Pinyon Coastal Mediterranean offers its guests an expansive view of the tree-studded grassy park within a circle of business and municipal buildings — the somewhat hidden gem of Scottsdale Civic Center mall. This relaxing setting was secured after a very deliberate search by Hi Noon Hospitality founding partner Adam Strecker to meet his desire to recreate the expansive … [More]
Read Me
With the number of emails we all get, what makes us open some while skipping past others? And, more importantly, how can we put our own emails in that first category? High-performance email tactics was the topic of a well-attended master class presented by Jay Schwedelson at Thryv’s recent Grow 2025 Conference, where the founder of GURU Media Hub and SubjectLine.com, CEO of … [More]
2026 BMW i7
The 2026 BMW i7 plays to an executive audience that values quiet competence over theatrics. In Phoenix traffic, it remains unflaggingly calm, with isolation and body control that feel purpose-built for long days between Camelback meetings and late returns from Sky Harbor. Materials and switchgear are tactile rather than flashy, and the interface is orderly enough that the … [More]
The Generosity Commission
Group investigates declining volunteer and giving trends
The number of Americans who volunteer in civic organizations and who give to nonprofits has plummeted in recent years, with as many as 20 million households dropping out of giving between 2010 and 2016. While fewer donors are actually giving larger amounts — making up the financial gap in many organizations and increasing philanthropy overall — the more concerning trend is … [More]
How the Tempe Diablos Turned Civic Pride into Lasting Impact: From the Ballpark to the Heart of Tempe
For more than half a century, the Tempe Diablos have demonstrated how civic pride, when paired with committed volunteer leadership, can evolve into lasting community impact. What began in the late 1960s as an effort to put Tempe on the map as a spring training destination has grown into one of the Valley’s most respected volunteer‑led philanthropic organizations, one that … [More]
Personal Guaranties: A Liability Every Arizona Business Owner Should Understand
You Signed What?!
Don and Dora are Arizona natives who’ve built a stable, comfortable life in their three decades of marriage. Dora works as a bookkeeper. Don spent 20 years growing his small business, Don’s Donuts, into a neighborhood favorite. They aren’t wealthy but they’re steady. They paid their bills, saved for the future and did everything they thought responsible business owners should … [More]
8 Important Sales Tax Trends for 2026
States continue to refine their laws to account for added types of taxable products and broadened definitions of sales tax nexus
In 2025, it is estimated that there were mor than 500 changes to sales tax rules and regulations throughout the country, more than in any single year ever before. In 2026, it is expected that an even greater number of changes will occur, as states continue to refine their laws to account for added types of taxable products and broadened definitions of sales tax nexus. As … [More]
Human Capital Investment Strategy: Six Steps to Cultivate Potential and Yield Competitive Advantage
For decades, CEOs have treated financial capital with rigor, discipline and foresight. But when it comes to human capital — the engine of innovation, execution and growth — most organizations still rely on legacy mindsets and guesswork. This blind spot is costing organizations their competitive edge. Written by Dr. Cynthia Bentzen-Mercer, executive strategist on human … [More]
People. Culture. Structure. The Architecture of Execution
Strategy isn't the hard part. Execution is. Most companies don't fail because they lack vision. They fail because they never build the architecture to turn vision into reality. Execution isn't magic. It's not hustle. It's a system. That system has three parts: People — right humans, right roles, real ownership. Culture — behavior over slogans; truth flows; conflict … [More]
People and Culture: A Practical Guide for HR Professionals and Leaders
People and Culture is a strategic guide for CEOs, CHROs, HR leaders and senior executives who want to build high-performing organizations through a purpose-led, values-driven and people-centric approach. Written by leading culture and conflict management expert David Liddle, this book shows how to shift from isolated people or culture initiatives to a unified, enterprise-wide … [More]
