As economic headwinds batter organizations, leaders find themselves juggling risky operational decisions and the very real emotional turbulence experienced by their workforce. For many employees, the threat of layoffs feels ever-present, prompting unsettling questions. Their anxiety is understandable — even rational — in a market where headlines shift by the hour and company … [More]
SRP Offers Tools and Tips for Businesses to Weather Arizona’s Monsoon Season
Some states have earthquakes, others have tornadoes; in Arizona, we get monsoons. While some monsoons are brief and cause minimal trouble, others can inflict significant damage and disrupt business operations, including power outages. When this happens, it’s reassuring to know that help is available. At SRP, dedicated Strategic Energy Managers (SEMs) are there to guide … [More]
Beyond the Acronym: How Companies Can Rethink DEI without Backlash
At the core seems to be a fear of fear itself
It is 2025, and one would not expect to be experiencing the kind of resistance and backlash that we are toward diversity, equity and inclusion — commonly known by the acronym DEI. It may appear that resistance and backlash to DEI is at its peak right now, but when we look back in time to the women’s rights, civil rights and LGBTQ+ rights movements, resistance and backlash have … [More]
The Real MVP of Enterprise Success? Operational Agility
Go beyond the limitations of efficiency
In B2B services, the ability to move fast and smart is more than a competitive advantage; it has become a necessity. Operational agility is what allows service providers to meet shifting client priorities, respond to real-time changes, and deliver consistent outcomes without getting stuck in process quicksand. Agility is often discussed in the context of product development … [More]
Feedback Loop: Building a System for a Thriving Workforce
Creating a communication system that encourages input and interaction
A strong workforce thrives on communication. When employees feel heard and valued, they’re more engaged, productive and invested in their work. However, according to Gallup, only 33% of the American workforce feels actively engaged at work, while 16% are actively disengaged. This gap highlights the need for stronger communication and feedback systems that encourage and nurture … [More]
Why Apprenticeship Is the Workforce Strategy More Businesses Need
Achieving outcomes that are difficult to achieve through traditional hiring alone
Across industries, employers are facing a frustrating paradox: There are open jobs, yet too few candidates with the right skills to fill them. As companies adapt to rapidly changing technologies, demographics and workplace expectations, it’s clear that traditional hiring methods are no longer enough. One proven, but often overlooked, solution is apprenticeship. Long … [More]
Tariffs and Their Impact on Commercial Real Estate
Developers must strategize on sourcing and usage
In recent months, there has been increasing concern among commercial real estate professionals with the potential impact of new tariffs. These tariffs, introduced as part of broader trade policies, have affected various industries, with commercial real estate being no exception. From construction costs to property values, these tariffs are resonating across the CRE sector, … [More]
Unlocking Potential: The Business of Autism Education and the Neurodiverse Workforce
There is both a noble mission and a viable market in helping neurodivergent students thrive
In a quiet Phoenix campus, every single graduate is headed to college. This isn’t a typical preparatory academy, but Gateway Academy — a private school exclusively serving students with high-functioning autism. Its 100% post-secondary placement rate is no accident. As autism diagnoses rise and more neurodiverse youth come of age, Gateway’s success highlights a burgeoning … [More]
The ROI of Employee Engagement
Investing in well-being, development and recognition can drive business success
Employee engagement is often viewed as a feel-good initiative, but its impact on business success is undeniable. Companies that invest in engagement strategies see improvements in productivity, profitability and retention. However, many organizations struggle to measure the financial impact of these efforts, leading them to deprioritize engagement initiatives. A Four-Point … [More]
Guiding Principles: The Blueprint for Enduring Business Success
They articulate ‘Who are we; why do we exist; and how do we intend to create value over the long haul?’
Senior leaders understand that building an enterprise isn’t just about navigating market trends or chasing the next big idea — it’s about establishing a foundation that lasts. In decades of working with companies striving to stand out in competitive markets, one truth has consistently emerged: Strong guiding principles are the cornerstone of lasting success. Consider the … [More]
Employers’ Guide to Hiring Veterans
Resources, hiring & retaining
Veterans can be some of the best workers a company could have. They tend to prize attention to detail; they understand the importance of following the rules; and they know how to persist, even when the going gets tough. Despite these advantages, veterans often have a hard time finding employment that suits their skills and experience. Fortunately, employers can improve these … [More]
The Truth about Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
DEI Is Not about Replacing Merit – It’s about Revealing It
When people talk about dismantling diversity, equity and inclusion programs, they often argue that these initiatives prioritize identity over merit. That’s the story we’ve been told: that DEI lowers the bar, forces hiring quotas, and takes opportunities away from people who “deserve” them. Let me tell you the truth: I have lived the impact of what we now call DEI firsthand, … [More]
Go Home, Go Home, Go Home – Now Let’s Make ‘Come Back’ Work
If this title feels like a lyric from a confusing song, that’s because the message has been just as mixed. For years, it was all “Go home, stay remote, stay safe” — a chorus sung on repeat. Now, the tune has flipped to “Come back, come back, come back,” and employees are understandably out of sync with the new rhythm. Some are ready to march back to the office, happy to … [More]
The Importance of Balancing Creativity and Data in Marketing Efforts
Finding the sweet spot between innovation and metrics-based strategy
In today’s fast-paced, competitive landscape, marketers often find themselves at the crossroads of creativity and data. On one hand, creativity is the cornerstone of a compelling brand story — fueling innovation, differentiation, and emotional resonance with audiences. On the other hand, data-driven insights provide the structure, precision and accountability necessary to … [More]
Energizing Arizona Businesses
SRP’s Business Demand Response Program helps prevent power outages during the busiest time of year and lowers operating costs for Arizona businesses
There is a reason the saying “When one of us wins, we all win” has withstood the test of time. In most cases it’s true, and Salt River Project’s Business Demand Response Program was designed with this adage in mind. This initiative endeavors to simultaneously prevent power outages during the busiest time of year and lower operating costs for Arizona businesses. The result of … [More]
10 Rules for Brainstorming Success
The secrets of visionary thinkers
At various times, the popular press raises the idea that group brainstorming isn’t effective at generating creative solutions. That assertion is erroneous, for a variety of reasons. Groups can — and do — successfully brainstorm creative and useful solutions. But research does show that effective brainstorming requires adherence to some specific guidelines. If it’s done … [More]
Trust, Transformation and Thinking Patterns
How leaders can reshape company culture
In times of upheaval, the success of a business often hinges on its ability to adapt — and adaptation begins with trust. Trust fuels the conversations that create alignment, encourage inclusivity and inspire change. But trust, especially in teams grappling with complex challenges, doesn’t just happen. It must be built deliberately through shared understanding, transparent … [More]
The New Administration’s Impact on AI and Digital Assets
What business owners need to know
AI and digital assets are undergoing rapid transformation, with significant changes expected under the new administration. With the appointment of David Sacks as the new AI and Crypto Czar and the resignation of Gary Gensler from the Securities and Exchange Commission, these developments signal a shift in how the federal government plans to regulate and support these … [More]
