Palmer Nackard President Nackard Pepsi Sector: Beverage Distribution Each year, our employees contribute to more than 450 local philanthropic causes and organizations, and this comes in a variety of forms that include financial gifts, sponsorships, volunteer hours, product donations and more. We gravitate toward programs that allow our employees to get hands-on and have … [More]
Bridging the Talent Shortage – Is Nearshoring an Answer?
As growth becomes harder to predict and technology reshapes how work gets done, U.S. businesses are rethinking how they build and scale teams. Rather than relying on traditional, headcount-heavy hiring models, many organizations are shifting toward productivity-driven growth by redesigning roles, investing in AI and rethinking how work flows across the organization. This shift … [More]
How Hiring Justice-Impacted Talent Can Unlock Workforce Potential
… and boost company culture and retention
Across sectors, companies are navigating a tight labor market where open roles are growing faster than available candidates. Within this challenge lies a powerful and untapped opportunity: a broad talent pool that is often overlooked — individuals who have been justice-impacted. Fair Chance hiring and creating equitable employment opportunities for talent who have been … [More]
Workplace Safety Starts at the Top: Practical Steps Every Business Can Adopt
Creating a safe workplace is more than a compliance requirement. It is one of the strongest investments a business can make in its people, its culture and its long-term stability. In Arizona, companies of every size face daily challenges that range from ergonomic strain to hazardous equipment, and many of these risks can be prevented with proactive planning. We see the … [More]
Feedback: February 2026
Q: What do you feel is the most important factor in onboarding your new employees? Katherine Bastow, SPHR/SCP VP of People Operations REDW Advisors & CPAs Sector: Financial Services The most important part of welcoming a new team member is thoughtful planning — ideally, well before their first day. At REDW, we know that being Better Together starts with early … [More]
What Gen-Z Workers Want – and How Phoenix Employers Can Deliver
And employers need to differentiate themselves for successful recruitment
The Phoenix metro area, with its growing technology, healthcare, finance and manufacturing industries, is becoming a draw for Gen-Z workers. According to a recent ADP Research analysis looking at the best labor markets for this demographic, Phoenix ranked as the 8th best city in the U.S. ADP analyzed anonymized payroll data from more than 140,000 individuals of people aged … [More]
Benefits Are Interconnected and Your Strategy Should Be, Too
How smart tech and human-centered design make it happen
Employers are spending more on health coverage than ever in history — $8,951 per employee for single coverage and $25,572 for family coverage in 2024, according to the Kaiser Family Foundation. But many employees are not engaging meaningfully with, or even carefully selecting, these benefits. In fact, employees average only 18 minutes when selecting their benefits. This gap … [More]
Study Finds Hidden Cause behind Employee Turnover and Burnout
Fair pay is essential but insufficient as a driver of satisfaction
Imagine losing a full day of productive work every week, not to meetings or distractions but to fighting your own instincts. It’s no wonder the people doing it are also the most likely to be looking for another job, even in a tight market. That is one of the key findings from a new study that analyzed how people’s natural work styles shape their satisfaction, stress and … [More]
Why SMBs Should Invest in Hiring Recent Graduates
As the job market becomes increasingly competitive and uncertain, small and mid-sized businesses (SMBs) are uniquely positioned to make strategic hiring decisions by recognizing the often-underestimated value of recent graduates. This strategy can benefit their organization and the next generation of talent. The Rise of the Next-Gen Workforce Recent graduates bring more … [More]
Their Take: Disability-Inclusive Hiring Drives Real Economic and Social Gains
Savvy employers everywhere are elevating their workforce and simultaneously driving positive economic growth by hiring from the one in four adults in the U.S. who have some type of disability. The benefits of enhancing your team with an array of abilities are well known, but there are still some misconceptions about hiring from that 25% pool. The Department of Economic … [More]
Want to Future-Proof Your Business? Listen to Gen Z
When we talk about the “future of work,” it’s tempting to focus on AI breakthroughs, productivity apps, and collaboration tools. But the real key to future-proofing your business might be less about the tech itself and more about the people using it, especially your Gen Z employees. Gen Z isn’t just comfortable with technology; they’re redefining how it’s used. But unless … [More]
Suntec Concrete Pioneers Its In-House University Program in Phoenix
Employee-owned Suntec Concrete, the Southwest’s largest concrete subcontractor, has launched Suntec University, a comprehensive in-house training and development program equipping Suntec employees with skills that empower them in their work, families and communities. Based on three program pillars – Relationships, Leadership and Growth – Suntec University provides expansive … [More]
Employees Struggle during Organizational Change
Survey reveals key barriers to successful workplace transformations
TalentLMS, a leading employee training platform, in partnership with employee experience platform WorkTango, recently released a joint study, “Organizational Change: Cracks in the Transformation Playbook,” that suggests organizational change is hindered by workers' heightened anxiety, declining trust in leadership and a lack of support. The survey of 1,200 U.S. … [More]
Custom-Fit: A Straight-Talking Guide to Hiring Top Talent for Entrepreneurs & Small Business Owners
For small business owners, hiring the right people can make or break their company. Custom-Fit: A Straight-Talking Guide to Hiring Top Talent for Entrepreneurs and Small Business Owners by Kate Morgan is the essential resource for founders seeking practical, no-nonsense advice on building a team that fuels growth without the complications of big-business HR. Kate Morgan, a … [More]
How Employers Are Shaping Sustainable Compensation Strategies in 2025
Shifting focus to long-term workforce development
After years of pressure on compensation programs due to a highly competitive labor market, changing employee priorities and rising inflation and cost of living, most employers are experiencing relief. Employers are now shifting the focus to build strong and actionable foundational compensation programs as we navigate new economic uncertainty. When discussing the 2025 SHRM … [More]
Gen Z Increasingly Turning to AI for Help Managing Workplace Conflict
Resume.org has released new findings from a June 2025 survey exploring how Gen Z employees use AI to navigate workplace dynamics. The survey of 1,022 full-time Gen Z workers found that 76% use AI chatbots at work, and 94% of those have used the tools to handle a workplace issue, such as decoding messages, managing conflict, or deciding how to reply. After using AI to address … [More]
Employee Benefits Symposium Brings Key Findings in Talent Retention
More than 400 business leaders, HR professionals, and C-suite executives gathered at the Arizona Biltmore for the 12th Annual Arizona Employee Benefits Benchmarking, Healthcare & HR Symposium, hosted by Benefit Commerce Group , an Alera Group company. The symposium unveiled the results of BCG’s 2025 Arizona Employee Benefits Benchmarking Survey, which highlights local … [More]
Feedback: June 2025
Q: How do you foster a workplace culture of employee engagement such that everyone’s voice and concerns are heard in a real and practical way? Jolean Fleck SVP of People & Organizational Development Delta Dental of Arizona Sector: Healthcare We are intentional about fostering an environment where everyone’s voice is valued, concerns are addressed and collaboration … [More]
