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          Massachusetts Apprentice Network Anniversary Celebration

          Join the Massachusetts Apprentice Network for the one-year anniversary of its launch.

          03/27/2023

          9:30am - 11:00am

          Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce

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          BIMA: Gaming’s Present & Future: Creativity, Attention, and Social Connection

          This event will explore why in-game advertising is becoming the next big advertising channel and how companies can tap into the gaming ad space.

          03/28/2023

          5:30pm - 7:30pm

          Mediahub

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          2023 Government Affairs Forum: Ronald J. Mariano, Massachusetts Speaker of the House

          Thank you for joining us for our second Government Affairs forum of the year that featured Ronald J. Mariano, Massachusetts Speaker of the House.

          03/30/2023

          9:45am - 11:00am

          Colonnade Hotel

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          Designed for mid-level managers and supervisors, this new certificate program addresses workplace well-being through unique, innovative, and actionable methods.

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          Transformational DEI Certificate

          Join our Transformational DEI Certificate! Our comprehensive learning & development offerings are designed to connect and grow strong leaders who lead both inside and out of the office.

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          Our Women’s Leadership Program enables you to take your leadership to the next level by arming you with the most in-demand leadership toolkit.

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          How to Be an LGBTQIA+ Ally in the Workplace

          Expand your DEI professional development with a virtual workshop focused specifically on LGBTQIA+ identities and inclusion.

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          Economic Inclusion

          Our Economic Inclusion Committee provides strategic support around research, policies, and programs that are focused on building equal opportunity.

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          We are developing an ecosystem of corporations and partners with the influence and buying power to transform economic inclusion for minority business enterprises (MBEs).

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          Fierce Urgency of Now Festival
          2023 Fierce Urgency of Now Festival

          The Fierce Urgency of Now Festival brings Boston’s diverse young professionals together with business leaders, organizations and their peers to build connection, advance careers and ignite positive change.

          09/12/2023 -

          09/15/2023

          Greater Boston

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          City Awake

          City Awake empowers young professionals in a variety of ways that encourages these rising leaders to stay invested in the region’s future success.

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          BIMA

          BIMA (the Boston Interactive Media Association) serves a vibrant community of like-minded professionals from agencies, brands, publishers, and ad-tech companies with business interests in the New England market.

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          Women’s Network

          For more than 25 years, the Chamber’s Women’s Network has connected female professionals of all background and career levels. Today, our Women’s Network is the largest in New England, strengthening the professional networks of women each year.

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          MITX

          Through MITX (the Massachusetts Innovation and Technology Exchange), we’re building valuable connections between the people and ideas behind technology and its impact on the future of customer experiences, all to create a community that’s finding tomorrow’s solutions together.

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          Pacesetters

          We are developing an ecosystem of corporations and partners with the influence and buying power to transform economic inclusion for minority business enterprises (MBEs).

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          We support small business through public policy initiatives, events designed to connect small businesses in Greater Boston to their peers and established business leaders, professional development offerings, and free small business advising.

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          Massachusetts Apprentice Network Anniversary Celebration

          Join the Massachusetts Apprentice Network for the one-year anniversary of its launch.

          03/27/2023

          9:30am - 11:00am

          Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce

          arrow-go
          Read More
        • ...
          BIMA
          BIMA: Gaming’s Present & Future: Creativity, Attention, and Social Connection

          This event will explore why in-game advertising is becoming the next big advertising channel and how companies can tap into the gaming ad space.

          03/28/2023

          5:30pm - 7:30pm

          Mediahub

          arrow-go
          Read More
        • ...
          Events
          2023 Government Affairs Forum: Ronald J. Mariano, Massachusetts Speaker of the House

          Thank you for joining us for our second Government Affairs forum of the year that featured Ronald J. Mariano, Massachusetts Speaker of the House.

          03/30/2023

          9:45am - 11:00am

          Colonnade Hotel

          arrow-go
          Read More
  • Learning & Development
        • Learning & Development

          • Overview
          • Call for Nominations
          • Resources
        • EQ to Elevate Workplace Well-being

          Designed for mid-level managers and supervisors, this new certificate program addresses workplace well-being through unique, innovative, and actionable methods.

          Read More
          Transformational DEI Certificate

          Join our Transformational DEI Certificate! Our comprehensive learning & development offerings are designed to connect and grow strong leaders who lead both inside and out of the office.

