Phoenix, Arizona, has emerged as a national leader in the build-to-rent (BTR) housing sector, reflecting a significant shift in the local real estate landscape. In 2023, the Phoenix metropolitan area completed over 4,000 BTR units, marking a 10-year high and solidifying its position at the forefront of this trend. Here, we highlight some of the key findings from the latest … [More]
NFIB Poll Shows Strong Support for 20% Small Business Deduction
A new poll released yesterday by the National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB), the nation’s leading small business advocacy organization, shows broad, bipartisan support for America’s small businesses along with overwhelming support for keeping the 20% Small Business Tax Deduction in the tax code. ““Small businesses account for 99.5% of all businesses in Arizona … [More]
In the Business of Happiness: Expert Explores How Personal Fulfillment Boosts Workplace Innovation and Productivity
Happy employees are more productive, more engaged, less likely to be absent, make fewer mistakes, and tend to be more creative — all of which contributes to a more stable and more profitable workplace, explains Psychology Today contributor and internationally known happiness expert Dr. Alphonsus Obayuwana. His new book, The Happiness Formula, contains the first of its kind … [More]
Latest Arizona Economic Insights Dashboard Findings Announced
The Greater Phoenix Chamber and BOK Financial have released the latest Arizona Economic Insights Dashboard findings. This enhanced tool provides access to real-time, interactive data updates on Arizona’s ever-changing economic landscape. The public can access detailed insights into key indicators such as unemployment, GDP, job projections, population changes, average income, … [More]
Arizona Homeowners Faced 48% Increase in Homeowners Insurance Premiums over the Past Three Years
The Consumer Federation of America (CFA) has released a new report that shows American homeowners saw their insurance premiums increase by an average of 24% over the past three years. Nationally, CFA found homeowners saw their insurance premiums rise twice as fast as inflation between 2021 and 2024, which amounts to a $21 billion total price hike for Americans. However, CFA … [More]
Research Identifies Entrepreneurs’ Top Concerns Today
There are almost 35 million small businesses in the U.S. and our region is home to many entrepreneurs. Phoenix ranked as one of the top cities for startups and Arizona as one of the top 10 states for business growth. As we approach the midpoint of a decade that has brought solid economic growth and technological breakthroughs, despite a global pandemic and geopolitical … [More]
Mastering the Ultimate Leadership Skill: Coaching
In today’s complex, fast-paced, multigenerational workplace, one leadership skill stands above the rest –coaching. In their new book Coaching Power, Tom Preston and Luciana Nunez, partners at the renowned executive coaching firm The Preston Associates, argue that a leader’s ability to coach—not just command—is the key to unlocking potential, navigating change, and supporting … [More]
ASU: Exceeding Great Expectations in Downtown Mesa
In just over 2 years, ASU and city of Mesa’s MIX Center partnership has made downtown the place to live, work and play
Anyone visiting downtown Mesa over the past couple of years has a lot to rave about: The bevy of restaurants, unique local shops, entertainment venues and inviting spaces that beg for attention from pedestrians soaking up urban ambiance or families gathering on lush greenery to watch movies projected onto an outdoor screen. However, Bob Nelson, longtime downtown Mesa … [More]
Bold New Strategies for Empowering Women in Leadership, Urgent Call for Change
Organizations must transform to meet the increasingly complicated demands of today’s business climate, observes Duygu Alptekin Gürsu, a world-renowned executive coach with nearly three decades of experience. Competencies such as empathy, collaboration and development of others (at which women naturally thrive) are desperately needed in high-level leadership positions, and yet, … [More]
Robotic Process Automation Raising the Bar on Manufacturing
RPA in manufacturing 2025: uses cases, trends and predictions
For decades, manufacturing companies have been striving for greater operational efficiency and looking for new ways to reduce manual labor, not only on the factory floor but also in the back office. The implementation of robotic process automation (RPA) technology has enabled companies to achieve administrative workflow optimization that previously were unattainable and thus … [More]
7 Ways Your Encrypted Messaging App Isn’t Protecting Your Privacy
In today's digital age, instant messaging has become an integral part of our lives. We rely on these platforms for everything from casual chats to mission-critical communications. While many popular messaging apps boast "end-to-end encryption," the reality is that they often fail to provide true privacy. The issue lies not just in the content of your messages, but in the vast … [More]
1 in 4 Companies Say AI Skills Protect Workers from Layoffs
As companies navigate economic uncertainty, many are making tough workforce decisions — including hiring freezes, slowdowns, and layoffs. To better understand how businesses are approaching staffing changes and the role of AI skills in job security, AI Resume Builder surveyed 1,000 U.S. managers in March 2025. Key findings: 17% of companies have implemented a hiring … [More]
10 Key Considerations for Choosing a ‘Secure’ Messaging App
In an age where governments and corporations alike collect vast amounts of personal data, hacktivism—activism through hacking—has emerged as a powerful tool for exposing corruption, protecting civil liberties, and pushing back against digital overreach. From whistleblowers leaking classified information to anonymous groups taking down oppressive digital infrastructures, … [More]
4 Ways Successful Leaders Give a Boost to Employee Morale
Only 23% of employees are engaged at work, with up to 15% actively disengaged. This low engagement is even worse for younger generations, and results in an estimated $8.9 trillion loss in global GDP every year. What are some of the ways top organizational leaders are able to increase staff engagement and up employee morale? Dr. Sam Adeyemi, internationally-renowned executive … [More]
2025 State of Influencer Marketing Report: Trends, Insights, and Predictions for the Creator Economy
Collabstr, a trusted leader in the influencer marketing space, has released its much-anticipated 2025 State of Influencer Marketing Report, leveraging first-party data from over 40,000 advertisers and 100,000 creators. The report highlights the trends, statistics, and shifts shaping influencer marketing, user-generated content (UGC), and the creator economy. Key findings … [More]
March Madness Office Pools: Fun, Fair, and Legal in Arizona
March Madness brings excitement to workplaces across Arizona as employees fill out their brackets and join office pools. These friendly competitions can boost morale, but it’s important to make sure your pool stays within Arizona’s gambling laws. Most brackets are due before tip-off of the first men’s game on March 20 and March 21 for the first women’s game, so now is the time … [More]
More People Are House Hunting and Applying for Mortgages as Rates Decline
More house hunters are touring homes and applying for mortgages as weekly average mortgage rates dip to their lowest level since mid-December. That’s according to a new report from Redfin, the technology-powered real estate brokerage. Mortgage-purchase applications rose 7% this week, and Google searches of “homes for sale” are up 10% month over month. Redfin’s Homebuyer … [More]
AI Can Write the Script, But It Can’t Tell Your Story: Why the Future of Social Media Still Belongs to Humans
Artificial intelligence is changing the way businesses approach content creation. It’s writing emails, drafting social media posts, and even mimicking human empathy. AI-generated responses are now being rated as more empathetic than those from trained professionals. But does that mean brands should rely on AI to tell their story? The short answer: No. AI is an incredible tool, … [More]
