SCROLL NEWS / DISCOVERY
Search headlines
Find the stories shaping the conversation.
Results for " wbj " 75 found 🔀 AI-powered Shuffle
Ramaswamy's ad goes too far weaponizing family in politics
The actions of the campaign of Ohio Republican gubernatorial hopeful Vivek Ramaswamy are disgraceful and continue a progressively nasty tradition of perpetuating gutter politics at any cost, even to the point of dragging an opponent's family trauma into the public square.
Business Starts for Oct. 19, 2026
In June, 1,412 new businesses filed InCorporation paperwork with the Massachusetts Secretary of the Commonwealth, in order to do business in the state. Here is a selection of some of […]
BVCC's Business Leadership Summit Series: AI
The Blackstone Valley Chamber of Commerce (BVCC) is proud to announce a quarterly leadership series exploring the forces reshaping businesses. The inaugural summit will focus on Artificial Intelligence, designed for […]
Your Business Probably Has More Data Than Insight by Nathan Tayloe
Most businesses know more about themselves than they ever have. Leaders have access to financial reports, sales pipelines, customer data, employee metrics, website analytics, and dashboards for almost every part of the organization. CRMs track every stage of the sales process. Marketing platforms report results in real time. AI can analyze and summarize enormous amounts of information in seconds. Yet I've sat in plenty of meetings where all of that information is available, and some of the most important questions are still surprisingly difficult to answer. What's actually working? Why are customers choosing us? Where are we losing opportunities? What should we do differently? Having the data and understanding what it means are two very different things. More Information Doesn't Always Create More Clarity Over the past decade, businesses have invested heavily in visibility, and that's a good thing. We can understand performance with a level of detail that would have been unimaginable not long ago. But there's an unintended consequence. The easier something becomes to measure, the easier it is to assume it must be important. Website traffic goes up, so that looks positive. Leads increase, so marketing appears to be working. Sales activity climbs, so the pipeline looks healthy. Maybe. The numbers tell us what happened. Understanding why it happened, whether it matters, and what we should do next still requires judgment. Not Everything That Matters Fits on a Dashboard Consider a customer who ultimately contacts your company through Google. The data may attribute that lead to search. What it may not show is that the customer heard about you from a colleague six months earlier, saw your company mentioned in an industry publication, followed one of your employees on LinkedIn, and read several reviews before finally searching for your company. Google may have produced the click. It didn't necessarily create the decision. This happens throughout a business. Some of the things that matter most are difficult to reduce to a single metric: Why your best customers stay Why talented employees choose your company Why a prospect trusts one provider over another Why one service is gaining momentum while another isn't Why the market perceives your business the way it does Data can help answer those questions, but it needs context. Better Decisions Start With Better Questions One of the easiest traps for leaders is starting with the information in front of them rather than the decision they're trying to make. Instead of opening a dashboard and asking, "What does the data show?" it can be more useful to start with a different set of questions: What are we trying to understand? What decision are we trying to make? What would we need to know to make that decision confidently? That changes the role of data. Instead of looking at every number available and searching for meaning, you're using information to understand something specific about the business. Information Still Requires Judgment More sophisticated analytics and AI will continue to give leaders access to better information, faster. That's valuable, but I don't think it reduces the importance of experience and judgment. If anything, it increases it. Someone still has to decide which numbers deserve attention, which patterns matter, what context might be missing, and when the data isn't telling the whole story. The goal isn't to know more about your business simply because you can. It's to understand your business well enough to make better decisions. Good data can tell you what happened. Good leadership has to decide what it means. — Learn more about how we help organizations turn business, customer, and marketing insights into smarter strategies at tayloegray.com, or reach out directly at nathan@tayloegray.com.
Buying a business with an SBA loan is more complicated. Here’s what to know.
The U.S. Small Business Administration has implemented a host of new rules impacting borrowers seeking SBA capital to finance a business acquisition or change in control.
Boston Scientific promotes Fitzgerald to COO, reorganizes business segments
Alongside Fitzgerald’s promotion, Boston Scientific will establish three reportable business segments.
New state program helps business owners explore employee ownership
Feasibility studies and valuations are a key first step in converting a business to an ESOP model.
Big-Bank Strength, Local Business Insight
A government subcontractor had a chance to win its own contract — one that could increase revenue up to fivefold. A standard credit line based only on current revenue would […]
Mass. business confidence rises in September but remains pessimistic
Massachusetts business confidence rose modestly in September after a sharp decline in August.
