Issue link: https://nebusinessmedia.uberflip.com/i/1533008
W W W. M A I N E B I Z . B I Z 7 M A R C H 1 0 , 2 0 2 5 Maine Laboratories, Flexware Controls, Maine Plywood, Intripid, K.BeckerDesigns, James Point and Maine Love. Katahdin Bankshares Corp., parent company of Katahdin Trust Co. in Houlton, announced that it declared a cash dividend of $0.2025 per share for the first quarter of 2025. The dividend will be payable on March 21, 2025, to shareholders of record as of March 14, 2025. The dividend rep- resents a 15.7% increase over last year's first-quarter dividend. The Municipal Review Committee in Orono completed the installation of a Fire Rover system at the Municipal Waste Solutions facility in Hampden. The fire detection and suppression technology enhances safety, environ- mental stewardship and the long- term viability of waste management in Maine. �carborough� �� �� �itts�eld� �� �� Auburn� �H A FAMILYOWNED BUSINESS SERVING OUR CLIENTS SINCE 1948 AAAENERGY.COM Contact us to learn about customized HVAC-R service plans for your facility. HVAC, PLUMBING & ELECTRICAL 24/7 EMERGENCY SERVICE DESIGN/BUILD SERVICES COMMERCIAL REFRIGERATION BUILDING CONTROLS MAINTENANCE PLANS Building efficiency. It's what we do. A S K AC E A n s w e r e d b y L a u r a M c D o w e l l , c e r t i f i e d E O S i m p l e m e n t e r 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: I have built a successful business, but I am stuck in the weeds of daily operations. Every decision seems to need my input, and stepping back feels impossible. How do I help the business run effectively without being involved in everything? ACE advises: You are not alone! Many business owners face this challenge, but what got you to where you are will not get you to the next level. The key to stepping back without chaos is structure, delegation, and trust in the right people. Here's how to get started: Clarify roles and responsibilities: If you find yourself con- stantly answering questions and solving problems, your team may not be clear on who owns what. A well-defined accountability chart (not just an org chart) ensures that every function in your business has an owner. This frees you from being the bottleneck. Delegate with confidence: Delegation is not just about handing off tasks, but also about trusting your team to make decisions. Start by identifying responsibilities only you can handle and those that can be delegated. Then, empower your leaders with clear expectations and decision-making authority. Establish a strong frame- work: Successful busi- nesses follow a structured approach that drives con- sistency, accountability, and progress. A strong business operating sys- tem provides the foun- dation for clear meeting rhythms, data-driven decision- making, and structured goal setting. This helps your team stay focused and aligned so the business can run smoothly — without your constant oversight. Letting go is not easy, but when you build a team that is aligned, accountable, and operating with clarity, you gain the freedom to work on the business, not just in it. You may even be able to take your long overdue vacation! ACE member Laura McDowell, a Portland-based certified EOS implementer, helps entrepreneurs create structure, accountability and clarity. She leads a peer group for the Institute for Family-Owned Business for leaders navigating the challenges of family-run companies. She can be reached at laura.mcdowell@eosworldwide.com. 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