Greater Phoenix SCORE client Luckyleo Dancewear, a small business start-up company that specializes in making custom handmade dancewear, was named a winner of The American Small Business Championship based on the company’s dedication and willingness to make its business successful in the marketplace. SCORE, a national nonprofit dedicated to mentoring small business owners, … [More]
Steve Purves, Maricopa Integrated Health System
Employers have long recognized the importance of healthcare as an issue in their business operations. Today’s federally mandated requirements have added to their responsibilities, to not only provide the level of healthcare benefits that makes their company competitive in attracting and retaining talent but also meet the ongoing roll-out of compliance provisions. Add to those … [More]
The Employer Shared Responsibility of the Affordable Care Act
After considerable fits and starts, the employer responsibility provisions of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA) are now in full play. While implementing regulations and related notices can be complex, business owners should understand the basics in order to avoid penalties, identify the best-suited healthcare solutions for their workforce and remain … [More]
Charles A. Touché: Embracing Change as Path to Innovation
It’s often said that change is the only consistency in life. And in the insurance industry, this adage is true now more than ever. An evolving economy, rapid emergence of new technologies and a rocky healthcare landscape are among the industry’s most difficult issues to navigate. It’s Charles A. Touché’s ability to adapt to such change — quickly and fearlessly — that has helped … [More]
Making Change through Innovation
Changemaker Challenge is an opportunity for undergraduate and graduate students from all four Arizona state university campuses to make a difference in local and global communities through innovation. Students can win up to $10,000 to make innovative project, prototype, venture or community partnership ideas happen. This year, more than $40,000 was handed to several … [More]
2016 Ferrari 488 Spider
The quintessential sports car is the Ferrari, and this model is the one everyone is talking about. Pricy, fast, highest quality and style to rival none is what is heard about this intensely tech’ed-out vehicle. With a 3902cc turbo-charged V8 engine with 661 horsepower and more than 560 lb.-ft. of torque, this rocket is impressive by all measures. Clocked at 0–62 mph in just 3.0 … [More]
A Thank You by Any Other Name
In today’s world, the thank you has become an immediate email sent to express gratitude or congratulations for a special moment. For high impact, though, it’s still the mailed note or thank you card that stands out. Here are our picks for personalized cards. Paperjoy Specializing in all things custom, from prepackaged thank yous to custom, and elaborate editions and art … [More]
Craft 64
Craft beer and modern Italian fare is a great way to not only describe this new Old Town Scottsdale hot spot, but a great way to entice patrons. Artisan wood-fired pizza is going to be the lunchtime crowd attraction, however. Quickly becoming known for offering more than 30 craft beers and a sommelier on staff offering up great wines, owners Josh Ivey (the resident sommelier), … [More]
Breakfast and Lunch Spots
A great new trend is the restaurant that focuses on only the mornings and early afternoons. All kinds of concepts are popping up. Here are some of the most fun. Morning Squeeze Eclectic and fun, this bright morning and lunch spot serves up many of the “old diner” plates with a bit of a gourmet twist. With a full coffee and liquor bar, this is the perfect weekend spot as … [More]
Everydata
While everyone is talking about “big data,” the truth is that understanding the “little data” (stock reports, newspaper headlines, weather forecasts, etc.) is what will help business owners and executives make smarter decisions at work, at home and in every aspect of their life. The average person consumes approximately 30 gigabytes of data every single day, but has no idea how … [More]
Feedback: April 2016
Question: What is the most notable need your employees have expressed regarding healthcare and wellness since the implementation of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act? Chad Falkenberg Chairman and CEO Soilworks Sector: Manufacturing At Soilworks, offering a choice in healthcare plans is very important to our employees. They appreciate having three quality … [More]
Local Arizona Insurance Professionals Pick Up Their Golf Clubs for Charity
On Thursday, February 25th, more than 120 Arizona insurance professionals gathered to raise over $27,000 in support of local nonprofits at the Insurance Industry Charitable Foundation’s second annual Swing for the Green Charity Challenge. Held at Top Golf Scottsdale, this event brought the local insurance industry together for a fun-filled night of celebration and … [More]
Riester Executive and Work Earn Highest Honors from American Advertising Federation
The 2016 prestigious awards show hosted by the American Advertising Federation — the ADDYs — was an electric evening for RIESTER. The Firm was selected as best in class for copywriting and art direction with the presentation of the awards titled, Copywriting of the Year and Art Direction of the Year. Individual work resulted in eight Gold ADDYs, 11 Silver ADDYs and a Bronze … [More]
Invest in Our Community!
Nonprofits are businesses. That’s obvious, of course, to anyone who has served on a nonprofit organization’s board of directors. They have to operate in the black in order to continue to fulfill their mission. It’s “the mission” that takes center stage in most discussion about impact and purpose with respect to nonprofit organizations. And that’s understandable, given that … [More]
David Adame, Chicanos Por La Causa
Arizona is home to more than 21,000 nonprofits, with missions as varied as our population. And while it is recognized that these organizations serve the community through services to their various constituents — from providing the basics of food, shelter and clothing to mentoring to medical assistance and research — it is not so generally recognized that the nonprofit sector … [More]
Waste Not
Waste Management’s tagline for the Waste Management Phoenix Open is “The Greenest Show on Grass,” and the details in the adjoining column give testament to its commitment to that goal. The company’s dedication to “green” also extends beyond its own operations, and it hosts a forum every year alongside the Open that “gives us a chance to investigate and think more deeply about … [More]
Litigation on the Rise from Americans with Disabilities Act
Arizona is quickly joining the ranks of California, New York and Texas as a hotbed for lawsuits arising under the Americans with Disabilities Act. Over the past six months, a handful of serial plaintiffs — known as “testers” — have filed hundreds of lawsuits against Arizona businesses. First there was Theresa Brooke, a wheelchair-bound woman who filed more than 150 lawsuits … [More]
