BusinessTalk

On the next installment of BusinessTalk, BusinessWest Editor  George O’Brien begins a series of shows devoted to the 40 Under Forty  Class of 2021 by talking with top scorer Jessica Bossie, primary care  doctor for Health Services for the Homeless. The two discuss the  critical work that this agency carries out, the many challenges involved  with treating the homeless population, and the many ways this program  is not only helping the homeless, but bringing down the cost of care for  everyone by treating the homeless where they are, and not in the ER.  It’s must listening, so join us on BusinessTalk, a podcast presented by  BusinessWest in partnership with Living Local.

The two discuss a wide range of topics,  from how business owners and managers handle the reopening of their  offices and the return of employees — some will want to go to the  office, but many won’t — to the growing challenge of simply finding  enough good help. Employers across virtually all sectors are struggling  with this assignment, and Wise notes things may get even worse before  they get any better. It’s must listening, so join us for BusinessTalk, a  podcast presented by BusinessWest in partnership with Living Local.

On this installment of BusinessTalk, BusinessWest Editor George  O’Brien talks with Suzanne Murphy, CEO and founder of Unemployment Tax  Control Associates in Springfield. The two discuss a critical issue now  facing employers across the region — the huge increases in the  unemployment insurance solvency fund assessment now facing all business  owners. These assessment increases are dramatic and largely unforeseen,  and they come at a time when many business owners are still reeling from  the pandemic.  The two have a lively discussion about what’s at stake  for businesses if something isn’t done, and just what can be done to  provide a softer landing for the state’s businesses. It’s must  listening, so join us on BusinessTalk, a podcast presented by  BusinessWest in partnership with Living Local.

The two have a lively discussion  about everything from the state of the golf business in the wake of the  pandemic — the sport has actually received a big boost from COVID — to  how the federal government’s various economic stimulus programs are  helping small businesses — like his — by giving people more buying  power. It’s must listening, so join us on BusinessTalk, a podcast  presented by BusinessWest in partnership with Living Local.

BusinessWest Editor George O’Brien talks with Judy Matt, president of the Spirit of  Springfield. The two have a lively discussion about the toll the pandemic has taken  on this nonprofit and the many types of events it stages for the region,  and how, if all goes well,  2021 could be a bounce back year for this  important institution. They also talk about just how critical SOS events, like Bright Nights, the Fourth of July  fireworks, the pancake breakfast, and the  Big Balloon Parade are to the  quality of life in this region. It’s must listening, so join us on  BusinessTalk, a podcast presented by BusinessWest in partnership with Living Local.

BusinessWest Editor  George O’Brien talks with Mark Melnik, director of economic and public  policy research at the UMass Donahue Institute in Amherst.  The two have a lively  discussion about everything from recent data on how many people are  leaving the state — and why — to the ongoing economic recovery, the  shape it will take, and the many factors that will drive it. It’s must listening, so join us on BusinessTalk, a podcast presented  by BusinessWest in partnership with Living Local.

BusinessWest Editor  George O’Brien talks with Vince Jackson, executive director of the  Greater Northampton Chamber of Commerce. The two have a lively  discussion about the deep toll the COVID-19 pandemic has taken on  Paradise City, and how that community’s strong, eclectic business  community has responded with determination, imagination, and  perseverance. The two also discuss how the pandemic has challenged all  chambers, including his, while also changing their roles to some extent  and making them even more vital to area small businesses. It’s must  listening, so join us on BusinessTalk, a podcast presented by  BusinessWest in partnership with Living Local.

BusinessWest Editor  George O’Brien talks with Aaron Vega, the former state representative  who is now director of Planning and Economic Development in the city of Holyoke. The two discuss the  city’s efforts to recover momentum lost to the pandemic, and zero in on  efforts to expand a budding cluster of cannabis-related businesses in  this former mill town. New operations are opening soon, said Vega, and many more are on the drawing board. It’s must  listening, so join us on BusinessTalk, a podcast presented by  BusinessWest in partnership with Living Local.

BusinessWest Editor George O’Brien talks with Spiros Hatiras, president and CEO of Holyoke Medical Center, recently honored as one of the magazine’s Healthcare Heroes for 2020. The two discuss the state of the pandemic and current trends with cases and hospitalizations, as well as the many ways COVID is impacting the bottom line at this and  other hospitals. The two also discuss HMC’s ongoing, and now changing,  plans to add more behavioral health beds in a region that sorely needs  them. It’s must listening, so join us on BusinessTalk, a podcast  presented by BusinessWest in partnership with Living Local.

BusinessWest Editor  George O’Brien talks with Carol Campbell, president of Chicopee Industrial Contractors, and one of the magazine’s Women of Impact for  2020. The two discuss the state of the economy and the outlook for 2021,  but mostly they talk about the glass ceiling, why it still exists, and  what it will take to remove the barriers from women entering the  boardroom and even some professions. It’s must listening, so join us on  BusinessTalk, a podcast presented by BusinessWest in partnership with  Living Local.