          Read More
          Women’s Leadership Program

          Our Women’s Leadership Program enables you to take your leadership to the next level by arming you with the most in-demand leadership toolkit.

          Read More
          How to Be an LGBTQIA+ Ally in the Workplace

          Expand your DEI professional development with a virtual workshop focused specifically on LGBTQIA+ identities and inclusion.

          Read More
  • Economic Inclusion
        • Economic Inclusion

          • Overview
          • Economic Inclusion Committee
          • Fierce Urgency of Now Festival
          • Pacesetters
          • Resources
        • ...
          Economic Inclusion
          Economic Inclusion

          Our Economic Inclusion Committee provides strategic support around research, policies, and programs that are focused on building equal opportunity.

          arrow-go
          Read More
        • ...
          Economic Inclusion
          Pacesetters

          We are developing an ecosystem of corporations and partners with the influence and buying power to transform economic inclusion for minority business enterprises (MBEs).

          arrow-go
          Read More
        • ...
          Fierce Urgency of Now Festival
          2023 Fierce Urgency of Now Festival

          The Fierce Urgency of Now Festival brings Boston’s diverse young professionals together with business leaders, organizations and their peers to build connection, advance careers and ignite positive change.

          09/12/2023 -

          09/15/2023

          Greater Boston

          arrow-go
          Read More
  • Policy & Impact
        • Policy & Impact

          • Overview
          • Leadership Councils
          • Amicus Advisory Board
        • GET INVOLVED IN OUR POLICY FOCUS AREAS

          Business Climate
          Read More
          Climate & Energy
          Read More
          Health Care
          Read More
          Housing & Development
          Read More
          Talent
          Read More
          Transportation
          Read More
  • Our Networks
        • GBCC’s Networks

          • Overview
        • OUR NETWORKS

          City Awake

          City Awake empowers young professionals in a variety of ways that encourages these rising leaders to stay invested in the region’s future success.

          Read More
          BIMA

          BIMA (the Boston Interactive Media Association) serves a vibrant community of like-minded professionals from agencies, brands, publishers, and ad-tech companies with business interests in the New England market.

          Read More
          Women’s Network

          For more than 25 years, the Chamber’s Women’s Network has connected female professionals of all background and career levels. Today, our Women’s Network is the largest in New England, strengthening the professional networks of women each year.

          Read More
          MITX

          Through MITX (the Massachusetts Innovation and Technology Exchange), we’re building valuable connections between the people and ideas behind technology and its impact on the future of customer experiences, all to create a community that’s finding tomorrow’s solutions together.

          Read More
          Pacesetters

          We are developing an ecosystem of corporations and partners with the influence and buying power to transform economic inclusion for minority business enterprises (MBEs).

          Read More
          Small Business

          We support small business through public policy initiatives, events designed to connect small businesses in Greater Boston to their peers and established business leaders, professional development offerings, and free small business advising.

          Read More
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Future of Work: Designing A Sustainable Hybrid Workforce and Workplace

December 20, 2021

Many employers are hearing from employees who have the option to work from home that they prefer a hybrid approach -even post-pandemic. Hybrid work, however, may require a unique outlook and implementation depending on the organization’s needs. Many business leaders are navigating the transition to hybrid work. As Robert Kennedy, Health and Welfare Practice Leader for Fidelity Investments Workplace Consulting, shares, “employees want some control, not to come to work and be tethered to a desk. Giving them control over their schedule plays a role in their overall well-being. Work is a social determinant of health.”

As companies try to adapt to allow more flexibility while maintaining productivity, the Chamber recently hosted the Future of Work: Designing a Sustainable Hybrid Workforce & Workplace, sponsored by Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts, to hear best practices from leaders shaping the region’s future.

If employees are going to come to the office, you need to ensure their roles cannot be replicated at home.

