Power demand from semiconductor fabs and data centers in Arizona is growing at a staggering pace. Utility resource plans across the state project roughly two to three times growth in generation capacity over the next decade — a dramatic shift after nearly 25 years of relatively stable peak demand. That level of expansion presents real challenges for developers, utilities and … [More]
Powering the Next Wave of Development in Arizona
Why energy strategy is now a core investment decision
Bridging the Talent Shortage – Is Nearshoring an Answer?
As growth becomes harder to predict and technology reshapes how work gets done, U.S. businesses are rethinking how they build and scale teams. Rather than relying on traditional, headcount-heavy hiring models, many organizations are shifting toward productivity-driven growth by redesigning roles, investing in AI and rethinking how work flows across the organization. This shift … [More]
The Power of Fun at Work
WHY IT’S MORE THAN JUST A GOOD TIME
When most people think about work, “fun” probably isn’t the first word that comes to mind. Deadlines, meetings and spreadsheets? Sure. But laughter, camaraderie and a little silliness? That often feels like a luxury, not a priority. Here’s the truth: Fun at work isn’t just about blowing off steam or throwing office parties. It’s a powerful tool that drives engagement, … [More]
Mental Health Is a Leadership Imperative
Survey finds small business owners struggle with mental health
Running a small business is a mental game long before it ever shows up on a balance sheet. On paper, ownership looks like freedom: no boss, your own hours, the satisfaction of building something that’s yours. In reality, it’s equal parts purpose and pressure. Payroll, cash flow, lawsuits that come out of nowhere, the “what if this all disappears?” questions that show up at 3 … [More]
Driving Community Impact: How the Valley Toyota Dealers Turn Local Commitment into Lasting Change
For more than two decades, the Valley Toyota Dealers have demonstrated what it looks like when a business coalition treats community investment not as a marketing strategy but as a shared responsibility. Representing 10 dealerships across the Phoenix metropolitan area, the association has built a model of giving rooted in proximity: They live here, work here, raise their … [More]
Bossware Surveillance Is the Death of Workplace Culture
Business leaders cannot build a high-performing workplace on skepticism and wariness
Bossware — surveillance software that tracks, analyzes or flags employee activity in real time — didn’t appear out of nowhere, and it didn’t start with the pandemic. For years, companies in logistics, retail and call centers quietly have used monitoring tools to evaluate workers minute by minute. But over the last several years, especially with the rise of hybrid work, these … [More]
How Arizona’s Marketing Leaders Are Shaping the Future of Business in 2026
A Pivotal Moment for Arizona’s Marketing Community
As Arizona’s marketing ecosystem becomes both more sophisticated and more interconnected, the state is attracting more attention for how businesses operate locally while competing nationally. For local businesses, this shift carries tangible implications. Expectations are meeting a rising bar as leaders bring experience from more complex, competitive markets. Competition for … [More]
The Maverick Manifesto: How to Hijack Attention When the World Is Screaming
If you aren’t disrupting the status quo, you’re just funding it.
The most dangerous place in business isn’t on the edge of a cliff; it’s in the middle of the herd. If you aren't disrupting the status quo, you're just funding it. Be the exception. Event season in the Valley isn’t just a calendar of games and galas; it is a battlefield. As crowds swell in Scottsdale and broadcast ratings spike, businesses scramble like frantic stock traders … [More]
What Gen-Z Workers Want – and How Phoenix Employers Can Deliver
And employers need to differentiate themselves for successful recruitment
The Phoenix metro area, with its growing technology, healthcare, finance and manufacturing industries, is becoming a draw for Gen-Z workers. According to a recent ADP Research analysis looking at the best labor markets for this demographic, Phoenix ranked as the 8th best city in the U.S. ADP analyzed anonymized payroll data from more than 140,000 individuals of people aged … [More]
New Year, New Energy Savings
Annual reviews, on-site audits and custom energy strategies guide businesses toward smarter, more efficient operations
A new year marks a time for many to re-evaluate and establish new goals and businesses are no different. Often, companies make cost savings and increased profitability No. 1 on their list of resolutions. Knowing this, the SRP Business Solutions Program is designed to identify any inefficiencies and help mid-size companies save — and not just at the beginning of the … [More]
CornerStone Staffing: Building Stronger Communities, One Connection at a Time
Giving back is a natural extension of the company’s identity
When CornerStone Staffing opened its doors in 1991, it was a modest, family‑run staffing agency in Fort Worth with a simple belief: Strong businesses are built on strong people. More than three decades later, that belief has grown into a companywide ethos, one that now stretches across 11 locations, 65 employees and a rapidly expanding presence in the Greater Phoenix … [More]
How CX (Customer Experience) Can Combat Customer Churn
Businesses should note that CX doesn’t stop at customer service
In today’s hyper-competitive market, customer loyalty can’t be taken for granted. Even long-standing customers are quick to move on if their experience falls short of expectations. That reality makes customer experience (CX) one of the most powerful levers for reducing churn. By focusing on seamless interactions, personalized service and proactive support, businesses can … [More]
The Hidden Costs of Choosing the Wrong Software for Your Business
Using workflow tools can be counterproductive if not done correctly
For organizations from small businesses to large companies, integrating new software is a major decision. Several things can go wrong, leading to software that doesn’t help or even makes things worse. Time and time again, a company will invest heavily in workflow software only to find employees frustrated, productivity flatlined, and significant time and money … [More]
Designing for Good: How House of Form Is Reshaping Hospitality through Philanthropy
In the world of hospitality design, beauty and function often take center stage. But for Phoenix-based studio House of Form, philanthropy is just as integral to the blueprint. Founded by visionary designer Dala Al-Fuwaires, House of Form has built a reputation for crafting spaces that spark connection, and now it’s extending that ethos beyond interiors and into the community. … [More]
Data Quality in AI Use
The reason AI fails in business and how to help it succeed
Businesses are rushing to implement artificial intelligence left and right. From customer service chatbots to predictive analytics, there’s a lot AI can do to help businesses grow. However, there is one thing that can derail any project before it gets off the ground: bad data. When it comes to AI, data is everything. Businesses often assume that once they implement an AI … [More]
Benefits Are Interconnected and Your Strategy Should Be, Too
How smart tech and human-centered design make it happen
Employers are spending more on health coverage than ever in history — $8,951 per employee for single coverage and $25,572 for family coverage in 2024, according to the Kaiser Family Foundation. But many employees are not engaging meaningfully with, or even carefully selecting, these benefits. In fact, employees average only 18 minutes when selecting their benefits. This gap … [More]
When the Roadblocks Become the Road
3 strategies to turn obstacles into opportunities
Every business leader, whether running a startup or managing a global enterprise, encounters moments when the path forward feels blocked. A product underperforms. A key employee leaves. A regulation changes overnight. And suddenly, what once seemed like a sure thing becomes a problem to solve — or, worse, a setback to survive. It’s easy to view these moments as … [More]
Study Finds Hidden Cause behind Employee Turnover and Burnout
Fair pay is essential but insufficient as a driver of satisfaction
Imagine losing a full day of productive work every week, not to meetings or distractions but to fighting your own instincts. It’s no wonder the people doing it are also the most likely to be looking for another job, even in a tight market. That is one of the key findings from a new study that analyzed how people’s natural work styles shape their satisfaction, stress and … [More]
