Glens Falls Business Journal

Hudson Headwaters Network Furloughs 85 Employees, Mostly In The Non-Clinical Field

April 16, 2020April 17, 2020

Hudson Headwaters Health Network has furloughed roughly 85 employees due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Furloughed staff will remain employees of the network under a leave status and the network will pay the full premium cost of health, dental and life insurance benefits during this time period, officials said. Primarily non-clinical staff are affected by the furlough.

According to Hudson Headwaters CEO Dr. Tucker Slingerland, the network’s top priority is the health of the communities and patients, along with the health of the network that cares for them.

“Our top priority is to keep all health centers open, as it’s vitally important to our communities that we do everything possible to keep locations open as long as we have sufficient medical personnel available,” he said. “This is an extremely difficult decision, but a responsible one in order to protect the future of our organization and the future of every individual employee and patient we serve. When the current crisis ends, we have every intention of bringing all of our staff back.”

Concord Pools Sold To Its Vice President Of Pool Sales; Smooth Transition Anticipated

April 16, 2020April 17, 2020

This is the South Broadway, Saratoga Springs office of Concord Pools. The business was purchased by its vice president of pool sales, Jon Foshee.
©2020 Saratoga Photographer.com

BY JENNIFER FARNSWORTH

Concord Pools of Latham and Saratoga Springs has a new owner.

Mike Giovanone, the former president and chief executive, recently sold the business to his vice president of pool sales, Jon Foshee.

Foshee worked 12 years working as a sales director and executive for Latham Pool Products. In February of 2019, he was asked if he would be interested in buying and running Concord Pools, with the intention of also managing the business.

“It seemed like a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, a tremendous offer. Everything seemed to line up and we worked together to make it as seamless as possible,” said Foshee.

The process, Foshee said, took about 12 months to complete. He said it was unlike any other deal he had witnessed because all sides sat down and worked together to find the best way to meet everyone’s needs.

Business Report: Marketing During Uncertain Times

April 16, 2020April 17, 2020

Sara Mannix is the founder and CEO of
Mannix Marketing. Courtesy Mannix Marketing

BY SARA MANNIX

How on earth do you market your business during uncertain times

I am frequently asked how businesses can market during Covid-19. Although every situation is unique, my advice is, don’t stop marketing, but change how you are doing your marketing.

Your customers have fears and uncertainties. Understanding those fears and how they relate to buying your product or service, will help you do a SWOT analysis (strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats) that can be used to inform your plan.

Here are 13 ideas to consider when marketing your business now:

Stewart’s Shops In The Region Relying On Takeout, Stepping Up Their Safety Policies

April 16, 2020April 17, 2020

Stewart’s officials say frequent product deliveries to the shops and efficient systems at the manufacturing and distribution plant prove to be important in keeping shelves stocked.

BY JENNIFER FARNSWORTH

Not all businesses are having to scale back on their workforce as a result of COVID-19.

Grocery stores are facing the challenge of the sudden and dramatic demand for products. Convenience stores are facing similar challenges, including Stewart’s Shops.

Erica Komoroske, public relations specialist for Stewart’s Shops said “the traffic at our shops has increased for grocery items like milk, bread, eggs and other grocery items but because of our vertical integration, we are able to keep up with demand.”

Stewart’s is used to having an ongoing schedule of deliveries, including popular local products, like milk and eggs. Officials said eggs have been in especially high demand, but they are working with local farms to meet the needs of the community.

Business Report: Re-Boot

April 16, 2020April 17, 2020

Michael Cruz, president of Lighthouse Advisors LLC in Queensbury.

When we get ‘the other side’ of this shutdown, it will be critical to hit the ground running. Here is what you can do NOW.

Start with your business plan. A reboot will allow you to challenge whether your business is headed in the right direction. Consider whether you have the right product mix. Are you focused on the right markets? Which products or services provide you the best margin? Which have the most need in your market? You can adjust your strategy now, while you have time.

When given the all clear – quickly notify customers that you are back. Use social media. Use ads. Most importantly, call them! Make sure your sales teams are armed with your adjusted plan and reach out to as many customers as possible. It is critical that you re-establish relationships.

