Think of your favorite magazine. If it still exists after all this time, odds are it has been through some changes but is still a part of you. That captures what has happened with TechConnect magazine. Since its launch in 2005 by the Arizona Technology Council, the publication has gone through redesigns and evolved from print only to an online digital format. After 56 … [More]
Two Board Additions Bring Experience in Innovation
The Arizona Technology Council has appointed Kerri Zunkowski, vice president of People Operations at Infusionsoft, and Ken McMahon, senior vice president of Client Operations at Vonage, to its board of directors. The two technology executives were elected unanimously at the quarterly board meeting in January to serve three-year terms. “Kerri and Ken bring expertise, … [More]
Meet 3 Newest Members of Council Staff
Jill Brownley Director, Marketing + Communications Brownley’s experience includes public relations, marketing communications, social media, copywriting and technical writing, public affairs, internal communications, advertising and graphic design. Most recently, she was a public relations consultant serving bioscience clients. Previously, she was director of marketing and … [More]
Planner Becomes Critical Partner for Council Events
Chuck Smith still remembers his first experience with the Arizona Technology Council. He was invited to attend its annual Governor’s Celebration of Innovation in November 2016 and was shocked to see people considered competitors actually getting along throughout the event. “We were just blown away by the camaraderie,” he says. “If we wanted to get into the pulse of the local … [More]
Staff Profile: Deborah Zack
For hundreds of members of the Arizona Technology Council, Deborah Zack is the Council. As senior director of membership services, Deborah Zack has been the one constant in the lives of many members. Whether it’s offering basic information about joining the group or responding to inquiries about how a company can become more involved in the Council, Zack is the go-to person. … [More]
My Secrets to Success: Negotiate, Close, Repeat
Why is there a gender pay gap? Could it be that 68 percent of women accept a salary without further negotiation? This figure is real and comes from Katie Donovan of Equal Pay Negotiations. This gap often drives women, such as those in NAWBO, to own their own businesses. And yet, we return to the fact that, in business, negotiation is necessary. Most business owners’ success … [More]
Five Extraordinary Leadership Lessons from Wonder Woman
Here are five extraordinary leadership lessons we learn from Wonder Woman. “You have been my greatest love.” A young Diana watches with excitement as General Antiope puts the Amazons through rigorous training. A young girl, Diana knows this is her calling, Despite being told “no” numerous times by the very people she loves and respects, she is drawn to the training. She … [More]
Digital Marketing Today
So you have a company website. Good for you!! Now you are thinking, “Whew, the work is over.” This is just the beginning. You have to get your business found by your ideal client/customer. Back in 2000 when we started our company, essentially all you had to do was have a website and life was simple. “Look at me, my company has a website,” and now all you had to do was print … [More]
Three Ways Women Can Stand Out from the Crowd
Humility may be the greatest roadblock to closing the income gap between women and men. If women tooted their horns, asked for salaries that represent their worth (and sometimes even more) and held the same level of self-esteem men do, they would probably be outperforming their male counterparts in all areas of business. Here are three ways women can start gaining the … [More]
What Is Your Perspective Costing You?
“It is a matter of perspective,” I recently shared with a client. “You can either choose to continue seeing and doing things your way or you can shift the status quo and ask your team their thoughts.” Recently, I was loading items into the back of my SUV. Initially, the truck was parked across the street from the house. After the first trip, I thought, “Angela, work … [More]
The Secret to Getting More Referrals in 2019
A client started working with me because she was frustrated with the fact that she had invested years in networking and wasn’t getting the business she thought she would get. As a result of more than five years of intense effort, her results were: lots of deep relationships with quality business owners,a fantastic reputation as an expert in her field,the satisfaction … [More]
Protect Your Business Against Fraud
Early in my business banking career, I encountered a client who had me evaluate her financials because she had cash flow issues. This is a common enough business problem, and there are different ways to address it. This client operated a successful, established business but constantly had overdrafts on her account. Again, this isn’t an unusual business scenario, so there … [More]
Career Ready Tempe
This summer, the Tempe Chamber of Commerce and the City of Tempe will launch Career Ready Tempe, a two-year youth workforce pilot program intended to tackle barriers to employability for income-eligible youth and help employers create a robust youth talent pipeline. Teens preparing for today’s workforce have co-existed with the internet for the entirety of their existence. … [More]
Tempe Chamber Announces Tempe Streetcar Asset Assistance Loan Program
In a partnership of the City of Tempe, the Tempe Chamber of Commerce, SCORE and One AZCredit Union, a Tempe Streetcar Asset Assistance program was announced in December of 2018. The purpose of the program is to provide low-interest loan opportunities to businesses directly adjacent to the streetcar route during construction. The Tempe Streetcar project is a three-mile route … [More]
Tempe Chamber Women in Business Announces the 2018-2019 Mentoring Program
The Tempe Chamber of Commerce’s Women in Business Council launched its annual mentoring program with 11 pairs of mentors and protégés. The selected participants began the six-month program on December 13th. The program focuses on self-discovery, professional development, making connections, sharing experiences and much more. Each participant was asked to complete a TTI/DISC … [More]
Tempe Chamber Welcomes New Staff
Erika Acorn, Business Development Specialist Erika’s role is to develop and implement programs to increase membership and sponsorships. She has worked for a nonprofit membership-based company where she was able to connect members with new opportunities and create programs that aligned with their needs. She brings experience in community engagement, brand development and … [More]
State of the City with Mayor Mark Mitchell Breaks Records
Innovation, Discovery, Education, Arts – IDEA Tempe was the theme of the 20th Annual State of the City Address by Tempe Mayor Mark Mitchell. Hosted by the Tempe Chamber of Commerce at the Marriott Buttes Resort Tempe, the event welcomed 600 distinguished sponsors and guests to hear Mayor Mitchell reflect on the past year’s success and discuss new projects for Tempe’s future. … [More]
Networking Your Small Business
You may have the most lucrative product or service, but how do you move from no one knowing about it to achieving great success in business? Networking for your small business is an integral part of marketing and promoting what you offer. Networking is the next step of branching outside of the office, meeting new people and forming new relationships. Networking can be a … [More]
