The landscape surrounding businesses today is challenging, strewn with hurdles and dilemmas. But not without opportunities as well.
In Business Magazine has tapped into the wealth of expertise in our community in key areas to help businesses navigate the challenges and maximize the opportunities.
Accounting
Navigating Economic Uncertainty with Data-Driven Solutions
from Chuck McLane of CBIZ
In today’s volatile economic landscape marked by rising tariff costs and business uncertainty, accountants are challenged to develop more efficient and effective tools to assist clients in many facets of their business. Accountants cannot focus just on the typical compliance work. Many firms are being asked to help their clients in new ways. Companies everywhere are looking for ways to examine their data more efficiently and effectively to make quicker decisions. It is important for every company to be able to not only gather the right data but also find ways to get the data to speak to them. Using data correctly can help any company make important decisions.
There are many ways that using data across a number of industries can be used to identify trends or highlight issues. Identifying the trends and issues is not the end point. Accountants are being asked to go beyond identification to resolving issues in ways that can mitigate future risks, improve processes and control costs. Accountants are the ones who have access to data from many clients across many industries. This data is a valuable asset that can be used to benefit a number of companies. Of course, accountants also follow strict regulatory and ethical requirements to keep data private and confidential. While doing so, accountants can still help companies to benchmark their performance against others.
Helping Businesses Grow
CBIZ has developed a team of individuals that can help clients to analyze data in the most efficient and effective way to streamline processes and provide better data for decision making. Our DataNEXUS analytics platform offers mid-market companies a powerful advantage. By transforming complex operational data into actionable intelligence, DataNEXUS enables businesses to identify hidden inefficiencies, optimize resource allocation, and make evidence-based decisions that bolster resilience. This targeted approach helps companies navigate tariff challenges by highlighting opportunities to streamline supply chains, renegotiate vendor relationships, and implement strategic sourcing alternatives that minimize exposure to trade disruptions.
For example, after acquiring a company, our client faced significant challenges reconciling accounts receivable due to disparate systems, inconsistent reporting and unclear cash remittance information. Our CBIZ D@tNEXUS team leveraged a tool called Alteryx (a platform that helps companies transform and analyze large amounts of data without needing to write complicated code) to synthesize 8–10 million transaction records, producing detailed roll-forwards and identifying a $2 million shortfall in remitted funds. This solution not only recovered lost value for our client but also established a streamlined, transparent foundation for future accounts receivable processing.
In another client project, we helped a private equity-backed client streamline and automate its management and board level reporting across 12 businesses comprising five separate ERP systems. The client was challenged by an aggressive timeline for reporting on monthly performance, requiring more than 200 hours per month from the finance leadership team. Our D@taNEXUS team implemented a centralized data aggregation solution along with a business intelligence reporting capability to replace their manual, Excel-based flash report. This reduced the finance management team’s monthly effort by 75%, empowered the finance leaders to focus on analysis and investor communications, and created additional visibility to performance metrics that were previously unavailable. These tools will allow the client to continue to add to the financial reporting system as they acquire more companies and grow their business.
These are just a few ways that we have helped some clients. There are many other applications that can be handled in a similar manner. It is important to note that just applying tools utilizing artificial intelligence can be risky. As accountants, we understand the importance of security and privacy in all that we do for our clients. We ensure that the data is secure. In addition, it is important that the people utilizing AI fully understand the expectations and outcomes of companies. Having assisted many companies across a variety of industries allows us to quickly incorporate the right focus.
Chuck McLane, senior managing director of CBIZ’s Phoenix office and the firm’s regional leader for the West, is responsible for the supervision and oversight of the financial services area, including attest, tax, consulting and advisory practices.
Board Development
Businesses Need the Right People around the Table
from Avery Hayden of Board Developer
Across industries, business leaders are realizing that sustainable growth isn’t just about having the right product or service — it’s about having the right people around the table. One of the most important trends we’re seeing in today’s climate is a shift toward strategic leadership structures, including advisory and fiduciary boards, that provide consistent accountability, community connection and long-term guidance.
Companies are also placing greater emphasis on intentional hiring, cultural alignment, and leadership development, recognizing that technical skills can be trained, but a mismatch in values or communication style can quietly erode team performance and engagement. With growing market volatility, businesses are seeking clarity, outside perspective, and support systems that help them navigate change with confidence.
