Navigating the dynamic of our modern market landscape requires more than just awareness of trends. Actionable strategies are needed to meet consumers’ evolving demands. That’s easier said than done, of course. Incorporating prevailing trends into your marketing strategy, while ensuring relevance, resonance, and results, is rarely a seamless transition internally. Externally, … [More]
Employers Expect Increased Regulatory Enforcement amid Legislative Slowdown in Election Year, Survey Finds
In an election year that could significantly impact the future of employment and labor law, U.S. employers expect heightened regulatory enforcement as they navigate a host of workplace issues, including the disruptive impact of artificial intelligence (AI) and managing divisive political beliefs among employees. That’s according to the 12th Annual Employer Survey released … [More]
Generative AI Levels the Playing Field for Small Businesses, Says Survey
Forty-four percent of microbusiness owners believe that generative artificial intelligence will help them compete with larger businesses
More U.S. microbusinesses are using generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) to grow and compete, with 50% of owners and operators recently surveyed indicating they have tried Gen AI tools in the past few months. The findings come from GoDaddy's international research initiative, Venture Forward, which quantifies the economic impact of small businesses and explores their … [More]
Arizona Tops List of the Best State to Be a Social Media Influencer
New research has revealed that Arizona is the best state to be a social media influencer. The study, conducted by QR Code Generator analyzed six metrics relevant to working as an influencer in each state. This included each state’s average internet speed, income taxes, average temperature, hours of sunshine, number of clear days annually, and the number of Instagram posts … [More]
If You’re Doing (or NOT Doing) These 10 Things, You’re on the Verge of Small Biz Burnout
Being an entrepreneur is stressful, but small business “fixer” Julie Bee says testing the limits of your bandwidth has real consequences. She shares ten warning signs that burnout looms ahead.
You knew it from the beginning: Being an entrepreneur is no walk in the park. Hard work, hustle, and the occasional all-nighter come with the territory. But if “up to your eyeballs” has become your everyday reality, small business fixer Julie Bee says you’re headed for trouble. That way lies lower performance, poor decision-making, health issues (or health emergencies!), … [More]
Employers Play Critical Role in Curbing Today’s Youth Mental Health Crisis, Says Report
Many American children struggling with mental health challenges do not receive optimal care, and it's exacerbating the damaging ripple effect on working parents and their employers, according to global health company The Cigna Group. A new report by the Evernorth Research Institute details the increasing significance of the youth mental health crisis, the challenges parents … [More]
Arizona Workers Give Office Return a 8/10 Happiness Score, Says Survey
As has been widely reported, a significant shift is taking place in the workforce. Many employees who had grown accustomed to the flexibility and comfort of working from home are now being encouraged to return to the office full-time. While this transition initially faced resistance, a recent survey commissioned by Wealth of Geeks reveals that once employees settle back into … [More]
To the Point: One Effortless Practice That Will Make You a Better Leader
It is shirt but sweet. Listening is a vital skill for every leader. If you want to effectively guide an organization, you need to know the dreams, fears, and frustrations of your stakeholders. You must also be willing to hear the pitfalls to your proposed approach. Unfortunately, listening does not come naturally to most of us. We would much rather hear ourselves talk than … [More]
Arizona Bioscience Growth Continues, Sets Record Highs
Arizona’s bioscience sector has continued its sustained advancement over the past two years and established record highs for several performance metrics, at growth rates often outpacing the nation, according to the latest data analysis commissioned by the Flinn Foundation. Arizona reached record highs in National Institutes of Health funding, bioscience jobs and wages, … [More]
Law Firm Urges Businesses across All Industries to Start Taking Precautions on AI
Innovative Scottsdale-based Rose Law Group, a full-service law firm that prides itself on hyper-responsiveness to clients’ needs urges Arizona business owners and leaders to take serious care with their company’s AI use. Weekly clients are seeking advice from Rose Law Group to develop proactive AI policies to minimize risk with the new technology. There have already been … [More]
5 Action Steps to Get Peak Performance from Employees
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]