Associated Industries of Massachusetts has launched an initiative to provide free human-resource services to small businesses that are part of the organization’s AIM Business Connect (ABC) economic inclusion program.

The Small Business HR Strategies Program, funded through a grant from the Cummings Foundation, is a six-week engagement for small businesses with fewer than 50 employees who want to strengthen their HR infrastructure, reduce risk, and build people practices that support long-term growth.

“The Small Business HR Strategies Program marries AIM’s vibrant economic inclusion community with the association’s unparalleled human-resources expertise. The idea is to provide exciting young companies with the HR infrastructure they need to grow,” said Nurys Camargo, Senior Vice President of Member Services at AIM.

Each participating company will work directly with an experienced HR consultant for two (2) hours per week over six (6) weeks, receiving hands-on guidance tailored to the organization’s needs.

Small businesses often operate without dedicated HR expertise, leaving them vulnerable to compliance risks and operational inefficiencies. The HR Strategies program provides practical, real-world tools to help small companies:

• Reduce legal exposure.
• Improve hiring and retention practices.
• Strengthen workplace culture.
• Build internal systems that support growth.

Companies participating in the program will work directly with an HR expert to develop key HR systems that support their growing businesses, including:

• Hiring documentation and offer letters.
• Job descriptions and recruiting practices.
• Employee onboarding and documentation systems
• Personnel file setup and recordkeeping.
• Foundational employee policies and handbook structure.

Each company receives 12 hours of personalized HR consulting over six weeks to help address real HR challenges and strengthen internal systems.

HR services will be delivered by AIM HR Solutions, the human-resources service division of AIM. The $3,000 per participant cost will be covered through the Cummings Foundation Grant. Space is limited.

AIM Business Connect brings together Massachusetts companies owned by women, people of color, veterans, disabled people, and members of the LGBTQ community with fellow AIM members seeking to diversify their supply spend. The initiative gives AIM members access to a vibrant marketplace of buyers and sellers who represent the full variety of the Massachusetts economy.