Question: COVID-19 has brought to the fore a new concern about the future of office space. As stay-at-home mandates are lifted, how will your company approach its space needs? Clarence McAllister Founder and CEO Fortis Sector: Construction Before COVID-19, we were considering selling our building and moving to a smaller office. We have since accelerated those … [More]
Feedback: June 2020
Question: Describe the most profound change the pandemic has caused you to make in your business operations in planning next steps for your business. James Goodnow CEO and Managing Partner Fennemore Craig Sector: Law As a law firm that’s been serving Arizona and the Mountain West for 135 years, Fennemore Craig has withstood the tests of both World Wars, the Great … [More]
Feedback: April/May 2020
Q: The coronavirus has brought emergency crisis response to the forefront of attention, and the business community has responded. What are some actions your company has taken? Carol May Chief Executive Officer Wisdom Natural Brands® Sector: Manufacturing Wisdom Natural Brands takes the COVID-19 national emergency seriously and has initiated a comprehensive policy to … [More]
Feedback: March 2020
Q: What effect has a changed approach to risk had on your company? Ashleigh Bechtel President FireFly-HR Sector: Human Resources There is a high level of risk involved with being an entrepreneur, which can be exhilarating for some yet petrifying for others. Over the past 18 months, we have changed the way we look at risk within FireFly-HR. We dedicated time to … [More]
Feedback: February 2020
What are you doing to nurture leadership within your organization? Calvin Goetz Founder and President Strategy Financial Group Sector: Finance In order to nurture leadership within our organization, I focus on creating systems and processes for each role within the firm. That way, each person has a clear understanding of their role and expectations, and their teammates … [More]
Feedback: January 2020
Innovations in partnerships is the power of business, whether it's cities innovating in how they connect to business or businesses forging ties within a community. What strategic partnership have you employed this past year that has propelled your business's growth? STEPHEN HARTMAN Head of Sales, Americas Telia Carrier Sector: Telecommunication Over the past few years, … [More]
Feedback: December 2019
As a small-business owner, what was one of your top challenges over this past year and how did you address it? ROBYN BARRETT Managing Member and Founder FSW Funding Sector: Finance Finding the right people — this is a continuing, nagging problem and I am sure there is no simple solution. Your team can make or break you, so I take careful consideration when hiring. FSW … [More]
Feedback: November 2019
What wellness programs have proven effective with your employees? MICHAEL H. BILL Chief Executive Officer MJ Insurance Sector: Insurance MJ Insurance offers different challenges throughout the year that include mindfulness challenges, healthy recipe challenges and physical challenges like daily stretching and wall sits. We continually look for new and innovative ways to … [More]
Feedback: October 2019
As a woman business owner or a top executive making decisions for your company, what would you identify as some of the greatest community organizations or assets that have empowered you or your business? CATHERINE ALONZO Chief Executive Officer Javelina Sector: Branding Any successful business is a true reflection of its community; we are all propped up by our … [More]
Feedback: September 2019
What is the single greatest advantage to being in metro Phoenix, and how are you using it to benefit your business? AMY ARMSTRONG Interim CEO Social Venture Partners Arizona Sector: Philanthropy Phoenix may be the fifth-largest city in the country, but it has a small town feel when it comes to relationships. Most people are connected by what seems like just a few … [More]
Feedback: June 2019
Among the many services you provide your members, what are you doing to inform them about — and help them connect with appropriate expertise to address — changes in laws, regulations and public movements that businesses need to be aware of from a legal standpoint? Angela Garmon President National Association of Women Business Owners – Phoenix Sector: Economic … [More]
Feedback: May 2019
Phoenix’s economy has fostered and sustained growth in the housing sector (see our cover story on page 24); how has it impacted your company and how have you responded to it? Paul D. Engler Executive Vice President and Chief Real Estate Officer Alliance Bank of Arizona Sector: Banking Since the depth of the recession, Phoenix has seen steady recovery. According to John … [More]
Feedback: April 2019
What is the most effective or best-received wellness program you have offered your employees? Scott Elser CEO Digital Current Sector: Marketing and Advertising We use an incentive-based program where employees who opt-in can earn additional PTO for participating in monthly challenges and bonus activities. The monthly challenges are designed to promote wellness with … [More]
Feedback: March 2019
Question: What inspired you to create a nonprofit arm or affiliate of your business, and what was the biggest challenge you overcame? Jeff Kirke Vice President Holmes Murphy Sector: Employee Benefits At Holmes Murphy, we aren’t strangers to charitable giving and strategic philanthropy. Prior to establishing the Holmes Murphy Foundation, we were contributing more than … [More]
Feedback: February 2019
Question: What programs and training does your company offer to move employees into, or advance them in, leadership and management roles? Mike Brown Arizona Regional President Washington Federal Sector: Banking Washington Federal has an internal motto: Love what you do; make a difference. This motto informs our approach to learning and development. We start with a … [More]
Feedback: January 2019
New Year’s Resolutions — What is a business best practice you plan to continue, modify or implement in your business this year? Rowlan Hill Owner Blue Leaf Estate Auctions Sector: Auctions The use of social media and online advertising has proved to be the most effective way of reaching new customers and clients and utilizing this technology can do wonders for a … [More]
Feedback: December 2018
Question: As a small or minority-owned business, what was one of your top challenges over this past year and how did you address it? Clarence McAllister, P.E. Chief Executive Officer Fortis Networks, Inc. Sector: Construction I have lived in Arizona for the last 30 years and established Fortis in 2000. For the last 10 years, we have been a federal government … [More]
Feedback: November 2018
Q. What is a social “good” you align your company with, and how do you support it? Justin Grossman CEO meltmedia Sector: Digital Agency At meltmedia, we believe social good comes in many shapes, and we have built a community that supports not just employees, but their families, friends, clients, colleagues, and community and professional organizations. As such, we host … [More]
