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W W W. M A I N E B I Z . B I Z 9 N OV E M B E R 4 , 2 0 2 4 The Greater Bangor Recreation Economy for Rural Communities received a $195,000 grant from the Maine Office of Tourism's Marketing Recovery Program to be used for branding, market research and marketing. The Bangor Area Recovery Network announced a partnership with the American Nurses Association- Maine and the University of Maine at Augusta Dental Hygiene Program at the Bangor Campus to provide its volunteers access to preventive dental hygiene care. Haley Ward Inc., an employee-owned professional engineering, architecture, environmental and surveying consult- ing firm in Bangor, opened a new en- vironmental laboratory located at One Merchants Plaza in Bangor. Building your business? Talk to your neighbor. Since 1852, Bath Savings has been investing in the people, communities, and businesses that make Maine the place we're proud to call home. Our lenders are your neighbors — they shop in your downtown, coach your kids, volunteer in your community, and understand your local economy. Contact us today to learn more about custom lending solutions tailored to suit your needs. 1-800-447-4559 | bathsavings.bank MEMBER FDIC EQUAL HOUSING LENDER Becky Lizotte Principal, Doten's Construction James Perkolidis Vice President, Bath Savings A S K AC E 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 N O R T H E R N & E A S T E R N A n s w e r e d b y F r a n c i s E b e r l e , P r i c e A s s o c i a t e s The Association for Consulting Expertise (ACE) is a nonprofit association 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. Q: Employees balked about coming back to the workplace. What can we do? ACE advises: The post-pandemic workplace is hard to navi- gate. The communications technology we relied on during COVID is not going away. A regular physical presence in the workplace complicates family logistics. Employees who return to work receive information on two very different channels — in person and online. Each of the five generations now in the workforce manages information flow differently. According to Arbinger Institute and Gallup, employee satisfaction has plummeted, with only 22% rating their companies as excel- lent. Stress levels have soared, with 52% of employees experiencing daily stress. Communication between leaders and employees is lacking, with only 43% of organizations holding regular conversations with their workforce. Several factors contribute to employee dissatisfaction: Burnout: Stress stemming from workload issues and lack of support leads to decreased productivity and negative physical and emotional responses. Management communication: Leaders often avoid dif- ficult conversations about stress, workload and flexibility. Ignoring these problems makes them worse. Managing change: Constant change in the workplace con- tributes to stress. Sense of belonging: Employees seek connection and ground- ing in the workplace, especially in the face of evolving work environments and technological advancements. To address these concerns, leaders must focus on: Flexibility: Recognize and accommodate the diverse needs of employees, including remote work options, mental health support, childcare assistance and advancement opportunities. On-site time: Make the most of in-office hours by fostering collaboration, creativity, and connection among employees. Human connection and culture: Foster meaningful con- versations, support employees' personal challenges, facilitate team-building activities and lead by example in managing stress and transparency. By prioritizing employee well-being and fostering a positive work culture, leaders can increase engagement and create a more productive and resilient workforce. Francis Eberle, of Price Associates, is an ACE board member. To learn more about improving employee performance through coaching leaders or teams in your company contact Francis at francis@price-associates.com

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