The NFIB Research Center released an industry-specific quarterly Small Business Economic Trends survey highlighting the construction, manufacturing, retail, and services industries. According to the report, the Optimism Index increased from the previous quarter for all reported industries except for construction. “Small business optimism rose in all reported industries … [More]
Expanding SaaS Tax Laws Create Hidden Liability, and Refund Potential
In 2026, as Federal subsidies and grant funding continue to decline for state and local governments, many are turning to sales taxes on business services as a key method for raising revenue. At one time, sales taxes were derived only from sales of physical products bought and sold within a state. However, since the Supreme Court’s Wayfair decision of 2018, definitions of … [More]
Arizona Ranks No. 1 in International Investment Nationwide
Arizona’s strong international ties fueled record-breaking trade and investment in 2025, creating thousands of new jobs and driving more than $1 billion in foreign direct investment. Exports by Arizona companies surged from $32.4 to $44.4 billion – a 37% increase and the second fastest growth in the nation. By comparison, U.S. exports grew by 5.7%. Key Trade Highlights: … [More]
Retail Display Decisions Drive both Profit and Sustainability
Grocery retailers may not need new technology—or behavior change from shoppers—to meaningfully reduce food waste. New research in the INFORMS journal Management Science finds that small operational decisions already under a retailer’s control, including how perishable items are displayed and when (and how much) they’re discounted, can increase profits while reducing … [More]
Phoenix Data Offers Window into National H-1B Workforce Patterns
As global talent mobility, technological innovation, and workforce development continue to shape the U.S. economy, the H-1B visa program plays an increasingly important role at their intersection. The visa program allows American companies to temporarily employ foreign workers in specialty occupations to meet demand for high-skilled talent. Most commonly in technology, … [More]
One Big Beautiful Bill: What Employers Should Know About Reporting
There has been some confusion among employers regarding the “One Big Beautiful Bill.” Despite the shorthand references to “no tax on overtime” and “no tax on tips,” the law does not eliminate payroll taxes or change how employers calculate or pay overtime. Instead, it creates a temporary “individual income tax deduction” for employees, which in turn triggers new (and evolving) … [More]
Small Businesses Face Rising Energy Costs, Limited Flexibility
The National Federation of Independent Business released its new Small Business Energy Survey. The report is based on a nationwide survey of small business owners, providing insight into the types of energy used and how energy costs impact business operations. The survey shows that small businesses are deeply impacted by energy use and its costs. Owners use a variety of … [More]
Phoenix Office Market Posts Strongest Quarter Since 2019
The Greater Phoenix office market's fourth quarter 2025 posted its strongest net absorption since fourth quarter 2019, totaling 531,893 square feet. The uptick in net absorption and 10-year low construction activity led to a decline in direct vacancy to 15.1 percent, according to a report released by Colliers. The Greater Phoenix office market finished 2025 with its … [More]
2026 Carrier Rate Hikes: A Margin Crisis for Ecommerce
As UPS, FedEx, and other major carriers roll out their 2026 rate structures, the ecommerce landscape faces a critical inflection point. With headline General Rate Increases of 5.9% masking effective increases of 10–20% due to surcharges, shipping has ceased to be a simple operational expense. It has evolved into a core component of Cost of Goods Sold (COGS), determining whether … [More]
Middle Market Performance Reflects Measured Optimism
Middle market performance in 2025 reflects a year of stability and incremental improvement following earlier fluctuations. Revenue growth dipped mid‑year but rebounded modestly in Q4, demonstrating resilience despite softer hiring trends. Most companies continued to report year‑over‑year revenue gains, with expectations for future growth trending upward. Average revenue growth … [More]
January Marks Seasonal Cooldown for Phoenix Housing
Activity slowed in the Phoenix single-family residential housing market in January. Closed sales were up slightly, increasing 0.6% from January 2025. Pending sales dropped 31.3% from last year, and new listings were down 6.1%. “When you look at the long-term trending numbers, January is always a slow month for residential real estate,” said Sammy Glassman, board president of … [More]
Small Business Optimism Holds Above Average as Uncertainty Climbs
The NFIB Small Business Optimism Index fell 0.2 points in January to 99.3 and remained above its 52-year average of 98. Of the 10 Optimism Index components, three increased and seven decreased. Expected real sales volume was the only component with substantial change, increasing by 6 points. The Uncertainty Index rose 7 points from December to 91. A rise in owners reporting … [More]
Labor Index Highlights Ongoing Small-Business Worker Shortage
NFIB’s January Jobs Report includes the launch of the new Small Business Employment Index, which measures the current state of the small business labor market. The new index integrates actual and planned changes in employment and employee compensation into a singular data point. A higher Index reflects an overall tighter labor market; a lower Index reflects an overall weaker … [More]
The Workforce Isn’t Burned Out. It’s Grieving.
Burnout has become the default explanation for nearly every form of workplace distress. It gets cited after layoffs, during reorganizations and whenever motivation drops without an obvious cause. But burnout no longer explains what people are actually experiencing. Across industries, professionals are not depleted by effort. They are destabilized by loss. Loss of role. Loss … [More]
AI Slop Crisis: 7 in 10 Managers Report Recurring, Costly Errors from Direct Reports’ AI Use
Resume.org has released new findings from a January 2026 survey of 1,146 U.S. managers regarding the impact of artificial intelligence on workplace accuracy. The results reveal a growing "AI slop" crisis, where 70% of managers have observed direct reports making AI-related errors that carry significant business consequences, including financial losses exceeding $50,000. The … [More]
Look Before You Leap: Questions Every Leader Should Ask Before Joining A Nonprofit Board
If you’re a business leader, you’re probably involved in your community. Serving on a nonprofit board is a great way to share your time and talent. Perhaps someone asked you to join a board. Don’t feel obligated to say “yes” on the spot. Take a beat and gather information to make sure it’s a good fit for both sides. Ask to schedule a meeting rather than accepting … [More]
AI Agents are Reshaping Retail Strategy for Arizona Businesses
As 2026 begins, one technology trend is gaining momentum: the rise of AI agents. AI agents are software systems that analyze data, make decisions and take action automatically, often in real time, without constant human input. Once limited to large national retailers, this trend is now shaping how small and mid-sized businesses approach operations, pricing and customer … [More]
Phoenix Lands Mid-Pack in 2026 National Housing Market Rankings
Home shoppers looking for an advantage will find it in Zillow's newly released list of the most buyer-friendly housing markets of 2026. Indianapolis, Atlanta and Charlotte top the list of metros where buyers will find room to negotiate for relatively budget-friendly homes that have a combination of cooling prices now with expected appreciation ahead. Buyers can breathe … [More]
