People perform at their best when, and only when, they know their leaders care, their work has meaning, and they have the chance to learn, grow, and develop. You’ve got to inspire them, empower them and guide them. Let's focus on the first discipline in this process and particularly on five action steps to inspire people to do their best. A discipline is defined as “the … [More]
Be Ready for Next Year: IRS Tax Withholding Estimator Helps Ensure Withholdings Are Correct for 2024
The IRS encourages taxpayers to use the IRS Tax Withholding Estimator to ensure they’re withholding the correct amount of tax from their pay in 2024. This digital tool provides workers, self-employed individuals and retirees with wage income a user-friendly resource to effectively adjust the amount of income tax withheld from their wages. The Tax … [More]
Need to ‘Nope’ Out of a Business Situation? Thirty Scripts for Entrepreneurs Who Struggle with NO
If you’re an entrepreneur, you’re used to doing hard things. So why do you struggle with saying no? Whether you need to turn down a prospective client, reject a misguided employee idea, or decline the invitation to chair a committee at a professional organization, why does that two-letter word get stuck in your throat? Julie Bee says, for one thing, entrepreneurs are human. … [More]
54% of Consumers Fear Lack of Human Touch: SMBs Tackle AI Integration to Preserve Humanness
2023 saw over 4,600 retail store closures in the U.S., up 80% from 2022. With more than 81% of the entire U.S. population shopping online and 14% of SMBs fearing that their technology is outdated, they must prioritize their e-commerce approach and leverage AI technology strategically. 20% of businesses have incorporated AI because of evolving customer expectations. Although … [More]
Embracing Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion: A Business Imperative
In today’s rapidly evolving global landscape, the imperative for businesses to embrace Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) is a strategic imperative for sustainable growth and long-term success. As society becomes increasingly diverse and interconnected, businesses need to intentionally engage in DEI or risk falling behind competitively. A diverse company looks to employ … [More]
U.S. Annual Home Price Growth Slows but Still Up by Over 5%, Says Report
CoreLogic®, a leading global property information, analytics and data-enabled solutions provider, today released the CoreLogic Home Price Index (HPI™) and HPI Forecast™ for February 2024. U.S. annual home price growth remained mostly consistent with numbers seen since last fall in February but finally slowed as the residual impact of comparing gains with weak 2022 home … [More]
2024 Career Optimism Index Study Highlights Shift from The Great Resignation to a Great Talent Stagnation
The University of Phoenix Career Institute® released its 2024 Career Optimism Index®, a comprehensive study examining the state of American workers' career trajectories and sentiments about the future of their job and career opportunities. This year's Index, the fourth consecutive year it has been fielded, reveals that workers and employers are facing a critical moment of … [More]
Phoenix Final Four Events: Know before You Go
The City of Phoenix is excited to welcome basketball fans to explore and enjoy the excitement in and around downtown during the NCAA Men's Final Four, April 5 to April 8, 2024. Whether you're a resident looking for information about the March Madness Music Festival ® at Hance Park or the Final Four … [More]
Entry-Level Hiring Will Hold Steady during 2024 Graduation Season, According to Survey
Professionals newly joining the workforce in 2024 can expect an active hiring market, according to research from talent solutions and business consulting firm Robert Half. In a recent Robert Half survey, 65% of companies said they plan to hire entry-level professionals, generally defined as individuals with 0-2 years of experience, in early 2024. The Outlook for Entry-Level … [More]
Small Businesses Adopting AI Expect to Thrive Against Competitors
New study from GoDaddy finds 75% of entrepreneurs believe generative AI gives them an edge
New research from GoDaddy (NYSE: GDDY) shows that entrepreneurs are quickly embracing generative AI (GenAI) and increasingly using the rapidly evolving technology to run and grow their small businesses. GoDaddy’s January survey of over 500 U.S. small business owners found that they expect GenAI to give them a competitive edge over other small or similar-sized businesses … [More]
Arizona Comes in Fifth of States Where Businesses Struggle with Debt the Most
A new study has revealed that businesses in Georgia have been granted the highest average in loans compared to small businesses in any other state. Arizona businesses have the fifth highest average loans at $705,000. A study by business formation experts, CreditDonkey, analyzed government data from the U.S. Small Business Administration lender reports from 2020-2023 … [More]
A Pause Is Not a Failure: Seven Ways for Business Owners to Dial Back the Franticness
Most entrepreneurs live for new opportunities. Problem is, when you’re focused on growth, it’s easy to say yes to more than your business can handle. Sure, you can juggle it all for a while, but eventually the stress catches up to you. Your attention is spread over too many clients, and no one gets the service they deserve. Plus, employee coaching and development get the … [More]
Arizona Takes Tenth in States Most Interested in Starting a Business, Says Study
Arizona is tenth in the list of the states most interested in starting a business, according to new study. New research has revealed the states most interested in starting a business, with Wyoming taking the top spot. Business valuation experts at Eton Venture Services analyzed data from the United States Census Bureau on the number of business applications per … [More]
Harnessing the Leadership Power of Introverts
Business leaders may too quickly chock up shy, reticent people as introverted and not cut out for leadership positions. Since this is a group of people who are quieter by nature, it’s important for business leaders to reflect on whether they are supporting and recognizing these employees. They could be missing out on promoting a very capable group with a different leadership … [More]
Arizona Earns a Top Spot in U.S. Business Growth Study
New research has revealed the most entrepreneurial states, with Arizona ranking tenth on the list. The study, conducted by QRFY, analyzed data from the US Bureau of Labor statistics to find the number of new businesses in 2022 compared to 2023; each state was ranked according to the difference rate. Top 10 Most Entrepreneurial … [More]
The Phoenix Convention Center Prepares for the Final Four
Long before any basketballs are dribbled through the streets of Phoenix or fans walk through the doors of the facility for the NCAA Men’s Final Four Fan Fest®, the team at the Phoenix Convention Center & Venues has already been hard at work. Conversations with the NCAA and local … [More]
AI Advancing Workplace Gender Equity
It's essential to approach AI with a critical eye, recognizing its potential to both challenge and reinforce societal biases. “As we integrate AI into the workplace, continuous efforts must be made to make sure these technologies are designed and implemented in a way that promotes equity. This includes diverse teams in AI development, transparent AI models, and ongoing … [More]
Noteworthy Changes for the 2024 Tax Season Affecting Small Businesses and Individuals
It’s a new tax season, signaling a time of financial planning and assessment for individuals and businesses alike. Taxpayers must be keenly aware of the tax-law changes in 2024, since these changes will impact those across various income brackets. Creating a new financial plan during the tax bracket shift allows taxpayers to minimize tax liability and be aware of new … [More]