WBJ seeks nominations of business executives who served in the military
Worcester Business Journal is seeking nominations of notable executives with military experience for the Focus on Veterans in Business edition. WBJ will highlight professionals who served in the country’s active […]
2026 Outstanding Women in Business
The 18th annual Outstanding Women in Business awards recognize a dozen well-accomplished professionals from across the region and in many industries who go above and beyond. The committee selected the winners from more than 80 nominations, all of whom were worthy. The criteria evaluated each nominee’s professional achievements, community impact, ability to break the glass ceiling and mentorship of other professionals, particularly women. In addition to profiling these women in the following pages, the Worcester Business Journal will celebrate this year’s Outstanding Women in Business at a special luncheon on Oct. 28 at the College of the Holy Cross. To join the celebration of these exceptional women, visit WBJournal.com and register. – Mark Conti, editor This Year’s Judges Worcester Business Journal considered 54 Central Massachusetts professionals for the 2026 Outstanding Women in Business awards, based on 83 nominations. These nominees were independently evaluated by two volunteer judges, who scored each on their professional achievements, community contribution and mentorship of young professionals. Samantha P. McDonald is a partner at Bowditch. She is an experienced, client-focused real estate lawyer, concentrating on business and real estate property law. She has been recognized as a WBJ Power 100 in the Class of 2026 and a “Top Women of Law” in Massachusetts Lawyers Weekly. Dr. Kavita Babu is chief medical officer and vice president of medical affairs at Heywood Healthcare, where she provides strategic and clinical leadership to advance high-quality, patient-centered care across the organization. She is also a member of the WBJ Outstanding Women in Business Class of 2025.
Small businesses need to leverage home field advantage with SEO
Small and mid-sized businesses no longer just compete with the company down the street.
Business Starts for Oct. 5, 2026
In June, 1,412 new businesses filed InCorporation paperwork with the Massachusetts Secretary of the State in order to do business in the state.
UMass Memorial hires Chicago-area health executive as CFO
Biesczat spent 14 years with the organization now known as Endeavor Health, a nonprofit health system operating nine hospitals in and around Chicago.
A modernized health plan: Supporting cost management and the employee experience.
By Tim Archer, Chief Executive Officer, UnitedHealthcare New England, October 1, 2026 The Surest health plan came from a group of innovators wondering: What if health care was easier to shop […]
Disability concerns shape talks on healthcare worker assault penalties
Legislative negotiators working on solutions to address violence against healthcare workers offered a glimpse Wednesday into their discussions.
Business Starts for Sept. 21, 2026
In May, 1,410 new businesses filed incorporation paperwork with the Massachusetts Secretary of the Commonwealth, in order to do business in the state.
Editor looks forward to telling stories that resonate with the business community
The WBJ will continue to be the leading source of business news in Central Mass.
NoMa neighborhood transforms for annual mural festival: NoMa in Color
Seventeen artists will paint 16 new murals in NoMa from September 11-18, raising the neighborhood's total to 75 large-scale works.
Puget Sound business leaders warn of Washington's slipping economy
Some of the largest employers in Washington say the warning signs of an economic decline are clear, and are now urging city and county leaders to pivot quickly.
Looking to address workforce shortages, Nichols launches flexible mental health counseling masters program
The new master’s program comes as Massachusetts faces both high unmet behavioral-health needs and staffing instability in outpatient care.
From the Editor: Farewell, Central Mass. business community
The Central Massachusetts economy has many strengths, but its true strength lies in its people.
A month after formal session, lawmakers begin health worker safety talks
Some of those same negotiators tasked with working on other major healthcare legislation this session — primary care reform — have yet to get started.
Bridgeport resistance complicates Amtrak’s plans
The dispute could shape the future of 47 prime acres along the Chicago River — and perhaps the White Sox.
Lindsay Lohan brings back ‘Parent Trap’ twins nearly 30 years later
Lindsay Lohan seemingly reprised her iconic twins from ‘The Parent Trap’ in a new commercial for a product Annie and Hallie would certainly approve of.
Business Starts for July 27
In April, 1,513 new businesses filed incorporation paperwork with the Massachusetts Secretary of the Commonwealth, in order to do business in the state.
Archers dominate Outlaws in Western Conference clash
First blood has been drawn in the push for the Western Conference regular-season crown. Through the whipping winds and driving rain, the Utah Archers dominated their conference rivals, the Denver...
