MetroWest495 Biz

4 MetroWest495 Biz | October 2014 495BIZ M E T R O W E S T produced by WBJournal.com 495BIZ produced by WBJournal.com Want to reach us? Visit: www.WBJournal.com/MetroWest495Biz Email: MetroWest495Biz@wbjournal.com Call: 508-755-8004 executive editor Rick Saia editor Emily Micucci Contributors Livia Gershon Carol McDonald Scott Van Voorhis Susan Shalhoub researchers Roger Magnus Heide Martin art director Kira Beaudoin graphic designer Mitchell Hayes Manager of Video/Multimedia ser vices Matthew Volpini director, Major accounts Bonnie Leroux Marketing & events Manager Kris Prosser sales admin & account Coordinator Susan Munyon senior account Managers Chris Juetten, Matt Majikas Publisher, CeO Peter Stanton group Publisher Joe Zwiebel associate Publisher Mark Murray R evolution" is the watchword for community banks today, with stock sales adding to the flurry of merger-and-acquisition activity that has consolidated the industry in recent years. in this issue, we assess how the banking landscape in metroWest may continue to change in the near future. on Page 16, livia Gershon captures community bank- ers' sentiments on the prospect of going public. Meanwhile, in our regular What It Takes section on Page 26, Marlborough Savings Bank President and CEO Rick Bennett, an industry veteran, discusses how likely his bank could be involved in a merger. And for businesses in need of cash, especially those with an innova- tion bent, grants finance a host of commercial- ization efforts that private investors often don't have an appetite for. Find out where the money comes — and who qualifies — in our story on Page 20. examining the 'soft-skills gap,' real estate prospects The quest for fresh talent is one that can perplex. Just as new college graduates struggle to land that first job, employers face the equally challenging task of hiring the right people. While young employees bring with them the technical savvy to help businesses keep pace in today's digitally-driven business environ- ment, employers complain that expertise can lead to potentially costly workplace gaffes. In our cover story, we explore how MetroWest business leaders are addressing a so-called "soft-skills gap," driven largely by digital com- munication. Large real estate transactions in MetroWest and along the Interstate 495 corridor contin- ued to make headlines through the summer, bringing with them the promise of a new and improved supply of commercial office space. On Page 18, Scott Van Voorhis examines some notable deals and explains how they'll be revamped by investors to attract new tenants. Adding to that is our Real Angle columnist, David Ferris, who explains the value that outside investors have found lately in the Me- troWest/495 region. Read about it on Page 11. regularly featured content As always, we provide a snapshot of recent notable business events, including The Warren Group's October Bank Summit in Boxborough, and the Middlesex West Cham- ber of Commerce's Professional Women's Networking Luncheon in Westford, in our Out & About photo section on Page 8. There, you'll also find a list of important upcoming business networking events. Our list of top MetroWest-area banks will provide context for the banking-focused features. Also, make sure you're up to speed on the latest notable busi- ness developments in our roundup of recent news on Page 5. After seven years in the journalism industry, the October issue of MetroWest495 Biz marks my first endeavor as an editor. I'm honored to lead business coverage in MetroWest, a vital region of the Massachusetts economy which I'm proud to call home. n Emily Micucci, Editor FrOM the edItOr People. Places. Product. Photographic images for advertising, public relations, graphic and corporate communications groups . See the difference. 165 Holly Lane • Holliston, MA 01746 Phone/Fax: 508.429.3188 • www.ronbouleyphoto.com R O N B O U L E Y P H O T O G R A P H Y MetroWest495 Biz is published 5 times a year by New England Business Media, LLC. Postmaster: Please send address changes to: Worcester Business Journal PO Box 330, Congers, nY 10920-9894 845-267-3008 • Fax: 845.267.3478 metrowest@cambeywest.com What's next for community banks? "

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