Catherine M. Valenzuela President – East Valley, Arizona Business Bank Arizona Business Bank recently assembled most of the agencies that serve Maricopa County’s children in foster care for a roundtable discussion on how we can work together to spread the word about the recent tax law changes regarding charitable donations to these organizations. It was gratifying to sit … [More]
Arizona Nonprofits: Economic Power, Positive Impact
A recent statewide study examined the economic impact of Arizona’s nonprofit sector, the results of which were published in a report titled “Arizona Nonprofits: Economic Power, Positive Impact”. In the May 2016 issue of In Business Magazine, we reported on the direct financial impact of more than $22 billion the nonprofit sector has on the state economy. So how many people … [More]
Pokémon Go Reminds Businesses to Protect Confidentiality, Trade Secret and Privileges
The newest, hottest game, Pokémon Go, was downloaded more than 7.5 million times on iOS and Android phones in less than a week after its release. The free-to-download game is bringing in $1.6 million in daily revenue in Apple’s iOS store alone, based on in-app purchases. This augmented reality game is currently on the fast track to overtake social media apps in terms of amount … [More]
Stop Being Boring
Yes, I’m talking to you! I’m talking to the person who walks around the networking event asking everyone their name what they do for a living. The answer to both of those questions is: “Who cares?” When you ask me those questions, it’s really just a generically boring ice-breaker — all you’re trying to do is get a conversation going so that you can tell me what you do … [More]
Hearing Loss in the Workplace
Noise-related hearing loss is a major occupational health concern. Thousands of workers, annually, suffer from hearing loss because of workplace noise. Even when it is short-term, noise can cause a temporary change in hearing. Noise is measured in decibels (dBA). A small increase in decibels results in a huge change in the noise and the potential damage to a person’s … [More]
Management Development: The Power of Manager as Leader
Using social power can help us better understand and compare the roles of manager and leader. Managers can develop and leverage personal leadership skills to increase their effectiveness in getting results through people. Although the definition of “leadership” can easily be found in the dictionary, understanding what it truly means to be a leader is a complex topic and the … [More]
Dental Coverage for the Self-Employed
This is an age of entrepreneurial innovation. Professionals are passing on corporate life and becoming their own bosses. Today, freelancers, the self-employed and contract workers account for 30 percent of the national workforce, and that number is expected to increase to 40 percent by 2020. Working outside the box means accounting for all the details, including dental … [More]
Business Books to Keep on Top of Your Game
Picking up the right business book could help businesspeople stay ahead of the curve. It could advance their career, make them a better manager and keep them on top of new business trends. But with thousands of business books published each year, how can a person know which one to pick up? Try one of these Barnes & Noble Top Picks in Business books. The ONE Thing: … [More]
Summer 2016 Message from the NAWBO President
When I first visited NAWBO Phoenix back in 2004, I knew I had found my tribe. It was my district manager who had handed me a newspaper clipping a few weeks earlier and thought I might be interested in the group. I didn’t hesitate to become involved and started volunteering on a committee, and, finally, the board! I am so grateful to have the women of NAWBO in my life — they are … [More]
Announcing the New NAWBO 2016/2017 Board of Directors
The Phoenix Chapter of the National Association of Women Business Owners (NAWBO) recently installed its new board of directors for 2016-17. This board will be responsible for fulfilling the mission of the 5,000-strong women in NAWBO to: strengthen the wealth-creating capacity of its members and promote economic development; create innovative and effective changes in the … [More]
What to Do when Disaster Strikes
Have you ever heard the phrase “better safe than sorry”? Having a disaster plan is one step in making you safe. As a business owner, the last thing you want to think about is a disaster striking. Today’s disasters are not the same as those of previous generations. We not only have natural disasters which everyone seems to think about, but, with our world being run and … [More]
What Fortune 100 Firms Know about Teambuilding that Women Business Owners Need to Know!
Remember when you started your business a few years ago? You may have had visions of scaling up, living large, having a large team of people, or a company with more than a thousand employees. Or you may have decided to pursue your passion and see where it leads you. You could be a team of one or two. Either way, sooner or later, you can’t do it all alone. … [More]
The Technology Paradox: Are You Hooked into Technology or Is Technology Hooked into You?
I was recently traveling in the Colorado Rockies “off the grid” with no cellular service and no Internet access — unless I took a hike up the hill to the pasture and stood under the big pine tree, where I was able to access three bars on my smartphone. I wonder if this is how the indigenous felt when they sent out their smoke signals. … It’s amazing how much technology rules … [More]
Rights of Publicity: A Potentially Catastrophic Pitfall for the Unwary Marketer
Business owners and marketing departments need to have at least a basic understanding, if not a proficient grasp, of the legal vetting necessary before using an image in an ad or marketing piece. A marketer needs to know not to use trademarks owned by other companies, when to obtain a copyright license before using a photo, and how to avoid using trademarks in her own company’s … [More]
Protection from Hackers; Network Security for Your Business
As more home and office products become Wi-Fi enabled, having a robust network becomes a must. With all the hacking reports in the news, many of our clients have become very aware of network security concerns. There are several best practices that can help secure your home and office networks. The first step is having the right network installed. Different Types of … [More]
Business Excellence Awards Announced
The Tempe Chamber of Commerce presented two companies with Business Excellence Awards, the organization’s top honor for commerce, at its June 16 Annual Luncheon. The Dhaba was named the Small Business of the Year. Caliente Construction was named the Large Business of the Year. “The Dhaba and Caliente Construction are outstanding examples of the type of business that makes … [More]
Do You Support Sustainable Business Practices?
The Pledge was developed to help businesses learn how to reduce waste, energy and water usage and to develop sustainable purchasing programs. With the launch of this program, the goal of the Tempe Chamber of Commerce is to help make businesses and the communities in which they operate more resilient and sustainable. This comprehensive online resource and planning tool helps … [More]
A Shining Example of Sustainability: Special Moments Catering
Our long-term goals include a kitchen run completely from solar panels, trucks running from bio diesel or electric, and menus that focus 100 percent on locally grown and raised products. Our first step was a simple one: recycle everything. We were the only company in our strip mall to request a recycle bin from the city and to fill it on a regular basis. Keep in mind most trash … [More]