The biggest winners of the American economy fear they’re sinking fast
Waves of layoffs and growing pressure to automate jobs are creating existential panic in the tech industry. Economists say other white-collar workers are next.
Wichita Business Journal: Children's Mercy opens $18.3M outpatient pediatric clinic in northeast Wichita
By Jenna FarhatChildren's Mercy's first standalone clinic in Wichita is now open in a move that expands regional pediatric specialty healthcare.The 18,000 square-foot outpatient clinic, located on Greenwich Road near 29th Street, builds on the Kansas City-based pediatric health system's 14-year presence in Wichita. Children's Mercy will vacate i...
College Merger Sparks Athletics Lawsuit Amid Enrollment Cliff
As some colleges merge to better handle a new higher education landscape with fewer students—and thus diminished tuition, dorm and meal plan revenue—along with less federal money for research, greater restrictions on international student visas and more restrictive federal student loan caps, the athletics implications could prove confounding and litigious. Enter: a new lawsuit brought …
Scientists Uncover Fossil Teeth Showing How Early Mammals Adapted After the Dinosaur Extinction
Researchers analyzed 200 fossil teeth from ancient mammals in China, revealing how they adapted and diversified after the mass extinction
Business Starts for June 22, 2026
In April, 1,513 new businesses filed incorporation paperwork with the Massachusetts Secretary of the Commonwealth, in order to do business in the state.
Political Spotlight Shines on Warsh for His First Fed Meeting as Chairman
The new Fed chairman is bound to face the unyielding attention of the president that nominated him.
Why Marketing Feels Harder as Your Business Grows by Nathan Tayloe
At some point, most growing businesses hit the same moment. What used to feel straightforward starts to feel more complicated. Marketing takes more effort. Results feel less predictable. What once worked consistently begins delivering mixed outcomes. It is easy to assume something is broken. In many cases, nothing is. The business has simply reached a different stage. What Worked Before Starts to Lose Its Edge Early on, growth is often driven by a few things working well at the same time: Referrals are strong The value of the offering is clear The team is aligned Decisions are made quickly Marketing, in that stage, tends to feel easier because the business itself is easier to understand. As the company grows, that simplicity fades. The audience expands. Services evolve. New people join the team. More channels are added. More decisions are made across more touchpoints. Marketing is no longer communicating one clear story. It is trying to represent a more complex business. Complexity Creates Friction That added complexity does not always show up immediately. It builds over time. Messaging starts to drift. Different parts of the business describe what they do in slightly different ways. The website no longer reflects how the company actually operates. Sales conversations evolve faster than the brand. At the same time, more activity is introduced to try to keep growth moving: New campaigns More content Additional platforms More tools and reporting The volume increases. The clarity does not always keep pace. That is when marketing starts to feel harder. It’s Not a Lack of Effort Most teams respond to this stage by doing more. More output More meetings More adjustments More experimentation That effort is not misplaced. It is often pointed in the wrong direction. When the underlying issue is a lack of alignment, more activity tends to create more noise. Results become harder to interpret. Decisions take longer. Progress feels inconsistent. From the outside, everything looks active. From the inside, it feels less certain. The Real Shift As businesses grow, marketing becomes less about execution and more about alignment. The companies that navigate this transition well tend to refocus on a few fundamentals: A clearly defined audience A strong, consistent position in the market Messaging that reflects how the business actually operates Alignment between leadership, marketing, and sales When those elements are in place, execution becomes more effective again. Marketing does not necessarily become easier, but it becomes more consistent. A Different Kind of Discipline Growth introduces more opportunity, but it also demands more discipline. What worked when the business was smaller often cannot be scaled without adjustment. The systems, messaging, and decision-making that once felt intuitive need to become more intentional. That is not a sign of failure. It is a normal part of growth. Marketing feels harder because the business has become more complex. The solution is not to outwork that complexity. It is to bring clarity to it. The companies that do that well tend to regain momentum quickly. Those who do not often stay busy without seeing the same level of progress. — Learn more about how we help organizations align strategy, brand, and execution. Visit tayloegray.com, or reach out directly at nathan@tayloegray.com.
Mass. Energy Summit to focus on business strategies, controlling costs
Registration is open for the Massachusetts Energy Summit, which will take place at the Hogan Campus Center in Worcester on Tuesday, June 16. The summit is a WBJ and National […]
Jennifer Aniston and Lisa Kudrow tear up over “Friends” and“ The Comeback” connection: 'S---!'
