The Tempe Chamber of Commerce and Rio Salado College have partnered to create the Tempe Workforce Skills Accelerator, which will offer three microcredentials to Tempe businesses to upskill their workforce: Small Business Management, Data Analytics and Quality Customer Service. “We are honored to partner with the Tempe Chamber of Commerce to address critical workforce skills … [More]
Career Ready Tempe
Career Ready Tempe is a youth-workforce pilot program, funded by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation’s Career Readiness Lab Grant and the City of Tempe’s Innovation Fund. The program aims to prepare Tempe youth to participate in the future workforce and to develop the youth-talent pipeline in the City of Tempe so that it aligns with industry needs. The program places … [More]
April 2024 Guest Editor RaeAnne Marsh, In Business Magazine
Capital Connections
Capital is recognized as the essential foundation of business. But even more basic is access to capital. And to knowledgeable counsel on achieving that access and making the most of financial opportunity that goes with it. This month’s cover story looks at sources of capital from several different angles — including types of funding programs and financial institutions as … [More]
Harrah’s Ak-Chin Casino Employees Support Pinal County Communities
The HERO, SALUTE and SAVVY committees at Harrah’s Ak-Chin Casino embraced the giving spirit throughout 2023. During 2023, the HERO committee and Business Impact Groups combined organized and/or participated in more than 55 events. Employees personally donated more than $10,000 and volunteered countless hours to support causes and organizations in need. Harrah’s Ak-Chin Casino … [More]
Arizona Winners of the NAIOP and Prologis CRE Scholarship
Rob Hernandez, senior associate at Trammell Crow Company, Kelly Royle, vice president at JLL, and Jennifer Villalobos, associate at Cushman and Wakefield are the three Arizona winners among the 15 nationwide of the NAIOP and Prologis Inclusion in CRE Scholarship for Women and Underrepresented Professionals, which is designed to prepare a pipeline of diverse talent for … [More]
Woman of the Year Honor for Local Girl Scout Council CEO
The Arizona Diversity Council has honored Mary Mitchell, Co-CEO of Girl Scouts–Arizona Cactus-Pine Council as its 2024 Women in Leadership Symposium Woman of the Year awardee. … [More]
Sundt Honored with Build Arizona AGC Award
Sundt Construction recently won a Build Arizona award for its Zone 3D and 4A Improvements Program: Water Transmission Main Segment 2 project. The award is given each year by the Arizona Chapter of the Associated General Contractors of America. Sundt has been building critical infrastructure across Arizona for more than 90 years. … [More]
Commit Agency Lauded by Ad Age
Commit Agency secured the third position in the Western United States — and eighth nationally — in Ad Age's Best Places to Work 2024, ranking among companies from across the country with fewer than 200 employees. Commit Agency is the only Arizona-based company to receive this accolade from Ad Age, one of the largest and most reputable marketing publications in the world. … [More]
It’s Lonely at the Top: Empowering CEOs to Be Their Best
It’s not only lonely at the top, it’s precarious — as good leaders live up to President Harry Truman’s famous statement acknowledging the responsibility that comes with authority: “The buck stops here.” Even experienced CEOs running major corporations may not be managing themselves well; focused on managing the company, they’re neglecting some basic aspects of self-care, best … [More]
Tim O’Neal, Goodwill of Central and Northern Arizona
Leadership That Matters
“Continuous improvement” is the mantra for business success. While the phrase usually refers to business operations, it’s also applicable to those organizations’ leadership as well. As CEO for one of the fastest-growing nonprofit organizations in the country, we have been impacted by the same market trends, supply chain challenges, labor shortages and lack of affordable … [More]
Is Your Company Headed for the Commodity Death Spiral?
Turn it around with a strategy of market-facing innovation
Once upon a time in a company’s evolution, its founder would be laser-focused on delivering superior, differentiated value to customers. Those customers would have specific needs, and the company sets out to fulfill them better than anyone else. But as the years pass and the business grows, that intense focus, well … drifts. Leaders get caught up in other priorities — say, … [More]
Protecting Whistleblowers Following SEC Rules Is Good for Business
To ensure corporate integrity and longevity, business leaders must use quality employee agreements in line with SEC guidelines on restrictive contracts
In recent months, the Securities Exchange Commission has dramatically expanded the enforcement of Rule 21F-17(a), which prohibits companies from impeding employees, contractors and clients from contacting the SEC and other government agencies about a possible securities law violation. The rule, included within the Dodd-Frank Act and regulations for the SEC Whistleblower … [More]
RPM Living: A Story of Growth, Values and Corporate Responsibility
Impactful partnerships further efforts to empower and strengthen its communities
In 2002, Jason Berkowitz founded RPM Living in Austin, Texas, managing a mere 10 units. Today, this real estate powerhouse has extended its influence far beyond its origins, making a significant impact in Arizona, emerging as a vital force in the region's growth and well-being. With a portfolio now spanning more than 180,000 units across more than 45 markets, RPM Living has … [More]
How Third-Party Escrow Could Help Close Business Deals
And streamline transactions
From closing a transaction to merging or selling, a well-rounded financial and legal team can help navigate pivotal moments for a business. By taking advantage of third-party escrow services, funds can be disbursed quickly, securely and in accordance with the terms of an agreement. A good escrow agent asks the right questions to make sure the transaction is effectively … [More]
Students’ Chronic Absenteeism Is a Growing Issue
Impacts Arizona’s business health and economy
Chronic absenteeism among Arizona students has steadily increased since the COVID-19 pandemic, putting students and our future Arizona leaders at risk. Chronic absenteeism increased from 14% in 2019 to 34% in 2022, according to data from the Arizona Department of Education. When a K-12 student misses 10% or more of the school year, they are considered chronically absent. This … [More]
El Patron: The Boss of New Mexican Cuisine
Opening El Patron early this year was a restaurateur’s dream: Customers from the Daskaloses’ Albuquerque location — who had either relocated to Phoenix or are Phoenicians who vacation in Albuquerque — were a built-in customer base, stampeding to the Scottsdale location as soon as El Patron’s Facebook page announced the opening. Long-time restaurateurs Jimmy and Nadine … [More]
Powering the Future from Chandler, Arizona
Saras makes strides in packaging for power efficiency and performance
Amidst the technological strides being made in Arizona, the state continues to develop its extensive network of highly specialized companies that help create the chips that the world literally runs on. According to the Greater Phoenix Economic Council, about 20 semiconductor companies have officially announced they will begin operations in Arizona, and about 20 more are in the … [More]
Where Sustainability Meets Technology
At the heart of every technological advancement, semiconductors are silently powering the future. But as we enter an era where sustainability is not just a choice but a necessity, the semiconductor industry is finding itself at a crossroads. The recent GreenBiz 24 conference in Phoenix not only highlighted the latest sustainable practices but also the challenges and triumphs of … [More]
