Question: What wellness programs have you had the greatest success with among your employees? Robert Bonilla General Engineering Manager Hines Sector: Real Estate Completing a full lighting retrofit can be one of the most effective ways for companies to reduce demand for utility energy. At Renaissance Square in downtown Phoenix, Hines completed a lighting retrofit at … [More]
Feedback: February 2014
Question: What was the one thing about your initial concept or product that made franchising a good option? William Brennan Co-founder and CEO Kalologie Sector: Health & Wellness Kalologie is a word that, translated, means “aesthetics.” Our company, Kalologie 360 Spa, focuses on spa services in the aesthetics industry. We offer an array of membership-based spa … [More]
Feedback: January 2014
Question: What are the greatest challenges companies in your sector of business face to grow individually or as an industry? William J. Pepicello, Ph.D. President University of Phoenix Sector: Education Higher education’s challenge today is how to serve students and deliver the learning they need to succeed in a fiercely competitive global economy. All … [More]
Feedback: December 2013
Question: The discussion of sustainability as a business issue spans practical and ideological considerations. Looking at “green” from the practical aspect of impact on business growth, what is it you’re doing that has had an immediate, notable effect on your business? Robert Anderson CEO Prisma Sector: Marketing Services We began examining how we could integrate more … [More]
Feedback: November 2013
Question: We hear official reports stating still-high unemployment figures. Yet anecdotally, we hear businesses in all fields complain they can’t find employees to fill open positions. As an employer, have you changed your expectations in terms of recruiting new employees? Georganne Bryant Owner Frances Boutique Sector: Retail As a small employer with 15 employees, I … [More]
Feedback: October 2013
Question: Economists point out that economic downturns force businesses to innovate and increase efficiency to survive. Now that you’ve gone through the crunch, what are the greatest lessons you’ve learned to better your business? Dave Binsfeld Vice President General Southwest Insurance Agency Sector: Insurance We learned that we need to continually innovate and … [More]
Feedback: September 2013
Question: Arts and culture is an integral part of community, and is increasingly recognized as playing a significant role in economic and business development. As a businessperson, how do you interact with arts and cultural organizations to better your business? Neil Baier Vice President, Finance Crescent Crown Distributing Sector: Retail/Wholesale Beer and the arts … [More]
Feedback: August 2013
Question: The cycle of “buying local” involves consumers purchasing from local vendors as well as vendors purchasing supplies from local sources. Studies indicate that not only do both benefit but so also does the overall community. How can you leverage the power of “local” in your industry? Edward “Trey” Basha President and CEO Bashas’ Family of Stores Sector: … [More]
Feedback: July 2013
Question: The force of entrepreneurship is strong in the Valley. We hear a lot about start-ups, but what are we doing to help our entrepreneurs sustain success? MaryAnn Guerra CEO BioAccel Entrepreneurial energy is strong in Arizona. BioAccel, a nonprofit organization focused on economic development in healthcare, is dedicated to creating sustainable new ventures. … [More]
Feedback: June 2013
Question: Your company’s field of technology is recognized as one of the state’s important clusters. How is your company’s presence helping us become a technology capital? Trish Bear President and CEO I-ology Sector: Internet Technology Since 1998, I-ology has been focused on transforming Arizona-based businesses through developing robust Web technologies as well as … [More]
Feedback: May 2013
Question: Our real estate market has gone through several cycles of highs and lows in the last few decades. The most recent high proved to be a bubble from whose bursting we are still recovering. What steps can we take to avoid building another bubble in the real estate market? Walt Danley President Walt Danley Realty Sector: Real Estate As the real estate recovery … [More]
Feedback: April 2013
Question: Sports as a business has a tremendous impact on the local economy; as entertainment, it affects the cultural scene of our community. Pertaining to another realm in which the major teams contribute to our local quality of life, in what ways does your organization support the community? Debbie Castaldo Executive Director Arizona Diamondbacks Foundation Sector: … [More]
Feedback: March 2013
Question: A centerpiece of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act is wellness care. Employers have long recognized the positive impact of healthy employees on their bottom line, as healthy employees are more productive. Wellness is now gaining traction for its potential to decrease health insurance premiums. How is wellness care impacting your business? Lynn … [More]
Feedback: February 2013
Question: As a business owner or corporate executive, what do you see as the biggest challenges to running a business in Arizona today? Lorraine Bergman President and CEO, Caliente Construction Inc. Sector: Construction One of the biggest challenges facing Arizona businesses today is the lack of a qualified, skilled and educated work force. With the downturn in the … [More]
Feedback: January 2013
Question: As a leader working with our business community, what do you see as the priority for local municipalities in working with the Arizona State Legislature in 2013 to build business and strengthen our local economy? Marie Lopez Rogers Mayor, City of Avondale President, National League of Cities Sector: Government Over the past year, beneath the headlines about … [More]
Feedback: December 2012
Question: What role should business play in assisting employees in retirement planning? Robyn Barrett Founder and Managing Partner FSW Funding Sector: Financial I think businesses need to help fill the gap where Social Security will fall short. Most employees are spending their income on living and don’t know how or where to begin investing for retirement. Businesses can … [More]
Feedback: November 2012
Question: What are the most important subjects or skills you feel our educational system and institutions should be concentrating on to prepare a work force that will sustain our economy? Andrew F. Morrill President Arizona Education Association Sector: Education We hear a lot about the importance of STEM academic areas (science, technology, engineering and math) as … [More]
Feedback: October 2012
Question: Financial institutions are facing issues that range from implementing increased oversight measures to a wariness by businesses of incurring debt to a lack of trust among the general public. Yet a functioning commerce relies on the flow of capital. What do you see as the greatest challenge to business working with traditional funding institutions? Jack … [More]
