Worcester Business Journal

24 Worcester Business Journal | November 17, 2025 | wbjournal.com By Ray Carville Ray Carville is a combat veteran and the public affairs manager at Veterans Inc. 10) Veterans bring mission focus. Military service instills accountability, discipline, and teamwork. In the workplace, that translates to reliability, adaptability, and strong problem-solving. 9) Reintegration is harder than it looks. Employment programs must address not only skill-building but also the emotional wellness side of transition. 8) Skills translation is the biggest barrier. A logistics specialist may have controlled a $10-million supply chain, yet automated applicant screenings often miss military value. 7) Employers need education, too. When businesses learn military résumés, they unlock an exceptional talent pool. 6) Career coaching transforms outcomes. Through Veterans Inc.'s Homeless Veterans Reintegration Program and Call of Duty Endowment grants, we connect veterans to skilled careers through coaching, certifications, and direct employer pipelines. 5) Partnerships drive progress. When employers partner with Veterans Inc., they gain access to motivated, well-trained candidates. Businesses strengthen their teams, improve retention, and demonstrate corporate citizenship. 4) Soft skills are veterans' superpower. Leadership, responsibility, and teamwork come naturally. Veterans are trained to adapt quickly, lead others, and persevere through challenges. 3) Every veteran hired strengthens the region. This builds community resilience and economic stability. 2) Employment is healing. Meaningful employment reduces risks of homelessness, substance abuse, and isolation. 1) Inclusion pays off. Employers who hire veterans benefit from incentives like the Work Opportunity Tax Credit. At Veterans Inc., we see each job placement as more than employment. It's empowerment. When businesses invest in veterans, they gain disciplined team members who lead with integrity and purpose while strengthening the regional economy for all. If you are a veteran looking for a career, or if you are interested in learning more about hiring veterans, go to www.veteransinc.org or call 800- 482-2565. Being competitive in the arena of social engagement BY JILL MCSORLEY WBJ Editorial Intern O ne of the toughest responsibili- ties you can have as a manager is combatting burnout on your team. Burnout is when an individual experiences physical, mental, or emo- tional exhaustion due to high levels of stress. A burnout can cause lack of mo- tivation, low self-esteem, and separation from ones' work, which can lead to lower productivity and have a negative impact on their personal life. Managers must find strategies to handle burnout before they take over. Recognize the signs. As a manager, it is important to keep track of your employees' tendencies. Having a strong foundational relationship with em- ployees through the power dynamic Handling burnout on your team Jason Braga is the vice president of New England Futbol Club. He specializes in athlete development, culture building, and marketing strategy in youth sports. BY JASON BRAGA Special to WBJ I n youth sports, the real compe- tition isn't just on the field — it's online. Every organization is try- ing to stand out, attract families, and build loyalty in a crowded space. e ones that succeed under- stand a simple truth: In today's world, social engagement is marketing. Too oen, clubs treat social media like a digital notice board — posting scores, tryout dates, or the occasional team photo. While those updates serve a purpose, they don't inspire people to connect. Social media shouldn't feel like advertising. It should feel like a community. At New England Futbol Club, we've learned that engagement doesn't come from polished ads or perfectly word- ed announcements. It comes from showing the fun and real moments that make up our club's culture: the celebration of commitments, the energy on game day, the behind-the-scenes glimpses that parents never see. ose moments drive growth across our social channels because they make people feel part of something, not just consumers of it. From a marketing perspective, social engagement is far more powerful than paid advertising. Referrals are a lifeblood. Families talk, share, and make decisions based on experiences and relationships — not billboards or sponsored posts. e best referral you can earn today oen starts with a share, a tag, or a post that makes someone proud to represent your club. at kind of organic advocacy starts when you build fans, not just participants. Fans repost your content because they believe in your values. ey tell others because they're proud of where they belong. at emotional connection — built through consistent, authentic storytelling — is the founda- tion of sustainable growth. Consistency matters, too. Every post should reflect your organization's professionalism, values, and vision. Whether it's a player highlight, a coach insight, or a community initiative, your social content should feel like an extension of your culture. When done right, your channels become the digital version of your club's heartbeat. e takeaway for any organization is clear: Don't use social media just to promote; use it to connect. e clubs that focus on engagement over adver- tisement are the ones building loyalty, credibility, and longevity. At NEFC, we've seen firsthand that when you create authentic, meaningful engagement, growth follows naturally. It's not about chasing followers; it's about building a family. And in youth sports, that's the most powerful brand you can build. 10 THINGS I know about ... ... Veterans and workforce development can reveal important changes in their behavior. You may even be able to catch it before it affects their performance. "Managers should be on the lookout for signs of burnout in their team mem- bers, and a sudden decline in work performance, missed deadlines, or increased errors could be an indication that an employee needs help," Daniel Butcher writes in an article for Acade- my of Management Today. Value your employees. Showing appreciation for your employees cannot only help avoid burnout but increase the quality of their work. "Managers can harness the power of affirmations to ward off burnout for their team mem- bers. By offering five affirmations for every one criticism or critique, manag- ers can ensure their team members feel valued and important," Mona Andrews writes in an article for Forbes. Andrews recommends adjusting workloads, allowing flexibility, and soliciting em- ployee feedback. Promote time off. Stressing the importance of using personal days or time off can show your employees you care about their wellbeing. is conveys support for their personal lives and that you recognize there is more to them aside from their work role. "Managers can encourage employees to use their vacation time in several ways. First, run a report to ensure employees' vacation time isn't expiring or going unused. Also, encourage people verbally to take a vacation, and foster a culture that appreciates, instead of begrudges, em- ployees taking time away," according to a 2023 article posted to Michigan State University's website. W W W

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