The unspoken rules and unquestioned assumptions that make up an organization’s culture are so well hidden that, once we become insiders, we stop noticing them. They’re just ‘the way we do things around here.’ But shared internal language — “the way we talk around here” — both reflects and sustains the unconscious patterns of thought, behavior and interaction that add up to … [More]
Insurance Agent Networking Group Acquires Mesa-Based United Agents of Arizona
Renaissance, the premier network of independent insurance agencies, has acquired the agency network business of United Agents of Arizona (UAA), an agency group based in Mesa, Arizona. The transaction closed effective Sept. 30. The arrangement gives UAA’s seven agency members – which collectively represent $170m in premium – the opportunity to leverage the same … [More]
The Power of Feedback and Communication in Fostering a High-Performing Culture
A strong combination to avoid misinterpretations that lead to mistakes
Effective communication is the No. 1 ingredient to build and sustain an effective workplace culture. However, according to our recent survey, just 26% of knowledge workers strongly agree their leaders are good at it. So, what does it take for leaders to be successful at effective communication? It starts with recognizing that communication is about much more than just … [More]
Need to ‘Nope’ Out of a Business Situation? Thirty Scripts for Entrepreneurs Who Struggle with NO
If you’re an entrepreneur, you’re used to doing hard things. So why do you struggle with saying no? Whether you need to turn down a prospective client, reject a misguided employee idea, or decline the invitation to chair a committee at a professional organization, why does that two-letter word get stuck in your throat? Julie Bee says, for one thing, entrepreneurs are human. … [More]
New Professionals Collective Launches in Scottsdale
The Scottsdale Professionals Collective officially launches in the Valley this week. Founded by Brook Choulet, M.D. and Lindsay Benjamin, J.D., owner of Benjamin Legal, this curated community aims to foster meaningful in-person connections among leading physicians and attorneys in Scottsdale and surrounding areas. More than just another networking group, this supportive … [More]
Using LinkedIn for Demand and Lead Generation
“Work smarter, not harder” is the overriding mandate in the marketing world ― once sage advice, now a universal corporate edict. Budgets are smaller. Tactics that guarantee measurable results are the new default. The need to maximize every minute of your time and dollar of your spending allotment is paramount. Against this backdrop, the fundamentals of digital marketing still … [More]
Tips for Announcing Bad News
Here are a few aspects organizations need to consider when there is some hot water for an organization or an individual: Who will be the speaker? — Will the individual represent him- or herself or get a spokesperson? For an organization, the spokesperson will be the face of the organization within the firestorm. What is most important is the individual must be calm, cool and … [More]
Mastering Executive Presentations
Unveiling the secrets to craft a winning presentation
In the cutthroat world of business and startups, one’s ability to deliver a compelling executive presentation can be the ticket to scaling the corporate ladder. For technology professionals, where information can sometimes teeter between being technically dense and challenging to decipher, the importance of crafting a clear and engaging executive presentation cannot be … [More]
Reading the Signs: More Communication Is Not Better Communication
Top 3 things to do to avoid any miscommunication with one’s team
Presentations in business often go something like this: Someone stands up in front of a group and delivers a list of data and facts. The information is soon forgotten, just like items on a conveyor belt in “The Generation Game.” The attendees leave the meeting, and when asked what it was about, they are forced to create a story about the facts they can remember, which can lead … [More]
First Telecommunications Business Customer Joins APS’s Green Power Partners Program
Cox Communications has become the first Arizona Public Service Co. (APS) telecommunications business customer in APS’s Green Power Partners Program (GPP). By purchasing solar renewable energy from the Green Power Partners Program, Cox will vastly decrease reliance on fossil fuels, achieving 100% renewable supply for all our Cox facilities served by APS across Arizona. This … [More]
Messaging a Warm Reception
We all know that if there is one set of instructions and five people listening to those instructions, it’s a virtual certainty that different people will perceive and interpret those instructions differently. Said more plainly, the information will be received differently. The reason leadership communication is so difficult is leaders can expect the number of people they … [More]
Young Professionals Program Provides Opportunity for Networking, Community Involvement and Professional Development
In its 12th year, The Greater Phoenix Chamber’s Valley Young Professional (VYP) program offers entrepreneurs, community leaders, and business professionals a chance to network, get involved in the community, and grow personally and professionally. The group is open to Valley-area professionals ages 25-39. It aims to create the next generation of Phoenix leaders by connecting … [More]
