Question: Commercial real estate has been on a hot streak for the past year and a half. There is talk now of the Federal Reserve raising the interest rate in June or July. What effect would this have on commercial lending? Tim Bruckner Managing Director of Commercial Banking – Arizona BMO Harris Bank Sector: Banking Banks already account for potential increases in … [More]
Feedback: April 2015
Question: What new healthcare policies or programs are you able to offer employers, to include in their employee benefits for their employees, that have been created since the implementation of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act? Paul Breslau President Breslau Insurance & Benefits, Inc. Sector: Employee Benefits There is a new, exciting healthcare … [More]
Feedback: March 2015
Question: How does your co-working space fit in the ecosystem for economic development of startup businesses and what was the attraction of the Greater Phoenix area? Francisco Aguirre Founder The Office Pile Sector: Economic Development The Office Pile is the first culturally diverse co-working space in the nation. Along with its not-for-profit arm, The TOP … [More]
Feedback: February 2015
Question: Marketing today not only involves many facets of communication, it requires more than a one-size-fits-all approach. Considering both elements you employed and the demographic(s) you targeted, what is a successful marketing campaign you have used for your business? Carol Nalevanko President DMB Sports Clubs Sector: Health Clubs One of the most recent … [More]
Feedback: January 2015
Question: What state government act or action has impacted (for good or bad) your industry? Michelle Ahlmer Executive Director Arizona Retailers Association Sector: Retail The retail industry in Arizona is poised to receive some long-awaited relief from one of the most complicated sales tax systems in the nation. The majority of states conduct sales tax audits through … [More]
Feedback: December 2014
Question: As a business issue separate from social implications, how can immigration impact business or industry? Elizabeth S. Chatham, Esq. Partner Davis Miles McGuire Gardner, PLLC Sector: Law The employment-based immigration changes are quite significant and impact American business by further facilitating the hiring and retention of highly skilled foreign … [More]
Feedback: November 2014
Question:Business owners and executives are often given advice — solicited and unsolicited. What is the best advice ever given to you in business, and how have you applied it? Steve Lopez Founder and Co-owner Clean Air Cab Sector: Transportation I tend to gravitate toward two key exchanges I had as a young man prior to even thinking about running a business. My … [More]
Feedback: October 2014
Question: Leaders of companies often use a particular mechanism to keep tabs on the financial health of their business. What do you use to keep tabs on your company’s level of financial health? Jason Kaplan is owner and founder of The Driver Provider, among other entrepreneurial pursuits. The Driver Provider, with offices in Phoenix, Tucson and Jackson Hole, Wyo., … [More]
Feedback: September 2014
Question: Discussion of economic development for our region often focuses on attracting new business from out of state. How does that impact business in the Greater Phoenix area, and what is being worked on to develop economic opportunity for businesses here? Danielle Casey is responsible for the oversight and execution of the City of Scottsdale’s initiatives related to … [More]
Feedback: August 2014
Question: Many companies make a purposeful effort to contact different cultures to build business. What is your company doing to attract diverse cultures to your business? Brad Gabel Vice President, Native American Division Kitchell Sector: Construction We made a conscious effort years ago to take our experience to Indian Country, engaging with various Native American … [More]
Feedback: July 2014
Question: What technology have you implemented to make it easier for you to run your business, and what difference has it made? Kevin Binkley Chef/Owner Binkley’s Restaurant Sector: Restaurant Our point-of-sales system is incredibly helpful. We use it to understand our sales, what we have sold, processing credit cards, guest counts, discounts, comps, et cetera. This is … [More]
Feedback: June 2014
Question: How is manufacturing supporting your industry? Richard Condit Senior VP, Administration Sundt Construction, Inc. Sector: Construction Construction activity simply reflects economic activity in the private and/or public sector. If construction is doing well, it means someone else is doing well. The most obvious benefit to our industry if manufacturing is robust … [More]
Feedback: May 2014
Question: How are infill projects contributing to the economic growth and revitalization of our city? Bob Graham Principal Motley Design Group Sector: Architects Since the 1950s, development of our cities has been outward, driven by cheap land in the suburbs. That left our downtowns to decay. We have an opportunity to take advantage of existing infrastructure and trends … [More]
Feedback: April 2014
Question: What wellness programs have you had the greatest success with among your employees? Dodge Earnhardt Owner Earnhardt Auto Centers Sector: Automobile Dealer Earnhardt Auto Centers has offered its employees onsite healthcare through an onsite healthcare program since October 2007. The decision to offer this benefit to our employees has proven to be one of the … [More]
Feedback: March 2014
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]