At Board Developer, we help organizations build high-performing, values-aligned cultures by investing in intentional board placement and leadership support. We use leadership assessments to help companies better understand their executive teams, identify hidden strengths or risks, and place advisory board members based on three key factors:
- Business expertise aligned with the company’s long-term goals
- Cultural compatibility to foster collaboration
- Access to a broad network across for-profit and nonprofit sectors
Helping Businesses Grow
In our space, the biggest driver of operational efficiency and growth is clarity. That’s why more organizations are turning to external board management — not just for high-level input, but for built-in structure and accountability. When board meetings are run well and aligned with real business goals, they create space for leadership to stay focused on execution while still benefiting from outside insight and community relationships.
Board Developer provides this structure. We manage meetings externally, set clear agendas and ensure progress is being tracked, without disrupting day-to-day operations. It’s a model that enables organizations to grow with intention, adapt faster and make better decisions.
Did Someone Mention Tariffs?
While the impact of tariffs varies across industries, one consistent theme is uncertainty. Increased costs, disrupted supply chains and market unpredictability all affect business confidence and long-term planning. These pressures make it even more important to have a trusted support system in place — one that can help businesses respond strategically instead of reactively.
That’s where we see the power of strong boards come in. A well-aligned board helps leaders stay focused on their mission, identify creative local sourcing solutions, and keep big-picture goals in mind even when short-term challenges arise.
In uncertain times, strategy and relationships matter more than ever. And businesses that invest in both are the ones most likely to not just survive, but thrive.
Avery Hayden, president of Board Developer, blends a creative marketing background with expertise in social media management, event marketing and brand storytelling. She is known for driving strategic growth and fostering community impact through innovative campaigns and authentic engagement.
Business Coaching
Change Requires Courage. Courage Requires Vulnerability.
from Eileen Rogers of One Creative View
“Vulnerability is the birthplace of innovation, creativity, and change.” —Brené Brown
Uncertainty and lack of control are the two elements that cause anxiety and there’s no shortage of either one right now in the U.S. Anxiety is a very contagious emotion. For leaders of organizations, it falls to them to manage and model the behaviors needed from their teams to stay calm, relevant, competitive and adaptable in this constantly changing environment.
As I state in my headline, Change requires courage, and courage requires vulnerability. This may seem counterintuitive to most leaders, but we need to consider the definition of vulnerability.
Vulnerability is all the emotions associated with risk, uncertainty and emotional exposure. This is what leaders deal with every single day — all day. And now more than ever.
“Vulnerability is also the birthplace of innovation, creativity, and change,” according to leadership expert Dr. Brené Brown. So, when leaders want those activities in their culture and response to crisis, they must consider changing the traditional definition of KPIs. Instead of standard Key Performance Indicators, they could now use KPIs to: Keep People Informed, Keep People Involved, Keep People Interested, and Keep People Inspired.
Keep People Informed. In the absence of data, people make up stories, and then they believe them. Leaders must be as transparent as possible and not just share number-oriented data. Share the ideas behind their decisions and the way forward, as much as possible. Admitting that they don’t know things is vulnerable, and yet it builds the trust and loyalty required with teams. Be relentless in finding out what stories are being made up and then dealing with them right away.
Keep People Involved. When a team understands the “why” in the mission and culture, they are enabled to serve more and do more. Keeping the bigger mission in mind as companies adapt, pivot and react needs to be considered from all areas in the organization — involving everyone and framing the challenges as both immediate and long term.
Keep People Interested. Make sure that leaders are not just assigning tasks. Crisis-like situations often fall into top-down communication and work tasks. What leaders can do: Asking people where they believe they can contribute more. Connecting the dots for them about what is important. Asking if they have other skills they can contribute to this moment. Staying curious, asking lots of questions, and then genuinely listening.
Keep People Inspired. Great leaders do this by growing emotional connections, showing up to engage with their teams, asking what support looks like for them and then listening and responding thoughtfully. When people feel seen and heard by their leaders, they are inspired to help.
The U.S. business and nonprofit landscape is in constant flux right now. Announced tariffs, cuts to funding sources, targeted job eliminations, supply chain issues and global retaliation are happening each day at a pace that everyone is struggling with. Courageous leaders don’t have all the answers. They do understand, though, that being empathetic, vulnerable, available and inspiring will bring out the best in their teams and create the type of resilience needed to survive, be profitable and sustain today.
