Worcester Business Journal

26 Worcester Business Journal | February 24, 2025 | wbjournal.com By Katie Chappell Katie Chappell is director of education & exhibits at the EcoTarium in Worcester. 7) Align your mission with communi- ty needs. At the EcoTarium, we focus on hands-on science learning because Worcester has a strong base of educators, families, and future STEM professionals. Businesses should ask: What does our community need? 6) Build authentic partnerships, not just transactions. Long-term partnerships create deep and sustainable impact. We collaborate with local schools, businesses, and nonprofits to develop programs that benefit the museum and the community. 5) Invest in the next generation. Support- ing youth through educational programs, career pathways, and workforce develop- ment initiatives benefits both businesses and the communities they serve. At the EcoTarium, we offer early-career internship and employment opportunities. Business- es can do the same with job shadowing, scholarships, and skill-building workshops. 4) Engage employees in volunteerism. Whether it's a team volunteering day or offering paid time for community service, businesses that empower employees to contribute see increased morale, stronger brand loyalty, and deeper community ties. 3) Make your space a community asset. Physical locations can be more than just places of business; they can serve as community hubs. The EcoTarium welcomes schools, businesses, and other organiza- tions to use our spaces for learning and collaboration. Businesses can offer meet- ing rooms, host local artists, or provide resources for community events. 2) Support diversity, equity & inclusion initiatives. Worcester is one of New En- gland's most racially and ethnically diverse communities. We actively work to make our museum more inclusive by offering diverse programming, ensuring our exhibits rep- resent diverse perspectives, and creating technology-based solutions for low-vision visitors to more fully experience our exhib- its. Businesses should consider how they can foster inclusivity in their operations. 1) Good for all. Making an impact in your community isn't just good for the people around you—it's good for business. A strong, engaged community leads to a stronger local economy. Your marketing could use more laughter BY SLOANE M. PERRON Special to WBJ A rtificial intelligence is revolutionizing workflows across industries, offering innovative solutions to workplace challenges. Its pattern-recognition and predictive capabilities are particularly valuable for managers juggling responsibilities. Transforming operations oversight. AI can assist managers by providing comprehensive data on critical functions, streamlining operations, improving efficiency, and reducing costs. ese AI tools can optimize supply chains, assess quality control, train new staff members, and conduct customer service through chatbots and virtual assistants. "AI-powered systems can analyze vast amounts of data, which Streamlining management responsibilities through AI Timothy Hally is the co-founder of Worcester-based creative agency Munq. BY TIMOTHY HALLY Special to WBJ L et's face it, most marketing is very, very boring. Mainly because, well, it feels like marketing. For many organizations, marketing is a check-the-box func- tion many leaders don't attribute to meaningful growth. It is an activity plagued by bland Canva graphics, cringy Instagram reels, and pushy promotional reminders. In this age of mundane, many settle for safety instead of creating things people truly care about. How did we get this way? When did the fun of trying new things leave our industry? Fear. Fear of being seen, fear of being ridiculed, and for many marketers, fear of making a mistake. is constant pressure leaves many creatives unwill- ing to take the risks that are needed for true innovation. It's easier than ever to start a brand. It's even harder than ever to build a meaningful one. e average consumer is tired of generic messaging, unorigi- nal content, and uninspired efforts. To succeed in this world of stimulation overload, it takes courage and creativity to stand out. Humor is one of the best ways to do that. Who doesn't love a good laugh? I will tell you: absolutely no one. Humor isn't only one of the best coping mechanisms known to mankind, but it's also an incredible way to build rapport, emotional connectivity, and trust with the very people you are trying to reach. It exceeds expectations, leaves an impression, and motivates people to share your efforts beyond the first watch. Customers don't remember facts, they remember how you made them feel. Humor is a universal love language appreciated by everyone. Now, humor works wonders, but it's important to consider these things before you start deploying it in marketing: 1) Know your audience. For humor to be effective, you need to know your audience and practice radical empa- thy. What keeps them up at night? What are their pains, fears, uncertain- ties, and anxieties? How can we call these out in a humorous way to show we get them? 2) Practice self awareness. Un- derstand how other folks perceive your brand, your culture, and how both those things show up in practice and reality. Humor can be- come cringe very quickly if you don't understand yourself first. 3) Align your humor with your brand. Are you an established profes- sional service? Maybe mom or dad jokes will land best. Do you cater to Gen Z? Ask your intern about brain rot. From sarcasm to irony and even satire, the genre of the humor you deploy is dependent on your audience. 4) Make sure it's fun for everyone. Never, ever make another person or group the butt of the joke. Always en- sure your humor is fun for everyone in- volved, including your audience. Make sure everyone is in on the joke first! Add a little bit of humor, change things up, and be unafraid to give it a try in your marketing. Our world today could use more laughter. 7 THINGS I know about... ... Making an impact in your community enables real-time decision-making and the optimization of business processes. Such systems help operations managers discover bottlenecks, predict equipment failures, and adapt to market trends," Amanda McGrath writes in an article for IBM. Fostering workforce talent. Managers must keep track of their team's schedules, work achievements, project deadlines, performance evaluations, and annual reviews. AI company Workday and its feature, Managers Insight Hub, use cloud-based human resources and financial management systems to provide managers with insights into team time off requests, goal updates, and employee skills. is technology looks at employees' strengths and recommends promotions and projects most beneficial for them to grow. "Managers can support high-priority business needs by quickly identifying talent across the organization, assembling a team and defining roles," Jack Kelly says about Managers Insight Hub in an article for Forbes. Preparing employees for an AI future. AI is the future of business, but many companies are still in a state of transition. "Only 15% of managers consistently use [generative] AI, but 40% of business graduate students do," Gabriele Rosani and Elisa Farri write in an article for Harvard Business Review. is means the next generation of business leaders are AI-savvy and eager to implement new technologies in traditional workplaces. To stay competitive, managers must stay up to date with the latest soware and attract younger, AI-versed talent. W W W

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