Boston Globe’s new standalone biz section launches

The Boston  Globe’s new standalone business section was published for the first time on Thursday.

The paper will publish a standalone business section on Tuesday through Friday, and again on Sunday. The Globe cut its standalone business section in 2008.

“When we at the Globe think about business as a subject, it encompasses so much more than stock prices and mergers, profits and losses,” said Mark Pothier, Globe business editor, in a statement. “There are bold ideas and life stories behind every business and business decision. There are people leading the way and those who are left behind. We want to make the section relevant to a much broader range of readers than a traditional business section.”

New features include:

• Bold Types: A destination for anyone interested in who’s doing what. Think of this as the Business version of the popular Names column in the Metro section, with CEOs and startup geniuses instead of movie stars.
• Talking Points: A fast-paced summary of what the time-starved business person needs to start the day – from local to national to global
• Agenda: What’s on tap for tomorrow and what might you want to attend? This could feature events like the next Federal Reserve meeting, a product giveaway or charity event.
• Workspace: Highlights trends and unusual workspaces, from the back of a bus to ultra-hip high tech offices
• Build: Covers real estate, new projects and architecture
• Double Shot: Washington-based reporter Matt Viser’s column expands from politics to focus on the coffee-drinking habits of businesspeople.
• The Download: A brisk digital dossier of someone in the business world – their social media habits, last photo taken, most-used apps and more
• Business Lunch: Everything from the hot spots to get business done to the eating habits of the power brokers
• There and Back: From commuting horror stories to favorite destinations for conferences to travel tips from airport veterans
• Shop: New stores, new trends, new products, good deals, potential scams and more
• Number of the Day: One number can say a lot

In advance of the new section, Cynthia Needham, formerly the Globe’s political editor, joined Business.

New hires include Jon Chesto, formerly managing editor of the Boston Business Journal, and Sacha Pfeiffer, formerly senior reporter and host of WBUR’s All Things Considered. Prior to joining WBUR six years ago, Pfeiffer spent a decade at the Globe, most notably as part of the Spotlight Team that won the Pulitzer Prize for reporting on the clergy abuse scandal. She will cover nonprofits, venture capital, philanthropy, and the people and motivations behind them.

The new section also includes coverage from BetaBoston.com, the source for innovation and tech news, from the latest start-ups to the newest biotechnology breakthrough. BetaBoston.com will also share and link to the expanded Globe business coverage.