As a business owner, I know that building business is a natural focus throughout each year, but the new year always inspires that special impulse to try to predict: What opportunities will the new year bring? What’s in store for my business? Great focus on the bottom line and other aspects of our businesses seems to be heightened as we start anew on January 1 — whether it’s … [More]
Dr. Joel P. Martin, Triad West Inc.
Some consider Diversity & Inclusion (D&I) simply about political correctness. However, research tells us otherwise. In 2017 Gallup convincingly “linked engagement with positive business metrics including productivity, profitability, quality, employee commitment and retention” and reported that “Diversity combined with an inclusive culture can have an even greater impact … [More]
Paul Hickman, Arizona Bankers Association
Business today — indeed, all aspects of our lives — relies on a complex network of services. Yet, banking remains a core element; banking enabled the early emergence of regional commerce. Practices, products and platforms have evolved but, still, without banking, there could be no commerce. The financial services industry is indeed the cardiovascular system of any modern … [More]
Hugh Lytle, Equality Health
The big headlines on healthcare should be screaming “innovation.” And the most impactful innovations are coming from the seeming opposite dynamics of new technologies and old-fashioned customer service. The U.S. healthcare system has been undergoing tremendous transformation in the past 10 years. The Affordable Care Act, payment reform and explosive changes in population … [More]
Linda M. Herold, Herold Enterprises
This month, In Business Magazine honors 14 women of achievement. These accomplished women are dedicated to their communities and successful in business, and their leadership inspires others. The editorial group at In Business Magazine sought to recognize those women who not only demonstrate these characteristics, but work hard to empower others to exude excellence as well. … [More]
Chancellor Maria Harper-Marinick, Maricopa Community Colleges
Many of the attributes Arizona touts as being attractors for business — quality of life, affordability, climate — are also factors that attract workforce. At the Maricopa Community Colleges, we are proud of the work we are doing with regional and state economic development organizations such as the Greater Phoenix Economic Council and the Arizona Commerce Authority to … [More]
David Krietor, Downtown Phoenix Inc.
[embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2lKRrIslT5U[/embedyt] Scaling for growth is a goal not only of individual companies but also of economic development and community-based organizations. Some of the companies that are industry and headline-grabbing giants today started at a kitchen table or in the family garage, and Arizona has several native success stories … [More]
Debbie Johnson, Arizona Office of Tourism
By its very nature, tourism is synonymous with escapism and fun. But getting people to choose Arizona for their vacations and conventions is serious business. Marketing the state as a tourism destination involves way more than touting our much-lauded climate, and it yields economic impact far beyond the hotel check-in desk. Tourism is Arizona’s No. 1 export and one of the … [More]
Sharon Harper, Plaza Companies
Co-working spaces have come into their own in the commercial real estate market. Garage startups and early entrepreneurs are moving from their Starbucks meetups to ever-evolving collaborative work environments and public spaces with amenities that fully serve business; the trend is attracting even established businesses. With each passing day technology and innovation become … [More]
David Allazetta, UnitedHealthcare of Arizona and New Mexico
Healthcare across the U.S., and certainly here in Arizona, is evolving quickly, particularly as it becomes evident that wellness is a key to overcoming many of the potential healthcare challenges we may face as we age. New technologies such as wearable devices, mobile apps and Web-based tools are being introduced to consumers and workforces, aimed at meeting each individual on … [More]
Brian Mueller, Grand Canyon University
Corporate social responsibility is rooted in a basic biblical and societal principle — to love our neighbor as ourselves. But before there can be charity, there must be prosperity. Free-market principles have brought more people out of poverty than any other economic idea in history. It creates the opportunity to form companies that generate jobs that can turn deteriorating … [More]
Louie Moses, Moses, Inc.
Behind every successful company is a solid connection to its consumer, and that takes effective marketing. It’s the last legal means to gain an unfair advantage over your competition. As a card-carrying creative person, I’ve spent my entire career coming up with ideas and connecting great companies with their consumers. There’s never been a time in our lives when we have … [More]
Governor Doug Ducey, the State of Arizona
The start of a new year is traditionally the time we step back — if only for a moment — from our daily routines to take stock of where we are heading and what opportunities the new year may hold in store. Arizonans have a lot to look forward to in 2017 — and the credit goes to our business owners, entrepreneurs and their hard-working employees making it clear that our state … [More]
Courtney Klein, SEED SPOT
The entrepreneurial fever is alive and well in Arizona, and there is no dearth of people with ideas on how to build the proverbial “better mousetrap” — new products or services to meet emerging needs or fresh takes on those that already exist. And all of that energy is what powers a growing economy. But a successful business takes a lot more than an idea, however great it may … [More]
James Lundy, Alliance Bank of Arizona
Banking is the foundation on which business and commerce are built. Persistent low interest rates, tougher regulations, capital requirements nearly double their pre-financial crisis levels, and emerging competition from “Fintech” firms are today’s challenges, but banks continue to be the critical financial intermediary from global conglomerates to small, local … [More]
Paul Johnson, Redirect Health
Healthcare is being disrupted. While innovators are advancing alternate coverage and delivery programs — such as benefit packages and telemedicine — insurers are changing the playing field for businesses by closing out individual policies as an option for their employees. This disruption is causing distress and even dread among small-business owners and their employees, both … [More]
Neil G. Giuliano, Greater Phoenix Leadership
Every four years, our nation is embroiled in a debate about — essentially — leadership: Who will lead? How? And to what end? This is leadership at its most visible, and it is generally agreed that leadership at such a level has deep and far-reaching impact. Yet, in its own context, your leadership has a similarly impactful scope. I define a leader as one who influences … [More]
Sam Fox, Fox Restaurant Concepts
We locals know the Valley has been a dining destination for some time. Now, the rest of the country is taking note. We’re finally being recognized as a city that’s driving dining trends by way of some incredible culinary talent. Truth is, we’re tired of not being seen as the food-centric market we’ve become. Phoenix has earned its seat at the table and I’m more excited than … [More]
