"The single biggest way to impact an organization is to focus on leadership development. There is almost no limit to the potential of an organization that recruits good people, raises them up as leaders and continually develops them." —John Maxwell We are living in different times right now, and I suspect everyone knows that, but one thing remains consistent: Strong … [More]
COP26 – Strategies for Decarbonization and Impact on the Built Environment
It is a known fact that there is a direct relationship between carbon dioxide emissions and global warming, and the real estate industry makes up 49% of global carbon emissions when accounting for construction and building performance. It is of great importance, therefore, to get to zero. At COP26 – UN Climate Change Conference, Gensler announced its green materials … [More]
STEM Sports® Audible Aids Education
STEM Sports® is committed to the educational enrichment of youth. Its focus on analog technology has empowered this commitment. Through a double-play combination of physical activity and cognitive thinking, the organization provides a comprehensive approach. Preparing students for future careers, STEM Sports is providing a turnkey, standards-aligned, K-8 supplemental curricula … [More]
Donate First, Trash Second – Muscular Moving Men & Storage to the Rescue
The dreaded process of moving. Not only can this be a stressful experience, but it also has a tendency of taking a toll on our environment. In truth, moving is a proven cause of unnecessary waste. According to the website Move Buddha, humans produce nearly 16.4 billion pounds of waste annually as a result of moving. And with Americans projected to move 20% more next year than … [More]
Are We ‘Hear’ for Each Other?
You can observe a lot just by watching. That’s one of the sayings made famous by Yogi Berra, a Hall of Fame baseball catcher perhaps best known for his off-the-wall quotes. While some of his “Yogi-isms” are hilarious, many of them have a deeper meaning if you take a minute to think about it. Here’s a twist on “watching” that might have a useful purpose. You can hear … [More]
Arizona Federal Credit Union in the Community
At its core, Arizona Federal Credit Union is a shepherd of responsibility and leadership. Founded in 1936, the credit union empowers members to take hold of their financial future through the delivery of leading-edge resources. As a $2.6-billion not-for-profit local cooperative providing financial services and expertise to more than 140,000 member-owners, it is an integral … [More]
Measuring Success – How We Know We Have ‘Arrived’
In “Execute Wisely and Strategically,'' we discussed understanding how, once many ideas are generated, we then begin the ideation evaluation process and determine what remains and what is eliminated. Here, we will focus on the solid execution of those new ideas and propelling the organization in creating the future it wants. This article reviews the measurement of success once … [More]
A Housing Issue We Can’t Afford to Ignore
The lack of affordable housing and the mounting resistance to multifamily housing development is creating serious heartburn in the Valley’s business community — among builders and employers alike — who view it as a risk to healthy economic growth. It’s been a thorny issue in Scottsdale for a few years now, and that city is getting a reputation as a tough place to launch new … [More]
Why Businesses Suffer More in Winter
This article provides concrete, scientifically proven ways to avoid the consequences of seasonal affective disorder SAD — which affects more than 10 million Americans every year, with 6% even requiring hospitalizations — and keep one’s workforce energized through the winter months. Going into the darkness of winter this year, many of us are already on the brink of anxiety … [More]
Ritoch Powell Associates Demonstrates the Power of Partnership
The hallmark of a great social impact partnership lies in the synergy between the cause and the company. When missions align, passions prevail and communities connect, powerful change can be possible. And this is most certainly the case between Ritoch Powell Associates and its support of the Hance Park Conservancy. As an award-winning civil engineering and surveying firm … [More]
A Future-Forward Phoenix
As architects and designers, we are constantly recalibrating our approach to urban design with the goal of improving the quality of life and human experience. We believe that the future of our cities should combine socio-economic and ecological considerations that drive regeneration and shape communities where people and natural systems can coexist in balance. In a post-COVID … [More]
Team Synergy
Team issues and drama are in the top five of all stressors for business managers and owners. According to several studies, as much as 56% claim team issues contribute most to their stress levels. With this high number of leaders being stressed out by the people they employ, the people they depend on to help them serve clients and the majority of people who impact revenue, it’s … [More]
Execute Wisely and Strategically
In my previous article, “Making Sense of the Puzzle” (August 2021), the topic was understanding how, once many ideas are generated, the ideation evaluation process occurs, and what remains and what goes. In this article, the focus is on the solid execution of those new ideas and moving the organization forward in creating the future it wants. In 1916, Spencer Penrose bought … [More]
Homie to the Rescue, Helping Arizona’s Homeless
Newly released U.S. Census statistics have shown that Phoenix is indeed the fastest-growing city in the country. The housing market here is more chaotic than ever before and companies that are providing a less traditional approach are finding a niche. Homie is one such group, as its focus on the technology side of real estate is changing the way these assets are bought and sold … [More]
Sleep Your Way to a Thriving, Less Stressful Life
An upset stomach, an uncomfortable position, a startling noise, a too-active or too-inactive day, too much heat or too much cold— these minor stressors interfere with our sleep from infancy onward. Unfortunately, as adults we encounter more reasons for poor sleep and at the same time we become more adept at ignoring the problem. Our world becomes more complicated and … [More]
Harrah’s Ak-Chin, a Community HERO
People. Planet. Play. Service to these fundamentals is integral in the long-standing traditions and culture of the Ak-Chin Indian Community, which has a commitment to preserve and impact not only the tribal community but neighboring communities in a positive way. So, when the U.S. Congress passed the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act (IGRA) in 1988, the Ak-Chin Indian Community … [More]
Making Sense of the Puzzle
“Whenever you see a successful business, someone once made a courageous decision.” —Peter F. Drucker In my previous article, exploring the possibilities, our topic was seizing the opportunities for the business to take advantage of change. In this article, we will explore the methods to evaluate the ideation that occurred as we explored the new possibilities that lie ahead. … [More]
The Silent Killer of a CEO
C-suite execs are used to problems from employees, stalled cash flow, unexpected challenges arriving out of nowhere, and the futile attempt to maintain a balance between home life and work life. After a while, these leaders feel trapped in a never-ending cycle of whack-a-mole responses by the futility of it all. That attitude ultimately destroys both the leader and the … [More]