Employers are creating incentives for employees to come into the office, and one incentive employers should consider is reframing the relationship to the office and experience at work. <a href=https://bostonchamber-my.sharepoint.com/personal/lcohen_bostonchamber_com/Documents/Attachments/Future%20of%20Work_%20Designing%20a%20Sustainable%20Hybrid%20Workforce%20and%20Workplace%20Recap.docx#_msocom_1 class=msocomanchor id=_anchor_1 language=JavaScript name=_msoanchor_1 ]<hz1] 

<a href=https://bostonchamber-my.sharepoint.com/personal/lcohen_bostonchamber_com/Documents/Attachments/Future%20of%20Work_%20Designing%20a%20Sustainable%20Hybrid%20Workforce%20and%20Workplace%20Recap.docx#_msocom_1 class=msocomanchor id=_anchor_1 language=JavaScript name=_msoanchor_1 ]<hz1]

Daren Bascomb, Managing Director at Proverb, recently relocated his agency to an office in the South End. He shared an interesting perspective of thinking about the office “as a service.” While he believes hybrid work is here to stay and the whole team may not be in the office each day, he acknowledges that his team enjoys being around each other and that some work is more easily done in person than virtually. Bringing folks together helps them feel connected. The office has things employees want to come to be a part of: proximity to restaurants, grocery stores, and an outdoor courtyard, to name a few. The office creates an experience that is hard to replicate at home. Proverb is also very mindful about how space is utilized, assigning less fixed space (through its “hoteling” approach) so that there is the flexibility to do other things (like adding a lounge or walk stations on treadmills). 

Jim Linehan, Vice President of Financial Services at Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts, shares that for their company, “adding libraries, patios, coffee bars, cornhole, and other activities to their office helps to make sure people have interactions they used to have.” 

<a href=https://bostonchamber-my.sharepoint.com/personal/lcohen_bostonchamber_com/Documents/Attachments/Future%20of%20Work_%20Designing%20a%20Sustainable%20Hybrid%20Workforce%20and%20Workplace%20Recap.docx#_msocom_2 class=msocomanchor id=_anchor_2 language=JavaScript name=_msoanchor_2 ]<hz2]

Getting the technology right and establishing the “rules of engagement” are critical for the success of hybrid work environments.

For some employees who prefer working at a distance, the challenge is to maintain the company culture and create an environment that is as rewarding as in-person work. Technology plays a significant role in this and enables business continuity in a hybrid work model in general. Jim Linehan points out that his organization has had a robust work-from-home program for over a decade, and while they had channels like VPN, helpdesk, and desktop services in place, the tech to enable hybrid work takes things to the next level. Organizations should pick a standard platform and create “rules of engagement” – like having a “camera on during meeting policy” to ensure folks are engaged and contributing how they would in person.  Jim noted that being able to see everyone and polling people through the tools to get real feedback without “group think pollution” makes meetings more productive virtually than they might have been in person.

In addition to scheduled meetings, casual interactions are also, in some cases, easier in hybrid models as employees could “conceivably go a month or two without bumping into a colleague in the office, but there is more collaboration in a hybrid environment” Robert Kennedy says.

And as Sarah Evans, Chief Human Resource Officer at Ocean Spray, adds, “in a hybrid work environment, you can’t get the technology wrong. Especially during onboarding for new employees, it is critical to determine the technical requirements of each employee and determine when they will obtain the tech prior to their start date.”

Creating “culture at a distance” to avoid falling victim to the “great resignation.”

Creating culture “at a distance” is difficult, and in today’s workforce, talent is harder than ever to attract and retain. Organizations need to ensure the employee expectations are met in order to retain the talent. Sarah Evans encourages organizations to look at their practices and consider: “do you have a well-articulated culture (spoken or unspoken) and how do you deliver against or for that?” 

  • Ensure that your organization allows employees to express their whole self at work (through volunteer opportunities and activities);
  • Hold roundtables with the C-Suite and H.R. to listen to employees and create a feedback loop. If you had in-person events that were important to company culture (like Research & Development sessions with growers at Ocean Spray) make sure they are continued virtually. Human Resources should also consider holding “stay interviews” with employees to check in regularly;
  • Build opportunities to connect. At Proverb, employees were given stipends to do something that “brought them joy” and then the team connected and shared what they did with their money as a team-building opportunity; and 
  • Improve, modernize, optimize, and add new benefits to your company package and ensure that employees know how to access them. As Robert Kennedy shares, mental health and caregiving benefits have never been more important to champion health and inclusivity.

No matter how organizations design their hybrid workforces, ensuring objectivity in evaluating which roles can be accommodated remotely is critical. As Sarah Evans shares, “build a framework of which roles are capable of being done full-time or not, ensuring that it is about the work and not the individual.” Robert Kennedy urges companies to think about why in-person work is important, “because the role requires it, or because that’s what we’ve already done” and whether in-person work is actually required.

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