Optum Care has been a leading healthcare provider since 2011, serving more than 19 million patients across the United States. From California to Pennsylvania, Optum is committed to advancing health equity, envisioning a world where local communities can provide equal access to quality healthcare without any barriers. To achieve this vision, Optum focuses on building trust, … [More]
Listening Is the First Step
Business leaders need to listen to their employees and to their business
Listening is a powerful tool in any business setting and a critical skill that can enable a business to understand what its employees need, what they desire in their work, and how the business can become more successful. Listening, however, can be challenging for many business owners and managers who are often focused on the bottom line, meeting targets and achieving … [More]
Office as a Destination
‘Third space’ environment entices back-to-office
It’s been proven that we can work anywhere. For many of us, all our basic work tools fit in a backpack or briefcase, and the pandemic really pushed us to be open to new and unexpected work locations. Because of this experience of flexibility, it’s clear that as we transition back to the office, workers are seeking a spectrum of experiences beyond the traditional desk. The … [More]
Angry Crab Shack Turns Dining into Donations
Giving back has been crucial to the restaurant’s growth
Since 2013, Angry Crab Shack has provided a vibrant, memorable dining experience. With a focus on high-quality seafood at an affordable price, the unique concept originally launched in Mesa. Created by former NFL player Ron Lou, Angry Crab Shack is the culmination of many entrepreneurial endeavors, this one combining bold Asian flavors and Lou’s knowledge of seafood while … [More]
Build Strength in Your Business through Stakeholder Engagement
Organizations build a sense of community while promoting their brand reputation
Often, we arrive at a business idea and approach and decide: This will be our business, our mission, our purpose. The excitement of the opportunity and our depth of knowledge encourage us to move forward with the belief that we have all the knowledge and resources internally to succeed. Often, that may not be the case, and in the rush to create, we overlook a key component: … [More]
Waymo Rides for Community
And transforms how people move in our cities
Waymo’s autonomous driving technology has been front page news recently, shaking up the ride share arena with the introduction of rides from Sky Harbor Airport. This is not Waymo’s first time disrupting the transportation industry, though; the company has been a changemaker since Google first introduced the brand as its self-driving car project in 2016. While Waymo has since … [More]
Risas Dental and Braces: Giving to Grow Communities
And building relationships to put patients first
Each February for National Children’s Dental Health Month, Risas Dental and Braces doctors provide dental education to elementary schools. They bring along dental goodie bags for each student, containing a toothbrush, toothpaste and floss. This is but one program that Risas’ teammates and doctors participate in. Since the opening of its first Phoenix office on Labor Day … [More]
Lerner & Rowe to the Rescue, Helping Communities in Need
As the catchy advertising jingle goes, Lerner & Rowe are known as the “way to go.” They’re the firm where personal injury law meets a people-focused approach. Yet, in many communities, this firm is better known as an advocate and champion for positive change. Launched by the firm’s founder and partner, Kevin Rowe, Lerner & Rowe Gives Back (LRGB) and the Rowe Family … [More]
Executing a Business Plan with Strength and Commitment
Creating a strategic plan is a process that a business and its employees either love or hate, and once a plan is developed, it needs to be implemented. The plan or framework is designed to help a business chart the future and envision the opportunity that lies ahead, but once the plan is completed, how does an organization move the execution of such strategy and direction into … [More]
A Fiesta for the Arizona Community
In 1971, nine local business leaders gained approval from NCAA on the idea of an Arizona-based college football bowl game to enhance the stature of the state. Today, that game is the iconic Vrbo Fiesta Bowl. Over the years, the game has had many high-profile sponsors. And with their support, the Fiesta Bowl has created a world-class community organization that executes … [More]
Equality Health Foundation Focuses on Forging Connections
Convene, collaborate and build. These are the three principles that guide Equality Health Foundation’s social impact work. The organization’s bold goal to advance access to health and well-being in diverse and under-resourced communities has elevated its ability to influence positive change. And with the lens of its diverse board, Equality Health Foundation is eliminating … [More]
Empowering Positive Leadership throughout the Organization
“Empowerment should be a part of every leader’s toolkit. It strengthens everyone in the organization, it keeps the company on the path to success, and it builds one of the most important elements on any team – trust.” —Colin Powell, from It Worked for Me in Life and Leadership In my previous article (“Leading from Abundance – The Power of Positivity,” In Business Magazine, … [More]
Fresh Cravings to Salsabrate™ Goodness
Collaboration is among the most powerful methods to unite communities and make positive change possible. When Mike Parker and his family launched Next Phase Enterprises in 1995 and FoodStory Brands in 2015, they elevated standards and put purpose in focus. While Next Phase specializes in sales and marketing of food and beverages to merchants such as Walmart and Sam’s Club, … [More]
Will Rudeness Slam the Upcoming Tourist Season?
A national survey recently asked residents in the 30 largest metro areas to rate their cities in a way that could give potential tourists a glimpse of what to expect if they decide to visit there. It asked them to evaluate the rudeness levels of their cities to give travelers a sense of what kind of attitudes they might encounter. Phoenix did not fare well in the Preply … [More]
Positive Change, Amplified by Intel
Since 1968, Intel’s technology has been at the heart of computing breakthroughs. As an industry leader creating world-changing technology, enabling global progress and enriching lives, Intel stands at the brink of many technological innovations — technology that not only shapes our future but also shapes humanity. Whether artificial intelligence, 5G network transformation or … [More]
Leading from Abundance – The Power of Positivity
“With all the negativity in the world, what a great opportunity one has to be a positive leader and influencer. When one decides to become a positive leader, it not only makes themselves better, but makes everyone around them better — and that’s a great place to start!” —Jon Gordon In today’s volatile, uncertain world, organizations are often faced with seemingly … [More]
Biased?
Please don’t ask to touch a person of color’s hair, say they speak well or ask where they are really from and other harmful and egregious implicit bias acts. It’s the same early morning grind that most Americans participate in on a weekday morning, the dreaded coffee run! Not glamorous or exciting, it becomes a necessary part of kicking the day off right, says every coffee … [More]
Strunk Insurance Group – A Legacy of Giving
Arizona loves its home-grown businesses. Many of them reciprocate this sentiment by giving back to society. For 40 years, the Strunk Insurance Group has served as one of these strong local leaders. Family-owned and -operated, SIG has a commitment to contribute and serve. The insurance company was founded in 1982 by Greg Strunk, a former Big 10 and NFL Football player with a … [More]
