Mainebiz

W W W. M A I N E B I Z . B I Z 9 M A R C H 2 0 , 2 0 1 7 ImmuCell expansion plan gets a boost ImmuCell Corp., a Portland-based maker of health products used in dairy and beef industries, said it has landed an additional $2 million in fi nancing for its planned expansion. ImmuCell (NASDAQ: ICCC) has secured a total of $6.5 million, including $4.5 million in earlier debt agreements and credit facili- ties, through TD Bank. Along with capital raised last year, ImmuCell plans to invest $20 million on its new production facility. "Together with cash from current and future operations, the expansion of the existing credit facilities fully funds our construction and equipment budgets," Michael F. Brigham, president and CEO of ImmuCell, said in a press release. ImmuCell, which is based at 56 Evergreen Drive in Portland, has developed products that provide immunity to newborn dairy and beef livestock. It is developing a novel treatment for mastitis, the most signifi cant cause of economic loss to the dairy indus- try, the company said. N O T E W O R T H Y S O U T H E R N United Way of York County in Kennebunk awarded $640,000 in grants to a total of 37 nonprofi ts. The grants, which will impact 63 critical needs programs in the county, support the organization's strategic priority areas of Bright Beginnings, Healthy Foods, Connected Youth and Supportive Services. Sven Delivers, a service that provides personal IKEA shopping, delivery and assembly, began operating in Kennebunk. The company travels to the IKEA retail store in Stoughton, Mass., to purchase goods. The service is aimed at individuals, businesses and restaurants. The Maine Warrior Gym in Westbrook opened an axe pit that can host groups of up to six people for introduc- tory axe throwing lessons and target practice games. Beacon Environmental Consultants LLC in Windham was notifi ed that it has been named a Prequalifi ed Contractor for the Maine Department of Environmental Protection's Q: How can I ensure accurate understanding of instructions? Even when communication seems really excessive, it's hard to get the right result. ACE advises: The important issue in getting instructions followed is how the receiver understands the assignment — and how specifi cally that person intends to act on it. Both parties must avoid characteristic errors. Busy managers can lay a lot of information on a staff member, get a brief acknowledgement … and then hustle off to other obligations. The assigned person may think he/she understands, then fi nd out in the process that some important points are missing. Or the person didn't really listen or think the matter through, and doesn't even know how to start. The solution can take one of several forms, all of them simple but requiring a little time and thought at both ends of the communication process. First, the senior party must invest time and effort in knowing the receiving per- son well enough — level of knowledge and experience, communication habits, etc. Second, the presentation of the assignment must be thought through with the particular individual in mind, and the handoff must refl ect that preparation. Third, the delegator must ask for — and listen to — the delegatee's plan for carrying out the assignment. If it is complex, the person should present it in writing. Not only can the senior party correct misunderstandings, but the receiver solidifi es intention through the act of articulating a plan, however simple. A S K AC E A n s w e r e d b y J i m M i l l i k e n , P r o j e c t M a n a g e m e n t C o n s u lt a n t The Association for Consulting Expertise (ACE) is a non-profit 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. Have a question for an ACE consultant: Contact Jim Milliken at jim@millikenproject.com. 14_261_3131. oo George Casey Discover what thousands of CEOs already know. Vistage works. Get answers. Take action. Like you, the members of a Vistage Advisory Board are proven business leaders and critical thinkers. They have smart ideas and insightful opinions and this is the forum to express them. At our monthly meetings, you'll encounter lively discussions where business leaders tell it like it is. If you are a CEO, key executive or business owner who is interested in finding out more about our Vistage group in Southern Maine, call 207.869.5491 or visit vistage.com/portlandme. Access the lists today! Go to www.mainebiz.biz/datacenter Did you know our lists are available for download? ¡ Search our database for the listings you want ¡ Choose the format that best meets your needs — PDF or Excel file ¡ Download an individual list or a combination of lists ¡ Get extended lists not available anywhere else

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