A syringe and COVID-19 vaccine bottle on top of face masks which are atop blue flowers on a blue background.

May COVID-19 Rundown: Vaccines Lead to Blossoming Reopening

This time last year, the saying, “Make hay in May,” had never seemed so fruitless, as we were all heavily quarantined during the height of the pandemic. Now, a year later, May is bringing more than just flowers; it’s bringing hope. With vaccine appointments extended to all adults, proactive reopening plans, and even more grants […]

The 22s: How to Sell When You Hate Selling

People often associate selling with negative connotations. Being pushy, dishonest, and manipulative are just some of the words that come to mind for most people. However, although you may cringe at the thought of selling, you don’t have to sacrifice your values at the cost of a sale. Authenticity, enthusiasm, and an honest display of […]
Julia Becker Collins works with two Vision staffers on a laptop.

Why We’re Proud to Be a Women-Owned and -Run Business

Recently, I was networking with a colleague and was on an initial phone call with him. When I explained that we were women-owned and -run, he responded with, “Oh, you’re only trying to work with women.” To him, stating your business is women-owned, minority-run, etc., means that you are only selling to those groups. Calmly, […]
Julia Becker Collins in her home office.

In the News: How servant leadership keeps companies together

This article originally appeared in the Worcester Business Journal on February 22nd, 2021. Once you have employees, your business changes. Leadership isn’t defined by what you lead, but how you lead. Who do you put first at your business? Yourself? Your team? Your customers? There are no right or wrong answers, but they all form […]
A face mask on a green background decorated in a St. Patrick's Day headband, meant to represent Massachusetts' COVID reopening plans advance in March

March COVID-19 Rundown: Reopening Plans Spring Forward

Massachusetts is making significant progress in the fight against COVID, and as a result, we are being rewarded for our efforts. With drops in daily COVID cases and hospitalizations and vaccination rates continuing to soar, Massachusetts seems to finally be on the path to recovery. With society on the mend, it’s been deemed safe to […]
A notebook with "Marketing" written on it next to a pair of glasses, a coffee mug, a computer mouse, and a laptop on top of a desk.

BBB Event: Making the Most of Your Marketing Strategy

Marketing is how you shine a spotlight on your business. Without a proper strategy, there’s no road map leading consumers to your storefront. Creating the perfect marketing plan relies on finding an intersection between marketing and business strategy. Since a marketing strategy requires a great deal of foresight and resources, we paired with the Better […]
A sign post pointing left and right in the center of a forked road, meant t signify leadership decision-making

Business Bootcamp: Lessons on Leadership Decision-Making

The pandemic has tested the resolve of company leaders across the board. From budget cuts to pivot plans, businesses have had to adapt rapidly to the changing landscape, which might have resulted in some erratic, uninformed decision-making along the way. However, this tendency to make fear-based reactions in anticipation of perceived dangers can result in […]