There was a time when businesspeople from Arizona struggled to become known on the world market. Doing business with Mexico and Canada was common trade in Arizona, but doing business with China, Brazil and others of today’s best-known trade hot spots was nearly unthinkable for even the largest companies located here. However, with 95 percent of global consumers living … [More]
Greg Stanton, City of Phoenix Mayor
Arizona, and particularly the Valley, is an incredible place to start or build a small business. People want to be here. Despite the past years of a downturned economy, we have succeeded in many ways to foster small business growth and put the Phoenix metropolitan area in the spotlight as one of the top places to be in business. As mayor of Phoenix, I know small business is … [More]
Michelle Ahlmer, Arizona Retailers Association
Consumers may be going back into retail establishments and spending money, but the survival of many retail businesses is due to the tenacity and innovative nature that is key to being a success in the retail industry. Independent, mom-and-pop retailers are particularly given tribute as businesses that have reinvented their models to adapt to this changing economy. Regardless of … [More]
Warren Adelman, GoDaddy.com
Innovators and entrepreneurs are a big part of what makes business thrive in any community. Here in the Valley, their tenacity, ingenuity and perseverance are making our community popular for start-ups and even for established corporations who are reinventing themselves or creating new products. GoDaddy.com is fortunate to have an “inside look” at online entrepreneurs. As … [More]
Richard L. Boals, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arizona
Federal policy changes to the healthcare industry are presenting difficult and confusing scenarios for businesses of all sizes. Many business leaders I talk to say they are having a hard time understanding what will be expected of them, how to budget for healthcare expenditures and what elements of the recent Federal policy changes will actually be implemented or … [More]
Craig R. Barrett, Intel Corporation
There are many reasons for business to move to Arizona or for a business to exist here and flourish. However, over the past two decades, as economies and opportunity grow elsewhere, Arizona has lagged in the critical area of education and now finds itself with a dramatic skills gap — a result of actions and inactions on the part of business organizations, city and state … [More]
Janice K. Brewer, Arizona Governor
As we embark on Arizona’s next century, I am constantly reminded of our beautiful state’s promise. My optimism is rooted in the people of Arizona — its workers, entrepreneurs and business owners who make up our vibrant economy. Arizona has always been the land of opportunity, and I’m confident it will remain so in our next century. This is a place where — with hard work, … [More]
Vicki E. Panhuise, Ph.D., Arizona Aerospace & Defense Commission
Over the years, Arizona has built its economy on products and industries such as cotton, copper, tourism and real estate. We have quickly become one of the fastest-growing states in America, but our industry focus has shifted. Arizona’s economy is more diverse and more advanced, with emphasis on sectors that will position our state as a major player in the global marketplace, … [More]
Candace D. Wiest, West Valley National Bank
Ever feel like the world’s economy continues to drag to the point the Earth has started revolving slower? There is no doubt the issues that caused this extraordinary recession have affected business. And it begins with the industry that businesses have relied upon since the Great Depression: my industry, community banking. Let me start out by saying I’m proud to be a … [More]
Jerry Colangelo, JDM Partners
Arizona is a unique place. And over the past 50 years, its capital city Phoenix has become one of the largest cities in America, known for its tourism and for its real estate opportunities. While the past three years have been tough on real estate as opportunities and jobs have diminished, our state has weathered this downturn well. Business has been the saving grace. We are … [More]
John Huppenthal, Arizona Superintendent of Public Instruction
Education is the foundation for our future in so many ways. Sadly, Arizona has not been a leader in years past. Yet, how well our work force is educated greatly impacts the economic picture of business and industry for the future of our State. Since becoming Superintendent of Public Instruction in January, I have focused the mission at the Arizona Department of Education on … [More]
Jos Anshell, Moses Anshell
Stop what, you say? Stop doing things the way you’ve always done them. Clean your closet — those bell bottoms aren’t coming back. And if they do, I guarantee you that you’ll have to buy new ones. The world has changed, and you’d better change with it or you’re going to get left behind — if you haven’t already. The Internet has changed everything — some for the good, some for … [More]
Don Brandt, Arizona Public Service Company
I was pleased to be asked to guest edit this month because this issue is focused on the power of doing business with local companies to energize and strengthen our economy. This is something we at APS see as a valuable tactic in many respects. APS has powered our state for 125 years, so we certainly qualify as a local business. We take seriously our responsibility to support … [More]
Howard Lein, RE/MAX Excalibur
There is no question that the communities which surround our businesses look to us, as business owners, to invest in local organizations, causes and our employees to better where we live and do business. I believe this is a responsibility of business owners Valleywide, and it is more and more clear that we, as a business community, are succeeding in this endeavor. In fact, … [More]
Ángel Cabrera, Ph.D., Thunderbird School of Global Management
I am pleased to have been asked to be the guest editor for the Best Practices Issue of In Business Magazine. As you well know, the downturn in the economy has posed great challenges to the business community both locally and worldwide. But with those challenges come great opportunities for innovation and creative thinking that can positively impact our organizations, our … [More]
Derrick Hall, Arizona Diamondbacks
I am very pleased to introduce this March issue of In Business Magazine. March is a big month for us here in the Valley as it is the start of the baseball season. The D-backs and 14 other Major League teams will begin our preparation for the 2011 regular season during Spring Training this month. Valley cities such as Glendale, Goodyear, Mesa, Phoenix, Scottsdale, Surprise and … [More]
Victor F. Trastek, M.D., Mayo Clinic in Arizona
Arizona has certainly been in the news over these last several months and it is more apparent than ever that we are a community of people who are working to build a better life for ourselves and our neighbors. The issue of healthcare and where we find ourselves with recent recommendations to cut state healthcare budgets, comply with the federal legislation and bring costs down … [More]
Jim Pederson, Pederson Group, Inc.
The New Year always feels a bit like a refresher for us in business — the start of something new and a time to recharge. With where our economy has been, I can’t think of a time when ringing in the New Year was more welcome. As a businessman and someone who has been vested in Valley business and our public policy for many years, I am especially pleased to have been asked to … [More]
