Governor Katie Hobbs highlights new employment numbers showcasing Arizona’s continued strong private sector jobs growth, driven by growth in Natural Resources & Mining, Financial Activities and Health Care. Additionally, while the country saw spikes in the cost of housing (4.0%) and energy (0.2%), Arizona saw declines, with housing falling by 0.1%and energy falling by … [More]
Small Business Optimism Ticks Up as Hiring Plans Hit Year’s High
The NFIB Small Business Optimism Index rose 0.8 points in November to 99.0 and remained above its 52-year average of 98. Of the 10 Optimism Index components, six increased, three decreased, and one was unchanged. An increase in those expecting real sales to be higher contributed most to the rise in the Optimism Index. The Uncertainty Index rose 3 points from October to 91. An … [More]
Thirteen Ways to Keep Your Customers Coming Back
You know that friend who's always there when you are in need? The one who shows up on time, follows through on promises, and genuinely cares about what's going on in your life? That's exactly what your business needs to be for your customers. Sure, those splashy marketing campaigns and point-collecting apps might turn some heads. But keeping customers? That's more like … [More]
Report: AI Improved Speed, Not Satisfaction, in 2025 Holiday Shopping
Artificial Intelligence surged throughout the 2025 holiday shopping season, but consumers remain divided on its impact. New data from the Liveops 2025 Holiday AI & Customer Service Report shows that nearly 8 in 10 consumers (78%) have used AI or automation for customer service this season, and 73% say they’ve relied on it more than last year. Yet despite its ubiquity, only … [More]
What Is an Employer’s Responsibility if an Employee Is Cited with a DUI?
Arizona has some of the strictest DUI laws in the nation, designed to deter impaired driving and reduce alcohol- and drug-related crashes. Despite these efforts, the state continues to see rising fatalities linked to impaired driving. December is recognized as National Impaired Driving Prevention Month, an initiative aimed at raising awareness during one of the deadliest times … [More]
Auto Retail Sees Power Shift as AI Puts More Control in Hands of Consumers
The narrative surrounding Artificial Intelligence in the auto retail industry is fundamentally shifting. As 2025 closes, aggregate data reveals that AI is not merely an operational efficiency tool for dealerships; it has become the car buyer’s most valuable co-pilot, dramatically benefiting consumers through transparency, speed, and personalized leverage. The impact of AI on … [More]
Office Space Psychology: How Design Affects Productivity
The design of an office space is more than just an aesthetic choice—it’s a powerful tool that can influence employee focus, creativity, and overall productivity. When a workspace is thoughtfully designed, it creates an environment that motivates and supports its workforce. This intersection of interior design and behavioral science is often referred to as “office psychology,” … [More]
City of Phoenix Sets Framework for Housing Trust Fund to Target Affordability Gaps
The City of Phoenix solidified the framework for an innovative solution to accelerate the creation and preservation of affordable housing in Phoenix. The City Council approved a new policy that guides how the City’s Housing Trust Fund will be used now and in the future. There is a shortage of nearly 60,000 affordable and available rental units in Phoenix, with the greatest … [More]
Labor Quality Tops SMB Concerns as Optimism Edges Down
The NFIB Small Business Optimism Index declined 0.6 points in October to 98.2 but remained above its 52-year average of 98. The Uncertainty Index fell 12 points from September to 88, the lowest reading of this year. “Optimism among small businesses declined slightly in October as owners report lower sales and reduced profits,” said NFIB Chief Economist Bill Dunkelberg. … [More]
Study: Generative AI Can Guide Goals, but SMB Strategy Still Requires Human Judgement
A peer-reviewed study in the INFORMS journal Decision Analysis finds that while generative AI can help define viable objectives for organizational and policy decision-making, the overall quality of those objectives falls short unless humans intervene. In the field of decision analysis, defining objectives is a foundational step. Before you can evaluate options, allocate … [More]
Manufacturing Momentum: Arizona’s Historic October
Manufacturing Month 2025 marked a milestone moment for Arizona, showcasing the state’s rapid rise as a national leader in advanced manufacturing. From record-breaking events and major investments to new partnerships and workforce expansions, Arizona’s manufacturing ecosystem was on full display. Arizona continues to outpace the nation in manufacturing growth: 10% … [More]
Policy Reset in Washington: What HR and In-House Counsel Must Do Now
Business leaders are seeing a rapid re-calibration of federal labor and employment priorities. With the White House expected to revive many of its earlier pro-business initiatives, the coming years will likely bring a move away from regulatory expansion and toward deregulation, employer flexibility, and economic growth. From the EEOC’s new enforcement posture to evolving DOL … [More]
Their Take: The Widening Gender Pay Gap and its Impacts on Our Economy
The latest Census Bureau report flew a bit under the radar — but the findings matter deeply for Arizona’s future. For the second year in a row, the gender wage gap in the United States has widened. On average, women in 2024 earned just 80.9 cents for every dollar earned by men, down from 82.7 cents from the previous year. At the same time, Black workers’ median wages fell 3.3 … [More]
Giving with Intent: 2025’s Playbook for Business, Brand and Community
Corporate philanthropy has entered a new era. No longer confined to year-end donations or one-off sponsorships, today’s giving strategies are deeply integrated into business models, brand narratives and employee engagement efforts. In 2025, companies are leveraging philanthropy not just to “do good,” but to drive measurable impact, strengthen culture and unlock long-term … [More]
Phoenix Lauded as Most Opportunity-Rich City for Construction Workers
Phoenix is offering the most opportunity for construction workers of any U.S. city in 2025, as the industry experiences strong growth nationwide. With new projects fueling job creation, construction spending is expected to reach $2.2 trillion this year, a 2% increase from 2024. With demand on the rise, Astrak, a leading global supplier of undercarriage and wear parts for heavy … [More]
U.S. Housing Shows Unseasonal Strength on Rate Dip – Phoenix Market Remains Balanced
A September dip in mortgage rates paired with a stock market bump gave a boost to what is traditionally the start of the slow season in real estate. The latest market report from Zillow shows activity from sellers and buyers is unseasonably resilient after a lackluster August. "September's market showed surprising stamina," said Kara Ng, senior economist at Zillow. … [More]
$13B in Untapped Gains: How Housing Affordability Is Key to Arizona’s Economic Future
Arizonans have made housing affordability one of their top priorities, and the economic case for action is clear. According to new analysis from Unlocking Potential: Turn Arizona’s Priorities into Economic Gains, a report released by Center for the Future of Arizona (CFA), tackling the state’s housing affordability crisis could unlock billions, support jobs, reduce strain on … [More]
Phoenix’s Vacant Office Space Re-Imagined: Co-Living Conversions
With office vacancy rates and housing costs near all-time highs, cities across the United States have been searching for ways to turn empty office space into housing, and particularly into lower-cost homes. But that seemingly promising idea has been hard to realize, in large part because of logistical challenges—primarily, plumbing that is confined to the building’s central … [More]
