Hartford Business Journal

www.HartfordBusiness.com January 18, 2016 • Hartford Business Journal 5 REPORTER'S NOTEBOOK West Hartford, Simsbury top work-life balance rankings Offering a posi- tive work-life bal- ance has become a major recruitment tool for many busi- nesses, particularly in attracting young- er, Millennial work- ers who, studies have shown, crave a lifestyle that doesn't always make their career the No. 1 priority. Residents in sev- eral Connecticut towns seem to have found a better work- life balance than oth- ers, according to a new study by Califor- nia online researcher Zippia.com, whose rankings of the 10 best cities in Con- necticut to achieve a work-life balance offers some surprises. The rankings are based on several crite- ria including resident: commute time, hours worked per week, size of household, things to do per capita, and unemployment and poverty rates. Basically, if individuals don't waste time getting to and from work, work less and have a family, they're on the road to a better work-life balance, which ultimately means doing things that allow them to achieve happiness and satisfaction, the study said. Coming in at No. 1 on the list is the town of North Haven, whose residents work an average of 38.2 hours per week. Watertown and Newtown round out the top three towns, according to the report, which used data from the most recent American Community Survey from the U.S. Census Department. West Hartford is this highest ranked Greater Hartford municipality on the list, ranked No. 5 overall. Residents there work an average of 38.6 hours per week. The Weatogue section of Simsbury, West Sims- bury, and Newington also made the top 10. – Greg Bordonaro 2016: The year of the deal? A recent Citizens Commercial Banking survey of nearly 600 executives at mid-sized U.S. companies found that more than half are actively seeking M&A and capital-rais- ing deals this year. Rhode Island-based Citizens, which has 45 bank branches across Connecticut, said the survey results indicate that mid-sized companies (annual revenue between $5 mil- lion and $2 billion) are seeking significant growth after several years of working to preserve liquidity and repair balance sheets following the 2007-2009 economic recession. Connecticut's recovery from that reces- sion has been slower than some other states, with private-sector job numbers having just reached pre-recession levels in November. More than half of the companies surveyed said they felt more confident than they had in the past about outside investment being an appropriate strategy. Companies said their top buying concerns included increasing revenue and putting their cash to work. Globally, companies spent a record $3.8 trillion on M&A in 2015, according to a recent report by Bloomberg Business. "Last year's record-breaking $3.8 trillion in M&A, which featured several mega-deals among very large corporations, seems to have had an impact on the thinking of many middle market executives," Bob Rubino, executive vice president at Citizens Commer- cial, said in a statement. "Many feel this year could be their year to make a deal." Of the 598 companies surveyed in late 2015, 21 percent were located in the Northeast. – Matt Pilon PDS has been meeting the needs of the construction industry since 1965. Our dedicated team of design and construction professionals welcomes the challenge of serving its past and future customers on their most demanding projects. Liberty Mazda | Hartford, Connecticut This project was a brand new car dealership which incorporated high-end high-tech panels. Included in the design was a complete service center for approximately 10 vehicles and a drive-in showroom area. Construction entailed millwork, carpentry, drywall, mechanical, electrical, plumbing, roofing, concrete, flooring and painting. Total Project Size: 17,000 SF 107 Old Windsor Road, Bloomfield, CT 06002 (860) 242-8586 | Fax (860) 242-8587 www.pdsec.com DESIGN BUILDERS • GENERAL CONTRACTORS • CONSTRUCTION MANAGERS SPOTLIGHT ON: Commercial PDS ENGINEERING & CONSTRUCTION, INC. THINK • PLAN • BUILD CT towns and cities with residents who enjoy the greatest work-life balance Resident avg. work hours Ranking Municipality per week Population 1 North Haven 38.2 24,011 2 Watertown 37.8 3,308 3 Newtown 36.9 2,067 4 Durham 38.5 2,939 5 West Hartford 38.6 63,340 6 Weatogue 38.7 2,947 7 Pemberwick 38.3 3,594 8 West Simsbury 37.3 2,569 9 Trumbull 38.8 36,251 10 Newington 38.3 30,606 S O U R C E : Z I P P I A . C O M U.S. mid-sized firms currently involved in M&A activity While middle-market buying activity has fluctuated, the number of companies selling has ticked up for three consecutive years. S O U R C E : C I T I Z E N S C O M M E R C I A L B A N K I N G , M I D D L E M A R K E T M & A O U T L O O K R E P O R T S 0% 5% 10% 15% 20% 25% 30% 2013 Buyers 2014 2015 2016 Sellers Officially Produced by: Now available are official PDF REPRINTS of your Article for your MARKETING usage All copyright fees included Share the excitement of being published! 