In a situation where a gunman bursts into a public space and begins random firing, people’s instinct is to duck for cover behind furniture. Jeffrey Isquith, president and CEO of Ballistic Furniture Systems, wants to be sure the furniture can actually stop the bullets. He recalls being in Tucson the day after the Gabby Giffords shooting and realizing that shootings seem to … [More]
Employers, Employees and Workplace Violence
Workplace violence affects nearly 2 million American workers every year — more, actually, as that is just the number of incidents that are reported. According to Jessie Atencio, assistant director and consultation and training program manager for the Arizona Division of Occupational Safety and Health, violence can occur at any workplace, and he notes it is the responsibility of … [More]
Venturing in Today’s Age of the Entrepreneur
Now is the age of the entrepreneur, and today’s entrepreneur operates in a sphere where changes follow each other in rapid succession. In the coming years, the interests of the consumer will once again become a focal point in business. Entrepreneurs are advised to seek a personal relationship with their clients by taking account of their individual needs and desires. Social … [More]
Underestimating the Value of an MBA: The Latest Fad
Why go back to a university after all these years just to incur mounds of student debt? Why learn finance, marketing and leadership skills when there are numerous examples of successful entrepreneurs who founded businesses without getting advanced degrees? Why try to learn business content in a world where ever-changing technology creates dinosaurs faster than Steven … [More]
Where are America’s Most Innovative Technology Hubs?
An important question to ask, of late, is, “Who is on top in innovation technology?” because the answer truly can make a difference in local markets that are all vying for the top position — or very close to the top. The good news is, many of the top communities are on top because they are making a concerted effort to compete. The bad news is some, like Phoenix — although they … [More]
For Health and Franchise
Healthcare franchises are hot. Non-medical homecare was the No. 1 franchise industry a few years ago (2006 - 2009), according to Peter Tourian, founder and CEO of locally based SYNERGY HomeCare, noting that, while it is not necessarily still selling the most franchises, “it is consistently growing at the top level.” The passage of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care … [More]
NLRB: Off-Hours Email OK
Employers who monitor workers’ electronic communications cannot discipline workers for using company email off hours for non-business-related purposes, according to a ruling issued last December by the National Labor Relations Board. The new ruling (361 NLRB No. 126) states that employees with access to employer email systems “in the course of their work” must, in most cases, … [More]
Passion Fires Sustained Performance Improvement
Companies need passionate workers because these workers can drive extreme and sustained performance improvement. However, a mere 12 percent of the United States work force exhibits all of the attributes that define the “Passion of the Explorer,” according to a new report from Deloitte’s Center for the Edge entitled “Passion at work: Cultivating worker passion as a cornerstone … [More]
Cyber Security or Digital Vulnerability?
The common advice — and practice — about passwords is wrong, says cyber security expert Hoyt Kesterson. The former chairman of the international committee involved in creating digital signature credential protocols, the current senior security architect for Scottsdale-based Terra Verde Services points out that oftentimes, being required to frequently change their password puts … [More]
2015 Super Bowl in Arizona: What’s Different This Time?
Arizona will be in the global spotlight leading up to Super Bowl XLIX on Feb. 1, which many hope translates to a boost in our economy. A lot has changed since we hosted Super Bowl XLII seven years ago, when the economy was declining. “Downtown Phoenix doesn’t look anything like it did in 2008,” says Jay Parry, president and CEO of the Arizona Super Bowl Host Committee.“When … [More]
No Legal Risk with Office Gambling? Don’t Bet on It
If part of your office culture includes friendly wagers for Fantasy Football, the Super Bowl, March Madness and Lottery office pools, you might want to quit while you’re ahead and put the kibosh on any gambling activities. That’s because, even though it is widely accepted and popular among employees, any wagering involving money and bets could run afoul of state law and open up … [More]
eHealth: Technology Advances Healthcare Delivery
Telemedicine has been around more than 100 years, but it is advancing with gains in mobile technology. A study by the Journal of the American Medical Association found no difference in care levels or outcomes using telehealth, notes Jim Prendergast, CEO of Scottsdale-based Healthiest You. Alan Roga, M.D., founder and CEO of Scottsdale-based Stat Doctors, has seen increased … [More]
Move Fast for the R&D Tax Credit Refund
Arizona keeps company with 36 other states in offering an R&D credit, with the distinction of not only offering the largest (24 percent) but also the unique attribute of having a refundable option. It is the refundable aspect that adds an element of urgency to this information, according to Tom Sanger, leader of accounting firm Moss Adams’ R&D tax services practice — … [More]
Can Feedback Help Us Succeed?
There are five simple words that can spell doom for a leader — “If I had only known!” These are the words a person utters right after a major client cancels a contract, a customer stops ordering or an error occurs that will cost the business owner thousands out of his own pocket. That’s why the best leaders and the most competent managers thrive on employee feedback! So why … [More]
Wearable Tech: Small Is Very Big Data
Force Impact Technologies, an enterprise at ASU’s SkySong supported by the accelerator Edson Student Entrepreneur Initiative, entered the expanding field of wearable technology a little over a year ago with its FITGuard mouthpiece. An item of sports equipment, it combines an accelerometer that measures how fast something starts and stops and a gyroscope that measures how fast … [More]
Positive Impact: Women and Millennials in Leadership Positions
Some $50 billion a year is being spent on developing leaders worldwide, but it’s not viewed by company leaders as being effective, according to a report released in July by global talent management consultancy Development Dimensions International and The Conference Board. The 56-page report titled “Global Leadership Forecast (GLF) 2014|2015, Ready-Now Leaders: Meeting … [More]
Employee Cynicism: The ‘In’ Attitude that Hurts Business
In an age of cynicism and irony, Northwestern Mutual is a throwback to a more innocent time. The company is the antithesis of “cool.” It has the kind of culture in which people embrace plain suits and sincere handshakes, take pride in wearing achievement ribbons, kick off conferences with patriotic music. It’s the very portrait of wholesomeness and earnestness — the Boy Scout … [More]
Chip and PIN Advances Card Reader Technology
Use of Chip and PIN technology is expanding in the United States as an alternative to the familiar credit/debit card “swipe,” allowing customers greater acceptance rates when traveling and security with reliable transactions both locally and internationally. “The EMV/chip in the card uses a dynamically generated string of data with each transaction that makes chip cards … [More]
