The pandemic made 2020 a difficult year for many small businesses, as many closed permanently. But other small companies had success despite the surge in outbreaks and are hoping to build on those achievements in 2021. How can they keep their momentum going, and what can other companies learn from their struggles to navigate the challenges of the new year? “To stay … [More]
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Pandemic Year Brought Incredible Surge in ‘Million-Dollar Cities’
Zillow
Although the typical value of a home in the United States is about $263,000, the number of "million-dollar cities" spiked sharply last year, according to a new Zillow analysis. There are 45 more U.S. cities1 with a typical home value of at least $1 million than there were a year ago -- the largest increase in at least a decade. There are now 312 million-dollar cities, up … [More]
2020: What Did We Learn & What Is Here to Stay?
by Karen Stafford, MHRM, SPHR, SHRM-SCP
Remote Work Is Here to Stay! While a small number of workplaces offered working from home at least one day a week before the pandemic hit in March (36%, according to a Price Water House survey), when COVID hit that number spiked to 77%. During this time, we learned that remote work can and really does work! Yes, job roles are important, as many “essential worker” … [More]
Flow over Force: Essential Existential Advice to Overcome Paltry Productivity
by Neha O’Rourke
For the woman who’s utterly frustrated by what she perceives to be her paltry productivity (or so it feels that way) in these duck-and-cover days of COVID-19: I see you. I hear you. And, I would like to introduce you to a concept that I turn to regularly to reset the day or when motivation or productivity becomes stagnant. It’s called “flow-over-force.” This process is … [More]
Why You Should Consider a Digital Transformation for Your Company in 2021
by Joel Patterson
As with every new year, it’s important to formulate, plan, and set your business goals. Have you considered how revamping your software solutions could help you achieve those goals? Here are just a few of the reasons to consider a digital transformation for your business in 2021. Keeping Up with Yourself. Your goals most likely include some form of growth—more customers, … [More]
Planning amid Uncertainty: Tax Considerations Business Owners Should Keep in Mind as 2021 Begins
by Kris Yamano
Businesses, no doubt, are eager to leave behind the uncertainty of 2020 for a much more stable 2021. But the truth is that many of 2020’s uncertainties will hang over into the new year. That is why now is the right time to get a jumpstart on 2021 tax planning. Here are several key considerations businesses should weigh as they prepare their 2020 taxes and plot out their tax … [More]
Home Value Disparities Between Races Are Still Pronounced, but Shrinking
Zillow
Typical values for Black- and Latinx-owned homes still lag behind overall U.S. home values, but the gap is narrowing. A new Zillow® analysis shows homes owned by Black and Latinx households are worth 16.2% and 10.2% less, respectively, than the typical U.S. home -- gaps that have closed by about 4 percentage points from their widest points following the Great … [More]
5 Ways HR Can Make Diversity and Equality Central to Succession Planning
inbusinessPHX.com
Women are making progress in corporate leadership. A record 41 female CEOs are scheduled to run Fortune 500 companies in 2021. Along with this positive news about diversity and equality in the workplace, business observers think another good example was set by a male CEO deciding to step down in 2021. Zalando’s Rubin Ritter said he is leaving his position so he can put his … [More]
Change Is Just Beginning: How Leaders Can Focus on Meeting 2021’s Challenges
inbusinessPHX.com
Business leaders dealt with massive and rapid change in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but many small businesses and chain stores didn’t survive. As a new year begins amid much economic uncertainty, companies that successfully navigated 2020’s turbulence can’t rest, and they need engaged, forward-thinking leaders who can keep adjusting and focusing on the right factors … [More]
Amid Economic Uncertainty, Businesses Embrace Change, Strengthen Resolve, Survey Finds
JPMorgan Chase & Co.
In a year filled with unforeseen and unparalleled challenges, small and midsize U.S. business leaders are showing resilience by remaining nimble, accelerating digital adoption and using lessons learned to plan for continued economic uncertainty, according to the annual JPMorgan Chase Business Leaders Outlook survey released today. While the majority of businesses surveyed … [More]
10 Fast-Growing Careers for Remote Jobs in 2021
FlexJobs
The pandemic has disrupted the workplace and broadened access to remote jobs across most career fields. In fact, more than half of companies have hired new staff remotely during the pandemic. U.S. Census data also found that in major metro areas such as San Francisco, Washington DC, Boston, and Seattle, more than half of the labor force is working from home. That said, … [More]
8 Common Mistakes Business Sellers Make
inbusinessPHX.com
All business owners think about selling their business at one time or another. However, for the ones who decide to go forward and sell, there are certain points that need to be addressed if they want to have a successful transaction and get the most money for their business. After selling over 800 businesses, I decided to list eight common mistakes owners make when selling … [More]
How Younger Workers Can Mentor Older Ones and Move Companies Forward
inbusinessPHX.com
Mentoring usually refers to a manager, executive, or experienced employee guiding a younger person in the workplace, helping them acquire knowledge and new skills that foster professional growth. But with the expanding role of technology in today’s rapidly evolving business climate, a role reversal sometimes takes place – reverse mentorship. That is, older employees are … [More]
Workforce Report Shows ‘Positive Development’ in Key Arizona Industries
Greater Phoenix Chamber
The Greater Phoenix Chamber Foundation hosted a Workforce Webinar on Dec. 10th and discussed the current and future state of Arizona’s Workforce. Trevor Stokes, CEO, Partnership for Workforce Innovation provided an analysis of the Greater Phoenix region’s labor market, unemployment, dynamic industries and how COVID-19 impacted Valley businesses. “Despite the challenges of … [More]
Recruiting Best Practices for Improving Your Employer Brand
by Ben Siegel
Business owners can follow these guidelines to keep employer branding a top priority while recruiting talent: Create a group of metrics, and hold to them Establishing a core set of metrics will help build efficiency in your recruiting process. These metrics can include any measures that will help build consistent procedures, though should mainly take focus on consistently … [More]
Five Leadership Principles to Help Us Thrive in Perilous Times
by Abrar Ansari
Regardless of where your company or organization is right now, 2021 is likely to be a year like no other we have ever experienced. The world has never been so stressed, with people being under numerous threats both perceived and actual, and feeling alienated, divided and uncertain about the future. As the author of (Management by Intent) – The Five Principles, I say thriving … [More]
What Every Savvy Business Owner Should Know about Holiday Marketing
by Lamar Tyler
You should be selling during the holidays. When I say selling, I mean you should really be selling a lot of your products and services because people are ready to buy! Many retail businesses make the bulk of their revenue during the fourth quarter and this is largely propelled by holiday spending. Even if you’re not in a retail niche, the opportunity for you to get your … [More]
How the Economic ‘Reset’ Can Work in Your Favor
inbusinessPHX.com
While news of vaccines on the horizon signal hope, some analysts think a sizable chunk of the U.S. economy has been damaged permanently by COVID-19, with more layoffs and business closures still to come in 2021. But to others, the future of a “new economy” in the post-COVID world is bright, opening doors for entrepreneurs, working professionals and small-to-medium business … [More]
