The Valley is blessed with a plethora of great restaurants, including an international smorgasbord of choices. Here are a few of the standouts around the Valley that offer a change of pace, place and palate. Caribbean Queen Not strictly Caribbean, the menu also draws on European and American influences, with a significant portion being jerk dishes and vegan dishes. Opens at … [More]
Leading Loyalty
In business, if people merely like you, you’re in trouble. They need to love you! In Leading Loyalty, readers will learn how building loyalty and modeling great customer service behavior to develop frontline teams is the key to building raving fans. Winning customers’ their hearts will not only result in them purchasing more — that’s the company they’ll talk up to everyone they … [More]
Rehumanize Your Business
Every day, most working professionals entrust their most important messages to a form of communication that doesn’t build trust, provide differentiation or communicate clearly enough. It’s easy to point to the sheer volume of emails, text messages, voicemails and even social messaging as the problem that reduces our reply rates and diminishes our effectiveness. But the faceless … [More]
Sales Badassery
This book turns the old way of doing things on its head to shift all the power to you. The common myth of sales strategy says prospects should be approached from a position of deference — they hold the superior position, forcing the salesman to supplicate, beg, make undue concessions and be at their beck and call during and after the sale. This indispensable work shows that … [More]
Feedback: April 2019
What is the most effective or best-received wellness program you have offered your employees? Scott Elser CEO Digital Current Sector: Marketing and Advertising We use an incentive-based program where employees who opt-in can earn additional PTO for participating in monthly challenges and bonus activities. The monthly challenges are designed to promote wellness with … [More]
April 2019 President Message
You might say Clyde Tombaugh was literally starstruck when he worked to help put Arizona on the map in the world of astronomy. What? You’ve never heard of him? His was a story filled with persistence and alertness. Although he wanted to pursue astronomy after an uncle loaned him a telescope, a lack of funds kept Tombaugh out of college and forced him to build his own … [More]
National Group Honors Schweikert for Tech Efforts
Rep. David Schweikert (R-AZ) is winner of a CompTIA Tech Champion Award given to leaders focused on driving innovation, job growth and advancements for the information technology industry. The Tech Champion Awards are given annually to a member of the House of Representatives, as well as a member of the Senate and an industry executive who has exemplified leadership in the … [More]
Grant Is Sign of SciTech Institute’s Stepping Into Its Own Spotlight
It’s one thing to take the lead on building Arizona’s STEM ecosystem, but it’s a plus when that recognition goes beyond the state’s borders. The SciTech Institute, a collaborative initiative of the Arizona Technology Council and the Arizona Commerce Authority, has been awarded part of a $1 million Southwest Airlines Charitable Grant, which focuses on building a stronger … [More]
Digital Goods Bill Threatens Heavy Taxation for Arizona
Paying your fair share of taxes. Members of the Arizona Technology Council recognize that is part of doing business. Consider Senate Bill 1460 in the Arizona Legislature. The measure was designed to create parameters for determining the taxable status of digital goods and services at state and local levels. The Council and its members fully support the original intent of … [More]
Global Impact in the Sights of Committee
With a focus on success, Optics Valley members have been working to capture the world’s attention for an industry that serves fields ranging from aerospace to telecommunications. A new workforce development program now gives this Arizona Technology Council committee the chance to influence others who are considering joining this cutting-edge profession. Formerly known as the … [More]
Increased Costs Bring Council Membership Dues Hike
Just as the roster of programs and services provided by the Arizona Technology Council has grown, so have the related costs. That’s why its board of directors has voted to institute an approximately 10 percent increase in annual membership dues. Existing members will see their increase when it’s time for renewal, while the increase for new members became effective April 1. … [More]
New Reader Experience Accompanies Magazine Update
Think of your favorite magazine. If it still exists after all this time, odds are it has been through some changes but is still a part of you. That captures what has happened with TechConnect magazine. Since its launch in 2005 by the Arizona Technology Council, the publication has gone through redesigns and evolved from print only to an online digital format. After 56 … [More]
Two Board Additions Bring Experience in Innovation
The Arizona Technology Council has appointed Kerri Zunkowski, vice president of People Operations at Infusionsoft, and Ken McMahon, senior vice president of Client Operations at Vonage, to its board of directors. The two technology executives were elected unanimously at the quarterly board meeting in January to serve three-year terms. “Kerri and Ken bring expertise, … [More]
Meet 3 Newest Members of Council Staff
Jill Brownley Director, Marketing + Communications Brownley’s experience includes public relations, marketing communications, social media, copywriting and technical writing, public affairs, internal communications, advertising and graphic design. Most recently, she was a public relations consultant serving bioscience clients. Previously, she was director of marketing and … [More]
Planner Becomes Critical Partner for Council Events
Chuck Smith still remembers his first experience with the Arizona Technology Council. He was invited to attend its annual Governor’s Celebration of Innovation in November 2016 and was shocked to see people considered competitors actually getting along throughout the event. “We were just blown away by the camaraderie,” he says. “If we wanted to get into the pulse of the local … [More]
Staff Profile: Deborah Zack
For hundreds of members of the Arizona Technology Council, Deborah Zack is the Council. As senior director of membership services, Deborah Zack has been the one constant in the lives of many members. Whether it’s offering basic information about joining the group or responding to inquiries about how a company can become more involved in the Council, Zack is the go-to person. … [More]
