Worcester Business Journal

28 Worcester Business Journal • November 9, 2015 www.wbjournal.com Best Advertising Agency Best Web Design Firm Proud Winner of Two 2015 Best of Business Awards Join the WBJ's LinkedIn discussion group by scanning the code to the left on your smartphone. To scan the code, you need the NeoReader. Visit get.neoreader.com to download it onto your phone. Want to participate in the conversation? F L A S H P O L L T A L K B A C K HANOVER'S INTERIM CFO On Oct. 30, Hanover Insurance announced its interim chief financial officer would be paid more than $100,000 a month for six months plus a $75,000 bonus until the company finds a permanent replacement for David B. Greenfield, who died earlier in October. "Does he get more of a bonus if they get to the World Series? Is there a no trade clause?" WBJ Facebook follower Vanessa Hofstetter Bumpus SLOW MASS ECONOMY The Federal Reserve Bank of Boston announced the Massachusetts economy grew 2 percent in the third quarter, after growing 7 percent in the second quarter. "...where's that new Facebook 'dislike' button?" WBJ Facebook follower BlueHive Inc. T RATES Massachusetts officials and advocates are debating how high T fares can rise, based on their interpretation in the law on the meaning of the word, "annual." "Debating the meaning of "annual"? That's easy to solve. dictionary. reference.com/browse/annual -- And if discussing hikes every "two years," that would be "bi-annual." Glad to be of service." WBJ Facebook follower George Charles Allen Which will have the biggest impact on Worcester business? UMass jobs will make biggest difference in Worcester W estborough-based eClinicalWorks announced Nov. 2 it secured $100 million in international revenue after signing its first customer in the United Kingdom. While Greater Worcester companies do business all over the world, when we asked where the majority of their revenue originates, they overwhelming said it came from inside Massachusetts. I n late October, city and state officials met with Worcester business leaders to announce that UMass Medical School is moving 500 information-technology jobs downtown; the newly acquired 100 and 120 Front St. towers will receive a $36-million upgrade; and the city received a $3-million MassWorks grant for the Front Street development and an upgrade to the Quinsigamond Avenue artery that feeds downtown from Route 146. This all comes less than two weeks after the announcement of the $33-million, 168-room AC Hotel slated for near the city commons. Where does the majority of your business come from? Business gets majority of revenue locally MetroWest 17% COMMENTS: "None. Reconnect the cultural center of downtown Worcester with the Art and Historical Museum. Recreate the auditorium and transform it for all to enjoy! Worcester is not a fun." "UMass and the renovation go hand in hand - one doesn't happen w/ out the other." "The more working folk we have in the city, the healthier the city." Elsewhere in the world "Your poll topic is about international revenue. As a company that sells globally, your response choices made me cringe a bit." "Being Worcester based, we'd be thrilled to produce more video for more local companies. Compared to Boston however, we find the many of them more conservative with their video marketing budget. -Sam Shepler, CEO, Skyscope (www.skyscope.com)" COMMENTS: UMass Medical moving 500 workers downtown 43% $36M renovation of 100 and 120 Front St. 22% The opening of the $33M AC Hotel 18% Greater Worcester 32% $2M MassWorks grant to upgrade Route 146 downtown feeder 17% Greater Boston 13% Elsewhere in New England 9% Elsewhere in America 25% 4%

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