Pending home sales fell 17% from a year earlier during the four weeks ending May 28, one of the biggest declines since the start of the year. That’s according to a new report from Redfin, the technology-powered real estate brokerage. That year-over-year drop is especially notable because pending sales had already started falling at this time last year as mortgage rates … [More]
82% of Surveyed Hotels Report Staffing Shortages, According to National Survey
As over 80% of hotels experience staffing shortages, hoteliers are offering potential hires a host of incentives to fill vacancies, according to a new survey of hoteliers conducted by the American Hotel & Lodging Association (AHLA). Seventy-five percent of respondents are increasing wages, 64% are offering greater flexibility with hours, and 36% are expanding benefits – … [More]
Nearly 4 in 10 U.S. Workers Report Rising Workplace Burnout
Workplace burnout is a problem that just won’t go away, according to new research from talent solutions and business consulting firm, Robert Half. Today's study reveals U.S. workers’ burnout levels compared to one year ago, industries and age groups reporting the highest levels of stress, top burnout contributors and action being taken by employers to alleviate work-related … [More]
Privacy Is Security: How Businesses Can Earn Trust while Handling Individual Data Online
To understand how intertwined online privacy and security have become, consider the humble company-issued laptop. The device might only be given to a new hire after he or she passes a series of mandatory security clearances. Some employees will be asked to provide a fingerprint or facial recognition to use their laptop at all. At a minimum, a unique password is required at … [More]
Turning Setbacks into Opportunities: How to Embrace Challenges as a Chance for Growth
Setbacks are a natural part of life. Even the most successful people in the world have failed before advancing in life. One of the most talented basketball players in the world, Michael Jordan, has famously admitted to missing more than 9,000 shots in his career and losing almost 300 games. Walt Disney, another example, was fired from his job at a newspaper early in his career … [More]
Hiring vs. Recruiting: Understanding the Impact on Retention Rates
In the realm of talent acquisition, hiring and recruiting are two distinct processes that play a vital role in building a successful workforce. While both terms are often used interchangeably, understanding the differences between them can significantly impact a company's retention rates. Hiring is commonly associated with filling immediate vacancies and addressing … [More]
ASU-Designed Fiber-Reinforced Concrete Speeds Up Phoenix Rapid Transit Construction
Using fiber-reinforced concrete instead of rebar-supported slabs for constructing Metro Phoenix light rail extensions is giving new meaning to rapid transit. Months of construction time are being reduced to weeks, adding cost savings, sustainability and worker safety to the mix. A collaboration between Arizona State University, the Phoenix Valley Metro Regional … [More]
More Than 2 in 5 Home Sellers Are Making Concessions to Buyers, Nearly Double Last Year’s Share
Home sellers gave concessions to buyers in 42.9% of U.S. home sales during the three months ending April 30, up from 25.5% a year earlier, according to a new report from Redfin, the technology-powered real estate brokerage. That’s just shy of the 45.6% record-high hit in February. The share of home sellers providing concessions—which include things like money toward repairs, … [More]
Greater Clarity on Office Attendance Prompts More Companies to Revamp Office Portfolios
Companies are more proactive about office attendance than last year: 65% say they’re requiring in-office work at least some of the time, according to a new survey by CBRE of 207 companies with U.S. offices. This is more than double the respondents that required in-office attendance last year. Partly due to those proactive efforts, office attendance levels at 60% of surveyed … [More]
Phoenix Sky Harbor Reminds Memorial Day Travelers to Plan Ahead
The summer travel season begins with the upcoming Memorial Day weekend. As the number of people traveling continues to increase and people continue to focus on leisure travel, Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport is expecting robust summer travel passenger volume. As the airport has seen the busiest first quarter in its history, the key to ensure your summer getaway is … [More]
The Role of Conversion Rate Optimization (CRO) in Achieving Impressive Customer Engagement
Google continuously modifies its algorithms to provide searchers with the most relevant content. In March 2023, Google rolled out its Core Update, which is one of the most significant updates in recent years. It continually adjusts its search engine ranking system and user interface, averaging 12 changes per day, keeping digital marketers on their toes. This algorithm update … [More]
The Dangers of Over-Regulating FinTech Software Companies
In a survey conducted on software providers for FinTech companies, 70% of the respondents stated they were keen on collaborating with FinTechs to work on data and AI, while 60% noted fraud as an area to partner with FinTechs. As the FinTech industry continues to redefine itself, experts note that understanding the difference between companies using financial technology for … [More]
Their Take: A Broader Banking Solution for Arizona’s Cannabis Industry Would Promote Growth
Arizona private banks and credit unions are not offering lending or line of credit services to cannabis industry players and those that do, require significant red tape to offer any type of credit. As such, operators cannot borrow against inventory or set up short term lines of credit to manage cash flow. In addition, the major credit card processors and online payment … [More]
Batten Down the Hatches: Fine Tune Your Small Business Plan for Any Economic Environment
In recognition of the more than 33 million small businesses in the U.S., we are sharing helpful best practices to fine tune your business plan to weather economic shifts. Responsibly manage your business debt Interest rates changes have significant impacts on business lending. To effectively manage your debt, consider these financial tactics before applying for a business … [More]
5 Ways to Unlock the Power of Your Employees’ Desires
We can do remarkable things when we listen to our hearts. It’s where our deepest desires reside, fueling our actions (for better or worse) and guiding us onward toward our purpose. Gary Harpst says the job of the leader is to help employees figure out how to connect their skills and passion to the purposes of the organization. With this careful alignment, individuals and the … [More]
The 3 God-Given Desires That Can Make or Break Us (and Why Leaders Need to Understand Them)
Human desire is a double-edged sword. On one hand, our God-given desires—rooted in primal needs for power, reproduction, and identity—fuel our efforts to transform chaos into order. But left unrealized, unchecked, or unchanneled, they can damage and undermine us. Gary Harpst says great leaders must understand the dual nature of desire, because it can either motivate teams to … [More]
Region to Address Unsheltered Homelessness through New Federal Program
The Maricopa region is teaming up with the White House and the U.S. Interagency Council on Homelessness (USICH) to participate in ALL INside, a first-of-its kind initiative to address unsheltered homelessness. (Watch the launch event live at 11 a.m. on YouTube highlighting Phoenix Mayor Kate Gallego and Mesa Mayor John Giles) As part of ALL INside, the region will … [More]
The Unequal Rewards of Peer Support at Work and How to Level the Playing Field
According to new research released in MIT Sloan Management Review, men benefit more from supporting colleagues than women do. A recent study conducted by Nancy Baym, a senior principal research manager at Microsoft Research and Constance Noonan Hadley, founder of the Institute for Life at Work and a lecturer at Boston University’s Questrom School of Business reveals that men … [More]
