Lynn Tokarczyk, president of Business Development Strategies, Inc. (BDS), recently announced Cox Engineering will expand its operations to Randolph. BDS negotiated a tax incentives package to save the company almost $500,000 in local RE taxes in exchange for its $9 million investment.

Cox Engineering will retain 140 full-time jobs, create 20 new positions and revitalize a vacant building on Pacella Park Drive.

Over the past 14 years, BDS’ clients have pumped more than $1 billion into the Massachusetts economy and realized more than $100 million in tax savings. Is your company growing? Learn more about tax incentives here.

– Tara Frier, The Boston 100

Content marketing is changing the way businesses engage with customers. Here are three ways your business can benefit from this useful tactic.

1. Be an Expert: Quality content delivered on a consistent basis positions your business as an authority and builds credibility with your audience.

2. Boosts SEO: In a highly searchable world, genuinely good content will not only bring back your audience but help with search engine rankings.

3. Content Creates Value: When your audience visits your website or social pages, they expect to glean insights from what you’re putting out there — and depend on you for valuable information.

– Natalie Ghidotti, The Arkansas 100

Flexibility is key in great employees, but it’s important for employers to consider, too. By creating a flexible workplace, employers can boost morale and signal to employees that the company is invested in their well-being.

Some ways to create a flexible workplace:

– Allow remote work. Cutting commute time cuts stress. Stay connected to your team with digital tools like Slack and video chats.

– Let employees set their schedules. Personalizing schedules to match workflow is a small modification that has a major impact on productivity.

– Lead by example. Leaders who prioritize flexibility and wellness encourage their employees to follow suit.

– Scott Peeples, Peerfit

Returning to work after having a child can be a challenging transition. Regardless of which state or federal workplace laws apply, employers should consider these best practices for welcoming back new mothers:

– Talk to expecting employees about how much leave they will take and whether they may need flexible work hours when they return.

– Consider increasing a new mother’s workload gradually instead of expecting her to return to work at full capacity.

– When possible, avoid scheduling meetings beyond normal work hours, especially without notice.

– Allow breaks for mothers to pump breast milk in a comfortable, private space – not a bathroom.

– Lisa McGlynn, Fisher Phillips

If you haven’t updated your website in years, you may be losing valuable leads for your business.

Web design trends change annually, and investing in a new site can be costly but worthwhile. There are cost-effective changes that you can make to be more current and influence your potential customers. High-quality original photography can speak volumes about your relevance and build trust. The popularity of video is still on the rise, and studies have shown video increases engagement.

Your budget may not allow a redesign annually, but you can keep your site competitive with strong copy and visuals.

– Chuck Norman, The North Carolina 100

As a business owner, you should create a mission statement that you can firmly stand behind. Once you’ve articulated what you and your team believe in, align your company with clients who share the same vision.

Just like marriage and friendship, a shared set of values is a significant driver in successful relationships. It allows for easier communication and a better understanding of goals. When you understand and identify with how your client thinks, driving those business results will become easier.

By seeking clients with similar vision, you’re showing your commitment to those ideals, contributing to client retention and growth.

– Natalie Ghidotti, The Arkansas 100

Convincing someone to see things your way is more complex than you might think. In fact, neuroscientists and social psychologists have long asserted that people alter facts to align with their preconceived beliefs.

According to George Lakoff, retired UC Berkeley professor of cognitive science and linguistics, if you want to create messages to persuade, you have to understand other worldviews, and facts and rational debate have less value than you’d think. We can use this when seeking to persuade.

Arguing from our worldview can cause others to dig in and defend their position. Seek understanding, then frame your argument accordingly.

– Lisa Cutter, The Colorado 100