Businesses of every size and in every economic sector have been restructuring their operations, their business model and, in many instances, their products and services. On our website and through our In Business Dailies, we’ve shared the stories of individual companies that have put new focus on helping their community — businesses as well as individuals — better survive the … [More]
Demands on Life Sciences
On January 13 of this year, I was in San Francisco with thousands of life science entrepreneurs and investors for J.P. Morgan Healthcare Week. Companies were making their pitches, investors were scoping out investment opportunities and the sidewalks were filled with people moving from in-person meeting to meeting. One week later, the first U.S. case of COVID-19 was reported in … [More]
Advancing Economic Development
From a business development standpoint, the biggest challenge is determining which companies are planning to “re-shore” operations and jobs as a result of global supply chains being severely impacted by the pandemic. COVID-19 exposed massive vulnerabilities for companies in this realm, but it also presents Greater Phoenix’s biggest opportunity. The region is well-positioned for … [More]
Trends Are Showing
As part of Governor Ducey’s Executive Order “Stay Home, Stay Healthy, Stay Connected” issued in early March, real estate services were deemed an essential service, so REALTORS® in Arizona were allowed to continue to practice. However, most REALTORS are now working from home and those who are still in the office have their offices locked to the public. Because real estate … [More]
Restaurants Pick Up Takeout
No matter where you are in our industry, from quick service to fine dining, we’ve never seen something like this. It’s challenging in so many ways. The reality is, 80 percent (maybe 75 percent) of our business is in-dining, not takeout, and this has been the inverse of that. Everyone’s pivoting. With our ArizonaTakeoutWeeks.com, we were very fortunate to be able to set that … [More]
Site-Seeing in Sight
Scottsdale’s entire tourism industry has been impacted by the COVID-19 outbreak, with many hotels and resorts either closing their doors or operating at single-digit occupancy levels. Because Experience Scottsdale’s primary funding comes from transient lodging taxes, our organization reflects the health of the tourism industry — in good times and in bad. Like many tourism … [More]
What’s Developing in Our CRE Market
Building owners are focused on two issues right now: making rent payment arrangements with tenants whose operations have been impacted by COVID-19 and ensuring that their buildings provide a safe and healthy space for essential workers who must continuing coming into the office. Regarding rent payments, building owners had to rapidly put protocols in place to determine which … [More]
Banks Are Banking on Innovation
Bankers are generally retail front-office people or in office environments throughout all of our communities. They were deemed “essential” under the governor’s executive stay-at-home order. Therefore, many have been in the bank as usual throughout this entire ordeal. That said, the banks have had to make some significant configuration changes in order to keep their customers … [More]
Count on Tech
COVID-19 has created a volatile market and will continue to negatively impact every business sector until we have a clearer picture surrounding the length and depth of this pandemic. In the technology industry, businesses are dealing with a dramatic strain on their supply chains all around the world. Companies are limiting travel, cancelling meetings outside of office walls and … [More]
Business Will Need a Hand
As a chamber of commerce with a broad and diverse membership base, we’ve seen the full range of how the COVID-19 pandemic has impacted the Greater Phoenix region’s businesses, nonprofits and community-based organizations. For us, we’ve completely shifted our operations from emphasizing connections at events and programs to virtual offerings that still serve our members while … [More]
Problem-Based Learning – Thriving during the Crisis
If there is one thing the coronavirus has taught us all is that training, as we know it, is neither resilient nor flexible. Classroom training that requires facilitators and participants to fly to various locations and pack arm-to-arm in a classroom is no longer an option. But as organizations consider replacing their current programs with virtual training, do they understand … [More]
Sands Chevrolet, Cleaning with Care
Since 1934, Sands Chevrolet has been serving the Valley of the Sun. The company started as a small fuel station and Chevrolet dealership during World War II. Having been overlooked as a potential partner to build tanks for the war, the company was savvy enough to change course and stayed in business by selling bicycles and trailers. Since its early days, this organization has … [More]
Connection in the Workplace: It’s Worth the Risk
“Leaders must either invest in a reasonable amount of time attending to fears and feelings or squander an unreasonable amount of time trying to manage ineffective and unproductive behavior.” —Brené Brown Whether it’s private sector or nonprofit, in communities, schools or government, we are hungry for courageous, empathetic leaders. We want to show up, learn and be inspired by … [More]
No Ageism in Entrepreneurialism
As the fog of this war on the U.S. economy begins to clear, it looks as if one class of employees will be among the hardest hit by the pandemic — professionals and executives 50 years and older. And if that sounds familiar, it should. The Great Recession 12 years ago had a similar impact. This time, however, these typically highly trained employees who are at the top of their … [More]
The Monday Blues
With the impact of COVID-19, Americans across the country went from wishing for the weekend, to living it daily. To many, it is feeling a bit like the film Groundhog Day. But the current state of the country won’t last forever, and before too long Americans will be back to counting down for the weekend. The typical countdown begins when they arrive to work on Monday. From … [More]
Best Communications and Fundraising Practices during COVID-19
The COVID-19 pandemic has understandably left everyone dealing with feelings of uncertainty and fear. This is hard and, for some, scary. Many local nonprofit organizations and their employees are suffering. Offices are shut, budgets are getting tighter by the day, valued staff is being furloughed and programs are at risk of being slashed just when they are needed most. As … [More]
Negotiating a Commercial Lease?
A company’s business premises lease may represent its highest monthly expense. It also represents one of the most important commitments a business owner can make . A lack of careful consideration can result in serious financial consequences. To avoid missteps, consider these due diligence questions to gain clarity and confidence before signing. The Parties Involved in the … [More]
Coronavirus Teaches the Value of Domestic Manufacturing
The coronavirus is novel indeed, in that we are learning daily about how it operates: its effect on our bodies, how it is distributed, who it targets and, potentially, how it is prevented. But the virus also is novel in that it pinpoints what is working in our country and what is not — in terms of healthcare, of course, but also in terms of our economy. Specifically, … [More]
