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Ball Consulting Group, LLC Newsletter
Volume VI, Issue I
August, 2015 
In This Issue
Client Happenings
Client Spotlight
New Team Members

 

 Client Happenings

  

  

Supportive Living, Inc., which operates four residential programs and a wellness center for individuals with moderate to severe brain injury, was featured in a recent episode of WGBH's Greater Boston.  The organization has a research program that has documented improvement of brain function in some individuals it serves, marking a major advance in the treatment of brain injury.  

 

  

 

The Autism Alliance of MetroWest, a program of Advocates, was featured in Globe West, El Planeta, and The MetroWest Daily News for its work in expanding access to the Latino community.

  

 

MKA Executive Planners Founder & President Barry Koslow shares some thinking on retirement in his latest piece at the Huffington Post.  Barry's approach - akin to a game show - may be fun, but the topic is worth serious attention from anyone, whether close to retirement age, or just setting out on their career.

 

The Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts Foundation released a study in April, The Geography of Uninsurance in Massachusetts: 2009 to 2013, which showed significant disparities in access to health care based on the neighborhood where an individual lives.  The report provides data that can help health providers to better target delivery of services.  A Boston Globe story covered the release of the report and spoke of its significance.  

 

 

YouthHarbors,  a division of JRI, was the subject of both a Fox 25 TV feature and a story in The Boston Globe.  The program works with area high schools to identify homeless teens and offer them assistance with housing, education and employment.

 

 

 

East Boston Neighborhood Health Center was recognized
recently as one of 10 Frontline Healthcare Worker Champions by CareerSTAT, a program of the Boston-based National Fund for Workforce Solutions.


  
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Greetings!

 

The height of summer is always an interesting time for any business, with vacations, long weekends, and beautiful weather conspiring to put projects off, delay timelines, and postpone or cancel meetings.

 

But the downtime that might appear in your schedule is the perfect opportunity to apply a lesson in fitness, brought to us from the soccer pitch.

 

I had the pleasure of a quick trip to Montreal earlier this summer to see some of the FIFA Women's World Cup.  The strength and grace of all these athletes is inspiring, and this year belonged to the U.S. women's team, which outscored opponents 14-3 in winning the Cup.

 

Every successful team has talent, but as Bill Saporito notes at Inc.com, success is a matter of hard work, the right players, the right plan, and being flexible enough to change gears quickly and on your own terms as needed.

 

So before a shuffling summer gives way to a frenetic fall, take time to examine your own team.

 

Do you have enough offense?  That is, do you have the right managers to lead your organization, and to take advantage of market opportunities?  Have you recruited the best talent available?

 

Do your players know the rules?  Make sure key personnel are up-to-date on certifications, inspections are complete, and team members know the complexities of the laws and regulations that govern your organization.

 

And don't neglect your defense!  Competence is great, but every company needs a crisis plan to handle the unexpected.  Do you have yours?  Are key personnel familiar with it?  And are they trained in how to deal with the media?

 

You may not be competing for a world title, but success in business demands fitness.  Stay well, enjoy the summer, and use this time to make sure your team is in top form for the seasons ahead.

 

David Ball, President
DB head shot 
 
Client Spotlight: Recovering from a Crisis

In April of 2014, the unthinkable happened at Lakeview Pavilion, the storied wedding venue in Foxborough owned by sisters Anastasia Tsoumbanos and Natalia Kapourelakos.  An accidental fire caused by the careless disposal of a cigarette reduced the facility to rubble within a few hours.  The staff and first responders ensured that all guests safely left the facility.  Firefighters used water from Lakeview Pond to get the blaze under control and prevent it from spreading.

The sisters worked with Ball Consulting Group in the immediate aftermath of the fire to manage the media.  Two points would be clearly made: Brides and grooms would be taken care of and the facility would be quickly rebuilt.

Sixteen months later, a new Lakeview Pavilion has literally risen from the ashes.  The ribbon will be cut on the new facility in a few weeks as the facility is readied for a heavy fall schedule of weddings and special events.

How did the owners of
Lakeview Pavilion get up and running so quickly after a devastating event?  They had a clear consensus of their vision for rebuilding; they had tremendous passion for their business, which made the fire especially painful but kept them focused on rebuilding; they kept the public informed, through such events as a groundbreaking for the new facility; and they put their customers first, helping them to find new venues before they thought about what they needed to do to restore their business -- loyalty that has been returned in spades by the wedding couples, some of whom postponed their wedding dates just so that they could get married in the new Lakeview Pavilion.

Click here to view a story about the upcoming opening of the new Lakeview Pavilion.

Sinacola and Willis Join Ball Consulting Group

 

Chris Sinacola joined the Ball Consulting Group team in June as Senior Writer & Strategist. During a 28-year career with the Worcester Telegram & Gazette, Chris was a copy editor, reporter, supervisor, and columnist, covering politics, development, land use, technology, education, and local personalities in Worcester and throughout Central Massachusetts.

  

Chris is the author of two books - "Images of America: Sutton," and "Images of America: Millbury" - written as part of year-long celebrations of the heritage of those two Central Massachusetts communities.  

  

At Ball Consulting Group, Chris develops and executes public relations and marketing communications campaigns, creates written content for print and the web, and helps clients connect with the media. 

  

 

Emma Willis also joined our team in June, as Account Coordinator, responsible for developing and implementing social media campaigns, and working across accounts on the implementation of public relations programs.

 

Prior to her position at Ball Consulting Group, Emma served as Social Media Ambassador at the University of Rhode Island's Center for Career and Experiential Education, where she managed the Center's social media outlets and fostered community dialogue.

 

Thank you for your interest. If you would like to learn how Ball Consulting Group can help your organization develop and deliver messages that will enable it to grow, please call 617-243-9950 or email david@ballcg.com. If you enjoy this newsletter please add it to your safe senders list so that it will arrive with graphics.