Question: What is a new use you’ve made of technology over this past year for a marketing campaign? Chad Barnett Chair, Subway Franchisee Advertising Fund Trust President, Foods 2000, Inc. Sector: Restaurant For us, one of the best uses of marketing technology has been through partnership with Mobivity, headquartered here in Arizona. Mobivity’s SmartReceipt® connects … [More]
Feedback: January 2018
Question: What is your one pie-in-the-sky wish for 2018 from the standpoint of leadership fostering business growth? David C. Brown Chief Executive Officer Valley Leadership Sector: Nonprofit As the new CEO at Valley Leadership and 60 days on the job, I have been amazed to see the level of passion and commitment our alumni and partners have to improving the Valley and … [More]
Feedback: December 2017
Question: Diversity and inclusion efforts have become a focus in the workplace. What are some key measures you’ve found to be effective in promoting diversity and inclusion? Mesha Davis Chief Executive Officer Arizona Foundation for Women Sector: Nonprofit Performance, productivity and profits (3 P’s) is what I remember. From the boardroom to management to the direct … [More]
Feedback: November 2017
Question: What are some potential regulatory changes affecting lending institutions that businesses should be aware of? Anthony Austin Director Fennemore Craig Sector: Law Regulatory changes typically have a direct impact on the ability of banks to service their customer base. This is particularly true of community/regional banks for whom servicing privately owned and … [More]
Feedback: October 2017
What programs or aspects of your healthcare benefits are you finding to be most important to your employees? Jonathan Frutkin Principal Radix Law Sector: Law In the modern workplace, providing a generous healthcare benefits package is essential for recruiting and maintaining top talent. Studies show that healthcare benefits are consistently a top priority for employees … [More]
Feedback: September 2017
Question: As the owner of an identified woman- or minority-owned business, what does “diversity and inclusion” mean for you and for your business? Shawn Linam CEO and Co-Founder Qwaltec, Inc. Sector: Aerospace As a female business owner and as a woman in a male-dominated field, I initially believed we should be gender blind and hire the most qualified individual for the … [More]
Feedback: August 2017
Question: What training programs do you have in place for your employees – whether new hires who may be lacking in certain skills or employees moving to new positions within the company? Grant W. Johnson North America Delivery Team Manager – Phoenix Contact Center Direct Energy Sector: Utilities The Direct Energy Learning and Development Team ensures both new hires and … [More]
Feedback: July 2017
Question: After establishing your business successfully in its first location, what were some key concerns when you began planning to expand to additional locations? Cindy Dach Co-Owner and General Manager Changing Hands Bookstore Sector: Retail For years, our community had been asking us to open a bookstore in Phoenix. Our search for a location was met with challenges. … [More]
Feedback: June 2017
Question: What are you doing now to attract business among tourists that is different from what you were doing 10 years ago, and why? Dick Bates General Manager Arizona Biltmore Golf Club Sector: Golf The golf business continues to evolve, and marketing to visitors has changed as well. Ten years ago, we were dependent on third-party advertising vehicles to get our … [More]
Feedback: May 2017
Question: What are the top two or three things you enjoy about being in a co-working space? (Include one aspect that was unexpected, if applicable.) Mallory Dyer CEO GraphLock, Inc. Sector: Education Technology We chose Galvanize because of the amazing people! I came on a hard-hat tour before it opened, and I could already feel the sense of community and collaboration … [More]
Feedback: April 2017
How important is healthcare as an employee benefit in attracting and retaining talent for your business? Bernie Clark Executive Vice President, Advisor Services Charles Schwab & Co. Sector: Financial Services Schwab is committed to the well-being of our employees and their families. Part of that commitment means listening to employees about what is important to them … [More]
Feedback: March 2017
What difference has mentoring made for you in building your business? Melanie Isaacs Founder and Chief Inclusion Officer PAL Experiences Sector: Social Enterprise Nonprofit I left a job of relative stability for the life of an entrepreneur — and have never looked back. Not that it is easy. It’s not. In fact, it is an addicting roller-coaster of wins and confidence … [More]
Feedback: February 2017
Regarding your company’s marketing strategies, what is a dramatic tactic you tried in these past two years, and what outcome did you derive from it? Robert L. “Bob” Meyer President and CEO Phoenix Children’s Hospital Sector: Healthcare What some may define as a “dramatic” marketing tactic has quickly become common sense for Phoenix Children’s: We are creating instant … [More]
Feedback: January 2017
Question: What is a lesson learned from 2016 that you anticipate using to your business’s benefit in 2017? Tom Beyer President and CEO Beyer Management Consulting, Inc. Sector: Management Consulting Strategically, the “total product solution” must be a primary part of the planning process. Total solution is more than the features and benefits of a product or service. … [More]
Feedback: December 2016
Question: Describe one or two of your most effective policies or strategies to help startups grow in your city. Bill Jabjiniak Economic Development Director City of Mesa Sector: Government LAUNCHPOINT, Mesa Technology Accelerator is a City of Mesa program created to accelerate the growth of young technology companies, thereby creating quality jobs and economic growth in … [More]
Feedback: November 2016
Question: What distinguishes your credit union from other types of lending institutions? David E. Doss President and Chief Executive Officer OneAZ Credit Union Sector: Financial Services As a local financial cooperative, OneAZ Credit Union exists to serve members who live and work in Arizona. We are owned and controlled by our members, meaning the money they put into the … [More]
Feedback: October 2016
Question: Stress has a tremendous impact on a person’s well-being. How do you address workplace stress among your employees? Debora Gallo-Capaldi Owner Pucci Salon Sector: Beauty Salon During particularly stressful times — such as when a stylist is running behind schedule or two clients are waiting — that’s when I’m hands-on. I’m at our salon every day to help … [More]
Feedback: September 2016
Question: As a leader of a nonprofit working with many local business leaders as members of its board of directors, what leadership skills and values do you find most valuable? Debbie Esparza Senior Associate Girl Scouts – Arizona Cactus-Pine Council Sector: Nonprofit Valley Leadership Institute class 35 There are several leadership skills and values that are present in … [More]
