DecemBER 2023

Cover Story

19 Top Leaders of 2023: Our list of Valley leaders who are making a real difference!

Each year, we select top leaders who have had great success over the preceding year. This year, we selected 19 leaders in varied established sectors within our business community. We asked hard-hitting questions of these leaders to get a sense … [More]

Features

Mastering Executive Presentations

In the cutthroat world of business and startups, one’s ability to deliver a compelling executive presentation can be the ticket to scaling the corporate ladder. For technology professionals, where information can sometimes teeter between being … [More]

Creating a Resilient Company Culture

In an era marked by immense volatility and complexity, characterized by technological advancements, business consolidations, fierce competition and economic fluctuations, business leaders may find themselves in an unprecedented time of change. The … [More]

Wilde Wealth Management Group: Elevating Corporate Citizenship for Lasting Impact

In the dynamic world of financial management, Wilde Wealth Management Group stands out not only as a symbol of fiscal acumen but also as a driving force for positive community transformation. Founded in 2003 by William and Trevor Wilde, this esteemed … [More]

Retain and Recruit Employees by Offering Healthcare Benefits

There is an opportunity for business owners to retain and recruit employees by providing healthcare solutions. Fifty-one percent of employees say benefits will play a significant role in talent retention, according to a 2023 study by Team Stage, … [More]

Silicon Desert: Lab of the Future

Arizona is an attractive market for life sciences companies. With economic incentives, lower cost of living, and opportunity to connect with major health and education systems, there are many reasons for these companies to move to the state and … [More]

The Next Generation of Future Leaders: Redefining Leadership

“The greatest leader is not necessarily the one who does the greatest things. He is the one that gets people to do the greatest things.” —President Ronald Reagan In the ever-evolving landscape of leadership, a new generation of future leaders is … [More]

Roundtable

Deaf Employees: Headaches or Eagle-Eyed Excellence?

While the first thought of employers on finding out their new employee or interview candidate is Deaf is usually one of alarm and apprehension, the … [More]

Economy

The Secret Weapon in Preventing Buyer’s Remorse

Purchasing a business involves considerable personal, professional and financial investment. For those considering a business transaction, it is … [More]

Legal

NLRB’s New ‘Joint Employment’ Rule Will Apply to More Franchise Relationships

Franchise agreements have long been recognized as independent contractor agreements where a franchisor licenses its trademarks and business format … [More]

Nonprofit

Maintaining Stakeholder Relationships during Leadership Change

Employee turnover is nothing new in the workplace, but it presents an even greater challenge for nonprofits. The Society for Human Resource Management … [More]

From the Top

Developer Brian Frakes Builds Brick-&-Mortar Community in an Evolving Retail World

Not long after graduating from University of Arizona, Brian Frakes landed a dream job for any aspiring commercial real estate developer. The year was 1999, and he’d accepted a position as a … [More]

By The Numbers

What Is the Future Shape of Work?

The study recently released by Adzuna, the smarter job search engine, unveiled insights into the trajectories of hybrid and remote work. The data shows that the proportion of new jobs posted for both … [More]

Startups

Believe a Buddy – the Affirmation Teddy Bear

Believe a Buddy is an interactive, powerful affirmation teddy bear that helps children believe in themselves; it gives children the power to change their negative thinking patterns and teaches them to … [More]

TouchPoint Solution for a Wearable BLAST of Stress Relief

The TouchPoint Solution was founded in 2015 with the mission to bring relief to the millions of people who suffer from stress and anxiety. The wearable device incorporates BLAST® Technology and AI, … [More]

Healthcare

3 Effective Tactics for Business Professionals to Stay Healthy during the Holiday Season

As we approach the year-end, holiday parties and charity galas can often lead to a buffet of temptations for entrepreneurs and business professionals alike. Navigating holiday feasts without compromising our waistline or wellness goals becomes a … [More]

Technology

Improve E-Commerce as Customer Commerce

In the past few years, we’ve been talking to customers about the issue of time. We’ve become acutely aware of the time that is being wasted on traditional e-commerce solutions. SMBs are wasting enormous amounts of their team’s time, using a … [More]

Semi Insights

Intel Hits Semiconductor Milestone

Intel, a cornerstone of the U.S. semiconductor industry, recently achieved a significant milestone in its expansion project at the Ocotillo campus in Chandler, Arizona. This progress marks a vital step in reinforcing the United States’ leading … [More]

Arizona’s Semiconductor Growth Fuels Broader Tech and Healthcare Innovation

Semiconductors are the backbone of modern technology, playing a crucial role in everything from smartphones to advanced medical devices and even smart home appliances. Arizona’s semiconductor industry is driving advancements in more than just … [More]

CRE

2024 Interior Design Trends

The last few years have us feeling all kinds of things. As designers of the built world, we have an innate responsibility to recognize cultural impacts and plan to help alleviate them the best we can. Some of the ways we do that have infiltrated the … [More]

West Valley Retail: A Booming Market

With communities like Peoria, Surprise, Buckeye and Goodyear ranking among the fastest-growing cities in Arizona, the West Valley now boasts a population of approximately 1.7 million residents, booming employment opportunities along the Loop 303 and … [More]

Briefs

Why Community Events Are Integral to Good Business

Businesses today thrive not just on what they sell, but also on the experiences they offer. Z’Tejas understands the importance of leveraging events to strengthen the brand and foster customer loyalty. The restaurant hosts events such as “Last … [More]

Coffee Badging: The Latest Hybrid Work Trend

“Coffee badging,” latest hybrid work trend, is the act of going into the office long enough to grab a coffee, visit with co-workers and/or comply with in-office work requirements. Once the coffee and the socializing dry up, employees leave to work … [More]

Recruitment Franchise Builds Territory in Greater Phoenix

As a recent Arizona State University graduate, Sabrina Demetriades has had the opportunity to witness firsthand a growing concern in our society — well-qualified and educated individuals struggling to find suitable employment opportunities. Through … [More]