20 Hartford Business Journal • March 23, 2015 www.HartfordBusiness.com Best Places To Work In CT 2015 By Kathryn M. Roy Special to the Hartford Business Journal H ard work is rewarded at law firm Hinckley Allen. And for its 60 Hartford- based employees, the firm's focus on professional development provides a boost not only to staff, but clients as well. "We put a lot of time and effort into the development and training of our people," said Thomas S. Marrion, a partner at the law firm. "Within the last few years, we hired a director of professional development who was a partner at another law firm in Boston. He is devoted entire- ly to the professional development of our people here. It was a major commitment on our part to hire a full-time person in a firm of our size." Marrion said the role reflects the firm's dedication to having all staff properly trained so they can do the best work for their clients. The Hartford office, which has been open since 2008, is also known for its positive, team-based culture. "Everyone in every position at the firm is part of a team that is devoted to providing the best possible service to our clients," Marrion said. Rewarding good work is a priority at Hinckley Allen, which operates six offices and employs more than 300 people compa- nywide. The firm looks for opportunities for people to take on greater responsibilities, and they get greater rewards, Marrion said. "We always try to promote from within," Marrion said. "It doesn't matter what your job is here; if you work hard and work well with others and you're productive, you will be rec- ognized for that and you will succeed here." Megan McCormack, director of human resources, said being recognized as a good place to work helps lift office morale. "It helps support the goals that we have in human resources to create a good culture and good environment for people to work in," McCormack said. "It really is about creating a positive culture and one where people are sup- ported. They're rewarded for hard and qual- ity work. They support each other, they have respect for each other and they feel valued." As part of relationship development and team building, the firm organizes monthly wind downs or employee lunches, where staff can enjoy lunch and socialize with each other. The company hosts holiday parties and regular outside-of-work recreational outings. "People continue to develop strong personal relationships," McCormack said. "People are really proud of what they can accomplish. They prefer to work in teams; they're stronger collectively. It's just enjoy- able to work with people that you genuinely like and respect." A formal committee of staff members orga- nizes community service projects. Employees volunteer at a local soup kitchen, at Camp Courant to benefit underprivileged children, and at Connecticut Public Television. "No question, it makes my job easier because all of those positive feelings people have about their work is just an extension of what we try to do," McCormack said. "There are not nearly as many negative issues that you have to deal with." Legal secretary Jean McCarthy, who serves on the committee charged with orga- nizing outside community service events, said the events help with bonding. "It makes it like it's not just a workplace – you're more invested," McCarthy said. The firm also supports a work-life balance. "They're pretty family-oriented, and I think that's kind of different from other large firms," McCarthy said. "Just recently, I had to leave work to pick up my sick grand- daughter, and they really are very support- ive of that type of occurrence. They know things happen." There's nothing better than working with people who have a positive attitude, McCar- thy added. "I come to work and I like spending time with the people here," she said. ◆ ▶ " I had to leave work to pick up my sick granddaughter, and they really are very supportive of that type of occurrence. " – Jean McCarthy, legal secretary Hinckley Allen prioritizes teamwork Hinckley Allen employees (above) volunteer together at Camp Courant, celebrate special occasions together (below), and let loose at office socials (left). Large Company Category S A M P L E R e p r i n t & P l a q u e Connecticut Green Guide, Hartford Business Journal and HartfordBusiness.com content is copyrighted. Visit HartfordBusiness.com/reprints for more info on article usage and obtaining copyright permissions. ALL PDF LIST REPRINTS COME WITH ADDITIONAL Commemorative Plaque OPTION Plaques are Walnut Brown woodgrain finish with reprint mounted under beveled plexi-glass. Trimmed with metal corner nails. It's the perfect addition to your office or lobby — Ask for details and pricing. For article reprint info & pricing, contact: Jessica Baker jbaker@HartfordBusiness.com or 860.236.9998 ext. 122 or visit HartfordBusiness.com/ reprints

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