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]
Phoenix Housing Affordability Expected to Improve as Mortgage Costs Ease
A mortgage payment on a typical home is forecast to be affordable in 20 major metropolitan areas by the end of the year, according to the latest market report from Zillow. That's the most since 2022. Zillow expects slow but steady home value growth, falling mortgage rates and rising incomes to contribute to a nationwide improvement in affordability this year. Affordability … [More]
Hiring Skilled Foreign Talent Just Got More Complicated for Employers
The Department of Homeland Security has issued a final rule changing how the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) selects cap-subject H-1B registrations when demand exceeds the annual cap. Instead of treating all registrations equally, USCIS will use a “weighted” random selection that generally gives better odds to higher-paying positions, based on the … [More]
End-of-Year Momentum Lifts Phoenix Single-Family Sales Above 2024 Levels
The year ended on a positive note as 2025 Greater Phoenix closed single-family home sales climbed 4.5% over 2024, according to data from Phoenix REALTORS. Nationally, sales were down 1% for the year. Compared with December 2024, sales were up 12.1% in Phoenix and just 4.5% nationally. “Strong. That’s one word to describe the finish to 2025,” said Sammy Glassman, board … [More]
Small-Business Optimism Rises Again in December
The NFIB Small Business Optimism Index rose 0.5 points in December to 99.5 and remained above its 52-year average of 98. Of the 10 Optimism Index components, two increased, three decreased, and five were unchanged. An increase in those expecting better business conditions primarily drove the rise in the Optimism Index. The Uncertainty Index fell 7 points from November to 84, … [More]
The Next Logistics Frontier: IoT-Powered Cold Chain Control
IoT-enabled cold chain monitoring involves using connected devices and sensors to track perishable foods, medical supplies, and other sensitive goods during the delivery and storage to ensure they are preserved in prescribed conditions. This is a rapidly growing use case of IoT in logistics, as indicated by various market studies. Future Market Insights, for instance, forecasts … [More]
AI Principles for 2026: Five Rules Every Innovator Should Follow
Artificial intelligence is evolving faster than any other technology in modern history. Every week brings new tools and breakthroughs, yet true progress comes from purpose, patience and understanding how to apply innovation responsibly. Building meaningful AI systems requires more than technical skill. It demands empathy, experimentation and a focus on solving real problems for … [More]
Arizona’s 2026 Economic Signals: Separating Noise From Opportunity
With 2026 approaching, entrepreneurs and high-net-worth individuals are navigating a landscape defined by mixed signals. The record-long government shutdown, Federal Reserve rate cuts and tariff challenges have fueled widespread uncertainty. Yet these events often overshadow steadier indicators that typically guide long-range financial planning and portfolio positioning more … [More]
What Federal Marijuana Rescheduling Could Mean for Healthcare, Banking, and Cannabis
Last month, President Donald Trump issued an Executive Order directing U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi to take “all necessary steps” to reschedule marijuana intended for medical use to Schedule III from Schedule I, making medical marijuana more readily available for research, testing, and personal treatment programs. For healthcare providers and legal marijuana businesses, … [More]
Visionary Leaders Create Change before It’s Urgent
Most leaders don’t ignore change because they don’t care. They ignore it because, in the moment, it doesn’t feel urgent. When the metrics look good and the operations hum along, making time for possibility feels indulgent. But that’s precisely what separates the visionary leaders from the merely competent: They make space to reimagine before a crisis demands it. Visionary … [More]
Arizona Joins Texas and Florida in Top Tier of In-Migration States
Texas and Florida lead the list of in-migration states on the U-Haul Growth Index analyzing one-way customer transactions during 2025, while California ranks last with the greatest out-migration number for the sixth consecutive year. Texas reclaims the title of No. 1 U-Haul growth state for the seventh time in 10 years. It climbs one spot from its previous ranking behind South … [More]
Arizona’s 2025 Economic Year In Review
With over $34 billion in new investment, nearly 28,000 projected new jobs, and major wins across semiconductors, aerospace, AI, broadband, and more, 2025 delivered a year of record-breaking growth for Arizona. During calendar year 2025, the Arizona Commerce Authority and economic partners successfully won 90 competitive projects from companies that committed to creating 27,749 … [More]
