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V O L . X X X N O. X X S E P T E M B E R 2 , 2 0 2 4 10 B U S I N E S S M A I N E B U S I N E S S M A I N E B U S I N E S S N E W S F RO M A RO U N D T H E S TAT E Board, Penobscot Christian can move ahead with a $2 million expan- sion on the six-acre main campus. e property has an assessed value of $1.3 million, according to city tax rolls. After the build-out is complete, junior high and high school students would return to the Ohio Street loca- tion, consolidating all of Penobscot Christian's operations back where they've been since the 1990s. N O T E W O R T H Y N O R T H E R N & E A S T E R N The Professional Logging Contractors of Maine and Northern Maine Community College will offer training in mechanized logging operations and a forest trucking program. The training is free and part of a 20-week certifi- cate course. The best choice for your business banking just got easier. Christopher Rugullies SVP Relationship Manager crugullies@barharbor.bank 207-601-5718 Daryl Wentworth SVP, Director Middle Market Banking dwentworth@barharbor.bank 207-771-1216 We can make it happen. Together. All loans subject to credit approval. Additional terms, fees, and conditions may apply for some products. Discover why we're one of Forbes' World's Best Banks Talk with our Portland area Commercial Banking team today. Together with our commercial lending teams throughout Northern New England, we can help you and your business succeed. Member FDIC www.barharbor.bank • 888-853-7100 Over 50 locations across northern New England Joe Delano SVP Relationship Manager jdelano@barharbor.bank 207-771-1217 Our Portland-based commercial team can help your business grow. • Loans up to $50 million with flexible terms • Competitive rates tailored to your business needs • Small business and corporate cash management • High-volume transaction tools with leading technology • Personalized service of local banking experts Q: Our startup is moving to the next level, and we need to hire employees to work with the team. How do we encourage the energy and ambition we need to meet our goals without causing burnout and turnover? ACE advises: Hiring your first employees is the time to set your workplace culture! Today's employees want work that makes them happy. Instead of providing work-life balance, they want to be living life, whether at work and at home. Here's how you can foster new employees' well-being. 1. Goal getters, not clock punchers. Ditch the out- dated notion that long hours equal success. Shift your focus to setting clear, achievable goals that emphasize results, innovation and impact. Celebrate milestones and encourage employees to find efficient ways to reach their targets. 2. Cultivate connection. Free coffee and casual Fridays are no longer enough. Invest in team-building activities fostering genuine camaraderie, offer mentor- ship programs for professional growth, and ensure that leadership is acces- sible and supportive. It is possible to invest in connection even if you have remote workers or multiple locations. 3. Feedback fuels growth. Continuous feedback and development are more effective than anxiety-ridden annual reviews. Regular check-ins help employees feel seen, valued, and empowered to reach their full potential. Offer opportu- nities for skill-building and career advancement to show your commitment to their long-term success. While it makes some employees nervous, feedback in the form of "honest conversations" — the good and the bad — is the most effective approach to take. Bonus tip: Surprise your team with unexpected perks that show you care. Think catered lunches, early dismissals or even a subscription to a wellness app. These small gestures can go a long way in building morale and loyalty. Define what success looks like and build a company culture that supports the whole person, not just the worker. You will attract and retain top talent, boost productivity, and create a thriving workplace. A S K AC E A n s w e r e d b y H o l l y S m e v o g , H M S C a r e e r C o a c h i n g The Association for Consulting Expertise is a nonprofit group of independent consultants who value "Success through collaboration." The public is welcome to attend its regular meetings to share best practices and engage with industry experts. For more information go to www.consultexpertise.com. ACE member Holly Smevog owns Portland-based HMS Career Coaching. Holly's team helps people advance in their careers and navigate career change. Holly is past president of the Maine Career Development Association. She can be reached at holly@hmscareercoaching.com