“If I’m not for myself, who will be for me, if not now, when; but if I’m only for myself, what am I?” Taking a close look at the third part of this quote from Hillel, a noted Jewish philosopher who lived in the first century BC, we agree with the sentiment that doing good for others completes us as individuals. Our Women of Achievement awards this year celebrate women who … [More]
Barbara Barrett, 25th Secretary of the U.S. Air Force
The Leadership and the Power of Giving Back
In this annual Women of Achievement edition, In Business Magazine shines a special spotlight on women who are using their leadership positions in for- and nonprofit organizations to make a difference in our community. This year, the Women of Achievement Committee has sought women who demonstrate a powerful commitment to giving back to their communities. The Grand Canyon … [More]
Leader Resilience – Core of Culture & Organizational Success
And effective in combatting chronic stress and burnout
Chronic stress and burnout are not new to business or leadership. What is significantly different today is the increased levels of leadership chronic stress and their exponential ripple effects on organizations. This article helps leaders understand the relational impacts of burnout and clarifies why prioritizing leader resilience is crucial for organizational health, … [More]
Mike Nelson: Crafting Success in the Sandwich Scene
Mike Nelson forges franchise growth as Mr. Pickle’s Sandwich Shops charts nationwide expansion
In 2019, Mike Nelson ate a sandwich from Mr. Pickle’s while on business in California. At the time, it was a cult brand with locations limited to a regional section of the Golden State owned since the mid-1990s by a husband-and-wife team approaching retirement. So, what made Nelson — a veteran multi-unit franchisee — think he could purchase it and position the brand for … [More]
Feedback: September 2024
Q: As a 2023 Women of Achievement honoree, you’ve been recognized for outstanding leadership. Different times seem to call for different strengths, not to mention that the idea of women in top leadership positions is especially timely right now. So, what do you feel are the most important leadership qualities for the times we are in now? Mary Martuscelli Regional … [More]
Are Managers More Invested in Their In-Person vs. Remote Employees’ Growth?
In the age of return-to-office mandates, business leaders seem to be increasingly prioritizing in-person work, citing easier collaboration, management and project efficiency. To better understand managers’ perceptions of in-person versus remote workers, in June, ResumeBuilder.com surveyed 626 managers who supervise both in-person and remote employees. Overall, managers … [More]
Chief Culture Officer at ASU Gets 2024 Leadership Award
Phoenix-based Mission Facilitators awarded Christine Whitney Sanchez their 2024 Excellence in Leadership Award. The goal of the award is to give back to a person who has significantly impacted Phoenix companies, employees, and communities. As the pace of change accelerates with technology at the forefront, the human side of an organization must evolve in harmony with these … [More]
The Pursuit of Success by Engaging Premium Talent
Committing to employee development can drive a company’s success
“Companies that recognize the importance of employee engagement and development are better positioned to attract and retain talent.” —Jack Altman in People Strategy In today’s hyper-competitive business environment, the pursuit of success hinges on a company's ability to engage premium talent. The most successful organizations recognize that their greatest asset is their … [More]
Goodmans CEO Leads by Listening, Workers Return in Droves
Focus on employee well-being supports company’s continued success
Many businesses have struggled with how to encourage their employees to return to the office voluntarily after the pandemic. Typically, this is due to companies looking for a silver bullet. Free lunches and foosball tables don’t provide long-lasting workplace satisfaction. At Goodmans, we believe that “One size misfits all.” The old paradigm of a small committee making … [More]
From Vision to Action: Remaking the World Through Social Entrepreneurship
From Vision to Action offers a master class in effective negotiation and conflict resolution. It builds on a core strategy of understanding differences and acting on commonalities. Marks uses his own experiences of creating real-life breakthroughs during his time leading Search for Common Ground, which he founded and built with his wife, Susan Collin Marks, into the world’s … [More]
The Unbeatable CEO: Navigating Your Leadership Voyage with Ease
The Unbeatable CEO offers a transformative approach to leadership, aiming to break the common thread of executive burnout and loneliness at the top. Authored by Clark Vitulli, a seasoned leader with more than 50 years of business experience, this book guides exhausted entrepreneurs and executives looking to redefine their approach to leadership. Unfortunately, today, executive … [More]
Looking Back at a Year of Growth for This Leadership Organization
Last year, Valley Leadership continued to grow and expand its impact and reach. We finished the third year of our Catalyze and Explore programs, graduating another 100+ leaders and sending them out into the community equipped and ready to make meaningful impact – as individuals serving the community, but also as part of our Impact Maker. There were some big milestones for our … [More]
Fix It Before It’s Broke: Leveraging a Forward-Resolve Approach for Better Customer Service
While a fix-it-the-first-time approach may be the gold standard of customer service, addressing potential issues before they materialize is the true mark of an exemplary user experience. Consider the pace of our modern world; customers today want instant solutions, and any hurdle might be a reason for them to jump ship to competitors. By ensuring their path is clear from … [More]
Embracing the Cactus: A Step-by-Step Guide to Navigating Difficult Conversations
“I don’t like confrontation, but I’m tired of his abuse. He signed me up for another committee without asking.” “I know I need to say something about her taking credit for my work, but how to start?” “Another joy of adulting, I’ve got to have one of those thorny conversations. Not fun.” Difficult conversations are inevitable at some point in most people’s lives — … [More]
You Might Be Headed for Small Business Burnout If… (Ten Signs You’re Almost Out of Runway)
You knew it from the beginning: Being an entrepreneur is no walk in the park. Hard work, hustle, and the occasional all-nighter come with the territory. But if “up to your eyeballs” has become your everyday reality, small business fixer Julie Bee says you’re headed for trouble. That way lies lower performance, poor decision-making, health issues (or health emergencies!), … [More]
Their Take: Why the 4th of July Is My Favorite Holiday
The meaning of Independence Day never ceases to amaze me. How a small group of rag-tag free spirits thwarted one of the most organized navies in the civilized world and created a country out of thirteen colonies really illuminates my imagination. It shows us that anything is possible with a burning desire to overcome great obstacles. We have built a company in a nation that … [More]
Conquering the Karen Conundrum
5 steps to turning the tide on tough customers
She wanted to return a cake that was almost gone. How bad could it have been? Normally, if something is spoiled or not up to standards, it's returned almost intact. This thing was a pile of crumbs. But it gets better: She demanded cash, yelled at me and started causing a scene. I hope she never comes back. He brought his car in for a repair and demanded that we detail it at … [More]
Resilience & Sustainability – Core of Life & Business
Holistic and comprehensive strategy for leadership
While resilience and sustainability have been business considerations for decades, ongoing accelerated change and uncertainty make it imperative to understand their multi-dimensional impact on business viability today. The principles of resilience and sustainability are universal. Today’s column offers business leaders a macro/micro view of organizational resilience and … [More]