Eileen Rogers, founder of One Creative View, is a seasoned executive coach and business advisor who, as CEO, grew her own marketing and printing company into an award-winning multi-million-dollar business and, in 2020, was one of 500 people worldwide selected and trained by Dr. Brené Brown to facilitate her Dare to Lead™ courage-building program.
Funding
Businesses Need a Strong, Proactive Relationship with Their Bank
from Steve Curley of Western Alliance Bank
One of the most critical best practices for a business is building and maintaining a strong, proactive relationship with its bank. It’s not just about securing funding — it’s about creating a partnership that helps the business grow in both good and bad times.
To achieve this, it’s critical the business leader communicates early and often with the business’s banker. If a business is facing challenges — like the impact of tariffs, interest rates, rising labor market costs — waiting too long to engage the bank can lead to consequences, including restricted access to credit. Being transparent and collaborative from the start helps the bank understand the business’s unique situation and allows the bank to work with the business to find solutions.
It is also essential to work with a bank that’s nimble and understands the individual business model. During challenging economic times, many banks become more conservative, making credit harder to obtain. But these periods can also present growth opportunities — like acquiring market share when a competitor exits. Businesses need a banking partner that can move quickly and grow with them.
At Western Alliance Bank, we focus on being that kind of partner. We have a flat organizational structure that allows us to quickly respond, make decisions and take reasonable risks. The process of communicating with senior-level decision makers is streamlined and easy.
Helping Businesses Grow
Optimization of financial structures and treasury management are some of the products and services we combine with quick, data-driven decision making to help clients streamline and scale.
Given the uncertainty of the tariff and interest rate environment, Western Alliance strives to help clients implement the best capital structure — such as transitioning from variable to fixed-rate debt — which can provide greater predictability and support long-term business planning. Whether it’s improving cash flow, optimizing working capital or seizing growth opportunities — like acquiring a competitor during a downturn — the bank is there to move quickly and support.
A key part of Western Alliance’s value to small business is delivered through tailored treasury management solutions. Integrated payables, for example, can help clients make payments to their vendors quickly and more efficiently while potentially earning rebates. Clients can also use credit card products for accounts payable, which can provide cash back similar to consumer credit cards.
It’s also important to work with a bank that is agile and has a deep understanding of each client’s business model, something that Western Alliance prioritizes through relationship-based client service and personalized attention. This allows for quick decision making, which, in turn, allows clients to proceed with their business planning and execution.
Ultimately, we aim to be a responsive, strategic partner that evolves with our clients. We recognize that challenging times often present unique opportunities, and we’re committed to helping businesses seize them to reach the next level.
Did Someone Mention Tariffs?
Our clients are certainly mindful and cautious about what’s happening with tariffs. The longer the tariff discussion stays in limbo, the more uncertainty affects their outlook. However, since Western Alliance serves U.S. companies that depend largely on domestic supply chains with limited international exposure, the tariff risk is there but not dominant. Challenges that our businesses do face include inflation, higher-for-longer interest rates, rising labor costs and technology upgrades to their manufacturing facilities. But Western Alliance is a business-focused bank. We are experts at helping businesses solve for these problems easily and efficiently.
With more than 25 years of experience in banking and management consulting, Steve Curley is the chief banking officer for National Business Lines at Western Alliance Bank. Currently responsible for overseeing crucial functional aspects of the bank, including Information Technology, Bank Operations, Branch Banking, Product Development, and Third-Party Risk Management, he has been with the organization since 2009 and has been instrumental in developing key areas such as Specialized Mortgage Services, Note Finance, Alliance Association Bank, Corporate Finance, Municipal Lending and Affordable Housing.
Healthcare
Evolving to Improve Patient Care and Treatment Outcomes
from Pete Chuchro of Cigna Healthcare Arizona
The healthcare industry continues to evolve at a rapid pace, with a goal of improving patient care and treatment outcomes. We’re proud of our innovations in digital technology to help our customers focus on care, not paperwork. This means creating simpler and more reliable experiences in the “everyday moments” — like finding a doctor, pricing medication, checking benefits or resolving an urgent care issue. We are doing this through a combination of digital and self-service capabilities, such as our guided benefit plan onboarding to ensure customers understand how to use their myCigna portal to make the most of their health plan. Our digital-first ID cards help customers review their benefits in advance of their plan effective date and start engaging sooner. This step alone has a dramatic effect on digital engagement and use of virtual care resulting in more accessible care when and where they need it.
