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]
Feedback: September 2012
Question: Commercial real estate hit its low several months later than residential. Now that residential is coming back, how will that affect the commercial real estate market? Jay Kramer Shareholder Fennemore Craig Sector: Law The housing industry is, traditionally, one of the mainstays of growth in the Arizona economy. In addition to direct job creation in … [More]
Feedback: August 2012
Question: In light of the economic upheaval in recent years, what changes or successes have you seen in global commerce as it relates to Arizona businesses? Anna Flaaten Senior International Trade Specialist U.S. Commercial Service Arizona Sector: Government Arizona exporters are seeing a lot of movement in worldwide export sales. Our data shows Arizona merchandise … [More]
Feedback: July 2012
Question: Arizona is ranked the top state in the country for business start-ups, according to the Kauffman Index of Entrepreneurial Activity. How or where do you see government and/or the business community fueling this activity? Barry Broome President and CEO Greater Phoenix Economic Council Sector: Business Advocacy Group Innovation and entrepreneurship are … [More]
Feedback: June 2012
Question: With the industry impacted by factors that include real estate, online sales and consumer spending activity, what do you see as the top challenge facing retail today? Edward (Trey) Basha Bashas’ Family of Stores VP of Retail Operations and Chairman of the Board Sector: Retail The overall economy, in my opinion, is the top retail challenge today. And … [More]
