COVID-19 has disrupted the business world, and the “normal” of a few months ago may never return. In this new landscape, how business leaders process and react to new challenges will be crucial. Using critical thinking skills to make sound business decisions in a complicated, constantly changing world has never been more important, says Dr. Jim White, founder and president … [More]
Business Will Need a Hand
As a chamber of commerce with a broad and diverse membership base, we’ve seen the full range of how the COVID-19 pandemic has impacted the Greater Phoenix region’s businesses, nonprofits and community-based organizations. For us, we’ve completely shifted our operations from emphasizing connections at events and programs to virtual offerings that still serve our members while … [More]
Connection in the Workplace: It’s Worth the Risk
“Leaders must either invest in a reasonable amount of time attending to fears and feelings or squander an unreasonable amount of time trying to manage ineffective and unproductive behavior.” —Brené Brown Whether it’s private sector or nonprofit, in communities, schools or government, we are hungry for courageous, empathetic leaders. We want to show up, learn and be inspired by … [More]
Lectric eBike Founders Pedal Their Way through Challenges
Lectric eBikes founders Levi Conlow and Robby Deziel, both 24, met in in middle school playing video games. Fast forward 12 years: Their electric bike company is barely a year old and already has more than 12,000 purchases, earning ElectricBikeReview.com’s Top Choice Award for Best Folding Electric Fat Tire Bike of 2020. The company is expected to hit more than $13 million … [More]
Three Tips for Transforming a Company and Surviving an Uncertain Time
The COVID-19 pandemic stopped the business world in its tracks. As companies slowly open again, change is imminent for many. But “change” in this new normal could be insufficient for business survival. Transformation — the execution of several integrated change initiatives — goes further. The goal with a transformation is to make changes to processes, people and systems that … [More]
Work-Life Balance: An Impossible Dream?
I’ve asked quite a number of leaders whether there is such a thing as work-life balance. Almost everyone says “no” without hesitation. They agree there are times we’re present, we’re grounded, we’re in sync with what matters, and we’re in the zone — feeling all the joyous personal and professional satisfaction we’re looking for. Yet, it’s as though the second we become aware of … [More]
Empathy – The Leadership Power Skill in the Post COVID-19 Workplace
COVID-19 has accelerated the fourth industrial revolution, and the future of work has arrived! All predictions, such as increased telecommuting, higher reliance on technology, and flexible work arrangements, are not only coming true but their adoption is accelerating. Once employees embrace their new, bedroom-to-Zoom commutes and organizations realize the increased productivity … [More]
Business Agility: Lessons Hard-Learned amid the COVID-19 Catastrophe
If there’s one thing the global business community has learned from the COVID-19 pandemic that continues to ebb, flow and unfold on the daily — wreaking havoc on bottom lines in every corner of the world in its wake — it’s the outright imperative for companies to be agile “from top to bottom.” In fact, agility is rapidly establishing itself as “the great equalizer,” asserting … [More]
Corporate Leadership’s New Path in the COVID-19 Crisis
The study of history is important because it enables us to see how we got to where we are today. It gives us a sense of how our ancestors made big decisions and helps us to understand how we have tackled change as a society. Through a chain of events, we learn that history repeats itself — both triumphs and grave mistakes. The Black Death pushed across Medieval Europe in the … [More]
Is Your Company’s Bench Deep Enough during Difficult Times?
In the uncertain times that COVID-19 produced, business leaders were forced to face the fact that employees might not be available every day to do their jobs — either because of their own health concerns or because they were scrambling to make childcare arrangements due to school closings. And, as the economy takes a hit, some businesses may even need to downsize, leaving … [More]
Alkaline Water’s Richard Wright Leads a Wave of Growth amidst Turbulent Times
With its rapid-fire growth and national brand awareness, Richard A. Wright knew it was time his Alkaline Water Company make another bold move: The Arizona-based business that produces bottled alkaline water, flavored-infused waters and CBD-infused waters recently announced its investment in complete brand refresh. A less bullish brand leader might have postponed such an … [More]
Common Mistakes Leaders Make in a Crisis like COVID-19
As we navigate this global pandemic, companies and their leaders are at a breaking point—and only the most adaptable will survive. No one wants to admit it, but leaders at the top are frightened; there are fewer knowns and the pace of change ushered in by the coronavirus is so fast-moving that it is hard to keep up. Rather than be overwhelmed by an onset of new challenges, … [More]