Ultimately, we’re making it easy for our customers to find information they need, know what’s covered in their plan and make the most of their health benefits. We see a lot of opportunity to leverage AI and, in the coming months, we will be launching new tools to help customers better understand their coverage, eligibility questions and claims.
Helping Businesses Grow
Across the country, companies are working to improve workplace wellness to help drive profitability and growth. At Cigna, we know that having a healthy workforce drives business success by improving productivity and reducing absenteeism. Smart employers know that actively engaging employees in their physical and mental health will have a positive impact on the business’s bottom line. That’s why we collaborate closely with our clients to create benefit plans tailored to the needs of their employees and help foster a culture of health and well-being through workplace wellness programs.
We are the only health benefits provider to offer live 24/7/365 customer support, and the only health plan to offer immediate access to a behavioral health clinician — so essential as mental health needs continue to rise. We connect our customers with a licensed clinical therapist, any time of day or night, whether they reach out to us or if one of our customer advocates senses the need. This service is provided with no out-of-pocket cost to the customer.
Healthcare affordability remains a key challenge for our employer clients, their employees and their families. A few examples of how we’re addressing that: We are creating high performance medical networks that reduce costs and improve patient outcomes of care. We focus on preventive care and wellness-based point solutions to improve our members overall health rather than just reacting when they get sick. We’re addressing rising pharmacy costs with programs that manage utilization of services with adherence to weight loss medication and are increasing availability of biosimilars at lower costs as an alternative to high-cost specialty medications.
Did Someone Mention Tariffs?
We know our employer clients are navigating a highly dynamic and fast-evolving economic landscape, which is why we are laser focused on making sure their healthcare benefits are one less thing they have to worry about.
Pete Chuchro is general manager and market growth leader for Cigna Healthcare’s Arizona market. In this role, he is responsible for driving market growth for client employers with fewer than 3,000 employees by creating customer value and ensuring that the local market strategy, product and network offerings meet evolving customer and client needs. He works with the market’s network leaders, medical executives and others to advance outreach in the communities Cigna Healthcare serves.
Legal
Transactions for Growth: Mergers, Acquisitions, Joint Ventures and More
from Susan Wissink of Fennemore
In my area, Mergers and Acquisitions (M&A), utilizing AI appropriately for smarter due diligence at the onset of a deal can help streamline a preliminary document review and identify risks. I also encourage my clients to be nimble and include additional protections like layered escrowed funds (which help manage various post-closing liabilities beyond traditional indemnity), larger earn-outs, seller financing and contingency clauses to make sure they get what they want out of the transaction.
Today’s challenging market also presents opportunities for companies to combine resources to grow business, create synergies and reduce overall expenses through joint ventures rather than through M&As. Joint ventures are an attractive option for sharing risk and assessing whether a later combination of the two companies would facilitate revenue growth. The joint venture approach also allows the parties to tap into new markets and drive growth with less financial risk.
Helping Businesses Grow
Lately, I have had a number of clients hire me to assist with buy-sell arrangements involving their business partners due to the partners’ differing views on running their business. We often work with valuation experts to determine the value of the business, which builds confidence for the partners that the transaction is fair to all. Once the valuation is complete, then the partners negotiate the purchase and sale of the interests. Leaving a broken partnership often helps both parties grow to the next level in their respective businesses.
Traditional financing or creative private party financing also provides businesses an opportunity to grow to the next level. Because of the market instability, the pendulum has shifted to a more lender-friendly market, yet lenders are still predicting a greater volume of loan activity in 2025. Additionally, consumer lending is expected to pick up in 2025 due to the tariffs and the market settling into higher interest rates. We assist our clients in a variety of loan transactions, on both the lender and borrower side.
Did Someone Mention Tariffs?
The tariffs have caused chaos in the stock market and uncertainty on Wall Street. The year 2025 was expected to be a banner year for M&A, but started out very slow and came almost to a grinding halt toward the end of the first quarter. However, M&A activity is picking up and we are seeing new provisions in purchase agreements to address the volatility. Buyers want the impact of tariffs to constitute a material adverse effect while sellers do not want to include such provisions. In commercial contracts, force majeure provisions will likely be changing due to the impact of tariffs.
