Our business community has always proven to remain strong during the toughest times. The Great Recession hurt, but we bounced back and were seen as one of the “hot-spots” worldwide before the coronavirus pandemic struck. Introducing ‘Get Back In Business’ » Letter from Steve Seleznow of ACF » In an effort to promote and strengthen businesses throughout Greater Phoenix, In … [More]
Introducing ‘Get Back In Business’
Our business community has always proven to remain strong during the toughest times. The Great Recession hurt, but we bounced back and were seen as one of the “hot-spots” worldwide before the coronavirus pandemic struck. See Our 'Get Back In Business' Guide >> In an effort to promote and strengthen businesses throughout Greater Phoenix, In Business Magazine is … [More]
Supporting Our Business Community
We are living in uncertain times. The future is hard to predict. All businesses are suffering — national, local, nonprofit and for-profit. The Arizona Community Foundation, along with all our donors and partners, has been busier than at any time in our history since we opened our doors 41 years ago. We responded to COVID-19 with the speed you would expect from us. We … [More]
Road to Recovery: A Look Sector by Sector
Businesses’ first reaction to COVID-19-related disruption was to retrench and protect — actions that were, essentially, reactive. While that may have been the wisest move in the short-term, it is no way to sustain a business over the long-term. Even businesses that were proactive in their response must adjust to new realities in the economy and the business community going … [More]
Coronavirus Offers Businesses a Chance to Reset, Recharge and Rise Up
Today, you can hardly go an hour without hearing news about the impact of COVID-19 on organizations. From hospitals and schools to businesses and nonprofits, no sector of the economy has remained untouched. As many navigate through the unknown, now is a critical time to chart a course for future growth and prosperity. While it may sound counterintuitive, the timing lends … [More]
Keeping Small Business Up and Running
Even in these unprecedented times, the U.S. Small Business Administration’s lending programs continue to help our economy. The pace of SBA loan-making is always a healthy sign for a good economy because the credit market is one of the foundations for ensuring the availability of financing for small businesses trying to establish themselves, grow and create new jobs throughout … [More]
Navigating a New Normal: Focusing on Mental Health in the Time of Pandemic
As the coronavirus pandemic continues on, the toll on Arizona’s and our nation’s mental health intensifies. Whether someone is learning to adjust to working at home, struggling with home-schooling, coping with a family member who is suffering with COVID-19 or dealing with a job loss, the difficulty and uncertainty of living through this time can cause tremendous anxiety, … [More]
Hardening in the Insurance Market
With the recent surge in coronavirus cases across Arizona and other parts of the country, COVID-19 remains a significant challenge for businesses, creating additional uncertainty and potential risks for their people and operations. Though a return to pre-COVID normalcy is unlikely anytime soon, businesses nevertheless must carefully and thoughtfully assess their unique risks as … [More]
Bankruptcy in a Distressed Post-COVID-19 World
Bankruptcy is a forum and an arena for resolving distressed business situations in a post COVID-19 world. Bankruptcy is not a solution for every business, but it is one of several alternatives to consider. In a chapter 11 bankruptcy reorganization, a business can find the time and the breathing room to choose and implement the right solution to save the business and jobs, and … [More]
Pandemic Presents Learning Opportunities for Employers
In Charleston, S.C., a restaurant was sued by a former server who says he was fired after he left work to get tested for COVID-19. A large automaker was also recently sued for wrongful termination after firing an employee within hours of the employee’s complaint about safety concerns, even after the employee had been assured that he could stay home without penalty … [More]
The Shifting Landscape of Marketing
When it comes to marketing in the current climate, all businesses should be focusing on what we call “the three S’s”: Safety, Sensitivity and (new) Sales channels. We are also seeing a big shift in marketing dollars toward all manner of digital marketing, including increased spends for content marketing and social media, website improvement projects, e-commerce integrations and … [More]
Improving and Expanding ‘Personal’ Virtual Connections
The COVID-19 pandemic has created a unique environment for everyone in both their personal and professional lives. It has disrupted how we interact with friends and family and has thrown a wrench in every aspect of the way business gets done. One of the biggest disruptions at our jobs has been the way we collaborate, network and sell. We’re no longer side by side with our … [More]
Our Experts’ Recommended Resources
Businesses’ first reaction to COVID-19-related disruption was to retrench and protect — actions that were, essentially, reactive. While that may have been the wisest move in the short-term, it is no way to sustain a business over the long-term. Even businesses that were proactive in their response must adjust to new realities in the economy and the business community going … [More]
Robert Blaney, U.S. Small Business Administration, Arizona District
Much has changed since March of this year. What to wear to work today is probably not the first thought of the morning. Telework has become the norm for many and questions and probable answers about reopening abound. Small-business owners are always well-advised to back up records, store data off-site and develop a Continuity of Operations Plan (COOP) to get their business … [More]
Lessons in Managing a Remote Workforce
In March, the COVID-19 crisis forced companies across the U.S. to make significant adjustments, many requiring onsite employees to work from home (WFH). While stay-at-home and shelter-in-place orders were lifted in most states in May, companies extended the WFH status of employees. Some companies are even opting to make WFH a permanent option for employees. As companies … [More]
The Risk of Misaligned Values
We are living and leading in tumultuous and vulnerable times. I need only to turn on the news, open my email or tune in to my next Zoom meeting to be faced with a new challenge or crisis. As a leader, I find my core values tested daily. It can be exhausting to show up both bravely and authentically. I’ve learned that the most critical asset of brave, courageous and authentic … [More]
Tackling Overload
The last few months have likely been crazy for you and your employees. But many professionals and managers were feeling exhausted and burned out even before the COVID-19 pandemic. Overload is the sense that there is too much asked of you and your team, given limited resources. This is a classic definition of stress: too many demands, coupled with too few resources (such as time … [More]
The Value of Shareholder Letters
Letters to corporate shareholders contain some of the best writing on business. These communications can be particularly valuable for investors probing for high-quality companies and managers. They are of general value for their insights on business and economics. Shareholder letters have an interesting history. Through the 1970s, shareholder letters consisted, as a rule, of … [More]