Hospital Gets FDA OK For Plasma Treatments

April 16, 2020April 17, 2020

Albany Med is among the first hospitals in the country to obtain Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval to use convalescent blood plasma therapy to experimentally treat critically ill patients who are infected by the novel coronavirus (COVID-19).

Convalescent plasma therapy—or plasma from a survivor of an infectious disease— was the same treatment used during the 1918 flu pandemic.

When fighting illness, the body produces antibodies—proteins that counteract a pathogen. Antibodies remain in plasma for weeks or months after recovery. The antibodies in patients who have recovered from COVID-19 attack the virus and can potentially be useful as a treatment for the virus, Albany Med officials said.

Emergency, Sick Leave Enacted For Pandemic

April 16, 2020April 17, 2020

The U.S. Department of Labor announced new action regarding how American workers and employers will benefit from the protections and relief offered by the Emergency Paid Sick Leave Act and Emergency Family and Medical Leave Expansion Act, both part of the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA).

The department’s Wage and Hour Division (WHD) posted a temporary rule issuing regulations pursuant to this new law, effective April 1.

SUNY Empire State Staff, Alumni Contribute To Help People During COVID-19 Pandemic

April 16, 2020April 17, 2020

SUNY Empire alumnus David Theobald, CEO of Stat Staff Professionals in Saratoga Springs, and his
team not only donated their remaining N95 masks, they began to create hand-sewn masks.

SUNY Empire State College students, alumni, faculty, and staff are creating opportunities to support those in need in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. From sewing masks to organizing blood drives and donating computers, to establishing a fund to assist students, the SUNY Empire community is ramping up its efforts across the state, officials said.

“It’s incredible how people have found helping others as a way to cope with this situation,” said college President Jim Malatras. “The giving back, the genuine concern for our neighbors, and the outpouring of support is overwhelming, and I expect it will only grow in the weeks to come.”

As reports of a global personal protective equipment (PPE) shortage began to come in, SUNY Empire alumnus David Theobald, CEO of Stat Staff Professionals (SSP) in Saratoga Springs, and his team not only donated their remaining N95 masks, they began to create hand-sewn masks. These colorful masks have been shared with SSP staff, family members, and clinical staff throughout the community.

Business Report: Empower Recovery For Your People, Business

April 16, 2020April 17, 2020

Brian Johnson, Director, Business Development at Advisors Insurance Brokers. Courtesy of Lighthouse Advisors LLC

BY BRIAN M. JOHNSON, MBA, CLTC

The COVID-19 crisis is an event like no other in our lifetime. It is forcing us to live life in a new way. In some cases we feel we have lost control of our future and lives.

Fear of the unknown and perceived loss of control are just two of the issues all of us are dealing with in our personal lives and in business. It’s now safe to say there will be no going “back to normal.” Instead, what we are currently experiencing IS the new normal and it will be this way for a while. So, how do you protect your business, operate during this unprecedented crisis, and emerge stronger on the other side?

There are myriad of insurance policies that address this concern such as business interruption coverage, disability insurance and business overhead expense insurance to name a few. However, I’m talking about an insurance that protects your most valuable asset, your people. Everyone in an organization plays integral role in the survival of a company.

Business Report: We’re All In This Together

April 16, 2020April 17, 2020

Michael Bittel, ARCC chief executive officer
and president. Courtesy ARCC

BY MICHAEL BITTLE

In just one short month, our community has changed due to COVID-19. We have completely changed the way we work, interact and live. Many businesses are on hiatus due to executive orders and guidance, others are running as “essential business” only. Everyone is looking for that magic answer on when this will be over, and when can we get back to normal.

I have seen so many people step up and answer the call to this challenge and help each other and our community. The selfless passion that I have seen in this region has shone brightly over the past month. From people donating masks, to our health care systems, to others donating food, time and money. Our front-line workers have expanded beyond healthcare, law enforcement and fire. Those working at restaurants, day care, food stores, manufacturing, warehousing, distribution and retail stores are but a few on the front line.