Because the tariffs may increase prices and disrupt the supply chain — sooner than later on the West Coast — we may experience more legal disputes over contractual provisions (including force majeure provisions). Our goal is to protect our clients, and their profits, through forward-thinking legal strategies that account for market volatility while we look forward to a smoother road ahead.
Susan Wissink is a director at Fennemore practicing in the areas of mergers and acquisitions, entity formation, loans and general corporate matters. She represents both buyers and sellers in asset and stock-based acquisitions and sales, mergers and other business reorganizations.
Marketing
Uncertainty Can Create Opportunities to Capture New Market Share
from Andrea Aker of Aker Ink PR & Marketing
As economic uncertainty builds, it’s natural human behavior to retract or freeze. People like to know where they are going, how to get there and what will happen when they arrive. Yet concrete journeys are few and far between, and the reality is that business leaders must navigate all sorts of uncertainty on their paths to greater profitability.
Tariff whiplash is perhaps the most pressing for the abundance of companies that rely on global supply chains, imported materials or international manufacturing. They are unsure how to navigate unpredictable trade policy that can disrupt timelines and drive costs up virtually overnight. Marketers are understandably on edge.
Today’s economic challenges are harsh for many businesses. In addition to tariffs, AI disruption, labor market volatility and geopolitical tensions are among the many societal issues impacting a company’s sustainability. Resolutions aren’t easy, but there are steps business leaders can take to mitigate negative impacts and identify bright spots where they can thrive.
With any type of uncertainty, there is a veil of opportunity for those who are creative and motivated enough to uncover it. As competitors pull back or pause marketing and advertising efforts, it opens new doors for businesses to capture their market share — doors that might otherwise remain shut if economic conditions were more favorable. In this climate, it’s time to:
- Reevaluate digital advertising as competitors scale back: With less competition in the digital ad space, cost-per-click can decrease, allowing savvy brands to gain greater visibility at a lower cost. By reallocating spend toward high-performing platforms and targeting both abandoned keywords and long-tail questions from concerned customers, companies can strengthen their foothold.
- Double down on customer retention strategies: It’s generally more expensive to acquire new customers than it is to retain current ones. Consider personalized email, SMS and social media campaigns that promote loyalty incentives, such as exclusive deals, members-only content or early access to new products and services.
- Invest in thought leadership and organic visibility: When budgets are tight, thought leadership, PR and search engine optimization are lower-cost, high-impact strategies for building credibility and remaining visible when competitors are quiet. Focus on topics that answer customers’ current concerns and highlight the company’s resilience.
- Reassess messaging around trust, stability and values: Consumers and businesses crave confidence right now. Brands that demonstrate reliability, longevity and shared values can stand apart from the competition. This makes it essential to revisit key messaging, especially on websites, sales materials and across digital channels.
- Test and optimize offers more aggressively: Economic tension shifts buying psychology — even loyal customers rethink spending. By experimenting with bundles, limited-time incentives or value-based guarantees, companies can reduce friction in the buying process without defaulting to deep discounts that can diminish brand value.
It’s no secret that the most effective leaders are adaptable. They understand when to pivot strategies and processes without losing sight of the business’s goals. They rally and inspire teams when obstacles seem insurmountable. Shifting marketing and advertising efforts, too, can help organizations gain the momentum they need to stay visible and connect with their audiences in new ways amid volatility.
Andrea Aker is CEO of Aker Ink PR & Marketing, a full-service agency that helps companies increase awareness, thought leadership, leads and sales. She is an expert communicator and business strategist with a reputation for tenacity, perseverance and honesty. She’s willing to take on complex situations and thrives on new challenges. Under her leadership, Aker Ink is consistently honored as a top agency statewide.
Technology
Navigating the Digital Shift: Practical Innovation in a Complex Climate
from Minky Kernacs of Arizona Technology Council and Mercurio Analytics
As chair of the Arizona Technology Council’s Arizona Artificial Intelligence Ecosystem (AAIE) Committee, I’ve had a front-row seat to how rapidly emerging technologies are reshaping the way businesses operate. Among these, generative AI stands out not as a buzzword but as a foundational capability that is redefining operations and strategy across industries.
