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]
Feedback: October 2018
What was your one (or two) most successful wellness programs for your employees, and what changes (if any) do you plan to make for 2019? Alan Althouse CEO and President TruWest Credit Union Sector: Finance This is our second year offering every employee an annual wellness check-up. A medical provider brings a mobile “clinic” to our headquarters location and employees are … [More]
Feedback: Sept. 2018
Question: As the owner of an identified woman-owned, minority-owned business, what does “diversity and inclusion” mean for you and your business? Rebeca Lopez Owner and Co-Founder Milestone Pediatrics and Milestone Innovative Therapy Group Sector: Healthcare As a woman-owned, minority-owned business, Milestone Pediatrics ensures its commitment to diversity, equality and … [More]
Feedback: August 2018
Question: You’ve been recognized as one of BestCompaniesAZ’s “100 Best Arizona Companies,” in part because of your workplace culture. What programs and/or policies does your company promote to achieve that level of satisfaction among your workforce? John Standring Senior Vice President of Global Servicing Operations American Express Sector: Finance At American Express, … [More]
Feedback: July 2018
What have you identified most recently as your greatest risk to the ongoing success of your company, and what did you do to prevent it or overcome it? Allan Allford President and CEO Delta Dental of Arizona Sector: Healthcare Cybersecurity breaches may be the single greatest risk affecting all companies regardless of size or industry. It’s certainly on the short list of … [More]
Feedback: June 2018
How do you stay grounded as a locally owned and operated business while growing it and expanding from your initial location? Tony Chan Founder and Owner Snoh Ice Shavery Sector: Restaurants It is important to stay connected to the Phoenix local community and show support to locals as well. We like to cater to our customers’ demands. But we also feel it’s very important … [More]
Feedback: May 2018
What were some key factors in your decision to own the property for your business and/or in making that happen? Mitzi Castillo Managing Partner Phinance Commercial Capital Sector: Finance Our experience purchasing our commercial real estate building was the best decision my husband (also business partner) and I have made for our business. We had been leasing an … [More]
Feedback: April 2018
Q: What programs or aspects of your healthcare benefits are you finding to be the most important to your employees? Brian Allery VP of Employee Success and Administration WebPT Sector: Healthcare At WebPT, our Employee Success and Culture teams approach each year’s strategic planning with our Live Better team commitment in mind. In 2017, we initiated more than a dozen … [More]
Feedback: March 2018
Question: Social entrepreneurship involves doing business to solve an ill or problem in the community. How does your company demonstrate social entrepreneurship, and what is the change you hope to foster? Bill Backus Principal Backus Agency Sector: Public Relations Einstein said it best, “We shall require a substantially new manner of thinking if mankind is to … [More]
Feedback: February 2018
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]