The real-life friends reunited on June 3 for the season 24 premiere of the "Variety" interview series Actors on Actors.
Official: Massara is no longer Roma’s sporting director, follows Ranieri
Roma have released an official statement confirming that Frederic Massara is no longer sporting director, following senior advisor Claudio Ranieri out of the Stadio Olimpico exit.Official: Roma part c...
Business Starts for May 18, 2026
In February, 993 new businesses filed incorporation paperwork with the Massachusetts Secretary of the Commonwealth, in order to do business in the state.
My Boss Is an Alcoholic. What Should I Do?
Plus, a bona fide “kids say the darnedest things” moment at a company party.
Why aren't brain transplants possible?
Lining up donor and recipient nerves for a potential brain transplant is one thing. Getting them to communicate is another.
Green Thumb Nursery celebrates a milestone
A longtime Lexington business celebrates a major milestone, marking 50 years in business with a customer appreciation event.
Central Mass. business and political leaders oppose rent control, but will voters listen?
Central Mass. politicians and business leaders warn of losses if rent control is enacted.
Hit hard by COVID, Good As Gold evolved its business model, prepares to expand
Worcester coffee manufacturer Good As Gold Coffee evolved to survive an industry altered by COVID.
Business Starts for May 4, 2026
In February, 993 new businesses filed incorporation paperwork in order to do business in the state.
Central Mass. business and political leaders oppose rent control, but will voters listen?
Central Mass. politicians and business leaders warn of losses if rent control is enacted.
Magic's Franz Wagner out for Game 7 showdown with Pistons, missing third straight game with calf strain
Mz. Shyneka has the latest in entertainment headlines
"Michael" does well at the box office, and a celebrity couple may have called it quits.
Business Leads for April 20, 2026
In January, 1,421 new businesses filed incorporation paperwork with the Massachusetts Secretary of the Commonwealth, in order to do business in the state.
Netflix shares fall after downbeat revenue forecast, co-founder to leave
Shares in Netflix fell sharply in Europe on Friday after the company forecast revenue growth below expectations and as chairman and co-founder Reed Hastings said he would not seek re-election.
Between A Star-Studded Crime Thriller And A Trippy Stoner Comedy, You Can’t Go Wrong With Streaming Movies This Week
From a "Harry Potter" documentary to a star-studded crime thriller, see what else is trending on streaming services this week.
Mass. business confidence slips back into pessimistic territory
Amid ongoing conflict in the Middle East, Massachusetts’ business confidence returned to pessimistic territory in March.
The Chamber Corner: From startup to legacy: Strengthening family businesses in Worcester
One of the most enjoyable aspects of my role as president and CEO of the Worcester Regional Chamber of Commerce is to witness how our chamber team assists individuals in launching their businesses.
Business Leads for April 6, 2026
In December, 1,421 new businesses filed incorporation paperwork with the Massachusetts Secretary of the Commonwealth, in order to do business in the state.
Former Laredo federal courthouse to become small business hub with $600K in federal funding
A former federal courthouse in Laredo will be converted into a hub for small-business support and community programs, with more than $600,000 in federal funding.
Best Amazon Spring Sale gaming deals 2026: Mario Kart World at its lowest price ever
Editors' Choice Award-winning "Silent Hill f" is on sale.
Why we're seeing coyotes in suburban North Texas
Coyotes have expanded their range across the U.S. and now thrive in cities like Dallas, where food, shelter and human habits shape their behavior.
Apple's 2026 Studio Display Hits New Low Prices on Amazon at Up to $100 Off
Apple just launched the new line of Studio Displays this month, and today Amazon has introduced the first discount on the Standard Glass model with Tilt-Adjustable Stand. You can get this Studio Display for $1,499.00, down from $1,599.00, a new all-time low price. Note: MacRumors is an affiliate partner with Amazon. When you click a link and make a purchase, we may receive a small payment, which helps us keep the site running.
Mavericks Miriam Adelson political donations
Dallas Mavericks owner Miriam Adelson tops all Texas pro sports owners, including Cowboys owner Jerry Jones, in political donations.
What Americans sacrifice due to high health costs
Health cost concerns not only made people borrow money or stretch out prescriptions but delay major life events.
Studio Display XDR White Paper Reveals New Color System and Future Calibration Feature
Apple's newly published Studio Display XDR Technology Overview white paper reveals two notable display technologies: a forthcoming Full Calibration feature and a new color measurement model called Apple CMF 2026. According to the document, a future macOS update will introduce Full Calibration, a feature that allows users to recalibrate key display characteristics using professional measurement equipment.