Best Practices in AI and Emerging Tech
Our focus has been on real-world implementation, education and workforce development. For those who experienced the rise of the internet and the cloud, this moment carries a familiar sense of transformation. The difference now is the pace. Generative AI is evolving rapidly, and its successful adoption requires intention, strategy and a clear understanding of organizational goals and readiness.
Leadership plays a pivotal role in shaping how and when these technologies are introduced. It is not only about deciding where AI fits but also being clear about when it does not. Transparent communication with teams builds trust and encourages thoughtful use. Equipping employees with tools, training and context helps turn experimentation into real business outcomes. Beyond tools and training, leadership can help foster a culture of curiosity and continuous learning. Creating space for experimentation without fear of failure is key to building long-term capability.
Leaders also help set the tone for a culture that embraces innovation while staying grounded in business priorities. This includes knowing the organization well enough to identify the right questions for both internal teams and technology vendors, select meaningful use cases and ensure outputs lead to actionable insights.
An honest assessment of infrastructure is equally important. This includes data quality, integration and cybersecurity. Leaders also should consider the long-term costs and sustainability of their approach, weighing the benefits of implementation against risks such as model degradation, ongoing maintenance and overreliance on external platforms. Without this clarity, investments may fall short, introduce avoidable risk or be misaligned with organizational capacity and maturity.
Security remains a key consideration. As generative AI capabilities grow, so do the risks associated with its misuse. Hackers, cybercriminals and even nation states are increasingly leveraging AI to exploit vulnerabilities, manipulate systems and extract sensitive data. Organizations that take a thoughtful, informed approach to securing their environment are more likely to adopt AI in ways that are not only effective and safe but also drive long-term growth, profitability and competitive advantage.
Supporting Business Growth through Community and Knowledge Sharing
At the Council, we have built a statewide community where knowledge exchange, education and collaboration are central to helping businesses succeed with emerging technologies. Our AAIE Committee brings together industry-specific subcommittees to address the unique challenges and opportunities in sectors like education, healthcare, logistics and finance.
Through regular forums, case studies and working sessions, members share experiences, insights and practical guidance. This environment of open dialogue supports accelerated learning, avoids duplication of effort and empowers more confident decision-making.
Equally important is our commitment to strengthening relationships across the ecosystem. By connecting members with Arizona-based resources that include academic institutions, R&D hubs, workforce programs and solution providers, we create a foundation of trust and mutual support. While we welcome global perspectives, our focus is on building lasting connections within the state. We also collaborate with other technology councils across the country to share insights, align on national priorities and strengthen collective impact.
The Arizona Technology Council has long been a champion of technology and innovation in the state. We fully support the momentum around AI and the new organizations focused on it, and we are committed to being a steady, long-term partner as the technology landscape continues to evolve.
Did Someone Mention Tariffs?
While we continue to monitor global tariff trends, the impact on Arizona businesses is already clear. Logistics firms are seeing reduced activity due to lower import volumes. At the same time, companies like TSMC are creating new opportunities with expanded operations in the state. Construction and manufacturing sectors face rising costs for materials such as steel, aluminum and lumber unless the business secured inventory early.
Tariffs are also influencing buyer behavior. Some companies report delayed cross-border deals due not to price but instead uncertainty and shifting international dynamics. Buyer sentiment is changing, with a preference for local providers to reduce risk and simplify global engagement. This is affecting forecasts and deal cycles. These pressures underscore the importance of adaptability and thoughtful planning. AI can help but only when guided by accurate data and a clear purpose.
Today’s business environment demands more than innovation. It requires discipline, foresight and collaboration. At the Council, we are committed to helping our community build operations that are both profitable and resilient. AI plays a key role in that effort when implemented with intention and supported by the right ecosystem. There is a lot of excitement around generative AI, and for good reason. But in our experience, the organizations that benefit most are those that approach adoption with purpose, assess where they are today and build toward sustainable outcomes at a pace that makes sense for their business.
Minky Kernacs is chair of the Arizona Artificial Intelligence Ecosystem Committee at the Arizona Technology Council, and co-founder and CEO of Mercurio Analytics. A technology executive, she has more than 20 years experience supporting government agencies and regulated industries in modernizing through secure, scalable data and AI platforms.
