Page 28 - BusinessWest December 21, 2020

WooSox
Continued from page 26
Green Monster in Fenway.
Meanwhile, the Country Bank Guest Ser-
vices area is a place where fans can come for help with any number of issues, from miss- ing keys to missing kids, he noted — a way for the bank to extend its customer-service philosophy to this new partnership.
Speaking of partnerships, the bank and the WooSox Foundation will work together on a number of charitable efforts, from a Teacher of the Month recognition program to a combined charitable-giving campaign throughout the baseball season.
“We have been impressed and inspired by Country Bank’s sense of community involve- ment,” WooSox President Charles Steinberg said. “We see how helpful they are to vari- ous institutions and thousands of people in our region, and we welcome them to Polar Park with open arms as we work together to enhance the quality of life in our community even more.”
To kick off their partnership last month,
a team from Country Bank and the WooSox mascot, Smiley Ball, delivered 500 Thanks- giving meals prepared by Old Sturbridge Vil- lage along with apple pies from Worcester- based Table Talk to the St. John’s Food Pantry for the Poor.
“The alignment of our organizational values with the WooSox solidifies our com- mitment to service and teamwork as we continually strive for excellence in all we do,” Scully said.
He noted that, at a time when specta-
tor sports continue to be redefined by new norms of social distancing, sports sponsor- ships are taking on new forms, extending beyond the stadium walls to make a real impact in the community. But he knows fans want to have a good time, too.
“We couldn’t be more excited to be a part of the WooSox and the Worcester commu- nity,” he said. “The addition of year-round entertainment, including ballgames, con- certs, and various family activities at Polar Park, is exciting for the people and business- es in the region. We all look forward to the day when we can come together again at the ballpark, enjoying activities with our families and friends. We also look forward to seeing our businesses thrive once again after being heavily impacted by the pandemic.”
Scully knows, of course, that the pandem- ic is far from over, and the baseball season may or may not start on time in April. But he also senses a regional fan base that will enthusiastically support another profession- al sports franchise in this region, especially one with the cachet of the Boston Red Sox’ Triple-A affiliate.
“They’re part of the Central Mass. com- munity now, and we’re excited for them, and we’re excited for us,” he told BusinessWest. “But, more importantly, we’re just excited for the fans.”
—Joseph Bednar
Blockchain
Continued from page 27
mit and/or revoke read-and-write privileges to certain doctors or facilities as they deem necessary. This would allow patients more control over who has access to their personal health records while providing for quick transfers and reductions in administrative delay.
In the field of manufacturing, blockchain can provide more supply-chain efficiency and transparency by codifying and tracking the routes and intermediate steps, including carriers and time of arrival and departure, without allowing for unau- thorized modification of this information. In a similar fashion, blockchain can provide manufacturers assurance that the goods they have received are exactly those they have ordered and that they are without defect by allowing for tracking of individual parts or other raw materials.
Finally, in the field of higher education, blockchain could be used to improve record keeping of degrees and certifications in a manner similar to that of electronic medical records. Beyond that, intellectual property such as research, scholarly publica- tions, media works, and presentations could be protected by the blockchain by allowing for ease of sharing them while preserv- ing the ability to control how they are used.
And, of course, blockchain development will be a skill high in demand that will benefit from the creation of interdisciplinary programs at colleges and universities that help students under- stand the development of blockchain networks as well the areas of business, technology, law, and commerce that are impacted by it.
For these reasons and many more, businesses should feel an urgency to increase their knowledge of blockchain’s impact on their industries while exploring the potential dividends that could be reaped by a foray into an emerging technology. u
Matthew Ogrodowicz, MSA is a senior associate at the Holyoke- based accounting firm Meyers Brothers Kalicka, P.C.
At MBK, we’re committed to remaining optimistic
in uncertain times. Moving forward, we’re confident that the firm’s next generation of talent will lead our clients into a prosperous and positive new
year ahead.
413-536-8510 | mbkcpa.com
28 DECEMBER 21, 2020
BANKING & FINANCE
BusinessWest