Naphtali Hoff writes about a reporter interviewing a successful and rather terse bank president. When asked about his success, the president said, “Right decisions.” And how does one make right decisions? He answered, “Experience.” So, how is experience gained? He replied, “Wrong decisions.” Research conducted by the Arizona Commerce Authority with CEOs of young, high-growth … [More]
Transparent Last-Mile Delivery
Courier service Dropoff recently expanded into Phoenix with its proprietary technology platform for last-mile, same-day delivery for businesses large and small. Among the features its technology enables are real-time tracking and confirmation of order status with easy Web and mobile ordering, along with signature verification once the delivery is completed, and transparency as … [More]
Smartphone as Supercam
The ShowOff Super Mount enables hands-free photos and videos from the user’s smartphone — up to 30 feet away — by combining Bluetooth technology with an advanced magnetic system. It also provides real-time updates while working if attached to a computer or monitor, and gives GPS navigation in the car if mounted to the rearview mirror. The ShowOff Super Mount uses an … [More]
The Medium Is the Message
SnapComms recently launched CommsTools.com as a free online resource that can help employers get a message across successfully to their workforce (or help anyone looking for ideas on how best to communicate to a wider group). Getting employee attention is extremely hard nowadays as staff contend with bloated email inboxes and information overload. “CommsTools.com helps … [More]
The New Temp
Facilitating opportunities in the growing gig economy, the mobile app called Shiftgig connects businesses with people who want to work short-term jobs or shifts — such as those who manned many positions at local stadiums for Spring Training. In fact, Intuit released a study earlier this year (its second annual “Dispatches from the New Economy: The On-Demand Workforce”) that … [More]
2017 Mercedes-Benz AMG GLE43 Coupe
This sleek and luxurious sports coupe is a (borderline) SUV with all the bells and whistles its driver needs to enjoy a smooth ride, take rugged terrain or speed through city streets. With its strong turbo boost and its dynamic exhaust system, the 3.0-liter V6 biturbo in the Mercedes-Benz AMG GLE43 elevates horsepower and torque. An exclusive red engine cover insert … [More]
Giving Thanks with Style
In today’s world, the thank-you has become an immediate email sent to express gratitude or congratulations for a special moment. For high impact, though, it’s still the mailed note or thank-you card that stands out. Here are our picks for personalized cards. Paperjoy Specializing in all things custom, from prepackaged thank-yous to custom, and elaborate editions and art … [More]
Tommy Bahama – Menu as Lifestyle
Department stores include a café where customers can rest in-between purchases, and highway tourist stops include a sometimes-extensive gift store where travel-weary customers can be tempted with impulse shopping, but higher-end restaurants are usually stand-alone operations. Tommy Bahama is unique in that regard, offering dining alongside retail of its signature line of … [More]
The Elevated Burger
Time and time again, the classic hamburger beats out over many other choices on a menu. So much so that the gourmet burger joint has become its own genre for diners. Here are our current tops: Hopdoddy Burger Bar This interesting concept is all about custom orders. Customers pick the type of burger they want and take a seat — and before you know it, it’s on the table and … [More]
Managing Oneself
Peter Drucker is widely regarded as the father of modern management, offering penetrating insights into business that still resonate today. But Drucker also offers deep wisdom on how to manage our personal lives and how to become more effective leaders. In these two classic articles from Harvard Business Review, Drucker reveals the keys to becoming one’s own chief executive … [More]
Gen Z @ Work
A generations expert and author of When Generations Collide and The M-Factor teams up with his 17-year-old son to introduce the next influential demographic group to join the workforce — Generation Z — in this essential study, the first on the subject. They were born between 1995 and 2012. At 72.8 million strong, Gen Z is about to make its presence known in the workplace in a … [More]
Doughnut Economics
Economics is the mother tongue of public policy. It dominates our decision-making for the future, guides multi-billion-dollar investments, and shapes our responses to climate change, inequality and other environmental and social challenges that define our times. Pity then, or more like disaster, that its fundamental ideas are centuries out of date yet are still taught in … [More]
Feedback: April 2017
How important is healthcare as an employee benefit in attracting and retaining talent for your business? Bernie Clark Executive Vice President, Advisor Services Charles Schwab & Co. Sector: Financial Services Schwab is committed to the well-being of our employees and their families. Part of that commitment means listening to employees about what is important to them … [More]
Steven G. Zylstra Spring 2017 Message
With all the public conversations lately about keeping manufacturers in the United States, it’s time for a reality check: A lot of the jobs we typically equate with this sector will never come back. If you think this has anything to do with bad trade deals, think again. The reason is, 20 years of lean manufacturing have created incredible improvement in productivity and … [More]
Stronger Foundation
Once a solid foundation has been created, it’s the perfect time for growth. This rule of thumb is especially true for the Arizona Technology Council Foundation, which most notably has served as home base for the Arizona Science & Engineering Fair, the High School and Middle School Science Bowls, and the Arizona SciTech Festival. The foundation has set into a motion a new … [More]
Festival Was Just the Start
When the Arizona SciTech Festival debuted in 2012, it was declared a success as more than 222,000 guests attended more than 200 events. Fast forward to the February launch of this celebration of science’s sixth season: More than 800 organizations planned to stage nearly 1,500 events for an audience total exceeding 400,000. “It’s just a really great testament to the … [More]
For Arizona’s Future
Two measures backed by the Arizona Technology Council hold the promise of investing in a better tomorrow for the research community while promoting economic development. At press time, the Arizona Senate had voted to support a measure that, if passed, ultimately would protect the dark sky corridor that takes hold after the sun sets. Headed to the House of Representatives was … [More]
Council Launches Initiative to Create Mega PAC
Anyone who follows the shaping of public policy in Arizona no doubt notices the voice of the Arizona Technology Council continuously grows stronger. An example is its annual Public Policy Guide, which lays out its agenda to state and federal lawmakers in addition to Council members. To support this massive agenda, the Council is taking the next step. While it has had a state … [More]
