Being a business owner is extremely exciting, yet it can also be challenging, especially in uncertain times like we are in right now. The pandemic has disrupted many industries, from hospitality and retail to food and travel. With inflation rising and supply chains getting impacted due to other global disturbances, business environments are likely to become even more … [More]
How to Prevent Online Identity Theft
Thinking someone can pretend to be you online for financial gain is scary. Unfortunately, in the U.S., identity theft is rising considerably. Being prepared helps protect your identity. According to the Federal Trade Commission, nearly 1.4 million identity thefts were reported in 2020, up from 650,523 in 2019. This is an increase of 113%. Since your bank is where you … [More]
Rekindle Your Creative Thinking
“Creativity is something you practice, not just a talent you’re born with.” —Tom Kelley and David Kelley According to a number of global surveys of chief executives, creativity is the most sought-after trait in leaders today. In these times of disruptive innovations, creative thinking is especially crucial for the rise and continued success of startup to stalwart … [More]
Get ahead of Your Numbers in Order to Thrive in Today’s New Environment!
If you are like most business owners, you are probably feeling like your business just went through 12 months of raging rapids, temporarily capsized, and came out the other end with you wondering where exactly you are. One thing is for sure, we will not be returning to the way things used to be. It is a VUCA (Volatile, Uncertain, Complex, Ambiguous) World out there and it will … [More]
ASBA Equipping Small Business Owners with Tools to Thrive
Arizona Toastmasters (District 3) has been around since 1938 and we are very proud to serve our communities across the state. Our new partnership with the Arizona Small Business Association, brings a renewed sense of change where we can combine working with our local business owners to improve their communication and leadership skills along with the advocacy and training from … [More]
Business Travel with Heart
Small businesses are important to our families, friends and communities, and they are important to Southwest Airlines. When you think “small business,” a few things may come to mind: family-owned, a friendly smile and hospitality. While Southwest® is not a small business, we share those key characteristics. We treat our people and customers like family, give out friendly … [More]
What is that Lender Thinking?
Borrowing money can seem complicated, but lending is really a fairly simple business. Lenders are in the risk business so they constantly juggle the desire to invest in businesses’ success and the need to limit risk of loss. Knowing how lenders think will help you navigate the process and be better prepared to apply for a loan. Why Are You Requesting a Loan? This seems … [More]
Exposing the Mental Health Crisis Caused by the Pandemic
More than 40% of Americans report increases in mental distress due to the COVID-19 pandemic, leaving employers with their own crisis, resulting in increased absenteeism, negative impacts on productivity and profits, and an increase in healthcare costs. Encouragingly, employers that support mental health see a return of $4 for every dollar invested in mental health … [More]
Ever Wonder if There’s a Better Way to Store Data for Your Business?
When you’re strategizing how your business is going to navigate the next season, data storage probably isn’t the first thing that comes to mind; but although we may not often think of it, the role of data storage is indispensable to the overall health of a business. To meet this need, I’ll introduce you to a storage solution you may not have heard of, called “network attached … [More]
ASBA Economic Analysis Confirms: Small Businesses Are Making Big Contributions
At the Arizona Small Business Association, we’re proud to represent so many innovative and resilient small businesses that continue to contribute so much to the Arizona economy. To support the small business recovery efforts underway, we have partnered with leading economist Jim Rounds, president of Rounds Consulting Group, to provide perspective and recommendations for … [More]
ASBA Equipping Small Business Owners with Tools to Thrive
At the Arizona Small Business Association, we know that the pandemic has introduced unprecedented challenges for our members, and that many small businesses continue to feel its rippling economic effects. ASBA has partnered with a local technology company, Journeyage, to develop and deploy personalized, action-based training to help our members recover revenue, reposition and … [More]
The Southwest® Promise
When you’re ready to fly again, Southwest Airlines is here to welcome you back onboard! As we continue to navigate our business through the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, the safety and well-being of our customers and employees remain our top priority. Since March, we’ve made changes to our operations and procedures to better support the comfort of our employees and customers … [More]
The 2021 Workplace
Undoubtedly, the U.S. workplace in 2021 will be as complex, if not more so, as what employers are managing today. Three key areas to watch in the New Year: The Ever-Changing COVID-19 Best Practices As treatments come to market (and even a likely vaccine or two), anticipate updated CDC guidance on how long COVID-positive employees should remain away from the workplace and … [More]
Leading through COVID-19 and Other Challenging Times
I’ve spoken to a lot of CEOs recently, and the one question I hear over and over is, “What is the best way to lead my team through this tumultuous time?” Here are the main points I cover with them: Be clear with your entire team that the direction has not changed, but we will have to navigate this crisis together. Over-communicate the plan to get through this crisis. … [More]
Why Community Banking Matters
As a business banker at a community bank, I’m often reminded of the old saying, “A rising tide lifts all boats.” To me, it speaks to the interconnected nature of our communities; how we’re all in this together; and how what’s good for the community is good for the individual, and vice versa. Community banks understand this intimately, and that’s what separates them from the … [More]
Is the Health of Your Payment Technology a New Year’s Resolution?
COVID has certainly challenged businesses of all types and sizes to rethink the way products and services are made available to their customers. Through these challenges, there have been numerous innovations and improvements that will outlast COVID. What will 2021 bring and is your business prepared. Online Digital Payment Solutions We’re all in this together, apart … at home … [More]
Fostering Convenience, Connection, and Community Engagement
As a town center and community hub with more than 80 retailers, restaurants and office tenants in Scottsdale, Scottsdale Quarter has had an up-close view of the impacts of COVID-19 on small businesses in Arizona. While there is no doubt that companies continue to face unprecedented challenges, we’ve been continually inspired by the resilience of our retailers and our … [More]
Returning Employees to Work during a Pandemic: What’s So Hard about That?
After managing the devastating impact the COVID-19 response has had on business, including the labyrinth of forgivable and non-forgivable government loans, businesses are now tasked with formulating a strategy for restarting the bulk of their operations. With that comes the perilous task of returning employees from furloughs, posting jobs, and changing the job functions for … [More]
