Each July, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) anniversary offers an important opportunity to reflect on the progress made in expanding access and opportunity for people with disabilities. At the same time, it is also a reminder of how much work remains, particularly in education. Higher education is often where opportunity either expands or narrows, shaping students' … [More]
Why K-12 Partnerships Matter to Arizona’s Workforce Future
Arizona business leaders talk often about workforce development. We need skilled employees, stronger pipelines and communities that can compete for the jobs of tomorrow. Those conversations usually begin at the college or career level. They should begin much earlier—in our K-12 schools. New research from Harvard's Graduate School of Education examined more than 1,550 … [More]
Small Business Hiring Stays Flat as Unfilled Openings Rise
NFIB’s June Jobs Report shows that the Small Business Employment Index remained essentially flat, registering 100.2 in June after measuring 100.3 in May. This is the fourth consecutive month the Index declined. The current reading is below the 2025 average of 101.2 but still slightly above the historical average of 100.0. In June, 32% (seasonally adjusted) of small business … [More]
How Commercial Real Estate’s Talent Drain Is Hitting NOI
Commercial real estate is bleeding talent. According to industry-standard research by CEL & Associates and the National Apartment Association, annual turnover in property management exceeds 32 percent, a systemic infrastructure failure that drains net operating income (NOI) across both commercial and multifamily portfolios. With property management facing an … [More]
The Hidden $15B Market Powering the Modern Internet
For years, the technology world obsessed over cryptocurrencies, NFTs, SPACs, and AI startups raising hundreds of millions of dollars before shipping a product. Meanwhile, one of the largest infrastructure markets on the internet matured with almost no public attention. The global secondary market for IPv4 addresses is now worth an estimated $15 billion. Until … [More]
Three Questions Every Business Owner Should Ask Before Selling
With tariffs, oil price volatility and ongoing geopolitical tensions dominating the news cycle, many business owners are asking the same question: Is now a good time to sell? According to Mark Herbick, founder and CEO of middle-market advisory firm Pursant LLC, the answer depends far less on headlines than most owners assume. “A lot of people think that because of the things … [More]
Arizona Businesses More Bullish Than National Peers
Nearly 70% of Arizona businesses say they are prioritizing making investments over cutting costs, according to new data released today by Columbia Bank. At the same time, half of Arizona business leaders say they plan to monitor current pressures from tariffs, inflation and rising energy costs for at least six months before making major decisions. The findings are … [More]
‘Job Scrolling’ Emerges as New Workplace Warning Sign
A new workplace behavior is emerging during the workday, one that experts at Careerminds are calling "job-scrolling." The trend comes at a time when 61% of U.S. employees are considering leaving their current job and another 43% say they plan to search for a new position this year. Careerminds analyzed Reddit threads and hundreds of comments where employees openly share their … [More]
Phoenix Construction Momentum Builds as Supply Tightens Across Sectors
Phoenix’s construction market continued to gain momentum throughout Q2 2026, driven by sharpening industrial fundamentals, accelerating tenant improvement activity and a tightening supply picture across retail and office, even as tariff-driven cost pressures on metals and long-lead electrical equipment require early procurement planning, according to LGE Design Build’s newly … [More]
Identifying the Right AI Use Cases and Capitalizing on Them
AI adoption rates have grown dramatically in recent years, and today this growth continues. According to McKinsey’s 2025 survey, 88% of respondents stated that they already use AI in at least one business function, up from 78% the year before. However, most companies adopting AI struggle to achieve strong ROI and sustained business value. In the 2025 study by BCG, 60% of … [More]
Immigration Site Visits: What Your Team Needs to Know
Immigration-related site visits are a routine but important part of employment-based immigration compliance. Depending on the program, a government officer may seek to verify information in an immigration filing, confirm the worksite, review employment records, or ask limited questions about a sponsored employee’s job duties, wage, schedule, or reporting structure. U.S. … [More]
Greater Phoenix Single-Family Sales Post 12th Straight Monthly Gain
Greater Phoenix single-family home sales posted a year-over-year increase in each of the last 12 months, with May closings rising 4.6% from May 2025, and year-to-date closings up 4.7%, according to the latest data from Phoenix REALTORS®. Nationally, existing home sales edged up 0.2% from the previous month and were unchanged year over year. Year-to-date pending sales and new … [More]
The World Cup Isn’t Just a Sporting Event, It’s a Workplace Opportunity
As the FIFA World Cup captures the attention of millions of people around the globe, many employers may be wondering what it means for the workplace. Employees will inevitably be checking scores, discussing match results and rooting for their favorite teams throughout the tournament. While some organizations may view this as a potential distraction, forward-thinking employers … [More]
U.S. Markets Hold Strong amidst Turmoil
The conflict with Iran continues, the Strait of Hormuz remains closed and 20% of the world’s energy supply has been constrained for more than 90 days. At the outset of this conflict, May 15 was often stated as the “pain point” when higher energy prices would begin cutting into economic activity. Inflation data have pushed higher, with core personal consumption expenditures … [More]
How Arizona Auto Dealers Can Tap AI to Build Consumer Trust
For decades, automotive retail has struggled with a trust problem. Consumers routinely enter dealerships uncertain whether the advertised price will match the final transaction cost, while dealers often find themselves battling negative perceptions created by a minority of operators whose pricing practices undermine confidence across the industry. In Arizona, new data suggests … [More]
Volunteerism Is Emerging as a Business Imperative
Every May, Mental Health Awareness Month brings an important conversation back into focus. Businesses post statistics, share supportive messaging and encourage people to prioritize wellbeing. The bigger question is what happens next: what does meaningful action actually look like? The expectation is shifting from acknowledging community challenges to participating in solving … [More]
Extreme Heat Can Disrupt the Tech Small Businesses Rely On
Summers in Arizona mean more customers on patios, employees working from trucks and job sites, digital menus, payment systems, security cameras and Wi-Fi that have to keep running. But the sunshine and heat that define the season can also work against technology, both outside and inside a business. Phones, outdoor TVs, laptops, speakers, security cameras, routers and … [More]
AI Sales Tax Missteps Could Leave Refunds on the Table
Inconsistencies Categorizing AI As Product Or Service May Result In Companies Overpaying Sales Taxes, Making Them Eligible For Refunds
Sales taxes have come a long way since 2018, the year the Supreme Court’s landmark Wayfair decision opened the door for states to charge sales tax on purchases, even if the seller has no physical presence in the taxing state. Since then, sales tax responsibility and compliance have evolved considerably - expanding the definitions of “product”, “service”, and what it means to … [More]
