Worcester Business Journal

34 Worcester Business Journal | November 25, 2024 | wbjournal.com By Amy Finch Amy Finch is the compliance and operations support manager for White- Water, the water utility management subsidiary of Auburn-based construction firm R.H. White. 5) Water is not a limitless resource. As business consumers, we must be con- scious of our water use and how we impact the overall burden on our water supplies. We seem to face more severe drought conditions and water restrictions each year, with 2024 being no exception. Think about how you can employ water restrictions in your business. Simple acts of conservation — like capturing rainwater for irrigation, using low-flow shower heads and toilets, or buying water-efficient restaurant appliances — can have an impact. Every drop counts! 4) Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are here forever. We have all seen news reports on forever chemicals. The Massachusetts Department of Environmen- tal Protection set a maximum contaminant level for six of these compounds in 2020, and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has announced new federal stan- dards that will take effect in 2027. 3) The price of water is increasing. Treat- ing water to remove contamination so that it is safe to drink is very costly and can re- sult in increased water rates. Many people do not hesitate to pay extra for technology, but when water rates rise, there is discord. It is a challenge for water suppliers to continue adhering to increased regulatory requirements and contamination from PFAS while balancing rate increases. 2) Getting the lead out is a priority. On Oct. 8, the Healey Administration issued lead and copper rule improvements (LCRI) to identify and replace lead pipes within 10 years. Alongside the LCRI, the EPA announced $53 million in newly available drinking water infrastructure funding to sup- port Massachusetts' lead pipe replacement and inventory projects. 1) Water infrastructure is aging, and capital improvements are needed. Investing in our water infrastructure is critical to the continued supply of reliable, clean, and safe water to the residents and businesses of Massachusetts. Small and large water suppliers should plan for routine maintenance and replacement of system components. A variety of state and federal grant programs are available to help assist businesses in addressing aging infrastruc- ture in their water and wastewater facilities. Grant information is available on both the MassDEP and EPA websites. Making the most of flexible office space BY SLOANE M. PERRON Special to WBJ A s the holiday season draws near, charitable giving and volun- teerism come to the forefront of peoples' minds. ere are many proven benefits to corporate volunteerism, such as team building and community relations appeal, but how can managers inspire their employees to give back? Offer paid time off for volunteering. A big hindrance to getting employees to volunteer is time availability. Instead of making employees choose between their personal time and volunteering, Salesforce suggests companies provide a few days of paid time off solely for volunteer activities. "Using volunteer time off, team members can incorporate charitable acts into their regular work- ing hours," the customer relationship management company advises. Let employees select their favorite nonprofits. Employees are more likely to be enthusiastic about company volun- teerism if they personally care about the charitable organizations benefiting from the work. Hunter Johnson, CEO of Cali- fornia-based marketing firm Xpedition, wrote in Forbes that companies should ask their employees to share their fa- vorite nonprofits and get them involved in the process. e ultimate decision rests with company leadership, but this allows employees to feel invested in volunteering. "Your human resources team might also want to look into your team's recommendations to ensure that the stated values of each nonprofit align with your company values," Johnson writes. Get other stakeholders involved. An- other way to promote volunteerism is to think outside the traditional circle of current employees and get other company stakeholders involved. Asking customers, suppliers, retired employees, and board members to get involved in a company volunteer event is an effective way to get employees motivated about giving back, Jessica Rodell, a professor at the University of Georgia's Terry Col- lege of Business, writes in the Harvard Business Review. Seeing familiar faces, whether past retired workers or current employees, can emphasize a company's culture of volunteerism. "By fostering employee productivity, improving employee engagement, and deepening a company's ties to the communities that they serve, corporate volunteering can unlock substantial intangible value for companies," Rodell says about the positive impact of company-driven volunteerism. INCORPORATING VOLUNTEERISM INTO COMPANY CULTURE BY NICOLE WOLANSKI Special to WBJ F lexible office space has taken off in popularity in recent years, providing businesses both big and small with the amenities and professional environment of an office while avoiding the rigid, long-term commitments of a traditional lease. Here are a few ways business owners can maximize the benefit of operating from flexible offices in order to focus on growth: Utilize the built-in network of professionals. Flexible workspaces are home to groups of professionals, creating an atmosphere that encourages interaction and collaboration. is environment naturally fosters opportunities for networking and partnerships that wouldn't typically be available in isolated offices. Many coworking spaces facilitate community events and networking gatherings, giving you regular access to potential clients, collaborators, and mentors. is network can be particularly useful for employees and businesses that are new to an area. Flexibility leaves room for growth. Emerging businesses need room to expand without getting locked into long, inflexible leases, which can bog down growth. Flexible workspaces offer a way to scale up or down as your business evolves. Shorter lease options give you the flexibility without the usual hassles, minimizing difficulties if your business sees rapid growth or sudden changes in its headcount. Make the most of the amenities. One major advantage of flexible workspaces is the access to high-quality amenities. Flexible spaces provide access to fully equipped conference rooms, fast Wi-Fi, and attractive common areas, among other benefits. ese amenities help businesses maintain a polished, pro- fessional image and operate efficiently. Small businesses especially benefit from these ready-to-use resources. Take the time to understand what amenities are available and how your business can take full advantage of them. Use the savings to grow your business. Leasing and maintaining a traditional office oen comes with unpredictable costs, from utilities to repairs and furniture. With flexible office spaces, most of these expenses are bundled into a single, predictable fee, helping business owners manage costs more effectively. is predictability allows for smarter budget allocation, keeping funds focused on core business priorities and growth instead of office management. Enjoy the work-life balance. For en- trepreneurs and small business owners, flexible office spaces provide the perfect solution for establishing a professional base away from the potential distractions of a home-based office. Whether you're working solo or building a small team, these spaces offer all the benefits of a traditional office, without the overhead. Having a dedicated, professional space to work from allows you to separate your business from your personal life and makes it easier to meet with clients or partners without dealing with inter- ruptions from pets, children, or other aspects of home life. 5 Things I know about … ... Protecting your business' water supply Nicole Wolanski is president of Venture X Worcester, offering flexible office space at The Mercantile Center. Reach her at (508) 578-4381 or nicole.wolanski@venturex.com W W W KNOW HOW

• Cover