“Exclusive” and “powerful” are two ways to describe the 2015 BMW Alpina B7 Sedan. It is a limited, hand-finished production vehicle that can be so customized that it truly becomes personal. The 540-horsepower, 4.4-liter, TwinPower Turbo V8 engine offers 538 lb-ft of torque and hits 0-60 mph in 4.3 seconds. Customizing this powerful beauty is all about choices and bringing … [More]
CEI’s Maker Lab Advances Manufacturing Opportunity
The new maker lab at the Center for Entrepreneurial Innovation is making 3-D printing available, enabling rapid — and affordable — prototyping to local entrepreneurs and startup companies. PADT StartUpLabs opened last month with five portable and six larger 3-D printers and SolidWorks computer-aided design (CAD) software, along with hand tools and light power tools to support … [More]
Cost Control by Audit
One way employers can keep healthcare costs down is to simply not overpay for the care given their employees. This requires that businesses know exactly what they are paying for, which often depends on specialized knowledge. This is the service niche Mike Dendy created Phoenix-based Advanced Medical Pricing Solutions, in 2004, to provide. Now also operating in the population … [More]
2015 Jeep Renegade Trailhawk
The all-new Jeep Renegade Trailhawk edition is the sporty, borderline luxury four-wheel-drive vehicle that makes sense on both the road and tough terrain. This tech-savvy, all-terrain SUV is what Jeep has presented to attract a new driver and impress with strength, styling, capabilities and economies. This 2.4-liter Tigershark® I4 engine features advanced MultiAir® … [More]
Night & Day: Dakota for Lunch
The scene after 9 p.m. in the Old Town Scottsdale entertainment district is reminiscent of the Vegas Strip. However, in the daytime, these few blocks just off of Camelback east of Scottsdale Road is a quaint community of restaurants, architecture, the latest in design and a great place for lunch. Topping the charts in the area is Dakota, which opened at the tail end of last … [More]
The ‘Secret Formula’ of App Success
Applications for mobile devices are proliferating at an almost-exponential rate. Many existing businesses have more than one, and some businesses are created specifically around an app. A study recently released from ASU’s W. P. Carey School of Business applies analytic research to replace the crystal ball, crossed fingers and specific-market research business owners and app … [More]
Medical Taxi Service
PostOp Concierge, a Phoenix-based business partnership between Karl Frindrich, M.D., and the driver service RubyRide, is the Valley’s first medical outpatient car concierge service for pre-op and post-op needs. Patients will be able to arrive to their procedure on time and have their driver available within 30 minutes of notification when they are ready for discharge. “I first … [More]
North Italia
The northern Italian countryside is known for its small towns and quaint, farm-fresh cuisine that has recently inspired an incredible culinary movement. Sam Fox’s North Italia was a true pioneer in bringing this quality food and many of the traditional Italian dishes to the table years ago. With two local locations, this rustic Italian hot spot is truly becoming a must for … [More]
The All-New Volvo XC90 Inscription
Volvo has long been a reliable and safe car, known for its cutting-edge practicality. This year, the 2016 XC90 is making Volvo macho, and distinguishing the car company as a viable “it” carmaker. The XC90 Inscription is the top-of-the-line model that is both rugged and luxurious. The engine is an in-line four-cylinder supercharged and turbo-charged machine. It has 316 … [More]
Blink Once to Guard Against Fraud
As millions of Americans fall victim to identity fraud each year, USAA is unveiling its solution to offer its 10.1 million members safety against such theft: biometric recognition. A new USAA app has to recognize a user’s face before allowing access to the individual’s accounts. USAA, which offers banking, investing and insurance services to people and families who serve or … [More]
When Patients May Misremember
Dr. Randall Porter’s frustration that patients were not correctly recalling what he said to them during appointments sparked an idea. That spark was further fueled by his dealings with his own father’s cancer diagnosis. The idea: Record exam room visits so nothing is left to chance. The spark came in 2008 and Dr. Porter, a neurosurgeon who moved to the Valley from Chicago in … [More]
2015 Audi S3
Sporty and agile, this smallest of the Audi sedans is powerful and accomplishes the Euro-centric needs that many Americans admire in an Audi. As the sporty version, the Audi S3 is the Audi A3 supercharged. This little car is worth every dollar spent and will engage drivers, meet the latest economic needs in this class, and intrigue those who may be looking at larger sedans from … [More]
St. Paddy’s Month
March 17th is St. Patrick’s Day and includes some very serious lore — although most Americans know St. Patrick’s Day as the day of the year to drink at an Irish Pub. Here are our picks for eats, drinks and a St. Paddy’s Day celebration. Rosie McCaffrey’s Irish Pub & Restaurant The local classic, hands down. Rosie’s is the place to go for anything authentically Irish … [More]
Dodge the ‘Got a Minute?’ Misery
Got a minute? The fact is, unless you are a great rarity today, you not only don’t have a minute, you have a yawning deficit of minutes. There is work unfinished on your desk. You have personal aspirations of all kinds that you never find time for and obligations you barely find time for. You’re already stretched for time, so no, you don’t have a minute. Yet when almost … [More]
IKEA Designs for Business
Debuting the concept as the only one of its kind in its U.S. stores, IKEA last month held a grand opening of its business design center at the IKEA store in Tempe. In addition to the store’s extensive stock of furnishings and furniture, IKEA Business offers its customers free consultation and design services — in its store or at the customer’s place of business — “to help … [More]
By The Yard
In a market of new concepts, the ones that are successful are expanding and Sam Fox’s The Yard at Farmers Arts District Tempe is the latest to truly make its mark. The new location that includes Culinary Dropout is the new hot spot for lunch, dinner and drinks. With its wharf-meets-warehouse look, this indoor/outdoor compound of food, drinks, yoga, workouts and fun is the … [More]
All-New 2015 Expedition Platinum
In the luxury SUV market, Ford has always held a strong spot. Now with the updated Ford Expedition Platinum, Ford is competing with cousin the Navigator and rival Escalade and Denali by GM. Competition among brands was once fierce; now, it is a general rush to include luxury amenities and economies that include fuel consumption and emissions. The Ford Expedition is gaining, … [More]
Company-wide “Bad Mood”? Boost the Entrepreneurial Spirit
When a company is in a bad mood, the signs aren’t always overt. People aren’t biting each other’s heads off or glaring sullenly across the conference table. Instead, it feels like everyone is just … coasting. Rather than digging for solutions, they make a cursory effort and then lay the problem at their manager’s feet. They’re not cage-rattlers and idea-sharers; they’re “yes … [More]
