In the vast landscape of Arizona, the Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System (AHCCCS) provides critical support for more than 2 million residents. Medicaid, which primarily serves low-income individuals, is more than just a health insurance program — it is a lifeline for children, adults with disabilities, elderly citizens and other vulnerable populations. But it also … [More]
Is Quiet Firing a Widespread Strategy?
More companies are dropping bachelor’s degree requirements, citing benefits like diversity and lower salary costs
A new ResumeTemplates.com survey of 1,128 business leaders finds that quiet firing is a widespread strategy in 2025. More than half of companies say they are using or plan to use the tactic—defined as pushing employees out indirectly through delayed raises, heavier workloads, and reduced benefits. 53% of Companies Are Quiet Firing This Year 42% are already quiet firing, … [More]
Majority of Gen Z ChatGPT Users View AI as Coworker, Says Survey
Resume.org, the platform for building resumes, has released new findings from a May 2025 survey exploring how workers use ChatGPT on the job. The survey of 8,647 full-time U.S. employees reveals that Gen Z is far ahead of older generations in adopting and integrating ChatGPT into their daily work lives. From brainstorming ideas to making tough decisions, Gen Z is not only using … [More]
Developer Delivers Biltmore-Area Luxury Office Redevelopment
Phoenix-based developer George Oliver has completed its Bond office redevelopment in the heart of the Camelback Corridor, delivering a market-leading amenity package in what the company considers its most ambitious metro Phoenix office transformation to date. Located at 3200 E. Camelback Rd., Bond sits on the landmark corner of 32nd Street and Camelback Road in Phoenix, … [More]
Real Estate Agent Commissions Haven’t Changed Much since the NAR Settlement Took Effect
The average buyer’s agent commission was 2.40% for homes sold in the first quarter, according to a new report from Redfin, the technology-powered real estate brokerage. That’s up slightly from 2.37% in the fourth quarter of 2024 and 2.36% in the third quarter of 2024—when the new National Association of Realtors (NAR) commissions rules went into effect—but down slightly from … [More]
8 in 10 Hiring Managers Say Recent College Grads Didn’t Work Out on the Job
Managers report excessive phone use, lack of professionalism, and poor initiative among recent graduates
Resume.org, the leading platform for building a resume, has released new findings from an April 2025 survey assessing how hiring managers view recent college graduates. The survey of 1,000 U.S. hiring managers reveals that 8 in 10 say a recent college graduate didn’t work out at their company in the past year, and 65% say they had to fire at least one. Managers also report … [More]
New Tariffs Reshape Economic Landscape, Highlighting Commercial Real Estate’s Stability
Sweeping tariff policy heightens uncertainty. The recent introduction of the “Liberation Day tariffs” marks the most significant shift in U.S. trade policy in more than a century, propelling the net effective tariff rate from about 2.5 percent last year to well above that for most countries. A 10 percent blanket tariff now covers nearly all imports. Initially, 90 countries … [More]
Arizona Is the Sixth-Best State to Work In for Wage Increases, Study Finds
A new study finds that Arizona experienced the sixth-largest wage increase between 2020 and 2023, recording an 18.4% increase. This wasn't too far behind the state with the largest percentage increase, Montana, which saw a 20.7% rise. According to the data, only four states saw wage increases that outpaced inflation. Work management experts Asana analyzed Bureau of Labor … [More]
Greater Phoenix Housing Market Gains Momentum with Sales Increase
The number of residential home sales rose for the second month in a row. Year-over-year closed home deals increased 4.1% compared to the first four months of 2024. “With all the questions about the economy, it’s reassuring to see closings rise again,” said Christy Walker, board president of Phoenix REALTORS®. “New listings are also up again, which gives us a diverse range of … [More]
Optimize Your Business: Time Milestones for Your Business Exit
Selling your business is a milestone, both personally and financially—but it also takes a well thought out plan to maximize the sale proceeds and to prepare yourself personally for the business exit. The more time the business owners have in crafting and executing their business exit plan will result in a higher probability of them to achieve their desired outcomes. … [More]
Their Take: Q2 Economic Check-In – We’re in a Fiscal Pickle
As we have been expecting, 2025 is indeed proving to be the year of uncertainty and volatility. The global tariff storm is building with new developments almost daily. We’re calling Q2 ‘the fiscal pickle’ as the Fed grapples with high and increasing Inflation, while simultaneously dealing with a decelerating economy. Here’s What’s Happening Interest rates pushed steadily … [More]
Construction Safety Week: Prioritizing Safety on Megaprojects
The greater Phoenix Metro area is a growing destination for large-scale megaprojects, many of which are focused on technology-driven growth like data centers and colocation facilities. JLL’s North America Year-end 2024 report indicates that data center/colocation construction in Phoenix alone has grown nearly 200% since 2020. JE Dunn, ranked ninth for semiconductor … [More]
Small Business Week (This Week) Puts Digital Innovation Front and Center
Small Business Week (May 4–10) is the perfect opportunity to highlight how small businesses across Greater Phoenix are turning technology challenges into growth opportunities. Whether it’s a local restaurant embracing online ordering or a professional office moving operations to cloud-based collaboration platforms, technology is no longer just about keeping things running — … [More]
Jobs Report: Labor Shortages Continue to Constrain Small Business Job Growth
NFIB’s April jobs report found that 34% (seasonally adjusted) of small business owners reported job openings they could not fill in April, down six points from March, the lowest since January 2021. “Small business owners remained open to hire and grow their workforce in April,” said Chief Economist Bill Dunkelberg. “While the percent of open positions decreased a bit, Main … [More]
Their Take: Leadership Is a Long Game
ESPN hot take veteran Stephen A. Smith says Mat Ishbia is on the verge of being the “worst owner in NBA history.” Here in Arizona, we see something different: an owner who’s invested more in his teams, his players, and his city in two years than most do in a lifetime. Let’s be clear: the Suns didn’t fall apart overnight, and no one’s above criticism — not even Mat. But to … [More]
Their Take: Powering the Future of the West Valley
The West Valley is booming. Our growing population and major economic drivers like TSMC, tech companies and data centers are fueling this expansion, requiring thoughtful planning to ensure we have the infrastructure to support it. WESTMARC recently revised our strategic plan to prepare for the next decade of economic growth with advanced industries and new companies and … [More]
Their Take: Economic Uncertainty Is the Time to ‘Prepare for the Best’
On April 5, 2025, the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis (FRED) Economic Policy Uncertainty Index, which provides a daily uncertainty index based on news, forecasting, and tax codes for the United States, reported its1 highest score (992.75) in the past 12 months. In this context, uncertainty means a situation where the outcomes are increasingly hard to measure. Since that time, … [More]
