SDGs, or Sustainable Development Goals, are universal guidelines established by the UN that call on organizations to participate in a collaborative effort to address social, economic and environmental issues. Prioritizing SDGs creates socially responsible businesses and enables leaders to identify growth opportunities. When implementing SDGs, business leaders should choose … [More]
How to Align Business Success with Sustainable Development Goals
Prioritizing sustainability in the investment and lending industry leads to long-term success
Leader Resilience – Core of Culture & Organizational Success
And effective in combatting chronic stress and burnout
Chronic stress and burnout are not new to business or leadership. What is significantly different today is the increased levels of leadership chronic stress and their exponential ripple effects on organizations. This article helps leaders understand the relational impacts of burnout and clarifies why prioritizing leader resilience is crucial for organizational health, … [More]
Brewing Compassion: Echo Coffee’s Transformative Journey in Corporate Philanthropy
Echo Coffee, a beloved Scottsdale-based coffee shop, has become a beacon of community engagement and corporate philanthropy under the leadership of its compassionate owner, Rob Rigolfi Jr. Born with deep-rooted family values and a passion for helping others, Rigolfi has seamlessly blended his entrepreneurial spirit with his philanthropic endeavors, creating a unique model of … [More]
Moving from Feedback to ‘Feedforward’
How managers and companies can push employees to their best
We’re all familiar with the term and concept of feedback. Now, we are beginning to hear a new term applied to performance reviews: feedforward. From what I’ve read, this new term stems from younger employees challenging the status quo regarding feedback practices at their companies. This, in itself, is a good thing! Any business or organizational practice that has been around … [More]
Securing Your Funding Round: A Strategic Guide
Perseverance, a compelling pitch and a deep understanding of investor expectations are key
Securing funding for a startup is a complex endeavor requiring meticulous planning, persuasive communication and a deep understanding of investor expectations. On average, it takes 18 months to close a deal, according to PitchBook. While fewer than 10% of startups successfully secure VC funding, those that do often receive substantial investments. While there is no … [More]
Six Essential Employment Law Conversations for Growing Businesses
Navigating legal requirements to create a safe and productive workplace
Responsible business growth in Arizona begins with a commitment to a fair and productive workplace. Understanding the impact of employment practices and legal requirements on business is essential to that growth, which is the expertise attorneys bring to the enterprise. Fair Hiring Practices Adding employees is an important step in business growth, but hiring isn't as simple … [More]
Mike Nelson: Crafting Success in the Sandwich Scene
Mike Nelson forges franchise growth as Mr. Pickle’s Sandwich Shops charts nationwide expansion
In 2019, Mike Nelson ate a sandwich from Mr. Pickle’s while on business in California. At the time, it was a cult brand with locations limited to a regional section of the Golden State owned since the mid-1990s by a husband-and-wife team approaching retirement. So, what made Nelson — a veteran multi-unit franchisee — think he could purchase it and position the brand for … [More]
Election 2024: Employer Responsibility
Encouraging employees’ civic engagement in the election process without getting political
Political polarization is at an all-time high, which might signal Arizona has its highest number of interested and invested voters this election year. However, it may also be the reason fewer people head to the polls to vote. Supporting employees’ civic engagement in the election process is perhaps one of the most important ways employers can enact change throughout our … [More]
AI-Enabled PDF Tools
Why these are key to revolutionizing document workflows and boosting productivity
Significant challenges as well as opportunities in document workflow processes exist across organizations. These were the findings of the recent study “Revolutionizing Document Workflows with AI” from Forrester Consulting, commissioned by Foxit. Forrester queried 402 PDF and document tool users and 116 decision-makers — uncovering a landscape marked by inefficiency and outdated … [More]
Feedback: September 2024
Q: As a 2023 Women of Achievement honoree, you’ve been recognized for outstanding leadership. Different times seem to call for different strengths, not to mention that the idea of women in top leadership positions is especially timely right now. So, what do you feel are the most important leadership qualities for the times we are in now? Mary Martuscelli Regional … [More]
The Perfect Storm: How Supply Chain Disruptions Are Impacting the Semiconductor Industry
The semiconductor industry, a cornerstone of modern technology, is facing unprecedented supply chain disruptions. These disruptions are not only affecting the availability of consumer electronics but also have far-reaching consequences for industries reliant on semiconductor technology. The following explores the multifaceted challenges currently impacting the semiconductor … [More]
Precision Cleaning: Strengthening Arizona’s Chip Future
While big names like Intel and TSMC often dominate the headlines, the latest news comes from a new company announcing its move to the Greater Phoenix area. KoMiCo, a leader in precision cleaning and advanced coatings for semiconductor equipment, has announced plans to open a new facility in Mesa by 2026, creating more than 200 jobs. The facility, located in the Superstition … [More]
Amkor’s Expansion: Securing America’s Chip Supply
Amkor Technology, Inc. has signed a preliminary memorandum of terms with the U.S. Department of Commerce, setting the stage for a significant expansion in Peoria, Arizona. Under the CHIPS and Science Act, this agreement will provide Amkor with up to $400 million in direct funding and access to $200 million in loans to support the project. Amkor plans to invest approximately … [More]
Optimizing Mental Wellness for High Performers
High-performing individuals are those who often exceed expectations and go above and beyond to achieve tasks and goals. In the professional setting, these individuals are often executives, athletes, physicians, entrepreneurs, attorneys and small business owners, to name just a few. High performers are often balancing intense workloads from all domains of life, including both … [More]
Cannabis Trends and Storage Solution
Recognition of marijuana’s medical use has come out of shadows and whispers in recent years. And this past May, a proposition by U.S. Justice Department signaled a policy shift by the federal government regarding the drug: Under a new rule, marijuana would be reclassified from a “Schedule I” drug to a “Schedule III” drug, associating it with ketamine and some anabolic steroids … [More]
Cargo Theft Cripples Retail. AI to the Rescue?
Cargo thefts cost trucking companies and retailers between $15 billion and $30 billion annually, worsening supply chain disruptions and contributing to inflation. In the second quarter of 2023, schemes like misdirection and fictitious pickups surged by nearly 700%, exploiting legitimate processes to fraudulently acquire cargo. The $694 million stolen in 2023 is predicted to … [More]
AI Recruitment Tool Transforming Talent Acquisition
Patrice & Associates, the leading hospitality staffing and executive search franchise, has embraced cutting-edge artificial intelligence technology to enhance its hospitality staffing and executive search services. This innovative AI tool revolutionizes the recruitment process, providing franchisees with access to a comprehensive database and predictive analytics, ensuring … [More]
The Evolution of Co-Working
One of the challenges in commercial real estate is to connect the spaces we create to the end user in a way that improves their quality of life. If we do that well, not only do we foster community, but that also means a healthy bottom line for the client and spaces with longevity. One of the concepts that aids in this goal is establishing an effective third place. It is … [More]
