss. "ere is an inherent power imbal- ance between you and your boss," Korn writes. Most notably, your boss can fire you. Stick with your peer group when it comes to workplace friendship, even if you occasionally enjoy happy hour with your manager. Set standards and adhere to them. Lattice, a human resources manage- ment platform, says friendship at work is mostly beneficial. But let most of your common ground stem from what brought you together to begin with: work. Be sure to spend most of your in-office conversations center relating to each other about work projects. Other topics, such as family life and hobbies, are OK to discuss aer hours but should be limited to passing conversation during the workday. AV O I D I N G T H E P I T FA L L S O F W O R K P L A C E F R I E N D S H I P BY CHRYSTINE M. HEIER Special to WBJ E mployers have made signifi- cant investments in employee health and wellness to curb healthcare costs, improve productivity, enhance em- ployee well-being, and increase em- ployee retention and attraction. Today, employees are looking well beyond traditional wellness programs and incentives. A rising demand for GLP-1 weight loss drugs like Ozempic, Wegovy, Mounjaro, and Zepbound underscores evolving employee expectations. With more than 40% of the US adult population considered obese, it's hard to dismiss the potential effect these new drugs could have on health. What are GLP-1 drugs? Glucagon-like peptide 1 receptor ag- onists drugs, originally intended to treat Type 2 diabetes, effectively lower blood sugar levels, curb appetite, and slow food release. With potential weight loss up 15% of an individual's body weight, these drugs demonstrate cardiovascu- lar benefits, lowering the risk of heart disease and improving cholesterol levels and blood pressure. Considerations and caution Administered by injection, GLP-1 drugs pose common side effects such as nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea, and other more severe issues, including pan- creatitis and gastroparesis. Longer-term consequences are unknown. Not suitable for everyone, the Centers for Disease Control guidelines specify eligibility for adults with a body mass index above 30, or a BMI above 27 for individuals with obesity-related comor- bidities. Most health plans providing coverage follow the CDC's obesity standard and require additional behav- ior modification protocols. Individuals taking these medications without behav- ior modification will need to use them indefinitely to sustain weight loss, as stopping will make their appetite return. Financial implications Prices range from $1,000 to $1,500 monthly. Unlike one-time bariatric surgery, GLP-1 drugs were intended for extended use, requiring ongoing finan- cial commitment. Health plan coverage considerations Most local managed care providers cover GLP-1s in their fully insured health plans. Inquiries for self-funded health plans should be direct to your plan administrator, as coverage may or may not be included. In the absence of coverage, generic alternatives like bupropion, liraglutide, or orlistat, along with patient assistance programs from drug manufacturers, offer viable options. Accessing discounted drugs through platforms like GoodRx and SingleCare enhances affordability. Whether or not your health plan covers GLP-1 drugs, employers should understand their coverage and be able to guide employees to appropriate resources and support. Employee perspectives In a survey conducted by weight-loss services provider Ro, 44% of respondents expressed willingness to change jobs for obesity treatment coverage. is trend is expected to intensify, emphasizing the need for employers to comprehend the evolving healthcare landscape and align benefits with employee expectations. Strategic approach required To attract and retain talent, employ- ers should adopt a holistic approach, acknowledging the growing importance of obesity treatment coverage. However, a lasting solution requires addressing core issues through behavior change and mental health support, irrespective of drug availability. is approach aligns with the evolving expectations of a di- verse and health-conscious workforce. 7 Things you need to do … ... For your service- based business W Chrystine M. Heier is president of Sullivan Benefits in Marlborough W W By Tara Ostromecky Tara Ostromecky is founder and CEO of Makin' It Marketing in Worcester. Reach here at Tara@maki- nitmarketing.com.

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