Drawing from his extensive global leadership experience — working closely with leaders and organizations from all over Africa, Latin America, Asia-Pacific, the Middle East and North America — Britt Yamamoto, Ph.D., M.Sc., introduces a timely framework that places paramount importance on holistic well-being and a profound understanding of the intricate systems critical for … [More]
The Art of Encouragement: How to Lead Teams, Spread Love, and Serve from the Heart
In The Art of Encouragement, renowned performance coach and keynote speaker Jordan Montgomery delivers a captivating story designed to walk the reader through a dramatic journey of heartfelt, easy-to-understand lessons about encouragement and its many facets. The author compels readers to take action by showing they are fully equipped and ready to implement encouragement within … [More]
Trends in the Transformation Economy: Where Health, Well-Being & Happiness Matter Most
Offering a concrete and workable model for companies in the transformational economy, Trends in the Transformation Economy helps companies improve their customer centricity by focusing on real customer transformations. Jauquet includes guidelines to strategically align innovation with what really matters to customers and insights and tools to prepare companies for future … [More]
Raising Capital
Raising capital is a foundation of business activity. Sources always include the business owner’s own resources, including savings accounts, retirement funds, life insurance, friends and relatives and, more conventionally, banks, credit unions and non-bank lenders. Alternatives sources of capital include advertising, credit cards, money brokers such as online brokers or … [More]
Empowering Women to Build Wealth through Impact Investing
As the newly appointed president of the National Association of Women Business Owners – Phoenix Chapter, I am excited to champion the cause of women entrepreneurs. NAWBO has been a vital community for women business owners for more than 40 years, advocating for change, influencing policy and building networks that empower women. My commitment to these goals is deeply personal, … [More]
Reframe Your Thoughts about Networking and Start Connecting Authentically
Networking is typically depicted as formal events where professionals don their best suits and engage in rehearsed interactions. Often, these events leave participants feeling drained, anxious and unfulfilled. However, networking doesn’t need to be confined to these structured settings. By reframing your approach, you can transform networking from a nerve-wracking obligation … [More]
What Happens After Success?
Making the case for learning new skills
How do you define success? For a business owner, if five years have passed and you’re still seeing the light of day, that is success. You’ve likely turned revenue into profit, have proven a product-market fit and the people involved are happy. Reaching that milestone is huge, given that according to one statistic 65% of businesses don’t make it past this five-year … [More]
3 Key Steps to Scaling Your Small Business: Fulfillment, Sales Foundations and Marketing
Many small business owners find themselves stuck in business, and their instinct is to invest more in marketing and social media, only to be disappointed by the lack of sales. Despite their efforts, they often find their marketing dollars are not translating to the growth that they envisioned. The problem: They skipped a crucial step in setting up their business. I often … [More]
Engagement and Belonging: Creating a Workplace Conducive to Success
Fundamental to driving sustained growth and innovation
“By focusing on culture, empowerment, benefits, communication, recognition, development, diversity, social responsibility, and fun, Warby Parker ensures its employees are engaged, motivated, and aligned with the company’s mission.” —Neil Blumenthal and Dave Gilboa, co-CEOs at Warby Parker In today's fast-paced and ever-evolving business environment, workplace engagement and a … [More]
Legal-Ease: Your Lawyer as Your Business Consultant
Navigating challenges and identifying opportunity
Attorneys can offer far more benefit to businesses than retroactively putting out fires from businesses’ missteps and other problems. With their expertise in specific practice areas, they can not only help businesses avoid problems but even identify potential opportunity that business executives focused on day-to-day operations may not otherwise have considered. With Burch … [More]
June 2024 Guest Editor: Susie Ingold, Burch & Cracchiolo
With the Law on Your Side
In many cases, reaching out to an attorney is a common response when businesses run into problems in various aspects of their operations. But seeking out their expertise may not only help the business avert problems but even strengthen and grow. I believe a proactive approach to consulting with my clients often avoids problems and creates opportunities for growth and … [More]
Acquisition as Strategy for Growth
Evaluating potential buyers as well as add-on opportunities
There are many strategies business owners may choose to grow their company. Growth via acquisition is one such strategy that can result in accelerated growth if executed properly. Whether a business is considering this strategy for itself or has been approached by a larger company looking to acquire the company as an add-on (also known as a bolt-on acquisition), the process may … [More]
Tax Incentives for Small Businesses: Engine for Economic Growth
Spurring high-impact research and development
As an accounting professional and small business consultant working with locally owned businesses for more than 20 years, I always hear stories from small business owners about their achievements, frustrations and how they enjoy doing the work they love. I see how self-employment is a strong option for all individuals nowadays, and I truly believe that small businesses are … [More]
Mesquite Fresh: Nourishing the Community with Compassion
Social responsibility is ingrained in its corporate culture
Nestled in the heart of Arizona, Mesquite Fresh Street Mex isn't just a restaurant — it's a vibrant hub of community support and social responsibility. From its humble beginnings, Mesquite Fresh has embraced a mission to give back, forming meaningful partnerships with local organizations to uplift those in need and cultivate a culture of compassion. Central to Mesquite … [More]
Retail Quandary: Returns
And how to make this problem easier to solve
Retail growth has been on a roaring upswing since the dawn of e-commerce. The effect of which, as retail inventory experts know, is that each year e-commerce grows, the returns problem grows as well. We saw the best example of this throughout the pandemic, as people were locked down at home; e-commerce marketplaces saw a boom in business as people turned away from … [More]
Honoring Differing Donor Mindsets amid Social Upheaval
You can’t make everyone happy … can you?
With today’s myriad social issues — political polarization, protests, diversity concerns — nonprofits are bound to face conflicting viewpoints from their constituents. Longstanding donors may bail while new donors may hop onboard. That kind of turbidity can present grave consequences to a nonprofit’s bottom line. It’s a scenario San Diego’s Museum of Us knows well. In 2012, … [More]
As the Next Seismic Social Media Shift Looms …
Here’s how to have a thriving digital presence
I remember the day millions of users — myself included — packed our former “Digital Town Square” bags and moved onto Threads. This exodus was largely spurred by X (formerly Twitter) changing hands to its present owner, Elon Musk, whose leadership meant much different, and at times volatile, content on the platform. (“Fewer People Using Elon Musk’s X as It Struggles to Keep … [More]
Dillan Knudson: Amplifying Arizona’s Economy through Commercial Banking
Helping businesses with his team of experienced bankers and subject matter experts at Western Alliance Bank
It’s no secret the fast-paced world of banking is fraught with challenges. Whether it’s unwieldy interest rates today or a global health crisis tomorrow, each day brings a new obstacle to overcome — often with high stakes. But for Dillan Knudson, Western Alliance Bank’s new head of commercial banking in Arizona, these obstacles are opportunities. He sees each challenge as a … [More]