Apple Studio Display Gets First Pre-Order Discounts at Up to $300 Off
Amazon today has introduced the first big pre-order discounts on the brand new Apple Studio Display lineup, with up to $300 off these monitors. The Studio Display deals join pre-order discounts on M4 iPad Air, MacBook Neo, and more on Amazon and other retailers. Note: MacRumors is an affiliate partner with Amazon. When you click a link and make a purchase, we may receive a small payment, which helps us keep the site running.
Rams Mock Draft: Post-NFL Combine edition
Rams 7-round mock draft featuring Combine standouts Kenyon Sadiq, Chris Johnson and more.
Coast mother pursuing nursing receives scholarship from Mississippi Business Women
Verlanda Ashley was selected by Mississippi Business Women, which partners with the college each year to award the scholarship to non-traditional female students experiencing hardships.
2026 Business Leaders of the Year
Central Massachusetts is full of amazing professionals, each with their own unique skills, talents, and dedication to their companies, industries, and communities. You could make a strong case for hundreds of them to be considered as WBJ’s Business Leader of the Year. Yet, to actually win the award, you need to have that little something extra: a magic spark, an insight no one else sees, years of knowledge that pay off with the right decision at the right time, a leadership style inspiring people to follow, a push for a paradigm shift at a stagnant organization. Business Leader of the Year is WBJ’s oldest award, launched in 1982 when Herb Dunnington of First Safety Fund Bank won the sole award. In the decades since, BLOY has expanded to honor winners from different corners of the economy: small businesses, large businesses, nonprofits, innovation, families. Each of the six winners this year has that something special setting them apart as true leaders in our Central Massachusetts business community: Neelu Mohaghegh’s creativity, Nick Haritos’ compassion, Nicolette Sacco’s adaptability, Julie Bowditch’s energy, Sean Rose’s steadiness, the Vaccaro family’s culture. You can read more about each of them through the links below.
WBJ names the 2026 Business Leaders of the Year
Each of the six winners this year has that something special setting them apart as true leaders in our Central Massachusetts business community.
Government shutdown could end today. Live updates
The House of Representatives is readying a vote on a government funding package to end the partial shutdown over DHS reforms.
Liverpool vs. Newcastle — Eddie Howe: Match Preview
Golden nuggets from Howe before Newcastle host the hopeful Blues!
New triple-drug treatment stops pancreatic cancer in its tracks, a mouse study finds
By targeting three key growth pathways at once, researchers eliminated pancreatic tumors in multiple mouse models and prevented the cancer from returning, a promising step toward overcoming treatment resistance.
Rams hire new special teams coordinator
The Los Angeles Rams are hiring a new special teams coordinator
Shark attacks in Hawaii spike in October, and scientists think they know why
Sharktober is real in Hawaii — and it's down to the reproductive pattern of predatory tiger sharks, an analysis of 30 years of data reveals.
2026 Best of Business
WBJ’s Best of Business awards are centered around one concept: referrals. Businesses will attract and retain new customers in all sorts of ways, but most will tell you the best way is to get your existing clients to do it for you. A recommendation from a trusted source goes a long way whenever a company leader is looking for a lawyer, an accountant, a place for lunch, a venue for a large event, or a fun place to take employees as a reward for all their hard work. Now in its 13th year, WBJ’s Best of Business awards are essentially recommendations from trusted sources for the organizations to best help your companies succeed. As we do every year, WBJ compiled this list of winners by asking our readers to vote in the various categories. From Nov. 1-28, more than 2,160 votes were cast. The top votegetters are the winners of this year’s 54 categories. To celebrate these winners and to meet the best of the best, I invite you to attend WBJ’s Best of Business awards event at 4:30 p.m. on Jan. 28 at the Beechwood Hotel in Worcester. Part celebration and part hyperactive networking event, the Best of Business awards is a unique experience in the local economic scene. Always a good time, the room is full of potential contacts, who can all help your business achieve that next level of excellence. You can register here. – Brad Kane, editor
Forget Android vs iOS – this new privacy-focused Linux phone promises to be the alternative we need, but it still runs Android apps
Sailfish won't fish for your data
Governor - Science drives our public health policy here in Washington...
Science drives our public health policy here in Washington state and as part of the West Coast Health Alliance. We don’t trust Robert Kennedy Jr.